Hi fans,
Aunt Jordan lives on! I swear, that woman has more lives than a cat, and her storyline has more holes than a golf course. It is one of the most convoluted plots I have ever seen on a soap. I think the reason Jordan keeps escaping death is that the writers need to keep the storyline going so that they can continue her conflict with the Newman family. Furthermore, Y&R would probably like to keep Colleen Zenk, who plays Jordan, onscreen for as long as possible. Colleen is a soap legend, having played Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns from 1978 until 2010. So, expect her to continue terrorizing the Newmans for a while yet.
Victor Newman has lied to his family and friends. He has told them that Jordan is dead, but he has locked her up in a cell deep in the basement of the Newman ranch, where the alcohol is stored. This isn't the first time that Victor has confined someone against their will. Long-time Y&R viewers will remember that a jealous Victor kidnapped photographer Michael Scott, the lover of his first wife, Julia, and held Scott prisoner in the bomb shelter under the Newman ranch. Nick Benedict, who passed away last year, played Michael Scott.
The confrontation between Nikki and Jack was riveting. They were the only two characters in that episode. I didn't think Jack would go as far as he did, even risking his own life for Nikki's sake. I wondered if the pills were the real thing or some kind of placebo. It turned out that they were real. Jack could have died. He really acted foolishly. I don't blame Diane for being upset with him. She was right to reprimand him.
At any rate, Nikki is on her way to rehab and Victor is not happy with Jack. He was a dark, hulking figure as he show up at Jack's door and warned him to "stay away from my wife! He continues to keep Jordan locked up, even though Claire and Harrison have returned home safely. The cruel side of Victor has emerged and he threatens to exact his revenge by making Jordan drink herself to death with alcohol.
Eileen Davidson seems to be having great fun playing Ashley Abbott right now with her multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder), especially her sultry southern belle character. We've finally met Ashley's psychiatrist friend from Paris, Alan Laurent, and it turns out he's actually American. I'm intrigued by this mystery man and what his role in the storyline will be. Will he have a romance with Ashley? If so, will Tucker be jealous, or will Ashley just use the doctor to make Tucker jealous? (By the way, the orange outfit Ashley was wearing for lunch with Alan was very bright. It really stood out).
Alan is not Ashley's doctor. They are friends. He is not treating her. As he pointed out, he doesn't have a licence to practise medicine in the United States. So, it would not be technically unethical for them to have a romance. It would be of questionable ethics, though, considering that Jack is seeking Alan's advice in helping his sister. However, even if it were completely unethical, I don't think it would stop Ashley. She's been involved with her therapist in the past. Back in the 1980s, she suffered a breakdown and became involved with her shrink, Steven Lassiter. She even married him, but he suffered a terrible fate. He was shot to death by one of his patients.
Summer seems to have a visceral dislike for Claire. For some reason, Claire sets her off, even though she now knows that Claire did not try to harm Harrison. In fact, the two really have developed a bond. Maybe Summer is jealous. She is afraid that Harrison will have more affection for Claire that her. That's why she doesn't want Claire near the boy.
I won't be surprised if Kimberlin Brown, who plays Sheila Carter, Lauren Fenmore's archenemy, shows up in Genoa City, for a bit. Sheila was seemingly stabbed to death by Steffy Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. However, it was soon announced that Sheila was still alive, because Steffy had actually stabbed her look-alike, Sugar, instead. (Ah, the old look-alike trick to keep a character alive). I don't think it's coincidental that Lauren mentioned Sheila in a recent episode. Lauren hasn't had a storyline for a while and the characters on Y&R and B&B often crossover.
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| Kimberlin Brown |
CAST NEWS
Christopher Cousins plays Ashley's Paris friend
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| C. Cousins |
Actor Christopher Cousins is playing the role of Alan Laurent, Ashley Abbott's psychologist friend from Paris. Christopher is a familiar face to soap fans. In additions to short stints on Anther World and As the World Turns in the late 1980s and early 1980s. He had a leading role as con man Cain Roga on One Life to Live.
Christopher also has an impressive list of prime time credits. He is probably most well-known for his portrayal of Ted Beneke on Breaking Bad, but has also appeared on Glee, The Vampire Diaries, UnREAl, Chicago Fire and Law & Order.
IN MEMORIUM: Two former Y&R cast members pass away
Meg Bennett (Julia Martin Newman) has died at 75
Meg Bennett, who played Victor Newman's first wife, Julia, has died from cancer at the age of 75. The soap veteran, who passed away on April 11, 2024, used her talents on and off the screen. In 1972, Meg made her soap opera debut as Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow. In 1980, she began playing Julia Newman on Y&R. She portrayed Julia for six years and made some cameo appearances on the show after that, the last one being in 2020.
Meg also worked as a writer on Y&R, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Generations, Santa Barbara and Sunset Beach. She has earned five Daytime Emmy nominations for her writing, garnering a win with the General Hospital team in 1995. Meg starred as the villainous Allegra Montenegro on GH, the show where she met her husband, Robert Guza Jr., the creator of Sunset Beach. They married in 2004.
Marla Adams (Dina Abbott Mergeron) has passed away
Marla Adams who played Dina Mergeron, the mother of Jack, Ashley and Traci Abbott, has died at the age of 85. Marla began her soap career as Belle Clemens on the The Secret Storm. She portrayed Belle from 1968 to 1974. In 1982, Marla took on the role of Dina Mergeron, John Abbott's wayward ex-wife. Marla played Dina on and off for four decades, until her character died of Alzheimer's Disease. In 2021, Marla won a Daytime Emmy for her portrayal of Dina's struggle with Alzheimer's.
Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL
Well fans, would you like to see a romance between Ashley Abbott and Alan Laurent, her doctor friend from Paris? Do you think that would make for an interesting storyline? Respond to the poll below and let me know.
That's all for now. Enjoy the May Sweeps. Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Take care,
Joanne
