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, two marriages are in deep trouble -- Victor and Nikki and Jack and Diane. I must commend the four soap veterans (Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott, Peter Bergman and Susan Walters) for some fine acting. It should be interesting to see how this plays out. However, I think somewhere along the line, the two couples will reconcile. In the meantime, will Jack and Nikki get together, at least for a while?
Are you wondering how long Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) will be in Genoa City? According to Soap Opera Digest, expect her to stick around until late 2026. By that time, Patty will be sent back to a psychiatric hospital and Stacy will return to her other role as Kristen DiMera on Days of Our Lives. Because Days shoots so far in advance, she will continue to be seen in Salem until late his year. Here is what Stacy told Soap Opera Digest about filming so far ahead: "They do a lot of that on Days, which is always sad for me. I was getting a little depressed because I was like, 'Oh, I miss it, I want to be working,' and blah, blah, blah." However, two weeks after she completed her latest Days stint, Y&R head writer and executive producer Josh Griffith texted her unexpectedly and asked if she were available to return as Patty. "It was just perfect timing," said Stacy.
This is the opportune time to bring Patty's brother, Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) back, provided Doug agrees, which seems doubtful. Not only is Patty back, but Danny and Cricket (Paul's ex) are newly married. Paul is mentioned from time to time on the show, but that's all. By the way, I don't think fans would accept another actor playing the role.
Nikki is going to join with Jack Abbott to bring Victor down. They are planning to team up to teach Victor a lesson he'll never forget. That should be very very interesting, but will it work? Will anything stop The Moustache from getting what he wants?
Holden has been encouraging Audra to get back together with Kyle Abbott. He obviously wants to prevent Claire Newman from reconciling with her ex-boyfriend so that he has a better chance with her. Holden is really smitten with Claire. Audra, however, isn't listening to Holden. She may have other ideas. She ran into Noah and they waxed nostalgic about their past. This could be a sign that the two of them may get together again. Noah betrayed Allie and hooked up with Sienna. He hasn't been very loyal in his relationships. As for Audra, she would probably cavort with Noah in a minute if the opportunity arose.
Lauren is quite enthusiastic about her new partnership with Phyllis. She considers it an exciting challenge, although Michael is clearly not thrilled about it. I wonder how long Phyllis will be able to keep control of Newman Enterprises? If Victor gains control again, Lauren and Phyllis are out the door.
Is there a TV character who is as much a daddy's girl as Victoria Newman? I don't think so. She defended her daddy when he treated Nikki miserably. She is a chip off the old block, that's for sure. She knew about the deal between Victor and Lily, but didn't tell Nate. If Nate were considering a reunion with Princess Victoria, that may have been the deal breaker. He'll think twice before getting romantically involved with her again.
Christel Khalil (Lily) has returned from maternity leave. Lily is under fire for her secret deal with Victor. As Devon and Nate pointed out, you'd think she'd know by now that Victor can't be trusted. He'd throw anyone under the bus to get what he wants. Cane is extremely angry with her. He declared that he wants nothing more to do with her. I wonder how long that will last.
Congratulations to The Young and the Restless for celebrating its 53rd anniversary on March 26, 2026, The show debuted in 1973, in the midst of the Watergate Scandal.
CAST NEWS
Tina Casciani is back on Y&R as Riza Thomson
Tina Casciani has returned to her role as Riza Thomson, Adam Newman's Las Vegas connection on The Young and the Restless. Riza is a reminder of Adam Newman's bad old days in Vegas as card shark known as Spyder.
Tina played Riza on Y&R from 2019 until 2020. The Italian-Brazilian actor hails from New York and began her career as a dancer and model. Her fist big role was in the independent film Mob Rule She also appeared in Role Models, along with Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott and the biographical sports film Bleed for This, as well as the television series How I Met Your Mother, Revenge, Jane the Virgin, Donny and CSI: Miami.
Riza didn't waste any time causing trouble. When Adam arrived to meet her, she immediately pulled a gun on him. She ended up sharing a drink with him and then kissing him.
Conner Floyd (ex-Chance) gets married
Some big changes for actor Conner Floyd. He left his role as Chance Chancellor on Y&R when his character was killed off. He now plays Chad DiMera. on Days of Our Lives. Conner replaced Billy Flynn who went on to portray Cane Ashby on Y&R.
Conner has also become a married man. On March 21, 2026, he wed his girlfriend Carly Frei in a ceremony in West Hollywood with over 200 guests in attendance.
Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL
 |
| Susan Walters (Diane Jenkins Abbott) |
It turns out that Diane's two enemies, Nikki and Phyllis are both living at the club. Poor Diane! She should find accommodation elsewhere. She doesn't need any more salt rubbed in her wounds. She's going to need some time to get herself together. But should she forgive Jack? Can she forget that his romp with Patty never happened? What do you think, fans? Reply to the poll below and let me know.
NOTE TO READERS
That's all for now. Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, April 11, 2026. A very Happy Easter and Passover to all who celebrate.
Take care,
Joanne
(Because DAYS shoots so far in advance, she will continue to be seen in Salem until late 2026.) “They do that a lot on DAYS, which is always sad for me. I was getting a little depressed because I was like, ‘Oh, I miss it, I want to be working,’ and blah, blah, blah. But the beauty of it was that two weeks after [she wrapped her latest DAYS stint], Josh [Griffith, Y&R’s executive producer/head writer] texted me unexpectedly and was like, ‘Are you available to come back as Patty?’ It was just perfect timing.”
