Y&R Report (March 19, 2016): 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.

Note: Y&R was preempted twice this week.  The March Madness in Genoa City was replaced by the March Maddness of college basketball.

Victor Newman may be in prison right now.  He may be down, but he is far from out.  The writers have put Victor in a precarious situation for a while, but I guarantee that he will not stay down for long.  Yes,  I know!  I know!  Everybody wants Victor to have his comeuppance.  They want him to own up to his despicable behaviour.  Unfortunately, it's just not in Victor's DNA.  He is actually proud of what he's done and doesn't regret anything.  He thinks he's in the right.  Anyone who opposes him is an enemy.  Anyone who does not support him is disloyal.  Right now, his only friend seems to be Summer. Despite Victor's criminal behaviour, her grandfather is still a hero to her.

With the exception of Summer, "The Black Knight" regards his family as ungrateful traitors who have betrayed him.  Nikki tried to make amends with with him, but he would have none of it.  He was as cold as ice to her.  As for Princess Victoria, she's really in daddy's doghouse.

I have to give Eric Braeden credit.  His performance as Victor Newman has been magnificent.  He was born to play that role and he seems to be enjoying himself immensely.  He just relishes portraying Victor under attack, the lone wolf, fighting the whole world.  In my opinion, Eric should be nominated for an daytime Emmy this year.

Has Michael Baldwin sold his soul?  Say it ain't so!  Michael seemed like the only character in Genoa City with some integrity.  Now he's going along with Phyllis' Machiavellian scheme to throw Victor's defence.  It may not happen, though.  He could have change of heart.  Perhaps his conscience won't allow him to do it and he will get "The Moustache"off the hook - not that I want "The Moustache" to get away scot-free.

The people of Genoa City don't have much faith in the legal system or the police.  The question is: Why do they feel that way?  Why are they so into vigilante justice?  Could it be because the Newman family specializes in blackmailing judges?  Could it be because the chief of police, Paul Williams, is incompetent and they don't have any confidence in him?  Just asking . . .

I have a bone to pick with Y&R's writers about what they have done to the character of Victoria. Victoria is an astute woman of business.  She is very experienced and more than capable of running Newman Enterprises.  She knows the company inside out, so why is she having so many problems now that she's the head honcho?  Why is she begging Nicholas to come to her aid?  Why did she visit her father in prison and ask for his help? Didn't she realize that she would be playing right into his hands and that he'd laugh in her face?  Are the writers portraying Victoria that way because she is a woman?  Would the same thing be happening to a male character?

Y&R has tied up some lose ends.  Billy is now the owner of the Chancellor mansion.  It's a gift from his mother, Jill.  The "mausoleum." as Jill always refers to it, has never been the same since the beloved Mrs. C. passed away.  It's about time the estate had a complete makeover.  As for Jill herself, the writers have finally explained her absence.  She is travelling around the world with Colin. Translation: They can't come up with a storyline for her. Unless I've missed something, no explanation has yet been given for Esther's absence.



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.  

My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca

Here's a comment from Filomena in Woodbridge, Ontario.

I'd like to see Billy and Phyllis together.  They would be perfect together and it would drive Victoria crazy.

Well, Filomena, I think you will eventually get your wish.  Billy and Phyllis will probably hook up, at least for a time.  Yes, it would drive Victoria crazy, but I can certainly understand why she decided not to remarry Billy,  He keeps hiding things from her and lying to her.  How can she trust him?  Jack would be furious with his brother for becoming involved with Phyllis.  It would drive a real rift between the two siblings.


Fifi from Collingwood, Ontario, a longtime Y&R viewer, pointed out how ridiculous it was to have Judge Elise Moxley preside over the trial of Noah Newman.  It should never have been allowed because it was a blatant conflict-of-interest.  When Victor Newman tried to blackmail Moxley, she appeared on television and publicly revealed her long ago affair with him.  She then removed herself as the judge in Victor's trial.  At that time, she should have made herself ineligible to preside over any trial involving a member of the Newman family, including Victor's grandson, Noah.  Because of her past relationship with Victor, Judge Moxley is too emotionally involved with the Newmans to be fair and unbiased.



CAST NEWS

Is Sofia Pernas (Marisa) on the way out? 

We won't be seeing as much of Sofia Pernas (Marisa Sierras) on The Young and the Restless anymore. According to a report in Deadline, CBS let the actress go for "budgetary reasons." However, a spokesperson for the show told soapcentral.com that "she's recurring and will continue to be seen on the show."

There is more to the story, though.  Sofia has landed a role in the pilot of the CW drama Transylvania., which takes place in 1880 and deals with "the births of the most famous monsters and villains in history."  The Moroccan-born Pernas is scheduled to play the part of an "exotic gypsy" named Coriander.  

If the pilot for Transylvania is picked up and the show becomes a big hit, it's hard to imagine that Sofia will remain on Y&R.  She hasn't been on the soap all that long.  She was cast in the recurring role of Marissa in July 2015 and was offered a long-term contract in September.  

Pernas is quite excited about the prospect of starring in Transylvania on prime time television.  On March 17th, she tweeted the following: "I am so thrilled to announce the 

news!!!  So happy to be on board with this monster of a show."

Lachlan Buchanan (Kyle Abbott) is leaving Y&R

Now we know for sure that Kyle and Summer will be breaking up soon.  Lachlan Buchanan, the Australian actor who portrays Kyle Abbott, is exiting Y&R.  Buchanan joined the show's cast in February of 2015.  He was downgraded to recurring status in November and hasn't been seen on screen much ever since.  I'm not surprised because his Kyle Abbott character has never caught on with fans.  However, to be fair to Buchanan, his storyline was very lacklustre.  By the way, the Aussie recently appeared on an episode of NCIS.

So, what is in store for Supergirl Summer now that Kyle is on the way out?  I guess her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend will decide to stay in New York and the field will be wide open for Romeo Santori.  It would be even more interesting if the writers brought back Fen Baldwin.  Wouldn't it be fun to see Santori and Fen competing for Supergirl's affection?




Y&R REPORT READER'S POLL

Who is the best person to replace Victor as head of Newman Enterprises?

Adam Newman

Victoria Newman

Nicholas Newman

Luca Santori

Other

Please Specify:

Do Quizzes

That's all for now.  I'm looking forward to what spring has in store for the residents of Genoa City.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, April 2, 2016.  Happy Easter to all those who celebrate the season.


- Joanne

Y&R Report (March 5, 2016): 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.


For quite a while now, Y&R viewers have been clamouring for Victor Newman to accept responsibility for his evil deeds.  He always seems to get away with his reprehensible crimes.  However, "The Moustache" is currently facing his most difficult challenge as many people in Genoa City would just love to bring him down.  Will it happen, though? Will he finally get his comeuppance?  Is this Victor's last stand, his Waterloo?

I'm not so sure.  Ol' Vic  is very resilient.  He's the ultimate escape artist, the Houdini of the soap world.  Although he's been arrested and released on bail, I don't think Victor will spend a great deal of time in prison - even if he's convicted.  There's certainly a blockbuster trial on the horizon.  It's no coincidence that defence lawyer Leslie Michaelson, played by Angell Conwell, will be returning to the screen soon.  She'll probably be defending Victor.  Christine (a.k.a. The Cricketmeister) will be be prosecuting. I hope she can control her personal feelings better than she did at Adam's trial.

Victor never stops reminding people that he was abandoned as a child and placed in an orphanage. Yes, he had a difficult time and he had to struggle to survive on his own.  Still, that does not justify his devious actions.  It does not give him the right to control other people's lives or to engage in illegal activities.

Well, well,well!  It appears that Moneybags isn't the only blackmailer in the Newman family. Nikki isn't about above some shady business herself.  She coolly tried to blackmail Judge Elise Moxley by threatening to reveal the judge's long ago affair with Victor if she did not go easy on grandson Noah in the hit-and-run case?  The Newmans have a sense of entitlement.  They act as if they are above the law because they are rich and powerful. I guess Miss Nikki is no exception.  To quote District Attorney Cricketmeister, "Every time a Newman breaks the law, they either buy or blackmail their way out of trouble . . . It's been happening for years and I am so sick and tired of it." So are we, Cricket!  So are we!

Speaking of blackmail, Hilary is indulging in some of it herself.  Her nasty side is resurfacing and she's taking advantage of a sick and vulnerable Ashley.  The writers needed her to be bad again for storyline purposes, so suddenly she's mean and bossy. Then there's Phyllis.  She attempted to obstruct justice by convincing Michael Baldwin not to put up the best defence for Victor Newman.  She wanted him to blow the case purposely.  The woman is so consumed with hatred for Victor that her eyes are flaring (good acting by Gina Tognoni, who plays fiery Phyllis).  She asked her close friend, Michael, to turn his back on his most cherished beliefs and to jeopardize his law career. At least he had enough integrity to turn her down.

A desperate Victor resorted to blackmail again when he learned that Judge Moxley would be presiding over his trial.  He held her long ago indiscretion with him over her head again.  He was confident that she would cave in.  Fortunately, she didn't.  She publicly revealed her affair with the Black Knight and resigned from the Newman case.  Good for her!

Noah should not marry Marisa as an alternative to running off to some tropical island again.  Not surprisingly, Marisa's was the one who suggested that they run and hide.  She tries to solve all her problems by lying and running away.  There's another difficulty, too. Marisa's already married to Luca and would have to get a divorce pretty quickly.  He may be reluctant to let her go, unless he's really set on wooing Summer.  If Noah is foolish enough to marry Marisa, it will be disaster for him.  She's bad news and will completely mess up his life.




Kate Linder deserves better

Kate Linder has portrayed Esther Valentine since 1982.  She tirelessly promotes The Young and Restless and hosts Y&R charity teas for the March of Dimes.  Kate is a very kind and generous person who gives of her time unselfishly.  Her character, Esther, finally left the Chancellor mansion after 33 years of service as Katherine Chancellor's devoted housekeeper.  Dylan hired her to work in his coffeehouse, Crimson Lights..  It seemed that she was going to become involved in a good, juicy storyline again. Since then, nothing.  Unless I've missed something, there's been no explanation as to what's happened to Esther.  She did appear briefly in this week's memorable episode in which Victor imagined what would happen to his family and friends if he had not "protected them."  It was just a cameo, though.

Since the death of Jeanne Cooper, who played Mrs. Chancellor, Esther has only been seen sporadically. When she quit her job as a maid and set out on her own, it seemed as if a promising storyline was in the cards for her.  In a September of 2015, Soap Central published an interview with Kate in which she was quite optimistic about her character's future.  She praised the Y&R writers and called them "amazing" for coming up with idea of having Esther work at the coffeehouse.  "I would never have thought of it, and I think it's great," she said enthusiastically.  It's really fabulous for me, and I'm enjoying it immensely, working with different people.  I think you will see a whole new side of Esther, you know, hopefully, that we haven't seen in the last 33 year.  She has grown definitely, and I think this gives her even more opportunity to grow."

Unfortunately, Esther's promising storyline has never materialized.  It has been left hanging.  Do the produces and writers of The Young and the Restless think that fans have just forgotten?  Kate Linder certainly deserves better and so do Y&R fans.  This situation should be rectified.  It is very disappointing.



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.  

My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca

Here are some comments from regular contributor Patsy in Sarasota, Florida.

I am hoping that Victor's victims get justice this time!  "The Moustache" has just gotten away with every rotten, nasty twist and turn for too long.  There has to be some justice.  And seeing Nikki and Victoria turn on Victor was great.  The hospital scene was Victor at his best . . . A cornered animal! He has lost all his allies.  

I do see Sharon and Nick back together as they have been walking down memory lane too many times.  I have no faith in Sharon and Dylan as a couple.  I want Sage to get her baby back and close that chapter.  

Summer and Luca together is stupid.  Why can't Summer act her age and just go to college?  Why can't she have a regular life, not a corporate job with Victor?

Well, Patsy, you get no argument from me about Victor.  The man will never admit he was wrong. He will never apologize for his misdeeds.  You are so right when you say he was cornered.  He just couldn't believe that his precious princess, Victoria, would actually turn him in to the police.  He was so shocked that the only thing he could do was to feign illness.  He was rushed to the hospital, but Nikki wasn't fooled.  She knew he was faking.

By the way, Summer seems to half-believe Victor's ridiculous story about what would have happened if he hadn't stayed around to "protect" his family.  She told her grandfather that he had gone "a little too far."  "A little too far," Summer?  Aren't fraud and kidnapping serious crimes?

According to the Great Victor Newman, without him, the Newman women would have become poverty stricken stricken or tramps or both.  Victor also takes credit for getting Phyllis out of her coma.  The truth is that he only helped Phyllis because it served his purpose.  He wanted her to prevent Nick from remarrying Sharon.

Speaking of Sharon and Nick, it won't be too long before they are back together.  Sage will get her baby back eventually. According to Internet spoilers, Sharon will discover that her DNA doesn't match Sully's. As for Summer, she and Kyle are will soon be history.  What if Fen returns and Supergirl is torn between him and Luca?

Nothing about Summer's life has been "regular."  Her paternity results were changed and just when she had gotten used to having Jack as her biological father, she learned that Nick was indeed her daddy.  Not only that, but her best friend, Courtney, and her husband, Austin, were murdered by a rogue detective and a devious drug lord.  She was widowed at the age of 20.

Although Summer really seems to be falling for Luca Santori, their could be someone else in the picture.  I'm referring to Genoa City's resident computer hacker, Natalie.  Regular viewer, Fifi from Collingwood, Ontario thinks that Natalie will also fall for Santori.  She contends that although Natalie pretends to be absorbed with her computer hacking, she is not really disinterested in romance. I agree with Fifi and I predict that there will be scene in which the Swiss Miss removes her glasses and dresses beautifully.



CAST NEWS


Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) to portray U.S. President in film

Stand aside, Hillary Clinton!  Eileen Davidson has been cast as the President of the United States in a new film called Spychosis.  The film,stars Jamie Lee Curtis, John Savage and Vince Van Patten (Eileen's husband).  It tells the tale of a spy who is being hunted down by assassins and is scheduled for release in the summer of 2017.




Y&R REPORT READER'S POLL

Fans would like Victim Newman to face the music. but how should he be dealt with in a just manner?

What should be proper "justice" in the Victor Newman case?

Victor should spend 15 to 20 years in prison.

Victor should never be allowed to run a company again.

Victor should be compelled to work at Jabot for five years and would have to take orders directly from Jack Abbott. He would be given a low position at Jabot and would have to remain in that position for the entire five years.

Victor should have to pay a billion dollar fine. He should also have to travel all over the world making speeches about the evils of blackmail, fraud and other crimes.

Victor should be stripped of his wealth for three years and he should have to spend those three years serving coffee at Crimson Lights.

Other

Please Specify:

Quiz Maker

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saurday, March 19, 2016.


- Joanne

TV Trivia For You #6: The Clampett truck on The Beverly Hillbillies

Here is the sixth installment of  TV Triva For You from TV Banter .  The first installment appeared on this blog  on June 14, 2012.  The second installment appeared on February 6, 2013, the third appeared on June 30, 2014, the fourth on November 14, 2014, and the fifth on June 20, 2015.

What is the make and model of the Clampetts' beat-up old truck on The Beverly Hillbillies?

DID YOU KNOW that the ramshackle old roadster on The Beverly Hillbillies was based on a 1921 Oldsmobile Model 43-A touring car?  According to an article by Jack Stewart on the website The Daily Drive, the truck "was powered by a 43-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and rode on a 115-inch wheelbase. The $1,445 touring car was considered medium priced when it was new." Renowned Hollywood auto customizer George Barris (1925-2015) was assigned the task of designing a vehicle befitting the hillbilly Clampett family.  In his article on the famous vehicle, Stewart stated that Barris added a rear platform and a high platform to accommodate Granny and Elly May.

If you're wondering what happened to the Clampetts' dilapidated old truck, here's the answer.  It is the best-known exhibit at the Ralph Foster Museum on the campus of the College of the Ozarks, a private Christian school located at Point Lookout, Missouri (64.4 kilometres or 40 miles south of Springfiled, near Branson and Hollister, Missouri).

Paul Henning, the creator and producer of The Beverly Hillbillies, donated the truck as a Bicentennial gift to the Foster Museum, referred to locally as "the Smithsonian of the Ozarks." Henning, who passed away in 2005, who also composed the show's popular theme, "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," He was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, about a 2 hour and 44 minute drive from Springfield.

If you should visit the Ozarks and happen to be in the vicinity of the Ralph Foster Museum, you can have your picture taken in the broken-down front seat of the Clampett truck in front of a large photograph of Jed Clampett, Granny, Elly May Clampett, Jethro Bodie. Milburn Drysdale and Jane Hathaway.  Below is a photo of one of television's most famous vehicles at the museum.

TRIVIA NOTE:  Miss Jane Hathaway, played by Nancy Kulp, was usually behind the wheel of a Dodge convertible.  The wealthy and extravagant Mrs. Margaret Drysdale was chauffeured in Imperials.

Who was the youngest host of Saturday Night Live?

7 year-old Drew Barrymore hosting Saturday Night Live in 1982

DID YOU KNOW that Drew Barrymore has the distinction of being the youngest host of Saturday Night Live?  Drew was a mere seven years old when she hosted SNL on November 20, 1982.  The actress, now 41, was not yet born when Saturday Night Live first aired on October 11, 1975 (Her date of birth is February 22, 1975).  At the tender age of seven, Drw participated in sketches and delivered monologues.  In one sketch she portrayed a murderous Gertie (her E.T. character) before allowing Tim Kazurinsky to babysit her.

In 1982, Barrymore was riding high on the popularity of her performance in the blockbuster film E.T. To date, she has hosted SNL five more times.  Her sixth and most recent appearance as the show's host occurred on October 10, 2009.  She joined the SNL Five Timers club when she hosted Saturday Night Live for the fifth time on February 3, 2007.


* Macauley Culkin of Home Alone fame was 11 years old when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1991.

* Fred Savage, star of The Wonder Years, was 13 when he hosted SNL in 1990.

* Jodie Foster was 14 years old when she hosted Saturday Night Live back in 1976.  1976 was a big year for Foster with her performances in the films Taxi Driver and Bugsy Malone.  TRIVIA NOTE: Bugsy Malone was a British musical gangster film set in New York.  It featured only child actors and starred Scott Baio in the title role.

* Cosby Show alumnus, Malcolm-Jamal Warner,, was 16 years of age when he hosted Saturday Night Live on October 18, 1986.

* Actress Lindsay Lohan was 17 years old when she hosted SNL on May 1, 2004.

* Twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, who shared the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House, were also 17 when they hosted Saturday Night Live on May 15, 2004.


* Singer/actress Miley Cyrus, born November 23, 1992, was 18 years old when she hosted SNL on March 5, 2011.


*  Singer Britney Spears was also 18 when she hosted the show on May 13, 2000.

Who was the original choice to play George Costanza on Seinfeld?

Paul Shaffer (left) and Jason Alexander

DID YOU KNOW that Jason Alexander was not the original choice to play George Costanza on Seinfeld?  It's hard to imagine anyone else in the role.  However, David Letterman's longtime band leader and sidekick, Paul Shaffer, was apparently offered the part of the neurotic George before it was given to Jason Alexander.  According to Shaffer in his 2009 autobiography We’ll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives, Jerry Seinfeld left him a personal message offering him the role of Cosstanza on his upcoming pilot.  The role was his, if he wanted it, without even an audition.  As fate would have it, Shaffer neglected to return Seinfeld's call because he was preoccupied with other work.  Of course, the Canadian-born band leader had no way of knowing how successful Seinfeld's "show about nothing" would become.  It worked out for the best, however, because nobody could have played George Costanza as well as Jason Alexander.


- Joanne