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Y&R Head Writer Josh Griffith on Decision to Revive Matt Clark Story: The Con, Audience Has to “Suspend Belief,” the Pros “Nothing Better Than Being Able to Draw From History”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

The Young and the Restless recently launched a soap opera all-star tale with Daytime Emmy winners, Roger Howarth and Tamara Braun joining the iconic daytime drama series Mitch (aka Matt Clark) Bacall and his wife, Sienna Bacall. In addition, to bringing back the character of Noah Newman now played by Lucas Adams, along with seemingly corrupt Detective Burrow played by GH alum, Matt Cohen.

The foursome has been put into a story crafted for Sharon (Sharon Case) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) at its epicenter, and that eventually will bring trouble to the entire Newman family. Soap Opera Digest spoke with Y&R’s executive producer and head writer, Josh Griffith to get his perspective on how he landed on bringing back the nefarious character of Matt Clark, and how he sees his LA noir story tale going down for viewers of the long-running soap.

Looking back at the history of Y&R and noting that Matt Clark died in 2001, and that no one is ever really dead-dead on the soaps, Griffith shared on his decision to go forward with Roger Howarth as the resurrected Matt Clark, when the role was last played by GH’s Rick Hearst. “To me, the only con is that you’ve got to just be able to get the audience to suspend disbelief so they go with it,” shared Josh.”But the pros, for me, much outweigh that, because there’s nothing better than being able to draw from history for a new story.”

Photo: JPI

In getting Sharon and Nick to Los Angeles and to intersect with Matt Clark, the head scribe had to think on a larger overriding element and mystery: “What would pull Nick and Sharon to L.A. would be something horrific happening to Noah. So I wanted the car accident to happen. Out of that, I said, ‘Well, if Noah’s having an affair with Mitch’s wife, then that could lead to the car accident.’ And we start wondering, ‘Was this all a setup for Matt? Did meeting Noah bring back all his anger and all the past, and he set this train wreck of a story in motion because of that?’”

Griffith teased that Matt Clark’s revenge has just escalated. He is angered that his plot to eliminate Noah Newman didn’t work following the car crash, and who he knows is having an affair with his wife.  Add to that his hatred of Nick and Sharon, and we have just seen the tip of the iceberg with the guy. As Nick and Sharon eventually head back to Genoa City, they think by leaving Los Angeles, it will scare him off to not come after that, now that they know he is alive and living under a fake identity

Josh explained that the “Second act is definitely they return (to Genoa City), and Matt and all his trouble follow. It becomes a nightmare, not just for Nick and Sharon, but to the whole Newman family.”

So, what do you think thus far of Josh Griffith’s decision to revive the character of Matt Clark, and how the LA noir story is unfolding? Is it holding your interest? Excited to see what’s next? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Looking back at the history of Y&R and noting that Matt Clark died in 2001, and that no one is ever really dead-dead on the soaps, Griffith shared on his decision to go forward with Roger Howarth as the resurrected Matt Clark, when the role was last played by GH’s Rick Hearst. “To me, the only con is that you’ve got to just be able to get the audience to suspend disbelief so they go with it,” shared Josh.”But the pros, for me, much outweigh that, because there’s nothing better than being able to draw from history for a new story.”

While I am all for suspending disbelief, especially in soap operas, I also must admit: this kind of stuff is exactly why American daytime is mocked and not taken seriously, and I wish it to be one of the tropes dropped altogether from the genre. Yes, it is amazing to draw from history, but it is also one thing to completely ignore it (which I feel Josh Griffith does often) for one’s own perceived worthwhile storyline.

That being said, I am intrigued with the Noah/Sienna connection.

Very excited to see the hell Matt Clark is going to inflict on Nick and Sharon!

I couldnt care less but as much as i admire Mr Howarth why not bring back Eddie Cibrian who is so cute. Just sayin

DING, DING, DING??? You hit the nail on the head.

No, we don’t have to suspend belief! Instead of giving us reworked movies, why not just give us good story and characters. There was no reason to resurrect Matt Clark. Roger Howarth is an amazing actor and could have brought life to any new character. He would have been a perfect match for Phyllis, instead of trying force a relationship between her and Cane. I can’t tell you last time I have watched a full episode of Y&R.

I don’t mind suspending disbelief—as a long time viewer, I accept this as part of watching them. But, suspending disbelief doesn’t work if the story is crap. This one is, as are most of JG’s. It’s almost as if CBS is trying to sink the show by keeping him on the show. Fire him!

In your interview, did you ask about his inability to complete a story line – examples Mariah – when will this non story end? Why Sharon and Phyllis were locked up by a day player and the results? His obsession with the redecorating of the Abbott living room and Diane buying a new couch. I fast forward thanks to the dvr. My watch time is about 18 minutes an episode.

It’s one thing to suspend disbelief but this has happened countless times under Josh Griffith and his writing regime!Honestly nothing against Howard he’s a great actor but if you really wanted the audience to fly with it you would have brought Eddie Cibrian back !

He will never reunite Sharon and Nick though it’s a popular decision but saying that the show is not the show I loved and I will not bitch about it anymore I promise! Do what you want but if this idiot thinks bringing on his friends will increase ratings he really is a fool . The only other pairing Nick had was Phyllis and I don’t need to see that crap again.

I was interested in this story until it was reveal Mitch is Matt Clark. First off the reveal happened too fast. It might have worked if Matt Clark having survive his “death” not only changed his name, but his face, so Nick and Sharon wouldn’t have recognized him– and it was only after months of tormenting them, in some climatic scene he reveals himself to be Matt Clark.

The other major thing wrong with bringing back Matt, is it falls too soon after JG bringing back other characters like Cameron and Ian Ward— and why does mining the past always have to involve bringing back all the psychopaths– when there are so many other former characters that could have spiced up stories– and why do all the storylines have to be about threatening the Newman family either their business or them personally–

The sad truth is these set of characters have run their course, and without investing and developing the younger characters all any head writer can do is rinse and repeat until the show is cancelled, or when the characters that were once Young and Restless are Dead and Buried. Harsh I know, but without new characters to replace the aging out characters–this soap is reaching it’s expiration date.

So well stated. These stories stumble at the gate with the ace card played without suspense.

I totally agree with everything you said. Great post!

Can Josh Griffith bring something new to Y/R not Matt Clark character that died, the bring him back to life again. We who watched the show for years don’t need a repeat of what Matt Clark character might do this go around, he died. Old stuff get rid of JOSH we need new material not material from 2001. This is not creative, its dumb!

Soaps bring back dead people all the time. Wouldn’t it be miraculous if in real life, Bill Bell could be resurrected, then what would Bill Bell do??

Matt Clark died in 2001. Let’s just say I have an imagination, and before Matt died, he got someone pregnant. That offspring would be 24 years old, or older on soaps. Why couldn’t Griffith have had Matt Clark’s son seek whatever revenge he wanted on the Newman family? Clark’s son hears stories from his mother about the Newmans….and this is what sparks his son to terrorize Nick and Sharon! Heck, even GL after Michael Zaslow’s passing, years later, brought his unheard of son to Springfield. Griffith has a vivid imagination, except that it hasn’t worked on Y&R. As another posted, we’re sure this story won’t have a good wrap to it, and Griffith will just leave things hanging as he’s done with other story lines. He’s a lousy head writer, heck, just a lousy writer.

I agree with you Joe 100%

YawneR is in trouble.

I see what they are doing and so I pulled It so making Sharon crazy again enough and Noah is a punk! When does it stop

Josh Griffith needs to go…no mention that Matt came back in to town with a different face. So is this supposed to be Matt with the original face or the new face?? What an absolutely stupid storyline.

It’s okay, Hope it’s not a long story line

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr Weighs-In on Potential Rocco and Scout Teen Romance

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Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski

Finn Carr, who delivered powerful performances on General Hospital, when Rocco shot WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and its aftermath, may be headed for his first on-screen love story on the ABC soap opera.

Ever since it was announced that the long-running daytime drama decided to age-up Scout Cain, and in a few recent scenes between Rocco and Scout, it’s clear these two share similar interests and like each other.

Scout is now played by Kayden Brenna Tokarski, who made her GH debut back on July 20 as the daughter of Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) and the late Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco).

Rocco and Scout

Photo: ABC

In a newly-released virtual segment with ABC11 North Carolina’s GH virtual insider, Dearon Smith, both Finn Carr and Asher Antonyzyn talked about working on a soap opera, while finishing high school, and teasing what’s ahead for Danny and Rocco. While Finn and Asher couldn’t give too much away, Smith asked Finn Carr if there is something brewing between Scout and Rocco?

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROCCO AND DANNY?

Carr responded, “That’s an interesting question. Kaden is great to work with, and I love working with her. There definitely is some great stuff coming up that people are going to want to watch. It’s good stuff and really fun.”

Apparently, Danny and Rocco will also find themselves once again in some trouble, but as Finn tells it looks like this time, Danny will take the brunt of it. “We get into a lot of trouble … well, Danny gets into a lot of trouble … but I do a lot though.” Very cryptic indeed!

You can check out the full conversation with Finn and Asher with ABC11 below.

Now, let us know, would you like to see Rocco have a girlfriend, and that it would be Scout? Do you think Finn and Kayden work well together on-screen? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Laura Wright Signs New Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Laura Wright

While there have been plenty of on-screen newcomers in recent weeks on General Hospital, no need to worry about one of its mainstays, with the news from Daytime Emmy winner, Laura Wright, herself. Wright who plays Carly Spencer on the ABC soap opera has revealed on X, that she just re-signed a new deal with the soap opera to remain in Port Charles.

Wright is the fourth actress to play Carly, following in the footsteps of the OG Carly, Sarah Brown, Tamara Brown, and Jennifer Bransford. In fact, Laura left her major role on Guiding Light as Cassie Layne Winslow to take over the role of Bobbie Spencer’s (the late Jackie Zeman) complex daughter in November of 2005. Now almost 21 years later, Laura has made Carly her own and has delivered memorable performance after memorable performance throughout her run.

When a fans commented on X, “Can I just say if you ever leave General Hospital as Carly I will stop watching the show. I honestly have loved you and think that you are the best person to play Carly,” Laura Wright jumped in to the thread and assured her and other GH fans, that she has no plans to go anywhere else.

Photo: ABC

LAURA WRIGHT STAYING PUT AT GENERAL HOSPITAL AND FANS ARE HAPPY SHE’S STICKING AROUND

Laura expressed, “I’m not going anywhere, just signed a new contract!!!” Since she made her public statement, many GH fans were thrilled with the news with comments such as: I would’ve been devastated if you weren’t sticking around. You’ve truly made Carly your own after so many years, ” and Happy to hear this, I always enjoy #GH more when Carly is on,” plus “So glad you’re sticking around as Carly. Love Carly and can’t wait for more #Caradine and #Jarly”

One fans hopes Laura will be on for years to come a la Jane Elliot’s tenure as Tracy Quartermaine saying, “Awesome. It’s so fun getting to see the full life of a character. Hope you stick around for many more years. I think Carly will be a hoot in her Tracy Quartermaine era.”

Laura Wright’s road to General Hospital started back on ABC’s Loving when she first played  Allison “Ally” Rescott on Loving (1991 to 1995) and then its spinoff The City (1995 to 1997). She later joined Guiding Light as Cassie, who was revealed to be the sister of Reva Shayne played by Kim Zimmer. She played the part from 1997-2005. From then on its been all GH scoring a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy win in 2011, along with eight total nominations throughout her daytime career.

Currently, Carly is involved in a romance with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), but it’s on shaky ground with Anna Devane back in the picture not so happy to see the two canoodling, and Carly having been warned by Sonny that Valentin is not trustworthy.

However, after seeing Laura’s post that she has signed on to stay at GH, James Patrick Stuart commented on X  reacted by stating, “Phew!”

So, happy to hear Laura has re-signed with General Hospital and will continue her role as Carly Spencer? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Michael Damian Set to Perform New Music from Album ‘Mixed Emotions’ on ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Danny Lays Down Roots in Genoa City

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Michael Damian

Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) is coming home, of sorts. After first, becoming the new manager of The Shadow Room, the longtime rock and roll star who has traveled the globe rocking out solo, or alongside his wife and legal eagle, Christine (Lauralee Bell), has decided to become more of a permanent fixture in Genoa City.

In a new interview with TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands now, Damian shared how back in 1981 series exes asked him to come on board for a much longer run than he initially anticipated after his three-month run as the young rocker. “When the summer came to a close, they said, ‘Do you want to sign a three-year contract?’ I was like, ‘Sounds great. Let’s do it.’ I was not expecting 45 years.”

To kick-off Danny’s new venture, circle the upcoming August 18th episode of the top-rated soap opera, when Damian will perform new music from his album Mixed emotions. Explaining Danny’s new mindset, Damian shared, “Danny wants to stay in town; he doesn’t want to spend all his time on tour, away from his wife, Christine.”

Photo: JPI

While Michael Damian has built a successful career, not only as a actor/singer/songwriter, but as an producer for many well-known television and feature film projects, he expressed he will still continue everything outside of the soap, but likes remaining a popular fixture on the CBS soap.

“What’s so great is that I’m able to write music, make albums and make movies and continue to stay in Genoa City,” he shared. Now the question becomes, will Danny and Christine’s long-awaited marriage face some new speed bumps? Will Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) stay out of the way? Will Daniel (Michael Graziadei) be happy is dad is back in town and will Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) come around and make some problems for the rockstar/club manager?

As previously reported, Tamara Braun (Sienna) and Lucas Adams (Noah) have been written out of The Young and the Restless and they headed back to Los Angeles to get away from Matt and all the trouble they faced in Genoa City to run The Shadow Room on the west coast with Noah giving Danny the gig at the GC location.

So, what do you think about the storyline-dictated move to have Danny run The Shadow Room, which should give more airtime to Danny and  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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