Y&R Report (November 21, 2020): The latest on The Young and the Restless

Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet. Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance. 

Hi fans,

The November sweeps are upon us, so I'm expecting some excitement and drama on Y&R.  I can't wait to watch the wedding of Abby and Chase.  It should be so much fun.  I had hoped  there would be a Christmas wedding to brighten up this COVID Yuletide.  However, the nuptials will take place before the end of this month, probably due to the November sweeps.  It will pull in some huge ratings.  

I'm looking forward to Tricia Cast's appearance as Chance's mother, Nina, on the Monday, November 30th show on CBS (Friday, November 27 on Global TV).  That means the wedding will take place then.  We've already seen her on a cell phone congratulating the happy couple.  I don't know if Lauralee Bell will make an appearance as Christine "Cricket" Williams along with with her friend Nina.  I have not seen any indication that she will.  Maybe she'll show up at the wedding with hubbly Paul.

It's good to see Doug Davidson back on the scene again as "Clueless" Paul Williams.  Once again, Clueless and his sidekick, Rey Rosales, have it wrong.  Billy Boy Abbott did not try to shoot Adam.  That's much too obvious.  Billy, of course, will go on trial for attempted murder and he will be defended by Amanda.  Michael Baldwin, as District Attorney, will pull all the stops to prosecute Billy and make him look bad.  Still, I am quite confident that he is not the guilty party.

I've heard a theory about who really tried to kill Adam Newman and it makes perfect sense to me.  The theory is that the journalist, Alyssa Montalvo (Maria DiDomenico), is the real perpetrator of the crime.  She was Adam's childhood friend.  He lied to her in order to lure her to Genoa City.  She then discovered that he killed her father, A.J. Montalvo, at his mother's farm in Kansas when he was 11 years old.  She despises him and has a motive for seeking revenge against him.  Have you noticed that she is in the background right now?  She hasn't been seen on screen for a while.  My guess is that the writers don't want you to be reminded of her as a suspect.  They want the spotlight to be on Billy Boy.

There is going to be an all-out war between Summer Newman and Sally Spectra.  Both Sally and Snowflake are troublemakers.  However, Sally is ruthlessly ambitious.  She will do her best to remove any obstacles to stand in the way of her goals.  At the moment, Summer is standing in the way of her career ambitions.  She will probably also interfere with Sally's romantic desires.  It will not be surprising if Sally decides to pursue Kyle Abbott.  After all Kyle can satisfy both Sally's financial and romantic ambitions.  

Summer can be a tough cookie and she is manipulative.  After all, she is Phyllis's daughter.  However, I think Summer has more of a heart than Sally.  As a snowflake, will probably melt in the end.  Sally's heart seems to be stone cold.  The more I see Sally and Theo Vanderway together, the more I believe they would make a perfect match.  They have a certain chemistry and they have so much in common. They really deserve each other.  It is unlikely to happen, though, because Tyler Johnson, the actor who portrays Theo, has announced that he is leaving the show.  I suppose he'll just leave town when he loses his lawsuits against the Abbotts.   

I still don't understand why Sharon is considered a therapist and how she was considered capable of providing professional opinion  on whether Adam should be forced by law to receive psychiatric care.  

She even used the phrase, "In my professional opinion . . ."  By the way, who are Dr. Sharon's other patients.  I know soaps aren't realistic, but the writers should have some respect for the intelligence of viewers.

Speaking of Sharon, now that she has overcome her cancer, she has more troubles facing her.  Faith's underage drinking is not going to stop anytime soon, especially as long as her friend Jordan is in the picture.  There is also another huge potential source of conflict for Sharon and her daughter.  Sooner or later, Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sharon (Sharon Case) will get together.  They can't stay away from each other.  In addition, Sharon and Mark are a real life couple, so they won't have to social distance.

Faith detests Adam and will never accept her mother with him.  Alyvia Alyn Lind is doing a superb job of portraying a confused and troubled Faith.  I expect her to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy for best young performer.

CAST NEWS

Donny Boaz (Chance) tests positive for COVID

A few weeks ago, Donny Boaz, who plays Philip "Chance" Chancellor IV, tested positive for COVID-19.  H revealed his diagnosis on Instagram.  He wrote that hehe did not have any symptoms, but is following guidelines.  He quarantined at home, so he won't be seen on Y&R for a short time.  However, he has returned to work and will be back on screen soon.  

Donny's positive COVID test came just as his character, Chance, was involved in a big storyline, but Y&R really lucked out.  Melissa Ordway's (Abby Newman) real life husband was able to fill in as an emergency replacement for Donny.  Melissa's spouse, Justin Gaston, will temporarily take over the role of Chance (He appeared on the Friday, November 20th episode on Global TV).  It just so happens that Justin once played the role of Ben Weston on Days of our Lives.  It's also quite convenient that the couple will not have to social distance during filming, so they can do love scenes, especially since there will be a wedding and honeymoon coming up for Abby and Chance.

Melissa Ordwy and Justin Gaston

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

As we all know, Chance was shot, but he wasn't the intended victim.  Someone tried to kill Adam.  Chance took the bullet instead.  So fans, who tried to shoot Adam.  Let me know what you think.  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Who tried to shoot Adam?

Billy Abbott

Alyssa Montalvo

Chelsea Lawson

Rey Rosales

I don't know

Other

Please Specify:

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 hat the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, December 5, 2020.

To my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving.  

Take care and be safe,

- Joanne

Bob Barker: His Life Before and After "The Price is Right"

 Bob Barker will turn 97 years old on December 12th of this year.  The retired game show host and outspoken animal rights advocate has enjoyed a long and successful television career.  In later years, however, he was faced with lawsuits relating to allegations of sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal.  

Robert William "Bob" Barker was born in the small town of Darrington, Washington, (southeast of Seattle), on December 12, 1923.  He spent much of his early years on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota, where his mother, Matilda "Tillie" Valandra (née Matilda Kent Tarleton), was a school teacher.  Bob's father, Byron John "Barney" Barker, was an electrical power foreman for the state of Washington.  On July 6, 1930, when Bob was just six years old, Barney Barker was killed in a work-related accident at the age of 42.  He fell from a utility pole and died from his injuries.

In 1937, Bob's mother, Tillie, wed Louis Valandra and the family moved to Springfield, Missouri.  Tillie gave birth to her second child, Bob's half-brother, Kent Valandra.  Meanwhile, Bob attended Central High School.  He graduated in 1941 on a basketball scholarship to Drury College (now Drury University), also located in Springfield.  

When World War II came along, Bob put his plans on hold.  He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve and trained as a fighter pilot.  He never saw active duty because the war ended before he could be assigned to a seagoing squadron.  After his discharge from the military, Bob returned to Drury College to complete his education.  He graduated summa cum laude in 1947 with a degree in economics.

After graduation, Bob relocated to Lake Worth Beach, Florida.  He worked as a radio news editor and broadcaster at a radio station in Palm Beach.  In 1950, he moved west to California and hosted a  Los Angeles radio show for six years.  It was called The Bob Barker Show.  During this time, Bob came to the attention of game show producer Ralph Edwards.  Edwards, founder and longtime host of the popular Truth or Consequences, had listened to Bob's audience participation show on his car radio and was impressed with how Bob interacted with the guests.  He liked Bob's voice and manner.

Truth or Consequence was returning to NBC for daytime viewing, but Edwards had not yet chosen a host for the new version of the show.  He auditioned others for the job, but chose Bob Barker, who went on to host Truth or Consequences from 1956 until 1974.  Bob and Ralph Edwards became longtime friends.  According to IMDb, the two men would meet for lunch every December 21st until Edwards' death in 2005.

Below is a photo of Bob Barker in Truth or Consequences circa 1958.

In early 1972, game show producers Mark Goodson and Bill Todman were seeking to revive and modernize The Price is Right, with Dennis James as host.  The original version of The Price is Right debuted on November 26, 1956 on NBC, with Bill Cullen as host.  It was so popular that it soon spawned a once-a-week primetime version  The Price is Right was one of the few shows that survived the game show scandals of the 1950s 

In 1963, both the daytime and nighttime versions of the show changed networks to ABC.  On September 3, 1965, the final episode of the original The Price is Right aired.  However, in 1972, CBS was interested in a revamped version of the show, provided Bob Barker, not Dennis James, became host.  After some initial reluctance, due to James, Bob accepted the offer. 

Bill Cullen in 1963

Bob Barker hosted the new version of The Price is Right for 35 years, from his first show on September 4, 1972 until his retirement in June of 2007.  Bob's final show aired on June 15, 2007.  He was succeeded by Drew Carey.  As host of The Price is Right, Barker was extremely popular.  Daytime television audiences loved him.  They loved the way he shouted out "Come on down!" to his contestants.

Bob Barker in 1975

On January 12, 1945, while on leave from military service, Bob Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Josephine Gideon, known affectionately as Dorothy Jo..  He and Dorothy Jo attended an Ella Fitzgerald in Missouri when he was 15 years old.  Their marriage lasted 36 years until her death of lung cancer on October 19, 1981.  Dorothy Jo (born February 25, 1924), was 57 years old at the time of her passing.  The couple never had any children together.

In 2007, Bob told Good Morning America that he never had any inclination to remarry after Dorothy Jo's passing.  "She was my wife," he said.  She was ahead of her time.  She really was.  She stopped wearing fur coats before anyone was stopping.  She became a vegetarian before people were becoming vegetarian.  And I gradually did the same thing with her (in 1979)."

Bob and Dorothy Jo

Unfortunately, Bob Barker and The Price is Right have been embroiled in scandal.  In 1994, longtime Price is Right model Dian Parkinson filed a lawsuit against Bob, alleging sexual harassment following a 3-year affair.  Barker denied the allegations, but admitted that he had been involved in an intimate relationship with Parkinson from 1989 to 1991.  He stated, however, that the relationship had been consensual.  He said he only made public their involvement because she threatened to sue him unless she gave her $8 million.

Dian, a former Playboy model who appeared on the Price is Right from 1975 to 1993, claimed she was extorted to continue the relationship by threats of firing.  A judge dismissed the wrongful termination part of the lawsuit but allowed the sexual harassment charge to remain. Parkinson ultimately withdrew the lawsuit in April of 1995, declaring that the ordeal was harmful to her health and that she did not have sufficient funds to pay for legal fees.

Price is Right model Holly Hallstrom left the show in 1995.  She subsequently filed a suit of wrongful termination and malicious persecution against Barker.  Hallstrom claimed that she was fired from the show due to a weight gain and for her refusal to tell the press false stories that Barker had related to her her about Dian Parkinson.  She contended that Bob had started a media attack on her by allegedly accusing her of disrupting the atmosphere of the show.  Barker dropped the case, but Hallstrom never did.  A settlement was agreed upon in 2005.

Bob Barker told the press that Parkinson's claims, as well as Halltroms, were "frivolous."  However, there were further claims against him and The Price is Right.  In October of 2007, four months after Bob's final show, Deborah Curling, a CBS employee assigned to The Price is Right, filed a suit against Barker and the producers of The Price is Right.  Curling, who is African American, was a contestant screener for 24 years.  She alleged racial discrimination, sexual and mental harassment and abuse.

The rash of lawsuits against The Price is Right did not end with Bob Barker's retirement.  In March of 2010, model Brandi Cochran sued the show, claiming that she miscarried her baby as a result of harsh treatment by producers who frowned upon models getting pregnant.

More than four years after Bob's departure, the show was faced with yet another harassment claim.  On September 7, 2011, former Price is Right model Lanisha Cole, filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and sexual harassment by the show's producers,   In a 2011 Time magazine article about the Cole lawsuit, Frances Romero wrote the following: ". . . a past full of complaints - including sexual sexual harassment, racial discrimination, wrongful termination and emotional abuse and intimidation - against Price is Right producers and its longtime former host Bob Barker, depicts am institutionalized attitude that allowed executives to treat models on the show (and female staffers) as second-class citizens."

During the last two decades, Bob Barker has had a series of health issues and he has suffered injuries from falls.  In 1999, he felt a "clumsiness" in his hand.  He was admitted to George Washington University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a partially blocked carotid artery.  He underwent a procedure to remove the blockage.

On May 30, 2002, after taping the finale of The Price is Right's 30th season, Bob suffered a stroke while lying in the sun.  He was hospitalized and underwent surgery at George Washington University Hospital .  Six weeks later, he underwent prostate surgery at the same hospital.  Bob has also experienced mild bouts of skin cancer due to his tanning.  He regularly consults a dermatologist and has urged people who have spent time sunbathing to see a dermatologist.

On October 20, 2015, Bob tripped and fell on a sidewalk near his home in Los Angeles   Two police officers saw him fall and immediately called an ambulance.  He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and received treatment for his injured forehead and left knee.

On June 19, 2017, Bob had another fall.  He slipped and hit his head at his home. and was driven to the emergency room by his maid.  He was checked and released.

In October and November of 2018, Bob  was rushed to the hospital with acute back pain.

END NOTES

* Bob Barker has received 17 Emmy Awards, 13 as TV host, three as producer of The Price is Right.  In 2004, he won the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award for Daytime Television.

* According to IMDb, Bob is 186 centimetres (6 feet, one inch).in height.

* In October of 1987, Bob caused a stir by no longer using hair dye.  He allowed his locks to turn white, his natural colour  by then.

* Bob has been romantically linked to Nancy Burnet, a fellow animal rights activist.    

* Bob concluded each episode of The Price is Right with the tagline "Help control the pet population.  Have your pets spayed or neutered." 

* On April 16, 2009, Bob Barker made an appearance on The Price is Right to promote his autobiography, Priceless Memories.  The memoir chronicles his life from childhood until his retirement in 2007.  In 2013, Bob  made another appearance on the show to celebrate his 90th birthday, but his health would not allow him to appear for his 95th birthday in 2018.  In 2015, however, Bob made a surprise April Fools' Day visit to the show  The then-91-year-old hosted the first price-guessing game of the show, "Lucky Seven."

* Drew Carey, the current host of The Price is Right, has avoided lawsuits.  Bob has never been critical of Drew.  In fact, he stated the following to Entertainment Weekly: "I would not criticize Drew Carey.  I would not criticize this show.  I would not criticize CBS.  I would not criticize Freemantle Media (which produces the show for CBS) because I have a sizable royalty that I am paid every year the show is on, and its going on for years.  I would be an absolute fool.  I hope this show stays on for years  As for Drew, he's been charming and complimentary, and he had me on on the show to plug my book Priceless Memories.  He's a charming man, kind and gracious.  To think I would say anything derogatory about him is idiocy."

In 2010, however, Bob reportedly did say something derogatory about his replacement, Drew Carey.  He apparently told a a TMZ cameraman.  "He does the show differently from m tried to make the show exciting and uh, he doesn't do that.  He plays the games.."

Drew Carey

* In 2019, 36 years after his wife Dorothy Jo's death, 95-year-old Bob Barker visited her grave at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.  He collapsed at her gravesite and a caregiver came to help him back up.

SOURCES: Cinemablend (cinemasblend.com), "Bob Barker: From Fighter Pilot, To The Price is Right, To Animal Rights Advocate," by Hugh Scott, July 2, 2019; South Dakota Hall of Fame: Program Directory Site, "Champion of Excellence: Robert 'Bob' Barker," Shared, "'The Price Is Right'  Host Bob Barker Honored Late Wife 36 Years After Her Death Despite Poor Health;" by Shurti Menon, September 27, 2019,  Time magazine, 'Price is Right'' Model Lawsuit: Latest in History of Harassment Claims," by Frances Romero, September 12, 201l; The Things, "Here's What Bob Barker Is Up To Now," by Rachael Cholak, May 21, 2020;  NBC News, Bob Barker: Drew Carey Not "Exciting" on "Price is Right," by Daniel Macht, July 27, 2010; Wikipedia; Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

- Joanne

Y&R Report (November 7, 2020): The latest on The Young and the Restless

 Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama.  Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet.  Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance. 

Hi fans,

It's time for the November sweeps and The Young and The Restless is going to pull out all the stops for ratings.  The end of this month also marks a significant milestone for Y&R - the show's 12,000th episode.  That's just another reason why November should be fun for viewers.

So, we've had our first look at the two new characters in Genoa City: Jordan and Sally Spectra.

They are both troublemakers and they will stir things up.  Jordan is Faith Newman's new best friend.  She's older and more worldly than Faith and she also seems to be a female Eddie Haskell type.  Faith is at a rebellious age and Jordan is is going to get her into a real mess.  Her concerned dad, Nick Newman, is in for a tough time.  He may be about to experience Cassie, the Teenage Rebel, Part II.

Faith was deeply upset when she encountered Adam speaking to Sharon in the Crimson Lights coffeehouse.  She later spoke to Jordan about it. Jordan told Faith that she had something that might help.  Then she opened her backpack and smiled as she showed Faith what was inside - most likely drugs.  

As for Sally Spectra, she's landed herself a job as Lauren's executive assistant.  She's admitted that she's after a bigger prize, which I think is Jack Abbott, although she is rather young for Jack.  However, Jack is looking for romance and he'd be very vulnerable to Sally's charms right now.  If Sally goes after Jack, it could set up a love triangle storyline.  Maybe Jack's son, Kyle, will also fall for Sally, since he's on the rebound from his breakup with Snowflake.  That will definitely cause conflict.

Lily and Billy have started a new romance.  As with every soap romance, there will be bumps on the road, especially where Billy is concerned.  The two won't be able to hide their romance much longer, though, since Amanda and Devon are already onto them.

Did you notice that Y&R completely ignored Halloween this year.  No costumes - nothing.  It wasn't even mentioned.  I guess the COVID regulations prevented them from doing much.

Adam Newman has really gone over to The Dark Side - having Chelsea kidnapped and locked in a room, and it looks like were headed for a whodunnit during the November sweeps.  It looks like we'll be guessing who shot Chance, who tried to protect Adam from a bullet.

    

According to online spoilers, there will be a juicy "whodunnit" in Genoa City.  Paul and Michael and Rey will try to find the culprit.  I'm not sure if the mystery will be about who tried to shoot Adam.  At any rate, Rey and Sharon's wedding will be put on the backburner because of Rey's involvement in the 

police investigation. I doubt the wedding will ever happen, especially since online spoilers also say that Sharon will break her promise to stay away from Adam.  Why am I not surprised about that?

Two people connected with The Young and the Restless have tested positive for COVID, according to memo sent to the production crew. They are in self-isolation and production of the show continues.

CAST NEWS

Trish Cast will be back as Nina Webster

Tricia Cast in 1986

Yes, Tricia Cast is returning as Nina Webster.  Tricia first joined the cast of Y&R in 1986.  She received a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series in 1992.  It makes perfect sense to bring her character, Nina, back now.  Nina's been a Hollywood scriptwriter for years now, but with her son, Chance (Donny Boaz) back in Genoa City, she has every reason to come home for a visit.  I wonder how she'll get along with Chance's girlfriend, Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway.  I'm sure Nina will also spend some time with her best friend Christine, whom she always called "Cricket."  That would be a good way to give some screen time to Cricket (Lauralee Bell) and her husband, Paul Williams (Doug Davidson).

Tricia is expected to make an appearance early this month and again at the end of November to help celebrate Y&R's 12,000th episode.

Tyler Johnson (Theo Vanderway) to leave Y&R

Tyler Johnson, who portrays Theo Vanderszy on Y&R has announced on Twitter that his time on the show is over.  He tweeted the following: "I've always been an optimist.  Today isn't an end, but a new beginning.  Thank you everyone tuned in to watch Theo Vanderway - it was all a blast.  The future is bright.  Love you all."

Tyler's stay in Genoa City hasn't been long, and to be honest, he has never been a fan favourite.  His character didn't seem to catch on with viewers.

Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) to star in new comedy

   

Eileen Davidson, who portrays Ashley Abbott, has signed to play Brenda, a "has-been actress" in Duke of the Valley, a new sitcom which also features Eileen's husband, Vince Van Patten, their son Duke Van Patten, as well as Vince's real life brother, James Van Patten.  The sitcom is based on the memoirs of Vince's father, the late Dick Van Patten, who starred in Eight is Enough.  

Written and created by father and son duo Vince and Duke Van Patten, Duke of the Valley chronicles the life of Duke Van Patten, who plays himself., as he tries to make a name for himself as a Hollywood actor.  Meanwhile, he lives in a dingy fictional apartment in the San Fernando Valley, owned by his Uncle Jimmy Van Patten, played by, of course, James Van Patten.  Vince Van Patten  portrays a homeless man who wants to camp outside the apartment building.

The show sounds interesting and I intend to watch it.

CASTING NOTES

* Melissa Claire Eagan's (Chelsea) real life husband, Matt Katrosar, will appear on the show this week as her abductor.

* Lauren Woodland returns to Genoa City as lawyer Brittany Hodges on Friday, November 13th (CBS), Thursday , November 12 (Global TV)..  According to onlone spoilers, Theo will hire Brittany lawyer to represent him in a lawsuit against the Abbott family.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Besides Phyllis, there is now another fiery redhead in town.  It's the ambitious Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), who has secured a job as Lauren Fenmore's assistant. Who do you think Sally should be paired with?  She already knows Theo (Tyler Johnson) but he will be leaving town.  So, what do you think, fans?  Click on the poll below and let me know.

Who makes a good match for Sally Spectra?

Jack Abbott

Kyle Abbott

Billy Abbot

Nick Newman

I'm not sure yet.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Create a Poll

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.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, November 21, 2020.  Enjoy the November sweeps.

Take care and stay safe,

- Joanne

Whatever happened to Adam Rich of "Eight is Enough"'?

Do you remember Adan Rich?  He played Nicholas, the youngest child on Eight is Enough, a cute little boy with the long bangs and a page boy haircut.  Adam's character was soon dubbed "America's little brother" and in the late 1970s and early 1980s, parents wanted their young sons to have a Nicholas-style bowl haircut.  However, as with many child stars, Adam became a troubled adult who engaged in substance abuse and drug-related criminal behaviour.

Adam Rich was born on October 12, 1968 in Brooklyn, New York.  He grew up as a child actor in Granada Hills, California, with his parents and younger brother, Drey Rich.  Adan began his show business career by appearing in numerous television commercials.  When he was five years old, the youngster announced his intention to become an actor.

Prior to his breakout role in Eight is Enough, Adam appeared in s 1976 episode of The Six Million Dollar Man, starring Lee Majors.  He played a character named Bob in "A Bionic Christmas Carol" (Season 4, Episode 10, Air Date: December 12, 1976).

At the age of eight, Adam won the role of Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on the hour long TV drama-comedy Eight is Enough.  Eight is Enough was one of television's earliest "dramedies," a combination of dramatic situations and humour.  It was well-received for the measure of realism it brought to its portray of family life on TV.

Eight is Enough  ran on the ABC network for five seasons, from 1977 to 1981.  The television series was based on a book of the same name by former CIA operative Thomas Braden (1917-2009), a syndicated newspaper columnist who raised eight children.  

On the TV show, Dick Van Patten portrayed Tom Bradford, a columnist for a fictional Sacramento, California paper, also the father of eight children: Mary (Lani O'Grady), David (Grant Goodeve), Joanie (Laurie Walters), Nancy (Dianne Kay), Elizabeth (Connie Newton), Susan (Susan Richardson), Tommy (Willie Aames) and Nicholas (Adam Rich).  Their mother, Joan, was played by Diana Hyland.   Hyland filmed four episodes before dying of breast cancer on March 27, 1977.  Rather than recasting the role of Joan, the producers decided to write her death into the script.  Tom eventually met and married a widowed teacher named Sandra Sue "Abby" Abbott, played by Betty Buckley..  TRIVIA NOTE: In the pilot episode of Eight is Enough, "Never Try Eating Nectarines Since Juice May Dispense," Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame portrayed David Bradford.  On March 15, 1977, the night the episode aired, Hamill was involved in a serious car accident.in which he sustained facial injuries.

Adam Rich in 1977

When Eight is Enough went off the air, Adam attended Chatsworth High School, where he studied acting with former drama teacher Bob Carelli, who also taught Val Kilmer and Kevin Spacey.  At Chatsworth, Adam says he fell in with the wrong crowd and began experimenting with drugs.  He made the following statement to the LA Daily News: "I was 15 and realized I had been working most of my life.  I felt like I was almost ready to retire."

Unable to remain sober, Adam dropped out of high school in 1986 at the age of 17.  His cocaine abuses eventually led to stays at the Betty Ford Center and treatment from other drug rehabilitation programs.  

From 1981 to 1982, Adam played the role of Danny Blake in 16 episodes of the TV drama series Code Red.   Code Red, starring Lorne Greene, Andrew Steven and Julie Adams, chronicled the adventures of  Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Joe Rorchek (Lorne Greene) and his family and crew. Adam's character, Danny Blake, was Rorchek's adopted son.  

In 1982, Adam had guest spots in episodes of Fantasy Island (Season 6, Episode 4, Air Date: November 6, 1982) and  the crime drama CHiPs (Season 6, Episode 10, Air Date: December 19, 1982). 

From 1983 to 1985, Adam voiced the character of Presto the Magician  on the animated children's show Dungeons & Dragons.  His Eight is Enough castmate, Willie Aames, who played older brother Tommy Bradford, provided the voice of Hank the Ranger.

In 1986, Adam made guest appearances in episodes of he medical series St. Elsewhere (Season 4, Episode 16, Air Date February 12, 1986) and the sitcom Silver Spoons (Season 5, Episode 6, Air Date: October 20, 1986).  Adam also appeared in two episodes of Small Wonder (1996, 1998), a comedy about the adventures of a family and a robot designed to resemble a human child.

In 1987, Adam reprised his Nicholas Bradford role in a TV movie entitled Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion (Air Date: October 18, 1987).  He again played Nicholas in a second Eight is Enough made-for television reunion called An Eight is Enough Wedding (Air Date: October 15, 1989).

In 1989, Adam Rich almost died from a Valium overdose.  In 1990, he was arrested in West Hollywood and charged with drunk driving.  In April of 1991, Adam smashed the window of a San Fernando Valley pharmacy in an effort to steal morphine.  He was arrested and was bailed out by his Eight is Enough TV dad, Dick Van Patten.  However, he was soon rearrested for allegedly shoplifting a pair of sunglasses and socks at a department store.  He plead no contest to both charges and was sentenced to probation and more rehab.  He later admitted that the criminal charges were the result of his addiction to drugs and alcohol.  "I don't why this happened," he told the Los Angeles Daily News, "but I know I am sick.  I have a disease,"

In 1993, Adam appeared in an episode of Baywatch entitled "Sky Rider" (Season 4, Episode 5, Air Date: October 11, 1993).  He played a character named Ethan in his last television acting role to date.

In 1996, Adam was the subject of a media hoax that he had been murdered.  The story was published in Might, a a now-defunct San Francisco-based satirical magazine.  It was written by publisher and author Dave Eggers, with Adam's consent.  Although the fictional article was a combination of parody and prank, many believed it to be true, so much so that years later Adam encountered fans who thought he was dead.

On December 10, 2002, Adam was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after nearly hitting a police car on a closed-off section of I-10 in Los Angeles.  On February 20, 2003, he was charged with DUI.  He has been in drug rehabilitation at least three times.

Aside from his drug problems, AdamRich  has kept his personal life very private. IMDb quotes him as saying, "I am an actor, not a celebrity.  I have always wanted to be an actor, not a celebrity."  As of this writing, he has never married and is not known to have any children.

END NOTES

* Adan Rich starred with Bill Cosby and Elliott Gould  in Disney's 1981 fantasy-comedy film The Devil and Max Devlin.  He played Toby Hart, a boy whose fondest wish is to find the right man to marry his widowed mother.

* Adam is a diminutive man.  According to his biography on IMDb, he is only 1.64 metres (5 feet, 5 inches) tall.

* Adam's TV dad, Dick Van Patten, died on June 23, 2915 of complications from diabetes.  He was 86 years old at the time of his passing.  In a 1989 interview with the St. Petersburg Times, Van Patten stated that he was similar to his television character.  "Tom Bradford is a lot like the real me," he said.  "He's a man who always puts his career second to his family.  As long as everything was OK at home, he was OK too."

Adam with Dick Van Patten

* Adam was not the only actor on Eight is Enough who has had drug issues.  In 1994, Lani O'Grady, who played his TV sister Mary, revealed that she was addicted to alcohol and several other drugs, including Valium.  She died of an overdose on September 25, 2001 at the age of 46..  Willie Aames (Tommy Bradford) wrestled with alcoholism and experimented with cocaine.  Another Eight is Enough cast member, Susan Richardson, who played Susan Bradford, has battled addiction to cocaine and pills.  She did not participate in a 2010 cast reunion.

SOURCES:  The Fix, "Eight was Too Much: The Tragic Legacy of a Hit Sitcom," by John Lavitt, June 13, 2017; Do You Remember (doyourember.com), "'Eight is Enough' Cast: Where Are They Now? 2020," by Ed Gross,  October 14, 2020; Wikipedia; Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com).

- Joanne

Y&R Report (October 24, 2020): The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet. Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance. 

Hi fans,

So, Dina Mergeron has left this mortal coil.  Her death was inevitable and expected, but still poignant.  The Abbott family has been shaken to the core and her passing will affect them all greatly.  Although Dina died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family, her death was presented in a very unrealistic way.  Yes, I know Y&R is a soap, but I couldn't help thinking that someone with Alzheimer's would never be able to clearly identify family members in their dying moments.  I guess I have to keep reminding myself that we watch soaps for escapism, not reality.  That's why there is no COVID in Genoa City and nobody is wearing a mask.  We have enough of that in real life right now.  

It's sad that Marla Adams has ended her run as Dina, but she certainly gave life to a very colourful character for many years,  Kudos to Marla.

We will have to see what's in store for the three Abbott siblings now that they have lost their mother.  It's interesting to note that Jack, Ashley and Traci do not have anyone special in their lives.  They are all single.  It's about time that changed.  

Traci is one of my favourite characters on Y&R because she has a heart and she has always been an underdog.  That's why I've always cheered for her to succeed.  Saint John Abbott was not exactly perfect.  He openly favoured Ashley, referring to her as "my beauty."  He never called Traci, his youngest daughter, "my beauty."  In fact, a Jabot product was even named "My Beauty" after Ashley.

John Abbott went to his grave never knowing that Ashley was not his biological daughter.  She is the product of Dina's affair with tennis pro Brent Davis.  It took a long time for Ashley to deal with that and she had amnesia and a nervous breakdown over it.  Still, she never told John the truth.

Traci has found success as an author.  Now she has a position at Chancellor Communications.  It would be great if she also had a little romance in her life too.  The writers made an attempt to pair her with Cane and it was a disaster.  It was not popular with fans because the two didn't suit each other at all.  There was no connection and the writers ended it abruptly when Traci suddenly told him she just wanted to be friends.  

Why can't they find someone suitable for Traci or Jack or Ashley?  It seems that Eileen Davidson will only be making sporadic appearances as Ashley, so she'll most likely return to Paris.  Jack appears to beading on the road to romance.  So where does that leave Traci?

I have some comments to make about Devon and Dr. Nate.  Yes, Nate betrayed his own cousin.  What he and Elena did was inexcusable and  I don't blame Devon for feeling angry and upset.  However, Devon went berserk.  He attacked Nate and injured his hand of a surgeon.  I think Devon has become somewhat arrogant.  Perhaps he has let all the praise for him and his "Business Person of the Year" award go to his head. 

Devon just took matters into his own hands.  He smashed Nate and sent Elena packing.  He didn't even try to understand Elena.  Since his closeness with Amanda bothered Elena, he should have respected his girlfriend's feelings and kept his distance from Amanda.  Actually, it isn't hard to see why Elena was freaked out by Devon's relationship with his beloved late wife's identical twin sister.  Devon assured Elena that she was the one he loved.  Logically she believed him, but she couldn't accept his words on an emotional level,  Devon didn't clue into that at all.  That's why Elena was so vulnerable to Nate.

Although Nate claims that his hand is okay, that may not be the case.  His career may be in jeopardy, along with ability to save lives.  Devon was wronged, but he had no right to injure Nate.  He should be charged with assault.  Where are Clueless Paul and the Genoa City Police?

What's next for heartbreaker Kyle Abbott, now that Snowflake has given him a taste of his own medicine by running off before their remarriage?  Speaking of Summer, she sure looked silly and desperate, running around with a floppy hat and sunglasses, spying on Lola and Kyle.

Faith is more mature than the rest of her family.  She's younger in years, but older in wisdom.  She realizes that a marriage between her mother and Rey would be a disaster with Adam in the picture.  Not surprisingly, like Cassie before her, Faith has started to develop a teenage rebellious streak.  She has been troubled by all the problems  in her family and has been texting someone named "Jordan."  Jordan is a new character played by Madison Thompson of Netflix's Ozark.  It should be interesting to see what Faith has cooked up with her.  

Well, Adam Newman is really a lone wolf right now.  He has to be the most unpopular person in Genoa City.  Even Chelsea, the con woman, has had enough of him.  There are only two people who have sympathy for him: Victor and Sharon.  Now that he's finished with Chelsea, it won't be long before Sharon will be running to his side again.  Poor Rey!

Adam is truly in a dark place and he's spinning out of control.  He's very dangerous right now and he can be very cruel when he's lost and confused.  However, Adams's nemesis, Billy Abbott, seems to be getting too big for his britches.  Billy Boy is too overconfident and vindictive right now.  Lily is really going to have to get him under control.  It seems as if a romance is brewing between those too.  Billy brought up the subject of kissing his partner in Chancellor Media.  Lily appeared to be giving it some serious consideration.  Due to COVID regulations, however, the kissing, if it happens, will not take place on camera.  At any rate, I would advise Lily to think it over very carefully before getting romantically involved with Billy.  After her experience with Cane, does she really want another broken heart?  Princess Victoria will probably give her fair warning.

It will probably take some time, but I expect Billy and Lily (I love the way the names rhyme) will get together.  In the end, like most soap characters, Lily will listen to her heart, not her head.

It was great to see Gloria back, but is she really leaving so soon?  I hope not.  As usual, she's in trouble and it will be fun to see what kind of a mess she's gotten herself into this time.

CAST NEWS

Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla on Y&R) loses brother

On October 16th, Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla Winters) reported the death of her brother, David Alan Rowell, on Instagram.  Victoria had a difficult childhood.  According to her 2007 memoir, The Women Who Raised Me, Victoria had four siblings and her mother, Dorothy Collins Rowell, suffered from mental illness.  After an investigation, two of the children were sent to live with their biological father.  Victoria and the other two children had nowhere to go..  They were removed  from their home and became wards of the state.  As a result, Victoria was taken to an orphanage and was raised in foster care.  She did not meet her brother, David (they shared the same mother), until the two found each other as adults.  

David Rowell was a musician.  He played guitar  with some of New England's most prominent musical acts.  He also opened for country music greats Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Tammy Wynette.

David leaves behind his wife, Donna, a daughter, Melissa, and a son, Andy Rowell.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Before

After

There seems to be much reaction to Christian LeBlanc's (Michael Baldwin) new look.  During the pandemic hiatus, he stopped dying his hair and let it go grey (Some Y&R viewers think he may be wearing a toupee).  On the show, reference was made to Michael's new look by his mother, Gloria, and his brother, Kevin.  Kevin said that Michael look distinguished.  What do you think, fans?  Does Christian look more distinguished or just older?  Do you like his hair grey?  Respond to the poll below and let me know. 

What do you think of Christian LeBlanc 's (Michael Baldwin) hair?

I like his new look. It makes him look handsome and distinguished.

I don't like it. It makes him look years older.

I think it's a toupee.

I haven't decided yet. I'm just getting used to it.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Created with Poll Creator

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, November 7, 2020.

Take care and stay safe,

Joanne