The Young and the Restless
Y&R’s Jermaine Rivers Sounds Off on Toxic and ‘Mean-Spirited’ Fans, and Asks, “What Happened to Watching Soaps For the Love of It?”
Jermaine Rivers (Damian, The Young and the Restless) has a point and a serious question to ponder, “What happened to watching soaps for the love of it?” We all have been privy to some fans who take to social media and use it as a platform to just spew negativity, and to take it to the extreme, as opposed to those who may offer up constructive criticism.
For Rivers, who debuted on the top-rated soap opera as Damian Kane back in February of this year, being on a daytime drama comes with some things that take getting used to, including: reading threads of sometimes venomous comments on social media, about you, your show, your castmates or other shows, and the genre as a whole.
On Tuesday, Jermaine took to his account on X and shared his sentiments, explaining his take on the situation: “I’m convinced that most (Not all) of today’s so called soap fans are far removed from the sweet old ladies who watched it back in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. The internet has created some Straight Savages who are mean spirited and tune in to just complain about the show’s they watch. What happened to watching Soaps for the love of it? Why are Y’all so mad, hateful and triggered for?”
Photo: JPI
As fans joined in the thread with their comments on Rivers initial post, one wrote, “To be fair, lets put some of this on the shows esp, Bold who’s given us much to complain about. When the shows are good we praise them.”
Jermaine replied, “It comes down to Emotional Intelligence… if someone gets triggered by watching a Soap there’s a deeper problem that’s not being addressed in their personal life. It’s clearly evidence of some unhealed trauma that the viewer hasn’t worked through. Let’s not place blame on a fictional TV character or storyline that’s being played out for entertainment purposes as an excuse for toxic behavior. We’re not dodging accountability over here!”
Photo: JPI
Later, soap fan, Stini the Great responded, “I blame social media. It allows a person to hide behind a keyboard (or phone) and say things that they would never dare to say to someone’s face.” To which Rivers, replied, “Bingo” with an accompanying applause gif.
Later, Rivers qualified that the reason he took to X to air his grievance with the online haters is not about hate he may or may not be receiving about the pairing of Damian and Lily. Rivers responded, “I’m not talking about me… I rarely look at the comments and when I do I shrug it off. But looking across the board … the stuff that I’m seeing online about all Soaps in general is just nasty work. There’s a lot of toxicity out there.”
Photo: JPI
After his initial comments and the remarks made by fans in his thread, Rivers concluded and posted, “Love the fact that we can all have an open, honest and respectful discussion. This is what Social Media is supposed to look like.”
So, what do you think of the point Jermaine is making? Do we all need to go back and remember why we watched soaps in the first place? Is there too much negativity towards the shows and its cast members? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
I’m convinced that most (Not all) of today’s so called soap fans are far removed from the sweet old ladies who watched it back in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. The internet has created some Straight Savages who are mean spirited and tune in to just complain about the show’s they…
— Jermaine Rivers (@JermaineRivers) July 1, 2025
Hey, I am beginning to like the character and I can see him with Lily. He can hold his own and I think can exist outside of the Dumas/Cane storyline. The brother is handsome and has a strong personality. I loved it when he put Audra on notice! I hope he is not one of the victims in the coming week/weeks.
I agree. I took a disliking to him when he was so harsh with his mom and Nate at the beginning. I also did not like the way he seemed to almost leer at Lily from glance one.
From those inauspicious beginnings, the actor has slowly won me over. He’s very good and I am now enjoying the character as well. I can see Damien with Lily as well, he is quite handsome. Damien and Lily would be beautiful paired together.
I must say however, that I do have a soft spot for OG Lane. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
There are too many miserable people who only get joy when they can bring others down.
Oh please, fans are allowed to express their opinions. Treating fans like this actor does it. No but seriously, he thinks he’s who. What would happen it if fans stopped to watch ? And of course that comes from a newbie. Actors portraying longtime characters never would act like that. No they even like & retweet our posts. They understand our feelings because they know the show is bad. We don’t blame the actors, we blame the writing. Fans aren’t forced to love the characters or everything they make or every storyline.
Fans should always express their opinions but far too many behave as though they cannot distinguish between a scripted series and reality. So many mean spirited comments are targeted at the actors when they are simply doing a job like anyone else. I understand fans being invested but that doesn’t give license to be cruel or inconsiderate. It’s as if soap viewing causes some fans misery and if that’s the case they need to seek entertainment elsewhere.
A M E N!!! You hit the nail on the head.
But too many fans express their opinions disrespectfully. That’s the problem. People have forgotten to be civil and that actors and, yes, the writers are also human beings with feelings.
Agreed, SonniOrSolita (and yes, I’ve been around to get the reference, ha! good for you!). I’m going to be civil and respectful, or try to be, anyway, but I’m also going to tell the truth. I’ve been watching soaps since the mid-1970s, and most of what’s being put on the air today is far inferior to what we were seeing back in the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s (though the decline in storytelling quality had begun by the middle of that decade). Maybe those “sweet old ladies” (not-so-sweet old man here, but I was a young and middle-aged man watching back then, and I take a little umbrage at his characterization of the audience, which wasn’t entirely female–plus, unless he’s much older than he looks, he wasn’t even alive in the 70s or much of the 80s, so I’m not sure how he’d know) were sweet old ladies because what they were watching didn’t give them so much to be cranky about. The real decline in quality began about the time the internet became accessible to a wider group, so it’s hard to say which caused which; I think it’s true that the anonymity of the internet brings out the super-nasty side of some people, and that’s been appalling to see, but I think it’s also true that the internet started letting previously isolated soap viewers compare notes and realize that, hey, “I’m not the only one who thinks what I’m seeing on my screen is crap compared to a few years ago.” So those “sweet old ladies” might not have been so sweet by the 2000s, regardless. Beyond the Gates is restoring my faith that good soap CAN be made in today’s environment, but that has the corollary effect of making me wonder–AGAIN–why the other four shows have storytelling styles that range from uneven, at best, to absolutely awful. I don’t blame the writers; I suspect they’re doing the best they can to deal with what the networks dictate (as well as doing their best to get hired on BTG, if they’re smart). I don’t blame the actors, who, as others have noted, are just trying to make the scripts work (with even less rehearsal time, apparently, than they used to get).
I think it’s worth pointing out, however, that sometimes, even if you’re civil and respectful in the way you express yourself, sometimes the truth is going to hurt. There are tons of talented actors on the soaps, but there are some genuinely bad ones as well, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise when a show hands a big storyline to an actor who’s not remotely capable of carrying it or when somebody clearly starts phoning it in (though I do have some sympathy for the latter). I think most of the writers are much better than they get credit for, but I’m also not going to pretend otherwise when what I see on the screen isn’t working at any level or when a show’s or character’s history has been so badly violated that I’m looking at my TV and thinking, “This can’t be happening. She’d never say that, she’d never do that” or “Wait a minute; that isn’t what happened” or just plain out “WTF?” I can do a better job of not being quite so blunt sometimes, and I work on that; there are multiple ways to say the same thing, and some of them are softer than others but make the same point less stridently. But even without some of the outrageous nastiness I see in some of the comments, some of what needs to be said simply isn’t pretty or pleasant. “Watching soaps for the love of it” is hard when there’s not nearly as much to love as there used to be, especially if you’re in my position, you’ve watched them for years and you KNOW they can be considerably better than they currently are.
Like a lot of “oldies”, I started watching daytime dramas around 1980 with my mom (who swears she never watched…okay mom, I know better). The shows were very well done back in those days. I was mainly a CBS viewer: Capitol, ATWT, Guiding Light, Y&R and Bold. I would catch a little of some of the other shows when they had storylines about the LGBT community and stories about HIV/AIDS (after all, I’m gay). Slowly, a lot of the older shows were dropping like flies. Watched the series finales for Capitol, the beginning of Bold and the ends of GL and ATWT. I kept on watching Y&R and Bold until Brad Bell at Bold did the unthinkable….he fired Krista Allen from her role as Taylor. That was when I stopped watching Bold for good. I don’t know why he felt that it was necessary to fire her (she was doing a great job I might add), although rumors and gossip was basically saying that Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) told Brad to get rid of her. Whether or not that’s true, who knows. Then, practically a year after KA was let go, her comes her replacement Rebecca Budig! I mean seriously!? She is way too young for that role. I still refuse to watch Bold.
Then along came a brand new daytime drama in the form of Beyond The Gates, the brain child of Michele Val Jean!! After finding out was being cast on the show, I was like….yessss mama! I’m here for it! What took me completely by surprise was the network was more than ready to back a new show that ALSO had the blessing P & G and the NAACP! I was hooked from second 1! Haven’t missed an episode!!
I do agree 100% with Jermaine Rivers and the personal attacks that some of his cast members are getting and attacks that were uncalled for. These are human beings who are playing characters and saying dialogue that is questionable at best.
Now, let us all stop being cruel to the actors….PLEASE! It’s not their fault that the writing is bad (looking at you Brad Bell and Josh Griffith). Let just enjoy the show(s). Because we never should take them for granted….they’re on our screens one minute and gone the next.
agree.
Well said. He speaks out of insecurity. He knows he is too old for this role and not a sexy bone in his body. Wrong character role. As I have sad many sites ago. He is almost as old as his mother. He does not turn my head.—Holden fits this role to the max. He is fire. . ❤️
Damian’s arrival in GC is a very good thing. Jermaine’s portrayal has a similar essence to when Neil arrived, though not saying anything about him replacing KSJ. I think his arrival is finally moving the Younger of YandR generation forward. He’s grounding yet complex. This character is developing nicely, and yes, he will be a good choice for Lily.
I’d like to see Sally end up with the “new” Cane – I fully see Courtney Hope and Billy Flynn rocking that combo.
And it seems that Chance will probably be the one departing to the heavens since Connor is taking over the DOOL role of Chad DiMero that Flynn left.
I just want to see some on-screen chemistry – not so interested in all of the business sellings and acquisitions.
Agreed with everything you ve mentioned! Hes given the Winters a worthy male head of the fam. Devon wasnt cutting it. Jermaine s been a excellent invaluable addition since the moment he arrived with an attitude, charm and some real acting chops!
I hope he and Lily become a solid couple!
Good for him. Too many soap message boards are full of people making nasty comments and arguing savagely over fictional characters. If you’re full of that much hatred, find another outlet to vent!
Nothing to do with hate, but everything to do with opinion—-Seems to me YOU are expressing hate. This is an opinion piece—If you don’t like it, don’t read it. I can express whether I think this actor fits the role. He definitely does not. It is my truth and you do not have to like it.
Fortunately, I have not seen the nasty comments and don’t want to. People should not be saying nasty stuff. I don’t always enjoy the stories or actors or characters, but I like my soaps overall.
Sorry, but calling/insinuating “most” mentally ill was a poor choice of words. It really was. The concept of what he’s talking about rings true… but his execution was entirely too poor and leaves a poor taste in my mouth.
Saying that someone lacks emotional intelligence is not the same as saying they are mentally ill. You are putting words into his mouth and might want to re-read that statement again.
This started with “participation trophies”. Everyone being coddled to. Now when things don’t go the way they want, they throw a temper tantrum to get their “trophy”. Add that to social media allowing people to have no filter (or decency) in the name of free speech and it has all gone crazy!
I’ve watched Y&R since it’s inception in the 70’s. As I’m getting closer to retirement, I have a little more time to record or watch online to see what’s happening in Genoa City. I remember the days they left you with a cliffhanger on Friday, and you couldn’t wait til Monday. Not just Y&R, but mostly all of the soaps were written so much better years ago. We got hooked on soaps not because it was something to watch on tv, but because the writing was so good. The script writers knew what they were doing. People tuned in.
The networks (at least CBS) seems to have little interest in improving the products because in the world of daytime, they are still number 1. But the writing has suffered, especially on Y&R. Story lines start and stop on a dime, some with no resolutions. Having the same person be the Executive Producer AND Head Writer is a big mistake. I always hope Y&R gets better. The actors are top notch. But they are only as good as the material they are given, and frankly, the material over the last few seasons has been mediocre at best. Sorry if those of us who complain bother some posters, but we really do care about the QUALITY of the show, and it’s severely lacking. The fact that Y&R brought in a new wardrobe person to spruce up the actors is good, but it doesn’t solve the problem with poor story telling.
Michael did you forget your interview with Jeanne Cooper? It was on July 26, 2012.
This is what she said:
When there was the ‘Who Killed Phillip?’ storyline and our characters were in court, and being thrown about, a faction of fans lined up at CBS with posters marching, and this group flew in from the east coast. And they were pro- Brenda (Jill). Then, I in turn said to her, ‘Well all these people must have gotten pregnant by someone else’s husband.’ They had to get us out of the studio because we had death threats! They would say that I or she ‘deserved to die.’ Oh, the studio was very quiet about that, and they had police stand there. It was wild!”
Viewers were like this from day one! They were flying across the country and threatening actors and protesting stories in person. It’s no worse now. Social media
I tend to be patient when my soaps enter a period of lackluster writing. It helps that the acting on the shows is almost uniformly excellent. When you consider the tremendous pressure and workload that is presented by preparing more than 250 fresh hours (mostly) of drama each year, it’s truly remarkable that these shows ever achieve aspired heights. That said, while I deplore attacks on specific actors, I think that it’s useful for the producers of these shows to have a way to monitor how their stories are impacting their fans and allow for adjustments. There is tremendous value in constructive criticism, and I urge my fellow fans to focus on that.
Maybe, it’s because you are in the wrong role, sir—I , for one, do not question your performance. I question TPTB trying to couple you with Lily—no tension, no sexiness—Holden would have been a better choice. My opinion.
Not a good look when you bite the hand that feeds you. He makes some good points, but don’t attack your customer base!
Previews
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Kyle and Victoria, Stephanie and Nate, Sally and Billy: Do Any Couples Have a Chance at Lasting Happiness?
This week, couples get closer and some may be playing with fire, when all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless begin on Monday, September 14.
First, Y&R viewers know that Billy (Jason Thompson) and Sally’s (Courtney Hope) October nuptials will be front and center come October as previously teased by Y&R’s executive producer, Sally McDonald.
However, this week’s video spoilers show Sally sitting with her ex Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) and she asks him for a favor. Adam seems happy to help, when he responds, “Anything.” Next, Sally tells hi, that this,”could be a matter of life or death.” What could Sally be asking Adam? Does it have to do with Billy’s baby that she is carrying? Come Sally’s wedding, will Adam and Billy’s endless feud rear its ugly head in the worse way?
Photo: JPI
Then, Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) and Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) can’t fight their attraction to one another and share a few kisses as they slow dance together at Nate’s apartment. Stephanie has been more than supportive to Nate as he gets ready to undergo surgery to his hand which could allow him to return to his medical career as a surgeon. Nate says to Stephanie, “Whatever this is, it feels real.”
However, Y&R viewers know that Vivica A. Fox just wrapped her current run as Stephanie to go film her featured role in the Netflix film Women Like Us. At some point soon, Stephanie and Nate will have to put a hold on their growing feelings or will they?
Finally, Kyle (Michael Mealor) lets himself into the Riverbank Motel room and the lights are out. He goes to reach for the light switch, but Victoria (Amelia Heinle) is there and tell him, “Don’t.” Looks like their one-time fling is going full on affair. But with Kyle being an Abbott and Victoria being a Newman, plus their age difference, is there any hope at all that their burgeoning feelings can survive, if their families can wind of what they have been up to? Stay tuned.
Now below, take a look at the official Y&R spoilers for the week of September 14-18.
Monday, September 14
Victor gathers intel on a rival, Sally asks Adam for a favor, and Jack plays with fire to trap Patty.
Tuesday, September 15
Nikki and Billy reach an understanding, Cane presses Lily to discuss their future, and Matt turns the tables on Patty.
Wednesday, September 16
Victoria calls the shots with Kyle, Nate shows his appreciation to Stephanie, and Billy’s romantic plans for Sally go up in smoke.
Thursday, September 17
Victor makes a tough decision to protect Nick, Jack and Diane receive an ominous message from Patty, and Phyllis hit a dead end trying to help Matt.
Friday, September 18
Chelsea comforts Sally during a difficult time, Cane extends an olive branch to Devon, and Phyllis supports Daniel’s new endeavor.
Check out the Y&R video preview for what’s about to go down in Genoa City this week, below.
Then let us know, do any of these Y&R couples; Kyle and Victoria, Billy and Sally or Nate and Stephanie have you rooting for them to survive? Are you looking forward to seeing what happens with their relationship, or not interested? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”
Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
CBS daytime dramas, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless go head-to-head when two featured cast members from each show compete on the syndicated game show, Flip Side for its season 3 premiere.
Hosted by Jaleel White (best known as Steve Urkel from Family Matters) and filmed near Atlanta, Georgia, daytime drama fans should circle Monday, September 14th when you can catch: representing Team BTG, Colby Nixon (Kat Richardson) and RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton), and Representing Team Y&R, Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil).
In the upcoming soap opera showdown, the competing teams will win prize money for the charities of their choosing, when White tests both teams on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic, and to see which team will make it to the final round.
Photo: CBS
Flip Side’s loglines shares that it’s “an original, laugh out-loud survey-based game show that pits two teams of contestants against each other, testing them on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic. The teams compete for a shot at $10,000 by guessing the top answers based on anonymous surveys – which can be provocative, surprising, and often humorous. Throughout each episode, host Jaleel White brings a fun and comedic energy to the show while also guiding the contestants through the questions.”
Season three leans deeper into exploring relationships, dating, social behaviors and everyday life situations that viewers can relate to. Season three also features multiple celebrity episodes benefiting charity kicking off with the CBS soap showdown.
In addition to airing Monday to Friday in syndication on stations across the country, Flip Side has a second run on Game Show Network. So, check your local listings for times in your area, or catch Flip Side on GSN.
So, who do you think wins the soap opera showdown between BTG’s Colby and RhonniRose vs. Y&R’s Bryton and Christel? Make your picks in the comment section. But first, check out a bit of the action from the episode below.
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: An Arrest is Made in the Disappearance of Jack Brennan
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Kyle and Victoria, Stephanie and Nate, Sally and Billy: Do Any Couples Have a Chance at Lasting Happiness?
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