'The Bold and the Beautiful' is Moving to a New Studio

The Bold and the Beautiful is leaving Television City, the studio where it has been shot since the show's premiere in 1987

Television City embarking on a multi-year, billion-dollar renovation and expansion so B&B is relocating 2.5 miles northeast to Sunset Las Palmas Studios. Filming at the new location is scheduled to begin on August 19, after the show returns from summer hiatus.

“We are honored to welcome The Bold and the Beautiful to Sunset Las Palmas, where we will deliver world-class service to ensure the entire cast and crew have an exceptional experience,” said Sean Griffin, SVP of Sales for Sunset Studios and Quixote. “Their long-term recommitment to Hollywood at this pivotal moment is an important symbol for the industry, and we hope others will follow their lead.”

Ellen Holly Interview Archive

We Love Soaps TV traveled to Westchester County, New York, in 2012 to speak with daytime television legend Ellen Holly about her storied career. In the never-before-released video below, Ms. Holly talks about the early years of soap opera One Life to Live, which premiered on in 1968, and the cultural impact of her character, Carla Gray.

Daytime Soap Opera Grades May 2025

May storylines included the Nurses Ball on General Hospital and the anniversary party for Beyond the Gates couple Ted and Nicole.  

Here are my grades for each show along with a few highlights.  Let me know your thoughts (and grades) in the Comments section.

Beyond the Gates
The anniversary party for Ted (Maurice Johnson) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) was one of the best soap events in years.  Leslia/Dana (Trisha Mann-Grant) revealed the truth about her affair with Ted and that Eva (Ambyr Michelle) was his daughter to the shock of everyone in attendance.  In the aftermath, Anita (Tamara Tunis) singing "Amazing Grace" at her piano was perfection. Grade: A+

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' Alums Anna Holbrook & Kale Brown Visit 'Scripts & Scruples (Audio)

Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Anna Holbrook, and her Another World co-star, Kale Browne, guest-starred on the September 29, 2008, episode of indie radio soap opera Scripts & Scruples as Sam's parents, Maggie and Alan Zegas.

Sam (Nathan Rollins) brings Stacey Gamage (Melissa Rae) to dinner at his parent's house in Montclair, New Jersey. They are surprised at Stacey's age, and it's obvious they are dealing with some serious issues of their own.

Listen to today's episode (#860):



PREVIEW: Coming up on the next episode of S&S, Tristan Rogers from General Hospital: Night Shift appears as crooked attorney, Garfield Merriweather.

Daytime Soap Opera Grades April 2025

April was a good month on our favorite daytime dramas with the new kid on the block, Beyond the Gates, leading the pack as must-watch TV.

Here are my grades for each show along with a few highlights.  Let me know your thoughts (and grades) in the Comments section.

Beyond the Gates
Dani's (Karla Mosley) flirtatious photoshoot with Andre (Sean Freeman) proved they are the hottest couple in daytime at the moment.  Speaking of couples, I could watch Anita (Tamara Tunie) and Vernon (Clifton Davis) all day.  Tunie and Davis have a special chemistry that makes every scene sparkle.  Vernon cheering on The DuPres women singing karaoke with Anita out front was a joy to watch (check out their performance below). More music, please. Ambyr Michelle and Colby Muhammed are terrific as rivals Eva and Kat. Grade: A-

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Renewed for 3 More Seasons

CBS announced today that it has renewed the daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful through the 2027-2028 television season. The renewal will bring the show through its 41st season.

The Bold and the Beautiful follows the entangled lives, passionate loves and high-stakes dramas of the Forrester, Logan and Spencer families, set against the backdrop of the glamorous Los Angeles fashion world and the family’s fashion house, Forrester Creations. The series debuted on CBS on March 23, 1987.

With seven days of multiplatform viewing, The Bold and the Beautiful averages nearly 3.2 million viewers. Streaming of the series on Paramount+ is up by +8% year over year.

The Bold and the Beautiful recently celebrated its 38th anniversary on March 23, along with original cast members John McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang.

Best of Daytime Soap Operas in 2024

Check out my thoughts below on the Best of Daytime Soap Operas in 2024.

BEST SOAP
General Hospital

The average episode of GH was typically somewhere between good and very good during 2024. From the dramatic and poignant deaths of Spencer, Gregory and Sam to the excellent returns of Lucky, Ric and Lulu, the stories were the most "must-B&B in the genre.

MOST CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT SOAP
The Bold and the Beautiful

B&B continued to revolve around Ridge, Brooke, Steffy and Hope in 2024. The characters were sometimes maddening but mostly consistent with their histories. The stories made us invest in watching the show every day but you never knew when an about-face might happen. Like Luna, the innocent young heroine who we later learned was a mudererer. Or Thomas suddently being over Hope after years of obsessing. The turns felt jarring, and like the writers changed course mid-stream. But tune in any day and it feels like you were watching B&B, your story, and that's a win after 37 years.

BEST PERFORMANCES
Sharon Case (Sharon, The Young and the Restless)
Case delivered one riveting performance after another leading up to Heather's death and then the fallout.

From the Archive: Ellen Holly Offers Behind the Scenes Scoop on 'One Life to Live' (Part 2)

We Love Soaps TV visited with Ellen Holly in 2012 at her home in Westchester County, New York. In this never before seen clip, Ms. Holly offers behind the scenes details about her time on One Life to Live when she portrayed Carla Gray in the 1970s.

'Beyond the Gates' Premieres February 24 on CBS

Upcoming CBS daytime drama Beyond the Gates, a set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States, debuts Monday, February 24, 2025 at 2pm ET/1pm PT on CBS.

The network recently revealed the remaining Beyond the Gates cast, including Brandon Claybon, Timon Durrett, Sean Freeman, Marquita Goings, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit. Joining previously announced stars Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Daphnee Duplaix (Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson) and Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), the new cast members round out the extended families of the Duprees and key characters who influence their worlds.

Beyond the Gates, from CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, began production in November.

Check out the show's families below:

From the Archive: Ellen Holly on the Early Years of 'One Life to Live' (Part 1)

We Love Soaps TV traveled to Westchester County, New York, in 2012 to speak with daytime television legend Ellen Holly about her storied career. In the never-before-released video below, Ms. Holly talks about the early years of soap opera One Life to Live, which premiered on in 1968, and the cultural impact of her character, Carla Gray.

A We Love Soaps Reunion on 'Tub Talks with Damon'

I recently taped an appearance on Tub Talks with Damon, the fascinating new talk series from longtime We Love Soaps writer, and my partner in crime, Damon L. Jacobs. In addition to offering our takes on current soap opera stories, we also dished on our favorite interviews and the Indie Series Awards. And yes, it all happened in a bathtub. Watch my episode out below, and be sure to check out the entire series.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Jan Merlin Dead at 94

Former Another World writer Jan Merlin died on September 20 in Los Angeles. He was 94.

Born on April 3, 1925, Merlin was a torpedo man aboard U.S. Navy destroyers during World War II. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and appeared in the ensemble in the original 1948 Broadway production of "Mister Roberts," starring Henry Fonda.

From 1950-54, Merlin starred as Roger Manning on the kids TV program Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, based on a comic strip.

He moved to Hollywood for a role in Six Bridges to Cross (1955), starring Curtis, then appeared with Mamie Van Doren in Running Wild (1955), with Dale Robertson in A Day of Fury (1956), with Tom Tryon in Screaming Eagles (1956) and with Ann Sheridan in Woman and the Hunter (1957).

In 1958-59, Merlin portrayed Lt. Colin Kirby on The Rough Riders, an ABC series set in the aftermath of the Civil War.

His credits also included the films Guns of Diablo (1964), The Oscar (1966), The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967), Take the Money and Run (1969) and The Hindenburg (1975) and such TV shows as Laramie, The Virginian, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Mannix, Mission: Impossible and Little House on the Prairie.

Merlin also spent about five years as a writer on Harding Lemay's team at NBC soap Another World, winning a Daytime Emmy in 1975 and receiving another nomination two years later.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 25)

1970: ABC aired the final episode of The Best of Everything.
1984: All My Children's Tad was celebrated at his bachelor party.
1996: Days of our Lives' Sami and Austin married.
1998: One Life to Live's Bo grieved his son, Drew.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, while Willie Loomis remained in a coma, Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) attempted to hypnotize David Collins (David Henesy) to stop his prying into Barnabas' (Jonathan Frid) affairs.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 24)

1951: Love of Life premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Doug and Annie declared their love.
1981: General Hospital's Alan proposed to Susan.
1986: Another World's Mitch met his son, Matthew.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1951: Daytime soap opera Love of Life, created by Roy Winsor, premiered on CBS, three weeks after Search for Tomorrow debuted on the network. Both shows started as 15-minute serials but Love of Life would expand to 30 minutes in 1958, and remain a half hour until its final episode on February 1, 1980. None of the original actors stayed from beginning to end but director Larry Auerbach did. He went on to direct several other New York soaps before retiring the late 1990s. He was among those interviewed by Dustin Hoffman for the soap opera comedy, Tootsie.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 15)

1964: Primetime soap opera Peyton Place premiered on ABC.
1988: Santa Barbara's Eden Capwell was raped.
2009: Guiding Light's Alan Spaulding died.
2010: As the World Turns' Carly and Jack married one last time.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: Primetime soap opera Peyton Place premiered on ABC. Based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious, the series was preceded by a 1957 film adaptation. Peyton Place ran for 514 total episodes with the series finale airing on June 2, 1969.

In the first episode, Dr. Michael Rossi (Ed Nelson) arrived from New York City to set up practice in town. Newspaper editor Matthew Swain (Warner Anderson) told him people usually tried to get away from towns like Peyton Place, not move to them. Matthew's cousin Allison MacKenzie (Mia Farrow), a close friend of classmate Norman Harrington (Christopher Connelly), fell in love with his older brother, Rodney (Ryan O'Neal) as they shared their first kiss. At the end of the episode, Allison's mother, Constance (Dorothy Malone), made it clear she disapproved of her daughter's relationship with Rodney.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 14)

1966: Constance went into labor on Peyton Place.
1981: General Hospital's Susan was in the hospital after having baby Jason.
2009: Guiding Light's Lillian visited Maureen Bauer's grave.
2010: One Life to Live's Dorian threw water on Bo and Nora.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1936: NBC debuted Frank and Anne Hummert's radio soap opera John's Other Wife. The story revolved around John Perry (Hanley Stafford), the owner of a department store, his wife Elizabeth, and an assistant secretary named Annette. John got more than he bargained for when Elizabeth started to feel as though Annette had become his "other wife." The show ran until 1942.

1966: On Peyton Place, Constance MacKenzie (Dorothy Malone) was brought to the hospital after she began feeling labor pains.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 13)

1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: GH's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.

1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 12)

1966: Days of our Lives' Tony prepared to leave town.
1985: General Hospital's Josh Clayton was killed.
1994: One Life to Live's paralyzed Luna took her first steps.
1994: All My Children's Hayley and Alec plotted revenge.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Days of our Lives, Tony Merritt (Richard Colla) told Marie Horton (Maree Cheatham) he was leaving Salem.

1966: On Dark Shadows, news of Bill Malloy's death spread around Collinsport.

'Dark Shadows: Reincarnation' Receives CW Pilot Script Order

The CW has given a pilot script order to “Dark Shadows: Reincarnation,” a one-hour gothic horror drama based on the original Dark Shadows soap opera by Dan Curtis.

The reimagined show will be a modern-day continuation of the strange, terrifying, and sexy saga of the Collins family of Collinsport, Maine — a mysterious, influential, publicity-shy group hiding a ghastly secret: For the past 400 years, they’ve lived under a curse that bedevils their blueblood with every imaginable supernatural creature and horror.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio, and Mark B. Perry will write and executive produce. Michael Helfant, Bradley Gallo, Tracy Curtis and Cathy Curtis will also executive produce, with Tracy Mercer for Amasia Entertainment.

Reincarnation is a the third TV iteration of Dark Shadows — the original series aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971. Curtis was also behind a 1991 remake of the horror series which was canceled after one season.

The original series starred Jonathan Frid as the vampire Barnabas Collins, Grayson Hall as Dr. Julia Hoffman, Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard and Alexandra Isles as Victoria Winters. Johnny Depp starred as Barnabas Collins in 2012 a film remake of Dark Shadows, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer as his wife Elizabeth and Helena Bonham Carter as Dr. Hoffman.