B&B and Y&R — The Best and Worst of 2018

By Chris Eades Updated: December 13, 2018

As the year winds to a close, it’s time to reflect on 2018… and that includes making end of the year lists like this one! Soap fans all have their own opinions on what they liked and didn’t like about THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL and THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS over the past 12 months, but this is our list of the best and worst in characters, storylines, and trends.

The Young and The Restless Peter Bergman Eileen Davidson

(Photo Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com)

Take a look through the gallery below to see what we thought were Y&R and B&B’s highs and lows over the past year and see if you agree with our picks!

For more B&B and Y&R news and features, keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth magazine!

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Yr Devon Hilary Dying 2

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Most Tragic Death

If we’re being honest, Y&R's Hilary and Devon — not to mention their fans — got ripped off. The popular pair spent far more time apart than they did together over the years. So it was tragic in more ways than one that some of the most romantic scenes they ever shared were the ones in which, shortly after becoming Devon’s wife, Hilary died in his arms!
Bb Emma Zoe Xander

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Oddest Decision

We’ll never get why B&B decided to build major story around newbies Xander, Emma and Zoe rather than use characters we knew and who had familial ties, such as established couple R.J. and Coco, with a newly-introduced Logan (son of Bridget and Nick) or Dominick (son of Felicia and Dante) to spice things up? It’s also more than a little weird how much power these three newbies have been given at Forrester Creations. We know more about what they do than longtime employees such as Brooke!
Bb Shooting Bill

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Best Mystery

We’re not saying that B&B’s Bill deserved to be shot in the back but... well, the last time that many people were motivated to pick up a gun in anger, J.R. Ewing met a similar fate. Better still, the story moved at a clipped pace, and when the shooter was revealed to be Taylor, it actually made sense... mostly.
Peter Bergman Eileen Davidson

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Best Twist

Fans were furious when DNA tests seemed to prove that Y&R’s Jack was not an Abbott. But the biggest twist came months later, when Ashley revealed that not only had the tests been tampered with, but it had been done at her behest! It was a stunning revelation that helped not only propel Ashley off the canvas but gave portrayer Eileen Davidson the best parting gift an actor could ask for: amazing material.
Bb Wyatt Sally Thorne Katie

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Quickest Partner Swap

Approximately six seconds after the break-up of B&B’s Katie and Wyatt — who were very popular with fans — they’d moved on with Thorne and Sally, respectively. Weirdly, after Thorne and Katie dashed down the aisle, her story became entirely about Bill and Ridge, with her husband being seen almost as rarely as Wyatt’s new girlfriend!
Yr Kyle Grave

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Best Transformation

When Michael Mealor joined Y&R’s cast as Kyle back in March, the character was downright unlikable. Fortunately, the actor’s talent and charm, combined with a mellowing of the way his character was being written, helped turn things around. As a result, Kyle now has many layers and has become one of our favorite Genoa City residents!
Yr Victor Paul

Sean Smith/jpistudios.com
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Most Missed

Like Y&R’s Eric Braeden (Victor) — who has regularly made his feelings known via Twitter — we miss Doug Davidson and his alter ego, Paul. The fact that people keep routinely using Paul’s office for private chats only drives home the point that the police chief isn’t where he should be.
Bb Hope Liam Steffy Ring

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Weirdest Proposal

Thanks to the seemingly endless ping-ponging B&B’s Liam did between Hope and Steffy, we thought we’d seen it all. Until, that is, Steffy took the indecisive lothario’s engagement ring off her own finger... and placed it on Hope’s! For a hot second there, we weren’t sure if the blonde was engaged to Liam or Steffy!