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News Roundup: Familiar Faces in New Roles, Botched Exits and Real-Life Love
Monday, December 21st, 2020
While some actors got nostalgic about the past, some teased about the future.
Get an entire week of soap opera news in one quick dose with the latest stories for The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless from December 14 – 18.
The Bold and the Beautiful
We’ve seen him go to some dark and strange places as Thomas, but you can catch a very different side of Matthew Atkinson in Everyone Is Doing Great. The actor has wrapped up filming a season of the Hulu comedy. Check out the trailer and find out how this might affect his role on Bold & Beautiful.
- Is the show really looking to hook up Thomas and Hope again? It’s sure looking that way… and viewers are already having some pretty strong reactions to the idea!
In this week’s Bold & Beautiful column, Richard imagines a scenario in which Steffy and Liam’s secret could becoming must-see TV, suggests Finn take on a redecorating project and admits he is already missing the mannequin.
Days of Our Lives
It looks like Jake’s not the only one who’s found a new relationship, as portrayer Brandon Barash went public with his new lady love. The handsome actor also gave us a humorous glimpse into the serious business of health-and-safety protocols used by the cast in order to keep the show going strong.
- In some crushing news, Stephen Nichols’ sister has died. Learn how the actor has been coping with this heartbreaking loss.
- Ben continues to deal with losing Ciara, but anything can happen in Salem. Read what Robert Scott Wilson thinks about how his character can survive and what his future holds.
- She can laugh about it now, but it was mortifying then. Revisit the mistakes that Deidre Hall made on her very first day as Salem’s Marlena.
Richard thinks the Charlie story needs to end as soon as possible, Ben is a mopey mess, and wonders at Chad’s lack of faith in his marriage, in his Days of Our Lives column.
General Hospital
Can you believe that Stone Cold has been warming the hearts of the audience for nearly three decades? We help Steve Burton celebrate his 29th anniversary as Jason Morgan by taking a walk down Memory Lane. Then, see the scene in which Stone Cold’s portrayer did something wildly unexpected which he never thought would make it onto the airwaves.
- Yet another hint seems to be have been dropped that Vanessa Marcil could be headed back to Port Charles as she commemorated Brenda and Sonny’s big breakup and got a response from Maurice Benard.
- On the anniversary of Rena Sofer’s debut as Lois, we imagine a scenario in which the character returns to shake things up for several characters… including daughter Brook Lynn.
In his weekly General Hospital column, Dustin questions Julian’s latest “death,” celebrates the twist that will keep an All My Children fave on the canvas, hopes to see a few stalled plots kick-started and suggests Laura make a bold move.
The Young and the Restless
As Tyler Johnson’s Theo departed Genoa City, we lamented the loss of a character whom the writers never quite got a hold of and look at several other recent Young & Restless exits.
- Donny Boaz is back as Chance and gave thanks to temporary recast Justin Gaston for filling his shoes.
- Answering questions from fans, Mishael Morgan explained why working with Bryton James is so hard and what it was like to go from playing Hilary to Amanda.
Finally, Candace dubs the Billy-centric episode a snoozefest, suggests that Nate and Elena’s story is heading in a strange direction and laments that Theo’s exit was a trainwreck in her new Young & Restless column.
Coming up…
What a glimpse into the future of your favorite soap? Read on!
- Will returns to Salem and Lani goes into labor as Sean and Belle tie the knot once again in the Days of Our Lives weekly spoiler video.
- Billy suspects that Victoria is jealous, Amanda is eager to get to the truth about her birthmother, and Genoa City has some unconventional Christmas celebrations in the latest Young and the Restless video.
- It’s a week of holiday secrets and surprises, the ultimate Christmas gift and unexpected party guests in our spoiler digest for all four soaps.
Get the soap news, spoilers and interviews in your inbox daily with Soaps.com’s newsletter. And have a look through the below gallery of soap opera Christmas photos featuring mistletoe, snow and plenty of pretty people.
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
1/51
<p>Ah, nothing quite says that the holiday season is upon us like a majestic pine shaking in its stand because of the proximity of <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> branch-shaker Stephanie (Susan Flannery). No wonder by 2009, the Forresters had switched to fake trees.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
2/51
<p>Not that you could hear them over the tomfoolery that was being gotten up to in 2007 by <em>Days of Our Live</em>s’ Abe (James Reynolds) and Roman (Josh Taylor). Guys, you <em>know</em> Santa’s watching, right?</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
3/51
<p>And then, say, blackmail him? Because for sure, the Baldwin family of <em>The Young and the Restless</em> could help you out with that — or they could’ve once they got done posing for their 2014 portrait, in which they tried their best to look like they didn’t know they were on you-know-who’s naughty list.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
4/51
<p>In 2011, <em>General Hospital</em> toyed with the emotions of the Quartermaines — and viewers — by letting everyone imagine a world in which Jason (Steve Burton) had become the doctor that Monica (Leslie Charleson) and Alan (Stuart Damon) expected him to be, not a brain-damaged hired gun for the Mob.</p>
Image: CBS
5/51
<p>The beard was lacking, but there was no turning down the volume on the cheer when <em>The Late Show With James Corden</em>’s… er, James Corden decked the halls of <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> with Liam (Scott Clifton) and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood).</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
6/51
<p>Yeah, that was <em>not</em> something you really wanted to tell <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin) when she stopped by the hospital to read Christmas stories to the kidlets with Maggie (Suzanne Rogers), Mickey (John Clarke) and Alice (Frances Reid) in 2002. Seriously, look at that expression on her face. No, children. Just no!</p>
Image: CBS
7/51
<p>And also go ahead and show up, ye philanderers like <em>Young & Restless</em>’ star-crossed Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor (Eric Braeden). We won’t judge. Much.</p>
Image: ABC
8/51
<p>Not the Corinthoses’, that’s for sure. Not for long. Though <em>General Hospital</em> scene stealer Dev (Ashton Arbab) was quick to make his “presents” known, he was killed off around Thanksgiving 2020.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
9/51
<p>From the looks of this 2004 photo, <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> had Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) about a bite away from trading Ridge for his biological father, Massimo (the late, great Joseph Mascolo).</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
10/51
<p>Mm-hmm. Sure. But first, we suspect what <em>As the World Turns</em>’ Carly (Maura West, now Ava on <em>General Hospital</em>) wanted in 2007 was to not have a third wheel on her date with Sam (Wally Kurth, now Ned on <em>General Hospital</em>). Side note: Why do we now feel compelled to add more parentheses and mention that the dummy is not now a <em>General Hospital</em> cast member?</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/51
<p>Who could blame <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Ben (Robert Scott Wilson) for looking so glum over the holidays in 2020? At the time, bride Ciara (Victoria Konefal) was de… Ha. We can’t even type it without laughing. As if she could have been dead! No one dies in Salem for long!</p>
Image: CBS
12/51
<p>Ha. We’ll believe that it’s <em>over</em>-over between <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon (Sharon Case) when reindeer fly. Oh, wait…</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
13/51
<p>Actually… is that a piece of the Ice Princess? Helena Cassadine’s cold, cold heart? Whatever it is, it was fascinating enough in 2011 to have distracted <em>General Hospital</em> hottie Ethan (Nathan Dean Parsons) from his pumpkin-spice latte.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
14/51
<p>Well, if we were <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> casualty Macy (Bobbie Eakes), seen here in 2002, it would — and would always — be to start a third of her nine lives.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
15/51
<p>And who knows? By the time you see this photo from 2019, <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Devon (Bryton James) and Elena (Brytni Sarpy) might once again be this close.</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
16/51
<p>In 2010, it didn’t look like <em>One Life to Live</em>’s Langston (Brittany Underwood) was going to have any trouble finding someone to… ahem… toot her noisemaker; Ford (David A. Gregory) appeared to be seconds away from doing just that. Wait for <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Dick Clark</span> Ryan Seacrest, man!</p>
Image: ABC
17/51
<p>Pretty sure <em>General Hospital</em> didn’t have to cue up Khalid, Mariah Carey and Kirk Franklin’s hit to convince Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) to do just that in 2022.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
18/51
<p>This is how we like to remember <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Caroline (Peggy McCay) and Shawn (Frank Parker) — happy, together and next to a tree that has as many strands of tinsel on it as it does pine needles.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
19/51
<p><em>The Young and the Restless</em> half brothers Dylan (Steve Burton) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) enjoyed one another’s Christmas “presence” in 2014.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/51
<p>Mind you, none of these hearty <em>General Hospital</em> characters minded a bit in 2017; they just bundled up and delightedly gathered around Santa (Donnell Turner’s Curtis).</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
21/51
<p>OK, it was more like a decade of Christmases ago that this photo was taken of <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> ingenue Hope (then Kim Matula). </p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
22/51
<p>Let’s just back slowly away. From the looks of this 2004 shot, <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Sharon (Sharon Case) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) have just asked Malcolm (Shemar Moore) to work on the 24th.</p>
Image: ABC
23/51
<p>Doesn’t look like that was the only thing that <em>General Hospital</em> had keeping Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) toasty over the holidays in 2022; Sam (Kelly Monaco) all but radiated warmth.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
24/51
<p>In 2011, <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes), Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) had a ball… hanging from nearly every branch, from the looks of it.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
25/51
<p>That’s what it’ll always be for <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Devon (Bryton James) and Lily (Christel Khalil) when they remember happier holidays, like the one they shared in 2004 with their late folks, Neil (Kristoff St. John) and Drucilla (Victoria Rowell).</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
26/51
<p>We’re guessing this image is from a dropped <em>General Hospital</em> subplot in which Michael (Chad Duell) discovered that ELQ — gasp — doesn’t play Christmas carols as its holiday hold music.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
27/51
<p>Except that wasn’t your mommy <em>or</em> Santa; in 2009, that was <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>’s Bridget (Ashley Jones) and Nick (Jack Wagner).</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
28/51
<p>Sorry, we meant to type “Jingle Bell <em>Rock</em>.” It’s just… is it just us, or doesn’t <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Nick (Blake Berris), here with Chelsea (Rachel Melvin), look as much like Mr. Spock from <em>Star Trek</em> as he does an elf?</p>
Image: ABC
29/51
<p>We’re curious, too, Dex (Evan Hofer): Why did <em>General Hospital</em> have it snowing on you in 2022 but not on your left or your right?</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
30/51
<p>In 2003, <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) appeared to be pondering what to get Victor (Eric Braeden), aka the man who has everything. Hmm… maybe <em>more</em> of everything?</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
31/51
<p>On-again/off-again <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> sweerthearts Ridge (then Ronn Moss) and Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) were on again just long enough in 2004 to pose for their Christmas card.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
32/51
<p>Why, it’s <em>General Hospital</em>’s Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future — Ava (Maura West), Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) — ready to open <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Scrooge’s</span> Finn’s heart in 2019.</p>
Image: CBS
33/51
<p>Ahem, that’s “still <em>can’t</em> sleep,” Santa. Aw, never mind. Let’s let visions of sugarplums dance in the head of <em>Young & Restless</em>’ St. Nick (Joshua Morrow).</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
34/51
<p>No matter how often we put <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> eye candy Oliver (Zach Conroy) on our Christmas wish list, we never seem to get him. How good do we have to be all year?</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
35/51
<p>We hope <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Mickey (John Ingle) had stocked up in 2004, because both Bonnie (Judi Evans) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) appeared ready, willing and able to pay him lip service.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
36/51
<p>There are six words — well, three, three times — that <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Ashley (Eileen Davidson) wasn’t about to say to Brad (Don Diamont) in 2002; he’d snowed her quite enough, thank you.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
37/51
<p>And there’s no thing like wearing a winter wedding dress — the way <em>General Hospital</em> bride Tracy (Jane Elliot) did in 2010 — that is even prettier than the decorations behind you.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
38/51
<p>This warm-as-a-roaring-fireplace photo of <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> exes Liam (Scott Clifton) and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) was taken in 2011. Or a year from now. You know how they are!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
39/51
<p>We would’ve run this entire shot of <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ Mariah (Camryn Grimes), Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) and their ginormous tree, but it was so tall, there wasn’t enough room — even on the Internet!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
40/51
<p>Wanna know how you can tell this is a soap photo and not a real one? If it was real, <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Arianna (Harper Udell) would’ve been screaming her head off the way all babies do when meeting Santa.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
41/51
<p>He’d be a puddle if he’d been on the set of <em>The Young and the Restless</em> in 2015 with card-carrying hottie Justin Hartley, who was playing Adam at the time. </p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
42/51
<p>Ya think if we play the above song on a loop between now and next December 25, <em>General Hospital</em>’s Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) and Luke (Anthony Geary) will do as it asks? Yeah, us, either.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
43/51
<p>In 2015, <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Marlena (Deidre Hall) donned attire that was part Santa’s team of sleigh-pullers, part <em>The Nutcracker</em>. And Belle (Martha Madison)? Well, we’re sure she had the Christmas spirit in her heart.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
44/51
<p>So lavishly decorated was the Young & Restless set over the holidays in 2019 that finding Billy (Jason Thompson) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) among it was a little like playing <em>Where’s Waldo?</em></p>
Image: ABC
45/51
<p><em>General Hospital</em> may have miscast Ryan (Jon Lindstrom) in that role in 2022, with an assist from Heather (Alley Mills).</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
46/51
<p>At a 2010 promo shoot, ol’ St. Nick kicked up his heels — literally — with <em>One Life to Live</em>’s Blair (Kassie DePaiva), Langston (Brittany Underwood), Starr (Kristen Alderson) and Dani (Kelley Missal).</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
47/51
<p>In 2008, a new “Claus” was added to the contracts of <em>Days of Our Lives</em> legends Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes, aka Doug and Julie.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
48/51
<p>In 2015, <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Melissa Ordway and Justin Gaston — years before he’d step in as Chance just in time to marry Abby — posed so stylishly that they made us altogether rethink our #ChristmasCardPhotoGoals.</p>
Image: ABC
49/51
<p>The Hook may have been stalking Port Charles in 2022, but that didn’t stop <em>General Hospital</em> from showing Sasha (Sofia Mattsson), Nina (Cynthia Watros), Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Donna (Scarlett Spears) a festive time.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
50/51
<p>When <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> went all merry and bright, Liam (Scott Clifton), unable to decide on a gift, brought all the gifts that he could carry. And a few that he dropped in the foyer, too.</p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
51/51
<p>In 2009, <em>All My Children</em> patriarch Joe (Ray MacDonnell) received the ideal present from son Tad (Michael E. Knight, now <em>General Hospital</em> scamp Martin): one “wrapped” in an easy-open soap-opera box.</p>
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Look Back at the Year in Soaps With, Ahem, 2020 Vision: Photos of All the Big Plot Twists and Jaw-Droppers From The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful
