Y&R News Archive - 2009
William Russ Joins Y&R
Though the show won't confirm,
William Russ, best
known for playing the dad, Alan, on BOY MEETS WORLD, is joining Y&R as billionaire Tucker, the role that the show began to cast during
Eric Braeden's (Victor) contract negotiations. This won't be Russ's first time on a soap; he played ANOTHER WORLD's Burt in 1978.
Y&R's Eric Braeden "Pulled The Plug"
In an interview with
Entertainment Weekly,
Eric Braeden announced that he has ended contract talks with Sony to stay in Genoa City. "It's slowly sinking in," he says of his exit from the show he's called home for nearly three decades. "It's sad." For the full interview,
CLICK HERE.
Y&R's Braeden Tells All To Digest
As we reported last week,
Eric Braeden (Victor) has been written off of Y&R, after he balked at taking a pay cut mid-contract. But it wasn't the idea of a cut that has him riled. Braeden tells
Digest, "I am outraged that after 29 years of devoted service to this company and show, which I'm very proud of,
to then be dealt with in such a cold fashion ... is so confrontational and so insulting one really has serious thoughts about wanting to continue it." While acknowledging that the current financial crunch makes cuts necessary, Braeden is unhappy with the manner in which the show's offer was delivered. "It's not that one hadn't agreed to a reduction, but they hit you with a sledgehammer," he says. "It's done in such an insulting fashion. It could have been dealt with in a far more gracious way. It is cold and hard-nosed....The whole thing was so calculated it was unbelievable.... It's not even about the money." For more from Braeden, see the next issue of
Digest.
Eric Braeden Off Y&R!
Nelson Branco from TV Guide Canada
reports that Y&R's
Eric Braeden has been written out of the show, and taped his last scenes — and Braeden's rep confirms it's true, at least for now. As Y&R has done with other cast members, the show asked Braeden to take a pay cut when his 13-week contract
cycle expired. Reports Branco, "Actors like Braeden and
Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki), who this past summer was written out after she balked over the same issue, are furious; not over the fact that they are being asked to take pay cuts but that they are being expected to re-negotiate their contracts during their 13-week cycles. It is important to note that they are willing to take pay cuts but at the end of their contracts." Braeden's rep tells
Digest, "Eric is in talks with the show. He may or may not be back."
With
Lauralee Bell's (ex-Christine, Y&R) latest project — the Web series FAMILY DINNER ONLINE. Episode three makes its debut on
Will Ferrell's
Funny or Die Web site today.
Wonder Who She Voted For?
Victoria Rowell (ex-Dru, Y&R) has been in the thick of soap world gossip about a possible return to Y&R, after tweeting that three actors on the show threatened to quit if she was brought back. Rowell made news again at last night’s Emmy Awards, wearing an attention-grabbing gown!
Y&R Settles Casting Rumors
The news that we posted yesterday about the casting call Y&R issued for an established actor to play a billionaire named Tucker kicked off frenzied (and surprising) speculation online that
Eric Braeden was being replaced in the role of Victor. In response, the show has released an official statement that reads, "Tucker is a new character, not a Victor Newman recast. Tucker has not been cast yet." A setside source confirms that Braeden's contract isn't even up until late 2010.
Y&R Casting News
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Y&R has put out a casting call for Malcolm Winters, the role previously played by Emmy winner
Shemar Moore from 1994-2002, and again in 2004-05. The role is set to start airing in November. The show is also looking for Tucker, who is described as a 55-60 year-old-maverick billionaire. The role is contract and will also start in November. The show is seeking "known, established actors."
Spot the Soap Star!
In the midst of wiping away tears, GUIDING LIGHT fans might want to rewind the Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 episodes, rewatch online or look up clips on YouTube. Why? To catch YOUNG AND RESTLESS's
Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) and
Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael) as guests at Billy and Vanessa's country club wedding! Look for the veteran duo sitting behind Rafe as the ceremony progresses. SOD/SOW readers will remember that Cooper and LeBlanc were rumored to be making a hush-hush guest appearance...guess this is one rumor that's true!
Mama Michelle
People.com reports that
Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R) will become the mother of a baby girl this December via surrogate. Stafford, who is not married, decided to go the surrogate route after three years of fertility treatments and surgeries, or as the actress put it in a statement: "After a three-year journey through hell." The actress plans to be in the delivery room when her daughter is born. In preparation for motherhood, pal
Kirstie Alley is hosting a baby shower for Stafford this fall.
Recovering
YOUNG AND RESTLESS's
Christian LeBlanc (Michael) is recovering after breaking his wrist. The actor even Twittered a picture
here. Ouch! Get well soon, Christian!
Y&R Actress Rocks
According to the
New York Post's Page Six,
Billy Joel, who recently split from wife
Katie Lee Joel, has moved on with former Y&R star
Alex Donnelley (ex-Diane). The actress has reportedly been spending time at the musician's Sag Harbor home this summer.
Rocket Man
Eyal Podell (ex-Adrian, Y&R) may not be teaching art history at Genoa City University but his current project has him shooting for the future. Starting August 2, Podell will co-star in DEFYING GRAVITY, a series about eight astronauts on a six-year mission across the universe. "It's from the producers of GREY'S ANATOMY and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and is sure to appeal to the soap viewer during prime time," teases Podell. Check out upcoming scenes
here.
Great Scott! Melody Is Staying
TVGuideMagazine.com reports that
Melody Thomas Scott will stay as Y&R’s Nikki, the role she has played since 1979. The actress was mum on contract details, but confirmed that the character would leave in August for a few weeks. (That exit was scripted just in case no deal was made between the actress and Sony.) Scott will take a brief vacation and then return.
Driscoll On Y&R
After weeks of rumors and "no comment" from YOUNG AND RESTLESS, the CBS soap confirms that
John Driscoll (ex-Coop, GUIDING LIGHT) has been cast in the role of Phillip Chancellor IV. His first airdate is July 16 when the character returns to Genoa City.
Y&R Star Launches Second Book
Elieen Davidson (Ashely, Y&R) released her second book today, June 10, titled
Dial Emmy for Murder. You can find it on both
Amazon.com and
BarnesandNoble.com. Davidson's first book,
Death In Daytime, was released October 2008.
A third book is already in the works. "Some of the characters will go book to book," Davidson explains. "It was almost a natural thing to do. I'm just getting to know these characters and it's been an interesting process. The more I write them, the more I can explore them."
Y&R Spoiler Alert
Tammy Barr has been cast in the role of "Young Patty" on Y&R. According to an email from the actress, "The Young and the Restless has been bringing back previous characters and storylines and with the airing of episode 9180 on July 2nd fans will see that Mary Jane is really Patty Williams (Paul's sister and Jack's ex-wife).... Tammy will be in flashback scenes playing a young Patty in Mary Jane's dream sequence."
Y&R Alum Stars In Web Comedy
YOUNG AND RESTLESS alumnus Lauralee Bell (ex-Christine) is embarking on a new project: a webisode called FAMILY DINNER. Created and produced by Bell and her husband, Scott Martin, and written and produced by Bell, the three-minute webisodes feature the actress as an attention-starved mother of three. Aaron Lustig (ex-Tim, Y&R) plays her husband, while comedy legend Phyllis Diller (ex-Gladys, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL) portrays her mother-in-law in the dysfunctional family comedy. Dan Cortese of MTV, VERONICA'S CLOSET and ROCK ME BABY stars as the reality show producer. The promo has begun airing on www.youtube.com and www.familydinneronline.com. The first webisode premieres on www.funnyordie.com on June 8th and www.familydinneronline.com. Episode two premieres on June 17th on www.familydinneronline.com.
Adam Recast on YOUNG AND RESTLESS!
A new Adam will be wreaking havoc in the Newman household on Y&R, a show spokesperson confirms. Y&R has recast Chris Engen with seasoned actor Michael Muhney, who starred on VERONICA MARS and THE HUNTRESS, and has done guest spots on many prime-time series, including WITHOUT A TRACE, CHARMED, JAG and CSI: MIAMI. There were rumors earlier this year that Engen, who began on Y&R on February 12, 2008, was leaving, especially after his character was sent to prison. Muhney will first appear on June 25.
Engen Speaks Out
Chris Engen, who last airs as YOUNG AND RESTLESS's Adam on June 24,
has commented on the recent controversy and mystery surrounding his sudden
departure from the role he created in 2008.
Engen posted this statement on his MySpace page on Tuesday, May 26. It began
as
follows:
"Good Day. This is the first time in my life that I address an audience so
vast and varied. There are a number of heated topics that have become
entwined with my recent decision to quit my job, and I feel there are a
number of truths that deserve to be stated, a number of untruths that
deserve to be rectified, and a few of my own ideas that, by way of
circumstance, I am compelled to inject into the debate. This is the only
statement I intend to make regarding this subject."
Engen made it clear that it was his choice to leave the role and that he did
not storm off the set, as several postings online hinted at. He made no
comment on the rumor that he was upset at an upcoming story point where Adam
would kiss a man.
"True — I was not comfortable with many of the challenges they presented
before me, but I put my head down and did my job," Engen continues. "The
fact that I had an opportunity as ostensibly attractive and lucrative as
this, particularly in difficult economic times and with so many talented
actors and industry professionals out of work was, of course, more than
reason enough to be grateful. I considered it part of the challenge and
within my job description to do the best with whatever storyline was being
written for me, as I was very fortunate to be getting a storyline in the
first place. I understand that the writers have a very difficult task. They
accomplish more in a week than what other shows do in over a month. I never
stormed off the set, nor have I stormed off any set in my 18 years of
struggle as an artist. I felt generally unhappy about my contribution to the
show, and had greater and greater difficulty making any sense of the
challenges they were asking me to face. If that makes me a limited actor,
then so be it. I was allowed ONE meeting with Maria Bell, and I called in
sick ONCE in my 16 months on the show. In the end, I didn’t feel that
decisions were being made in my best interests, personally or
professionally."
Y&R didn't make any statement regarding the reasons for Engen's departure
only that Michael Muhney (VERONICA MARS, THE HUNTRESS) would be taking over
the role. His first airdate is June 25.
For Engen's entire statement, go here.
It's Official!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has officially announced that the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on the CW television network on Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. The show will take place in the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. "The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business," said Frank Radice, president and chief marketing officer, NATAS. "There wouldn't be a television awards season without them. From the extravagant red carpet to the great entertainment, the viewer will experience the show through new approaches which will make this year's show more robust and relevant than ever before."
Major nominations will be announced on May 14, 2009 on NBC's TODAY show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The complete list will be available that evening at a nominating event at the Hearst Tower.
Nia Peeples Off Y&R!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Nia Peeples, who plays Karen Winters, has been axed. The actress originated the role in April 2007 but was let go by May 2008, then brought back last July. A last airdate has not been announced.
Y&R: Jill Update
Soap Opera Weekly has learned that Jess Walton has re-signed and will remain as YOUNG AND RESTLESS's Jill.
On Friday, soapoperadigest.com broke the news that Y&R put out an emergency casting call for the role of Jill, played by Jess Walton. At the time, we heard she was sick and thought it could be a temporary recast, but now we're hearing it's actually a contract dispute and Walton is holding her ground against the show she's been on since 1988. Check back for more details.
Y&R's New Jill?
Is Jess Walton leaving Y&R or is the show casting Katherine Chancellor's biological daughter? A casting call went out for Jill Abbott today, to start shooting ASAP. The show is seeking an "established actress" for the contract role. She is described as "late '50s, Caucasian, female. This sexy, fiery woman is a smart and confident CEO of a successful company. While she is strong and can hold her own, she is also a mother and grandmother who wants what is best for her family." An insider says Walton has been under the weather lately, so it could just be a temporary recast. Check back with soapoperadigest.com for more.
Daytime Emmys To Air On The CW
GoldDerby.com reports that The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are about to announce that the Daytime Emmys will be broadcast on The CW network in late August, most likely on Aug. 31. The news ends months of speculation on the dismal fate of the awards show. Though The CW doesn't air any daytime soaps, it is the home of GOSSIP GIRL and various talk shows that are also in the Daytime Emmy world.
DVDs of performances from all the pre-nominated actors (Check out the pre-noms here) have been mailed out today to the voters. Nominees in the major categories will be announced on May 14 during the fourth hour of the TODAY show. The remaining nominees will be announced during a reception that
evening at the Hearst Building in New York City.
Y&R Casting News
Soap vet Roscoe Born returns to Y&R in March 31 to reprise Tom Fisher,
Kevin's abusive dad. Since this cad was shot dead by a pistol-packing John
Abbott in 2005, Terrible Tom will be returning from hell to haunt his poor
demented son.
Kris And Chris
Kristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R) appears on the sitcom EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS in an episode that airs on March 20. Kristoff will play himself when he's brought in for a police line-up, thanks to a car accident caused by Chris (Tyler James Williams).
Daytime Emmy Update
"There will definitely be a broadcast and it will be a cool event!" confirms an insider. The nominations will be announced for the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy awards in late April. The broadcast is slated for early June. Check
back with SoapOperaDigest.com for updated information.
Bryton And Morgan Win Image Awards
Bryton (Devon, Y&R) and Debbi Morgan (Angie,
AMC) were named Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Daytime
Drama Series at the 40th Annual NAACP Image awards presented Thursday, Feb.
12 in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The awards honor individuals, as
well as projects that promote diversity in the arts, literature, cinema,
recording and television.
Soap actors on GHOST WHISPERER
TV Guide is reporting that THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS's Thad Luckinbill (J.T)
and Amelia Heinle (Victoria) and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Lesli Kay
(Felicia) will play — what else? — soap actors on HOPE'S EDGE, a fictional soap that's taping scenes in Melinda's (Jennifer Love Hewitt) antiques store on GHOST WHISPERER. Of course a ghost of a late HOPE'S actor is an integral part of the story. The episode is slated to air April 24.
AFTRA Salutes Y&R's Jeanne Cooper
YOUNG AND RESTLESS's Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) will be honored by the
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) this year with
their Media and Entertainment Excellence award. The class of 2009 also
includes recording artist Smokey Robinson, broadcaster Vin Scully and late voiceover artist Don LaFontaine. The event will be celebrated on March 9 in Los Angeles. Congratulations Jeanne.
Daytime Emmy Update
Though there's nothing to mark on your calendars yet, an well-placed insider involved with the Daytime Emmys
says, "I'm assured there will be a telecast. Lots of work has
been going on in the background by good people to make this happen. There will be a show."
Y&R Star Engaged
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Season 3 winner Eva Marcille (Tyra, Y&R) is engaged to her boyfriend, Lance Gross, star of TYLER PERRY'S HOUSE OF PAYNE — the series where the pair met. Gross popped the question on Christmas Eve with a three-carat Pavé Cartier ring, according to Us Weekly. The magazine also said the couple is considering a summer ceremony in 2010.
