TV BANTER : February 2022

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Y&R Report (February 19, 2022): 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.

Hi fans,

Here are the latest happenings in Genoa City. Billy Boy Abbott has insomnia. What's that all about? Chelsea is falling for Rey and baby Dominic needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Of course, Daddy Devon was the perfect match for the transplant and Chance has finally agreed to get professional help.

Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) is back from Milan and she looks happier and more refreshed than she has in a long time (Maybe Michelle was just burnt out and she needed a break from the show, or maybe her portrayal of a burnt-out Phyllis was very convincing). She seems to have her old mojo back. I'm pleased that she is staying in Genoa City, but why is she still resisting a romantic involvement with Jack? I have a hard time believing she's afraid of them hurting each other again. That doesn't sound like Phyllis. When has she ever been so timid? She's an all-in alpha type.

Jack has been receiving mysterious text messages from someone telling him to go to Los Angeles. It appears that the message may be from his son Kermo, by his late Vietnamese wife, Luan. Here's some background to refresh your memory. Keemo was portrayed by Philip Moon from 1994 to 1996. The character was written out of the show back in 1996 when Keemo left town. So, Jack has rarely mentioned his son all these years and Keemo hasn't been seen on screen for about 26 years. Are they really going to bring him back? I wonder. It's all very mysterious and some people even think Patty Williams may the author of those text messages. However, Jack himself is hiding something. According to the online spoilers on Soap Central, "Jack confesses." I wonder if he has some romantic surprise for Phyllis, Could that be what he's up to?

What's with Chance? Why was he so reluctant to seek professional help for his post-traumatic stress syndrome and why is he so reluctant to open up to Abby. She had to practically beg him to confide in her. She and others had to push him to get help for his mental issues. He finally agreed to do so, as if he were forced into it. At least he only asked Dr. Sharon for a referral. It would have been ridiculous if he had asked her to treat him. At any rate, considering he way Chance has been behaving, he must be hiding more than mental stress.

Something is definitely brewing between Chelsea and Rey - at least where Chelsea is concerned. I don't think Chelsea would have any qualms about moving in on Rey. Rey on the other hand, seems more morally upright and decent. It's difficult to imagine him cheating on Sharon. However, Chelsea may dupe him. After all. her mother raised her to be a con woman. No matter how things play out with Rey and Chelsea, I can see Sharon and Nick back together eventually. It may take a while, but I think it will happen. Sharon and Nick are far more comfortable with each other than Sharon and Rey. That's why Rey throws some pretty dirty looks whenever he notices the closeness between his wife and her former husband. He is also jealous of the family ties between them and their children, Noah and Faith. When Sharon faces problems with Rey concerning her relationship with Nick (it's just a matter of time), she can't cry on Adam's shoulder any longer because he's too involved with Sally Spectra.

What is Victor up to? He's obviously trying to bring Ashland Locke down, in order to protect his Princess Victoria. He also wants control of all things Newman. That is a certainty. He can't stand the fact that the company he built is now called Newman/Locke. He wants to remove the name Locke. He much prefers its former name - Newman Enterprises.

I enjoyed the scene when Victor walked in on Sally and Adam just as they were about to kiss. Victor obviously knows that the two are having a romance. He definitely doesn't like Sally and he's not pleased that Adam has chosen her to be COO of Newman Media. Yet, he approved her choice as COO. Victor never does anything without a reason. For the time being, it suits his purposes to have Sally right where she is. The Big Man is definitely up to something. Adam and Sally should beware. and they should be discreet unless they are ready to go public, as Sally hopes will happen.

I also wonder why Ashand is so intent on hiring Dr. Nate to work for Newman/Locke. According to the spoilers, Victor is going to enlist Nate to "discredit Ashland." That's going to put the good doctor in a very tight spot and will test his loyalties.

I have to say that I enjoyed Traci's scene with Jack when he teased her about having a romance with her publisher in New York. Her response was very saucy and funny.

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

Longtime Y&R viewer, CC in Etobicoke, Ontario, sent me the following email with her thoughts on Chance:

Hi Joanne,

Thanks for sharing my comments about Chance in your column last week.

Relieved to hear that we are on similar wave lengths about this character.

These days it appears to me that the writers take the storyline in whichever direction they feel will appeal most to viewers and character fans so it looks like this can become something deep or something relatively simple.

They often seem to start it going in one direction and then shift gears as if something indicated to them that it wasn't going to be popular with viewers.

While it is too soon to judge the suitability of the actor now playing Ashland, how do you feel about the reason behind Richard Burgi's departure from the show?

I do not find any of the present major storylines particularly well done. Each of them seem to have a major flaw that interferes with their credibility and appeal.

For example, Noah has apparently returned to G.C. to escape the aftermath of rejection by a female in London. Or was it because he has been pining for Tessa all these months? Either way, it is pointing at some personality weakness. His actions toward Mariah and Tessa as in the portrait gift, often have both a loving aspect and a sly, sinister, revengeful side.

Something tells me he may be deeply disturbed in a similar way to how his mother Sharon was at one time.

Just as with Sharon, he may go over the edge at some point which will get him the attention he needs from all those worried about him, Nick, Sharon, Tessa, etc.

Perhaps the powers that be may be looking for ways to pare down the number of characters who are not key players in G. C.

Taking the storyline in that direction could provide a route to the demise of Noah.

And it may take Mariah and Tessa with it.

Food for thought.

Thanks for your comments, CC. Yes, it does seem that Y&R's writers have been shifting gears too often. Part of the reason could be that the roles of Chance and Ashland Locke have been taken over by other actors. The departure of Donny Boaz, just before Chance's wedding to Abby, caused them to change course, as did the sudden departures of the actors who played Kyle and Summer. Still, the writing is rather uneven at times and it has been changing direction too frequently.

It's true that Richard Burgi's replacement as Ashland hasn't been on the show very long, Yet, I still have an opinion about him. I feely admit that I am biased, but I doubt that there is another actor more suited to the role of Ashland Locke than Richard Burgi. The new Ashand is soap veteran Robert Newman (Gee, that's a familiar last name!). He spent many years on Guiding Light. He's a very capable and experienced actor. He looks the part of a wealthy business mogul and he has a great speaking voice, Still, he's not Richard Burgi. He has much more of an edge than his predecessor. Burgi showed us a likeable side to Ashland Locke. Robert Newman's portrayal of Ashland seems more nasty and cunning. We could believe that Burgi's Ashland really loved Victoria. It doesn't feel that way with Robert Newman, There simply isn't the same chemistry between Ashland and Victoria as there was when Richard Burgi portrayed Ashland.

I'm obviously disappointed about Burgi's dismissal from Y&R. Unfortunately, he broke Y&R's COVID protocol and quarantined for five days rather than the required ten days. It was an incredibly careless mistake, no doubt about it. I am sure that he regrets it greatly. The rules are there to protect the actors and the crew on the Y&R set. Richard Burgi broke the rules and he paid the price. Sadly, Y&R fans are the biggest losers. If it weren't for COVID, he'd still be on the show.

An intriguing question is whether the rules would be enforced for someone like Eric Braedein or Melody Thomas Scott. After all, no one should be treated differently. Still, would Y&R dare dismiss icons of that stature, who have been on the show for decades? It's hard to say. Just remember how terribly Doug Davidson (Paul Williams) was treated.

As for Noah, he is definitely going to do something really foolish. He's about ready to explode. He just can't leave Tessa and Mariah alone. Why did he bring them a portrait of themselves? Why did he torment himself that way? He's being very weird. It's interesting that we know very little about what actually happened to him in London. What we do know is very sketchy. Noah hasn't said much except that he was rejected by his girlfriend. There may be more to that story.

Here are some thoughts from Y&R viewer Carly in Barrhaven, Ontario.

Y&R…Absolutely not a fan of the new Chance. I find him to be too wishy-washy.

Devon is getting on my nerves so much. That storyline can end anytime and Devon needs to get a life and have a baby with Amanda…lol

The new Ashland was on yesterday’s episode. Although I prefer looking at Richard Burgi, I think the new actor will work out fine. Good point about if Eric Braeden had not followed proper COVID protocol. We know he would still have his job & rightfully so. I love the Moustache.

As for Michelle Stafford, they need to do something more with her role instead of hanging on to Jack’s every word. I guess they need some more fresh faces. If she does leave, I wouldn’t blame her. And Jack has become a real downer.

I'm not a fan of the new Chance either Carly. He's a real downer. I'm also not happy with what they've done to Devon Hamilton's character. I know it's for storyline purposes, but Daddy Devon is getting on my nerves too. He's become very self-righteous and judgmental. I do give him credit, however, for encouraging Chance to seek professional help.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Robert Newman

Robert Newman has played the role of Ashland Locke for a very short time. He's had to fill the shoes of the very popular Richard Burgi. That hasn't been an easy task for the longtime soap actor. What do you think of his performance so far? Respond to the poll below and let me know.

That's all for now. Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, March 5, 2020.

- Joanne

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Mark Stewart of Mannix and singer-songwriter Stew

Mark Stewart as Toby Fair on Mannix

Stew, the singer-songwriter

I've wanted to post this blog piece for quite a while now. I believe I know what happened to Mark Stewart, the actor who played Toby Fair on Mannix, a crime-detective show starring Mike Connors. Mannix ran from 1967 to 1975 on CBS. Mark appeared in 12 episodes of the series from 1968 to 1975. He portrayed d the young son of Mannix's widowed assistant, Peggy Fair, played by the late Gail Fisher (1935-2000). In addition to his role on Mannix, Mark Stewart only appeared on one other television series, a 1970 episode of Bracken's World.

For almost two years, I've been hesitant about revealing what seems to have happened to Mark Stewat of Mannix, and for a valid reason. I hesitated because I was concerned about the privacy of the person involved. It seemed that for some reason, he didn't want this information made public knowledge. I can't fathom why anyone would want to hide a past which includes being a child actor on a popular TV series.

Here's some background. On March 18, 2020, I wrote a piece about whatever happened to Mark Stewart, the little boy on Mannix. I reached a dead end. In the course of my research, I noticed that that there was no information about him as an adult. It was as if he had disappeared from the face of the earth. According to IMDb, Mark had no TV or film credits after Mannix. He seemed to have ended his acting career when Mannix went off the air in 1975.

My blog piece sparked a great deal of interest and many comments and questions.. Some readers were really curious about what had become of Mark Stewart. I received a couple of emails informing me that he had become a popular musical artist. As recently as February 4, 2022, I received the following comment on my March 18, 2020 article: "I believe he (Mark Stewart) became a singer and songwriter and was pretty successful. He won Tony Awards." I did not post this comment on my blog piece for obvious reasons.

Here is a link to my March 18, 2020 piece on Mark Stewart of Mannix.

http://www.tvbanter.net/2019/07/you-wanted-to-know-what-happened-to.html

In Stew's Wikipedia entry, he is listed as a Tony Award winner and nominee for Passing Strange, a semi-autobiographical rock musical for which he wrote the book, lyrics and music (with Heidi Rodewald).

It doesn't take long to link the child actor Mark Stewart with the singer known as "Stew." Although the two have separate Wikipedia entries, they appeared to be the same person. Why, then, are there two separate Wikipedia entries?

The entry on Stew, the musician, reads as follows. "Mark Stewart (born August 16, 1961 known by his stage name Stew, is an American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California, United States." That would make Stew about seven or eight years old when he began appearing on Mannix in 1968, which corresponds to the age of the Toby Fair character on Mannix. By calling himself "Stew," Mark distinguished himself from an English musician, of the same name (The British Mark Stewart was born in 1960 and was a founding member of The Pop Group). In the early 1990s, Stew, the American musician, founded a four-piece band called The Negro Problem. He later embarked on a solo career.

I attempted to contact Stew. I sent messages to him on Twitter and on his Facebook page. I left my email address and requested that he get in touch with me. I really wanted to ask him to confirm that he had a role on Mannix as a child actor. I also wanted to find out if he strongly objected to my revealing his past on the popular TV series. Unfortunately I did not receive a response. If I am wrong that Stew was a child star on Mannix, I sincerely apologize to him.

Here is a 1970 photo of Mark Stewart with his TV mother, Gail Fisher, during their Mannix days.

- Joanne

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Y&R Report (February 5, 2022): The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Hi fans,

It appears that Ashland Locke is a fake and a fraud. He really is the Loch Ness Monster. His miracle cure in Peru is phony. It appears as if he never had cancer in the first place. Princess Victoria has been taken for a ride. Her knight in shining armour is more of a villain. It won't be long before Her Royal Highness falls off her high horse. )Well, we all know what goes up must come down and Victoria has been on quite a power trip lately. She's been so full of herself that it's about time for her to eat a bit of humble pie.

I'm glad that Adam decided to stay at Newman Media. Victoria really believed he would leave. She purposely behave obnoxiously toward him so he would find her impossible to have as a boss. Adam, however, threw a wrench into her plans. Now she finds herself having to deal with him and she doesn't like it one little bit. Meanwhile, things are really heating up between Adam and Sally Spectra. I can't see them keeping it platonic much longer. I think Adam will ultimately regret getting involved with Sally.

It's great to see Michael Baldwin and Lauren involved in the storyline again. Christian LeBlanc is such a fine actor. It's a shame that he and Tracey Bregman, who plays Lauren, have been used so sparingly during the last few years.

As viewers know, Michael is working for Victor Newman again, much to the concern of Lauren. Victor promised that he wouldn't disturb Michael at all hours of the night. So far, he hasn't done that, but he has asked Michael to go Peru to investigate the Ashland's cancer treatment clinic. Of course, Michael agreed to go, albeit reluctantly because of Lauren. Michael had already discovered that Ashland Locke is the owner of a shell company financing the treatment clinic in Peru, which aroused Victor's suspicions. Anyway, not many people can say no to Victor Newman, maybe Nikki and Victoria at times, and certainly not Michael Baldwin.

Noah Newman is going to explode. He's trying his best to deny his feelings for Tessa. He's trying to accept his situation graciously. However, he won't be able to contain himself much longer. I'm not surprised that an online spoiler for next week says that "Noah crosses the line." I wonder what he's going to do.

What's going on with Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman)? First of all, I've had difficulty accepting this sad, lonely Jack act. Where's the old Smilin' Jack? He's become a shadow of his old self, wallowing in self-pity. What have the writers done to his character? Jack has always been so forthright and dapper and debonair. Aside from his business activities, all he does now is sit around and feel sorry for himself. Jack has lost his mojo and he needs to get it back. A handsome, intelligent man such as Jack Abbott would be able to attract lots of women. Because Jack is a man of means, some would be gold diggers. That goes with the territory. However, many women in Genoa City would sincerely like Jack. Jack doesn't need to sit alone in that big, empty Abbott house. He doesn't need to be a member of the lonely hearts club. So, why is he?

Jack's situation would be more understandable if he were just disappointed that he can't find a woman who compares with Phyllis. If he's still carrying a torch for the fiery redhead, why doesn't he act on it? The coast is clear. Phyllis has broken up with Nick Newman. She is a free agent. She is available and nothing is standing in his way. All he has to do is say the word. Yet, he keeps wimping out. When Phyllis told him she was considering a job offer in Milan, Italy, why didn't he tell her that he hoped she would stay in Genoa City, that he would like to try again with her? That's exactly what Phyllis wanted him to do, but he didn't do it. Hey writers, bring back Smilin' Jack Abbott back to us!

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

Longtime Y&R viewer, CC in Etobicoke, Ontario, sent me the following email with her thoughts on Chance:

Hi Joanne

Chance has some kind of big secret from his mission. He is either trying to recall the details, or he knows exactly what is troubling him and is doing everything he can to avoid confronting it.

Perhaps he knows it will cause too much unhappiness for others if it is revealed. Maybe it has to do with his actions during the mission. He once alluded to the fact that he could have done more to help his men. If this is the case, he is weighed down with guilt.

On the other hand, at some point when he was reminiscing to himself he reflected on having info about his unit that pointed to them being the enemy.

Along with these possibilities his angst must also include something to do with another romantic interest. His relationship with the older woman in Spain who helped him seems to be a familiar one. Didn't he indicate that they knew each other well from other assignments in which he was involved? There could be something from the past that keeps him wanting to go back.

Whether it is guilt that he doesn't deserve the life he has with Abby and Dominic, or something even more complex, it is making it impossible for him to bond with Dominic. Plus, I know he seems to be trying but I am not feeling his love for Abby.

He seems to be carrying out what what is expected but not because he is feeling it in his heart. He is just going through the motions.

Coupled with the recent announcement that Conner Floyd (the new Chance) has landed a movie gig I am expecting Chance to go AWOL for awhile.

CC from Etobicoke

Well CC, you have certainly provided Y&R fans with quite a large portion of food for thought. You have come up with an interesting analysis of Phillip Robert Chancellor IV, better known as Chance. I also believe there is something more that is disturbing Chance and preventing him from bonding with Dominic. I have to admit that I haven't been able to warm up to Conner Floyd, the actor who plays Chance. It could be that he's playing such an unsympathetic role and that his character is such a downer. I realize that Chance underwent a traumatic experience in Spain, but I still don't understand why he doesn't get psychiatric help for all the guilt he's shouldering. There is something that is not genuine about Chance's behaviour, something disingenuous. He's hasn't completely levelled with Abby and he hasn't been as honest with her as he should be. I am also not feeling his love for Abby and it seems to me that he is just going through the motions. Maybe that's why he's feeling so guilty. When he saw how difficult is was for Abby when Devon took Dominic for the night, he tried to be super sweet to her. It seemed to me that he was being so sweet in order to appease his own guilt, not out of genuine concern for Abby.

CAST NEWS

Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) and Chad Duell have split

Just weeks after their gothic-themed wedding, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) has broken up with fellow soap star Chad Duell of General Hospital. According to Duell, the split was "not what people think" and the breakup was "just mutual. He called Courtney an "amazing person in so many ways" and he claimed that there would be no divorce involved because they weren't legally married. They hadn't signed any papers.

CASTING NOTE

Robert Newman, formerly Josh Lewis on Guiding Light, assumes the role of Ashland Locke on Wednesday, February 9 on CBS and Tuesday, February 8 on Global TV. He takes over the role just as the walls are beginning to close in on Ashland.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Fans, I'd like to know what your favourite Y&R storyline is right now. Respond to the poll below and let me know.<

NOTE TO READERS

If you are interested in buying a ticket for the Y&R OpportuiTea for March of Dimes, click on the link below for more details. It will take place online on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Kate Linder (Esther Valentine), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Bryton James (Devon Harmilton), Brytni Sharpi (Elena Dawson), Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) and Cait Fairbanks (Tessa Porter) will take part in the event. Here is the link:

Home - OpportuniTea Online - 2022 (akaraisin.com)

That's all for now. Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R report will appear in this space on Saturday, February 19, 2022.

Take care,

Joanne