AMP in the post
Stafford took what was meant to be a limited time role on Y&R in 1994 and turned Phyllis Summers into a legacy character. She went on to win two Daytime Emmy’s for her portrayal, during two stints (1994-97, 200-2013) on the show.
Stafford exited Y&R in 2013. The storyline that wrote her out saw Phyllis fall into a coma, as enabled by Sharon (Sharon Case). Stafford debuted as Nina on GH in 2014, where she’s been seen in daytime ever since.
Both contract negotiation sides are believed to not have been able to reach a new agreement, resulting in Stafford’s departure from GH. That development led to Y&R rehiring Stafford, which also meant that Gina Tognoni is no longer with the cast.
This change certainly impacts whatever Y&R’s plans were for the Phyllis character, as having Stafford back enables her vibe to be restored. And what was Stafford’s aura as Phyllis? Well, in one word, fierce.
Tognoni is offered full credit for a solid run. Y&R wrote the character in a different, softer direction for much of the last four-plus years. Phyllis’ recent write-back to old territory served to apparently, unintentionally foreshadow what will likely be seen in the near future.
AMP in the post
https://twitter.com/YandR_CBS/status/1112353856501899264
Stafford’s return as Phyllis will enable revisited interactions with Christine (Lauralee Bell), her greatest nemesis, Sharon, her foil, Jack (Peter Bergman), her seeming soul mate, Nick (Joshua Morrow), arguably, her most fiery romantic interest, Billy (Jason Thompson) her second Abbott brother choice, and Summer (Hunter King), her daughter, who’s become a chip off the old block.
Surely coming interactions with the Baldwin’s, with Lauren (Tracey Bregman) being her best female friend, and Michael (Christian Le Blanc) reigning as her longest ally, will also prove intriguing. It would also be good to see Daniel (Michael Graziadei) and Danny (Michael Damian) come back as well, if only for brief reprisals.
It will also be very intriguing to learn how Stafford’s alter ego approaches Victor (Eric Braeden), as he allowed Phyllis to be wronged by Marco (Peter Bergman, in a dual role) while Tognoni’s edition was in town.
With news of Stafford’s return to Y&R just breaking and soap’s advanced recording schedules (being approximately six weeks in advance), it would be fair to guess that the original Phyllis will reappear as early as May, or June.
AMP in the post
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Did not like Stafford as Nina, guess won’t be watching Young and Restless
I am so upset that Michelle is replacing Gina Tognoni as Phyllis. Have loved her since her OLTL days. Not a happy camper!!
yes she is a great actress and I wonder if this Michelle will have as much sex scenes like Gina!
I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
She probably will. Afterall, she had sex against a trash dumpster, she’ll have sex anywhere.But after all is said and done,Y&R is so unrecognizable nowadays.
yes, she is a much bettter at being phyllis then the other one was.
I am so excited to have her return. Michelle was a hot, fiery and exciting Phyllis. Gina was good just not as devious as Michelle. Welcome back gal. Look out Genoa City!!!!!
Michelle Stafford played this part before.I watched then also. She was more fiesty and loved to cause trouble. She was what made her Phyllis tough strong and not afraid to do whatever she wanted and always outsmarting Christine Williams….
I think it is ridiculous that Michelle is replacing Gina! Gina is a much better actress!
I thought Gina did a great job as Phyllis. She portrayed a more sophisticated Phyllis.
I am very shocked and extremely disappointed and upset that Michelle Stafford is returning to Y&R in the role of Phyllis. She left the role of her own free will, it was taken over by the brilliant actress Gina Tognoni Who made the role her own. I do not look forward to watching Michelle Stafford again, in my opinion the role belongs to Gina! I am sorry for the decision to bring back MS.
Gina was the BEST PHYLLIS!!!! So disappointed that Michelle is coming back. And also disgusted with the new? young Adam, they are going to give us?? He’s more Kyle’s age than Nick”s. And Adam is supposed to be older than Nick. Crazy……
No, Adam is NOT older than Nick!!! Nick was born before Victor and Hope met!! I, agree, though, the newest actor is way too young to play Adam. The other Adams were about 2-3 years younger than Nick in real life!!
No, she really should have came in as someone else. She really is to structured of an actress.
Sooooo freakin disappointed. I watched them both, at the time I liked Michelle but once Gina took over, I was totally drawn into her portrayal… She has become our Phyllis and I don’t feel there is a SINGLE reason to go backwards. She was feisty, charismatic, comedic and yes more mature and rightfully so, every character grows up but that didn’t take away, not the LEAST bit from her performance. She fits right in and also brought us #Philly and even a #Phick I could love for the time being. There is NO replacing her. I’m sorry, no way. This is her role. She lights the screen on fire in every scene.
I’ve never cared for the character no matter who played her. Phyllis should have been locked up long ago but has always gotten away with all of her dirt. Stafford is too herky jerkey in her acting style and she was the same way on GH.
Yesssss! Gina was a great replacement for MS, & proved it by winning an Emmy…
I will miss Gina !! I never liked Michelle Stanford . She is loud and obnoxious.
I’m shocked that the old Phillis is coming back, but I’m glad she’s back. No one can play Phillis like her. To me, she is Phillis. I’m glad she’s back. I like Gina too, but l like Michelle better.
No! No! No! Stafford was Phyllis Gina Tognoni was just holding her spot until the writer came to there sense and got Safford back!!!
Just maybe Gina can play Nina on GH!?!?! I’m a big fan of MS but liked her as Nina. We’ll see!!
Yes, I will be miss her so much because she brought intrigued to the character and her attitude was snippy! Self-centered and narcissistic was the role that kept me glued to watching Gina portray Phyllis. She deserves an Emmy award for her acting abilities…u either liked her for the moment or hated her in the next!!! I got use to Gina…but I all reality of soap operas; “A change is gonna come”, but they come with a hefty contractual price!!!
I agree with Mama Dee. Although I like Michelle, Gina did an awesome job as Phyllis. I wish they could keep her someway even as a different character. Love Gina since OLTL.
Gina never was Phyllis as far as I was concerned. Always loved Michelle in that role. She fit the nickname “Red’ much better than Gina did