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Saturday, August 29, 2015

Y&R Report (August 29, 2915): The Latest on The Young and the Restless




Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet. Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance.

Fans, I have a great deal to rant about this week.  I am quite disgusted with the direction head writer Charles Pratt has taken with some of the characters on The Young and the Restless.  In particular, I'm disappointed about what's happened to the characters of Neil Winters and Victor.Newman.  First of all, let's talk about Neil. Over the years, Neil has made many mistakes and he's been far from perfect. Like most soap characters, he's made some bad decisions.  However, there is no doubt in my mind that he was at his best when he was with Drucilla, played by Victoria Rowell.  Too bad she left the show in 2007.  Neil has never been the same without her.  Since then, he has been with other women and has battled alcoholism.  Of course, what happened with Hilary and Devon was devastating to him.  However, I don't buy that it would cause him to become so cold and calculating.  The writers have changed his character so drastically that his personality is unrecognizable. Who is that Machiavellian man who seems so amoral and devoid of conscience?  It's certainly not Neil Winters.

As for the Victor Newman character, it's time for the writers to make The Moustache pay the price for his dastardly deeds.  He should lose control of his company, suffer financial hardship and be forced to seek employment with Jabot. Now that Ashley is  CEO of Jabot, I'd like to see her become Victor's boss.  Wouldn't it be great to see ol' Vic simmering with rage at having to take orders from his ex-wife and Jack?  Isn't it about time Jack and the Abbotts came out smelling like a rose rather than The Black Knight. Victor always wins and fans are getting sick and tired of it!  He's a mini-dictator and his slimy hands are into everything.  He wants to exercise control over anyone with Newman blood, including the unborn child of Nick and Sage.  He's also been interfering with Noah's relationship with Marisa.

Speaking of Ashley becoming CEO of Jabot, her new position will pit her directly against her daughter. Abby, who has chosen to work for Newman.  Ashley was certainly a keen observer while Abby was kissing Dr. Stitch.  She didn't look too pleased either.  Obviously, there is going to be one huge mother versus daughter conflict.

Kyle Abbott is an ordained minister???  According to the Reverend Kyle,it was "a random thing he did online" so that he could marry some friends in New York. Okay, I understand that someone was needed perform Nick and Sage's wedding ceremony, but couldn't they have brought in a real minister or some justice of the peace. What shoddy writing!  It was just thrown in without purpose.

On the positive side, the writers seem to have dropped the unfortunate and ill-conceived Michael Baldwin cancer storyline.  Maybe they listened to the viewers.  At any rate, it's great to see Michael acting like his old self again.

Have you noticed that Marisa's accent has been reduced considerably from the time she first appeared on the show.  It's barely detectable now.  She obviously exaggerated it at first and they've asked her to tone it down, for whatever reason.

Sofia Pemas, who plays Marisa, was born on July 31, 1989 in Fes, Morocco to a Moroccan mother and a Spanish father.  She settled in Los Angeles and pursued a modelling career.  Her exotic look is a refreshing change from all the California blondes.

The "two Jacks" storyline seems to finally have come to end.  Thank goodness! Peter Bergman has had a wonderful time playing both characters and he was great in that final confrontation between Jack and Marco, but it's time to put the storyline to rest.  It's long past its due date.  I fervently hope that we viewers will never have to see Marco again.

I'd be very surprised if Sharon and Dylan ever get married.  When he finds out she didn't tell him about their miscarriage, they're through.  Sharon still has feelings for Nick.  Although, she tries to conceal her jealousy, but it's rather obvious that she's upset about his marriage to Sage.


VIEWER FORUM

From Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario

The Victor Newman I know from his years on Y&R would not order thugs to cut someone's ear off. Mind you, he did keep a rival for his wife Julia's affections in a dungeon many years ago.  

It's time for the writers to think about the return of Chloe. There is a lot of potential regarding storylines with Billy and Kevin.  It would be perfect if Billy Miller would be back at this time.  Also, it would open the door for more airtime for Kate Linder who plays Esther (Chloe's mother).

Yes, Victor Newman has done some despicable things over the years.  The dungeon incident occurred over three decades ago, during the character's early years on the show.  Victor was originally intended to be a temporary character when he first appeared on the Y&R. However, due to his immense popularity, he became a permanent member of the cast and eventually one of the biggest stars of the show.

When Victor became increasing popular, the writers decided to soften his character. He became more likeable in order to be a romantic partner for Nikki.  His ruthlessness was tempered with a few attractive qualities. Now, however, the attractive qualities have disappeared.  The current writers have him behaving as an absolute thug and a criminal again.  His dark side is the only side of the character we've been seeing for quite a while.

Although Chloe has never been one of my favourite characters on the show, I agree with you that this would be an opportune time to bring her back.  After all, her storyline was left hanging and she was hiding a pregnancy when she left town. There certainly is a lot of potential fir a plotline involving Chloe and Kevin and Billy. I too would like to see more of Esther.  The biggest bonus would be if Billy Miller returned to the role as Billy Abbott.


CAST NEWS

It's a boy for Mishael Morgan (Hilary Curtis)


Here's some happy news.  On August 9th, Mishael Morgan gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Niam.  Congratulations to Mishael and husband Navid.


Mishael with new baby and hubby


Nadine Nichol returning as Gwen


Life isn't as sweet for Mishael Morgan's onscreen character, Hilary Curtis Hamilton. The newlywed has been missing since Neil secreting went to her honeymoon island and upset her with information of Devon's supposed dalliance at his bachelor party. New hubby Devon Hamilton is suspected by police.

Now there is news that Nadine Nichol (Gwen) will be returning to the show.  Gwen starting "dating" Devon to cover up his relationship with Hilary.  That can only mean trouble for besieged couple once Mishael returns from maternity leave.


Miles Gaston Villanueva to play Luca


Miles Gaston Villanueva

Get ready for a new character in town!  Miles Gaston Villanueva will play the new role of Lucas Santori this September.  Villannueva has been seen on the Y&R before.  He played Father Martin in 2013 for story in which Nikki Newman and Paul Williams searched for Nikki's long-lost son child, who turned out to be Dylan.

Hmmmm . . . Maybe Luca will be attracted to Summer.  That would cause problems in the relationship between the Snowflake (as Mariah calls her) and Kyle.  Another possibility is that he might set his sights on Marisa, provided he doesn't turn out to be her brother.


Y&R REPORT READER'S POLL

Many fan favourites have left Y&R, much to the disappointment of their fans.  Some viewers are just hoping for their return.  My own choice would be Billy Miller as Billy Abbott.  Here are some of the actors who are gone from show, but not forgotten.

Which of the following actors do you most want to return to Y&R?

Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman)
Michael Muhney (Adam Newman)
Billy Miller (Billy Abbott)
Michael Damian (Danny Romalotti)
Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters)
Jessica Collins (Avery Baily Clark)
Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell)
Stephen Nichols (Tucker McCall)
Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters)
Quizzes

That's all for now.  Be sure to check out the next edition of Y&R Report on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

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