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Y&R's Chuck Pratt Jr. & Jill Farren Phelps Weigh-In On Shylan, Michael's Cancer & If They Would Tackle A Gay Storyline!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Part two of TV Insider Michael Logan’s interview was posted today with Y&R’s executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, and the series head writer and executive producer Chuck Pratt Jr. The often controversial soap opera head honchos offered up their plans, their thinking and more about the major storylines and characters that inhabit the world of the number one CBS daytime drama series.
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto
Tackling questions about: The Two Jacks (Peter Bergman) story and if Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) will realize she has been basically being raped by the Jack imposter, Victor’s (Eric Braeden) scheming backfiring on him, Michael (Christian LeBlanc) shoving Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman) towards Cane (Daniel Goddard) during his prostate cancer storyline, the future of Dylan (Steve Burton) and Sharon (Sharon Case), and Avery (Jessica Collins) and Joe (Scott Elrod), and their plans for Emmy winner Eileen Davidson (Ashley).
In addition the creatives discuss the future for duos such as: Hevon (Bryton James and Mishael Morgan), Neil (Kristoff St. John) and Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) relationship, and if they would consider making the characters of Kevin (Greg Rikaart) and Harding (Chris McKenna) gay and more!
Here are a few very interesting excerpts below:
Courtesy/CBS
On Dylan and Sharon’s relationship Phelps commented: “We are moving ahead with Dylan and Sharon. They’ve both been through a lot. Dylan is a rescuer and, right now, Sharon needs saving. They were friends when Dylan first came to town. In fact, Sharon was very nice to him when others weren’t. And the fact that Faith likes Dylan is a big deal, even for Nick, since Faith doesn’t like any of the women Nick is involved with. With Dylan, Sharon will find herself a really solid guy who will be very helpful to her. This is a clean slate for both of them. On Dylan and Avery’s relationship Pratt commented: ” It wasn’t dangerous and deep enough and that’s what Steve Burton does best—multi-level angst in a manly way. That’s what he delivered at General Hospital, where he had that great bromance going with Maurice Benard. I can’t even imagine Billy Miller playing Jason but, then, I haven’t watched GH. We need to take our best shot with Steve, so we’re fighting to get Dylan in the right profession and the right relationship. What’s really in his heart? What does he really want? I don’t know why the thing with Avery wasn’t as big as it should have been, but we will take it to a satisfying level and we’ll come out of it with the right people elevated in the show.”
Courtesy/Y&RTumbler
On tackling a gay storyline Pratt commented: “With the right circumstance and right character—it could be Kevin or someone else—I would love to tell that story. I’ve told a gay storyline on every show I’ve ever been on, and it’s odd that there isn’t a gay relationship on Y&R.” Pratt went on to say: ” We shouldn’t do a gay storyline because we’re the only ones who don’t have one. I would look for the story that’s never been done. Lord knows, I did that on All My Children with a lesbian story that got me in nothing but trouble with everybody. But it was a fun story. [Laughs] And it sure hadn’t been done before. I can’t imagine there’s a storyline—be it gay, lesbian or transgender—that wouldn’t be acceptable on a soap at this network.”
On Michael’s cancer storyline and causing drama for the relationship of Michael and Lauren and Cane and Lily: Pratt revealed: “ But this is a type of cancer that’s basically curable and everybody knows we’re not going to kill off Michael, so that meant we had to wrestle with complications. Michael and Lauren were an interesting couple at one point, but they had become a little bit boring and I felt the same thing about Lily and Cane, so the idea was to push Lauren and Cane together. This was one of the most successful stories we did on Melrose Place. Marcia Cross’ character was dying of a brain tumor and she pushed her cheating husband together with a hooker, Kelly Rutherford’s character, never expecting they would fall in love. And that plot went on for years! I thought the two Y&R couples were mired in the same-old same-old and needed a fix.”
So, what do you think about Jill and Chuck’s comments on the pairing of Dylan and Sharon, how they are handling Michael”s cancer storyline and what it means for Lauren, Cane and Lily? And do you hope that Y&R tackles a gay storyline soon? Would you like the characters of Kevin and Harding to turn out to be part of the LGBT community … or for the show to bring new characters to fill this void? Comment below!
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the arrogance, the disingenuousness (he glosses over what he ACTUALLY did with the Bianca storyline on AMC – or maybe’s he’s deluded), but where i really balked was when he compared Melissa Ordway to Robin Mattson! What! Seriously???
I have to agree, Melissa Ordway has been more tolerable lately but she couldn’t shine Robin Mattson’s shoes.
I like this Abby better. She doesnt get good stories. Robin Mattson is in a class all by herself. Love her!
I really want Sharon happy and back with Adam. These new writers cant see Sharon was Bill Bells favorite. Sharon is the best and why did she lose her daughter and Nick gets to have kids with all these women
ONe word FIRE! Fire Pratt and Jill . The show is awful
I totally agree.
NO NO NOOO please make Sharon better and back with Nick or Adam. No more of Victor. Get him gone in jail . The show is making me feel like they dont care about us fans!!!!!!!!
The worst part is once they give her a Newman baby either being Nicks or Adams we will never be rid of Sage UGH and Adam professes to love Chelsea so much, no matter what the reason he should not have climbed into bed with Sage. Im really over the entire love triangle with Sage/Nick/Chelsea/Adam,/Billy stuff, it’s getting as bad as fake Jake/Victor getting away with making people look like all these doppelgangers stories and the worst Scooby Doo Gang Austin killer snoozer ZZZZZZ, Please get us a new writing team
OMG I also forgot the other bad stories . Neil is again moving onto another women young enough to be his granddaughter and Michael was with a hooker. Geez what is going on here! Plus Victoria thinks her crazy father walks on water and Avery is such a witch! Stay tuned for Chelsea will be pregnant and she doesn’t know if its Billys or Adams then the two con women Chelsea and Sage find out they are half sisters. Sage will have Adam’s baby and Chelsea will have another with Billy. My head is spinning the con sister chronicles
No I do not want Dylan as her lover. Only her friend and I want Sage to be back with Sharon who he really loves. Nick can go and feel sorry for himself he gave up a loving wife and mother to his kids Sharon 🙂
Well, Dylan just released a new album with a title which is evocative of Peter Frampton –it’s called “Dylan Comes Alive.”
Say what you want, there is no denying that Steve Burton comes alive when paired up with Sharon Case.
Those two are on fire!
Well I do agree Dylan running a coffee house and paired with Avery was about as exciting as paint drying on a wall. I’m all for making Dylan more interesting.
I disagree about Lauren and Michael. It was refreshing and wonderful to have one happy couple on this show–there are ways of making stable couples interesting without breaking them apart and throwing them with new people. Cane and Lily I could see falling apart, but Michael and Lauren have been through sooo much and survived, with their love, passion and humor intact, so to see that destroy is sad.
As for the gay story line, I agree throwing in a gay character just to have a gay character is pointless. But if they want a gay story line, that would really shock people and really turn the show upside down– make Jack and Victor gay. We discover their hatred all these years was just a way to cover up their deep burning passion for each other— and with Pratt and Co I wouldn’t put it pass them to do just that
I agree that a happy Lauren and Michael are way more fun than Lauren cheating… again.
Jack and Victor gay. Excuse me while I vomit!
Ahhh come on, it could be the love story of the ages– LOL. I wasn’t really being serious, but heck, some of the things they are doing to the characters right now, as I said, it wouldn’t shock me if they make that their gay storyline– so just in case, you better stock up on the Pepto.
They should have pulled the trigger on Cane and Lily when Tyler was in the picture. It made a heck of a lot more sense than Cane and Lauren and had quite a good build up. Plus he was a great new young fresh character, unlike the ones they have now. The only one I kinda like right now is Mariah but even she is getting on my nerves.
I agree that Cane with Lauren is a terrible idea. It is like they just threw darts at pictures of the characters on a wall to decide who they should hook up with whom. It would have been more believable if Lauren turned to Paul– they had a history and it would have rev up the old Lauren and Christine feud. And the last writers were making Mariah a very interesting and complex character–the new writers have taken away her edge, made her blend into the scenery— such a waste. It seems Pratt’s darling is Abby — so I wouldn’t be shock if the next victim is Mariah.
I like the way Charles Pratt thinks and will give him a full year to right this Y&R ship. Phelps? Well, she said in the interview when it was pointed out that fans wanted a gay story involving Kevin and Harding. Her answer was she doesnt go online. WHAT? One, that statement proves how out of touch the women is and two, she doesnt listen to the fans unless I guess if you write her a letter and put a 49 cent stamp on it? What a joke! Thats one thing about GH, Head honcho, Frank Valenti is a media hound and he loves twitter. He has his finger on what the fans are saying and I think his show is more successful because he knows how we feel. He may not use any of our ideas but he has feedback he can share with the writers.
“I like the way Charles Pratt thinks and will give him a full year to right this Y&R ship”
There are very few Y&R fans on that island Timmm. In the opinion of this one, most of Pratt’s stories and the way a lot of the characters have acted so far have done nothing but drag down the Y&R ship. Both him and Phelps need to be given the boot and it can’t happen soon enough.
X, I knew my comments about Chuckie would bring some negative responses BUT just like a new head coach on a football team, your skeptical of his ideas but you have to give him a chance. I liked all of his answers in part II of his interview. I didnt feel the same about Phelps. She has had a target on her for the past couple years but both of them run the #1 soap, ratings wise, and the just scored another Emmy.
I understand viewer gripings…..but in reality….WHO is there to replace any of these regimes anymore?? There are four soaps left. The last time the soaps took a chance on a new writer was 15 years ago when ATWT hired Hogan Shaffer. And look what a renaissance that show had in a remarkably short time. It went from a plodding mess to Emmy darling in under a year. But soaps don’t hire new writers. Prime time and movie writers are not angling to get into soap writing. There are no writers and producers left inthis genre who haven’t been doing it for 30-40 years. That puts these people in their 70’s and 80’s now and God bless them…but networks want a slightly lower age demographic….by like 60 years. I think we are stuck with these regimes at all 4 soaps until they are all off the air. There is no longer that scramble and that flurry of excitement through the 80’s -2000’s that accompanied almost constant news of a head writer or producer change. The networks are no longer invested in these shows, they don’t care if they succeed, they don’t care about the quality of the product…OBVIOUSLY…so they are not going to keep rotating behind the scenes staff in an effort to boost ratings because it’s not going to happen. I would LOVE to have Claire Labine and Pam Long and Wendy Riche and people of that caliber back at ANY remaining soap….but it is very unlikely. Soaps will never be what they were so wishing for it is really pointless. I get your frustration…believe me. I would sign and support any petition that would oust FrankenRon from GH…a writer like Lorraine Broderick could work wonders with GH but any writer who takes over from Ron has a LOT of cleaning up and damage control to do. It would not be an easy fix but she could do it!!
I hate this Chelsea character and Sage and Nick is such a jerk he belongs with Sharon . Victor eeeew enough of all that stuff
How right you are, Timmm,.
So, I hope Frank listens to this:
For starters….Mechanical Dylan will bring Sharon on a downward spiral, just as he did with Avery, albeit he did not have to try that hard. Avery is boring with everyone. I am glad Joe is back into her life…I wish this couple well the second time around,…….just do not do any more baking, Avery. Argh!!!!!
Either Neil needs some kind of brain adjustment, such as brain surgery or make him blind again. He never seems to learn from the monumental mistakes he makes in getting involved with much younger women. He is the most stupid man ever….not realizing his mistakes, periculously affects those who love him. Someone should punch some sense into him.
I have been suspecting a no good ‘thing’ on the verge of happening between Lauren and Cain…please, writers, DON’T do it. I am so sick of Lauren as the damsel in distress and always needing to be pampered, coddled and comforted. She is no damsel….she is middle-aged. This woman never ages….everyone else does except her. As I said on another site, soon her son will be as old as she is or vice versa. Let her act her age. She may look like a porcelain doll, but her exterior is a lot older and cheaper than that….it’s plastic. Please do not destroy another marriage just to appease Lauren’s depression or scratch her itch…..only Carmine could do that….LOL.
Now Nick. …he is a ‘suckaaah’…..Sage will use her pregnancy to trap him . This baby is not Nick’s . I feel it in my bones. But, she feels the baby will be better off without Gabe in its life…or hers. What are the chances Gabriel/Adam impregnated two women?
Writers: you want to create something spicy and salivatingly interesting? DO THAT……have Chelsea and Sage both be pregnant with Gabe’s/Adam’s babies.
Enough of Victor and his depravity. Enough of the Jack double-vision. It is dumb…end it. Gina is getting on my nerves. Weird, weird and triple weird. C’mon, now. Is Victor the overgrown Alpha Man? En par with Sonny Corinthos, Little Napoleon? Victor’s power seems to span beyond the universe. I wonder if he has an empire/kingdom on any other planet.?!
How can the two Jacks be exactly the same? I can understand having had plastic surgery….but, how closely did Victor examine Jack’s genitalia? Did he take a picture. I doubt ‘they’ all look the same. Really? Not even Phyllis who must have seen it a million times can tell? Wow.!!!!!
Lastly…LOL. Timmm, I heartily apologize for dumping this in your inbox. Forgive me? Luv-ya!
Totally agree with you about Phyllis not knowing the difference between Real Jack , the love of her life, and Clone Jack. I know we are supposed to suspend reality a lot in the soaps but this is really unbelievable.Would love to know what it was like in it’s heyday after reading comments from all of the disillusioned fans on MF. Or maybe not so I wouldn’t join the chorus.
CeeCee, dump on me anytime, I enjoy your keen sense of humor mixed with intellectual commentary! A few things. I really believe Steve Burton can act. It just seems like he is paired with the wrong women and he needs to be more of a bad ass. I think his best scenes are with his brother Nick? Secondly, I thought Gina stepped in for Michelle quite nicely but oddly I am starting to not care for her. Lastly, yes, speaking of Red, there is no way the great Victor Newman duplicated “Little Jackie!” Phyllis had to have “Felt” something different when they initially made love? See ya CeeCee!
To be honest Rose…it was not that much different. Bill Bell told very many highly unrealistic stories…over the top, campy, plot driven, and seemingly endless. He could drag a story longer than Bruce Jenner! But the climaxes of the stories were almost always worth it. David Kimble was sent through a trash compactor! The pace is a little faster now….the actors are older (and still basically playing the same material)…but for all intents and purposes it is the same show.
Ya the genital thing has always concerned me during doppelganger plots. But….this one is just about right. Jack is at the perfect age for a doppelganger to replace him ….strictly talking privates here. Jack is generously 60. If Fake Jack’s unit was smaller, they could attribute it to age shrinkage. If it was meatier and larger, he could say he was using viagra or some other male enhancement drug. So it’s a win win for the doppelganger. Phyllis obviously wouldn’t complain if Fake Jack was larger. Phyllis has always liked new toys. My other thing while on this subject…where does Real Jack relieve himself? Does Kelly remember to come around with bedpans and change them regularly? Or is poor Jack lying in a pile of feces and his own Apple cider? That room must be smellin’ mighty ripe these days!!
@Aden…
Oh, Lordy, Lord. Between you and Timmm, my laughter could wake the dead. I didn’t know Viagra made the phallus affected size or make it meatier…OMG. i cant’t believe I’m even talking about this. But, I did ask my husband. He said Viagra gives the organ potency and makes the erection last longer. ..(he’s an MD).
However, it’s not just the size. There are certain markings and shapes that are visible and personal…like a fingerprint. I have only ‘known’ my husband, so I don’t count..
Regardless, this is another non-sensical storyline which will turn into another bust…as Fluke.
Seriously? Was Victor really going to inject Fake Jack with a fatal ‘potion’?
What is the sense of all this? Why would Victor a multi billionaire, world renowned want Jabot? Why does he need more money and power? To prove that he could? Bah!!!!
And, how does Kelly survive that pen-stabbing? No infection?
Am I the only one tired of this? Not entertaining at all.
Now, enter Fenn….another stupid scenario….another stupid storyline.
Wow…he’s been communicating with the killer from the onset. Everyone’s mouths dropped a few notches….all mouths agape….so scared…shaking in my pumps.
Oh Timmm, hugs, you are right on here!!!! Pratt’s on social media, but he’s more likely to do the opposite of what fans want. I almost fell over when Phelps said “oh I don’t go online”…WHATTTTTTTT?????? I don’t know it all but 1 thing I know is that GH’s Valentini & staff are online, responding to fans, updating fans, putting their actors online to talk w/fans, etc. They even INSERT fan comments right into the scripts & respond to fans requests, like with #Spixie vs. #Naxie-the fans responded & GH reunited Naxie. Meanwhile, Pratt & Phelps roll stupid. It’s their right, but if I were CBS I’d make them stop doing interviews-especially Pratt.
I also noticed that Pratt took time out drag Billy Miller while propping Steve Burton and SuperDylan, no offense meant toward SB. And after Phelps ran BM off & gave Burton the deal that Miller asked for & much more. So what I’m hearing from Pratt is:
Billy Miller isn’t good enough to be Jason Morgan, who’s praised like a god but is a brain-damaged hitman, and Steve Burton can’t play Dylan or anybody else BUT Jason Morgan, so Pratt has now turned Dylan into Jason Morgan.
Pratt & Phelps remain clueless about why Dylan&Avery didn’t work. Well, if they read fan comments they might know. Why doesn’t he ask the fans so next time he’ll remember not to repeat the mistake? I didn’t see any mentions for the current Billy’s storyline- Did I sleep through it? I thought Billy Abbott was a big deal to Y&R? OK, then.
I’ll keep my #3 GH & Valentini any day over #Y&R with either of these 2 clowns.
Dylan sucks Im very sorry but Chelsea, Sage, Victor and Phyllis and Avery and the horrible Summer all need to be gone from my TV
I’ll keep Victor but I agree, the rest can go!
But Sharon and Nick are supposed to be the end game NOT Dylan and Sharon and certainly not Nick and Sage
Not to worry, when Phelps is fired Steve Burton will be right behind her. As for Sage, good actress but terrible character. She will be killed off when her contract is about to expire!
Nick and Sage are incredibly dull together, but Sharon and Dylan are smoking! They even look good together–they fit and they match. Dylan is actually interesting now.
Timm–loving the Victor and faux Jack scenes lately. Jack screaming in Spanish in his sleep is really cracking me up. And today faux Jack got in a great line.
After Phyllis told Victor that Jack was screaming in Spanish in his sleep while also shouting out Victor’s name, faux Jack said,”I will have to watch that. People will say we’re in love.” Bah ha! And of course Peter Bergman’s delivery was hilariously sardonic.
Sharon actually makes Dylan tolerable and Sharon deserves better than Nick. Avery is boring so I’ll give Shylan a chance.
Greg Rickaart is amazing as Kevin and brings the chemistry to all the relationships he’s in. Love Kevin with Mariah, so I hope they don’t change Kevin’s character to being gay. I’m fine with gay characters, just not an established character such as Kevin. Maybe Fen or a new character male or female.
I could never stomach Cane & Lilly and never will.
Loving Jack, Phyllis, Ashley and even BJ’s Billy is growing on me. They must be doing something right. Y&R is currently my favorite of all the soaps. That is subject to change.
Sharon and Nick are supposed to be the end game to this show when we can finally be rid of that awful Victor character. I think he is on way to much
I wanted Sharon & Nick as endgame too, until very recently actually. Nick has become insufferable to me, but I hope that changes as I used to be a fan.
I can’t stand Victor either and wish his airtime was limited, but I am enjoying his currently storyline with Jack for the most part. It sure would be refreshing if Jack actually came out on top this time. PLEASE TPTB!
I still want Nick & Sharon together. Don’t like Sage, especially with Nick. Dylan should be with Avery. Wish Victor would be found out about all the terrible things he has done. Wouldn’t mind seeing less of him.
I prefer the gay s/l be with someone we care about ,like Kevin . bring on someone new for Mariah ,and have her help Kevin come out.this is better than a newbie ,that we haven’t cared about. I LOVE SHYLAN.Did not like him with Avery or Chelsea,,theres so much chemistry between them.i hope they do a better s/l about mental heath ,than what has been done so far for Sharon n Dylan,make them stronger.
Fire those two writers and get some new storylines !! Same old crap…never ending
WHEN is Joe “the hunk” going to be on……he has not been on at all this week!
Amen! Bring him back for a triangle with Victoria and anyone else! I say keep Joe!
I finally get and like Joe! When Avery was pushing him to walk and he got all petulant, angry, and wheeled away and said “Later!” I laughed out loud because it was such a truthfully written scene that only needed that one word!!!!. Joe is an over achiever…maybe he was an overweight child, or the middle child…or picked on. So all his life he has fought his way and has to be the best at everything. Anything less than perfection is failure to him. I love that this show can tell so much about characters motivations with just a word or a look. Unlike GH where the writers have characters spew ridiculous large vocabulary plot recaps that are only there because the head writer truly thinks the audience is stupid. But….this show is top heavy with males in that age range…NICK Adam Joe Dylan Billy Stitch…so they really need to focus the stories and characters tightly to have room for all of them. Most of them have ridden the Sharon Mobile. Lauren needs some action…very shocking but she hasn’t been with any of them. Abby is becoming a worthy contender for the title of GCP (Genoa City Pump). And line and delivery of the YEAR goes to Gina Tognoni. Phyllis was watching Sharon with shock and awe and said “If I didn’t hate Sharon so much I would like to hang out with her!”. Now that would be a friendship I would love to watch!!!! Let’s get over the Sharon hate and have her and Phyllis in some sort of life or death dilemma and Sharon saves her and they forma bond and ultimately becoming besties. That would shake up the town…and I would love for Sharon and Phyllis to gang up on Grampa Mumbles. I love Gina’s take on Phyllis…she seems like someone you could sit and have a beer with. There is a unique chemistry between her and Sharon that is reminiscent of some legendary frenemy stories like Viki/Dorian, Alice/Rachel, Vicky/Paulina, Erica/Brooke etc. I hope they make them buddies!! It is unusual twists Ile that that will kee me tuning in and enjoying it.
@Aden: case in point
William DeVry : for the very first time… talk about overkill…
I mean really : Julian… spouting… over and over… I should be with her… as Olivia is giving birth to “his” son….. ” I wasn’t their for Sam or Lucas… I’m not going to miss out on this one”
ENOUGH !
as usual… Alexis… grandiose, larger than life spectacle… dons her supreme court robe and high tails it out of Julian’ life again
Julian to Alexis : “I love you”
Alexis : “I know”
give me an expletive break… who cares !
Olivia will be better for it… w/Julian… since we can’t have Ned… at least these two will reel passion
This article is more bull*hit than a thousand cows leave behind…Are these of people for real?
NO to Kevin & Harding! Yes to Kevin & Kyle!
Keep Harding for Ashley or Victoria.
Dylan & Sharon is fine by me, Can’t stand either.
Love Sage, so hoping we have a Newman baby, and it’s not Adam’s but Nick’s. and she stays for a long time.
It’s breaking my heart to see Michael suffer like this. So what is their plans to make him happy again, after Lauren cheats?
Could care less about Lily.
Kevin and Kyle is a good idea.
Bring in a new tycoon for Ashley to team up with and take the Mustache down!
Hate Chelsea and Sage. I know they have to be the con sisters sleeping every man thru town with babies and Summer must be Jacks and she slept with her brother
ITA with Kevin and Kyle and thought they would be great in a gay s/l. I think the writers should develop that. I like Chelsea and Sage (also hope its a Newman baby). But please! Can we finally find that Adam is not the one responsible for Delia’s death oh and let him finally reveal he is Adam. I like Chelsea and Adam and look forward to their s/l. As for Michael I’m happy they are focusing on his dealing with his cancer. I am grateful they are not interrupting the cancer s/l to get Lauren on screen. I don’t care for Lauren so her character could leave as far as I’m concerned. Let Dylan get a new gf and NOT SHARON.
Enjoy the ratings spike while you can, it wont last with this kind of storytelling.
I am embarrassed for the actors having to play these ridiculous versions of their legacy characters. Particularly Cady McLain and Peter Bergman. It’s excruciating to watch, therefore I FF thru all of the Kelly/Jack scenes. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for these talented, legendary actors to read their upcoming scripts and then try to come up with a way to justify playing such atrocious drivel in a believable way. Pratt & JFP have done exactly what I was afraid they would. I gave them a fair chance to convince me they wouldn’t ruin Y&R. They have and it is so disappointing to watch. I probably won’t for very much longer.
I think Cady is rocking her crazy character! Awesome acting and hope she is up for an Emmy next yr.
I do like the Dylan and Sharon pairing. They have great chemistry and feels like a great fit. Shylan has that spark that Davery never had. Not liking how the Michael cancer has been written especially with the hooker,I think that was a copy of Melrose Place. Overall I think Y&R is in bad shape,and will only get worse after reading that interview.
Sharon Case is amazing and has or had chemistry with everyone but Sam from the farm but he was SO boring a goat was more interesting!
Go read all of both parts of the interview he manages to insult minorities, women, pregnant women and gays with a smile and a chuckle. He also insults Billy Miller you know the guy that helped the show get two daytime emmys in a row.
Yeah, Substitute. His insults toward everyone and especially Billy, reslty enrages me. How dare he? He compares Billy to Steve? ‘Gimme’ a break. There is no comparison. Billy is human. Steve is a robot. Billy is toned. Steve is a brick wall. Billy’s face is an open book….descriptive. Steve’s is expressionless….devoid of emotion. Billy has nothing to prove…he walks tall. Steve has a need to be the hero. He’s a hammerhead.
Well I have written a long letter to CBS not that it will do any good but his laughable jokes about mental illness are disgusting. I have a sister with bi-polar now another sister with dementia so no it is not funny to say Sharon off her meds is fun! Soaps are suppose to be an escape if they are then stay away from storylines concerning mental illness or cancer since he obviously thinks it is a joke. Give me five minutes alone in a room with that disgusting man and he would never write again.
Hate to bust your bust your bubnle , but billy miller will never be Jason Morgan. Billy Miller is great actor and steve burton is soild actor. Both men are human. I did not agree with all his comparisons.
code..
Billy Miller is ”Jake” not Jason..
Miller will never be Stone Cold, he will eventually be cross of Jake and Jason..
He was not hired to be Stone Cold. and he is not..
He is Jason by name only..
I luv Jake !
@ code.
I think you have a reading problem. I DO NOT, most emphatically want Billy to be Jason Morgan. I neither like the character nor the actor. Jake will remain Jake…a Quartermaine.
Jason Morgan is a thug…a filthy mole…a mobster. I hate to burst your bubble, you have no clue how to read characters on soaps.
Furthermore, stop picking on me and listen to su0000.
GOOD GIRL, SU…LUV-YA!!!!
I know how to read characters you wete comparing actors. .I’m not picking on you. You were insulting actors Steve Burton and Tracey bregman. Code is two people and right your sassy a woman who been watching soaps since the 60s and I know how to read characters and so does my son. You know how to seprate the actors from characters.
@Aden.
I love Joe, as well, Aden. And, I love your post; well thought-out , as you proposed and brought forth different scenarios of Joe’s childhood etc. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the ‘sure-footed’, honest quality of it, as with all your posts. As yourself, Timmm ,Harry and Shay also shoot from the hip… (No hypocrisy) and, I not only agree, but I look forward to whatever it is you have to say on any subject.
@Adrn. OMG, Aden . Because of one little word, the meaning of what I was trying to say, took a whole different facade.
What I meant to say was …….you DO NOT shoot from the hip. I am so embarrassed. Forgive me.
I also wanted to add that I am open-minded about gay storylines. Perhaps it’s because two of my very best friends are gay. I have known these men since childhood, and they are human just as we are….with feelings and hearts that get broken.
I do not want to come on as a Miss-know-it-all, albeit I see your point.
TPTB should clean house between male-female relationships before venturing into a gay storyline.
I think what happen with Rafe and Adam had many fans up-in-arms, in that Adam used Rafe in the most despicable way. TPTB should be ashamed of themselves for making a mockery of something so sensitive….
Again, my apologies to you, Timmm, and Harry.f
Lily and Cane,,, they are nothing but touchy touchy lets do the nasty lol .. that is their relationship..
I agree with Pratt-
Michael and Lauren are lackluster/boring and they ‘were’ an interesting couple at one point, but they have faded ..
Dylan is weird, he is not right , like he is displaced..
Dylan and Sharon perhaps he will go PTSD on her and take her out, then I would like Dylan..
The two Jack’s = fail …it is more than stupid (shame on Pratt..
but- I still like Pratt ..
Y&R has a lot wrong with it but in a strange way that makes it interesting..
(( still a fan ..
I care about Lily & I love Lily & Cane. I would love to see more of them & their family on screen. Cane should be running Chancellor Industries–not opening boxes, folding dresses, & providing a shoulder for Lauren to cry on. CPs regime is just another one who refuses to write for them & include them in rotations of storylines. This regime does not do business stories well either unless Victor is beating Jack AGAIN or hoodwinking the whole town. I have always had a healthy respect for Likey in the past but Lauren’s infidelity & the direction Michaels Cancer story has taken is ludicrous & not good for either couple. Tight Budgets & pregnancies are stupid reasons for absences of AA characters & their stories on screen especially when newbies appear anytime for other stories. Segregating the characters hasn’t helped characters, stories, or the show. Both Neil & Devons character needs stronger development & a more realistic directions.
I would rather they focus on Sharon make her BiPolar her 1st priority. Sharon does not need another man! I don’t want Cane and Lauren together. Lauren should be strong for her husband, having her cheat with Cane is not strong. Portraying another woman that can’t be strong in the 21st century is pathetic!
illuminating article. great questions, revealing and disappointing answers
I dont know why Y&R has never done a gay storyline, it has a bunch of gay fans who would love it!
Pratt completely misunderstands ‘boring’ for ‘hopeful’. A soap audience views couples like Lily & Cane and Michael & Lauren as symbols that love and marriage are sustainable. Think Tom & Alice, Bob & Kim. Would it have been so hard to have written a story where Michael leans on Lauren for strength and because of her love triumphs over his cancer? Can’t you have Lily & Cane work together like a modern day Nick & Nora, secure in their marriage, almost observing the other misfit couples as extensions of the audience? If you want to break new ground Mr. Pratt have them talk to the audience and bring them in on the crazy situations all the while thanking God that they have each other in their lives. Instead you give poor Cady McClain and Peter Bergman a storyline that wasn’t fresh in 1980 and isn’t bringing anything to the canvas except making Victor more of a caricature – though all his nefarious deeds will be quickly ignored as usual – making Phyllis look like a complete jackass – someone who is as sexual as Phyllis would clearly know nuJack is a fake – and making Neil, Nikki, and Victoria do character 180s. All wildly pathetic and sad considering these people have decades of experience. They’ve clearly learned nothing over the years.
michael.. You said;
”’ A soap audience views couples like Lily & Cane and Michael & Lauren as symbols that love and marriage are sustainable.”’
/
No way .. lol
Both couples are as boring as watching hair grow on a statute..
Both couples are old and worn.. snore..
and
Jack and Victor have been written the same, same fued, same rivalries and same takeover plots for 30 years without fail, time to give them a different purpose in life LOL
I luv Victor and Jack.. just tired of the decades of the same old never changing stories for them..
(they both should become monks or congressmen ..
Both couples are as boring as watching hair grow on a statute. Thats funny Su0000
You are absolutely right Michael. Victor has always been up to no good but he has truly become a caricature. And good call on how Phyllis’s character would be able t tell that nuJack is fake Jack. Thank you! I’m not a fan of Lily and Cane but I agree, there are so many ways they could have written the cancer storyline into the marriage of Lauren and Michael. And they could have done that without ripping off Melrose Place. Ugh.
Love your post! Y&R needs bases of solid couples, relationships, & families as a foundation from which the crazy, the unexpected, or the strange to be realized. When everyone has had sex w/ everyone else, is mentally ill, criminally insane, who cares? It’s normal for the show & bad storytelling! That’s why I like solid couples like Lily & cane AND Lauren & Michael. There has to be something that attracts an audience of varied interests. Not everyone likes soaps so they can see folks hooking up & having sex. Playing Musical beds is not the way to make any couple interesting.
Y&R did have a semi gay storyline several times, Rafe and Philip were both gay and neither went anywhere, except off the show.
My point exactly so bring that back won’t make the story line more interesting. Why don’t Y&R just be different and leave the gay line out . Put Ashley with Joe the Real Jack with Phyllis Dylan with someone else other than Sharon she’s always with someone let her focus on being a Mom for right now! And Sage deserves happiness especially being confound to Gabriel and his grandmother. Let Jack beat Victor and end that back and forth stuff. Y&R should’ve kept billy miller him with with Victoria was great they had good chemistry and besides Victoria show no sign of chemistry at all.
Because Maria wasn’t dedicated to telling those stories, and her idea of a “gay storyline” was disgustingly insulting as a gay man myself.
I think the interview should tell you Phelps and Pratt want nothing to do with a gay storyline. Now we get Sage pregnant because they like the actress and she is in our face three to five days a week. I am all for new characters but you can’t just shove them down our throat and say here love them.
Doing a gay story is definitely a good idea, Y&R needs it. However, it all depends on which characters they do it with. On one hand, turning Kevin gay would be good, since we already care about him and he has ties to the canvas. It would also reflect Greg Rikaart’s real life, and his desire to play a gay story. But, the character of Kevin has already been established as straight, and there’s been no indication otherwise. Also, who would they pair him with? Harding? He’s barely a recurring character.
I think if Y&R really wanted to do a gay story, they should explore turning Fen gay, since he doesn’t have much of an established past with relationships the way Kevin does. Plus, Fen is off canvas at school now anyway, which is a good opportunity for him to realize that he’s gay, and possibly find someone there and bring them back to GC with him.
As far as Shylan goes, I’m all for it. Sharon and Nick need to be out of each other’s orbit for a while, and Dylan’s relationship with Avery is crumbling between his support of Sharon, and her support of Joe. The only thing is, how many men is Sharon going to be paired with on the show? She’s already gone through Nick, Jack, Adam, Billy, Victor, Tucker, and that’s just in the last 5 or so years. Now Dylan is being added to that list. (Side note: If Pratt did watch GH, he’d know that Billy Miller is doing a great job as Jake/Jason so far, giving the character many more layers than SB played.)
As for Michael’s cancer, I just want him to survive. Losing Christian LeBlanc would be such a bad decision for the show. He’s a fantastic actor who is plays the hell out of anything he’s given. And I’m not digging this whole Cane/Lauren pairing either. She’s old enough to be his mother, and we already went down this road with Carmine. I do agree that Cane/Lily are dull and boring, but a side affair for Cane isn’t the answer.
Without prejudice….can I ask what this show NEEDS a gay couple for? Doesn’t that just smack of…just writing a gay storyline for the sake of writing one? Gay does not have to be in every show just because. Y and R has done just fine for 41 years without it. Their few feeble attempts have been awkward and embarrassing and in extremely poor taste and were qiuickly scuttled. Just for the record…Kevin is not gay and never has been. Greg Rikaart is not there to play Greg Rikaart he is there to play Kevin…a man child pushing 40 who has always loved women a little too much and not shown any interest in men. It would be nice if every actor got to play out their soapbox dreams on the soaps…but fortunately that doesn’t happen. Besides…Gay storylines on soaps…especially DAYS…are mostly politically correct fairy tales. In what city on Earth are there only three gay men…all could be GQ models….none of them have any feminine traits…all in their early 20’s…who are nice and sensitive and just want to settle down with the man and baby? of their dreams. They are all from upstanding families…and of course EVERY family member and friend are 109% supportive…overflowing with love and speeches about tolerance. The gay people I know…and see in their early 20’s are not very concerned with having kids…or a stable monogamous marriage. If daytime ever hopes to do a gay storyline accurately…they have to be willing to stray into some Queer as Folk territory….and if they’re not doing that then what’s the point? I know it’s not something I want to watch on my lunch hour!! This Maya thing has probably been the closest to accurate but it Wil soon become awash in the sludge of heavy handed lessons about love and acceptance. Maya has been presented as a selfish liar who will sleep lie and cheat her way to the top because she wants money and power. The reveal that she was a man just makes her look even worse…because that means as a man she must have been one hell of a disgruntled gay dude, changed to a woman, and stopped caring about the wants or needs of anyone but her/himself. There is no rooting value for this character and the shock and awe is gone. There is no way to sustain a character five days a week. Leave it to Nightline, Cable, or Jerry Springer.
Aden, I agree with you .. I just heartily agreed with you on your Duke/Anna comments too! You think like I do. I have been a fan of Days of Our Lives for 30 years, but when they made Will gay, after he’d already been established as straight, just so they could have a gay storyline! Ugh .. I felt like it was all so FORCED and unbelievable, not to mention the constant parade of homophobic day players whose only purpose was to be preached to and put in their place. His romance with Sonny was oh so sweet and wholesome, they were like saints! SO heavy-handed .. then they got married, and oh my goodness, you would have thought it was the second coming! All week accolades to being gay, and how this is such a momentous occasion, speeches, everyone in town LOVING on this gay wedding and calling anybody (day players of course) who disagrees a bigot and homophobe and, by extension, any audience members who disagree .. so much money and effort put into it .. and nobody watched. The ratings were low, fans turned the channel to Y&R! Check it out. Y&R wants to stay #1, they know they could lose viewers if they did what DAYS did. A gay storyline is one thing, but bashing and berating the viewing audience is another.
Thanks MH! I just don’t get why they can’t put that time and effort into male female romance. Days has the most legendary supercouples of all time. GH has a similar fairy tale going on with a disturbing undertone that has yet to be addressed. Knowing Carlivati’s writing…it never will. Okay…Brad is dating Lucas and just giddily proposed in a very embarrassing spectacle. Does anyone remember…or does Lucas even know that Brad tried to have non consensual anal intercourse with Lucas’ nephew Michael?? To remind y’all…Michael was a teen boy who was brutally raped in prison. Really nice love in the afternoon there…but I digress. So…Brad was introduced as the sketchiest, skeeviest, greasiest hospital employee. He had some information on Michael…and tried to blackmail Michael into sodomy….which is essentially rape. Brad gleefully and unrepentantly wanted to rape Michael. Now that Michael is a take no prisoners bigwig…I hope he informs Uncle Lucas of this tidbit. However…Lucas has been presented as quitesketchy and promiscuous himself. It would probably turn him on. This plot just proves my point….why does this show NEED this gay sub plot? It adds nothing of any value to the show. Brad and Lucas are rarely on. They show up once every two months in various unnecessary states of undress…proceed to engage in sodomy….hog a bunch of air time for a day…and then they are gone again. All these gay characters have done for GH is add a very latent element of sleaze. Gay strippers and gay marriage proposals at an event to raise money for AIDS. Maybe that’s how they do it at Greenwich Village Cabaret Fundraisers … But not supposedly leading world hospitals. I get that these shows are supposed to be entertainment….so maybe when they remember the ENTERTAINMENT part…I Wil stop kvetching.
LOL, wow, I remember Brad was a bad guy but I’d forgotten he wanted to rape Michael! That would be great if Lucas found out, but I doubt he ever will. No, I’m afraid we’re headed for a “wedding extravaganza” like DAYS had, where the whole town turns out to celebrate the “wonder and beauty” of a gay wedding and how “perfect” their love is. Which I wouldn’t mind so much if GH ever had a HETEROSEXUAL wedding! With a couple we actually WANT to see get married. Getting back to Y&R, they may not have any gays, but they DO have lots of African-Americans in front-burner storylines. Can we say the same about GH and DAYS? Oh, but they have GAYS! Diversity! Bullcrap. There are a lot more African-Americans out there than there are gays. What about the handicapped? Never see them on soaps either, nor a whole SLEW of underrepresented people groups.
Oh… And if Lauren had Cane when she was 12 she is old enough to be his mother. But I so agree there is no throughline in the story of Michael pushing Lauren and Cane together. Why would Michael…a cancer patient…push his wife towards a happily married man who has two kids born from a surrogate because his wife’s innards were ravaged by cancer? I don’t know how Phelps defines doppelganger story…but she claims they never did any on GH. I recall that Nikolas had one who raped Emily. I recall that Emily had one who was her twin. They had Luis and Lorenzo. There was the Lucky/Ronan debacle. So that’s four that I can recall off the top of my head. Phelps can’t remember these?
Didn’t the late non-lamented Lily have one too?
Phelps was also responsible for the Rachel look alike called Justine on Another World. Killing Frankie Frame based on a focus group excuse and fired the actor Paul Michael Valley who was in a very popular pairing at the time with the actress Jensen Buchanan/Vicky Hudson simply because she did not think he was sexy enough. Her reign of terror also at Santa Barbara where she thought it would be amusing to have Eden raped by her gynecologist just for grins. You put these two together like CBS has and it spells disaster.
My biggest problem with both of them is they lie even they know we can check on their track records and no one ever has said every story Bill Bell told was gold. Chuck has just came in like a wrecking ball and nobody is acting like themselves. But I sure do not take it out on the actors it is a paycheck you play what is written I am sure Cady McClain is going home and throwing up every night.
How can these people be called “creative” when all they are doing is recycling?
We used Steve Burton this way on GH, we did this storyline on Melrose Place, so we’re just going to do all that on Y and R.
I am tired of Lily and Cane, mostly because Lily is insufferable.
And after EVERYTHING Lauren and Michael have been through, to break them up in this way, because it worked so well with Marcia Cross’s character in Melrose Place, illustrates an obvious misunderstanding in the complexity of the characters’ stories. And an unwillingness to explore other storylines. I would like to think that the Young and the Restless is more than just a Harlequin romance recipe. Give your writers some credit; give your viewers some credit.
Sharon and Dylan – meh. I don’t see the point of building up this relationship with Dylan and Avery, having him survive the war and come back for her, then to have her leave Nick at the altar for him…and then they never get it together. He is kind of an oafish, useless character playing Superman all the time. Yawn. And Sharon is the wide-eyed dingbat who gets in trouble, does bitchy things, but at her core is always innocent and victimized. Always in need of saving. YAWN.
How about a storyline where Neil doesn’t have to argue with either his BROTHER or his SON for sleeping with a woman he cares about. Let’s see: Neil-Drucilla-Malcolm; Neil-Anna’s aunt-Devon; Neil-Sofia-Malcolm; Neil-Devon-Hilary. How about we let these characters branch out a bit?
And Sage is pregnant with a Newman baby but we’re not sure which Newman. Another who’s my baby’s Daddy storyline. Haven’t seen that before AT ALL. Ever, really. Never.
Yes, Lucia! You are very right! Y&R is recycling stories! Such a pity!
That Steve Burton comment just about made me split my sides!! He just basically called one of his leading men/FOJ pets one dimensional and can only act like himself >__< I've always been of this opinion anyways but the fact that the showrunner is bragging about this is hilarious!!
It is bizarre how much they revealed of themselves, isn’t it? I mean, they revealed that they are truly not creative.
Don’t care for a gay story line at all. Chadam is the only reason I watch, but, if Sage’s baby is Adam’s, then bringing back Adam just to have him hitched to Sage forever, well, Adam should have stayed died. LOVE Justing Harltey BTW, but, don’t want him with noone but Chelsea. Let Dylan have his time with Sharon, all the other men had to endure her and her crazies.
What if a gay storyline is totally different than others? It can be the combination of two storylines. He can write a gay ghost story!!
Love Steve Burton and Sharon Case and their characters. However I wish they would let Sharon deal/get healthy in regards to her Bipolar 80% are successful in their treatment. As for Dylan I really hope they don’t put him with Sharon. However I would like to see a new lady for him maybe also a vet.
hi Dawn.
Bipolar is not curable, Sharon will be apt to go ape crazy at any time for the rest of her life..
Dylan and Sharon = A Bipolar and a PTSD .
they’re a perfect loose cannon couple..
they would off each other if I writing aha!
Dawn did not say or imply that bipolar disease is curable. The word she used is “treatment.” It is treatable and I wish if they were going to tackle this complex and sometimes devastating mental disorder they would do so with responsibility and accuracy.
I am tired of Sharon forgetting to take her meds only to see her do something incredibly stupid and reckless.
I’d love to have Kevin and Harding. Please, show, do it!
The reason Dylan/Avery flopped is the same reason Avery/Nick flopped — because AVERY SUCKS! She’s completely dull and lack-luster. I’ve never seen her have chemistry with anyone on the show (maybe a tiny dab with Michael but who wanted that?). No one cares about her self-righteous speech of the week. Or her stupid cup cake baking. The show should cut their losses and send her packing already.
Avery does seem more bland lately, but being paired with Dylan
did her no favors. They were cute together in the beginning, but
then their union came across more like mother/son than a romantic
relationship. But I think she did have chemistry with Nick, and I like
her in general.
Cupcake baking, lol. Will she ever live that down? That was ages ago!
I got to admit. Pratt admits to talking and seeing if some actors are on board with some of his stories. Ron carlivati on the other hand is another story
Lawrence,
not true..
RC and FV are close to the cast.. (they are even noted to hang out)
they are always adjusting stories and ect to accommodate their projects and input on stories..
You do not read their tweets and facebooks.. lol
I don’t want a gay storyline on Y&R, the current LGBT stories are so good, we don’t need one that’s as badly written as the rest of the stories on this show no doubt would be. Chuck Pratt and Jill FP are the worst things that ever happened to this show.
I’m fine with Dylan and Sharon. I do think both of them needed more passion in their lives and wasn’t feeling it with Avery. Dylan needs more than a coffee house.
I’m very disappointed in the doppelgänger story. It’s annoying and sounds like it’s going to go on for far too long. In addition, I find the way it’s being carried out beyond distasteful on a variety of levels. That is the story I ff through and I never thought I’d want to do that with Victor Newman.
My biggest upset is what they’re doing to Michael and Lauren. Michael’s cancer started as an important and moving story (much like Lily’s cancer arc several years ago). Instead they threw away a moment when quality story telling could have shone brightly.
I can’t stand Sharon anymore and would be fine if she disappeared.
But she and Dylan in my opinion have no chemistry and should have
remained just friends. Plus, she is starting her game-playing with him
with his cell phone, ect. But Pratt seems to want them as a couple. For
awhile, anyway. Ugh.
Kevin being gay…no. Too many women in his past, and he totally
adored Chloe and never thought he would get over losing her.
Being gay now would not ring true. He and Mariah have chemistry!
Hope they go with that.
Whether their hacks or not, daytime TV is very intense and it takes a special group of people who can handle the speed of the show and the scripts.
Sorry, this was in response to kidgi.
I’m all for making Dylan more interesting, but at this point, will it ever happen? He’s been a snooze pretty much the whole time he’s been on the show. Same for Avery. Frankly, I wish someone knew would come in, clean house & send Davery and some other characters packing.
This is the golden age of TV, with great drama everywhere. Lots of talented writers and producers. Why are we stuck with these hacks?
I very rarely watch Y&R but I’ve watched General Hospital for years. While he gets mixed reviews by GH fans , which I really don’t understand,I love Billy Miller. I haven’t been thrilled with Steve Burton for many, many years. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, assuming that at least some of my feelings had more to do with disliking his story line (hate the mob), but Billy Miller’s story, I’m sad to say, is simply awful and he’s still hitting it out of the ballpark. Also, interesting to see that Steve Burton’s robot-like acting can’t be chalked up to directing.
There are almost constant rumors about Miller wanting out. If that’s the case it would be a huge loss for GH and whoever signs him will be very, very lucky.
I hope the rumors about Miller are false since we have already watched Jake for a year and the viewers know he is Jason. So what happens if Jake realizes he is Jason and then they loose him?
They might just recast and say nothing, which is what they do with most characters. Jason is different though, so if I was a (horrible) GH writer I’d blame it on Helena. She dd that magic Jedi thing to make him believe he was Jason after hearing certain trigger words. Apparently, it takes a real long time for someone to say those trigger words. The trust comes out. Apparently everyone was duped for some nefarious Cassadine reason that makes absolutely no sense. When the “real” Jason comes back then Miller’s character heads off into the sunset to find his real life.
Actually, I think it was the same regime that did a very similar story on One Life to Live that involved Roger Howarth, back when someone actually wrote a good part for him (another total waste on GH – I’m a huge Howarth fan and why they chose to make him Franco and completely waste him I’ll never know)
The Young and the Restless has done good with out a gay story line and no need to start one. If they do I am gone for sure.
Homophobia sure stands united in 2015, which is a disappointment to see during a time where acceptance is supposed to be at an all-time high.
Goodbye!
I honestly don’t know which show y’all have been watching all these years. Many here seem to recall this character driven piece of perfection that Bill Bell presided over with love and care. Think back my friends. Many of his biggest stories were complete camp fests and totally outrageous! Katherine and her look alike Marge. Sheila’s never ending reign of terror. David Kimble having KILLER carved into his forehead. Victor keeping his wife’s lover hostage in a basement. Brad’s ex wife Lisa hiding him in a cage. The ist is endless. With all the usual complaints about the absurdity of doppelganger plots…I am going along for the ride on this one. The stories are tightly interwoven, and the show is rarely Boring. Vets are front and centre and stories are building to big climaxes. Why not pull out all the stops? With soaps breathing last gasps, ratings spikes are significant and really all the bean counters care about. The dialogue is razor sharp and some episodes the writing is downright sophisticated. I don’t like all the stories….that doesn’t happen unless your name is Su….but that rarely happens on shows with broad canvases. I think people should stop being so wrapped up in the backstage drama.
Good post Aden.
The show doesn’t need a gay story. However, having Adam’s identity finally coming out would be very interesting.
I would be happy if a gay storyline arose from two characters who have a natural and organic chemistry with each other. What I don’t want to see is a force fed gay story such as the one currently being employed on GH with Brad and Lucas.
If it’s going to be done, it’s got to be done right while paying fidelity to romance, respect and reality. Too often it’s not done right and the end result is disappointing and sometimes dull.
Bring in new characters for the Gay scenario. Kevin deserves to find happiness with a woman like Mariah finally….someone that gets him.
Michael should stay. It’s like everyone is going crazy on the y&r. Acting like they’re on something
They could be all suffering after effects from Ashley’s raunchy sex perfume. It was untested and rushed to market. That would be a story!!!
Congratulations! You just found the storyline to save all the storylines!!! Well done! That gave me a good chuckle.
If your close minded to a gay story you have been living in a cave! Gays are humans. They fall in and out of love. Why not show that? I’m only guessing but a majority of “Fans” against these stories are probably older, long time viewers. I understand you are used to the same old formula. I like history, as well. BUT, in 2015 we have to open our minds and listen to what other people are saying and feeling. There are SO many choices now for people now out there to be entertained and SO many ways to view it. If the networks are stubborn or closed minded, goodbye soaps forever! Embrace ALL people, you may learn something.
The Young & The Restless is sort of like a speed boat running out of control. I have to say I like the speed up in the pacing of the show but the storylines are so boring and never go anywhere but to a surface level. In what reality does an actress like Hunter King get so much air time? All that girl does is whine and pout. Lindsay Lohan should show up and do her role. Talk about a doppelgänger! Summer should not have leading role status at all. Her acting is limited and her stories are trite. I can’t believe she has won two daytime emmys. Who is is JFP paying off? Chuck Pratt is coming up with ideas for the show which are admirable but they lack pay off. This murder mystery has gone everywhere but in reality no one cares about the victim. I mean seriously, who gives a crap about Austin? All this focus on Dylan is sad too because he is like a paper airplane flying into the same walls over and over again. He falls for any one. I mean seriously, Chelsea, Avery, and now Sharon all in the year he has been on the show. He has the most chemistry with Sharon but I don’t see those two lasting. The double Jack story is just a slap in the face after the Cassie/Mariah storyline. I mean Victor must be running out of tricks if all he can come up with is hitting us with another set of twins. The character of Mariah is amazing. She is a great actress with great delivery. I want to see her character fleshed out more. She can definitely do it. I love Nikki as a lush and I think Melody Thomas Scott loves her that way too or she wouldn’t be as good at it. Chelsea and Adam belong together. I hope they find each other and start to cause trouble for others instead of each other. Nick needs to stop sleeping around and being so high and mighty. That penis needs a rest. He needs to discipline Faith. Any child who dictates where their parents lives go is in severe need of discipline! Lily and Cane are the most revolting couple on television. All they do is scowl and screw. It’s way over the top and it’s annoying. I can just see Christell Khalil reading her scripts and thinking, “dear lord I gotta get banged on yet ANOTHER desktop” I mean does Lily do anything else but get laid at work? If she isn’t being a bitch she is getting tossed into bed. Hardly a great role model for women. We need more of the corporate intrigue. We need a really good murder mystery and we need a little more humor in it all. The scenes with Chelsea’s Mom Anita are great. Catherine Bach is great at comedy. They should put her together with Gloria in some crazy scheme. Judith Chapman has been ignored WAY… Read more »
LOL!
Mateo-
you said;
” I would get rid of the majority of the younger cast.”
umm it’s titles is– The YOUNG and the Restless..
The soap it not titled– The Respite and the Restless ..
It needs young peoples, that is what it is titled, people expect to see young and restless peoples aha!
Or-
they could retitle it;
The Young and the Respite <– like that lol
A mix of old and young, yah..
Wow. Mateo, I agree with you!!!! Quite a good analysis. Your point about Lily is so true. I laughed out loud. She is so one-dimensional, no wonder viewers don’t care about her. Mariah is a breath of fresh air, I agree.
As for Hunter King, I think she is great in the role of Summer because the actress previous to her simply could not hack it. I do agree, however, that having her front and center does nothing for the show. Fen has always made me want to punch my TV and after watching today’s scene at the cabin it’s clear that Lauren and Michael’s offspring is proving to be a big loser. Poor Michael. I enjoyed Abby more when Emme Rylan was playing her. Melissa Ordway is good but she can’t get a good storyline to save her life and pairing her with Stitch makes her now about as exciting as watching paint dry.
And yes to Nikki staying a lush. Someone who spends so much time at the club or at home next to a tray of a variety of alcohol (Thanks for your sensitivity to your wife’s illness, Victor) should not be a recovering alcoholic but a full-time 365 day a year lush. Here’s to Nikki and her marvelous hair.
With regard to a “gay” storyline I’d just like to say that Y&R has done it with very limited success. I would suggest that if they choose to add gay character(s) they do it very organically…meaning a character happens to be gay, but it isn’t the primary focus of their storyline or character, just like real life. It would just be one facet of their multi-layered story. I watch some CW primetime shows that I suppose skew younger than my 50 years, and I can think of 3 characters off the top of my head on these popular shows who happen to be gay, but that isn’t the focus of their character. It is revealed in a very natural way, acknowledged, and we move on. Just like real life. I mean no offense, but the “coming-out” stories have been done…some well-done, others not somuch, I really don’t trust these writers to take an established straight character and suddenly reveal them to be gay.
Well…Phelps and Pratt are nothing if not inconsistent. Lol. Either they think that no one reads their previous interviews….or they forget what they said. When Pratt took over AMC he was quoted as saying he wanted to tell a love and family story with the death of a young woman…and he ultimately chose the character of Babe. Now in this interview he claims the network ordered him to do it. Several years of backlash later, Phelps started claiming that she begged head writer Margaret DePriest to reverse Frankie’s death but that she refused. I don’t think many emmployees have the balls or the leverage to challenge Phelps in that manner. Executive Producers have more say and clout than headwriters. If that was true…DePriest would have been pink slipped faster than she could say JFP. And Phelps would have rewritten it hersellf if necessary. She was de facto head writer of OLTL for a time. These interviews are always entertaining lessons in delusions, imagined grandeur, arrogance, narcissism, and revisionist history. I love them!!!
This has to be their most disturbing interviews yet!! Granted some parts did make me chuckle but its pretty clear these two have their heads so far up their own asses they can’t see straight! What is this about budget for their AA characters from the man who does not care about budget? I guess there is only budget for Neil in that category not for the ones that actually popular! I’ve stuck around because I love Justin and Melissa but I’m going to have to rethink my support of this show entirely! I don’t think I can give my viewership to two hacks that do nothing but insult anyone from the viewers to their employers! Who the hell do these people think they are????
They. Need. A. Powerful. Story. Line. They. Need. To. Make. Her. More. Fire. And. Go. Back. To. Scheming. Sense. When. Do. You. Let. Kelly. Push. Her. Around. They. Messed. Up. Phillis. People. Are. Tired. Of. Jack. And. You. Should. Have. Gay. Story. I. Think. It. Should. Be. Fen. And. New. Person. Bring. Back. Patty. For. Kelly. And. Give. Noah. A. Good. Story. Too
These people are trying to make Y&R a duplicate of other shows, General Hospital, Melrose Place, All My Children, etc. Y&R is not those shows. I wish they would realize Y&R is the Y&R. In a class all by itself. The audience for this show expect more than the teen queen, hunk on the Beach, ditzy blondes and all the other stereotyped characters and shows. Bill Bell wrote quality stories. Yes he’d mix in some wild way-out stuff through the years but the base of this show was always good storytelling. Bill Bell had a history of that with quality actors, timing, and fabulous wardrobes. The new writers have made a mockery of this man’s legend. I’m saddened to watch the mess they are making of this once legendary and fantastic soap opera. If I wanted to watch General Hospital or All My Children, then I’d watch those shows. I don’t watch Y&R to see GH or AMC or Melrose Place. Please new writers go back to those shows that you seem to revere so much and leave Y & R the way Bill Bell left it.
“These people are trying to make Y&R a duplicate of other shows, General Hospital, Melrose Place, All My Children, etc. Y&R is not those shows. I wish they would realize Y&R is the Y&R. In a class all by itself. ”
THIS!
ICAM with everything you said. Mr Bell told stories with intelligence and style even the crazier ones which you allude to made sense and he never overdid it. What they show now is a melee of stunt after stunt with no continuity whatsoever, as if we are too stupid for anything else. I can only hope that the ratings reflect the poor state of Y&R.
@code.
Firstly, it makes no difference that you are two people. One of you is very offensive…and not just to me, but to a few other posters. We are polite to each other on these sites, which Mr. Fairman kindly provides for us to discuss storylines, characters and each other’s opinions. If I ever met him, I would kiss him in gratitude and thank him profusely for opening this door and letting me in.
Both ‘codes’ attack, whoever you are. There are other ways of putting your point across. No need to be impolite and sarcastic.
I will reciprocate any respect/disrespect bestowed upon me. I have tried, as you well know. To whom am I speaking now? Which code?
We discuss characters. I am not the only one who makes remarks about the CHARACTERS…positively and negatively. It is my prerogative, but I do not attack my fellow-posters, as you do. Remember how you insulted jimh? He was mortified….do not cast stones unless you are prepared to get hit with one.
When you are rude to me, I will put you in your place…if that makes me sassy, sobeit.
Well this time you are talking to momacode and had not insulting nobody on here , but I’m now. Cee cee I have been watching soaps for over 45 years and you tell me I can not judge characters whether they are mechincal or humble. I was probably watching soaps before you were even born. You are sarcastic , poke fun @ habe sense of humour in your posts even when your saying something negative about actor. That shows your true character. I seen other posts were you and my son were arguing over fashion and I love to see what clothes theu wear, but its major part of a soap , sorry. Maybe you need DouglasMarland rules in what makes a successful soap that passed down to him my Irna phillips. I’m straight up with smarty pants and people who speak negative of any soap or actor. Period Wee Wee
Sorry you feel that way, ma’am. I only apologize to you. Did any of us know you are two people?
Your son is very rude to me, to others and he was especially rude to Jimh.you can defend him all you want, but he is doubly sarcastic in his delivery.
I poke fun of characters, I do not like cheaters, liars and evil people. That is what I discuss. Perhaps I do not make myself clear when I write.
Let’s forger this happened and start fresh, okay? Peace. Good night….my baby is crying.
OK. The Y and R has gone through some bumpy times. Was it MAB who put the character of Sharon face first in the gutter when she put her in a relationship with Victor? And yes, the Y and R, like any other soap, has had its over- the- top storylines, many consistent with the genre of soaps.
But we are in 2015. Not 1985. How many recycled storylines from the past can we take? If you look at Y and R’s Facebook page, it’s full of people writing about how they have stopped watching, or how they fast forward through the show. If you look at Chuck Pratt’s twitter page, it’s full of retweets of people (supposedly living people whom he hasn’t rescued and paid from a Peruvian prison) writing about how they can’t wait to watch the show, how amazing it is, etc.
Everyone can tell that the characters do not seem like themselves. The Y and R has gone through many writing regimes but none that has deviated this sharply from the authentic voices of the characters. We’ve had crappy storylines in the past, but the entire STYLE of the show is different now. The scene changes are abrupt, the music is non-existent.
And this cabin-murder story could have been written better by high school students. I’m sorry.
So my question to those who are wiser about the ways of the soap opera world is: what is the protocol to complain? What is the hierarchy? To whom do we voice our disappointment? I’m sorry, I can’t give this show a year. I just can’t. Summer is coming and with it, undoubtedly, more horrendous writing. I actually now DO NOT CARE who killed Courtney and Austin.
I’ve been watching off and on since Nina pumped five bullets into David Kimble and he CAME BACK…and it wasn’t till he got chopped in a garbage chute that we could say goodbye to him for good. Yeah, I’ve lived through a lot of ridiculous stuff but I’m done. If NOT watching will contribute some form of dissent, fine.
But if you know who we write to to voice our absolute demand for creativity and change, then please let me know. It may not do anything in the grand scheme of things, but it might help me feel better. There is talent on that show, a lot of talent. And we are viewers with BRAINS. They owe us so much more.
Thanks.
You know, when Pratt initially took over the helm at Y&R I was hopeful and expectant that he would interject some excitement into the storylines and bring a little life back to the show. At first it started out that way, especially with the plane crash. It kinda woke the residents of Genoa city up. But now it’s just too much. The characters are not themselves. I am finding that I am ff’ing through the majority of the show now. Where as before even though things moved more slowly I was still engaged. It’s sensory overload. I’ve already stopped dvr’ing DOOL and I really dont even care about that show anymore. Slowly I am starting to do the same with Y&R which is sad cause it was my favorite out of all of the soaps.
Do not like any of the current storylines. Boring and too long. Hate the way some of the legacy characters are being ruined. Can Victor be redeemed? And the Jack story is way too unbelievable. No one can be that exact a double that the people who have known him for many years would not notice, especially Phyllis. Can’t watch anymore.
It’s unfortunate you feel that way because the head writer is also a co-executive producer. He’s not going anywhere.
I have been watching Y&R for 30 years, and I don’t like the fake Jack storyline one bit….Can you tell me when the “real” Jack will be back in town so I can get back to watching.
Well Troy I think you will be waiting a very long time. The real Jack will be captured and mistaken for The Big Bad Drug guy and thrown into jail. But somehow Victor will walk away because he did this for his family. Yes the nightmare has just gotten started! Oh yes and Paul the big brain thrust had DNA but no photo so now we can assume that Victor owns people in the FBI.
Regardless of how one may feel or not feel about Phelps and Pratt everything he says in This interview was spot on, not one off base remark about these characters and why the show hasn’t been working for a good long time. STAGNANT. CHARLES Pratt may have f…… up things on past shows but I’m willing to give him a chance to see if he can revive the characters which in turn will enhance the storytelling. Give peace a chance
Today’s show made me sick. This is no longer Y&R they have destroyed all the characters I loved to watch.
All My Children
Soap Vet and All My Children Alum John Callahan Dead At 66
Absolutely heartbreaking news this Saturday afternoon. John Callahan, best known to soap fans for his role as Edmund Grey on All My Children has passed away after suffering a massive stroke. The stroke happened on Friday, March 27th when paramedics responded to a call at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was 66-years-old.
According to reports, Callahan was rushed to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA, where he was put on life support. John’s daughter Kaya, and his former wife, and AMC co-star Eva LaRue (Ex-Maria) rushed to the hospital to be by his side from Los Angeles. John died Saturday morning.
Photo: JPI
In a statement, Eva La Rue shared: “We are extremely saddened and distraught over the loss of John. He was my great friend, co-parent and amazing father to Kaya. The absence of his bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever. Words cannot express the shock and devastation we are feeling at this time. The Yankees just lost one of their greatest fans.”
John played Edmund on All My Children from 1992-2005. He also appeared throughout his soap career on: Santa Barbara, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Bay and primetime’s Falcon Crest and Desperate Housewives; in addition to many more television appearances.
Michael Fairman TV will continue to follow this breaking story as remembrances are shared by John’s former co-stars throughout the day and night.
Below is LaRue’s touching tribute to John via Instagram:
Please share your condolences with Kaya and Eva and the Callahan family below, and let us know your thoughts on this heartbreaking loss on the death of John Callahan via the comment section.
News
Y&R’s Elizabeth Hendrickson Gives Birth To Baby Girl
We are so happy to hear the news and to report that The Young and the Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) is a mom! The actress and her husband Rob Meder are the proud parents to their daughter named Josephine James.
Josephine weighed-in at 6lb., 11 oz. and measured 20 inches long. The joyous moment for Liz and Rob didn’t come without some hiccups, especially for Liz entering the UCLA Santa Monica hospital amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
PEOPLE had the exclusive pics and statement from Hendrickson who expressed: “We are thrilled to introduce our little Josephine James Meder to the world – she’s perfect in every way,”
Earlier week on her Instagram. Liz revealed: “We’ve decided to induce labor with everything moving so rapidly. We felt it was safest to get her here safely before Rob wasn’t allowed in the delivery room like they’re doing in San Fran and NY.” However, she later added, “20 mins before we walked into the hospital the midwives were notified that after delivery only the mother is allowed with the baby postpartum. Rob has to leave. We are heartbroken but we also feel like I’m in incredible hands. My midwife Didi is a dream and my nurse Andra is so awesome!” she wrote. “I know i will be well supported by everyone in the maternity ward.“
Share your congrats and well-wishes below for Liz and Rob and their new family member, daughter Josephine!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS’ Christie Clark Shares Coronavirus Health Update
Days of our Lives fans love her as as Carrie Brady, and are often very happy when they find out Christie Clark is back for a visit taping episodes of the NBC soap opera. But that’s not what’s happening right now. Right now, we need Christie to get all her strength back.
Clark shared via her Instagram today a health update on her battle with the coronavirus that hit both her and her husband while they have been living in the United Kingdom.
Christie expressed: “Oh my goodness, just starting to feel ok on this end. My husband Tom and I have had coronavirus fairly bad. Not as bad as some, no hospital needed. Hope your all well! I’m sure at this stage you all know of someone with it? When you get it, you can’t call the grandparents for help, cause they will get sick. We know about 10 people in our little circle that have had it. Like clockwork, Day 7,8,&9 were tricky and haven’t been able to taste food for a while. So excited to be in the land of the living again & start exercising…soon. Thanks for all the love. Stay safe!”
Send your well-wishes to Christie and Tom as they are on currently getting stronger and recovering from the virus via the comment section below.
Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee & Donna Mills Interview – Knots Landing 40th Anniversary
Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee & Donna Mills Interview – Knots Landing’s Hollywood Museum Exhibit
The Triumphant Return of Kelly Thiebaud As GH’s Dr. Britt Westbourne
Soap Vet and All My Children Alum John Callahan Dead At 66
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alexis Breaks Three Years of Sobriety, Carly Locks Up Nelle, Nikolas & Liz Continue to Reconnect
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Faces The Wrath Of Everyone After Her Kiss With Bill Is Seen By All
Y&R’s Elizabeth Hendrickson Gives Birth To Baby Girl
DAYS’ Christie Clark Shares Coronavirus Health Update
DAYS Duos Sarah and Xander Play Against Kristen and Brady In DOOL App’s ‘Newlywed Game’
Happy 47th Anniversary to The Young and the Restless
Soap Vet and All My Children Alum John Callahan Dead At 66
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang on That ‘Brill’ Kiss, 33 Years as Brooke, Her Co-Stars & International Success
WATCH: GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn, James Patrick Stuart and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford In ‘Soaps In Quarantine’ Episode 1
The Triumphant Return of Kelly Thiebaud As GH’s Dr. Britt Westbourne
Former All My Children Stars, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Donate 1 Million Dollars To Coronavirus Relief Efforts
Award-Winning Playwright and Y&R Alum, Terrence McNally Dies Due To Complications From Coronavirus
DAYS’ Christie Clark Shares Coronavirus Health Update
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Talks On 40 Years Of Life In Soaps As Victor Newman
Happy 47th Anniversary to The Young and the Restless
Demi Lovato Dating Y&R Alum Max Ehrich
Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee & Donna Mills Interview – Knots Landing 40th Anniversary
Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee & Donna Mills Interview – Knots Landing’s Hollywood Museum Exhibit
WATCH: GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn, James Patrick Stuart and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford In ‘Soaps In Quarantine’ Episode 1
SNL Spoofs What Soap Operas Would Be Like In COVID-19-Themed ‘The Sands Of Modesto’
ABC Reveals Clare Crawley As the Upcoming Season’s ‘Bachelorette’
DAYS Preview: Ben’s Execution Begins … Will Love & Truth Save the Day?
Bree Williamson and Mishael Morgan In LMN’s ‘A Killer In My Home’ Debuts Friday
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sonny Goes Off On Scheming Gabi & This Week Maggie Remembers The Night Adrienne Was Killed
‘The Bachelor’ Fantasy Suites 2020 Preview: Will Madison’s Revelation Be A Game-Changer?
General Hospital Delivers Super-Sized Promo: The Truth About Wiley To Be Revealed
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All My ChildrenMarch 28, 2020Soap Vet and All My Children Alum John Callahan Dead At 66
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InterviewsMarch 25, 2020B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang on That ‘Brill’ Kiss, 33 Years as Brooke, Her Co-Stars & International Success
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General HospitalMarch 21, 2020WATCH: GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn, James Patrick Stuart and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford In ‘Soaps In Quarantine’ Episode 1
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General HospitalMarch 29, 2020The Triumphant Return of Kelly Thiebaud As GH’s Dr. Britt Westbourne
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All My ChildrenMarch 20, 2020Former All My Children Stars, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Donate 1 Million Dollars To Coronavirus Relief Efforts
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NewsMarch 24, 2020Award-Winning Playwright and Y&R Alum, Terrence McNally Dies Due To Complications From Coronavirus
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Days Of Our LivesMarch 26, 2020DAYS’ Christie Clark Shares Coronavirus Health Update
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InterviewsMarch 21, 2020Y&R’s Eric Braeden Talks On 40 Years Of Life In Soaps As Victor Newman