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Saturday, March 28, 2020

Y&R Report (March 28, 2020): 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. 

Due to the outbreak of  the COVID-19 virus, production has shut down on Y&R, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS) General Hospital (ABC) and Days of Our Lives (NBC).  According to Deadline, the shutdown for the two CBS soaps took effect on March 17, 2019.  The current plan is to cease production of Y&R and B&B for two weeks.  That could be extended if necessary.  The shutdown is not currently expected to affect what viewers see on-screen.  Both soaps have already filmed about four to six weeks of episodes.  General Hospital has halted production through mid-April and Days of Our Lives has suspended production indefinitely.

I have to mention that scene in which Mariah walked on stage at Tessa's concert and begged Tessa to forgive her.  That was a very unrealistic scene.  It would never have happened.  It just wasn't believable.  I can't see anyone being allowed to interrupt a public concert in that manner.

It's good to see Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) back in Genoa City.  It appears that she is going to stay, at least for a while, because she has returned from boarding school.  She is a good young actress and I am sure she will receive many offers to do movies and other television series on network TV or streaming companies such as Netflix.  For now, Faith is in Genoa City and very concerned about her cancer-stricken mother, Sharon.  She has also shown the first signs of teenage rebellion by skipping classes at school.  The way she's been brought up, with both parents continually changing partners, it's a wonder she hasn't done anything worse.

According to an online spoiler, Summer will end her relationship with Kyle until he finds closure with Lola.  That's really not surprising.  There's a reason why Kyle has not filed for divorce yet.  As I've mentioned in previous postings on this website, there is good chance that Hunter King will be leaving Y&R to star in a prime time show called Prospect.  Kyle is the heartbreak kid and this time his own heart may be broken.  He may eventually have to battle Theo to get Lola back.

Sleazebag Theo Vanderway is showing his true colours.  He's trying to get dirt on Kyle so that he can manipulate his way into Jabot's CEO chair.  I think Theo will also take advantage of Dina's will and the fact that he is her grandson to do it.  Is he really trying to romance Lola because he cares about her or is she just another means to an end?  Is he using Kyle's estranged wife so that Kyle will be upset and he can achieve his goals?

Adam Newman is also showing his true colours.  He has not stopped trying to seek revenge on Victor and the rest of his family.  He still has darkness in his heart and Chelsea has been enabling him to be ruthless.  She brings out the worst in him, probably because she was raised by a con woman mother, Anita.

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

Regular contributor CC in Etobicoke, Ontario sent me the following email:

Hi Joanne,

Hope you are keeping well during this difficult time. I am not finding any of the present stoylines particularly interesting.  The Victor/Adam conflict is so old.  Throw Acting CEO Nicholas Newman into the mix and it really feels tired.  I really was't missing Lily's character at all.  Has her contract changed from recurring?

Overall too many of the storylines are focused on negative themes.  As well, there are too many clandestine-type shenanigans going on at the same time.  They move along slowly as if the writers are unsure about which ones they will go on with.  Changes are definitely needed.


Yes, CC, the show needs a shot in the arm, some energizing.  I'm willing to give the Victor/Adam conflict a chance.  It seems that Adam is going to blackmail Victor into letting him have the CEO position at Newman.  He will give the job to Adam without providing a reasonable explanation.  His princess, Victoria, will be devastated.

Actually, CC, I'm pleased that Lily (Christel Khalil) is back and that Billy is acting in a more reasonable manner.  It's refreshing to see him working with Lily, rather than agonizing over Delia, seeking revenge on Adam, standing on ledges and gambling.  So far, I've been unable to confirm whether Christel is back on contract.  It appears that she is.  Otherwise, why would she be so involved in a brand new storyline with Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson).

Yes, too many of the storylines are focused on negative themes.  Right now, there are three major downbeat themes: Sharon's breast cancer, Dina's Alzheimer's and Victoria's depression.  However, to cut the writers some slack, all of those storylines were planned and developed well before the global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.  For example. it was former head writer Mal Young who created the Alzheimer storyline because his mother died of the disease.  When things get back to normal and the new episodes are filmed, Y&R should feature a lighter storyline.

I spoke with longtime Y&R viewer, Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario.  She had a suggestion about what the show should do as the virus crisis continues and it faces the possibility of being without new episodes.  She thinks The Young and the Restless should rerun old episodes beginning with the first one in 1973.  I think that's a great idea and it would be fun to see how the show has changed.  It would be interesting to see the old characters and storylines at a time when there were no cell phones and laptop computers or tablets.


CAST NEWS
Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren Fenmore) is making lifestyle changes


Tracey Bregman (Lauren) is making changes in her life that could affect her status at The Young and the Restless.  The actress took to Instagram to share the news that she will be dividing her time between Los Angeles  and Nashville, Tennessee.  Tracey lost her home in the disastrous 2018 California wildfires and she now has a home and property on her ranch in Tennessee.  It is called Black Horse Ranch and was named after her 19-year-old horse.

Tracey and her TV husband, Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), haven't had much screen time lately and they are not involved in any major storylines.  Will this part-time move to Nashville mean that Tracey's appearances on Y&R will be even less frequent?


Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher) has tested positive for COVID-19 virus



Greg Rikkart, who plays Kevin Fisher on Y&R, has tested positive for COVID-19 virus.   He disclosed his illness on social media.  "I just tested positive for coronavirus," he wrote.  "I am a pretty healthy 43-year-old who doesn't smoke, doesn't drink much, eats well and exercises regularly and this has been the hardest experience of my life"     

Greg revealed that everyone in his house had a bit of a cough and that his son came home from school with a high fever.  Everyone recovered except Greg.  He isolated himself from his family on Saturday, March 14th.  He had a fever, for 11 days, difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  He added that he believes he has "turned the proverbial corner" and was fever free for the first time since he became ill.




Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) gives birth to baby girl

Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) and her husband, Rob Meder, welcomed their first child on Friday, March 27, 2020.  Elizabetth, 40, gave birth to a healthy daughter named Josephine James Meder.  According to People,, "the baby weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 oz. (about 3 kilograms).

The child, of course, was born in the midst of a global pandemic.  As reported, Greg Rickkart, who plays Chloe's Y&R spouse, Kevin Fisher, has tested positive for the COVID-19.  The two actors work closely with each other on screen and that certainly must have concerned Elizabeth.  In a statement to People, she said, "When dreaming about your first child words like 'social distancing' and 'shelter in place' never seem to enter into the picture.  Yet, here we are."


SOAP NOTE:  NO DAYTIME EMMYS IN JUNE

The 2020 Daytime Emmys ceremony has been put on hold indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The ceremony was to have taken place over three nights in June and a streaming service had been rolled out to make the awards easier for fans to watch.  Alas, there will no Daytime Emmys later this spring.

Voting for all categories will continue and nominations will be announced in mid-May.  It remains to be seen if there will be a live ceremony this year.


Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Joshua Morrow (Nick)
Michelle Stafford
Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) and Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) have broken up and gotten back together many times.  They are back together again even though their own daughter, Summer, isn't thrilled about their reunion and doesn't think it will work. Nick's mother, Nikki won't be happy either.  What do you think, fans?  Do you give them a chance of lasting, at least for a while.  Respond to the poll below and let me know.


Do Phyllis and Nick have a chance of lasting for a while?

No. Definitely not. Phyllis will do something that Nick can't accept. It will be sooner rather than later. Phyllis is Phyllis. She can't help herself.
Yes. They are a fun couple and they will probably last for a while. Phyllis makes Nick happy.
I don't know.
Other
Please Specify:
Created with PollMaker
That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, April 11, 2020.  Take care everyone and stay well.


- Joanne

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