Soap Central Performer of the Week for The Young and the Restless: Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott

The Young and the Restless businessman Jack Abbott believes that the best defense is a strong offense. Sure, his family company, Jabot Cosmetics, is under fire from Victor Newman, but Jack is standing up to his adversaries and non-allies right now with supreme confidence. For his portrayal of a man who is composed in the face of adversity, Soap Central names Peter Bergman, who plays Jack, as our Performer of the Week for Y&R.

The Young and the Restless, Peter Bergman, Jack Abbott

Jack and Phyllis on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

Jack's been strategizing to stay ahead of future attacks from Victor and his AI program and hit pieces on his family company by Newman Media, Victor's communications company that's not always interested in printing the truth!

At one point, Jack contemplated enlisting the aid of his ex-wife, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford), an Internet sleuth. That plan was put on the back burner, so when Phyllis showed up to see Jack at the Abbott mansion, he wasted no time in putting Phyllis in her place.

After getting pleasantries (Harrison; Diane's renovations) out of the way, Phyllis tried to tell Jack she could get him back his company. "I think I know what's best for me, and my company," Jack politely told Phyllis as if she were a Jabot employee candidate who wanted to redo his business plan.

Naturally, Phyllis persisted. It's what she does, after all. "We are going in a different direction," Jack said, hoping his ex would get the message. What kind of direction, Phyllis wanted to know. "Away from you," he said as Bergman played his character's patience running thin.

Phyllis wondered if Jack thought she was a "wild card." He preferred to use the term "loose cannon." Bergman, who has won three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Jack, has an understanding of his character and how he handles situations. Jack knows that Phyllis is a wild card, or loose cannon, take your pick, and he knew that to get her out of his house, he needed to walk a firm but polite line so she wouldn't erupt.

Have a seat on The Young and the Restless

Jack got Phyllis out of his place even after she helped herself to a seat on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

"I'm sorry, Phyllis," Jack said as he informed Phyllis that he wasn't going to be sharing his plans with her. Phyllis also knows that playing a strong offense can come in handy. She claimed to be offended that Jack would send Billy (Jason Thompson) to do the family's bidding.

Jack, however, wasn't falling for that trick. "You are clearly frustrated you are not taking no for an answer," Jack told Phyllis, hoping it would make a difference. Phyllis doesn't like to think anyone has anything on her, so Jack got the upper hand when he let her know that everyone believes she was the one who stole Cane's (Billy Flynn) and gave it to Victor.

"Your skills are no longer required," Jack stated. "I am not going to share my plans with someone like you." A loose canon, Phyllis wondered? Bergman raised his performance level by having Jack go in for the kill, like a tennis player out to deliver an overhead smash that his opponent simply wasn't going to be able to return.

"Untrustworthy loose cannon," Jack proclaimed. "I would add a few more words, but your time is up. We are done here, Phyllis. Happy New Year." With that, Phyllis did something she seldom does -- she retreated.

Victor, defeat

Jack isn't backing down from Victor on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Later, at Society, Jack and Billy ran into Victor. Just as Jack had done with Phyllis, Bergman infused his character with great resolve. "It's going to be such a pleasure to watch that smug smirk wiped off your face," Jack said. "It cannot happen soon enough.

He reminded a gloating Victor that Jabot had won just as many times as it had lost with him on The Young and the Restless. Victor wondered how many millions Jabot had already lost (presumably because of him).

"The only thing I've 'lost' -- is my appetite," Jack shot back at Victor. On that, Jack and Billy left Society, leaving Victor to wonder if taking down his rival is going to be that easy.

Jack could teach a class at business school on how to stay composed during challenging times. Bergman could teach a master class to actors on how to bring strength to their character in the most trying of times! Bravo!

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.