Trivia about the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy television debates

It's now common knowledge that without the nation's first televised debate — fifty years ago Sunday — Kennedy would never have been president. But beyond securing his presidential career, the 60-minute duel between the handsome Irish-American senator and Vice President Richard Nixon fundamentally altered political campaigns, television media and America's political history.

- Kayla Webley
Time magazine, September 23, 2010

On September 26, 1960, the first televised presidential debated in American history took place.  Tonight, 56 years later, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will face-off in their first debate of the 2016 presidential campaign.  As we all know, the world has changed enormously since then.  For one thing, there were no 24 hour cable news networks back then.  There was no CNN.  There were no cell phones and there was no Internet.  The U.S. was engaged in a fierce Cold War with the Soviet Union.  Fidel Castro had taken power in Cuba, fuelling fears of the spread of Communism in the Western Hemisphere.

The September 26th debate was the first of four debates between the Democrat, Kennedy and the Republican, Nixon.  It focused primarrily on domestic policy.  Here is some trivia about that histori debate.

* According to the website of the Museum of Broadcasting, 70 million U.S. viewers watched the first Kennedy-Nixon debate.

* On September 26, 1960, the CBS network preempted The Andy Griffith Show in order to present the first of the four televised debates.

* The debate was broadcast live (in black and white, of course) from a studio in Chicago, Illinois.

* The physical appearance of the two men differed.  Kennedy appeared rested and fit.  He looked calm, cool and collected on camera.  Nixon, on the other hand, seemed nervous, tired and somewhat haggard.  He sweated.  He also had five o'clock shadow which gave him a sinister appearance, especially on a black and white television set.  On the way to the studio, Nixon had exacerbated a sore knee by hitting it against a car door.  He declined to wear makeup and one observer reported that he went "all white and pasty." In addition, he had recently suffered a bout of flu and had a low fever. After the debate, his mother, Hannah Milhous Nixon, called him and inquired about his health.

Kennedy was relaxed while Nixon perspired.

* It was obvious that John F. Kennedy was more comfortable on television than Richard Nixon.  He was more attuned to television as a medium,  Kennedy appealed directly to television viewers, while Nixon used a more traditional debating style and addressed Kennedy directly.  After the event, radio listeners polled thought Nixon won the debate, while a majority of TV viewers believed Kennedy was the victor.

* Nixon fared better in the other debates.  Unfortunately for him, however, the TV audience was smaller.

The Clinton-Trump debate tonight is expected to attract a record audience.  However, it was that first Kennedy-Nixon debate that had such a tremendous impact.   "It's one of those unusual points on the timeline of history where you can say things changed very dramatically — in this case, in a single night," Alan Schroeder, a media historian and author of the book Presidential Debates: Forty Years of High-Risk TV, was quoted by Time magazine (September 23, 2010) as saying of the 1960 debate, "It's one of those unusual points on the timeline of history where you can say things changed very dramatically - in this case, in a single night."

- Joanne

Jewish characters on American television sticoms: From The Goldbergs to Seinfeld

Jewish writers, producers and actors have made an enormous contribution to television.  It is intriguing, therefore, to examine how Jewish characters and Jewish life have been depicted on TV sitcoms.  I have decided to focus on some of the most interesting and prominent shows.  One thing they all have in common is that they all take place in New York.  Has there ever been an American sitcom with Jewish characters that takes place outside of the Big Apple?  Let's see now . . . Well, Rhoda lived in Minneapolis for a long time, although she eventually returned to New York. Oh yes, there was Miles Silverberg (Grant Shaud) on Murphy Brown, an executive at a Washington, D.C. TV news magnazine show . . .


The 1950s

THE GOLDBERGS

. . . for all the Yiddish humour, we don’t initially see the Goldbergs observe Jewish holidays, go to temple, or show any signs of living Jewishly - aside from an almost concealed menorah on the sideboard. At least that’s how it seems in the earliest episodes here, but hold the phone. As we get deeper into the series, we go deeper into real Jewish tradition.

-  Michael Barrett
From "The Goldbergs: The Most Jewish Show on Television"
PopMatters, April 27, 2010


The Goldbergs was one of the earliest sitcoms on U.S. network television. It originated on NBC radio in 1929 as a 15-minute comedy/drama about the domestic life of a Jewish family in New York City.  It was initially called The Rise of the Goldbergs and was created by writer/actress Gertrude Berg.  The show moved to CBS radio in 1939 with its title shortened to The Goldbergs.  According to the website of the Museum of Broadcast Communication, some critical Jewish issues were raised on the radio program.    In an April 3, 1939 episode, the ominous situation in Nazi Germany was invoked when the Golderg family's Passover Seder was disturbed by a rock was thrown at their dining room window.

After a near 20-year run on radio, Gertrude Berg transformed her material into a 1948 Broadway hit entitled Me and Molly.  The next step was TV.  Berg was able able to persuade CBS to develop a television version.  The TV adaptation, which ran on network television from 1949 until 1954, chronicled the everyday life of  a middle-class Jewish family.  The Goldbergs lived in the Bronx and their home was supposedly located at 1030 East Tremont Avenue, Apartment 3B.  The family consisted of matriarch Molly Goldberg, played by Gertrude Berg herself, Molly's husband Jake Goldberg, played by Philip Loeb, and their two teenage children, son Sammy (Larry Robinson) and daughter Rosalie (Arlene McQuade). Eli Mintz  portrayed the erudite and philosophical Uncle David.
Every episode began and ended with Molly at her apartment window, delivering a Yiddish-accented monologue and pitching the sponsor's product.

Jake Goldberg was in the clothing business, a stereotypical Jewish occupation, while Molly was a kind-hearted but gossipy Jewish housewife.  She was prone to chattering with her neighbours across the courtyard of the apartment building.  In that sense, she was alo a stereotype.  Yet, at the same, as Michael Barrett points out in his April 27, 2010 article on PopMatters (The Goldbergs: The Most Jewish Show on Television), "Molly is always shown exploring new outlets, pushing Rosie to practice the piano and go to college, and attending night school herself. Indeed, she seems to have more activities than humanly possible, including Girl Scouts and nurses’ aide work."  By no mans, can she be dismissed as just a one-dimensional caricature, a cartoonish stereotype.

Berg and Loeb as Jake and Molly Goldberg

In 1951, The Goldbergs ended its run on CBS in a flurry of controversy surrounding actor Philip Loeb.  Loeb found himself blackmailed for alleged left-wing sympathies and he was forced to swear under oath that he was not a member of the Communist Party.  Although the charges against him were never proven, CBS executives and General Foods, the show's sponsor, were nervous about maintaining Loeb.  Even though Gertrude Berg strongly supported her co-star, it was not enough to persuade the network brass and General Foods to change their minds.  According to The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946 - Preseent, they were adamant that Loeb had to go or the series would not not continue on CBS.

In 1952, The Goldbergs resurfaced on NBC but without Philip Loeb.  The role of Jake Goldberg was taken over by Robert H. Harris.  In the spring of 1954, The Goldbergs moved to yet another network - the long-defunct DuMont network.  Tom Taylor replaced Larry Robinson in the role of Sammy Goldberg and the family moved to the suburban community of Haverville

The following year, a devastated Philip Loeb, besieged with personal problems, his career in tatters, committed suicide by ingesting a fatal overdose of sleeping pills.  Tragically, on September 1, 1955, the 64-year-old was found dead in a New York City hotel room.

From 1955 until 1956, there was a syndicated version of The Goldbergs


The 1960s


THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW:  MOREY AMSTERDAM AS BUDDY SORRELL

Morey Amsterdam played a Jewish character on the popular 1960s comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show. Amsterdam was born Moritz Amsterdam in Chicago on December 14, 1908, the youngest of the three sons of Jewish immigrants from Austria-Hungary.  On The Dick Van Dyke Show, he portrayed wise-cracking Buddy Sorrell, Rob Petrie's (Dick Van Dyke) co-worker and fellow comedy writer for fictional The Alan Brady Show.

In one memorable 1966 episode, entitled "Buddy Sorrell - Man and Boy" (Season 5, Episode 22, Air Date: March 2, 1966), Buddy decides to have a Bar Mitzvah ceremony since he had never had one as a boy of 13.  Thirty years later, at the age of 43, he secretly takes Torah lessons..  However, his nervous behaviour leads his friends to suspect that he is seeing a psychiatrist or cheating on his wife (who is nicknamed "Pickles)".  The episode ends with a touching scene showing Buddy's Bar Mitzvah ceremony and his call to the Torah.

Morey Amsterdam, as Buddy Sorrrell, has his Bar Mitzvah 

The 1970s


BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE

Publicity photo of David Birney and Meredith Baxter

Bridget Loves Bernie was a 1970s sitcom about an affluent Irish-American Catholic woman (Meredith Baxter) who marries an aspiring Jewish playwright named Bernie Steinberg.  Bernie (David Birney) drives a taxi for a living and his family owns and operates a New York City delicatessen.  Meanwhile, Bridget's wealthy parents have servants and her brother, Michael, is a priest.  Thus, Bridget and Bernie not only come from different religious background, they come from different social and economic classes.  In the opening sequence of the series, when the couple introduce themselves, Bridget reveals that her full name is Bridget Theresa Mary Colleen Fitzgerald.  They then declare in unison, "We have a problem!"

Bridget Loves Bernie was loosely based on the 1940s radio show Abie's Irish Rose and the series was somewhat controversial for its time.  It ran for just one full season, from 1972 to 1973.  Only 24 episodes were ever produced.  Although Bridget Loves Bernie didn't have poor ratings (it had a prime time slot between All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show), CBS executives decided to cancel the show due to some negative response to its portrayal of inter-faith marriage.  The Rabbinical Assembly of America, for example, described the series as "an insult to the most sacred values of both the Jewish and Catholic religions."  Rabbi Abraham Gross, president of the Rabbinical Alliance of Orthodox Rabbis and Educators, stated that the show was a "flagrant insult" to Jews.  He protested that intermarriage was strongly prohibited under Jewish law.

In 1974, after co-starring in Bridget Loves Bernie, Meredith Baxter and David Birney wed in real life. The couple had three children together and divorced in 1989.  During their marriage, Meredith was known as Meredith Baxter-Birney.  In 2011, she published a memoir called Untitled in which she accused Birney of abusing her and claimed that he had hit her.  She stated that she dealt with the marital violence by drinking heavily.  Apparently, according to an NBC interview, Birney denied the allegations.

David Brirney was born in Washington, D.C. to non-Jewish parents. California-born Meredith Baxter is the daughter of the late Whitney Blake, who starred in the 1960s sitcom Hazel.  



RHODA

Although Valerie Harper is not Jewish, she is best known for her portrayal of Rhoda Morgenstern, a Jewish woman from the Bronx.  The character of Rhoda first appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show back in 1970.  After relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rhoda became best friends with Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), the associate producer of a TV news show.  A former art student, Rhoda resided in Mary's apartment building,and made her living as a window dresser/costume designer.

Even though Rhoda Morgenstern was a very likeable character, she was also very insecure.  She was obsessed with her weight and her attitude toward men was neurotic. She didn't hide the fact that she was desperate to end her single status.  Yet, despite her negative stereotypical traits,, Rhoda struck a chord with audiences. Women identified with her problems.  She was so popular that she CBS developed a spin-off series about her.  So, after four seasons,in Minneapolis, Rhoda Morgenstern returned to her hometown of New York,  The first episode of Rhoda, on September 9, 1974, set a ratings record.  It had a larger audience than ABC'S Monday Night Football.

As the series progressed, Rhoda  married Joe Girard, played by the late David Grogh, to whom she had been introduced while visiting her family and friends back in New York.  Joe ran a wrecking company, and was the divorced father of a ten-year-old boy named Donny. The show's hour-long wedding special was highly publicized and it broke television ratings records, garnering over 52 million American viewers.  Unlike Bridget Loves Bernie,, just two years earlier, the fact that that Joe was not Jewish was not really an issue, not even with Rhoda's family.

Nancy Walker had the role of Rhoda's meddling mother.  Walker, who died on March 25, 1992, first played Ida Morgenstern in an episode of the Mary Tyler Moore entitled "Support Your Mother."  Her character was so well-received that she became part of the cast of the Rhoda spinoff series.  Although Walker was convincing as a stereotypical Jewish mother, the diminutive Philadelphia-born actress was not Jewish.

Nancy Walker (right) with Valerie Harper in Rhoda

In her article "A History of Jewish Mothers on Television: Decoding the Tenacious Stereotype" (Journal of Interdisciplinary Feminist Thought, Volume 5, Issue 1, July 1, 2011), Myrna Hunt points out that although Ida Morgenstern was a loving mother, she was not such a benevolent presence in Rhoda's life:

Molly Goldberg, the "gold standard," for the Jewish mother, is originally portrayed as the buxom and benevolent meddler who can solve all problems by mixing common sense, a considerable dab of compassion, and predictable wisdom. Although a hovering mother, she is lovable and respected.  This portrait of the Jewish mother dramatically changes in the situation comedies of the 1970s when she becomes a devouringly negative, albeit loving presence, in her daughter's or son's life, well represented by Ida in Rhoda . . .

Julie Kavner, who played Rhoda's insecure younger sister, Brenda, was born in Los Angeles and is Jewish in real life.  Kavner now provides the voice of Marge Simpson on the popular animated series The Simpsons.  Harold Gould, who portrayed Rhoda's long--suffering father, Martin Morgenstern, passed away on September 11, 2010 at the age of 86.  Gould, born to a Jewish family in Schenectady, New York, was known for playing older Jewish characters and grandfatherly types.


The 1990s


MAD ABOUT YOU

Paul Reiser, a comedian from New York City, created and starred in Mad About You, a highly successful television series about a married couple in the Big Apple.  Reiser comes from a Jewish family and he attended East Side Hebrew Institute, a traditional Jewish day school in Manhattan.  In Mad About You, he portrayed a documentary filmmaker named Paul Buchman.  Buchman's non-Jewish wife, Jamie, played by Helen Hunt, worked as a public relations consultant.  The series ran from 1992 to 1999.on NBC.

Although Mad About You featured an inter-faith couple, religion was never mentioned on the show.  According to Vincent Brook in his book Something Ain't Kosher Here: The Rise of the "Jewish" Sitcom,  the show's producer, Barnet Kellman once stated: "Resiser never wants religion and religious differences specifically mentioned on that show.  I don't think he's afraid of it, by the way, and I certainly don't think he wants to pretend that he's anything but Jewish.  I just think he doesn't want it to be the issue, and he doesn't like the contentiousness of the exclusiveness of it."

Paul Buchman didn't talk much about being Jewish, but his family's Jewishness was clearly evident. Much like Ida Morgenstern, Paul's mother, Sylvia, played by Cynthia Harris,was an overbearing, stereotypical Jewish mother. His Uncle Phil, portrayed by comedian Mel Brooks, came from a Polish immigrant background and knew German.



SEINFELD

Seinfeld, the so-called "comedy about nothing," was a landmark American sitcom. It was phenomenally popular.  The series ran for nine seasons on NBC, from 1989 to 1998.  It featured four neurotic New Yorkers who were not really very nice people.  In the final episode of the series, they all end up in prison for breaking the Good Samaritan Law and mocking the victim of a mugging.

Most of the show's producers, writers and actors were Jewish.  It's co-creators, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld are both stand-up comedians and they were both born to Jewish families in Brooklyn, New York. Seinfeld is the son of an immigrant Jewish father from southern Ukraine and a mother of Syrian Jewish descent. When he was a teenager. he volunteered at a kibbutz in Israel.

Jerry Seinfeld played a version of himself on the series.  Not surprisingly, his TV character, also named Jerry Seinfeld, made his living as a stand-up comedian.  Jerry's TV mother, Helen Seinfeld, was portrayed by Liz Sheridan.  Helen was an interfering Jewish mother, but she was not known for making chicken soup or home-cooked meals for her son.  Jerry was usually seen eating cereal or dining out at a restaurant.

Elaine Benes, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was the only female member of the quartet of friends.  Elaine was not Jewish.  This was made clear in an episode of Seinfeld entitled "The Serenity" (Season 9, Episode 3, Air Date: October 9, 1997).  In the episode, Elaine discovers her "shiksa appeal" ("shiksa is a Yiddish term for a non-Jewish woman).  As a result, several Jewish men in New York City, including her former boss, become attracted to her.

Elaine Benes was most likely raised a Catholic.  She celebrated Christmas and in some episodes she is seen wearing a crucifix.  However, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the actress who portrayed Elaine, was born in New York City to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother.  Her parents divorced when Julia was a toddler and the youngster was relocated to Washington, D.C. when her mother remarried.  During Julia's childhood, she sometimes attended Unitarian church services with her mother.

Michael Richards, the actor who played Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, was born in Culver City, California on July 24, 1949.  His father was killed in a car crash and his mother never remarried.  Michael's parents were not Jewish.  His ethnic background is Italian on his mother's side (her maiden name was "Nardozzi") and English on his father's side. Michael was raised by Jewish mentors who influenced him greatly.  Kramer, however, was Jewish.  The character was loosely based on an ex-neighbour of Larry David, the show's co-creator and its head writer and executive producer from 1989 until 1996.

Jason Alexander (birth name: Jay Scott Greenspan), the man who portrayed George Costanza, was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Jewish parents.  Despite his Italian last name, George exhibited stereotypical Jewish behaviour.  In his book Something Ain't Kosher Here: The Rise of the Jewish Sitcom, author Vincent Brook describes George's characteristics:

Beyond dispute is the fact that George Louis Costanza, Italian surname withstanding, both looks (short, pudgy,balding) and acts (whiny, tight-fisted, nebisher) stereotypically Jewish.  George has been described as "one of the most Jewish characters in TV history'. by The Jewish Journal, as "a man weaned on the milk of Jewish neurosis" by Entertainment Weekly.

George's mother, Estelle (Estelle Harris), although not specified as being Jewish, displayed all the stereotypical characteristics of a Jewish mother  Harris, now 88 years old, was born in Manhattan to Polish Jewish immigrants.

George's father, Frank Costanza, had an Italian Catholic background.  In the episode "The Doll," Frank travels to Tuscany to meet a supposed long-lost cousin.  In the episode "The Fatigues," it is implied that Frank is a member of the Knights of Columbus, a male Catholic organization.  Nevertheless, the  the role of Frank was played by two Jewish actors.

The original Frank Cosstanza was John Randolph, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 88. Randolph, born Emanuel Hirsch Cohen in New York City, was the son of Jewish immigrants. In 1993, he made his only appearance as Frank in an episode of Seinfeld entitled "The Handicap Spot" (Episode 4, Season 22, Air Date: May 13, 1993).  He was later replaced by comedian Jerry Stiller, another Jewish New Yorker.  It's interesting to note that Randolph's scenes in "The Handicap Spot" were reshot for syndication with Stiller as Frank.

Jerry Stiller as Frank Costanza

- Joanne

Y&R Report:(September 17, 2016): 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's about time Jack found out the truth about Phyllis and Billy, isn't it fans?  He's been played for a fool for far too long.  Everyone knows what's been going on now, including Ashley and Victoria.  The dirty laundry is finally out in the open.  There's a chance that Phyllis could lose both Jack and Billy.  If that happens, she'll have no trouble finding someone else.

As for Billy Boy, will he set his sights on Victoria again if he finds himself without Phyllis? He's certainly going to be an impediment to Victoria's relationship with Travis.  In the long run, will Travis be able to accept the fact that Billy will always be a part of Victoria's life, especially because they share a history and children together.

How will the revelation about Phyllis and Billy affect the Abbot family?  Well, obviously there will be a terrible rift between Jack and Billy for quite a while.  Perhaps that's why the ghost of John Abbott is due to make another appearance on Y&R on Monday, September 26, 2016 on CBS (Friday, September 23 on Global TV in Canada).  Now that Billy and Phyllis have been exposed, the Abbots will be in dire need of some wise fatherly advice.

As for Phyllis, I don't think Jack will ever take her back.  Although she hopes he will eventually forgive her, I don't think that's going to happen.  She has cheated on him twice (with Nick and now with Billy) and made a fool of him.  I can't see Jack getting past that.  If he ever does, I'll be surprised.

That Colin Atkinson is really a scoundrel.  The rascally Aussie offered to inform Jack Abbott of some vital information about his wife, the fiery Phyllis.  Of course, wily Colin had no intention of providing the information to Jack for free.  Oh no!  He demanded a cool one million dollars in return for his revelation.  However, wasn't able to follow through due to his great love for Jill.  Somehow, though, I didn't think that rang true.  It's hard to believe that money-loving Colin would be able to turn his back on one million smackeroos, even for Jill's sake.

The writers seem to be softening Victor Newman up.  For a long time, he has been terribly wicked and cruel.  Now he's being very kind and supportive of the newly-widowed Chelsea.  He even returned his share of her fashion company, Chelsea 2,1.  Actually, I'm glad they've softened him up a bit.  He was becoming too evil.  Until recently, Victor has been a complicated mixture of good and bad tendencies.  Viewers have always enjoyed his complex personality.

Chloe seems to be getting away with everything right now.  It can't last, though.  Victor is too smart not to figure out the truth.  Sooner or later, Chloe's  web of deception will become unravelled.  Here's what I wonder, though.  How did she become such a psychopath with no conscience.  She's always been off the wall, but she was never murderous before Delia died.

The writers have left the door open for a future return of Adam.  Justin Hartley will probably not return to the roll, unless his new primetime show fails, which is unlikely. However, someday the role of Adam might very well be recast.  I wouldn't be too sure that he actually perished in that cabin explosion.  Perhaps Chelsea will have a romance with Nick before Adam returns home.  Wouldn't that create some complications!

Jill Farren Phelps was recently dismissed as executive producer of The Young and the Restless.  Now, there's been another shakeup up at Y&R.  This time Charles "Chuck" Pratt has exited as the show's head writer and executive producer to pursue a new project on primetime telecvision,  Pratt, who has been Y&R's head writer for a a year and a half, has been named executive producer of a new Fox series called Star.

Charles Pratt

Pratt has been replaced as head writer by Sally Sussman, a woman who is no stranger to The Young and the Restless.  She also possess a wealth of experience.  Her career in daytime television began in 1983 when she became a storyline consultant at Y&R, working with the show's creator, William J. Bell.  In 1989, she developed, produced and wrote the daytime drama Generations.  She continued in that capacity for the entire run of the series.

Sussman moved on to become a script writer for Days of Our Lives, taking over sole head writing duties at Days in January of 1998.  From 2005 to 2006, she was back at Y&R as a member of the writing staff.

Sussman is married to Young and Restless supervising producer Anthony Morina.  Since she is very knowledgeable about the show's history, my hope is that she will return the show to its roots and restore it to its glory years.

Sally Sussman

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

Regular Y&R viewer, Fifi in Colingwood, Ontario, has pointed out a faux pas on the show.  Right after Jack had confronted Phyllis about Billy, the redhead pranced into the Genoa City Athletic Club in a fancy black hat, dressed to the nines.  Her life had just been torn apart, but she was able to pull herself together right away, get impeccably dressed and throw herself into a social situation.  I know Phyllis is quite a firebrand and that she is a tough woman . . .but really?


CAST NEWS

Tristan Rogers (Colin Atkinson) to leave Y&R again

Just as his Colin character was getting mixed up in a big storyline, Tristan Rogers suddenly announced his departure from Y&R.   "Well today's show is the last for me," he wrote. "For how long I don't know. But I sure had fun."

Tristan seems to really enjoy portraying a con artist and I wouldn't be surprised if Colin Atkinson is back in Genoa City sooner rather than later.


Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Now that he knows about Phyllis and Billy, do you think that Jack will take Phyllis back?

Yes, I do. He always forgives her.

No, this time Phyllis has gone too far, even for Jack.

Maybe. However, it will take him a long time to get over what she's done.

I don't know. It depends on the storyline.

I don't care.

Other

Please Specify:

Survey Maker

That's all for now.  Please remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, October 1, 2016.  


- Joanne

Y&R Report (September 3, 2016): 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.


BREAKING NEWS . . . BREAKING NEWS . . .

Justin Hartley has left Y&R 

There is sad news today for Young and Restless fans.  Justin Hartley, the third actor to play the role of Adam Newman, has announced on Facebook that he has left Y&R to concentrate on his new NBC primetime show This is Us, which is premiering on September 20th.  Justin thanked Y&R fans profusely.  He said he didn't wan't to make his announcement earlier because he didn't want to spoil the storylines.

Hartley's departure was not unexpected, given his new NBC show, which is expected to be a big hit.  Yes, we can still watch him on This is Us.  However, for Y&R fans, it won't be the same as seeing him portray Adam Newman.  He will be greatly missed, but Y&R must go on without him. Remember also that his leaving does not necessarily mean that the character of Adam is dead.  The residents of Genoa City believe that Adam has perished in that cabin explosion, but this is a soap folks. so he could easily turn up alive again with a new actor in the role.  Perhaps Michael Muhney (the second Adam Newman) will return.

It seems as if Chelsea will eventually become involved with Nick.  They seem to have brought those two together since Nick promised Adam he would be a father figure to young Connor.  Don't forget, though, that Nick will have other complications in his life when he discovers that Sully is really Christian and that Adam is Christian's father.  I can't see Sharon and Dylan lasting as a couple when Dylan finds out the truth.  If Dylan leaves Sharon, you can be sure that she will turn to Nick again.


Did you enjoy the celebration of Y&R's 11.000th episode?  I certainly did.  It was great seeing all those flashbacks and listening to the actors reminisce about their favourite moments on the show.  I'm also glad that Daniel Romalotti returned to Genoa City for a visit . . . but that moustache!  He looked like General George Custer,  Maybe he's playing the role of Custer in a movie.

Daniel's reaction to Mariah was interesting, although I expected a much stronger and more emotional response.  Cassie's death was very traumatic for him and I thought he'd really be upset when he saw her identical twin.  He was a little bit stunned, but he took it in stride.

Chloe sure has a lot of people fooled, including best friend Chelsea and her ex-husband Kevin. They both think they know her so well and they sincerely believe she has stopped trying to seek revenge on Adam.  However, when the clueless Genoa City police finally discover that she caused the explosion at the cabin, she will sent be returned to a mental health facility.  Who will take of little Bella then?  The child will most likely be delivered into the hands of her grandmother, Esther, or Kevin will take responsibility for her.  What about Billy?  Will he want Bella when he learns that he is her father?

Luca Santori showed his true colours and broke Snowflake's itsy bitsy little heart.  He may stick around for a while longer, but Miles Gaston Villenueva, the actor who portrays him, has tweeted that he is leaving Y&R.  According to Internet spoilers, Summer will visit Luca in prison.  Oh well, I wonder if she will have better luck with her next love interest.  That Supergirl certainly knows how to pick them.  First Austin, then Kyle and now Luca.  Kyle was never my favourite character, but at least he wasn't a criminal. Still, I hope she never goes back to him.  The writers should abandon any thought they may have of bringing him back to Genoa City.  He should remain in New York.

To be fair to the The Snowflake, she hasn't had much of an example from her mother, Phyllis.  Just look at Phyllis' disastrous track record with men.  She finally married a guy who treats her really well - Jack Abbott - and she is cheating on him with his own brother, Billy.  Summer, on the other hand, is so much more naive than Phyllis, and she hasn't inherited her mother's devious nature.

Kudos to Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) for some good acting in his recent storyline with his long-lost mother.  The look on his face when when she informed him that she was a reformed alcoholic was really believable.  When he told her that he was also an alcoholic, the moment was poignant and bittersweet.


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


Here are some comments from regular contributor CC in Etobicoke, Ontario.  CC expresses her opinion about Miles Gaston Villenueva's (Luca Santori) departure from the show.


I hope this means we will see less and hear little from Summer!  I hope her new show is a great success so that she is replaced at Y&R.  In the meantime, maybe she will end up in Fairview with a breakdown caused by being conned by Luca or even go off to to stay with Daniel when he leaves to get away from it all.  She is really too whiney and needy!


I have to say, CC, that Hunter King (Summer) doesn't bother me as much as she bothers you.  I agree that she's whiney and needy.  I also think that she is unbelievably naive where her dear Grandpa Victor is concerned.  However, I think she makes a great foil for Mariah.  It's always great fun to see them in scenes together.

You may get your wish, though.  In June, Hunter was promoted to a regular role for the second season of the CBS primetime comedy series Life in Pieces.  She plays a character called Clementine on that show.. Due to her promotion on Life in Pieces, her role on The Young and Restless has been scaled back to recurring status. We will see less of her in the coming months. She may eventually leave Y&R if her workload is too heavy.  On the other hand, primetime shows come and go.  As you know, if the ratings go down, Life in Pieces will be cancelled without hesitation.  Therefore, Hunter may hold on to her Y&R role as insurance.  If she leaves the role of Summer, I think she will be replaced with another actress.  I don't think that Y&R will completely do away with the role of Summer.


Here is some reaction to the departure of Justin Hartley from Carly in Barrhaven, Ontario.

I just read in Facebook that Justin Hartley has left Y&R.  So sorry to see him go.  I was hoping that Adam was in fact on that plane.  Guess we will now see Nick and Chelsea together.  Boy, I will miss him!



CAST NEWS

The Ghost of John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) returning 

John Abbott died in 2006, but his his ghost still appears on The Young and the Restless. In times of trouble, the Abbott children seek his wise guidance and steady hand.  Jerry Douglas, who played John Abbott, returns from time to time as John's spirit, offering sage paternal advice to his offspring, especially Jack.  The apparition serves as Jack's conscience, a sounding board for him to wrestle with his emotions and work out his problems.  Jerry will return again on September 26, 2016 on CBS (September 23 on Global TV in Canada).

GREAT QUOTE

Mariah had a great line at Summer and Luca's engagement party.  When she didn't see the couple at the event, she asked, "Where are Snowflake and soon-to-be Mr. Snowflake?"



Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Adam has certainly cheated death before.  He once took a bullet in order to protect Victor. He has survived a car explosion by undergoing cosmetic surgery.  Not too long ago, Chloe tried to run him over as he was leaving a courthouse.  This guy is the ultimate soap survivor, but has he finally run out of lives?  Is he really dead this time?  What do you think, fans?  Will a new actor play the role of Adam Newman?

Do you think Adam died in the cabin explosion?

Yes. Justin Hartley has left Y&R because of his new primetime show, "This is Us."

No, Adam is too important a character to kill off. Besides, he has more lives than a cat.  Justin Hartley will be replaced with a new Adam.

No, everybody will think he's dead, but he'll be alive somewhere.

Possibly

It doesn't matter to me.

I don't know

Other

Please Specify:

Quiz Maker

That's all for now.  Remember that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, September 17, 2016.


- Joanne

Internet TV Digest

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This is the first of an occasional new feature on TV Banter called Internet TV Digest. Internet TV Digest will contain recent news, information and discussion about online television.

Gilmore Girls revival to be seen on Neflix

Good news for Gilmore Girls fans.  A four-part revival of the show, titled Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, is coming to Netflix beginning on November 25, 2016.  Netflix has announced that four 90-minute "Gilmore" episodes will be available for streaming in winter, spring, summer and fall.

Gilmore Girls aired from 2000 until 2007, first on the WB Network and then on CW.  It centres on the relationship of a single mother, Lorelei Gilmore, and her daughter Rory, who live in the town of Stars Hllow, Connecticut. The reboot continues nine years after the original show ended.

All of the original lead stars are back for the revival as well as those with smaller roles, including Lauren Graham as Lorelei Gilmore, Alexis Blodel as Rory Gilmore, Kelly Bishop as Emily Gilmore, Sean Gunn as Kirk Gleason, Yanic Truesdale as Michael Gerard, Scott Patterson as Luke Danes, Keiko Agema as Lane Kim, Milo Ventimiglia. as Jess Mariano, Melissa McCarthy as Sookie St. James and Sally Struthers of All in the Family fame as Babette Dell.

Edward Hermann, who played Grandpa Richard Gilmore, passed away on December of 2014 at the age of 71.  The revival will address his death.  Lauren Graham told People magazine that his passing "was just a loss for us personally. It's given the show a new complexity and depth. It's a nice tribute to him."  Graham also told ABC News recently that making the four-part series "has been very satisfying."  "The thing one might worry about is, does it feel like nostalgia or was there really reasn to go on," she remarked.  "I think they were some of the most wonderful episodes we've ever had and it feels brand new but still the same show."

The characters are older, of course, and Rory Gilmore is no longer a teen.  Alexis Blodel, who plays Rory, is 34 years old. She married to actor Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men, Angel) in 2014 and gave birth to a son in the fall of 2015.

Black Mirror to return to Netflix in October

Netflix has also announced that the dystopian science fiction series Black Mirror will return on October 21, 2016.  The third season of the series consists of six new episodes featuring Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard, Michael Kelly of House of Cards and Trainspotting and "Boardwalk Empire" star Kelly MacDonald.

Amazon Prime challenges Netflix

Last April, Amazon challenged Internet television giant Netflix by introducing new options to subscribe its Prime membership service on a monthly basis.  It is offering monthly subscriptions for $8.99  Last year, Nexflix increased its standard service to $9.99 beginning on November 11, 2015. Existing customers have continued to pay $8,99.  That will change soon.  Starting In October of 2016, those Netflix subscribers will also be charged $9.99 monthly.

In addition, Amazon has aggressively pursued premium network content and has made deals with HBO, Epix Paramount Pictures, Lion's Gate and MGM Studios.

Hulu and Canadians

As many Canadians know, Hulu is not available in our country.  There is some good FREE programming on Hulu.  However, when Canadians (and others who live outside the United States) attempt to access some of it, we are greeted with a message saying WERE SORRY.  CURRENTLY OUR VIDEO LIBRARY CAN ONLY BE STREAMED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.      

There is a why to get around this, Check out a website called How To Get It In Canada.  On How To Get It In Canada, you can find a three-step guide to watching Hulu in Canada.  Here is the link.

http://www.howtogetitincanada.com/how-to-watch-hulu-in-canada/

Hulu is not the only service not readily available outside the United States. Neither are Pandora, Spotify and others.  How To Get It In Canada was designed to help Canadians get access to websites that are otherwise blocked to them because they reside in Canada.


- Joanne

Y&R Report (August 20, 2016): 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.

Y&R has begun promoting its 11,000th episode with flashbacks.  I enjoyed watching those scenes of Victor and Nikki's wedding and of Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor.  The actual 11,000th episode will air on Thursday, September 1, 2016. on CBS and on Wednesday, August 31 on Global TV.  It will be fun to see Michael Graziadei return as Daniel Romalotti.  Daniel will return to surprise his sister, Summer, at her engagement party.

Travis Crawford (Michael Roark) has returned - but is he back for good or just for a few episodes? We'll soon find out.  I have to say, I liked the hat Victoria (Amelia Heinle) was wearing when she visited him on his boat in Mexico.  I couldn't help thinking how interesting it would be if Billy Miller were still playing the role of Billy Abbott.  Billly Miller had much better chemistry with Heinle than Jason Thompson, the current Billy Boy and he was much more likable in the role.  Imagine Victoria torn between Billy (as played by Miller) and Travis.  Wouldn't that be an intriguing scenario!  Unfortunately, it's not going to happen.

Billy can't have it both ways.  He wants Phyllis and yet he always seems to be upset about Victoria and Travis. Which way you goin' Billy?  Make up your mind.

Have we seen the last of Natalie Soderberg (Mara McCaffray), the Swiss computer hacker? Kevin dumped her because of his desire to reunite with Chloe.  Natalie didn't take it too well and walked off in a huff.  Will she be back?  I am not a fan of the character, so I wouldn't miss her at all.  I don't think she's caught on with Y&R fans at all.  At the moment, Natalie doesn't fit into the storyline, especially since she's broken up with Kevin.  Yet, who knows what the writers have in store for us.

Talk about delusions of grandeur!  Luca Santori (Miles Gaston Villanueva) envisions he and Summer as Genoa's City's next power couple.  Move over Victor and Nikki!  Make room for Snowflake and the Spaniard.  Speaking of the Great Santori, I was curious about Villanueva's ethnic background since he doesn't speak with a Spanish accent..  It turns out he was born in California to a Mexican father, hence the name "Villanueva."  His mother is European with French, German and Jewish heritage.

It was a nice touch having the Abbott clan remember the anniversary of patriarch John Abbott's death.  It's always good for a soap to go back to its roots.  It's too bad, Jerry Douglas, who played John, did not make an appearance in the form of his ghost or in flashbacks.  I would have liked to have seen a flashback of one of those famous Abbott family breakfasts with John and Mamie.

Adam (Justin Hartley) sure had a meltdown in prison, hallucinating that Victor was taunting him, and beating a prison guard. Wow!  "The Big Man" doesn't even have to be present to cause his son to go off the deep end.  Now Adam's been charged with assault and the prison guard is in a coma. If he dies, Adam could be charged with murder.  Yet how long can the writers keep him in prison?  He can't be locked up for years.  Oh yes, and Victor had some nerve when he tried to dismiss Michael Baldwin as Adam's lawyer and replace him with Leslie Michaelson.  What right does he have to interfere with Adam's choice as lawyer?  Of course, when has that ever stopped Victor Newman from trying to control everything?  

Justin Hartley's upcoming new prime time show, This is Us, is expected to be a huge success.  Hartley reported on Twitter that after a recent screening of the NBC show, there was not a dry eye in the theatre.  However, what does this mean for Justin's status on Y&R? Quite honestly, I think he'll be leaving.  It's a matter of time.

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

Here are some comments from Carly in Barrhaven, Ontario:

I am not thrilled with Chloe being back and think the whole storyline with pages from the journal is ridiculous.  Oh well!!!

I'm not a big fan of Chloe either, Carly.  However, I understand why they brought her back.  She's needed for storyline purposes.  She stirs things up and causes trouble.  She also complicates matters for Kevin and Mariah.  Most fans, I think, would like those two to get together.  I must say, their "friendship" or "romance" or whatever you want to call it, has been a rather awkward one. It's time for Mariah to have a little luck at love.  I have to admit I started cheering for her when she came up with the nickname "Snowflake" for Summer.

As for the storyline about Sage's journal pages and the framing of Adam for Contance's murder, I don't mind it.  It's convoluted but I'll take it any day over some ludicrous Marco Annicelli storyline.



CAST NEWS


David Faustino to make guest appearance on Y&R

David Fausine   Photo Attribution: Gage Skidmore 

Married . . .with Children star David Faustino will appear in Genoa City.  Faustino, who played Bud Bundi on the sitcom, will turn up on the Y&R on Tuesday, September 27th on CBS (September 26 on Global TV in Canada).  He will portray a character named Howard Green, the TV producer behind the gossipy tabloid GC. Buzz.  According to Soap Opera Digest, Faustino's character will taunt and tease a powerful Genoa City resident.  Could it be Victor Newman by any chance?  

Y&R is casting a new character

According to Soap in Depth, The Young and the Restless has sent out a casting call for a new character called "Dean"  "Dean" has been described as 30-something, attractive and honest.  It's a contract role that is expected to begin taping at the end of August and will likely be broadcast in the fall.

GREAT QUOTE

Do you remember the scene in which Summer spoke to her darling grandpa Victor about her decision to marry Luca Santoria?  Victor went on about how he feels that nobody is good enough for his children and grandchildren (That's for sure!).  Summer then responded with a question for Victor.  "What if I met someone exactly like you?" she queried.  "Run!" her grandfather responded.


Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Despite the best efforts of Victor, Phyllis and Nick to prevent Summer from marrying Luca Santori, the wedding is still on.  Snowflake is just captivated by Santori and she just melts when she's around him.

Snowflake

Will Summer and Luca's wedding really happen?

Yes, not even Phyllis, Victor and Nick can stop it. Summer has her made up.her mind.

No. Are you kidding? There's no way it's going to happen. There are too many things working against it.

No. Something or someone will disrupt the ceremony.

Maybe, but the odds are against it.

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

Quiz Maker

That's all for now. I'm  looking forward to Y&R's 11,000th episode and the buildup to the celebration. Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, September 3rd.


- Joanne