Fan faves return to 'The Young and the Restless'

Finally, there's some good news to report about The Young and the Restless! Several sources reported this morning that several former stars of Y&R are returning for Katherine Chancellor's (Jeanne Cooper) memorial service. Among those returning are Beau Kazer (Brock), Tricia Cast (Nina), Lauralee Bell (Christine), Patty Weaver (Gina), Adrienne Frantz (Amber) and Michael Damian (Danny). Damian will perform "That's When I'll Stop Loving You." The ceremony will be conducted by Father Todd Williams, the recurring character portrayed by Cooper's real-life son Corbin Bernsen. The only two characters aren't returning are Katherine's own son and granddaughter, Tucker and Mackenzie. But not everybody can return, right? 

Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps told TV Guide Magazine: "Katherine knew she was dying and made it clear she didn't want a sad event where everyone wore black and was miserable. She wanted a celebration and that's exactly what she's getting. And Katherine being Katherine, she will continue to orchestrate things from on high — just as she always did on earth." Phelps also previews that Katherine's death will trigger many upcoming stories for the fall, especially for her best friend Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), "one that will haunt her character and pull in many players as we go into the fall. It's a real front-and-center story, the kind the fans have been asking for. Jill's letter sets up a mystery that will, at first, drive her absolutely crazy. Paul's letter from Katherine tells him to 'Follow his heart.' Christine also gets a letter but I can't talk about that one just yet. Victor's letter is also a big secret — but that's because he's not going to share it with anyone."

None of this has been easy for any of the actors; Phelps says having Bernsen take part in the memorial "helped us feel like we had a piece of Jeanne there with us. After the filming of his last scene, Corbin made the most beautiful, heart-wrenching speech to the cast and crew about how much Y&R meant to his mother, and how she had worked there for 40 years and filled up that big soundstage in much the same way our new Chancellor Park now fills it up. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere." According to several sources, Katherine's memorial will air on September 3 and 4. Watch The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS.