Katherine Chancellor is going to look a little different in the coming weeks. EW has learned exclusively that Michael Learned — best known for her Emmy-winning role on The Waltons — will fill in for veteran actor Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) on a temporary basis.

Cooper needed time off for medical reasons — rest assured, she’s okay – but the producers needed to continue her storyline so Learned will pick up the slack until the veteran soap star can resume taping in November. Cooper, who turns 83 on Oct. 25, has played Katherine for 38 years.

“Michael Learned is an accomplished actress and we are grateful that she is able to fill in for Jeanne Cooper for this short time,” said Executive Producer and Head Writer Maria Arena Bell in a statement. “Jeanne is an integral part of our show and we look forward to her imminent return. We have great storyline coming up for Mrs. Chancellor.”

Learned, whose first day of taping is Wednesday, will appear on the CBS sudser beginning Nov. 10. She’s no stranger to the daytime scene: Just last year, she appeared on General Hospital, and before that, One Life to Live and All My Children.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/21/young-and-the-restless-jeanne-cooper-replacement/

Hmm, didn't Bill Bell himself get such a negative reaction from his decision for a temp recast of Katherine in 1986 that he vowed never to do it again? What would MAB say to that?

And nothing against Ms. Learned but really how convenient for MAB&Co. to cast yet another named but faded star especially one who's probably good friends with Scott Hamner?

Hmm, didn't Bill Bell himself get such a negative reaction from his decision for a temp recast of Katherine in 1986 that he vowed never to do it again? What would MAB say to that?

I guess Bill Bell wasn't sitting on her shoulder that day.

Michael Learned is a wonderful actress, but it's just more stunt casting. The character of Katherine could use a break, so they should have sent her out of town.

I'd watch Michael Learned do anything, and I'm no Cooper fan, so it'd be pretty cool to watch Nurse and Jess Walton share scenes.

I'm ok with this one.

Jill and Katherine aren't in stories together now are they? She'll probably just have sleepytime with Tucker.

If she wanted Sleepytime, she'd stop by Victor's or Victoria's rather than Tucker's.

I find Tucker to be full of color. I dig him.

ML is too young for this. They shoulda got Betty White

I both love and hate the idea. Clearly, if JC ever retires or dies, Bell plans to keep Kay alive and well. I like this long term plan; however, think both JC and Kay need a long break anyway.

LMAO....Shirley

I both love and hate the idea. Clearly, if JC ever retires or dies, Bell plans to keep Kay alive and well. I like this long term plan; however, think both JC and Kay need a long break anyway.

I don't think they would keep her on if Jeanne had to leave for good. The character of Katherine has become meaningless now anyway.

What? Oh no, I love JC. Don't like at all this temporary recast.

LMAO - someone at EW.com was suggesting that they could have pulled a Joan Crawford and put Corbin Bernsen in a drag to play Mrs. C.

TempRecasting used to be the norm in daytime back in the 80s/90s; now with the complex taping schedules it was bound to happen. We'll see how TempKay will work out. As soapfan70 mentioned, TempKay in 1986 got a huge backleash...

We have def seen a increase in temo recasts in recent years, as should be expected with new, stricter taping schedules.

I personally like it.

Elaine Strich or no-one!

Edited October 22, 201114 yr by Paul Raven

I don't mind temp recast but can you really recast Kay Chancellor? I don't think so.