Michael Baldwin for Lead Actor? Only If It’s for Billy’s Roast

The 2026 Daytime Emmys are October 30, & Young & the Restless scored 18 nominations. That’s a lot of love for Genoa City. One of them still has me scratching my head.

Michael Baldwin (Christian Le Blanc) is nominated for Lead Actor.

Lead Actor? How? Why?

Let me be clear. I love Michael Baldwin. Christian Le Blanc is a pro, & he already has three Lead Actor Emmys on his shelf. This is his first nomination in a decade, & that’s worth celebrating.

Lead Actor, though? Michael is the guy who shows up, fixes Victor’s mess, takes his time hanging out in the gray area, & then goes home to his fabulous wife, Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman). That’s a supporting player, & a really good one. He’s in the same category as his boss, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Michael spends half his screen time doing Victor’s dirty work, & now he’s competing with him for the same trophy. You can’t make this stuff up.

Now, If This Is for Billy’s Roast…

If Emmy voters saw Michael at Billy Boy’s bachelor party, I’m 110% in. Hand him the trophy now.

Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) got roasted at the Abbott mansion, & Michael went first. He came ready.

• The prenup: He reminded Billy he never asked for one, & said he can’t undo this marriage the way he undid Billy’s marriage to Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle). Ouch.
• The gene pool: He said he’s more worried about Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), since she’s marrying into a “shallow gene pool.” Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) was standing right there.
• The fashion: He went after Billy’s style. When Jack defended Billy’s suits & everyone called for a penalty, Michael happily held out his glass for a pour. He played them all.

He topped it off with a toast to “Billy Boy.” Michael Baldwin stealing Victor Newman’s nickname for Billy? Every Y&R fan out there will allow it.

Related: Y&R Fan Rant: Michael Picks Victor Over Lauren

Give Michael More of This

That roast is everything Michael does best: sharp, funny & a little mean in the most lovable way. Obviously it aired long after the Emmy eligibility window closed, so it won’t help him on October 30. Still, Young & the Restless writers should take notes. Michael is at his best when he’s the funniest guy in the room.

Do I think he wins Lead Actor? Probably not. I’d vote for him in Supporting in a heartbeat, & I’d vote for this roast twice.

Tomorrow, #8: Ray Wise as Ian Ward.

Should Michael Baldwin be in Lead or Supporting? It’s not my first day watching Y&R & it isn’t yours either. What’s your take?

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