On the Industry
Daytime Gold Standard, Power Players
By Tommy Garrett
Jul 19, 2009 - 6:32:03 PM

HOLLYWOOD—This week daytime was filled with shocking surprises, but one thing remained consistent: there are always performers who offer a sharp contrast to others in their performances. Newcomer to daytime Michael Muhney is certainly breaking from the pack and becoming increasingly significant in his role as Adam Wilson on CBS’s “The Young and the Restless.” Then there are two veterans that never fail or cease to amaze the viewers. Grayson McCouch who is Dusty on CBS’s “As The World Turns” showed us an even deeper level of his amazing acting, which stands out even more each day. And to no one’s surprise actress extraordinaire Susan Flannery, who portrays Queen Stephanie Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful” showed viewers for the umpteenth time that she is capable of pulling off just about everything.

Susan Flannery Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

Ms. Flannery’s Stephanie started out the week in shock of what her psycho sibling did at the Forrester fashion show. But the loyal lady immediately forgave her sister and in Stephanie’s style she blamed Donna Logan Forrester for what destruction exists at Forrester Creations. Susan is one of the nicest and most fair people on the planet. To see her play a role that can be so unforgiving and so harsh is really a testament to her acting abilities. And it is so great to see Stephanie when she’s defending Ridge or Pamela. Seems she spends more time defending sister Pam now than anyone else.

By midweek Stephanie was being supportive of Taylor and trying to get her to make her relationship with Ridge a permanent one. Taylor who has lost Ridge to Brooke Logan on more than a couple occasions warned her meddling mother in law that as long as Brooke was single, she’d be available and therefore a threat to Taylor’s relationship with Ridge. Susan Flannery’s reaction when Stephanie had that “got it” moment for a second was incredible. Stephanie knew Taylor was indeed correct and she would have to do something about Brooke and soon. The scenes were priceless. This lady has acted in these types of scenes many times in the series’ two decade long run. But Susan Flannery constantly makes it seem fresh and each time she’s exciting.

By the end of the week Stephanie was again in the catbird seat. It’s great seeing her control Jackie M Designs and also playing with every character that surrounds her. Stephanie had finally figured out who she’d use and how to get rid of Brooke once and for all. Whip Jones! Rick Hearst who returned in the role of Whip on Friday’s episode was also great in his scenes with Ms. Flannery. Jack Wagner and Lesley Anne Down were superb as well. Not to mention by the end of the week Pamela, played by Alley Mills was perched comfortably in the secretarial seat at Jackie M after being fired from Forrester on Monday. Though she would say she quit.  So much more fun is in store for Jackie M Designs as long as Pamela is around baking lemon bars and cooking up trouble. Pamela’s got a lot of spirit like our beloved Sally Spectra had. Not since Darlene Conley has there been so much fun over at what used to be Spectra Fashions. Mills is a great addition to the new company, Jackie M.

However, Susan Flannery played every layer of her character this week with ease. Supporting Pam while chastising Donna and Eric, then comforting Taylor and figuring out how she’d help her one time daughter in law become a part of her family again to her interviewing of Whip Jones, whom Stephanie quickly sized up as the man who will keep Brooke occupied. Who can do it all in five days better than Ms. Flannery? Walt Disney once touted, “Around the World in Eighty Days.”  

Bradley Bell with the help of Susan Flannery can say with equal accomplishment, they bring excitement to a storyline in just five days. With Brad Bell, Susan Flannery, Jack Wagner and yes, Kyle Lowder, on the same team, this series is unstoppable. Now give them the Daytime Emmy for Best Dramatic Series.

Michael Muhney hit the ground running. Joining “Y&R” recently in a recast, he’s made the role his own. There is no better Adam Wilson. Mr. Muhney’s control of scenes opposite greats like Eileen Davidson, Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott has surprised fans of the number one daytime drama. Muhney has truly become a great actor and his years on “Veronica Mars” must have seasoned him for such role.

Grayson McCouch Courtesy: TeleNext Prod. ATWT

Adam is playing everyone. He’s got Rafe falling in love with him, he has Heather on his arm and using her office and position as District Attorney to get him  what he needs legally, he lies to Victor, which we know won’t last too much longer and he’s consoling and deluding Ashley, played brilliantly by Eileen Davidson. With so much on one young actor’s plate you’d think he’d blink. No, not Muhney. He’s steady and in control of every aspect of his acting ability and most importantly, he’s given this pivotal character a smooth and easy transition which is guided amazingly by Maria Arena Bell. Mr. Muhney makes Adam less creepy and ghoulish and more conniving and complex. These are assets that every villain in television needs in order to achieve the fan support for the character. Muhney can count me as his newest fan. Congratulations. You’ve arrived in daytime.

Then there was one. Grayson McCouch who has taken Dusty Donovan by storm and continues to produce such amazing acting that he has made the character one of the most exciting on daytime. With soaps struggling like everything else in society today, actors like Grayson McCouch are truly the answer to sagging ratings and fans’ apathy to what is perceived as boring stories. Not on “As The World Turns.” Nothing is boring. With Maura West performing an almost Bette Davis marathon of dramatic scenes, you would think everyone else would just disappear into the background. They don’t. Grayson does not.

As the week went on Dusty, who is smarter than Albert Einstein and sexier than Rudolph Valentino was figuring out things that are a mystery to others. Even detectives in Oakdale can’t come up with the truth like Dusty can. Dusty with Lily’s help started the investigation on Damian’s boat and the tension and chemistry between the first loves was magnetic. Grayson’s ability to work in such versatile scenes with so many leading ladies is exciting. Though neither actor is the original in their role, Grayson is able to make it seem that way in his scenes with Ms. Beck. He’s mastered the logical thinking of actors while not being locked in the box and is refreshing to watch. Proof that all great actors may learn through classical training classes, but are not stuck or limited to them. He’s able to improvise and it’s an exciting trait the actor possesses.

McCouch’s work with Paolo Seganti is also fascinating to me. While Damian thinks he has the upper hand over Dusty, McCouch’s devilish gleam in his eyes tells the viewers a different story. Fans may be split on who they think will come out on top between these two powerful wealthy mavericks, but no one is split on the acting abilities of McCouch. His abilities are understated to the eye of the average viewer, but it does leave you with a “wow” moment by the end of each of his scenes.

Who could have guessed this was inside of Grayson? Maybe genius Chris Goutman. Viewers did not realize until Dusty pulled out a sketch of Paul Ryan that he would be Dusty’s choice for who cut Damian’s fuel line. Eureka! McCouch gives us moments like this every day. He’s one of the most exciting actors to watch. A thinking actor, one who has brilliant costars and yet he returns in kind. Grayson McCouch dazzles the audience and whether you like Dusty or not, you cannot help but love an actor with this immeasurable amount of talent.

It’s all settled, saving daytime is a synch. All we need is more Muhney, more Flannery and much more McCouch.