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.
Well folks, new head writer Mal Young is rapidly cleaning house, He is wrapping up storylines quickly and getting rid of characters who don't fit in with the direction he's taking The Young and the Restless. Juliet is gone. Graham is gone. Zack is gone. Nikki and Jack seem to have ended their relationship . . .
It's obvious that Ashley Abbott certainly doesn't feel the same way about Ravi as he feels about her. She didn't event have enough regard for him to include him in her family Thanksgiving gathering. He mistakenly thought he was invited. When he showed up at the Abbott home, he was devastated to find our that he hadn't actually been invited. However, Ashley could have asked the poor guy in anyway. She made him feel humiliated. I realize she has been occupied with Dina's illness, Abby's disappearance and business matters. However that's no excuse to treat Ravi that way.
Ravi should mend his broken heart and move on. Snobby Ashley Abbott doesn't appreciate him. He should find someone who feels the same way about him. Unfortunately, he's a victim of unrequited love. He had hoped to get serious about his feelings for Ashley but she just treated him like any ordinary Jabot employee. She could have at least spoken to him privately outside the door and explained the situation with Dina to him.
Maybe Mal Young wants to pair Ravi with someone else. Ravi deserves better and viewers have not seen much of his life outside the office. Actually, he should even consider resigning from his job at Jabot. With his technological skills, he could get a good job anywhere. The truth is that Jabot needs Ravi more than Ravi need Jabot. He's not appreciated enough, especially by A.A. At the very least, she owes him an apology.
What's with Nikki Newman? Why couldn't she see that Dina is ill and that she was not behaving normally when she stabbed her? Nikki was so busy complaining about Dina that she didn't allow Jack to tell her that his mother was suffering from Alzheimer's. He became so frustrated by her behaviour that he "disinvited" her for Thanksgiving and then dumped her.
Jack later apologized to Nikki and told her the truth about Dina. He also informed her that he had decided to take a leave of absence from Jabot in order to spend time with his ailing mother. Although Nikki was sympathetic, Jack said he did not want to continue his relationship with her.
It's about time Summer was mentioned on Y&R. Phyllis phoned her on Thanksgiving and viewers learned that she is in Belize at the moment. I wonder if Snowflake will ever return to Genoa City. If there's no storyline for her, she may move away permanently.
On Thanksgiving, Nick reconciled with Chelsea and Billy with Phyllis. The two couples then went off to spend the holiday in New Orleans. I'm not so sure that their reconciliations will last for long, especially in the case of Chelsea and Nick. Once Nick learns that Chelsea has hidden the fact that he is not Christian's biological father, I don't see how that relationship can last. As I've said before, it's only a matter of time before he reunites with Sharon, especially since Sharon will eventually find out about Scott and Abby.
As for Phyllis and Billy, they will have to face more problems and conflicts. That/s how soaps work. It will be interesting to see if Princess Victoria Newman will continue to pursue Billy Boy now that she has fired him from Brass & Sassy. Will she be content to just let Phyllis be with him. Her ex, J.T. Hellstrom, is returning soon. I wouldn't be surprised if he has broken up with Mackenzie and is a free agent. Will he get together with the Princess again?
As for the Princess, she is becoming more and more like Daddy Newman every day. She's on a real power play. She's already fired Billy and demoted Lily, Abby and Jordan. You'd think she was the host of The Apprentice. As Victor would say, "It's nothing personal. It's just business."
I'm always glad to see Traci (Beth Maitland) in town. She is such a refreshing change from all the selfish, vindictive people in town. I wish she'd appear more often.
One more thing: Fans, how do you like Gina Tognoni's (Phyllis) new hairstyle? My own hairstylist thinks Phyllis' new hairdo is "okay." She rates it a seven out of ten.
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:
Dina has certainly added something to the Y&R. Stabbing Nikki and acting justified during it is really out there. The fact that she has the goods on Zack and knows full well where Scott and Abby are but plays dumb about it all can go in many different directions. Maybe she is out of it because of her dementia. Maybe she knows exactly what she is doing and is using it as part of her scheme. Who knows how far reaching her scheme will go. I don't think we can trust anything she says or does when she is sickeningly sweet. But the elderly often speak their true minds when they are telling it like it is. In a couple of instances she even surprised herself and had to cover for it.
It is starting to look like Ashely and Jack should move over to This is Us! Having been motherless during their childhood days has them addle-brained in middle age.
Yes, CC, I really agree with you. Dina (Marla Adams) has added something special to the Y&R. Her performance has been excellent and I think she deserves a Daytime Emmy nomination. However,
it must be difficult for people who have family members with Alzheimer's to watch this storyline. It's a depressing subject and it makes some people uncomfortable. Yet, it's an issue that can't be ignored and Y&R has chosen to deal with it head on.
For two successful business people, Ashley and Jack have certainly messed up their personal lives. (Ashley was even given an award for "innovator of the year)." Still, neither of the siblings has been able to maintain a stable relationship and both have been divorced multiple times. Perhaps it's the result of being abandoned by their mother. Whatever the reason, CC, the two of them are in need of psychiatric treatment. They aren't doing very well in the romance department either. Jack's relationship with Nikki seems to have ended. I expect her to return to Victor as usual. As for Ashley, I don't see her relationship with Ravi going anywhere either.
I spoke to Helen in Scarborough, Ontario. Helen wants to know how Crystal was aware that Scott and Abby and Zack were at the warehouse. She suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a gun. Then she shot Zack and fled.
Helen is also very disturbed by Dina's Alzheimer storyline. It bothers her so much that she may stop watching the show. I can understand her sentiments. Many people watch soaps for a bit of escapism and Alzheimer's is much too real and scary for them. I don't know where the writers can take this storyline, given Dina's diagnosis. She will eventually have to be placed in a nursing home. Some viewers, such as Helen, don't want to be subjected to her inevitable deterioration..
I also spoke to Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario. Fifi concurred with me that Ashley treated Ravi abominably. She said Ashley's considers Rafi out of her league and that she felt sorry for him. Fifi also felt sorry for poor Faith at the Newman Thanksgiving Dinner. The youngster had to listen to all that bickering between Victoria and Abby.
Fifi pointed out some things about the two couples who were headed to New Orleans. Phyllis is Nick's ex-wife and Chelsea and Billy have a child together - Johnny. So why did this unlikely quartet travel to the Big Easy together? I discovered that there has been some online speculation as to the reason - it was thought that Adam might show up there. After all, it did seem rather strange that Billy would suddenly suggest going to New Orleans, and at Thanksgiving too. Maybe at Mardi Gras . . . Also, why would Billy and Phyllis invite Nick and Chelsea to accompany them unless Chelsea was meant to catch a glimpse of her presumably dead husband or his look-alike. However the foursome returned to Genoa City without any indication of an Adam sighting.
Oh yes, Fifi had one more comment. She says "thumbs up" on Phyllis' new hairstyle.
CAST NEWS
Update on Kristoff St. John (Neil)
In the October 28, 2017 edition of Y&R Report, I mentioned how Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) has been having a difficult time dealing with the suicide of his son Julian in November of 2014. There had been reports that Kristoff had allegedly tried to kill himself with a gun and that he was in hospital, under psychiatric care. Kristoff's ex-wife, Julian's mother, tried to set the record straight. She described the reports as "inaccurate" and "fabricated." She said an incident had occurred that had pushed Kristoff to the brink, but that it had not been reported accurately. She did acknowledge that he was heartbroken and distraught over his son's death.
Kristoff recently addressed his problems publicly. The Emmy-winning actor updated fans on his condition in a Facebook post. He wrote the following:
“Thank you to all my friends on FB, social media and beyond. I’m in awe of the outpouring of love. I have read your amazing comments and have seen wonderful pictures and inspirational quotes and words that you have given me. You have helped me more than you will ever know. I have made great strides in the last 3 weeks. I am healthy and thriving. I have reclaimed my strength. I am moving forward. I have no other choice. Following God’s plan. This was some serious family love that you showed me. I will never, ever go back in time to repeat such dark behavior. I love my family and friends way too much. Thank you always for supporting me and standing by the St. John family. ‘Fall seven times, rise eight. Life begins now!’ Love, peace and light. Kristoff”
Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL
Are you a fan of Abby and Scott or Sharon and Scott? There have been sparks between Abby and Scott for a long time. It was inevitable that something wold happen between them. However, I'm not very pleased about the way it happened. First of all, with their lives in grave danger in the warehouse, how could they even think of anything "romantic.' It wasn't very romantic anyway. Secondly, Scott acted very dishonourably and he was disloyal to Sharon.
Here's what Melissa Ordway had to say about it in an interview with Soap Central:
"People say that when you hate someone so much, there must be some sort of love there, and I think that's true [for Abby and Scott]. I think there has been a lot of sexual tension between the two of them; they get on each other's nerves, they're the complete opposite, they can't stand each other, but they're always attracted to each other at the same time. So I think the sexual tension has always been there, but [they finally act on it] because they're both scared in the moment because of the Zack situation, and they don't even think about the consequences or what they're doing. They're vulnerable, and they just go for it."
What do you think, fans? Reply to the poll below.
The sixth annual Y&R OpportuniTea with Kate Linder (high tea in support of the March of Dimes) will be held at the Royal York Hotel on December 3, 2017. Kate (Esther Valentine) will be joined by Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Abhi Sinha (Ravi Shapour) and Daniel Hall (Scott Grainger). I will be attending this event and I am looking forward to it. For more details, click on the link below.
That's all for now. Don't miss the next edition of Y&R Report in this space on Saturday, December 9, 2017. I am planning to have photos and a report on the Y&R OpporunitiesTea for you.
- Joanne
Here are some comments from regular contributor CC in Etobicoke, Ontario:
Dina has certainly added something to the Y&R. Stabbing Nikki and acting justified during it is really out there. The fact that she has the goods on Zack and knows full well where Scott and Abby are but plays dumb about it all can go in many different directions. Maybe she is out of it because of her dementia. Maybe she knows exactly what she is doing and is using it as part of her scheme. Who knows how far reaching her scheme will go. I don't think we can trust anything she says or does when she is sickeningly sweet. But the elderly often speak their true minds when they are telling it like it is. In a couple of instances she even surprised herself and had to cover for it.
It is starting to look like Ashely and Jack should move over to This is Us! Having been motherless during their childhood days has them addle-brained in middle age.
Yes, CC, I really agree with you. Dina (Marla Adams) has added something special to the Y&R. Her performance has been excellent and I think she deserves a Daytime Emmy nomination. However,
it must be difficult for people who have family members with Alzheimer's to watch this storyline. It's a depressing subject and it makes some people uncomfortable. Yet, it's an issue that can't be ignored and Y&R has chosen to deal with it head on.
For two successful business people, Ashley and Jack have certainly messed up their personal lives. (Ashley was even given an award for "innovator of the year)." Still, neither of the siblings has been able to maintain a stable relationship and both have been divorced multiple times. Perhaps it's the result of being abandoned by their mother. Whatever the reason, CC, the two of them are in need of psychiatric treatment. They aren't doing very well in the romance department either. Jack's relationship with Nikki seems to have ended. I expect her to return to Victor as usual. As for Ashley, I don't see her relationship with Ravi going anywhere either.
I spoke to Helen in Scarborough, Ontario. Helen wants to know how Crystal was aware that Scott and Abby and Zack were at the warehouse. She suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a gun. Then she shot Zack and fled.
Helen is also very disturbed by Dina's Alzheimer storyline. It bothers her so much that she may stop watching the show. I can understand her sentiments. Many people watch soaps for a bit of escapism and Alzheimer's is much too real and scary for them. I don't know where the writers can take this storyline, given Dina's diagnosis. She will eventually have to be placed in a nursing home. Some viewers, such as Helen, don't want to be subjected to her inevitable deterioration..
I also spoke to Fifi in Collingwood, Ontario. Fifi concurred with me that Ashley treated Ravi abominably. She said Ashley's considers Rafi out of her league and that she felt sorry for him. Fifi also felt sorry for poor Faith at the Newman Thanksgiving Dinner. The youngster had to listen to all that bickering between Victoria and Abby.
Fifi pointed out some things about the two couples who were headed to New Orleans. Phyllis is Nick's ex-wife and Chelsea and Billy have a child together - Johnny. So why did this unlikely quartet travel to the Big Easy together? I discovered that there has been some online speculation as to the reason - it was thought that Adam might show up there. After all, it did seem rather strange that Billy would suddenly suggest going to New Orleans, and at Thanksgiving too. Maybe at Mardi Gras . . . Also, why would Billy and Phyllis invite Nick and Chelsea to accompany them unless Chelsea was meant to catch a glimpse of her presumably dead husband or his look-alike. However the foursome returned to Genoa City without any indication of an Adam sighting.
Oh yes, Fifi had one more comment. She says "thumbs up" on Phyllis' new hairstyle.
CAST NEWS
Update on Kristoff St. John (Neil)
In the October 28, 2017 edition of Y&R Report, I mentioned how Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) has been having a difficult time dealing with the suicide of his son Julian in November of 2014. There had been reports that Kristoff had allegedly tried to kill himself with a gun and that he was in hospital, under psychiatric care. Kristoff's ex-wife, Julian's mother, tried to set the record straight. She described the reports as "inaccurate" and "fabricated." She said an incident had occurred that had pushed Kristoff to the brink, but that it had not been reported accurately. She did acknowledge that he was heartbroken and distraught over his son's death.
Kristoff recently addressed his problems publicly. The Emmy-winning actor updated fans on his condition in a Facebook post. He wrote the following:
“Thank you to all my friends on FB, social media and beyond. I’m in awe of the outpouring of love. I have read your amazing comments and have seen wonderful pictures and inspirational quotes and words that you have given me. You have helped me more than you will ever know. I have made great strides in the last 3 weeks. I am healthy and thriving. I have reclaimed my strength. I am moving forward. I have no other choice. Following God’s plan. This was some serious family love that you showed me. I will never, ever go back in time to repeat such dark behavior. I love my family and friends way too much. Thank you always for supporting me and standing by the St. John family. ‘Fall seven times, rise eight. Life begins now!’ Love, peace and light. Kristoff”
Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL
 |
| Daniel Hall (Scott Grainger) |
Are you a fan of Abby and Scott or Sharon and Scott? There have been sparks between Abby and Scott for a long time. It was inevitable that something wold happen between them. However, I'm not very pleased about the way it happened. First of all, with their lives in grave danger in the warehouse, how could they even think of anything "romantic.' It wasn't very romantic anyway. Secondly, Scott acted very dishonourably and he was disloyal to Sharon.
Here's what Melissa Ordway had to say about it in an interview with Soap Central:
"People say that when you hate someone so much, there must be some sort of love there, and I think that's true [for Abby and Scott]. I think there has been a lot of sexual tension between the two of them; they get on each other's nerves, they're the complete opposite, they can't stand each other, but they're always attracted to each other at the same time. So I think the sexual tension has always been there, but [they finally act on it] because they're both scared in the moment because of the Zack situation, and they don't even think about the consequences or what they're doing. They're vulnerable, and they just go for it."
What do you think, fans? Reply to the poll below.
Do you like Abby and Scott together or do you prefer him with Sharon?
MESSAGE FOR Y&R FANS IN THE TORONTO AREA
The sixth annual Y&R OpportuniTea with Kate Linder (high tea in support of the March of Dimes) will be held at the Royal York Hotel on December 3, 2017. Kate (Esther Valentine) will be joined by Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Abhi Sinha (Ravi Shapour) and Daniel Hall (Scott Grainger). I will be attending this event and I am looking forward to it. For more details, click on the link below.
That's all for now. Don't miss the next edition of Y&R Report in this space on Saturday, December 9, 2017. I am planning to have photos and a report on the Y&R OpporunitiesTea for you.
- Joanne
