TV BANTER : February 2026

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Y&R Report (February 28, 2026): 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.

So, Matt Clark is free again. The charges against him have been dismissed by a judge. That is hard to believe, but necessary, I guess, for the storyline to continue. My frustration with head writer Josh Griffith is that so much happens that viewers aren't shown on screen. Then we just hear about it.

Nicholas Newman is filled with rage. He's angry and frustrated by Matt Clark and the pain in his fractured leg. He ran out of painkillers, but continued to looking at Matt Clark's fentanyl, which he had in his pocket. He threw a fentanyl pill in the snow, then picked up and swallowed it. Matt will be happy to supply him with more of the dangerous opioid, because he will use Nick's addiction in his battle against the Newmans. Nick will beg him for the drug. But do we really need another addiction storyline?

The Newman family likes vigilante justice. They always prefer to take the law into their own hands. I was surprised, however, to hear Detective Burrow, a cop, condoned the Newman's use of vigilante justice to bring down Matt Clark.

The blind loyalty to the Great Victor Newman is unbelievable. Why doesn't anyone stand up to Victor, who behaves like a mob boss. They all defend The Moustache, although he treats them terribly. Let's start with Victoria. Victoria is a daddy's girl extraordinaire. Victor has ruined all of her relationships and marriages. He has controlled her life, but she remains 100 per cent loyal to him. Despite Victoria's loyalty, Victor has chosen to confide in Adam and to shut her out. Adam used to resist the Great Man, but now he's become Victor's loyal servant. As for Michael Baldwin, he's Victor's lackey, ready and eager to do Victor's bidding. Even Nikki won't really stand up to him. She doesn't want to give up her position as Lady of the Newman Manor.

Victoria is on a mission to save daddy's company. She is planning to travel to Milan to turn Summer against her mother, Phyllis. She hopes that Summer will side with the Newmans. Victor and Nick do not support Victoria's plan, and it's uncertain whether she will actually go to Italy. If she does go, I wonder if Summer will return to Genoa City. I hope so.

Why does Jack Abbott have to goad Victor every time he runs into him at a restaurant? Why doesn't he just ignore him or go somewhere else? What good does it do to accost Victor and annoy him. Speaking of Jack, the previews show that Victor has apparently kidnapped him. Oh boy! Another kidnapping!

We still don't really know what happened to Ian Ward. That's poor writing. We should know by now. Will Ward join forces with Matt Clark and Patty Williams, who will returning to Genoa City?

Phyllis has asked Lauren to work for her. Will this cause a rift between Lauren and Michael, since Michael supports Victor?

CAST NEWS

Shemar Moore (Malcolm) returning to Y&R

Two more blasts from the past are returning to The Young and the Restless for a multi-episode story arc that will begin airing in April. Shemar Moore will be reprising his role as Malcolm Winters, the half-brother of the late Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John, who played Neil, died in on February 3, 2019). Returning with Shemar will be Vivica A. Fox, who played Dr. Stephanie Simmons on Y&R over thirty years ago. Back in 1985, Malcolm and Stephanie had a romantic relationship. Will Malcolm rekindle his romance with her?

Vivica A. Fox

Shemar Moore first appeared on Y&R as photographer Malcom Winters in 1994. He left the show in 2002, but has returned for story arcs and guest appearances over the years. In 2019, Malcolm attended Neil's funeral in Genoa City. Even though Neil has passed away, there are still many characters around to interact with Malcolm. Don't forget that Malcolm, not Neil, is Lily's biological father. Neil raised her and she always regarded him as her dad. Could things change now that Neil is no longer in the picture?

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Amelia Heinle (Victoria )

Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings)

Nate Hastings and Victoria Newman have been flirting with each other lately. They also keep running into each other. So, will they become romantically involved again? Possibly, but Victoria is also deeply involved with saving the Newman legacy. Furthermore, she has been distracted by her ex, Billy Boy Abbott. She's decided to send her kids back to boarding school. She claims that she is not trying to punish Billy by keeping their children away from him. She says that she doesn't want the kids around when things get really nasty with their father.

Victoria told Nate that she can't even consider the possibly that her family would lose Newman Enterprises permanently. When Nate suggested other possibilities for her career, she expressed no interest. Her mind is laser focused on getting Newman Enterprises back. Everything else seems secondary to her.

Poor Nate is between a rock and a hard place. If he goes back to Victoria, he has to deal with her father. If he goes back to Audra, he will be caught up in her L.A. crime. Fans, do you think Nate should hook up with Victoria again? Respond to the poll below and let me know.

NOTE TO READERS

I really need your feedback. If you have any comments on Y&R, please email them to me with "Viewer Forum" in the subject line. I will be happy to publish your comments and reply to them You do not have to use your real name. I really need your input. I really need to hear your opinion. I want to know if you agree or disagree with me. I am disappointed by the lack of response to my polls from readers. I have not been receiving many email comments either. I wish I knew why I am getting so little response.

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, March 14, 2026.

Take care,

Joanne

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

The world of sitcoms in the 1950s and 1960s

Since I am interested in the history of television, I enjoy watching old TV shows. When I view them, I marvel at how much the world has changed. Some of what is shown on the comedy classics would never ever be acceptable today. Let's take I Love Lucy for example. I Love Lucy, one of the great television sitcoms of all time, ran on CBS from 1951 to 1957. However, its plots reflect the prevailing attitudes of the 1950s, as well as the customs and styles of that era.

In one particular episode, entitled "Ricky Loses His Temper" (Season 3, Episode 19, Air Date: February 22, 1954), the hot-tempered Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) becomes fed up with Lucy buying so many hat, which were considered a must-have fashion item back then. The couple decides to find out who can hold out the longest: Lucy has to stop buying hats and Rick can't lose his temper. By the end of the episode, Ricky realizes that Lucy has been manipulating him into buying her a hat. He pretends to laugh about the situation, but then orders her to return her hat. He punishes her by taking her over his knee and spanking her bottom as the show fades out. It was a portrayal of domestic violence that would never never be considered acceptable on television today.

Here are some other things that were considered acceptable on old TV shows.

* Smoking was promoted. I Love Lucy was sponsored by the Philip Morris tobacco company.

In fact, doctors promoted cigarette smoking on television sitcoms and on commercials.

* Nobody wore seatbelts while driving.

* Women had to ask their husbands for permission to purchase items, as they did not earn any money themselves.

* On old TV shows, native people are sometimes described as "wild Indians" or "savages."

* On the game show What's My Line? (1950-1957), host John Charles Daly always asked the female contestants they're marital status. They had to reveal whether they whether they were a "Miss" or "Mrs." Everything was much more formal. The panelists were not always called by their first name. Arlene Francis was often "Miss Francis" and Steve Allen was often "Mr. Allen." Daley and the male panelists mostly wore tuxedos.

* Women such as comedy writer Sally Rogers (Rose Marie) on The Dick Van Dyke Show were expected to quit their jobs if they got married. In the episode "Jilting the Jilter" (Season 2, Episode 31, Air Date: May 1, 1963), Sally becomes engaged to comedian Freddy White (Guy Marks), who wants to marry her for the comedy material she would provide for him. She prepares to leave her job until she realizes the truth about Freddy. Below is a photo or Rose Marie and Guy Marks in "Jilting the Jilter."

* On Leave it to Beaver, little boys, such as Theodore "Beaver Cleaver" (Jerry Mathers) wore suits and ties to attend birthday parties.

* Don't forget the malt shops on Leave it to Beaver and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Yes, it was a very different world, in some ways much better, in some ways much worse. It's was an almost all-white world, foreign to Generation Y and Generation Z. There was black and white TV on small screens, no cell phones or personal computers. No texting. People actually conversed with each other. Very few beards and tattoos. Much more formal.

- Joanne

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Y&R Report (February 14, 2026) : The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Let's begin with the Y&R 's romantic overtures for Valentine's Day. Well, Billy's attempts to impress Sally Spectra fell flat. However, given that Billy has teamed up with Phyllis in order to throw Cane under the bus, I didn't expect Sally to be amused. Billy and Phyllis will never learn. They are a lethal combination, but maybe they deserve each other. Billy's relationship with Sally is doomed.

Adam and Chelsea shared a romantic Valentine's dinner, even though Adam was somewhat districted by the Newman troubles. Jack managed to calm Diane's anger over his closeness with Nikki, and they celebrated together. However, Jack is playing with fire. Diane may not be able to take much more of his "friendship" with Nikki. Meanwhile, Noah followed Sienna to Los Angeles, declared his love for her, and convinced her to return to Genoa City with him.

Audra found Kyle drinking alone at a bar on Valentine's Day. They couldn't resist throwing a few barbs at each other. Of course, Audra was quick to inform him that Claire had gone to L.A. with Holden. Kyle pointed out that her past in L.A. with would be exposed. Then the two began to kiss until Kyle pulled away. Audra was left with an amused look on her face, as if she were still able to put Kyle under her spell. Will he eventually weaken, especially since he seems to have lost Claire?

I'm pleased that Detective Burrow has joined the GC Police Department, but will the writers please give him a first name. If that doesn't happen soon, I suggest that CBS runs a contest for fans to come up with a name for him. Years ago, fans picked a last name for Esther. They decided to call her Esther Valentine.

I'm also pleased that Victoria caught Phyllis and Billy Boy's conspiring. However, I am not pleased that she vowed to turn Billy's children against him. Children should not be used as pawns when their parents are battling.

Now that Mariah's kidnapping of Dominic is over, let's not have anymore kidnappings for a while. I must say that I was impressed by the acting of Ethan Ray Clark, the young boy who plays Dominic.

CAST NEWS

Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) has given birth to her third child

Christel Khalil and husband Sam Restagno have welcomed their new baby. There has been no formal announcement and no details about the baby. However, Christel posted a photo of herself on Instagram with a newborn. This is the second child for the couple. They became engaged in 2022 and married in Italy in October 2024. They have a son named Remy, who was born in March 2024. Christel has a 15-year-old son. Michael Caden, from a previous marriage.

Fans will now await Lily's return to Genoa City.

Stacy Haiduk to return to Y&R as Patty Williams

Three-time Daytime Emmy nominee Stacy Haiduk is returning to her role as Patty Williams after an absence of ten years. Patty's return to Genoa City will stir the pot because she is dangerous, unstable and unpredictable. Her brother, Paul Williams, is not around as Doug Davidson has left the show and his Paul character is living in Portugal. Remember how Paul used to call her "Paddy Cakes."

So, whom will Patty's return impact? Mostly likely Jack Abbott. Patty has always been obsessed with Jack and she won't be happy that he's married to Diane. Patty arrives at a time when Jack and Victor Newman are engaged in open warfare.

Remember Mr. Kitty, Patty's taxidermized cat? She also triggered an allergic reaction in Summer by exploiting her peanut allergy, almost killing her. Oh yes, she took Traci Abbott's daughter Colleen hostage and she shot Victor three times.

Stacy Haiduk is a good actor. My only concern is that the show is adding yet another mentally unbalanced character. Maybe this time Paddy Cakes will team up with Ian Ward.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Matt Cohen (Detective Burrow)

Sharon Case (Sharon Newman)

Now that Detective Burrow is back on the scene, there has been online speculation that he will become romantically involved with Sharon. Given that Sharon has a history of relationships with cops, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. Just look at her history with Dylan McAvoy, Rey Rosales and Chance Chancellor.

For a long while, Sharon has dealt with one trauma after another - kidnappings, mental illness, the return of Matt Clark. Now she's blaming herself for Mariah's meltdown. Sharon deserves a break from all that. Some fans would like her to reunite with Nick Newman. However, Nick is very distracted and filled with anger. He's also becoming addicted to prescription medication. Nick seems to want to rescue Sharon rather than romance her. I think he will eventually have competition from Burrow, which may cause him to be very jealous.

What do you think, fans? Do you like the idea of a romance between Detective Burrow and Sharon? I'd be pleased if she could get through one episode without crying. Respond to the poll below and let me know.

NOTE TO READERS

My email address: jmadden16@yahoo.ca

That's all for now. Today is Valentine's Day. I hope you have a good one. Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Take care,

Joanne