Y&R had to major recasts for three important roles in the late 80s. I know the transition of Dickson to Walton as Jill has been discussed and analyzed endlessly, while the transition from Davidson to Epperson was smooth and seamless(unlike the later transition from Epperson to Shattuck). But what about the transition from Lester to Bergman? I know Bergman was a superstar on another soap that to this day many still linger for Lester's smarmy Jack as opposed to Bergman's charming Jack. What was the initial reaction to the recast? I know Walton and and Epperson were praised early on, but I'm not too sure about Bergman. Then again, Bergman won all those Emmys in the early 90s too.

Well... i don't think ANY of them were immediately liked by fans EXCEPT for Epperson. And it has only to do with the fact that she herself is so SWEET, so FRIENDLY, so LIKEABLE. Ashley was a much more likeable, affable character when she played her... but she wasn't Ashley, either. she lacked Elieen's stuck up bitch princess portrayal. Walton was REVILED by many until she made the part her own and grew into the role. I can honestly say, I called her the "Jill Impostor" at LEAST until 1995. I didn't like Bergman, and still don't. He looks and acts like a damn newscaster.... not that SEXY, SWAGGERING Jack Abbott that can make you cum just by looking at you. Terry Lester just had that "something". Bergman got Emmys, but to me, those mean nothing when it comes to fan acceptance. Lots of people love Bergman NOW... but you'll find the vast majority of those who do, never watched Lester. Those who watched Lester, almost always liked him best. MarkH may disagree with me on this, he has WEIRD taste in recasts... he likes Victoria Mallory and Deborah Adair... YUCK!

Edited April 4, 201015 yr by alphanguy74

Y&R had to major recasts for three important roles in the late 80s. I know the transition of Dickson to Walton as Jill has been discussed and analyzed endlessly, while the transition from Davidson to Epperson was smooth and seamless(unlike the later transition from Epperson to Shattuck). But what about the transition from Lester to Bergman? I know Bergman was a superstar on another soap that to this day many still linger for Lester's smarmy Jack as opposed to Bergman's charming Jack. What was the initial reaction to the recast? I know Walton and and Epperson were praised early on, but I'm not too sure about Bergman. Then again, Bergman won all those Emmys in the early 90s too.

Bergman charming??? I have never seen it. I always thought Lester was smarmy and charming at the same time. I never liked Bergman in the role as Jack until the late 90's. I floved Epperson as Ashley.

I agree,Terry Lester was head and shoulders above Bergman.But over the years Jack has changed and become Bergman's role.Personally,i find Jack today annoying.The endless Jack/Victor battles where Jack has become Cliff Barnes to Victor's J.R.

Lester and Davidson were gold together because they both had that sarcastic 'tude and bounced off each other well.

I agree,Terry Lester was head and shoulders above Bergman.But over the years Jack has changed and become Bergman's role.Personally,i find Jack today annoying.The endless Jack/Victor battles where Jack has become Cliff Barnes to Victor's J.R.

Lester and Davidson were gold together because they both had that sarcastic 'tude and bounced off each other well.

Thats why I didnt like Bergmans Jack. He came off as annoying. And at times now he still does. Lester never did work with Epperson?? I cant recall..damn memory loss...lol

He probably worked with Epperson for about a year.

He probably worked with Epperson for about a year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbFz9wamtpw

Lester and Epperson fight

I liked Epperson's softer Ashley. She was Ashley to me, as I wasn't watching during Davidson's original run.

Epperson was the Ashley I first remember. She's still my favorite Ashley, thanks in part to the turn Ashley has taken over the past fifteen years.

There seemed to be a big difference between early Lester and later Lester, wasn't there?

Of course Epperson's Ashley had to play out the Blade/Rick story(not one of Bill Bell's best).Did anyone find Michael Tylo interesting in that role?

To be honest I'm not sure I've found Tylo interesting in any role, although it doesn't help that Tylo had poorly written roles on AMC and Y&R. I think something about him clicked as Quint, at least in Quint's first few years.

I liked Epperson's softer Ashley.

Brenda is to Ashley what Susan is to Diane.

Competent but not definitive.

I wonder, would Y&R ever have brought Eileen back if Kristen Blake wasn't such a success?

Terry Lester was head and shoulders above Bergman.

Amen.

But over the years Jack has changed

*cough*agendas*cough*

I wonder, would Y&R ever have brought Eileen back if Kristen Blake wasn't such a success?

Yep.

Bill LOVED Eileen.

Thanks guys for the input. Although I like Davidson better as Ashley, Epperson will always be special me, she was the first soap star I ever met in real life. She was the grand marshal of a 4th of July parade I went to out east in the early 90s

The Blade/Rick story was annoying and lasted forever, although a while back I posted in the Video Bash section the conclusion of that story with phenomenal performances by Epperson, Tylo, Walton, and Diana Barton. Hopefully they weren't videos of yrbbfanatic that got taken down.

Edited April 4, 201015 yr by soapfan770