BEVERLY HILLS—This week’s Gold Standard goes to Jack Wagner, Nick Marone on “The Bold and the Beautiful" and Eileen Davidson, Ashley Abbott on “The Young & the Restless.” Both come from CBS series and they are a major reason for the success of CBS’s daytime division.

With “B&B” Jack Wagner is in great company. The show is well-known for spectacular performances from Susan Flannery, Kyle Lowder, Katherine Kelly Lang and many others. But it seems Wagner is best when he’s fighting for his mother’s honor. When Stephanie threw his mother Jackie off her second floor stair landing, Nick came after Stephanie, even throwing a plant holder through her French doors in order to confront her over his mother’s attack. Then he took control of Stephanie’s company Forrester Creations when Stephanie landed Jackie on the cover of every tabloid in the U.S. by exposing her life as a high priced call girl decades earlier.

Photo of Jack Wagner Courtesy:Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

So what does Nick do when he finds out that his mother has not only moved in with a much younger man but also is engaged to him? Look out “B&B“ fans! Jackie and her boy toy Owen Knight were in for a rude awakening if they thought Nick would just sit back and enjoy their sparking relationship. Nick confronted Jackie with horror, shock and rage. Jack Wagner, who is one of the nicest men in Hollywood, plays mean and angry with aplomb. Wagner was not over the top in these scenes, but simply spectacular with Nick being so adamant that this relationship can no longer move forward. Ms. Lesley Anne Down played the diva like the great actress always does. But this week Wagner’s turn at being out of control with rage was a welcomed sight to his millions of fans and viewers of the hit show.

Jack Wagner had to play outrage, but he also had to be loving with his mother. Wagner is obviously capable of playing both and showed no signs of weakness when he told Jackie that this relationship was not good for her. But Wagner then showed signs of strength when Nick realized Jackie would not give Owen up. Though Jackie and Owen both denied their love affair is anything but true love. Nick countered with calling Owen a user and when Wagner played the scenes telling his mother that she was being used by the younger man, it seemed as though he was heartbroken but still determined to protect her. The revelations this week didn’t cease for Nick Marone, but his portrayer Jack Wagner didn’t cease to amaze viewers with his strong performance either. The handsome actor cannot be ignored forever by the Academy voters. Jack Wagner deserves the Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama next year. This week’s performances alone prove that point.

On “The Young and the Restless” Ashley faced her worst fears and nightmares. With Ashley being gas lighted by her fiancé’s psycho son, Eileen Davidson has had some of her most emotional scenes in over a decade. The Emmy nominated actress doesn’t show any signs that she’s tired of playing the role of her lifetime. The week started as Ashley continued to fear that no one would believe her and they would continue to doubt her sanity. For months Adam has been trying to drive the heroine crazy. But she’s holding on to her sanity even if no one believes her.

Davidson the past month hasn’t had one day without high drama and heavy emotional scenes. Any lesser actress would have long cracked and started playing the scenes less brilliantly. But not Eileen. By mid week Davidson had confronted her tormentor, who managed to wiggle out of his trouble at least temporarily. But when Ashley figured out that the dream she’d had last week about falling down the stairs at the Newman ranch and losing her baby was probably no dream at all, but had occurred, Ms. Davidson played the shock and emotional pain with total control of herself while making the viewers see the loss of control of Ashley. How she’s able to do this so consistently and with such ease is the question on everyone’s mind.

Davidson has obviously decided that she’s going to hold her own as an actress on a show that is known for great performances by the ladies. Starting with Emmy winners Jeanne Cooper and Michelle Stafford and including Sharon Case and Melody Thomas Scott. Eileen Davidson has always been great on this series and in her other television work. However, this week with the revelations that Ashley went through, Eileen didn’t limit any of her resources as a thespian to show joy when Ashley and Victor were told by Olivia that her doctor was indeed a respected physician, then the horror of hearing Sabrina’s voice in the mansion she lives in with Victor and Adam and the realization that she had not dreamed her miscarriage. That it had in fact occurred.

Eileen Davidson Photo Courtesy:Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

Davidson’s look, when her character finally found some proof that she was not insane, was priceless. She soon had to turn that realization into fear and rage. Davidson changed emotions the way a vehicle changes gears. They had to be without hesitation and done smoothly. She absolutely succeeded at both. She did even more as by week’s end, Ashley felt that Victor was doubting her again. How Eileen Davidson is able to bring such stamina to a role that anyone else would be emotionally and physically exhausted from doing is mind boggling. But whatever tricks are up her sleeve, here’s to Eileen Davidson for showing everyone that soap actresses are much more than just pretty faces. Yes, Davidson’s a pretty face. But a hell of a lot more.