Y&R: Who Should Be The Next Head Writer?

[Khan]

Although LML turned out to be an unmitigated bust at Y&R, I'm actually hesitant to say her reign (of terror) there soured me on the concept of hiring "outside help" to steer the show. Josh Griffith has done a remarkable job cleaning up many of her messes, and he wasn't a Bell prodigy. He could be someone who has watched the show for years and knows what makes it unique - which IMO, might be just as good as someone who's worked there before, depending on the writer.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

The thing is, I think Latham was such an outside force to bring into the world of daytime, despite her (unsuccessful) stint at Port Charles. Her speciality is in primetime, she just couldn't handle the workload of producing and writing a daytime drama. Also, couple this with the fact that she admitted to never watching an episode of Y&R prior to being hired there. Then you have Griffith, who is a traditional daytime soap opera writer. He definitely has a better sense of pace, plot development, and character motivation than Latham did. I guess what I'm saying is, primetime writers should stick to primetime and let daytime writers stick to daytime.

I wouldn't be against the idea of pairing a Bell/Alden/Smith protege with an "outside" writer to balance things out, it worked initially with Latham, but some idiot gave her too much power and she ended up firing all of the Bell era writers. However, if they should do this, it would be best of the "outside" writer is an established daytime soap writer first.

I also wouldn't be against a Head Writing Team, you know three or more writers working together....

However, Y&R is a special type of show that's always promoted from within. For its first 25 years, Bill Bell was its HW, no other soap can claim to have its creator guide it for that long. When he left the day to day duties in 98, his proteges took over. It was a shock when Latham got all this power, but it was no shock that her creative vision didn't mesh well with Y&R. Y&R has a stronger more direct identity than any other soap out there, you can't hire just anyone at this show, you need people who worked with Bell/Alden/Smith and people who know the show, its history, and most importantly its characters.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I also must question Josh Griffith's motives for going Fi-Core and pretty much ending his career as a writer. Why exactly did he do this? Prior to Y&R, he had no producing experience and his career was as a writer. On the surface it looks like a power play to gain control over Y&R, but one has to question of he'll be there in the long run or if Sony/CBS/Bell intends on cleaning house and therefore ousting Griffith, despite him keeping the show afloat during the strike. I wouldn't be surprised if he's given at least a Co-executive Producer to help with the physical production side of things.

[DaytimeFan]

It should be noted that Josh Griffith is a longtime friend of Brad Bell...so to me he isn't as 'outside' as many of us first thought. So far I don't have an issue with Griffith, he's done a lot of good things. But I am also convinced that having Maria Arena Bell around is part of the equation.

I'm not against an outside influence...but as far as I'm concerned the HW, the ultimate creative authority, should be from the Bell stable. I'm also not opposed to a HWing team.

And yes Y&R has always promoted from within and it has been, until the LML era, the most stable show in daytime. That stability is why it remained consistent and the sort of success that it still is. It's all about consistency...that's what has destroyed daytime. Shows like GH, DAYS et all have all completely transformed themselves and have floundered. Y&R and B&B are the only shows that have managed to stick to their roots and even then, they're not perfect. We Y&R fans were so spoiled. Bill Bell was THE boss for 25 years and then Alden and Smith did their damn best to stick to his vision. Then we had LML who went, essentially, against EVERYTHING Bill Bell stood for and she tanked. Y&R got lucky with the fact that LML didn't tank the show more than she did, I think you only get one chance before a show is completely f--ked up. Sony and Bell (and CBS even though they really shouldn't have a say) HAVE to get it right this time. There isn't any room to mess up, they have to get it right. And getting it right means hiring within the Bell stable.

[Adam]

ITA which is why I think they NEED to take their time and build a team wisely.

[juppiter]

Without a doubt the Bells were in control of Y&R during the strike. I doubt Maria Arena Bell needed the money, seeing as how she hasn't written for daytime in a decade. She most likely took the job as a favor to her family.

[Paul Raven]

Now we know that LML is history and that a new producer/writer is on the way,what are the changes you'd like to see?

What stories should be dropped/modified?

What characters dumped? brought back?

Production changes?

I'd say goodbye to Jana,Amber,reveal Cane to be an imposter and have the whole baby switch thing undone.

Gloria's story would continue and lead to her downfall and exit.

Phillip IV would return and Kate Valentine would come home.Jill would not be happy that her grandson was attracted to Esther's daughter.

Diane would return to tell Jack that she is remarrying.Jack would have to deal with the fact that Kyle would have a new father.He would be hostile at first but then accepting.

Paul would be a father to Ricky(now 6 or 7)

In other words use the history of the characters to create new stories.

Nikki would redecorate the ranch!!

[Drew]

There's nothing preventing a fi-core writer from continuing to work, or from being the head writer of a show.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-seit...ea_b_79819.html

[NYC123]

Kay Alden!

[MoTheGreat]

I like Amber what she needed was a strong rival & not somebody that just row over.

Cane need to be found out that he is a imposter. Because I love when fast ass Lily is hurt. I hope this modeling thing is over real quick.

I hope they bring back the people she fired. Just to give them a chance.

Most of all they need actors & actress who can catch the viewers attention even with terrible storylines.

I also like that Idea about Philip IV falling for Ester daughter.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

A poster here on SON and WGA member, exwiter, said that Fi-Core members aren't actually members of the WGA, they just receive the same heath benefits and can work on WGA projects. Networks aren't likely to keep them employed, for fear of a backlash from the WGA. Also, I don't know if you've heard, but the WGA essentially turned their backs on the Fi-Core writers, they were stripped of their WGA nominations and I can't imagine them being too happy about full WGA members working under a head writer that's Fi-Core.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I know Toups' article said that more writers are expected to be fired along with Latham, Bernie, Lynsey, and Marina. However, I hope Sony/Bell/CBS/Griffith or whoever is pulling the strings is smart enough to keep Natalie Minardi Slater, Eric Freiwald, Linda Schreiber, and Sandra Weintraub, you know writers that were on the show before Latham came and hacked things up.

For the love of god, I hope someone at Sony/CBS/Bell or Griffith himself sees this thread and hires someone who worked closely with Bill Bell, Kay Alden, or Jack Smith. Hell, at this point, I'd welcome Alden and Smith back if that were possible....