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

By Michael Fairman

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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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

What I’m dying to know is, what the hell is Ashley’s problem ? Jack asked his sister today the same thing. What is she protecting herself from, etc, etc. We know Tucker is a jerk but that alone can’t be what brought her other selves out for help and why does she want to kill him?

Beyond the Gates

BEYOND THE GATES: Hayley Pulls a Gun on Dani, Sneering, “Gotta Love a Full Circle Moment, Don’t You?”

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Dani and Hayley

In a excellent episode of CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates, the Wednesday, September 23 edition gave us the long-awaited showdown between Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley), and the younger mistress who stole and married her ex-husband, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett), the grifter, Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings).

The showdown featured some of the delicious Beyond the Gates writing they have been known for when high stakes drama reaches an apex and this was no different.

In story, Hayley comes upon Dani snooping around her home. Dani accuses her of poisoning Bill. Next thing you know, Hayley pulls out a gun from her purse and says, “Gotta Love a Full Circle Moment, Don’t You?” That line of dialog takes us all the way back to the very beginning episodes of Beyond the Gates, when Dani pulled a gun out of her purse on Hayley and Bill at their wedding!

Hayley’s already got a play in mind and she tells it to Dani. She will inform the cops that an intruder was in her house and she shot her in self-defense, and when all is said and done, she will get the best lawyer money can buy. She won’t worry about Dani or Bill because they won’t be around to bother or argue with her. In fact, Hayley tells Dani she will be living her best life in St. Barts.

Hayley Police Station

Courtesy/CBS

CUFF HER!

Suddenly, Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) are there on the scene. Hayley feigns innocence but Jacob is detaining all three women, but he handcuffs Hayley as he brings them all down to the police station. Once at the station, Dani gives Jacob her statement and wants him to search Bill and Hayley’s house, but he says it’s not enough intel to get a warrant.

Meanwhile, Hayley is eying a trashcan in the squad room. She then digs inside her bra. Marcel (Daryl W. Handy) catches her and sees she is hiding something in her hand. He forces her to open it, and it reveals a vial. Dani believes it’s poison. Marcel is taking it to be analyzed.

Later. when Hayley is being questioned by Jacob, she tells him with Bill “out of town,” (which Jacob then realizes she is unaware that Bill has been hospitalized) that she will be making her one phone call to Tomas (Alex Alegria) to represent her.

BILL AND CHELSEA HAVE A CHAT

At the hospital, Bill is with Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) in his room as they discuss Hayley and Dani, not knowing anything of just what went down at Bill’s house. Chelsea hopes her father will be kind to her mother as both are now worried about what Hayley could do to him and Dani.

Andre and Joey

Courtesy/CBS

FRIGHTENED BY YOUR SISTER

Elsewhere, Andre (Sean Freeman) texts Joey (Jon Lindstrom), wanting to meet him in the back alley of the casino. Andre comes clean to Joey about his relationship with Joey’s sister, Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) and explains about their past. Andre says he needs Joey’s help to rein his sister in. Joey isn’t sure what to believe.

Next, Andre shows a video on his phone to Joey. Whatever was on the video raised concern from Joey. HE vowed to Andre he would handle it on one condition; they keep this between themselves.  However, Andre notes he does not want Heather to go after or harm Dani.

You can check out key moments from today’s episode below when Hayley is caught and handcuffed by Jacob after her confrontation with Dani.

Then let us know, what did you think of the showdown between Dani and Hayley? Do you think the poison and any evidence related to Bill’s medical condition will disappear and be unproven, thus setting Hayley free? If she goes free will she try to kill both Bill and Dani? Share your theories via the comment section below.

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Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?

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Dancing with the Stars Viral Hits Night

In week 2 of ballroom dance floor action on Dancing With the Stars season 35, it was “viral hits night,” which had all the celebrity contestants and their pro partners going head -to-head with each other, unlike last week’s two-night season premiere where the men were solely on night one and the women on night two.

Now, the 14 remaining couples strutted their stuff and their routines on the September 22 episode, where it was clear that paralympian, Ezra Frech and olympian, Amber Glenn showed how balance and athleticism came into play. BUT, there was no one more than Frech, who with one prosthetic leg, just could get down on the dance floor better than the rest of us, anytime anywhere!

When the smoke cleared, three couples had the highest scores from the panel of judges, Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno. Each received a 21/30 score and were a top the leaderboard ahead of the night’s final results.

Dancing with the Stars Cast

Photo: ABC

The top scores belonged to: Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who danced a Jive to “Animal” by Katseye, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach who performed a cha-cha to “Low” by Flo Rida, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov who took to the floor performing a tango
to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison, who was in the ballroom DJing the song!

WHO WAS SENT HOME?

At the end of the night, the results were revealed. The first six couples who were announced as safe were: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov.

Also safe were: Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.

The bottom three were revealed as: Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. In the end, Giada and Alan who were sent home.

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, airs Tuesdays, 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and Disney+

Take a look at the top three highest scored dances from last night’s Viral Hits Night’s competition below. Then let us know, who you thought was the fiercest couple of them all, via the comment section.

 

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jordan Sees Sonny and Justine Making Out, Britt and Anna Have a Chat, Valentin is Livid

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General Hospital, Jordan

On the Tuesday, September 22 episode of General Hospital, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) got an earful from Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) after her proposed stunt to get damning evidence against Drew (Cameron Mathison), Anna (Finola Hughes) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had a conversation they needed to have, and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) came upon Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Justine (Nazneen Contractor) making out in the parking lot of the Brown Dog Bar.

Let’s take a closer look as the action and story that went down: First, Valentin was horrified to learn what Charlotte was plotting to get Drew to leave Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) alone. Learning that Charlotte thought that her plan to make it look as if Drew was making out with a teenage girl was a great idea, Valentin fired back. “Dammit, why can’t you admit you put your life at risk?”

Valentin firmly told his daughter that she will not have any more contact with Danny. However, Charlotte said she will see Danny at school, Valentin stated, “Not anymore.” Will Valentin put Charlotte in another high school? Send her out of town or leave town with his daughter? Stay tuned.

APOLOGY ACCEPTED

After leaving the Brown Dog Bar, Britt headed over to Aurora Wellness and had a tense confrontation with Anna, the woman who planned on killing her. Anna apologized to Britt noting she would always regret what she did and would like to smooth things over with Britt if she would let her.

Taking in Anna’s apology, Britt also apologized for not coming to Anna’s rescue sooner while Anna was locked up in Wyndemere. Anna says she understands Britt was made to believe she was dying of Huntington’s disease. However, Anna said that Cesar Faison had caused just as much long-term damage to his daughter as he has with her. That moment, leaves Britt startled.

JORDAN OFFERS AN ENDORSEMENT THEN GETS AN EYEFUL

Back at the Brown Dog, Jordan offered Justine her endorsement for the Port Charles district attorney position. Jordan even went one step further and said as much as she does not like going out in public (due to her facial scars) she would help organize a kick-off rally.

Jordan also let Justine know she will have tough competition during her DA election campaign, and for Justine not to be surprised if one of her competitors goes looking for any dirt or skeletons they can dig up on her. While Justine glances over at Sonny, who is at another table, she tells Jordan she is confident no one will find anything to use against her.

HOWEVER at the end of the episode, Sonny followed Justine into the parking lot after they had separately exited the Brown Dog Bar, where they flirted and reminisced about their first kiss in the same spot. Next thing you know, the two are making out when Jordan happens upon the scenes and is witness to their smooches. We fade to black.

Take a look at the final moments from today’s GH in a scene entitled, “Not Public Knowledge” below.

Then weigh-in, Why do you think it was Jordan who came upon Sonny and Justine’s romance? How will Jordan use the intel to her own advantage, or will she? What do you think Britt will do next? And what did you think of Charlotte’s plan to get some video on Drew to use against him to get him to leave Danny alone? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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