Interview Y&R: Jill Abbott Will Fight Back, Part 2

Katherine Chancellor and Jill Abbott had always been arch enemies. From stealing lovers, companies and even loved ones’ lives, Kay and Jill have seen it all on their personal battlefield. Then, a few years ago, they discovered they were mother and daughter. While some animosity lingered, a love between them managed to grow.

However, the results of Katherine’s recent DNA test to prove she was not Marge also proved she is not Jill’s mom. Jess Walton, who has played Jill on The Young and the Restless for 23 years, is anxious to see how this all pans out.

Jess reveals: “I think she suspected it was coming. When it was finally confirmed, I think she felt like she had been kicked in the stomach. She did have genuine emotional love for Katherine, and now she was no longer her mother.

“I think we should wait for the dust to settle before we come down to what is really going on with her. She is still dealing with the shock of it, with many conflicting emotions and with grief, because it’s the death of a relationship.”

Is Jill fearful of what her new relationship with Kay might be? Jess knows that is a definite worry that Jill is dealing with. “She knows she’s not blood. She goes back to the fears of how awful Katherine can be and how vindictive in the past Katherine has been: when she stripped Jill’s son of his name, when she kicked Jill out of the mansion, when she drove over the cliff drunk with Philip and killed him, all her cruelties to Jill — real or imagined. All that fear comes back. She realizes all of this in a split second. All of this comes pounding down on her.”

Because of this, viewers can look forward to seeing a revived and feisty Jill, one who has to fight for everything she has. That’s just what fans, and Jess, love most about Jill. “She always bounces back; she is a survivor,” Jess explains. “She’s like Scarlett O’Hara in that way. She was poor at one time, and she hated it, and she swore she’d never be poor again. She’s had a few times up the ladder, and then back down. She has experience with never being down for long. So there’s a lot of hope in her.”

Jess has a lot of hope for her alter ego as well. As she explains: “I just always want to see Jill succeed. She is more fun when she is fighting with her back against the wall, and we’re going to see a lot of that.

“I would love to see her get in a relationship. She hasn’t had that in a while. With Ji Min, I don’t think that she expected it, nor did he, but they just fell into this really lovely relationship, and I don’ t think that was really examined and ended too quickly.”

Y&R continues to win the ratings race, being the No. 1 soap every week for more than 20 years. Jess has a theory as to why this is: “Our writers have remained fairly faithful to the characters that Bill Bell laid down, and they’re still around. I always think that soaps are popular because they are a family replacement. So many families are split up, and people move across the country.

“There’s a way of turning on a little box in your living room and checking on family members, and they almost become like family. It is inherent in every human being, this desire for family, and soaps are like a substitute family. Because our writers keep their characters on — it’s not like other soaps that get rid of theirs and change theirs — we have the same ones. We have the same core families and core characters that people grew up with and have grown with.”

Another World 10 Years Later

Ever wonder what happened to your favorite (and not-so-favorite) Bay City residents?

In 1999, to the disappointment of its devoted longtime fans, daytime soap Another World was canceled. SOAPnet aired old episodes for a short time, but due to low ratings, the reruns were canceled as well. You can still view old episodes in their entirety on Hulu.com and YouTube.com. However, if you'd like to see what your favorite fictional characters are doing now, in 2009, you're just a click away.

In a press release, TeleNext Media, Inc., announces the Internet revival of long-running daytime drama Another World. AnotherWorldToday.com will offer weekly text-based episodes that will pick up 10 years after the show ended its successful run on NBC. Written by Alina Adams, the updated series follows the lives of Bay City’s much-missed families, including the Corys, the Hutchins, the Loves, and best friends Felicia Gallant and Cass Winthrop. Through the use of weekly online polls, readers will be able to help guide the hand of fate of their favorite characters. AnotherWorldToday.com debuts on May 4.

“The renewed success of Another World online is a testament to the show’s enduring appeal,” said Brian T. Cahill, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of TeleNext Media, Inc. “The audience is as engaged with these characters today as they were during the show’s impressive 35-year run. We are so pleased to offer them another chance to visit with their old friends from Another World.”

OLTL: Such a Tease!

Cole comes clean with Rachel.
Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier, pictured) and Gigi long to be together.
Schuyler’s determined to find out what Stacy’s up to.

Gigi is crushed by Rex’s rejection.
Starr and Cole get some surprising news about the baby they lost.
Lola plans on making trouble for Langston and Markko.

John gets more than he bargained for when he pays Powell a visit.
Tea can’t get Todd off her mind.
Kyle blackmails Jared and Natalie with the truth about Chloe.

Marty’s life is in danger.
Todd, Tea and Blair fall victim to the killer’s evil plot.
Lola spills the beans about Langston and Markko to Dorian.

GH: Such a Tease!

Claudia fears she’s losing the baby.
Tracy remains convinced that Ethan (Nathan Parsons, pictured) is pulling a con on Luke.
Rebecca finds herself stranded at Wyndemere.

Jason has alarming news for Carly.
Rebecca and Nikolas grow closer.
Spinelli is reluctant to come to Maxie’s rescue.

Sonny and Carly make a decision about Michael.
Things heat up between Nikolas and Rebecca.
Luke and Ethan learn whether or not they’re father and son.

Sonny and Carly are on pins and needles during Michael’s surgery.
Alexis grows more suspicious of Rebecca.
Maxie gets hot and heavy with Spinelli.

AMC: Such a Tease!

Erica wants Ryan to back off of Kendall.
Adam tortures Krystal (Bobbie Eakes, pictured) when he threatens to expose her secret.
Angie, Jesse and Randi get news about Frankie.

David wonders what Adam is holding over Krystal.
Jake declares his love for Amanda.
Adam wants to make a deal with David.

JR is furious with Adam for using Little A as a bargaining chip.
Zach tries to ease Kendall’s fears.
Krystal reveals her secret to Tad.

Scott makes a disturbing discovery.
David is up to no good.
Annie is closer than Aidan realizes.

Beemer to Chat Live This Tuesday

Are you a Browen fan (Bridget and Owen)? Or are you an Owkie fan (Owen and Jackie)? Either way, get your questions and your comments ready because Brandon Beemer (Owen) is going to chat LIVE on the B&B website! http://www.boldandbeautiful.com/, Tuesday May 5, 2009 at 3 p.m. PST.