News
Y&R's 11,000th Episode On Set Celebration: EP Mal Young Touches On Legacy, Vision, & Superlatives Of Top-Rated Soap!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Earlier this week on Thursday, members of the cast of The Young and the Restless along with a bevy of special guests that included: Y&R co-creator Lee Phillip Bell, Y&R EP and head writer, Chuck Pratt Jr, senior executive vp programming at Sony Pictures Television, Steve Kent, who oversees daytime’s Y&R and DAYS, and new Y&R EP Mal Young were all on hand for an afternoon celebration for the series 11,000th episode milestone.
With the number 11,000 made into delicious cupcakes for those to taste, the cast, crew, producers and press gathered together to honor this special moment in the series 43-year-history. Cast in attendance included: Melody Thomas Scott, Tracey E. Bregman, Bryton James, Christel Khailil, Greg Rikaart, Mara McCaffrey, Robert Adamson, Hunter King, Sean Carrigan, Melissa Ordway, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Eric Braeden, Kristoff St. John, Eileen Davidson, Peter Bergman, Gina Tognoni, Jason Thompson, Melissa Claire Egan, Kate Linder, Beth Maitland, Lauralee Bell, Daniel Goddard, and Mishael Morgan.
Viewers of the series witnessed on September 1st the airing of the 11,000th episode of the top-rated daytime drama which featured the tragic turn of events for the exited Justin Hartley’s character of Adam Newman.
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
For this on set celebration on stage 41 at CBS Television City, only two speeches were given: one by Mal Young. and the other by Steve Kent. While Kent recalled how his career lead him to be the champion of the series over at Sony Pictures Television, Young offered up thoughts on being a Brit in charge of Y&R, Bill Bell’s vision, and what makes Y&R most unique and beloved around the world.
Below are some excerpts from the the newest executive producer’s speech as he addressed the cast, press, CBS and Sony executive notables, and more in attendance:
Mal Young: “As the only Brit involved in the history of the show, Y&R is known all over the world. Growing up I knew about it, and heard about it. Recently, my wife (singer, Mari Wilson) was on tour in Jamaica and this woman came over to her and said, ‘Are you Nikki the stripper from The Young and the Restless?‘ So she called me up and said, ‘Is that a compliment, or not?’ (Laughs) I said, ‘With the lovely Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) playing it, that’s a compliment!’ So, even in Jamaica we are huge.”
“There are so many amazing people that it takes to make 11,000 episodes of anything. We love you all … you are all hugely important to the show … but so is anyone who has been over the threshold of stage 41 and 43 at CBS over all these 43 years.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
“I will single out Bill Bell (Co-creator, Y&R). What an amazing vision he had. If you consider back in 1973, he came up with this amazing idea, and it was originally called The Innocent Years. They realized with what was going on in the world, The Innocent Years, didn’t really work. It was a few days after Y&R first came on to CBS, that the last Vietnam solider left and came back to America. We had kind of lost our innocence and the world was different, and that’s what grew into this new younger-type of soap which was The Young and the Restless. And I think that spirit of reflecting America, and reflecting all of these amazing characters as they have grown over 11,000 episodes has remained true to the spirit of the original vision of Bill and Lee Bell’s (Co-creator, Y&R), and that is my inspiration every day when we come over the threshold to these stages. I think, ‘What are we going to do today? What stories are we going to tell?”’
“If you were to binge watch Y&R – you need to get on your sofa with your pizza, and a lot of ice cream, and it’s going to be 10,126 ½ hours of TV, and if you were to watch it in one big go, it would take you 1 year, 1 month, and 26 days, and ½ hours to complete. That is a fun-feat we have pulled off, and we will continue to do so.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
“I was trying to find a superlative to describe in one word this fantastic show and what Bill Bell gave to us and the vision that he pulled out that gave us 11,000 episodes. I thought of ‘Amazeballs’, or ‘OMG!’ or ‘RAD!’ But that’s not going to be right coming out of a British person’s mouth. (Laughs) So there is one word I said I would never use around this place, but I am going to break that rule today, because it does best describe what you all are, and most importantly what the show is. The Young and the Restless is very, very ‘awesome”’!
So, what did you think of the excerpts from Mal’s speech? Y&R’s final stop on their 11K celebration tour which included retrsopective clip packages opening episodes of the series, the social media images of the cast showing the first episode number that they appeared in, and more? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and look for video interviews with the cast next week at On-Air On-Soaps!
Y&R has become very good, it has gripping plots!
GH has a boring mess ……….. sigh
Total agree especially about GH…
This soap originally started with the Brookes and Foster families but by the 1980s so many actors left Bill Belll decided instead of recasting characters he introduced three new families the Newmans and the Abbotts and the Winters…and they have been front and center over 30 years now…fans tune in and can see familiar characters they love and enjoy….the years brought in new producers and writers and yet those same three families remain…this is why it remains the number one soap…meanwhile GH and Days depends on too many gimmicks and too many cast changes…Days Horton family is still there but not as many as there was in its hey day and some are completely forgotten…its Brady family isnt what it used to be…many newbies are introduced that dont work and written out…gimmick story telling like the three convicts is somewhat interesting but it just adds more gloom in doom in a show which focuses on too much darkness…i need some brightness in my Days and a touch of humor…GH has its good moments but the stories are all over the place and feel disjointed-the cast is bloated and they keep adding characters to move a story instead of utilizing the cast its had…a murder mystery at the hospital showed promise but where are all the doctors like Brad and Lucas who arent featured when this story is so front and center…both Days and GH are ok but they will never have the numbers like Y&R because that show has better continuation in its storytelling(but it does have a few problems keeping some characters involved like Lauren for example)…it isnt the great powerful soap like it was in its Bill Bell era but not of the remaing soaps are…it still above all the rest…it knows how to do drama and keep its fans tuning in tomorrow the way a good serial should,,,
What an accomplishment if they actually watched the entire series. That rich history would reveals the highs and lows of the program, what made it click and where its shortcomings were.
I do want to add that I felt it was a HUGE oversight or omission on the part of the 11,000th celebration to fail to show scenes from the first decade of the program or even cameo interviews with those original cast members who are still alive: they made the program work and I felt there should have been a tribute to them, hearing what they thought about the groundbreaking show, what were their memorable moments, etc. I hope Y and R NEVER FORGETS its past, its origins and its purpose.
Ron, I totally agree with you 100 percent, that would of been so awesome to show scenes from the first decade and bring in the actors/actresses that portrayed them. I am sorry to bring this up again, the show doesn’t feel the same as it use to…from the acting, the way it’s directed and missing the classic background music. Back in Y&R heydays, the actor’s with their fantastic acting along with the show’s direction and background music where the audience/fan’s were drawn into their lives and felt what the character’s were going through and wanted to continue to tune in and see what happened next, to me that era is gone and I continue to hope that it will happen again someday.
You are right on target regarding a few of the features that distinguished the show, especially the way a scene was directed and the use of background music. Someone else mentioned on this thread that the program has become so much more plot driven rather than character driven and there’s a great deal of truth to that. Right now (after watching the program as a kid when my mom watched it, and actually meeting and working with Bill Bell through a college gig) I am so distant from any character ties, not caring one bit what happens to any of them. Well, there are always 70s and 80s clips online here and there! Thanks for the written support.
Considering the show’s longevity I personally would rather heard from LPB herself and not Mal Young who’s been working on the show for what a minute?
The biggest difference between soaps then and now is now they are plot driven, while in the older days characters were the driving force behind plots instead of plots determining characters For examples they weren’t thinking lets do a story about abortion but rather what would happen to Ashley if she had an abortion– it is a subtle but big difference in how a story is told
If they would write for characters instead of using characters to tell stories the show would most likely make it to its 20,000 episode and beyond, as is, I don’t know, but if there is one soap that stands a chance of outlasting all of them — it would be this one.
Mary,
You are right-on with your post here! If anyone lasts, it will be Y and R… and here’s wishful thinking that we’ll return to the era of character-driven stories.
No Pratt sighting. He’s so out of there soon…
I’ve been watching y.r . For a very long time and since Jeanne Cooper was on there playing two different characters I loved it then she was Mrs. C. The person everyone fell in love with but now she is gone. I will always remember her character. The writers of the soap have done a great job never had they made it Boring but dramatic, romantic and interesting!!!!!! Keep it going .
Tony, given what has transpired in the past week, your comment was 100% correct and a great observation.
To Y&R fans that bitch about Pratt & Mal—
I will happly send Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante back to Y&R.
Yes, Pratt & Mal to GH and Shelly and Jean to Y&R ..
What a deal!! You’ll love it !!
I have been moved beyond words by Mal Young’s speech . I am so glad that he acknowledged that there is an international audience for all these beloved soap operas . here are just a few countries that young and the restless airs in : Australia , France , Jamaica , Belgium , Switzerland , Quebec ( canada ) … it used to air in New Zealand . I am sure it airs in other countries too . Bold and the beautiful is aired in almost every country around the world . Days of our lives used to air in France and New Zealand , it still airs in Australia and came back in South AFRICA recently . General hospital used to air in Australia and New Zealand , France tried 3 times with it but ended up cancelling it all 3 times ( low ratings ) . The French discovered the daytime soap genre when the very first daytime soap started there back in october of 1985 , the soap in question was Santa Barbara and the french loved it , it was a smash it over there . Marcy Walker , A Martinez , Robin Wright and all the others graced the covers of all the french tv magazines back then . The french had no soap opera digest or any magazine devoted to soaps so the french tv magazines of the day regularly featured front covers and articles on the soap . Now the french have the young and the restless , bold and beautiful to enjoy and had until the beginning of this year days of our lives but it was cancelled in France this year although it was winning its timeslot . I would wish that Young and restless could release on a streaming platform like youtube all the episodes from 1973 to 1993 so that all viewers from the us and around the world can watch or rewatch these classic episodes . This should be done for all these soaps . These great soaps should be made available worldwide . Think of icons like Guiding light , As the World turns , All my children , Another World . These soaps should be passed down to the next generations but if we don’t rerun them of course they will be lost for good . With streaming platforms available now i can’t believe we can’t access these soaps . Long live the daytime soapies !
Nicholas, How I wish they would stream all the present and the past soaps from the beginning, that would be so wonderful but I don’t think it will happen. As I am aging, I notice I am looking to the past more, lol…
The writing still sucks – still too plot-driven and schizoid for this long-time viewer
BTW – the shows is still down in demos and viewers.
General Hospital
Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn
Some very intriguing casting news out of General Hospital. The ABC daytime drama has cast former Santa Barbara favorite, Lane Davies (ex-Mason Capwell), in the role of Fergus Byrne, an attorney who crosses paths with Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn).
According to TV Insider, Davies will make debut the week of May 22nd. As soap fans know, together with the aforementioned Grahn, they created the Santa Barbara supercouple of Mason and Julia Wainwright. Davies portrayed Mason Capwell family from 1984 through 1989.
Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time in Port Charles for Lane. From 2002-2004 he played Dr. Cameron Lewis and also shared on-screen story with Grahn. At that time Davies, played Xander Smith’s father.
Photo: NBC
GH fans are wondering about the last name of Davies new character, “Bryne”. If you recall, Alexis got herself involved with therapist Dr. Neil Bryne, who died when Harmony broke into Alexis‘ house and killed Neil by injecting him with opioids.
Photo:
Taking to her Instagram, Grahn shared her excitement at the upcoming on-screen reunion with Davies, “It never gets old. We do 😂…. but it doesn’t 😍. Lookin’ forward to another romp.”
So, what do you think about Lane Davies returning to GH to play an attorney in Alexis’ orbit? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
News
One Life to Live Alum Jonathan Groff Receives 2024 Tony Award Nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical
Nominations were announced on Tuesday for the 77th annual Tony Awards by previous winners, Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline Williamson, One Life to Live) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
When the dust settled it was Stereophonic (which is loosely based on the story of Fleetwood Mac) and Hell’s Kitchen (Alicia Keys musical) that both scored 13 Tony nominations to lead the pack.
However, Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along made quite the comeback and is nominated for several awards including Best Revival of a Musical and for one of its stars, Jonathan Groff (ex-Henry Mackler, One Life to Live).
Courtesy/Playbill
Groff is nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and will go up against Brody Grant — The Outsiders, Dorian Harewood —The Notebook, Brian d’Arcy James — Days of Wine and Roses and Eddie Redmayne — Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.
In addition to his previous Tony nod for his role in Hamilton, Jonathan was nominated for a Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Melchior Gabor in the original production of Spring Awakening.
Jonathan co-stars in the revival of Merrily We Roll Along “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe and previous Tony winner Lindsay Mendez.
Back in 2019, Groff visited Live with Kelly and Ryan and discussed his debut on One Life while working at night on Broadway in Spring Awakening.
He shared on his experience on the soap, “I do remember my first day because I was doing Spring Awakening on Broadway at the time, and One Life to Live was my first time ever being on TV. So I got this offer, and I was like, ‘Yes, I would love to be in a soap opera,’ and we finished Spring Awakening at 11:00 p.m. and I woke up the next morning at 4:0 a.m. to walk uptown to go to do One Life to Live, and I called my agent and left a message, and I said ‘You have to get me out of this, I can’t wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning!'” You can watch the clip below.
The 77th annual Tony Awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, June 16, with Tony and Oscar winner Ariana DeBose returning to host for the third time.
So, rooting for Jonathan to take home his long-awaited Tony Award after several decades in the theater? Do you remember him as part of teen scene on OLTL? Comment below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Raising Subscription Prices $2 Dollars a Month This Summer; Includes Days of our Lives
As the Paris Summer Olympics are a few months away, the Peacock streaming service has revealed its plan for a two dollar summer price hike on its subscription plans, beginning in July for its content which will include Days of our Lives.
According to Deadline, in July, look for the monthly price for Peacock Premium to increase to $7.99. Premium Plus, which offers limited advertising, download capability and live local programming, will now be $13.99, while Annual plans will go up to $79.99 for Premium and $139.99 for Premium Plus.
This price hike will effect new customers starting on July 18th, while existing subscribers will notice the price change on their next billing date on or before August 17th.
Photo: JPI
This marks the second price change in two years for the streaming service, the previous one being in 2023, which was the first since the service launched back in 2020. The Summer Olympics in Paris which will be on NBC and Peacock run from July 26 to August 11.
The bright spot for Days of our Lives fans, is that unlike if the show was still on network television and NBC, the show would be preempted for two weeks, but with it being on Peacock it will continue with all-new episodes without interruption.
Photo: Peacock
At the recent Days of our Lives 15K episode celebration, Michael Sluchan the EVP, Current Scripted Programming & Limited Series for NBC/Peacock shared that the soap opera is doing extremely well for the streaming service, and they were very happy with its performance.
If you want to join Peacock now, there is still some time to get in on the current rates to watch DAYS and all of the programming and series it offers.
So, what do you think about the Peacock streaming service next price hike? Comment below.
Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn
Christopher Cousins Makes His Y&R Debut: What Were Your First Impressions of Alan Laurent?
The Bold and the Beautiful Celebrates 12 Daytime Emmy Nominations (Photos)
One Life to Live Alum Jonathan Groff Receives 2024 Tony Award Nomination for Leading Actor in a Musical
AMERICAN IDOL: Katy Perry Makes a Heartbreaking Decision as Top 7 are Revealed
Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Announce They Have Ended Their Marriage
GH’s Laura Wright Previews How Carly Gets Clued-In to Sonny’s Behavior: “All the Questions That Anybody Would Have, We Hit on Them”
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: EJ is on the Warpath After Finding Out Sloan’s Baby Is Not Hers!
Serena Scott Thomas to Days of our Lives, But What Role Will She Play?
(INTERVIEW) B&B’s Annika Noelle Reveals Her Lead Actress Emmy-Nominated Scenes, and the Ups and Downs of a Tough Year
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Deacon and Finn Make a Shocking Discovery and Find Sheila
GH’s Laura Wright Previews How Carly Gets Clued-In to Sonny’s Behavior: “All the Questions That Anybody Would Have, We Hit on Them”
(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Eric Braeden Chats on His First Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination in 20 Years, Why He Entered the Race After Voting Reform, and His Enduring Legacy as Victor Newman
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: EJ is on the Warpath After Finding Out Sloan’s Baby Is Not Hers!
(INTERVIEW) B&B’s Scott Clifton Chats On His Lead Actor Emmy-Nominated Scenes, Reluctance to Submit for Several Years, and the Honor to be Named with His Co-Stars
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