News
Josh Griffith Out as Head Writer at ‘The Young and the Restless’
In a major behind the scenes move, The Young and the Restless current head writer, Josh Griffith is stepping down from his duties and is soon exiting the top-rated soap opera.
TV Insider was first to break the news and according to their report, Griffith’s departure was his own choice and the cast and crew learned of his decision earlier today on Friday, June 26.
Griffith’s resignation is not effective immediately and for now he will be continuing to tell the stories in Genoa City. As of this writing, Y&R has not named Josh’s successor.
Photo: JPI
Previously, Josh stepped down from his other major duty as the soap opera’s co-executive producer. It was just two months ago we learned that longtime Y&R vet Sally McDonald took over the EP role, while Josh was remaining the series head writer.
A SOAP WRITER WELL-TRAVELED
The seven-time Daytime Emmy winner has had a storied career and tenure in the field of daytime drama. Josh began his soap writing career in 1988 with Santa Barbara, then went to One Life to Live, where he was promoted to co-head writer. He ended his time in Llanview, at that time, in 1995. Later, he co-created Sunset Beach with Bob Guza Jr. The series ran from 1997-99 on NBC. One Life to Live called again and Josh returned as co-head writer again alongside Michael Malone from 2003-2004. Next, he joined the writing team of As the World Turns.
It was back in 2006 that Griffith first came to Genoa City and The Young and the Restless. He started in the capacity of creative consultant, as a breakdown writer, and then was tapped as the series co-executive producer. After departing in 2008. It was not until 2012-2013 that he made a short return before heading to Days of Our Lives to become the co-head writer of Salem from 2015-2016.
Eventually, Josh resurfaced at Y&R as Supervising Producer before becoming head writer in 2019 after Mal Young’s exit. Griffith had served as both head writer and executive producer from 2023-25. In 2025, Sally McDonald joined him as the series co-executive producer until the recent change a few months ago where McDonald is the sole EP.
So, what do you think of Josh Griffith stepping down as head writer at The Young and the Restless? Who would you like to see as his successor? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
Buh-Bye! This is long overdue. He’s been a head writer since 2019, and I never thought this day would come. Guess it didn’t take a plummet in ratings/demos. I just hope that whoever comes in is someone new. We need some new blood on this soap who can bring in some new ideas.
Thank you Universe!! About time he left the damn show!
HALLELUJAH! THANK THE LORD ABOVE! Now let’s bring some EXCITEMENT back to the show instead of boring corporate stories and monthly kidnappings!
Someone go find Kay Alden!
Kay Alden is retired; when she left the last time, she left to retire.
I can’t believe it! Please bring in a fresh pair of eyes. This show needs a major overhaul!
Prayers do get answered–there have been so many disgruntled fans who have tolerated stories that have strayed into another orbit from the Bill Bell/Kay Alden origins. Just looking at the current story-lines that have been nothing more than “characters taking the law into their own hands” or “characters doing things completely out of their character” repeatedly begs for a new era of writers. For me, the biggest frustrations I’ve had with this show are a)missing time scenes–where action takes place off camera time and again b)redundant dialogue c)the total loss of both “young” cast members and “restless” characters d)completely compelling plots–for example, you could expect a terrific summer story that thoroughly probed a current social issue e)keeping too many veteran characters as the front-burner stories ALL THE TIME and finally e)MUSIC– it made scenes riveting, surprising, and most of the time, emotional. This was the heart of Y and R, and honestly, it has lost its heart.
I do not write this note as a rant; rather, it’s my hope that a few recommendations will help improve the show because it has a fantastic repertoire of actors and production crew up and down the line.
1000% agree
Lets bring back the ‘ young’!!! Maybe Faith, Moses , Lucy
Lets bring back the classic beautifully composed background scores yes!
Lets bring back ” Shick”,
Intelligent stories like a Michael , Christine criminal case, give Lauren her due too in that.
Rotate fan fave s maybe in short arcs, Nina, Paul, Jill, Traci etc ..
On a positive note aside from some of the worst years in YnR history looking forward to brighter days for my fave soap!!!
Sorry, but this was way overdue. I haven’t been able to get into Y&R the way I used to for a long time now. Hopefully the next writer can bring back the focus of what made the show so good.
Guess that rape apologist storyline is what gave him the boot
Nope! He made the decision to leave himself.
Finally!!!! Yayyyyyy!!!!
Good Riddance
I realize it’s just a soap opera and there are more important things in life. On that note, I will wish him well on what I’m assuming is his retirement.
Bye Bitch! Josh Griffith is a hack!
Y&R doesn’t air down here, but I’d be willing to bet a few souls that ReRon will be the new head writer.
If that proves to be the case, you Y&R fans have a Devil’s condolences.
Oh, I hope not.
CBS/Sony Television does not want the writer unless it’s a last-ditch decision, but even he’s petrified of the job.
It took long enough, hoping the door slams your ass on your way out. This took so long, and he says it was his choice, yeah right. You ruined this show, got rid of Gina T who had this show on top.
It saddened me to give up watching Y&R two years ago due to poor, exhaustingly redundant storylines. But I was attached to the gifted veteran actors so I would sporadically check in to check the pulse when I had time off from work. My latest check in only reaffirmed my decision when I tuned in only to discover that Nikki was sick again. Even on her best day, Nikki gives off a somnolent, low energy vibe as seen with her tendency to whisper her dialogue and therefore, when she is afflicted with yet another malady, I cannot tell the difference. So I clicked off. I will tune in again if the writing meets the actors’ talent half way. They deserve that- as do their loyal viewers. PS. I am a longtime Peter Bergman fan. I want better for him and his cast mates.
I think soap head writers should only stay five years on the job and then leave because the job is so demanding they burn out. Wishing Josh Griffith the best in the future. Hopefully the show will hire from within for the position but bring in some younger more diverse voices on the writing team willing to try something new other than endless corporate stories.
Thank God, it’s about damn time. Josh G.’s writing was boring and, honestly, made very little sense. I can barely watch this show anymore, and that’s coming from someone who grew up watching it.
If you don’t understand the history of this show, you shouldn’t be writing for it. The characters have decades of history that matter.
If you don’t know that Jill Foster Abbott once did Kay Chancellor’s hair and nails, became her paid companion, and was involved with Philip Chancellor, then please don’t write this show. Ever.
The history, the relationships, and the legacy of these characters are what made this show special.
I don’t want Steve Kent bringing in a bunch of his friends — maybe one
understand the show. No more Jill Phelps, LML, or Mal Young.
We need Bill Bell’s people back because they understood the history, the characters, and what made this show work. Bring back voices like Kay Alden, Sally Sussman as story consultants. Jack Smith, MAB (but someone remind her we hated Sharon throwing someone into a volcano).
If they could snag Bob Guza. The show needs writers who respect its past.
The story line that really upset me was that Phyllis’s kids were mad at her for taking Newman from Victor. Victor has been ruthless to everyone. Why would her kids be mad at her for giving poor Victor a taste of his own medicine.
And, poor Daniel who Phyllis has saved so many times, lecturing Phyllis and being so self righteous is ridiculous. Why would Summer be mad about this?
That what did it for you huh?
Phenomenal news! The show has been a wreck since he took over (although he’s not the only person who has had a bad helm at y&r). Boring, repetitive storylines, stale dialogue, and way too much corporate drudgery. (Bill Bell and Kay Alden could write business storylines perfectly, because the focus was always personal… it wasn’t about business).
I hope tptb find a co-head writing situation. I would love a great old school soap writer (like Nancy Curlee) working alongside someone new with fresh perspective. Hopefully, this way there’s a nice balance of storytelling.
That being said, please get rid of some of the characters no one cares about or do something with them to make them multifaceted. Audra is boring. I’m sorry. Make her interesting or let her go. Same with Holden, Claire, etc. But even classic characters are boring right now (Victoria, Michael, Lauren, Jack). And can we not write a storyline where Victor loses? Victor was always an anti hero, but now he’s really a one dimensional villain with zero redeeming qualities.
There’s so much more that could be said, but this rant is getting as repetitive as Josh Griffith’s version of the show.
I agree with everything you said.
THANK GOD! He finally got pushed out, there’s no way he left on his own accord. But he’s done so much damage…..we’ll still see his crap on screen for most of the summer. A step in the right direction, Now the challenge of someone who can write. Sally McDonald’s big test. I don’t want to see anyone elevated to that job from the current staff. We need someone fresh to run with this one. Holding my breath for a better fall and winter.
In the world of real life despised soap villains, Griffin would be the Top 5, below Brian Frons and Jill Phelps but above Megan McTavish.
Where does ReRon come in on that list?
Ron has about 18 months at a show where he does good work and then things get convoluted. That, and his writing has contributed to a show demise (OLTL ratings were higher than AMC when both were cancelled). He has many that don’t like him (like you) but there’s a contingent that support him. For that, I would leave him out of the Top 5. Now, Sean Kanan and Ian Buchanan might have a different opinion.
Ron Carlivati
Josh as writer and EP has been a disaster. Y&R turned into a villain of the week show where incredible talent such as Robert Newman, Colleen Zenk, James Hyde, etc were wasted in short-term roles. Josh is trying to set the record for bringing back the most dead characters in the shortest amount of time.
The new writer has to start planning the eventual (sooner rather than later) retirement of Eric Braedon. Have him retire on the short and bring him back for special events and holidays or kill him off and have the biggest who dunnit in soap history followed by an incredible trial. (When was the last great trial on Y&R)
Where is the summer teen storyline? The actor playing Lucy seemed ready for a big storyline.
The show needs to refocus on Michael and Lauren and bring back Gloria. Bring back Paul.
Where can we list all the problems that Griffith caused. I would say the biggest issue is he’s banished all the young people from Genoa City. You see a child visiting a day or two a year. Lily’s twins haven’t been seen in years. Victoria’s missing kids, Billy’s missing offspring. The show is still focused on the over 65 citizens…which is ok, but most days they are all you see. If I’m a college student or high school student checking out Y&R for the first time, after a day of this, I’d be turning it off because nothing appeals to them. Summer teen stories used to be what drew viewers in during the months of June, July and August. There is so much that has to be fixed on Y&R, wonder where Ms. McDonald will start.
The 2 things that bother me most are that we have never seen Mrs. Martinez or Christian, is the budget that overtaxed?
Love the idea of who killed off Victor Newman! I watched the show since it began in early 70s and I loved those great trial stories– most fondly Lorie Brooks’ arrest for Vanessa Prentis’ murder and the absolutely tremendous 2 year stint of twists and turns with Paul Williams and Cassandra Rawlins. These were as tidy and clever as an Agatha Christie!
Ron, I also watched the show since the 70s and YES, the stories involving Lorie and Vanessa and Paul and Cassandra, those were the days…
A great head writer would be a novelist. Someone who has written many fiction books. Michael Malone is a good example.
I’m a Days fan, but I think I could do a good job writing for YawneR.
Won’t make a difference they will hire another idiot and your actors will defend them if they are front and center an paycheck so no I won’t come back ever again do not care if they stay on the air or not
Josh Griffith quit of his own volition. I haven’t really liked Y & R that much since Covid caused a lot of unrealistic interactions & afterwards it seems it wasn’t the best. IMO that’s been the case many times before. There were times I really enjoyed the actors, characters & storylines. There were times I didn’t.
Whoever gets the job I wish them well because people have such different opinions on characters & storylines. So whoever comes next they can expect complaints for sure.
As ABC’s General Hospital continues to make casting additions in front of the camera; a new report indicates that Chris McKenna is the next contract player to be written out of the show as his storyline as Port Charles WSB bureau chief, Jack Brennan, is coming to end this fall.
According to sources close to the situation, who informed Soap Opera Network, McKenna will exit the long-running soap opera when Jack is killed-off the canvas. The outlet shares, Brennan’s death will come about as the soap, “leans heavily into storylines surrounding the World Security Bureau (WSB).”
McKenna, who previously appeared on the soaps when he was 12 as a young Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live from 1990-1993, then as an adult as Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015, and next on The Bold and the Beautiful in the short term role of Dr. Hayden, began his run as GH’s Brennan back in February of 2025, replacing Charles Mesure in the role.
Photo: ABC
JACK’S ROCKY ROAD TO ROMANCE
In fact, McKenna won the part over Daniel Goddard and Daniel Cosgrove, who eventually were cast in other roles on General Hospital, that of Henry Dalton and Ezra Boyle, respectively. Chris informed his fans via X, back in August of 2025, that he was put on contract at the daytime drama and thanked them for helping make it happen.
Chris told Michael Fairman TV how it was to step into the role previously played by Charles Mesure, “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like 0nly five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it. Sure, it was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”
On-screen, Jack became romantically involved with Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but that went bust when Carly learned Jack was not up front with her and had secretly enlisted her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to join the WSB. Over months, Carly plotted to get revenge on Jack, and suddenly, Valentin Casssadine (James Patrick Stuart), Jack’s mortal enemy, came into the picture and he had fallen for Carly and she for him.
Now, Jack has started up a relationship with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) and has found himself in situations stooping to lows to help Nina and her criminal daughter, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) out of jams, especially where Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) is concerned.
Photo: ABC
REUNITING WITH ERIKA SLEZAK
Last fall, Chris got a thrill of a lifetime when his OG on-screen mother from One Life to Live, the iconic Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) took on a guest role on General Hospital as Ronnie Bard, the secret sister of Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). While the two did not have a storyline together, Chris did share some tender moments reconnecting with Erika on the set,
McKenna has a laundry list of primetime credits including: State of Affairs, Good Trouble, Lucifer and Castle, where in an ironic twist he appeared alongside another Joey Buchanan none other than Nathan Fillion.
So, how do you feel if the report holds true and GH is killing off Brennan and Chris McKenna would exit the show? How do you think Brennan will die on GH? Will he be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone will take him out? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
All My Children
‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
This week began and as reported with a spotlight article on Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos and how their production entity, Milojo, has been teeing up the All My Children reboot with Lifetime.
The L.A. Times featured the married couple, co-hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark, and former All My Children cast members (where they met and fell in love) about their plans to bring two All My Children movies to Lifetime and how they are working with the Agnes Nixon estate to make it come to fruition,
On Wednesday, it was revealed by Daytime Confidential, that All My Children reboot producer, Andrew Stearn handpicked none other than Ron Carlivati (ex-head writer, One Life to Live, General Hospital and Days of our Lives) and Jamey Giddens (who is the new co-head writer of The Young and the Restless, following his tenures on the writing teams of Beyond the Gates and Days of Our Lives), as the two scribes who will bring the first of two of Kelly and Mark’s All My Children movies to the page.
Photo: IMDb
RON CARLIVATI AND JAMEY GIDDENS CONFIRM THEIR BOARDING THE ALL MY CHILDREN MOVIE PROJECT
The second installment is said to be written by primetime writer Leo Richardson whose credits include: Star, Katy Keene and more recently the Penn Badgley (ex-Phillip Chancellor IV, The Young and the Restless) starring series, You.
Richardson also wrote for three years on the U.K.’s long-running soap, EastEnders. All My Children revival fans will recall Richardson’s name was attached as the writer for the first incarnation of the All My Children movies, entitled, Pine Valley.
Ron Carlivati took to X and confirmed he is indeed boarding the All My Children movie project. Carlivati shared, “So excited to share this news! Thanks to Andrew Stearn, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Albert Bianchini and the Agnes Nixon estate for entrusting Jamey Giddens and me with the first of two planned All My Children movies for Lifetime! Stay tuned!”
Photo: Jeremy Smith/imageSPACE
Jamey Giddens confirmed DC’s announcement by taking to his account on X and expressing, “I’ve been booked and busy in 2026. Thanks to Andrew Stearn, the Agnes Nixon estate, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos for entrusting Ron Carlivati, and me with the first of two planned All My Children movies for Lifetime!”
Some fans seemed to question how Giddens could be writing for the first All My Children movie at Lifetime, when he is the new co-head writer at The Young and the Restless with Dan O’Connor. Jamey answered that head on via X and explained, “We turned in our All My Children script months ago. My sole focus as of this past Monday, is Genoa City, Wisconsin! #YR”
ERICA KANE, MARIA SANTOS AND HAYLEY AND MATEO SANTOS TO APPEAR IN THE ALL MY CHILDREN MOVIE REVIVAL?
In the planned stories, Susan Lucci’s Erica Kane and Eva LaRue’s Maria Santos will be two characters whose lives we will get to see for the first time since the series was canceled by ABC back in 2011 after 41 years on the air. As well, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos confirmed they will make brief appearances on-screen; one could assume as Hayley and Mateo Santos.
“It’d be wonderful to give the fans something that they’ve been yearning for so many years,” shared Mark Consuelos to the LA Times. “All My Children gave me my family. I met my wife there. It gave me my start in the business. It gave us so much. It would be a dream to be able to give back.”
So, what do you think of Ron Carlivati and Jamey Giddens getting nod to write the All My Children movie #1 script and Leo Richardson #2? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’
On General Hospital, Ryan Paevey wrapped his comeback to General Hospital on the July 6 episode, when it was revealed that Cassius Faison was not dead, but being held by the WSB thanks to Z (John Oliver).
It was Z who gave Cassius an ultimatum: a one-way ticket to prison or a death sentence, or to become an agent himself! We never got the answer on-screen, but suffice to say, Cassius is still out there somewhere, but we can assume he is working for the WSB.
GH fans were thrilled to see Paevey back on the ABC daytime drama series where he initially played the very popular Detective Nathan West from 2013-2018. It had been over 7 years until Ryan made a return to his former soap stomping grounds when on-screen in September of 2025, he arrived in Port Charles as a very much alive Nathan, who was actually Cassius impersonating his late twin brother.
Photo: ABC
Over this past weekend, Paevey appeared at the annual GH Fan Club Weekend in Burbank, California, where according to a report from Soap Central who was on the scene; when a fan asked Ryan if he would make another visit to the soap opera in the future, he explained, “That’s a ‘Frank Chat,’ referencing a discussion would need to be had with Frank Valentini, GH’s executive producer.
A CASSIUS FAISON SIGHTING ANYTIME SOON?
Ryan also added, “I’m a bit of a drifter. So, I’m not sure that I want to go back and sign forever. Doing so took a lot of things out of my life, stuff that is valuable to me.” Paevey also explained while he was away from GH he was caretaker to his parents and working on his Fortunate Wanderer jewelry business and more.
However, Paevey concluded his thoughts on the matter with, “But, yeah, I would come back and stir the pot if Cassius could be a good agent of chaos… a conversation might be had with Frank about exactly what ‘not dead’ means.”
All this to say, would you like to see Ryan make another comeback to General Hospital? This time as WSB agent Cassius Faison? Do you think he would help out his sister, Britt and his mutter, and even Josslyn, if they got into serious future trouble? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nikki and Victor Renew Their Wedding Wows
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