News
With Jill Farren Phelps Back as a Producer at ‘The Young and the Restless,’ How Will Her Influence Be Felt?
Earlier this week, news spread that Emmy-winning executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps was back at her former stomping grounds at The Young and the Restless, but this time in a producer capacity. As of now, the top-rated soap opera, is still run by its current executive producer and head writer, Josh Griffith. In fact, Jill and Josh have collaborated before.
As soap fans know, Jill and Josh worked together on the Sony series, Hollywood Heights, and were then brought over to Y&R to replace Maria Arena Bell as EP and Head Writer in 2012. Phelps has been a fixture in daytime TV since the early 1980s, where she began her soap career as a production assistant on Guiding Light and worked her way up the ranks.
Phelps then was at the helm of many iconic and everlasting soaps including Santa Barbara, Another World, One Life to Live, General Hospital, and Y&R. Along the way the often controversial producer has amassed 11 Daytime Emmys with 14 nominations. Phelps won 5 times for her work on GH, and 3 times for her previous years in Genoa City.

Photo: CBS
It has been reported initially by Soap Opera Network that Phelps has been back at Y&R’s studio for the past several months, after previously serving as EP from from 2012-2016. In addition as Michael Fairman TV reported, Elizabeth Hendrickson has taken to becoming part of the directing team at the soap, concentrating more of her efforts behind the camera, instead of her role as Chloe Mitchell, which has been pretty non-existent. In her announcement on her directing tenure, she thanked Jill Farren Phelps.
During her previous run at Y&R as its executive producer, Phelps was credited with improving the production quality, upping the pace of the storytelling and bringing needed energy to the show, but she also faced criticism from soap fans for minimizing core families, sidelining iconic characters, and making the show more action-driven, than character-driven. Still, during her run, the soap opera won the Daytime Emmy for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series in 2014.

Photo: CBS
In the new ratings via Soap Opera Network, for the week of July 28- August 1, 2025, The Young and the Restless was up week-to-week for four weeks in a row now, garnering its largest overall audience in the past 22 weeks, clocking over 3.171 million viewers checking out the action on the CBS daytime drama.
As well, in the key demo of Women 18-49, Y&R scored its best rating in over 17 weeks, and among Women 25-54, it had its best rating in the last five weeks. The question is, does any of this have to do with Phelps, or is it just the storyline that introduced the recast Cane Ashby in the form of Billy Flynn (ex-Chad DiMera, Days of our Lives) and the short-lived murder mystery that ensued?

Photo: JPI
Now, fans are on the edge of their seats, will the return of Phelps to the producer ranks at The Young and the Restless be just that, or will she eventually be back in charge as its EP, or is she just on board for a short-lived stint? Stay tuned.
So, what do you think the return of Jill Farren Phelps as a producer at Y&R will mean long-term for the CBS daytime drama series? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Unless she’s EP, nothing will change. Unless Griffith is canned, nothing will change.
And is not getting canned so long as demos and ratings are the way they are.
I don’t understand why the ratings are so good. The soap is unwatchable.
Me neither. I think people probably just watch it out of habit at this point.
yup
Goodbye Young and Restless your days are numbered with her at the helm
I second that motion!
This is not good news at all.
NOT HAPPY!!!!
My first reaction is “Gaaaaaahhhhhh!”The second one is,” It can’t get any worse.” I stopped watching Y&R about a year ago. I’m on summer hiatus and was able to check its pulse from time to time. With the same circular, redundant and boring conversations that never go anywhere, I can tell you that the patient (Y&R) is still dead. That maze the cast was lost in while going in circles serves as a metaphor for the circular and lost writing. And now Caine, a billionaire, is living in the Genoa Community Beige Hotel Room. If the evil stepmonster of soaps can resurrect the patient, so be it. I just hope she treats the cast kindly and fairly this time around. She is known to treat those who are not her favorites very poorly.
The show killer is back! Hide the heart and soul of the show Beth Maitland Traci could be in trouble! Honestly this show is very weak right now! We’ve been in aremid with Chad I mean Cane . That story was an absolute mess the intro of cane was a fail only thing to root for is Nick and Sharon ! A new head writer is so needed Josh can’t do both jobs so I’m sure that’s why Jill was brought over but sorry new blood is needed not the same old names especially ones that have peaked and hurt the history of many of our shows
I can’t see her being happy as just the producer of Y&R. This should be interesting.
Thank you! Just like when Ed Scott was brought back as a “senior producer” and some people thought he could save Y&R….problem was and still is Josh Griffith. Scott left, and now Phelps is going to step in. But with Griffith as Executive Producer, the show still suffers and most days is unwatchable and you just FF through most of the nonsense.
OMGGGGG WHYYYYYYYY?! Why does daytime continue to cycle this woman who has TANKED so many shows?! She is almost as bad as Brian Frons!
Her collab with Maria Arena Bell was HOT GARBAGE. Where is Ed Scott? Kay Alden? How about some new daytime talent?
At this rate, Beyond The Gates will outpace Y&R and B&B by this time next year mark my words. The storytelling on that show is AMAZING. Bob Guza and Michele Val Jean have done an AWESOME job.
Thank you for the good words on BTG. I love that show and yes, Guza and Val Jean are doing a great job.
Beyond the Gates is terrific bringing back good soapy entertainment with core established families.
I see you, Dottie Simpkins.
Ed left Y&R again in June 2025
I refuse to credit Guza with anything, but I’ve always like MVJ’s work.
If the idea is to advance and to improve Y&R, why do you hire a polarizing producer who has already tried and failed? I would like a strong writer in place, one who focuses on character, understands suspense, lays out a longterm bible. I do not wish to see Y&R become a shell like B&B. Already we have a reliance on meaningless corporate games by people who never work. I would like to see someone face life stakes that alter direction of character and story. And people having to deal with consequences. And no camp passing as evil.
I agree with all of this. How many times must we watch Billy find himself? He started his mid life existential mid-life crisis too early, and now in his late 40s, he’s on part 12 of his journey of self-discovery. An infinite internal psychological Odyssey might be fun for Jason Thompson to play but it’s dull as dishwater for viewers to watch. Hell, I’d rather watch my dog try and find his tail.
Harry…Y-E-S!!!!! Thank You. To me, Billy is always going through some kind of mid-life crisis (or whatever). At this point, I’d rather watch my black cat Sheena play with her toys than watch Billy go through mid-life crisis #whatever. LOL Ridiculous, stupid and tiresome.
Have a good one, Harry.
Wait! JFP killed Maureen Bauer right? I’ll just leave that there……..
And Frankie on Another World which she bankrupted trying to turn into ER.
And she was extremely horrible to Genie Francis while on GH and to Robin Strasser during her brief time at OLTL.
Look up how Beverley McKinsey left “Guiding Light” via an out in her contract that JFP was too lazy and stupid to know about. It’s one of the best BTS soap stories of all time. Beverlee was not about to let Jill play with her.
She has been back at The Young and the Restless for some considerable time now, so we have been seeing her impact. Happy to know she is back in a producer seat at a soap opera.
That explains why viewers have been subjected to Phyllis and Billy engaging in even more boring and redundant marathon navel gazing.
She has zero control over that.
There has been a long standing inside rumors circulating that she has her pets and has exerted some degree of influence over the stories.
Santa Barbara was her baby and never got out of the ratings toilet
And those rumours are but that: rumours. And they’re untrue. She has zero control over story, actor preference, etc.
You may be the only fan that woman has.
I know plenty who do not allow themselves to be controlled by the mass online hatred she has received.
Let’s just hope against all hope that she’s a producer in name only. I would really hate for her to fuck this show up anymore than it already is.
As a (non-executive) producer, JFP does not have power over casting decisions. If moved up to EVP, she’d cut most of the actresses over 50 and kill off members of the core families. Hmm – maybe she did influence the death of the last Chancellor?
She has no control over story/casting.
That’s exactly what I said. The last line was a joke.
Yes she does
No Dottie, she does not.
As a producer? She absolutely does. And she has forced her wants on audiences for decades at this point. I knew Y&R was going to sink under Griffith (and it definitely has), but Phelps may just be the final nail in its coffin.
No, she does not; she is not the executive producer. She is the supervising producer; she is in the booth. Per the definition of a supervising producer:
A supervising producer in the entertainment industry is a key figure who oversees a team of producers and their work on one or more productions, either independently or under the direction of an executive producer. They are involved in both the creative and administrative aspects of a project, ensuring it stays on schedule and within budget while also contributing to the overall vision.
THE problem is Josh Griffith. He cannot write himself out of a paper bag. There is never any conflict on the show. It is dull, dull, dull. Phelps is not the answer either. The first thing that has to happen is to find a head writer (and NOT allow them to be the executive producer). I would get on my hands and knees to have Nancy Curlee and Stephen Demorerst come in to helm the show. They did absolutely phenomenal work during the late 80s and early 90s at Guiding Light. Y&R is my all-time favorite, but I believe those years of GL are the best of any show ever!
I have no clue as to an executive producer. Find new people?!? I remember when As the World Turns took a chance on a non-soap writer in Hogan Sheffer. I know some people complain about his years with his use of veterans; however, every episode of ATWT during that time had entertainment value and interesting storylines. Maybe it is time to find or at least incorporate some new blood into the creating of Y&R, because no one did it like Bill Bell, Kay Alden, and Jack Smith.
The witch is back wow, okay bring back Gina T back as Phyllis she rocked Y& R and her acting skills are missed badly. And keep Zuleyka Silver she’s is hot and she damn awesome!!!!
Gina T is too busy building her shoe empire
Wow that is awesome, great for her! I didn’t know that information.
Y&R is a shadow of its former self. I find that very disappointing, because back in the day, it was the show to watch. Stories were character driven and the payoff worthwhile. Now you invest and get months of nothing. There will never be another William Bell or Kay Alden, but damn, give us an EP with a vision and a SEPARATE head writer who creates a bible for the next six months to a year and you can’t tell where the story is going in the next twenty minutes! I love Eric Braeden and Peter Bergman, but they can’t continue to drive story.The Victor/Jack/Billy feud is so tired! Give us the next generation of Newmans and Abbotts, other than Kyle and Claire.
The show suffers from bad writing and bad pacing. They also focus on too few characters, get some interesting supporting characters which fill out the story and add a little color.
W-H-Y?!?!? WHY NOW?!?!? Currently speaking, Y&R has enough problems already. THE LAST THING that Y&R needs is that HORRIBLY TOXIC JFP back on the show. Y&R…be afraid. Be very, very afraid!!!!! Tick Tock Tick Tock…
Let me preface this by saying that I absolutely recognize and respect the contributions that people like Jill Phelps, Josh Griffith, Brad Bell, Frank Valentini, et al have made to the soap world. There’s a reason soaps are still on today, and the wisdom and experience of people like them are part of that reason.
However, the soap world is BADLY in need of new blood and a fresh perspective. How many times had the Brooke//Ridge//Taylor triangle been recycled on B&B? How many times have Victor and Jack “gone to war” on Y&R? How many times has someone tried to take Sonny down on GH? DAYS seems to be the only show with at least a somewhat fresh take with the new writers.
But as long as veteran writers and producers continue to be hired, or worse, never fired (I’m looking at you, B&B), these shows will continue to wash, rinse and repeat the same old stories. Daytime is full of very talented actors, and it’s a shame watching them get wasted on poor writing.
All of this to say that I think it’s a mistake bringing someone like JFP back to Y&R, when the show is in desperate need of a major, forward-looking change.
They’ve all made missteps, to be sure. But those first three you mentioned? Nothing but…and yet, TV execs keep giving them jobs regardless. (Well, Bell owns his show. There’s nothing to be done for that mess.) And DAYS is…let’s just leave it at “not good” these days with the new writers.
Y&R should change it’s name to the Old & the tired. Ed Scott is over 80. JFP is 75. The main characters are between tbe ages of 50-85. The storylines are repetitive. The writing is weak. I feel sorry for the actors.
I can think of some good EP/writers for Y&R. Susan Bedsow Horgan. Jennifer Pepperman, Christopher Goutman.
Chris Goutman?! Oh, I needed a good laugh.
Call me crazy (and many have) but my top 2 pics for executive producer and/or head writers would be Lauralee Bell or Victoria Rowell.
What well loved and popular character will JFP want to kill off?
I think a long-range storyline of about 18 months long needs to be phasing out Victor. No reason to wait for Eric Braedon to die. I can think of 2 good possibilities. The greatest murder mystery in YR or soap history. Of course this would require a decent police department so I would suggest bringing back Paul Williams and Salena Wylie. With Victor dead, but Eric still alive, Victor can make return appearances as a ghost. Or the show can simply retire Victor to the Newman Palazzo in Italy and then have him much guess appearances for holidays and big events. In a true Victor Newman move, when he dies or retires, Victory could have his brother step in to run Newman pissing off his children.
After a missed opportunity for Robert Newman as Ashland Lock, who could have made a great Victor replacement, it now appears that Cane is gearing up to be the new age Victor. That’s a good shift to a younger generation.
The show should also take a long hard look at characters and trim things down to the core families. I would go so far to suggests the show cut back from 60 to 30 minutes to cut costs and promote long term viability. Writers can’t seem to work for a 60 minute show, but maybe 30 minutes will help with storylines and pacing.
Jack and Diane are a good, stable couple but I think Jack needs to take on more of a John Abbott persona and stay above the corporate fighting and instead be the fatherly/grandfatherly person who is wise, calm and there for his family.
I think the Winters family needs their matriarch—-the return of Victoria Rowell as Drucilla.
Y&R is in desperate need of some “have not” characters—poor to middle class. I think they could bring back Mia, Arturo and Celeste Rosales. There was a good Mia/Nikki connection forming that was reminiscent of Catherine/Jill. Speaking of Jill, if Jess Walton won’t come back for more regular appearances, the character needs to be recast….my suggestion is Chris Weatherhead.
I have watched soaps for a long time. I am one of those people who remember when Mo Bauer was killed on Guiding Light and I believe that JFP made the right call. It drove GL to higher ratings and great storylines for years. But the hiring of JFP shows that soaps are still fighting the last war. The genre needs new storylines and new ideas. You can’t engage the young people we need for the genre to survive with 70 year old producers and writers. At my age I can’t keep up with trends on various social media. There has to be diversity and youth on these writing and production teams or any rebrand you choose is going to fail. Its time to take a chance on younger talent and for studios to have a mindset that you need to train a new generation of talent and stop recycling the same old product.
With Maureen gone, the heart of GL was lost. And then it bottomed out completely. It was NOT a good idea. JFP has never had one, not on a single show she has helmed. She only destroys.
If you truly want some changes stop watching as long as you watch and their numbers are up nothing will change now if they start losing money that’s a different story . The constant talking and boring bs does wear on the nerves no Beth Maitlland will not go anywhere she is not on contract he will bring her out every once in a while and JFP is just consulting . I wish I truly wish they had some fresh new writers to just jump start the show I watched and no offense but Billy Flynn is a bust he should have been a son of the Brooks family they had some history with Victor to make him Cane was a bust
My god, WHY? Isn’t that show terrible enough right now? As proven over literal decades she is possibly the worst thing to ever happen to soap operas, and that’s really saying something.
What will become of all the CBS soaps now that Skydance has taken over Paramount Global? What will their stand on soaps be?
What is this? The Old & Restless? The return of Jill Farren Phelps as a producer at Y&R is not very smart. She needs to retire and remember how she screwed up GL.
Age doesn’t determine how good a writer or a producer can be. For me, it’s based on their vision and creativity. That doesn’t stop once you hit 60. The problem with soaps is they recycle the same people who either killed the previous shows they were associated with or made them so unrecognizable they were hard to watch/follow. Y&R is a hot mess and it needs an innovative head writer and EP, which Josh Griffith is not.
She is controversial but her shows have won multiple Emmys and the ratings are up. I love my old faves but I realize that time marches on. JFP didn’t kill Guiding Light. She was long gone before that final call was made. You can’t live in the past. For a show so obsessed with business and corporate take overs not a single grandchild of Victor Newman is really involved in his business. There are no teens on the show. The cast is aging. We can’t live in a boomer world forever.
Oh My God! Has Sony & CBS lost their minds? This woman ran the show into the rocks the last time her reign of terror ruled Y&R. She needs to remain in retirement. This is not good news for the show, which is in the doldrums. I’ve never seen a show so uncompelling as it is now. The entire blood-splattered Cane returns storyline is just flat. I see a number of non-existent actors getting pink slips soon: Sally, Traci, Chelsea, Adam, Connor, Diane, Lauren, Michael, Abby, Mariah, & Nate. These characters have become marginal at best & Phelps likes to wield the ax.
Non-existent actors, and yet you named characters, not actors. And the fact you mentioned several characters who have been actively seen in stories lately shows they are not “non-existent”, as you so put it. As well, some of those characters are recurring, so realistically, they are already pink-slipped. They are employees at-will.
Hi June, i think she has either been brought in to help steer the ship in the right direction and leave like Bob Guza did with Beyond the Gates once things are up and running. Or, in time she will become the EP and Griffith remains the head writer, which doesn’t solve the problem. There hasn’t been a lot of story for Adam and Chelsea lately and Cane is now the new bad boy in town. Nate is probably going to be paired with Victoria, who has somewhat become a secondary character since they introduced Claire as her adult daughter. Interesting times ahead, but not in a good way.
Y&R
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’

Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!
The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.
Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off. A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI
BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”
Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing. My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”
As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.
Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.
News
Josh Griffith Out as Head Writer at ‘The Young and the Restless’

In a major behind the scenes move, The Young and the Restless current head writer, Josh Griffith is stepping down from his duties and is soon exiting the top-rated soap opera.
TV Insider was first to break the news and according to their report, Griffith’s departure was his own choice and the cast and crew learned of his decision earlier today on Friday, June 26.
Griffith’s resignation is not effective immediately and for now he will be continuing to tell the stories in Genoa City. As of this writing, Y&R has not named Josh’s successor.

Photo: JPI
Previously, Josh stepped down from his other major duty as the soap opera’s co-executive producer. It was just two months ago we learned that longtime Y&R vet Sally McDonald took over the EP role, while Josh was remaining the series head writer.
A SOAP WRITER WELL-TRAVELED
The seven-time Daytime Emmy winner has had a storied career and tenure in the field of daytime drama. Josh began his soap writing career in 1988 with Santa Barbara, then went to One Life to Live, where he was promoted to co-head writer. He ended his time in Llanview, at that time, in 1995. Later, he co-created Sunset Beach with Bob Guza Jr. The series ran from 1997-99 on NBC. One Life to Live called again and Josh returned as co-head writer again alongside Michael Malone from 2003-2004. Next, he joined the writing team of As the World Turns.
It was back in 2006 that Griffith first came to Genoa City and The Young and the Restless. He started in the capacity of creative consultant, as a breakdown writer, and then was tapped as the series co-executive producer. After departing in 2008. It was not until 2012-2013 that he made a short return before heading to Days of Our Lives to become the co-head writer of Salem from 2015-2016.
Eventually, Josh resurfaced at Y&R as Supervising Producer before becoming head writer in 2019 after Mal Young’s exit. Griffith had served as both head writer and executive producer from 2023-25. In 2025, Sally McDonald joined him as the series co-executive producer until the recent change a few months ago where McDonald is the sole EP.
So, what do you think of Josh Griffith stepping down as head writer at The Young and the Restless? Who would you like to see as his successor? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
News
‘Revenge’ 15 Year Reunion On Tap at Television Academy’s ‘Televerse’ Festival

One of the more intriguing primetime soap’s was ABC’s Revenge. It debuted in 2011 and became a smash hit. Revenge ran for 4 seasons and ended in May of 2015 after 89 thrilling and dramatic episodes.
Now, fans have a chance to be a part of the Revenge 15 year reunion when series stars Emily Van Camp (Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke), Josh Bowman (Daniel Grayson), Nick Wechsler (Jack Porter), Gabriel Mann (Nolan Ross), Ashley Madekwe (Ashley Davenport), Connor Paolo (Declan Poter), and Christa B. Allen (Charlotte Grayson) participate in a panel discussion at the upcoming Television Academy’s Televerse festival in Los Angeles at LA Live.
The cast will reunite on stage and revisit the relationships, rivalries, and dramatic twists that made the series a watercooler phenomenon, and its influence in the years since.

Courtesy/ABC
WHY REVENGE WAS SO JUICY GOOD
As those recall, Revenge was a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo set in the picturesque Hamptons, and followed Emily Thorne /Amanda Clarke’s mission to exact retribution on the powerful family that destroyed her father.
One of the other actors who appeared in mutiple story-arcs on Revenge was Passions, Y&R, This Is Us and now Tracker star, Justin Hartley. On Revenge, Hartley played the role of Patrick Osbourne, Victoria Grayson’s (Madeline Stowe) long-lost firstborn son who was given up for adoption when he was six months old. Patrick arrived in the Hamptons in Season 3, initially sparking a complex, romantic relationship with Nolan Ross.
In-addition, in real-life Emily Van Camp and Josh Bowman, who met on the set of Revenge have now been married since 2018 and share two daughters together, Iris and Rio.
MORE ABOUT TELEVERSE AND THE TV ACADEMY’S WORK
The TV Academy (who administrates the Primetime Emmys) will be holding their annual Televerse line-up of panels on August 14-16, as they celebrate television’s Emmy-nominated programs, innovative storytellers, and beloved content, providing attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to see beyond the screen and come face-to-face with your favorite shows.
For further information on panels and more, visit Televerse.com
So, were you a fan of Revenge when it aired on ABC? If so, who was your favorite character? Let us know via the comment section below.
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