Interviews
The Shelly Altman Interview – The Young and the Restless
Courtesy/WGAeast
The Young and the Restless has undergone another change at the top with the recent departure of head writer Josh Griffith, and the announcement of Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante as the newly appointed co-head writers of the series. However, Altman is no stranger to Genoa City having been with The Young and the Restless since January 2013, and working alongside of Griffith for several months. She also has been integral to the stories viewers are currently seeing play out on-air.
With so many controversial storylines stirring up the fans of the series, On-Air On-Soaps thought it was the perfect time to chat with Altman to get her take on what her plans are for the characters you have come to love in Genoa City. And to inquire about all the key recent storyline developments including: the decision to kill-off beloved little gal Delia (Sophie Pollono), making Dylan (Steve Burton) the biological son of Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), and the continued conundrum of the character motivations of Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) … among others!
In addition, since fans of the iconic series have strongly voiced their concerns that whomever takes over as head scribes understand the history and what is important to the audience who has stuck by the series, we discuss with Shelly her background, how she visualizes the characters, and the passion for the medium she brings to The Young and the Restless. With a string of predecessors that have included; Lynn Marie Latham, Maria Arena Bell, and Josh Griffith, it certainly can not be an easy and often daunting task to keep everyone happy on a show with 40 years of compelling history and story. Can Altman be the one to turn the show around (even though it continues to be the number one soap) with her new partnership with Passanante? Read on!
MICHAEL:
CBS Entertainment Daytime Senior VP, Angelica McDaniel, told me last week at the CBS Daytime After Dark event, that you and Jean Passanante officially start this new co-head writing collaboration this week! What can you say about Jean?
SHELLY:
Photo Credit: Getty Images
On Monday, we launched into this partnership! I have worked with Jean before and I am so excited about it. She has not only been a collaborator of mine in the past, but we are friends. Jean is funny, bright, brilliant, and I could not be happier. We worked together on One Life to Live, General Hospital, and at Another World we were like ships passing in the night. We worked together for like two weeks. We are much on the same page creatively, and we said then, “If we ever had the opportunity to do this together we would jump at it,” and here we are!
MICHAEL:
What in your opinion is the core difference of writing a show like The Young and the Restless, that sets it apart from the other soaps you have worked on?
SHELLY:
What I appreciate and like about Y&R is that sense of families and the anchors around which everything else evolves. I find it’s a very romantic show – traditional in that sense – and yet up-to-date current in story. I appreciate that sense of honoring its own legacy and taking it into the present.
MICHAEL:
When you take a look at the Genoa City canvas, what do you see in a broad stroke of things you want to see fixed, or perhaps driven in a different lane?
SHELLY:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
We want to integrate the generations a bit more by moving some of the younger characters into story, and have them crossover with some of the core legacy characters.
MICHAEL:
I think this has been a big disconnect for many fans of the series, who felt like with all the newbies something was amiss. They were at times trying to comprehend, “Who are all these new characters?” While thinking, “This is not my Y&R!”
SHELLY:
Right, and we have several stories that we are going to be moving forward with that will do that and cross-populate the canvas in a little bit more of an organic way.
MICHAEL:
How did you work with Josh Griffith on the decision and the creation of the story where Dylan (Steve Burton) was revealed to be Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) biological long-lost son?
SHELLY:
There was a game plan in bringing in Dylan, and in building the controversy between him and Nick (Joshua Morrow). It certainly heightens the problems between them and becomes a very classic brother rivalry. There are going to be further twists down the line that will be again, we are not re-writing history in any shape or form, but rather honoring the history of the show with this story. But, that had been the game plan … that we were looking for a story for Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki, and obviously this will affect both of them greatly, and to also further root Dylan onto the canvas.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Now, we are sure Dylan is the son? Fans are not going to find out this was all a red herring?
SHELLY:
He is the son. It will not change. Stitch (Sean Carrigan) was our red herring!
MICHAEL:
Now that Stitch turned out not to be Nikki’s son, will he remain on the canvas with material to play?
SHELLY:
Yes. We really enjoy the actor and the character. He is not just Dylan’s friend, but by him now being a doctor on staff at Genoa City hospital, he will start crossing with other players on the canvas.
MICHAEL:
Will Dylan be struggling with the knowledge that Nikki is his mother when it comes to light for him? That would then certainly bring up more abandonment issues for the former war vet!
SHELLY:
He will absolutely be struggling with that because both of his prior losses; the loss of Ara the girl in Afghanistan, and the loss of Connor. The one stable datum in his entire experience was his own family, and finding out his mother did to him pretty much what Chelsea did by creating a lie. That is going to shake his foundation. He is not ready to embrace Nikki Newman with open arms. Dylan also has to deal with the fact that his biological father was an evil man, as opposed to the father he practically sanctified and loved.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/IMDB
Then we have Adam (Michael Muhney) realizing Connor was his son and the little boy losing his eyesight, maybe permanently. And if that wasn’t enough, then came the launch of the big story last Friday … the hit and run accident that killed Billy (Billy Miller) and Chloe’s (Elizabeth Hendrickson) young daughter Delia (Sophie Pollono)! So, a decision was made to kill the character to open up the story for many of the other central characters on the canvas? Many fans have been quite vocal and outraged that Y&R killed-off a child character.
SHELLY:
It is the ultimate human drama for people to have to deal with. Soaps are in the business of family drama, and it’s the biggest tragedy anyone should have ever to deal with … you should not be burying your own child. The stories it will create for the relationships of almost everybody on the canvas are huge. Billy and Chloe’s ability to cope with the death of their child affects Billy’s relationship with Victoria, and Chloe’s relationship with Kevin (Greg Rikaart). Connor now will see the world through Delia’s eyes, metaphorically, and that will be huge. Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) being Chloe’s best friend and how this will affect them is important. And also throughout this, Adam is being humanized becoming a father himself, and his and Chelsea’s relationship will be affected greatly by this event. They will be living together with their child in close proximity, and looking at the world as a family. It will change how they perceive each other as well.
MICHAEL:
Thus far through, all the on-screen drama has provided material for some strong performances, in particular from Billy Miller and Elizabeth Hendrickson. Have you watched the performances back to see how the story plays out on-screen?
SHELLY:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
I was able to see this past Friday’s and this week’s episodes, and they are amazing. Billy Miller is amazing. The actors feel the emotion of the story as well as the characters they are playing. Everyone had pulled out the stops.
MICHAEL:
A lot of times in soaps, more than any other medium, the actor informs the writer of their character in sometimes subtle ways. For instance, many actors I have spoken to over the years will tell me they play sexual tension into their scenes, so the writers will notice it, and see the spark, and write for it. When you see something you write on the page and you see it up on the screen, do you feel the actors take the material to a level you never expected?
SHELLY:
One of the things I loved about this show coming into it was the strength of the cast. Just as a viewer I thought, “Wow, this is a really good cast.” I would say almost always they get it, and get exactly what was on the page and put it on the stage. That is very gratifying for a writer. If something did not translate, I will take responsibility for that because I must have not been clear.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Many fans have also been vocal at the way that the character of Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) has been handled by recent writing regimes. It was Josh Grffith who told me months ago of his decision to make the character bipolar to explain away some of her out of character behavior and decisions, so it made sense. Last week, we learned Sharon was off her meds, which may have accounted for her seemingly now delusional fantasy that Nick and her would finally reconcile and be a family once again. Now it seems after the emotional scenes, she realizes the error of her ways. What is the purpose of that? Where is this now going for Sharon?
SHELLY:
We want to rehabilitate Sharon and currently, Sharon wants to rehabilitate herself. Once she does get stabilized, she does recognize that she was holding on to a dream that she can’t necessarily have any longer. And, that all the losses in her life, particularly the loss of Cassie, and seeing everyone around her move on and move forward has been very difficult for her. Not having love in her life and having a rather twisted relationship with Adam, that was extremely unhealthy. She is going to try to get herself back on the straight and narrow. If there ever is a possibility of anything ever happening with Nick, or any other man, she has got to love herself first.
MICHAEL:
However, Sharon is carrying around this huge secret about the paternity of Summer (Hunter King) and what happened to Phyllis because of it!
SHELLY:
You hit the nail on the head! As strong and able as she gets, she is carrying around that burden, and the only way she can unburden herself is by telling the truth. But, by telling the truth she stands to lose everything, and that indeed will be her quandary, even as she gets healthy. That will be an issue for her.
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
MICHAEL:
So then, what can you say to Shick fans who were hoping for a reconciliation? Things don’t look good right now!
SHELLY:
Not this week, that is all I will say on that. (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
So here is what I think will happen: Sharon and Nick will eventually get together and then all of Sharon’s lies will come out, and then they will fall apart … yet again!
SHELLY:
It would seem so, wouldn’t it? (Laughs) All I can say at this point is; we are going to see a stronger, healthier, Sharon approaching life and love and relationships in a different way then we have seen while she was essentially suffering a breakdown. Through that healing, she may be able to find other happiness in her life.
MICHAEL:
Hunter King (Summer) did an amazing job when Summer learned that Jack (Peter Bergman) was her supposed bio-dad and not Nick! What direction is she headed now?
SHELLY:
We do have story that will be coming up for her in the next several months. Summer is an Abbott, and a kind of a Newman in her mind, or shall I say, the truth as she knows it, or everyone but Sharon knows it. So Summer is an Abbott, although we really know she is a Newman. (Laughs) That does make her a bit of hammock between two oak trees. We are having her get more involved in the fashion world. This is one of the cases in point where we will be moving her into an umbrella story that will involve all the generations and both the core families. Also, her relationship with her “brother” Noah (Robert Adamson) will be explored. And, as Noah is starting to date her best friend, that is going to begin to create some conflict as well.
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
MICHAEL:
Many fans of the show have also been vocal that they want this Hillary storyline to wrap up soon! It was upsetting to see Neil (Kristoff St. John) get some alcohol in his bloodstream thanks to Hillary’s vindictiveness.
SHELLY:
I can say that the Mishael Morgan (Hillary) is a terrific actress and we are keeping her around. She is going to be getting involved with other characters on the canvas as well. Once she understands the truth of what really happened with her mother, she will start to see things differently. As a result of that, she will be able to move forward and branch out into other arenas. She is not going to be a psychopath, and she never was a psychopath. She was somebody who was hurting very much, because the most important relationship in her life was taken from her. She needed to blame. She was unable to see her mother’s own responsibility for her own actions.
MICHAEL:
What about Neil? Is he now going to become a drunk again?
SHELLY:
No. Neil is not falling off the wagon. But Neil does feel he was impart responsible for Hillary’s mother’s death. Hillary moving forward will maintain a non-romantic form of a relationship with Neil.
MICHAEL:
What did you think of the episodes surrounding the Katherine Chancellor memorial episodes and Jess Walton’s (Jill) performance in it? Did you as the writer have the hankies ready?
SHELLY:
Courtesy/CBS
I had the box of tissues handy. I thought they were a sublime and wonderful series of shows. I also thought it was a great honor to Katherine and the memory of Jeanne Cooper (Katherine).
MICHAEL:
Will Jess Walton be on the show more often?
SHELLY:
You absolutely will see more of the character. We have left her with a mystery to solve. We are going to see Jill going through the journey to solve that mystery.
MICHAEL:
Did you start off as a soap opera viewer? How did this genre come into your life and the desire to want to write a soap?
SHELLY:
As a young person in college I watched my first soap opera which was Somerset. A spin-off of Another World with Ted Danson! Friends and I got hooked on it so much so that we named our volleyball team after the show! But I got into film, primetime, and theatre, but always remained a soap fan. As a writer, I had always written other genres. The opportunity presented itself to me when I became a mother. I was working at home with my children. I started to watch soaps again, and started to love it, and started to dream up ideas and the rest is history.
MICHAEL:
Many times fans have often commented about the more recent writing regimes of the series: “They don’t know what they are doing. They are running the show!” Shelly, what is it that you feel you bring to the table in this new position of co-head writer of Y&R?
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
SHELLY:
I said to Jean the other day, “It is absolutely amazing that you and I have not even started working together and apparently we already suck together.” (Laughs) What I think I bring to the table is certainly enthusiasm, and a love of the genre. I think of the characters as people. I really do. There are voices my head. I feel like I channel them. My children used to watch me at work, and I would be talking to myself in voices! (Laughs) I feel like I let the characters tell me who they are, and as I said, I am an idea person. Having worked with Jean before, we share that. We are practically a burlesque show together! (Laughs) Obviously, the characters need to do something. You need a plot, and you need a strong plot. But as opposed to my work in primetime, where a lot of an episodic is plot-driven, soap opera serialized drama is character-driven. I also think this is the difference in what has happened in primetime television. They have co-opted the genre, “the soap opera” and so has a show like Homeland, and Breaking Bad. They certainly were character-driven, and the plot was almost secondary where they want to see how this character will relate to that character. You need a good story to keep it going, but I do think that what makes the genre so special is that it is character-driven. And that is why you have to think of each character as a very real fully-rounded person. You don’t want cartoon characters. I create a complete bio-sheet on every character that tells me things that may never appear on television. But it tells me things like … do they have allergies? How were they brought up? So in my head, it is a complete person I am thinking about.
MICHAEL:
What can you tell me about working alongside Y&R executive producer Jill Farren Phelps? As part of her producing signature style, she often has cataclysmic events occur that are designed to have a ripple effect on the canvas such as currently Delia’s death, or a big splashy spectacle such as General Hospital’s carnival sequence a few years back. Can we expect more of that in the future?
SHELLY:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Absolutely! There are things in the works. I have worked with Jill Farren Phelps in every show I have worked on. She was at Another World when I started there. I left Another World and joined One Life to Live to work with her. And then, when the announcement came that OLTL was going off the air, I moved to General Hospital where Jill was producing, and here I am with her again at Y&R. It has always been a wonderful collaboration. Jill is a very visual producer, which I very much appreciate. She knows what she wants to see on the screen, and she is extremely creative.
MICHAEL:
What would you want to say to the fans of what is to come as you move forward as co-head writer of Y&R? What message do you want to convey to them since have expressed concern for their favorite soap?
SHELLY:
I would like the fans to understand that we are fans. We love the show. It is our intention to honor the great tradition of this show and to grow with it, and continue to tell great stories for characters who we are already feeling are a part of our own families.
MICHAEL:
If the audience does not like a certain character or story, does it ever change the course for you, or would it, in regards to what you might do with a planned plot line? Do the fans have an actual voice that is heard by the writers?
SHELLY:
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Very often if there is throng of fans that feel very strongly about story, and remember they are seeing on the air what was written a minimum of two months before they are seeing it … when there is such a strong reaction, more often than not, we are ourselves have had the same reaction. If something really isn’t working, frankly, it really isn’t working. We certainly have people (and I am not going to read every nasty tweet about myself) on staff that will. We will be informed on a regular basis, “Geez, the fans are really hating this, or the fans are really loving that.” But, if we are in the middle of the story that we believe in, then we ask that the fans take the journey with us. Trust that we know where it’s going, and where it’s going is somewhere good. I would just ask the fans to know that there is always in the beauty of soap opera days without ends, and there is a tomorrow. We are taking people somewhere.
MICHAEL:
What are you plans for the pace of Y&R storytelling? In the past, this genre had the luxury of telling a tale and stretching it out to infinity, but in the world we live in now, things move at a much faster pace. In general, television shows move, and story move, at a much faster pace, or they could potentially lose their audience.
SHELLY:
I think that seems to happen naturally, as you say, because of the time we are living in and because of the ways stories are being told. I personally think it’s a mistake to try and accommodate a traditional form to make it something that it may not be. You go back to Dickens, and serialization. This genre has existed in some form for a very, very long time, and it is continued drama. Certain stories may move at a certain pace, but I don’t think you need to change what has worked for a very long time. The Internet is now a fact of our lives and things do move faster, and our characters are contemporary. They are using the Internet. They are communicating with each other at a much faster pace. Simply, because it is contemporary drama … the result of that is things moving a little faster.
MICHAEL:
Certain soaps, and as a most recent example, General Hospital, every day in story has been a BAM, BAM, BAM. Something always happens that moves the plot and unveils another layer of the story. That is amazing for soap viewers when that happens, because then it becomes every day is a can’t-miss episode, where if you miss a day, you will regret it! Do you want that to happen on Y&R?
Courtesy/CBS
SHELLY:
Again, there are stories that are filled with daily BAMS, and there are stories where you gotta get me there, which is something network executives say. I believe that is true. If people are falling in love, you want to see them fall in love on screen, and you need that to take time. There will always be those BAM- BAM stories, like “Oh my God” such as this story with Delia’s death. Hopefully, your heart will be in your throat and you can’t miss a scene, let alone an episode. I don’t think you have to come in with some new rule: now we are changing up because we are losing viewers, and we have to be something that we are not. I think it is story dependent and character dependent.
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Sadly, no truth or growth here, either. YR is doomed. She doesn’t even realize fans do not care about Dylan, Stittch, or Hillary. Katherine was not honored at all……
You could see from the article itself where the interest lies with this regime vs where it lies with viewers. I will add Tyler, Avery, Mason to the sentiments of not caring about Dylan, Stitch, or Hillary. Those characters, including Chelsea and others who are front burner without fail always get more screen time than the characters I am invested in – Cane and Lily – and for this reason I no longer care about Y&R. I am sick of the blatant favoritism shown by the writers towards certain characters. There is no valid reason why Chelsea, Avery, Dylan, Adam… Read more »
it sure sounds like it matters to you!!!!
Cane and Lily are BEYOND boring. Their big “blogger storyline” has been silly, stupid, and unwatchable. I have NO problem with them being backburnered. Neither one of them has any business attempting to carry a storyline.
If I hear Cane say “smokin’ hot wife” one more time, I think I’ll be sick! (Neil, too). NO ONE talks like that!
LisaJ – everybody knows you hate Lane. You go from message boards, to twitter, to facebook, joining Lane private boards, to blogs preaching your gospel of hate against Cane because he cares about Lily, hatred against Lily and her portrayer. We know how deep your hatred of them goes. I guess twitter and the other boards are not enough to contain your posts against Lane, lol. As for the blogger storyline being Lane’s big story – you wish. It has been Neil’s story from the get go, but as usual Lane is used to prop newbies they can’t get viewers… Read more »
From reading your blurb about Cane and Lily I surmise that you have missed many episodes of Y & R. They have had a huge story line surrounding them when no one else mattered!!! Y & R started out a rivalry of three family businesses, Newman’s, Abbot’ts, and Chancelor’s. All these other characters were created along the way, depending on the story line. My point being, the Newman’s, Abbott’s, and Chancelor’s should get top billing, they were the originals and should remain the originals. Now that the Chancelor’s have collaborated with the Newmans with Jeanne’s death it only stands to… Read more »
NOOOOOOOOO I WANT SHARON HAPPY WITH ADAM! So tired of Sharon having to be getting healthy when these criminals like Chelsea just keep sleeping with all the men and tricking them . This is ridiculous! Now this Delia saga is the worse. It seems yet again the fans are being told what we should like! When will we ever get a writing team that cares what the long time viewer wants? WHEN! SO TIRED OF IT! P>S Drucilla? Please Drucilla! 🙁
Mandy , LOVE YOUR COMMENT! I agree sadly it does seem it will be the same thing . The Chelsea show and that baby! BORING ZZZ Hey, By the way why does Sharon need to continuously need to be fixed? Why can’t this beautiful women be happy in a relationship? Let the girl be happy!
Mandy, Excellent, excellent posts. I now believe YR is dead. They have zero interest in writing towards what fans truly want to see, & there is no one, in upper management, who has the common sense to lead the show properly. When I read about what fans what, I see the names Jill, Cane, Lily, Sharon, Nick, Adam, Lauren, Michael, Victor, Nikki, Billy, Victoria, Jack, Tracy, Ashley. Yes, the Newmans are important, but they were never meant to be written superior ro every other family.I DO NOT SEE Dylan, Avery, Stitch, Hillary, Tyler, Abby, Chelsea, Leslie, Mason yet these are… Read more »
Shelby, To correct you, Cane is NOT nor was he ever thought of as Katherine’s son Phillip III, but Jill’s son. You should have re-read that and corrected yourself before posting it and making yourself look silly. Everyone else, As for Cane and Lily, they are tired, boring, and USELESS! Daniel Goddard cried his way back into a job (when Maria Arena Bell wanted him gone) and Christel Khalil should be out of a job because of her recent scandal involving her former talent agency that resulted in her supposedly being sent out on an audition to the show that… Read more »
I am a masters social worker. In my opinion, Sharon’s symptoms don’t exhibit a bipolar disorder. She sleeps well, eats, isn’t suicidal, grandiose and has a good grip on reality. Instead, as I perceive Sharon she may suffer from a borderline personality disorder or some facsimile to that. She is manipulative and has a tendency to harm others or their property. Sharon may need medication and therapy, but bipolar is a mis diagnosis. When assigning a diagnosis on a story the executives should consult an expert.
I hate to say it, but evidently Black characters are always secondary. Some people complain that Abby and Tyler don’t belong together, it’s the 21st century. The story line of Hillary should be explored. I believe she may be Gus’ child and Leslie and Tyler’s sister, an interesting plot. Reviewing the operations of Abbott Industries could include Neil, Devon and Cane who will probably return to work for Jack. A final question I have been pondering on for a while is Sophia and her child/ Neil/s son.
Thankyou for posting about Sharon Case! With all the death surrounding Delia and looking for eyes for a newborn the show has been so depressing! I skipped the show for the past two days. When I seen posts Sharon would be on I tuned in for Sharon! Fast forward through the rest of the show. Sharon was the only bright light of todays show ! I can’t stand Avery or Chelsea boring and annoying!
I want jack as summers dad and nick as faith fad not watching anymore of this junk
DONNA’S FAN SITE SENT me here and i would like to tell you to please bring Pylis back and get rid of Sharon she is a nimpho and has been married or in bed with every one in GC, Please don’t make it out the Adam is the killer of little D as this is such a sad and ruthless storyline couldn’t you of replaced her instead of killing her off, Mrs C didn’t get what she was entitled to i felt her honor was a joke after all those precious years she spent on YR. I am not liking… Read more »
please bring back delia abbot,and not make adam the killer.
I disagree with you all you talk always about Sharon how bad she is but she is not a bad person and you all speak about getting rid of Sharon but I don’t that they should she is a great actress…
Why is everyone saying “Donna sent me here?” Does she win a toaster oven or something if people mention her enough?
I don’t see them bringing Delia back, only because they’ll probably use her corneas for Conner’s eyes. Yes, Adam is the killer…but it REALLY was an ACCIDENT! He didn’t know he hit anyone, especially Delia!!! He swerved so he wouldn’t hit the dog and instead he hit her without even knowing it. Now he’s going to be going through the tortures of the damned knowing what he did! And we all know he can’t say anything because that will only make matters much worse for him than they already are now.
I can’t stand the fact they killed off little DD Abbot , I can’t watch please just let me know when it is all over!! no one want to see a child die.. and to play it out over and over is just cure to the fans of the show.. I’ve watched everyday for 30 years but the last 2 days I chosen to tune out!! And the Sharon story line geez she use to be one of my favorite characters now i’m just sick of all the craziest that is with her story line! and biopolar is in mood… Read more »
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER WRITTING TEAM GIVING THE FRONT STORY TO CHELSEA! May the writers be reminded Adam loves Sharon . Chelsea was a rebound hired pro by Victor enough and when will Victor and Nikki relise Sharon lost a daughter and STOP saying poor Nick lost a daughter! He wasn’t her REAL father1
I too want Phyllis and MS back. Killing off Didi was just awful. JFP is the same woman that killed Jake off to save Josslyn. And then the killer was Luke, cause he was drinking, now I have the feeling that it was not Adam who hit Delia. First I don`t think that even with the broken headlight he hit her. Yeah, he tried not to hit the dog, but he pulled of the road and there was not a scream or anything strange happening. I think after the Monday episode that Nikki is the driver and she just blocked… Read more »
so is this the young and restless are is this the victor and Sharon show ,please make them the villians and give jack and billy and adam a break im so sick of the Sharon story and victor always portrayed hes bigger than god please ive been watching for 47 years but now im gettn really tired of same ole same ole
do something good for jack,billy,adam for once
I think it is so obvious the killer will be someone not on the screen now. They will make us think it is Adam or Nikki. BOOOOOOOOOO and then it will be some unknown. Everything on this show is so predictable. Who did not know Dylan would be the son. Red herring my ass. I am furious that MS had to leave because of this crap. Phyllis is needed and a recast will never work. Nick the prick is as dull and useless as his dump of a bar. There is NOTHING exciting going on. No good character to cheer… Read more »
Hope Shelly and the team fix the show for real! Not empty words like the former JG! Josh Griffith and Jill F. Phelps trashed everyones past writing in this former article back in 2012! Well look where Josh Griffith is today Fired! Jill F. Phelps is next. Fingers crossed! They had big mouths but the show a year after this article was written the show is in complete devastation! Killing a child and ridiculous long boring waste of time stories! What a crock this TVG article is! Goodbye Josh Griffith!
No one cried when Carmind was killed, but Delia? taking a break after 40 years, day 1 with the Brooks, Snapper and Greg. Good times.
LOVE SHARON 🙂 love Sharon with Nick or Adam that was when the show was so great! Love to see Drucilla back. I really have been watching talk shows these days. I want my Sharon happy with a man .
The last writers promised to repair Sharon but made her worse! I still want Drucilla back for Neil and Sharon and Adam together like before! I stopped watching this week because killing kids was to sad!
oh yes bring back Drusilla , at first I thought she was going to be Ann!
I want Sharon happy with Adam Nick or someone really great. I was holding on to see if they will ever do right by Sharon but they ruined her WHY? I can’t even stand they really had to kill a child! Really not happy Neil still is not really in love. Nobody can replace Drucilla! Avery and Chelsea have monopolised this show for the past year! Please STOP!
The day Y&R should ever bring back Drucilla will be my last watching the show. I was never so happy to see someone fall off a cliff. Keep her dead!
OH PLEASE I LOVE DRUCILLA! OMG THAT WAS THE BEST! TO HAVE SHARON AND DRU BESTFRIENDS 🙂
Hi, Donna sent me here, Ok, can you not make it a dream and bring back Dee Dee back, what is Chloe going to do without her daughter and poor Billy, he is a great father, just get another actress to play the part…Hate this storyline… Get rid of Hillary, put her in jail, hate that storyline, what a waste of good actors and actresses to put Neil through that…Quit making Adam the bad guy, he has been enough on this show, you made Michael and Kevin reformed so enough with making Adam bad…Let Nick find out that Summer is… Read more »
I cannot believe some of the storylines you are going with on this show. I am trying to give up watching this show . I do not understand why you killed off a child, Why are you bringing more negative to Billy and Adam for that matter. Adam has tried so hard and you keep letting him be brought down, Alcohol is really showing its ugly head with Adam, can t you give him a positive role for a change. Can you lay off with Victor being so controlling and convincing everyone that Billy is such a bad guy. He… Read more »
I agree! Victor needs to leave Billy alone and stop calling him Billy Boy. That is so annoying. He needs to allow Victoria to lead her own life and she and Billy are good for one another. I keep hoping that Victoria is pregnant with Billy’s baby right now and soon we’ll hear some really great baby news. Fingers are crossed.
well said Deb
Time for Sharon to be in a marriage. and not with a ghost. They are wasting the best character ! I really hate how Victor is always on Billy! So tired of so much! We asked and begged for better writing a year ago. It got worse. Why kill a Abbott? She can’t come back all grown up now! Newmans are always so hostile to everyone that gets old! Neil and Lily need Drucilla aka Victoria Rowell. How long do fans have to wait for VR return? Will Shelly listen to us? I did not like Avery and Chelsea in… Read more »
I would love to see Sharon and Adam reunite one day. Once she is strong and healthy again, perhaps they’ll be able to try again. And if that is not meant to be, then I hope that Sharon will find the right man for her. It’s about time she has something good in her life again.
Sick of Chelsea sick of Avery sick of the Rose story and now you killed Delia Y&R! PLEASE fix the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE GHOSTS!
I would love a little comedy back and not ghosts and death! Loved crazy Patty and her Kitty and Kevin and his Chipmunk outfit. We need more believed love like Sharon and Adam had. Neil is being played and that is so dumb! Chelsea and her baby blues is so ridiculous. Who decided to make her and Avery the shows front runners? Please really? No way! recast crazy phyllis but let Sharon be happy! So sick of Sharon and Jack and Billy being the doormates of the show and criminals get away with giving the kids away and running people… Read more »
I love Young and Restless, but please quit making Adam the bad guy all the time, finally thought he could have relationship with Victor. now this! please give his story line a break please. I don’t know how anyone could every get over running over a child. hate it.
I agree! It’s time to stop having Sharon, Jack and Billy as doormats. Time to bring in a new Phyllis too. And I so agree, Lily is so boring. Same old same old with her all the time. Too predictable. Her character needs something fresh and original or something.
Been watching FOR 40 YRS…what has happened to the 4th of July cookout..the romantic sets of Nick and Sharon..the NEWMAN hOLIDAYS…YOU MISSED THE BOAT COMPLETELY KILLING A CHILD…SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM cASSIE..MAYBE THAT IS WHY SHE IS BACK AS A GHOST..YOU SHOULDNT HAVE A JOB FOR A WOW AFFECT…ONLY IF YOU HAVENT WATCHED THE SHOW FOR 40 YRS..SHOULDNT BE WRITING THIS….
Maybe Victoria Rowell could come back as a ghost. But, oh that might cause the show to surpass the Black token quota.
I have watched this show since it started way back when. The new writers have ruined it for myself & a whole lot of other fans.
Really, did you have to kill Delia off?
There is WAY TOO MUCH Victor, his hatred of Jack & Billy is so old and boring. Making Sharon a nut job is not good writing.
I also agree there is too much Avery & Chelsea. BORING !!!
If this is the best you can do, cancel the show….
Have been a Y&R fan since it’s beginning. Wish I could say it’s the quality today that it was even 5 years ago. I’m getting so disappointed and disenchanted with the Y&R storylines, not the actors. The actors are getting the shaft. I still love and respect Victor, Nikki, Nick, Victoria, and Jill. Don’t see enough of Jill. I hope the writers don’t kill them off, too. Killing Delia was the sickest, most cruel thing to do. Yes, children die under horrific circumstances every day, Ms. Altman, but don’t be so flippant about it. Delia!!! Now, there was a great… Read more »
I could just spit
How flippant and arrogant is this:
when there is such a strong reaction, more often than not, we are ourselves have had the same reaction.
Trust that we know where it’s going,
We are taking people somewhere.
————-
I’m dumbfounded
but then again…. Y&R both production and cast alike… jump on the bandwagon for press….. and they do get the word out their…. I’ll fall off the soap box…. if I hear ONE more time… how it’s the #1 show for the umpteenth forgettable year
I am in total agreement with Carolyn, after reading the interview with the writers,. First of all, they are new to the whole Y & R story dynamic and just don’t understand the history here,. It’s getting more and more obvious that certain cast members are getting much more screen time, than other, some are getting story lines that can only be explained as evil and cruel and they keep getting away with illegally setting up people to entrap them, in whatever way the can. I’ve lost count of all the evil and hurtful things Victor Newman has done over… Read more »
Sharon belongs with Adam. period. These dumb writers are ruining the show. That is what makes soaps interesting. THe dynamics of the couple. That is why young and restless is sinking. I will not watch until Sharon is back with her love Adam
ITA Laurel! Although the photo is nice there was no mention of Lily and Cane story! Take note Chica HW! That’s who I want to see, not the low rent version with Tabby and HillAnn!
Granted, children die in real life but I was hoping you could have Adam offer to give his corneas and be blind so his son could see. It is time for Adam to stop always being the selfish jerk. Also, enough with Victor hating on Billy. Victor needs to come down off his pedestal and stop being so judgmental. Hopefully, Sharon will get better and move on without Nick. The truth needs to come out SOON about Summer. Too many stories going at once.
I agree with you Laura, except about Sharon I’m really getting tired of her story line and I agree why not tell Nick the truth about Summer, Nick should have married Avery he needs a family life and to be happy…
Finally, someone who agrees that Nick and Avery belong together. They make a good team. When Sharon married Victor that should end any feelings that Nick had for her. Dylan can go back to Chelsea, they are still married.
return Adam and Sharon together! Victor needs to leave Billy alone it is disgusting how he treats people. Adam is on my list of useless the way he is hiding this tragic killing but I will forgive him if he gets back with Sharon and has a baby of there own! Chelsea was a mistake from the start
I agree with you Danielle! Bring Sharon and Adam back together! They sizzled as a couple! And Chelsea was a huge mistake. No spark there whatsoever.
Oh come on the death of Delia was terrible and Sharon is my favorite . I don’t understand why is she the only person who is on meds> Sharon should be happy not used and abused.
I have watched this story since the onset in 1972. I am hooked on the story but for the 1st time I had to take a break this week. Delia’s death was senseless to me. Yes, Connor can see the world through Delia’s eyes but the same outcome could have been accomplished via the donors bank, miraculously. Victoria and Billy have just reconciled and hopefully can depend on each other besides alcohol and gambling. Three deaths in a sequence was too much, Katherine, Carmine and now Delia, finally Phylliss in a coma. Another request is to prioritize Sharon’s storyline. Sharon… Read more »
Oh Lord, more of the same old, same old from these writers. All talk and no show. Three regime changes in the past several years and the continued destruction of Sharon, so I don’t believe one word out of any of these writers’ mouths any more. Until they truly fix Sharon (don’t “try”, “do”) I’m tuning out, maybe for good. I’m sick of all the double-speak! Disregard what we the fans want to see and we tune out. It’s that simple. What’s so hard to understand about that?! Time after time after time we’re told the history of the show… Read more »
Fans do care about Dylan. Why do some believe they can speak for all! I and many I know love Dylan can’t wait to see what happens. So speak for yourself not others.
Actually, Tracy, she speaks for me as well!!! I agree 100% with her comments about Dylan. Maybe you and many others love Dylan, but I’d venture that many others feel exactly the way that Tracy and I do.
and many don’t give a damn.. the steve burton show needs to end. He is NOT Y&R.. send him back to GH
I have been watching Y and R since the beginning . It Haas’s been a rough year losing our beoved Jeanne Cooper. Now we are dealing with the tragic loss off beloved character Delia. This is disgusting and going to be the ruinastiion of this soap. There has been nothing but tragedy in every family. Generally we have at leeassst one or 2 families doing OK .Hilary ans stitchtto me are useless chharacters. Although I do love Dylan and Chelseey together. Frankly I am sick of Adam throwing his weight arrouund with threats etc he is no different than Victor.… Read more »
WELL I HAVE READ ALL THE COMMENTS AHEAD OF ME ONE THING I CAN SAY IS (I AM FINISH WITH Y&R).THE WRITERS DON”T CARE WHAT WE WANT OR CARE ABOUT THE SHOW AS WE DO OR DID . THE SHOW HAS BEEN CRAP FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS THE LOSS OF MRS.C & DEDE IS ENOUGH. AS FAR AS I CAN SEE YR MAYBE HAS 1-2 YEARS LEFT . VICTOR HAS MR. COMPANY NO! ALL OF THIS IS CRAP. MAYBE IF YOU GET HIT IN YOUR POCKET YOU WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT MESSING UP ANOTHER SOAP. I AM FINISHED AND… Read more »
I agree This writer is going to make Y&R disappear just like the others.Having watched this show from the beginning I have now started for the First time to skip past a good share of the stories . Bring back the old Abbey -and get rid of the new abbey and Tyler !!! Cannot stand either one! Why why why are you making Sharon such a huge part in the stories???? You are losing more and more people every day and soon it will be myself too . All of these years this has been the best Soap ever and… Read more »
If the goal is to make the show like General Hospital is now, then I will stop watching Young and the Restless. I stopped watching the new GH because it’s a hot mess of nonsense and camp and silliness with stories that make no sense. I seen better plots on cartoons. If you read this Altman, take into consideration what makes a good show, spend time with the writers to create good stories instead of spending time on twitter bashing fans who criticize the show, and focus on stepping up what makes a great drama instead of contributing to the… Read more »
Oh I know, I hate the new GH. I haven’t wathed a full episode since spring and can’t see myself doing so anytime soon. That show is a hot mess & a charicature of what it used to be. I hope that Y&R will not turn into that but it has gotten very unrecognizable IMO.
That’s why I stopped watching the Bold & the Beautiful, constant incest.
See I don’t see anything different. Just the same old, same old. And I still don’t get how Adam is going to be a family with his son if he’s the one that killed Delia. I don’t want to see him involved in this to begin with. But I don’t want him to be quiet about it either. If he did it I want to see him turn himself in and be man about it. The family part doesn’t make sense to me if Adam’s ends up in jail. I just don’t trust these writers or JFP. I hope for… Read more »
AJ didn’t cheat on Liz. She told him it was over, and told Nikolas that AJ wasn’t her boyfriend even before that.
I do not trust either. I thought Sharon and Adam were the true core couple. They split the best couple ever booooo
He stole her child hard to get past that. So Sharon and Adam should move on.
I so agree Wendy, regarding Adam.
I am seriously thinking of starting a “protest Y & Y page, so see how many fans will stand up and boycott the Young and the Restless for 6 months. Anybody wiling to get on board> I;d be happy to start a page here…
Well Marion am already there. Since this storyline started and what’s happening to MM. I refuse to watch this. So am boycotting already.
I will be on there with you. I hope the new writer sees these comment and takes are begging seriously. Sharon deserves to be in a romance not dealing with ghosts. I really hate it has become the Chelsea hour. I mean really enough with her and this baby and her over fertile womb. Avery totally needs to GO!!!! She is a waste of all our time!
Hoping for more Billy and Victoria. And that they finally succeed in having a baby together. Love this pairing. Amelia Heinle and Billy Miller are GOLD together.
Agree completely. I would love to see Billy and Victoria have some happiness that last longer than 30 days before a new crisis hits them. They are wonderful together and should be together.
Aj admitted to setting Sonny up before he got involved with Elizabeth. The relish storyline is AJ and Tracy being Quartermaines, I’m sure Edward would approve. Nothing AJ’s done since he’s been back can compare to some of Liz’ past loves, who include a professional killer, a psycho who tried to kill her twice, and a deadbeat who walked out on his kids. And let’s not forget the guy who went after her while she was engaged to his brother, then moved another woman into his home while she was out of town, after he said he would be there… Read more »
Admits to his shortcomings, yoy say, Lori. Did I MISS the episode where he told Liz about jumping into bed with Carly? Didnt think so, he wants Carly to kmeep it a secret from her, even roped Monica into keeping it a secret. Yea, he’s changed allrite. Ur just wearing blinders where he ia concerned and it WILL come back and bite him on the butt!
Yes they are can you PLEASE keep them together and let them have a baby
Yes please
Billy and Victoria have to start moving forward and Victor has to start to accept their marriage,, and quit being such a downer,,, he should accept adam and help him out…
speaking of adam,, what were the writers thinking when they started getting him back with “family” and now have him involved in this hit n run….
I totally agree! Billy and Victoria need a baby to be on the way soon. I hope she’s pregnant right now and will have some wonderful joyful news to share with Billy very soon. This show is in desperate need of some joy and happiness after the death of Delia.
I think it is way past time for Billy to leave that whiny shrew who never stands up to her father when he trashes her husband.
Another BS interview…
Amen BS interview she just trying make herself look and sound good,
I so agree.BS to the highest degree.This last s/l did it for me.Dont think they could fix this show now if they tried, but I dont think they are going to try anyway.
MAB & JG said the same things and look what happened. I’ll be open minded. I just want YR to get better and to see a healthy Sharon again. Maybe…just maybe a Shick reunion down the road.
I agree we want a healthy Sharon and times back when they had Cassie. Speaking of Cassie why do you have to ruin Cassie’s memory with bring her back this way. If you were going to bring her back then it should have been for the good. Not to put things in her mother’s mind. I am very disappointed. I have a Y&R fan site. I would like for the writers to take a look at it. The fans are not sitting on the edge of there seats to get to the show. They are turning it off. They are… Read more »
Shick is what started sharin on her descent into crazy land..The last think she needs is Nick. She needs to move off that ranch and start a life after the Newmans. They have all treated her like crap from day 1 and then all of the men passing her around. Shick should never happen. I do think that they will get back together in time for Nick to find out what the freak did. She is such a nutcase.
I wish a question could have been asked about my favorite couple, Lily & Cane. I’d also like to know why Lane weren’t allowed to confront Hillary but based on the amount of airtime they have been given they will continue to just be an afterthought . I wonder if she watched the show lately because romantic is surely not a word I’d use to describe it.
Daniel Goddard and Crystal what’s her face are not strong enough actors to be on the front burner. Big story lines require the heavy hitters. The few few stories they have had have been epic failures except to their very small, vocal fan base who would be completely happy watching Cane and Lily watch paint dry. Cane and Lily will always be Just filler” because that’s all they are really good for. Plus their fans are IMPOSSIBLE to please. They are never happy, ever. TPTB know this and have undoubtedly grown tired of bending over backwards trying to please a… Read more »
You are so right Lisa. Cane and Lily fans are never happy. Also, they’re characters are really not strong enough to be on the front burner continuously. Also, they get boring to watch very quickly.
This is so true. She giggles and he calls her smokin hot. Neither one of them is very good and they really need to be split up.
Ahh – How did I know LisaJ would be found railing against Lane in response to other posts. What did you call Christal? Crystal What’s her face. At least its kinder than what you have called her other places. This hate of Christel is so personal for you LisaJ. It really hurts you to see Cane with Lily doesn’t it, regardless how infrequent since they are barely ever on. Don’t worry. I understand where you hate of him with her originates from ;-). Still frequenting the Lane Private message boards LisaJ? I will be reading more posts in response to… Read more »
I guess the same way we all knew you would be here bashing Lisa for her opinion. She is allowed to not like them. You get that right?
I want Billy and Victoria to stay together and have the baby they have wanted for the last three years.BILLY AND AMELIA ARE PURE GOLD TOGETHER
agree! 🙂
i agree
AGREE 🙂
My favorite couple.
My favorite Newman
My favorite Abbott
it would be soap opera heaven if Victoria could carry full term and deliver that beautiful baby – they both deserve… especially Victoria
I agree! Billy and Victoria are pure gold! I love them and want them to make a baby! Wouldn’t that upset The Great Victor Newman? I hope it happens very soon.
haterz gonna hate.
Good performances this week. This story is bound to set up a lotta drama for a long time. Hoping we see LOTS more Jill and continued story for vets.
She spent 95% of this interview talking out of her ass. Phelps trained her well. Plus she is flat out LYING about Jess Walton. Jill’s entire *mystery* has been off screen. She’s been missing for a MONTH.
I agree I agree ! She sounds like she will make the show even worse.
The same team killed Another World shyer taking over.
Lisa…YES…THANK YOU…AGREED!!!!! It’s like Shelley Altman is an obedient soap puppet and that Jill Farren Phelps is the evil puppet-master DEFINITELY pulling the strings!!!!! Beyond lame.
I know. I was like wtf? We haven’t even seen Jill in a month yet her story is riveting LOL
Michael I love that you asked great questions. I’m cautiously optimistic where the new writers are concerned. Their past ventures speak for themselves and lets be honest, neither writer is the cats meow in the industry. Their biggest failures are 2 cancelled soaps. Altman with AW and Jean with ATWT. Yes fans say they suck…for good reason. That’s not a “trust me, I’m good at my job” label by any stretch of the imagination. Personally, I would have left out how much she’s worked with Phelps. A polarizing producer who many feel have hurt shows more than shes helped. It… Read more »
Love your comments.
LOVE your comment so true these writers seem like they don’t care what us vet viewers want. No more Chelsea I can’t take it and omg stop killing children its beyond sick. That is not a drama we want. We want love in the afternoon not death! Michael Fairman please send all our cries and comments from this article to this Shelly writer Thanks so much we are afraid of a repeat JG and JFP attitude that gave us the year of Y&R disapp ointment BOO!
Yes the story of Delia is very sad with alot of emotions…trust me alot of tears and tissues here. I have watched YR since….well let me say alot of years. True it can reflect real life and that can be in a movie, reading a book or in our daily entertainment of a soap opera, if it’s not up to par for most viewers:stop watching. I see alot of spinoff stories that can come from this. BUT please please do not have Adam as the person that did the dreadful hit and run. I agree with other people..yes he was… Read more »
THIS IS NOT IN THE TRUE SENCE A HIT AND RUN ,ADAM DID NOT KNOW HE HIT ANYONE, IF HE HAD HE WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT ,AND EVEN IF HE SEEN DEE ,SHE WOULD HAVE DIED, BILLY FOUND HER MUNUTES AFTER SHE WAS HIT,HE WON’T GO TO JAIL IF HE HIT HER .IT WAS A ACCIDENT!NOT HIS FAULT ,HE DID NOT SEE HER IN THE BUSH,SHE WAS DRESSED IN BLACK.I JUST HOPE HE COMES FORWARD AND TELLS.I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HIM CHELS AND CONNOR.YES ,IT WAS A SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE BY ALL.!
Please let Adam not be the one hit Delia and I agree let him come forth and tell them about swerving, the dog. He has a lot to deal with and he needs a break…
I agree. I am pretty fed up with Adam being the fall guy for every horrific deed in GC. When it’s not Adam, it’s Sharon, and it’s getting very tiring. I have been a huge Adam/MM fan from day one, and being an Adam fan, while never boring (see Dylan), is sometimes no picnic. Love him, but geesh..it’s killing me watching him go to kick the football only to have it yanked away at the last second. When, if EVER, is Adam freakin’ Newman going to be able to string five minutes of happiness together? Michael Muhney can deliver the… Read more »
Donna sent me, but I am with all of you I am so tired of Adam being the fall guy for everything. I wish they would do something to knock Victor off his high horse, I am so tired of his crap also. I really did not like the story of Delia being killed off no matter how it happens in real lives. I think she was just saying what she thought we wanted to hear. I am so close to stop watching this show again
All we need now is to see Victor stick his nose in and get nasty (as only he can) with not only Billy but Adam also. He just won’t be able to keep his opinions to himself but he’s got a nasty shock coming to him from Nicki, that he has to deal with. I so agree with Henriette. Adam is a very powerful actor but it gets very disappointing to have to watch him only deal with having to fight for his survival. When does he get to have something positive happen to him….this situation is NOT real life.… Read more »
How ridiculous that Adam even thinks he hit her. Hitting a person is something that you would feel and it would leave a lot more damage than a broken tail light. I hit a raccoon once and it caused 2 grand in damages.
Thanks for the great interview. I can’t miss Y&R every day and I think I must have missed one because I missed the part when Nicki found out that Dylan really was her son. That was certainly a surprise because I really thought it was Stitch. I love Michael Muhney, Billy Miller and Steve Burton. They are are some of the most talented actors on daytime. Heck, the whole cast is!
I never saw the one where she found out either, I told my hubby that Stitch will be her son, I think Nikki is just guessing, because I tape them everyday and never saw that… Hope it turns out to be Stitch, she doesnt need a son with all his war problems..I like Dylan but hoping it is Stitch…
I missed it, too,. I record the show and I replayed the whole week of shows multiple times to try to find it, but could not. I think something got cut.
When she was at Victoria’s watching Johnny, when Victoria went to the hospital. She told Johnny that he has another uncle named Dylan.
As a Sharon / Shick fan I see I am going to get my heart broken again..
Sharon will still be the pariah of GC and Nick will get to berate her for things she has done..I was so hoping that Summer would remain an Abbott…but instead, it will ALL BE SHARON’S FAULT…:(
When will Sharon pay for her messing with the blood tests and when will Nick find out the he really is Summer’s Dad?
Maybe in about 18 Yrs or so…
I cannot wait till this witch (b) is caught. I hope Summer and Jack and Nick all freak out. She needs to be the town pariah. She is already the town bicycle where everyone takes a ride.
Non-sense. This woman is a flack for Phelps. Y&R is headed for the cliff. Delia’s death is a horror show. These people have destroyed Adam’s tiny shred of happiness. Steve Burton has been shoved down the audience’s throats. If I wanted to watch General Hospital, I’d turn the dial to ABC. If Y&R can recover, Sony & CBS have to clean house.
I hope those writers and producer stay away from Days of our Lives.
I have already written and called NBC and Corday Productions, threatening
to quit watching DOOL if they hire any of those soap killers!
Face it, Y&R is dying because they are killers. Do yourselves a favor, choose
a different path that leeds you to glorious DAYS!!!
I have very little faith in the new regime. This feels the same as it did last year. Talk about caring for dabs & tradition and then bringing in their favorites and crushing what the fans have loved. Why they feel we should trust anything they say is asking a lot.
while you are going through changes ,recast DeDe and wake her up and let this be a dream all the fans are upset over this storyline , it is awful so do us a favor and make it a dream
I am NOT enjoying the way the show is going. Yes, the acting is great, but the story lines suck. I totally agree with Chris above.
I was shocked on how badly Katherine’s memorial was done. It seemed like the writers didn’t know any of the past so they had nothing to offer, so instead they threw a random wedding into it??? One that made no sense in regards Kay since she loved Danny & Cricket together. Jill was Katherine’s lifelong story-mate she should have been front and center for some sort of story. Instead just more a few more lines, for the routine two-three days of Jill, we get every, or every other, month. I don’t want to just SEE more of Jill I would… Read more »
I don’t care about Hilary or Mason or any newbies I want to know about The Winters and their family when are they gonna stop being background nobodies and have some good stories and air time. Micheal ask about Neil and Altman go into Hilary and what is coming up I don’t give a shit about her I care about Neil and his family,grandkids and Moses . This show is so depressing ,even writing about it depress me. Hoping things change but won’t hold my breath.
Hilary, Mason, Tyler, Leslie, Avery, courtney all of them need to go. They need to give Noah a real story. This show is just so bad right now I really cannot believe it.
Pathetic writers, even worse producer JFP — the infamous nail in the coffin creature equals one boring, sick soap opera! Replacing all the old characters with JFP drones and rewriting history = no story line worth Y&R! Talented actors need something to work with! Need new creative writing team and NEW PRODUCER!!!!!!!!
I hope they throw Sharon in a padded cell and throw away the key. She is useless. I also hope that they don’t have Chloe talking to a dead person like they do Sharon. Leave those people in the past, stop bringing their ghosts back. I am sick of watching Sharon talk to Cassie.
They probably will, Jack talks to his dad, Sharon to Cassie, who knows!!!
I agree Sharon talking to Cassie, who was a sweet girl, was really bad writing. Along with all the other stupid idea’s that you have been coming up with. Who actually wrote the story line presented this last Fri. ? Why not replace her, you have replaced almost everyone else! Wonderful acting but shameful writing. I can’t say I am going to watch anymore of this. Bring back the Old Y&R. I really am sick of most of the story lines now. Where is Jill? Dillon and his new mother–That is a joke. Love Billy, I feel he is ready… Read more »
Umm….can the new writers attempt to fix Sharon first before you throw her to the wolves please?! Grrrr.
I don’t appreciate anyone referring to Sharon and Adam’s relationship as ‘twisted.’ Just because it wasn’t the norm, doesn’t mean it was wrong. They were very much in love. In fact, what’s twisted is how those feeling got turned off like a light switch when whatever regime felt they waned a insta-soulmate situation with Chelsea and Adam. I have been a fan for over 20 years and Sharon/Adam was one of the most exciting and passionate love affairs as of yet.
yep like Chelsea and Adam are not unhealthy and twisted..and now they will be a ‘family’..seriously Shelly Altman ?! EYEROLL
EYEROLL, this is the weakest, unhealthy and twisted pair.
I have a question? How much input do the actors have in how their particular story line is being written? They all have contracts, and I wonder what it’s like to be playing a part that one does not believe in. I would love to know the answer to this, from someone, anyone, on the show. Hearing Adam’s comment would be great as I think he is one of the most talented actors the show has ever had.
Sharon and Adam were hot! Let’s hope we’ll get some of that back with them one day!
Sharon/Adam was one of the most exciting and passionate love affairs as of yet.
righting this “original” pair’ing: will save the show
Hot!
Turbulent!!
Fire!!!
Passion!!!!
Fan following
it was twisted.. he stole her baby… there is nothing normal about her sleeping with the man who stole her kid. It is beyond sick and twisted… but sharon will do anything to have a Newman Heir.
What I find sick ,is those who say it should have been Faith. Faith is just alittle girl who wants her mommy n daddy together ,just like Dee wanted Kevin n Chloe together.Faith’s father and aunt were terrible to Adam when he was small b/c they blamed Hope for their parents separation.I hope they finally see how their father has harmed all his children.AND victor ,I hope he will lose them all ,Niki too.until he finally sees its all on him.He needs to get help to deal with being abandoned by his parents.Wanting it to be another child who died… Read more »
SORRY SHARON IS NOT A SOCIOPATH ,SHE HAS A CHEMICAL IMBLANCE .HOWEVER PHYLLIS CAME PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING A SOCIOPATH ,JUST LIKE VICTOR.
I love Sharon but STOP the excuse..bipolar people DOESN’T DO what Sharon did !
i am sick of victor newman,,
I agree Meg. Sharon has a chemical imbalance. Let’s hope she gets well and strong and on the right path here soon.
Judith I’V KNOW PPL WITH BIPOLAR ,SOME AS SICK AS SHARON, I’D LIKE TO SEE SHARON WITH DYLAN ,MAYBE ,I PREFER ADAM WITH CHELSEA,I’M SICK OF VICTOR TOO,BUT I WOULDN;T WANT HIM TO LEAVE,NEED SOMEONE TO HATE.I WANT HIM TO FINALLY GET WHATS COMING TOHIM .FOR HIM TO REALIZE THE HARM HE HAS DONE TO ALL HIS CHILDREN,ESPECIALLY ADAM.
I know this ilness too MEG and NEVER EVER people with bipolar disease do what the Sharon character did..NEVER.
she is a total wack job.. Sharin has the wrong diagnosis. She is doing things that Bi Polar people do not. Sharon and her crazy is something she turns off and on. Getting drunk and burning down the newman ranch was disgusting .. it was cuz she was drunk not crazy.
I’ll wait to voice my opinion till I see the material.
i think it is BS that crap like that had to happen to a lil kid. i k now you trying to make it based on every day life but damn get real. in my opinon you took it way to far now.
I don’t think any thing is gonna change on the show. The other writer might as well stayed.
Very very disappointed in the recent story line with Delia. It’s been bad enough loosing a lot of the main characters and several people who have played those roles for quite some time. But to get rid of a child. It’s just ridiculous. I know every single person I’ve spoken to about the Delia story line is NOT pleased and a lot have even said they will quit watching. I sure hope the writers change their mind on this! Great having a mixed family and one that had such a connection. Why ruin that with losing a child? Especially they… Read more »
Same old junk. NOT the Y&R I’ve watched since Nikki was a hooker!! You’re RUINING all we have left!
You said it perfectly
NIKKI WAS NEVER A HOOKER,JUST B/C SOMEONES A STRIOOER DOESN’T MEAN SHES A HOOKER.
STRIPPER
Stripper, whatever. The POINT WAS, they’re RUINING the show.
won’t and can’t watch this storyline about delia. it could have been handled so differently! she did NOT have to be killed!!! in general, the show has been pretty pathetic. thank goodness for dvr/fast forward and delete! i now watch about 10 minutes of the show, if that! 🙁
I have read so many posts and I agree with almost all…Sharon being bipolar and not even correctly, why? Adam always being the evil one, Why? Too much of Chelsea and Avery, what made them be center stage and oh so important? Delia WHY..she was the best little actress on that show, why not replace her? Keep together Billy and Victoria, Kevin and Chloe, Jack and Phyllis (if she is back or replaced), and Lily and Cane. Put together Dylan and Avery, Nickki and Dylan as mother/son. I agree that Neil, Cane, Lily, Tyler and his sister are not my… Read more »
I am not happy that little delia was killed off. I am now done with the show. I haven’t watched it since the accident happened almost a week ago.
I find it truly disturbing that the writers have yet again “killed off” another child on this show… & one that is so brilliant… Delia was an awesome little actress that deserved better than she got… Young & the Restless has been my favorite soap for many many years… Not so much anymore… Not watching it anymore 🙁
i think killing off delia was pure nonsense. i know the actress wanted to leave to do another show but it could have been recast. this is starting like gh where they are killing of kids so another kid can get their organ donations. i turned that show off too because of the same reason. they could have done a different story for connor’s cornea transplant. did not need to kill off delia. if adam did it how can he be a family with chelsea. it is going to come out and then he will go to prison. plain and… Read more »
I agree, they should of recast….and Connor will probably end up with Dee Dees corneas, I am hoping the writers read all the comments and make it a Dream someone was having…they did it on Dallas, hope they do it on Y&R… Please
Good interview however does not change my feelings on killing off a child. I surely understand there is a better future for this young character, but she could have been replaced just as so many others have been. Having Adam, once again, pointed as the “bad guy” is once too often. It is time for him to find some happiness in his life with the sly fox of his father in him to disrupt the business place. Haven’t we had enough with stranded children coming to surface? Make room for the young ones to start new story lines……I really would… Read more »
I applaud the writers for taking on a realistic storyline. Children die everyday and that is a fact. While sad to see Delia die, it gives the actress a chance to move onto bigger and better things. I also see Emmy’s for several of the cast members because it allows for them to shine and truly shows their talent. Bring back some beloved characters from the past..Number one choice…Kimberlin Brown as Sheila. Some are tired of her storylines but she always sends the ratings soaring and she is a fantastic actress. Would love to see her character redeemed somehow and… Read more »
Don’t like the DD story line at all. Should have replaced her like you did Faith. There is so much sadness in most everyone’s lives right now. Don’t like that you killed DD and compounded the sadness of those who religiously watch the show. I think for any of us it is easier to handle the death of an adult on television, but not a child.
I hate this story line Deliah was a bright spot in the show just was not necessary at all, And Victor has become so vindictive going to be another day time casulaity been watching forever but about to give it up
Honestly, it is just too much drama! I have quit watching, and I have watched for the better part of 35 years. I think daytime dramas are losing their following. And who wants to watch families go through burying a child, they get enough of that in their own lives.
Sad story with Delia passing but please leave Billy and Victoria together. The chemistry they have it awesome together. Still not sure why the show could not recast Delia as they do everyone else or age her.
Yes they should have recast the part, that was mean, an only child for Chloe , hope they make it a dream like they did on Dallas, Wont be the same without Dee Dee
Many years back, when an episode ended, it left me yearning to watch more and I couldn’t wait for the next day!!! There were twists and turns that you never saw coming and it was so cleverly and amazingly written (and acted)!. Besides Y&R and Bold & The Beautiful, I never got into any other soaps even though I did try. I found them to be too unrealistic and never kept my interest. I felt Y&R was very different. And now you have the same writers of those other soaps writing now for my favorite soap….and I feel myself watching… Read more »
great post.. I totally agree with you.
These new story lines are impossible. Been a fan for 30 plus years but starting to make me hate to watch it.
I so agree , it’s very hard to watch , I’ve been skipping shows since you all started with the Summer daddy switch and now with the Adam killing a child he didn’t even see , what’s wrong with you people ???????????
Me too Sandra, I have been a loyal viewer for over 30 years and this past summer I started watching less and less….sick of the same old thing day in day out!
I have been watching Y&R since I was in the 9th grade in 1974. Lately the storylines are getting crazier every day. I hate Delia dying off the show. And I really hate the fact that Adam may be the one who did it. I have seen where it may end up beind Niki instead and I hope it is. Why can’t the writers ever give Adam a break. He is already cursed with being Victors son. He deserves some happiness in his life. And now that he has the son he has always wanted you try to get him… Read more »
because you don’t like the acting of one actress, her character needs to be for you a little girl’s killer..ugh.
Its a good idea because Niki’s character has not had a good story line for months if not years. Adam always gets dumbed on and its getting old. And the new storyline about Dylan being her son is crazy too. What are the chances that a son she gave away 40 years ago would be someone she already knew. And yes he would have to be in his 40’s because she was suppose to have been a teenager when she had him and she is easily in her 60’s in real life and so would her character be as long… Read more »
Doesn’t need to be Nikki EITHER ! And yep she already has a story with the long lost son Dyllan..maybe you don’t like it but it is a story !
OUIT persecuting Adam!!! Do not make him the one who hit her…it doesnt make sense. Victors kids accepted everyother halfling Victor spawned but not Adam. Victor claims family is the most important thing to him but wont love Adam…why? because he is the smartest,most savy of all of them..toomuch like Victor. Beginning to hate Victor, so evil and pretentious and never any consequences for him. Give Jack a break already and Sharon and Nick belong together, Phyllis moved in on a grieving couple to steal the man. Bring her out of her comma so she can go after Billy. Hate… Read more »
shick were the most toxic couple of all.. they should NEVER get back together.
You writers suck. You messing up a good show the last while, where are your brains? I know where they are they got lost in some ocean, your running out of ideas so your coming up with crap. That’s what . I think you either need to shut this show down or let some other people who have more sense take over. Worst storyline ever the last while and to top it off you heartless in killing off a kid. So wrong. You all need to take like a twenty year vacation.
I also do not want Michael Muhney(Adam) in this drama about Dehlia. He has been rip over the coals enough. Let him enjoy his son and I hope Chelsea gets over herself and quites letting Chloe lead her around by the nose!
I cannot believe that Delia has been a victim and is gone!! And why Adam??? As I read through the above and the mention that this show will soon follow the type of show GH is – then I’ll be gone. I left GH years ago because of the so-call story lines that had no depth. The characters on Y&R have been slowly developed and are interesting to follow. This being a ‘soap opera’ they need to continue to develop but not to outlandish events. I can see that this show might be going by the wayside – sorry to… Read more »
Your last query re: General Hospital BAM BAM BAM is exactly how I feel about soap operas. This is how they should be acted, viewed and portrayed. I noticed this change in the last year and have gravitated over to GH because I love the characters. The layers are so well mixed that it makes you want to watch. Bringing back characters a few months after a jammed packed plot is the best idea. They have it right on GH and the other shows are going to dwindle. I’ve watched Y & R since 1990 and religiously took it all… Read more »
It is TOTALLY ridiculous that you would even consider Nick and Sharon back together. Her storyline is a train wreck!!! Horrible job at killing off Delia and having Adam be the culprit, that’s a no win story line there!! Terrible job celebrating the life of Katherine Chancelor too. I could have written a much better storyline for her death than that!! Shameful!!! After you killed off Delia, I vowed to turn your show off!! These reasons are why soaps are going off the air!!! Get a grip and get some better stories written. Bring Delia back recast!!!!!! Enough already!!!!
What a shame that YOU do NOT care what the fans think!!!!! I have watched this show for years-my Mom & I used to talk about it on our weekly phone calls,I bet even she is rolling in the grave over this ROTTEN story!! To take that sweet baby girls is just WRONG!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! I am soooo done with this show- I do not care if Connor will see,or if Adam becomes a man-he is a man-take that nasty Victor & put him on a road !!!! It must not take much to think this stuff up. AGAIN,… Read more »
Way to go writers!!! Your storylines have the “opinion” pages on fire!!! Well done! I had my hankies nearby all week!!!
Interviews
Y&R’s Executive Producer Anthony Morina Talks On Daytime Emmy Drama Series Win For Neil’s Memorial & Honoring Kristoff St. John
Last Friday night, The Young and the Restless was named the Outstanding Drama Series at the 47th annual Daytime Emmy Awards broadcast on CBS. The show won on the strength of their submissions, which centered on the death of Neil Winters; including when the residents of Genoa City find out of his passing, and the subsequent heartbreaking memorial service in his honor.
However, what made those hours of television unlike anything seldom seen; were not only was Genoa City saying goodbye to Neil, but the cast was saying their goodbyes to their beloved friend and colleague, Kristoff St. John (Neil) who had passed away suddenly back in February of 2019.
Y&R’s executive producer, Anthony (Tony) Morina accepted the award for the top-rated CBS Daytime drama during the Emmy telecast, which now makes Morina a five-time Daytime Emmy winner himself!
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Tony on the series emotional Emmy win, and what it meant for him to win the gold for these incredibly moving and special episodes that were at its epicenter paying tribute to Kristoff in the best way the soap opera could. Here’s what Tony shared on the Y&R Drama Series victory and more.
Photo: JPI
Congratulations on your Outstanding Drama Series win. The episodes that you submitted were at every level, so gut-wrenching, sincere, and beautiful. What did you think about the process that you went through to make these right for Kristoff and the character of Neil?
TONY: Occasionally, when you are in this business, as you know, you work so hard to achieve certain things, sometimes you think you’re achieving something, and you’re not, and sometimes something shows up that surprises the heck out of you, and this was kind of it for me. But what didn’t surprise me, of course, were the actors’ ability, the director’s ability, and the crews’ ability, and for these episodes it was at such a high level. Sometimes there is an emotional element, or an otherworldliness thing that takes over.
Photo: CBS
Yes, because it was all so real and raw; in that we were watching the characters who loved Neil Winters mourn him, but we were also watching all the actors who loved their co-star.
TONY: When everybody was in that church set and were giving their eulogies, it felt like everybody was so behind each other, and everybody just cared for each other so much because they cared so much for Kristoff. All the eulogies that people were doing were a page and a half to two pages. They were really long, but you could feel the emotional tension, and you could feel how people just felt. Kristoff was a very unique special person, who ended up going through some rough times, but he really was beloved. Sometimes you love people, and sometimes you say somebody is beloved. Whenever you saw him, he put a smile on your face. He made you feel like he really cared about you. Those shows came together really out of this feeling of love. We did two whole shows that day. We did that whole show and the show that came after it. I don’t know how many hours of a day it was, but people had so much emotion attached to it that those shows really kind of took over themselves with everybody just trusting and letting go and supporting each other. I got a text from Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R) saying how it was one of the greatest experiences he’d ever had in terms of how it all came together. Those shows just meant a lot to us, and I really felt that if we didn’t win, I’d be perfectly fine with that, because I was just so glad that we were able to do these episodes, and people got to see it.
Photo: JPI
At what point did you decide, “We are going with this to submit for the Emmy!”
TONY: I actually knew that day. I think, I actually said to Josh Griffith (head writer and Co-EP Y&R), “This is going to be our Emmy show … or one of our Emmy shows.” The other show when everybody finds out Neil died was an incredibly powerful show to me too, but I knew that day when we shot the funeral that you rarely see that kind of rawness. When you get into this business, and you want to become an actor, it’s tough, but you know that in the end what you want is to get into a position where you can share who you are as a person in an artistic way. I think the Neil memorial gave people a way to say, “This is why I do this because I get to really share myself, and I get to express how passionate I am and how much I care about other people.”
Photo: JPI
Shemar Moore (Ex-Malcolm) came back to honor his dear friend and on-screen Y&R brother. How was it having him on set with you to share this experience?
TONY: Shemar was amazing. He was there until the bitter end of our tape day. He could not have been kinder and more supportive of everybody, and really laid out his emotions, and it was like that with everybody. I would say this was the the most amazing experience I have ever had.
What do you think Kristoff would say? I think he would be very proud that you gave Neil a real proper sendoff.
TONY: Absolutely. I also think Kristoff, would have thought that Neil deserved it, and would have loved it, a, it’s an interesting question because you have got to say to yourself, “Does Kristoff feel he deserves it?” As a character, he’d definitely feel he deserved it. He was a part of that community. He was a part of Genoa City. Those were his friends and his family. Would Kristoff feel he deserves that? I don’t know if he would have felt he deserved it, but I know he would have loved knowing how much people cared for him. I think that would have meant the world to him. I really do.
Photo: CBS
I loved your acceptance speech. I thought it was one of the better ones of Emmy night.
TONY: Thanks so much. Matt Kane (publicist, Y&R) has been amazing. He gave me a lot of guidance on where to go, and my wife, Sally (Sussman Morina) really helped write the speech because the rules were you’ve got 30 seconds. I really believe in the notion that when you have an opportunity to speak in front of people about something, it has some meaning to you and to other people. I think you have to put thought into it because how many opportunities do you get in life to share about yourself and how you feel about people? So, I really appreciate you saying that.
Photo: CBS
What did you think of your Y&R actors: Bryton James’ (Devon) and Jason Thompson’s (Billy) major Emmy victories?
TONY: Well, personally, I am enormous fans of both people. I like when nice, good people have nice things happen to them, and you know them. First off, I was so happy for Bryton because I know he and Kristoff were close, and I know he was deeply affected, as Christel Khalil (Lily, Y&R) was, as everybody was, but they were like family. I love Bryton personally, and he laid his heart out there. As for Jason Thompson, people think the world of him, and I think he is an unbelievable actor. I taught for years, and I have worked with a lot of actors, and I think Jason has such control of his work. I’m impressed by him. I’m just as impressed by who Jason is. I think he’s deserved it other times too, and this was his first win; which must be very special for him.
Photo: deCazotteFacebookPage
During the In-Memoriam tribute on the Emmy broadcast, former producer, Lisa de Cazotte was also featured. What can you say about your time working with her at Y&R and over your career?
TONY: I’ve known Lisa De Cazotte since Santa Barbara when Paul Rauch (former executive producer) brought her there, and that’s where we first met. Lisa was probably my favorite producer to ever be in the booth with because she let you be yourself, and she let you do your job, and yet, she still had control over the room and the studio. She was a great touchstone for me, because when you are in this position, you need someone to bounce stuff off of or just say, “Am I really being an idiot here?” because we were old friends, she could say, “Tony, you’re being an idiot.” (Laughs) We miss her terribly. She was really a loved person, and she was just fantastic at what she did. I just miss her as a friend.
Photo: JPI
And of course, the In-Memoriam featured the late Y&R co-creator, Lee Philip Bell who also passed recently.
TONY: Yes, and that’s what was interesting about that speech I gave, because you had to mention those three people: Lee, of course, Kristoff, and Lisa – three truly linchpin important people in daytime drama for many years. Losing all three made it a particularly rough year for The Young and the Restless family.
I also wanted to talk about Eve LaRue (Ex-Celeste Rosales), who had never won a Daytime Emmy but she did for her work on Y&R! She was very emotional and moved by her win as Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series. What can you say about Eva?
TONY: She is such a lovely person and she did a great job for us. I’m just glad for her because I know she had ever won before.
Photo: JPI
One of the clips shown on the Emmy broadcast that Y&R chose for air from Neil’s memorial was Victor’s emotional eulogy; which Eric Braeden delivered so beautifully. I know how found he was of Kristoff; so it made that on-screen moment all the more heartbreaking. What can you say about Eric?
TONY: Eric feels as deeply as anybody who I have ever known. Really, he can come across sometimes as a certain kind of image for people on-screen, but he cares deeply, and is the most supportive actor of every other actor. Eric has a depth and is a fantastic actor, and he knows how to use his talent. He actually called me last night and left a message. He just said, “Hey, I saw you on TV,” and then he just laughed for 5 minutes. It was really very funny. He’s not used to seeing me on TV, and so he just laughed. It was hilarious.
What did you think of Y&R’s win for Outstanding Drama Series knowing they submitted the episodes of Genoa City finding out Neil had passed, and his funeral? Share your thoughts on Tony’s remarks via the comment section below.
Interviews
Daytime Emmy Winners: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Scott Clifton & Heather Tom Talk Winning the Gold & Returning to Work at B&B
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Thaao Penghlis Chats on His Daytime Emmy Nomination & How He Makes Tony DiMera One of a Kind
He has been one of the longstanding cast members of Days of our Lives and certainly of Salem’s notorious DiMera Clan; and while Thaao Penghlis may be off our screens for a time and then comes back again; though the years one thing has been true, he delivers top-notch performances in a way that is uniquely ‘Thaao’.
This year at the 47th annual Daytime Emmy Awards to be broadcast on Friday night, June 26th at 8 p. m. EST, Thaao is vying for the Outstanding Lead Actor prize amongst a formidable group of other daytime favorites. And this makes it two years in a row that Penghlis has received an Emmy nomination although this time in a different category.
As fans know, Penghlis takes the art of acting seriously, and expects other he works with to bring their A-game, just as he does time and time again; whether it be playing DAYS dashing Tony or the evil Andre or when he portrayed Victor Cassadine on General Hospital.
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Thaao to get his thoughts on: receiving the Emmy recognition and what it means to him what he thought about his nominated scenes, plus what he might be doing at home during the ceremony, and where he hopes Tony DiMera’s future is headed. Here’s what Thaao shared.
Photo: JPI
Tell me about what scenes you submitted that landed you a Lead Actor Emmy nod!
THAAO: Well, the week I came back to DAYS, I had 11 shows, and this material was from one show of three I did one day! When you think of other actors doing 150 shows, and I did less than 50 this past year, my choice is kind of limited. So, when I came across these particular scenes, which were with Eric Martsolf (Brady) and with Arianne Zucker (Nicole), what I liked about it is that usually when you see other peoples’ work, its histrionic, it’s great tears, it’s drama – and what I was able to put together had a through line and an arc from beginning to end. It makes it very logical when somebody is following your story, and you can show a whole ebb that makes sense. I had some lines that were really difficult to say, like, “Coming back from the dead is not easy.” When I get lines like that, I throw it away, and because of that, it becomes humorous. I have to say I work well with Arianne. She was great. I found in the past, when I have worked with some actors, they step on your lines. I found the best way to stop that is I put my hand up, and I say, “Hey!” and everything goes silent. They go into shock mode, and I say, “I haven’t finished,” and then I go on. (Laughs) So, when Kristen as Nicole starts to talk to Tony the way she does, and she says, “You’d better behave…” I thought, “This is a DiMera you are talking to,” so, I just snapped back at her. I gave her a, “Hey!” So, she shut up, froze, and I went on.
Photo: JPI
Would you say your reel was more comedic … or both funny and serious?
THAAO: It is both. There are subtleties to it. There is a teacher I know in Australia, and she is very critical. She said, “I want to see your work.” I showed it to her, and she wrote back, “Oh my, God. How did you make those transitions so readily?” I went, “Oh. How did I do it?” I didn’t think of that. I think it’s an old technique. It’s called having to do 3 shows in one day, and you had better get your stuff right, and it’s about how do you make a scene work? There is one director who I did a miniseries with who said to me, “Where did you get your training from?” I said, “Daytime.” He said, “My God. You certainly know how to have a camera follow you,” Well, the camera has to follow your movement. So, when I finished a transition, I’d move to another spot, and the camera had to follow me. So, what happened in the arc of this Emmy-nominated piece is that I took charge and controlled the scene so that it became a scene of lots of transitions. And of course, charm, I did all of what I thought Tony would be. He is a DiMera. I have one of those looks. I don’t know where it comes from, maybe it’s as I get older, but I’ve learned how to work the camera where I may slam something first to get your attention, and then the camera comes onto your face, and you’re going, “Oh, what the hell is he thinking?” So, I can play the dark side quite readily, and yet in my real life, I’m not so bad. (Laughs)
Courtesy/ABC
You have Thorsten Kaye (Ridge, B&B) and Steve Burton (Jason, GH) also in your category, and these guys who are obviously been soap veterans like yourself. What do you think about the group you have been nominated with?
THAAO: I never worked with Steve Burton, but hear good things. I know Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan, GH). He’s a lovely actor. I have worked with Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R). He’s a lovely actor. He is well-trained. So, it is nice to see that the nominees are all vets.
Right, they are all vets. It seems like a good group to be with.
THAAO: I agree, and I love that the Daytime Emmys are coming back to television. I think it is an upswing when they think of daytime dying. I think whoever made this happen is taking on the responsibility of taking daytime back. It is why people love novellas. People love the story, they love to follow the characters, and we’ve got fantastic fans. I mean, what would we do without them? You can’t sustain the show without them, and you pay a price, you have to know how to entertain them because once they know who you are and what you’re about, they get bored. So, you have to be ahead of your audience all of the time. That’s what I have always tried to do with both characters that I’ve played on DAYS
Photo: JPI
They’re doing a virtual ceremony this year. How do you think you would dress while watching the ceremony?
THAAO: You don’t wear a tux in your house, do you? So, I’ve invited some people for a celebratory time. Lauren Koslow (Kate, DAYS) and her husband Nick Schillace (head of make-up, DAYS) and Leann Hunley (Anna, DAYS) are some of my great friends who have been very supportive of me through some tough times this year, and I’ve got a friend who has got a wonderful restaurant, and he is going to cater it. Probably it will be a group of 10. You know, could you imagine being here on your own, in a tuxedo, with a glass of champagne? (Laughs)
I know, kind of awkward! (Laughs) You’ll put something nice on for the big night, right?
THAAO: Yes, you know me. I’m always dressed. What would you suggest? Sweatpants on the bottom and a tuxedo jacket! How about that? (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
Now, you have been previously nominated for Daytime Emmys, too!
THAAO: Yes, and last year I was nominated as well for Outstanding Guest Performer. So, it’s kind of nice to be back-to-back, and in 2008, I was nominated for Lead Actor when I played the clown in the Tony and Andre storyline. Thank God, DAYS recently DAYS had James Reynolds (Abe) wining in the Lead Actor category. I thought, “Wow.” That was for years and years of good work that he’s done, and also, Greg Vaughan (Eric) wining for Supporting Actor was very nice, but we haven’t had that many wins in the acting categories over the years.
Photo: JPI
DAYS tapes so far ahead of air; that what was once a seemingly major concern has paid off swimmingly during the coronavirus pandemic. The soap is the only show to have enough episodes in the bank for months ahead when production shut down and enough even when other shows go back into production. Who would have thought?
THAAO: We used to think it was ridiculous that DAYS taped eight months ahead, but look at us now! Who would have thought is right?
What would you love to see happen with Tony when DAYS does resume filming new episodes again?
THAAO: I’d like to go back and play the head of the DiMera family. I’ve never been granted that, and I think, at this stage, with the way I worked with Joe Mascolo (Ex-Stefano) it would be nice to see the transition just like Michael Corleone did in Godfather.
So will you be rooting for Thaao to take home the gold as Lead Actor in a Drama Series come Emmy night? Do you hope DAYS writes Tony into upcoming story, and if so, how would you like to see him on the canvas? Comment below.
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Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Big Smooch with Demi Lovato in Arianna Grande & Justin Bieber’s New Music Video ‘Stuck With You’
Soap Vet Debbi Morgan’s Emotional Words On How COVID-19 Has Affected the Black Community
WATCH: ‘Venice the Series’ Gregory Zarian Talk Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom, Bullying & Staying Safe During COVID-19
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Breaking NewsJuly 10, 2020General Hospital Shifts Production Restart Date
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Breaking NewsJuly 6, 2020Kristian Alfonso Departs Days of our Lives After 37 Years
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NewsJuly 7, 2020B&B’s Denise Richards Reveals Her Husband Aaron Phypers Will Be Stand-In During Ridge Forrester Intimate Scenes
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General HospitalJuly 12, 2020WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn, Jane Elliot & Kim Zimmer in ‘Covid Support Group’ Episode Two
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 11, 2020DAYS Wally Kurth Delivers ‘The Power Performance of the Week’
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General HospitalJuly 5, 2020GH’s Mark Lawson Fuels At-Home Workout With Soap Opera Competition: “Dante, Dante, Dante, Dominic, Dominic, Dominic … But What About Dustin?”
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 7, 2020DAYS Mary Beth Evans & Stephen Nichols with Guest Ron Carlivati Talk Stayla’s Greatest Hits & Approach To Scripts During COVID-19
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NewsJuly 7, 2020Who Will Be B&B’s New Love Interest For Steffy Forrester?