No. 10: Erika Slezak, One Life to Live

She only had a few precious weeks to entertain us in 2012, as One Life to Live ended its network television run early last January. Erika Slezak definitely made the most of her time. As Viki Lord dealt with the return of one of her deadliest foes, Alison Perkins (Barbara Garrick), and admitted that she still loved ex-husband Clint Buchanan (Jerry verDorn), Slezak displayed the same above reproach acting chops that made her a Daytime Emmy darling.

The woman who gave us Niki Smith also proved she could still be quite hilarious, portraying a highly-reactionary foreign maid during the Fraternity Row soap-within-a-soap arc. With OLTL possibly returning, we just might be putting Slezak on our "Best" lists for years to come.  

 

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Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) snuck into the cottage where Sharon (Sharon Case) has been hiding and did a bit of snooping. As she was about to leave, Sharon, who had been in a light sleep on the couch, woke up and discovered her there.

When Chelsea returned home, she and Adam (Michael Muhney) argued about Sharon. She accused him of still being in love with his ex.  Adam finally agreed to have Sharon move off their property. However, when he went to tell Sharon the news, he discovered she'd already left. READ MORE

Since she first appeared on our TV screens, The Young and the Restless' Cricket Blair (Lauralee Bell) has been the ultimate good girl. That's all about to change, since the legal ace will soon swap spit with her ex-husband Paul (Doug Davidson), who just happens to be dating her BFF Nina (Tricia Cast)! TV Guide Magazine's Michael Logan spoke with Bell to get the lowdown.

TV Guide Magazine: What triggers this?

Bell: Christine has basically thrown Paul a lifeline by finding the evidence that saves him from going to jail. She's freed him from this horrific chapter in his life and that's what provokes the kiss. This isn't some meaningless thing, though. Paul says, "I'm falling back in love with you." And Christine says, "I'm falling back in love with you, too. I want to give this a shot." Danny was the love of Cricket's young life. But Paul is her adult love. It's a serious, emotional reconnection. It could be a second chance for both of them.

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Nina (Tricia Cast) got all up in Phyllis’ (Michelle Stafford) business, saying the idea of Phyllis sleeping with Ronan (Jeff Branson) was appalling. Nina verbally trampled Red with her indignation over a married woman publicly crowing about having an affair.

Never one to back down from a fight, Phyllis demanded to know if Nina had forgotten how Chance (John Driscoll) came into the world.  When Phyllis started counting off the ways Nina has been a bad mother, Nina hauled off and slapped the woman her son has fallen for.

Luckily for Phyllis, Nina got a call and told the person on the other line she wasn’t busy, just taking out the trash.

Please oh please The Young and the Restless, stick a fork in Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis. We need a legitimate reason more Nina vs. Phyllis, and "Phonan" could be it! If you do, I might forgive you for axing Marcy Rylan. READ MORE

Looks like the entire Webster clan is heading back to Genoa City, just in time for summer. The Young and the Restless phenom Tricia Cast is reaturning to Genao City. The actress announced on Twitter:

This news comes on the heels of Cast's onscreen sons Ronan (Jeff Branson) and Chance (John Driscoll) also returning to town. No word on how long Cast is sticking around.

Related: Jeff Branson Heads Back to The Young and The Restless; Will John Driscoll Follow?

Yesterday's scene on The Bold and the Beautiful where Katie (Heather Tom) ho-checked Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) reminded me of a similar scene 15 years ago over on sister soap The Young and the Restless. Back then, Heather Tom played Victoria Newman (the one and only Victoria Newman, in my book!) as she tried to lure her first love Ryan McNeil (Scott Reeves) away from Nina (Tricia Cast).

It's amazing to watch this scene back and realize that it's basically the same scene as the one between Katie and Steffy! Except of course that the writing, directing, music and psychological tension were all so much better back then. It's fascinating to watch Tom play the circling temptress 15 years ago, and the protective wife today. Finally, it's thrilling to remember what it was like when two powerhouse Emmy-winning actresses went at it. They don't make them like this anymore.

Watch the classic scene from 1996 after the jump!
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