TV BANTER : September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Y&R Report (September 30, 2017): 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.

Well fans, now we finally know why Graham has a hold on Dina. Dina broke up Graham's family when she had an affair with his father, tennis pro Brent Davis. She is guilty about that and feels the need to make it up to him. Also, Ashley Abbott is Graham's half sister. They share the same father - Brent Davis. That's why Dina becomes so upset whenever Graham mentions Ashley's paternity. She doesn't want him to know that they have the same daddy.

Recently I chatted with some Y&R viewers and I came up with a theory about Cane and Juliet. After listening to their ideas, here is what I have surmised: I think Sugar Cane Ashby is being taken for a ride by Juliet. She's really playing him for a fool. She set him from the beginning. Cane is not the father of Juliet's baby. Nothing happened that night in Tokyo. Cane was too drunk. The father of Juliet's baby is most likely Mr. Soto, the Japanese businessman that she and Cane were trying to make a deal with for Brass & Sassy. Juliet's hanky panky with Mr. Soto sealed the deal.

Cane and Lily will eventually learn the truth. However, in typical soap fashion, it will be too late. Their divorce will be final. Then, in typical soap fashion, they can remarry (If you are keeping score, that would be 3 weddings and two remarriages for them. However, that's nothing compared to the number of times Victor and Nicki have married, divorced and remarried).

I really enjoyed those flashbacks of Cassie (Camryn Grimes) as a child with Alice (Tamara Clatterbuck). I have to say Tamara has aged well and hasn't changed much.

That was an interesting conversation Abby had with Scott Grainger on the subject of his relationship with Sharon opposites attracting. Abby responded that even if opposites attract, they have to have common interests or the romance won't work out. To me, this was a foreshadowing of a future romance between her and Scott. I've said all along that Sharon will end up back with Nick. I can't wait to see if I'm right about that.

Y&R has a habit of making certain characters perennial losers. Other characters, especially Victor Newman, always seem to come out on top. The biggest losers seem to be Noah Newman, Paul Williams and Cane Ashby. When Noah learns the truth about Tessa and Mariah, he's going to be devastated. As for Paul, he's still "Clueless." When Sharon suggested take their information about the prostitution ring to Paul, Scott replied that they couldn't take a chance of letting the criminals know the police are on to them. Paul just takes too long to crack a case.

Graham seems to know that Victor always wins. That's why he feels it's wise to align himself with "Mr Moneybags." Graham want to be in Victor's good books. He knows that Victor will "crush" Jack Abbott, so he want to be on Victor's side.

Victor really is the ultimate master manipulator. He even brought Kevin Fisher back to town to do his dirty work. Poor Nick cannot break away from Victor no matter how hard he tries. Nick is about to face two terrible blows. His father will use Kevin's computer skills to rob him of $500 million Nick won in a lawsuit against him. He is also going to discover that Chelsea has hidden the fact that Christian is not his biological son, but Adam's. This will cause them to break up. However, I am certain that Sharon will comfort Nick during his time of troubles and disappointments.

CAST NEWS

Jason Thompson is a father again

Rome Coco Thompson

Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) is a father for the second time. Jason and his wife, Paloma Jonas, welcomed a baby girl on September 20, 2017. They named their newborn child Rome Coco Thompson. Rome has a big brother, Bowie, who was born on May 23, 2016. Paloma Jonas wrote the following message on Instagram regarding their new daughter: "Our little koala bear was born at 8:45 a.m. She's divine and smells like gum and roses. We're all obsessed."

Melissa Ordway (Abby) pregnancy update: She has gestational diabetes

According to Soap Opera Spy, Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman), has had a worrisome medical diagnosis. The actress, who is expecting her expecting her second child in January with husband Justin Gaston, received the news after going in for some medical blood work relating to her pregnancy. She learned that she has gestational diabetes. Although that is not uncommon, it is troubling because women who have gestational diabetes are more likely to become diabetic later in life. It also means that their children have a greater chance of becoming diabetic. Melissa is seeking healthy ways to deal with the diabetes.

Y&R REPORT READER'S POLL

Well fans, is Sugar Cane Ashby the biggest sucker in Genoa City? Is he being played by a cunning Juliet? Respond to the poll below and let me know what you think.

Do you think Cane is really the father of Juliet's baby or is she deceiving him?

NOTE TO READERS

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

That's all for now. The next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The autumn leaves are falling in Genoa City and Traci (Beth Maitland) will be arriving in town for a visit. That Australian rascal, Colin Atkinson (Tristan Rogers), will also be returning to GC on Monday, October 9th (CBS), Friday. October 6 (Global-TV). He's going to find out what a mess his son, Cane, has made of his life. If he offers Cane some advice, will Cane be foolish and desperate enough to accept it?

A Happy Thanksgiving (October 9th) to Y&R fans in Canada.

- Joanne

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Rick Mercer: Final season for Mercer Report

Comedian Rick Mercer has announced that the 15th season of CBC-TV's The Mercer Report will be his last. He posted his announcement yesterday in a specially taped rant to his 1.3 million followers on Twitter. After more than 270 episodes, the show will end in March and Rick is determined to end it on his own terms.

For the past 25 years, the man with the mischievous smile has been a solid fixture on the CBC. He was only 23 years old when he first appeared on This Hour Has 22 Minutes/. After eight seasons, he left 22 Minutes and embarked on five-season run on the sitcom Made in Canada. His Talking To Americans comedy specials achieved high ratings, but they ceased after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001

Although Mercer is convinced that starring in his own satirical comedy program is still "the best job in the world," he feels that the time has come to pull the curtain on The Mercer Report. In many ways," he told Stephanie vanKampen of CBC News, "I could do it forever." But as he pointed out, "things don't last forever and the shows that I respect the most, they wrap them up on their own terms and that's exactly what I'm doing." Rick told The Canadian Press that he didn't have a "seismic event or epiphany that this should be the end." He just has a sense that he's ready to move on after one more season.

The Mercer Report premiered in 2004 as Rick Mercer's Monday Report. Rick, a native of St. John's, Newfoundland, has visited almost every nook and cranny of Canada and has taken viewers to events from sea to sea. He has played golf with Anne Murray, skinny-dipped with Bob Rae and has been read a bedtime story by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He has also participated in numerous daredevil stunts. This summer, for example, he hung off the side of Prince Edward Island's Confederation Bridge with a maintenance crew. It's a wonder that he has never seriously injured himself!

In his interview with The Canadian Press, Rick vowed that he's not leaving The Mercer Report to write a book, obtain a raise in salary, spend time with his family or accept a Senate appointment. He also promised not to grow a bushy beard like David Letterman. He made it clear that right now his focus is on making the final season of The Mercer Report the best one ever.

So, what does the future hold for the intrepid 47-year-old Newfoundlander? Well, it's too early to say what's next for Rick. He apparently needs more time to decide. However, if he has any political aspirations, maybe he'll run for seat in the House of Commons (I can picture him as a Newfoundland MP). If he chooses not to throw his hat into the political arena, though, perhaps he'll appear on a new television show. He's certainly too young and talented to retire.

In the meantime, I and many other viewers will miss his heartfelt rants along a Toronto alleyway festooned with graffiti art. He's ranted on a plethora of subjects from the weather to the length of elections to bullying. His tirades have included such diverse topics as imported pandas, escalator protocol and airport security.

Enjoy some rest and relation, Rick, while you make up your mind. Don't stay away too long, though, because Canada needs more Rick Mercer.

- Joanne

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Y&R Report (September 16, 2017): The Latest on The Young and The Restless

Ah! Young forbidden love! Reed and Mattie feel like Romeo and Juliet. Mattie finds Reed irresistible. As someone pointed out, "that smile, that hair, that guitar." She thinks she's hit the jackpot because he's showing an interest in her. The studious, bespectacled, inexperienced Mattie has never felt like this before. Reed has opened up a new world for her.

Sugar Cane Ashby, of course, is handling the situation with his usual composure. Cane has forbidden them to see each other and he has burst into Victoria's home to prevent them from being together. He's just dangling the forbidden fruit in front of them. Of course, after his escapade with Juliet, Mattie thinks that her father is the ultimate hypocrite. She questioned why Cane was being so "judgy." (Judgy? Has Mattie coined a new word to replace "judgmental.")

Mattie is disillusioned with her father and the rebellious side of her nature has come to the surface. She has skipped class and lied to her parents, which has only reinforced Cane's conviction that Reed is a bad influence on her. I'm not sure where this is all going to end, but I'm fairly certain that Mattie is going to have her achy breaky little heart broken.

Juliet, meanwhile, is playing her cards very smartly where Cane is concerned. She's just waiting for Lily and others to reject him. He will feel isolated and she will be only one to accept him with open arms. She will offer to help him pick up the pieces of his shattered life. Cane, with his usual good judgement, will fall into her trap. One has to wonder why she thinks Sugar Cane is such a prize, though. Maybe she can help him with his whispering problem. She has such a distinctive, husky voice.

Jordan is using the same strategy as Juliet. He is also playing the waiting game with Lily. He's waiting patiently until she's finally had enough of Cane and has given up on their marriage. He won't have to wait much longer, that's for sure.

Why doesn't anyone in Genoa City talk about Summer anymore? Has the Snowflake melted? Has Nick forgotten about his "Supergirl?" Is Phyllis so wrapped up in her battle over Billy that he has forgotten her only daughter? What about Victor? He doesn't even mention his granddaughter anymore. Yes, I realize that Summer is off on some trip around the world and that Hunter King, the actress who plays Summer, is no longer a regular cast member. (Hunter now appears as Clementine Hughes on the CBS prime time sitcom Life in Pieces). Still, someone in the Newman family should keep us up to date on Summer's activities. If she doesn't fit into the storyline, which I think is the case, why not write her out and say she moved away from Genoa City permanently.

Who is spying on Jack and Nikki at the Abbott cabin? The obvious answer would be Victor. However, according to Soap Digest interview with Y&R head writer Mal Young, "there is someone in their lives - for once not Victor - who strongly disapproves and will go to great lengths to sabotage their relationship." Could it be Dina? She does not want her son with Nikki and she has the money and the power to try and destroy their relationship. No, it is not Dina. According to an online spoiler, the culprit is Graham. He has hired a photographer to take pictures of Jack and Nikki at the cabin and he will send the photos to Victor. However, he will let Victor think the sender is Dina. Very interesting! I knew Victor had to be involved somehow. He's involved in almost every scheme, isn't he?

Victor always finds a way to gain control over his family. As much as Nick tries to distance himself from Victor, his efforts to be his own man are constantly derailed. In order to help Noah, he had to use Victor's influence to obtain a liquor licence for the new Underground restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. No wonder Nick is frustrated. He may be wealthy, but it isn't easy being Victor Newman's son.

So, we are learning more about Mr. Graham Bloodworth, especially since Ashley snooped around Graham's suite, at Dina's behest. Her searched yielded some results. She learned that Graham's mother is living in an assisted living facility in Florida and that he is paying for her upkeep (with Dina's money?). Somehow, Graham's mother might be his connection to Dina and the reason why he has such a hold on her. Graham lied to Ashley, though, when told her that both his parents were dead.

As for Ashley, I wasn't surprised that Graham found her in his room. I expected that to happen. It was fun to hear Eileen Davidson put on a Southern accent when she phoned the assisted living facility in Florida. She's a better detective than Paul Williams.

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

Fi Fi from Collingwood, Ontario would like to know who is taking care of Victoria's children, Johnny and Katie, while Victoria is gallivanting around outside of work and Billy is living with Phyllis. She also commented on Tessa being a member of the Genoa City Athletic Club. She wants to know who Tessa can afford it, since she has been struggling financially.

Well Fifi, one assumes that Johnny and Katie have a nanny. Johnny is started kindergarten this year and Billy and Victoria were involved in the child's first day at school. As for Tessa, she isn't wealthy enough to afford the high cost of a membership at the ritzy Genoa City Athletic Club. It wasn't long ago that Tessa was living in her car. Yes, she has a recording contract now, but she is not a big star and she is not rich.

By the way, Fifi, almost everybody in town seems to be using the GC Athletic Club gym lately. It's the busiest place in town.

Helen from Scarborough, Ontario says that Alice Johnson (Tamara Clatterbuck) is a good reason for the mute button. Helen does not like the sound of Alice's voice and finds it "irritating" and "nasal."

I agree, Helen, that Alice doesn't have the most pleasing voice. However, there are much worse, and Alice's voice doesn't bother me much, certainly not as much as it bothers you.

Regular commentator, CC from Etobicoke, Ontario, sent me the following comments:

As far as Y&R is concerned . . . Phyllis is going over the edge about this Billy/Victoria thing. And rightly so, as Billy and Victoria will always be smitten with each other, just like Victor and Nikki.

Who is buying up all the Brash & Sassy products? Billy, Victoria or someone else? Will Sharon soon be joining the GCPD? Or perhaps she and Scott will start a PI company.

Yes, CC, Phyllis is definitely going over the edge over Billy and Victoria. That's why her relationship with Billy Boy is doomed. As long as they have children together and as long as they have Brash & Sassy, they will always have a bond. If Phyllis can not accept that Princess Victoria will always be a part of Billy's life, then she and Billy will never last.

Who is buying up all the Brassy & Sassy products? You mention Billy and Victoria and they are the obvious suspects. However, it wouldn't surprise me if daddy Victor is helping out his precious princess so that her business survives. Furthermore, if Brass & Sassy products fly off the shelves, it's at the expense of Jabot and Victor's archenemy, Jack Abbott. Thus, "The Moustache" kills two birds with one stones. He helps his daughter and socks it to Jack.

As for your tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Sharon should join the Genoa City Police Department, it's not so far off the mark. Sharon is a much better detective than GC Police Chief Paul Williams, a former private investigator. So is Scott Grainger. They have already discovered a great deal about Alice and the sex trafficking ring. What has Paul discovered? Zip. Zero. Nada. No wonder the good citizens of Genoa City do not have confidence in him.

CAST NEWS

Darnell Kirkwood (Jordan Wilde) got married

On The Young and the Restless, Darnell Kirkwood plays Brass & Sassy photographer Jordan Wilde Although Y&R's Jordan is a single man-about town, Darnell is a happy newlywed. On Saturday, September 2, 2017, Darnell married Danielle Premone in a beautiful beachside ceremony.

Darnell, a 32-year-old model and actor, was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri He played basketball on a scholarship for Otero Junior College in Colorado and Lynn University in Florida. In 2007, after graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he moved to Europe. There he played professional basketball and began modelling.

In 2009, an injury ended Darnell's basketball career and he returned to the United States. He settled in Los Angeles three years ago and signed with talent agencies for acting and modelling. He was cast in minor roles in major network shows such as CBS's Scorpion. Last December, his agent advised him of a casting call for Y&R and he won the biggest role of his career to date.

Michael Muhney is returning to TV but not as Adam Newman

The good news for fans of Michael Muhney is that they will be able to see the actor on television again. The bad news is that it won't be as Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless. Michael revealed on Twitter that he has a part in an upcoming ABC drama entitled The Good Doctor, which is currently filming in Vancouver, Canada.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Was Dina right when she warned Phyllis that Billy would betray her, just as he betrayed his brother Jack?

That's all for now. Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, September 30, 2017.

- Joanne

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