The Younger and the Stressed is continuous to rejoice the present’s golden anniversary (the present turned 50 in March) with a particular episode honoring the late Jerry Douglas’ character John Abbott. Regardless that Douglas appeared in scenes as Jack’s (Peter Bergman) conscience up till 2016, the present was by no means the identical after John was killed off a decade earlier.

Y&R invited Kym Douglas, Jerry’s widow, to seem within the episode, set to air Thursday, June 22, as Zelda, a girl with ties to the Abbott household, Traci (Beth Maitland) particularly. Kym Douglas is acquainted to TV viewers from her appearances as a daily correspondent on each Ellen, the place she was buddies with the late Stephen “tWitch” Boss, and the Hallmark Channel sequence Residence & Household.

Kym, a breast most cancers survivor, has suffered a whole lot of loss these previous couple of years each personally and professionally. Nonetheless, she retains an upbeat persona as she explores what’s subsequent in life and honors her late husband Jerry, the TV dad many viewers wished they’d had.

Jerry and I’d all the time chat about Massachusetts as we have been each from there. Jerry was born in Chelsea, MA.

Kym Douglas: You’re going to freak out, however guess the place I took [Jerry’s and my son] Hunter not too long ago in New York? We have been wanting round for a spot for him to reside as his job moved him to New York, and we discovered the proper place for him in Chelsea. I reside for indicators like this. It makes me really feel that Jerry continues to be concerned in all of this. Each morning I get up and ask for indicators from God as to what I ought to do.

Most individuals solely knew Jerry as John Abbott, however sometimes, he’ll pop up on an previous episodic sequence together with Police Lady, The Rookies, The Bionic Lady, or Mission: Unattainable as both a heavy or another character. He was additionally in Mommie Dearest in a scene reverse Faye Dunaway (Joan Crawford) as a radio announcer.

I do know! Humorous sufficient, perhaps three or 4 weeks in the past, Hunter was at his workplace working late on a weekend, and he had the TV on watching basketball. The sport ends. It’s over, and he’s nonetheless working. He took a break, appeared up on the TV, and noticed a Chilly Case episode by which Jerry performed a person who was in jail. It was one of many final issues he’d ever accomplished. Hunter stated to me, “I don’t imagine in indicators, however what are the probabilities I’d search for at simply that second and Dad can be on the display?” It was virtually like Jerry was on his shoulder saying, “I’m with you, and this transfer to New York might be good for you.”

How did this come about with you taking part in a job on Y&R?

I used to be getting emails from of us at Y&R about how a lot they missed Jerry, and out of the blue, [the show’s publicist] Matt Kane reached out to me and stated that Y&R was doing an episode honoring Jerry. He stated that there’s a personality named Zelda and all of us thought who higher to play this than you? Would I have an interest? I used to be there in 5 minutes! Hunter got here with me. It was probably the most lovely days of my life. Jerry’s picture as John continues to be all around the Abbott household residence set and at Jabot Cosmetics. For Hunter to see his dad’s administrative center and see him nonetheless there, his legacy, was simply so touching. I’ve photos of him sitting behind his dad’s desk.

I did scenes with [among others] Beth [Maitland, Traci, John’s daughter]. She confirmed me a photograph of Jerry and her that she retains on her cellphone. So many individuals at Y&R got here as much as me and shared tales and reminiscences of Jerry. Jerry cherished working with [crew member] Luis Godinez, Jr., and now, his son, Chico, works there. Chico got here down off the growth and hugged Hunter and instructed him how a lot his dad meant to him.

So many individuals shared tales about Jerry and in addition how the character of John Abbott helped them via sure conditions. John saved his ethical compass all through so many ups and downs. There aren’t many “John Abbott” characters on TV as of late. [Y&R’s creator/sr. executive producer/head writer] Invoice Bell created a personality who by no means wavered in his ethical compass – it doesn’t matter what his children did. If Jack [Peter Bergman], John’s son, did one thing mistaken, John would level that out. I don’t assume we’ve got these type of position fashions as a lot anymore.

Many cleaning soap followers flip to cleaning soap opera characters and take into account them as surrogate dad and mom or position fashions.

Sure. John Abbott was a father determine of their lives. There are characters in motion pictures like that, however you solely see that film as soon as. John Abbott was of their front room for a long time. Skilled athletes would come as much as Jerry and say, “I didn’t have a job mannequin, however you confirmed me the best way to be a dad to my children.” Viewers would say to him, “We discovered the best way to be a father via you.”

Jerry was at Hunter’s faculty commencement a number of years in the past.

Sure. What I like is that each John and Jerry would have accomplished the identical factor. Jerry was preventing throat most cancers and a whole lot of bodily illnesses on the time. However he walked all the steps at USC Stadium within the scorching solar. Jerry stated, “Kym, I wouldn’t be wherever else.”

Had you ever been on Y&R earlier than this?

Sure. Invoice Bell had forged me on the present a few years in the past. I used to be Kym, the secretary to legal professional Michael Crawford performed by Colby Chester. I used to be additionally on Daring and the Stunning at Spencer Publications. That is one thing I’d like to proceed to pursue.

What are you able to say about Zelda?

She is aware of the entire Abbotts from way back. She’s identified them for a few years. She has a particular relationship with [Traci], and he or she’ll encourage this particular person. That was great to play. I felt good about that.

What are your reminiscences of the late Stephen “tWitch” Boss out of your time on Ellen? He hinted in an interview with me simply over a 12 months in the past that there was speak of him getting his personal speak present.

[Stephen] and I noticed one another very often. I introduced him to Residence & Household. I imagine that there was a present within the works for him. I do know [his wife] Allison [Houlker, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars] very properly. They have been an exquisite household, so comfortable. I do know his children adored him. That they had an attractive residence, an incredible life. If you happen to had given me one million {dollars}, I by no means would have picked him as somebody in my life who was sad. It’s so vital to verify on folks.

This particular episode of Y&R is an excellent solution to maintain each John and Jerry’s reminiscence alive.

Sure. Hunter and I are protecting his legacy alive and we all the time will. We’re beginning a charity based mostly on Jerry’s love of studying. Jerry would learn hardcover books each three days. He cherished books a lot. We’re going to do a type of a library for underserved communities that don’t have a whole lot of books to introduce younger children to books. It’ll be one other solution to flip one thing devastating into one thing productive that may honor him and maintain his reminiscence alive.

What would you love to do subsequent?

What an excellent query. My constructive reply is “I’m open to the whole lot. I’m leaving it in God’s arms. Carry it to me. No matter comes my approach.” [There are] a number of issues which have landed in my lap. I acquired a name from Fox and Mates and Outnumbered to be on their present in New York. I did a number of days. They stated, “We love you. We predict you’re nice.” Then, they noticed I used to be in New York [from my social media]. They requested if I may come within the subsequent day and do Fox and Mates once more. I did.

I’ve an exquisite literary agent, Jan Miller; she did my first guide. She’s approached me to put in writing a devotional guide for girls over 50 on how they will feel and appear their easiest. Additionally, I do a podcast [called Your Daily Dose With Kym Douglas] for Saint John’s hospital, which helped save my life from Stage 3 breast most cancers. It has recommendation that you could be not be capable to get in the event you can’t pay a ton of cash and sit down with a physician. I discuss getting your colon checked. When ought to ladies get a mammogram? What about pores and skin most cancers? It’s one other instance of me making an attempt to show a damaging right into a constructive. I wish to maintain different folks and me wholesome. “Listed here are methods I’m doing it, so why don’t you be a part of me?”

Do you might have any particular shoutouts to Y&R for having you on the present to rejoice each Jerry and John?

Sure! I wish to thank [executive producer/head writer] Josh Griffith. He got here all the way down to set on the day I used to be working and met Hunter and spoke with him. I wish to give him a giant thanks and shout out to him and everybody at Y&R for considering of me and giving me this chance. My coaching was in comedy. I used to be in Second Metropolis with Molly Shannon [Saturday Night Live]. Josh is fortunate after I was taping that I didn’t get away into some improv!

The Younger and the Stressed, Weekdays, CBS