News
Jean Passanante Confirms She Is No Longer With The Writing Team Of Y&R!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Ever since Chuck Pratt Jr. took over as head writer of The Young and the Restless, fans had wondered what the fate of his predecessors, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante would be. Altman has moved over to a different capacity with Pratt’s writing team, but Passanante is no longer with the number one soap opera, something she confirmed on Twitter.
Passanante related to one of her Twitter followers: “I’m no longer with Y&R so I’m glad you’re still with me!” Previously, Jean has written for As the World Turns, One Life to Live, General Hospital and All My Children, and has been known for writing character-driven story.
Some Y&R fans felt some of the stories were lackluster during Altman and Passanante’s storytelling on the iconic Y&R. However, now many fans have strong opinions on Chuck Pratt Jr.’s storytelling as well.
So, what do you think about the news that Jean is no longer with the writing regime at Y&R? Comment below!
Y&R is still a hot mess. MAB, Josh, Jean, Chuck writing have been full of SUCKAGE.
PRATT is a Hot mess ,MAB was better then he is at the present time IMO. Hogan was her number#2 so why wasn’t he blamed for the bad Stories? I loved what she and Shelly Altman were doing the show was more character driven but now it’s all over the place. JFP needs to go alone with PRATT
You are right. Some days it’s just too stupid to even watch.
I totally agree its getting worst
Pratt swears he is trying to shake things up this is his style and I guess we live with it. I watch the days on my DVR that I can stand it and delete the rest Phelps won’t be going anywhere she has won two Emmys now for them. She likes Pratt so I don’t see him going anywhere . I know one ex actress who worked under her all she said to me if she likes you she treats you like gold if not the firing squad.
Phelps has shoved her FOJ’s down the viewers’ throats since she showed up. Steve “Plywood” Burton is a prime example. She ran off Stafford, Miller, and Muhney, then replaced them with her buddies. The show has gotten worse by the week as it deteriorates into a camp, cartoon show. None of the characters that have been on the show for years is recognizable. It’s exactly what Pratt did on ALL MY CHILDREN. Now it’s dopplegangers, new faces, and Scooby Doo murder mysteries. Drivel and nonsense are the best descriptions of today’s Y&R.
What so does that mean, that Jill Farren Phelps didn’t really like Matthew Atkinson, so she allowed Chuck Pratt , Jr. To kill off his character ( Austin ) and that includes Courtney ( Kelli Goss ). I mean really, how can anyone not like Matthew Atkinson, he is the Most Absolutely Adorable Handsome Hunky Guy #YR has ever had. I am REALLY PISSED OFF that Jill Farren Phelps allowed Chuck Pratt to pull the rug (CONTRACT ) right out from under his feet. That was a low blow.
I have nothing against Lachlan Buchanan ( Kyle), he is handsome and is doing a good job at playing the part but For me Matthew Atkinson(Austin ) is the one I would choose any day of the week and twice on Sunday!!!!
Well I guess anyone who writes for the characters is off limits to this Pratt guy YR is a big freakin mess and he is responsible the stories are so messed up it leaves my head spinnin and each and every couple has been broken up or cheated on or some kind of miserable depressing drama. there is no happiness allowed in GC there is no real love or romance its just pure sex with nothing of feelings or love I guess Porn does the same thing. Anyhow in my opinion Pratt has to go the show sucks right now and i barely watch anymore been watching since 1991 and have never seen such garbage
It’s not all bad–there are some decent stories.
What irks me is when characters act totally out of character and they don’t have the all convenient double to blame it on.
For instance, today Neil was in on Victor’s scheme to forge Jack’s signature on the Newman/Abbott merger contract. No way would the Neil we all know and love take part of that scheme. First, Neil has too much integrity and second, Jack is a good friend of his who has been there for him. The other example is Phyllis. Phyllis knows Jack’s heart and soul lies with Jabot. Jabot represents his father’s hard work and success—it’s the manifestation of John Abbott’s American dream–a dream he had for himself and one which he intended to hand down to his heirs. Phyllis should know more than ANYONE that Jack would never merge Jabot with Newman and put the family business in danger of a hostile takeover. He especially would not hand this business over the mustache. NEVER! Phyllis should realize something is up with Jack and join forced with Ashley to protect Jabot from a hostile take over.
I agree with you about Neil and Phyllis. Nikki knows that Victor had some fingerprints and that he was planning on a takeover of Jabot. I don’t understand how she could sign documents allowing Victor to steal Jack’s company. I also don’t understand why Sharon is hated by Nick after all the rotten things he did to her after Cassie died. I have watched every episode of Y&R. I like the idea of bringing Adam back but this Adam is not clever and devious as the real Adam. Also why did he not figure out Jack was an impostor considering that he also is an impostor. He knows better than anyone that Jack would never allow Victor to merge their companies and let Victoria oust his sister Ashley. Jack has always been about his family and company first and foremost. I hate that this stroyline makes the Abbots, Phyllis, Neil, Nikki, and Adam stupid and not the cunning business people that they are.
Hey Dee, I agree that Chuck Pratt has to go, bring back the other writers and bring back Matthew Atkinson, as Austin and offer him a longer Contract. I MISS him so Very much.
I haven’t watched Y&R in weeks. I can’t watch what is happening to this once great show.
Y&R is unwatchable!!!
I think it’s sad. Things started out slow with Jean and Shelly,but I thought the show had gotten better by the end of their run. Chuck Pratt is really bad. This weeks shows have been horrendous. I would not be surprised to see a ratings drop in the coming months if things don’t change because of strong fan backlash on Chuck Pratt’s stories.
Sad-a word I use often. I’m not a seasoned Y&R viewer, a part-time viewer over the yrs due to time constraints. Been watching regularly for the last few yrs. Agree, Robert, things were slow with Jean & Shelly but my past comments show they were perking up & getting a bit tighter-then BOOM!! The rug yanked out from under all of us. I do love my “stories” & love my now flexible hrs to view&comment more. So it’s sad the quality, thus the fun is gone from this show-1 of only 4 soaps left!!! I don’t know, I would assume Y&R has the biggest budget & Nielson says has the most fans. It seems they could experiment here or there-many things needed an overhaul, but this is the most drastic change of a soap I can recall ever seeing. Now he seems to be changing things JUST for the sake of changing. Not just a few, but everybody’s changing partners, regardless if there’s chemistry, fans, etc. Every personality has changed as well. Everyone’s doing a 180-so WHO NEEDS DOPPELGANGERS?
Good things:
Hair, makeup & wardrobe is top notch
Show has a much needed sense of humor
Everyone’s raising their acting game
Regardless if the umbrella sl’s work & regardless if you like a character or not, more of the cast has be onscreen (many missing)
Pace is better
A dud of a character, Dylan, has been revived almost overnight, IMO-they’ve shoved him everywhere, doing different heroic things, but he’s on fire now out of the coffee house, saving innocent friends, carrying a gun & kissing Sharon. A 180 in a good way!
Good luck, Jean!! Hope to see your work again.
Hey Robert, I agree. I hate what Chuck Pratt has done to #YR. To me he is ruining the show and the fact that he has gotten rid of someone who worked hard to earn himself a contract and that should have given him job security, that person was the Most Absolutely Adorable Handsome Hunky Guy #YR has ever had his name is Matthew Atkinson(Austin ). I am so Pissed OFF, SAD and HEART BROKEN because Chuck Pratt pulled the rug ( CONTRACT ) right out from under Matthew Atkinson’s feet and when he did that, he took away my Favorite Fella on #YR.
CBS/Y&R should pay whatever amount of $$$ Ron Cavalarti and Frank Valentine from General Hospital ask for, so they can take over Y&R and save it!!!!
Ron and Frank have been a godsend to GH and saved it from being cancelled but a warning should be sent along with them. They will rewrite history with some of their characters and they are very campy. I like them but I dont thing long time Y&R fans would.
completely agree, they tell a very different type of story and, in fact, they’re very much like Pratt. quick, campy, outrageous, over the top, plot driven. they think soap viewers are like prime time viewers who want everything fast and shocking, but they’re wrong. soap viewers are invested in the CHARACTER not the plot. yes, we want to be entertained, but we’re entertained by fun conversation at Crimson Lights between two beloved characters and not jack in a straitjacket. i cannot believe this stuff is actually getting on the air
michael,,
GH is not campy.. it has less than once was….
I have seen little camp. and I like camp, soaps are renowned for their campyness.. GH is not ”outrageous” it hard hitting drama and luv the humor, also..
The GH couples are great.. GH is involved, and not for everybody it is for us cool people who get it, GH is not a traditional soap, do not expect it be ..
the characters of GH are intriguing an the actors are the best of the best..
All the soaps are different, some very traditional however GH is not..
Perhaps you need to find the right soap for you and stick to watching only that soap 🙂
GH=entertainment=good stuff ..
Timmm, hi
I have not seen ”campy” in quite awhile.. just soap stuff..
the stories/ Michael and baby Avery, not campy
Luke’s journey, not campy
Luke and Duke, not campy
Ned and Olivia, not campy
Jake, not campy
All, just really good entertainment drama and some campy humor that is always fun..
soaps are not documentaries.. they are campy and not ordinary programming nor are they meant to be, they stand alone in their campyness drama ..
that is why soaps are made of fun off on SNL and Letterman etc, soaps being made fun, sarcastically mocked, is normal lol ..
GH is varity, I like that..
Su000, even Ron says GH is very campy now. Dr O is the utter personification of camp. And what about all those masks which were either burned off or peeled off? I am not trying to say camp is good or bad, but it’s just an objective statement to call GH campy because it just is.
No freakin’ way! I quit GH after years of watching because of their comic book stories.
is no one in cbs or sony paying attention? why screw with something whens its not broken?
in one year we get two clones , both masterminded by the now unredeemable once conflicted victor newman
hilary went to great lengths to lie that she manipulated both neil and devon for revenge and then in literally two episodes she screws a prosecutor and admits her true feelings to devon, no longing , no torture…… no believability
victoria is now a zombie minion of her father carrying out his orders, screw ashley and her office, “oh my sis just screwed my bf after i lasked him to protect her, oh well!”
summer yes, was played supposedly by austin, another stupid twist, but “nukyle looks hot , hey i ll screw him, but now he s changed… uhm… forget it”
michael is now pimping his wife to cane of all people
is jill and colin alive?
nick could care less his former love and mother of his children is clearly being set up for a stupid murder but also happy his step bro is this close to nailing his ex!
???????
this show is all style and noooooo substance, all plot and noooo soul!
A very good post.
Yep, I agree!
Damien I totally agree with you!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself!!
Thank you for those excellent points!
I am VERY worried about the future of Y & R. Chuck Pratt destroyed All My Children and now it looks like he is headed that way with Y & R. Why doesn’t CBS see this? The storylines are getting so ridiculous. Y & R has always been about characters, and now Pratt is giving us ridiculous stories and getting rid of other writers like Jean Passante. How many more writers and characters will fall?
I thought Jean and Shelly were really hitting their stride before Pratt came. I hope she finds new work soon.
I thought so too, Aden.
I agree Shelly and Jean could have made Y and R what it should be because I was enjoying it..a little slow but they were new too and being women I am sure they would have kept our favs recognizable Really the show sucks big time and People say dont watch it then, well I only watch for Lauren and Michael since Pratt took over because i have invested 10 yrs of my time to this couple but if they keep messing with them and having the lovely Lauren with that lying snake Cane i am so outta here for good and probably will only watch Michael unless Lauren is away from Cane he brings them all down to his level of boredom
It was nothing to write home about but give me Jean and Shelly’s Y&R storytelling over that of Chuck Pratt any day of the week.
OK, lets get real-
Altman and Passanante’s storytelling wrote the year long boring go nowhere story of the ”music box” <– that is one of many= snore
Prison should be justice for that one .. aha!
Anyways.. a fact-
I FF or fell asleep watching during 2014 ..
I believe I should write.. get thing moving, shaking and breakin !!
No doubt none would FF or fall asleep with Y&R in my hands!
and- I always have and still do like Pratt …
Yes, things are getting alive under Pratt.
I agree su0000, the music box story was the worst story I’ve seen on any soap in a while. This week so far has been horrible, whoever has their name on it?
and there is still another day left this week. How ridiculous was the abducted Jack scenario and the “Caribbean police”– it was so poorly developed that it’s a wonder Americans are safe to travel to any island now!
and then Sharon breaking parole…. really ridiculous plot line. And, I almost threw up my lunch when Victor says, “she is breaking the law.” I could not stomach that comment coming out of his mouth.
the car accident– we knew that was coming days ago.
Sharon/Dylan kiss– we knew that was coming days ago… and then to handle it like a couple of teenagers.
Now forgery of Jack’s signature?
Think it’s time to watch view the mute button on, since the most exciting things are the set designs.
hoping some of the ridiculous story lines will come to an end soon. How many times can you rewrite a doppelgänger story? At least a dozen if you’re Y&R. Enough already!
Pratt will write a doppelganger love story…Doppelganger Jack will fall in love with doppelganger Jill. Then they will have children named Jack and Jill who go up a hill to fetch a pail of water, but the well will be dry because the writing will end…
They won’t do this– this takes planning and it’s evident little planning takes place these days. I mean, how many “weddings” have their been with 24 hour’s notice?
Why be eager for end to current s/l? They are just going to be replaced by another absurd s/l
I dont know who is responsible for writing this weeks episodes but whomever it is should be fired AND not allowed to write anything other than cartoons for prison inmates! How in the hell do you write in a script that Jack calls Kyle when he gets Kelly’s phone and not Phyllis? That shows the viewer that they are far from revealing Yack’s true identity. Secondly, how much more stupid can you possibly make Sharon Newman. I’ll tell you. You write a scene where she runs out on Michael while still under house arrest and goes to a bar where everyone knows her and declares that she is ALMOST free! The Mustache couldnt dial 911 quick enough! And speaking of that “Bar”, this was their chance to dump that horrible Underground and what do they do, built the same damn ugly bar who rarely has customers! Oh, and to be super cheap they just use the same damn set as before the cave in. I love Y&R and will NEVER stop watching it because I am a fan for life but this shit is getting old!
This is all very funny and very true. Thank you.
Yeah, my favorite line was when Sharon is standing there telling Christine that she’s not stupid enough to leave all these clues leading to herself if she actually were the murderer. Ummmm…but you’re stupid enough to escape house arrest and go to your ex’s party? HAPPILY?! Come on! I about threw my lunch at the television. I agree about the bar! We had beautiful Glow Worm and beautiful On the Boulevard and we get stuck with that seedy crap hole. Haha even Faith was disappointed. And I hate the changes they’re making to the athletic club. Wintersafying it. The Athletic Club is supposed to look classy and expensive. Not sleek and modern. So now they have this carved wood with lime green accents.
Yeah the club being exactly the same was lame– the look on Faith’s face when Nick explained why it did, pretty much summed up my reaction too– LOL.
The one I found the most hilarious was a few years ago when the Club blew up, it was totaled. Then a week later it reopened– and everything was exactly the same, the chairs, the tables, the glassware, the trophies the display case, even the same oranges in a bowl by the bar– it was too, too funny.
And the Sharon thing was beyond belief. She forgets to take her meds, and she’s out the door, acting all wacky, la ti da, I’m not doing anything wrong. Then she is amaze she is arrested– then she threatens to run off. Then Mariah reminds her to take her pill, she does and then suddenly she accepting, mature, and actually persuades Christine how lame the case is– really Christine and Paul, both seasoned professionals could not have seen that on their own– they needed Sharon on meds to explain it to them– it is so horrendously bad writing that it made my skin crawl–
but like you I will watch, because if they are trying to destroy this show, I won’t give them the satisfaction of not watching, so they can get their way. If they are not trying to destroy it then I will wait this out, because sooner or later, they will change writers again.
Oh my goodness, these comments are so funny and so true!! I had forgotten about GloWorm. I loved that place and I miss Gloria and her wide eyes and pointy pointy fingers. Sigh.
Be afraid…be VERY afraid! This show ain’t long for this world with the crazies running things. 🙁
Y&R IS CERTAINLY NOT THE SHOW IT USED TO BE……RECORDER ON FOR SOME TIME SO WE CAN SKIP OVER THE JUNK AND GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS TAKEN OVER IN THE TIME SLOT HERE!!!!! REALLY A SHAME SUCH HORRIBLE WRITING LIKE NOW…..
I have no idea what Pratt is doing over there but it is a crazy mess the fact he gets paid big bucks for doing it is even crazier.
Look, I get its a soap and I’m all for suspending disbelief but the Tale of Two Jacks is just utterly ridiculous, poorly written and poorly acted. The acting isn’t bad because of the actors but because of poor writing and direction. The cabin Murder is just as stupid and it couldn’t be more obvious that it was Yack who killed Courtney and Austin. Victor is behind it all and will get away with it AGAIN. Sharon Case is doing the best she can with what seems like a different writer writing for Sharon in every episode. Calling it a Hot Mess is being kind.
I will add one more thing and then I will shut up about it! Those two emmys Phelps has are from scenes Mm&BM did lets see her try to pull something out of her hat for next year.
I cannot believe what a plot-driven mess of a show my beloved “Y & R” has become – another doppelganger (Jack/”Yack”) with a psycho woman attached to it (Kelly), another silly “whodunnit” which will have no payoff whatsoever since nobody liked the supposedly-dead characters anyway, even more destruction of the Sharon Newman character – I don’t even recognize it anymore!
Hey Bart, you are wrong about no one liking the characters who were killed off. True not that interested in Courtney and yes I am sad that ( Kelli Goss) lost her job and the character of Noah ( Robert Adamson) lost the woman he wanted to marry but I adored and still do about Austin (Matthew Atkinson ). For me Matthew Atkinson was the Most Absolutely Adorable Handsome Hunky Guy #YR has ever had and was my Favorite Fella on #YR, what I mean by WAS is because he isn’t on #YR anymore. You have no idea how much I Miss Matthew Atkinson not being on #YR and how painful it has been watching the soap. So don’t go saying that there wasn’t anyone who cares about the characters of Austin and Courtney, because I DO!!!!
Jean and Shelly’s version of Y&R was very lackluster. Their stories were boring, dull, uneventful and not very climactic. However, the show was getting better towards the end of their run, before Pratt came in. Now, the show has spun into a pile of craziness. I do like some of the things Pratt has done, but it doesn’t feel like Y&R. The flirt with disaster week in February was exciting, but it was such a drastic shift from traditional Y&R that it felt forced. I don’t think Jean and Shelly were the right fit for Y&R, but I know that Pratt is definitely not either.
The problem with Y&R is that none of its writing regimes in recent memory have been consistent with the history of the show, they way they used to tell stories, and what fans of the show come to expect. Dating back almost a decade ago to the Lynn Marie Latham days, the show hasn’t really recovered with its following regimes. MAB was fine at the beginning, but then became a disaster towards the end; Josh Griffith failed to inject Y&R with intrigue or drama; Jean and Shelly told slow, boring stories that lacked interest, and now Pratt is turning Y&R into a circus of parading madness.
Y&R needs consistency with its writing, and a regime that will stay true to the history of the show. If only Kay Alden and John F. Smith would return as head writers. The show hasn’t been as good as it was back when they were at the helm.
I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment.
That being said, I do think Passanante’s announcement is good news for Y&R for reasons I discuss in another post here.
I dunno – I would take lackluster over the HORRIBLE writing we have seen lately.
Take today for instance. Sharon is convincing Christine that there is no evidence against her. Fine, we all know Sharon didn’t do it – but honestly, if Christine is supposed to be as smart as we know she’s supposed to be, why wasn’t she coming back to Sharon with the obvious answers anyone who has been watching the show would know? For example, Sharon says, “how would I get into the police station and erase all those files?” Uh, seriously? That’s her defense? Christine could have easily said, you broke into a lab in the hospital and SOMEHOW managed to switch DNA results!!! HELLO?
Or, Sharon asks, “Do you really think I would use a tire iron to kill him and leave it out in the open for someone to find?”. Uh, YES, you just thumbed your nose at your bail, you admitted to your kids that you forgot to take your meds, and you generally are a bimbo, so YES, YES, YES.
Instead Christine purses her lips and doesn’t say a word. Anyone writing for the show now ever watch it in the past year??? These are DETAILS that thinking individuals who care about the storylines will notice.
It seems as if these writers think that at the viewers want quick storylines and that we are stupid.
This Kelly/Jack storyline is utterly and completely UNWATCHABLE. I can’t stand it. It’s so 1982!!! Who writes this garbage? I had to look away from the screen while Kelly was crazily smiling at Jack while he was wrapped in his straitjacket. She convinced those two guys that she is a doctor? It’s just so lame.
The Abby and Stitch affair is unbelievable in that I don’t believe Abby would get together with Stitch.
The only redeeming factors on the show right now are the actors whose faces are familiar, and the wardrobe. That IS IT. Somebody save this show!
One more point and then I’m done: when the whole cabin storyline unfolded, I was excited. It was a different narrative technique. For years I’ve felt the burden of knowing the truths that the characters don’t know and waiting for long months for them to unfold. Knowing that Adam gaslighted Ashley, knowing that he stole Faith and gave her to Ashley, knowing that Nikki’s been drinking for the billionth time, knowing that Sharon left Phyllis at the bottom of a flight of stairs, knowing the truth about Summer’s paternity – dude, that’s a lot to just sit there and take. So seeing the flashbacks of the effects of the punch, having everyone wonder who the murderer was,…it seemed like a fun and different approach. I was intrigued and I was pleased to NOT KNOW. I wanted to find out with the characters for a change.
HOWEVER, and I mean HOWEVER IN THE BIGGEST CAPS POSSIBLE, that storyline has become so tired and old. And more importantly, messy. The writing is uncontrolled and the story has lost momentum. There was that period of messages hastily scribbled in compacts and on mirrors and now Sharon being framed. Lots of talking heads, lots of people avoiding talking to the police regardless of Paul’s credibility in the community and connections with every big family in GC…so boring.
Also, the amount of sugar consumed by Faith is ridiculous. She is one more peanut butter milkshake away from diabetes.
I hope Peter Bergman is getting double his salary and is giving half of it to Cady McClain.
That is all.
Lucia, what a great post! I agree with your every word.
Yes, on one hand Sharon seemed to be telling the Cricket that she’s too smart to leave all that evidence lying around and the other, she seemed to be saying she’s too stupid to get into the department’s computer.
I would bet that Bergman hates this storyline. That actor has a lot of integrity. I think Cady feels let down that her multi dimensional character has been reduced to a poor man’s version of Misery’s Annie Wilkes. Kelly doesn’t even mention her little boy anymore and I keep waiting for Jack to mention him in order to convince her to do the right thing–in the name of her son.
Thanks Harry. I’m with you – I’ve been waiting for Jack to mention her son too!! It would humanize her a bit. She looks so creepy-crazy now, it’s like she’s a completely different character!
The story line/plots are a little far fetched. I agree this Kelly/Jack story line is completely bizarre. How was Kelly cremated without a family members consent? Her brother didn’t question anything nor had a memorial for his alleged deceased sister -. Their mother just vanished – she was an interesting character. A pregnant Chloe made a brief appearance – then vanished again. A lot of pre developing plots then the storyline goes flat. But this soap writing staff is a million times better then those of the Bold & Beautiful. Talk about stupid. The Bold & Beautiful has turned into a comedy. You want to laugh, watch the show. The writing is so bad. there no storylines just brainstorming ideas that made their way on screen. Y & R still has a grip.
As a long-time viewer of ATWT and Y&R, I can’t believe some of the comments here.
I vividly remember how HORRIBLE ATWT was for the entire decade that Passanante was its head writer. I will go to my grave thinking that her utter lack of writing talent was a major (if not, THE major) factor leading to the cancellation of that show. It was sad and painful to watch how that show declined in the years that she was its head writer —- ignoring the veteran characters; forcing “pet” new characters like Janet down our throats; dull, uninteresting, and completely unoriginal plots. It makes me mad as that show still had so much going for it and could have been good IF written correctly. Its “death” was completely unnecessary. After the announced cancellation, I vividly recall reading (I believe on THIS site) her comment that she wrote to the “history” of ATWT. Passanante’s comment was ridiculous. She hadn’t done that at all — which drove away a LOT of long-time viewers. The only thing that I don’t know is whether her remark showed complete arrogance or showed she had absolutely no clue what she was doing.
After that experience, I almost shivered when I heard that Passanante and her “magic crayon” were moving to Y&R as head writer. I’m not a huge fan of the current direction of Y&R and candidly admit it has had issues for the past 7-8 years. However, based on what I’ve seen of her writing, I am pleased to hear this news. She has exited the show before she likely would have done to Y&R what she did to ATWT.
I have NOTHING against Ms. Passanante personally. However, professionally, as a daytime soap writer, I firmly believe that she is in the WRONG line of work. From observing her writing product for over a decade, I honestly do not believe that she has the talent for this type of work.
I wish Ms. Passanante well in her future professional endeavors……………..in a completely different line of work!!!
Barbara I completely agree. As a life long ATWT fan who suffered through Jean Passanante dreadful work, I agree she has no busy writing for any show.
Count me in with all you said, Barbara. I don’t think she was with Y&R long enough to judge fairly (though I had a similar reaction to yours when I heard she had been hired, what I saw of her work on Y&R did not impress me), but her time on ATWT was horrible (and as I recall, she and Leah Laiman did a similar hack job on the last year or two of Another World, too). She may have excellent ideas and write “in character” or “to history,” but she has absolutely no idea how to execute a story successfully.
That said, I’m no fan of Chuck Pratt’s, either. Here’s a radical thought: how about trying somebody new as headwriter who doesn’t have a trail of dead soaps behind him/her?
Never, ever, EVER did I think I’d be saying that LML was the least of the evils of the last seven or eight years. The show, though it had real problems, was still watchable under her.
Come home to Salem…come home to DAYS.
After reading the deep dislike for Pratt and the stories, in this thread;
All still watch, daily..
Since Pratt arrived the numbers have risen..
so-
to all who don’t like it and still watch, that is a very good thing for Pratt.
Y&R numbers will not go down, it is either a quid pro quo deal with Nielsen or whomever or Y&R has millions of fans who hate it yet watch therefore saying ”I’m happy”..
This soap lately has been nothing short of disappointing. I used to be a huge fan, loved every character. I was in awe of the talent in writing and the acting. The delivery of the story lines through the characters. But now I feel every character on this soap that I had invested in is a different person. They seem to be out of character. At first I thought it was because they lost 3 good actors, MS, MM, and BM. I stuck around to watch and see where the story lines would go because I was totally vested, but now the stories are plot driven with campy acting. The character arcs are not once what they were. Sharon is a mess yet again, Chelsea is cheating, Billy is humiliating Chelsea being a total hypocrite, Victoria is now Victor’s minion and then the whole scooby doo mystery -whatever that is, is ridiculous. All these characters have their flaws but I feel like they all have lost their class. The redeeming values are now void and I don’t recognize the growth they once had. You always want to pull for a character even when they are bad. Thats why I loved the Chadam storyline so much. We watched them fall in love, struggle with loss, and suffer consequences to their poor choices. Being able to watch the possibilities of something sorrowful and watch how a tragedy can bring forth forgiveness, love and overcome obstacles. Thats what this show once was. Now I feel its a whole lot of hoopla plots to try to engage an reality tv audience. I don’t get it. What happened??
Pratt has decided to toss out any history with these characters. They do things that make no sense. I’ve lost interest in about 80% of the show and the old vets are no longer recognizable. I’ve also noticed the reliance on cue cards by the actors now, which indicates last minute re-writes. Phelps reign has made Y&R a joke now. Sadly, the loyal audience and viewers are now suffering as this once great soap sinks into one big mess. CBS needs to listen to the fans, but that is doubtful.
Marsha-
you said;” viewers are now suffering as this once great soap ”
not true.. they watch, every day..
why would a sane person punish themselves by watching what they hate or don’t like lol
they chose to watch and ”suffer” so they must like Y&R or like suffering ..
you and all the sufferers will tune in tomorrow without fail
then the numbers stay up and that is all that counts so no need for change ….
I’m a fairly recent Y&R viewer since the demise of OLTL and AMC. So I don’t have the other commenters history with the program. Have watched GH for years and we are also always “critiquing” the storylines and writers. But I don’t like what they’ve done with Sharon since I started watching. And how can Phyllis not know the difference between the “love of her life” and the doppelgänger? Devon and Hillary…don’t get me started. Why Does Nikki stay with Victor? In just the last couple of years he’s pulled off some beauts, and for Y&R vets I guess these are par for the course. Way preferred Sage as Connie, and Colin as Scorpio on GH. Thought they had a good mystery going with death of Austin at the cabin, but it seems to be in a stall. Stitch was better as a doctor…now he’ s just a shadow of that character. Do like Justin Hartley as Gabriel/Adam. Am impressed with Camryn/Mariah and Gina/Phyllis.
Charles Pratt must think all Y&R fans are total morons it’s an insult to our intelligence where does he come up with this crap! Time to get a writer that will at least make the show believable make it what it is a SOAP OPERA not a cartoon!!!
Giner,
soaps are very far from ”believable” they are campy fiction..
Never expect a soap to be ‘believable’ lol
soaps are a lot of cray cray ! an escape from everyday real life..:)
You really haven’t watched many soaps, have you, su? Quite a few them have been believable. Extraordinary things may have happened, but the reactions of the characters to those events were believable, and they were allowed to have a modicum of intelligence. Their actions made sense within who they were as people, and the writing enabled us to understand why they acted as they did.
And Y&R in particular was well known for that kind of believability (though it was not the only show that was known for it).
A soap needs balance, there has to be some type of action, you can’t just have day after day of endless conversations that basically say what they said the day before, but it can’t be all action for action sake either– As a viewer I need to be able to relate to the characters even if they are campy situations, I still need a thread of understanding that is rooted in reality.
For example, a character like Kelly was a tormented soul, so how does a tormented soul go from that, to deranged? If you don’t explain the steps, don’t show the process of her breakdown, how can I relate to her as a character. She stops being a character and becomes a plot device–
It seems soap writers have forgotten how to write action, without making the action the star. The action should be explaining who the characters are to me, so I can live for an hour their lives via my imagination. Sadly, on all four soaps right now there isn’t one writer that arouses my imagination anymore– Now instead of losing myself within the characters and stories, I am reduced to judging them. It is like I am watching for the outside, not involved.
I don’t care how modern of an age we live in, what focus groups think or what is trending out there– storytelling is as old as time itself, it hasn’t change– a good story brings the listener or viewer into the story, your imagination is alive, as you see yourself in the story, you become the character in your mind, you live a tale you may never otherwise live, or live a tale close to your own– it as simple as that.
I used to experience that every day on the soaps, but nowadays it more like moments, here and there– like yesterday, when Michael was telling the hooker what he wanted– that was a moment, I could feel his pain, understand why he was there with a hooker instead of being with his wife, I got it, I lived it. But one moment, here and there isn’t what daytime drama should be. Unfortunately, entertainment value has replaced storytelling– a cat be entertained by a ball of wool- that doesn’t make the wool great art—entertainment is different beast altogether– so soaps still entertain me, but at times I really miss the artistry of well crafted tale.
Why is it so hard to write character driven stories while having an engaging plot? It is the purpose of writing.
If Passanante wrote for many soaps notice which one is not on the air right now…who ever doing the writing right now please let Victor get what coming to him. It’s time for Jack to win.why let Michael feel sorry for his self cause he has cancer he was always a strong man why make him weak?
The show is really boring now and very unrealistic. Most people would know that a person even with a new face or personality. Chelsea n Phyllis are two smart yet dumb women. One for not knowing that sexually Gabe is Adam and the other for not knowing that is not Jack.
The Bold & Beautiful could use Jean’s talent. The writing staff on this show should be fired. Talk about lackluster just plain stupid is more like it. This show definitely requires the flair Jean’s writing brought to Y & R especially if they want to continue to be aired. I’ve already tuned out!
Absolutely NOT! That show has enough problems without bringing Passanante to it.
I wish that Chuck Pratt, Jr. Was never hired because to me he has ruined everything about Y & R. Maybe the other writers were a little lackluster but at least they wouldn’t have killed off someone who earned himself a CONTRACT for a job well done since they were the ones who offered him the Contract in the first place.
He killed off my Favorite Fella. Matthew Atkinson had earned himself a Contract last Sept. 25, 2014 and that should have given him job security for at least 3 or 4 year’s or longer but NO, not with Chuck Pratt, he just sees the fact that Austin Travers had no real connection (blood) to Genoa City so, it’s like yeah, let’s make Summer a widow so we can bring back Kyle and put her with him. Yes, I admit they look good together but if I were Summer (Hunter King), I would have gone to Chuck Pratt and Tell him that he can’t kill off Austin ( Matthew Atkinson) He is mine and you can’t take him away. It’s just that Matthew Atkinson was the Most Absolutely Adorable Handsome Hunky Guy #YR has ever had.
I am so Pissed OFF at Mr. Pratt, for pulling the rug ( CONTRACT ) right out from under Matthew Atkinson’s feet and I am just as PISSED OFF at Jill Farren Phelps for allowing Chuck Pratt to take away Matthew Atkinson and his Contract. I am only watching now to see who the killer is then I am done.
Altman and Passanante were doing fine. I much preferred their story telling to what has followed. I was a five day viewer several months ago; now I’m down to two.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
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