Connect with us

Breaking News

44

Josh Griffith Back To The Young and the Restless

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

The former  head writer of Y&R, Josh Griffith is back at the CBS soap opera reportedly filling in as Supervising Producer of the series.

A rep from the show has related that Griffith has joined their producing team.

Josh was the head writer over in Genoa City in 2012 before making his way to Salem and Days of our Lives writing the series big 50th anniversary run of storylines.

Griffith’s first relationship with the top-rated daytime drama was in 2006 as a consultant, where he eventually became part of the writing team, and eventually the head writer after Maria Arena Bell exited the soap.

So, what do you think of Josh coming back to Y&R?  With everything being heard in the rumor mill, are there more major changes coming behind the scenes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

44 Comments

44 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

If the rumors I heard the other day are true, it’s a very good thing Josh is back.

Hi, James,
As long as he fixes the fetid air in which this soap is headed, then ok.
I don’t usually care about what goes on behind the scenes, or who the writer is at any point in time……but, I cannot go through another pity party-day with Lily as the star. Gimme a break!!!!!!
No one goes to prison for that long ( or at all) oven an unintentional car accident. It is called accident for a reason.
The same goes for Devon……yet, I understand his stance; he list his soul ….he feels nothing for anyone, right now. He just focus on vindication.
What strikes me is that Lily does not seem to waste much time on remorse. All about herself, albeit I cannot blame her. She is among the living and survival is human nature.
Then there’s Rey….C’mon…..we all know the mysterious aura surrounding him is soooo unappealing…..sooooo mundane…..been there, done that !!
Tessa? Please. I have said from the onset, there’s more to this girl than her seeming innocence.
I sincerely hope the new characters will liven up this show .
❤️

All I can tell you is that what I read was very bad. It is in print so I might as well just tell you that Mal Young is being rumored to be abusive. Verbal and otherwise. It was printed as to why there have been all these exits from the show as of late. I’m hoping none of this is true but there has to be something to it in order for it to be printed.

Oh, WOW and WOW, James!! Thanks for telling me. Will they never learn? It is these people ( both men and women) who sit on their exalted position, thinking they are ordained by having the divine right to treat people as their underlings…..and, therefore do and say as they please.
I am not even shocked anymore, my friend.

CeeCee..Sweetheart
Completely agree with your view.
Have a GREAT Labor Day weekend !

When I hear the name Crystal now it annoys me the same as when I hear the name Morgan on GH!

So long as he isn’t named a head writer or executive producer, I am more than okay with him being a supervising producer. Honestly, Mal Young should remain as EP and a new HW should be written; I’ve always stated that an executive producer shouldn’t co-hold that position with head writer.

Bill Bell served in both capacities for over 25 years – some can do both, some can’t.

Yes, he has, and he’s failing at is and has been for multiple years. Again, proving my case and point that people should not hold both titles.

Yes, Scott, I agree. Sometimes two ‘heads’ are not better than one.
Are you ok with the writing? I trust your judgment…..you always make sense to me.
I don’t know, Scott….I am disappointed with some of the stories. I know what’s going on, yet I cannot make heads or tails about these stories from another planet….specifically, Mars. The month of March derives from the word ‘mars’….. a little ‘crazy’, LOL.
❤️

Mal Young, like all writing regimes, has its bumps in the road. His strengths are in his speed; I am loving the every day is a new day, unless it’s a major event or storyline. It works, and it keeps me entertained. I feel like I cannot miss a single day, because then, I’ll miss out on something. His one downfall is consistency; I feel like, sometimes, he jumps a bit too much between storytelling.

But, overall, I thoroughly enjoy his regime. He’s doing something different that American daytime soaps have yet to experience, and yes, it’s controversial, but I like it. The domestic abuse storyline is about to be done on UK soaps, and no one (from what I’ve seen) is complaining about it, yet American daytime fans did. It’s unfortunate that it is the kind of backlash he’s receiving, but I genuine am enjoying the soap. On top of that, his decisions as executive producer have been great, too! He brought a feeling of primetime to the overall viewing of the soap, and I like that, too!

Hey, Scott,
I had no idea there were complaints about the domestic violence storyline. I suppose that’s why it was cut at the knees.
I, for one, found it realistic and effective……why hide something which lives among us….whether it’s controversial or not? I wanted it to go further and deeper into the psyche of an abuser.
Thanks for your informative reply, my friend.

A lot of the complaints were made via social media (ie: Facebook, Twitter), and it pissed me off. They complained that JT could never be abusive to Victoria or any woman, yet, that is why it made sense: no one can ever not-be abusive. It can sneak out from within people at any time, so it was a brilliantly realistic storyline. I, like you, wanted the storyline to jump deeper into the mindset of an abusive person, regardless of gender, but alas, it did not go that way.

Personally speaking, it’s the type of topical issues that should be on soaps right now. Does this mean I want everyone being hit and abused? No. But American soaps need an edge. Baby swaps and back from the dead stories are stale at this point, and we need things to spice and liven the canvas of daytime up. And, thankfully, Mal Young does do that.

Plus, not to mention, I truly do not believe there is a coup happening at Y&R. I just think this is a case of a former executive and head writer returning to a soap they have history with to work a different position.

Scott, again I agree with you 100% except that later about a coup happening Y&R…I don’t know what to think until we or if we hear more and get actual facts of what is going on…I DO NOT like gossip and I hope there is no turmoil going on at Y&R but who knows with todays world with all that is going on…but again we just hear more because of the news and now social media…

I noticed that someone tweeted that they did not believe Griffith is being put-in as a potential replacement for Young, and another producer from the soap “faved” that tweet; so, I believe there is nothing malicious about Griffith’s hire. I do believe it might be temporary, for a six-month term. Griffith is known for his antics behind-the-scenes, so who knows….

I find the every day is a new day to be a huge mistake because it undercuts the drama — you can’t play the beats of a story when you’re rushing through the material like that. Soaps are a unique storytelling form that allows the writer to play out the drama to maximum effect; no other medium has that luxury and yet today’s soaps seem to view that as a liability. Also, the one day/one episode format gives viewers no reason to tune in the next day if they know it’s going to be a new day and the episode’s cliffhanger won’t be resolved in a believable manner.

Alan, I agree with you 100% regarding the every day a new day, this is daytime drama and I like where the story is played out and really get to know the character’s and what they are going through…I have said it over and over that Y&R no longer feels like the Y&R I fell in love with and was addicted to from the 70’s till 2006/2007…

I worry. surely a talented and accomplished writer, Mr. Griffith was with Y&R during what I consider some if its darkest and wackier — regrettable? — days. I am enjoying the soap again since the reboot with that Abbot breakfast. That did not last, and there were some plot misfires, but I remain hopeful.

…as the headwriter recyling turns…
Same ol’ same ol’ ..sucked the first time. Will suck the 2nd.
This show continues to go from bad to worse..
No hope for his run this time
..lemme know when someone who didnt ruin the show their previous time come onboard

I saw this coming I read it a while back jmo they can bring in new cast members but nothing will change Y&R will still have a bad name they disrespect women look how they write women like MM (Hilary) fans love her with Devon

i didn’t like Hillary – not one bit – please don’t speak for all “Y & R” viewers.

Tucker, I agree with you. I hate it when they try to cram us all together about our likes or dislikes.I also did not like Hilary , even though they tried to make a saint of her at the end. I have come to not like Nicki, ever since she’s had that stick up her butt, and that haughty look and demeanor most times, and her ” darling” Victor, that she fawns over, despite the way he’s treated her and their kids over the years.He puts them together like Pit Bulls, petting and praising the winner, while tossing aside the loser. Sharon gets on my nerves, and wondered why she didn’t move out of Victor’s backyard years ago. Victoria is a hot mess, and would just like to shake her like a ragdoll. I always loved Eileen/Ashley, until lately, and possibly it being her unhappiness in wanting to leave the show, but she’s lost something. Phyllis is not worth mentioning and her bratty daughter, is exactly twice as bad as her mother. I’ve watched from the beginning, so I’ll hang in there until I or the show goes first.

Is Mal Young on his way out? Y&R hasn’t been its self in quite a while. I like that Sharon isn’t crazy anymore and has backbone and Nikki isn’t turning to the bottle. But, a lot of characters aren’t being properly utilized and storylines are dragging: JT’s murder, Devon’s revenge and the Jabot takeover. Also, too many newbies arriving! I know you can’t please everybody, but I hope positive changes are soon to come.

I am wondering why the accusations of sexual and verbal abuse against him, Mal Young, et. al. isn’t covered here? Did I miss that article? They might want to clean house at Y&R and get rid of these abusive men. We are losing too many great female veteran actors.

I think you did but its true

As long as he isn’t writing for the show…his tenure alongside with Jill Farren Phelps was a disaster.

If soaps insist on hiring the same writers over and over why don’t they hire the ones that actually delivered character driven, multi-layered stories like Bridget and Jerome Dobson (Santa Barbara, ATWT, GL), Stephen Demorest and Nancy Curlee (GL), or Lorraine Broderick (AMC, OLTL, DOOL)?

Y&R needs to get back to its emotional roots and start telling stories about people. It would do well to take a look at Showtime’s THE AFFAIR to see how real, layered storytelling is done. That show is the best prime time soap currently airing in my opinion. The relationships are believable, the emotions are raw, and the characters have me yelling at my tv for the choices they make.

Please dont have any boring storylines. Put the preview for the next day vs previously days. Let the top executives get a play of their own. Solve this mystery about Jack not being an Abbott. Stop having the women sleeping with everyone. Dont have long drawn storylines. That makes the show very boring. Let’s spice up the show so, it would be interesting to watch.

All I know is the show went downhill since Mal Young took over as headwriter. When the previous writing team was trying to get back to character based stories, they were dumped and Mal Young brand of storytelling has sunk this show — because unlike MAB or Pratt whose plot based stories were at least fast moving and somewhat entertaining– Mal Young’s stories are not– so we no longer have the characters acting like they should–now we don’t even have decent plot lines to make up for it.

I don’t know if the behind the scene rumors are true, but I will say this, for a very, very long time Y&R had a cast that virtually never changed– when people are happy with their bosses, and work environment, they do not want to leave– but starting with Jill as producer, many of the big names have left this show– coincidence? I think not— when you see long time cast members leaving, there is more than money going on

It’s sad and I will say it again…Y&R has not been the same since Kay Alden and a lot of the behind the scenes staff was let go in 2006…I really did have high hopes that Y&R would get back to the way it should of been when Sally and Kay were rehired but we seen what happen there…Again, CBS/SONY is not listening to viewers and here it goes…they took away the beautiful classic background music so the feel and sound of the show is NO MORE…Again, I have asked and begged over and over to rehire Jack Allocco and David Kurtz to bring back that beautiful music to this once classic beautiful show that is NO MORE and it’s very sad to this viewer since the middle 70’s that the upper so call brass will not listen to us long time viewers that really care or we wouldn’t be saying all that we said…CBS/SONY you should be ashamed of yourself that you don’t care about Y&R like us longtime fans do…I actually have to say since you all did to my once favorite show that it’s no longer my favorite…

Maria Arena was what ultimately brought the soap down; she completely changed the dynamic of the soap and made it a story-dictated soap, instead of a character-driven one. She dismantled the soap.

Scott, I agree with you 100% regarding Maria Arena….

Lynn Marie Latham was the beginning of the downfall, and Maria Arena took that and RAN with it, unfortunately. Even Jeanne Cooper said she wished she could’ve killed off the writers at the time of Marge’s death. Who was writing the soap at that time? Maria Arena, Hogan Sheffer and Scott Hamner. Now, I am a Sheffer fan, but yeah……

So it was just after 2006 like I said that Y&R has never been the same…
for Maria Arena Bell returned to The Young and the Restless in November 2007 and was named head writer in March 2008, and co-executive producer in September 2009. She was then elevated to Executive Producer of the series in December 2010.

Actually, she was named head writer in December 2007, and was given the title of executive producer in October 2008, after Josh Griffith was ousted for tampering with her stories. So, for five years she was a head writer in some capacity, and was an executive producer for four.

Scott, I so appreciate all the info that you know…I was looking at info on MAB on Wiki…again, I agree with you on all that you have said even regarding LML which I was shocked that Y&R became so bad with her at the helm for I thought she did a great job with Knots Landing but not Y&R…Scott, if you don’t mind me asking how long have you been watching Y&R? BTW, I figured that you were a Hogan Sheffer fan for wasn’t he at the helm of ATWT for quite some time? My favorite time of ATWT was when Douglas Marland was the head writer…I am a BIG fan of Douglas Marland and it was so sad he passed due to complications with surgery during his tenue as HW for ATWT…

The issue with Lynn Marie Latham was that she completely dismantled the soap, which is something you cannot do. She began implanting the story-dictated scripts, which is something Maria Arena just ran with. Latham came from primetime, which should have been great, however, she didn’t handle her decisions properly, and it bit her in the ass. And, again, she held both executive producer and head writer duties… proving that it really shouldn’t be a dual job held by one singular person.

As for my tenure watching The Young and the Restless: I began watching CBS soaps in the mid-to-late ’90s when I was younger. I’d have summers off from school, and my mother would watch me and my cousins, and since I couldn’t watch MTV with the pre-teens/teens, I’d watch daytime soaps with her. I fell addicted, and have watched ever since. Third generational watcher!

Hogan Sheffer was great during his first years at As the World Turns; 2000–2004 were great for that soap. Douglas Marland was prior to my time, but have watched scenes from his tenures from both World Turns and Guiding Light, and he did quite a nice job as writing both soaps, though I felt he was a bit more in his groove on the latter soap. I do like his “Soap Rules,” as well, and feel like they should be used more appropriately, especially in today’s soap realm. I use them in writing my own online web soap serial.

Scott, it’s a pleasure to hear back from you and THANK YOU for your insight and info…YOU write very well which I don’t and my apologies…I understand about watching soaps with your mom for that’s how I got hooked…I started back in the 70’s so that will tell you how OLD I am, ha ha…I got hooked on Guiding Light for a very dear friend who now has passed, she was like a second mom to me…anyway, she watched Guiding Light and I got hooked in 1979 and that is when I became familiar with Douglas Marland’s writing and I could tell once he left Guiding Light and of course it was never the same even though I did tune in from time to time…Scott, regarding Douglas Marland, do you feel he was more in grove with GL or ATWT? You mentioned later but I didn’t know if you meant ATWT which was after GL or GL which you wrote GL after ATWT??? By the way, are you able to mention the name of your online web soap and can all see it? THANKS again Scott…

Of course, Kevin! It’s always an enjoyable experience to have an intelligible, adult conversion with people. I’m sorry for the passing of your dear friend; loss is never easy in any capacity that we meet it.

For Marland, I personally feel as if he was more in his zone at Guiding Light, honestly. Yes, his tenure at World Turns was longer, however, the former soap felt more like “home” for him and his writing style, and I feel like he wasn’t given enough years to really put his mark permanently on that soap. Though, it is because of Marland that we got Martha Byrne back as Lily Walsh Snyder in the ’90s, which was the right move for him as head writer.

And, of course! My web soap is titled Liberty City. I will warn you, though, I do use some harsh language in it. Nothing too major, but I’m not a clean-cut as a daytime soap opera.

Scott, again I agree with you on Douglas Marland being more in his zone at Guiding Light, I was hooked during his tenure on GL and didn’t want anyone to call while watching, ha ha…not that way anymore. I was so sad when Douglas left GL, I imagine that you know why he left? Thanks Scott regarding my friends passing, with my age many friends have passed…Regarding Martha Byrne, I loved her in her role as Lily Walsh…I want to also thank you on info on Liberty City and I can handle harsh language to a certain degree, ha ha…Till next time stay safe and well.

maybe a potential successor to Mal Young

Bringing Josh Griffith back to a struggling Y&R is sort of like throwing a colony of fire ants instead of a life raft to someone drowning in a lake. It sounds like a bad idea, and for the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone involved would think this is a good decision that will yield positive results. Soaps keep hiring, firing, and re-hiring the same people the audience does not respond to. Then they wonder why their shows continue to bleed viewers. Meanwhile, these same shows believe that the actors the audience connects to are completely expendable and not worth paying. Daytime seems eager to throw away elements that work in favor of those that don’t, which is such a shame. So Josh Griffith returning to Y&R is a change, I suppose, but it really only confirms that Y&R will continue to struggle for the time being.

I keep wanting to say

@General Hospital NEEDS to heed … PLEASE

Have no idea regarding the internal staff reorganization of Y&R.

My reflections regard storylines. My anger at the storylines prompted me to search for a site to tell “someone” that, after many years, I found Y&R not “watchable.” That was when the roof fell on the underground. Of course, I still watch which really speaks to the power of “Soaps,”

The touching Dina circumstance needs to move beyond. Wealthy as the Abbotts may be, her disease will progress. It would be well over a $100,000 a year facility for most of us. That is for most of us.

The abusive spouse has been so tangled up; what did we all learn about that — nothing.

Hilary’s passing for me, was handled with much grace. Devon, please writers, do not let him not forgive.

Why do you all watch? For me, it is a way to close down the lights, late in the evening, and often think my about Y&R rather than my tomorrow.

THAT’S ON A BAD DAY, BUT IT IS SOMEWHAT TRUE!

I have a most lovely family who, some, laugh at me for my devotion, over many years to Young and the Restless.

Breaking News

Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role

Published

on

By

Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.

As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.

Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI

Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.

Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”

Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.

So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Days of our Lives (@dayspeacock)

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Patrick Muldoon, ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Melrose Place’ Star, Passes Away at 57

Published

on

By

This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports  indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.

Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.

Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.

Photo: JPI

On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.

Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).

Photo: JPI

Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.

At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.

Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.

Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.

Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.

Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Jonathan Bennett Tapped to Play New Role on ‘General Hospital’

Published

on

By

All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.

Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.

Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.

Courtesy/ABC

Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’

After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…”  Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.

Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine,  The Knot.

So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jonathan Bennett (@jonathandbennett)

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

CBS unveils Beyond the Gates season 2 promo and Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast. Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Giovanni Mazza as Gio

General Hospital

Airdate: 12-8-2025

Popular

44
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x