Eh...until Christel starts getting hate mail...NOTHING is blown out of proportion.

Davetta reminded me more of Dru/Victoria Rowell than Christel ever did. Actually, I never understood why they cast Christel in the role anyway. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she looked like none of her supposed parents...her acting reminded me of some annoying valley girl and she played Lily weak as hell...don't know.

What I do know is that Y&R has made a sucky decision...I will bypass it and go on watching.

But if someone has a problem with Christel because they don't feel she's black enough (whatever that means) so be it. That's their opinion, let them have it.

I read where someone from Y&R said that whenever possible they try to get back the original actors, and that's why Christel is returning. So that means Amelia Heinle will probably be gone if they can get Heather Tom back too.

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Actually, Lily was a hell raising teen from hell when she was introduced to the show. She had gotten involved with a bad crowd in Paris and Dru had to bring her back to get some order. Of course since Khalil is such a terrible actress, she couldn't convey any of that.

As for the race thing, I'm not one to put race in everything, but in this case it's valid. If they recast Victor with an American actor when Victor is German, would it be the same? What about a light-skinned hispanic woman for Ashley? Or a black woman for Gloria? If any of those cases happened, people would think the casting department is insane. There is no way in hell Khalil looks like she could be the daughter of Lily, Malcolm or Neil. She doesn't even act like it.

Beyond the race issue, she just isn't a good actress. Khalil's Lily came off very snobby, valley girl and self centered. She had ZERO chemistry with her family and I didn't think her relationship with Daniel was all that. It's hard for teen characters to really break out, but I thought Davetta did that for Lily. She brought the vulnerability and strength and finally she stopped being so self centered.

I can't wait to see Christel back because I can't see her playing the more mature and strong Lily we see now.

IA! I hate having to put the race card into it, but it is very difficult to do in this situation. If we are going by looks alone, then yes, CK doesn't look like she could be Dru and Malcolm's daughter. Davetta on the other hand does. As far as acting goes, Davetta was convincing as Dru's daughter. That whole "valley girl" routine wasn't working because that is not what you would expect Drucilla's daughter to be like. You would want someone that resembled the character, not only in looks but in actions as well. Hell, when I first started watching the show again, I had to do a double take cause I couldn't believe that she was cast as Dru's daughter.

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This is a fascinating thread!! I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion on this, but I'm gonna reveal my personal feelings on this.

As a longtime viewer of Y&R who also happens to be Black, I have to say that I never really cared for Lily Winters until Davetta took over. There were several reasons for this, including CK's acting. Her version of Lily Winters came across as whiny and kinda weak and stuck-up--someone I would not envision the daughter of Drucilla Winters to be. I hold the character of Dru in high regard (as do many Black viewers I'm sure.) There are not many Black females on daytime that are written and portrayed as raw and real as Dru. And I feel that the daughter of Dru should be similar to her in many ways (kinda like how AMC's Kendall is to Erica.) I long believed that the original casting of Lily Winters was a major miscue by TPTB at Y&R. By comparison, Davetta seems more down-to-earth, relatable and real. She's not as edgy as her mother, but she favors her to some degree.

I also think EricaKane4Life made an excellent point about TPTB's intentions for bringing back CK. She does have a "neutral" look to her that may satisfy certain fans. Hell, it was only a month ago when a poster on a different board told me that CK is part-Black (I never would have known or guessed otherwise).

When CK returns, I will keep an open mind. Hopefully her acting has improved and the writing for Lily won't change. If I see traces of old-Lily, it'll be a damn shame. I will miss Davetta and wish her luck in her future endeavors.

It's no secret Y&R has stopped interracial relationships before, because of IGNORANT minded people. Ex. John/Mamie and Victoria/Neil.

But I don't think this is the case this time. As Chris mentioned it makes sense that they'd want a two time emmy nominated actress to return.

My MAIN point was that this was exaggerated to a point where I was like WTF? It seemed like Devetta was the REVELATION and she was just a phenomenal recast? That's the vibe I've been getting.

Personally for me, I'd trade two teens just to have a character like Diane, Nina, or Mamie back. Now those were interesting characters who never missed a beat.

My MAIN point was that this was exaggerated to a point where I was like WTF? It seemed like Devetta was the REVELATION and she was just a phenomenal recast? That's the vibe I've been getting.

I think the reasons it became a big deal are because of the controversial nature of how she was let go (what was and wasn't said in the press), the return of an actress some people don't care for and who left under her own cloud of controversy (the contract issue, her alleged disrespect to the show and Victoria Rowell), and the way so called "Y&R insiders" have been talking up Christel Khalil like she is all that and a bag of chips and how desperately they have been trying to get her back blah, blah, blah and basically disrespected the fans that have grown to like Davetta Sherwood in the role.

People were also pissed about the show killing off John Abbott, but that probably didn't get a similar reaction because the show hinted that Jerry Douglas would still be a part of the canvas and JD told the press that he wanted to spend more time on working on his music. They way the show and JD handled it was very positive and he seemed happy. The whole "Lily situation" has been handled negatively from the get-go, so of course, fans are going to react accordingly. That got people talking and expressing their opinions. And it seems that Y&R fans are split on the issue, which possibly made it even more heavily discussed/argued.

IMO Jerry Douglas was pretty blindsided. He thought that LML was going to get him out of jail and be a regular on canvas again, not a silly ghost.

IA that the handling of Devetta's departure was bad. But I've seen worse. This is actually very insignificant compared to other things.

Also, I think the immense hate for Christel is not necessary (not typically this board). I already mentioned she's young and we know that young actors don't stay long on a show. Obviously Christel made a mistake, but she's human. Why is she getting spat on so much? What she did was stupid, but it wasn't wrong and it was natural for someone in her shoes.

In regards to the race issue, I truly don't believe that Latham had anything to do with this because she's all about diversity. She brought on the only full black family on Knots Landing and since she's joined Y&R minorities have been in full force. The Winters family, Mr. Kim, Brad, Professor Cowbell, etc.

However, I do believe that the original casting was for a reason. When Jack Smith was writing the show he 100% had no interest in the black characters. He drove Tonya Lee Williams away, fired Mamie and wrote Dru/Neil as second class citizens and the ultimate token black couple in Genoa City. The one "black" character he wrote for really wasn't even black and when writing her it's like they did everything in their power to hide the fact that she could be black.

Thats my problem, there is no way Khalil fit into the backstory of Lily, she didn't bring it on the acting front and no way in hell did she fit into the family. Why was she cast in the first place? You expect me to believe there was not one talented black actor out there? Where was Tanisha Lynn for heavens sake.

The decision to bring her back had to have come from some place other than Latham. For one, Latham cast Davetta and also rewrote the character. If she liked what Khalil brought to the role I don't think Davetta would've been cast in the first place.

IMO Jerry Douglas was pretty blindsided. He thought that LML was going to get him out of jail and be a regular on canvas again, not a silly ghost.

I don't know if that's true. He decided not to renew his contract long before John died. He was on recurring since the beginning of the year, when Latham just arrived. He also said that he was only willing to remain on recurring because he's going overseas to promote his album, something that has been in the works long before Latham arrived. I would rather John get a massive send off instead of him fading into the background and years later (when John is an afterthought) them giving him a half-baked send off.

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Also, I think the immense hate for Christel is not necessary (not typically this board). I already mentioned she's young and we know that young actors don't stay long on a show. Obviously Christel made a mistake, but she's human. Why is she getting spat on so much? What she did was stupid, but it wasn't wrong and it was natural for someone in her shoes.

I don't hate Christel. I don't. And I don't think the hate is THAT bad. She's got a modest amount of fans. But just like people say this Lily switch is just a sad part of the business and we should accept it and move on, fans reaction and opinion is also apart of the business and Y&R and the actors need to accept that. Not to sound harsh, but I don't think I have an obligation to be sympathetic to the actors all the time, especially when they do something I don't approve of. Christel chose to leave and she was replaced by someone that a lot of people grew to like a lot and I think she and the show needs to accept that. If I see something I don't like or think it unfair I'm going to express myself and the show has to deal with it.

Because of how Davetta portrayed Lily, I was able to connect and relate to a character I once loathed. Moreover, I saw her effortlessly fit within a family unit and romantic relationship in a way that her predecessor never did. Most importantly to me, I actually saw respect and love in DS's Lily scenes with VR's Dru, something that is clearly missing from Daytime soaps.

Dru could have slapped DS's Lily into next week, and I would have enjoyed it because of how those two play off of each other and because the quiet strength that DS conveys lets me know that her Lily can take it. That her Lily would not leave her mouth agog, overact, blink rapidly, point her head forward and backward like a duck, and then skip off with a high pitched wail and then snivel.

I see no love, like, or connection between CK's Lily and VR's Dru. That has ALWAYS been a major problem for me. Lily was raised primarily around Dru, yet with CK's Lily, one would never know it.

So, hell to the yeah, I'm pissed that the terrible Crystal Khalil is returning. Do I think this uproar is warranted? Again, hell to the yeah! That's my opinion. I will express it. A damn good thing that I was enjoying was taken away from me, so yes, I will say I am displeased until the cows come home. Why is that a problem? My dismay and disgust with this decision doesn't negate my disgust and dismay over what happen with JD.

And yes, I did have chosen words for the lies Lynn Marie told about not firing JD, and then doing exactly that. Lynn Marie also stated that she had a "wonderful" story planned for Carmen, and again proved to be a liar about that as well.

CK's return, in my opinion, is unnecessary and leaves a very bad taste in my mouth because it continues the long list of lies Lynn Marie has told. Compared to her, Guza, McTavish and Frons put together seem like children.

DS's Lily was given very little good writing, yet she did damned well and made me like Lily. Come to think of it, I think the fight between Dru and Lily in Coleen's home (the last good dramatic scene between Lily and Dru) was a production of Jack Smith.

CK's Lily was given plenty of dramatic writing under Jack Smith, yet I scratched my head thinking what the hell is this whirling dirvish in front of me because of CK's portrayal.

And yes, I do think CK's "lightness" and neutrality has a lot to do with it. In Lynn Marie's world, I believe it does. Add that to her catty and unprofessional behavior in the whole matter, and I'm left thinking WTH.

Let me be clear. I'm not saying CK isn't "black enough." I'm saying that CK doesn't portray DRU'S DAUGHTER. I'm saying that CK isn't good enough to convey who Dru's daugther should be. Perhaps I'm being presumptuous. I don't care. I'm saying that I hate ALL of CK's mannerisms. Her speech. Her fluttering eyelids that are supposed to portray whatever the heck she's trying to portray. Her lack of umph! Lack of chutzpah. Her lack of funk, spunk, and chunk. Call it what you will.

Let me put it this way: I had no problem with Marisa Ramirez (Hispanic) portraying the African American Gia Campbell because she did so with ATTITUDE and GRIT and she had great chemistry with Lynn Moody, who played her mother. CK does not have such chemistry with VR, who clearly is the driving force of the Winters family. My problem is that CK (IMO) does not portray Dru's daughter, does not have chemistry with VR, or KSJ for that matter, and comes across as a snot that was raised in a secluded school in the Valley.

My opinion (shrugging).

Wow I never said don't express your opinions, or else why would I start this thread. More and more some posters here just becoming very unlikeable, so whatever, I'm sorry for starting this thread. Mods you can delete it or whatever if you wish.

And yes, I do think CK's "lightness" and neutrality has a lot to do with it. In Lynn Marie's world, it does. Add that to her catty and unprofessional behavior in the whole matter, and I'm left thinking WTH.

How can you put this on Latham when she has bent over backwards to bring diversity back to the show? As I mentioned in my previous post, with Jack Smith all the minorities were being wasted or written off. Latham has completely revived the minorities in Genoa City.

And it should be noted that, Latham, not anyone else is the one who cast Davetta. If Latham were the problem she wouldn't have cast Davetta as Lily. There are lots of things she can geuninely be blamed for, but in this case she has no connection to Khalil and I don't see why she'd dump her creation in favor of the person she's supposed to be improving upon.

And yes, I did have chosen words for the lies Lynn Marie told about not firing JD, and then doing exactly that. Lynn Marie also stated that she had a "wonderful" story planned for Carmen, and again proved to be a liar about that as well.

Where did you read about not firing Jerry Douglas? After he decided not to renew his contract, yes he was killed off, but I don't recall them saying otherwise. As for Carmen, how is it a lie when November sweeps is centered around Carmen's murder mystery? When it was announced that they had big plans for Carmen, it was also mentioned that Marisa Rameriz was being let go, so I don't see the lie here.

Wow I never said don't express your opinions, or else why would I start this thread. More and more some posters here just becoming very unlikeable, so whatever, I'm sorry for starting this thread. Mods you can delete it or whatever if you wish.

Dru,

I know you never said that and don't think anyone is yelling or unpleased with you. I think a lot of people are angry or disappointed with the situation and want the show (tptb) (not you) to know how they feel. My comments and I think others comments aren't directed towards you, rather I think people are speaking of how they feel about the situation in general.

ps

As a long time lurker I've come to love your posts. Please don't feel like those (especially me) that disagree with you are attacking you personally. It's just an icky situation and people are fired up.

Wow I never said don't express your opinions, or else why would I start this thread. More and more some posters here just becoming very unlikeable, so whatever, I'm sorry for starting this thread. Mods you can delete it or whatever if you wish.

DruRocks, please don't regret starting this thread. It's interesting to read what others feel on this subject. I'm glad you posted it