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.
It looks as if we won't be watching throwback episodes much longer. The Young and the Restless was given the green light to resume production beginning on July 13th. The show's return to production was originally targeted for July 9th, but was delayed a week due to concern over an increase in positive COVID-19 tests in the state of California. Although COVID cases are spiking again in California, CBS decided to go ahead with the filming anyway.
There have been recent online reports about Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) and Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) preparing to go back to work. Online websites such as Soap Dirt, published photos of Eric before and after a haircut. Eric seemed just as feisty as ever. He was ready to return to work and he even joked about how Victor might get back at Adam and Jack and, of course, Billy Boy.Abbott.
Eric eventually confirmed that The Young and the Restless actually began taping scenes on Tuesday, July 14th. He tweeted "We are mostly shooting outside, have no contact with anyone from makeup, wardrobe etc."
So, when will new episodes be back on the air? According to Y&R spoilers, it should take about four to six weeks. Y&R's sister show, The Bold and the Beautiful, will begin airing new episodes on Monday, July 20th on CBS, and B&B began filming new episodes a month prior to that date. Keep in mind, however, that Y&R has a larger cast and more storylines than B&B. It may take longer for Y&R to prepare.
Well, this week was Baldwin//Fisher week on Y&R. It focused on brothers Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) and Kevin Fisher (Greg Rikaart) and their irrepressible mother, Gloria. Christian LeBlanc provided the introduction to the weeks episode and I was absolutely stunned by his appearance. He was barely recognizable and I did a double take when I saw him. His hair was white and he had a white beard. I wasn't surprised that he dyed his hair, but I didn't realize it had turned white. I expect that he's dyed his hair again now that production of Y&R has started again.
Coming up is a week of "fan favourites"or episodes requested by popular demand. I'm pleased about that. However, I wish Y&R had shown fan requests much sooner and I hope that they will air more of them. In fact, I would be very content if CBS only broadcast the most requested old episodes until the return of new ones. I urge viewers to let the network know what you want. If you let your voice be heard loudly enough, they will listen.
The "fan favourites" week starts off with Y&R's premiere episodes from March 26 and March 27, 1973. I have already viewed them on Global TV. At that time, Y&R was only a half-hour long. The show did not expand to an hour until February 4, 1980. As regular readers of Y&R Report know, I have been eagerly waiting to view episodes from the 1970s. I was delighted that it finally happened. It was so much fun to see the first episodes with Tom Hallick as the mysterious Brad Elliot, the Brooks sisters, Brenda Dickson as the original Jill, William Gay Espy as Snapper Foster and Robert Colbert as newspaper publisher Stuart Brooks (Colbert is now 88 years old). Stuart Brooks turned out to be the grandfather of current Y&R character Theo Vanderway (Tyler), the result of a youthful tryst with Dina Abbott Mergeron.
Y&R's sets in the 1970s were completely different than they are now. There was no Crimson Lights or Newman ranch. It was interesting to see how much the show has change in 47 years. The only character remaining from those first 1973 episodes is Jill, but she is now being played by Jess Walton.
The 1970s episodes will be followed by a 1984 episode in which Katherine Chancellor undergoes a facelift, as Jeanne Cooper did in real life. Then we will see a 1993 episode about newlyweds Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) and Neil (Kristoff St. James) as they celebrate with family and friends. After that, we will be shown a 2008 episode with singer Katy Perry at Restless Style magazine. The week will conclude with the 2015 episode of Devon and Hilary's wedding.
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.
l received an email from longtime viewer Carly from Barrhaven, Ontario. Carly made the following comments:
I am happy to hear that Y&R has been given the green light to start filming again. I am not enjoying the old reruns as I thought I would.
Well Carly, I have enjoyed many of the throwback episodes, but I could have done without some of the more recent ones. They are far too fresh in my mind. I am certainly looking forward to watching new episodes.
CAST NEWS
Rumours of Michael Damian's return as Danny Romalotti
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| 1990 photo of Michael Damien. Credit: Alan Light |
Michael Damian last appeared as Danny Romalotti back in 2013, seven years ago. Now there is speculation on the Soaps.com website about his possible return. The speculation has been sparked by Michael's recent activity on Twitter. It seems that he has been engaging with his social media followers, many of whom have been clamouring for his return as rock singer, Danny Romalotti. Recently he shared an article on Twitter referring to negotiations between him and and the show's higher ups, suggesting that he may indeed return. Was Michael just teasing or is there a real possibility of his return? Why wouldn't he have squelched the rumours if there was no chance of him coming back to Y&R?
Michael's character, Danny, played an integral part in Y&R storylines for many years, as many fans can attest to, especially after viewing throwback episodes of the show. In the past, Danny has been involved with Cricket, Lauren and Phyllis. He's been married to both Cricket and Phyllis, and he once married Traci to support her through a pregnancy by Professor Tim Sullivan.
Phyllis falsely led Danny to believe that he was the father of her child. Danny then married Phyllis and raised Daniel as his son. When Phyllis finally learned the truth, he was livid, but still considered himself to be Daniel's father. Daniel has a daughter named Lucy, which makes Danny and Phyllis grandparents. Yikes!
Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL
How do you feel about rumours that Michael Damian may return to Y&R as Danny Romalotti? Do you think it would it be a good idea? Fans, respond to the poll below and let me know.
How do you feel about the possibility of Michael Damian (Danny) returning to Y&R?
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That's all for now. Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, August 1, 2020.
Take care and stay safe.
- Joanne
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