As many of you know I don't watch soap operas. I don't look down on them (I dare anyone not to get hooked if you watched a few episodes). I simply don't have the time. I do have fond memories of getting home from school in the 80's and watching with my mother. I have written before the shows I remember watching with her were 'Another World', 'Texas' and 'The Young and the Restless'.
Every now and then I make it a point to record 'The Young and the Restless', when an actor from the old days returns. Beth Maitland (Traci) usually pops up a few times a year. The past couple of years Beth has been back a few times for the death of her father and ex husband Brad. She also returned for the fake death of 'Katherine'. You can always count on great work from Beth when she shows up.
Below: Beth with Greg Wrangler (Steve) and Peter Bergman (Jack)
Beth latest turn on Restless ended this week. Traci returned to deal with her daughter becoming brain dead and the decision whether or not to donate her heart to Victor Newman. (I know I know if your not a watcher it sound silly). Beth hit it out of the park with her performance, even when the writing did not match her skills. Beth has never looked like your typical soap actress. She is short, not pencil thin and can act the pants off most of the other actors on 'Restless' or any other show for that matter. Beth won an Emmy for her role back in the 80's.
I used the ff button to watch only her scenes as there were so many actors under 25 whose acting skills left much to be desired. It always amazes me that soap producers have not realized that fans want the characters they love, not a slew of acting challenged teens running around. Beth has always got shafted on her show while the actress who has played her sister (all of them) have remained a staple on the show. (tall, blonde, great looking). Eileen Davidson is a good actress but really is it her acting that keeps her on the show over Maitland?
I appreciate great acting, and Maitland surpassed what you usually see daily on daytime television. Kudos Beth Maitland. As much as the show continues to send you packing, maybe it is a good thing. If you stayed they would turn you into a loony and have you switch or steal someones baby. (Restless seems to like this). So Restless is once again off my record list, at least until Maitland returns in the future.
Below: Beth with Don Diamont during Traci's second marriage to Brad.
