Keeping up with Billy Dee Williams

"Either I want to drop dead with a paint brush in my hand or I want to drop dead doing a soliloquy on the stage. I love acting. I love it. I take my acting very seriously, but I also find it fun. To do what children do and get paid for it is a lot of fun. I'm very fortunate."

"I feel that life is always delivering a message, and you just have to keep your eyes and ears open, especially through the tough times. Life has a way of working itself out. Each one of us has moments, and it seems to me that we have to really recognize that when it happens to us and try to do the very best we can in that time frame."

- Billy Dee Williams

as quoted in 2001 interview in Backstage magazine

I viewed an old 1978 episode of The Jeffersons on YouTube recently, and the guest star happened to be Billy Dee Williams.  The episode is entitled "Me and Billy Dee" (Season 5, Episode 7, Air Date: November 4, 1978).  I enjoyed watching it, and it got me thinking about what happened to Billy Dee, who was quite a heartthrob in his heyday.  He was so debonair that The New York Times dubbed him  "the Black Clark Gable." after his performance in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues alongside Diana Ross.

Below is a photo of Billy Dee with Marla Gibbs, who played the Jefferson's maid, Florence.  In the episode "Me and Billy Dee." George Jefferson, posing as author Alex Haley, calls Billy, who is in town making a movie, and asks him to speak to the children at Harlem Boys Club.  Florence, a huge Billy Dee fan, mistakenly believes  that the man coming to the Jefferson apartment is a celebrity look-alike, not the real Billy Dee Williams.

In a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television, Marla Gibbs stated that that episode of The Jeffersons episode was one of her favourites, describing it as "a classic."  She called Billy Dee Williams "such a great performer."  Billy also appeared with Marla in a 1989 episode of the sitcom 227 entitled "Play it Again, Stan" (Season 4, Episode 11, Air Date: January 14, 1989).  In the episode, Mary Jenkins, Marla's character, has a Casa Blanca fantasy, involving Billy Dee.

Billy Dee Williams is a talented man.  Not only is he an actor of stage and screen, but he is also a gifted and respected painter.  His art work has been displayed in galleries around the world.  Born William December Williams Jr. on April 6, 1937 in New York City, the actor recently celebrated his 88th birthday.  Billy was raised in Harlem.  His mother, Lorretta Anne Bodkin (1915-2016) was an aspiring performer.  She was a friend of singer Lena Horne and she studied opera while working as an elevator operator at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway.  Loretta was a native of Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean.  

An accomplished opera singer, Billy's mother dreamed of breaking into movies and becoming a Hollywood star.  It was due to her efforts that in March of 1945, Billy made his Broadway debut at the age of seven in Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's operetta The Firebrand of Florence.  Loretta, who helped out at the theatre, volunteered her son for the part of a page.

Billy father, William December Williams Sr., was an African American caretaker from Texas, with some Native American ancestry.  In his autobiography, What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life, Billy described his dad as hard-worker labourer who knew who to dress.  "He taught me how to put on a hat, using two fingers and a thumb, grasping the brim in a way that prevented my fingertips from smearing the crown," Billy wrote.          

Billy Dee and his twin sister, Loretta, were raised by their maternal grandmother while their parents worked at many jobs.  Billy attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School with aspirations of becoming an artist.  In 1955, he graduated from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan,  where he studied painting with fellow student Diahann Carroll.  Billy earned a scholarship for the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design in New York (now the National Academy of Design.) with a focus on "classical principles of painting."

In order to offset the cost of his paints, supplies and canvasses, Billy turned to acting.  His first big break on Broadway was a part in a production of  A Taste of Honey, by British playwright Shelagh Delaney.  However, he struggled as an actor for a decade, doing small and large theatre, while trying to break into television and movies, and he continued to paint.

Below is a photo of a young Billy Dee with venerable English actress Joan Plowright (1929-2025) in A Taste of Honey on Broadway in 1960.

Billy came to regard acting as much more than a means of paying for his art supplies.  He began studying at the Harlem Actors Workshop, owned by actor Paul Mann, who welcomed actors of all races.  Billy studied there under Sidney Poitier.  He hired an agent and began landing major Off-Broadway roles, and then roles on Broadway.       

Billy Dee Williams made his film debut in The Last Angry Man (1959), starring Paul Muni.  He played Josh Quincy, a delinquent young man.  Billy's first acting role in a prime time television series was in a 1964 episode of the legal drama The Defenders, starring E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed of Brady Bunch fame.  He played Private Austin George in an episode entitled "Survival" (Season 3, Episode 22, Air Date: March 14, 1964).

Billy rose to television stardom in the critically acclaimed 1971 TV film Brian's Song, about the interracial friendship between Gale Sayer (Williams), a star football player for the Chicago Bears, who supported his teammate, Brian Piccolo (James Caan), during Piccolo's struggle with terminal cancer.  It was based on I Am Third, Sayers' 1970 autobiographical account of his friendship with Piccolo, who died that year.

The made-for-TV movie was viewed by an audience of more than 50 million people.  Williams and Caan were both nominated for Primetime Emny Awards for Best Actor for their roles.  Billy stated that it was "the kind of interracial love story that America needed."  He had nothing but praise for the whole experience.  In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, he said, "When James Caan and I met each other." there was an immediate chemistry and then working with Buzz Lulik, the director, turned into a wonderful, beautiful and very special experience."  

Brian's Song was an ABC Movie of the Week, and the film was such a success that Columbia Pictures released it in theatres.  However, it was not as popular at the box office.

In 1971, Billy moved from New York to California.  He starred opposite Diana Ross in the 1972 musical biographical film Lady Sings the Blues, loosely based on jazz singer Billie Holiday's 1956 memoir of the same title.  He portrayed Holiday's husband, Lous McKay.  Billy also co-starred with Ross in Mahogany, a 1975 film in which Diana plays a fashion designer.

Billy in Lady Sings the Blues

Billy was quite a presence on television in 1971.  That year, he made guest appearances in  episodes of such series as The Interns, Dan August, Mod Squad and Mission: Impossible.

In the 1980s, Billy was cast as the roguish Lando Cairissian in the the last two episodes of the original Star Wars trilogy; the 1980 film The Empire Strike Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi.  He became the first Black actor with a prominent role in the Star Wars movie franchise, also reprising the role of  Cairissian in subsequent Star Wars films and media.

In the 1984-85 season of Dynasty, Billy portrayed Brady Lloyd opposite Diahann Carroll.  Carroll played the successful and wealthy chanteuse Dominique Deveraux, a foil for Joan Collins' Alexis character.  Below is a photo of Billy Dee and Diahann in their Dynasty Days.

In 1990, Billy made an appearance in a Season 2, Episode  of Living Color, an American sketch comedy TV series. 

Billy portrayed Pastor Dan in a 2004 episode of That '70s Show.  The episode is entitled "Baby Don't You Do It." (Season 6, Episode 14, Air Date, March 3, 2004).  

Billy guest-starred in a 2011 episode of the USA Network's crime drama White Collar entitled "Countermeasures." Season 2, Episode 13, Air Date: February 8, 2011).  He played Ford, an old friend  of Neal Caffrey's landlady, June.  Diahann Carroll portrayed June.

In February of 2012, Billy was a surprise guest at a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring Diana Ross.  She and Williams were reunited after not seeing each other for many years.

Billy appeared in two episodes of NCIS, one episode in 2012 and the the other in 2014.  Billy played Leroy Jethro Gibb's (Mark Harman) namesake, his father's former best friend, Leroy Jethro Moore. The 2012 episode is entitled "The Namesake," Season 10, Episode 5, Air Date: October 30, 2012).  The 2014 episode is entitled "Honor Thy Father" (Season 11, Episode 24. Air Date: May 13, 2014).

Billy made a cameo appearance as himself in a 2013 episode of sitcom Modern Family entitled "New Year's Eve" (Season 4, Episode 11, Air Date: January 9, 2013).

In 2024, Billy Dee appeared on the reality show Dancing with the Stars.  His partner was professional dancer Emma Slater.  Billy and Emma had to withdraw from the competition on the third week, the result of an injury to Billy's back.

Billy Dee has been married three times and he has a son, a daughter and a stepdaughter.  His first marriage was to Audrey Sellers in 1959.  Their son, Corey Dee Williams, was born August 14, 1960 in New York City.  They divorced in 1963.  

In November of 1968, Billy wed Marlene Clark, an American actress, animator and fashion model. The marriage took place in Hawaii   Their union was short-lived and they divorced in 1971.  Marlene passed away on May 18, 2023 in Los Angeles.  She was 85 at the time of her passing. Marlene is remembered by TV viewers for her portrayal of Janet Lawson, who was engaged to Lamont Sanford in the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son.

Marlene Clark

On December 27, 1972, Billy married Teruko (Irene) Nakagami.  They have been married for over 52 years now.  Although Billy filed for an amicable divorce from Teruko in 1993, the couple reconciled and were again living together by 1997.  Billy is stepfather to Teruko's daughter Miyako (born in 1962), from her previous marriage to musician Wayne Shorter. 

Billy and Teruko Nakagami also have a daughter together - Hanako Williams (born in 1973).  Hanako is of mixed ancestry.  She is of Japanese and African American ethnicity.  According to reports, Hanako has a degree in Visual Arts/Art History from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.  As of November 2022, she was working as a gallery manager in Los Angeles.   

Hanako Williams

ND NOTES

* Billy Dee's memoir, What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life, was published in February 2024.

* Billy's nickname is Sonny.

*  Billy Dee Williams appeared on the daytime soap General Hospital.  He first portrayed a character named Toussaint Dubois on GH's primetime spinoff General Hospital: Night Shift.  He then switched oved over to the daytime version of the show.  On both shows combined, Billy played Toussaint Dubois from 2007 to 2009.

Billy as Toussaint Dubois

Billy has appeared on other daytime soaps.  In fact, his first TV acting role was in a 1963 episode of The Edge of Night.  He also appeared in a 1963 episode of Guiding Light as Dr. Jim Fielding.  In 1967, Billy played the role of Assistant District Attorney Ted Marsh in two episodes of Another World.

* James Caan, Billy's co-star in Brian's Song, passed away in 2022 at the age of 82.

* In the mid to late 1980s, Billy appeared in TV commercials for Colt 45 Malt Liquor.  They can be seen on YouTube.

SOURCES: Backstage (www.backstage.com), "Billy Dee Williams Revisited,"  by Jamie Painter Young (last updated November 4, 2019); The Guardian "Who is Hanako Williams? What does Billy Dee Williams' Daughter Do?"   Wikipedia; Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

- Joanne

Y&R Report (April 19, 2025): 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

So, Audra has made her deal with the devil and she's going to have to pay the price.  She is going to lose Nate in the process.  She should know by now that nothing good can come from working with Victor.  Audra is spunky, but she can't control her worst impulses.  There is little doubt that Claire and Kyle will also break up.  Their relationship is doomed.  So, will both Audra and Claire be open to the advances of the flirtatious Holden Novak, played by Nathan Owens.  Holden has made no secret of the fact that he is crazy about Audra, which has annoyed Nate.  Holden also seems to have his eye on Claire.  He has flirted with her.  Holden, Audra and Claire would be quite a triangle.

Claire is either quite naive or extremely idealistic.  She has evidence of Victor's treachery.  Nikki and Victoria have laid it on the line for her.  Victor is never going to accept Kyle as her boyfriend.  Claire can't or won't believe them.  She actually thinks that she can change her grandfather's mind.  Good luck with that, or as Victor would say, "It ain't gonna happen."

It appears as if the Alan/Martin storyline is over, now that Martin has been captured.  Traci (Beth Maitland) and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) have gone to New York to recuperate for all the trauma and stress.  I hope the Abbott sisters don't stay away too long.  I like Christopher Cousins, the actor who played twins Alan and Martin Laurent.  However, since Martin has be arrested for his crimes, Christopher Cousins has probably left the show.

Tessa and Daniel seem to be getting close.  They are starting to appear in scenes together.  Daniel is lonely after losing Heather, the love of his life.  Will his friendship with Tessa deepen ?  What about Mariah?

Where oh where is Ian Ward?  We haven't seen him since he opened his eyes in the ambulance on the way to the morgue.  Do Y&R's writers think we have forgotten about that.  Viewers deserve answers.  It's been far too long.  

A while ago, Y&R head writer Josh Griffith said that Lily Winters would find true love.  It looks like she is going to fall for Damian King, played by Jermaine Rivers.  Damian is Lily's cousin Nate's long lost half brother.  She doesn't fully trust Damian yet, but I think she will eventually fall for him.  There are still questions involving Damian's involvement with the mysterious Aristotle Dumas.  Lily's brother, Devon, is not too pleased about the fact that she has been seen hanging out with Damian.

What is the purpose of Diane's renovations of the Abbott home?  Will it fit into the storyline, or is being done just for the sake of change?  Will it create friction between Jack and Diane if Jack doesn't like it?

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

I received an email from longtime Y&R viewer, Carly in Barrhaven, Ontario.  Here is what she wrote.

Y & R, Yes it looks like poor Traci will get her heart broken because I think Alan is Martin.  Tessa looks good as a blonde.  I almost didn’t recognize her.  Billy is a jerk.

Summer is getting on my nerves & poor Claire loves her grandpa & she will break up with Kyle and Audra will definitely play a role in the breakup.

Well Carly, you were right that  Alan was Martin. Poor Traci did get her heart broken, but she seems to have recovered nicely.  She's headed to New York for a while with Ashley.  It could have been worse for Traci.  What if she had married Martin, believing he was Alan?  

So, you think Tessa looks good as a blonde.  My own hair stylist watches Y&R and she also thinks Tessa suits blonde hair.  

Yes, I agree that Billy is a jerk.  It won't be long until he loses Sally and alienates Phyllis.  Sometimes Summer gets on my nerves, too.  However, I don't blame her for breaking up with Chance.  He hasn't been a great boyfriend.  As for Kyle, i don't know why she wants him back.  I guess it's a plot device so that he will break up with Claire.  The bottom line is that Kyle and Claire are toast.  They don't have a chance with Victor, Summer and Audra in the picture.

CAST NEWS

Daniel Goddard is not returning to Y&R

Well fans, we may not know the identity of the mysterious Aristotle Dumas yet, but we do know that it's not Cane Ashby.  Cane will not be returning to Genoa City.  Aussie actor Daniel Goddard has been teasing fans that big news was on the way.  Many Y&R viewers believed that Daniel would be returning to Y&R.  However, that is not the case.  The big news is that Daniel is joining the cast of General Hospital.  He posted a video of himself exiting a building.  Once outside the building, a GH sign was shown behind him.  He place his fingers on his lips to say "Shhh."  Many GH viewers will be thrilled about that, while many Y&R fans will be disappointed.  At least his most devoted fans will be able to watch him on General Hospital.

Kate Linder celebrates 43 years as Esther on Y&R

Over 43 years ago, Kate Linder was cast as Esther Valentine, wealthy Katherine Chancellor's maid on Y&R.  For decades, Kate   worked with the inimitable Jeanne Cooper, who played Mrs. Chancellor.  Jeanne died in 2013 at the age of 84.

Kate's made her first appearance on the show on April 16, 1982.  Her first line was "Dinner is served."  In the original script, she was referred to as "the maid," until Jeanne Cooper called her "Esther."  The name stuck.  She didn't have a last name until years later when a magazine ran a contest about choosing a surname for Esther.  "Diamond" and "Valentine" were among the choices.  William J. Bell, the show's co-creator and head writer.  Bell told Kate to pick the last name she preferred.  Kate chose "Valentine" because she and her late husband, Ron Linder, were married on Valentine's Day.

Kate's character, Esther, has had an adventurous history on the show, especially in storylines involving Mrs. Chancellor.  Most recently. Esther became Sharon Newman's assistant at Crimson Lights coffee shop.  She offers advice to customers while serving lattes and scones.  Esther has taken on a lot of responsibility because Sharon has been involved in all sorts of trauma lately.

I have met Kate at Young and Restless in Toronto at Y&R teas for charity.  I wish her all the best and I congratulate her for celebrating 43 years on the show.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Travis St. John (Tucker McCall)

Now that we know that Cane Ashby is not business tycoon. Aristotle Dumas, then who is Dumas?  Could it be Tucker McCall?  Does that mean that Trevor St. John, who plays Tucker,  is returning to Y&R?  According to Soap Central, at the moment, Tucker is mostly likely to be Dumas.  The website points out that Aristotle Dumas is a fan of the literary classic The Count of Monte Cristo, whose main character was wrongly accused of treason.  Both the Count and Tucker were wrongfully accused.  McCall was accused of harming Ashley, when it was Martin who assaulted her.  Also, Audra has just made a business deal with Victor to help break up Kyle and Claire.  The deal will definitely put her relationship with Nate on thin ice if Nate discovers her duplicity, and you can be sure that he will.  Given the role Tucker has played in Audra's life, the time seems right for him to reappear.  

Yet, it all seems too easy.  There must be more to it, something more surprising.  What do you think, fans?  Is Tucker McCall posing as Aristotle Dumas?  Reply to the poll below and let me know.

Do you think Tucker McCall is Aristotle Dumas?

Yes. Who else could it be? Everything fits.

No. That's too easy. It's got to be someone more surprising..

I don't know.

Other

 

pollcode.com free polls

  

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, May 3, 2025.  A Happy Easter and a Happy Passover to all who celebrate.

Take care,

Joanne

Y&R Report (April 5, 2025). 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,

Thank goodness the psychological kidnapping scenes have ended, although we still have to see flashbacks.  I'm so glad that Sharon and Phyllis are out of that abandoned clinic.  How many times must Sharon be kidnapped?  I really hope Traci isn't the next one kidnapped.

So who is the mysterious Aristotle Dumas?  Obviously, that's not his real name.  It's definitely a cover for someone else, but whom?  Many fans believe that Aussie Daniel Goddard, who played Cane Ashby, is actually Aristotle Dumas.  In a way, it makes sense, especially because of Cane's connection to Lily.  They were married and they are the parents of twins.  

Victor and Michael speculated that Tucker McCall might be posing as Aristotle Dumas.  That seems too easy.  Also, I think that the identity of Aristotle Dumas will be revealed in a much more dramatic way.

Summer finally admitted that she can't stand seeing Claire and Kyle together.  The mask is off.  She couldn't hide the truth any longer from Chance.  Since Victor is also doing his best to break up the couple, Summer may have a chance to get back together with Kyle.  

Meanwhile, Victor is tempting Audra by offering her a position as head of a department at Newman Enterprises, as long as she helps him in his quest to break up Kyle and Claire.  I don't trust Audra. I think she'll accept Victor's offer.  By the way, an online teaser for next week says that Victor vows to punish Kyle.

Michael Baldwin is an intelligent lawyer.  It's a shame that he demeans himself by being Victor Newman's lackey.  He just obeys his master's commands.  He seems to enjoy working for Victor and following his orders.  I don't blame Lauren for being upset and asking for Nikki's help, but good luck with changing Victor's mind.  Not even Nikki can do that.

Why doesn't Y&R reveal what happened to Ian Ward?  It's been far too long since he was seen opening his eyes on the way to the morgue.  Viewers deserve an update on Ward's fate.  This is absolutely ridiculous.  It's poor writing.

Here's another beef.  Why aren't Nick and Victoria ever seen at work?  When was the last time the office at Newman Enterprises was shown?   

Next week's episodes promise lots of drama and danger for Traci.  Ashley will be returning home and it will be interesting to see how she reacts to the Alan situation.  It will be quite a time for the Abbott family.

CAST NEWS

Melissa Ordway is back 

Back in November 2024, Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman Winters) announced that she had been taken off contract at The Young and the Restless.  She now resides in Tennessee with her husband, Justin Gaston, and their two daughters, Olivia and Sophie.  At the time, she assured fans that Abby was still a part of the Y&R family and would return when needed.  Well, here's the good news for Melissa's fans.  She was back in the studio filming some episodes.  It has not been confirmed when these episodes will air.

Melissa's fans will also be pleased to know that she appears in a guest role on Season 2 of the crime series Blue Ridge.  The first season of the show was broadcast on Cowboy Way Channel in the spring of 2024.  The series has also begun streaming on Amazon Freevee.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

There is plenty of online speculation about Daniel Goddard, ex-Cane Ashby on Y&R.  One reason is that Daniel has been using social media to tease about news that will make fans happy.  Here is what he wrote on Instagram in reply to questions about the big news:  "Hey, so I'm getting a lot of questions and (direct messages) about what was the big news.  And when are we going to hear what the big news was?  All I can say is this.  Just for now..  I got a haircut.  And it's for a reason.  So just soon.  Very soon.  I can't wait to tell you."

Has Daniel spilled the beans?  Is he really returning to Y&R?  Is his character, Cane, posing as the mysterious Aristotle Dumas?  It could  be, but why would Daniel give the secret away so blatantly?  What do you think, fans.  Reply to the poll below and let me know.

Do you think that Cane Ashby is Aristotle Dumas?

Yes, I think all signs point to Cane's return.

No. It's more complicated than that. Why would Daniel Goddard give everything away?

Maybe. I think there is a good chance it's Cane, but I'm far from certain.

I think Tucker McCall is Dumas.

I don't know.

Other

 

pollcode.com free polls

NOTE TO READERS

I really need your feedback.  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.  I really need your input.  I really need to hear your opinion.  I want to know if you agree or disagree with me. 

My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca 

That's all for now.  Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear on this space on Saturday, April 19, 2025.  

Tale care,

- Joanne

Are sports fans being ripped off by streaming of games?

As a sports fan, I am not pleased by the increasing number of games that are being streamed.  These days, you must subscribe to a particular streaming service in order to watch certain games.  Some people  may argue that only a smattering of games are being streamed right now.  However, I believe this is only the beginning.  Leagues such as Major League Baseball can make a great deal of money by streaming their games.  Meanwhile, the salaries of athletes are going through the roof.  More money will be needed to meet their contract demands.  That is why I believe the number of streamed games will eventually increase.  It's insidious.  Leagues, teams and networks will not be able to resist this cash cow.  They will not be able to resist making lucrative deals with streaming services.

I live in Toronto and I am a Toronto Blue Jays fan.  For the fourth season in a row, select Friday games are being  streamed on Apple TV.  As for the Toronto Maple Leafs, six of their games were blacked out this season.  That's because Sportsnet, CBC, and TSN no longer hold exclusive rights to broadcast all Leaf games in Canada.  Instead, they have teamed up with Amazon to share broadcasting duties.  This new streaming arrangement is similar to the recent U.S. model in which TNT and ESPN split coverage of NHL games.

I do not subscribe to Apple TV, nor do I subscribe to Amazon Prime.  I have no intention of adding further monthly expenses to my finances in order to watch the Blue Jays and the Leafs.  Why should I?  When fans subscribe to streaming services to watch sports, it only encourages the powers-that-be to stream more games.  Their greed has no limits.  They only pay lip service to the fans, but it's those same fans who are always asked to open up their wallet.  Fewer and fewer games will be broadcast on traditional TV and basic cable.  What about the fans who can't afford to pay for three or four streaming services?  Where does that leave them?

The players and owners make millions.  Who advocates for the fans?  They are the lifeblood of professional sports, but who is really on their side?  Game prices keep going up.  Even when we watch games on TV, we are absolutely inundated by ads.  When watching baseball, we even have to see ads on the pitcher's mound.  I realize that sports is a business and I don't begrudge the players being paid well.  I don't begrudge the owners making money.  However, I think the pendulum has swung too far.  Greed is ruining sports.  That's why I will always stand up for ordinary fans.

- Joanne