Global TV hosted a special evening with the stars of The Young and the Restless and lucky fans on Monday, November 3, at Soho House in Toronto, and The TV Watercooler was there!
Hosted by Global’s The Morning Show’s Jeff McArthur and Carolyn MacKenzie, the “Soap and Bubbles” event featured Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Bryton James (Devon Winters), Hayley Erin (Claire Newman), and Canadian cast members Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) and Mishael Morgan (who has appeared as both Hilary Curtis and Amanda Sinclair).
The discussion covered career milestones, memorable rivalries, off-screen friendships, character analyses, and the demanding production schedule of a daytime soap opera.
Career and Legacy
- Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) began the discussion by reflecting on the profound meaning of receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, noting that it brought back memories of her childhood acting classes and a legacy for her family.
- Jason Thompson (Billy) will soon celebrate ten years on the show, praising the cast’s support and camaraderie. He emphasized the show’s importance to Canadian fans, including his 96-year-old grandmother who has watched since day one!
- Peter Bergman (Jack) noted that he and Melody Thomas Scott have been in daytime television for 46 years each (Bergman was All My Children’s Cliff before joining Y&R in 1989). He also praised the Abbott family cast members (which include Eileen Davidson’s Ashley and Beth Maitland’s Traci), calling them “amazing.”
Character Dynamics & Performances
- Peter Bergman discussed the perennial Abbott/Newman rivalry, calling it the “oldest rivalry in the history of television” (over 40 years). He also praised the Abbott family cast members, calling them “amazing.”
- Hayley Erin (Claire) expressed her gratitude for returning to Y&R in a new role (she previously played Abby when she was younger), calling Claire “interesting and unpredictable” as her manipulative “other face is starting to come out.”
- Mishael Morgan (Amanda/Hilary) described the process of creating two distinct characters, saying she intentionally “went the other direction” when creating Amanda so as not to replicate the beloved Hilary.
- Bryton James (Davon) spoke about his close, familial off-camera relationship with Christel Khalil (Lily), whom he met when they were children while filming Family Matters.
Behind the Scenes
- Melody Thomas Scott shared that the writing process has changed significantly over the show’s 50+ years, as there is currently no in-person writers’ room, with the writers spread out across the country.
- Jason Thompson described the rigorous filming schedule: the cast shoots five or six episodes in four days, with most scenes completed in just “one take,” often “going straight to tape” like a play, and they usually don’t film on Mondays.
Tributes and Hopes
- Melody Thomas Scott revealed her one remaining storyline wish: to see Nikki “go stark raving mad,” like Sharon once did.
- Peter Bergman shared a heartfelt tribute to the late daytime actor Tristan Rogers (Colin Atkinson; also Robert Scorpio on General Hospital), describing him as a “lovely human being,” “humble, so sweet,” and a big loss for the daytime family.
Character Best and Worst Traits
The actors were asked to name their character’s best and worst qualities.
Melody Thomas Scott:
- Best: Nikki’s values and is loyal to her family (including Victor and her grandchildren).
- Worst: Was initially a selfish and poor parent when her children were young (but is not like that anymore).
Peter Bergman:
- Best: Jack is loyal to his family.
- Worst: Too quick to anger and “hot under the collar.”
Jason Thompson:
- Best: Billy is very honest (or “tries his best to find interesting ways to not lie”).
- Worst: No comment – suggested asking his character’s ex-wives!
Hayley Erin
- Best: Claire is very adaptive.
- Worst: Inherently a bit manipulative.
Mishael Morgan:
- Best: Amanda tries to do the right thing in every area of her life.
- Worst: She is too trusting, especially in a place like Genoa City!
Bryton James:
- Best: Devon is incredibly loyal to those who do right by him and his family.
- Worst: Acts without thinking too often.
Stay tuned! We’ve got exclusive interviews with the stars of The Young and the Restless from their recent Toronto visit, coming soon to The TV Watercooler!
Stay tuned to The TV Watercooler for exclusive interviews with the Y&R cast members from their Toronto visit!
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on Global and CBS. Canadians can catch up with episodes on demand, the Global TV app, STACKTV, and at GlobalTV.com.
