Breaking News
Josh Griffith Back To The Young and the Restless
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.
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
Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix
There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.
After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.
The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner. King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.
Photo: JPI
According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”
Photo: Hulu
As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.
So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.
Breaking News
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75. The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.
Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.
Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer. Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.
Photo: JPI
Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.
In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro. Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.
Photo: JPI
Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004. She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.
Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
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