Are you insinuating that he's a very difficult man to work with?

Yes, that is what my previous question was about. I really think ATWT improved when he was there for 5 months...

Are you insinuating that he's a very difficult man to work with? Also, I was always under the impression that Alden had very little power when Smith replaced her as the main HW, that's why I thought Jones' promotion came from Smith, not Alden. Though, Smith did become Y&R's EP in 2004, when Jones left the show (he would return to write breakdowns briefly in 2006). I take it Smith wasn't too fond of Jones either.

Any special reason why Jones was given a promotion by Alden? There were others on the writing team who had been there longer than he had been there at that point.

Jones was promoted by Alden shortly after she took the headwriter reins from Bill Bell. And you're right, when Smith took over as HW and EP, Alden had little power. Smith was brought in to pump up the ratings after Alden (and Jones) had begun to falter. Personally, I still think Alden and Smith are the best bets to return Y&R to its former glory. They know the show better than anyone. They know the kind of stories the audience connected with. Since both have had time away from Y&R, I think they would come in with renewed energy and fresh ideas. I do think it's critical that they bring back the other long time writers, though, the ones who got axed during LML's tenure. Like Alden and Smith, they had years writing the show and know it intimately. I really feel that's the way for Y&R to recover. Just my humble opinion however.

Y&R:

- Beth Milstein first listed as Script Writer on May 14

For a total of 18 writers on staff.

^ I guess the old saying of "Too many cooks spoil the broth" applies with Y&R.....

Jones was promoted by Alden shortly after she took the headwriter reins from Bill Bell. And you're right, when Smith took over as HW and EP, Alden had little power. Smith was brought in to pump up the ratings after Alden (and Jones) had begun to falter. Personally, I still think Alden and Smith are the best bets to return Y&R to its former glory. They know the show better than anyone. They know the kind of stories the audience connected with. Since both have had time away from Y&R, I think they would come in with renewed energy and fresh ideas. I do think it's critical that they bring back the other long time writers, though, the ones who got axed during LML's tenure. Like Alden and Smith, they had years writing the show and know it intimately. I really feel that's the way for Y&R to recover. Just my humble opinion however.

No, I'm still enjoying Y&R, but i also agree with the general sentiment that the show is stagnant now.

Given the lack of positive impact (that I can discern) from Alden (or, newly, Smith) on B&B, and the stagnation that is occurring under a Bell (Maria Arena) I'm deeply confused and frustrated about what should happen next.

I'm back to thinking a strong NEW headwriter, who is YOKED TO an existing legacy team member, might be the way to go. E.g., John Smith as EP, and (<insert your favorite outsider HW here>) as HW. That might do the trick. But I am really confused about what to do next....

For a total of 18 writers on staff.

A good part of the reason why this show is gradually killing itself and becoming more and more choppy and stagnant....

Seriously, I bet some contract cycles are up about now, yet Maria and Griffith aren't doing anything. I hope this show falls from its #1 placing in the ratings soon, it keeps on making the most stupidest decisions.

We thought Latham was stupid for having 18 staff writers, yet Maria has the same and shows no sign that she wants to trim the staff. It makes just makes me angry as hell...

Given the lack of positive impact (that I can discern) from Alden (or, newly, Smith) on B&B, and the stagnation that is occurring under a Bell (Maria Arena) I'm deeply confused and frustrated about what should happen next.

Yeah, I know it will never happen, but cancel the damn show. It's like they're not even trying to make it good. Yeah, its a bit better than the torture Latham subjected it too, but anything's a step up from her. However, the show isn't getting any better right now, when it should be.

I'm back to thinking a strong NEW headwriter, who is YOKED TO an existing legacy team member, might be the way to go. E.g., John Smith as EP, and (<insert your favorite outsider HW here>) as HW. That might do the trick. But I am really confused about what to do next....

Interesting, but I don't trust this show anymore...

Edited May 14, 200817 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Yeah, I know it will never happen, but cancel the damn show. It's like they're not even trying to make it good. Yeah, its a bit better than the torture Latham subjected it too, but anything's a step up from her. However, the show isn't getting any better right now, when it should be.

Interesting, but I don't trust this show anymore...

There is no longer a show on the air you can trust, and that is very sad. I haven't watched Y&R now again for close to a month and I don't miss it. We had about 6 weeks of greatness following Latham's last credited day and then it went kaput.

Y&R has fallen apart and the blame goes right to MAB and JG. Somehow, they ruined the fabulousity they possesses during the strike.

I still feel that B&B is the show I can trust...I know it's up and down and messy...but it's consistent and I always enjoy it.

Seriously, I bet some contract cycles are up about now, yet Maria and Griffith aren't doing anything. I hope this show falls from its #1 placing in the ratings soon, it keeps on making the most stupidest decisions.

Unfortunately, I think that it will never again reach 4.5 or 4.3... At least, judging from all this that is going on. I truly hope I'm wrong.

There is no longer a show on the air you can trust, and that is very sad.

Have you tried OLTL lately, Adam? It's the best soap on the air right now. Things are heating up for the Rex/Adriana wedding. Check it out, man, if you want to see great writing. OLTL's going to be great this summer, bank on it.

Have you tried OLTL lately, Adam? It's the best soap on the air right now. Things are heating up for the Rex/Adriana wedding. Check it out, man, if you want to see great writing. OLTL's going to be great this summer, bank on it.

OLTL is overrated. The HW is overrated. So many newbies in front burner storylines. That to me doesnt make a good soap. JMO of course. Start the bashing now please.

So many newbies in front burner storylines. That to me doesnt make a good soap.

Newbies CAN be in front burner storylines - it's how your write them. None of them are dominating storylines and they're all attached to prominent people in town. Plus, they're in good storylines.

Well, I'm having fun watching the show.

I'm sorry none of your soaps are making you happy.

Newbies CAN be in front burner storylines - it's how your write them. None of them are dominating storylines and they're all attached to prominent people in town. Plus, they're in good storylines.

Well, I'm having fun watching the show.

I'm sorry none of your soaps are making you happy.

I feel the exact same way Toups.

I am still waiting for the day when someone writes "Barbara Esensten and James Harmon Brown are last listed as head writer of All My Children...."