Recaps
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Jason Thompson Delivers ‘Power Performance Of The Week’ As Billy Falls Back Into Temptation
Last week on The Young and the Restless, Summer (Hunter King) was really doing a number on Billy (Jason Thompson), and it’s unsettling to watch, because viewers know how difficult of a time Mr. Abbott has had fighting off his inner-demons, which in the past have cost him nearly everything. That being said, Y&R has set the stage for a storyline that puts Jason Thompson front and center as temptation will be all around Billy.
Kicking things off, Thompson was fantastic in several scenes last week, which all rolled into the other setting up the beginning of Billy’s downfall. First, Billy gets a visit from his brother Jack (Peter Bergman), who is telling his younger brother that he believes that he could be the bio-son of Phillip Chancellor II. What Billy is trying to wrap his head around is what Jack is really up to. An upset Billy says, “Phillip is dead, what direction do you see this going?” Jack says he needs to know, because he could inherit health concerns. When Billy hears him say the word ‘inherit’, he recoils thinking this search for Jack’s father is a scheme to take over Chancellor Industries, in which his mother Jill (Jess Walton) owns. Billy lowers the boom on Jack and throws him out of his office. He does not want to hear another word. Great work by Thompson.
Then, when Billy returns home, Summer snidely greets him with, “Bad day at the office, honey?” Billy says he is upset over Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) being out of town and misses her, and goes upstairs. Then, Summer makes a call, and all of a sudden a poker game is going down in the living room! Billy eventually comes downstairs and sees this, is drawn to it, and he struggles not to join in, but ultimately does.
The next day, seeing all the beer bottles strewn around the room, and remembering that he gambled, he is sick about it. Summer comes downstairs and he tells her this can never be mentioned to anyone. Then, Billy goes into a monologue of huge importance, with questions asked by Summer along the way.
Courtesy/CBS
Billy explains to her: “I’m a gambling addict. I’d assume someone would have informed you of that by now. There is no past tense. I am still a gambling addict whether I am recovering or not. It’s a lot like substance abuse, it messes with your brain with the same kind of composite patterns as a drug would.”
He goes on to talk about this addiction: “Every day revolved around the bets that I placed. I couldn’t concentrate on anything else, unless I knew how much I won, or how much I blew, and it didn’t matter how much I won, or how big it was, because I would only get the thrill, or the high, if it was bigger than the last time that I got my last payout.”
As to what made him stop, Billy says: “The sudden realization that I was losing everything good in my life … all the things that money couldn’t replace, like family, and friends, and love, or the last bit of respect, or dignity that I had. The obsession and the drive to feed the addiction, almost took my life. I needed a brutal wake-up call, and I got it, and it worked, and if I hadn’t gotten clean when I did, I would be missing out on everything … Phyllis, my kids, being the CEO of my dad’s company, and yet, I still sat down at that table, and didn’t give a damn about it.”
He goes on to say, “I was already gambling by the time I sat down at that table. By the time I touched the first card and the first chip, I was already willing to risk all of it just for the sweet taste of victory.” Summer claims she understands, but that he is being much to hard on himself as it was just one game. He asks her how she got into poker, and she tells him while she was in Belize. He tells her there are better ways for her to challenge her mind. Summer goes upstairs and as Phyllis is about to walk through the door, Billy sees a poker chip beneath his feet and has to hide it.
Looks like Summer is going to use Billy’s addiction against him to trash him life, and to either … have him for herself, and/or destroy her mother’s happiness in the process.
Jason Thompson is our pick for the ‘Power Performance of the Week’ for his honest portrayal of a man knowing his addiction, understanding what has happened to him before because of it, yet still being pulled in the direction of the thrill of winning and excitement at all costs. It will be heartbreaking to watch as this story progresses, but Thompson is setting himself as an early Emmy contender for next year.
So, what did you think of Jason’s performances in these key scenes? What do you think about Summer’s machinations of Billy? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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I have zero interest in gambling addiction storylines. I’ve never seen a good one and with the current writing team at Y&R I don’t think those odds are about the change any time soon.
Same here, Alan….no interest, whatsoever!!!! Especially because it is not Billy Miller—I’d care a bit more, in that case.
Jason Thompson has not won the title of ‘Billy Abbott’ for me….and, since it has not happened after all this time? It never will. The same goes for his counterpart, Gina.
Plus, I am soooo tired of reruns.
I feel like I’ve already seen this exact same story with Amelia Heinle and Billy Miller. Wash, rinse, repeat.
I don’t give a damn to Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle and I can’t wait to see this story played by an actor who knows what nuances are.
Really – is Billy Miller returning to “Y & R”???
The fact you truly think Billy Miller has nuances in his “acting” say all I need to know.
Right back you re Jason Thompson and his so-called “acting”.
LOL. I obviously hit a nerve.
Good for you! I’ve already seen this story more than once and find it repetitive and boring just like every other Mal Young storyline.
Jason Thompson did a wonderful job…I know a lot of people don’t care for Jason in the role of Billy but I think he is great in the role of Billy as he was with his role of Patrick on GH…I am liking the storyline between Billy and Summer but I hope he doesn’t fall victim of Summer’s scheme of trying to seduce him… I hope he fights the tempetation of sleeping with her for there is enough of that with everyone sleeping with one another…
The temptation of sleeping with Summer ?
Sorry but when has Billy ever shown any romantic or sexual interest in Summer ?
Jeanne, we know how soaps go and it’s just a matter of time with Summer prancing around the apartment with barrely nothing on…
I saw naked Summer trying to seduce Kyle. Just me ?
Jeanne, OMG, that’s all she’s been doing since her return, is seduce Billy! That’s her objective to get him between her and her mother. Billy won’t know what hit him!
An addendum to reply to Jeanne. I think I meant to say that Summer’s objective is to come between her mom and Billy.Somehow my prev.comment sounds a little naughty,ha!
Oh,God, it all sounds bad!!
I like Jason Thompson and like him as Billy Abbott. I just don’t like this storyline and I don’t like Summer.
I’m in a group of over 10000 and the vast majority think Jason is doing as good or better than Miller. I’m looking forward to seeing his character dealing with the disease of gambling as this is his first crack at it. He hasn’t failed me in any of his interpretations of Billy Abbott.
GramS,here’s another Gram that agrees with you. I also think Jason, as Patrick was held back from his full potential.He has shown his worth as Billy.Like any thoroughbred, once they took the bit, out of his mouth, he outran them all.Even, old Victor hasn’t called him Billy Boy,in quite a while.
He was great ,i do love Phyllis getting her karma,
How Billy gambling is Phyllis getting her karma ? SMH.
And why should Phyllis get her karma?
When will Sharon, Victoria, Nikki, Victoria, Nick or Jack “get their karma” ?
Look, I had high hopes of JT when he was hired to play Billy. For the most part, it hasn’t worked for me. He tends to talk with a deep voice, lacks chemistry with the major players and seems disinterested most days. And I think him and Phyllis are the worst, But anyway, yes, he was very good this week with jack and the gambling angle. He seemed interested. I hope it continues since it doesnt seem like Jason is going anywhere.
I strongly disagree.
Billy and Phyllis are amazing together, all they need is a writing to fit the actors’s talent.
I think he has great chemistry with Gina, Jess, Peter, Eileen, Beth, Michael and Melissa. His scenes with his kids are always cute.
I will agree that Jason is good with kids. His relationship with Emma at GH was great!
With Billy and Phyllis it’s all about the sex
No it’s not but I guess people see what they want to see.
Same. It was better but still not a fan. I watched Miller already do this story multiple times. Pass.
Summer had to know about Billy’s gambling addiction. I am not interested in seeing Billy get sucked back into gambling.
I have zero interest in this storyline. Summer’s return is awful. What a wretched character; and the acting is awkward and uncomfortable with no reason as to why she is so hateful and vindictive. No thank you.
I agree, not interested in the Summer character. I also agree that Mal Young is a disservice to Y&R. I do not care for his writing style at all. No happiness in any of the characters. Victor getting temp custody of Christian is disgusting and immoral. The only character I do like at the moment is Dina. That is a good storyline. Abby and Arturo, please give me a break. I could go on and on, so disappointed in the show right now. I have been watching since it began in 1973.
Hi Bev, I really had high hopes with Sally and Kay handling Y&R and a lot of people complained about them but I really think if given time Sally and Kay would of put Y&R back to what Bill Bell envision and wrote but unfortunatley the powers that be let them go…(WHO KNOWS what the real story is)…anyway I agree with you about Mal Young and I will say it again, Y&R doesn’t feel the same and hasn’t in years and I still LONG for the beautiful CLASSIC backgroun MUSIC back along with some great directing, production and writing.
Jason Thompson was fine in a supporting role on GH but he’s an epic fail as a lead on Y&R, no matter how long or how hard Mal Young tries to force the issue. He’s just not that good. And he and Phyllis are……let’s just leave it at awful and forced.
He’s FF material and has been for quite some time. And now, this nonsense with Summer? Another epic fail on Mal Young’s part.
Just look at the ratings and send Mr. Thompson either back to GH or the backburner.
Jason is on YR and isn’t going anywhere.
Are you seriously blaming the guy for the ratings ? SMH !
I don’t remember Amelia, Mishael, Peter, Eileen or Joshua bringing the ratings.
Jason on GH got three Emmy nominations in the LEAD CATEGORY.
It wasn’t a qupporting role.
Billy is making huge mistakes which will lead to his breakup with Phyllis. 1. He should have moved out of Summer’s apartment the moment she moved back in. 2. He should have come clean with Phyllis and tell her that her daughter is making a play for him. 3. He should tell Phyllis that he relapsed and gambled with Summer. Should of, should of, should of….. As soon as Billy and Summer agreed to keep his relapse a secret from Phyllis, they betrayed her. The next step will be Billy sleeping with his girlfriend’s daughter which wouldn’t be the first… Read more »
Harry, agreed with all you said. Wouldn’t it be something if they found out that J.T has this heart condition ( right after Victor dies),and they give him Victor’s, which was previously Coleen’s. How ironic.
At first I had a hard time with Jason as Billy, but now I think he is great. I really hope he doesn’t fall into temptation either with gambling or Summer.
I could definitely do without Simmer, she sure came back a little spoiled bitch.
Never liked Summer before but hate this part she plays now.They brought her back not Adam
Hope she is short lived on there
Love Billy character don’t put him down the dark path again.
It’s nice to see someone change for the better on these soaps
I think Billy should give back CEO to Jack because he doesn’t now what he is doing.Victor Newman schuld stop being so mean. Ever since Kathryn Chancler leaft the show any moor a the writers don’t know what they doing because the show is not that good any Moore . please change the story
Billy knows exactly what he is doing at Jabot and he is doing well.
I don’t like where the storyline of Billy & Summer is going. I like how Billy storyline was going, him being CEO of Jabot Cosmetic. I like how mature & how he had worked hard to change his live. Summer on the other hand I’m not impressed with how much she changed & how much of a spoiled brat she has become. She needs a big reality check & really needs to grow up. I think the writers should be focusing more on Victor’s character, he should get what he deserves. He has gotten away with too much & he… Read more »
Sorry gang
Love Jason Thompson in this role.Granted, Billy Miller is great actor, but he needs to return fully to primetime. Like #Bull #BlueBloods, anything Shonda Rhimes is doing, hint
To me, this storyline turn is further proof that I STILL CANNOT STAND Summer!!!!!
N-E-X-T……….
I have no problem with Jason just please get rid of the white sneakers ! Ok
Oh, I love his white sneakers, so cute! Can you imagine any of the other men, with them? Makes me laugh just picturing them.
I think his performance was fine, but character wise, I can’t stand seeing him fall under that little bitch, Summer’s spell. Then again, as the saying goes about where “the apple falls”, maybe it serves him right. How many times does it take for some men to learn?
Justin Hartley was NOT fired for groping anyone. WTH is the matter with you? In fact nobody was fired for groping HHK and both actors ( MM AND HHK)have said that did not happen. It was a rabid fan in Florida who started that rumor and fans who kept it going.
Well that is good to know…. what the hell is the matter with being polite? Storyline is still terrible.
I don’t feel polite when I see someone saying Justin Hartley was fired. He left the soap because he got a prime time job in This is Us. Check your facts.
Recaps
WWE Night of Champions 2023: The ‘Bloodline’ Breaks Down as Roman Reigns is Left Shocked, Seth Rollins & Asuka Win Title Belts
The demise of the ‘Bloodline’ is now truly underway, after the closing bout at WWE Night of Champions streaming Saturday on Peacock.
The WWE returned to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for this event which featured numerous titles on the lines and the crowning of the winner for the new WWE championship.
Let’s recap what went down for the triple main event.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa
The crowd was firmly behind Zayn and Owens, in particular because Sami is a wrestler of Syrian descent and he has never taken part in any of the WWE’s Saudi Arabian shows, due to the relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia. With the tensions died down between the two countries, Zayn got the opportunity to wrestle in front of family and in the Middle East. When his entrance music played, Sami entered dressed for the culture he was performing for in all white.
While the crowd was red hot for Zayn and Owens, they also jeered Roman Reigns who has now held the WWE Universal Championship for 1000 days. The uber-villain played right along with the fans, egging them on, as only he can.
Courtesy/Peacock
As the teams went back and forth, the referee got knocked out, when Reigns speared him by mistake. With no official, the Usos appeared and went on the attack of Owens at ringside. Later in the ring, the brothers and former tag champs, set Zayn up for a double superkick, but the kicks landed on their younger brother, Solo Sikoa, by mistake. Not seeing what had fully transpired, The Tribal Chief was losing his temper and started pushing Jey and Jimmy around.
Fed up, Jimmy landed a superkick on Reigns which knocked him down to the mat. Jey was conflicted by the actions of his brother, but Jimmy landed a second superkick on Reigns. That left Owens open to deliver a stunner to Sikoa. Then, Zayn followed it up with a Helluva kick. A new referee showed up in time and counted 1, 2, 3 as Zayn pinned Sikoa. As the Usos walked back up the ramp and backstage, Jimmy was trying to assure Jey, that they did the right thing, while Roman Reigns was left stunned as Sami and Kevin celebrated retaining their belts. The storytelling in this match was brilliantly executed by all involved.
Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Courtesy/Peacock
The finals of the new World Heavyweight Championship Tournament were on tap for the opener of Night of Champions featuring two of the best wrestlers in the world, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins and AJ Styles. Who would win the new belt?
As Seth and AJ battled back and forth, ultimately it was the Visionary who was battling his ‘injured knee’ sustained in who hit Styles with a Pedigree before ultimately delivering a Stomp for the pin and the win. Triple H came to the ring and presented Rollins with the belt as the newest of champs for the organization. If anyone deserves a belt around their waist it’s Rollins, who has not held a title for over four years. Just how this title will remain relevant is yet to be seen.
Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
Courtesy/Peacock
The third piece of the triple main event included the question of just how would Rhodes wrestle the ‘beast incarnate’ with one arm having supposedly been broken during a beatdown by Lesnar on RAW?
Throughout the match, Rhodes had his arm wrapped with a brace, which he eventually used to hit Lesnar with. However, in the end, as many predicted, the WWE creative team had to find a way in the storytelling to even up the series between Cody and Brook to 1 win each. How did they do it?
Late in the match, Lesnar put Rhodes in a Kimura Lock. However, in the first attempt, Cody was able to escape it. The second time Brock applied it, Rhodes eventually passed out and the referee called for the bell and named Brock the winner. Look for the rubber match in this feud to be forthcoming.
Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
Courtesy/Peacock
In their match at Wrestlemania 39, it was clear that Asuka was the crowd favorite, even though she was the heel going up against Belair. Now, in a rematch at Night of Champions, Asuka has become even more heinous with her ‘mist’ than ever before. Going into the match, Belair held the RAW Women’s Championship for a record 420 days, but her title reign was about to come to an end.
At first, Asuka tried to mist Belair in the face, but she missed her target. Avoiding that calamity, Belair continued to fight back, while Asuka played dirty. Then in a clever move, Asuka blew the mist from her mouth on to her fingers, while the ref’s back was turned and she was on the ropes. When Bianca hoisted Asuka over her head, the challenger rubbed her misted-fingers in the champ’s eyes and down she went. After kicking the EST in the head, Asuka was able to secure the pin, ending Belair’s incredible reign. While Asuka celebrated, Belair was left outside the ring with ‘stinging’ eyes, and no medical attention to help her. Will we see a heel turn by Bianca Belair, coming out of Night of Champions? Stay tuned.
In other bouts …
Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya (on her birthday no less) which amounted to nothing more than a squash match. Ripley showed her strength and easily won over the birthday girl in a few minutes to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Gunther retained his Intercontinental Championship defeating Mustafa Ali, as the crowd rooted for Ali who is of Pakistani and Indian descent.
Trish Stratus, with the help of Zoey Stark, got the victory over Becky Lynch. Stratus reminded us of her in-ring skills, while this story has been hard to swallow. Adding Stark to the mix, gives Stratus a pal, so we can only assume she will tag team with Trish … or Stark will be the next to feud with “The Man” Becky Lynch.
Courtesy/Peacock
Overall, nothing topped the final match of the night featuring Reigns, Zayn, and the Bloodline, for the pure theater of it all.
So, what did you think of WWE Night of Champions 2023? Share your thoughts and favorite matches via the comment section. But first, take a look at what went down when Jimmy Uso kicked Roman Reigns.
Recaps
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Liam Confronts Hope About Her Feelings for Thomas
American Idol
AMERICAN IDOL: The Season 21 Winner is Crowned In Emotional Season Finale
Sunday’s season 21 finale of American Idol brought with it many tears, and several outstanding guest and competitor performances.
The Top 3: Colin Stough, Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle took to the stage for the last time trying to win America’s vote and be named the new ‘American Idol’.
The entire Top 12 returned for their last performances of the season as well, including the eliminated: Nutsa, Haven Madison, Lucy Love, Marybeth Byrd, Oliver Steele, Tyson Venegas, Warren Peay, Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith.
Photo: ABC
Keith Urban was back on ‘Idol’ for the first time in seven years, mentoring the 3 finalists and then later taking to the stage to perform his tune, “Wild Hearts”. The Idol judges: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan also took turns performing and viewers were reminded why each are pop and country star icons in their own right.
In addition, the all-star season finale line-up also included: Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull and Lil Jon, and TLC.
During the last night of competition, after each contestant sang twice, one was eliminated. Mississippi’s Colin Stough was sent home. Leaving Danielle and Tongi.
Throughout the night, Tongi’s set list included: Urban’s “Making Memories of Us,” “Cool Down,” and his new single, “I’ll Be Seeing You”. Danielle performed Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name,” Journey’s “Faithfully” and her new single “Dream Girl.” When the confetti flew, America went. as predicted, with Hawaii’s Tongi.
The night was filled with tearjerking moments. Mostly from the judges as Katy Perry and Luke Bryan were overcome numerous times being the proud ‘parents’, if you will, of the three finalists and noting how far they have come and grown through the competition.
To really make you reach for the hankies, the producers teamed Tongi with singer/songwriter James Blunt to perform Blunt’s song, “Monsters”, which started Iam’s journey on ‘Idol’ during the judges audition process. At that time, Iam related he was dedicating the song to his father, Rodney, who had passed way. For the finale, Tongi struggled to get through the duet, but it was still powerfully effective.
So, were you happy Ian Tongi took home the top prize … or were you rooting for Megan Danielle? Share your thoughts on the finale in the comment section below.
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