News
IT'S A GO! Jill Farren Phelps Officially Named New Executive Producer at Y&R! Josh Griffith IN as New Head Writer!
Photo Credit: Wenn Photo
After all the speculation it has now become official today when Steve Kent, Executive Vice-President U.S. Programming at Sony Pictures Television making the announcement that Jill Farren Phelps has been named the new executive producer of The Young and the Restless and Josh Griffith had been named the shows new head writer! Which means, Maria Arena Bell will no longer be in either of her previously held positions with the number one sudser and is out at the show! Phelps and Griffith had been working on Hollywood Heights for Sony currently running on Nick at Nite.
Here below is the official press release on the new sweeping changes at the top of Y&R!
We are excited to have such a talented daytime veteran leading our team at ‘Y&R.’ Jill has a stellar record of success in the daytime genre,” said Kent. “We are also happy to welcome Josh back to The Young and the Restless and are looking forward to his creative input and ideas.”
“On behalf of everyone at ‘Y&R,’ we extend our sincere thanks to Emmy Award-winning Maria Bell for her contributions to the show over the last five years. We wish her the best of luck and continued success,” he added.
Phelps has been the executive producer of five daytime dramas and two prime time cable dramas: Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World, One Life to Live and General Hospital, and the first season of General Hospital Night Shift and Hollywood Heights. As an executive producer, Phelps has been nominated for 14 Daytime Emmy Awards and has won seven times (1988–1990, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012).
Griffith’s writing career includes As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Santa Barbara, Sunset Beach, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless and Hollywood Heights. He has received four Emmy Awards and four Writer’s Guild Awards.
The Young and the Restless has been the number one rated daytime drama for more than 23 years and is in its 39th season. The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM; 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television. ”
So soapers, what do you think of the official sweeping changes at the top with Maria Arena Bell out on two counts, executive producer and head writer, and being replaced by Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith’s? What do you think it means for the future of Y&R? Are you hopeful? Or, not hopeful? Weigh-in!
God help us. Although this begs the question…did Bill Bell, Jr have to fire his own wife, or was that a Sony/CBS thing?
Anyway, not looking forward to this. Katherine or Victor will likely be murdered, all female characters will be ruined (not hard at this point, but still), and every child will be killed off in some silly manner. We’ll never get to see Johnny, Charlie, Matilda, or Moses grow up. And poor Genie Francis! She can’t escape JFP, can she?
I think she is his sister-in-law but it’s still going to make for an awkward Thanksgiving dinner.
No, he is married to her! Brad Bell with B&B is MAB’s brother in law, I think this means they have once again kicked the Bells out. I get the impression Sony has taken over.
They went around Bill, Jr. so the decision was not his.
DONT BE FOOLED FOR A SECOND SHE STILL WILL BE HANDS ON THIS IS ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS BECAUSE SHE DISTROYED THE SHOW AND PEOPLE LIKE ME A 34 YEAR VET WATCHING HAVE HAD ENOUGH LOOK AT POOR SHARON DRUCILLA IS GONE THAT IS FIRST TO FIX. FIRE THAT BORE CHELSEA AND NIKKI CUT IT OUT YOUR A HOT OLD MESS STOP WHORING AROUND AND STICK WITH VIC. FAMILY VALUES REMEMBER THOSE. CHELSEA HAS TO GO PHYLLIS HAS TO DO SOME TIME IN JAIL SHE IS OUT OF CONTROL. SHELIA CARTER SHE IS NOT SHE IS JUST A SCREAMING LUNATIC NICK IS SO DUMB WALKING AROUND IN A FOG WITH STUPID UP HIS BUT. THEY HAVE TO HAVE A GAY COUPLE ON THE SHOW BRING VICTORIA ROWELL BACK SO NEIL AND LILY HAVE A REAL FAMILY. BLACK FAMILY. THEY SHOW STARTS CHARACTERS AND THEY DIE OFF. DAISY AND RICKY PLAYED THE HELL OUT OF THOSE ROLLS HOW STIPID TO FIRE THEM OMG ADAM YOUR BETTER AS A BAD BOY YOUR BORING NOW,
Chrissy i just sit down and watched almost 7 episodes and it was difficult to say the least, this show needs sooo much help. I am not a fan of JFP but it has become the Phyllis show and plot lines dropped aging kids within 3 months 10 years or more . I will start watching again when she takes over and it has not improved then I shall say goodbye how can you miss something you do not even recognize anymore . If it was up to Josh Griffith VR would probably be brought back and everybody would be told deal with the drama, but read Jeanne Coopers interview with Michael their has always been some drama going on.
I am not exactly happy about this news, but it makes me think that Sony wants to keep Y&R around for a while.
That being said, any of us who care about the integrity of Y&R should not sit quietly if JFP decides to get rid of all our veterans! With the media and social networking at our fingertips these days there are ways to be heard.
Y&R get ready for your vets to be fired, Newmans and Abbotts to be murdered, violence against women.. Children to be offed one by one and soap heroines ruined beyond repair and expect her FoJ to invade the show
THIS. IS. GOING. TO. BE. GREAT.
I have ZERO issues with Ms. Phelps right now. And Griffiths is going to do better than all three former HW’s combined.
You sir are going to so regret your comment. To use your way of commenting:
MASSIVE. FAIL. INDEED.
I disagree. I reserve my right to believe that JFP is going to do amazing in charge of Y&R. She was far superior on GH than FV/RC are right now.
and she won 7 emmy’s! including for Gh the year she was fired!
EXACTLY TANI! Maria has won little to nothing under Y&R’s reign, JFP won daytime awards.
I agree with you both, I do not watch Y and R on a regular basis the new characters do not engage me. The cast at GH loved JFP, and I can not blame some of the slow stuff solely on her. The new duo at GH have done some good things. Mostly bringing back old favorites. Others not so good.
So maybe JFP can do this on Y and R also
The beginning of the end. Glad MAB is gone, but having JFP in will be Jeanne Cooper forced to retire, Eric Braeden Back burnered or Killed off in a magor who dun it, Nikki leaving town with some billionare, Jack turning Jabot over to the mob. Genineve made insane, (actually she is somewhat), Paul Back burnered, Faith and John killed off.Iames Franco as Ricky’s twin obsessed with Victoria. I think they just killed the show.
You know what, JFP might not have been the best exec producer GH has ever had, but holy toledo does Y&R need some new blood up in there! Stories are so bad and stale! MAB was driving that show into the ground, pass the torch to someone else and see what they bring. I’m all for it.
Might NOT????? Are you on something???? GH fans fled in droves during JFP tenure. Let me repeat something…EVERY SOAP THAT PHELPS HAS HELMED IS KAPUT…CANCELED…NO LONGER AIRING….except for GH. GH was on the BRINK of getting the ax this year for crying out loud. All you people who think this is a great idea are deluding yourselves.
What a charming, tactful and polite person you might be. I’m sure your friends must love you [insert sarcasm here].
Is this REALLY worth you getting so defensive and worked up about? It’s like you’re taking what I said (and it appears what many others have said too) as a personal affront to you. Newsflash, the world revolves around the sun.
Every soap JFP has fronted may be gone, but so are a dozen others that she had NOTHING to do with. In fact, while I’ll relent she was the most responsible for Another World’s cancellation based on the decisions that lead up to it, she was not executive producing ANY of the shows (GL, OLTL, Santa Barbara) when they were cancelled. NONE of them! Moreover, are ATWT, AMC, Loving, Ryan’s Hope, The Doctors, Dark Shadow’s and In Search of Tomorrow’s demises her fault too??? Goodness you make it out to sound like she is single-handily responsible for the demise of the soap opera!
GH’s position last year of cancellation was AS MUCH to do with ABC/Disney wanting OUT of soaps as anything else. They didn’t want to fit the high bill for the cost of programming that isn’t making any money in return. Frank Valentini worked like a dog trying to decrease budget and increase efficiency and ratings and yet his show was STILL cancelled.
I’m not saying JFP didn’t do her fair of destruction. I am NO fan of her’s so you can get your panties out of their bunch. The damage she and Guza caused to GH IMO is irreparable- no amount of bringing back from the dead, rewrites or flushing out mob characters (though it doesn’t seem like FV/RC are in that much of a hurry of accomplishing either at this rate anyhow) will rectify all the horrible choices and decisions made in the past decade.
What I AM saying is that Y&R is a sh*thole right now. Characters SUCK. Storylines SUCK. And there appeared to be no end in sight because of loyalty to a name. All I’m happy with is that Y&R is getting new management. Will JFP bring Y&R back to it’s glory days? Probably and most likely not. But she will have different ideas for the show and where things should go and above all else, THAT is what I’m looking forward to. Something new in a stale environment.
And with that, I will not be feeding into your BS again. Harass someone else.
TIME FOR CHANGE READ MY POSTS BELOW
What a charming, polite, and TACTFUL person I MIGHT BE??? Wow…who is moderating the comments on this site. You are the one who was cursing. Who’s getting worked up? Have met comments? Comments, please meet Jules. Why beat up on me as I was just reacting to your comments. JFP elicits far more negative reactions than postive. If you have high hopes for her & YR, then by all means, have at it. I, on the other hand still am angry over how much devastation SHE is responsible for. Thank you so much for saying I was harassing you….you might not want to continue to view comments or maybe live in the outside world if you have such thin skin. You want something new in a stale environment, well, Jules, Phelps will give that to you in spades. Good luck and please be more adult yourself!
Let’s just see how JFP does with Y&R!!!! Not sure about her as EP but let’s wait and see how she do!
Happy with Josh Griffiths as the Head Writer!
Am a little worried about the vets but don’t want to jump the gun just yet!!
There is no reason to believe that Jill has changed. She has repeated her same pattern on at least three shows of which I am aware. Why should YR be any different. Those of us who are familiar with her garbage are not jumping the gun we are bracing for the inevitable crash impact!
Dont be naive Derrick. Its time for fans to mobilize before she destroys YR , its already in a damaged state now!
Not naive. Really don’t know much about JFP except GH and I hate GH!!!!
Geez. She trashes every soap she works on, and she never seems to learn anything from her mistakes–and they think she’s the right person to fix Y&R? Admittedly, the show is a mess, but replacing MAB with JFP is going from frying pan to fire. It might be a different kind of awful, but awful it still will be–and Jill does the kind of damage that CAN’T be fixed.
Lordy, lordy, lordy. All the people out there they could have chosen, if they finally decided MAB had to go–and this is who they come up with?
(Josh Griffith I have no problem with.)
Where is Hogan Sheffer in all this?
On the other hand, once she either fires Genie Francis or drives her away, maybe there’s finally a place for Genie back at GH, where she is missed.
I would like to see Genie Francis back on GH.. But she must have a contact with the Y&R ..For how long I don’t know exactly..I think maybe a 2-3 year contract … Maybe when her contract is up maybe she will consider going back on GH…Who do you like Luke with Anna, Tracy, or Laura(if she comes back on GH) ????????
good luck Y&R you will all need it. Genie come back to GH and bring the rest of our former GH cast. JFP will make Sony pay for their biggest snaffu ever.
She ruined Another World by killing off Frankie Frame. After that disaster, the show went down hill. I just recently read the 1st thing she said to Vicki W. (Rachel on A.W.), “Oh you’re the actress I can’t fire.” With her track record, 3 soaps will be left.
So true, she ruined AW which was my favorite soap!
JFP has serious women issues. Frankie was not only killed off but her murder was shown rather graphically for the FULL hour! Phelps made beloved GH heroine Laura Spencer end up drooling in a loony bin after making up that she was molested….which completely made no sense of GH history. GH’s beloved Emily was by her boyfriends twin brother and later killed off.
What do you want to make a bet that it is Sharon Newman that gets raped on this show they have set the groundwork by making her everybodys volleyball it makes me sick.
OMG. I totally remember how she ruined Another World. I cried when Frankie was murdered.
Bill Bell is turning over in his grave! I dont care how many Emmys GH won while she was there it wasnt due to her. She was incompetent, inept and just plain dumb! She ignored and rewrote history. In concert with Bryan Frons and Bob Guza she turned GH into the Sopranos.
She practiced rampant age discrimination among the cast. She turned off many key actors and they left the show. She was a disaster. And from what Ive read from fans of OLTL and AW she did the same things at those shows!
I thought we were rid of her in daytime. YR is in trouble! Sony has their heads up their rear ends! I can’t say enough derogatory about her! I’m running out of vocabulary!
Exactly. JFP is the reason Robin Strasser left OLTL in the early 2000’s. I am not a viewer of the Y&R, but God help you all over there.
Instead of fresh blood they keep recycling hacks like JFP. Y&R stood out from other soaps for years, JFP is gonna damage the show more than improve it. Y&R started going downhill since Katherine overlong amnesia plot a few years back.
not place the for this I know, but dd you see GH today ???
WOW it was good !
I Tivo both, brian, watching Y&R first because GH is like a great little cliffhanger every single day! I agree. So amazing! What a turnaround they have made. I think the OLTL integration is working, for me (at least with Roger Howarth – love that guy!).
THE SHOW SUCKS I HAVE WATCHED 34 YEARS THEY HAVE NOT ONE HOT DESIRE LUST COUPLE THEY HAVE THAT SORRY EXCUSE FOR A WOMEN THE TROLL CHELSEA THAT ISNT HOT THEY ARE THE WORST LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO MY FAVORITE GIRL SHARON SHE IS THE MAIN CHARACTER FOR YEARS! SHE NEEDS A HOT MAN! VICTORIA ROWELL IS SO TALENTED SHE HAS TO NOT MAYBE HAS TO COME BACK TO SAVE THE SHOW. THEY NEED TO LOOK IN THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE TO WORK. PHYLLIS IS A SICK HOT MESS ALONG WITH NICKY OMG! NIKKI AND VICTOR ENOUGH YOUR LIKE 80 GROW UP! ABBY IS HOT AND A SPIT FIRE LOVE ABBY WITH CARMINE BUT CARMINE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE MORE MATURE. AMBER WAS THE BEST ALSO DANIEL CUT THAT DAMN HAIR. GEEZ SO MUCH NEEDS TO CHANGE. KEVIN NEEDS A JANS NOT A CHLOE SHE HAS SUCH A PROBLEM! OY VEY TIME FOR HEADS TO ROLL BRING DAISY AND RICKY BACK THE BEST TWO PEOPLE IN OVER A YEAR AND SHE CUTS THEM STUPID STUPID
Thank heavens MAB is finally gone! I’m no fan of JFP but she’s definitely the lesser evil by comparison to MAB.
Let’s hope you’re right.
Lesser of 2 evils??? Honey, you are so wrong on this one. Your going to pay money out of your own pocket to get MAB back! I’d start saving up now!
Here is a list of just a few female characters on soaps she has destroyed. OLTL back burnered Vicki,Dorian and broke up Nora & Bo. The worst murder scene in daytime history Frankie Frame on AW, killed off beloved Maureen Bauer on GL and was responsible for Beverly Mckensie just quitting, fired Anna Lee from GH and destroyed the Quartermines tried to get rid of Rebecca Herbst on GH. As disgusted as I was with MAB you might as well light a match I know how bad it had become but it is already out there that there will be a bloodbath among the actors. It is funny how EB from Y&R is taking off in contract negotiations and Jess Walton will probably not return for sure now anyone over 40 is doomed!!!
Well that’s the end of yr as we know it! Just when I was starting to enjoy it. That crazy beotch ruins every show she is associated with. Sony apparently DOES want out of the daytime business. Thus bringing in the hack to destroy another soap. I am so discussed.
She don’t need to be EP at Y&R. She is horrible.
Sony tossed the Joker and then pulled the death card. The show is doomed. Josh Griffith is a good writer but JFP is a bulldozer that mows down anything positive about a show. This lady has no respect for female characters or for a shows history. The suits at Sony don’t have a clue.
This scares me!!
I hope she doesn’t try to steal any GH stars and i hope she lets Genie Francis come home to GH, sorry Y&R fans but this women is going to sink your show.
Aria read the newest column on the blog here concerning GH they are not interested in bringing Genie Francis back. They handled and dodged the question like a typical politician!!
I am taking a wait and she attitude as I am not familiar with any of the writing the new people have done, but hopefully “new blood” will bring the Y & R back in the ratings. Wish them luck, but will really be scrutinizing what they do to my beloved characters and will certainly kick up a fuss if they start to ruin what has been an iconic soap for the last few decades
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result…..Well, giving JFP a show to lead and expecting her to have fantastic results is completely insane!! How many shows does she have to run into the ground before TPTB get it? Quit recycling people from one show to the next and get some new blood in there. It’s time for things to change in the soap genre.
Well said! At least MAB is OUT. That’s the only good news to come from this.
I blogged yesterday when I heard this news in lament. She is coming and I wiil give her the benefit of the doubt, Josh G as head writer is amazing. If and when she ruins Y&R I will tune out and again she will be jobless, however I will not sit by quietly as she fires all of my vets. She had better prepare herself for the backlash that Brian Frons recieved and lead to his firing. To JFP: “This is an opportunity to prove your worth and learn from your past mistakes, don’t repeat your mistakes and show that you have not only learned but have grown from them. We the fans are watching and can tune you and your show out at a moments notice.” Good Luck!
Repeat your mistakes???? How can she when her mistakes have resulted in EVERY SOAP THAT SHE HAS HELMED IS KAPUT! GH barely escaped with its life and dignity intact. Hey, I wish YR well but you can’t say you guys weren’t warned.
ANYTHING HAS TO BE BETTER BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN ALL THE 34 YEARS I WATCHED THIS SHOW DAILY IM STARTING TO SKIP SHOWS. IF THEY SHOW THAT DISGUSTING CHELSEA WHO DRUGGED AND RAPED AND STOLE FROM MEN ONE MORE TIME I JUST FAST FORWARD, SHE MAKES ME SICK, DRUCILLA AND SHARON WERE THE BEST CHARACTERS ON THIS SHOW FOR YEARS. NIKKI IS A TOXIC HOT MESS I CAN LOOK AT HER STUPID CHILDISH HATE AND NASTY COMENTS WITHOUT DRINKING MYSELF!!!! NO FAMILY VALUES ANYMORE. NO LUST PASSION DESIRE ALL YOU HAVE IS CRAZY PEOPLE LIKE PHYLLIS THAT SICK TWISTED NUT WHO OVER ACTS AND PATHEDIC BORING COUPLES LIKE CHLOE WITH KEVIN AND CHELSEA WITH ADAM. WE LOVE ADAM BAD AND WE LOVED KEVIN WITH JANA BEFORE THEY DISTROYED HER ALSO, MAB JUST LIKES TO MAKE EVERYONE CRAZY. NO ONE DOES CRAZY LIKE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN DAYTIME HISTORY AND THAT IS SHELIA CARTER! BRING DAISY BACK SHE HAS A LOT OF STORY IN HER. TWO SISTERS ERICIA LOVE JOY AND DIANA AND RYDER AND KEVIN AS BROTHERS. DAISY IS THE NEW AND IMPROVED PHYLLIS. VICTORIA ROWELL WILL SAVE THE SHOW, SHE IS SHARON’S BFF PHYLLIS’S ENEMY AND NEILS TRUE LOVE. MAKE THE NEW HEATHER GAY BRING ON LH FROM THE L WORD SHE IS PERFECT .
I am not an MAB fan so I am not bothered by her leaving the show. I don’t know anything about this Phelps woman but, based on the comments I have read, her past performance doesn’t sound great. Frankly, I would have preferred a return to Ed Scott or someone else associated with the great past of this show. If that was not an option, how about someone completely new to daytime?
The constant recycling of the writers and producers from show to show is a huge part of the problem with the soaps. I think most of them, while experienced, are creatively bankrupt.
Besides MAB leaving the show, I also am breathing a sigh of relief that the dynamic duo of soap killing, Chris Goutman and “alleged writer” (I genuinely question her ability to even pen an envelope) Jean Passanante, are no where near Y&R. IMO, those nitwits single handedly destroyed ATWT.
JFP is the WORST EP daytime has EVER had!!!! Danger Will Robinson…DANGER!!! She loathes strong women….has them either raped or killed off…or heck, even both. She allows history to be thrown out the door. She allows violence and darkness to permeate EVERY area of whatever she produces. EVERY SOAP SHE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF IS KAPUT….can her track record get any worse? GH escaped barely from her total disregard for that shows brilliant history and legacy. I used to love GH until she wiped out most of the Quartermaines. She allowed Luke Spencer to kill a child by running over him with a car. Allowed a teenage boy, Michael, to be RAPED in prison. Made Laura Spencer a drooling lunatic in a psycho ward. Allowed GH to become the daytime version of The Soprano’s. I swear this woman hates that soaps should feature romance and strong women. I can’t even comprehend how some of you are defending her. JFP, Bob Guza (her other head writer in crime) and Brian Frons should all be tarred & featured and propped up for all to see at the next daytime Emmy show..if there even is one. TOTAL BLECH INDEED!
You are absolutely right, Robbyrob on all counts!! This has to be the worst decision made since Brian Frons and his cronies dismantled All My Children and One Life to Live. The soap opera genre is definitely living on borrowed time. And, because of this, I don’t want to watch what William Bell created turned into total crap. It just isn’t worth it!!
Is JFP as bad as Chris Goutman, EP of the now defunct ATWT. After seeing the horrible end of ATWT, I can’t comprehend anyone being worse than CG in daytime soaps history. And, I hope the new HW, JF is not anyhting like Jean Passanante, HW of former saop ATWT. CG and JP have to be the worst EP-HW pair in daytime history for the way they completely destroyed ATWT.
She’s bad in different ways from Goutman. I would not want either one of them associated with a soap I cared about.
Griffiths is nothing like Passanante; he can write. On that score, they have made a very good choice, I think.
Get ready to say your goodbyes to TYATR–Jill Farren Phelps is the kiss of death to daytime television.
I first thought, glad to see MAB go because I have not enjoyed her overall stories for years, but now reading people’s comments, maybe JFP isn’t a good idea. I guess we’ll see.
I have no experience with JFP – I’ve only watched “Y & R”.
Mind you, an EP is at the mercy of others above her (I’m sure Brian Frons strong-armed her into some of her doings at GH over the past 11 years – that man was Satan’s Toe Jam!) – networks execs, studio execs – I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt and see what she brings to the “Y & R” canvas.
As for Josh Griffith, he was written for “Y & R” before and his work was decimated by MAB and SH even before Hogan Sheffer lifted his poison pen to paper at ” Y & R” in 2008. The show has been on a steady decline for years and with much luck, I’m sure he can turn this plot-driven mess around – again, we have to wait and see.
For me, the biggest problem I had with MAB at “Y & R” is that she was pulling double-duty as EP and HW – the same duties Lynn Marie Latham pulled during her tenure. By juggling the two positions, MAB was clearly not focused; the show’s direction and current state shows that in spades!! Because of this, the show’ cast is WAY OVER-BLOATED, too many children have been SORAS’ed to the point where it negates and retcons previous stories and show timelines; too many failed storylines, too numerous to list.
Worst of all was MAB’S inate ability to create horrible, one-note shrill characters that nobody likes but her: Genevieve, Anita, Chelsea, Tucker, Avery, Sofia, Harmony, Angelo, Angelina and DAISY!!!!! UGH!!!
Let’s give it a chance, people!!
AMEN I HATE CHELSEA SUCH A WAIST OF AIR TIME! I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS SHOW FOR 34 YEARS I HAD SOME TERRIFIC IDEAS OF STORYLINES I EXPRESSED AND PEOPLE WERE GRIPPED . HOW DO YOU SCREW WITH THE ONLY SEXY WOMEN LEFT ON THE SHOW LIKE SHARON. SHARON WAS THE MAIN STORY THAT KEPT THIS SHOW ALIVE FOR A LONG TIME. MAB DESTROYED HER!!!! NIKKI IS LIKE A TOXIC HOT MESS LIKE A CRAZIED OUT NUT. PHYLLIS IS A PIRANHA WITH RABIES THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN. THE TANGO WITH RICKY AND DAISY WITH THERE LIITTLE NAUGHT PLANS WERE FANTASTIC!!! YOU DON’T KILL OFF THE TWO MOST EXCITING PEOPLE ON THE SHOW!!!!
Just what is the hiring process for an EP of the soaps. Do they have to submit some form of a storyboard, express ideas in advance for characters or is it simply a traditional interview. It’s already been questioned here as to why the same EP’s and Writer’s cycle through these shows. It’s astounding that lessons are just never learnt – the same EP’s that have been involved in major show disasters be it ratings or actual cancellations just move to another show time and time again. In the past mismanagement of the shows were loudly talked about and reported — is this now the responsibility of the fans after networks/companies make such stupid hires? Boggling to me that the companies that say they want the genre to survive continue making hires that in any other medium would probably not occur.
JFP is to soaps what Cruella DeVille is to dalmation puppies. If Y&R makes it out alive it will be stunning.
I don’t understand it. A lot of Y&R fans hated MAB so much and still do that they are willing to overlook the fact that this new EP has ruined EVERyTHING she’s touched. EVERYTHING!!! And while MAB may not have been the best…and she’s had horrible stories, at least Y&R still features the vets in frontburner stories. I can still turn to that show and recognize that it’s Y&R. And even most of the newbies are legacy characters…offspring of the vets. This is so sad…it’s like people WANT to see Y&R die, and I’ve been calling it for years now…that’s why I was happy for the devil I knew because we should’ve all learned from past experience that daytime isn’t going to hire fresh blood. They’d just resort to the same show killers that have killed the other soaps. DUHHHH…..smh
These responses crack me up; so predictable. Everyone has been bemoaning and skewering MAB for how long and now there’s someone new coming in and she will be the next target of the haters (and supposed fans) of Y&R.
Some people aren’t happy unless they’re bitching, just saying.
I’m looking forward to the new crew helping to continue the winning formula that Young and the Restless has always had in spades: Best Production, Best Cast, Best Writing, etc. etc.
I won’t tell my 85 year old mother that her favorite show will be going to hell in a hand basket. I just know I won’t be watching. Waiting for Revenge to come back in the fall. Now that’s good drama! Daytime has forgotten how to do it. My TIVO will have more room on it now.
Yes I have another comment. Didn’t MAB being let go show us something? What she did to the other soap operas life is DIFFERENT now. Thank God for the internet, FB, Twitter, blogs, etc, etc. WE HAVE A VOICE SO LET’S CONTINUE TO USE IT. Let’s give her 6 months. If she is as bad as everyone is saying let us start the campaign.
I know things can never go back to the way they were with William Bell.
We can’t go back in life life but we can move forward and Sony owes it to us to give s the best they can. Now we know MAB was not it (sorry anyone has to loose a job but she didn’t listen to the viewers didn’t make much sense to me since they who are shows are written for) let’s give this new one a shot. And if she doesn’t work….NEXT!!!
SOAPER 4 LIFE!
Sony must want Y&R gone if they would hire that hack soap killing executive producer. I wanted Maria Arena Bell gone, but now I want her back. As bad as Maria is, Jill Farren Phelps is A TRILLION times worse!!! She has a proven record of destroying soaps; how the hell does this woman keep getting hired in the soap world?!
I can already see what’s gonna take place as soon as she starts her reign of terror. Character assassination, S***** storylines, violence left and right and women being treated as doormats. Not to mention the firing of MTS, DD, PB, EB amongst others since Jill hates older characters and actors over 50. If Y&R fans think Y&R is awful now, they haven’t seen anything yet!!!!
PLEASE END THE AWFUL CHELSEA!!!! SOO BORING!!!! WE LOVE ADAM WITH SHARON AND A LITTLE NAUGHTY! THEY ARE ACTING LIKE 9 YEAR OLDS PLAYING SPIN THE BOTTLE. NO CHEMISTRY NO PASSION!
BRING BACK DAISY SHE IS AWESOME AND HAS A A LONG STORY IN HER.DAISY STILL HAS TWO OTHER SISTERS ERICIA LOVE JOY AND DIANA. HER MOTHER SHELIA IS A LEGEND. DAISY IS THE NEW AND IMPROVED PHYLLIS!!!
NKKI IS A HOT MESS AND NOTHING BUT TOXIC SHE AND PHYLLIS MUST GO OUT WITH THE OLD TRASH ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
CHELSEA IS THE FIRST TO GO!!!! HATE HER SO ANNOYING AND i FAST FORWARD THROUGH HER. IM A 34 YEAR y&r VET. SINCE 1978 i HAVE BEEN WATCHING. SAVE THE SHOW BRING VICTORIA ROWELL BACK!!! DRUCILLIA IS LARGER THAN LIFE!!!
VCRTORIA ROWELL AKA DRUCILLA WILL SAVE THIS SHOW SHE MUST COME BACK. BEST CHARACTER EVER ON Y&R. SHARON SECOND!!!!
the only thing that I have to say is that during her GL tenure. the show wasn’t that bad and maybe i am wrong but wasn’t several years after her departure that show finally met its demise? did she run it into the ground? I am not sure all i know is that when she left, the stories got more boring with each passing day
For those of you saying/thinking, “She can’t do/be worse than MAB, ” be very careful. That’s what many of us said about Latham, and look what happened.
JFP knows how to produce, but her idea of how to interact with cast members is what’s likely to kill Y&R. Look for at least one major firing within the first few months (she likes to come in and put fear in the hearts of the cast by firing somebody who should be untouchable, so that everyone else falls into line; my bet would be Melody Thomas Scott), as well as people Jill has known from other shows (aka “Friends of Jill”) to come in, often in roles for which they are poorly suited. (Generally FOJs can act, so that’s a plus, but she has this habit of casting them in roles that are very wrong for them, and sometimes she does so at the expense of firing fan favorites to put her buds in roles they are wrong for.) Also look for ongoing turmoil, as I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a cast that was happy while she was EP.
This is, after all, the woman who drove Beverlee McKinsey away from Guiding Light in the early 90s.
I just have to shake my head. MAB needed to go (although I wonder, personally, if Hogan Sheffer is the bigger problem, and I’ve been waiting to see where he fits into all of this), but I cannot get over the idea that out of all the possible choices, this is who they think is the right person to replace MAB. Stunning. (But consistent with Sony’s bad decision making in regard to Y&R for a long while now.)
I hate to say it but Y&R’s days as the #1 soap are numbered. What that woman (and Bob Guza) did to GH was horrible.!!!!! I don’t watch Y&R but I still don’t want the show ruined and sadly it looks as though it’s inevitable. JFP is nothing more then a soap hitman!
It seems clear that MAB was not listening to TPTB and to some of the old-timers on Y&R who felt that there were too many characters on the canvass. Indeed there are, and I’d rather see them go (Anita, Chelsea, the ridiculous Jeffrey, Carmine) than some long timers. Also some of the new hires have been busts (Tucker-not dynamic, Harmony–no magic to her character; Sarge-what’s his purpose?, Genie Francis–could we give her a consistent character?) Yes, I’m afraid that JFP will do major damage to this show–did TPTB know of her reputation? Do they want her to gut the show? I am liking this Phyllis hot mess plot line, though, one of the better ones in years. I like Jeff Branson and would like to see him more involved with the major characters including Phyllis and Chloe. But why not try him out with Sharon or Lily? For some odd reason, I like the chemistry between Cane and Lily, and would rather see them try to manage twins than to see them involved with ridiculous plots. I think that Daniel and Kevin have been on a bit too long for their own goods and really need to think about the next steps of their careers. Kevin only really worked with Jana, and Daniel excelled playing off of Amber. I know people love Braden and wouldn’t watch the show without him, but without a dynamic plot he’s just redundant. Do people really adore watching him and Bergman seethe at each other? What I hope is that JFP gets rid of the characters but does not KILL them off. That just seems too nasty and often comes across as the EP hating certain actors and wanting to show them, “well, we’ll see about your complaining, we’ll kill you off and have you accidentally turned into horse food!)
Maybe now GH can return to Number 1 with JFP destroying Y/R. She destroyed GH… and now it is back to its former glory. She ruined our beloved Laura Spencer and sent GH to a ratings dive.
She is a monster… hopefully the cast and crew will petition to get her out. The only bright spot:
maybe we can get our Genie back on GH! Genie is now royally screwed on YR.. JFP is so jealous of her
beauty, success, and presence.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2024 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.
Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.
When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.
Photo: ABC
LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES
Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.
“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS
Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.
Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
The five-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”
So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route. Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Besides his role in the soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared on primetime on Touched by an Angel and Rescue 77 , and played Bo in the Days of our Lives specials Night Sins and Winter Heat in the early 90s.
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
General Hospital
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
Kayden Brenna Tokarski took over the role of General Hospital’s Scout Cain from her predecessor Cosette Abinante on the July 20th episode of the ABC soap opera, when they decided to age-up Scout. Abinante has played the part since 2022.
Now, as the story has been unfolding, viewers are witnessing Scout’s journey and burgeoning teenage romance with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) and the conflict she’s caught in the middle of between her brother, Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn) and her father, Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison).
Since Tokarski has arrived on the scene, Scout has shed many tears and been in the middle of some heavy emotional beats. On Sunday, October 4, Kayden Brenna Tokarksi took to her X account and dropped a video message to all General Hospital fans.
Photo: ABC
During her message, Kayden addressed how General Hospital has been handed down generations within her family and how she had watched the soap before having the incredible moment of actually becoming a cast member, plus fans positive and negative comments since her debut.
Here’s what Kayden expressed, “I just wanted to come on here and show my gratitude for General Hospital. It’s been the largest dream come true. Seriously, I’m pinching myself. Every single day I get to come to work, and work with the incredible cast and crew. My mom grew up watching with her mom and I watched with her. So it’s very full circle. It’s insane that this is my life. I wanted to give a huge shout out to Cosette who played Scout prior. Thank you for building such a beautiful foundation, and really large shoes to fill, but just such a phenomenal, brilliant actress and young woman, and I just wish you all the best.”
As Scout has grown in front of our eyes, Tokarski shared, “Thank you to everyone for your grace, welcome, and support as Scout is transitioning into a teenager and more. I have never been on a soap opera before, so as I’m navigating this new world, thank you. Thank you for all of the positivity and also negativity, because I don’t look at it as negativity. I look at it as a way to learn and grow and evolve because right now.”
Being on a soap opera is always a work in progress, for any actor who has never fully performed in the medium, it is like no other, with the pace and how it required the actors to make things work often without much rehearsal time. Kayden added, “I’m at a stage where I’m figuring out what works for me and what doesn’t. And if we take it too far, we’ll pull back. Don’t worry. Thanks for being in the ride with me, I hope you stick it out and keep watching General Hospital.”
You can check out Kayden’s video message to all General Hospital fans below.
Now let us know, have you been enjoying Kayden’s performance as the teenaged Scout? Do you appreciate her addressing her love of the show, plus how she hopes to continue evolve in the role? Drop a comment in the thread below.
A message to all the wonderful fans of #GeneralHospital 🙏🫶 #scoutcain https://t.co/ofXCTFcuNx
— Kayden Brenna Tokarski (@KaydenTokarski) October 4, 2026
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