Cast, crew, executives, and reporters gathered on the set of “The Young and the Restless” last week to celebrate Melody Thomas Scott’s 35th anniversary playing the legendary Nikki Reed. Her closest co-stars gave heartfelt words of congratulations to the actress, followed by an incredibly emotional speech from Scott herself. But don’t fret about not being able to take part in the special event: Soap Opera Network was there to capture every moment!

The Young and the Restless

As previously reported, Billy Miller is departing CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” and the role of Billy Abbott, which garnered him two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. After the actor and Sony Pictures Television failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, the studio and CBS opted to replace Miller with David Tom, who actually originated the role of an adult Billy Abbott in 1999.

According to TV Guide’s Michael Logan, Rena Sofer (ex-Lois Cerullo, “General Hospital”) is joining the cast of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” as Quinn Fuller, the mother of Darin Brooks’ Wyatt Fuller. “Not a lot of deets yet, except that Mama is as mysterious as Sonny Boy and both have secrets that will rock the soap,” the publication reported.

In the 60th anniversary special double issue of TV Guide Magazine (April 8 – 21, 2013), ABC’s “General Hospital” secured a four-page spread on its 50th anniversary, but Luke and Laura Spencer (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis) ultimately secured the biggest spotlight of them all. The dynamic duo, in their famous wedding shot compiled of past covers of TV Guide Magazine, received the back cover spot of the mag which features the hit shows from every decade since the publications launch including “I Love Lucy” (1950s), “Star Trek” (1960s), “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970s), “The Cosby Show” (1980s), “The Simpsons” (1990s) and “Lost” (2000s) on special collector’s edition front cover copies of the celebratory issue.

May sweeps are a month away, but it looks like the upcoming onscreen drama won’t be able to hold a candle to the real-life drama brewing between Prospect Park’s “One Life to Live” and ABC’s “General Hospital.”

One Life to Live, OLTL, #OneLifeToLive, #OLTL

When “One Life to Live” returns next month, things won’t exactly going well for at least one longtime Llanview resident. According to “OLTL” Co-Head Writer Thom Racina, technology and tough economic times may have finally caught up with the town’s matriarch Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak) and her family’s newspaper The Banner.

According to a report by TV Guide’s Michael Logan, former “Guiding Light” and “All My Children” star Ricky Paull Goldin is joining the cast of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” in the recurring role of Jesse, who is the “badass” daddy of Maya’s (Karla Mosley) child. Per a “B&B” rep, Jesse “will arrive on the scene, see Maya with Rick [Jacob Young] and immediately get jealous.” Goldin is expected to begin filming scenes this week with a first airdate set for Monday, May 15.