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

Jack, played by Peter Bergman, has, at times, on The Young and the Restless, given love and tough love to his brother Billy. However, this week, the senior Abbott sibling emphasized the “tough” after Billy fell back into some bad habits. For Bergman’s performance as a man who’d had enough, Soap Central is bestowing upon him our Performer of the Week for Y&R honors.

Peter Bergman, The Young and the Restless, Performer of the Week

Bergman started laying the groundwork for Jack and Billy’s (Jason Thompson) confrontation at his home, as Jack thought that his brother was being irresponsible by canceling the Abbott Communications party.

Unbeknownst to Jack, it was Cane (Billy Flynn) who canceled the launch party, but given Billy’s past of instability on The Young and the Restless when it comes to business and other matters, Jack got riled up about it. This was not a good sign that Billy was stable, Jack thought.

“What the hell is going on, Billy?” Jack demanded to know. While Bergman was playing Jack at a certain level of intensity, viewers soon discovered that he was just getting started.

Jack had forked over a lot of money to help make Abbott Communications a success. He wanted an answer immediately as to why the gala was postponed. Billy wanted to keep Jack in the dark about Cane’s reasons for hitting the pause button, so he came up with some excuses as to why the party was off.

Bergman has always played Jack as a very savvy man, and he didn’t let his fury blind him to logic. One of the fun parts of watching him is seeing Jack put the pieces together as he did once he took a look at Billy and Sally’s party outfits.

“Wait a minute,” Jack said as he realized there was more to the picture than met the eye. “When was this decision made, given that the two of you are dressed for the event, as planned. This wasn’t about finding another approach. Something or someone happened to block the launch. You’re holding out on me again, Billy.”

Bergman raised Jack’s intensity level when Jack realized there was a bigger issue than the canceled party going on. Billy was getting out of control again and letting his demons control him.

Once Sally (Courtney Hope) revealed that Cane was behind calling off the party, Jack grew curious. Bergman diminished Jack’s intensity level once he knew Cane was involved, but when Billy stonewalled Jack, he revved it up again!

“Tell me why Cane cancelled the launch! If you can’t do that, then maybe we need to discuss our arrangement. This is untenable.”

“It won’t happen again, I promise you,” said Jack. Bergman lowered his voice on that last line, but he also added a double meaning to it. Billy was out of second, third, and fourth chances.

Tough love, emphasis on tough

Jack threatened to not only yank his money but also the Abbott name. Billy attempted to argue that Abbott was his name, too. “It is our father’s name,” Jack angrily reminded his younger brother in a voice so loud it could have summoned the ghost of John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) from that great beyond! “I’m not going to let you plaster it on some company you can give to someone else.”

Jack had given Billy chance after chance on The Young and the Restless, and Billy dropping the ball hurt Jack. Bergman infused Jack's hurt with fury and anger.

“No wonder you were so easy about Sally taking over. It was just a placeholder for you,” Jack blasted Billy, “while you went after what you really want. Chancellor is your newest addiction, isn’t it? And you will do anything to get your fix! Forget family, forget your promises. I gave you my money, I gave you my support, I gave you my undying faith in my brother, and you’re throwing this in my face!

“We’re done here, Billy. You’re on your own. Good luck," Jack said before walking out on his brother.

There are a lot of business storylines happening on The Young and the Restless. This specific one between Billy and Jack is the show's most successful because it’s never about the money or the position or the company – it’s about the emotions behind the business dynamics.

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Bergman, a three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, understands that, which is one of the many reasons he delivered a performance that was so gut-wrenching.

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

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