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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 .… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
“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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
@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?… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
@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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… 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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
“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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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.
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