Soap Hub Performer of the Week for The Young and the Restless: Don Diamont

When news broke that The Bold and the Beautiful’s Don Diamont was headed back to The Young and the Restless for a guest spot, fans were wondering if somehow he’d be reprising his role as Brad Carlton, the character he played on the hour-long drama from 1985-2009.

Don Diamont — Performer of the Week

Of course, that wasn’t meant to be as the actor is now so identified with his “new” role as Bill Spencer on BB. Diamont has worked hard at creating a new persona and despite being plopped into Brad’s former backyard, there was no hint of his former character in the actor’s performance. (Although, the show’s writers couldn’t help but drop in a few “wink, wink” moments.)

Therefore, Soap Hub is bestowing Performer of the Week honors on Diamont for his turn as Bill on YR! The actor hit the ground running upon arrival doing a bit of flirting with Tracey Bregman (Lauren), whom he romanced on-screen when he played Brad. But there wasn’t too much flirtation as Bill is hoping to reconcile with his ex, Katie, played by Heather Tom, over on BB.

Diamont kicked Bill into high-gear when Jack entered the room. Bill’s a media mogul and power player in Los Angeles, one of the biggest markets in the United States, but he knows Jack’s a force to be reckoned with, too. The writers established that the two men had had dealings in the past — long enough for Bill to do that disarming thing where he gives someone a nickname as he did in this case, calling the Jabot exec “Jack Rabbit!”

As Brad was married to both of Jack’s sisters Traci (Beth Maitland) and Ashley (Eileen Davidson), the show opted not to have Bill interact with either of them. However, the show couldn’t resist but creating some kind of connection given that actors’ histories.

When Jack asked if Bill knew his sisters, Bill shot back: “Intimately.” The line had a dual purpose as not only had Brad been involved with both but it was organic that Bill knew them too as Ashley once spent time in Los Angeles working at Forrester and, as a published author, Traci would be a name familiar to Bill.

After sparring with two people from Brad’s world, Diamont brought Bill to Society. He did a little business with Summer (Hunter King) and then ran into Sally (Courtney Hope) for the second time following their brief encounter at Jabot.

Sally tried to hold her ground, telling Bill that this time they were facing off in her town (Genoa City). “The world is my ‘town,'” Bill corrected her.

Tensions rose between the two, but then Bill told Sally not to worry — as long as she stayed out of his and his family’s lives in Los Angeles. “Good luck with this fresh start or whatever the hell it really is,” Bill added, cryptically.

Clearly, Bill doesn’t believe that Sally’s simply looking to start anew and neither does Summer. The legacy of Bill dropping into town is that Sally’s on guard more than ever. Who can blame her? The history between Bill and Sally is intense due in no small part to the commanding presence Diamont brings to Bill! The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.