Y&R Report (November 10, 2018): 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.    

It was quite a gruesome Halloween on Y&R with the four conspirators (Victoria, Nikki, Sharon and Phyllis) digging up J.T.'s burial place. It was even somewhat comical as all the members of the quirky quartet were wearing masks.  The mystery continues, though.  Is J.T. really dead or did he somehow dig himself out of his burial place in Chancellor Park.  Is that why the water pipe was damaged?  It sounds far-fetched, but remember that this is a soap.

Detective Rey Rosales has announced a murder investigation.  J.T.'s watch (with an inscription from Mac) was found in Chancellor Park.  It's seems that even further evidence was uncovered which led to the murder investigation.  We shall see.  There's bound to be more twists and turns as the mystery unravels during the November sweeps.

So, Phyllis is a born-again redhead.  She dyed her hair red again to go with her fiery disposition.  She's where she wants to be right now, ensconced on John Abbott's chair as CEO of Jabot.  She may find herself behind bars instead if J.T. is really dead.  She'll be wearing an orange jumpsuit instead of her usual fashionable attire.

Now, as much as I support the empowerment of women, which Phyllis champions, I don't like her methods.  It's great that Phyllis is ambitious, but she's also unprofessional and indiscreet.  For example, did she really have to advertise her escapades with Nick?  I realize that she has to be careful that she is not undermined by Kyle and Jack and Billy. She has to establish her authority.  However, she can't alienate them completely if she wants them to work with her as a team.  Even Summer pointed that out to her. She advised her mother to give Kyle something productive and useful to do or he would become very bitter.  That was pretty astute for the Snowflake, wasn't it?

Summer may get her claws into Kyle again.  Phyllis has them working together on a project for the new Jabot boutiques.  Snowflake suggested that they don't have to work too closely together.  However, Kyle would have none of it.  What is wrong with Kyle?  He doesn't seem to possess enough good judgement to distance himself from Summer.  He just can't stay away from her, even for the sake of his relationship with Lola.  The Snowflake, of course, is pleased as punch with this turn of events.  Kyle fell right into her web, or should I say igloo?  I understand  that Lola doesn't want to  be insecure and overly jealous, but I wouldn't trust Summer.  She is as devious and underhanded as her mother.  She will do almost everything in her power to break up Kyle and Lola.

Snowflake has quite a pedigree because her father is the biggest jerk in Genoa City.  Nick is becoming more like his father every day.  He turned to Phyllis because she knows how to pander to his inflated ego.  I think he's a bigger jerk than Billy Boy Abbott, although it's a close call.  Billy's behaviour, at least, can be partly attributed to his gambling addiction.  That's an illness and he has been trying to get help for it.  What's Nick's excuse?

Sharon seems to be getting chummy with Billy Abbott again.  According to internet spoilers, Billy will be her date at the Jabot boutique launch.  She's turning to him because Rey's wife is back in town.  Only Sharon could dump Genoa City's biggest jerk and then become involved with its second biggest jerk.

Tessa has been behaving very strangely.  What is she hiding and how is she involved in the J.T. mystery?  It appears that she is full of secrets, including stashing stacks of money in her closet and then in her mattress.   Mariah saw her with the hidden money and is going to be very suspicious.  Could it be the $250,000 that was extorted from Nikki, Phyllis, Victoria and Sharon?  Is Tessa the blackmailer who sent those threatening letters or are the writers just trying to convince us that she is?

Leftovers from Ashley's departure.  I have some further comments regarding Ashleys farewell.  First of all, why didn't she say goodbye to Neil in person.  He couldn't have meant very much to her if he only warranted a phone call.  She just informed him that she had decided to move to Paris and invited him to visit her there.  Neil didn't express anger or disappointment that she didn't have the decency to visit him in person and tell him of her plans.

There were a bit too many Abbott family flashbacks. They were necessary and I enjoyed them, but after a while they seemed like fillers.  Let's call it too much of a good thing.


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, Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario passed along some comments to me.  Fifi thinks that the new Jabot chemist, Kerry Johnson, will get involved with Neil Winters.  She also predicts a romance between Victoria and Dr. Nate.

I tend to agree about Victoria and Dr. Nate.  They seem to be appearing in a lot of scenes together and developing a friendship.  As for Kerry Johnson, I don't quite know what to think of her yet. I need some more time to get used to her.  One thing for sure, she's extremely loyal to Phyllis, almost to a fault.  She may become involved with Neil since Ashley is out of the picture.  However. Jack Abbott also seems to be showing an interest in her.  He invited her to attend the Jabot boutique launch with him.  She played coy with him and refused to give him an answer right away.


CAST NEWS
Noemi Gonzalez has been cast as Rae's wife, Mia

Noemi Gonzalez

Y&R viewers have been wondering if and when Ray's spouse would appear in Geona City.  Well, it's happened.  The Young and the Restless has cast 26-year-old Mexican-born actress Noemi Gonzalez in the role of  Rae's estranged wife, Mia.  Mia will show up in Genoa City on Monday, November 12th on CBS.  Y&R viewers on Global TV in Canada watched her make her screen  debut yesterday.  CBS viewers have only seen her on the Friday previews for next week.

Mia's arrival in Genoa City will certainly shake things up.  Rey has been very tight-lipped about what went wrong between them., but we will soon learn the reason for their estrangement.  It will be interesting to watch how Mia deals with Sharon.  It may be a case of blonde versus brunette.  In the previews, we  have already seen her tell Sharon to stay away from Rey.

Noemi Gonzalez is a newcomer to soaps and she is a native of Nogales, Mexico.  Her credits include such films as Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014) and  the The Vatican Tapes (2015), both horror thrillers.  She also appeared as Olivia in an episode of the short-lived 2014 television crime drama, Gang Related.and has had a recurring role as Soli Gomez in the teen high school drama East Los High.



Where is Victor Newman?  Here's the answer.

Victor Newman has not appeared on screen for quite a while. Nikki told Rey that he is in Singapore on business.  The reason Victor has been written out for a while is that Eric Braeden, the actor who portrays Victor, has been on an extended vacation.  Eric is a native of Germany and he has been visiting the land of his birth.  So don't worry fans.  He is not leaving Y&R.

Eric is back now and here's what he tweeted to fans on October 23rd:

"I was on vacation, didn't tell them I'd be back until last minute and am now very excited about my storyline!!  No one else's fault but mine!!  Be patient a little longer!!  It's a hell of a storyline!!"


For some photos of Eric's trip, click on the link below.  The photos include a picture of Eric with his brothers.

https://www.cbs.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-young-and-the-restless-eric-braeden-germany-vacation-168026

Tristan Lake Leabu returning as Reed Hellstrom

Now that the J.T. mystery is heating up, Tristan Lake Leabu will reprise his role as Reed Hellstom, J.T.'s son with Victoria.  According to Soaps in Depth, Reed will be back in Genoa City on Monday, December 10 on CBS (Friday, December 7th on Global TV).  Obviously his return will be connected to the disappearance or murder of his father.

CASTING NOTE:  Lauren Lott will play the part of Devon Hamilton's sister, Anna Hamilton beginning on November 28th on CBS (November 27th on Global TV).


Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Phyllis is bossy and controlling.  Her personal life is a mess, but she knows fashion and makeup.  Should she be CEO of Jabot?  What do you think, fans?  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Should Phyllis be Jabot's CEO?

Yes. She's smart and has a good eye for cosmetics and fashion.

No. She's too unprofessional and allows her messy personal life to affect business decsions.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Created with Survey Maker

ATTENTION TORONTO AREA Y&R FANS

The annual Y&R tea in support of the March of Dimes will take place at the Royal York Hotel on Sunday, December 2nd.  Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott) and Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) will be there as well as Kate Linder (Esther ) and Christian LeBlanc (Michael).  If you are interested in attending this event, click on the link below.

https://marchofdimes.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=17401&mid=8


That's all for now.  Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, November 28, 2018.  We're in the midst of the November sweeps and it should be fun.  I'm expecting lots of twists and turns, especially with the J.T. mystery.  So, fasten your seatbelts.

Happy Thanksgiving to my readers in the United States.

- Joanne

Y&R Report (October 27, 2018): 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.

Now we know why the Abbott family is so dysfunctional.  We've been given glimpses into the childhood of Jack, Ashley and Traci via flashbacks. We've learned that John Abbott was not as perfect as he has been made out to be.  He was decent enough, but he was not a saint.  He encouraged Jack to stifle his emotions and to hold his feelings inside.  Thus, Jack was unable to express his devastation about Dina leaving the family.  Also, John played favourites,  He called Ashley "my beauty" and poor Traci had to play second fiddle to her older sister.  Dina played favourites too.  Jack was her favourite, although she still abandoned him and the rest of her children.  Still, Dina was not the complete ogre she was made out to be.  She really did love Ashley and that's why she had documents drawn up so that Ashley would be compensated with ownership of the patents for all the Jabot products she had created over the years.  By the way, I am somewhat more sympathetic to Ashley than I was earlier.  I understand that she felt like an outsider in her own family and disrespected.  I think she went too far, though, when she deceived Jack and led him to believe that John was not biological father.

The Young and the Restless has problems and its ratings are down.  Many viewers have been lost and several fan favourites have left the show, including Doug Davidson (who was treated abominably), Eileen Davidson, Mishael Morgan and Melissa Claire Egan.  There have also been disturbing allegations of harassment behind the scenes of the show.  To my knowledge, they remain allegations and have not been confirmed.

If Doug Davidson was fired (after forty years) in order to save money, that decision was penny wise and pound foolish.  Fans are very loyal to characters they have been following for years, more loyal than Y&R was to Doug.  As for Eileen Davidson, her presence on the show will be missed greatly.  However, it was Eileen who chose to leave.  I understand she has a life beyond Y&R and a family to consider.  However, she will still be missed.  At least, Ashley wasn't killed off.  She's moving to Paris and may return to Genoa City for special events.

Many Y&R viewers hope that Eileen's departure from the show will not be permanent.  Unfortunately, head writer Mal Young misled fans when he said "Ashley is just popping off (for) a little while.  She's still going to be a massive part of the show.  Eileen is still part of our family, so this is just a little time-out."   In a September 28th message on Twitter, the Eileen contradicted Young.  She wrote,"Thanks for your support but I have left y and r last week.  I'm not taking a break.  I did say I would be open to coming back for a party of something possibly down the line.  Just wanted to clarify!!!"  It's hard to believe that Mal Young did not know the truth.  Why did he lie to fans?  I will be happy if Ashley shows up in Geona City on special occasions.

What's up with Tessa?.  I have never really trusted her and I don't think she's been hiding things.  She always manages to talk Mariah into forgiving her for her transgressions, such as stealing Mariah's diary and plagiarizing her words.  Tessa's desperate for money, so I think she has to be considered a suspect as the person who has been sending blackmail notes to Nikki, Victoria, Sharon and Phyllis.


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 regular contributor CC in Etobicoke.  Here are CC's comments.

What is the purpose of Dr. Nate being around?  He is so unprofessional. noses into everyone's business, talks about one patient to another, just a busybody who doesn't seem to really have a calling or job.  Jumped into to treat Hilary from nowhere.  Is he on Victor's payroll?  Romantic storylines going nowhere.  He needs to leave town.

I am very much enjoying this new, quick-paced "every day has to have a cliffhanger" style of soap opera.  

Phyllis as CEO?  I guess they had nowhere else to go with her character.

I tend to agree with you about Dr. Nate, CC.  He isn't very professional and he is a busybody.  He is on Victor Newman's payroll because Victor hired him to be his private physician and Nikki's too.  I am not ready to say he should leave town yet.  It's not his fault that the writers still haven't given him a good storyline.  He's just someone for the rest of the Winters family to talk to.  He's just a sounding board right now.  However, given the right storyline, his character may come to life and serve more of a purpose.

As for Phyllis as CEO, I don't like the idea at all.  I hope the Jabot board of directors doesn't go along with it, although they probably will.  I'm sure the writers can find somewhere else to go with her character.  That's their job.


Longtime Y&R viewer, Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario, told me she was really impressed with Beth Maitland's performance as Traci Abbott this week.  She said Beth Maitland has received accolades for her acting during the Abbott saga.  I have to concur.  I think Beth's acting was outstanding.  In fact, it was a real tour de force.

CAST NEWS
Judith Chapman (Gloria Bardwell) signs with Days of Our Lives

Judith Chapman

Where is Gloria Bardwell and why is guy named Ted replacing her as the executive assistant at Jabot?  Well, here's the answer.  It has been reported that Judith Chapman, who plays Gloria, has signed a contract with NBC's Days of Our Lives.  Judith will play the role of Diana Cooper on Days.  In a strange coincidence, Judith's character is Leo Cooper's mother.  Leo Cooper,is portrayed by Greg Rikaart.  Greg, as fans know, played Gloria's son, Kevin Fisher on Y&R.  So the two are destined to play mother and son again.

Judith will remain with Y&R on a recurring basis, but I don't think we'll be seeing much more of her on the show.  Fans of Gloria will be disappointed, but the character has not been involved in any major story lines for a long time.  I'm sure Judith will have a larger role on Days of Our Lives.



Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Jack is responsible for the terrible "Abbott blood clause" and Ashley led Jack to believe he was not John Abbott's biological son.  After seeing the whole Abbott family sago unfold, do you have more sympathy for Ashley or Jack?  Respond to the poll below and let me know what you think.

Do you sympathize more with Jack or Ashley?

I sympathize with Jack. Ashley devasted him when she let him think he wasn't John Abbott's biological son.

I sympathize with Ashley. She has never gotten the respect she deserves.

I don't sympathize with either. They are both selfish and spoiled.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Created with Survey Maker

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  Halloween, American Thanksgiving and the November sweeps will soon be upon us.


- Joanne

Why I Am a Fan of Heartland

Heartland is one of my absolute favourite TV shows.  It also happens to be the longest-running one-hour drama in the history of Canadian television, surpassing Street Legal, which ran for eight seasons (1987-1994). Happily, there will be a 12th season of Heartland beginning in January.of 2019.  Note  Heartland is available to U.S. viewers on Netflix.

Heartland is filmed in southern Alberta, much of it around High River and nearby Calgary.  The series is worth watching for its beautiful ambiance alone because it set against the splendour pf the foothills of the Rockies,  Then, of  course, there are all those magnificent horses.  In every episode, they are shown jumping or galloping or racing, often in slow motion. The horses are almost as important as the human characters since they provide the backdrop for all the stories.  That's why the show is a real delight for equine lovers.

Based on a series of novels by Lauren Brooke, Heartland was adapted into a television series by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 2007.  It is the saga of a multi-generational family who live on the Heartland Ranch outside of Calgary, near the fictional town of Hudson, Alberta.  (A large tract of land near the hamlet of Millarville, Alberta serves as the main ranch setting).  The ranch has a tradition of treating and healing diseased and mistreated horses.

The Heartland Ranch

The patriarch of the family is Jack Bartlett, played by veteran actor Shaun Johnston.  Shaun is a native of Ponoka, Alberta (between Red Deer and Edmonton) and he has worked in Canadian film and television since the early 1990s.  According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, Johnston "embodies a stoic Western archetype similar to Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Glenn Ford."  Johnston's character, Jack, can be gruff and cantankerous, but he is also compassionate and possesses a dry wit.  He is proud that the ranch has been in the Bartlett family for six generations.

Shaun Johnston is not as old as the Heartland character (according IMDb, he was born on September 9, 1958).  He ages himself by wearing a wig and dying his moustache grey.  In a 2016 interview with Horse Canada, Johnston was asked what he has learned from playing Grandpa Jack over the years.  He replied, "I've learned that I'm going to grow old gracefully."  He told Horse Canada that when Heartland ends, he he would like to "watch a lot of TV and play more hockey."

Shaun Johnston

Another major character is Amy, Jack's granddaughter, played by Amber Marshall.  Amber was born and raised in London, Ontario and she is a former veterinary assistant.  Since 2016, however, she has lived on a ranch outside of Calgary with her husband, Shawn Turner, and their many animals.  Amber's passion for animals is quite authentic and it shines through in her portrayal of Amy.
   
Amber's character, Amy Fleming was raised by her mother Marion and her maternal grandfather, Jack.  Her father, Tim Fleming, abandoned the family when Amy was five and her older sister, Lou, was 15.  Marion was killed in a car crash when she and her Amy were on a mission to rescue a horse from an abusive owner.

Amber Marshall

In 2015, Amy married to Tyler "Ty" Borden.  Ty, portrayed by Graham Wardle, has a troubled past,  He came to Heartland when Jack arranged for him to work there while he was serving his probation (for assaulting his abusive stepfather).  Ty and Amy tied the knot in Season 8 and they have a daughter named Lyndy after Jack's mother, Lyndy Bartlett.  Ty became a veterinarian and is part-owner of the Hudson Vet Clinic.

Graham Wardle was born in Mission, British Columbia and raised in New Westminster, near Vancouver.  In addition to being an actor, Graham is a photographer and filmmaker.  In 2013, he co-founded Lone Maverick, a movie production and entertainment company.

Graham Wardle

                                                           
Heartland has authentic characters and it features good stories with real plots.  Its not pretentious or cartoonish.  It's characters are flawed, but very human.  Their relationships are realistic and believable.  They may not be as glitzy and glamorous and wealthy as the characters on Dallas and Dynasty, but they are true to life.  After all, they deal with horses, not oil.  Heartland is definitely not South Fork, but it's more true to life.


END NOTES

* The Heartland novels by Lauren Brooke are set in the United States, on a ranch in Virginia.

*  Amber Marshall received the inaugural Canada's Screen Star Award (voted by fans) at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards.


- Joanne

Y&R Report (October 13, 2018): 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.

Nick and Sharon's wedding turned into a major fiasco.  When Sharon failed to arrive at the church on time, friends and family were uncertain whether she would even show up at all.  However, she finally arrived and apologized for her tardiness.  It seemed as if the marriage would actually happen.  The bride and groom exchanged their own vows, but then Sharon dropped a huge bomb on the proceedings.  She angrily tore up the paper on which her vows were written and publicly humiliated Nick.  She told him that she couldn't marry him and then revealed that he cheated on her with Phyllis. The bridal party and the guests were aghast.  Billy, who had just proposed to Phyllis, freaked out.  He and Nick almost came to blows in the sanctity of the church.

So, are Nick and Sharon finished for good?  Well, I think they are done for the foreseeable future, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they could get back together again sometime down the road.  After all, how many times have Nikki and Victor broken up and gotten back together?  In the meantime, though, it looks as if Sharon will hook up with Rae and Phyllis and Nick will get together again.  Rae has moved into an apartment in the coffee shop and he's going to be seeing a lot of Sharon.

Although Rae is smitten with Sharon, he is trying to be subtle.  That's why he announced that Lola would be cooking dinner for them and he emphasized that it was not a date.  Nevertheless, Lola quickly picked up on Rae's crush on Sharon.  She reminded her big brother that although Sharon is single, he is still married.  At some point, Rae's wife will probably show up in Genoa City.  At any rate, viewers will eventually learn what happened between them.

Billy Boy and Phyllis have broken up on in bitter fashion.  Billy kicked her out of the Abbott house.  Then, without missing a beat, he called up Summer and had a tryst with her. (I must say, it certainly didn't take him much time to hook up with Summer).  Our favourite Snowflake is in for a rude awakening, though.  She actually thinks Billy is her new boyfriend, but I think he'll just cast her aside.  He was angry with Phyllis and he just used Summer as revenge.  Just wait until her mother finds out about it.  Phyllis will blow a gasket.

Summer is unhappy about Kyle's relationship with Lola.  She's obviously jealous that he is paying attention to someone else.  Watch out, Lola, because Snowflake is going to use every trick in the book to undermine your romance with Kyle.  She is her mother's daughter and she will be ruthless, especially when she discovers that Billy is not interested in a future with her.

Lola is no shrinking violet, but there is a sharp contrast between her and Summer.  Snowflake is blond, rich and spoiled.  She feels entitled and has enjoyed all the advantages and privileges of being a Newman.  Lola, on the other hand, is hard-working and unpretentious.  Kyle will have to choose between two different women.

I'm pleased that Jack Abbott is John Abbott's biological son after all.  I would not have wanted him to be related by blood to Victor Newman.  Yet, I fond it difficult to believe that Ashley would be so vengeful and devious.  She has never shown herself to be so cold-hearted.  The writers changed her character and her behavior has not rung true.  Eileen Davidson, who played Ashley so well for so many years, has left the show and her character deserved a better send-off.  Why couldn't the writers have sent Ashley to Paris or London. leaving the door for Eileen to make appearances once in a while?

According to an online spoiler, Lily is going to try and escape from prison.


CAST NEWS
Kelly Kruger is returning as Mackenzie Browning

Yes fans, Mac is coming back.  She hasn't been in Genoa City since June and she should stir things up.  She'll be trying to solve the J.T. mystery and her involvement will make the Victoria, NIkki, Phyllis and Sharon squirm.  She'll certainly provide Rae with a lot of information.


Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Someone has been sending threatening letters to Victoria, Nikki, Sharon and Phyllis, the four women involved in J.T. Hellstrom's death and burial.  Who could it be?  The messages are short and cryptic.  They have shaken up the quartet, as they were intended to do.  However, the women cannot show that they are rattled.  As far as viewers know, nobody knows their secret.  So, it seems that someone suspects them of involvement in J.T.'s disappearance and is trying to get them to let down their guard.  Detective Rae appears to be the most logical suspect.  He's determined to solve the J.T. mystery and has commented that there has been no sign of J.T. since the girl's night party.  However, Rae seems too obvious.  It may be more complicated than that.

The messages have not mentioned J.T.'s name, but most viewers assume they have to do with him.  Why else would the four women involved in his death be targeted?  Still, the writers may be trying to fool us.  Who knows?  What do you think?  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Who has been sending threatening letters to Victoria, Nikki, Phyllis and Sharon?

Rae

Victor

Billy

Tessa

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Created with PollMaker

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.  Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on October 27, 2018.


- Joanne

You wanted to know . . . what happened to Dennis Kort

A

Dennis Kort as he appeared on M*A*S*H

Reader Peter P wanted to know what happened to actor Dennis Kort.  Here is what I discovered.

Dennis Kort is not a major star.  He has only 19 credits on IMDb and he's never had a leading role in a TV series.  His most recent credit is a 1984 film called Angel in which he played a character named Wayne.  Dennis has had no screen acting roles since then and has remained completely out of the spotlight.

During the 1970s, however, Kort made appearances on some of the most popular television shows.  He  is best known for his portrayal of Cpl. Howard Owens in an episode of M*A*S*H entitled "Smilin' Jack" (Season 4, Episode 21, Air Date: February 3, 1976).  The episode revolves around a chopper pilot, Smilin' Jack (Robert Hogan) who wants to be Chopper Pilot of the Year by rescuing the most wounded.  The problem is that Smilin' Jack suffers from diabetes and insists on flying against doctor's orders.  Dennis Kort's character, Corporal Owens is one of the wounded soldiers brought in by Jack.

In addition to his guest-starring role on M*A*S*H, Kort's other TV credits include Fantasy Island (cameo roles as ice cream vendor (1981) and soda jerk (1978), CHiPs (1978), Eight is Enough (1977), CPO Sharkey (1976), Rhoda (1976), Swiss Family Robinson (1975), The Waltons (1975), The Rookies (1975), Sanford and Son (1975).  He also appeared in two television movies: Dominic's Dream (1974) and The Rear Guard (1976).

So, what has happened to Dennis Kort.  He seems to have vanished into obscurity.  It's also very difficult to find any online information about him.  He doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.  Nevertheless, I was able to find an Internet message board with some information.  There is a July 2012 posting on a website called The Waltons Forum in which Dennis Kort is discussed (He appeared in an episode of The Waltons entitled "The Genius." (Season 4, Episode 2, Air Date: September 18, 1975).  In the episode, Kort plays Lyle Thomason, a college student who, although a genius, lacks social skills.  He upsets the devout Baptist family with his views on religion.

Dennis Kort on The Waltons

In 2012, Kort was the subject of a Waltons Forum discussion because he couldn't be located for a September 2012  Waltons reunion event in California.  Someone wrote that it's "like Dennis fell off the planet after 1981."  Another commentator claimed that he had found information stating that Kort was born in 1958.(60 years ago) and that he currently resides in Panama City, Florida.  Actor Rex Sykes, who co-starred with Kort in the 1976 film Massacre at Central High, was quoted as saying that he's been trying to find out for over 30 years where Dennis went.  Sykes mentioned that the last heard from Kort, was in San Pedro. California.

Whatever the reason, Dennis Kort has chosen to disappear from the public eye.  His location seems to be unknown.  It seems he wants it that way.


- Joanne

Y&R Report (September 29, 2018): 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.

We now know that Jack Abbott and Victor Newman are not brothers.  Thank goodness!  I'm glad Albert Miller is not Jack's biological father.  So, who is Jack's biological daddy?  Well, I suspect Jack really is John's biological son.  Perhaps Traci is the product of Dina's affair.

Billy is crashing and burning.  Eileen Davidson (Ashley) has left the show.  That's why I think Jack will resume his place as CEO of Jabot.  Poor Traci, who really any desire to run Jabot, is caught in the middle of all the chaos.  She is being pressured into being interim CEO of Jabot.  What a mess!

Nick and Sharon are entering into marriage and both are keeping huge secrets from each other.  They had a chance to come clean with each other, but they lost their nerve.  I don't usually agree with Summer, but I don't think their marriage has any chance of survival.  The writer's have really messed with Nick's character.  He had some nerve buying a house without Sharon's knowledge.or approval.  That's not partnership.  It's control.

I just can't warm up to Rae Rosales (Jordi Vilasuso) and I probably never will.  I know it's not Jordi Vilasuso's fault, but I resent his character for usurping Paul Williams' role.  I really think Doug Davidson was treated shabbily and I can't stand seeing Rae in Paul's office and effectively taking over his job.  He'll probably replace Paul as Genoa City's police chief.  By the way, I wonder how the writers are going to deal with Paul's departure.

I wish Phyllis would mind her own business.  She has to interfere in everything.  She even crashed the party for Nick and Sharon.  No wonder her Snowflake of a daughter is so resentful.  However, Phyllis wouldn't be Phyllis if she stayed out of other people's affairs.  Someone has to stir things up and she certainly is an expert at that.


CAST NEWS
The latest on Alyvia Alyn Lind (Faith Newman)

Faith Newman (Alyvia Alyn Lind) has not been seen onscreen since early summer.  The 11-year-old, who has been portraying the daughter of Nick and Sharon since 2011, has landed a role in the film Walk. Ride. Rodeo.  She will also be appearing as Lugnut in the Hulu series Future Man.

She is a talented young actress and her career appears to be blossoming.  With her busy schedule, she may not be able to continue her role on Y&R for much longer.  If that happens, there's a good chance that the show will cast an older actress to play Faith.

Faith spent the summer at camp.  Now that school has started and her parents are about to remarry, she can't stay away any longer.


Alice Hunter cast in the role of Jabot employee Kerry Jones

Alice Hunter has been cast in the role of a Jabot employee named Kerry Jones.  Her character has ties to both Newman and Jabot.  Alice is a newcomer to daytime television, but has had roles on Showtime's House of Lies and Comedy Central's Another Period.  Alice is quite adept at accents and she is also a singer.

Alice will make her first appearance as Kerry Jones near the end of October.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

The Young and the Restless has been undergoing some changes lately. Do you like the direction the show is going.  Are you upset that some longtime characters have gone?  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Do you like the direction Y&R is going?

Yes. They've brought in some young, intriguing characters.

Yes. The writing is fresh and exciting.

No. I will miss characters such as Ashley and Paul.

No. The writing is terrible.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Created with PollMaker

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. Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, October 13, 2018.  To my Canadian readers, have a Happy Thanksgiving!


- Joanne

Everybody Loves Raymond Quiz

TV BANTER QUIZ #30

Everybody Loves Raymond is an American sitcom that ran for nine seasons, from 1996 to 2005.  It featured Ray Romano as Ray Barone, an Italian-American sportswriter, who lives with his family on Long Island.  Ray's meddling parents, Frank and Marie, live across the street from them.

A total of 210 episodes of the series were produced over nine seasons.  Why not test your knowledge of the show by responding to the quiz below.  Good luck!


Everybody Loves Raymond Quiz

1. Where on Long Island does the Barone family live?

A.  Glen Cove, New York

B.  Lynbrook, New York

C.  Oyster Bay, New York

D.  Huntington, New York

E.   Babylon, New York



2.  Raymond's older brother Robert Barone, played by Brad Garrett, is a New York City police officer.  In real life . . .

Brad Garrett as Robert Barone

A.  Ray Romano does not have a brother who is a police officer.

B.  Ray has a younger bother, Robert, who is a New York City police officer.

C.  Ray has an older bother, Richard, born 1956, who is a sergeant with the NYCPD.

D.  Ray's dad, the late Albert Romano, was a New York City police officer.

E.  Ray's older brother, Robert Romano, is a New York City police officer.



3.  What is the name of Raymond's favourite pizza place?

Ray Romano as Raymond Barone

A.  Nemo's Pizza

B.  Pizza Roma

C.  Gino's Pizza

D.  Lombardi's Pizza

E.  Pizza Napoli



4.  What is Ray Barone's wife Debra'a maiden name?


A.  Bondi

B.  Wilson

C.  Williams

D.  Whelan

E.  Wyatt




5.  Who portrayed Warren Whelan, Debra's father?

A.  Robert Vaughn

B.  Robert Wagner

C.  Robert Conrad

D.  Robert Culp

E.  Bob Newhart



6.  How did Ray and Debra meet?

A.  They met on a blind date set up by a friend of Raymond.

B,  They met when Ray delivered a futon to Debra's apartment.

C.  They met at Coney Island. 

D.  They met at a New York Rangers hockey game that Ray was covering as a sportswriter.

E.  They met at a party given by friends of Robert.



7.  Robert Barone and his first wife divorced.  What is the name of his first wife?

A.  Janet

B.  Anne

C.  Stella

D.  Donna

E.  Joanne



8.  What game does Ray like to play, much to Debra's dismay?

A.  poker

B.  bowling

C.  golf

D.  soccer

E.  tennis



9.  Which of the following statements about Frank Barone, Ray and Robert's father, is true?

Peter Boyle as Frank Barone

A.  Frank is a retired bookkeeper.

B.  Frank was a registered real estate agent.

C.  Frank is a veteran of the Korean War (1950-1953).

D.  Frank drove a 1972 Plymouth Valiant for a number of years.

E.  All of the above



10.  Debra and Ray Barone are the parents of three children, a daughter and twin boys.  What are the names of the twins?

A. Michael and Geoffrey

B.  Joe and John

C..  Billy and Nick

D.  Christopher and Jack

E.  Charlie and Lenny



11.  Debra's sister. Jennifer Whelan, is seen in only one episode of the series.  What happens in that episode?

A.  Jennifer is arrested for shoplifting.

B.  Jennifer is attracted to Robert.

C.  She announces her intention to become a nun.

D.  She tuns out to be an alcoholic.

E.  She reveals that she is getting a divorce.



12.  In a 2003 episode, Debra ends up in jail.  Why do police arrest her?

A.  She is charged after taking part in a protest.

B   She is charged with drunk driving.

C.  She is charged with driving a stolen vehicle.

D.  She is charged with assaulting her mother-in;-law, Marie.

E.  She is accused of leaving a restaurant without paying her bill.



13.  Marie Barone, the mother of Ray and Robert, is nosey, bossy and critical of Debra's housekeeping.  She also coddles her two sons.  As a result, she and her daughter-in-law have a difficult relationship.  According to Debra, how does Marie get her way?

Doris Roberts (Marie Barne)

A.  Her family is afraid she will reveal some embarrassing information.

B.  She never stops talking.

C. She is generous with her money.

D.  She makes people feel guilty

E.  She always cooks up some delicious food for family and friends, especially lasagna.

14.  What is the name of the publication for which Raymond Barone works?

A.  Newsday 

B.  Sports Week

C.  New York News

D.  Sports Today

E.  The Long Island Report



15.  Before her marriage to Ray, what work did Debra do?

A.  She worked for a publishing company.

B.  She was a nurse.

C.  She was the manager at Nemo's restaurant

D.  She worked in the human resources department of a

E.  She worked in public relations for the New York Rangers hockey team of the NHL.




ANSWERS


1.  B

The Barone family lives in Lynbrook, Long Island.  Lynbrook is a village in Nassau County, New York.


2,  C

Ray Romano has an older bother, Richard, born 1956, who is a sergeant with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and a younger brother, Robert, an elementary school teacher in New York City.

On Everybody Loves Raymond, Robert is jealous of Ray and feels that he is always in Ray's shadow. Robert displays some quirks too.  For example, he has a habit of touching food to his chin before eating.  He also keeps his left socks in his left drawer and his right socks in his right drawer.

Brad Garrett, who portrayed Robert Barone, really stands out in a crowd.  He is about 203 centimetres (six feet, eight inches) tall.  His voice  is deep and distinctive.  In addition to being an actor, Brad is a stand-up comedian and a professional poker player.


3,  A

Raymond's favourite pizza place is Nemo's.  Nemo was the name of the original owner of the restaurant.  However, Marco Fogagnolo later took over pizzeria and it became known as Marco's Pizza.


4.  D

Patricia Heaton as Debra Barone

Ray's wife Debra, played by Patricia Heaton, is the daughter of Warren and Lois Whelan.  She was raised in Connecticut and her family is well-to-do.

Patricia Heaton appeared in all 210 episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond.  For her role in the show, she won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.  Patricia has been married to British actor David Hunt since 1990 and they have four sons.  From 2009 until 2018, she starred as Frances "Frankie" Heck in the ABC comedy series The Middle.


5.  D.

The lade Robert Culp (1930-2010), had the recurring role of Debra's father, Warren Whelan.  Katherine Helmond, who played Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss, portrayed Debra's motheer, Lois Whelan. (The above photo shows Culp (far right) as Warren Whelan and Katherine Helmond as his wife, Lois.  Raymond's parents, Frank  and Marie, played by Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, also appear in the photo.)

Robert Culp is best known for his portrayal of secret agent Kelly Robinson alongside Bill Cosby in the 1960s espionage series I Spy.


6.  B

Ray once had a job delivering futons and he met Debra when he delivered a futon to her apartment.



7.  E

Robert's first wife was Joanne.  After their divorce, he moved back in with his parents.  He later remarried and his second wife is Amy MacDougall, Debra's best friend.


8.  C

Ray likes to play golf.  Debra thinks he plays too often and does not help enough around the house.



9.  E

All of the statements about Frank Barone are true.

Veteran character actor Peter Boyle portrayed Frank Barone.  Boyle passed away on December 12, 2006 at the age of 71.



10.  A

The Sweeten twins

The twins are named Michael and Geoffrey Barone.  Sawyer Sweeten played Geoffrey Barone and his twin brother, Sullivan Sweeten, played Michael.  Their real life sister, Madylin Sweeten, portrayed their older sister, Alexandra "Ally" Barone.  Ally was named after Ray Romano's real life daughter.  Ally Romano made some appearances on Everybody Loves Raymond as Molly.

Tragically, Sawyer Sweeten took his own life on April 23, 2015.  He was just weeks away from his 20th birthday.



11.  C.

Debra's sister Jennifer, played by Ashley Crow, announces her intention to become a nun in an episode entitled "The Sister" (Season 4, Episode 6, Air Date: October 25, 1999).


12.  B

In an episode entitled "The Shower" (Season 7, Episode 21, Air Date: April 28, 2003), Debra is jailed for driving under the influence.  After having too much to drink at a bridal shower for Amy, Debra rests in the car until she feels better,  The police think that she has been drinking and driving.


13.  D.

Debra once advised Amy that Marie's weapon of manipulation was guilt.  She referred to it as Marie's "Guilt Bomb" and explained that her mother-in-law makes people feel guilty when she doesn't get her way.  Doris Roberts, the veteran actress who played Marie, passed away on April 16, 2016.  She died after suffering a stroke.  She was 90 years old.


14.  A

Ray Barone is employed as a sportswriter for a fictional publication called Newsday.


15.  E

Before marrying Ray, Debra worked in public relations for the New York Rangers hockey team.



- Joanne