I've just emailed them both. Might as well try while they're still accessible. I let them know how *awful* LML was and wished them well and told them to follow the lead of Bill Bell, Kay Alden, Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell. I just spelled out how bad the LML era was. Hopefully they weren't part of the problem and will instead be part of the solution.

Here's her response:

"Thank you for taking the time to email me. I have the greatest respect for the history of Y&R, and how important that is to the loyal viewers. I promise to keep it in mind."

It's the 'right' answer...but also something LML said back when she was promoted. Makes me go 'hmmmmmmmmmm'

Well, we know these two WILL NOT be the Head Writers of the show, whatever they write, will be out of orders from the Head Writer(s) of the show. I can't set too much blame on them for Latham's stupidity, plus we don't even know if these two will still be employed at Y&R in 3 months...

I honestly don't know why some of you are getting so worked up over these two staying (FOR NOW). Y&R needs writers for its Transitional/Interim Writing Team. Josh Griffith, Maria Arena Bell, and Paula Cwickly handled things well during the strike, but that's over. Now they'll have less stress by shifting some of the work onto the remaining script/breakdown writers. Look at it this way, when Latham first took over the Head Writer duties on Y&R, many of the old Y&R writers were still apart of the writing team, however, once the transitional period was over, Latham began firing them and employing her friends over the span of months. When Y&R officially gets a new Head Writer, the same thing will happen again, the new Head Writer will fire some of the remaining writers, while brining on some new (or former Y&R) writers. You guys just need to give it some time.

As long as Natalie Minardi Slater, Eric Freiwald, Linda Schreiber, and Sandra Weintraub, you know writers that were on the writing team for the show before Latham came and hacked things up are still employed at Y&R after everything happens, I'll be a happy camper.

Edited February 19, 200817 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about Scott Hamner or James Stanley. Those two are very close to LML and I don't expect them to stay. I would be shocked if they did though.

^I agree Toups, plus I can't imagine Scott Hamner keeping his Co-Head Writer title intact. I think Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell will continue as transitional Head Writers of Y&R until an official Head Writer is named. I really can't imagine them going anywhere until a new Head Writer is officially named.

Edited February 19, 200817 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I'm reacting the way I am to anyone from LML's reign staying put because I think they're tainted. Yep I'm painting everyone with the same rainbow colored brush. I would like to be wrong about Gottesfeld and Bennett, I really would. However, I simply cannot separate LML from her staff, they are one unit in my view.

In just the same way that I associate those who worked under Bill Bell or Kay Alden as being 'good' I associate those who worked under LML as 'hacked'. Is this fair? No, of course not, some of LML's writers may have been fabulous. Is it what I really believe? You bet.

Edited February 19, 200817 yr by DaytimeFan

I'm reacting the way I am to anyone from LML's reign staying put because I think they're tainted. Yep I'm painting everyone with the same rainbow colored brush. I would like to be wrong about Gottesfeld and Bennett, I really would. However, I simply cannot separate LML from her staff, they are one unit in my view.

In just the same way that I associate those who worked under Bill Bell or Kay Alden as being 'good' I associate those who worked under LML as 'hacked'. Is this fair? No, of course not, some of LML's writers may have been fabulous. Is it what I really believe? You bet.

Do you think Natalie Minardi Slater, Eric Freiwald, Linda Schreiber, and Sandra Weintraub have been "tainted" from working with Latham for almost 2 years?

Again, I have to stress, Y&R is once again in a state of transition. Does anyone know what the writing team will look like once the official new Head Writer gets his/her people in there? If it's a Bell protege that's the new Head Writer, like we all want, do you expect all of Latham's friends to still be employed?

I say, when the new Head Writer is announced if many of Latham's friends aren't gone a few months afterwards, then it's time to worry.

Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell have done a commendable job so far, as long as the show is executing their vision we don't have much to worry about. I doubt one of Latham's friends will be the transitional Head Writer, I think they'll stick with Griffith and Bell until they can name officially who the new Head Writer is.

For the love of god though, I wish we'd find out soon. Here's hoping Toups gets some information from his source in this regard soon enough.

I'm reacting the way I am to anyone from LML's reign staying put because I think they're tainted. Yep I'm painting everyone with the same rainbow colored brush. I would like to be wrong about Gottesfeld and Bennett, I really would. However, I simply cannot separate LML from her staff, they are one unit in my view.

In just the same way that I associate those who worked under Bill Bell or Kay Alden as being 'good' I associate those who worked under LML as 'hacked'. Is this fair? No, of course not, some of LML's writers may have been fabulous. Is it what I really believe? You bet.

If that's the case, then Megan McTavish, who's worked under Pamela K. Long, Agnes Nixon and Wisner Washam, isn't a hack; and Patrick Mulcahey, who's written for the likes of Bob Guza and Charles Pratt Jr., is.

If that's the case, then Megan McTavish, who's worked under Pamela K. Long, Agnes Nixon and Wisner Washam, isn't a hack; and Patrick Mulcahey, who's written for the likes of Bob Guza and Charles Pratt Jr., is.

Come on guys, don't play dumb here.

LML brought to Y&R not only a huge entourage a yes-sir-friends but also her two persion cats Bernard and Vincent.

Therefore being critical over two of her staffers is not unfounded. It's not like LML is that great a teamplayer like Agnes Dixon...

That said; if I remember correctly I enjoyed the Gottesfeld and Bennett written episodes the most because they often contained Jill, Kay and Esther - ca. icestorm days were partially written by them, huh?

I'd give them a chance but also fast kick out of the door if they don't fit the reinvigorated TRUE Y&R.

Are you all forgetting that Latham-era dialogue was superior to Alden's artificial awfulness? I have a strong dislike for the woman, but her team with the right captain could do some good.

And in daytime, SheilaFan, every subwriter is a "yes-sir-friend".

If that's the case, then Megan McTavish, who's worked under Pamela K. Long, Agnes Nixon and Wisner Washam, isn't a hack; and Patrick Mulcahey, who's written for the likes of Bob Guza and Charles Pratt Jr., is.

ITA. I think it's unfair to judge a writer based on who they wrote under. I've learned not to do that anymore. LOL

Tomlin was listed by himself today. I guess yesterday was just a mistake/fluke.

A few weeks earlier OLTL had that Victor Gialanella mystery credit too. Whoever takes care of the credits for OLTL should be more careful.

Could it be because certain scripts/breakdowns were used out of order at OLTL?

Anyway, any word if Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell will continue as Y&R's transitional Head Writers until a new Head Writer is officially named? The last thing I want to hear is Scott Hamner is the transitional Head Writer or worse yet - the new official Head Writer. ::shivers::

Could it be because certain scripts/breakdowns were used out of order at OLTL?

Anyway, any word if Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell will continue as Y&R's transitional Head Writers until a new Head Writer is officially named? The last thing I want to hear is Scott Hamner is the transitional Head Writer or worse yet - the new official Head Writer. ::shivers::

Remember what the Byrds took from Ecclesiastes :

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

As soon as they announce it, we shall know.

No, I didn't mean that every other hack writer in daytime (MMT, Guza etc) is in any way related to the superior writers they worked with. Rather, my post was LML specific because all the writers she hired were her friends. And no I don't associate NMS, Friewald/Schreiber or Weintraub with LML because she didn't hire them.

And like I said, I know it isn't fair, I've just received a response from Jeff Gottesfeld that really pleases me, but I'm just having a hard time separating LML from her hires.

Edited February 19, 200817 yr by DaytimeFan