News

The “Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart” podcast continues in August with fresh episodes featuring the likes of Maurice Benard (“General Hospital”), Heather Tom and Lawrence Saint-Victor from “The Bold and the Beutiful,” “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry, and “The Young and the Restless” stars Christian LeBlanc and Tracey Bregman.

Benard will appear in the fifth episode of the audio/video podcast, releasing on Tuesday, August 5, while Tom and Saint-Victor’s episode drops on Tuesday, August 12. One week later, Cherry will speak with Budig and Rikaart on Tuesday, August 19, with LeBlanc and Bregman closing out August on Tuesday, August 26.

The joint interviews featuring Tom/Saint-Victor and LeBlanc/Bregman mark the first time the podcast includes joint interviews in an episode. Prior episodes have seen individual interviews, including Eric Braeden (“The Young and the Restless”), Deidre Hall (“Days of our Lives”) and “Beyond the Gates” executive producer Sheila Ducksworth.

The latest episode of Soapy, hosted by daytime favorites Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, just dropped, and it’s a must-listen for The Young and the Restless fans. The duo welcomed Lauralee Bell, who plays Christine “Cricket” Blaire, for a candid conversation about her life growing up in a legendary soap family and building her own legacy on-screen.

From Family Legacy to Soap Spotlight

Bell opened up about the dynamic between her parents, William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, the creators of Y&r. She shared insights into how their creative partnership shaped her childhood and her early start in the industry.

Read More: See Eric Braeden on Soapy.

Bell also reflected on what it was like to join Y&r as a teenager, the expectations that came with her last name, and how her father wrote pivotal stories specifically for her.

The episode is a touching look into how her...

In the latest episode of “Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart,” Lauralee Bell from “The Young and the Restless” discusses how she landed the role of ingenue Christine Blair on the daytime drama series created by her parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.

“This was never an intention for my family,” says Bell of her joining the show’s cast in an exclusive clip obtained by Soap Opera Network. “My mom wanted me to be a Northwestern Tridelt and go to school. We were living in Chicago, so we were very separated from this … I was a fan, so I would watch, and [my father] would be like, ‘One day you should come and really kind of get a sense of what this is all about.’ I first did an extra part on an airplane with David Hasselhoff [Snapper Foster], and after it was over, I was like,...

She’s going by Christine Blair these days, but to Young and the Restless fans and actor Lauralee Bell, the character will always be Cricket. In fact, Bell said in a new interview with People that she thinks of her longtime character as “only Cricket,” even though Christine Blair has opted to use her given name as she went from model to law student to district attorney. “I’ve only been Ok with hearing that name if [the character is] in the courtroom or in a legal situation because, obviously, the other wouldn’t work,” Bell added. “But I love that the OGs will forever and always call her Cricket.” The actor, whose parents were Y&r creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, made her debut as Cricket in July 1983, according to her CBS bio. Lauralee actually had a bit part on the show at age 13, and “an explosion of positive viewer...

The Bold and The Beautiful spoilers and updates reveal Don Diamont has appeared in several soap operas throughout the years, and his latest character is Bill Spencer Jr. Nevertheless, some fans believe it might be better for him to exit the show, not because they dislike him or his performance, but because of his treatment.

Don Has Played Dollar Bill Since 2009

Don’s first soap role was on Days of Our Lives as Carlo Forenza, and the next year, he was on Y&r as Brad Carlton, playing the role until 2009.

After that, he became part of B&b as Bill Spencer Jr-since both soaps are related, he has made notable appearances as both characters on each show over the years.

Fans have enjoyed watching Diamont’s acting throughout the years. However, some fans are now asking him to exit the CBS soap.

In fact, many fans are expressing concerns about...

Making Pee-wee as Himself was no picnic for director Matt Wolf. He clashed with the protagonist of his film, the late Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens, over creative control — friction documented on screen. But his efforts were validated today with five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.

“I was thrilled and honored to be recognized in that way,” Wolf told Deadline after the nomination announcement. “The whole thing is unusually kind of bittersweet and also emotional because Paul is a posthumous nominee. He was an executive producer on the film, so that’s very special. That recognition obviously means a lot to me, but it would’ve meant a lot to Paul to be recognized by his peers.”

Actor Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images

Reubens, who died of complications from cancer in 2023, earned three Primetime...

The Young and the Restless spoilers suggest that the land of Genoa City wouldn’t exactly feel like Gc without the infamous Victor Newman. Actor Eric Braeden recently did an interview where he briefly talked about how a rival soap tried to snag him.

Eric Braeden On Soapy

Real-life soap vets, Greg Rikaart (Days of Our Lives’ Leo Stark and Y&r’s ex-Kevin Fisher) and Rebecca Budig (Bold and the Beautiful’s Taylor Hayes) have teamed up to bring daytime drama fans a new online series called ‘Soapy’.

The show will interview top names in the business, so who was their very first guest? None other than The Moustache himself, Eric Braeden!

The actor has been playing the legendary Victor Newman since 1980 and is a staple in storylines for the CBS soap. When asked about why he’s stayed on the show for so long, Braeden noted, “Because I...

Many soap opera fans really enjoy behind-the-scenes videos on their favorite shows. While knowing too much about how a film or TV series is made can sometimes ruin one’s enjoyment of it, that’s not so for soap fans who can’t get enough information. Now, director Matt Wolf is opening up the curtain on soaps and focusing on The Bold and the Beautiful in a new documentary that takes a deep dive into how the show is made.

It’s No Ordinary Documentary

According to People, a new documentary called Soaps by Matt Wolf is going to shed light on, “The cultural significance of soap operas and the incredible task involved in bringing these stories to the screen every day.” Working on this film has turned the director into a big soap fan.

But this isn’t just an ordinary documentary about the making of a show, it...

Director Matt Wolf has provided a minor update on his upcoming documentary film focusing on the behind-the-scenes world of daytime soap operas, particularly “The Bold and the Beautiful,” recently sharing with People, “I’m not a lifelong soap fan, but I sure am now.”

First announced in January, Wolf says that the aptly titled “Soaps” documentary broadly reflects the cultural significance of soap operas and how much work is undertaken in bringing stories from the page to the screen week after week, day after day and year after year.

As part of the documentary, Wolf was granted unprecedented access to the half-hour series helmed for more than 30 years by head writer and executive producer Bradley Bell — “The Bold and the Beautiful,” along with sister soap “The Young and the Restless,” was created by the Bell’s parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, in 1987 and 1973, respectively.

“It...

General Hospital fans will remember Leslie Webber (Denise Alexander) not only as Laura Collins’ (Genie Francis) onscreen mother, but as Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) rival. .

However, Leslie was also a Days Of Our Lives alum as well. Leslie also played Susan Hunter Martin on Days Of Our Lives as well.

Denise Alexander Was A Very Significant Part Of Daytime TV

Alexander stands out as one of the most important actresses from the 1960s and 1970s. Of course, Alexander hadn’t been seen on the show in some time.

However, she was 85 when she passed away. Alexander was born in New York City and began appearing as as child actor is things like Perry Mason and I remember Mama.

Denise had an amazing life making her Broadway debut in 1952, she starred as Evelyn Munn in The Children’s Hour. Later, at the age of 14, Alexander starred with Sal Mineo in Crime in the Streets.

The long-time CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, has been renewed for three more seasons, which means that the show is confirmed to be on air up until its 41st installment. Although soap operas are now largely considered a thing of the past in North America and have mostly been replaced by procedural dramas, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, and General Hospital remain the only major ones still on air.

This latest renewal for B&b, therefore, doesn’t come without strong reason and reflects the show’s continued strong performance across platforms. According to CBS, The Bold and the Beautiful is currently averaging nearly 3.2 million viewers per episode after seven days of multi-platform playback. Streaming on Paramount+ has also grown, and the viewership reportedly grew by 8% year-over-year, as per Variety. The show, therefore, definitely has an ability to retain a loyal audience while...

“The Young and the Restless,” the most-watched and highest-rated daytime drama series in the U.S., is celebrating its 52nd anniversary today, March 26.

Created by the late William J. Bell and the late Lee Phillip Bell, the series revolves around the loves, enmities, hopes and fears of the residents of the fictional Midwestern town of Genoa City.

Following the exit of then-executive producer and head writer Mal Young in 2018, Josh Griffith and Anthony Morina were named co-executive producers of the soap, with Griffith also becoming head writer. Since 2022, Griffith has been the show’s executive producer and remains the head writer.

CBS

Under Griffith, the show has continuously produced standalone episodes that celebrate the iconic cast while highlighting the importance of the characters they play. Last fall, episode highlights included anniversary episodes dedicated to the likes of Sharon Case (Sharon Newman), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), Joshua Morrow (Nicholas Newman) and...

Although the series debuted on a Monday, today, March 23, marks the 38th anniversary of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

A spinoff of “The Young and the Restless,” the half-hour series was created by the late William J. Bell and the late Lee Phillip Bell, and remains the most-watched U.S.-produced daytime drama series in the world.

Executive produced by Bradley P. Bell, who also serves as the show’s head writer, the soap opera has won over 100 Daytime Emmy Awards out of more than 300 nominations and has shot episodes in more than a dozen cities across several international countries.

In a statement in 2022, when the show celebrated its 35th anniversary, Bell said, “Since our premiere in 1987, it’s been a fantastic journey and incredible experience for all of us. We would not be here if not for the invaluable support of CBS and our millions of fans around the...

The Bold and the Beautiful debuted on March 23, 1987, and this year will mark its 38th anniversary. Viewers are still deeply invested in the characters’ rich history, especially the Forrester family, who’ve endured many trials and tribulations over the years. Let’s take a look at what makes the seminal soap so special.

The Forresters Are the Backbone

Bradley Bell is currently the executive producer and head writer, owing much to his parents, William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, who created the series along with The Young and the Restless. What sets the show apart from other soaps is its unique throughline which is centered around the fashion industry and the Forrester family. Eric (John McCook) and Stephanie (Susan Flannery) started the fashion house Forrester Creations (with some financial help from her dad), setting the stage for generations of family drama.

Eric had the design skills and Stephanie the business chops,...

James Houghton, best known to soap fans for his role as Kenny Ward on “Knots Landing” and a four-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning writer on “The Young and the Restless,” has died. He was 75 years old.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the beloved actor and writer passed away at his home in Encino, California on August 27, 2024 of peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum. His death was only recently disclosed by his wife, Karen Houghton, the outlet reported, stating, “She did not want to discuss his death until today.”

Born James Carter Houghton on November 7, 1948 in Los Angeles, Houghton was the son of Buck Houghton, a producer on the first three seasons of CBS’ “The Twilight Zone.” That connection helped land the then younger Houghton a role in a 1962 episode of “The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank,” marking one of his first onscreen appearances.

The Bold and the Beautiful will celebrate 38 years on the air on March 23, and has released a brand-new cast photo exclusively on TV Insider. Bradley Bell, the executive producer and head writer of the show, grew up with television playing a pivotal role in his formative years. His parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, were the co-creators of The Young and the Restless and B&b, and Bill Bell had been the head writer at Days of our Lives prior to that, so soaps were undeniably the family business. “We never sat at the dining room table,” recalls Bell. “There were always trays in front of the TV, where we would watch the VHS tapes that were mailed special delivery to Chicago [where he was raised]. As a kid I was watching Days of Our Lives until the age of 9 when Young and Restless was created, and then we were watching all of those together.

The Young and the Restless veteran Tracey Bregman shared her candid thoughts about Lauren. Find out why she wants her alter ego to have more edge.

Og Mean Girl

Lauren was the original mean girl of Y&r. Bregman reflected on her character in an interview with Woman’s World. She wishes Lauren would bring back some of her toughness. Lauren doesn’t need to get into a catfight, but a little edge would do her some good.

“I feel like Lauren’s swung too far into the nice realm,” Bregman said. “I’m every gal’s best friend, and hey, I’m always happy to be at work…but I wish we saw a little bit more of Lauren’s edge.”

Y&r fans still love the time when Lauren bullied Traci (Beth Maitland). Bregman was in shock over some of the things she had to say. “There’s no way in...

Exploring the family dynasty behind the biggest and most successful soap operas, filmmaker Matt Wolf is directing a new documentary film titled “Soaps,” featuring a “deep dive” into the CBS daytime drama series “The Bold and the Beautiful,” reports Variety.

Bradley P. Bell

Cliff Lipson/CBS

According to the outlet, production on the documentary is currently underway in Los Angeles, with Wolf granted unprecedented access to the behind-the-scenes world of the half-hour soap helmed for more than 30 years by head writer and executive producer Bradley Bell — “The Bold and the Beautiful,” along with sister soap “The Young and the Restless,” was created by the Bell’s parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, in 1987 and 1973, respectively.

Dubbed a love letter to an often-dismissed art form and an unexpected look at the rapid-fire process by which soap operas are made, “Soaps” will explore the people who have brought...

Lauralee Bell, the Emmy-winning creator/actress/producer/director, has portrayed Christine “Cricket” Blair for 41 years on The Young and the Restless, the number-one-rated daytime drama for 35 years and counting. She posted the latest in her series of videos on her Instagram to thank the show’s fans for keeping them number one.

The New Year

Bell once again serves as producer/writer/director. Bell and Michael Damian, who portray Cricket and Danny, the soap supercouple who reunited this year, began in the 1980s when Lauralee was still a teen, and Michael was barely out of his teens. They will be featured in the New Year’s Eve episodes airing on CBS on December 30 and January 2.

More: See our interview with Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian.

Bell enlisted Damian, his on-screen son Michael Graziadei, who portrays Daniel Romalotti, Allison Lanier (Summer Newman), Christian Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin), Tracey Bregman (Lauren Fenmore...

As the year is about to come to an end on The Young and the Restless, two actors are set to return to the show for the holidays. These are Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian, who play Cricked and Danny, respectively. In fact, the two actors recently talked about their upcoming appearances.

Danny & Cricket Will Appear On The Soap Before & After The New Year

Bell is the daughter of soap opera creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. She first played Christine “Cricket” Blair in 1983, having appeared as the character off and on throughout the years.

For his part, Damian first appeared as the character of singer Danny Romalotti in 1981. The character has been a love-interest to Cricket, with the two even being married at one point.

Lauralee Bell & Michael Damian – YouTube

According to Soap Opera Digest, Bell and Damian are set to return to The Young and the...

‘Days Of Our Lives’ (Dool) spoilers celebrate the 56th anniversary of a daytime icon, Susan Seaforth Hayes, who plays Julie Williams on the soap.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Seaforth Hayes Started On Days In 1968

Seaforth Hayes has been praised for taking on some of the most challenging scenes she’s ever had to play in her life this year.

Image Credit: Jpi Studios

Her co-star and real-life husband, Bill Hayes, who played Julie’s husband, Doug, passed away in January this year. Not only did she make thousands of viewers tear up when Doug died peacefully in his sleep on Thanksgiving, but she also gave the same eulogy at Doug’s funeral that she said at her husband’s church.

It was a beautiful and poignant full-circle moment since Doug and Julie also recited the same wedding vows as Susan and Bill.

When Doug died and Julie went into the room to say `goodbye,...

Victor Newman is the cornerstone of The Young and the Restless. He could never be duplicated. However, there will come a point when Victor is no longer around. Which one of his kids could carry on his legacy?

Eric Braeden Talks Retirement

In a new interview with TV Insider, Eric Braeden shared his thoughts about retirement. He revealed that he has no intentions of walking away from the role he’s had for 44 years. Braden wasn’t supposed to be a mainstay on the soap.

But there was a time when he considered leaving the first year after his role. Braeden didn’t want to be typecast as a television villain. He played similar roles on primetime soaps and got sick of it by then. It was when William J. Bell created a backstory for Victor that made Braeden fall in love with the character and stay.

Despite his health issues,...

Eric Braeden wasn’t meant to be a permanent fixture on The Young and the Restless. When he first joined the soap, he understood that it was supposed to be a short stint. Eventually, his character, Victor Newman, became the cornerstone. Braeden can’t imagine his life without the soap. But there was a time when he left the show after his first year. He thinks it was one of the biggest mistakes in his career.

Y&r Without Victor?

It’s hard to believe, but the soap started without Victor. It could’ve carried on without him as well. Braeden almost considered leaving the show after one year. In an interview with TV Insider, he said he was hesitant about extending his contract.

“After about a year, I really didn’t want to continue, and I went to Bill [William J. Bell] and said, ‘Bill, unless you ascribe a...

Lauralee Bell dropped a new video she filmed to honor The Young and the Restless 13,000th episode, taking fans behind the scenes of the soap’s big celebration. This marks the third and last film in her series, honoring the milestone moment for the CBS daytime drama.

A Trio Of Celebrations

Bell has portrayed Christine “Cricket” Blair since she was a kid 41 years ago, and the actress dropped her latest Instagram video today to celebrate the 13,000th episode of Y&r, which airs today on CBS. This is Bell’s third and final video touting the special episode. Bell, an Emmy-winning creator, once again served as producer, writer, and director on this video, toasting the show’s milestone achievement with her castmates.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lauralee Bell (@lauralee_bell)

“It was such a fun-filled celebration for the cast and crew creating this episode of The Young and the Restless...

The Young and the Restless had three actors who recently celebrated being on the show for 30 years: Joshua Morrow, Sharon Case, and Michelle Stafford. With all of those decades of storytelling under their belts, the actors have become icons in the soap world. Stafford recently took time to look back on her impressive run and shared her thoughts on social media.

That Special Something

An eager and grateful Stafford took to Instagram to write a long passage reflecting on her time at Y&r. She shared a video clip from the show in which her character Phyllis talks on the phone with Danny (Michael Damian), as the two have a major disagreement. Along with that, she wrote: “On this day, 30 years ago, My first scene, this scene, aired on Y&r. It seems like a lifetime ago.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michelle Stafford (@therealstafford)

Stafford then...

This week, The Young and the Restless fan favorite Michelle Stafford celebrates 30 years as Phyllis Summers on the hit CBS soap.

A standalone episode will honor Phyllis, who has been wreaking havoc in Genoa City for the past three decades.

Y&r fans know Michelle also played Sheila Carter for a brief stint in 2006 when the character got plastic surgery to look like Phyllis.

Over the years, thanks to Michelle’s undeniable talent, Phyllis has given us much to talk about while being the villain you love to hate.

Ahead of her special episode, Michelle shared a video from a fan that featured some of Phyllis’ best—or worst—moments.

“This is so cool. Thank you @fanofsoaps for making this! So sweet! I don’t know where you got all these clips, but I love seeing this. The evolution of 30 years. So fun! #phyllis30 What a wild Wild ride it has been.

‘The Young and the Restless’ (Y&r) spoilers celebrate Michelle Stafford’s 30th anniversary of playing the infamous Phyllis Summers Newman on the soap. Stafford made her Y&r debut on October 18th, 1994.

The Young and the Restless Spoilers: Phyllis Was Only Supposed To Be A Short-Term Role

When the character was first introduced to the canvas, she was only supposed to stick around for three weeks. Bill Bell created Phyllis, and according to her portrayer,

“He didn’t have a vision for the character because she wasn’t meant to hang around. She would come on for a few episodes and then be gone.”

Thirty years later, Phyllis remains a fixture in Genoa City. Initially, Phyllis would only cause some trouble and then make her exit, never to be heard from again.

Phyllis will receive her special tribute episode on October 18th. There will be several fun flashbacks for long-time viewers,...

As Body & Soul prepares to rock Salem, here are five Easter eggs about the fictional soap that Days of our Lives fans need to know.

Getting Soapy

Body & Soul has been a hit soap opera in Salem for years, and it’s biggest fan, without a doubt, is Abe (James Reynolds). After getting addicted to it during his recent bout with amnesia, once Abe learned of its cancellation, he did what every good soap fan would do: fight for it.

Read This: Here’s what’s coming up on Days.

Abe enlisted the help of Kate (Lauren Koslow) to relaunch the show, and he’s hired half of Salem to help him do it. With Leo (Greg Rikaart) as head writer and Johnny (Carson Boatman) as the director, the show is finally getting off the ground thanks to its colorful cast: Hattie (Deidre Hall) as Charlemagne, Bonnie (Judi Evans) as Kassandra,...

While General Hospital is killing babies and The Bold and the Beautiful has a woman in a cage, Days of our Lives is… creating a fictional soap opera. And it’s the best move they could have made.

Salem Gets Self-Aware

At first, the meta mention of Abe (James Reynolds) having a favorite soap opera seemed corny, until Days decided to embark on an entire storyline set around him saving the show from cancellation and hiring half of Salem to help him do it. After partnering up with Kate (Lauren Koslow) and hiring Leo (Greg Rikaart) as head writer of Body & Soul, they went on to cast Hattie (Deidre Hall), Bonnie (Judi Evans), Alex (Robert Scott Wilson), and Chanel (Raven Bowens) as fictional characters with outrageous names like Charlemagne and Arrow.

The self-referencing has only continued with Leo in charge, once including himself with the likes of “Irna, Agnes,...

Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian, who play Christine and Danny on The Young and the Restless, are bringing their characters to The Bold and the Beautiful for two episodes. Soap Hub chatted with the two daytime veterans and learned why the visit tugged on some emotional heartstrings.

Home Again, Naturally

Danny and Christine, as previously reported, are headed to Los Angeles. After he performs a rock concert in Los Angeles, the two are invited to the Forrester mansion for what they believe is a party to celebrate the relaunch of Brooke’s Bedroom. As always with soaps, viewers can expect some surprises!

While Bell appeared as Christine on the show about 17 years ago to help Ridge beat a murder charge, this is Damian’s first visit to the half-hour soap. “We’re doing something new,” Damian says of Danny and Christine coming onto B&b.

“Who knew that you could do newness after so many years?...

Brenda Dickson, Aka Jill Abbott, Was Blacklisted ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia )

Brenda Dickson, who portrayed Jill Foster Abbott on The Young and the Restless, was one of the biggest stars in daytime when the Soap Opera debuted in 1973. However, she was fired from her job 15 years later and was reportedly blacklisted in Hollywood by ‘The Young & The Restless’ Creator and legendary daytime producer William J. Bell.

Brenda Dickson was immensely famous in the seventies and eighties for playing Jill Abbott on “The Young and the Restless.” After she was fired in 1987, the actress seemingly disappeared from Hollywood. Thirty years later, in 2012, she resurfaced with a new book titled “My True Hidden Hollywood Story.” In the book, 64-year-old Brenda Dickson claimed she was blacklisted by The Young and the restless creator Bell who enlisted “Mafia cartel judges and attorneys” to ruin her.

In the book, Dickson recalled her time on “The Young and the Restless...

Young and the Restless (Y&r) spoilers suggest that while Christine Blair and Danny Romalotti are off living their best lives on his tour, actress Lauralee Bell and actor Michael Damian are being rather reflective (in a good way).

That’s because the two are celebrating a milestone of sorts, with June 25 marking forty years since the then-model/now-lawyer and rockstar met.

The two were formally introduced on June 25, 1984, and have enjoyed quite the roller coaster romance! The duo recently chatted with TV Insider about this legendary anniversary.

The Young And The Restless Spoilers – 40 Years Of The Bug & The Rockstar

Bell relays with a laugh that when she first began working with Damian, “I spoke with a very high-pitched, kind of like ‘helium voice’.”

Meanwhile, Damian recalled that Bell commented on his locks, stating, “You have big hair!” The two clicked instantly, as Lauralee notes in the interview that they both...

More than a century after Alice Guy-Blaché became one of the film world’s first directors when she brought “La Fée aux Choux” (“The Cabbage Fairy”) to the screen in 1896, the movie business hasn’t progressed much in giving female auteurs an equal share of jobs. But the pioneer filmmaker might be happy to know that the daytime drama genre has afforded opportunities for women to call shots from the control booth.

Women have been directing soap operas since Gloria Monty, the iconic “General Hospital” producer, directed CBS’s “The First Hundred Years” in the early 1950s, and she went on to direct Joan Crawford during her stint on “The Secret Storm” in 1968. Lela Swift followed in those footsteps and won the 1977 Daytime Emmy for outstanding individual director for a drama series for her work on “Ryan’s Hope.” In the late 1980s, Francesca James, an “All My Children” actress-turned-director and producer,...

Exclusive: Veteran Sony Pictures Television (Spt) executive Steve Kent is leaving his role to focus solely on The Young and the Restless.

Deadline has confirmed that Kent will no longer be Senior EVP of Programming but will become executive in charge of production on CBS’ 50-year-old daytime soap.

He has been overseeing daytime dramas The Young And The Restless and Days of Our Lives since 2007, along with being in charge of development and production of original local language productions such as Outlander, Nikola and As If as well as scripted and unscripted formats like Dragons’ Den.

Spt’s Senior EVP Programming role is being eliminated and Kent’s responsibilities will be covered by other members of the Spt production team going forward, we are told. He is the second senior exec we have revealed to be leaving their role in the past week. Global scripted boss Nina Lederman is exiting...

The NBC daytime drama, Another World (Aw) first aired on May 4, 1964. Created by soap icons William J. Bell and Irna Phillips, it centered around life in the small town of Bay City.

Sadly, the show was canceled in June 1999, and while it’s been gone for a while, it has been far from forgotten by fans.

Karen McKenney, super fan and the admin for the Facebook page, Another World Memories, took on the major task of organizing a reunion event for past viewers of the show, as well as cast, to celebrate the soap’s 60th anniversary this year, in Tarrytown, New York.

Soap Opera Digest (Sod) spoke with Aw alum Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) to get some insight on how fans can be a part of the event, and what they can expect.

“Another World” Alum Linda Dano Is “Excited” About The Reunion Event

Dano tells Sod is “excited...

Editors note: Melody Thomas Scott first joined the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless in 1979. To mark her 45th anniversary, Scott writes about her time on TV’s most-watched soap and why she thinks the genre remains important to viewers.

Having recently celebrated my 45th year playing Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless, I’m often asked how both Y&R and the daytime drama genre have changed since I first joined the show.

When I started playing Nikki in 1979, there were 13 daytime dramas on the air. Y&r was No. 3 in the ratings and would claim the top spot in December of 1988. There was a certain excitement for someone watching their soap live long before Vcrs, DVRs, streaming and the ability to go online to read a recap of the episode. Fan mail was delivered by the truckload to the studio with cards and notes filled with commentary.

“The Bold and the Beautiful”

CBS

In March 2022, CBS announced it had renewed “The Bold and the Beautiful” for two additional seasons, keeping the series on the air through at least the 2023-2024 television season. What wasn’t known then was that built into that contract was an option to extend the deal to a third year.

Last week, shortly after the network announced it was picking up “The Young and the Restless” for an additional four seasons, it was reported that CBS would be exercising its one-year option for “The Bold and the Beautiful” as well. TV Line, which first reported the news of the extension, noted the current season renewals for the two CBS soaps ran through May 2024.

News of the “The Young and the Restless” renewal caused worry and confusion among fans of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” as they questioned why one show got a four-year...

CBS has renewed “The Young and the Restless” for four more seasons, which will take the daytime drama through the 2027-2028 season.

“The Young and the Restless” premiered in 1973, making it CBS’ longest running series. Centered on the residents of the fictitious Midwestern town of Genoa City, the series follows five decades of romances and rivalries between the Newman, Winters and Abbott families. Prominent cast members include Peter Bergman, Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott, Sharon Case, Joshua Morrow, Michelle Stafford, Kate Linder and Lauralee Bell.

The renewal takes the soap opera through to its 55th season. Its current season is averaging 3.5 million viewers per episode, making it the No. 1 most-watched daytime drama for the 36th year in a row.

“The Young and the Restless” was created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. Bell Dramatic Serial Company produces in association with Sony Pictures Television, with Josh Griffith serving as...

Television was a nascent medium in 1949 when Bill Hayes made his debut on “Fireball Fun-For-All,” a zany comedy-variety series fronted by vaudeville comedians Ole Olsen and Chick Johnson.

The series only lasted three months, but that was long enough to set Hayes on the path to become a TV legend through his role as Doug Williams, a pillar of the venerable daytime series “Days of Our Lives” for more than five decades. Hayes, who died Jan. 12 at the age of 98, never forgot the invaluable training he learned from working in the early days of live TV.

“The cameras were huge and immovable back then,” Hayes told Variety in 2018 when he and Susan Seaforth Hayes, his wife of 49 years and longtime “Days” leading lady, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards. “They didn’t have the capability of zooming in or out. It was all live until...

Brett Hadley, best known for playing Genoa City police detective Carl Williams in The Young and the Restless, has died, as reported by Soap Opera Digest. He was 92. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. Hadley first joined the daytime soap in 1980, where he played the no-nonsense detective until 1990. He left the show for several years before reprising the role from 1998 to 1999. When his character returned, it was revealed he had been viciously beaten and suffered from amnesia, leading to his new life as Jim Bradley. Born on September 25, 1930, in Louisville, Kentucky, Hadley studied drama at the University of New Mexico before starting his acting career on the stage. He would go on to have numerous guest-star roles on television, including on shows such as The Waltons, Kojak, Ironside, The Rockford Files, The Incredible Hulk, Highway to Heaven, and many more. Hadley joined The Young and the Restless...

On Sunday, The Young and the Restless will officially celebrate 50 years on CBS. For star Lauralee Bell, it’s more than just a celebration; it’s a tribute to the work of her dad William J. Bell, who created the No. 1 daytime drama with his wife, Lee, in 1973.

It’s also a heady reminder that Bell — along with her brother Bradley, who’s the head writer on The Bold and the Beautiful — is one of daytime’s most important stewards. “We’re representing dad in such big way,” said Bell of her father, who died in 2005. Her mom passed in 2020. “I was getting ready to do an interview the other day and out of nowhere this huge, overwhelming feeling came over me. I wondered, did dad ever consider that he wouldn’t be here at one point and did it make him feel a little bit better knowing that Brad and I were all in?...

“The Young and the Restless” celebrated a golden milestone Friday night when upwards of 60 current and former cast members, along with scores of its crew from the past and present, commemorated its 50th anniversary.

Gathering at Vibiana, a former historic cathedral turned event venue in Downtown Los Angeles, those behind-the-scenes and in front of the camera had plenty to celebrate, including its standing as Daytime television’s No. 1 drama. “Y&r” star Lauralee Bell and her brother Bradley P. Bell – who is producer and headwriter at its sister show, “The Bold and the Beautiful” — honored their parents William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, the creators of both CBS soaps.

Special anniversary episodes of “Y&r” will air beginning March 23, with suspense and romance (of course) taking the spotlight as the residents of Genoa City gather to celebrate the town’s bicentennial at an opulent masquerade ball hosted by Victor (Eric Braeden...

The year was 1983 and Tracey E. Bregman was cast in a short-term role as Lauren, a friend of good girl Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) on CBS’ long-running daytime drama, The Young and the Restless. “Lauren didn’t even have a last name,” says Bregman recalls to TV Insider, laughing about that fateful day. “[Executive producer] Bill Bell said that I went to exit [the scene] and I turned back and looked at Beth and he saw Lauren Fenmore, the mean girl.” The stink-eyed teen may have made her mark bullying Traci, but she eventually left her nasty side behind to become one of Genoa City’s most upstanding citizens. That’s why the Wednesday, January 25 episode, which marks Bregman’s 40th anniversary on the soap, is devoted to her. “Lauren is given a Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Fashion,” Bregman details. A surprise element gets her talking about her life, leading to a...

The late Aretha Franklin was one of The Young and the Restless’ biggest fans, which is ironic since Eric Braeden, who has played Victor Newman on the CBS soap opera since 1980, feels that the daytime serial genre hasn’t always gotten the R-e-s-p-e-c-t it deserves! Y&r debuted on March 26, 1973 so the show’s golden anniversary is still over five months away; however, the long-running soap opera is already starting to celebrate the big event. Braeden sat down with TV Insider for this exclusive interview in which he talks about what actor first convinced him to read for Y&r producers, his thoughts on other genres, and how he almost ended up not appearing as John Jacob Astor in the James Cameron blockbuster film Titanic. Edward Scott, former Y&R producer, now supervising producer at The Bold and the Beautiful, said in The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell...

Exclusive: Peter Bergman will soon learn whether he’ll take home another Daytime Emmy, but the beloved star of The Young and the Restless has already won big: Deadline has learned the actor, who has played Jack Abbott since 1989, has inked a new, five-year deal to keep him on the CBS sudser.

Five-year contracts in daytime are practically unheard of these days — they typically range in length from one to four years — which is why Bergman’s pact is so significant. The actor remains more popular than ever and it’s clear that fans, as well as Sony Pictures TV, which produces the show for CBS, can’t imagine the soap without Bergman. Daytime dramas continue to bring in new actors but viewers never tire of the veterans. They’re like family.

The Young and the Restless has only been renewed through 2024, but there’s little reason to believe it...

The Bold and the Beautiful is celebrating its 35th anniversary this week. The half-hour CBS serial created by the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell debuted on March 23, 1987. On Thursday, March 24, head writer/executive producer Bradley Bell (son of William and Lee) is devoting an entire episode to the character of Brooke Logan Forrester, played by original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang, and five of Brooke’s loves. Brooke’s going through a rough time right now as her marriage to true love Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) is on the rocks. She’ll talk to him as well as ex-husbands Eric (original cast member John McCook), Bill (Don Diamont), and, returning for this special episode, Nick (Jack Wagner) and Thorne (Winsor Harmon). TV Insider chatted with Lang about her journey as B&b’s Brooke, why the audience stands behind the plucky heroine despite her many missteps — all in the name of love,...

The youngest of the four remaining network soap operas will continue at least through the 2023-24 television season. CBS has renewed The Bold and the Beautiful TV series for two more years -- seasons 36 and 37 of the drama.

Created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell in 1987, The Bold and the Beautiful revolves around the Forrester family and their fashion house, Forrester Creations, in Los Angeles.  This season, the daytime drama's cast has included Matthew Atkinson, Katrina Bowden, Kimberlin Brown, Darin Brooks, Scott Clifton, Delon de Metz, Don Diamont, Sean Kanan, Thorsten Kaye, Katherine Kelly Lang, John McCook, Annika Noelle, Tanner Novlan, Denise Richards, Lawrence Saint-Victor, Aaron D. Spears, Rena Sofer, Heather Tom, Diamond White, and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood. Recurring players include Dick Christie, Jennifer Gareis, Avalon and Collette Gray, Ted King, Naomi Matsuda, Dan Martin,...

What better way to celebrate a milestone than to know the show isn’t going anywhere anytime soon? Ahead of The Bold and the Beautiful‘s 35th anniversary, the drama has been renewed for two more year through its 37th season. It premiered in 1987 and has since won 100 Daytime Emmys (with 306 nominations) and is the most-watched U.S. produced daytime drama in the world. “For 35 years, The Bold and the Beautiful has been a cornerstone of our #1 daytime lineup,” Margot Wain, senior vice president, daytime programs, CBS Entertainment, said in a statement. “Congratulations to our talented cast and crew, as well as Bradley Bell, who have made this show a creative and ratings success, and thank you to B&b’s dedicated fans, whose passion for these characters and stories is unrivaled.” The series was created by the late William J. Bell and his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, and their son...

As The Bold and the Beautiful approaches a remarkable milestone of 35 years on the air, CBS has renewed the venerable daytime drama for two more years, through the 2023-2024 broadcast season.

“For 35 years The Bold and the Beautiful has been a cornerstone of our #1 Daytime lineup,” said Margot Wain, Senior Vice President, Daytime Programs, CBS Entertainment. “Congratulations to our talented cast and crew, as well as Bradley Bell, who have made this show a creative and ratings success, and thank you to B&b’s dedicated fans, whose passion for these characters and stories is unrivaled.”

The renewal will bring B&b on par with the other CBS daytime soap, The Young and the Restless, which has a four-year renewal through 2024.

“35 years ago, I would have never imagined what was in store,” said Bradley P. Bell, Executive Producer and Head Writer of The Bold and the Beautiful. “Since our premiere in...

The Bold and the Beautiful, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary later this month, is sticking around for at least two more seasons. The iconic daytime soap has been renewed through Season 37, TVLine has learned, taking it through the 2023-24 TV season.

In honor of the huge anniversary milestone, the series will air a standalone episode (set for Thursday, March 24) dedicated to Brooke Logan (played by Katherine Kelly Lang since the show’s debut in 1987) and “five of her true loves,” per the official synopsis.

More from TVLineThe Amazing Race Season 33 Finale Recap: And the Winners Are...Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro...