Q: I do not like the "Billy and Phyllis are having an affair" storyline on "The Young and the Restless." It makes no sense. I have watched the show since it came on air. Didn't Billy sleep with another of Jack's wives? — Carolyn of Baltimore, Maryland

A: "The Young and the Restless" is the most-watched daytime drama on TV and has been the No. 1 show for decades, but this latest storyline is lame. While Phyllis and Billy often make stupid decisions, they usually find a way to justify them. When a story makes no sense — like this one — it can alienate viewers. Some viewers say they are pressing the fast-forward button when the Billy-and-Phyllis love scenes show up.

You have an excellent memory. Yes, Billy Boy Abbott did sleep with another of Jack's wives — Sharon. Yes, Jack and Sharon were man and wife. No one seems to recall that, most of all not the characters.

At the time, Billy was portrayed as a loving husband to Chloe and Dad of the Year to Delia. On the side, he was having an affair with his brother Jack's not-yet-divorced wife, Sharon. After Chloe realized that he was with another woman when she needed him, she moved back to the Chancellor Estate with her mother, Esther. Phyllis caught Sharon and Billy together and threatened to tell Jack and Nick about their affair. Sharon told Billy they had to end the affair.

Jack arrived and Sharon fell into his arms, ashamed and troubled. Jack asked Sharon to return to him and he would forgive her anything. Sharon asked him to just keep her safe from the rest of the world, and Jack promised that he would. They made love and Sharon moved back in with Jack. Meanwhile, Billy showed up with flowers for Chloe and smooth-talked her into giving him another chance. But Nick and Noah were both perplexed with Sharon's flakiness when only days later she inexplicably decided to move back to the athletic club. When Jack found out about the affair between his wife and younger brother, he was outraged. (Guess he could not forgive her for anything after all.) Filled with hatred for Billy, Jack said he could never forgive his brother. Jack had a vision of his moral compass — his late dad, John. After the encounter, Jack forgave Billy.

As for Billy having yet another affair with one of his brother's wives, this guy is infamous for falling down, getting up and falling down again. From drinking to gambling, Billy does not have a vice he can give up forever.

Jack learns of Phyllis and Billy's affair in the next few days. With all he has forgiven Billy for, this could be it. Even a visit from dear old dead Dad will not heal this.

There is also grumbling among fans about Michael E. Knight (Neville) being axed. He was a quirky, mad-scientist character, and his chemistry with the characters of Ashley and Max was special. It would have been wonderful if instead of Max having surgery for a brain tumor one of Neville's potions saved him. And it would have been nice to see the often-smug Ben realize he doesn't have all the medical answers.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.