Next week, beginning on Monday, June 15, Jere Burns will make his debut in his new role on The Young and the Restless as Dr. Laurence Markham. The veteran actor who has appeared in numerous television and motion pictures will share scenes with Susan Walters (Diane Jenkins).

In an ironic twist, fans of the late 80s-early 90s, NBC sitcom Dear John will recall that Burns and Walters appeared together in the cast. Walters played the role of Mary Beth Sutton, while Burns took on the role of smooth-talking and quirky ladies’ man Kirk Morris. 

This marks the first time in Jere’s career that he has appeared on a network television soap opera. His most recent credits include his recurring role on CBS’ FBI, and the Hulu series, Death and Other Details.

Photo: JPI

Now fast-forward to Y&R, and TV Insider has the inside scoop of what how these two link up. Dr. Markham comes into the story as Diane’s whereabouts remain in question after the falling out with her husband Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).

A LITTLE DITTY ABOUT JACK AND DIANE

Jack and Diane’s marriage has fallen on hard time, after Diane caught Jack in bed with Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) while drugged; all thanks to the machinations of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Although, Jack has tried to salvage his marriage, Diane moved out of the Abbott mansion and has stayed away from Jack.

The last time anyone heard from Diane in Genoa City was back in the May 14 episode when she left a voicemail for Jack, telling him although she is hurt and confused over what happened with Patty, she wants to try and find a path forward. However, since that time no one has seen her. Does Diane’s disappearance have to do with Patty and now the incoming Dr. Markham?

Currently, Susan Walters is appearing this week on Beyond the Gates as part of the crossover event between the two CBS soaps.  As a result of production timelines between the two series, things are not in line with the story of Diane and Jack on both soaps. On Beyond the Gates, the two are attending Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) political fundraiser together and get caught in a tornado that hits Fairmont Crest, even as her disappearance remains unsolved back in Genoa City.

Walters shared on working with Jere Burns again decades later, “He was a fantastic scene partner in this upcoming story arc.”

So, do you think Dr. Markham will harm or help Diane? Is Patty behind Diane’s disappearance? Do you feel a bit discombobulated watching Diane and Jack seemingly OK with each other on Beyond the Gates, while on Y&R she is MIA? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

What is happening to The Young and the Restless Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott)? Recently, Nikki who previously had been diagnosed with MS, has been experiencing blinding headaches, but this week be on the lookout as her vision also begins to deteriorate.

Now trying to put the pieces together of what could be happening to Nikki begins a health crisis and mystery. Is she suffering vision issues which can be related to MS, which can be a symptom? A brain tumor? Something else?

While Stephanie Sloane spoke to Melody Thomas Scott in her Soap Steph’s Daytime Dish Newsletter, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings) at Monday night, June 8th’s A Toast to Black Excellence event in Los Angeles, featuring cast members of Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless as a precursor to their multi-arc crossover event that starts today. As it turns out, it looks like Dr. Nate Hastings will indeed cross paths with Nikki Newman in this storyline.

Photo: JPI

CAN DR. NATE HASTINGS HELP NIKKI NEWMAN?

Dominic shared, “I do have some scenes coming up with Melody that you will see soon. She reaches out to Nate.” Putting two and two together, Dr. Nate Hastings is a world-renowned surgeon, so will Nikki need surgery for her condition? Stay tuned.

Previously, Melody Thomas Scott explained, “I’ve never played a character with this new diagnosis that Nikki will receive, so I spent more time than usual doing research and prepping. I wanted to make sure my portrayal of Nikki’s experience was as authentic as possible.”

As to why Nikki is having horrendous headaches now, with being on the outs with her husband, Victor Newman, and trying to help her son, Nick battle his drug addiction, (and let’s not forget Nikki has a her own demons with booze), one would think it’s stress related. But think again!

Photo: JPI

VICTOR AND NIKKI: FROM STAR-CROSSED LOVERS TO EMBATTLED SPOUSES

The longtime star of the series expressed, “The timing of Nikki’s headaches lines up with recent stress from her problems with Victor along with Nicholas issues, so it’s easy for Nikki to attribute her headaches to these current events. Nikki a full plate, so she initially brushes them off, thinking they are tension headaches. Unfortunately, Nikki’s condition will soon get progressively worse to the point where she will be forced to get medical attention.”

With Victor and Nikki going through a very rough patch, in part, because Victor is so jealous and unhinged over the mere mention of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), stemming from the incident almost two years ago where he overdosed while trying to stop Nikki’s bender, and he was her sponsor. Victor believes more happened between Jack and Nikki, but it didn’t.

Melody shared it’s fun to not always be happy on the soaps : “As much as Eric and I enjoy the romantic moments, we also savor the opportunity to play the not-so-happy times in the marriage. Our characters have so much rich history.”

So, what do you think is happening to Nikki? How will Dr. Nate be involved? Give us your thoughts on what will be Nikki’s ultimate diagnosis from her headaches and vion problems via the comment section below.

Each year in June, various cast members from CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful are appointed as the representatives of their shows to attend the biggest TV event in Europe, the Monte-Carlo TV Festival.

Now in its 65th year, and beginning this coming weekend June 12-15, the annual event brings television stars, producers and more from around the globe, for interactive fan events, and the annual Golden Nymph Awards which concludes the competition.

Attending from The Young and the Restless will be the on-screen mother/son duo of Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) and Michael Graziadei (Daniel). The two will have their own autograph signing and fan event on June 15, where according to the official TV festival website, they are capacity and no tickets are currently available.

Courtesy/MonteCarloFilmFestival

BIG BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL NAMES

Then, the most recognized soap opera in the world, The Bold and the Beautiful brings with it, series legacy star, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), along with Thorsten Kaye (Ridge), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) Tanner Novlan (Finn) and Kimberlin Brown (Sheila). The B&B fan event is also on June 15 and at capacity and no tickets are currently available. As B&B fans know, many times the soap will schedule a remote or scenes to be taped in Europe around the same time as the actors trip to Monaco. No word yet if that is true this year, or not.

OPENING CEREMONIES

The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival will open at the Grimaldi Forum on June 12, with the prestigious Opening Ceremony. An exceptional Red Carpet with international stars – actors, directors and producers – of the most popular series worldwide followed by the Ceremony with the Golden Nymph Awards Jury presentation.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas will receive the prestigious Crystal Nymph Award recognizes a prominent figure in the television industry for their outstanding career and lasting impact on the industry.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN NYMPH AWARDS

At the heart of the Festival the Golden Nymph Awards Competition gives the opportunity to present to the public, the press and professionals, a selection of high level and unreleased programs.

The Competition is divided into four categories: Fiction, Feature Reports & News, Digital and Prince Rainier III Special Prize. It is complemented by two Special Prizes, awarded by partner organizations, the winners of which are selected among all the programs entered in the Golden Nymph Awards Competition. The Competition is open to all formats specially produced for television and new steaming platforms.

The Bold and the Beautiful had previously won the Golden Nymph Award at the festival 13 times in the International TV Audience Award category for “Telenovela/Soap Opera.” The American daytime drama historically dominated the category, picking up its 13th Golden Nymph at the 58th annual festival back in 2018.

So, what do you think about the line-up of stars who are heading to Monaco from The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful? Let us know via the comment section below.