BEST REVERSAL OF FORTUNE:
Victor Newman
Then-head Writer William J. Bell’s 1980 objective was simple: Bring in a mysterious tycoon for a maximum of 26 weeks to stir up trouble, then send him packing (courtesy of his tortured on-screen wife, who would shoot him dead). But when Eric Braeden was cast in the role of the ruthless rascal, Victor Newman, it quickly became clear to Bell that he’d accidentally struck gold. Plans for Victor’s fatal end were scrapped, Braeden was persuaded to ink a long-term deal, and a new Y&R era unfolded. Over the next 41 years (and counting!), Victor has evolved into one of the most impactful characters in the daytime universe, equally vital as a lover (see the long-running supercoupledom of his pairing with Nikki) and as a fighter (his rivalry with Jack is the stuff of legend). Indeed, it’s hard to imagine the Genoa City landscape without this towering and iconic figure.
The Abbotts and Newmans brought romance between members of their warring clans to an art form with such successful pairings as Victor and Ashley, Jack and Nikki, and Billy and Victoria — and now the mantle has been passed to “Skyle”, as the coupling of Jack’s son, Kyle, and Nick’s daughter, Summer, is known. Over the past year in particular, the show has highlighted the effortless chemistry between Michael Mealor (Kyle) and Hunter King (Summer) as the characters’ relationship has matured and grown stronger as they’ve conquered their silly insecurities and emerged as a bona fide team — and their popularity with viewers has skyrocketed.
Who: GH’S Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) and Steve Burton (Jason)
What: The Stone Cold And Jackal Tour
When: Sat., May 29
Where: Zanies, 2025 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN
How: Enjoy music and comedy with the guys. VIP tickets include a post-show Q&A and autographed photo. For more info, go to coastalentertainment.com/ events.
Who: DAYS’S Matthew Ashford (Jack), Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas), Judi Evans (Bonnie), Billy Flynn (Chad), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Eric Martsolf (Brady)
What: Meet and Greet
When: Sat.-sun., Aug. 28-29
Where: Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, 208 Post Road, Warwick, RI
How: Various events all weekend are priced from $175-$600. Visit www. starstruckfanevents.com for more info.
Who: GH’S Leslie Charleson (Monica), Marcus Coloma (Nikolas), William devry (ex-julian), Max Gail (ex-mike), Emme Rylan (ex-lulu), Josh Swickard (Chase) and Donnell Turner (Curtis)
What: Meet and Greet
When: Sun., Sept. 19
Where: Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, 650 Terrace Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
How: Visit coastalentertainment.com/ events for tickets; prices range from $99-$300.
Who: Ingo Rademacher (Jax, GH)
What: Meet and Greet
When: Sat., Sept. 25
Where: Punch Line Sacramento Comedy Club, 2100 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA
How: Tickets range between $35-$75 and can be purchased at coastal entertainment.com/ events.