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(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Peter Bergman Deconstructs Jack’s Desperate Move to Sober Up Nikki, the Repercussions Ahead, and the Loss of TV Mom, Marla Adams

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

on

Photo: JPI

This week on The Young and the Restless, the top-rated soap deliver first in its five decades. An episode aired involving only two characters; Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott).

At its epicenter was Jack trying to stage his own intervention, of sorts, to get Nikki to stop drinking herself into oblivion as her battle with alcoholism escalated to a whole new level. Alone in a suite at the GCAC, Nikki has bottles of booze everywhere.

Jack, who is Nikki’s sponsor, finds her and for most of an entire episode tries everything he can think of to make her sober up, but she continues to hit rock bottom and doesn’t want to be saved. After she ridicules him in a drunken stupor, about how he failed her as her sponsor, it sends Jack, an addict himself, over the edge. Next thing you know, Jack is drinking with Nikki, and then takes it one step further and orders some pills from his dealer. And from there, things take a deadly turn.

Photo: JPI

Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott have a long history on Y&R together, plus she was instrumental in bringing him to Genoa City in the first place. In story, Jack and Nikki were married from 1990-1994, but things came crashing down between them due to alcohol. Years later, in a case of history almost repeating itself, it once again almost destroyed their bond, but instead, the powerful moments bonded them together for life.

It is without question, that Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott are Michael Fairman TV’s picks for the Power Performance of the Week, and for Bergman, who has already nabbed 24 Daytime Emmy nominations in his storied career with 3 previous wins, this performance surely will land him his 25th next year and maybe even Emmy gold.

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Peter shortly after the heartbreaking episodes aired to get his thoughts on: Jack’s motivations throughout the key scenes, what will happen to Jack now, and the passing of his on-screen mother, Marla Adams (ex-Dina), who passed away on April 25th at the age of 85. Here’s what this iconic actor, who is known for the excellence of execution in his craft, had to share in our conversation below.

Photo: JPI

Well, my mouth dropped. I just could not believe how gut-wrenching this episode was. It was like a twist on the classic motion picture, Days of Wine and Roses, but on steroids.

PETER: That was a wild trip, I’ll tell you. As it was presented to me, it was the story of Jack going too far to help Nikki. When I got the script and saw that it was one of those great, ‘the tables turn,’ suddenly you’re on the receiving end. And normally in daytime television, the table doesn’t turn for about four days. And, in one episode, this giant shift happens. It was really rewarding to do that stuff with Melody with whom I have so much history. Some of my first scenes on the show were with Melody. My first couple years I was glued to Melody. So, it was pretty powerful for me. It really was. 

When you saw the script and you saw that Jack put his sobriety in jeopardy for Nikki, you’re left with all these questions, because it’s such a severe turn. I’ve been kind of tracking the response on social media, and some people are like, “Oh, that would never happen.” But we also have to take into account the dramatic license Y&R is taking here. What are your thoughts?

PETER: I think we have to give dramatic license. But I think too, Jack kept appealing to the goodness in her. It was covered by all of this addiction and alcohol. And the best way he could find her kindness, her goodness, was by putting himself in jeopardy and watching her come alive.

So, Jack knew what he was doing?

PETER: Yes. He knew what he was starting, and then it went too far. Jack knew he wanted to shock her into sobriety, shock her into clarity and he went too far and he’s going to pay for it.

Photo: JPI

Peter, this is an Emmy-performance! I’m calling it now.

PETER: Oh, well, it’s very, very, kind of you to say. Maybe I can get my 91st nomination. (Laughs) It was a crazy journey in so many ways. I found out about this episode, strangely enough, when one of the audio guys said to me, “Hey, I heard about your show next week with Melody?” I go. “What show is that?” And the sound guy said to me, “They were talking in the booth yesterday. It’s like an episode with only the two of you in it.” I thought he had to have heard that wrong. We’ve never, ever done that. Turns out, he was right. It was a day later that Josh Griffith (EP and head writer, Y&R) came to me and said, “Well, you ready?” I said, “Ready for what?” And, off we went …

The episode was like watching a two-person play in many ways.

PETER: It was just that, and it kind of came out of nowhere, but certainly didn’t come out of nowhere history-wise with these two characters. Obviously, Jack’s been Nikki’s sponsor here for a while. I think what I’m happiest about is this undercurrent that was there all along – that Jack really wanted to be there for her. Jack and Nikki were married once, and it really fell apart around alcohol. Jack was not the right person to be there for her. Back then, he was an enabler. He could not help her. Everything ended because of that and eventually, Victor (Eric Braeden) stepped in to take over Nikki’s sobriety and everything went. I think Jack has seen this opportunity to redeem himself. It meant the world to him. And suddenly that’s on the line, and it’s “Oh, God. I failed her again.”

That was the gut-wrenching part. You could see that there was a shift in Jack the moment Nikki went in on him and how he failed her as a sponsor.

PETER: I’m very glad to hear you say that. That really was the turning point. That was when Jack came up with this wacky, crazy, dangerous idea.

Photo: JPI

Does Jack believe what he said, when he started to drink, and says, “I’m Mr. Uptight?”

PETER: In fairness, it’s something she called him. They had to cut parts of this thing. Nikki was just tired of laced up, uptight Jack. She said it in those terms, and we ended up kind of keeping it in there as “Mr. Uptight” because it is kind of true. Jack’s gotten awfully straight-laced and buttoned up. And, well, you saw how he loosened up a bit. Wow!

What did you think about the story point that Jack has his drug dealer’s number on his phone?

PETER: That’s what addicts do. They tempt themselves. “You see, I’m stronger than my addiction. There’s a bottle of vodka in this house, and I am beating it.” That was Jack’s bottle of vodka in essence, in his phone.

Courtesy/CBS

So, when he started taking the pills, did he literally lose control of himself by taking them, or, was he just doing it to keep proving a point to Nikki?

PETER: Oh, no. The first one was very strategic and very carefully planned. The problem is once you fail, once you cross that line, you’re tempted to see what else is over here on the dark side. Before he knew it, he’d had three of them and then more, and then another after that and mixed with the alcohol. It pretty much did him in.

Courtesy/CBS

I’ve seen people in that kind of state, and you nailed it. There was the moment that was heartbreaking. His teeth were clenched from the drugs, he was so high on the pills combined with alcohol and he was asking Nikki to dance with him.

PETER: I have, too. I’m sad to say, I too, have been in that position. Going to help a friend out who ended up dying for all his bad choices.

Courtesy/CBS

Later, Jack gets resuscitated by the paramedics and then later Victor shows up. How is Jack feeling after his arch-nemesis walks in on the aftermath of this traumatic scene with his wife and Jack?

PETER: When the paramedics show up, frankly, Jack isn’t sure what they did. They gave him an injection to counteract the drugs in his system. Jack didn’t come around for quite a while. And when he does, Nikki is just shocked sober, trying to get help for Jack, Eventually, Victor shows up. Jack kind of has no leg to stand on, and he eventually makes it home. His son, Kyle (Michael Mealor) is the first person to see him in the house, and there’s clearly something very wrong with Jack. He’s trying to get back on track, but he’s just had a near-death experience.

Courtesy/CBS

And now of course, it’s going to be what will happen when Diane finds out what happened with Jack and Nikki.

PETER: Oh, God. The next thing is Diane walks in, and I mean this poor woman, he never called her. He never called her to say “I’m safe.” She spent a whole night worrying, and then she gets to find out where he actually was. Oh, that’s got to be reassuring – he was in hotel room holed up with Nikki – that should comfort her.

Photo: JPI

Originally, Diane warned Jack that is was a bad idea for him to be Nikki’s sponsor.

PETER: Oh, yeah. That’s the worst part. She saw this coming. Diane literally meets the Jack she never knew and her argument is, “Wait! You’re capable of this? Did you once think of me? Where do I fit into any of this?” It’s a pretty powerful argument. Jack didn’t call her to say, “I’m in a weird situation. I will be home as soon as I can. I am safe. I am fine.” He could have been dead as far as she was concerned. And she comes home and he wants to get back on track. Yeah. It’s bad. He’s like, “I’m sorry about that. And let’s get back to our life.” Is she not ready for that!

With what he just experienced, and taking pills again, do you think Jack is very worried that he won’t be able to help himself and he will go down a path like Nikki just did, where he can’t help himself and fight off his demons?  

PETER: I think Jack has convinced himself this is a one-off. This happened once, and it went way too far, and it’s not going to happen again. And, you know how dangerous that talk is.

Photo: JPI

What did you think about Melody’s performance when Nikki hit rock bottom and was stinking drunk in the GCAC suite with Jack?

PETER: It was just stunning. I got to tell you, as an actor, the hardest thing in that sloppiness is you’ve got to keep the scene moving. She was just spectacular.

Courtesy/CBS

I know you don’t often get more than one take on the soaps, but what was the approach to taping this episode?

PETER: No, we don’t get a lot of takes, but for this, it was broken up a little bit such as, “Once we get to this point, we will move the cameras upstage, and we will pick up on that line. We will pick up there.” There was an 11-page scene and I think we did that in one or two takes. It was quite a lot. Incidentally, that week I had three other episodes to tape. Is that incredible? I had so many words in my head. I’m not complaining. They decided to do something that’s never been done before. They decided, “I want do it with Peter Bergman.” Of course, I am honored and flattered and really happy that it went as well as it did. I said to my wife, Mariellen, “What did you think of the episode?” She saw it before I did. She said, “Here’s what I think. I think it was very well- written.” You’ve got a drunk character there. She could say all kinds of stupid things, and she was still kind of sparky and snotty underneath that slurring and everything. She was also acerbic and sarcastic. There was a point at which, as you said, you watched Jack and everything just changed and that’s good writing.

As a viewer, to make this make sense to us, Jack had to do something drastic to stop Nikki from drinking because nothing else was working.

PETER: Yep, and then, he has all of that substance in him and alcohol, and he says, in the most clear terms, “I would do anything for you.” And it’s just, “yikes.” What just happened?

Photo: JPI

Eric Braeden was touting your performances on social media. He said, “Watched scenes between MELODY and PETER , NIKKI and JACK, and they were brilliant! Their scenes in the hotel! Performers of the damn year!!! It was very difficult to keep this up, scene after scene and not hit a bad note! You don’t realize how many pages of dialogue that was!” Did you happen to see that?

PETER: I didn’t know that. That’s very, very generous. I am beyond respectful to what Eric and Melody had built together, so that is giant generosity on his part to do that.

What do you think this means for Jack and Nikki? Do you think they could ever be together again as a couple given all they have been through together?

PETER: It’s hard for me to imagine they could be together. They’ve been through too much. She’s in rehab, and Jack will be answering to everyone’s vitriol about his bad choices. I think, when he sees Nikki again, she will be the only person that understands what they went through. It’s hard to define, this isn’t romantic. This is shared experience, shared trauma. This was such destructive behavior and desperation.

Courtesy/ABC

It was Melody who originally recommend you for the part of Jack Abbott, and here the two of you are decades later tearing up the screen and the scenes.

PETER: Yes, absolutely. Melody did recommend me for the part. As story goes, I was on All My Children. That job had come to an end. Back then, there were 12 or so daytime television magazines. I seemed to be on the cover of all of them, because everybody seemed a little surprised that All My Children decided to let Peter Bergman go. Melody was on a flight with Ed Scott, who was then executive producer of the show. She saw my picture on the cover and she pointed to him. They’d been looking for somebody to replace Terry Lester for months. And she said, “That’s Jack Abbott.” How she got that from what I did as Cliff I’ll never know. So, Ed called the casting people and put that in motion.

Photo: JPI

Here you are together years later in this exceptional episode.

PETER: And here we are! My first day of work at Y&R, I worked with Jess Walton (Jill) and Jerry Douglas (ex-John). My second day, I worked with Melody at the old Newman Set.

Photo: JPI

I wanted to get your thoughts on the passing of your on-screen mother, Marla Adams (ex-Dina).

PETER: The passing of Marla Adams is bittersweet. She was so happy to return to The Young and The Restless. I had a hand in it all happening. Tony Morina (former Co-EP, Y&R) had asked me one day, “Is there anything you haven’t played on this show?” And I said, “You know what? Jack has a mother out there somewhere who did more damage to him. Every woman who’s been with Jack has paid for her crimes. I think it would be interesting if we found his mom.” That kind of set it in motion. Tony asked me to call Marla to see if she was interested, and that’s how it all began. So, Marla showed up and was delighted to be there, and so eager to do great work. She was so ready to tell this powerful story of Alzheimer’s and dementia. And partway into this story, it was clear that she was struggling with some of that herself. So, when people were judging Best Supporting Actress the year that she won, they saw this woman who was clearly just on a different plane than all those characters in that scene. It was stunning. Marla was a sweet, sweet woman who brought me the story that for so long we forgot to tell about Jack.

Photo: JPI

If you were to tease what’s coming up next here with Jack, what would you say?

PETER: I’m really fascinated to see how Jack and Diane survive this. I hope we have established enough of a real relationship between these two that we can dig deep. I love those types of scenes, and that’s what I look forward to. If I can do those digging deep scenes with Susan Walters, I’d be thrilled. In story, Jack has got to keep his eye on Kyle. There’s a growing resentment, a growing discomfort. I’m not sure what it is, but Jack can see it in Kyle and it could spell trouble. He is, in fact, Jack Abbott’s son.

Photo: JPI

Should we be worried about Jack? Perhaps, another slip might be around the corner and he could be headed to rehab?

PETER: No. I think we’ve established pretty strongly that this was a one-time thing. Thank, God! He had to pay such a heavy price for one slip. There is just no one who thinks he made the right move there. So, it pulls him up short at the right time before we’re into a real dangerous territory. I think Jack’s going to be all right. However, the damage he did that night to the trust with his wife, to his relationship with Victor, to his son’s belief in him, he did some real damage. And cumulatively all of these things, Ashley’s (Eileen Davidson) mental issues, then Nikki, and Diane and Kyle, and all these things are weighing really heavily on Jack. I hope he’s strong enough to survive it.

What did you think of Peter Bergman’s performance in the two-person episode where Jack literally put his entire life on the line for Nikki, but went too far? What did you think will happen to Jack’s marriage to Diane? Will he be tempted to pop pills again and suffer a similar fate as his ex-wife, Nikki has with booze?

Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out a few of the scenes from Melody Thomas Scott’s and Peter’s work in the back-to-back episodes on this story.

 

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A fantastic scene. Kudos to Melody Thomas Scott and Peter Bergman. It did remind me of the movie, The Days of Wine and Roses. They.should be nominated ans win Emmys next year

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Just about the dumbest plot twist in soap history. That Jack would do such a stupid thing is unbelievable.

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Maybe not the dumbest, but the most poorly written. I feel so bad for the actors at Y&R that they have to suffer the horrible written words they have to say. CBS & Sony HAVE TO be looking for a new head writer and EP, they have to be.

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Not at all “poorly written”! Just the OPPOSITE! No new head writer and new EP needed!

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What drugs are you on? Are you daft? It’s not that far fetched that something like this could occur. I too was surprised that they had Jack go to the extreme in which he did but I could see someone actually do this, as twisted as it is.

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Taking drugs to “help” a fellow addict? Would someone as smart as Jack Abbot do that? Also called his former supplier who delivered to the hotel room by just passing in a bag? Jack never even gave him a room number. As bad as when a “smart” Jordan just shows up in an ally to meet Nickie and is caught by Victor. Very bad writing.

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I wasn’t crazy about the SL but I think it IS something Jack would certainly do, and that is he’d do anything in the world for his dear friend, and nothing romantic here. It’s too bad that both their spouses will be giving them nothing but trouble instead of their support.

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I don’t think it was dumb at all. It was very human. It was a case of the old saying, “Desperate people do desperate things.”

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Peter Bergman is a Hall of Fame actor. I have loved his work since he was on “AMC” as Cliff. For all of the years that he didn’t win an Emmy, I couldn’t help it must have just been a reel submission not as good as the others. On a day-to-day basis, Peter/Jack is in a class my himself. With Tony Geary no longer on daytime, we can now call Peter the “King of Daytime.”

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Peter and Mel were absolutely brilliant in this episode. I’ll say it here and now, they both will get Emmy noms AND wins next year!

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It sort of reminded me of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in “Who’s afraid of Virginia Wolf”

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Oh, yes! That was exactly what it reminded me of… and that was one long, excruciatingly rough night for George and Martha.

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Reminded me more of Joe and Kirsten in “The Days of Wine and Roses.” They were pathetic drunks. In “Virginia Woolf,” Burton and Taylor were ugly, vicious drunks.

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Heartbreaking scenes. The acting was superb by both of them! Excellent show Y n R!!!

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It made me cry when Jack was upset that he had failed Nicki. It was heartbreaking.

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Well…I had a feeling that Jack and Victor’s so-called truce (or whatever) wouldn’t last. LOL

Just saying…

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They will never be best buddies but they can still help each other especially when it involves family, then they just seem to reach out automatically.

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Violet…this is true. And family is always important.

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Thank you, and BTW, I think Peter did a wonderful job helping Nicki through her “lost weekend”. Too bad his wife couldn’t be more supportive but understandable I guess.

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Forgive me for not reading all of the before. I grasped the concept. Nikki held all the way through. It took me a while to feel Jack finally moved into the best performance seen in years. His start was slow and perhaps in part for the struggle to define the script. This was painful!

Upon occasion I need to pull back from watching. This Victor thing in addition to the whole start with Nikki and the abduction may call for a time out for me.

Thanks. A lot of thought and deliberation went into addressing a terrible addiction!

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That was a great episode. If Melody Scott doesn’t get a Daytime Emmy nomination for the “Nikki Falls Off the Wagon” storyline, there is no justice in the world!

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Interviews

Y&R’s Joshua Morrow Weighs-In on Who Will Save Nick from His Fentanyl Addiction: Nikki? Jack? Sienna or Someone Else? (Exclusive)

Published

3 days ago

on

May 16, 2026

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On The Young and the Restless, Nick Newman’s (Joshua Morrow) addiction to Fentanyl is hitting all-time lows. The Friday, May 15 episode saw Nick meet up with his drug dealer where he scored another baggie and took more pills, escalating his mood swings, outbursts and more.

While Nick wants Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) to hand over Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) to him now (she was keeping him stored in a guest room at the GCAC, but now he’s MIA). Victor (Eric Braeden) and Adam (Mark Grossman) and company, all are using the Matt/Nick rivalry as a part of the play to get Newman Enterprises back in the family. However, Phyllis looks to be setting up a double-cross and working another angle to keep the Newman portfolio for herself.

Meanwhile, Nick has truly gone down the darkest path of his life. During this week’s livestream interview on the Michael Fairman Channel, Joshua Morrow along with his on-screen brother, Mark Grossman participated in a chat and discussed all the complexities of playing this important storyline which has become a medical and social crisis across America.

Photo: JPI

FENTANYL REAL-LIFE VS. SOAP LIFE

“I did some research on Fentanyl, which as everybody knows is obviously a major problem,” explained Morrow when first finding out about his storyline. “We’re doing a different version of what a true Fentanyl problem looks like. We’re doing the more television version (if you will). Fentanyl is obviously a very scary problem. I’m trying very hard to stay true to the story while also properly conveying that this guy has an issue with it. When in all actuality, this drug is way, way, way more serious than we’re able to show.”

In intense and heartbreaking scenes, Nick told his father Victor, his mother, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and sister, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) that he had developed a drug problem, but was goig to get help. Joshua explains how he approached each admission to the Newman family members.

“Nick had to which I loved, go to three family members that didn’t know about his pill addiction,” began Joshua. “So, his explanations of what was going on with him were all very different. With Victor, he told him it was just shame: ‘I’m sorry I let the family down. I know you count on me, and I’m so sorry.’  With his mother, it was, ‘I’m okay, because I know that you have dealt with this. I’m going to be OK. I don’t want you to worry about me.” He says that because Nick knows what Nikki’s gone through. With his sister, Victoria, that’s his ride or die homie, his best friend. They are inseparable. He said to her, ‘You and I agreed, we’re never going do anything like this to the family because we’ve seen it. And, you know, we always have to step up and protect the family at any cost.’ Nick just knows that he is going to disappoint his best friend in that moment.”

Photo: JPI

WHO WILL ULTIMATELY GET NICK INTO RECOVERY?

So far, Nick says he will go to rehab, Adam says he is going to get his brother into rehab, and on and on. Problem is, Nick won’t go until he puts an end to Matt Clark’s reign of terror himself and wants to end the guy and his threat to all his loved ones. But the way things are going, he may not even make it that far to make his plan come to fruition. Leaving the question, who will make a big enough difference to get him the proper help he needs? Joshua Morrow weighed-in.

“Coming up, I think his mother is going to be pretty integral in helping Nick with this process,” revealed Joshua. “I think, I can comfortably say that without conveying too much of what’s ahead. Nick knows that there’s a completely different dynamic with his mother with this issue than it is with his father. Nikki knows what’s going to happen (in rehab). She knows what he can expect. Nikki can give Nick, hopefully, the blueprint on how to deal with it. So, we shall see.”

Photo: JPI

Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) might also be in the ticket to Nick’s sobriety having actually battled his addiction to pills himself. Could Victor’s nemesis also be the person to save his son, which will either make Victor more determined to destroy Jack, or could it end the long-running feud for now if he helps out Nick?

“Jack and Nick have a very good relationship,” reminds Joshua to viewers. “I think that is certainly something that is in the cards, but I also think that Jack’s got a lot going on right now with his crazy super sexy, stalker chick (Patty). Jack’s dance card might be a little full right now, then to help his old boy Nick with his pill problem.”

Photo: JPI

Then, there is Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun), who is currently with Nick’s son, Noah (Lucas Adams). Previously, she dropped that her brother went though an addiction problem. Might she be the one to help Nick turn a corner? Can she even be trusted?

“Nick and Sharon (Sharon Case) both are not completely trusting of Sienna,” explains Morrow. “The credit for that goes to Tamara Braun’s (great) choices on Sienna. She plays her with always an element of ‘I don’t know what this girl’s doing or what her agenda is or what her past is?’ There’s a mystery always surrounding her. She and Noah seem to be pretty tight, but it doesn’t really give Nick a ton of good feelings yet. It’s probably mostly because of the Matt connection, but it doesn’t seem like a relationship without a ton of promise to Nick.”

Courtesy/CBS

GIVE ME THE BALL

This June, will mark Joshua’s 32nd anniversary with The Young and the Restless, and thus far this has been the best storyline for Morrow in his enduring career with the top-rated soap. Joshua knows the importance of being given something to play that is you own in the world of daytime drama.

“I’ve been saying that to Josh Griffith (head writer, Y&R), or to whoever was at charge at the time, give me the ball. Just trust me. I say it all the time. It’s a sports reference, obviously. It’s like everybody on the show feels, ‘If you just gimme the ball, I promise you I will deliver.’ We all want (as actors) to show everybody what we can do. This is tough work for me (in this storyline), but it’s very fulfilling work.”

ICYMI: you can watch the replay of our conversation with Joshua Morrow and Mark Grossman from their visit to the Michael Fairman Channel below.

Now, let us know your thoughts: Do you think it will be Nikki, Jack, Sienna or someone else that will be there for Nick at his darkest time and help him get into rehab and deal with his addiction? Share your picks in the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)

Published

4 days ago

on

May 15, 2026

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EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) is always in the thick of things on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Currently on all-new episodes his pet project to bring his sister, Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) back to life, seems in part, successful.

Meanwhile, his machinations with the women in his life continue as viewers wait to see just what he may remember about Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) and his past, and what trouble he and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) will stir up, and that’s only part of EJ’s story.

Recently, viewers learned at the reading of Stefano’s will, that the Phoenix’s Queen of the Night, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) was bequeathed a chess set. In fact, Stefano left it not only for Marlena, but her late husband and Stefano’s ultimate adversary, John Black. Clearly, there is more to the story, after Marlena declined the gift and walked out without saying a word, opening up another mystery.

Photo: JPI

In a brand new conversation with Days of Our Lives leading man and villain, Dan Feuerriegel now featured on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, he previews just how EJ may be deployed into the mystery of Marlena’s chest set from his father, the iconic Stefano DiMera.

CHECKMATE

First, Feuerriegel weighed-in on what EJ truly thinks of Marlena. “Respects, but cautious. Marlena’s the Queen Bee,” explained Dan. “So, there are some people on DAYS that EJ will not mess with, shall we say, and Marlena is one of those characters.”

As to what is up with the chess set that Marlena was given and turned down at the will reading, Dan shared, “There’s some fun that that occurs with that chess board and shall we say, like a little adventure. Obviously, EJ is suspected of having something to do with this, but also, in regards to the will reading, he was shut out. So, he’s curious. EJ’s kept a little bit to the side about what it is, because it’s his father. However, it’s going to lead to some pretty fun stuff.”

EJ has always wanted his father’s respect, so might that be what drives him to make sure Stefano’s wish with Marlena is carried out? Dan weighed-in. “I think in the end, EJ will do what his father wanted. So, whatever that entails that’s what he’ll do. With this and the chess set, he’s a little bit out of the loop, which is infuriating for him, but it also gives him a lot of curiosity. He definitely wants to keep himself involved. But as I mentioned, he’s kept to the side a bit, but he’ll get his mitts in there somewhere.”

THE HARD GOODBYES

In soap operas, cast members come and go, and sometimes, often like a baseball team analogy, they are traded from one show to another, or their story has run out for now. But in soaps, never say never.

For Dan, he had to say goodbye to some very key members of his on-screen family when they departed Days of Our Lives for various reasons: his on-screen brother, Billy Flynn (ex-Chad, now Cane, Y&R), on-screen son, Carson Boatman (Johnny) and on-screen sister, Stacy Haiduk (Kristen/Susan, now Patty, Y&R). As DAYS fans know, the series tapes ten-months in advance of dropping new episodes, so fans can expect to see both Boatman and Haiduk firmly in their Salem roles for months yet to come.

Photo: JPI

BILLY FLYNN

“It was a bit of a bummer because I had developed a close bond with him and he was a lovely guy,” Dan shared fondly. “We shared a lot of the same kind of humor and views on the world and things like that. We were able to chat and it was shame. But look, Billy’s got a big family now, and he needs to do what’s best for him and his wife and his family. And so, you completely understand it. Then, Connor Floyd came in and Connor is just as lovely. It kind of sucks because the guy that is more handsome than me leaves, and then is replaced with a guy just as handsome. I’m like, ‘okay, alright.”

Photo: JPI

CARSON BOATMAN

It’s no secret that some of the best scenes were always between EJ and his son, Johnny. So, when Carson Boatman was let go from the show late last year, it was hard for all involved. “It’s a similar situation to Billy to be honest. It’s like the people that I loved the most moved on from the show and it’s sad,” shared Dan. “It’s because Carson and I were friends outside of the show. We would hang out and just like me and Billy we’d talk to with each other and everything like that and that just translated into (our on-screen) father/son dynamic.”

Photo: JPI

STACY HAIDUK

Since Dan became the new EJ DiMera back in 2021, he had the opportunity to work with Stacy Haiduk not only as EJ’s sister, Kristen, but as the wacky Susan Banks, EJ’s mother! Here he sums up his experience working with Haiduk and the respect he has for her as a performer.

“I adore Stacy so much. Whenever she plays (Susan Banks) my mother, it’s so much fun,” said Feuerriegel. “They give her so much dialogue and the way she talks is so different. Stacy will improvise a little bit here and there. But the amount of times I’ve had to bite my lip from not laughing because she just makes such great, fantastic, outrageous choices … and she’s also an absolute sweetheart. Then, to go from that, to the dynamic of Kristen where it’s very brooding and a very similar brother/sister dynamic, it’s fantastic. To be able to work with with her was really, really lovely. She’s an amazing woman and a fantastic actor. I know she’s at Y&R now which is great. But, that’s another a bummer for me. There’s been a few little heartbreaks for me, personally.”

Now below, check out our full conversation with DAYS Dan Feuerriegel now on the Michael Fairman Channel, where we touch on many subjects on the life and times of EJ DiMera.

Then weigh-in: what do you think is the story behind Marlena (and her late husband John) being gifted the chess set by Stefano? What are your hopes for EJ DiMera in the months to come? What did you think about the sentiments shared by Dan on the departure of several of his beloved co-stars? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

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Interviews

Y&R’s Mark Grossman Marks 7-Years as Adam Newman And Teases What May Lie Ahead (Exclusive)

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May 14, 2026

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This week, The Young and the Restless, Mark Grossman is celebrating the beginning of his seventh year as Adam Newman. Viewers first saw Mark make his debut on the CBS daytime drama series back on May 13, 2019.

Mark along with his on-screen brother and co-star, Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman) took part in a livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel were a myriad of subjects from current to past storylines, to his beginnings as the black sheep of the Newman clan were discussed.  In addition, Mark teased what he is looking forward to coming up in story for Adam and what he thinks lies ahead.

On recent episodes of the top-rated soap opera, Adam has been by Nick’s side, trying to help him bring down his nemesis and standing by his brother, after learning that Nick is suffering from a fentanyl addiction. Playing the good side of Adam has been rewarding but will he be the good-natured Adam down the line?

Photo: JPI

THE EVOLUTION OF ADAM

“I think, Adam has definitely evolved a bit and he’s just not as reactive,” shares Grossman. “So, there definitely has been a lot of opportunities to where, maybe if he doesn’t always see it, his instinct is always going to be to protect the family. We’ll see how long it lasts.”

Part of the recent trip to Adam’s old haunting grounds in Vegas, reunited him with none other than Riza (Tina Casciani) which is where in 20189, Mark was first introduced to Adam going by the name of “Spyder.” But will seeing Riza spark something in Adam that is yet to come?

“It was amazing that they got Tina that played Riza all those years ago. So that was really cool,” expressed Mark. “We really didn’t know much about their relationship but after talking with our head writer Josh Griffith and kind of getting a little backstory that maybe there was more to their relationship. It was really fun to go back to Vegas, kind of back where I started. Who knows where that’ll go, or if anything will come with that, but Adam’s very happy with Chelsea (Melissa Clare Egan). So that definitely would throw a wrench in that.”

Photo: JPI

BABY DRAMA HEATS UP

Meanwhile, Adam is still in the dark that his ex-Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) is pregnant with Billy Abbott’s (Jason Thompson) child and they are engaged, given Adam’s heartbreaking past with Sally and her losing their child, Grossman knows this sets up a potential emotional windfall.

“Adam’s going to find out and it’s going to definitely weigh on him. That’s a big deal, especially with Billy, who is a huge rival,” shares Mark. “There’s a lot there. We will see how the storyline goes, but there’s a lot of story to be had there. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’re going to write for that.”

Joshua Morrow and fans in the live chat agreed that as Mark marks 7-years on Y&R, that they loved his performances surrounding Sally losing the baby. Grossman agreed it was one of his favorite stories to play to.

“Sally losing the bay was an excellent story, and Courtney Hope was phenomenal and that was a lot of fun.  It was obviously a heartbreaking storyline, but working with Joshua and Courtney and everybody else that was in that storyline, that was great,” expressed Mark.

Photo: JPI

FIRST TIME MEETING TV DAD

As Mark recalls his first day on the set back in 2019, he certainly remembers the moment he met his TV dad, the icon, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman).  “I still remember the first time I met him walking on the set. He was talking to Jordi Vilasuso (ex-Rey, Y&R now Grayson, Beyond the Gates) at the time. I was so intimidated to talk to him. He’s just such a big teddy bear. I love working with him. It’s just been amazing to work with him and to get to be a Newman and share the scenes with him.  It’s been an honor and a pleasure. He is amazing. I just love that guy.”

Photo: JPI

FROM ONE AMNESIAC TO ANOTHER

With the Newman family undergoing so much drama with Nick’s drug addiction, Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) back in town, Victor trying to get his company back, and more, Mark gave his outlook for what fans can expect.

“We are going to have to see where the chips fall with Newman. As of now, Newman Media is nowhere to be found and Adam and Chelsea ae out of a job. So that’s definitely a priority. And as far as Matt Clark’s amnesia, I don’t think Adam believes him. After all, Adam had amnesia more than once, right?  Nick needs to figure himself out right now. He’s got some other issues to deal with. Adam definitely has his eye on Matt Clark and is a little skeptical and also wants to be there for his family.

So, what do you think will happen with Adam coming up on all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless? Will he continue to stand by the Newman family as they struggle to help Nick with his addiction and get Victor’s company back? Is there more to Adam’s relationship with Riza that we don’t know?

Will finding out Sally is pregnant and having a baby with Adam’s enemy Billy Abbott flip Adam out? Can Chelsea and Adam keep their relationship together without outside forces tearing them apart? Share your thoughts below and give a shout out to Mark for 7 years and counting as Y&R’s Adam in the comment section below.  But first, check out the full chat with Mark and Joshua Morrow below.

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