News
Latest Report On Y&R Josh Griffith Situation Says Headwriter Was Fired?!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Over the last week there have been reports starting with Highlight Hollywood that Y&R headwriter, Josh Grifith quit the number soap, and alerted his team via an email that he was stepping down as head scribe due to creative differences.
Now in an updated report over the weekend from Soap Opera Uncensored, the E-zine reports via Nelson Branco, a different story and scenario!
SOU stated on the Griffith exit situation: “According to my high-profile sources. He was let go four weeks ago.” Then added, “Josh was fired,” boldly states a very reliable source. “He didn’t quit. Jill Farren Phelps (JFP) is now going to insert her own creative vision into the show.”
So with all this back-stage drama it would appear Griffith is out, one way, or the other. Now comes the question; is Shelly Altman who was rumored to be taking over as interim or co-head writer on board in that position? Will GH’s Jean Passanante join the Y&R team as the other co-headwriter? Where is this all leading? What and who do you hope is the resolution to the headwriter spot or spots in the writing department? Comment below!
quote;
” Jill Farren Phelps (JFP) is now going to insert her own creative vision into the show.””
great!! now the boring stagnate Y&R will get some action drama, that it badly needs ..
(looking forward to new and better stories!!)
This post must be from JFP because no one who is informed about her or loves soaps would want her to remain on this show. “Insert her own creative vision into this show? This makes me shutter, we need deliverance from this plague of a woman before its too late for YR. I dont watch YR to see SB I watch it because of the vets who have kept this show #1. SB couldnt do it for GH what makes her think he will do it for YR?
ditto!!!
By what I’m reading it appears it’s a child with too much free unsupervised time just trying to stir the pot. The responses are very immature writing and just repeat themselves using phrases from other posters to try to sound like they know what they are talking about.
i could not have said it better myself!!!
FIRE JFP now. She is the root of our issues. Why doesn’t Sony & Y&R see that? End the political BS and think of the fans. We want our show back. FIRE JFP.
I and others are not among your ”we”..
I have liked JFP’s writing/ideas ..
Having her take more control is what will being Y&R back..
At least now there will be action and high drama!!!
Su0000, ur crazy!!!!!
su0000, you are the ONLY person I’ve seen who supports JFP’s “vision” and likes it. So I would say those of us who hate her vision are in the majority.
su0000 = Jill Farren Phelps or Steve Burton. With Josh Griffith’s exiting that spells doom for #YR. The show is already almost unrecognizable now as it is. At least Josh understood and cared somewhat about character history and the Bell legacy. Jill Farren Phelps doesn’t and never will.
You are entitled to your opinion. However I tweet and talk to apt of fans who include themselves in the ‘WE’ and this number is growing leaps and bounds for the onscreen Y&R. Now for back of the house you are right JFP is adding a lot of unnecessary drama . She plays favorites, throws people under the bus, disregards vets, history, fans and is very destructive. I for one want her out!
One of the things she will probably add is a violent rape or killing of a female character she loves those. Think Santa Barbara, Another World & GH. Or running over a child she likes that to. Guza will probably end up over there before long.
Y&R has been stagnant on some of the long running secrets. Was looking forward to some reckonings sooner than later so maybe this new team will fill the voids!
JFP never has, does not and never will belong at Y&R. Bring back Kay Alden and Jack Smith.
thank you. This is exactly what I’ve been thinking since news broke that JG is leaving Y&R. JFP is running the show into the ground. What Y&R desperately needs is a jolt of veteran writers who care about the show’s history, and a new EP who won’t hire awful actors for meaningless newbie roles
The ‘Powers That Be” at Y&R need to sit and read the comments of fans on Twitter. I believe they above everyone, have seen the actual end to in-depth characters, the very loved veterans of the show. It is now chop-chop with unrealistic situations, no real connection to who these characters are and had grown to become. The women on the show are now all trashed. They have been turned into manipulative, selfish, weak, indecisive woman who previously were strong, had lives with worth. Now it seems it’s all about lies, taking advantage of another character – no matter what. It’s rather like the daily news – more bad. I believe anyone writing for Y&R needs to be fully aware of the life story of the veteran characters. Bring them back to the forefront of the story lines. Forget the younger actors with their weak, ridiculous story lines. So many fans of the show are fed up and are even are saying they are no longer watching.
Is this long-standing show not the #1 on surveys for many years? If so, with all the complaints from fans and even published articles enough to trigger a shift to returning Y&R to it’s interpersonal drama that is so loved by everyone.
My sympathies are with the cast and crew these days as obviously some, if not all, are aware of the public discontent.
Well the proof will be in the pudding—in the end– viewers will determine the vision for the show– if we like what we see we will watch, if we don’t we won’t. In end the only thing network’s care about is ratings— so viewers ultimately have the power—to tune in or tune out is our choice– and that is the one thing JFP can never control.
I would love to see David Shaughnessy, Jack Smith, and Kay Alden run Y&R That is my dream team for the show. Also add in some others who are familiar with Y&R history to help in the writing department.
JFP is the one who needs to be going! She almost killed General Hospital, and now she’s doing the same. She also killed off beloved characters like Guiding Light’s Maureen Bauer and Another World’s Frankie Frame, and viewers and fans were up in arms over those choices.
And she’s making the show so bad that long term vets leave or want to leave. And she’s made Steve Burton the centerpiece of the show. Ugh!
Nonsense 🙂
yes she almost killed G,.H. now she killing Y&R. she need to go.
Su000 are you kidding me? Jill Farren Phelps is the kiss of death. The day she left GH waste a rebirth. The show is fantastic now and the numbers reflect that. JFP cares about “her” vision and could care less about the actors (she plays favorites and doesn’t even try to hide it) and even less about the fans. Just remember one thing if GH didn’t let her go it would not be on their today.
You said it dee and Angela.
I completely agree with you. JFP systematically destroyed GH, the show was hanging by the thinnest thread, and it was saved by Frank and Ron. Y&R needs to return to its roots and rebuild the dream Bill Bell had for it. that won’t happen with satan’s understudy sitting behind the big desk.
Big mistake!!
Jill farren phelps inserting her vision for the show. Lord help us and the veteran actors if y and r
I disagree.. Jill has done some great work..
She has been doing this most her life and she is still doing a good job and being offered work.
Jill needs more hands on, she has a great imagination..
I am looking forward to seeing the changes in Y&R which is now as boring as watching hair trying to grow on a statute.
She will put some drama and action into Y&R.. 🙂
JFP needs to be removed from daytime permanently.
R U JFP? LOL!
lmao aria, must be JFP, or Steve Burton! lol
The veteran actors like EB, MTS, AND DD, got to keep their jobs, it was the talent of MS, BM, AND MOST IMORTANT MM, who got the axe. She set MM up to get fired, so she could put her pet peeve SB front and center.
The ONLY possible good resolution to this mess would be for SONY/Y and R to fire JFP!!! Nothung less!!!!
JFP’s vision….a blank screen.
lol
It would fall on the Y&R headwriter, Josh Grifith what we are seeing came mostly from his work, his responsibility to write good stories is his job…
therefore her decision to now step in 🙂
It can only get better now, Josh Grifith’s writing stank ..
I’m not saying Josh has been a fantastic writer, but I will bet anything that JFP didn’t let him tell the stories he wanted to tell, the way he wanted them to be told, because she needed to fit Steve Burton into the show somehow, and fill the rest of the canvas with newbies that can’t act. JFP is the one who needs to go, and if you can’t see how she systematically destroyed Another World, General Hospital, and other soaps, your ignorance is impairing your good sense and judgement.
lol Chaz
I too am absolutely mystified that JFP got this job and remains in it. I have resolved, after 13 years, to switch to DAYS after Katherine’s funeral. I have been sampling it at night since ED joined and even though she is leaving, I think it will be my daytime appointment. It has everything Y&R lacks. And that hurts. I started with Y&R in high school 13 years ago but aside from some actors, nothing has been recognizable since about 2 months after JFP started. it feels like a different show. 🙁
I hope Sony steps in and removed JFP. Bill Bell created a wonderful serial with Y&R. It deserves to remain true to the vision that began its excellent run. I would like to see Bradley Bell be EP of both Y&R and B&B. he sould have co-EP of Ed Scott and/or David Shaunessey – folks that have experience and vested interest in the credibility of the original show.
There are a cadre of ecellent writers assigned to 30 min soap, B&B. I would like to see Kay Alden return as HW with several of the more experienced key writers from B& B – like Patrick Mulcahey.
Jean Passanante belongs with Valentini and Carlivati at ABC now. Y&R needs writers who know the roots of the show. I hope this disruption leads to a restoration of a wonderful show with a rich history. Not another recycle of showrunners who have had mixed career results at 3-5 lapsed shows.
Shelley Altman does not have strength and experience to lead the writing of a show like Y&R – and stand up to a force like JFP. Sony needs to intercede now.
No kidding. Remember when Y&R was the power horse of daytime? Sad.
Exactly, and I liked your previous comment about Ed Scott or David Shaughnessy returning as EP or Co-EPs. Personally, it would be a dream come true for me if Kay Alden and Jack Smith came back to Y&R, as well as other veteran writers to round out the writing team. But NOT Jean Passanante! She shredded ATWT down to the bare bone and it got cancelled. We don’t need another spawn of satan at Y&R right now!
The thing is, if Shelly Altman is elevated to head writer, all she’ll be in JFP’s little minion, carrying out her narrow-minded “creative” vision for a show she knows nothing about.
I don’t know anything about JFP except for tons of fans saying she is a soap killer, if she is known for getting soaps canceled why in the world hire her, also I’m hearing of a spoler, going around that Dylan is Nikki and Jack’s son. so that is her vision?
PLEASE!!! FIRE JFP!! She has ruined Y&R; it’s nothing like the show I’ve loved watching since it’s beginning. Sharon’s character is painfully hard to watch, Nick has become a wishy washy character, Nicky is teetering around babbling useless dialogue like she’s drunk, and I’m sick to death of the whole BORING BORING BORING Winters clan. Poor Jack has been crying for the past 6 months, and too much emphasis has been placed on Billy and Victoria and their non-relationship. Where’s the fire? The romance? The heartwarming story lines Y&R is famous for? Surely the loss of Jeanne Cooper and the response from fans, should highlight what soap opera fans really want – Strong Characters!! Jill needs to stop into Catherine’s shoes and start breathing some life into Geneoa City!
Jill needs to “step” into Catherine’s shoes….
JFP destroyed GH and now she is trashing Y&R. I stopped watching GH after she took over and almost didn’t come back to it. If not for the three OLTL characters’ crossover and Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati taking over, I would have given up on GH all together. Luckily that show’s been revived. How the powers that be over at Y&R thought it would be a good idea to bring the queen of gloom and doom to the number one soap is beyond me. Please Y&R, stop the nonsense and give JFP the boot!
For me, it no longer matters who takes over.
I’ll hang around until I’ve seen Katherine’s funeral (September 3 & 4 ),
then I’ll “pull a Jeanne Cooper” and say “Good Night” to Y&R.
JFP is a nightmare. I always thought Y&R would be safe from her. I may have to switch to GH because its finally getting good again with her gone. So Sad.
I just would love to know who the little birdy is over at Y&R that gives him all the scoop! I want their number! The bottom line is it is what it is their have been stories in the past that I have shook my head over I really think he wanted to straighten out the Sharon mess but JFP needed a villain. And I do know he had always wanted Summer to be Jacks kid but at this point who cares. And if Sharon Case loses her job she will be part of a list of some fine actresses that JFP got rid of on other soaps.
She sounds like a control freak. Little we can do but sit back and see what happens. I really didn’t think Josh was doing a bad job.
She always has been. She drove Guiding Light’s fantastic Beverlee McKinsey (Alexandra) away by not listening to her, and the show wasn’t the same after she left. Lost a LOT of class after that. But she doesn’t care.
Phelps needs to go NOW and Altman doesn’t have the qualifications to write a show like YR…she doesn’t know the history.
Get rid of the poison that Phelps is!
If Josh Griffith was fired 4 weeks ago, who the hell is the Head Writer? Why don’t they confirm or deny all these rumors? When will they announce that Josh Griffith is gone?
I find it weird that he’s been gone for a month already and NOBODY at CBS or SONY will address it!
We know Josh is out since Brent Boyd and Eric Braeden have responded to tweets on this subject, so when is Angelica McDaniel or Jill Phelps going to speak?
This is all very strange. Why all the secrecy? Everyone knows Josh is gone so just make a statement already!
it is because the cowards at Sony and CBS know how much the fans hate JFP and their will be an uproar when fans learn she is the head writer. which would explain the crap we see
JFP is the kiss of death to fans of any soap she gets her hands on. She does irreparable harm to a show – killing off characters, especially babies and children. Because nothing screams entertainment to a fan like a dead child, right?
Y&R isn’t even recognizable anymore. I have zero respect for a producer that has the arrogance to put their own “creative stamp” on a long running, highly rated daytime drama. Seriously – who do you think you are? JFP inspires more dislike than any other daytime producer.
Compare her with current GH producer and what do you see? A hated producer and a loved producer, because the fans are listened to. History is respected and celebrated on GH.
She’s an egomaniac and should only do those teen dramas, but even those were canceled lol.
I thought Jill Farren Phelps was the person who was messing up Y and R. Please bring back Maria Arena Bell.
At this point I’d rather have MAB back.
I don’t doubt there’s more to the story than meets the eye, but Nelson Branco as a source? Um, not exactly the most credibly guy in the business.
Like most executive producers who work or have worked in soaps, Jill is only as good as her headwriter(s). Case in point: Guiding Light. When she was teamed with Nancy Curlee as the headwriter, it was phenomenally good; several other writing teams followed Curlee’s departure, and it was . . . so-so, and occasionally just dreadful. If Jill’s “creative vision” is so vital, one would have expected a different outcome.
They took creative control away from her at General Hospital for a reason.
Do you mean Kill Farren Phelps will be taking over ?Will Y&R be filled with FOJ’s? The main reason I don’t watch Y&R is kill Farren Phelps. So SB is still there.I shut off GH becasues of too much mob, killer hit man, so I will never watch Y&R with them there. Those of you who like her ,great .She loves to kill off characters and bring on her FOJ’s. Hey maybe she can hook Guza and Maurice Bernard. Now that would be great for the GH fans.
If CBS/SONY really wanted to fix Y&R they would pull out all the stops to put Kay Alden back in charge of the writing team and bring back either Ed Scott, David Shaughnessey or Jack Smith as Executive Producer.
These were the people who worked with and were groomed by the late Bill Bell and these are the ONLY people who can fix this mess and salvage these characters.
It is a shame beyond words to see what once was the most stable, intelligent, and classy daytime drama go down the same horrible path that all the other soaps have already gone down and failed miserably. Wake up!! Changing the show’s writers and producers and replacing them with other writers from other soaps DOES NOT WORK and NEVER WILL. You can’t just jump into the head writing position and expect to know how to write for a show. You need years, decades of grooming by writers already in place. You need to work your way up. This is what Y&R had in place under Bill Bell and then Alden. Why did they destroy this? How can they be so stupid?
General Hospital
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall, General Hospital) has taken to her Instagram for the second time this week and now honors her late dear friend and General Hospital co-star, Billy Miller (ex-Drew Cain) on what would have been his 47th birthday on September 17.
In her post, Monaco wished Billy “a heavenly birthday” and shared a typewritten note from her beloved co-star after he exited General Hospital in the role of Drew Cain. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor played the part from 2014-2019.
Monaco wrote accompanying the photo of Billy’s letter: “He (Billy) sent me this a few years ago, after he left (the show) wanting me to post it… I didn’t/ But… I know he wanted anyone who’s ever supported his work and or got to know him as a friend to read this letter.”
Photo: JPI
BILLY MILLER WON THREE DAYTIME EMMYS FOR HIS WORK IN SOAPS
Billy Miller was one of the most respected actors to ever grace the daytime screens for his portrayals as Richie Novack on All My Children from 2007-2008 and Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless from 2008 until 2014 and of course, his final soap stop on General Hospital. He also appeared on primetime’s Ray Donovan and Suits.
TOUCHING GOODBYE LETTER AFTER EXITING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Here now, is what Billy shared in his letter after exiting GH: “Hello, friends… With a slight air of sadness it is time to ponder what ‘goodbye’ means. However, instead of dwelling on what is gone and sure to be missed, there is another way.”
“Maybe our goodbye is really a remembrance of love felt, an appreciation for lives shared and the lifelong reminiscences that come from embraces given and received, Maybe our goodbye is an earnest hope for the brightest path forward for us all,” expressed Miller. “Maybe our goodbye is honoring growth and lessons learned.”
The beloved star added, “Now, instead of sadness, I am filled with gratitude for all your support, encouragement and every emotion shared. I cherish the journey we have taken together, Thank you for allowing me into your homes and lives. With every ounce of myself, I thank you for being you. I would be remiss in this crazy, unpredictable world we all love so much if I did not hold out the possibility that maybe our goodbye is really… until next time.”
Sadly, Billy died by suicide four years ago on September 15, 2023, just two days shy of what would have been his 43rd birthday. You can check out Kelly’s post below.
Now, share your remembrances today of Billy Miller and the touching letter he wrote after leaving General Hospital, that Kelly Monaco posted in tribute to her friend and co-star via the comment section below.
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News
Patrika Darbo and Ashley Campbell Set to Appear on ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Shirley and Coco Spectra
As the nuptials of Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) are drawing near in October on The Young and the Restless, a few of Sally’s family will be showing up in Genoa City for the big day.
The Young and the Restless has confirmed that Patrika Darbo, who originated the role of Shirley Spectra on The Bold and the Beautiful and last appeared on Y&R back on video calls in story in 2021 with her granddaughter, Sally, will be back on-screen next month.
Darbo originated the role of Shirley, the sister of the legendary Sally Spectra Garrison (the late Darlene Conley), first on B&B from 2017 to 2018. Known for countless television and film roles, Patrika Darbo is best known for her run on Days of our Lives as Nancy Wesley.
Photo: JPI
THE SPECTRAS ARE COMING TO SUPPORT SALLY
Joining Darbo will be Ashley Campbell in the role of Coco Spectra. The role was last played on B&B by Courtney Grosbeck. Coco is the younger sister of Sally’s. Grosbeck was seen in the role on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2017-2018 and was involved with the character of R.J. Forrester.
Campbell is a model and an actress who has previously appeared on HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls and the film Spellbound.
Previously, Y&R’s executive producer Sally McDonald teased Bill and Sallys upcoming wedding: “Billy is his own worst enemy now more than ever as his need for revenge takes over his life. He will receive a reality check from Sally, leading them both on planning the wedding of the year. Sally will find herself navigating politics in her personal life when she is faced with major decisions about the wedding. Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally always seem to find their lives intertwined whether they like it or not, and this fall will be no different. Billy and Sally’s nuptials will be the wedding of the year, and you should expect the unexpected!”
So, excited to see Sally’s family joining her in Genoa City in time for her wedding to Billy? Do you think Sally and Billy’s wedding will say “I do?” Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Blythe Howard Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Monet: Who is She Connected to in Port Charles?
General Hospital continues to add new characters to the canvas. Now comes word of the arrival of Monet, a savvy lawyer played by Blythe Howard. Look for Monet to debut in Port Charles next week on the Wednesday, September 23 episode.
According to TV Insider, “Monet arrives in town as a litigator who recently joined Miller & Davis, the firm run by Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) and Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn), and meets with a Port Charles resident in need of legal counsel.”
In a statement, General Hospital’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared, “I am very excited to welcome Blythe Howard to the cast of General Hospital. Look for her to have an unexpected connection to a beloved Port Charles resident.”
FROM TELEVISION TO CANCER SURVIVOR TO GIVING BACK
If Howard looks familiar you may have seen her on several television series including: Yellowstone, Power Book IV: Force, Walker, 9-1-1: Lone Star, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, CW’s Dynasty, Silicon Valley plus David Fincher‘s Mindhunter.
Photo: ChemoQueens
Blythe is also a cancer survivor having cofounded Chemo Queens with her sister Kelsey Howard. The company creates products for people undergoing cancer treatment, including a patent-pending cold cap design.
In recent months, General Hospital has brought in several new actors for brand new roles or recasts. They include: Alimi Ballard (William Baines), Jonathan Bennett (Joe Fitzpatrick), Kearran Giovanni (Dr. Nichols), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts), Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Kayden Brennan Tokarski (Scout Cain) and Troy Lennon Appel (Hudson Parker). You can now add Blythe Howard to this list.
So, who do you think Monet has an unexpected connection to that is a “beloved” Port Charles resident as teased by Frank Valentini? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
Patrika Darbo and Ashley Campbell Set to Appear on ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Shirley and Coco Spectra
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