Looks like we are close, very close, to the writing teams at your favorite soap operas returning to their jobs with news on Sunday that finally the WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative deal. What remains is the fine print, and having the WGA vote to ratify their contracts.

This is welcome news to the television, streaming and motion picture industry that after five months of a strike has put the 2023-2024 TV season in deep water.

In a statement, the Writers Guild shared, “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA (Minimum Basic Agreement), which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language. We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”

As the deal goes through its final stages, the writers are still technically on strike, but picketing outside studios and shows has now been suspended.

Photo: ABC

Among the writers’ demands that they fought for are: higher residuals from streaming shows, minimum staff sizes to prevent the use of “mini rooms” and protections from the use of AI.  The hope within the entertainment industry is that the new deal for the WGA will move along a new contract for SAG-AFTRA (actors) with the AMPTP.  As of Monday, SAG-AFTRA is still on strike.

Photo: JPI

As for your favorite soap operas, during the strikes, the shows were written by non-union writers or “fi-core” writers who gave up their union benefits in order to continue working.

The next steps in process will see the WGA negotiating committee vote on “whether to recommend the agreement and send it on to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval,” tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.  Another vote by the board and council could lift the strike “restraining order”and allow scribes to “return to work during the ratification vote”.

So, are you happy to know that the writing teams from your favorite soaps are about to return to work and helm the scripts and the vision of the shows? Comment below.

Hayley Erin began her soap opera career on The Young and the Restless at 14 in the role of Abby Newman.  She later went on to score a Daytime Emmy for her performances as Kiki Jerome on General Hospital – a role she last played from 2015-2018, and with a return appearance in 2019.

Now, Erin is coming home again to her original soap stomping grounds in Genoa City when she debuts in October as a new character, Newman Media businesswoman, Claire Grace.

Y&R viewers recall the last time Erin was on Y&R as Victor (Eric Braeden) and Ashley’s (Eileen Davidson) daughter (2009-2010), but that role is currently played by Melissa Ordway. As Erin noted in a discussion with Soap Opera Digest, that only in soap operas can something like this happen for an actress!

Photo: JPI

Hayley expressed: “I love the rules, or lack of rules, in the soap universe. I had never expected to come back, and I didn’t think it would happen, but I had hoped! I always thought, ‘Maybe they’d let me.’ And I’m really happy that the soap opera universe is so fluid and these kinds of things can happen.”

As to her new Y&R role, Erin is very excited to jump in to the skin of the character,  expressing: “What I love about Claire is that she is a fantastic businesswoman, which is something so different than what I’ve gotten to play before. She’s smart and driven, and a lot more put together than I am!”

So, who do you think Claire will be involved with in the romance department on The Young and the Restless, when Hayley Erin beings her second run on the CBS daytime drama series? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Is it sealed with a kiss for Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally (Courtney Hope) on CBS’ The Young and the Restless? After Adam plants a a lip-lock on Sally, they run into each other later. It’s then, that the black sheep of the Newman clan has a heart-to-heart with his former flame in upcoming episodes of the CBS daytime drama series.

So, where is Adam at in all of this?  He’s still in love with Sally, and is testing the waters to see how she feels about him!  Who can ever forget the touching performances by Grossman and Hope earlier this year when Sally lost their child.  At that point, Sally pushed Adam away and she continued on with her relationship with his brother, Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow).

Now, in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, Mark Grossman shares his Genoa City alter ego’s motive and his hopes. “He’s really trying to find out how that kiss made her feel,” the actor said. “Essentially, Sally kissed another man when she’s with Nick, and now Adam is playing with her heartstrings. He thinks she wants to be with someone who is more stable, like Nick, because he’s a safety net, while life is too unpredictable with Adam.”

Photo: JPI

All in all, what Adam wants is for Sally to admit she still has feelings for him.  Mark expressed, “Adam kind of goes for broke. He’s trying to convince Sally to listen to her heart.” Grossman adds, “Adam thinks by boldly putting it out there, she won’t be able to think about anything else.”

Check out the latest promo from CBS daytime featuring Adam and Sally’s love story below.

Now let us know, do you think Sally will come running back to Adam and dump Nick? Are you #TeamNick or #TeamAdam for the love for Sally? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

You can’t always get what you want…but maybe Adam can? 🤔 #YR is new this week on @CBS! Watch the latest episodes on @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/D1k8cad1rK

— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) September 24, 2023