News
Y&R's Chuck Pratt Jr. Named Showrunner and EP Of Lee Daniels New Series STAR!
Courtesy/CW
Major news this morning from TV Line has that Y&R’s head writer and executive producer Chuck Pratt Jr. has been has been named the new showrunner and executive producer of the upcoming Fox series, Star from Empire creator Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy.
Pratt’s announcement comes on the heels of producer Charles Murray parting ways over creative differences and direction of the new Fox sudsy drama.
In the TV Line item on Tuesday, they refer to Pratt as the “former” head writer of Y&R, which means from all accounts a major change is afoot at the number one soap daytime drama.
Chuck Pratt’s new show, Star follows three young women (Ryan Destiny, Jude Demorest and Brittany O’Grady) who form a musical group and experience the music business’ highs and lows on their road to fame. The cast also includes Queen Latifah, Benjamin Bratt and Nicholas Gonzalez. The new series is set to premiere in early 2017, Wednesdays at 9/8c.
This is not Pratt’s first foray into primetime, having helmed or written, The Lying Game, Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place and Ugly Betty, as well as daytime’s All My Children, General Hospital and Santa Barbara.
So, what do you think of the news of Chuck Pratt Jr. helming the new Fox series Star? Who do you think will be the new head writer of Y&R? Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comment section below!
Yeah cause that’s a good idea
Finally, the Jill Farren Phelps era at Y&R is finally over. Chuck Pratt was her hire and they ran the soap into the rocks as the key demos plummeted. Eventually, CBS & Sony must have had enough and fired the soap killer. Word has it that Pratt’s contract was not renewed and he was shown the door. Now Mal Young can hire a new head writer and re-staff the writing crew to bring Y&R back to a more realistic and intelligent show. So long Phelps & Pratt, you won’t be missed.
It was so unfair what Chuck Pratt did to the show. I actually stopped watching it and I couldn’t believe I did that I watch this show since it started almost. Everybody turned crazy and it wasn’t fair to the fans or the characters that we love. He put characters together that made absolutely no sense Sage does not belong with Nick because everybody knows Sharon and Nick we’ll always love each other and be together. Adam was not written like the real Adam. They did not make him anything like the first Adam that wanted Victors love he used to show that with working but now he just sits around with Chelsea all day. When he came back to life they should have had Sharon find him because Sharon and Adam were like two peas in the pod because nobody understood them because the show is already starting to go in the wrong direction and make poor Sharon crazy. Why did Chuck Pratt constantly make Sharon crazy and then she started to do this to Neil and Nikki again and Victor he’s the never be this bad he still care a lot about being business savvy but he did not become a person who let his family be haunted by their deceased children and higher a mobster that killed his grand daughter in law. Good riddance Chuck Pratt you almost destroyed the show. This writer did not care about the fans have been watching the show for years and knew the characters better than he did
Please this time don’t make the whole show the Chelsea show and the Phyllis show. They are not good women they have done some really bad things and everybody seems to forget that they have done horrible things to people the only person that seems to get blamed if Sharon and everybody’s tired of it. Bye bye now Sharon is not working and having her own company she deserves it not Chelsea not Phyllis they are the villains they started out as villains and the writers seem to forget that. Sharon was a sweet Country Girl who is now been made the girl who is blamed for everything so ridiculous
Not for nothing but she seems pretty conceited because she thinks she was supposed to be the love of Adam’s life but if you go online and watch the videos of when Michael played Adam he used to say that Sharon was the love of his life he could be quoted on video saying so he loved Sharon! I don’t like the desk at all of children that writing was really wrong on so many levels so many things that this actress is saying is so different than the way I think I’m sorry but I don’t agree with her and I have been tired of her since she started because all she does is whine and complain. There are so many other veteran actors and actresses on the show who deserve better storylines and more airtime than her this is the way I feel this is a platform for us fans to finally be able to voice our opinions after watching this show for so many years day after day this is how I feel and I really waited and waited to see Adam come back in the beginning when they shows Justin to look at Sharon and melt and miss her so much because she was always his go-to he was always her go-to yes Nick and Sharon Belong Together definitely not with Chelsea they are the end game Sharon and Nick but the one thing that was very wrong is when they had Justin come on as Adam they completely erased all the love and history and the connection of Adam and Sharon and the fans still want to know why that’s the number one question we want to know we spent five years loving Sharon and Adam and being with the good times and bad and then they are raised in on us ! Please I just would love to watch the show again and love it but I cannot watch a hundred million Chelsea scenes with her crying over a man she was never supposed to be with and definitely not in scenes with Nick because Nick should not be anywhere near Chelsea he should be trying to get Sharon back. Everybody blames Sharon for everything but FYI Chelsea is no saint he also knows that Christian was not next and she can’t look Nick in the face and not even feel bad that she knows the truth and this poor man thinks he has a deceased baby when she knows its Adams and that’s another thing, Adam made Chelsea come back and live with him because he was going to take Connor away when she lied to Dylan and Adam but how come they make this Adam not care that another man was going to raise his baby???? So many questions fans want answered the real questions. Not this mumbo jumbo Melissa Claire Egan is giving no disrespect to the actress but there is more pressing questions the fans have about the writing that probably she doesn’t even know because she didn’t write the story but she kind of is acting like she knows it all.
There are plenty of more than qualified writers out there to tackle the vacant head writer position at Y&R. But instead of recycling our great daytime writers, let’s see if Sony will let Mal Young can bring in someone from over the pond. AMC had one once and he was magnificent!!
Name the ‘qualified’ soap writers and HW that could write for Y&R, names please..
Soap writers are an endangered species..
Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman can return to Y&R. They are ‘qualified’ , yes.
IF by a far chance someone from ”over the pond” did enter- then a huge bitch fest would take place because the writer would know zero about the Y&R history, nada zip. Not many want to write for soaps, good luck..
It is best that Y&R bring back Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman !
Congrats to Charles. Hopefully someone in business or listens to fams
Respectfully, I could NOT disagree with you more. The two of these women are not doing such a good job at GH, IMHO. I believe that Kay Alden or Wendy Riche could fill the spot. Kay Alden knows the history inside and out.
Sally sussman marina…claire labine and Paul avila Mayer …pam long… To name a few su0000
Morina
hi davlestev1 ,,
you knew of some!!
question is; would they want to return to soap writing, maybe they are happly retired..
I want young writers, just once, new young writers..
Whoever worked alongside Bill Bell really needs to be begged to come back because he knew all the characters and the visions and they knew exactly what he wanted and other writer that knew Bill Bells plans for the characters at least the ones he hired. Neal never would have kidnapped somebody and Sharon never would be bipolar all of a sudden and Nick would not have walked out on sharing this time he would be with her and if they did bring Adam back Adam would have been the character that went to Harvard not the character that sits home Burns a child’s scarf! Okay maybe Adam did do very bad things in the beginning but when he fell in love with Sharon he was a changed man and all the sudden Chelsea gets all the credit for that I don’t think so not fair. Sharon brought out the human softer side of Adam but he was tormented because he was trying to get the acceptance of Victor and Sharon understood that when Chelsea did not why would you put Chelsea with Adam when she doesn’t understand the character although none of us understood any of the characters on Chuck Pratt took over. I remember very well an article Jill Farren Phelps did with this from a long time ago when Chuck Pratt first started and Jill Farren Phelps said she saw it she knows what is best to the show and the viewers just think they know what they want but she knows better she said and fans were outraged because we have been watching the show religiously way before she even thought of the word Young and the Restless. Listen to the fans especially the vet fans. We do not not not not want to see a child get run over no more Children’s deaths and no more torturing a woman like Sharon who have lost so many children to haunt her with her deceased child was Despicable. What kind of person writes something like that! If I wanted to watch a sick Horse Show I would have went to the movies to see one . I want love in the afternoon not death in the afternoon all the time. How depressing
su0000, you are nuts! JELLY is F…ing up GH more and more EVERYDAY!
Great news all around!
Now I will check this out!
I’m so happy he’s gone from Y&R!
But it seems to me he was looking for a way out of Y&R! – He probability knew that Sony wasn’t going to renew his contract, so he begin to shop around and now he’s the showrunner of a new primetime soap by Lee Daniels!
To me, his storytelling has always been more for primetime, than daytime.
So I wish him good luck and hopefully Y&R can get back on track, I hear that Sally Sussman Morina maybe returning as Head Writer! 🙂
Thank you, Lord. How about bringing back Maria Arena Bell? Y&R needs a woman’s touch (i.e. less hostility and violence).
Now let’s keep him away from soaps, please.
MAB?! Do you remember the MAB days as I do? Her writing was horrible towards the end of her run. Pairing Sharon with Victor, bringing on characters like Genevieve, Yolanda, Sarge, etc., Paul spending MONTHS in prison after killing Ricky, and let’s not forget revisiting when Phyllis ran down Christine and Paul. She was a disaster.
I so totally agree Jimmy…
They’re going after sally sussman morina .. Great news.. Bill bell taught her the craft
MAB produced some of the most violent scenes on Y&R. I remember the many blood bath scenes under her regime. The gruesome murder of Diane Jenkins was horrific and the blood ran deep in the streets. No thanks. MAB needs to remain involved in the LA art scene. Keep her out of CBS Television City!
Maria Arena Bell was perfect as head writer for the soap . Of course and i understand the fact that the vitality and energy that she brought to the soap surprised people but she knew the show so well and the material was so exciting to watch ! Genie Francis was on as Genevieve , you had Colin , stephen nichols , the diane murder , marge and katherine , adam was brilliant , the whole gaslighting of Ashley was amazing , Sky and the volcano , the Patty stories etc … i loved how the stories flowed and how the show was being put together ! it was a nice return to 80’s soap opera with a contemporary touch ! I liked that i was being surprised and being excited about the show . i wouldn’t miss an episode back then ! Phelps and Pratt massively disappointed me !
Hopefully this means more coherent storytelling on Y&R
Hope he leaves Y&R!!!
Chuck contract was not renewed, that’s wonderful that he is gone. Good riddance.
Amen to that.
Y&R got rid of the rat finally, Jill Phelps fired and now Pratt gone. Thank you soap gods.
Now-
Y&R can have Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman back !
Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman belong with Y&R where they came from !!
Are you serious? Passanante destroyed As The World Turns and Altman has been fired twice at GH and once at Y&R. Their tenure at Y&R was a boring snoozefest and they aren’t setting the world on fire at GH right now. No thanks.
awww c’mon, Betty
I can not give Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman away..
They are FREE for the taking but nobody wants them..
How to get them out of GH hmmm dang, could sacrifice them to the gods of horrible soap writers!
Now, just have to find an active volcano!
Yay! I pray this means that his writing days for Y&R are over!!!!!!!
Now it is time, to bring back Traci Abbott full time. Beth Maitland can act, give her a juicy storyline. Also bring back Sheila Carter and Gloria. Judith Chapman and Kimberlin Brown are well missed and need to come back to Y&R.
Oh Andy, I agree with you my friend. We need Gloria back in Genoa city. Judith is a wonderful actress. She has gorgeous eyes. Kimberlin Brown can come back and rip out Lauren Fenmore hair extensions out Lol. Sheila also can have more cat fights with Lauren.
Yes Andy they need to bring back Sheila, she is cray cray and terrific actress
yes!!!
michael and kevin need their wicked mom back!… also bring colleen back with mom traci somehow and fix that silly victor colleen heart which has done nothing for him.
y n r needs a young abbott…
also bring back Nina to fight with Jill!
Olivia needs to return for lily and neil.. maybe her son nate too! for Hillary!
make room by exiting chelsea until adam returns, dylan, and abby and stitch who suck. lily and cane can go recurring
also bring back the original y n r music score. the new stuff is so generic
Damien, oh I pray that they bring back the y n r original music score.
Yes to Traci and an even bigger yes to Gloria. Let re-open Gloworm, or a similar venue. I loved when she was running that club. I miss her poking her nose into her sons lives. I was kind of annoyed during the showing of the clips during the 11,000th episode, that Beth Maitland didn’t have her moment to speak. She had some wonderful stories back in the day. Case in point, the wonderful cat fights she had with Lauren over Danny and Brad. The whole episode with Tim. Classic soap opera at its best. As for Shelia Carter, I say bring her back to B&B and let the two crazies fight over Eric!!
Yes, soap Queen forever, I noticed that, too. That was especially dismaying when you consider that Beth Maitland was the first performer to win an Emmy for Y&R, the same year (1985) that Tracy Bregman won for Lauren. And message boards are always clamoring for more Traci. And I REALLY miss Judith’s magnificent work as Gloria, especially in the GloWorm days. And instead we get the Summer romance of the month and we lose Adam in the process. Something is rotten in the “state of” Genoa City.
Yes, Judith Chapman is the First order of business. Please bring Gloria back! She’s my favorite character. Perhaps now with the hacks JFP and Pratt out we can begin to retrieve some of our original actors for roles such as Billy and Phyllis.
I sense Mr. Pratt will be better suited to the EMPIRE/STAR universe of over-the-top, shock shenanigans, the like of which he gave is in previous series. I appreciate the work at Y&R but I do not think it will be remembered as the best tenure for a head writer.
I expect we will see a shakeup in Genoa City, and I hope it result in restoring some characters to their true selves and dispensing with stories that have lost their way and relevance.
Pratt out at Y&R!!! Color me shocked. I thought the fans were happy with his erratic storytelling.
I was !
I like Pratt ..
He has talent; his primetime writing of=, The Lying Game, Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place, Ugly Betty, Santa Barbara.
that ^^^^^^ speaks for Pratt’s qualifications, I don’t believe other soap writers have a resume as Pratts..
I would like if Pratt came to GH and Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman went back to Y&R ..
After a certain point su0000 you’re really no longer amusing juss aggravating and I’m sure its what you’re sitting for lol
hi davlestev1 ..
really, I like Pratt ..
Love to him at GH, but he’s prime time, now.
I guess I’m odd one out LOL
“I guess I’m odd one out LOL”
That would be my guess as well – emphasis on ‘ODD’!
Great news for Y&R and even better news for Y&R fans.
GOOD RIDDANCE, YOU HACK!!!
BRING SALLY SUSSMAN MORINA BACK!!!
Oh, to have someone who had connections with Mr. Bell and understands his vision and the art of classic storytelling in this genre!
Rumor is Sally Sussman Morina is in talks, in coming back to Y&R. Daytime Confidential reported it this morning.
Yeeeesssss!
That it’s exactly time deal they ate trying to work out right now
The news that Charles Pratt will be helming STAR means I won’t be bothering to sample that show.
As for the new headwriter of Y&R, I’m thinking Mal Young might create a new head writing team — one from Britain and one from America to create a new style that blends the most successful aspects of British and American soap operas.
Fox Network…ya’ll have NO IDEA as to what ya’ll are in for…or what ya’ll have gotten yourselves into!!!!! Y-i-k-e-s.
Get on your knees and beg Kay Alden to come back offer her the moon she was Bill Bell’s protege please give that woman anything she wants.
I agree 100%! She and Sally Sussman Morina together would be AMAZING!
I agree wholeheartedly. Kay Alden was Bill’s equal… I witnessed it myself when I completed a brief internship at Bill’s Chicago residence while I was in college prepping to be a journalist and educator. The show was just getting into its strong groove in the late 70s. As a kid, I watched it from the start whenever I was home from school; my mom was a loyal fan (and still is!) Kay is brilliant, always was and I am certain always would be. I would work with her for free!
Someone told me she had retired but I bet she would come out of retirement especially if she had co writers that were also part of the history like SSM just got to get someone who cares about the history and get this back on track please!
I like Pratt–
He has talent, a good writer.
this; Pratt’s first foray into primetime, having helmed or written, The Lying Game, Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place and Ugly Betty, as well as daytime’s All My Children, General Hospital and Santa Barbara.
that ^^^^^^ primetime resume speaks volumes as to his qualities..
I don’t believe any of the writers/EP has a resume as Pratt’s ..
I would cheer for Pratt coming back to GH and kick J&S back to Y&R ..
but- that won’t be happening 🙁
YES, I am so excited…Kay Alden and Sally Sussman Morina for they both know what Y&R is all about…let’s get this show back to it’s glory days…AMEN
7 HOURS AGO-
Chuck Pratt OUT at Y&R; Hearing Sally Sussman Morina in Talks;
No deal has been made yet.
So ???????
0hh geez.. Kay-71 ..
The soaps, all the soaps, need Young writers in their 30-40’s to survive ..
I would love to see what new young blood writers could bring.. perhaps pull the soaps into the 21st century..
It would be great to have fresh young writers!
Pamela Long
UGH! Please No!
Have not watched the show in many months hope they get someone to bring back the heart of the show. They need well rounded storytelling with characters that extend stories. They need Tracy and Gloria. They need to flesh out Phyllis more, they have almost ruined the character in the last few months. Bring back her mother Lydia to give her someone to play off. Cast a great actress like Robin Strasser in the role. Bring back Michael Knight he was one of the few bright spots of the last year. Bring back multi generatioal storytelling which was the hallmark of the best years of great shows like AMC,As the World Turns, and Guiding Light.
thank god he’s gone from Y&R. Pratt clearly didn’t care about the history of the show. Y&R needs a competent head writer like Sally Sussman Morina to get the show back on track
Glad Chuck Pratt and Jill Farren Phelps are off soaps, hopefully for good!
daytimeconfidential says that Sally Sussman Morina is the likely replacement.
Sources of mine have indicated that there will be a British invasion of sorts. Many of the writers will be from England. I didn’t think Y&R could be any more snobby…
They have a MUCH better grasp off the genre since the majority of their most popular soaps don’t put an emphasis on music setting the scene for interactions and high drama.. The characters and stories do that.. Which in turn makes the drama MUCH more realistic and palpable. I’m all for a British invasion and the changing of the form.
Although I was not a fan of his work on Y&R, I think he will be better suited for prime time and I might give the new show a shot.
However it is never a good thing for soaps to be constantly changing HW and producers– this is what ? fourth or fifth writer change in the last six years or less I think– so unless they really are prepared to back up the next team and give them time, for all soaps need time to stabilize after a change in direction– if CBS doesn’t give them five or six years instead two to fix things, the revolving door will never end, and the soap will continue to suffer
Hey suooo I’m surprise you are not calling for Ron C to come on over to Y&R- LOL
hi Mary SF ..
I would love RC back at GH ..
hmm perhaps y’all could make that happen for my Christmas present !!!!
Next time I see Santa I will tell him
i want Maria Arena Bell back permanetly as head writer and at least as co exec producer !
Whoever was the head produces in the 1990-2005 era when the show was so amazing that’s who should do the decisions in the head writing unfortunately Bill Bell alive can’t be back because nobody knew this show like he did obviously. He had respect for the fans but he had some great writers that knew him well at that time so whoever worked alongside Bill Bell is okay with me I hear somebody named Kay Allen somebody named Sally those would be great but please do not have a writer come in again that’s going to change the behaviors that we know too well of the characters of the show and make a scratch our heads and say okay I don’t recognize that personality anymore I used to always predict what a character would do or say but not anymore I don’t recognize anybody and I’m looking at the same actors and that’s sad. Poor mrs. Chancellor’s home he actually destroyed it. I know the ratings had to have gone down because I know a lot of people stop watching it including me I couldn’t get through it when there were days that I would actually cut school and then cut work just to see the show now I can’t get through an episode . Please do not do this to Sharon she is not the only person that does anything wrong. Please hire a writer who does the background of the characters past and how they behaved Who belongs with who and who love to. Respect the fans wishes and please this time like Chuck Pratt did he dragged on terrible stories and we begged him not to. Please somebody stop making sharing the town harlot when she is really a sweet person and caring and loving and she deserves to be as well loved and we all know that Nick is her ever after even though Adam will always love her if they decide to bring him back this time do it right
I had stopped watching Y&R years ago. When Jill Farren Phelps’ Hollywood Heights ended and she joined Y&R, I started watching again (2012) – I’ve been watching since. Several of my favorite actors from HH joined Y&R and I’ve watched them become some of my favorite characters – Noah, Abby and Summer. I think she also brought Gina Tognoni on to play Phyllis and very successfully. I’m sad to see her go I hope the show doesn’t suffer from losing Phelps-Pratt.
I’m personally glad I’m sorry to say this but Chuck Pratt destroyed along with Jill Farren Phelps I show that I have watched literally since I probably was born. I watch The Young and the Restless definitely since 1990 and fell in love with it it was on in my house all the time but I stopped watching the show this past year because I just couldn’t take it anymore none of the characters that felt like almost family watching them every single day of your life for year after year did not feel recognizable anymore! Chuck Pratt rewrote history of the stories and characteristics of the character’s lives especially the ones that Bill Bell clearly had a vision for long-term. This whole stuff about making sharing all the sudden have bipolar was so heartbreaking to her Die Hard fans. Sharon and Nick were meant to be they are the next Nikki and Victor who take over the core of the show. The Chuck Pratt destroyed that like sharing matters like nothing to the show she’s The Young and the Restless doormat. All of that history of Adam and Sharon that took my breath away good and bad days but definitely exciting was completely erased like Sharon and Adam have never met that was such a smack in the face to all the #Shadam fans. It’s bad enough we can have Victoria Rowell back as Drucilla but did Chuck Pratt have to take meal who was always honest Neil that had to do the right thing all the time and go and make him a kidnapping drunk. He took mrs. Chandler’s iconic mansion and redecorated it and fans were outraged and hurt. Sorry not sorry but I’m happy to see Chuck Pratt leave my soap
Kay Allen would be great if she came back because she wrote the show when this show was on top.Chuck Pratt absolutely ruined and destroyed this show! He didn’t care what the fans wanted he tried to rewrite the entire history everybody knows that everybody kept saying I don’t remember that I don’t remember that I don’t remember that. We all begged and pleaded please do not make our Sharon crazy we love her and she would not ever be evil ever and she deserves to be happy like everybody else but for some reason he had it out for her which absolutely made no sense an Adam with Chelsea was so boring but none of us could understand why they brought Adam back in the first place because they must have took his memory away is because he didn’t even remember Sharon the girl he was married to all those years he was so in love with her and he would never be able to stop being around her help Sharon but the show acted like they never had a romance and this enjoyable deep connection an understanding of what it’s like to be alone and trying to win back love and hurt they endured. I could go on to all the characters that completely we did not even recognize it was such a shame people were outraged and screaming everyday that’s why the show unfortunately one no Awards. He needs to of been gone a long time ago I feel sorry for whoever is the next victim show of Chuck Pratt because he’s a show killer
I don’t think he could do both. An announcement would be nice. I am not sorry to see him go.
Remember this, even when Chuckie Pratt was at the helm, Y&R STILL was #1. The show is on cruise control. HOWEVER, we the fans are dissatisfied the way some of our favorite characters were written under Chuck and Jill and dissatisfied at their choices on who is on the show and who is not. Here is my wishes for the new head writer.
#1 I want Gloria and Jeff back.
#2 I want Lauren and Michael front and center.
#3 Cut Stitch from the show. He cannot act and in what world would he EVER have a chance with a doll like Abby. And give Abby a great story. She can handle it!
#4 Find Jack a beautiful women inside and out!
#5 Remember Ashley?
#6 Enough of Glummer and HELLsea!
#7 More Mariah and Kevin. Make Chloe a little more sane and have a triangle with her, Cane and Lilly.
#8 Back to Port Charles Steve and Jason!
#9 Phyllis? Who is this Phyllis? Recast!
#10 And last but not least, BRING BACK OUR ADAM! [Preferably Michael Muhney!]
I agree with every point of yours except the one regarding Phyllis. I think Gina Tognoni is doing a phenomenal job as Phyllis and has really made the role her own. The only way I’d be okay with a recast is if Michelle Stafford came back to the role. However, I don’t see that happening since Shelly and Jean are so intent on fitting Nina into the Port Charles canvas, a task they’re not doing a great job at so far. We’ll see how that goes, but for now, keep Gina!
More of Mariah and Kevin? You made my day, Timmm. They are my favorite pairing on soaps, romantic or not. Of course, how anyone could NOT have a good time “ALONE” with Kevin mystifies me.
My favorite pairing with Kevin was his buddy at the police station, Lt. Harding. Those two were great and I wanted them to share an apartment or a house. They ruined Harding and he left for prime time anyway. So now we had Natalie who I guess is gone and was a Chloe wanna be and we now do have Chloe who is nutty and then their is the laser tongued Mariah. Mariah, hands down! I dont know if she ad libs any of her lines but she has great timing and her and Kevin seem to already be married the way they gel together or sometimes, dont!
FINALLY! This has been a long time coming. While the last couple of months on Y&R have been good, in my opinion, and the 11,000th episode celebration over the last few weeks was great, Chuck Pratt was never a good choice to take over as head writer. He didn’t destroy Y&R the way he did AMC during its final years, but his erratic, event-driven writing is better suited for primetime, where he doesn’t have to bend characters and history to suit his stories.
As for the future of Y&R, PLEASE do not even think about bringing back Josh Griffith, Shelly Altman or Jean Passanante. The years of their writing regimes produced very boring stories, and Y&R’s rating dipped under Jean and Shelly. As for Josh, looking at the job he did on DAYS most recently, I don’t want half of Y&R’s cast killed off before Christmas.
If the rumors are true that Sally Sussman Morina is in talks to join the show, that would be fantastic news. Equally good options are Kay Alden and John F. Smith, who co-wrote the show back in 2002-2005.
Okay lets get our facts straight people– it was MAB that started making Sharon crazy by having her want to take over Newman and marry Victor– Josh Griffith was the one who decided as a way to explain all the odd things the character did under MAB he would make her bi polar, but instead of writing a thoughtful story on the challenges of mental illness– they kept using her “going off her med” as an excuse to keep Sharon doing crazy things,– Pratt just continue the trend and expanded on it.
And as much as I would love the old days of soap telling to come back, I don’t think even if Mr. Bell himself were alive, the way the networks are today, the way everything is micromanaged and focused group to death- the way ratings are the only thing that matters and budgets get cut daily– the way viewers have changed, and their attention spans shorten due the Internet speed of things–I don’t even Mr. Bell could recreate what he created back in the day when the world and business was different.
But I would settle for a Head writer that would at least pay attention to the history of the show– if they would do that, even if they did plot driven stories maybe it they were more organic instead of twisting characters to fit the plots, it might be more like the show we once knew
Side note– is anyone else disliking the new camera work on the show as much as me? . If the camera gets any closer to the actor’s faces with HD I will be able to count their nose hair— and what’s with all the above shots– it is a soap not film noir — on soaps the story is the star, camera work like they are doing now is just distracting and isn’t help– imho
Also what happened to Nikki having MS– if you are going give someone a disease like that be realistic, she had more bouts with bottle than any recurrence of symptoms—
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The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
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Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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