- The Young and the Restless
- Soapbox

Young & Restless’ Twists Keep Coming for ‘Ashtoria’ — Plus, Rey’s Plans Are Giving Us the Heebie Jeebies
April 11 - 15
Friday, April 15th, 2022

Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
Young & Restless has picked up the pace and offered more dramatic twists and turns, however some characters seem to be missing in action and the continued focus on talk over action means it remains daytime’s answer to insomnia.
Slow Roll
Diane’s return is chock full of possibilities, but slow to roll out. Young & Restless has a huge issue with too much talk and not enough action and that’s definitely the case here. Aside from the ‘reveals’ that she’s alive it’s become a bit of a snooze. Anticipation can’t be the only thing a story has going for it. Hopefully once Kyle’s in the loop we’ll get to see the full measure of what the back-from-the-dead plot has in store for us and it will be every bit as dramatic as it should be.
Bad Feeling
Wow, this trip to Chicago has bad news written all over it. The announcement of Jordi Vilasuso’s exit as Rey set an ominous tone for any plot he’s involved in; knowing an abrupt departure is looming… well it doesn’t bode well for the character or his plans with Chelsea and Connor. My guess is that what will go down will leave Sharon reliving a nightmare. Read my theory on Rey’s fate here (which may be tied to the Victoria teaser mentioned below!) and see if you have the same hunch.
Twists and Dangerous Turns
There is a lot of drama centered on Victoria and Ashland right now, which makes it feel like we’re approaching the end, where Ashland is run out of town… but I have a hunch that may not happen. Despite the heavy focus on Victoria’s love life, and the last-minute recast of her husband Ashland, the story has kept viewers engaged. It’s working because Victor and Adam have a worthy adversary, there are high stakes involved and all the Newmans have been pulled in. Having the big bad in town has kept us on the edge of our seats to find out what twist is coming next — and there have been so many that we’ve even questioned if Victor or Ashland is telling the truth!
It’s not a stretch to think Young & Restless will find a way to keep Ashland in Genoa City. It’s easy to see that Victoria’s duping him by telling him she’ll run off with him so he’ll sign Adam’s deal, but it’s equally clear she still loves him. Which provides all the opening the writers need. We see Victoria swerving off the road in the promo for next week, which further opens the door. Will Ashland stop short of signing the paperwork when he hears there’s been an incident? Will he sign the deal but insist on staying in town to make sure Victoria’s okay and work to get her to fall back in love with him? It’s been one twist after another, so it’s a good bet there will more ahead.
More: Eric Braeden teases Victor twist ahead
Silly Billy, Lily and Sally
You all know I can’t with this podcast business, but I did get a laugh-out-loud moment from it this week when Billy was trying out different voices and made himself sound like a munchkin from The Wizard of Oz.
It was fun to have Sally interact with someone new — Lily — on her travels around town. I’m still getting used to the idea of Lily as some kind of big wheel to be honest. Interestingly, she warned Sally about tying herself to Adam just as I’d begun feeling irritated by her constantly being attached at the hip with him and jumping to his defense. As Young & Restless fan Shiwana Rucker wondered on Facebook, why was Sally even there when Victor was reaming Adam out for offering Ashland a deal behind his back?!? I enjoy the pairing, but give her more to do besides be a man’s cheerleader.
More: Hallmark’s groundbreaking new love story
MIA
Granted most of us weren’t feeling (okay, hated) the year-long drama involving the conception and birth of Dominic and everything that happened after the fact, but this group has not just been back-burnered; they’ve all but disappeared. Victoria and the Newmans are going through it, the Abbotts have just been informed that Diane Jenkins is alive — and Abby’s out of the loop on absolutely all of it! It’s like they forgot she exists. Devon, Nate, Elena, Imani and Amanda don’t even have stories at this point, and did Chance ever return to work? Mariah and Tessa are getting some screen time thanks to their upcoming wedding, but even so, fans have been irritated by Noah making all the decisions. What’s going on?
More: Y&R star mourns friend lost to senseless tragedy
This is just my opinion. Feel free to join the conversation below.
Don’t miss our fun soap opera drinking game in the photo gallery below.
<p>We’re not ones to advocate violence, but there’s something downright satisfying about one character — in this case, <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Nicole — hauling off and slapping another… especially when said slug is well-deserved. As is <em>usually</em> the case with Sami! </p>
<p>Frankly, <em>Bold & Beautiful </em>bride Steffy should have known Sheila was going to show up on her big day. After all, it ain’t a soap wedding until at least one person not on the guest list — usually someone guaranteed to cause a stir — walks through the door. </p>
<p>That’s right, we’re pointing at you, Diane! Although we’re not sure why <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Jack was so surprised by his ex’s<em> </em>return. He’s attended at least three memorial services for Victor (if only to dance on his proverbial grave).</p>
<p>There are an awful lot of reasons that people hate on <em>General Hospital </em>villainess Esme. And while refusing to use her boyfriend’s given name may rank low on the list, we can’t help reacting the same way to her nickname for him that we do to nails on a chalkboard! </p>
<p>To be fair, you probably won’t even catch half a buzz via this rule. Heck, <em>Days of Our Lives </em>shows Chad’s children so infrequently that we’re not even sure these are them! Consider this one our gift to the lightweights out there. </p>
<p>Look, we appreciate a little eye candy as much as anyone else. But it’s just weird when someone like, say, Thomas on <em>Bold & Beautiful </em>not only greets you shirtless, but then invites you in, chats you up, maybe even cooks dinner without bothering to slip into something a little less comfortable! Of course, that’s nothing compared to when… </p>
<p>Guys on <em>Bold & Beautiful </em>routinely get undressed in unlocked offices, usually changing to go to the gym. But you’d think that a building that has both a workout area and a sauna might also have a locker room! </p>
<p>We’ll say this for <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Black Knight: He can make the most innocuous of nicknames sound almost obscene. We’re kinda surprised the rest of Genoa City hasn’t started calling Jack’s brother “Billy Boy,” because it really does roll trippingly off the tongue! </p>
<p>This one’s a classic. In fact, General<em> Hospital </em>doc Monica declaring that the Quartermaine mansion is hers because late husband Alan gave it to her <em>might </em>be where the soap-opera drinking game originated. </p>
<p>When you see the Kiriakis patriarch on <em>Days of Our Lives</em>, you can assume someone is about to get a tongue-lashing. The man doesn’t suffer fools gladly, yet in his estimation, he is surrounded by nothing but. Pretty much every word out of his mouth is as sarcastic as it is quotable. </p>
<p>It was a shock when <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> nearly sent Taylor flying off the hospital roof… but it probably shouldn’t have been. This show loves to push, shove, hurl and throw Los Angeles residents off of stuff. (They only thing they’ve never managed to do? Knock Ridge off his high horse!) </p>
<p>People on <em>Young & Restless </em>are more likely to be appointed CEO of a company than they are to make out with someone… and that’s a real problem on a soap opera! Adam, Nate, Victor, Victoria, Ashland, Lily, Billy and Sally have all gotten new power positions in the first part of 2022. Heck, we’re just waiting for someone to name Esther CCO (Chief Cleaning Officer) of Chancellor!</p>
<p>Seeing Ava without a cocktail in her hands is just sad. Of course, if we actually had one every time she does, we’d probably wind up in <em>General Hospital</em> with a bad case of alcohol poisoning! </p>
<p>Whether residing within <em>Days of Our Lives’ </em>Doug, Marlena, Johnny or Allie, one thing remains true: Satan hates when people mention his rival. The guy makes God jokes the way most men crack dad jokes… and it gets old just as quickly. </p>
<p>If <em>Bold & Beautiful</em>’s Thomas doesn’t seem to recognize son Douglas, it’s probably because he rarely sees the kid. Liam and Hope might struggle with that one, too, given that Douglas and Beth spend most of their time hanging out with Donna… somewhere off screen. </p>
<p>Sharon should be living high off the proverbial hog, and not just because the <em>Young & Restless </em>beauty has married (and divorced) some of the richest guys in town. But while her coffee shop is <em>the</em> place to be, that’s probably because nobody ever pays for what they ordered! </p>
<p>Look, if we were as smokin’ as this <em>Days of Our Lives</em> couple, we’d be making sweet, sweet love all the time, too. We’d tell the Westons to get a room, but they rarely actually leave their apartment! </p>
<p>For people who never lock their front door and have kids who could wander in at any moment, <em>Bold & Beautiful </em>marrieds Liam and Hope spend a lot of time making love in the living room, whether on the couch or in front of the fireplace. That said, do <em>two </em>shots if… </p>
<p>Note to self: Do not touch <em>anything</em> in Adam’s office, because the <em>Young & Restless </em>hunk and girlfriend Sally have had sex pretty much <em>everywhere</em>. The couch? Check. The desk? Check. The floor? We’re just gonna assume that’s a yes. </p>
<p>Having been married to the <em>Young & Restless</em> Machiavelli long (and often) enough to know him better than anyone else, Mrs. Newman often scoffs at her hubby’s declarations… usually right to his face! </p>
<p>We may not often see the <em>General Hospital </em>tot, but boy, does he get talked about… a lot. Since his birth, he’s had more claims staked on him than the state of California during the gold rush. </p>
<p>If someone in Salem walks up and says, “Guess who?” think twice before answering. Why? Because on <em>Days</em><em> of Our Lives</em>, it might be someone wearing a magic mask that changes everything from the wearer’s voice to their height.</p>
<p>If people on soaps weren’t constantly having private conversations without closing the door or checking behind the potted plants, plots might never move forward. Heck, <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> scheme queen Quinn has been both the eavesdropper and the eavesdroppee on more than one occasion! </p>
<p>Anybody remember the last time Lily’s <em>Young & Restless </em>beau was actually happy for an extended period? If the poor little rich boy had a drink named after him, it would be called a Man Pain. </p>
<p>Why does anyone in Port Charles ever go down to the docks… especially at night? It would be impossible to list the number of awful things that have happened to <em>General Hospital </em>characters in that crime-ridden area, yet residents are drawn there like teens to a 7-11 parking lot!</p>
<p>Given that the last time <em>Bold & Beautiful </em>alcoholic Brooke fell off the wagon, we heard about it endlessly for months, do her a favor. Get rid of all that liquor so she’s no longer tempted. One week’s worth of episodes should help you deplete the supply. </p>
<p>All fans of <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Mariah and Tessa want is for the women to have a wonderful wedding… and for it to be totally Noah-free. Yet every time they turn around, there he is! </p>
<p>It seems certain characters — usually villains — must always be referred to by first and last name. <em>General Hospital </em>bad guys Cyrus Renault and Peter August, for example, or <em>Days of Our Lives’ </em>gone-but-never-forgotten Stefano DiMera. </p>
<p>Rarely has so small a creature been the center of so many plot points that are so despised by so many. From kidnappings to medical emergencies, custody battles to literal daddy issues, this kid’s had as many <em>Young & Restless</em> storylines as last names. </p>
<p>Get ready, folks, because this Bold & Beautiful entry has everything. Chug once for a wedding in the Forrester living room. Again because Carter is the officiant. A shot for the ceremony being interrupted and a fourth for a secret coming to light at the worst possible time. If you’re still standing, pat yourself on the back… and drink some water. Hydration is key to surviving the soap-opera drinking game!</p>

Previous in Soapbox
Is It the End for Young & Restless’ Ashland… or Will Adam Get Burned? Plus, the Diane vs. Phyllis Bungle and *Please* Kill the Man Pain With FireNext in Soapbox
Young & Restless’ Sharon Had Us Bawling as the Show Finally Served Up Some Big Emotional Drama — and Teases More Shake-Ups to Come