This Week’s Gold Standard goes to John McCook, who portrays the handsome Eric Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” in addition to Susan Flannery, who I desperately thinks deserves it again this week. Along with McCook, you can also add “Days of Our Lives” star Thaao Penghlis, who plays Tony DiMera on the soap, to the mix.
These two men of daytime consistently shine ad showcase leading man behavior is all about. Even though they are over 40, these two are as handsome as the 20-something-year-olds on their respective shows.
John McCook, Eric on "B&B" Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV
Productions
McCook has been Flannery’s leading man for over two decades now. Eric has proved to be a womanizer and cheater, but, with Stephanie badgering the guy all the time, it’s no surprise he looks for feminine affections elsewhere. McCook and Susan Flannery have always been an amazing couple on the show, but many of us believe they are better as a broken-up duo than a couple.
This week Eric had his fill of Stephanie yet again. He has been known to send the Queen into exile before, but this week Eric just felt that Stephanie would never accept his son, Rick. This is Eric’s son with second wife Brooke Logan. Stephanie believes Rick has been a spoiled brat who has been rewarded for his treachery and conniving. She’s right! When is La Forrester ever wrong? Never! But Eric Forrester feels guilty for not being a good father to his second set of kids, Bridget and Rick, so he overcompensates at times and lets Stephanie have it.
The heartbreaking scenes Flannery and McCook played out this week were amazing to watch. Stephanie was shocked as she, not Rick, was tossed overboard again, while John McCook chose to play it with strength and dignity was unbelievable. McCook is one of those solid actors who doesn’t overact and tends to not get the acclaim he’s so deserving of from the media. But whenever Eric makes a choice, we are always there hoping he will not make the same mistake again. He did. He let the true love of his life go and fired her to boot. Eric always comes to his rightful mind, but this time around with Nick Marone sniffing around for trouble and finding Stephanie on the pier, he’s either going to push her off or give her some good advice. My money is on good advice.
McCook’s turn as the baddie from now and then makes his brand of acting very exciting to watch. John McCook has never let us down. He’s given us astonishing entertainment over the years as Eric and last week, he simply shined outstandingly.
Also an outstanding performer is Aussie born Thaao Penghlis. The “Days” star bit the dust this week. But like all from the famed and dysfunctional DiMera family, Tony went out in a blaze of glory. Penghlis is one of the best performers to ever grace the small screen. The dark and handsome Greek Adonis is one of the fan favorites of the over-the-top but entertaining daytime drama.
This week, as Tony was about to do yet another dastardly deed, a habit that plagues the DiMera clan, he was cut down in his prime again by an assailant. This time around fans are hoping that Tony’s not really dead, again. Sure “Days of Our Lives” is known for bringing back the dead, but this is one character fans can’t get enough of and they sincerely hope that Mr. Corday’s mind will be changed again.
Penghlis’s performance was outstanding, multicolored and brilliant as always. Both men embody the best of daytime. McCook and Penghlis are two men we love to hate and simply love. “Tall, dark and handsome” are adjectives commonly used to describe both stars, but talented says it all.
