From the October 2nd issue of SOD:

Identity Theft: 2 Stars out of 5

Y&R has always been known for its realistic, character driven storylines. Lately, the family-oriented tales have been replaced with action/mystery stories, like the search for the reliquary (which also revealed Brad's Jewish past), the Carmen whodunit and Sheila's return. Instead of the drama being internal, characters are being thrown into extraneous situations.

Heart Monitor: 3 out of 5 Stars

While the show's Jack/Sharon/Nick/Phyllis quadrangle is red-hot, other couples are merely lukewarm. The Victor/Nikki/David triangle is rarely featured, as are the budding romances of Maggie/Paul or Neil/Karen. Jill/Ji Min and Gloria/Will had passionate potential---until the men both died. Colleen/Adrian and J.T./Victoria/Brad's storylines are dull, Lily and Daniel are on the outs and the still-happy-we think--Michael and Lauren are mainly used as foils for Phyllis.

Population Control: 3 out of 5 Stars

Consistency has long been, and remains, one of Y&R's greatest stregths. But while mainstays Sharon, Nick, Jack, Brad, and Phyllis get top billing, give us more Jill, Kay, Victor, Nikki and Neil. There's also been unusually high turnover: a recast Colleen, Eileen Davidson (Ashley) was let go (but snatched up by B& Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla) quit, Ted Shackelford (ex-Will) was fired (but returned as Will's twin, Jeffrey), Eric Steinberg (ex- Ji Min) was axed and Deanna Russo came and went as Logan.

Plot Shots: 2 out of 5 Stars

Y&R's slow=and=steady storytelling has been replaced with fast-paced plots with sometimes disappointing payoffs (Jana was Carmen's killer?!). In other instances, important beats were overlooked, such as the fallout from Lauren shooting Sheila. The good news is that stories have begun to slow back down; Phyllis's trial moved at a steady, not breakneck clip and an amnesiac Nick ( a brilliant twist) still hasn't regained his memory.

Historical Preservation: 2 out of 5 Stars

The Abbott adn Winters families lost linchpin members, and the Newmans are coming apart at the seams. On the plus side, Nick and Sharon's complicated past continues to make for riveting drama and there's new life in the Kay/Jill saga with Cane being the real Phillip Chancellor III whom Kay gave away as a baby.

Overall Grade: 2 and 1/2 Stars out of 5 Stars

With so many stellar actors in the cast and a rich history ripe for mining, the No.1 show has the potential to be tops in more than just the Nielsens.

I personally have to disagree with the whole statement of there being some riveting drama for Jill and Katherine now that Cane is in the picture.

I do agree with just about everything, Y&R is truly a shadow of its former self. Hopefully, this will get to those idiots at Sony and CBS and Latham will soon be on her way out of there...

A big fat F! I think its the worst soap on the air at the moment. Actually Im not the best judge as I no longer watch, but then that should be saying something

I agree with everything htey said.

I honestly find the character of Cane to be stupid. How can Cane/Phillip be this young. When FauxPhillip died, he was Christine and Nina's age. Now suddenly he's so young. It makes no sense.

I honestly find the character of Cane to be stupid. How can Cane/Phillip be this young. When FauxPhillip died, he was Christine and Nina's age. Now suddenly he's so young. It makes no sense.

My sad self who hasn't been watching the show, is holding out that Cane is a fake.

I have a suspicion that SOD is gaining financially from P&G...anyways, this is MY Y&R Report Card

Identity Theft: 3 out of 5 Stars

Heart Monitor: 3 out of 5 Stars

Population Control: 3 out of 5 Stars

Plot Shots: 3 out of 5 Stars

Historical Preservation: 3 out of 5 Stars

Overall Grade: 3 out of 5 Stars