HOLLYWOOD—This week’s Leading Men Gold Standard goes to Jack Wagner, Nick Marone on “The Bold and the Beautiful”; Thom Bierdz, Phillip Chancellor, III on “The Young and the Restless”; and Joshua Morrow, Nick Newman also on “The Young and the Restless.” These three actors each showcased something different. With Wagner we saw a sensitive side of Nick, Bierdz showed stamina in scenes which would be draining for most actors and Morrow stunned daytime viewers as he proved he could be the top Newman in Genoa City.

Joshua Morrow, Nick Courtesy: Charles Wm Bush

Jack Wagner’s distinguished history in acting is no surprise to viewers of “General Hospital,” “Melrose Place” and of course “B&B.” Though he even surprised me this week when he pulled yet another Emmy-worthy performance in scenes with Ashley Jones, which are never repetitive or boring. Wagner simply can’t be boring, but he could be lazy, after all he’s got a solid gig and no worries about being off this hit show, as long as he wants to stay. Though as a performer Wagner seems to top himself every day on the popular soap. This week was no exception. Handsome he is, but forceful he can be as well. I have to say I like this side of Nick, when just weeks ago he was supporting Queen Stephanie and dragging her back to the office, proving they still need her at Jackie M Designs, but this week when Nick came to the realization that he would not be able to have anymore children and certainly not with the woman he loves, Bridget, was poignant to watch but also very uplifting.

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

Wagner has an innate ability to be positive in his scenes. Despite the bad news, you could feel his character Nick’s love and hope for the future with the woman he loves. This would be impossible or tough to play for most mortals, but not for the immortal actor Jack Wagner, whose abilities seem boundless and without limits when he’s on screen. Wagner showed Nick’s joy, but also reservations by the end of the week when Bridget decided she wanted to get to know Sandy Sommers, who offered to become the couple’s surrogate. What fans saw in Wagner‘s eyes, were a myriad of emotions, joy, determination and reluctance. Who other than Jack Wagner could master each of those emotions in such a short period of time?

Thom Bierdz has enjoyed his return to “Y&R” since being off the show for well over a decade. It was going to be interesting to see him work with his grown up son in actor John Driscoll, and this week we had it all out on the table. Chance, who is Philip’s adult son decided he wanted to show his dad that he is a grown man who can stand up for himself, and he did. Though Bierdz stood his ground with the foresight of knowing that he was speaking in character to his son, who he loves and feels regret and guilt over leaving when Chance was a little boy. Bierdz has a charm and kindness about him that makes him likeable in his scenes. He also comes across as a real Chancellor, a blue blood of Genoa City, which is much needed on the show right now.

Thom Bierdz, Phillip Courtesy: Anthony Duran

Then there was Joshua Morrow. The handsome actor who simply likes being a dad and husband off-screen can really pull out the stops and play something he’s absolutely devoid of: arrogance. When Nick told his brother Adam to stay away from his ex-wife Sharon, we didn’t really like Nick very much. Sure Nick’s protecting Sharon from a psychopath who has done more harm to Genoa City residents than anyone since Sheila Carter, with most of his victims being family members. But who is Nick that he’s to tell everyone else what to do? He’s a Newman, that’s who. He’s also taken the role of patriarch and is carrying the torch with great possibility and talent as an actor. Though no one can replace Eric Braeden as Victor Nemman, what is great about Morrow is he’s his own man, just as his character Nick. I for one can hardly wait to see where Maria Bell is taking the handsome and talented Morrow and his character Nicholas Newman in this storyline. Both are must-watch material!

All three actors embody what is perfect about daytime television and the entertainment industry as a whole.

Jack Wagner is on “B&B,” Joshua Morrow and Thom Bierdz are on “Y&R.” Both are CBS daytime series.