[Dommie]

They are hoping they will pull in the young un's and grab them into loving soaps???

more news! Regarding Y&R by soaps.com

I don't think they will recast, look at all the actors in soaps, Thorsten Kaye, Jay at Days.

Jess Walton walks out over pay cut issue
Posted Monday, March 30, 2009 6:43:08 PM
by Elizabeth Albanese


The Young and the Restless has a potentially crippling problem on its hand. Emmy-winning actress Jess Walton has walked off the set -- and it is not because she's been ill, as previously reported elsewhere. A new report claims that the actress refused to take a paycut and bolted. Walton has been on Y&R for more than 20 years.


Storylines aren't the only things heating up the set of The Young and the Restless. Backstage insiders are buzzing about Emmy winner Jess Walton's (Jill Abbott) unexpected time off from the top-rated CBS soap. Initially, Walton's health was blamed as the reason the actress wasn't showing up for work. Now, however, there's a decidedly different take on her situation.


Contrary to a report published in Soap Opera Digest's web site, Walton isn't missing-in-action because she's ill. Though the actress has admittedly been feeling under the weather, TVGuide Canada's soap blogger Nelson Branco reports that the actress bolted after being told she had to work for less money.


"Y&R asked her to take a pay cut, and she walked off the set," Branco posted in his latest blog entry. "She had been feeling ill, but that's not the reason she bolted."


Many daytime stars have made waves over the years about not wanting to take a salary cut, but Walton appears to " be the first daytime actor to actually stand up to these pay cuts everyone is being forced to take."


With Walton out - at least temporarily - the casting department at The Young and the Restless is racing to find someone to take over the role of Jill. The character is currently involved in major story, and there's no way that the show can work around not having someone play Jill.


A casting call went out last week for the role of Jill Abbott. The notice shocked many insiders, especially since shows will typically use false names when casting or recasting major roles. The casting call sought an "established actress" for the contract role. In the notice, Jill was 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."


Almost immediately upon hearing of Walton's exit, names of other industry vets began surfacing as possible new Jills. Recently ousted Days of our Live star Deidre Hall's (ex-Marlena Evans) name seemed at the top of many fans' lists of recasts. One actress that The Young and the Restless might consider is Finola Hughes (Anna Devane, General Hospital). Hughes was previously signed to appear in a short-term role on Y&R last year, but ABC appealed to Hughes' sense of loyalty -- and the promise of a big storyline -- to convince Hughes not to appear on a rival network.


Walton joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in June 1987. She assumed the role from Brenda Dickson, who originated the role in 1973. It appears unlikely that Dickson will be asked to reprise the role. While long-time Y&R viewers may remember the actress, an insider tells soapcentral.com that Dickson doesn't carry the instant name recognition that the show is looking for.


Requests for a statement went unreturned by CBS.

[Casandra]

Well when our unemployment rate is ridiculously high, I think it takes a pretty big ego to just walk off set because they asked you to take a bit of a cut. If Lucci can do it, so can she.

[Dommie]

Originally Posted by Casandra (View Post) Well when our unemployment rate is ridiculously high, I think it takes a pretty big ego to just walk off set because they asked you to take a bit of a cut. If Lucci can do it, so can she.

So much news to tell...and hardly anything good.

I hate CBS for doing this to me and all the GL viewers.

GL Canceled!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that the cast and crew of GUIDING LIGHT were notified today that yes, the 72-year-old show has been canceled and will turn out the light on Sept. 18. "Being on the air for more than seven decades is truly remarkable, and it will be difficult for all of us at the show to say goodbye," said Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler in a statement. "I'm proud of everything we’ve been able to do, including outstanding storytelling, our community service around the country with Find Your Light and the launch of our new production model. This show has such a rich history, wonderful fans, and I'm honored to have been a part of the GL legacy."

Adds GH Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps, who helmed GL from 1991-95: "GUIDING LIGHT has a very special place in my heart. I began my career in daytime there as a production assistant and later returned as executive producer. It was a privilege (both times) to be a part of such a fabulous group of people who did such outstanding work. Some of the most talented actors, writers and directors have walked through the doors of GUIDING LIGHT. The industry will mourn the loss of this beloved show, but GUIDING LIGHT leaves a rich legacy for all of us in daytime to treasure. I wish all my dear friends a gentle landing."



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.

OLTL: Brier And Stack Out!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that both OLTL's Kathy Brier (Marcie) and Chris Stack (Michael) are out. Rumors have been circulating for some time that Brier would opt not to renew her contract, which expired in March, but a source reports that she and Stack were let go last week. "There could have been more story for Michael and Marcie, but that's just not the direction they decided to take it," shrugs an insider. "It's the nature of the business."

and then as expected, I am thinking that the money they saved on firing Nia is how they kept Jess - 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.

[- Nina -]

I'm not really shocked about GL it's been rumoured for months that it was going to get cancelled. Sorry to the GL fans, though. I may had been pissed at them but I can't be mad. They gave me Jonathan and Tammy.

[Dommie]

I didn't watch Gl during that time, and when Jonathan came back last year with Lizzie's babygirl, I read up on him and for the life of me, I still don't get it. I guess I had to see it, see Tammy and Jonathan's relationship evolve and grow. It is surprising because last year when GL started their new format, I could have sworn the producers and the news was that GL had a two year contract. They took some of the stars to Florida for a remote just recently. It seemed like they were in for the long haul.

[Casandra]

I feel bad for all the Otalia fans over on GL. They were finally doing a decent girl/girl pairing on soaps. Looks like it's gonna be cut short.

Lots of bad news today

[icygrrl02]

I'm sad about all the news. I love Marcie's character.

And GL getting cancelled is just the worst news ever. Even though I only really watched it for Coop and they killed him off back in Feb.

[Casandra]

I think it's a bad omen for the genre in general.

[Scheming Star]

AW, that sucks!

[Dommie]

Pick Soap Opera Weekly's Best Covers!
Soap Opera Weekly is celebrating our 20th anniversary this November, and we're asking our readers to join in the celebration, since you're the reason why the magazine has been around for two decades. We'd like you to pick your favorite Weekly cover for each current daytime soap (along with some defunct soap, multi-show, prime-time and miscellaneous covers later on). Once we compile your first round of cover choices, we'll have a "cover semifinals" poll to narrow down the field...leading to a final round, in which our readers decide on the top five Weekly covers.

We're starting with the longest-running soap of all time, GUIDING LIGHT, which is on many viewers' minds and mouths these days. There are 20 of our favorite Weekly covers to choose from; just click your pick for your one favorite.

Is there a GL cover that you feel should have been in the running? Then you can e-mail us one write-in vote at gleditor@soapoperaweekly.com. Just write "GL Cover" in your subject line, describe the cover, and if possible, please include details, such as the featured actors or characters, headline and cover date. Please vote only once, and make your GL cover choice by Sunday, May 31.

Look for the next set of covers, and an update on this first round's cover winners, soon, and thanks for voting!

Soap Opera Weekly - Best Cover Contest - Opinions - Multimedia


I wasn't finished.....one more thing...GH Goes Hi-Def
GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers may notice things look just a little better in Port Charles beginning April 23, when the ABC soap becomes the first daytime soap to be broadcast in high definition.

[Scheming Star]

Aww, thanks for the info!

[- Nina -]

Ooh, I voted!

[Casandra]

Wait, the GH High def didn't start yet? The whole look of the show seems different recently.

[Leneoth]

Yeah, i agree. Everyone is orange now.

[Casandra]

Yeah, it's like really 'creamy' colored or something