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Saturday, September 12, 2015

Y&R Report (September 12, 2015): 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.


Ian Ward, my favourite snake in the grass, is back!  Yes, folks, actor Ray Wise, has returned to his role as the devious cult leader.  Not only that, but he's on a mission to bring down the mighty Victor Newman.  Will he succeed?  It doesn't seem as if anyone can bring "Moneybags" down.  However, Ian Ward is a difficult adversary for Victor because he uses psychological techniques against him. It's fun to see Phyllis so blissfully unaware of Ian's true identity.  Boy, is she going to have a rude awakening when she finds out the truth about her new friend.

It's also good to see Esther (Kate Linder) back in the thick of things.  When I saw her pack her bags, I thought she might be leaving Genoa City and I wondered if Kate was leaving the show after all these years.   However, Dylan hired Esther to work at his coffee shop, and it should be fun to see her interact with the customers there.  She's quite a gossip, isn't she?  I guess the writers wanted to get her out of the Chancellor mansion. She hasn't had much to do since Mrs. C.'s death.

Much to Paul's disappointment, Dylan won't be joining the Genoa City police after all.  Not that he was ready to be a cop just like that.  Although he's had military training, he would still have to have police training, except on a soap.

It appears that oily Joe Clark (Scott Elrod) is sticking around to stir up trouble in GC.  Ashley doesn't seem interested in a romance with The Smirky One.  She only made a date with Joe to find out what he's up to.  It's obvious that Dr. Stitch is the one she really has her eye on.  As for Mr. Clark, he seems to be focusing on Lilly. Although Lily's reconciled with her Aussie husband, Mrs. Candy Cane remains quite friendly with the phony real estate dealer and somewhat receptive to his fake charms.

Victoria and Billy have reunited yet again.  Unfortunately, there isn't much chemistry between Amelia Heinle and the current Billy (Burgess Jenkins).  It's not Jenkins' fault, though.  It's just that Billy Miller was so good in the role and he is still greatly missed by Y&R viewers.  In fact, in the last edition of Y&R Report, there was a poll asking readers which actor they would most like to return to Y&R.  As of this writing, Billy Miller is the overwhelming choice of respondents with 48 per cent of the vote. Michael Muhney (ex-Adam Newman) and Victoria Rowell (ex- Drucilla Winters) are tied for second place with 14 per cent of the vote each.  Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) is in third place with 9 per cent of the vote.

I've been critical of the show's writers, but I have to give them credit for the memorial to Mrs. Chanellor on the anniversary of her death.  It was done very well and it was an example of Y&R at its best.  The show should always go back to its roots and its history.  The flashbacks in the episode were very enjoyable.  It's interesting to note that Katherine Chancellor was the one person in Genoa City who could stand up to Victor Newman and tell him when he was wrong.  She was the only who could reprimand him.  Have you noticed that his behaviour has become much worse since she passed away?

It's thumbs down to the writers, however, for Neil's storyline. Neil Winters has a Masters degree in business from Stanford University, but where did he get his medical knowledge?  He knew how to set up an intravenus (IV) for Hillary.  Also, he may have saved Hilary's life, but he's greatly responsible for what happened to her. He's been lying constantly and he just used Gwen to get access to the hospital medical supplies.  That's not Neil Winters  It's someone else completely.



VIEWER FORUM

If you have any comments on Y&R,  please email them to me with "Viewer Forum" in the subject line. I will be happy to publish your comments and reply to them.  You do not have to use your real name.

From CC in Etobicoke, Ontario:

It looks like Sharon will do a repeat and kidnap Sage and Nick's baby.
It's possible Victor may help her with that as even though he wants the Newman grandchild, he doesn't want Sage to be around to interfere with his gaining control over the child.


Well, CC, Sharon's life is about to come crashing down.  I don't believe her relationship with Dylan will survive her latest deception.  Dylan will never accept that she did not tell him she lost the baby.  I just hope she doesn't try to kidnap Sage's baby.  Haven't we had enough that on the show? Remember how Sheila stole Lauren's baby and Ashley stole Sharon's own daughter, Faith?  Surely the writers can come up with something new and different, or can they?  After all, they never seem to tire of stories involving look-alikes, do they?

All sarcasm aside, a kidnapping story is very likely, although it seems so obvious and predictable. Victor may become involved because he has to have his slimy,controlling hands on everything, especially if it has any connection to the Newman name.  Sharon is certainly not in his good books right now, but controlling all things Newman trumps everything for The Black Knight.  By the way, CC, if he says that he has to protect his family one more time . . .


From Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario

More power to Ashley Abbott played by Eileen Davidson.  She's my favourite actress on the show.

I like Ashley Abbott too, Fifi.  I'd rather see AA with Dr. Stitch'em Up than her spoiled, self-centred daughter, Abby.




CAST NEWS


Michael E. Knight joins Y&R cast as mysterious doctor




Michael E. Knight is coming to Genoa City this fall.  According to TV Insider, the popular actor, who portrayed Tad Martin on All My Children, will play the recurring role of Dr. Simon Neville, a mysterious man of medicine.  Knight, a three-time Emmy winner, will make his first appearance on The Young and the Restless on Thursday, October 15th, 2015 on CBS  (Wednesday, October 14th on Global TV in Canada).  Hmmm .... will he give Dr. Stitch some competition for Ashley's heart?



Is Judih Chapman (Gloria) still on the show?




Where is Gloria Fisher Abbott Bardwell these days?  We haven't seen the sassy character around Genoa City for quite a while.  I don't think anyone has mentioned her or stated that she is out of town. So, what's up?  Well, I wish I could give you a definite answer, but it seems that Judith Chapman, the actress who portrays Gloria, doesn't know herself.  At last report, the character's future is still very much up in the air.  However, Judith is not very optimistic.  She thinks it's possible that Gloria may never be seen on the Y&R again.  Here' what she wrote on Facebook.


 I have no idea when or if GLORIA will be back on Y and Restless.  If they never call.. It looks like no... Such is the nature of Soap Operas.. C'est La vie... A shame for those who loved, loving GLORIA.. AND those who loved hating, her...... And a shame for me... Who loved playing her...



Update on Billy Miller




Here's an update on whether Billy Miller will be returning to his role as Billy Boy Abbott on Y&R. Billy is currently portraying Jason Morgan on General Hospital, but his contract will be up in October.  Burgess Jenkins, who currently plays Billy Abbott, had his contract up in June and there hasn’t been confirmation that he’s signed a new one.  Understandably, General Hospital and the ABC network would dearly love to keep Billy M.  Losing him to Y&R would be a real blow to GH. It would be a bonanza, however, for The Young and the Restless, which never should have let him go in the first place.  

Right now, I'm sorry to report, the news does not sound too promising for Y&R fans.  ABC executive Nathan Varni insists that Billy, who is in the midst of a big storyline on GH, is not going anywhere. Responding to fans on Facebook, Varni confirmed that Billy Miller will remain on GH.  He insisted that the actor is not leaving his role on General Hospital after his contract is up.

Even if Miller remains on GH, as expected, Y&R will have to put out a casting call for a new Billy if Burgess Jenkins decides to leave.  That will be no consolation to Y&R fans who just want Billy Miller back.  Stay tuned and I will keep you posted.


What happened to Detective Alex Chavez?





Ignacio Serricchio, who played Detective Alejandro "Alex" Chavez from 2012 to 2014 won't be coming back to Y&R any time soon.  According to CBS Soaps in Depth, the actor has a role in a romantic comedy series called Zoe Ever After.  He will play a character called Miguel, a handyman, who is very different from the tough cop he portrayed on Y&R.
 

Y&R REPORT READER'S POLL



What is your favourite venue on Y&R?

The Underground
The Genoa City Athletic Club
Crimson Lights
Chancellor Park
Poll Maker


That's all for now.  As the autumn leaves fall, I'll be hoping for a lot of intrigue and romance in Genoa City.  Don't forget to check out the next edition of Y&R Report on Saturday, September 26, 2015.


- Joanne  

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