Y&R Report (October 22, 2022): 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,

Will Sally continues to reject Adam's attempts at a reconciliation now that Nicholas Newman has stepped back?  Nick realizes that Sally still has unresolved feelings for Adam and he doesn't want to make life more difficult for her.  Meanwhile, Sally says that she needs time to decide what she really wants.  Does that mean she will go back to Adam?  Maybe - but not necessarily.  Adam is intent on helping a troubled Chelsea.  His relationship with her could get in the way of a reconciliation with Sally.

Sally will also face a career-related problem.  Victoria wants to replace Sally with Nate as CEO of Newman Media.  In the previews, we saw Nick inform Sally that Newman Enterprises intends to remove her and Chloe from their positions.

It is obvious Sally has much better chemistry with Adam than with Nick.  They are much more at ease with each other.  That's why Sally just can't get over Adam, no matter how much Chloe trashes him.  As for Nick, he is much more comfortable with Sharon.  However, there has to be conflict and a storyline.  The combination of Nick and Sally upsets a lot of people, including Summer, who has never liked Sally and doesn't want her involved with her father.  Victor, Victoria and Nikki are also disdainful of Sally.

What in the world is going on with Dr. Elena Dawson (Brytni Sarpy)?  As viewers know, Elena has left Nate because she doesn't approve of how the business world has changed him.  She is about to accept a job in Baltimore.  Does that mean that she's leaving Y&R?  Maybe not, but the clues certainly point in that direction.  

Brytni Sarpy

About a moth ago. Brytni posted a photo of herself on social media appearing thoughtful and calm. However, she seems to have suffered some kind of disappointment because she wrote, "I'm not the victim.  I'm the hero who narrowly escaped a life lesser than what she deserved."  What did those cryptic remarks mean?

Nothing is official, but there is online speculation that Brytni and her boyfriend, Byrton James, who plays Devon Hamilton, have split.  Both have removed their shared photos from their shared timeline.

That's not a good sign that the couple are together anymore.

Poor Allie.  She has such a formidable opponent in Audra Charles.  Audra is relentless and she won't stay away from Noah.  Yes, Allie is tougher than she seems and she won't let Noah's former girlfriend walk all over her.  However, Audra is extremely cunning and devious.  She may drive Allie to the breaking point.  As for Noah, he just can't be firm enough with Audra.  He's no match for her.  She'll continue to manipulate him and wear him down. When he lets down his guard for one moment, she'll pounce.  She's a real barracuda and she makes Phyllis and Diane seem like angels.

My oh my, but that Tucker McCall is such a smoothie!  Nothing seems to faze him. Ashley is going to have a tough time dealing with him.  Tucker is very clever and she's going to have a difficult time convincing him that she's falling for him again.

A desperate Diane told Jack her version of what happened to her in Los Angeles, and it was quite  a sob story.  I doubt she told him everything, though.  I'm sure she conveniently left out some important details.  Tucker probably knows the whole story, all the information that Diane doesn't want Jack or Kyle to know.  That's why Diane is so threatened by him.

CAST NEWS

James Hyde joins Y&R as new character

James Hyde, who starred in Passions, has a recurring role on The Young and the Restless.  He plays Jeremy Stark, a man who had connections with Diane Jenkins in Los Angeles.  For a woman who is supported to have changed, Diane is certainly hiding a lot.  She definitely didn't live a quiet and uneventful life in L.A.

Rory Gibson (Noah Newman is engaged

Congratulation to Rory Gibson and his fiancee.  The actor, who portrays Noah Newman on Y&R, has announced his engagement to Alicia Ruelas, his girlfriend of over ten years.  The proposal took place on a beach on the Hawaiian island of Maui.  Rory shared photos on Instagram, along with three emojis - a red heart, fire, and a diamond.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Bryton James (Devon)

Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings)

The feud between Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) and Devon Hamilton (Bryton James) continues. I can't excuse Nate for betraying his family, but I don't think Devon's behaviour has been any better.  He set the whole feud in motion by punching Nate and inuring his hand.  When Nate couldn't perform surgery any longer, he was lost.  He was much happier and better suited to being a surgeon than a businessman.  Devon took that away from him.  Yes, I know Elena cheated on Devon with Nate.  I can understand why Devon was angry.  However, that did not give him the right to assault his cousin.  As they say, it takes two to tango and Elena was just as responsible.

What do you think, fans?  Do you support Devon or Nate?  Respond to the poll below and let me know

.

Do you support Devon or Nate?

I support Nate. Devon is arrogant and he assaulted Nate.

I support Devon. Nate betrayed his family and he refused to accept Devon's opinions,

I support neither. They are both wrong.

I don't know.

Other

 

pollcode.com free polls

NOTE TO READERS

I 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. 

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 5, 2022.

Take care,

Joanne

Whatever happened to Burt Ward (Robin on Batman)?

          

Holy Time Sure Does Fly, Batman!  Don't look now, but the actor who played TV's Robin, the Boy Wonder is 77 years old.  Burt Ward was born Bert John Gervis, Jr. on July 6, 1945 in Los Angeles, California.  His father, Bert Sr., was a prominent Beverley Hills real estate agent.  His mother, Marjorie (née Ward), was a homemaker.. 

Bert Sr. owned a travelling ice show called "Rhapsody on Ice."  As a two-year-old, Bert Jr, was classified as a professional ice skater in the magazine Strange as it Seems, based on a popular comic strip.  As a teenager, Burt was an accomplished athlete, skilled in martial arts, wrestling, track, tennis and golf.

Burt also displayed a sharp intellect.  He was a member of his Beverly Hills High School chess club.  and was a noted speed reader.  In a 2017 phone interview with the digital broadcast television network Heroes & Icons, Burt discussed his speedreading ability.  "I was considered the fastest reader in the world," he said.  "The average reader reads 240 words a minute with 40% comprehension.  "I had one of the most prominent speed reading teachers in the country.  He had me test in front of the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills, and I was tested at 30,000 words a minute with 90% comprehension."

Burt was 19 years old when he auditioned for the part of Robin, the Boy Wonder/Dick Grayson, the "youthful ward" of wealthy philanthropist Bruce Wayne/Batman, played by Adam West.  Bruce and Dick lived in "stately" Wayne Manor," along with Dick's Aunt Harriet, and Bruce's loyal English butler, Alfred.  At the time of his audition for the role of Robin, Burt was studying acting at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he achieved the top 3% in math and science tests.  He was also selling real estate for his father's company on weekends.

Batman aired on the ABC network for three seasons, from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968, twice weekly during the first two seasons, and weekly for the third.  120 episodes of the series were produced.  Batman is known for its campy style, its upbeat music and vivid colours.  As the show's executive producer William Dozier put, it. Batman was the only situation comedy on TV without a laugh track.

For the role of Robin, Burt had to compete against more than a thousand other hopefuls.  He and Brooklyn-born actor Peter Deyell were the finalists, and Ward credits his high energy level with winning him the role. "That was 100% me in the character - pounding my fist in my hand and leaping over the door in and out of the Batmobile," he said in a 2016 interview for the Spectrum.  

 After being chosen to play Robin, Bert Gervis, Jr. changed his name to Burt Ward, taking on his mother's maiden name, which he considered easier to pronounce than Gervais,  He also altered the spelling of his first name from "Bert" to "Burt" "to add punch."  

Adam West and Lyle Wagonner were the finalists for the role of Batman, with Adam winning the role.  Lyle went on to star on The Carol Burnett Show.  West and Ward became TV's Dynamic Duo on a very popular series.  Although Adam usually used a stunt double when filming action scenes, Burt performed his personal stunts most of the time.  During the first six days of filming, he was in and out of emergency hospitals with broken bones and burns.

Burt and Adam West

When Batman went off the air in 1968, Burt and Adam West found it difficult to find other acting jobs.  The two were unable to avoid being typecast.  However, Burt did appear in several made-for-TV movies.  After Batman, he and Adam made numerous personal appearances at giant comics conventions.

In 1977, Burt provided the voice of Dick Grayson/Robin in The New Adventures of Batman, a 30 minute animated television series.

Burt also appeared as Dick Grayson in a 2019 episode of Supergirl entitled "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One" (Season 5, Episode 9, Air Date: December 8, 2019).

Burt has been married four times.  His first wife was Bonney Lindsey, daughter of the late Mort Lindsey, a renowned American conductor and composer.  Burt and Bonney wed in July 19, 1965.  They had a daughter, Lisa Ann Ward (born August 4, 1966), and they divorced in 1967.  

From 1967 to 1969, Burt was married to actress Kathy Kersh, who appeared aa a villain on the Batman television series.  His third wife was model Mariana Torchia from 1985 to 1989,  

Since July 15,1990, Burt has been married to actress, animal activist and businesswoman Tracy Posner, whom he met in 1989.  Tracy is the daughter of the late billionaire financier Victor Posner, who passed away in 2002.  According to Burt in his Heroes and Icons interview, Tracy's father did not want his daughter to get married.  "He called me up and offered me $10 million to send his daughter back.  I said, 'Sir, it's a very kind offer, but I live your daughter and I'd rather have your daughter than the money."

Burt and Tracy have their own daughter, Melody Lane Ward, who was born on February 16, 1991.

More recent photo of Burt Ward

In his interview with Heroes & Icons, Burt was asked to pick one favorite "Holy" exclamation.  He replied, "You mean like . . . 'Holy strawberries, Batman, are we in a jam?'   You can use that one,  That's a pretty good one!  I had 387 or 370 holies or something like that."  

END NOTES      

* Burt says, "I was the Caped Crusader, now I'm the Canine Crusader"  In 1994, he and his  wife, Tracy, opened a non-profit foundation to save dogs in Noroco, California, the community where they live.  The foundation is called Gentle Gants Rescue.  Through the years, Burt and Tracy have saved the lives of several thousand dogs.  Their foundation provides for the food, shelter and medical needs of the animals.  A program has also been developed, which has succeeded in extending their lifespan.

Burt and Tracy have also helped to create a top of the line dog food that is affordable and healthy.  They launched a company, Gentle Giants dog food, to produce it.  There is also a Gentle Giants cat food.  Both are available online and in stores such as Target and Walmart.

* Adam West died of leukemia on June 9, 2017.  He was 88 years old at the time of his passing.  Upon Adam's death, Burt made the following statement to People magazine: "Adam and I had a special friendship for more than 50 years.  We shared some of the most fun times of our lives together, our families have deep love and respect for each other.  This is a terribly unexpected loss of my lifelong friend.  I will forever miss him."

* Prior to her marriage to Burt (1967 to 1969), Kathy Kersh was married briefly to Vince Edwards of Ben Casey fame.  Kathy and Vince divorced in 1965.    

* In 1995, Burt published an autobiography, Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights, about his time portraying Robin.  

* Burt has a black belt in karate and he was a friend and neighbour of the famed martial arts film star Bruce Lee.

SOURCES: Heroes and Icons, "18 Things You Didn't Know About Burt Ward, As Told By Burt Ward Himself," by Heroes and Incons Staff, July 7, 2017; The Spectrum, "Burt Ward's life with dogs," by Nick Thomas, September 1, 2016; Wikipedia; Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

- Joanne

Y&R Report (October 8, 2022): 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,

Two troublemakers have arrived in Genoa City, namely Tucker McCall (Trevor St. John) and Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver).  Audra has been revealed as Noah's ex-girlfriend in London, the one who broke his heart. He denies that he wants to rekindle a romance with her, but she is obviously ready to make a play for him.  This is not good news for Allie, Noah's current girlfriend.  Allie says she's not concerned about Audra, but she had a worried look on her face when Noah was speaking to his ex.

Noah is not the only male who may fall victim to Audra's charms.  There is an array of men for Audra to put her hooks into.  She's already tried to attract Nate, who is vulnerable right now because of his separation from Elena.  Then there's Billy and Devon.  She'll see both of them often at Chancellor-Winters.  She may even pursue Adam.

As for Tucker, the business tycoon certainly made a grand entrance when he landed by helicopter to crash Kyle and Summers's party.  He later told his son, Devon, that he did not come to town to cause trouble.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  As Victoria Newman put it, Tucker "always has an angle."  He will try to get control of Chancellor-Winters.  He probably feels that he has a claim on the company because Katherine Chancellor was his mother.  However, he is gong to have a battle royal with the Newman family and the Winters family for control of Chancellor-Winters.  I expect that Victor Newman will come out on top since he always seems to win.

It's not really surprising that Tucker McCall is back.  After all, Tucker has many ties to Geno City.  Not only is he Devon's father, he's Ashley Abbott's ex-husband.  That makes him Abby's former stepfather, and she despises him.   He's also Dominic's biological grandfather through his connection to Devon.  Remember that Devon is Dominic's biological dad.  However, Trevor St. John, the actor who has taken over the role of Tucker, looks a bit too young to be Devon's father and too young to be a grandfather.  So, I checked their birth date.  Trevor St. John was born on September 3, 1971, while Bryton James, who portrays Devon Hamilton,  was born on August 17, 1986.  That makes Bryton only 15 years younger than the actor who plays his father.

Ashley met up with Tucker a day after Summer and Kyle's weeding renewal.  She refused to fall for his shenanigans. She came right to the point and demanded to know the real reason why he had come to Genoa City.  Tucker seems to want to impress Ashley.  He claimed that his helicopter escapade was for her benefit.  However, I don't think that Ashley was very pleased to set eyes on Tucker again.  Other than Diane, I don't know who is more unwelcome in Genoa City than Tucker McCall.

Tucker has a mysterious connection to Diane Jenkins.  It can't be good because Diane appears extremely uncomfortable in his presence.  I wouldn't be surprised if he is also responsible for Audra's appearance in Genoa City.

Nick Newman and Sally Spectra are playing with fire, and they know it.  They will eventually crash and burn, but they have decided to continue their relationship anyway.  Oh yes, they don't want to define their situation either.  Sharon doesn't know about Nick and  Sally yet, so it will be interesting to see how she reacts when she finds out.

Chelsea is about to have a breakdown.  She's almost over the edge and she seems to be showing signs of paranoia.  She accused Sharon and others of being against her.  She's obsessed with Johnny and wants to use him as a crutch, which isn't fair to the boy.  She can't seem to get the message that she should stay away from him for now.  By the way, I'm impressed with Paxton Mishkind, the young actor who has taken over the role of Johnny.  There's only one thing that doesn't ring true for me.  I don't think that both Johnny and Connor Newman would be so hostile toward Chelsea - especially Connor.

It was good to see Esther (Kate Linder)r back on screen again.  She hasn't been shown for a while, but she may appear more often now that she's been hired as the receptionist at Chancellor-Winters.  I think she was given that position by the writers for storyline purposes.  She will probably overhear something about Nate's agreement with Victoria to help the Newman's take over the company.

CAST NEWS

Mishael Morgan off contract    

Daytime Emmy-winning actress Mishael Morgan is taking "a bit of a step back" from The Young and the Restless.  Mishael's decision to step back comes six months after she made history by becoming the first Afro-Canadian woman to win the Daytime Emmy for Lead Actress (She was born in Trinadad and Tobago.  When she was five, her family emigrated to North America.  They first settled in New York City and finally relocated to the Toronto area).

"I just feel that at this point in my career, I wanted to mix things up a little bit, but Y&R will always be my home," Mishael wrote on Instagram. Her fans will be pleased to know that she will continue to make appearances on the show, but only on a recurring basis.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Trevor St. John (Tucker)

Trevor St. John is a soap veteran.  He had a regular role on One Life to Live from 2000 to 2013.  He has also appeared in films and primetime televisions series such as Diagnosis Murder, Hope and Faith and The Mentalist.  Now he brings his talents to The Young and the Restless.  Fans, are you impressed with him so far and are you pleased that Tucker has returned?  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Are you pleased that Tucker McCall is back in Genoa City?

Yes, there were loose ends in his storyline to be resolved. He's a good actor and shakes things up.

No. He's not needed. Trevor St. John's performance is okay, but not spectacular.

I don't know.

Ohter

 

pollcode.com free polls

NOTE TO READERS

I 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. 

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, October 22, 2022.  I would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving (Monday, October 10th) to all my Canadian readers.

Take care,

Joanne

Y&R Report (September 24, 2022). 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,

I'm back from my summer break and it's time to discuss our favourite soap again.  The Young and the Restless is entering its 50th season on television.  It first went on the air on March 26, 1973,and it has been the number one daytime drama for 35 consecutive years,

On Friday, September 30th on CBS (Thursday, September 29 on Global TV), the show will celebrate its 50th anniversary and will premiere with a brand new logo to mark the occasion.  So, don't forget to set your PVR.  There will be surprises and exciting days ahead.

The Diane-Phyllis feud continues.  I am not a big fan of Phyllis, but I think Diane is far more devious.  Phyllis has no self-control or discipline, especially when Diane is around.  She just loses control.  She can't help herself.  Phyllis wears her heart out on her sleeve.  Diane, on the other hand, is more manipulative.  She can fake remorse and pretend she is really doing her best to change.  She constantly claims that all she want to do is establish a good relationship with her son Kyle and her grandson Harrison.  We all know that her real goal is to get her hooks into Jack Abbott and the Abbott fortune.  Despite Phyllis' mistakes and shortcomings, I really think she cares about Jack.  

Well, well, well!  Hasn't the former good Dr. Nate suddenly become quite ruthless and opportunistic.  He's even made a deal with Princess Victoria Newman, who is becoming more like Daddy Victor every day.  I never thought Nate would betray his own family.  Is he so weak-willed that he can't say "no" to Imani?  Once again, there is the need for conflict.  That's why Nate and Elena are doomed and Nate will eventually fall into Imani's waiting arms.

By sharing insider information with Victoria, Nate has committed a crime.  Victoria was gleefully happy that Nate informed her that Chancellor-Winters is going public.  Victoria can't wait to get control of the company..  She has no scruples about committing such fraud.

Nate  was much better as a doctor than as a businessman.  Thanks to a punch from cousin Devon, he is unable to perform surgery anymore.  Devon should have been charged with assault.  He robbed Nate of being a surgeon, something that meant so much to him.  

Sharon is very much in the background right now.  She hasn't had much of a storyline since Rey died.  I was expecting that she would rekindle a romance with Nick Newman.  Instead, Nick has become involved with Sally Spectra in order to create more conflict.  This will greatly upset  Adam because I really think he loves Sally in his own way.  Sally's relationship with Nick seems purely physical.  She would much rather be with Adam, but Adam has hurt her deeply and wounded her pride.  Nick, to his discredit, has taken advantage of Sally's vulnerability.  He has also used Sally as a means of attacking Adam.

Nick's affair with Sally will prove to be a disaster and it will cause severe repercussions within the Newman family.  It will be quite explosive.  I expect that Princess Victoria, with the approval of Daddy Victor, will fire Sally and install Nate as CEO of Newman Media.  This will cause a great deal of uproar because Nick will defend Sally and oppose the move.  Adam will be angry with Victor and Victoria.  

Over at Chancellor-Winters, there will be another uproar when Nate's disloyalty to his family is discovered.  He will be looked upon as a traitor. Jill will be livid.

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 I received from longtime Y&R fan, CC in Etobicoke:

Hi Joanne,

One thing that has crossed my mind recently is how repetitious in content some of the scenes have been recently, especially the front and centre storylines. 

Dialogue from Diane is constantly trying to hit us over the head with her insistence that her only reason for returning to GC was to try to reconnect with Kyle and rebuild a mother son bond.

We know there is far more to it than that. It is so tiresome to hear her singing her own praises over and over.

And then Phyllis never misses the opportunity to counter her claims by reminding us of her terrible deeds of the past.

Three wedding celebrations for Kyle and Summer?  Overkill!

All that to create a setting for discord between families.

It is taking too long for them to confirm the connection between Deacon and Diane, and for them to reveal whatever shenanigans she has been up to over the past 20 years.

A burning question we have had since she arrived as the new Summer... Does Allison Lanier have, or did she have, a health problem that has affected her appearance specifically around her abdomen?

Have you noticed the mishape to which I am referring?

Others online have asked this question but no one ever posts a response.

Perhaps some of your readers can offer an explanation.

Or maybe you can be the one who cracks this mystery!

- CC from Etobicoke.

Thanks for your input, CC.  I have also noticed how repetitious some of the scenes have been, especially with regard to Diane and Phyllis.  However, I think we are finally getting close to learning about the connection between Diane and Deacon.  Diane did not lead such a quiet, uneventful life in Los Angeles.  Phyllis and Nikki are right about that.

The celebrations for Summer and Kyle are definitely a setting for discord between families.  However, soaps need to create conflict.  Without conflict, viewers would lose interest.  That's why fans expect some disruption at parties and events.  There has to be trouble.

I must say that Michael Mealor, who plays Kyle Abbott, and Allison Lanier (Summer), make a good couple.  They have much better chemistry than Michael and Hunter King, the previous Summer.  As often happens when a new actor takes over a role, Allison Lanier has put her own mark on the character of Summer.  She is much sweeter and less like her mother, Phyllis.  Summer is not a "Snowflake" anymore.  She even gets along with Mariah now.  Mariah can't even call her the old nickname.  It doesn't suit her.

As for Allison's physical appearance, I strongly doubt that the answer can be found on the internet.  If she has a medical condition, the public will never know unless Allison herself chooses to reveal it.  Otherwise, her medical records are private. 

CAST NEWS

Michael Graziadei returning as Daniel Romalotti

Soap Opera Digest has reported that Michael Graziadei will be returning to his role as Phyllis' son, Daniel Romalotti, this fall.  Phyllis will really need him to help her with all her problems.  After all, she can't depend on Jack or Nick or even Summer to bail her out.  

Daniel has a daughter, Lucy, who is Phyllis' granddaughter.  It is not known whether Lucy will come to Genoa City with her father.   

It is also unclear whether Michael is returning to stay, but his character has interesting history on the show. Remember that Daniel and Lily were once a couple and that they ran off together.   Remember also that Cassie met her death in a car crash that was sparked by her crush on Daniel.

Some trivia: Michael was born on September 22, 1979.  He is only 14 years younger than his TV mother, Michelle Stafford, who plays Phyllis.  Michael is the proud father of twin boys.

Zuleyka Silver plays new character on Y&R

The Young and the Restless has cast Mexican-American actress Zuleyka Silver in the role of Audra Charles, a powerful executive.  She arrived in Genoa City at the urging of  prominent GC businesswoman Jill Abbott.

Audra will certainly stir things up.  I'm looking forward watching her in the days to come.  I wonder if she will go after Billy or Nate or Devon.  Billy already has Lily, and Chelsea also wants him.  

CAST NOTE

* Y&R has aged Johnny Abbott. Johnny has been played by twins Holden and Ryan Hare since his birth back in April of 2012.  Earlier this month, the role has been taken over by Paxton Mishkind.

Paxton Mishkind

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra

        

Sally Spectra refused to forgive Adam and now she's carrying on with his brother, Nick.  Is she making a huge mistake?  Should she have taken Adam back?  Fans, what do you think of Sally's decisions?  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Do you think that Sally should have forgiven Adam?

Yes, he really loves her and she should give him another chance.

No. Adam is incapable of changing. He treated Sally horribly. He doesn't deserve another chance.

Yes. She made a worse mistake by getting involved with Nick.

I don't know.

Other

 

pollcode.com free polls

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

Take care,

Joanne

Jeopardy! Begins A New Season

         
My favourite game show, Jeopardy! is about to launch its 39th season.  The new season of the venerable quiz show will begin airing fresh episodes on Monday, September 12th, with Ken Jennings as host of the syndicated format until December 30th, after which Mayim Byalik will have her turn.  Fans, including myself, are looking forward to Jeopardy!'s return.

In addition to the syndicated version of the show, Celebrity Jeopardy! will premiere on September 25th at 8 p.m. on the ABC network.  Celebrity Jeopardy! will be hosted by Mayim Byalik,  ABC has announced that the celebrities will include Simu Liu, Michael Cera, BJ Novak, Ilza Schlesinger, Ray Romano, Constance Wu,, Aisha Tyler and Patton Oswalt. 

In an interview with TV Guide, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies displayed enthusiasm about the "somewhat new format" of the 13-week celebrity tournament, which will feature hour-long shows rather than the usual 30-minute standard of the syndicated version of the show.  I have to say that I prefer the half hour format.  Jeopardy! is a thinking game and the mind grows weary after an hour of intense concentration.  

In July, it was announced that Mayim Byalik and Ken Jennings would continue to split the schedule for the 2022-23 season.  Jeopardy! fans are passionate about their show and they have strongly expressed their opinion about the performance of both hosts.  On the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, Byalik and Jennings discussed the split hosting situation and fan reaction   Jennings opined that the two-host situation helps to satisfy a larger swath of the viewing audience.  

Byalik has taken her share of criticism. For example, she was castigated for using the term "Single Jeopardy!" for the game's first round of play.  She said she tries to listen to the fanbase without taking the criticism too personally.  She also joked that she prefers Jennings as Jeopardy! host.  This prompted Jennings to laugh and humbly declare, "Aww, likewise!"

Ken Jennings will host the upcoming Second Chance Tournament and The Tournament of Champions, which should be very competitive.

- Joanne 

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is the Son of a Critch

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth

The CBC has renewed Son of a Critch for a second season.  I viewed the first season and enjoyed it immensely.  Son of a Critch is an original comedy based on comedian Mark Critch's award-winning, best-selling memoir Son of a Critch: A Childish Newfoundland Mermoir.  The TV series was created by Critch, along with Tim McAuliffe, a Montreal-born comedy writer and television producer.       

Critch, a native of St. John's Newfoundland, is known as a co-host of CBC's 22 Minutes, which features political and social satire as well as comedy sketches.  In Son of a Critch, he serves as narrator and portrays his own father, Mike.  The cast also includes child actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who portrays Mark as a boy,  P.E.I. actress Claire Rankinplays as his mother, Mary Critch, veteran actor Malcolm McDowell as his grandfather, Patrick "Pop." Critch and Colton Gobbo as his older brother, Mike Jr. 

Below is a photo of the cast:  From left to right - Claire Rankinplays, Mark Critch,  Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Colton Gobbo and Malcolm McDowell.

I've been particularly struck by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth's performance as the young Mark Critch.  After watching his portrayal of Mark as a schoolboy in the Newfoundland of the 1980s, you'd never guess that Benjamin is really a Yorkshire lad who prefers rugby to hockey. and Liverpool FC tickets for life to free concert ticket.  On Son of a Critch, you don't hear a trace of the English accent he displays off the show.

Benjamin was born in Nottingham, East Midlands, England on September 25, 2008.  He is being raised in Yorkshire and he attended the Northern Lights Theatre Drama School in Hull.  For one so young (he is about a month shy of his 14th birthday), Benjamin has an impressive list of acting accomplishments to his credit.  In 2018, when he was ten years old,  Hw made his first appearance on British television, on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.  That same year, he appeared in a production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on board the Norwegian Epic cruise liner and has portrayed major characters in professional and musical stage productions.

Benjamin played Jacob in the award-winning short film The Recycling Man (2020).  He starred in the the limited Netflix series, The Haunting Of Bly Manor (2020) as the deeply troubled orphan, Miles Wingrave, for which he earned critical acclaim.  He also voiced the lead character in the 2021 Disney live action remake of Pinocchio, opposite Tom Hanks.  His first film credit  was the 2021 Disney+ film Flora & Ulysses. 

Son of a Critch is a coming-of-age comedy.  It chronicles young Mark's experiences as he attends a Catholic school St. John's.  The boy is faced with many challenges, including a somewhat dysfunctional family.  He also has to deal with being bullied by members of the red-headed Fox family.  However, he has the companionship and support of his best friend, Ritchie Perez (Mark Ezkziel Rivera), the son of of an immigrant Filipino family.

In a Vibe Check YouTube video, Benjamin answers some rapid fire questions.  When asked to describe his Son of a Critch character in three words, Benjamin replies "Heartfelt, witty. ..  and old."  He says that young Mark is "11 going on 60" and "is older than his years."  

In the video, Benjamin reveals that his favourite movie is Forrest Gump and that he prefers tea to pop.  He says  that his favourite subject in school is Latin.  He jokes that although it's been called a dead language, "it's still Roman around."

Benjamin also has some advice for young actors: "You know, just keep at it, and if you really like it,  and you really enjoy it , and you want to keep doing it, then just show that bravery and courage until you find your lucky break."

Benjamin  Evan Ainsworth is a busy young actor  In addition to his Son of a Critch role, he portrays Alex Burgess in David S. Goyer's epic Netflix fantasy, The Sandman.  In his spare time, Benjamin plays rugby and hockey, and he is a devoted Liverpool FC fan.  He also enjoys singing, songwriting and playing the drums.  Benjamin will soon be celebrating his 14th birthday - on September 25th.  After watching his work, all I can say is that this kid is going places.  He appears to have a bright future ahead of him

- Joanne

Keeping Up with Johnny Gilbert of Jeopardy!

"Nobody keeps an audience engaged like Jeopardy!’s resident entertainer, Johnny Gilbert. Over the span of his career, Johnny has done it all, from performing in nightclubs and as a recording artist, to entertaining movie and television audiences. So much more than the voice of Jeopardy!, Johnny’s a true Hollywood showman."

- From the Jeopardy! website

I've been a fan of Jeopardy! for a while now, but I have to admit that I didn't know much about the show's announcer, the affable Johnny Gilbert - until recently.  I was somewhat surprised to discover that Johnny is a nonagenarian.  He is 94 years of age but his voice sounds much younger.  It is extremely clear and resonant. Nobody can say "This is Jeopardy!" the way Johnny does.  As Mike Richards, former executive producer of the show put it, "If you just listen to the way Johnny articulates each name, each word, he has a voice and even more importantly, delivery, unlike anyone else."

John Lewis Gilbert III cam into the world on July 13, 1928.  He was born and raised in the coastal city of Newport News, on the banks of the Hampton Roads harbour, a short distance from Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.  Johnny's grandmother was a church singer and Johnny followed in her footsteps.  He sang in the choir of a Lutheran church in his hometown.  While a student, at Morrison High School in Newport News, Johnny studied opera and tried to launch a career as a professional singer.  He performed vocals with Shelley Harmon and His Orchestra, a dance band that toured around Virginia.

A few years after graduating from Morrison High,, Johnny spent some time working in a Jacksonville, Florida nightclub as an emcee, a comedian and a singer.  It was there that he learned the art of public speaking and storytelling.  Before his first emcee gig, Johnny didn't really know what being a Master of Ceremonies entailed.  A local manager, however, didn't seem to mind Johnny's lack of experience.  He helped him hone his skills and showed him the ropes.  "He taught me how to introduce people on the stage and take them off the stage," Johnny told Outsider in 2021.

In those early days of his career, Johnny toured the U.S. as a singer/emcee and he also joined a group of young actors called the Dead End Kids.  The group organized a revue which played the southwestern United States for over a year.  

In the 1950s, Johnny also travelled trough Western Europe, entertaining soldiers and civilians alike, as a member of the United States Army's Special Services.  After leaving the service, he continued hosting and performing.  He eventually agreed to emcee and sing on a radio station in New Orleans.

In the late 1950s, Johnny moved to New York City and signed with the William Morris Agency in order to pursue a career as a game show host.  In 1958, he became the host of ABC-TV's Music Bingo.  It was his first exposure on national television.  He then went on to host a local Lost Angeles game show called Words and Music.

In the 1960s, Avco Broadcasting gave Johnny the opportunity to hist his own 90-minute talk/variety show, The Johnny Gilbert Show, which aired on WLWD-TV (now WDTN)  in Dayton, Ohio and on three other Avco stations in Ohio and Indiana.  The show had a 60-person studio audience and celebrity guests.  After two years, however, Johnny returned to New York to become the host of a game show called Fast Draw.  It is interesting to note that Johnny was replaced on the Dayton show by an up and coming WLWD-TV news reporter named Phil Donahue.

After a year with Fast Draw, Johnny was invited by Bing Crosby Productions to host a game show called Beat the Odds, which was produced in Los Angeles.  It ran from 1961 to 1963, after which Johnny moved on to host a weekday version of Dialing for Dollars on a local Los Angeles station.

In 1963, TV producer Mark Goodson chose Johnny to replace Don Pardo as the announcer and audience host for the original version of The Price is Right on ABC, which was hosted by Bill Cullen.  Johnny also served as announcer and audience host for Dinah Shore's syndicated daytime talk show, Dinah!, from 1974 to 1980.

Johnny Gilbert as announcer on Price is Right

In 1984, Merv Griffin's quiz show Jeopardy! was reintroduced as a syndicated daily program hosted by Alex Trebek.  Alex, who had met Johnny at a Hollywood dinner party in the early 1980s, was impressed with Johnny's voice and recommended that Merv hire him as the show's announcer.  In his memoir, published in the summer of 2020, Alex wrote: " How could you forget a voice like that?"  The two developed a friendship that involved mutual respect and some good natured banter in dressing rooms and in front of the studio audience.  Alex would tease Johnny about his age, joking that he had been the announcer for Abraham Lincoln.    

Following the death of Alex Trebek in November of 2020, Johnny considered retirement but decided to continue with the show.  The duo worked together for 37 years and Johnny told People magazine that "Everyone's walking around in a fog, shaken from the whole thing.  Part of me left here when Alex left."  

At the time of Alex's passing, Johnny had not been working at the Sony Pictures studio in Culver City, California, where Jeopardy! is filmed.  Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, he had been recording his announcements from his home in Venice Beach.  In a January 2021 interview for The New York Times, Johnny stated that when Alex passed away, he considered his future on Jeopardy!  "I thought, 'Gee, can I go on doing this?  Can I still do what the show needs?  And I decided, yes, I would go on.  I would go on because Alex wanted the show to go on""

Johnny (R) with Alex Trebek

Johnny has been very private about his personal life.  In 1984, he married his wife Sheree but it has not been confirmed that the couple has any children.

Johnny and Sheree

END NOTES

* Johnny Gilbert had an uncredited role as Johnny Spring the 1961 film Gidget Goes Hawaiian, starring Deborah Walley and James Darren.

* Aside from Jeopardy! and The Price is Right, Johnny's best know announcing duties include The Joker's Wild (1972), The $25,000 Pyramid (1982), Supermarket Sweep (1990).  He has also served an an announcer for numerous television awards shows, Dick Clark specials and Circus of the Stars specials.

* Johnny recorded two albums in the 1960s.  

* In the 1990s, Johnny filled in as guest announcer on Jeopardy!s sister show, Wheel of Fortune.

* In 2017, Guinness World Records paid tribute to Johnny for having the longest career as a game show announcer for a single show - 32 years with Jeopardy!

SOURCES: Jeopardy! website, Johnny Gilbert's biography; Outsider, "'Jeopardy!' Legendary Announcer Johnny Gilbert's Winding Road to Working with Alex Trebek," by Chris Haney, June 4, 2021; The New York Times, "On Alex Trebek's Final 'Jeopardy!," a Last Introduction From a Friend," by Julia Jacobs; January 7, 2021  Wikipedia;; Internet Move Database (IMDb)

- Joanne