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.
In what was one of the most tearjerker of episodes from The Young and the Restless in a long time, last week’s Tuesday, October 20th episode and its aftermath (for the rest of the week), gave viewers several standout moments by two of its leading men, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) and Mark Grossman (Adam Newman).
The story unraveled such that it played into the deep history between Billy and Adam that dates all the way back to when Billy’s daughter Deliah was struck by the car Adam was driving and died. The heart-tugging scenes following Billy and Sally’s (Courtney Hope) wedding, also played into the history of Adam and Sally.
As Y&R fans recall, Sally was carrying Adam’s child when she was rushed to surgery and their baby was stillborn. Fast-forward: When Billy received a gut-wrenching call from Snapper about his mother Jill (Jess Walton) having a heart attack in London during his wedding reception, he was beside himself and fighting back his tears.
Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Sally was up in her room at the GCAC getting a visit from Adam when her water broke, and Adam was with her through the birth of her new little bundle of joy … a daughter.
When Billy finally made it up to Sally’s room, Adam was leaving to find him and the two come face-to-face! Sally tells Billy to come over to the bed to meet his daughter, leaving us with that heartbreaking shot of Adam with tears in his eyes at the door. A bittersweet moment, indeed.
Throughout the drama of the wedding reception, and the scenes that followed, Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman were given the opportunity to show their acting chops given the meaty material that was well-written and they broke our hearts.
Photo: JPI
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Special mentions also needs to go to Courtney Hope as the new Mrs. Abbott with mew baby in tow, and Billy Flynn (Cane), who along with Thompson had many reaching for the hankies when they learned about Jill.
The scenes between Billy and Cane were fueled with such history as the two “brothers” try to commiserate over what might happen if Jill were to die.
However, when all was said and done, it was Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman, who while not the OG Billy and Adam, brought their rivalry full circle, while each commanding the screen when the moment called for it.
Photo: JPI
That’s why, Michael Fairman TV names Jason and Mark are picks for the Power Performances of the Week.
In case you missed it, check out our livestream chat with Jason Thompson and Courtney Hope, right after Billy and Sally welcomed their new little bundle of joy on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Now let us know, do you agree with our picks of Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman for the Power Performances of the Week, or did you have another pick? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker
General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.
Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”
Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.
Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
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