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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Jason Thompson Delivers ‘Power Performance Of The Week’ As Billy Falls Back Into Temptation

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/CBS

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 time he has crossed boundaries.
I don’t like this story line at all. Suffice to say, it’s just plain icky. Moreover, I liked Summer better when she was snowflake. Summer playing a bad ass is not working for me. It’s akin to watching Bambi play the Big Bad Wolf.
That said, I think Jason Thompson is a fabulous actor and he can pull this story off in a convincing manner.

PS. Is JT alive? Good Golly, I hope so. He had a heart condition so it may be that is why they didn’t feel a pulse. Please don’t let this be a red herring. I really didn’t like the idea of Nikki killing him and the rest of the women being accomplices.

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 needs to pay for his crimes. Nick needs to get his son back & have Victor loose everything he hold deer, from loosing his kids & grandkids. He’s a bully & had been for a long time. I hate how manipulative he has gotten by wrecking other people’s lives. He keeps saying that family is the most important thing in his life, but if he truly felt that way he wouldn’t be doing all the terrible things he has done & his still doing to the ones he says be loves.
Please do something about Victor’s storyline.

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.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sidwell Surfaces; A Twist in Britt’s Condition

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On the Thursday, June 18 episode of General Hospital, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) makes his shocking return right in Port Charles, after fleeing (thanks to Cassius) to supposedly parts unknown to escape capture for trying to kill Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis).

How does he show up in town? First, Ezra (Daniel Cosgrove) gets a text from Jacinda (Paige Herschell) to meet in his hotel room. Ezra thinks the two are going to have a sexcapade so he puts champagne on ice for his favorite escort.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. Ezra’s excitement turns towards fear as instead of Jacinda, Sidwell is standing in front of him. Next, Sidwell blackmails Boyle telling him he has plenty of leverage he can use against him. Sidwell wants to use Ezra to help him takedown, Sonny (Maurice Benard), Lucas, Laura (Genie Francis) and Cullum.

Courtesy/ABC

ARE SIDWELL’S DAYS NUMBERED?

Meanwhile, Sonny confides in his brother, Ric (Rick Hearst). He says he knows who killed Marco an he is going to use that intel to lure Sidwell out of hiding.  Sonny also shares he is going to kill Sidwell, and handle this by himself. He gave the PCPD a chance, but they failed to nab Sidwell for good and lock him up.

Sonny also has been tracking the whereabouts of Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) and Rocco (Finn Carr) through Brick, and learned they took a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then boarded a fairy to take them somewhere off the island.

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT’S ‘SYMPTOMS’ RETURN

Turns out, Britt and Rocco are hiding out in the British Virgin Islands. Britt set up Rocco with a burner phone and a VPN on her tablet, that is not traceable. Rocco reads on the tablet about Lucas’ shooting. Britt starts to have the shakes and passes out. When she comes to, Britt won’t let Rocco call a doctor, but he uses his phone to step on the balcony and call Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and ask for help. Charlotte looks shocked to hear from her brother as Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) looks on!

Courtesy/ABC

However, Joe (Jonathan Bennett) could be the one to put two and two together! While at General Hospital and after questioning Lucas about a syringe he found that was in someone’s possession. the toxicology report showed traces of saline solution, not actual medication. He asks Dr. Jones, why someone would inject themselves with saline? Lucas responds saline is harmless and would have no effect on someone.

So, does this mean that this entire time, Britt has been led to believe that the medication she was taking to treat her Huntington’s disease was placebo? Has Britt been lied to into believing she is dying? Is something else wrong with her instead?

Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below, and if you are ready for Sidwell to finally get his comeuppance from Sonny! But first, watch the scenes where Sidwell comes out of hiding and blackmails Ezra Boyle.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dante and ‘Nathan’ Have It Out, Valentin and Carly Share Passionate Moments Which May Be Their Last

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On the June 16 episode of General Hospital, the PCPD under acting police commissioner Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) is in a bit of mess and does not go unnoticed by ADA Turner (Nazneen Contractor).

First, there is the whole Chase (Josh Swickard) defending Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) over Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), who he arrested for allegedly tossing Willow in the waters next to the Quartermaine boathouse. Turner has had it with Chase’s good guy act and how he tampered with evidence in her case against Willow for shooting Drew.

Later, Dante and Justine question “Nathan” (Ryan Paevey) about Sidwell’s escape while in his custody. Turner is not buying his cover story that he was ambushed by Sidwell and his men. Once “Nathan” left the interrogation room, Turner went in on Dante about having “Nathan” on the force after seven years away, and Chase she views as a “dirty cop.”

However, Dante defends both of his officers, but Justine warned that “Nathan” and Chase’s behavior would reflect poorly on Dante as commissioner and she should really think about that. Later, Dante has a terse confrontation with “Nathan” on how he botched a prison transport and that he better watch his back as Justine is one step away from turning this over to Internal Affairs.

COP MADNESS

Next, “Nathan” apologizes for the way he handled the situation with Rocco and says he feels badly. But then in the twist, Dante said that he was grateful that “Nathan” had been there for his son in his time of need (referencing after Rocco shot Cullum and covered it up).

Then, there’s the newest police officer in the precinct, Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett). He may actually be on to “Nathan’s” double life when he questions him about a syringe found in Britt’s room at Bobbie’s. “Nathan” made up a story to counter Joe’s, that he was not aware that his sister was taking anything for her Huntington’s disease diagnosis. Joe called the forensic department lab wanting to know what drug was exactly in the syringe.

Courtesy/ABC

BEFORE YOU GO

At Carly’s (Laura Wright), Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) tells her that he must travel to Geneva to speak to the head of the WSB, named Z. Valentin feels it’s the only way to save Josslyn if he informs Z about Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) being a double agent. Valentin shares with Carly that he has to stop Cullum from bringing his dangerous cold fusion device online. Carly is beside herself. She doesn’t want Valentin to sacrifice himself by turning himself into the organization who has made him a fugitive in the first place. Valentin stands firm that he must meet Z in person.

Knowing that revealing himself to the WSB meant he was likely going back to prison, Valentin asked Carly if she’d get in touch with his daughter, Charlotte so he could say good-bye to her. Next, Carly and Valentin make their way to the bedroom to make love, which may be for the very last time, if Valentin is caught and put back in Steinmauer Maximum Security Prison.

Courtesy/ABC

CAUGHT BY CULLUM

At the same time while at Wydemere, Cullum is talking with one of his WSB operatives. Now, he is pondering if Valentin and Sidwell were working together all along.  Next, Cullum entertains the idea of involving the FBI to locate Britt and Rocco. He says he plans to kill them both once he knows of their whereabouts. Cullum sees the only other threat to the completion of the cold fusion project to be Anna Devane.

Cullum wants to track the location of the unidentified person who called the private clinic in France trying to get in touch with Anna, while pretending to be Kevin Collins. When the agent came back with a report, he says it emanated from a cell tower near Shoreline Road. It’s in the that moment that a light bulb goes on for Cullum! Valentin is in Port Charles and hiding at Carly’s!

So, what do you think of the PCPD cops, Chase, Joe and “Nathan?” Who should Dante fire? Do you think Valentin will go the run?Are you digging Carly and Valentin’s relationship and want it to continue, especially with Finola Hughes on her way back as Anna next month on-screen? Weigh-in via the comment section, and in case you missed it, you can check out our latest interview with Dominic Zamprogna below from his appearance on the Michael Fairman Channel, where he talks the PCPD cops, Rocco on the run, and more.

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Beyond the Gates

BEYOND THE GATES: A Tornado Hits Fairmont Crest Part 1: Eva and Martin on Seriously Injured List

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On the Thursday, June 11 episode of Beyond the Gates the highly-anticipated tornado struck the Fairmont Crest Country Club while Martin Richardson was holding a fundraiser with the most prominent citizens of Genoa City and the D.C./Maryland area attending.

Martin tells the guest that weather reports indicate a tornado warning, and as he tells them to exit the ballroom to safety, the twister strikes sending everyone into peril,. Richardson and Dupree and Abbott family members are calling out for each other as chaos ensues.

Here is who got stuck with who: Dani and Bill are stuck in an elevator and begin to get hot and bothered after trying to escape. Hayley is stuck in a closet with Kyle Abbott and they makeout, and then to pass the time she puts on some tunes and they dance.

Courtesy/CBS

THOSE IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION

Things are much more serious for Kat and Eva who winds up in a closet but a mental wall comes crashing down upon them. As Kat rails at her sister, Eva says she doesn’t feel well and begins to spit up blood. Kat is a wreck and is trying to deal with her sister’s plight, but they are trapped.

Leslie is helping Anita with her injured ankle, while Vernon goes to try to restore some power, get walkie-talkies and do what he can for everyone inside Fairmont Crest. Nicole and Smitty hear a noise and realize Andre is buried under the rubble in the ballroom. As it turns Andre’s leg was injured when a piece of metal got stuck in it. Ted gets Andre stitched up and tells him to stay put.

The Genoa City contingent can’t locate Victor Newman or Kyle Abbott, as Jack and Diane try to help others. Meanwhile, suddenly yells out that someone is under the tree. Smitty and Nicole gasps as its Martin! He is not moving in and needs medical attention. Smitty fighting back tears asks Martin to squeeze his hand if he can hear him. But there is no response.

Abby Newman worried for the whereabouts of her father, walks away just as chandelier begins to fall from the ceiling, Diane screams out to Abby to watch out. We fade to black.

Beyond the Gates delivered as they had promised, a riveting episode and one of the best soap opera tornadoes harkening back to the days of All My Children. But what did you think of part one? Martin and Eva as the two characters currently most in trouble? What about Dani and Bill getting hot and heavy and Hayley kissin on Kyle? What was your favorite part of part 1? Let us know via the comment section below.

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

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