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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
Monday, December 21st, 2020
2020 was one heck of a year in real life and in reel life.
2020 has been tough for everyone and many are ready to put it behind us as we look forward to 2021. The situation we are all too familiar with impacted not only our real lives but the reel life of television and movies, including our soap operas. All four daytime dramas were forced to shut down the filming of new episodes in order to figure out protocols under which they could safely film. Bold & Beautiful, General Hospital and Young & Restless had to air previously aired episodes, with only Days of Our Lives having enough new shows filmed to make it through the year without interruption.
When the shows finally returned with new episodes by late summer, things looked a little different, with mannequins being used on Bold & Beautiful in more ways than one, and real-life spouses being called in as romantic stand-ins for love scenes. The show saw a recast Forrester, along with a brand new doctor and love interest for Steffy. However, it couldn’t let go of the Hope, Steffy and Liam triangle, which took a bizarre turn by the end of the year. Scroll through our Bold & Beautiful year in review gallery.
Days of Our Lives saw major actor exits that devastated fans. Several fan favorites returned, including a star taking on the role of a doppelganger with a big twist of a reveal and a villainess back from the dead. The NBC soap opera also celebrated its 55th anniversary on air. Browse the Days of Our Lives year in review gallery to see what was going on in Salem.
Similar to Days of Our Lives, General Hospital fans were stunned by a slew of exits at the year’s end, including several long-running characters. Safety protocols led to a very different looking Nurses Ball for 2020, and surprise character appearances, some alive and some not so much, were a treat. Look through the General Hospital year in review gallery for the highs and lows in Port Charles.
Finally, on Young & Restless, fans found themselves annoyed by the overwhelming focus on Billy and Adam in 2020, and the show managed to introduce two quadrangles. And Nick and Phyllis’ reunion was a delight to some, but not all. And yes, the CBS soap introduces its own mysterious look-a-like story. Browse the Young & Restless year in review gallery and look back at the unconventional past year in Genoa City.
Get the soap news, spoilers and interviews in your inbox daily with Soaps.com’s newsletter. And have a look through the gallery below of soap opera Christmas photos featuring all your favorite characters.
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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