— As it usually happens in the entertainment world, people generally fail upward. When Chuck Pratt Jr. found out his contract for his head writing and co-executive producing gig at The Young and the Restless wasn’t going to get renewed, he inked a primetime deal. The soap scribe was named as show runner for Lee Daniels’ (Empire) midseason series Star on Tuesday (September 13). The TV Line article listed Pratt as Y&R’s former headwriter, which made Y&R fans implode on Twitter with the #ChuckPrattIsGoneParty hashtag. It’ll be interesting to see if Pratt can manage to write for an entire canvas consisting of African Americans when he could barely write for the few on Y&R.
Daytime Confidential was the first to whisper that Sally Sussman Morina (who previously worked with William J. Bell) was up for the gig she was turned down for two years ago in favour of Pratt. Soap Opera Digest confirmed Sussman Morina’s appointment on September 15.
“Sally was part of the team that first brought Y&R to its long-standing position as America’s #1 daytime drama and brings with her years of experience writing serialized storylines,” said Steve Kent, Sony Pictures Television’s Senior Executive Vice President of Programming in a statement to SOD. CBS Daytime head Angelica McDaniel continued “Her long-standing familiarity with the citizens of Genoa City and her great storytelling make her a perfect choice to take the reins at Y&R.
In addition to working with Bell develop the Abbott family, the soap scribe also created the role of Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman). Sussman Morina’s other credits include Generations, Knots Landing, Spyder Games, Days of our Lives and Another World. Sussman Morina’s husband, Anthony Marina, also serves as Y&R’s supervising producer.
Y&R fans are very relieved and looking forward to the new vision of Sussman Morina and recently appointed executive producer Mal Young.
— Coming up this week on The Young and the Restless (CBS/Global): On Monday (September 19; Canadian episode), Victor (Eric Braeden) directs an accusation towards Jack (Peter Bergman). Kevin (Greg Rikaart) opens up to Michael (Christian LeBlanc). Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) tries to start over. Jill (Jess Walton) makes an advance on Travis (Michael Roark) on Tuesday (September 20). The future of the Abbott/Winters foundation hangs in the balance. Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) presses her luck.
Ashley (Eileen Davidson) strikes out at Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) on Wednesday (September 22) while Cane (Daniel Goddard) takes over at Brash & Sassy. Victoria (Amelia Heinle) comes to a realization about Travis. Billy (Jason Thompson) makes a startling discovery on Thursday (September 22). Abby (Melissa Ordway) talks to Ashley. Mariah (Camryn Grimes) gives Kevin a warning.
— Meanwhile, General Hospital’s creative theme is staying in place. Daytime Confidential is also reporting that Frank Valentini will remain at the ABC soap as executive producer while co-headwriters Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman will also continue in their post.
— Bryan Craig is leaving General Hospital! Look for Morgan to last air this November.
— SOD reported on September 14 that Tyler Christopher would not be returning to GH as Nikolas. Talks between producers and the actor fell through.
— In addition to Tyler Christopher’s exit, GH fans were also sad to see Teresa Castillo’s Sabrina killed off this past week. Co-HW Jean Passanante had this to say about the heroine’s tragic end: “It’s always very difficult to kill off a character, but sometimes, the story demands it. We thought it would be important to give what Paul [Richard Burgi] is doing more of an emotional foundation for our audience to have him kill someone who was literally in the wrong place at the wrong time and is somebody we care about.”
— Some good GH news: both Genie Francis (Laura) and Finola Hughes (Anna), who recently took summer breaks, have returned to set. Look for Laura and Anna to return to Port Charles in the last week of September.
— John Stamos’ ‘80s soap series sounds a lot like Kimberly McCullough’s project.
— Coming up this week on General Hospital (ABC/City): Carly (Laura Wright) receives shocking news on Monday (September 19). Nelle (Chloe Lanier) lends a sympathetic ear to a friend. Maxie (Kirsten Storms) attempts to dig further into Claudette’s (Bree Williamson) past. Griffin (Matt Cohen) asks Claudette to be honest with Nathan (Ryan Peavey) and Maxie. Nathan discovers something in Nina’s (Michelle Stafford) apartment that raises eyebrows. Everyone awaits Julian’s (William deVry) verdict on Tuesday (September 20). Nathan receives stunning news. Carly begs Sonny (Maurice Benard) to take a stand against the violence that plagues Port Charles. Paul (Richard Burgi) reveals a vulnerable side to Dillon (Robert Palmer Watkins).
On Wednesday (September 21), Franco (Roger Howarth) does his best to protect Liz (Rebecca Budig). Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) observes Morgan’s (Bryan Craig) erratic behaviour. Joe (Jeffrey Vincent Parrise) and Michael (Chad Duel) have a tense encounter. Tracy (Jane Elliot) puts her foot down. Naomi’s (Robin Ryker) maternal instincts kick in and Hayden (Rebecca Budig) finds a way to forgive her mother. Finn (Michael Easton) finds something from his past that defeats him. Michael and Carly have it out on Thursday (September 22). Claudette pulls a fast one. Tracy takes Paul to task. Sonny and Carly make a donation to the hospital.
Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Valerie (Brytni Sarpy) enjoy a steamy morning in bed on Friday (September 23). Emotions run wild and tears are shed. Hayden and Finn (Michael Easton) share a toast. Jason (Billy Miller) and Franco find themselves in agreement. Coming up: Anna (Finola Hughes) has some questions for Paul.
— Don’t forget: Winsor Harmon and Lesli Kay are back as Thorne and Felicia on B&B this week.
— Coming up this week on The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS/CTV Two): On Monday (September 19), Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Thomas (Pierson Fodé) fear that RJ (Anthony Turpel) will get in the way of their plan to unite Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Bill (Don Diamont). Well-aware that his family doesn’t approve, Eric (John McCook) makes a bold move forward with Quinn (Rena Sofer). Brooke delivers good news and bad news to RJ on Tuesday (September 20). Eric’s family confronts him about his newest plan on Wednesday (September 21). Quinn attempts to convince Wyatt (Darin Brooks) to support her.
On Thursday (September 22), Quinn makes an impassioned plea to Steffy. Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) has a delivery from Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) for Eric. Ridge later receives resistance from select family members on Friday (September 23).
— This could be good: Christie Clark and Austin Peck will return to Days of our Lives this January as Carrie and Austin; who were last seen in 2012 but with Patrick Muldoon in the role of Austin.
— Coming up on Days of our Lives: Deimos (Vincent Irizarry) meets with Dario (Jordi Villasuso) and asks him to be more proactive about getting dirt on Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin) and her pregnancy on Monday (September 19). On Tuesday (September 20), Victor (John Aniston) drops a bombshell on Sonny (Freddie Smith).
Steve (Stephen Nichols) brings Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) home from the hospital after her operation and is committed to seeing her through her recovery on Wednesday (September 21). While trapped in the panic room, Chad (Billy Flynn) and Gabi (Camilla Banus) start to bond over the past on Thursday (September 22). A desperate Chloe and Philip (John Paul Lavoisier) seek Kate’s (Kate Mansi) help on Friday (September 23). Theresa (Jen Lilley) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) are deal a major blow.
