Community Chat

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Is Ronan a Goner? Although Jeff Branson (Ronan)recently extended his short-term contract, he has made no secret of his desire to aggressively pursue primetime gigs and film roles. While Y&R co-stars have managed to moonlight and keep their day job, the internet has been churning with rumors that Ronan's sudden illness may mean his alter ego will soon have plenty of time to audition. Could Nina soon be mourning the son she only recently reunited with? Y&R is keeping mum on the subject as per their policy of not commenting on rumors or contracts.

Layover for Leyden? Despite the fact that Paul Leyden's mysterious Blake hit Genoa City in October, viewers still don't know much about the character. Well, aside from the fact that he's sexy and Cane wants him gone! The role was originally intended to be short term, but would Leyden be open to sticking around? "If it worked in with what I was doing and what they were doing and they wanted me to stay, that would be flattering, and I would definitely consider it," he says. But as of right now, there's no word -- official or otherwise -- on just how long Blake will be tormenting his fellow Aussie!

Reunited! Lyndsy Fonseca and Thad Luckinbill, who portrayed the original incarnations of Y&R's teens-in-love, Colleen Carlton and J.T. Helstrom, will reunite on Fonseca's primetime drama, the CW's Nikita , where she plays Alex. "Thad will be appearing as Nathan, Alex's neighbor in the episode titled 'Free,'" reveals a spokesperson for the CW. Although an official air date has not yet been set, Luckinbill's episode will likely air in January.

COVERSTORY - Fatal Attraction!<br />Will Nick's fling with Diane have farflung consequences?

This week on Y&R Nick may want to contact Dr. Phil -- and put the TV shrink's number on speed-dial -- because his decision to sleep with former stepmom Diane is certain to wreak major havoc on his life!`

Highway to He'll? As the week begins, Nick and Diane must deal with the surprising direction their relationship has taken -- i.e., straight into bed! When their post-coital cuddle is interrupted by Victor's unexpected arrival at the ranch, the couple scramble to hide their new intimacy, with Diane sneaking out before her ex can see her. No fool, the Mustache realizes pretty darn quick that Nick has had a woman over. But even Victor doesn't figure out that the woman who just crawled out of Nick's bed once slept in his! And, not surprisingly, Nick opts not to fill his father in on the identity of his new lady -- and we use the term loosely -- friend.

"Diane is definitely not a great choice for Nick," laughs Josh Morrow. "At one time, she was his stepmom, so there's a little bit of the ick factor to their relationship. But I don't think Nick is thinking about any of that now. He's not thinking of the repercussions."

Heck, given his recent drama-filled relationships with Sharon and Phyllis, who could blame Nick for wanting something a tad more casual? "I really don't think there's any serious plan or goal behind getting together with Diane," insists the actor. "It just happened. Their kids were together, they started talking with each other, sharing some wine. One thing led to another, and it was like, 'You want to have some fun? Yeah? Let's do it!' This woman basically wants to get naked, have some no-strings attached fun!" he continues with a grin. Nick is never one to turn down a beautiful lady. Of course, I think he'll pay for it later, but I don't think he cares or is even thinking about that now."

Crazy Love! Of course, given the fact that his relationship with Sharon crumbled like a loaf of stale bread, one would have to wonder if the hunk might be on the rebound. But Morrow doesn't believe that's the case. "The thing with Sharon obviously really hurt him, even more than he's letting on. He's hurt and probably a little embarrassed, too, because the love of his life picked Adam over him. Nick's not used to losing at things, so that really stings. But with Diane, I really think he's just looking for some fun and to do what he does best, which is be a philanderer! This may or may not turn into something else another time," he adds, but for now, Diane's got money problems, Nick's got lady problems. It's like, 'Let's make each other feel goof for a little while.'"

Still, he admits that his alter ego hasn't quite grasped the idea of short-term pleasure versus long-term pain -- which his connection to the beauty will undoubtedly bring on! "Diane's got problems with Nikki and with Phyllis ... so it's going to really hit the fan when this gets out!" It doesn't help matters when, fresh from Nick's bed, Diane can't stop herself from sparring with Nikki after she observes her new lover's mother with Deacon at the coffeehouse. But Nikki's howl of rage should she find out about her child hooking up with her long-time rival will be nothing compared to what will happen when Phyllis finds out about her ex-hubby's latest liason!

Nick is not seeing the thing with Diane as anything but a super-casual thing right now, but once Phyllis gets wind of it ... yeah, there's goign to be fireworks," grins Morrow. Whether those fireworks will include the redhead trying to restrict Nick from taking care of Summer while being involved with Diane -- she already made a similar demand of Jack -- is the big question.

"The one thing Phyllis always seems to agree with Nick on is that he is a great dad," he says. "She probaby will have problems with her child being around Diane, but I can't imagine she's be too crazy. Still, it will definitely raise eyebrows."

Matters of the Heart - And no one's eyebrows will be raised higher than those of "the Great Victor Newman," (or TGVN, in twitterspeak) should the couple's affair become public knowledge. While the gajillionaire has had a contentious history with the model-turned-architect, in recent weeks, the two seemed to have put aside their bitterness. Heck, Victor even gave Diane a lift to New York on his private jet. Now, Victor has another offer for the cash-strapped stunner -- a much needed job!

The last time Diane worked closely with Victor, they ended up bedding down together and eloping. Is Nick worried that history may repeat itself? "Initially, he's excited for her because he knows that she's been having money problems, and he knows this is a way for her to get out of the debt that she's in," Morrow previews. "But later on, there is clearly going to be an issue with this potential triangle. For the life of me, I can't imagine sleeping with some woman that my dad is hanging out with! But these two aren't thinking about the problems their relationship could bring up," he concludes. "They want to keep their affair under wraps becasue of their kids, but once it comes out ... it's going to be utter chaos!"

2011 Preview - Y&R Deep-breathing techniques may be a requirement for Genoa CIty denizens in 2011 -- without them, their blood pressure is sure to soar into the red zone! "We have a lot of surprises coming out," promises Y&R's co-headwriter Scott Hamner. "We'll be telling stories of our iconic characters, and we'll bring back beloved characters from the past as they work into the story organically. The audience has a lot to look forward to." Want details? Read on...!

Sharon Pays the Piper! Once again, Sharon finds herself getting in hot water thanks to a man! "Her decision to throw her lot in with Adam is getting to be very dangerous for her," warns Hamner. "It's going to come down to the question of keeping custody of Faith. That is what Sharon will be facing in 2011." Meanwhile, Victor's good intentions will put him on a path straight to he'll! "Victor's choices are going to have far-reaching, negative results, and there will be extensive collateral damage, similar to the collateral damage that happened when he brought Patty to town, which ended up with Colleen losing her life," Hamner previews. "Victor's determination to move heaven and earth to make the world the way he believes it should be will be a recipe for disaster. His machinations will blow up in his face. There's going to be a very bitter and tragic result."

Love for Kevin and Chloe? As the ball drops in Times Square, Kevin and Chloe will share a magical moment -- a reworked homage to Pretty in Pink . "There's a consensus among us writers that Duckie should have ended up with Andie, so there's going to be this lovely New Year's Eve between Kevin and Chloe," smiles Hamner. Watch out for the says after New Year, though! "Trouble looms on the horizon," he teases. "There's going to be an obstacle presenting itself almost immediately that is going to propel us forward."

Billy and Victoria: A Bright Future? Despite Victoria and Billy's rocky beginning, their marriage will continue to strengthen. "Everybody is going to be manipulating and scheming and doing the often well-meaning but destructive things that families do, but there will be a twist that occurs which is going to be a missing piece for Billy and Victoria that makes them certain they can look forward to a really bright future together," says the scribe. "It's a twist that is going to give them a stability and unexpected joy that is very surprising."

Jill's New Battle! Look for fireworks to resume between Jill and Katherine when Lauren's new sis cozies up with the mysterious Colin. "Jill believes that Kay resents her being happy and doesn't want her to find a man of her own," Hamner says. "But Katherine is convinced that this guy is trouble. Katherine's attempt to save Jill from herself is going to make Jill that much more determined to pursue this relationship." WHen will Jill learn that Mother (even a faux one) really knows best?

Diane Works Her Wiles! "Diane came to town ready for anything -- and when I say that, I mean she's set her sights on pretty much every guy in town!" laughs Hamner. Her latest conquest, Nick, won't be the only one warming her bed. "As we move into January, her involvement with Nick is going to deepen," previews Hamner. "But there is another guy waiting in the wings which is going to be a shocking rival in what's going to be a very compicated and interesting triangle for now ... and possi ble a quadrangle and even a hexagon in the future!"