I noticed today that Jerry Birn and Janice Ferri Esser are no longer credited as Executive Story Consultants on B&B

CTV still listed them. I hate with CTV is slow to update the credits.

GL:

- Zetna Fuentes first listed as Director on December 28

Mark, have you also noticed the change in production of the show? The lighting seems to have gone back to being much darker and robust, which used to be a Y&R trademark. Also, the production values have been looking much more authentic again. Hell, we're even getting something that looks like real snow and we're seeing it every time someone's by the window or something. Oh, and window shots! They were all but gone with Latham!

Also, they're doing a much better job of setting up this snow storm, remember last year's disaster which seemed to just pop up randomly in one episode? They've spent this entire week leading up to next week's blizzard, which isn't a stunt really.

As Dee said, it's so sad that it takes such little things to improve the quality of this show. Y&R has had so much potential over the last year and half, yet Latham's repetedly refused to tap into it.

I was watching DAYS today and its lighting reminds me of the older Y&R lighting. DAYS looks great since Ed Scott took over. It honestly looks almost like primetime.

It's funny--Jack and Victor both so similar, both instruments of defeat. Maybe they should just realize what they really are, and go to bed together :-).

As long as Sonny and Jason on GH follow suit.

You're right about the changes on Y&R. I was taken aback at Nikki reaching out to Phyllis, remembering how nasty their relationship had gotten in the wake of Nick's "death". The Newman women were ridiculously cruel to his wife.

The Newman women were ridiculously cruel to his wife.

And vice versa.

I didn't notice any difference on Y&R other than the mysterious and odd Ashley business (what was THAT about?) and Nia's singing both of which were delightful.

But I remain pretty sure that Josh Griffith has been heavily responsible all along for much of what's airing. Therefore he would be carrying on HIS OWN stories. He might tweak some things. Maybe.

But I remain pretty sure that Josh Griffith has been heavily responsible all along for much of what's airing. Therefore he would be carrying on HIS OWN stories. He might tweak some things. Maybe.

I don't see how any of this is "his own stories" since he hasn't been credited as a Y&R writer for a good year. He's forced by strike rules to carry on with Latham's storylines, but since's he and Maria Arena Bell are writing the show, there's bound to be some fundamental differences.

I really doubt much of the storylines were ever pushed by Griffith. Certainly, some aspects in the past have been his doing...but in my opinion LML, Hamner and Lechowick trumped Griffith's influence. I firmly believe that Griffith was hired by Sony to balance LML, rather than being LML's handpicked choice. I could be wrong, I just don't think I am because he hasn't stood in solidarity with her during this strike. And LML and her band of hacks have massive egos, they wouldn't have let an outsider like Griffith walked over them.

So far, I am pleased as punch with how these last few episodes have been. The lighting is better, I too noticed the snow at the Newman ranch looking good, all the characters actually had a brain and REMEMBERED what has been going on, the music is better (but there is still some of that whiny top 40 sh*t that needs to go), the pacing is better, the sets looked better somehow, the direction was classic...I am impressed.

I sincerely hope Maria Arena Bell sticks around.

He's forced by strike rules to carry on with Latham's storylines

I think Latham's material has already run out and that's why her name is not in the credits anymore. Bob Guza's breakdowns are still airing, so that's why he and his team are still credited. So if LML left story projections, I don't believe Griffith has to follow them.

^Griffith apparently said in SID that they weren't going to be creating new storylines or adding new characters.

^Griffith apparently said in SID that they weren't going to be creating new storylines or adding new characters.

So we're 2 months into the strike with no end in sight, and he's not going to create new storylines? Suuuuure. LOL

^LOL! That's what I thought too, but I heard certain rules were set aside for soaps after the last strike. During that strike insane storylines came about and characters were killed off or added randomly. I think they'll be expanding Latham's storylines for as long as they can, judging by Scott Hamner's 2008 previews from a few weeks back, it looks like Latham did in fact write long-term storyline projections too.

^LOL! That's what I thought too, but I heard certain rules were set aside for soaps after the last strike. During that strike insane storylines came about and characters were killed off or added randomly.

With the EP's approval though. The EP could've said no don't do that. I've never heard about those rules. LOL

I think they'll be expanding Latham's storylines for as long as they can, judging by Scott Hamner's 2008 previews from a few weeks back, it looks like Latham did in fact write long-term storyline projections too.

It'll be interesting if Josh changes anything from previews Hamner gave.

I noticed today that Jerry Birn and Janice Ferri Esser are no longer credited as Executive Story Consultants on B&B

That must have been an oversght of your part - or an eror of CBS.

Both Birn and Ferri Esser were still in the credits as always as of Friday and I see no changes ahead for the time being till the we reach strike material.

That must have been an oversght of your part - or an eror of CBS.

Both Birn and Ferri Esser were still in the credits as always as of Friday and I see no changes ahead for the time being till the we reach strike material.

Yeah, I thought it was a bit weird that if they weren't listed, yet everyone else was.

Does CBS.com episodes list them?