‘Y&R’ and ‘GH’ Stars Address Michael Muhney Firing Rumors

As we get closer to daytime’s biggest night, taking place on Sunday, May 1, the industry is abuzz today over which actors were submitted for a pre-nomination for the “The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” presented by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). With at least two actors per show for each category (exception being Supporting Actress) several of daytime television’s biggest and brightest stars are looking to vie for the coveted trophy that celebrates their hard work during calendar year 2015.

On Wednesday, January 27, we’ll finally get our first glimpse at what the “43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” nominees could potentially look like when the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) releases pre-nominations in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actress, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Younger Actor and Younger Actress. Before the potential prospects are released, why not think about joining the judging panel, who collectively votes the pre-nominees into the final selection process? There’s still time to do so!

With a new year on the horizon it’s inevitable that you’ll be seeing a multitude of best and worst lists covering every facet of the entertainment world, and soaps are no exception. In his Best and Worst of 2015 report, TV Guide‘s Michael Logan has named CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” daytime’s best soap, praises “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless” for having the best actors and actresses, and calls out some of daytime’s current and former writers for insulting viewers with tawdry storylines lacking direction.

As it gears up to broadcast its first major awards telecast with the “42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” on Sunday, April 26, Pop has released the Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Competing this year for the coveted trophy are Peggy McCay as Caroline Brady and Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady, respectively, on “Days of our Lives,” Maura West as Ava Jerome and Laura Wright as Carly Jacks, respectively, on “General Hospital,” and Gina Tognoni as Phyllis Summers on “The Young and the Restless.”

ABC has confirmed that it will be recasting the contract role of Kiki Jerome on “General Hospital” with “The Young and the Restless” alum Hayley Erin (ex-Abby Newman). She is set to first air sometime in late February. Kristen Alderson, who originated the role, opted to leave when her contract was up earlier this month. She last airs in early February.

If you tuned into the Friday, October 24 episode of ABC’s “General Hospital,” you may have noticed a familiar face with a new do. Actress Kelly Sullivan returned as the spirit of Connie Falconeri, who was murdered last year by Ava Jerome (Maura West), in scenes with Maurice Benard‘s Sonny Corinthos. The return of a normally blonde Sullivan to “GH” comes just days before the actress is set to make her debut as a brunette Sage Warner on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

If you’ve ever tuned into NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and wondered what life is like for the contestants following their grueling experience, former “As The World Turns” actress Martha Byrne (ex-Lily Snyder) along with writer Daryn Strauss have come together for a new series that hopes to give you the answers you crave. In “Weight: The Series,” Byrne portrays the role of Claire Carlson, a mom who loses 100 pounds on a reality show and then has to contend with the absurd and complicated reactions of her friends and family as she attempts to balance the day to day pressures of staying thin and appearing on reality TV. If the description sounds interesting to you, you might be interested in attending a VIP Soap Party and Advanced Screening of the pilot alongside several of daytime’s biggest and brightest stars!

KABC featured on set interviews with the likes of Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Sean Blakemore (Shawn), Jason Thompson (Patrick), Laura Wright (Carly), Ryan Paevey (Nathan) and executive producer Frank Valentini to promote the time slot switch of ABC’s “General Hospital” back to 2:00 PM beginning Monday, September 8 in the Los Angeles market, while it’s New York counterpart, WABC, has released several promos highlighting the sexy storylines and hot stars of the daytime drama series including the aforementioned Thompson and Wright, William deVry (Julian), Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Kirsten Storms (Maxie). “GH” moves back to 3:00 PM in the New York market also on Monday, September 8.

Soap Opera Network’s coverage of the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards red carpet continues, this time with “General Hospital’s” Maura West (Ava Jerome), who opted for a silver gown for the night’s event.

Several weeks have gone by since the hit and run caused by an unidentified individual forced Patrick (Jason Thompson) and Sabrina’s (Teresa Castillo) car to veer off the road, which resulted in Sabrina to prematurely gave birth to their son – Gabriel Drake Santiago, who has since died.