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 gets more airtime and investment than Cane and Lily. No reason quantitatively (either by ratings which equals profit margins or popularity) that can be given other than straight up bias. The persistent bias lead me to come to accept and understand there will never be any change in the prejudicial sentiments of the executive and writing teams of this show. Luckily for many who are turned off by this pervasive bias, cable and network TV are finally coming into the 21st century and are now offering shows which treat interracial relationships and families as equal entities and not fillers to bring out of hiding (separated from the rest of the cast) when they need to give their milk toast only world cast of favorites a rest. Cane and Lily Ashby can barely rely on Winters Wednesday to pop up and say a few lines which only relates to Winters world or the other blacks who are without fail only tied to Winters world, and even on that day you can guarantee the favorites who hog the other 4 days will also dominate that Wednesday too. I read a few post recently where some viewers were commenting on the Delia storyline and a few asked why not kill the Ashby twins since they don’t matter. A few others said the only children left on the show were Faith, Johnny and Conner. I can’t fault them for not recalling that Charlie and Mattie exist. They are never seen and as some so succinctly put it – they hardly matter. The writers made sure of it even though they matter very much to many fans of Y&R. But that is not enough when it comes to Cane and Lily and their family with Charlie and Mattie having an equal footing on the canvas. Avery and Dylan’s miscarried baby memories got more airtime than Cane, Lily, Charlie and Mattie combined. Conner is featured more in his brief life n the show than the twins ever were there whole 3 years of existence on Y&R. I can only imagine how much Chelsea and Adam and Conner will be featured as a family. Billy and Victoria with Jonny are staples on the show. People care because they get to see them almost daily bonding as a family. It is a miracle people still care about Lane & the twins even though they are barely on, much… 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 to care about. Since the story flopped from the beginning when it was all about Neil and the insipid Michelsons, Lane was brought in to bring buzz. Lane managed to spike interest in the DOA storyline for the brief few episodes Lane were featured, and then it went squarely back into Neil’s ball court where it lingers on in dragged out disinterested wasteland of nothingness. But be of good cheer Lisa. Cane and Lily were not even an afterthought with this HW in this interview so they will most likely remain on the backburner and the one they were used to help get notice will be developed and connected on canvas for your future enjoyment. Seems like a priority to develop and connect the newbies over the fan favorites who have been on the show for years and cannot get invested writing and development despite always delivering. As for Lane not being able to carry a story? A Lane centered story has never sunk the ratings unlike some of the writers favorites stories have done in the past. It is also very peculiar in light of your statement that writers continue to throw newbies at Lane in order to help get the newbies noticed, which logic and reasoning leads me to conclude, is an acknowledgment of Lane’s popularity. Sorry Lisa – yours and a few haters diatribe against Lane on twitter and the boards does not equal the majority consensus, even though I know you and they wish it were so. If only wishes were true! I would have my wish granted of Lane being invested in and given equal airtime as the writers favorite white characters and couples get so easily and unquestioningly. Maybe then, I would not have stopped watching Y&R! If any of “the black” stories aren’t working? They involve Lane to spike talk and interest.Too bad for Lane and their fans – they never get rewarded for the effort. Just continued regulation to more prop duty. I can guarantee Lane will be used to prop more yawn worthy stories for whomever Hilary gets involved with, which will more likely than not, be Devon. He is the power player of the Winters family now, LOL. If Hilary, Devon, Neil, Mason, Leslie and Tyler are so interesting and can carry their own stories without using Lane – I would love to hear of it being done. But these… 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 reason that Cane and family are diminished because Cane was never a Chancelor, his character came about when he deceived Kathryn into believing he was her long lost son Phillip, she grew to love him and took him under her wing. Kathryn is gone now and the Newman’s have Chancelor so really Cane has been displaced, let him go. Lily’s father, Neil, has been displaced, her brother Devon has been displaced. That is okay, they had a good run but let new blood arise from the ashes of Kathryn Chancelor!!!
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 the characters the new regime will focus on. How the hell do you invest the next generation when you improperly cast? I am speaking of nuSummer & nuKyle & you kill the next generation, Delia. Enough already. It is more than time to walk away. Done, done, done. No more talking to a group of people who lie, spin, deceive, & disrespect fans by actions while praising with words. There is something very, very wrong here. I don’t get it. What I do understand is the power of the $. Walk away…..stop giving them the ratings which helps to pay their saleries. Stop being used. No more live watching, no more DVR watches, unless it is 4 days after the initial airing. This will not count towards the ratings. At the end of the day, WE have the power. Time to use it…..sadly.
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 currently employs her! She is not a good actress and Daniel Goddard is not a very good actor either. Do away with these two characters first before getting rid of a legacy character that is tied to the Abbott and Chancellor families in the name of Delia Abbott. Michael Fairman’s interview with Shelly Altman revealed a lot in that the new writing regime has no intention of listening to the fans. They have no intention of honoring the show’s history, of getting back to the score that made Y&R synonymous with good musical scores in the show’s past. Also, Shelly is seriously deluded in her thinking that Y&R honored Katherine and in the same vein, honored Jeanne Cooper. This is simply not the case. If they truly wanted to honor her, they would not have had Christine and Paul marry, they would have had Phillip’s III and IV there (even if they needed to recast one of those roles and taken Thom Bierdz up on his offer to do those episodes at a seriously reduced rate of pay…..hey, he did say he would do those episodes on the cheap!). I hate to say this, but Michelle Stafford saw the writing on the wall and decided to high tail it out of the CBS studio’s before she had to utter another horrendous word coming from the writers knowing full well that they would continue to destroy Phyllis (her final scenes were horrible). If I were Sharon Case, I’d leave Y&R knowing that the writer’s continue to destroy her character, no matter what Shelly Altman says. I don’t buy Shelly’s statement that they plan to rehabilitate Sharon at all. I think they will continue to destroy her character. Lastly, I have not watched this show since the Katherine memorial episodes and I don’t plan on returning either. In all honesty, I don’t see this show lasting another year or two with the way that JFP is killing this show slowly. Another 200-300 people out of work easily. It’s really too bad that Angelica McDaniel (CBS) and Steve Kent and Steve Moska (Sony Pictures) have their heads buried so far up their asses that they can’t see what’s going on and make the necessary changes that need to be made in order to bring this show back from the proverbial cliff and prevent it from nose-diving into a grave. Sad, sad, sad! Michael,… 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 how the stories are playing out and i am ready to take the recording out of my pvr as its gone overboard and drag things out i could watch it every month just one day!! get on the writing wheel and smarten up before you loose all the faithful watchers!!!!
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 swings not seeing your dead children!
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 the memory or even didn`t know that she hit something. Cause of her MS. I really, really hope they not make Adam the driver who did this.
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 for and NO couple to ship. Villy is as tired and old as Lame Lane.
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 really his daughter, before she gets too involved with Jack….Find someone for Sharon and let Nick get on without her…STop Victor from calling Billy (Billy Boy) I hate that, he is good for Victoria…. Let Billy save Victor so he will treat him like a son-in-law should be treated..he stopped his house from being blown up and what thanks did he get….I love this show but come on the Neil story has gone on too long, and with the evidence she gets away with it….All I can say is PLEASE MAKE DEE DEES STORY A DREAM!!!!
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 is such a loving husband and farther and you are destroying that.
I sure hope that you can bring a positive spin to this show soon.
I agree with Sandra Pearson that bring Delia back, have this play out as a nightmare.
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 every episode for months. Come on everyone knows Adam loves Sharon!
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 over . Drucilla where are you? Your bestfriend Sharon needs you and love of your life Neil and daughter Lily. Lily is so boring!
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 future storyline gone for good. Delia could have been anything. She was beautiful, bright, bubbly, just adorable and full of life. She brought a smile to our faces and was a ray of sunshine, just what we needed when things got blue in GC. Then the writers top it off by having Adam as the killer!!! How ridiculous is that?!!! I could have written a better accident scene and source for cornea transplant than that, and I don’t even pretend to be a writer, furthermore, don’t want to be!!! Now, when I watch Y&R, every time I see Adam, the first thing I’ll think of is “he killed Delia.” There is no fix…no grand and glorious storyline that will ever erase that brand from Adam’s forehead. He’s doomed and that’s a shame. He makes a great villain, but hurt a child?!!! Nope…he’s doomed. That’s something Y&R fans just won’t get over. I’m also sick of the storyline they have for Sharon. She’s not a ditsy, dumb blonde and she deserves a much better storyline. The latest Cassie storyline was not good. Love the actress but it just didn’t fit, even if Sharon is bipolar. What also really upset me is that “Interview.” Ms. Altman hasn’t got a clue about Y&R and what fans want to see. She made it very clear the fans mean nothing to them and those in charge. The article was a waste. I don’t watch as often now, and skip through portions, but I’ll still stand by the actors, not by the storylines. Very sad future for Y&R indeed. Hope it gets better.
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 the past many years, and never had to account for his actions or serve any jail time. Adam seems to get more and more piled on him, every time he turns around. The man just doesn’t catch a break and I’ll say it one last time, he is one of the 3 finest actors on the show and if he ever left Y & R, I would be right out the door with him and follow him wherever he goes. I don’t buy the writers explanations that they are creating more connections with other characters…sorry, don’t believe you all. What sort of hold does Eric Braeden have on all of you. He can’t even act…
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 and Nick seems rather immoral. She has been married to Nick, Adam who he disowns and finally Victor. Ugh She needs help before another house is burned down, or someone is harmed. Please realize that some viewers/fans are mature and educated; we need to be challenged. As, aforementioned in this interview, I believe Hillary will be around for a long time. She is probably Tyler and Leslie’s sister. One more question, Dylan’s age, he appears younger than Victoria and Nikki. I hope these comments are taken into consideration.
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 will be honoured, but to me it’s just all lies at this point. Sally and the rest of the team will write whatever they want and they simply just don’t care about what the core audience of this show want to see, and I can tell you as one of those “core” fans who has been watching the show from the late 70’s, it is NOT watching that grifter Chelsea, Dylan, Avery and Adam EAT up most of the air time. I don’t tune into to Y&R to watch JFP’s favs take over the show! Integrate new characters SLOWLY, but that’s not what has happened; that con Chelsea has some how become THE heroine of the show! In what universe do the writers think long-time Y&R fans want to watch her and Dylan eat up so much air time? This is not General Hospital or All My Children: it’s the Young and the Restless = Jill, Jack, Billy, Ashley, Tracy, Nikki, Victor, Sharon, Nick, Victoria, Michael and Lauren! If this new writing team can’t honour that – and from this interview they clearly don’t get it – then Sony/CBS needs to put together a writing team that will! I’m so sick of watching the Chelsea/Chloe/Dylan/Avery show! It’s almost (but not quite) as bad as The Phyllis Show we were subjected to under MAB! Arrrrgh!! As for Cane and Lily, keep them out of sight! They are pathetic and Cane is simply a joke. They are uber boring and can’t carry a major storyline so why are they still around? At least Lily is a legacy character, but Cane? Please. He has no true legacy AT ALL to the history of the show – he’s a lying con himself! One of the biggest mistakes (among many) CBS made was allowing Lane fans to strong-arm MAB into bringing Cane back. I’m sorry, but most of the boards I read indicate very few truly care about Lane (Zzzzzz) and Cane simply drags Lily down. The only time I had any interest in Lily at all was when she was with Daniel, then most recently with Tyler. Way more sparks between those two. Poor Lily, she’s doomed as a character as long as she’s saddled with Cane. If TPTB are too chicken to break them up, then keep them off-screen because they are trite and a mis-matched couple. Little air time for Lane is… 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. I realize this/ is a soap but why does the Ewmmans/always win when it comes to transplant at the expense off the Abbots. Knowing Delia,s/ Corneas will go to Connor is just another win. For the /Newman family to hnot even appreciate. Even on a soap they need the mother to agree to a DNAa test Adam just goes and does it and then has a legal letter sent to Dylan. In spite of the fact that he killed Delia once/again he will get off. Tired of the draw in every family at least when /Katherine was alive there was a vvoiice of reason now/there is none. Chelsey use to stand up to Adam and now/ she and Donor are pretty much held captive as he has hhiss/spies looking out . The damage is done now that the only happy thing in this/ show was Delia. Sharon has been turned into a nut. Nnick is once again clueless to her. After all these years watching I am disgusted sad tired of some of these characters mainly Adam here is puree evil and there is enough evil on the show. Once /again it is pretty predictable that bbilly and Victoria may split Due to the/ loss of Delia. Caine and lily are just plain boring and almost sickening to watch. I am close to dumping a soap I have watch her for 40 years and I know/I am not alone. Adam getting away with the garbage e gets away with is enough hate the character fromdayyone.. You as the /writers are ruining a soap that was once the best now it stinks from all the tragedy . there is/enough tragedy in the/ real world do not need to watch a/show/that is all tragedy and bullying . please hear us and write better stuff get rid of Hilary and stitch enough is enough for out who is/really the father of Connor ass Adam never showed the results putt Chelsey back together rather than her ring submissive. Enough already . I am close to turning this soap off.
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 WANTED TO SAY MY PIECE.
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 Now You Shelly are treating us viewers like we are stupid -well we are Not -go laugh your big head off by our comments and from what I have read about you -you will kill this Soap off too where there are no viewers -what a terrible shame! YOU need to go as you certainly have a distorted idea on what WE like . Send Sharon away and stop putting her dead daughter on -anyone who watched Cassie -knows She would NEVER talk like that she was not crazy ! As You seem to be -Keep Billy and Victoria together and let them have some joy in their lives together !! Take Hillary OUT !! I see you do not care what we as fans think about this -never liked her from the start -Forgot this – how many times are you going to have your best friend Sharon swing her head and her hair ??? Sickening -my GOD. She is not a teenager anymore -and We are tired of her !!!!! What is she a relative?? She does Not have the talent to play these roles – she needs acting lessons or maybe she should work at McDonnalds -but no she would not. Be able to swing her hair around!! Please write how US the fans have loved it from the start -YOU are ruining this beloved Soap !!!! As I said before -Go ahead and laugh it all off cause you are so High and Mighty aren’t you ??? The Newest Abbey does Not act like a Newman or an Abbot -she does not hold a candle to the Good one -I know I am telling You things over and over -so maybe it will sink in your head -you should listen to All of us because We are the ones giving You a job . I give this Soap maybe 6 months maybe 11/2 years and there will be no viewers left !!YOU will have Killed another show!! Then you will probably go to the last 2 — go Away please -quit drinking while trying to work -WE do not like your getting rid of our favorite actors and putting these crap ones in place -take your Sharon home with you as you seem to love her -but we do not!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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 mockery of a Soap Opera.
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 Sharon it happens. But not holding my breathe.
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 for her when she got back.
At least AJ admits to his shortcomings.
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 saying they are going to stop watching. I started this site so we could bring back Soaps and you are taking it apart. Get back to Family and stop so much negative. We have enough of that in the real world. No wonder Soaps are going down. Bring the holidays back to good not bad. Delia and Billy were the last of Y&R showing what a father & daughter relationship should be. The writers have messed up with aging these kids and 4 young kids left and you kill off the one that was most scene. Shame on you writers. Shame, Shame, ON YOU,
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 fan base that will never appreciate their efforts.
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 this article – if I see any pro Lane mentions – I promise not to pretend to be shocked to read you objecting to them ;-).
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 comes across like they are birds of a feather.
I do like she speaks character driven (what we actually see will be proof). That is where the show has gone wrong in the past with LML, MAB and JG. Y&R was a show built on complex relationships and dramatic moments derived from how those relationships evolved. Bill Bell wasn’t plowing down children to get people to take notice. I am concerned that their first big story, Delia’s death, is total plot driven. I also get concerned that Jill is planning more stunts. Her stunts are all plot and gimmick based. These two elements contradict her appreciation for character driven drama. Again, when asked, “do you get the show?”, her answer leads me to believe no based on what they have planned. Talk is cheap. Proof will be in the pudding as it has been this whole time. After all, we’ve all read these type of, “we love and get these characters”, type of interviews before.
Soaps are an interesting medium. The truly talented writers and producers seem to have faded in the sunset. It was all the mediocre talents in the back of the line during the 80’s and 90’s that stuck around with their sledgehammers and oblivious optimism about their work. In past interviews the greats were more candid about stories they regretted telling and why they regretted them. The mediocre never possess that awareness or truth. They just keep smiling and LOLing their shows down the toilet.
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 there but no thumping as if hitting something, have him come clean about the swerving, the dog and leaving the now crime scene. The actors have given a SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE.
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 angst like nobody’s business, but it’s painful to watch at times.
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. Everyone gets a break now and again.
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 like to watch her in an actual story . It’s been YEARS! Jill is being used as a background supporting character that shows up every once in awhile, but many viewers have followed her life for decades, so it’s beyond frustrating to constantly see her pop in and out with no life. Using just three of the long time “vets” in story ( Nikki, Jack & Victor) doesn’t do it for me. I followed “the Chancellors”, and without Jill, and the interactions with her offspring and the Abbotts, it ‘s like they lost a whole family, not just Kay. And with that the connection to the beginning of the soap is gone. So I’m not watching…AFTER 40 YEARS! I’ll check on twitter & tune in the next time Jill appears, but I just don’t have any interest in the rest of the show if all that’s left of “the Chancellors” is a park. That park doesn’t make me think of Katherine, her home does. As settings go, it’s the mansion that connects the viewer to Kay and the beginning of the soap. I’m actually back watching General Hospital after a 15 year absence, because I know who most of the characters are. General Hospital is using many of the ones I know and love, IN STORY, not just the same 3 old-timers with a flood of newbies. Stories seem to rotate. Also General Hospital has female characters in power positions & integrated into the stories with their male counterparts at ALL levels (just like Y&R used to). -Anna is the police chief, -Tracy is the matriarch of the Quartermaines and the CEO of a corporation, -Carly runs a hotel, -Monica is a hospital board member, -Alexis & Diane are lawyers who we see going to court & are good at what they do . And the women are the correct age & have the life experience for the job, they aren’t making a 20 year old, or a life long housewife, an overnight billionaire or CEO. Females lost their last powerful wealthy matriarch in Katherine and their savvy/scheming business woman in Jill. On Y&R, Jack, Victor & Adam get the ALL the high level corporate stories, Devon is the richest guy in town, and Paul heads up the police department. The lead older woman, Nikki, is and has always lived in Victor’s shadow, and Lauren is the ultimate victim. Women… 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 for some good writing as Adam is too. Make some changes soon.
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 is sick. Sadly accidents happen like this happen everyday. hope they deal with this s/l so that it helps ppl deal. In my family it happened twice ,ONCE IT WAS B/C THE FRIGGEN DRIVER SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET ,HE HAD LOST HIS LISCENCE ,MY CUZ WAS JUST 15,THE FIRST TIME IT WAS A 5 YEAR OLD AND A BROTHER AND SIS,THEY WERE 4 N 3 .THE THREE OF THEM FOLLOWED THE 5 YEAR OLDS OLDER BRO TO THE STORE ,HE WAS 10 ,THEIR MOTHERS HAD SENT HIM .HE DIDN’T KNOW THEY HAD FOLLOWED HIM.THEY HAD BEEN TOLD THEY COULDN’T GO ,AND SHOULD PLAY IN THE BACK YARD ,BUT LIKE DEE THEY DIDN’T LISTEN .WHEN THE OLDEST BOY WENT INTO THE STORE, THEY WERE HIDING BEHIND A COKE TRUCK ,THE DRIVER DIDN’T KNOW THEY WERE THERE ,HE BACKED UP .TWO DIED RIGHT THERE ,AND THE 5 YEAR OLD ‘S LEG WAS BROKEN ,..THE DRIVER WHO KILLED MY 15 YEAR OLD COUSIN WENT TO JAIL. AND OF COURSE THE POOR COKE TRUCK DIDN’T.HE WAS DEVASTATED ,AS ADAM IS.I JUST HOPE CHLOE AND BILLY GET MORE HELP THEN SHARON DID.CASSIES DEATH IS WHAT TRIGGERED SHARON’S BIPOLAR DESEASE,B/C SHE DIDN’T GET HELP. WITH NICK ABANDONING HER FOR PHYLLIS WHO GOT AWAY WITH HITTING SOMEONE ON PURPPOSE, SHE IS A SOCIOPATH,SHE HAS A CHEMICAL IMBLANCE,SO THOS SAYING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER ,IS SICK TOO. NO CHILD SHOULD DIE ,BUT IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY IN THE REAL WORLD ,I JUST WANT IT TO BE WRITTEN SO THE ACTORS CAN HELP THOSE WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THIS AND THOSE WHO WILL.Y & R HAVE SOME OF THE BEST PREFORMERS.I’M GOING TO GIVE SHELLY N JEAN A CHANCE,
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 already had Delia go thru such a major illness.
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 favorites so I scan thru them…not liking the sister for Neil but Drucilla had her reasons for not returning so let that one rest.
I am seriously considering stopping watching Y&R since the writers don’t really care what we, the fans, want or ask for.
Please don’t kill anyone off unless they really do die in real life and then point out to us that real life is like this so kill off Delia.
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 simple. the writers must really think we are stupid.
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 hate to see Y&R cancelled due to lack of viewers, but if these story lines keep up, we will be saying good bye
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 allow her to start life fresh in Genoa City. As for Sharon, I think she should be held accountable for her crimes. Also, if Michelle Stafford is truly done with the character of Phyllis, recast the part and get her back now! Looking forward to more Y&R
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 now just out of habit!. The story lines are just not that good anymore, very predictable and doesn’t leave me yearning to watch more!. And I for one am NOT liking the Delia story line!!!
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 in trouble for an accident he didn’t even realize happened. He stopped when he saw the dog and only left when he saw the dog was ok. He has no idea Delia was there or hurt if he did do it. Let Niki be the one who did it. She hasn’t been a good actress on the show in months. She show absolutely no emotion when she is suppose to be crying. She can’t even make fake tears. I could do a better job during an emotional scene. She just stares off in the distance like Victor does when she says her lines. They are like two robots. And let Jack be happy too. He gets screwed over continuely especially by Victor. Let Jack win for a change. Victor always gets his way and it is annoying. He buys himself out of anything illegal that he does. So sick of him. And even though I liked Nick and Avery together Nick and Sharon should never have been broken up. The actors had good chemistry and are good together. I like the long time relationship since highschool. I married my highschool sweetheart and we are about to celebrate our 30th anniversary. I know soaps have to have trouble but no one on Y&R has a good day anymore. Give it back some happy storylines PLEASE
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 as she has been on the show. So yes and if you read below plenty of people agree with me that it doesn’t need to be Adam to blame.
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 Fen, a real punk, sick of Lauren michael and Paul bending the law for friendship. Summer WAS Jacks daughter and long time watchers of the show knew it and were glad it was coming out…u ruined that! Where is Jack’s son, Kemo? Lastly, should have been a better tribute to Katherine and WHY for God’s sake would she leave everything to Devon?? Makes no sense, but neither does anything else going on at Y&R right now. Think I’ll take a break too. Been watching from day one!! Disgusted now!!
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 say.
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 in but something is wrong right now, very wrong!
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, shame on you!!! I this show is doomed with you at the helm!!!! Adam is great,Billy is great-they DO NOT deserve this…you should check the y&r FAN site by Donna for more angry sweet Delia fans & Adam fans. shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go writers!!! Your storylines have the “opinion” pages on fire!!! Well done! I had my hankies nearby all week!!!
Interviews
Melody Thomas Scott Chats On 40 Years As The Young and the Restless’ Incomparable Nikki: The Men, The Booze, The Drama
Today marks Y&R icon Melody Thomas Scott’s 40th anniversary with the top-rated daytime drama series. While CBS plans to air a special standalone episode (Nikki is in the slammer for confessing to J.T.’s murder, and she will reflect on her life in an emotional look-back), Michael Fairman sat down with the popular and beloved star for a deep dive into four decades in the life of stripper-turned-socialite, Nikki Newman for The Michael Fairman Channel.
During the interview, Melody first addresses her sadness at the loss of her longtime friend and co-star Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters): “I adored him. I love him to bits. I loved working with him; such a wonderful actor. I don’t even know if he knew how good he was.”
When discussing Nikki’s colorful past, and when Y&R planned to have Nikki strip again decades later, Melody revealed she did refuse to play it: “That’s right, and I very rarely put the kibosh on anything on this show, I was 48-years-old. The head writer called me and I was up in hair and make-up. They heard me say, ‘I’m 48-years-old .. that’s just not happening.”‘
Photo: TheMichaelFairmanChannel
Over the years, Nikki has faced many battles, perils ,and demons including her addiction to alcohol which has provided many a juicy story for Thomas Scott. As to the fans always loving to see a ‘boozy’ Nikki, Melody remarked; “Yes! They love it! I have great fun with it and I think it’s wonderful.”
During a segment of the conversation, Michael shows Melody some photos of Nikki’s past loves, and gets her thoughts on why Nikki fell for those men, and what it was like working with her co-stars through the years: John Enos (Bobby), Doug Davidson (Paul), Heath Kizzier (Joshua), Wings Hauser (Greg), Don Diamont (Brad), Vincent Irizarry (David), Peter Bergman (Jack), Sean Kanan (Deacon, and of course, her longtime on-screen partner Eric Braeden (Victor).
Later, Melody reminisces about her time working with the late great Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) and when asked by Fairman what she thinks Jeanne would say about her 40th anniversary milestone, Melody replied: “She would say, ‘I’m (bleeping) proud of you Mel!”‘
Photo: CBS
Check out the entire interview with Melody below (make sure to also subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel on You Tube for more feature interviews), and following that the special CBS promo honoring Melody’s 40th anniversary with Y&R. Then let us know, what has been your favorite Nikki Newman moment over the last 40 years? Share your thoughts via the comment section below,
Interviews
Executive Producer Michael Levitt Previews The Adorable 2019 ‘American Rescue Dog Show’
Dog lovers everywhere get ready! Coming your way on Sunday, February 17th and Monday, February 18th, the good folks at the Hallmark Channel will air a two-night special event (8pmET/7pmCT) that puts a spin on the traditional competitive elite dog shows, while at the same time championing an important cause for man’s best friend.
The 2019 American Rescue Dog Show honors some of the cutest rescue dogs from around the country going paw-to-paw in categories that will tickle-your-funny-bone, bring a smile to your face, or, potentially shed a tear. This marks the second year for this oh-so-heartwarming show, where in its first year, it beat the Westminster Dog Show in the ratings; much to the delight of rescue dogs and their families, who take these wonderful animals into their homes.
The brainchild behind the concept is the executive producer of the event. Michael Levitt (Skin Wars, Daytime Emmys, TV Land Awards), who spoke with Michael Fairman TV to give us all the inside dish and insight into why this dog show is so personally important to him, and how its goal is to create awareness about the plight of millions of abandoned dogs in shelters each year, and to inspire viewers to think about rescuing one of these loveable pups.
Levitt has a collection of notable hosts and judges along for the ride who bring this one-of-a-kind doggy competition to life from the world of TV, film, and animal advocacy. So, for the lowdown on the competition and more, here’s what Michael shared.
Photo: Crown Media
For those who want to check out the two-night event, is the American Rescue Dog Show in the same vein as the Westminster Dog Show, where the dogs are competing?
MICHAEL: The format of the show is similar to a fancy dog show, such as Westminster, however, on the American Rescue Dog Show, we aren’t “judging” the dog. In our show, they all have to be rescue dogs that are spayed or neutered in order to compete, and we are not judging them based on their bloodlines, we are celebrating their cuteness in such categories as, “Best in Wiggle Butt,” “Best in Couch Potato,” “Best in Snoring,” “Best in Special Needs,” and “Best in Senior Dog” – those are obviously some of the most important. We have the fancy arena floor with the judges and the tuxedos. We filmed it at the Pomona Fairplex, which is the same place that they film the Beverly Hills Dog Show.
And you have a bevy of dog-loving celebrity judges along for the ride, too!
MICHAEL: Yes, and this year we are lucky to have the support of celebrity animal advocates that include: Lisa Vanderpump, Debbie Gibson, Brandon McMillan, host of CBS’s Lucky Dog, Bill Berloni, who is the dog trainer to a lot of the dogs on Broadway, and Dirty Job’s Mike Rowe. Our prerequisites for them to be a judge were: they all needed to be rescue-friendly. So, they either needed to have a rescue dog of their own or support rescue in some way. Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell are the hosts this year, along with Ross Matthews and Home & Family’s Larissa Wall, who served as co-hosts and cover all of the action ringside.
Photo: Crown Media
So, did the judges get along? Did they differ on their top picks?
MICHAEL: The judges absolutely got along famously, but as a producer of the show, I was a fly on the wall listening to them when they were deliberating as they were picking a winner. That was quite entertaining, because each of them had a strong point of view on the dog, or dogs that they thought should win the competition. We found ourselves throughout the filming just turning to each other and saying, “I don’t know how the judges are going to pick just one, because they are all just so incredibly special.”
How was Lisa Vanderpump?
MICHAEL: Lisa was wonderful! When she was being interviewed by Rebecca and Jerry O’Connell, they asked her what she would say to a potential family that is about to buy a dog from a breeder, and it was such a profound moment, because as someone who comes from her socioeconomic level, from her privilege, to see that she has embraced rescue might be incredibly meaningful to someone who might think that rescue dogs are second-hand animals. Lisa Vanderpump disproves that just by being there, and being a part of it.
Photo: Crown Media
How did you decide on Rebecca and Jerry as your hosts with the most?
MICHAE: I have a long history with Rebecca from producing my show, Skin Wars, which she hosts. I knew that she and Jerry had four rescue dogs of their own, and that she is incredibly passionate about rescue and shedding light and creating awareness about the plight of animals that are sheltered. They were not only organic and authentic to the cause, but they were a lot of fun and clearly had a lot of natural chemistry. They also brought their own rescue dogs to the show, as did Lisa Vanderpump. So that was fun.
You have two wonderful dogs of your own. So, this is your passion project!
MICHAEL: This is a true labor of love for me, because in 2011 when my sister, Jennifer was dying of cancer, my partner and I decided to rescue a dog, and we rescued a pit bull named Trooper, and Trooper rocked our world. My sister met him four days before she died, and it’s that old adage of “Who rescued who.” Trooper really was there for me during a really difficult time of my life. I learned first-hand how special not only rescue dogs are, but pit bulls, and that really was the beginning of my animal advocacy. I ended up taking a year off from producing just to rescue dogs. I realized at the end of that year, that as a rescuer, I am saving one dog at a time, but as a producer, I could do so much more to bring awareness to the plight of animals in our shelters by creating rescue-themed programming.
Pit bulls seem to always get a bad rap. Do you feel that way?
MICHAEL: They absolutely get a bad rap, and after we rescued Trooper, we rescued another pit bull named Nelson, and it was really the two of them who inspired me to get heavily involved in rescue and to be an advocate for pit bulls. With pit bulls it is such a unique human-animal bond that you don’t find with any other breed. All they really want to do is please their humans, and it is absolutely true that when you hear these horrific stories about pit bulls on the news, these are rare incidents of pit bulls who have fallen into the hands of bad people who have treated them badly. It’s really unfair to profile and entire breed of dog, because all dog breeds have some dogs that have behavioral problems. I have come in contact with thousands of pit bulls, and I have only met one that was human-aggressive, and that dog was severely, severely abused. Every other pit bull I have come in contact with has been nothing but incredibly sweet.
Photo: Crown Media
So, last year’s American Rescue Dog Show is currently in the running to earn a Daytime Emmy nomination in the ‘Special Class Special’ programming category!
MICHAEL: Yes, “Special Class Special”. (Laughs)
You obviously know who wins this weekend’s American Rescue Dog Show competition. Were you happy with the winner?
MICHAEL: Yes, but you can imagine how difficult it is for the judges to pick a winner because every single dog in the competition is beyond adorable. It is really the dogs who deliver on the show, and that’s what makes the show so heartwarming. The real purpose of the show is to inspire the viewers to rescue their next dog from their local shelter, or rescue organization, so that people who are watching turn to the person they are with and say, “Honey, I didn’t know you could get a pure-bred dog at a shelter! Let’s rescue our next dog!” We have really powerful segments in the show about the joy of adopting a senior dog, or a special-needs dog. We do a segment on debunking the myths about pit bulls, and we have messaging on why it is important to spay and neuter your dog. So, through this wonderfully entertaining program, we are also educating people and hopefully touching their heart and their soul and inspiring them to be a part of the solution by rescuing their next dog; instead of being a part of the problem by purchasing a dog from a pet store or breeder.
Photo: Crown Media
When you look at what you have to take on as a producer when you do this type of show; as opposed to any other type of production you have helmed, what are the major differences?
MICHAEL: The biggest distinction is that on this show we are dealing with living animals, so I take that responsibility very seriously. First and foremost: is the safety and well-being of the dogs that are participating on the show. We have to consider everything from making sure that the animals are up-to-date with their vaccinations to having veterinarians on hand, having production personal on-hand standing by with treats and pooper-scoopers. This also means that the dogs are being treated like VIPs. So, we have a VIP room, but that stands for “Very Important Pooch”, and all of the dogs that are participating have their own dressing rooms with a star on it and their name. There were over 130 dogs that actually participated from all over the country. In addition, we had a gifting suite like they do on the Oscars and Golden Globes, but on this show, they didn’t get swag bags, they got “Wag Bags”.
Knowing you as I do, it seems a lot this creative from the categories in the competition, to the backstage VIP room, are very YOU!
MICHAEL: I have an incredible team of producers who I collaborate with. None of this would be possible without the good people at Hallmark being such incredible animal advocates. Specifically, Bill Abbott, who is one of the few network executives in the industry who is really walking the walk and doing so much to be supportive of dogs and cats who need homes. So, this is right up my alley, because creatively I am so passionate about it that it is so easy to come up with fun ideas that hopefully resonate with the viewers.
Photo: Crown Media
Are there any other fun moments that you can tease?
MICHAEL: We are celebrating the perfectly imperfect. So, we love when a dog decides to roll on his back in the middle of the arena and decide he wants to get a belly rub in the middle of the competition. We had a dog decide that he had to go potty on the middle of a flower arrangement on the arena floor. Those are the moments that give the show its heart and feel-good sensibility. We had a couple of dogs in the “Best Wiggle Butt” category where one of their forever parent brings them out initially, and their other forever parent was on the other side of the area, and we removed their leash so that they can run from one parent to the other so that we can really see their butts moving, but … we had a few dogs get so excited that they ran right out of the arena! (Laughs) They ran right through the tunnel off stage and come running back in, and the whole audience erupted into laughter. It’s just magical.
How did you find these dogs to compete?
MICHAEL: We put out a call-to-action on social media, and we got thousands of responses. People submitted their rescue dogs in as many categories as they qualified for, and they submitted photos and videos. Then, we have a team of producers and rescue experts who go through all of the submissions, ultimately picking the top semi-finalists in each category who come to Los Angeles to compete. We had a wonderful partnership with Pedigree Foundation in which they provided $100,000 in grant money for the dogs that win for the rescue that saved him or her. So, in the ten semi-final categories, each winning dog received a $5,000 grant for the rescue that saved him or her, and then the ultimate winner of the competition, which is crowned the title, “Best in Rescue,” received an additional $30,000 for the rescue that saved him or her, again, courtesy of Pedigree Foundation. We also had a partnership with adoptapet.com, which is the largest online resource for people to find rescue dogs in their own communities. Throughout the show, we have a call-to-action for people to go to hallmark.com/bestinrescue and look for the adopt a pet icon … they click it… then enter their zip code … and they are instantly linked to thousands of available dogs in their own community who are patiently waiting for a loving home.
Photo: Crown Media
The dog handlers are the owners of these pets?
MICHAEL: Yes. We call it a member of their “forever family”. Several of the dogs on the show are service dogs now, or companion animals, working in senior homes or working with military service people suffering from PTSD. We celebrate each and every one of them.
Is your hope to do a third annual show, and keep the dog rescue competition going?
MICHAEL: Yes! My hope is that this show continues to be on for many years to come and be a platform for the 8 million animals that enter our shelters each year and are patiently waiting for their forever home, and that we can continue to be a voice for these dogs that don’t have voices of their own. Of all of the shows that I have produced over the years, this one is going to be the most meaningful to me, and is going to be my legacy, because it is such a beautiful thing that I can bring my work and my passion together to hopefully make a difference in the lives of all of these animals. As a result of this show, we heard from numerous shelters across the country that there was a definite uptick in adoptions. That warms my heart beyond compare.
In closing, you know what they say: it’s easier to work with animals than humans! Thoughts? (Laughs)
MICHAEL: Every show has its challenges, but I would much rather deal with a diva Chihuahua than a diva celebrity. So, on that level, this show is pure joy to make.
So, will you be watching this heartwarming, creative two-night rescue dog event? Share your thoughts via the comment section below, but first, check out this behind-the-scenes video of how the American Rescue Dog Show is put together with co-host, Ross Matthews.
Interviews
Y&R’s Jason Thompson Talks On: The Self-Destructive Billy Abbott, Victoria, Phyllis, And Katie’s Disappearance
As February sweeps kicks in to high gear on The Young and the Restless, Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and his ex-wife, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) are once again in each other’s orbit. First, Billy was not too happy to learn that his nemesis, Cane Ashby (Daniel Goddard) shared some passionate kisses with her. In fact, he went running to Cane’s imprisoned wife. Lily (Christel Khalil), to give her the lowdown. Next, their child, Katie has gone MIA, but as viewers saw on Friday’s cliffhanger she is somehow heard singing through the walls at the Newman Ranch. Previously, Katie said she was playing with an imaginary friend, but someone is lurking around and watching the Newmans every move!
And let’s not forget, Summer (Hunter King) is back in Genoa City! The last time she hit town she all but destroyed Billy – his gambling addiction returned, she tried to seduce him, and he slept with her as revenge against Phyllis for her having sex with Nick (Joshua Morrow), and we could go on! After all the hurt, and the dissolution of their relationship, Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) and Billy are not seeing eye to eye on much, but saying they will try to work together. Can they?
To fill us in on all the drama, Jason Thompson chatted with Michael Fairman TV and weighed-in on: the future for Villy, Philly, what he has learned from working on two major soaps; General Hospital, where he played the popular Dr. Patrick Drake, and Y&R, his thoughts on his recent Daytime Emmy Pre-Nomination in the Lead Actor category in what was a banner year of storyline for him in 2018, and much more.
Insightful, driven, and talented, Jason is one of the standouts in our genre. Check out what he had to share below.
What did you think about the plot point that had Billy going to visit Lily in prison, and once there, he informs her that her husband, Cane has been kissing on Victoria!?
JASON: What I think about it is somewhat irrelevant. It wasn’t hard for me to rationalize it. In the moment, Billy was hurt and pissed off. He is irrational sometimes. Once he got to the prison, I think he second-guessed himself. Lily did a pretty good job of convincing him that she needs to know what is going on in order to just live in a certain amount of truth in this situation. Billy felt that it would be worse for her wondering what was going on on the outside without knowing the truth. I think that in that moment, he was convinced that telling her the truth was the right thing. There was a part of him that wanted to get back at Cane, and when Billy gets hurt, he seems to lash out a bit and then sometimes he kind of recoils. Could he have let it go? Probably. I think it’s an interesting thing for Lily and Billy’s relationship; to be honest. Billy has always respected Lily. I think that he’s always looked at Lily as someone who does the right thing, and was a good wife, and a good mother, and all of those things. He thinks that she is in a rough place and wanted to offer her a little bit of support, and that’s the way that he did it.
Photo: JPI Studios
Where do you think the show can go now with his relationship with Cane? They have been contentious all this time, anyway, and now this has happened. How do you think this will resolve, or would it ever resolve?
JASON: I think it’s one of the most interesting relationships Billy has. I don’t know that it will ever resolve. I don’t know that Billy thinks too much about Cane either way, but in saying that, there is still no one that can get under his skin and quickly! In an instant, Cane can be Billy’s enemy and I think that’s great. I always think there is story for Billy and Cane. In our working relationship as well, I think we both get a different energy out of each other that inevitably ends up in the characters. That’s always fun.
Photo:” JPI
How does Billy feel about Victoria now? She’s been struggling since her relationship with J.T., making out with Cane, etc.
JASON: Billy does have feelings for Victoria. I think it’s a number of things that contributes to this. I think it’s where he finds himself in his life. He has been kind of hurt by the woman he loved (Phyllis). He had everything for a moment that he wanted … he had the job, he had the girl, and if he had just done the right thing and had a little bit more self-control, he probably would have been in the best place of his life. So, when all of those things get pulled away, the one constant is just when he goes to see his kids and they smile, and they don’t know what’s going on in the outside world. I think the only people who don’t judge him are probably the kids. There’s something really comfortable about that situation. No matter what happens, there’s always going to be a little something with Victoria. She’s always very supportive (not that she hasn’t been very, very upset with him, at times), but there is always something about their relationship that will keep him wondering if they should be together. I think it will probably be like that for the rest of their lives.
Billy is still unaware that Victoria, Nikki, Phyllis and Sharon are all part of a cover-up in J.T.’s murder. How aware is Billy in the depths of the abuse Victoria suffered at the hands of J.T.?
JASON: There was never really a big realization about how dramatic, hurtful, and volatile the whole situation was. It was a shock to hear all of that obviously, but he has no idea about the depths of it all.
Photo: CBS
If he found out, how do you think he would react knowing what Victoria had gone through?
JASON: I think he would probably want to kick him again and then re-bury him. Billy has got a lot of flaws, but there is one thing that he will do, and that is always stand up for his family, and that includes Victoria.
Currently, it is just devastating for Billy when Katie goes missing. He’s like, “I can’t go through this again after what happened with Delia,” and I know you didn’t play the Delia material, because you weren’t on the show at that time. However, this does give you the opportunity to tap into all of that.
JASON: Yes! I mean, that is his biggest fear … going through all of that again. I think that he would rather not be on the planet than go through all of that again. What happened to Delia is never going to ever leave him. I can’t imagine that something like that ever really does. You just deal with it on a daily basis probably, and things come up, and you feel it all over again, and this is one of those moments.
Courtesy/CBS
I think that you being a father of two children now in your own life; really gives you a perspective when you play these things types of emotions and scenes out.
JASON: Definitely. Peter Bergman (Jack) and I were having a conversation about how much life and living, and trying to live a full life, really helps you with your acting. I work really hard on my craft, but the most important thing that I can do for my work and my career is live a full life. With the kids and everything else in my personal life, that to me is something that I can always draw upon. It’s hard to even let myself go there sometimes, because of how scary it would be. But yeah, I think Billy is not far off from that. That character has a lot of life and is tied to this volcano and it’s just waiting to erupt, and that eruption is good and full of liveliness fear, and anger. Some of that comes from hurt, and some of that comes from pain, and some of that comes from a good time, and some of that comes from addiction, and it makes it fun for me because there’s always something to play. When I talk about what I think of a particular story line, I don’t think of it as, “Oh, I would never do this,” or “I would never do that. That doesn’t make any sense.” I try and make sense of everything. That’s my job. I just try to find a reason why Billy would be in that situation; instead of trying to find a reason why he wouldn’t be.
Photo: JPI Studios
Would you say that the situation with Katie will draw Victoria and Billy closer together? At the end of Friday’s episode, they hear Katie’s voice in the wall, so they know she is alive.
JASON: I think so. One step up is often two steps back with them, but they are always connected in that way. The kids do that, and what they’ve been through in the past, and like you said, I wasn’t necessarily there for a lot of that, but it’s in this character. I would never say never with Victoria.
Photo: CBS
So, where is Billy at with Phyllis? You and Gina Tognoni played that coupling to the hilt and the show separated them. Major romances are never really ‘done, done’ on soaps.
JASON: I mean, it only gets worse with Phyllis. I’ll say that. They’re not in a good place. We have gone through some changes behind the scenes. So, I have no idea what is happening as far as storyline. I think there is always going to be something unresolved with Phyllis, but that’s the good thing about this kind of stuff. You can put these two people together when you have two actors who kind of embrace it, and work at it, and have a natural chemistry, which in turn helps the characters have chemistry. When Gina and I talk about what we did and accomplished with our characters, to be honest, it’s a little bit of a bummer that they are kind of apart right now, because we had a lot of fun. We really enjoyed working with each other. We felt like there was a lot more there to continue to explore, but like you said, it’s never over. As far as the way that he sees Phyllis … it’s interesting. I think as an outsider, he kind of looks at her as a selfish person who is going to get and grab whatever she wants, but I feel like he does understand her differently than other people do. I think he’s looking at Nick and Phyllis and shaking his head like, “You can’t be serious.” (Laughs)
Photo Credit: JPI
You have had quite a gold mine of leading ladies in your daytime career from: Kimberly McCullough (Robin) to Kelly Monaco (Sam) while you portrayed Dr, Patrick Drake on General Hospital, to Gina and Amelia at Y&R. I have to say that of all of the leading men on daytime, I think you’ve had consistently some major romantic kickass scene partners. What are your thoughts on that?
JASON: Yeah, I have been very fortunate. I can go back thirteen years now and talk about how much Kimberly helped me out in the beginning, and how patient, and impatient (laughs) she was in a lot of ways. Kimberly taught me a lot about how the business is, and to hold onto your values, and that it is very important to collaborate with your directors, and your writers, and your producers, and with other people that you work with. You then see new things. I’m constantly seeing things in other characters where I’m like, “That would be really interesting to shine a light on.” I think there’s something really interesting about Sharon (Sharon Case) and Billy. I think Billy could bring something out in Sharon that somebody else can’t. That’s what is exciting for me as an actor – trying to find something different and trying to bring life that is not necessarily there yet. I have had a lot of trust from writers, from producers, and from networks. I have been very fortunate in that way.
Hunter King has returned to Y&R as Summer. She played havoc in Billy’s life her last go-round. I know now she is currently after Kyle (Michael Mealor) and not after Billy, but does Billy blame her at all for his spiral back into his gambling addiction?
JASON: Realistically, if Billy were really being dead honest about it and trying to really work soberly in his life, he would say there’s nobody to blame but himself. There’s definitely that conversation that could be had between them about the situation that they found themselves in. They both hurt each other pretty badly, and the people surrounding them. I think there is probably a little bit of blame that can go around on both of them, but I don’t think he really sits back and blames her for falling back into addiction. She might have been one of the triggers, but I think that he was really responsible for that.
Congratulations on your Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom in the Lead Actor category! It’s quite a talented group of ten actors that made it through to the final round of competition. You certainly had a stellar year of material!
JASON: I had a ton of great storylines last year, and it just kind of kept going, and kept going One thing I will say that really helped me out is my relationship with Mal Young (Ex- EP and head writer, Y&R). We got along really well. He helped me out by letting me know six months ahead of time where we planned on going with the story. So, I was able to understand and slowly build the depths of hurt, and the gambling, and how it got further along, and the lies. I was able to understand where we were going and the plateau that we needed to get to, which was very helpful for me. I worked with amazing people constantly; every day was like something different. The hard part in this next round of voting is trying to find something that represents the whole year. When I look at that list of pre-nominees, I’m proud of the work that daytime actors do … everybody from a little bit of a younger guy like Billy Flynn (Chad, DAYS) to icons like Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R) , and Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH). What Maurice brought to my life as an actor and still does has been wonderful, and on the other side of that you’ve got Peter Bergman, who is like a real brother to me now, and we’re really close. It’s a nice comradery between everybody in the category. It’s a great group of people to be included with, and aside from the competition part of it, that’s the really cool part.
Photo Credit: JPI
So, let’s talk about your on-screen, mom, Jess Walton (Jill). I’ve heard you say publicly how much you really like working with her, and she with you. What can you say about when you do get some scenes with Jess, and get to play that mother-son relationship?
JASON: That’s another one that you can loop in with all of the other women I’ve worked with. It’s a different kind of relationship, but talk about a soap icon! Jess Walton is right up there. She’s a pro, and she’s got this little girl inside that is the sweetest thing alive, and her little giggle. I can say that relationship is just there with her. I would love for her to be there more. If there’s one person that can tell Billy to just, you know what, she’s somebody that can give him a little whipping, and he’d be like, “Okay mom, you’re right.” (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
Finally, you are on this juggernaut of a show that just celebrated yet another milestone, 30 years at #1. You go from a historic show like GH, to another here at Y&R that keeps celebrating these milestones that nobody will ever overtake. All of this has to be a ‘pinch yourself’ moment for you?
JASON: Yeah, I definitely pinch myself. I think at this moment, all four soaps that are left are having monumental anniversaries and celebrations, because the truth of it is, it’s really incredible what soaps have done in our history. With playing Patrick on General Hospital, I still look back on that time and that character, and am just so grateful that I was able to bring him to life. Every once and awhile I wonder what Patrick’s doing. On the other end of that, to come over to Y&R with a show that is now 30 years at number #1, and the pride that they have, and the support that they have from the network, there’s a real kind of challenge that we have in order to keep that up. It is not about the slogans, or the glitzy ad campaigns in the magazines that say, “Hey! We are #1 for 30 years.” While that’s very important, what’s more important are the people who have gotten us there for the last thirty years. We have to show them respect by doing the best that we can and continue that. That’s what drives us. You can feel it in the building. To take on a character like Billy, who has been a part of that for a very long time, there is a pressure that comes with that, but at the same time, there is an excitement of taking on this character and continuing to make him relevant, and a part of this great soap’s history.
So, do you want Billy to end up with Victoria, Phyllis, perhaps Sharon, or someone else? Who do you think has got Katie and is watching the Newmans? Are you rooting for Jason to receive a Lead Actor nomination for his work on Y&R in 2018? What do you think about the other sentiments shared by Jason in this interview, and what was your favorite part of our discussion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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