News
Sally Sussman Officially Confirmed As Head Writer At The Young and the Restless!
Photo: SSussmanFacebook/Getty
It’s official! Sally Sussman is the new head writer of The Young and the Restless, replacing exiting Chuck Pratt Jr.! A press release with the announcement today by Steve Kent, senior executive vice president of programming for Sony Pictures Television is below!
“Sally was part of the team that first brought Y&R to its long-standing position as America’s #1 daytime drama and brings with her years of experience writing serialized storylines,” said Kent. “Her long-standing familiarity with the citizens of Genoa City and her great storytelling make her a perfect choice to take the reins at Y&R.”
“We are thrilled to have Sally return to The Young and The Restless, both as an award-winning writer, and someone who is passionate about honoring the legacy of the series with character driven story,” added Angelica McDaniel, Executive Vice President, Daytime Programs and Syndicated Program Development, CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Distribution. “The powerhouse partnership of Sally and Mal Young, our talented new Executive Producer, sets an even brighter course for daytime’s #1 drama.”
Sally Sussman has extensive writing experience on both episodic television series as well as daytime dramas. After working for several years as a writer on various episodic television series, Sussman then went to work with William J. Bell on The Young and the Restless. She was with the show for five years as its Story Consultant and Associate Head Writer, and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. She then created the ground breaking daytime drama Generations for Brandon Tartikoff and NBC, and served as Head Writer and Executive Producer on the series. After creating and writing a nighttime serial for Aaron Spelling as well as writing several television movies, Sussman returned to daytime television and joined Days of our Lives as its Head Writer, winning the show’s first ever Writers’ Guild of America Award and earning two more Emmy nominations. She then served as Executive Producer and Head Writer of MTV’s first foray into a late night serial with the 65 episode series “Spyder Games,” earning another Emmy Award nomination. After a short break, Sussman returned to The Young and the Restless for another stint as Story Consultant and Co-Head Writer, winning her second Writers’ Guild of America Award and an Emmy Award. Most recently, Sussman completed her first documentary feature, Midnight Return: The Story of Billy Hayes and Turkey, which had its World Premiere as part of Cannes Classics at the Festival De Cannes 2016.
So, what do you think of the news of Sally Sussman returning to Y&R and as head writer of the top-rated soap? Comment below!
Best news out of Genoa City in a long time!
I hope Sally reads ALL these recent comments by the fans. Get a bird’s eye view, as it were.
Does this mean old school Y&R is on its way back?
AT LAST. (singing the song in my head as well) Sense prevails in the management ranks and the two who seemed hell bent to destroy the story-telling legacy of YR are gone for good. Now maybe fans who stuck with the show when it seems all the female characters were totally trashed as characters with a thread of history which was totally ignored for several years of painful, ridiculous plots, will all see again the show that IS the Bill Bell legacy of character driven drama. I am very, very glad to read this shift in the structure of who will be guiding the writers for the hours of YR when the shift will definitely be noticeable as the themes, story lines finally change back to being true to characters. Bill Bell is smiling now.
Beyond thrilled that Sally is back at #YR!!! Now, let’s get rid of some dead weight on the show and bring it back to its glory days!
taken; from Wiki
The Young and the Restless
Associate Head Writer: June 10, 2005 – November 2006
Breakdown Writer: June 10, 2005 – November 2006
Writer: 1984 – 1988
Storyline Consultant: 1983-1987 (hired by William J. Bell), May 17, 2005 – May 12, 2006 (hired by John F. Smith)
Yes yes, terrific news. Y&R will get better storylines now. I always liked Sally.
Do I hear an AMEN? So ecstatic to hear this news…Oh how I pray that this will turn this show around and get back to it’s GLORY DAYS…sorry to sound like a broken record but this is the way I feel and I think from reading a lot of comments on this post that a lot of people feel this way…
after 10 + years of torture from past hack writers lml, mab( sharon/ victor year) and now pratt….
…. the real y n r is back in the house!!!
thank you powers that be!!!
pls bring back faves and return currents to the characters and stories they deserve sally!!!…
ashley and lauren need a story!
bring back jack and michaels edge!
nina needs to return to give jill a real arch nemesis..
the abbotts need traci!
victor needs to show some compassion and stop his evil ways for a moment
sharon and nick need to make their way back together as the super couple they are
olivia needs to come back to support the winters
‘you know bring back the real genoa city!!!
OK – I KNOW BELIEVE IN GOD!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Bring on the drama, Sally!!
Great News!!!
Y&R is definitely on the right track.
Versus GH, which is basically muddling along while FV slowly kills it.
I’m not sure it’s Frank so much as Jean and Shelly who have proven once again they can’t write intriguing stories. Their time at Y&R should have been a sign for GH that they can not be trusted to helm the creative direction of the show.
I don’t know what this means for Y&R. She seems to have an impressive resume. I guess we’ll see.
Great news! I’m already playing catch up so I can enjoy her stories. Bill Bell must be smiling on this. Can hardly wait!
HIP.HIP HOORAY HIP HIP HOORAY HIP HIP HOOOOORAYYYY!!!!! That’s all y’all I’m done HIP HIP HOORAY! Now I’m done.
The Best news of the Year! I’m so excited to have a writer that will honor Y&R’s legacy and is familiar with the characters. There is a God!
Maybe she will give Jack back his manhood!
Good news— let us hope CBS will actually give her the time to craft the stories soap viewers long to see– this is the first writing change that has me hopeful–and I look forward to making Y&R my must watch everyday soap again.
Whoo hoo! There is a Y&R God!
I’m so grateful that Sally is coming back to Y&R. I think Mal is the right EP, I think Sally will be the right Head Writer. I have hope for the first time in years that Y&R will now head in the correct direction! Let’s just hope she cans some of those sorry hacks that were working for Pratt.
Maybe the storylines will get endings now!
I remember a soap that she created and was a head writer of that existed in the late 80’s early 90’s . I think it lasted 2 or 3 years before cancellation . the soap was called ” Generations ” and ran on nbc . it was about a black family and a white family . kristoff st john started there . I felt it carried humanity and spoke so much about american history and the history of black people in this country . But Generations failed to deliver in terms of romance , love , mystery , emotionality , action , adventure . The key ingredients that make a soap great weren’t there or rather they were dumbed down and very weak . I am very worried that she is head writer of young and restless as i feel that we want a soap that is exciting to watch and i don’t think we will get that . Generations was very sociological and young and restless should not be in 2016 a purely driven sociological show . It is a soap opera ! I would have wanted a writer who had worked closely with bill bell especially in the early days of the show . My choice would have gone to Kay Alden instead . A head writing ticket made of Maria Arena Bell and Kay Alden would have made the show very interesting to watch . Maria had worked a lot with bill both on young but on bold as well . I feel that we the viewers want to be excited watching our soap . I loved the Ricky Williams story , the gaslighting of Ashley by Adam and the loss of the baby , Skye and the volcano , the story arcs with crazy Patty , the diane murder , Marge and Katherine … when these stories aired myself and friends of mine were watching or recording the show every day ! We found it exciting and we couldn’t get enough . I am afraid that Sally sussman will fail to deliver these types of stories that the show needs . I am worried when i look at Generations .
I would say that if Chuck Pratt got a chance then Sally Sussman more than deserves another crack at the show, and she knows what she’s doing, I truly believe that, and I don’t think she would write Y&R like she used to write Generations, that was decades ago, and some writers actually grow, and I believe she is in the growing category. Some go from bad to ok, some go from good to great, I think that she is already great and will continue greatness from her track record on Days, that’s what I recommend watching to get a feel for her work, and the Y&R episodes she worked on, her track record speaks for itself, but give her at least 6 months to clean up that huge mess, she wasn’t handed a perfect show and she’s got her work cut out for her, but I believe she will not only rise to the occasion, but she will exceed them. I have a great feeling about Y&R that I haven’t had in years. It has the right producer, and the right writer, so I’m just going to let it fall back into place. She does write action, look at Sami’s execution years ago, that was wild as hell. I understand your hesitance, but she’s a different caliber than the past 3 or 4 writing teams.
and we see what happens when a soap focuses on fantasy alone…big loud pointless stunts…and disregard for the actual word …drama.. Generations was a good show and critically acclaimed…there was just a glut of shows and a push to be over the top..i watched from day one to the end..Viveca Fox started there too and Kelly Rutherford..and the fabulous jonelle alan…her history and knowledge and writing expertise are sorely missed..and just what is needed…people will complain but i guarantee the numbers will go up…hope you give her a chance and watch.
Dante, I totally agree.
the below reply is actually to you nicholas in regards to your well put comment. I get it but it can’t be all that all the time. Back in the day Harding Lemay eschewed all that over wrought drama for character driven stories on Another World that drove the ratings straight to the top.
Generations was generations ago!
Her best and brightest accomplishment in my books was creating, writing and producing Generations, a show I loved so much, from beginning to end.
When oh when will General Hospital drop its current head writing team? Yup, they need to go.
If they dont, it tells me ABC wants out of the soap biz!
This is just flat out good news!!! She writes with humanity and heart! But her work on Generations proves she can also do some fun, far out stuff! I am shocked and happy that she gets this opportunity!!
She’s great!
If she brings back the balance and fairness so the characters of YR get to be on screen instead of backburned like so much garbage i will back her. I withhold all judgement been burned by MAB and CP cant stand another let down. Barely watch now so lets see how she handles the characters and if she is going to share the screen time with all or just her favs…Lauren/Michael Baldwin have been my favorite couple since 2004 I love them and they have been badly treated by MAB and CP so lets wait and see
OK,
don’t throw shoes at me, but
Isn’t she like 70?
Why oh why can’t there be young 30-40yrs old 21st century writers, just for one soap..
I really would like new youngblood writers, just once..
I’m sure she will bring back the 80’s and do a good job.
looking forward to the new writing..
((However , I was happy with Pratt))
I’m not sure Pratt was a spring chicken either, he’s 61, and Agnes Nixon is older than all of them, and made a cutting edge All my children on line. I get what you’re saying, but she at least deserves a chance, in my opinion, and youth doesn’t always guarantee great, up to date stories, or respect for the source material. Pratt was/is an acquired taste and I think with all his weekly explosions he is better suited for night time work, he works much better with fewer episodes and is way better at action shows, that are light on character development and heavy on shocks and surprises. I think Pratt just went back to what he does best, but that’s just me. I’m giving her 6-8 months to clean up the mess and reboot the show, but I have a feeling she’s the one to bring it back. She’s overdue, and should’ve been there in 2014, but they went with Pratt for some reason. Maybe some new young writers will be part of her team and they can be her proteges, just like she was with the great Bill Bell; it’s just too early to tell who else will be there with her.
She’s 60.
This is so exciting! I hope we see better storylines that don’t center around recycled nonsense (doppelgängers, babies who can’t seem to stay with their mothers once the umbilical cord is cut) and an egomaniac who gets mentally ill women like Sharon, Patty, Kelly, Chloe to do his dirty work while he remains unscathed. The Y and R is so much more than storylines revolving around Victor’s “love” for his family that always ends in horror for which he never pays.
This is really good news! Combine this with the new WP, and Y&R will continue to get better and better.
I have already noticed huge improvements with the writing and the direction.
Best news I heard all day! Now maybe the show will return to what it once was. I see positive changes since Mal Young was named EP, and now with Sussman returning, it should be even better. I know Bill Bell is smiling from above! He’d be very proud that she’s taking over the soap he created. CBS and Sony did a good thing by hiring her back.
I heard/read.. some fans of Days were not happy with her writing..
This is good news.
I hope it means even better news for Eileen Davidson (Ashley). I believe she was involved in bringing the Abbotts to the show and that she was working for DAYS in the 90’s when Davidson was on that show and used heavily. This leads me to guess that she and Davidson have a good working relationship and that she might get the value of Ashley.
Ashley has been completely underused in Davidson’s current stint on Y&R and the writing for her in the other plots in the past decade has been sub-par. I’d like to see a writer focus on the character (give her an age appropriate new beau; make her a strong businesswoman again) and let her drive some of the plots. Ashley has been nothing more than a prop for Abby and Jack for the last two years.
I’ve always liked the Jack-Ashley dynamic. They both love their father, love their family but also realize each other’s weaknesses. It is a fairly realistic sibling relationship. Somewhere in the past decade, the writers have reduced Ashley to a supporting role for Jack, rather than being an “equal” player in plots.
Eileen Davidson may be getting a little older (like the rest of us) but she still looks fantastic, maybe even better than she did 25 years ago (unlike the rest of us!). She easily could carry a decent romantic storyline or a well crafted Jabot business plot.
Yes Eileen Was On Y&R From 1981 or 1982 Until 1988
She Was At Santa Barbara From 1991 to 1993
Then DAYS From 1993 to 1998
Then Y and R Again From 1998/9 To 2006
Then From 2007 to 2008 Bold And The Beautiful
Then By The End Of 2008 Back On Y&R Again.
So Yes It Was Her, John (Jerry Douglas) Dina (Marla Adams) John’s 1st Wife, Tracey (Beth Maitland) And The Original Jack (Terry Lester) Who Brought The Abbotts To Life;
First thing she has to do is dim the lights a little- The show looks too lit up and i have hated that for a long time. Other than that, I think her stories will be good.
James, we don’t want it to dark…Lighting is very important to the sets…Also, have I said this before…PLEASE bring back the classic background music score.
What? TPTB at Sony actually making a decision that’s logical and sane and in the best interest of the show?
I’m sorry, my brain just cannot process this piece of information.
Does not compute. Does not compute. Does not compute. Does not compute.
I agree with all those who have said Bill Bell is smiling.
Meanwhile GH is keeping it’s head writers and EP, big mistake–HUGE!
Good news someone who loves the show is back in town! Whoopee!!!
Echoing the comments above, this is fantastic news. First Phelps got the boot, then Pratt opted out, and now we have a very talented team at the helm of Y&R again. Hopefully Mal and Sally bring Y&R back to its roots. The great news for Y&R continues!
Ditto Jimmy 🙂 SSM Has Since Been With Y&R On And Off Since 1983….. She Is The Right Fit. 🙂 Indeed.
After watching these “payoff” shows for the last 2 days, where Phyllis makes the big reveal to Jack, it just looks like the current writing regime put little or no effort into this. Writing was bland, not even suspenseful. I’m also realizing now that Jason Thompson has been miscast in this role, or that the writing was so bad, that even he couldn’t act his way out of the dialogue the last 2 days. There are days I really miss Billy Miller in this role. Sally’s material probably won’t be seen on air until end of November at the earliest, I just wished it could be sooner.
Long time “lite” viewer. The best wishes to the new team.
I traveled for many years, but when returning was always able to pick up who was who on Y & R. There was a core that lasted; not necessarily with the same actors, but the core was there.
Some stories were stupid beyond belief. Don’t know how I would feel about them today; things have changed. It was when the Underground blew up and all of Genoa City appeared to be blowing up that this site was found. The program watched, off and on for years, was no longer pleasant.
II don’t ask for much, and in general so admire the actors. Soaps can’t compete with “Downton Abbey” but there is a type of connection. I am not sure ratings, as they work, play to improvement.
For me I wish success.
I want a writer who hasn’t forgotten that Phyllis isn’t holier than thou. Everyone seems to have amnesia when it comes to her trying to kill Paul and Christine ; even Christine. It’s difficult for me to forget that someone tried to kill me!
I totally agree with that this is hugely overlooked. Christine and Paul should throw it in her face whenever they can.
Pratt has been a failure everywhere he’s been. Look at what he did to AMC. He completely wasted the great Beth Ehlers after ABC made that enormous casting coup. How do you get a job after that?
Can someone tell me what stories she wrote, characters she created? Thanks, Gang. Seems like many of the long term fans are happy with this news. I’m always optimistic. Staying tuned …..
in the 80’s Sally Sussman helped Bill Bell create the Abbott family.
Now bring back. Michael Muhney and the world will be right again!
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.
Breaking News
Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash
Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.
The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.
According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.
Courtesy/ABC
According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.
Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”
Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.
Photo: Pasadena PD
Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.
The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.
Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.
So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.
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
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Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Announce They Have Ended Their Marriage
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Serena Scott Thomas to Days of our Lives, But What Role Will She Play?
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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”
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