The Young and the Restless leading lady Michelle Stafford has confirmed E! News' shocking report of her exit from television's top daytime soap.The actress, who has played Phyllis Summers for the better part of 16 years, gave her official statement to Soap Opera Digest. Said The Staff:

"I would like to personally confirm to the fans that yes, I have decided to leave THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. It has been a glorious 16 years and one of the greatest rides of my life. The constant support and love from the fans is not lost on me. I think I'll miss you the most." READ MORE

No. 20: Jason Thompson, General Hospital

General Hospital’s Jason Thompson jumped from No. 24 in March to No. 20 on April’s Daytime Confidential Top 20. READ MORE

On today's Super-sized Daytime Confidential podcast Luke Kerr, Jamey Giddens, Jillian Bowe, Regan Cellura and Melodie Aikels dish the latest All My Children, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live and The Young and the Restless headlines and storylines, including:

Prospect Park cuts All My Children and One Life to Live’s weekly episodes from four to two. One of the reasons given was that fans were watching one show or the other, but not both. AMC and OLTL are dropped from FX Canada. Do fans of the shows have reason to worry? Michael Nader returns to Pine Valley as Dimitri Marick.

The Bold and the Beautiful had a busy week of casting news. Hunter Tylo says she's off contract. Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is taking a hiatus. Former Days of Our Lives star Darin Brooks joins the soap and his character will be involved with Hope. Rena Sofer joins B&B as the mother of Brooks' character. Brooke tries to steal one of Taylor’s men, yet again.

Rafe is attacked on Days of Our Lives. Sami, EJ and Stefano find out about Kate and Rafe’s relationship. Is JJ the voice of DAYS viewers?

General Hospital debuts a slew of new characters, portrayed by Maura West, Kristen Alderson, Roger Howarth and Michael Easton. The DC gang weighs in on the arrivals with their First Impressions. Did GH miss a beat by not pairing Morgan with Ava Jerome in a "Mrs. Robinson" storyline? Did lightning strike a third time for Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton?

GH casts Samantha Logan as a sister for Felix. Is TJ being written as a stereotypical “angry black man?” Jane Elliot needs to submit Monday’s scenes opposite of Anthony Geary for an Emmy nomination next year. The DC crew gives thumbs up or thumbs down to The Chew and General Hospital’s crossover.

Michelle Stafford is leaving The Young and the Restless as Phyllis. Find out who the DC gang thinks would make a good recast. Y&R casts Mishael Morgan as a character who will interact with Cane and Lily. Why do Y&R regimes INSIST on making Cane the heir apparent to the Chancellor empire ,when fans so vocally oppose it?

Should Traci be there for Michael and revive her rivalry with Lauren? Not a single member of the DC gang believes Kevin or Chloe would steal from Katherine. Y&R is reviving the question about Summer’s paternity. Michael learns about Lauren and Carmine.

All this and MUCH more on today’s Daytime Confidential podcast. 
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The Young and the Restless and General Hospital have been benefiting from buzz surrounding their recent anniversaries and regime changes for some time now. The Bold and the Beautiful is offering up more edge-of-your-set drama backstage than onscreen of late; and fans are celebrating the historic-yet-bumpy returns of All My Children and One Life to Live. What about Days of Our Lives? READ MORE

Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) is having a hard time getting past Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) hopping on a hog and accidentally killing their baby on The Bold and the Beautiful. Will the publishing scion be able to move forward with his wife, or could ex-flame Hope Logan (Kimberly Matula) get her chance to win a baby-less Liam back?  Watch today's sneak peek of B&B after the jump! READ MORE

The Mouse House is providing a bit of closure for fans of cancelled supernatural sudser 666 Park Avenue. According to TVLine, the final four episodes of the serial will air on Saturday nights at 9/8c starting June 22. READ MORE