Interviews
Y&R’s Peter Bergman Talks On: Jack Finding His True Biological Father, His Co-Stars, And If He Would Like A New Love Interest
On The Young and the Restless turns out Ashley (Eileen Davidson) is not the only child raised as an Abbott; whose father is not John. As viewers learned back at the end of March, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) is not the biological son of the Abbott patriarch, either! This has sent Jack on a pursuit to find out who he truly is, and who he truly belongs to, because being John Abbott’s (Jerry Douglas) son meant everything to him.
Once again, this story has given multi-Daytime Emmy winner, Peter Bergman an opportunity to play the complex layers of one of daytime’s best characters. Recently, Jack had gone through his mother Dina’s (Marla Adams) old diary, where there was a key page missing out of it. He then located a photo, which led him to believe that none other than late Phillip Chancellor II (played by the late Donnelly Rhodes) is his real father. Is Jack a Chancellor?
Hell-bent on exhuming the body for DNA proof, Jack is getting massive pushback from just about everyone on Genoa City. It is not helping the situation that Dina is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and her recollections of what transpired years ago when she had an affair, may not be accurate. Now this week, Jack has a plan that may backfire and ends up involving his son, Kyle (Michael Mealor) in the process. Will these two work together to get the proof of the truth?
Michael Fairman TV chatted with the actor’s actor, Peter Bergman to get his take on: the surprise story twist he never saw coming, if Jack has the purest of intentions, or if he is just chomping at the bit get his hands on Chancellor Industries, if he would like to see Jack have a new love interest, and more. It’s always a treat to speak with Peter. Here is what he had to say about Jack’s latest inner-turmoil.
Jack is not John’s Abbott’s son. He is searching for the answer of who is his biological father. Now, Jack believes he has found the answer in the photo he found that included Phillip Chancellor II, and then went to Dina to confirm the answer, even knowing his mother is battling Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t you think he jumped on this notion of Phillip being his dad all too son?
PETER: Jack has stumbled upon evidence that this is for real with the photo he found. He went to Dina on what was a very lucid day for her, and she was pretty damn clear. So, therefore it wasn’t just the ramblings of a lost woman. Jack is very eager for an answer. Could it be argued that he jumped on this as a possibility? Yes, and for a number of reasons. First, he feels somewhat utter-less and needs to be connected to something, but he also knows his family, and the history of this family, and “Oh, my God” could that be a way out of this untethered feeling that he had. So he is really grabbing on to this pretty quickly. Second, it is not lost on Jack that part of inheriting all of Phillip’s traits might also bring him part of the Chancellor estate, which would belong to Jack and perhaps he could pick-up at the corporate level where he left off. So that is exciting, but certainly not central to his thinking.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Everyone thinks from Cane (Daniel Goddard) to Jill (Jess Walton), to Billy (Jason Thompson) , that all Jack truly wants is to stake claim as an heir and to try to take control of Chancellor Industries. Are they that far off from the truth?
PETER: How honest is Jack being with himself? We will find out! He would want to stake his claim … and maybe a little bit more!
What was your reaction when you learned that Jack would be revealed to be the son of Phillip Chancellor II, when for decades you have been playing so much of what drives your character that he is the son of John Abbott? Were you like, “What!??” (Laughs)
PETER: I have been doing this much too long, to go “Why?” I, quite frankly ask, “Where do you want to go with this? Where do you want to take me?” The things that I have done in the past that I have fought the most have usually been the things that really led me somewhere. I tell the story all the time of John Abbott dying. They decided to bring him back as Jack’s conscious, and he would appear in scenes with Jack and talk to him. I thought “C’mon. This is The Young and the Restless, and I am doing a ‘ghost’ storyline?” I fought it and I didn’t like it, and I was wrong. It was fantastic, and it worked great, and the audience liked it. I learned from it. I don’t go, “Whaaat?” that much anymore. There have been a few of those including: the whole doppelganger story, while it confused me at times, and I thought this had gone a few steps too far, but it led us to Billy/Phyllis/Jack story. It was a direct line to that, and one of the most dynamic storylines I have ever been in. So, I see this current story, and I go, “That is an interesting turn.” Then, as an actor, I dig into it.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Jack wants to exhume Phillip’s body and everybody from Jill to Cane is objecting. Esther (Kate Linder) is worried Mrs. C. will roll over in her grave if he does this move. As we will see, Jack does not take “no” for answer.
PETER: Jack eventually all but gives up, but then a door opens slightly for him to look at this a different way Jack reluctantly walks through that door.
Do you think Jack has ever thought of the possibility of: “What if I am the son of someone from the circus … or the former pool boy at the country club?”
PETER: I have thought it’s amusing when I have met people who have explored their past lives. They have always been a prince or a princess. They were never menial laborers. I think he looks back and is kind of curious. I think Jill points it out to him that he is not at all suspicious that he is the pool boy, or the golf pro’s offspring? He knows the tryst happened at the country club, and so the first person you think of is one of the elite of the country club.
Courtesy/CBS
It would be such a huge devastating fall for Jack if something like that turned out to be true! Jack so wants to belong to a family that has wealth and prestige that goes along with their name. I wonder what it would be like if he had to say, “Yes. It’s true. I am the pool boy’s son!” (Laughs)
PETER: I don’t know how that would fit Jack.
How is working with the latest Kyle, you’re on-screen son, played by Michael Mealor? The part had been recast multiple times and the actor didn’t stick.
PETER: I cannot say enough good things about Michael. This is an extremely disciplined, very talented, and very professional guy. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. I think he is doing a great job. Michael gets looser every show. He likes to take big chances and try a lot of things. We have had a lot of young actors on the show and what they do is try to project that they are cool. They don’t go outside of the, “I’m going to be cool, and honest, and real.” They say, “I am going to be solid, and make simple choices.” Michael takes big chances doing large stuff, and going overboard That’s scary do to as an actor, but I watch him in scenes with Hunter King (Summer) where he is trying to appear cool, but just her physical prescience gets to him. You can see it in his performances and it’s wonderful to watch. It’s lovely to see in a 26-year-old and it’s fantastic. I have high hopes for Michael.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
This version of Kyle seems to be a bit of a chip-off-the-old-block. He can play dirty just like his dad!
PETER: As far as where Kyle is at … he is like Jack Abbott. He is not a good guy, nor a bad guy. Kyle is a bit of an opportunist with a heart, who wants to feel a part of things, but he also takes advantage of the situation, in a way that sometimes works against that.
We saw Jack stumble and drink again as he fights his addiction when learning the news that John is not is biological father. Do you see him stumbling again, and going back to popping pills and booze, if Phillip Chancellor II were not to wind up being his dad?
PETER: I don’t know if he will see him spiraling, but it is worth saying for someone who is a constant and has a had guiding light of ‘what’s right, and what’s wrong” and that now has been taken away from him essentially when John Abbot goes “Jack!”, that is a game-changer. What we can expect from Jack now may change. Jack isn’t as bound by “what would dad do” as he once was.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
So, we may be surprised with a turn in attitude from Jack?
PETER: You may be surprised. So much of his life, and certainly so much of what I play is that Jack has spent his whole life trying to be like John Abbott, because John Abbott is his father. Now that is not so. So, how much effort should Jack be putting in to being like John Abbott?
Good point!
PETER: It will be interesting to see where that goes!
We have seen many actors in the soaps portray drug and alcohol addiction. When Jack’s played itself out originally, it was one of the most harrowing to watch.
PETER: He got to a dark place very fast. It was out of control. It was an important part of the Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) and Jack story, because he honestly did not have the strength to do it by himself, and he had somebody to help him through it As it turned out, it was a formative experience for Jack and for Phyllis; one that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. They know things about each other that the rest of the world does not know.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Billy recently read Jack the riot act, when Jack told his brother about being Phillip Chancellor’s son. Having had it with Jack, Billy threw him out of his office. Where do you think the relationship stands between the brothers at this point?
PETER: It’s really hard for Jack. He is still on the board at Jabot. He has family ties there, and he still gets the checks, but it feels so weird for him, it really does. He is trying to be a bigger man and let Billy do what Billy is going to do. Deep down inside Jack has known Billy for a really long time, and when Billy sort of combusts, boy, does he go! Jack hates that Billy is holding the reins of Jabot, if things fall apart for Billy.
Viewers are seeing Billy turning to gambling again. What would Jack do if he finds out what is happening to his brother?
PETER: I don’t know what he could do. I am not sure what he could do to stop the CEO of the company as things currently stand. It’s hard for Jack to relax around Billy. It’s not a promising situation.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Do you think the Jack and Bill will ultimately be there for each other when the chips are down moving forward?
PETER: Jack has a soft place in his heart for addicts for reasons we both know, and a soft spot for family. It will be interesting to see how well Jack’s patience holds up, if Billy should go down that particular rabbit hole.
Do you think Jack might visit Chancellor Park and have a chat with the late Katherine about the revelation about Phillip and Dina?
PETER: I think Jack is really trying to be realistic about all of this. It could clearly be proven, but he is impatient. He could wait for Chance and Phillip III to come back from their Himalayan trip, but he does not want to wait. It’s just so easy if everyone would be practical about this, and get some fragment of Phillip’s remains, and there would be a DNA test.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Jack’s nemesis, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) is having a lot of issues, too. This includes his mysterious health diagnosis …
PETER: Oh, damn! (Laughs)
How does Jack feel about Victor these days and the plight that he is in?
PETER: Jack has such contempt for Victor. However, Jack can occasionally see that Victor is important to some people, but Victor to Jack is everything that is wrong in the world. As to the fact that he is struggling right now, does Jack wish bad physical health on him, or anybody? No. However, if things didn’t go easily for Victor, Jack would not lose any sleep over it.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Don’t you think it’s time for Jack to have a real, honest-to-goodness, love interest?
PETER: Jack should have a new love interest. I think the writers and the producers of The Young and the Restless are paying me a lot for half of what I do.
Jack should find true love. Someone who will be with him and whom he loves with all his heart, and someone who loves him back, flaws and all. A romance where he is not manipulating her, or she is not manipulating him, for financial or corporate gain. Do you think at this point that is even possible?
PETER: I think that would be a swell thing, but that would be a daytime show investing in an actress that is over 40-years-old. They have done it, but it’s a rare thing. But yes, I do feel like we are seeing two-thirds of Jack. There is another third of him that is completely unexplored and that’s a shame.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
We saw those heartbreaking scenes that aired last year where Jack had to admit to Ashley that his mother has Alzheimer’s. How is he going to continue in his relationship with Dina knowing she has had multiple affairs throughout her life, and when married to John?
PETER: This is a real difficult place for Jack. Obviously, he has his mother back in his life in one sense, but his mother has been responsible for pretty much everything that has gone wrong in his life over the last two years. It’s just one thing after another. Had his mother been faithful to John, Jack would not be in this situation. Had his mother not returned, we could have gone on with life as it was, and now all this mess is in part Dina’s doing. Now, Jack has moved out of the house and so his mother is slipping away by the minute, and Jack is not around for it. He keeps visiting, and he keeps stopping by, but it just doesn’t feel like it’s enough. Jack struggles with that a lot. He should be more in Dina’s life and be around for that, but being around for that means being in the Abbott house. Everywhere he looks are reminders that he is not who he told himself he is for his entire life.
One of the more endearing moments came at this year’s Daytime Emmys, after Eileen Davidson (Ashley, Y&R) took to the stage to accept her award for Outstanding Lead Actress. She thanked you while you were in the audience.
PETER: This is in keeping with my new plan for the Emmys each year, What I do is: I try to get a nomination so that I can sit in the audience after I have lost and hear the winner for Lead Actress thank me personally. (Laughs) I am two for two in the last two years! (Laughs) Gina Tognoni had won that category the year prior. Eileen Davidson is the greatest, and she has been for all intent and purposes my leading lady on Y&R.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Now, Eileen Davidson has announced, and made the decision to leave her role as Ashley.
PETER: I can’t say enough things about her. I adore her … I adored working with her. She is every bit as good as everybody thinks she is. She comes to work prepared She never needs hand- holding or spoon-feeding. Eileen is the real deal; had she been one of Jack’s lovers that would have been over a long time ago. The fact that she is his sister is fantastic. Now with her exiting the show, I will miss her terribly.
In closing, viewers should watch for Jack’s next move?
PETER: Jack is not leaving any stone unturned. He has to figure out who he is, and desperate times call for desperate measures.
So, do you think Phillip Chancellor II is truly Jack’s biological father? If not, who do you think is? What have you thought of Peter Bergman’s performance in the storyline? Would you like to see Jack have a new love interest? If so, who would you like to see the series bring onto the show to play opposite him? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I think Phillip is too easy an answer. I think it’s Stuart Brooks. He was rich, went to Walnut Grove with Dina and John and is connected to Jill.
Agree. Stuart Brooks would be best. That way, Jack would have a tie in to the Original main family from very first day of y and r. Also he would have many new sisters. Would be perfect way for Leslie, LauraLee (Lori),Christine,Peggy to make frequent home visits to Genoa City. Could also re-enter the entire Foster Family along with all new stories giving us all a feeling of the early Bill Bell years of Y and R. Give us the setting of the Brooks Family Home, along with the Genoa City Chroncle NewsPaper as well as the Foster Family home. Jack, Dina and Kyle could set up house in Brooks home. Just my thoughts. Would be a warm feeling and great way to use the early years of show history to create AMAZING new stories
I am 100% in favor of this scenario, Ray!
That would be a great story line. I hope the writers read this.
Ray I agree and also thought it might be Stuart Brooks, would love for this to happen…I remember though when Jaime Lyn Bauer came back for a short visit in 2002, Lorie went to see Jack in his office and Jack said to Lorie, I am upset with you and Lorie said, why for I didn’t go to the homecoming with you and Jack said, the homecoming and the prom….so since Jack and Lorie were never an item this would be a wonderful story…I don’t know if you all know, you can go to Jaimielynbauer.com and watch a few clips of her on Y&R and the 1st one is the clip that I just mentioned with Jack…also listen to the beautiful background music…OH how I miss the CLASSIC Y&R of yesteryear…
I think the best choice would Victor Newman & be Brothers, that would make ,Y&R more exciting, also a love interest for Jack ,
It would ruin the show entirely.
I believe it stuart brooks too
I’m glad Peter Bergman has a story that is challenging him; he’s a wonderful, generous actor. While I don’t like that Jack isn’t an Abbott, I’m trying to keep an open mind. It’s certainly given Michael Mealor a chance to shine by showing an appealing and softer side of Kyle. It’s also revealed a selfish, paranoid side of Cane which I find repulsive. Who does he think he is? Oh wait, he’s changed his life story so many times who can tell? Insecure, are we? I hope Jack follows through all the way and, if he’s Philip’s son, boots Cane into the mail room at Chancellor.
Love my Jackie!
Can’t stand Cane, and among other things, is a pompous ass! Thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and I wish I could go through the TV and slap that eternal smirk off his face. Sorry to the Cane lovers!
I think Victor Newman is Jack’s biological father, wouldn’t that shake things up!? Please don’t send me any emails, Thanks!
If its for sure not John
Then its Victor. Victors health will get worse and Jack will donate bone marrow or something. And then it will be found they are father and son. Sounds good??
Victor Newman, could be biological father, that would shake things up
With 7 years between them an Jack born long before Victor ever landed in GC. Check your history
Jack is my favorite character on Y&R. Yes, I want to see Jack have a love interest who is not crazy. Jack deserves to fall in love.
I hate Victor and what he does to Jack.
Yes, Phillip Chancellor ll should be Jack’s father. Jack should take over the company Chancellor. Cane has no right.
I wanted Jack to stay an Abbott.
Love you Jack! Stay strong
Jack is my favorite character on Y&R, too. Peter Bergman is a phenomenal actor. Love him! Agree % with your comment.
Victor should not be Jack’s father. That would ruin the show. Doesn’t make sense to me
Great interview, Michael..
You are an awesome interviewer!!
No worries!
Jack is 100% Johns son.
But- It’ taking too long to have that fact reviled and it’s becoming sorta stupid the longer it plays out.
I like your response SUOO. I miss the like/dislike feature because it saved time just clicking the like button. I understand why Mr Fairman had to do away with the dislike button as it might breed hurt feelings (although I got a chuckle every time someone clicked the dislike button on my comment). But maybe we could just keep the like button?
In any case, hope you’re right about Jack really being John’s son.
Jack is really John Abbott’s son. He tested his DNA against Billy’s and it will be revealed that Billy is not John’s son (Jill picked up a guy in a diner back in the day when she was trying to get pregnant to hold onto John). For somebody so smart in business Jack sure is dumb — he should’ve tested himself against both Tracy and Billy. Once this is revealed Billy will be out at Jabot and Jack will be back in because of that blood Abbott clause that everybody says they are going to get rid of but never seem to do…
I agree. And once Jack is back at Jabot the first order of business is to light a torch to… JaBoat!
they did do a dna test on tracey too, remember? but it could be that both tracey and billy are not real abbots, jill was crazy and slutty back then, even slept with jack. and dina, well u already know…
Jack and Victor’s to be Brothers that would be the Young and the Brothers so we could be more interesting to wash again
I have never really cared about who his “real” father might be. To me , it will always be John Abbott.I think wanting to put poor Dina through this court thing is cruel and selfish.
I will miss Ashley going toe to toe with Jack, and always reigning him in, when necessary.
Jack is John’s son which will be told soon enough. He needs a girlfriend. He needs to shut Billy down while the business is still there.
Love Peter Bergman / aka Jack Abbot. Great actor and incredibly HANDSOME to boot. Lucky Mary Ellen.
I agree that it would make Y&R more interesting if Jack DNA turn out to be Stuart Brooks son. In that way, more of the original casts could come back, so that Y&R won’t be so boring, because many viewers are tired of seeing mayhems happening with the same people over and over.
Boring!!
While I love Peter Bergman as Jack, this entire story-line is just awful!
Why do new EPs & writers think that they need to re-write and retcon almost everything the great Bill Bell created years ago? The Maria Arena Bell years saw Jill finding out she was not a Foster but Neil Fenmore’s illegitimate daughter with Liz Foster. The Jill Farren Phelps era had Sharon screwing around with Summer’s paternity. Now we have Mal Young doing further damage…
I hope the ratings continue to nose-dive under Mr. Young – CBS/SONY needs to get some talented & creative people to undo all of this madness!!!
Victor as the father and Erica Jayne as the love interest…
I Love Love Love having Jack’s mom Dina on the show. Having this character adds depth and dimension to the show which I have been watching since the very first airing in March 1973. Having a love interest for Jack a woman of appropriate age would not only make a social statement but also give added dimension to his character. It would give an opportunity for storylines for women in their 40’s and 50’s to relate to.
Kyles Character played by Michael is one of the best additions and reconnecting with summers character brings youth and vitality to the “young and the restless”.
What about “Victor” as Jacks father. Better once again keep it clean between Summer and Kyle!
I think Jack will end up staying an Abbott. As far as a love interest, he and Avery had some minor scenes together but showed immediate chemistry.
I truly believe Victor Newman is Jack’s father
Just think about this. They are always competing and have the same personality.. remember Victor Newman danced with her at ashleys award presentation. I am sure it’s Victor Newman who is Jack’s father
Great interview! Peter Bergman is a talented, versatile actor. I have always loved his portrayal of the legendary character of Jack Abbott.
I was extremely upset when the writers rewrote history by making Jack not an Abbott. I still hold out hope that it will eventually be revealed that he is indeed John’s biological son. But if Jack isn’t an Abbott , then I would love for him to be Chancellor’s son & CEO of Chancellor Industries. I look forward to Jack and Jill engaging in a power struggle reminiscent of their past. Peter & Jess are about to light up the screen with their phenomenal chemistry, and I can’t wait.
Jack definitely deserves a love interest…a true love! Y&R should ALWAYS be open to investing in & KEEPING talented actors/actresses (age should be irrelevant), legendary & new characters, and promising storylines. I would love for the show to seriously explore a romance between Jack & Gloria. I also thought Peter had great chemistry with Genie Francis (Genevieve). IMO, that romance ended way too soon. I have always wanted to see him work with Colleen Zenk or Rena Sofa (but she isn’t available & is awesome on B&B with Eric). Bottom line: Peter Bergman is a handsome man who has had & would have explosive chemistry with a lot of leading ladies. Invest in a romance for Jack!!!!!!
I enjoyed the interview very much. Great questions yielding forth to insightful answers afforded a very enjoyable read. I love Peter Bergman, always have since he showed up in Pine Valley as Nina’s romantic, Shakespearean lover, aka, DR Cliff Warner. Not only is he a talented, handsome man with the most beautiful piercing blue eyes, he’s arguably the nicest, kindest man in the business.
I don’t care for the storyline and hope to goodness that he turns out to really be John’s son. However, Jack’s existentialist crisis is very interesting to me because Bergman is such a compelling actor.
I do want him to have a love interest and it never occurred to me to that the reason Jack doesn’t have a love interest is that TPTB do not want to invest in an actress over forty. That’s sad to me but explains why they paired him with Nikki recently. It also explains why Ashely’s only love interest in the last ten years (aside from her brief flirtation with Dr Neville played by the wonderful Michael Knight) was the twenty-something Ravi.
I often thought Kassie Depaiva (formerly Blair of OLTL) would make an ideal match with Jack.
Jack deserves a love interest who doesn’t treat him like last night’s left overs by choosing either Victor or Billy over him.
PS. I detest Phyllis and Billy as a couple. Can those two tone it down with their sexual exhibitionism? If they’re not having sex in the Jabot elevator,or on Billy’s desk, they are putting on a show for their neighbors in the back patio of Summer’s apartment.
I am no pearl clutcher by any stretch of the imagination but come on, we get it, we get it. These two like having sex with each other–we don’t need to see that anymore.
As much as I love Peter Bergman as an actor, and as Jack ABBOTT, I don’t love this storyline. It’s just dumb. Jack’s theory is based on a photograph and the memory of a woman struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. Honestly, I can see why Eileen Davidson decided to leave her post as Ashley Abbott. The writers never gave her a love story or a story of her own. & I hated the storyline with Graham. Instead, we get the “post teen scene” with Summer and Kyle-no thanks.
I’m good with either a Chancellor or Brooks connection. Or if they go the Newman direction, then have Victor be Jacks older brother, not father, especially since they are only a decade apart in age at best.
Would love to see Beth Chamberlain, the actress who played Beth Raines Spaulding on GUIDING LIGHT. She could enter as a mysterious connection to this paternity story, and with Eileen Davidson departing as Ashley, we could get some magic on air.
Just a thought… Classic Y and R meets Modern Y and R
There is no better actor on the tube than Peter Bergman. Since planting Cliff on AMC he held his own with Palmer Cortland……he can do more acting with just his facial expressions that have been Emmy worth performances, Emmy judges take note, he has been doing this for more than 20 years. He is the only other actor on the show that brings me to tears when he loses something on the show that he cares about, his family, his career and winning in business. BRAVO, BRAVO!!
It truly would be a stroke of genius to have Jack discover he is Stuart Brooks’ son. There is so much untapped Y&R history from the show’s first decade, and connecting Jack to one of Y&R original families would open up soooooo much story. It almost feels as if Mal Young was setting the stage for such a reveal with Lorie and Leslie’s appearance in March. (Another clue, perhaps: Janice Lynde, on her Facebook page, revealed that she asked if Leslie would be playing the piano in her spring 2018 return. “Not yet,” she indicated she was told.) Couple the Jack-Lorie-Leslie storyline possibilities with Jill’s contentious relationship with the sisters, and we would see a riveting rebirth of the Brooks-Foster legacy drama. (And given Victor’s and Nikki’s histories with Lorie, her return to Genoa City — to deal with news about her new step-brother [Stuart, of course, was not her biological father] — would give the Newman family fresh conflict as well.)
I really hope that it will be confirmed that John Abbott is the bio father of Jack afterall… I think it would be interesting if Jack and Victoria become an item!!
I think John Abbott should be Jacks father because the DNA test were messed with by Victor!!!! Jack is and will always be an Abbott!!!! Don’t ruin it for all of us that have been watching for the last 45 years!!!!
I am usually a fan of a soap mining its past but I really-really hate this story line. I think its very disrespectful to Bill Bell and to the great Jerry Douglas. Jack is John’s son and to mess this up with a cheap who the daddy plot line destroys years of wonderful family memories that long time fans cherish to this day. Stuart Brooks and Phillip Chancellor never captured our hearts the way John Abbott did. John was a great father and a great man who until recently Jack spent every day of his life trying to live up to. Now under this head writer John is a clueless idiot married the town tramp. A weakling and a fool raising other men’s children as his own. Jack is supposedly searching for his real daddy as if John and the Abbott name was nothing more to him than a cheap watch. John will always be his real daddy and Jack is a damn fool if he doesn’t realize it. Dina when she sees Jack frequently confuses him with John, that should tell you something right there.
I am hoping Dina and John had some kind of pretend love affair- pretending to be other people to spice up their love life again. This way Dina doesn’t remember it was John all along. I think Jack needs to be John’s son. Please writers make that happen.
Jack is a Abbott ,Ashley did this to him.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)
This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, as Smitty (Mike Manning) continues to be framed and in hot water for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, he gets some familial back-up when his never-before-seen mother, Jenny Smith arrives in Fairmont Crest to see her son.
Jenny is played by Jennifer Van Horn who made her Beyond the Gates debut on the Wednesday, October 21, which was the same day that Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Emmy nominee, Mike Manning participated in a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
In story, as Smitty was at home, he received a surprise visit from his mother, who resides in Ohio. Jenny came to support her son through this difficult time. Smitty made note of his disappointment that his father didn’t come with her on the trip, sharing that he knows his dad has never been comfortable around wealth or the Duprees. Smitty also acknowledged how his father didn’t approve of becoming a journalist or moving to the DMV. Later, when Smitty’s husband, Martin returned (Brandon Claybon) he walked in on Smitty getting a pep talk from Jenny.
Courtesy/CBS
SMITTY’S MOM ARRIVES
Manning addressed how he had to keep the appearance of Smitty’s mom on the down low. “I do have a mom now. Yes.! I couldn’t talk about it to anybody. Jennifer Van Horn who plays my mom was so lovely and so nice, and she was great. I love Smitty having some backstory and having a parent.”
And there could be even more Smitty drama to come! Mike shared, “They mentioned Smitty’s father too, so they kind of plant the seeds for maybe more to come, which is nice. I think it really shows that there’s just one more level to the community that is surrounding Smitty. One of my favorite scenes from this entire storyline is when Smitty gets hauled into jail and the entire Dupree family shows up and they all start taking shots at Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and everyone at the police station.”
BEING EMBRACED BY THE DUPREES
Manning, in particular, recalled a moment from fellow Daytime Emmy nominee, Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree). “I loved when Anita goes, and this is not verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, ‘If Smitty’s not home for dinner, you’re gonna be hearing from Anita Dupree.’ Then, Vernon (Clifton Davis) says something, and Kat (Colby Nixon) comes in and she’s giving him so much sass. I remember watching the episode just being so touched that the entire Dupree family is wrapping around Smitty like this shield, this cocoon. So, it makes this storyline of him being framed a little bit easier to swallow.”
Courtesy/CBS
MORE OF SMITTY’S BACKSTORY TO BE REVEALED?
Speaking of the scenes between Smitty and his mom, Manning felt, “It was very touching. He spoke about how he loved his mom for what she sacrificed, It was one of those mother-son things, but it was poignantly done. I would like them to explore that more, and Smitty’s family, because, I think that it’ll also help inform some of the dynamic between Martin and Smitty. We know that Martin comes from a long line of successful people, whether it’s in entertainment or politicians. His grandfather’s a senator. So, we understand that he grew up in the country club, basically. We don’t really understand where Smitty grew up yet.”
The two-time Daytime Emmy winner also explained that he has his own origin story for Bradley “Smitty” Smith: “Obviously, I have an idea in my head with the backstory that I’ve sort of decided for Smitty, whether or not that’s exactly what the writers are going to throw at me, eventually, who knows? But, I certainly have an idea of why Smitty is the way he is, why he’s so driven, why he takes risks, why he’s so hungry to prove himself and be successful in journalism and everything else.”
You can check out a scene between Smitty and his never-before-seen-mom, Jenny below. Followed by our live chat with Mike Manning after the episode aired.
Now let us know, do you hope Beyond the Gates explores more of Smitty’s backstory? Did you enjoy the debut of Jennifer Van Horn as Smitty’s mom? Share your thoughts via the conversation below. And make sure to catch Mike on the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards streaming next Friday, October 30 to see if he takes home his third gold statuette!
Interviews
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
On Thursday’s October 22 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, it was now “confirmed” by Finn and Li (Naomi Matsuda), two medical professionals, that Steffy has become pregnant as the surrogate for Carter and Daphne! BUT, what everyone doesn’t know (except co-conspirators Steffy and Carter), is that Steffy was already pregnant with Carter’s child after their drunken night together.
In an elaborate cover-up, Carter has pushed the agenda that they will lie through their teeth to their respective spouses so that their one-night tryst never comes to light which produced a baby. How far can Carter and Steffy carry on this surrogacy implantation charade in an effort to give Daphne the child she can’t have? And what twists and turns are in store now?
This week, B&B series stars: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Tanner Novlan (Finn), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) and Murielle Hilaire (Daphen) sat down for a conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where they took turns giving their reaction to the storyline, discussing their characters motivations behind the baby drama, and what might lie ahead, and bantering about fan’s theories that have been online and more.
Photo: JPI
REACTIONS TO LEARNING OF THE SURROGACY COVER-UP
Tanner Novlan shared he was happy that the writers did not make Finn a doofus with his shocking reaction of “WHAT!?” when Steffy told her husband that she went ahead and had the procedure to become a surrogate while he was out of town.
“It was great that the writers gave him that opportunity (to have that reaction),” shared Novlan. “We’re still having to work through a lot of that, but there’s a lot of little breadcrumbs that it’s nice that Finn picks one up every once in a while and inspects it and doesn’t just keep carrying on.”
Three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood explained, “I did not expect the storyline, but we are so thrilled. It’s a wild ride. We’re all shocked. I couldn’t believe that we were diving into this kind of storyline and we’re still in the middle of it … in the thick of it.”
DOUBLE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE CLEARS THE AIR
For B&B fans thinking that since Lawrence Saint-Victor is an actor and a writer on the soap, and pulls double duty, that he was responsible for creating his frontburner story, he revealed that he has nothing to do with the writers decision on this one. “Not even a little bit, ” shared Saint-Victor. “At first, when Carter was really pushing Steffy, I had a reaction to it. I was like, ‘Oh no, this isn’t good.’ And then, I kind of had to put myself aside and lean into it. My knee-jerk reaction is what the fans are experiencing. I had to get into it and figure out why he’s doing it. But no, I hasn’t nothing to do with it, for those out there that’s thinking I’m manipulating the writer’s room.”
Photo: JPI
COULD FINN AND DAPHNE ALREADY KNOW THEIR SPOUSES CHEATED ON THEM?
Moving forward, might we all be fooled and Daphne and Finn actually know what happened between their spouses? Tanner Novlan weighed-in, “There is a world here where Daphne and Finn, might actually think something else might have happened and think, maybe that’s best (to leave it alone).”
Some viewers believe down the line, the baby will be revealed as Finn’s biological child, since so far, Steffy never took a paternity test. The actors in the story say they have not been told anything different than what they are playing.
“I think that this story’s so wonderfully uncomfortable, everyone’s looking for the way out,” explains Saint-Victor, “If it’s Finn’s baby, then it kind of wraps up. But right now, we’re ‘all gas, no breaks,’ as Jacqui would say. We’re not letting you guys off the easy way here. So, whether it’s Finn’s child or not, that’s not an out.”
Photo: JPI
STEFFY PUT THROUGH THE WRINGER
For Wood, she has been playing the emotional weight of the story. She opened up about how Steffy has processed all that has come at her. “I believe that Steffy would like to think at the very beginning, if she led with honesty and just told Finn, ‘Hey, I was drunk, I was out of my mind and I was angry and hurt and I slept with Carter,’ we wouldn’t be in this situation. Yes, it would’ve been extremely tough, but again, leading with honesty off the heels of Sheila, it would’ve forced Finn to look inward and go, ‘Hey, well, we wouldn’t have been in this situation if you wouldn’t have kept letting your mom, back into your life.”‘
Jacqui elaborated further, “Ultimately, Steffy wanted to feel safe, protected, and her partner, or a man in her life, to come in and say, ‘I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry about this. I’ll protect you.’ And then, obviously having that release with Carter, fast-forward, hearing that moment when she realized what she did, yes, she wanted to tell the truth, but there was something about Carter saying, ‘We can’t do that. We can’t be thinking about ourselves,’ that also resonated with her.”
“Now Steffy’s thinking, she’s selfish, realizing all these people that will be hurt if the truth came out, and how they’ll be crushed. Is it the smartest decision? In the moment, you’re not thinking did you cross all your I’s and T’s. Then in Hindsight, you’re like, ‘Whoa, actually, that was really silly. That was really dumb of us to do.’ But now you’re in it, so you’re going to have to lean even harder.”‘
Photo: JPI
IS CARTER THE VILLAIN OF THIS STORYLINE?
Some viewers also consider Carter as the villain in this piece, something that Lawerence Saint-Victor has leaned into: “I love it wholeheartedly, because Carter doesn’t see himself as a villain. To Carter, it’s like, if you want to keep your family intact, if you want to make sure that we’re not in tabloids, the COO and the CEO of Forrester Creations had an affair, there’s only one way out.”
He added, “And if that means we have to suffer with the lie to make everyone else have a peaceful life, then that’s our punishment. He doesn’t understand why there’s an option here. He gets that Finn would probably forgive Steffy. I think in the back of his mind he said that’s an option. He knows. whether it’s true or not, for him, he knows it’s not an option with Daphne. She will leave. She left when he was on his best behavior. She will leave now. For Carter, there is no option.”
WALKING OUT ON HER MARRIAGE
Speaking of walking out, how does Daphne see her role in all that went down? Murielle Hilaire added, “So when Daphne decided to leave it was not because she wasn’t in love with Carter, it’s when she found out she could not give her husband a child, she was heartbroken. She actually only walked out for three hours. She didn’t want to be selfish, and she wanted him to go and maybe find someone who was fertile. I think. if maybe Carter would have followed her to the airport and begged her not to go, maybe she would have left the airport with him (and maybe what happened between he and Steffy wouldn’t have).
THE FUTURE OF SINN
Sinn fans be on the alert! Novlan punctuated that this may be the toughest challenge in Finn and Steffy’s marriage yet. “All I know is that his family means everything to Finn. The kids, his wife, so for him to walk away from that, it would have to be a pretty big lie and this would be one of those lies. They’re love is definitely going to be tested here.”
You can check out the full conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now let us know, do you think Finn could walk out on a pregnant Steffy if he learned of her duplicity? Do you think Finn and Daphne might know their spouses slept together, but are keeping the peace, after all, Daphne wants a baby? How do you see this playing out in the months ahead? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.
Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”
Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”
Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Adam Delivers Sally’s Baby as Billy Reels from Jill’s Health Crisis in Tearjerker Episode
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Finn Blows a Gasket After Steffy Reveals She’s Gone Ahead and Become Carter and Daphne’s Surrogate
-
Beyond the Gates2 days agoTabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
-
Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
-
Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDays of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
-
Breaking News1 day ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
-
Previews5 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
-
General Hospital7 days agoWil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
