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Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’

Courtesy/CBS

Taking on a DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) storyline on the soaps can be extraordinarily challenging for the performer who is tasked with making a clear distinction and delineation between the various alters of their character.

However, the other trick to playing this kind of story, is often having the various alters trying to hide the fact from those they know and love of what is truly going on with them, so as not to tip them off, as to what is happening to them as they battle for control of a person’s psyche.

The gold standard is One Life to Live icon Erika Slezak’s (ex-Viki) Emmy-winning and gut-wrenching and riveting DID storyline where we met Tori, Niki (although we met her earlier in the life of the show), Tommy, Princess, Jean and even her father, Victor.

Photo: JPI

Now in 2024, The Young and the Restless’ Eileen Davidson is playing out a new DID storyline for the first time as Ashley Abbott. We knew decades ago that Ashley had a breakdown and has suffered psychological issues, but this has taken it to a new level. And, let’s be real, if you are going to give someone currently on a soap a DID story, who better than Davidson, who is used to playing multiple characters at one time as she did on Days of our Lives. Although on DAYS, each of the characters were their own distinct person, while now on Y&R, Ashley’s alters are fighting for control of her being,

Last week, on the Thursday, April 12th episode of the CBS soap opera, Davidson truly got to shine, as in front of the Abbott family and through what was supposed to be an intervention (they hadn’t figure out what the hell was happening to her), Ashley was flipping from alter to alter. We know there is Ms. Abbott, and Ash thus far, but there is said to be one more alter a-coming.

Photo: JPI

In the key scenes, Davidson’s internal struggle was played pretty masterfully in a scene where she literally is in a tug of war with her alters and flings herself on the couch, while Jack (Peter Bergman), Diane (Susan Walters), Billy (Jason Thompson) and Traci (Beth Maitland) look on. Of course, there are the soap trope scenes of alters in handcuffs while the other is on the loose. And leave it to Billy to figure out Ashley is suffering from DID from his past experience.

Photo: JPI

While this all seemed to spring from Ashley’s messy relationship with Tucker (Trevor St. John) and a throw back to an old car accident where she lost her unborn baby, is there some other underlying issue in Ashley’s past that was even more traumatizing that will be revealed as another trigger for this massive personality split? We shall see.

Photo: JPI

In the meantime, Michael Fairman TV names Eileen Davidson’s work the Power Performance of the Week, and rest assured, come 2025, Davidson will find herself going for the third Daytime Emmy win as Lead Actress for this storyline.

So, let us know, what did you think of Eileen’s performance? Are you enjoying Ashley’s DID storyline? What do you think will happen to her next? Comment below.

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Am I the only one to notice, once again the character of Abby, her daughter, is excluded from this entire storyline and “family” intervention…. Did they reach the limit of “actors” per scene? Remove Diane, include the daughter.

I agree. Soaps anymore overlook what to us seems obvious. Cost cutting is cast cutting.

And what would that airhead contribute to the already crazy situation?

I was thinking about Abby and Adam during the anniversary show as well when Nick and Victoria were hosting their parents. I was guessing that since Adam and Abby are only half Newman, they didn’t rate being front and center like their older siblings

Nick and Victoria are half Newman, as well. Unless Nikki is a Newman. That would be disastrous.

Yup, why would they need to include her. And for most of the issues with the Newman’s, she’s the forgotten child over there several times as well. My thinking is as soon as Eileen wraps it up, Melissa will be gone too. Pity.

Diane is Jack’s wife, so she should have been there too. You’d have probably thought it would have been fine if Phyllis had popped. Some viewers will never get past the fact that Jack finally woke up and saw Phyllis for who she really is. If faking her own death (like Diane did years ago) and then her marrying Jeremy Stark, didn’t make viewers see that Diane has never been any worse than Phyllis, then there’s no hope.

The subject is Ashley. Her daughter should be the most prominent character there—not Jack, not his wife, not her sister or nephew.

Thank you, Celia!

Abby is a buttinsky. She has enough of her own crap to do without insinuation herself into something important.

Mother or not – this situation with Abby will be worse if Abby butts in and starts throwing her theories and weight around.

I for one am thrilled to NOT SEE HER!

For sure! She and Summer, two dumb blondes.

Hey—did I hear someone say dumb blonde? DOUBLE LOL. ❤️

I completely agree! Diane has no reason to be there What so ever! Abby NEEDS to be there! I’m sick of Diane!

That’s what I was going to write. Abby is her daughter and she should have been there instead of Diane. It’s not just with the Abbotts, but she is excluded from.Newman meetings and gatherings as well. What the heck??

Well deserved. Eileen is so damn good that she made this story compelling.

Eileen Davidson has been wonderful in this storyline and I know she’ll continue. But Beth Maitland is the one that gets to me. So understated, yet so believable in her role. Kudos to her for her many years on Y&R. I love it when they focus on families, not businesses.

Agree 100s% re: Beth Maitland. She is carrying this storyline forward. She’s captivating in her portrayal of Traci. I could watch her every day; a pleasure to watch her craft.

You’re right, Susan. Beth brings in the humanity, the history. She’s so good she makes it look easy- she’s a treasure. And did you know that the quilt Traci put in Ashley was one Beth made in real life?

Love it and I agree where is her daughter in all this?????

Oiling her scalp

She’s busy helping Devon trying to oust Daniel because he didn’t play nice with Lily.
Can you see her throwing her 120lbs around telling everyone what to do and how to do it? Why is everyone looking for Abby, who is nothing but a nuisance.?

I smell another Daytime Emmy, for Eilleen Davidson. She is a wonderful actress, love her as Ashley Abbott. Loved her on Days Of Our Lives.

I love the fact that Beth Maitland has been used in this story. But I have always wondered, for decades, why there is never any interaction between Traci Abbott and Victor Newman. I have always viewed the character of being the peace bridge between the Newmans and Abbotts.

I am along the thought process where are Abby and Kyle? Kyle needs to put his big boy pants on, and leave the business dealings at Jaboť! There are a lot of other things, but they would take away from Ashley’s performance, which does not need to happen!!!

I would watch Eileen read the phone book so I’m thrilled. Hopefully the alter murders Diane.

ED rocked those scenes – as fully expected….

Love her and love Tucker !!

How about put an end to this storyline please co ti use with Nikki and Jordan.

She is doing a horrible job doing this. Very unbelievable. This story line is getting very boring. I fast forward through this. I record this show and takes about 15 minutes most days to watch it after I FF through it.

Which she are you referring to? Certainly not Eileen or Beth/ Tracy. The only unnecessary one is Diana.

Abby is her daughter yes she should know about her mom . Not crazy about the actress acting but she does need to be included in this story Victor needs to be included if JG knew anything about this soap he would include Victor they had a compelling love story in the 80’s

I think that Eileen Davidson will win Best Actress Award for Y&R this year. Her acting with the DID is on point. She is doing a remarkable job portraying the disorder. I enjoy watching Y&R on days when they are showing Eileen.

The Jordan story seems to be draging along slowly. I hope we don’t have to wait until next year before Jordan is caught and put away for good where she can never escape again. Summer needs to get somewhere and sit down with her immature self. She has a lot of nerve passing judgement on anyone while sleeping with her Aunts EX husband. She behaves like a spoiled Brat. Plus, Harrison is no relation to her. He has a Mother. What is she going to do whenever Tara comes back, if they decide to bring her back? IJS

Recaps

Christopher Cousins Makes His Y&R Debut: What Were Your First Impressions of Alan Laurent?

Soap veteran, Christopher Cousins (ex-Cain, OLTL et al), made his first appearance on The Young and the Restless on the Tuesday, April 30th episode of the CBS daytime drama.

As previously reported, Cousins is taking on the role of Ashley’s friend/psychiatrist from Paris, Alan Laurent. In story, the Abbotts flew Alan in from Paris to see Ashley (Eileen Davidson) first-class ticket to Genoa City, no less.

Alan recalls to Traci (Beth Maitland) how Ashley was upset after revisiting the cafe where she had the fight with Tucker (Trevor St. John), and had two different versions in her mind of what actually happened. Traci enlightens Alan that Ashley has been having personality shifts from being assertive, to child-like, to taking tequila shots and having a good ole’ time. In addition, that Ashley is having blackouts with chunks of time gone from her memory.  Traci goes on to say that Billy (Jason Thompson) said he once experienced something like this himself with a personality splinter.

Photo: JPI

Traci is hoping Alan can talk to Ashley and insist she undergo treatment. Alan firmly explains that he can’t treat her himself, but he will see what he can do.

When Ashley, now as her alter Belle, comes to the Abbott home after chatting with Diane (Susan Walters) at Crimson Lights, she is thrilled to see her old friend, Alan. Eventually, the two head to Society where a concerned Abby (Melissa Ordway) pours them some champagne.

Photo: JPI

The two talk about Paris as Belle flirts with Alan. She then wonders if he is in town to probe her innermost thoughts. She tells Alan that her family has decided there’s something wrong with her. Alan assures Ashley that he cannot treat her as a patient in the U.S. as he is retired and does not have a license to practice in the states. Alan said he is concerned for her, but would never treat a friend.

Photo: JPI

Belle tells Alan, “The rumors about my mental breakdown are highly exaggerated.” Belle speaks to the other alters, and thinks Alan is the perfect solution for Ashley. She says, “Time for some joie de vivre.”

What did you think of Christopher Cousins in his new role as Alan Laurent? Will Ashley’s alters get Alan in bed with her? Will she set him up for something more devious? Will Alan figure out what is going on with Ashley and pretend to just be her friend, while somehow treating her multiple personality disorder? Let us know in the comment section below.

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American Idol

AMERICAN IDOL: Katy Perry Makes a Heartbreaking Decision as Top 7 are Revealed

It was dramatic American Idol on Monday night. The episode marked the return of the “Judges Song Contest”, where Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie each serve up a song choice for the contestant to sing, and they must choose one and then figure out who recommended that song choice.

As in the past, when it got down to the bottom two from the at-home voting, the judge who scored the most picks of their song choices by the contestants, was in the drivers seat and could ultimately save one of the two performers to sing another day.

After a night of sterling musical performances by Jack Blocker performing Willie Nelson’s Always On My Mind, Abi Carter doing her rendition of Evanescence’s Bring Me to Life, and Emmy Russell performing her grandmother Loretta Lynn’s classic, Coal Miner’s Daughter, the following were safe after the nationwide vote.

Photo: ABC

The aforementioned, Blocker, Russell and Carter, plus Will Moseley, Triston Harper, and Julia Gagnon. However, that left McKenna Faith Breinholt and Kaibrienne in the bottom two. At that point, Katy Perry conferred with her co-judges and announced with tears in her eyes, in an almost impossible choice for her, to save Breinholt, thus Kaibrienne’s run on ‘Idol’ came to an end.

Photo: ABC

The episode also welcomed back former Idol contestants Danny Gokey, Melinda Doolittle and Colton Dixon for a performance of “Shackles,” in honor of former Idol contestant, Gospel artist, and Grammy-winner, Mandisa who passed away earlier this month at 47.

Photo: ABC

So, did America get the Top 7 right? Did Katy do right by keeping McKenna for the Top 7 and sending Kabrienne home given her choices? Are there too many country artist contestants left in the mix? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first watch what happens when the final 7 are whittled down and Katy’s anguised decision.

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Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Deacon and Finn Make a Shocking Discovery and Find Sheila

On the Monday, April 29th episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, our two sleuths, Deacon (Sean Kanan) and Finn (Tanner Novlan), are looking for clues that Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) could be alive, especially after the homeless man (Clint Howard) tells them he saw a woman in their photo go into an abandoned building and he heard screaming until suddenly it stopped.

Deacon and Finn decide they have to go inside the dingy vacant building and search for Sheila. Once inside, Deacon is overcome, saying, “It’s awful in here. Like something died.” Finn keeps calling out his mother’s Sheila’s name. Eventually, the two end up at a locked gate and see a rat.

Next, they bust open the padlock to the gate and make their way down a flight of stairs, and then split up. During the search, Finn is hearing Sheila and Steffy’s (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) voices in his head, but take his flash flight and spots an old mattresses, garbage and a blanket.

Courtesy/CBS

Finn shouts, “Deacon, hurry up get in here!” Deacon hurries and they lift up the blanket to reveal a body. Finn rolls the body over and it’s a bloodied Sheila! Deacon is in shock, but takes off her shoe and sock to reveal the missing toe on her foot. Finn cries out, “Mom! Mom!!” We fade to black.

As previously reported, Kimberlin Brown is back as it appears Sheila is alive, and her lookalike Sugar is the person that Steffy stabbed in self-defense. Now the question becomes, what will happen to Steffy when she finds out that Sheila is alive, and she killed the wrong person?

What did you think about the reveal that Sheila is alive as discovered by Finn and Deacon? Comment below. But first, check out a little bit from yesterday’s B&B.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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Power Performance

Eileen Davidson as Ashley

The Young and the Restless

Airdate: 4-12-2024

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