Soap Hub Performer of the Week for Y&R: Peter Bergman

The Young and the Restless’s Jack Abbott hasn’t always been a saint throughout his life which is why his breaking up with Sally Spectra over her questionable ethics was more than a bit ironic. The Abbott patriarch himself called the situation unfair but that didn’t lessen the angst he was feeling. For his portrayal of a man torn between romance and morality, Soap Hub bestows Y&R’s Performer of the Week honors on Jack’s portrayer, Peter Bergman.

Peter Bergman – Performer of the Week

Soaps may not have the budgets any longer for ultra-lavish sets and remotes the way they used to but Bergman recently reminded viewers that those things don’t matter in the big scheme of things. Soap opera devotees watch daytime drama to be sucked into the relationships among the characters. Jack and Sally (Courtney Hope) ran into each other at society and the cosmetics empire king shared his feelings with the redheaded executive on why it just wasn’t going to work out between them.

Jack wanted to impress upon Sally that this was in no way an easy decision. “There’s a reason I welcomed you back into my life,” Jack told Sally, his eyes gazing directly into hers to emphasize his deep feelings.

“You intrigue me. I haven’t been attracted to anyone like this in a very long time,” he continued. “You’re bright. You’re funny. You’re talented. You’re spontaneous and exciting and you’re very attractive.” While these are words many women would love to hear, Sally knew from Jack’s tone there was a huge “but” coming. He didn’t want to lead her on so there was nothing in his voice that was going to give her hope.

“I wish with everything in my heart that was enough,” Jack solemnly added. “It’s not.” Bergman hastened to add to his performance Jack’s admission that his own past was hardly blemish-free. “I’ve been there, I’ve done that,” he conceded.

Jack’s Blacklist of Misdeeds

Boy, that’s an understatement! A few of Jack’s infractions over the decades include wedding naïve ingenue Patty Williams (Lilibet Stern; Stacy Haiduk) to satisfy his father John Abbott (Jerry Douglas), marrying Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) to use her as a bargaining chip against Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) to regain control of Jabot, and engaging in boardroom double-crosses with Victor and other adversaries.

So, while there’s something arguably hypocritical about Jack rejecting Sally for her machinations, at least he – unlike other characters – admits it. “Maybe it sounds unfair but that’s the way it is,” he told Sally.

Next, the always-terrific Courtney Hope took her turn at bat as Sally implored Jack to give them another shot. She advised they take things slowly and see what happened. “I can’t,” replied Jack, breaking Sally’s heart and reminding soap fans what daytime drama is all about in the process.

Kudos to the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning Peter Bergman, who might want to recall these scenes when assembling next year’s Daytime Emmy submission reel.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Genoa City, check out all the latest that’s been posted on Y&R spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.