News
British Producer Mal Young Joins The Young and the Restless!
Courtesy/YouTube
This past week, murmers throughout the soap industry had people abuzz that a well-known British producer joined the production team, and ranks at CBS’ The Young and the Restless!
As it turns out, that said producer is none other than accomplished and former EastEnders producer, Mal Young.
On Twitter, Young acknoweldged he is now with the number one soap opera relating to his followers: “End of week one and loving my new @YandR_CBS family.”
Besides the legendary UK soap opera EastEnders, Young has served as executive producer on many BBC programs and also been a creator or co-creator of several of them. Last year, Young served as a story consultant for BBC Scotland soap opera River City.
We Love Soaps mentioned a quote Young had given to the BBC when he was trying to develop an Ameican soap and as the genre saw its most decimating decline with the cancellations in 2011: “I think we might be seeing the end of an era. Ratings for these shows are dropping, especially amongst younger female viewers – and making reality shows is cheaper. It sends out a warning sign that you can never take the audience for granted.”
Just what Young’s role is defined as during his new tenure at The Young and the Restless has been yet to be officially given out by the series itself. But it certainly brings in a fresh and new perspective when sometimes in soaps the same people behind the scenes get recycled in the American daytime drama scene.
What do you think of producer Mal Young joining the team at Y&R? Comment below!
Breaking News
Network Exec, Angelica McDaniel On Y&R’s Staying Power: “We Have This Award-Winning, Ratings-Generating, Money-Making Show, And It Really Adds Value To CBS.”
This week, The Young and the Restless celebrated 30 years as the number-one rated daytime soap opera. That is a streak of 1,560 weeks in the top spot.
Angelica McDaniel, executive vp daytime programs and syndicated program development at CBS, spoke to the Hollywood Reporter on what has made this remarkable run; attributing it to strong storytelling and a cast that includes several beloved veterans who have been around the entire time.
The executive noted that while other soaps over the years have fallen by the wayside, and even though we are down to only four surviving network soap operas, that Y&R will be around with no end in sight.
McDaniel stated, “We have this award-winning, ratings-generating, money-making show, and it really adds value to CBS. We expect it be a part of our lineup in the future.”
Photo: CBS
She also added, “The Young and the Restless has some of the best actors in the industry — not in soaps, not in daytime, but in television. We have iconic, legacy characters that have been on our show for decades. Melody Thomas Scott will be celebrating her 40th year on the show in February. Peter Bergman just reached his 30th anniversary in November. Eric Braeden started in 1980. We just have an incredible arsenal of actors who are so talented and play these characters so well that you don’t even realize they’re characters. They become people who are part of your life, part of your daily existence.”
As for the continual investment and ways the audience watches the show on various platforms, McDaniel expresed: “The great thing about daytime television is we have loyal, passionate viewers, and they really like to tune in day and date. They want to stick with their stories and see what’s happening today. … Having said that, The Young and the Restless is also one of the top streamed shows on CBS.com. As trends evolve, we are where our viewers are, and we’re making shows readily accessible so they can get their fix and follow their stories.”
So, what do you think about Y&R? Will it remain if and when all other soaps have come to theirconclusion? Do you think it will continue on for years to come, given its position at number #1? Comment below!
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hopefully it will be good for the show!!
Well maybe he can do a better job than Pratt and Phelps. I hope so. Don’t know how much longer the viewer can stand stupid storylines and being dumbed down.
Yeah, with you on the story lines! I totally get the need for villains/bad guys & to keep legends like Eric Braeden, but Victor never paying for his actions is beyond old. His building burning was a very lame attempt at him getting what was coming to him for the whole stupid Marco deal, and just like that – overnight- he is back at the top. Noah so quickly forgave him. The Dr. Anderson story is not working for me– maybe it is for others.
The Dr. Anderson story makes me nauseous. 🙁
Agreed, Reagan. Victor has nine lives, and everyone is his beast of burden. Now, ‘they’ have him chasing Kevin’s abstract new venture…..why? For money or just because? Oh, I guess it’s because he’s Victor Newman and he needs to always have one over on the Abbotts in order for his life to have any meaning. All this postering done solely to keep Eric/Victor constantly front and center, as the primary protagonist.
Then, there’s Nikki. Of all the women in GC to dally with and alienate Hillary, Neil picks Nikki? Really? What a plot twist it would be if Nikki got pregnant! HaHa.
Dear Dr. Anderson! What Doctor makes house calls a few times a week? Don’t family members/friends find this untoward and weird? This woman waits years; goes through medical school; establishes herself as a top-notch psychiatrist; devises extreme and extensive means just to destroy Nick? Is this stuff written by amateurs? I am counting on this producer, Young. He should start by sending Victor and Nikki on a long vacation….preferably to the Bermuda Triangle.
Posturing.
A fresh perspective and an ear to the concerns of the fans are two qualities that are. sorely needed in soap land today. Welcome Mal Young – may you have the chance to make the needed changes to strengthen the soap format!
i’m absolutely puzzled, as i don’t see what he can do at Y&R. this said, i think he did great work at EastEnders. I’m just not entirely sure how it translates, but it very well might. I’m at least curious.
Love it. The genre, at least as done in the US, needs a fresh perspective. Also, I hated what Phelps and Pratt did at GH while they were at the helm so I am glad for another voice for the sake of Y&R.
I will trade Jean and Shelly, the downtrodden outdated/aged beyond the hay-day sticking to outdated ideals, and simply sluggish GH writers and I will throw in a million dollars (after winning the lottery) to bring in Mal Young ..
I will up that with another million to bring in Spielberg… eh !
(y’all can thank me later 🙂
Never heard of him. At first glance, I thought it was Paul McCartney with grey hair.
Interesting to see what he brings to the table. I do like the British storytelling aspect of its soaps.
Yes!
hey CeeCee..
he brings soooooooooooo much more than soap stories, check me out below 🙂
I once commented about the British-my favorite soap is their Coronation Street with its more down to earth realistic middle class working families and the classy period drama Downtown Abbey-i said that producers and writers here should take lessons from them-i too like the British storytelling aspect of its soaps and hope he does wonders at Y&R to convince the others to maybe do the same…and like our friend su says he brings so much more than soap stories…he could be exactly what daytime needs…i have my fingers crossed.
I remember reading that, Jimmy. And, you are right. I find the British and Italian TV offering so much more centered and sensible.
JimL…my fingers are crossed, too. Hope Mal brings some of the Brit storytelling sensibility to Y&R. I would think he’s going to have adapt a bit to a US audience.
Oh, I hear you, jimh!!! Nobody does the “telly shows” like the British!!!! That’s basically all I watch anymore, save for some excellent international mysteries that primarily feature either “Scandinavian Noir” or Italian fare. Not only is the dialogue more intelligently written, but the visuals are usually quite smashing, as well! All around, the productions are superior to those of the States and way more creative! Having said that, it’s too “bad” that “Mr. Mal” isn’t headed to Port Charles….if any soap needs some fresh, sophisticated input, it would be GH. And to think that it was once the top show for bringing on that intercontinental flair via talent from Europe and Australia…we are now down to one Brit (Anna) and a rarely visiting Aussie (Robert)…..such a shame to see how the once mighty have fallen, whilst all we get is a steady, bland diet of Nina, Sappy, Val-Chops, Jordan, Alexis, and company!!!!!
Which is what ellenwheeler attempted in the last days of GL and quite well but viewers and critics panned the show to its demise and you’ll all complain about him and everything else till soaps are forever extinct in America
I’m content with the two BBC soaps and ping aussie soap on hulu you can’t complain those away
One not ping
Huh? I’m not complaining about him. I never watched GL and I have no clue who this guy is. I wish I knew what you’re talking about, dav? Explain, please. To whom are you referring?
On Days…wouldnt it be a nice twist if Lani was sending those bully text to her brother Theo for whatever reason instead of Chase…thats what soaps need…unexpected plot twists.
I am just cracking up, Jimmy. Too funny. Your sense of humor is as twisted as mine. I love it. Lani, indeed. HaHa!
I’m just over all the negativity in general. .whether it’s a full line up of soaps or just 4 no one on the boards is happy. EVER. .it gets grating. .I.E…Days is gloomy. .GH is slow. .Y&R is unrecognizable. .B&B is dumb and on and on. .I’m over all that I want the last four to stay. .people have to watch more than complain. .when that contract is extended for 2 more years then start back with all that. .watch. .watch. .watch. .
I know what you’re saying. I won’t dispute it, neither will I deny it. I am just as guilty as all the other complainers. However, because your comment was in my inbox, it seemed as if you were pinpointing me.
Yes, we should be grateful that there are soaps still running, albeit a limited selection. But, we were used to creative, interesting writing…it’s going from eating filet mignon to eating spam. We are only human, and ad such, we complain. The actors/ actresses are not to blame. They present us with their best. It is the writers/producers/whomever that should stop writing DICK AND JANE fare.
I remember, dav, when I coun’t wait for the next day to watch my faves. Perhaps, when I was younger, I was much more impressionable and receptive….wide-eyed and mouth agape. I suppose, as I age, I expect more. I think we are just venting. Since it’s right there in our face to comment, why not?
Couldn’t.
Hey, CeeCeeGirl! You definitely speak the truth about British and Italian programming, but then you know you’re already preaching to the choir here! Speaking of, I’ve just been enjoying reruns of “Shetland,” and thought of your gran and you. Hope you are both experiencing a “Hogmanay!”
Hi, my lovely, Shay….you go girl!!!!!! We only speak the truth. I also watch RAI, the best entertainment/variety show in the world.
Lol. Hogmanay is very much celebrated by both my Grandmothers, as the celebration has its roots in Scandinavia before the Scots adopted its significance. You know how bold and irreverent the Vikings were….it was more of a rebellion against the norm. And, the Scots more against the ‘new’ religion which opposed anything to do with Christmas….thus, they adopted the new year, as a means to celebrate the holy month. So the practice is enmeshed in more than the Scottish culture….sprinkled with French, as well.
My Scottish grandmother swears that if one makes love for the first time on New Year’s Eve/day, then that love will last till the end of time and beyond. Nice dream, right?
Anyway, I was watching the scene with Johnny and Valerie with much trepidation earlier. I suppose I am seeing the dark side of Johnny? Wow!!!! I feel badly for Valerie….and, if Johnny hurts her, or worse, kills her, it will be on Lulu’s head. She will never be able to forgive herself. I never did understand how she could have engaged someone as crazy, and criminally inclined as Johnny, whom she knows very well.
I truly hope nothing happens to Valerie. I wouldn’t mind her leaving, but not like this.
Love you, Shay…hope you stick around for a longer period of time. You must be busy. Later, mia Cara.
PS.
Hey, Shay. If you are interested; check out the Italian version of THE VOICE. There is this little nun, whose voice is unreal…prancing around on stage. Her name is Suor Cristina Scuccia….google the name. She’s great!
That reminds me, CeeCee….There’s another great foreign offering you should check out….It’s “A Place to Call Home,” a primetime soap opera from Australia. My local PBS ran the first two seasons last year, and now I see the latest one premieres here this weekend. I find it to be a most excellent program with fabulous production values…..it’s set in the 1950’s—complete with the music and fashions of the era as a fabulous backdrop to all sorts of delicious drama. The acting is superb, the plotlines most absorbing and the characters so very well-defined….there’s even a beautiful blonde heiress who is in love with the son of an Italian vineyard owner….he’s quite handsome! They make a beautiful pair!!! Do try to find it and take a looky-loo!!!! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
They may have announced his hiring now but I can guarantee since mid November he’s had his hands on the mixer licking the spoon. .she knows. ..I KNOW. .he had a tryout already and I caught it. .I know British SOAPS
this will be very interesting. he brings a different perspective
Wow! Given his vast (but sometimes controversial) résumé, this could prove very interesting, whether he will be working with the EP or on the writing team. Looking forward to finding out exactly what he will be doing.
Hopefully, new ideas will help the Soap Industry. I mentioned last year that new writers show be used to bring in fresh ideas.
Y&R has been #1 for 26 years so I dont know what his purpose is but if you got the money…
Mal Young was born on January 26, 1957 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. He is a high profile and prolific TV producer and writer, known for many shows including Brookside (1984), Doctors (2000), Holby City (1999), Casualty (1986), Waking the Dead (2000), Judge John Deed (2001) and Doctor Who (2004). Leeches (2014), Trust and Gatwick Gangsters (2016).
From 1997 to 2004 he was BBC Controller of Drama Series. He has been married to Mari Wilson since August 2014 and lives in Los Angeles and London.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Mal Young
also–
From 1997-2004, he moved to the BBC to become the Controller of Continuing Drama Series for the Corporation’s in-house production arm. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the organisation’s in-house continuing episodic drama series. Programmes he oversaw for the BBC included the soap opera EastEnders; medical dramas Doctors (which he co-created), Casualty and the latter’s spin-off series Holby City, which he created; police dramas Dalziel and Pascoe, Waking the Dead and Merseybeat; anthology shows The Afternoon Play and Murder in Mind; legal drama Judge John Deed; rural-set Down to Earth; comedy-drama Being April and science-fiction series Doctor Who.
Lookin’ good for Y&R….
Thanks, su. Now, I have some background on him. Saves me time to look him up. LOL.
Later, babes.
I was curious about him, so thanks, Su!
I think this will be so good for Y and R.
He’s also known for his soap event style of wiring. Taking a slumping show and throwing so many sensational i.e. catastrophe stories at the audience. .this is why CP and JFP like him. .I’ll keep watching cuz I love my soaps but it’s about to get crazier in GC..that said I’m still on board. .hopefully he’ll up the production values. .well be looking at a new model before long and I’m on board with that too. .
Writing
I love Eastenders, but the way storylines pace often more in real time, and the comings/goings/returns of characters sometimes (ala characters in GH) — U.S. soap fans want have little patience for delayed gratification & that kind of writing, I’m afraid. Hopefully he will do good things for that show (don’t watch Y&R) and the industry overall, however. Kudos to them for thinking “outside the box.”
Have no idea what this means. However, times have changed. Losing younger female viewers does not mean writers need to write more scenes in the bedroom and explosive scripts that are not believable. It may mean with the new technology that the writers have dumbed down scripts losing the bright young viewers who know when they have a good story to follow versus a “silly season.” They find a way to see it no matter what the time shown.
I truly wish everyone well in this endeavor. Beyond mediocre stories which have hurt; quit a few excellent actors have been dismissed.
I’ll be interested in seeing what his role will be, is this the end of Phelps and PRATT? we shall see
Brett is right , JFP is still the excutive producer of the show time will tell if she is out meaning in months ahead if the ratings going down.
Be careful what you wish for if he is replacing JFP and the Pratt. UK soaps are so boring, just the same handful of unimaginative stories over and over again – affairs with the neighbours YAWN, however Brookside was the one decent soap the UK ever had, Eastenders is the worst and it’s SO depressing! I don’t consider this good news at all.
I watched one of his shows last night, Dalziel and Pascoe, and have seen his name at the end and thought Mal was an odd name. Means bad in Spanish. Hopefully he won’t live up to his name.
“Mal” is short for Malcolm, Mo.
Thanks.
‘Mal’ is actually Latin, where words such as ‘malignant’, ‘malevolent’ etc., are derivatives. It means evil. But, as Bart said, Mal is short for Malcolm.
My guess? They’ll do what they always do: bring somebody like him in for a “fresh perspective” and then ignore what the person says because it’s not what they want to hear. Soaps are still successful in the U.K. (certainly more so than here). There’s a reason for that. Unfortunately it runs counter to the last two decades of “wisdom” among U.S. television execs about what it takes to make a soap “work” (never mind that that “wisdom” hasn’t gotten results—they’re still clinging to it). I wish Mr. Young luck, but I suspect most of the things he’ll tell them they need to do are the same things long-time soap viewers have been saying for years and years and years—and been roundly ignored. May he have better luck than we have had!
Exciting news! I know TPTB will keep the Young and the Restless’ brand alive… their production values have always been the best, but I’m hoping to see more location shots and a bit more of the immediacy that B&B often utilizes. Here’s hoping that the addition of Mal means that we’ll see more of that.
Location shots, while expensive, can be SO engaging for the audience and make the characters seem a bit more real.
I actually disagree. Once they started doing location shoots on As the World Turns, their foot that wasn’t in a grave landed on a banana peel.
Fact is;
Soaps are old old old and need to be restructured, renovated, made new.
They are falling and they can’t get up !!
This is a positive sign that someone at SONY or CBS see that there’s something wrong with this show. Let’s see how quickly Mr. Young can step in and fix this shipwreck.
YES!
can’t believe it’s already a year…
since the plane crash last February
Maybe he can turn into something real people can relate to? Right now it’s just a celebration of the 1%. “Daddy made me COO” said the 23 year old…. Ridiculous.
Remember when this show was about The Chancellors and The Fosters? Jill as Katherine’s paid assistant…. It’s fantasyland.
Thank The Gods They Do Need Fresh Ideas!
I love it! It’s very exciting. As is pointed out in your article, behind the scenes people DO tend to be recycled. Fresh eyes to see new possibilities.
Maybe it’s an exchange program. Who is going to the U.K.? 😉
I watched the Eastenders in the past and enjoyed it. For me, what I would say the biggest difference is, Eastenders is about working class people. I don’t really want to watch that. I’m living it. I like to watch people who have some money. 🙂
Is that why Y & R show have gotten so terrible lately? It is so absurd now! Victor in jail! He is the the main, best actor on the show, the only reason we all watch. W/out him the show will be a flop!. What is she doind. It’s no wonder the ratings have dropped. And why are you dragging the whole story lines on & on & on, I, and a lot of us are getting bored. Get a US person to write & produce theis show, after all this is a US show, not a bBritish show. The old writer/producers knew what they were doing!. You’re going to have a flop on yr. hands soon! Dpo something fast! Hire some one else quickly!
SHOW HAS BECOME VERY BORING AS OF LATE
To mal young I have been a fan of the young and restless for many years. Justin Hartley was a great Adam character but Michael muhney was Adam. His superb acting made the character. I think for the good of the show you should not be afraid to bring Michael muhney back. Since I am only a fan I do know that in real life jealously in the workplace toward somebody as talented as Michael can happen. I hope you have the guts to rehire Michael and give the fans who they want. If the cast does not like that idea it is their problem. I have worked with many people I have not liked over the years. Everyone deserves second chances in life. Hope you will fix an injustice and bring Michael muhney and the show back to what it was. Good luck to you.