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Y&R’s Jason Thompson Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/CBS

It was Jason Thompson’s (Billy) time to have a standalone episode on The Young and the Restless and this past Tuesday, Thompson shined in a performance that took an emotional toll on his character of Billy Abbott and for many in the viewing audience.  The last time we saw Thompson given anything near this; was actually his first episode on The Young and the Restless when Billy was hovering between life and death and as he confronted his family, they did not hear what he was saying to them.

Now in September of 2019, Billy has been overcome with grief over the death of his daughter Delia and getting revenge against Adam (Mark Grossman) that he developed an alternate personality who is the tough guy who would do things Billy in his right mind could never set out to do.

Photo: JPI

In the episode, Billy (who is still in a cabin) admits to Victoria that what Chloe said about him is true . He lured Adam to the route where Delia died and tried to kill him.  Billy reveals that there is a whole other Billy who takes over, who wants to punish people, and does some very bad things.  Victoria urges Billy to confront that part of himself.  Since he has not eaten in several days, she leaves him behind at the cabin to go bring him back some food.  And thus ,the standalone episode begins to really kick-off.

Alone, Billy closes his eyes and in tears, sees a more grown up version and vision of Delia.  But she is not happy with him.  While she says she understands why he went after Adam the first time after her death, she does not understand why years later he is still trying to kill him.  Delia explains that going to heaven is beautiful; but he will never be reunited with her if he continues to have malice in his heart and soul.  Billy is devastated that his beloved daughter, who he grieves so much for, is disappointed in him. But then, so too is Jack!

Next, Billy envisions Jack (Peter Bergman) in the cabin with him, and Jack really hits Billy below the belt and tells him what a miserable failure he is and calls him “weak”.  We then see the character switch and the gum-chewing alter ego pushed to the brink and so that Billy fights back.  Jack continues to barrage Billy and then Billy shouts, “Screw you, Jack!”  Billy thinks Jack’s jealous of him. Jack hollers, “Who are you!? Pick one and be done with it.”  It was a difficult to scene to watch, because Billy while battling his demons, he is hearing such terrible things inside himself from those he loved; like his older brother.

Photo: JPI

Then, comes his mother, Jill (Jess Walton)! All of a sudden she appears and is also extremely hard on Billy, and she tells her son that Victoria can do better than him, and that as a partner for Victoria he is an absolute dismal failure.  Jill really kicks him by saying that he always ends up back in the gutter with a mountain to climb.

All of a sudden, an evil Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) emerges in front of Billy.  She really plays up his addiction to gambling, entices him to a poker game and he loses, which further sends Billy spiraling.  He becomes more agitated as she laughs in his face.  Next, Adam appears shouting at Billy, “What is going on in your skull?”  Billy replies, “I’m not a monster.” Adam says, “Neither am I.”  Then, viewers see Adam strangling Billy, but then it is revealed that Billy is being strangled by the alternate version of himself in a fight for power and control.

Photo: JPI

Just then, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) returns as Billy battles with himself and remembers those who just ‘visited’ him.  Billy comes up with the inner strength to throw off the alter and not give in.  Finally, Billy punches him and the alternate Billy sort of melts away. Billy confesses to Victoria he doesn’t want that part of himself to ever return, and if there is anything good left in him it is because of her.

Throughout the hour, Jason Thompson illustrated once again why he is one of the finest actors in the genre, delivering an extremely complex performance and taking the gut-punches thrown at him by the other actors through their characters while taking the audience along with him and Billy’s inner struggle.  Whether you like the storyline, or not, you cannot take away from what Thompson did through his work in a performance that could have easily been just as powerful in a stage play in a theatre, as it was on TV.

What did you think of Jason’s ‘Power Performance of the Week”? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Jason did an absolutely stunning job. I loved the whole thing. His scenes with Victoria were amazing too.

I have been very vociferous about my intolerance of Thompson in the role of Billy Abbott…hardly ever held back.
WOW!! If I could only eat my words about his acting prowess, I would—- He gave me the goosies with that performance—not only was his acting, as the lost, confused desperate and helpless father, man, brother, friend and ‘husband’, superlative; but, by Jove( LOL), Thompson looked as pained as his heartfelt performance. His delivery was top-notch, his expression was unmistakably en pointe …..his eyes hungry and hopeless !!
Fantastic show of talent, Jason….Encore, s’il vous plait!!

Nothing that has went down is his fault he plays what Is given to him !!! We really need including myself to stop blaming and attacking actors for what comes on screen they are doing their job

I will always support him he got a raw deal at GH because nobody could accept the character of Robin leaving they took that out on Jason he did not deserve that abuse so let’s support him now he has poured his soul into making Billy his own

@Kay…I agree Thompson was treated oh so shabbily by GH, and not just at the very end of his contact. His character’s downfall began a rapid descent when Patrick was paired with that ludicrous babysitter in a plucked-from the Disney Channel storyline that was force-fed on the audience throughout one of the worst couplings ever to materialize in Port Charles. Not only was the actress in question absolutely horrible, but the entire scenario made Patrick look utterly ridiculous…..especially when he was far more logically suited to Robin’s BFF, the Lovely Liz, or later, presumed widow, Sam…both of these ladies were age-appropriate and actually had chemistry with Patrick. To this day, Drake Jr.’s time with Sabs remains one of the sorriest chapters in GH history, and quite frankly, it has nothing to do with Robin’s absence, at least, not from my perspective. Personally speaking, I can take or leave KMcC’s character, as she lost all appeal for me once she matured beyond that adorably precocious moppet we knew way back when. Hence whether she was part of Patrick’s life, or not, mattered none to me….I just desired for him to move on from Robin’s so-called “death” with a palatable partner who actually knew his late wife and honored her memory because they had actually shared her life in Port Charles. Instead, we had a wannabee Cinderella tale that usurped the tragedy of Robin’s untimely passing as an excuse to prop the princess-style fantasies of a bubble-headed student nurse with a magical stethoscope. Just the thought of it still makes me want to hurl….

I totally agree Celia. I hated the idea of the DID storyline at first, but end result was great! Billy met his demon and battled it! Now, the next storyline with Victoria being arrested for Victor’s supposed death – we know he ain’t dead, got a not again response. She just went through this with J.T.! Give the girl a break! As always, good post Celia!

Thank you, Lew…..your posts are none too shabby, my friend!! LOL.
It has nothing to do “taking direction” as Kay suggests, but rather my antipathy for Jason; which is never fair. I simply am not a fan of the actor. I won’t hide that fact—-
However I will give one his/her due when deserved. I have never seen so much emotion emanate from Jason’s pores, as it were.
Harry described Billy’s inner turmoil succintly and with heart. His dueling “selves” had to make an appearance in order to save Billy—-or who was truly locked inside—-the climactic emergence was painful to witness—that’s how ‘fantabulous’ Jason was.❤️

Jason Thompson was nothing short of brilliant in playing the internal conflict which exists between his dueling selves. Not only was his acting spot on, the writing and direction was as well. At one point Billy was battling (wrestling) with Adam and the camera pans from behind Adam’s head, and suddenly it is evident that Billy was mirroring Adam’s every move. In fact, it looks like Adam is a mirrored reflection of Billy. Then Adam dissolves into Billy and it becomes clear to the viewer that Billy is really wrestling with himself.
This is a case where great acting merges with great writing and direction.
Bravo to all of those who created this soap opera masterpiece–we so see little of this these days.

Well said agree I think he is dealing with his own guilt

Jason’s performance was riveting. Best daytime performance in years. Writing was much better than usual for all the characters involved. Peter Bergman also stood out.

Jason’s acting was extraordinary – that was so Emmy worthy!!!!

Total awesome and believable. He owned his character.

Absolutely amazing , 1st class acting.,

I was against Thompson taking the role of Billy. BUT, seeing how bad Miller was on GH, bad writing or not, Jason Thompson now fits the role as a more mature William Abbott. Great job on your standalone episode my friend!

Great performance..I hope he is recognized at Emmys…he is the best Billy..hope he stays..

Thompson is a good actor, but still would like to see Billy Miller return to the role. Hopefully this story line is finally OVER. Enough already!!!

Jason Thompson is incredible as Billy Abbott! Please do not bring back Billy Miller even though I love him.

Jason did an extremely wonderful job….I like his performance and how he acts!!! His character is very emotional and lovely! His scenes with Victoria and the kids are very real..he acts like they are a happy family and that is acting with your real feeling!! Jason Thompson’s character of Billy Abbott is done with extreme love, passion, and finesse!!

Yes Tracey,
As much as I love Billy Miller, no one played Billy Abbott as well as Jason. I liked him from the very beginning in this role, and thought his talents were so wasted on GH. He and Victoria look so right together, and it just doesn’t fit anymore when Victor calls him Billy Boy, although I do think he is getting a little more respect for Billy.

That was a very powerful episode. Jason/Billy did battle with his demons and the “evil Billy”. I loved the part where he strangled “himself” and the alter sort of melted away. Great job Jason!!

Behind in viewing as always. Violet is so correct when saying that “Billy Boy” doesn’t work any longer. The first preview I saw of Jason portrayed great gentleness. It was such an opposing character from the previous Billy. Is this the time writer’s are going to allow great shifts in character personas?

So much has changed.

I am somewhat appreciating “new Adam’s” acting, not his character. Did Victor learn something with his illness? In past times he often became the example of pure evil.

There have been too many changes for me too quickly. Where is the rock that holds the program together. Hope the writer’s decide.

Grown up Billy works for me. Find an unexpected real criminal in Genoa City so that Paul doesn’t have to keep arresting his friends. Glad Paul is back! Thanks!

Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?

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We have another scream machine on her hands at The Bold and the Beautiful after the dramatic ending of the May 1 episode, and that would be Dylan (Sydney Bullock)!

B&B is finally making some headway on just who was the person behind the mystery call that Dylan received telling her they have some “unfinished business.” At the time of the mysterious call, it was clear that the voice was altered to disguise the true identify of the person on the the other line.

On today’s show, after Dylan and Electra (Laneya Grace) exchange words in the wardrobe room about Dylan wanting to rebuild their trust and friendship and how Electra has issues stemming from way back trusting anyone after what Remy (Christian Weissmanm) did to her by befriending her and then plastering deep fake nude photos of her across social media.

Photo: JPI

The timing of Electra bringing up Remy is also interesting to us, as we had previously reported now that Christian Weissmann is back and on on contract with The Bold and the Beautiful, he’s already teased that Remy has another connection to someone on the canvas, which many are still believing its Dylan.

At the end of the episode, after Electra leaves the room, Dylan hears noises coming from behind the dress rack. She asks, “Jamie” is that with you? After no answer and a bit more hangar and dress ruffling, a figure steps out behind it, while Dylan is looking down at her tablet trying to get back to work.

When Dylan looks up, she lets out a scream that could be heard to Nebraska, as viewers see partial view of what looks to be a woman with long dark hair from the back. Dylan in shock, says, “It’s you!” We fade to black.

So, what’s going on here? Is the reason the caller said to her that we have “unfinished business” because on Monday, it will be revealed to actually be an alive and well, Luna (Lisa Yamada)? Did the two strikes some sort of deal, that allowed Dylan to help Luna escape after Luna supposedly died after Dylan ran her down with her car, which was all off-screen? Another theory, is the mystery caller is Remy and he is doing some sort of Luna fakeout on Dylan for a yet to be revealed reason.

What do you think is going on? Did Lisa Yamada just make an on-screen return to The Bold and the Beautiful? Share your thoughts and theories below, but first check out our recent interview from back in March on the Michael Fairman Channel when Lisa who attended the BBTV app launch party.

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Recaps

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond

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When The Young and the Restless can deliver an emotional side to their stories and their family dynamics, it usually makes for some great scenes delivered by their A-list cast.

Such was the case on the Friday, May 1 episode when Adam (Mark Grossman) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) returned to Genoa City and gave their father, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), an update on what had gone down with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) in Las Vegas.

As Victor questioned, “What the hell happened?” Nick piped up, “We both made mistakes along the way, but we’re here now and we’re sorry for giving you so much worry on top of everything else that you’re dealing with,” which was in reference to Victor trying to reclaim his company Newman Enterprises et al.

Courtesy/CBS

NICK’S CONFESSION

Next, Nick, explains one of the ways he messed up while trying to go after Matt Clark, when he admitted to this father with tears in his eyes, “That’s one of the ways I messed up … I took Fentanyl willingly. Some of it was because of Matt, but most of it was on me. I was in a lot of pain, dad, after my accident, I was burning through my prescription meds really quickly after I left the hospital. I could see that it was becoming a problem. But honestly, I thought that I could manage it.  I was wrong. I was out in LA and Matt had taken Noah (Lucas Adams) and Sienna (Tamara Braun) and he gave me this bag of pills and said I could use it to trade for information. When I went out to that drug warehouse, he was trying to convince me and Sharon (Sharon Case) that Noah was a drug addict. I just put the pills in my pocket of my jacket and I came back to Genoa City and I was in a lot of pain, dad, and I was wearing that jacket. I put my hands in the pocket and the pills were there.”

Nick sadly added, “I was desperate. I couldn’t get anymore prescription meds, so I took the fentanyl  I’m deeply ashamed that I was so weak, but all I can do is stand here and tell you the truth that I’m going to make this right and I’ll get better.”

BROTHER TO BROTHER

Adam stood up for his brother and reconfirmed to Victor the plan for help Nick through his pill addiction, “Nick is already on his way to doing that. Sharon has set up an appointment with an outpatient facility. He’s going to do the meetings and he’s going to push through this better than ever.”

Courtesy/CBS

“You should also know that the only reason I’m standing here is because of Adam,” Nick confessed to Victor. “Every time I fell, you were there to pick me up. You risked your life to save me, and that’s not something I will ever forget.”

In the climatic and emotional ending of the scene, Nick in tears admits his shame to his dad, who comes in to give him hug. Nick says, “I’m so sorry. I know that this is the last thing you or this family needs.”

All three actors, Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman and Eric Braeden, were excellent in this exchange in their scenes, but at its epicenter continues to be the Emmy-worthy performances by Y&R MVP, Joshua Morrow. Nick’s heartbreaking journey and fall from grace with his pill addiction problem has finally shown the clinks in the armor of the man who is always on the ready to help others … now he needs to let others help him through this. Can we do it?

So, what did you think of the scenes between the Newman man featuring Joshua, Mark and Eric on the Friday episode of Y&R? And though who watched also know that at the very end, Matt Clark who clearly has been injured wakes up from being conked out, so there is more revenge to come on the Newman clan. Share your thoughts below, but take a look at these scenes from a Canadian viewers who saw them air yesterday.

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside

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The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!

After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.

So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI

FIERY FACE OFF

The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.

Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI

A BROKEN SOPHIA

Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI

A DEADLY TRAP

Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.

So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.

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