HOLLYWOOD—This week’s daytime gold standard players were far too many to mention. There were amazing performances on every soap, including the soon to be canceled “Guiding Light.” But having to choose the most powerful performances this week led me to notice that the week of confrontations wins out.

Photo of Grayson McCouch Courtesy: TeleNext Productions, ATWT

Topping the list is “As The World Turns." Starting with handsome and talented star Grayson McCouch, who is obviously a favorite of mine. Grayson’s Dusty went head to head with Italian born mogul Damian Grimaldi played by actor Paolo Seganti, but Grayson came out on top. Dusty is battling Damian for the love of his life, Meg Snyder. Meg is played by the lovely actress Marie Wilson, who made a name for herself over a decade ago on ABC’s “Port Charles.”

Hunter Tylo Photo Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

Grayson who comes from the soap “Another World” has taken the character of Dusty as far as any actor could and then gone several steps further. McCouch’s performance this week made you feel the intensity of the character. Grayson has made Dusty very aggressive in many ways and that’s just what the role needed. McCouch can always be counted on for bringing a tougher side to Dusty and having gone up against Damian this week was one of the best storylines McCouch has been given in months. Thanks Mr. Goutman.

Damian and Dusty are both strong willed, hard headed men who make decisions based on their own guiding principles and ever present emotions. But Grayson being the opposite of that, a man who makes good choices and tough decisions based on common sense and much thought, shows he is a superb actor. Grayson’s inner goodness is outweighed, when he plays Dusty, by the turmoil and the growth the character has been forced to endure and process over the years of being second fiddle in the hearts of many of the ladies Dusty has loved. Meg is different for him. Lily’s his childhood sweetheart and his relationship with Emily was based strongly on sexual desire.

But Meg makes Dusty like himself. A better person actually. Being with Meg makes Dusty the standup guy he is desperate to become. The man Grayson McCouch is to all of us who are lucky enough to know him. Seeing Dusty so confident in the face of Damian and the danger he feels Damian will bring to Meg’s life is incredible storytelling and acting. How Grayson McCouch is able to downplay and underplay the role with such calm presence is amazing to watch. But then when it’s time for Dusty to come out of his skin and become aggressive or even threatening, the testosterone inside the actor pours out in varying degrees, just enough for Damian and the viewers to realize, Dusty means business!

What makes McCouch such a strong actor and worthy of the gold standard is the flexibility the actor continually shows. The range in McCouch’s ability is fascinating and frightening at the same time. You want to root for Dusty to win, but then you are afraid of what he may do next. One thing for sure is, with Grayson McCouch behind the acting wheel, you can always count on perfection at the end of the episode each day.

The second gold standard goes to Hunter Tylo, the beautiful actress who portrays Taylor Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Tylo’s week started out rough for her alter ego. Taylor had just awakened after having sex with Ridge, only to find an empty pill bottle, which immediately told the brilliant psychiatrist, Ridge in fact didn’t realize he was making love to her and was most likely thinking about his wife Brooke at the time. Taylor and Ridge long divorced, but not without Ridge’s mean mother Stephanie constantly reminding him that if he was ever in trouble that he could always count on his ex wife Taylor. So when Ridge found out that his daughter Steffy was in love with his enemy Rick, played by actor extraordinaire Kyle Lowder, it was not a surprise to Stephanie or the viewers that Ridge would end up in the arms of Taylor. But in her bed? That was a surprise for which we have to thank Bradley Bell. The amazing writer/producer never fails to surprise the viewers with twists and turns.

But this twist and turn left Taylor with a beaten down ego, a broken heart and humiliation to say the least. Taylor is a strong woman who doesn’t need a man to complete her. But having Ridge in her life and in her heart has been a goal of the doctor’s for years. Competing with sexpot Brooke Logan is not something even a beautiful genius like Taylor can handle easily. Brooke slips in and out of love with men as quickly as a spider can weave a web. Or as fast as Bradley Bell can change a storyline, with aplomb. The problem this time was all over Tylo’s face. Playing the various scenes with Ronn Moss and Susan Flannery was fascinating to watch. Tylo handled each difficult scene with grace and dignity. The beautiful star shows that after two decades on the hit show, give or take a few years, that she is still carrying her weight as an actress and gets the gold standard this week.

Lastly but not least, actor Michael Muhney made his debut on “The Young and the Restless” as Adam Wilson. Adam is the devious and almost psychotic son of Victor Newman, Genoa City’s most wealthy and powerful business magnate, who is on to his son right now. Adam was previously played by another actor, but Michael Muhney quickly took over the role with amazing ease. It was almost effortless to see him become Adam this week and the handsome star is far on his way to winning over viewers as he’s already done his cast and crew of the highest rated soap. Michael Muhney is the young man to watch now. He’s filled with a magnetic energy that daytime needs in its leading men. Muhney’s week was short but here’s to next week and seeing more of the handsome actor showcase his talents and pour his heart and soul into the role that is officially his own.

Good luck, Michael.