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Y&R’s Billy Flynn Shares That Years Ago, He “Talked to The Show About Playing Chance, But It Just Didn’t Work Out”

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI

In the flip-flop casting world of soap operas, being a recast has become commonplace, when for one reason or another, an actor exits the show they have been on for a long time, or a short time.

In the case of Y&R’s Billy Flynn and Conner Floyd, their paths are criss-crossing like never before. Recently, Billy debuted on The Young and the Restless as Aristotle Dumas who turned out to really be a recast Cane Ashby. While Flynn can be seen on all-new episodes of the top-rated soap opera, he can also be seen on Peacock streaming on all-new episodes of Days of our Lives as Chad DiMera, because what is airing now was taped over nine months ago, due to DAYS lengthy tape to stream calendar.

Meanwhile, the current Chance Chancellor on Y&R, Conner Floyd, was tapped to be Billy’s replacement on Days of our Lives and has already begun taping episodes in Salem. Conner will not be seen as the recast Chad till sometime in 2026.

Photo: JPI

Now in an interview with Woman’s World, Billy Flynn revealed at one point he spoke to The Young and the Restless about taking on the role of Chance, since Flynn admitted coming over to join the cast of Y&R has been something on his wish list for quite some time.

Billy shared “I’d wanted to work at Y&R for a long time. I mean, at every Emmys, I talked to Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) about going over and years ago, I talked to the show about playing Chance, but it just didn’t work out. The fact that this role came when it did, it felt serendipitous. It felt like the right time, the right part. I was excited.”

Photo: JPI

As for Conner Floyd being the nuChad, the complimentary Flynn added, “Some people are sad that I’ve left, but I think Connor taking over excites everybody.”

In addition, Billy will continue to make this reboot of the character of Cane Ashby (previously played by GH’s Daniel Goddard) his own, he explained,  “I think it’s important for a leading man character to not take himself so seriously. I know that’s not how Cane’s started out and it’s going to be a very slow reveal, but a role only gets better the more time you have with it. It took a year before I felt like I was getting a handle on Chad, and I’ve felt like I’m starting to get a little handle on Cane sooner than that. I’ll probably feel a little unsettled for quite some time, but it’s been a blessing.”

What would you have thought of Billy Flynn as Chance Chancellor prior to Conner Floyd on Y&R? Are you liking Billy’s portrayal of nuCane thus far? Excited to see Conner as DAYS Chad? Comment below. But first, in case you missed it, check out our livestream chat with Billy from last month via the Michael Fairman Channel.

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It’s unlikely that Billy Flynn left for a short term role on Y&R but the return on Cane is feeling short term much like the return of Ian or Jordan’s storyline.

There’s too much going on to be sustained for too long. The anticlimactic reveal of Cane as Dumas. The murder of Damian. Sharon and Nick being held, etc. It just feels like it’s going to burn itself out.

Billy Flynn as Cane just isn’t connecting with me. If they didn’t try to get Daniel Goddard back, Flynn should have been brought on as a new character.

The death of Damian feels like something that would happen when new writers come on board. Yet it’s the same writer so Damian s death feels schizophrenic. Amy will now have to ride off into the sunset. I suppose when everyone escapes the maze, it could be revealed Amy’s condition got much worse and she died.

There’s so much potential on Y&R but it’s just not being fulfilled because of terrible writing.

nuCane is so different from oldCane. Billy’s performance is a little wooden. I haven’t warmed up to him or Cane.

It’s probably for the best that he didn’t get the role of Chance. The show has never seemed to know what to do with Chance long-term. But I also think Billy was miscast as Cane. Knowing that Daniel Goddard was available since he’s on GH right now, it makes no sense why they wouldn’t bring him back as opposed to recasting the role, with a non-Aussie actor, no less. It’s like Jack Brennan 2.0, which has also been a bust. I think Billy would have been much better as a character like Lucky on GH.

Well Billy be glad you didn’t play Chance They are still trying to figure out how to write for him! Speaking of Billy feeling wooden as Cane , blame it on the writers ! This convoluted story is a mess and feels like it’s being written day to day . On what universe would Nick have for killing Damian ! Does he even know him and Victor the bully not reacting to being held on an island with no contact with the rest of his family! We do get Adam running behind a curtain once a week to clue every one in on Genoa City What a joke

Not going to lie, I do think he would fit the role of Chance better than he does Cane. But, I’m happy he got his wish of joining the cast!

I just sat thru a video on you tube of coming attractions on Guiding Light from the 1980’s. There was so much action and suspense in that 15 minute video!!! Turn to Y&R now, and it’s dull and listless. And yes, it seems like it’s written off the cuff on a daily basis. Flynn shows no energy…the only one holding their own thru all of this nonsense is Michelle Stafford…she’s able to turn the schlock she’s handed into something interesting. The rest of the show requires a laugh track. Such a pity.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere

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BTG and Y&R

CBS daytime dramas, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless go head-to-head when two featured cast members from each show compete on the syndicated game show, Flip Side for its season 3 premiere.

Hosted by Jaleel White (best known as Steve Urkel from Family Matters) and filmed near Atlanta, Georgia, daytime drama fans should circle Monday, September 14th when you can catch: representing Team BTG, Colby Nixon (Kat Richardson) and RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton), and Representing Team Y&R, Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil).

In the upcoming soap opera showdown, the competing teams will win prize money for the charities of their choosing, when White tests both teams on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic, and to see which team will make it to the final round.

Photo: CBS

Flip Side’s loglines shares that it’s “an original, laugh out-loud survey-based game show that pits two teams of contestants against each other, testing them on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic. The teams compete for a shot at $10,000 by guessing the top answers based on anonymous surveys – which can be provocative, surprising, and often humorous. Throughout each episode, host Jaleel White brings a fun and comedic energy to the show while also guiding the contestants through the questions.”

Season three leans deeper into exploring relationships, dating, social behaviors and everyday life situations that viewers can relate to. Season three also features multiple celebrity episodes benefiting charity kicking off with the CBS soap showdown.

In addition to airing Monday to Friday in syndication on stations across the country, Flip Side has a second run on Game Show Network. So, check your local listings for times in your area, or catch Flip Side on GSN.

So, who do you think wins the soap opera showdown between BTG’s Colby and RhonniRose vs. Y&R’s Bryton and Christel? Make your picks in the comment section. But first, check out a bit of the action from the episode below.

 

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A post shared by Flip Side (@flipsidegameshow)

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‘The Young and the Restless’ EP Sally McDonald Previews Billy and Sally’s Wedding, ‘Expect the Unexpected’

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Jason Thompson

This fall, The Young and the Restless will feature stories from its exited head writer, Josh Griffith as their season 54 begins in October, but then come November 11 and as previously reported the material from its new co-head writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor will begin to air.

Y&R’s executive producer, Sally McDonald previewed what’s coming up on the top-rated CBS soap opera to TV Insider, and viewers should look for fireworks and more at the upcoming wedding of Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and a very pregnant Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), who is carrying his child.

McDonald expressed, “Billy is his own worst enemy now more than ever as his need for revenge takes over his life. He will receive a reality check from Sally, leading them both on planning the wedding of the year. Sally will find herself navigating politics in her personal life when she is faced with major decisions about the wedding. Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally always seem to find their lives intertwined whether they like it or not, and this fall will be no different. Billy and Sally’s nuptials will be the wedding of the year, and you should expect the unexpected!”

Billy and Sally

Photo: JPI

BILLY ABBOTT AT THE EPICENTER OF THE DRAMA

In addition, Daytime Emmy winner, Jason Thompson recently took to his Instagram account and acknowledged any negative reactions to fans of the story, which also has the adjunct arc of Billy going all out to reclaim Chancellor Industries for the Abbotts, and brought with him “good” and “bad” news.

Thompson started with, “I’ve got good news and bad news. I’ll give you the good news first. For people that like Billy, and you want exciting stories on The Young and the Restless, I’m telling you it’s only getting better. So, you’re in for a helluva ride. The bad news is, if you are someone who doesn’t like Billy and don’t want exciting stories to happen, you’re s**t out of luck, because it’s happening anyway. Stay tuned!”

In addition, Sally McDonald also shared that Billy’s sisters, Traci (Beth Maitland) and Ashley (Eileen Davidson), “Will be front and center for Billy and Sally’s wedding. The two sisters will share very different opinions of their little brother’s bride to be.”

You can check out Jason Thompson’s message below.

Now let us know, do you want Billy and Sally to tie the knot? Do you hope Adam and Sally truly get back together? What unexpected twists do you think will go down during the nuptials that happens in October? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Jason Thompson (@myjasonthompson)

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