Hey Guys,

I interviewed Tonya Lee Williams (Olivia, Y&R) last week at her ReelWorld Film Festival. Here's the link.

Here's a preview:

How does it feel being back on Y&R? The show is on a creative upswing with Maria Arena Bell writing.

I say all the time that she [Maria Arena Bell] is channelling Bill Bell right now. She just is! She's creating the same vibe and the same energy of the way it felt in the first five years of when I was on the show. We tell her that all the time and she feels it too.

Everyone's calling the Lynn Marie Latham era as the "dark era". Fans are happy that they've brought you back now at this point.

It was also me who was wanting to come back at this point because I was just so tired and the way that Maria's been writing has completely invigorated my love for the show again and my wanting to be there...so that was key.

Hey Guys,

I interviewed Tonya Lee Williams (Olivia, Y&R) last week at her ReelWorld Film Festival. Here's the link.

This is just terrific. Thanks for sharing. I'm happy she's back, and it's nice to see a report from my old hometown.

Yay! She hated the Brad/Olivia/Ashley thing, too!

Yay! She hated the Brad/Olivia/Ashley thing, too!

Yes...and they "ignore" it . Which is probably for the best.

She sounds very future-oriented. It sounds like, if they wanted to use her more and write for her more, she'd do it now. Especially after her film festival is over.

That could be a key to re-invigorating the Winters-Barbers to some level.

Nice interview.

I wonder how she really feels about the "Tyra is a young Dru" writing.

Edited May 2, 200916 yr by CarlD2

Yay! She hated the Brad/Olivia/Ashley thing, too!

Its the story that forever ruined her for me. Im glad she hated it too

Its the story that forever ruined her for me. Im glad she hated it too

Well, they have erased it .

The woman is too talented to NOT have a storyline..... it sounds like she would be interested in a more integral, contract like role with the show again. MAB make us proud once again!

The woman is too talented to NOT have a storyline..... it sounds like she would be interested in a more integral, contract like role with the show again. MAB make us proud once again!

I agree. It was nice to hear that Tonya, for her part, is interested again.

I think the obvious way to give her a story is to bring on Nate and then take things from there. Why have her play supporting to Neil and his kids when she has her own

I think the obvious way to give her a story is to bring on Nate and then take things from there. Why have her play supporting to Neil and his kids when she has her own

Yeah, but if all you are is a "mother", you never drive story. That's not so satisfying, and she is not so old.

I just can't see MAB doing Olivia justice. She haven't shown me nothing when it comes to her black characters. I wonder what Tonya Lee Williams get for praising MAB. She'll get shown two times week in every month now.

Bring back Malcolm and Nate.

Get rid of Tyra and Ana.

Malcolm/Neil/Olivia

Nate/Devon/Roxanne

I just can't see MAB doing Olivia justice. She haven't shown me nothing when it comes to her black characters. I wonder what Tonya Lee Williams get for praising MAB. She'll get shown two times week in every month now.

You are obviously right, to date. Don't you think times could be changing?

Bring back Malcolm and Nate.

Get rid of Tyra and Ana.

Malcolm/Neil/Olivia

Nate/Devon/Roxanne

Nate--definitely.

Goodbye Tyra and Ana--definitely.

Malcolm...no. Let Shemar have that iconic character and create someone new. It could still fuel the triangle you want. I'd say Gil might work JUST FINE in that role.

Devon...Roxanne...nah...cut your losses.

Nate can get involved in romances...either with new characters, or with others already on the canvas. If they NEED to stay within race (sigh), Gil could usher in a whole family. But I think maybe we're past that now?

Actually.I agree with you Mark re Devon.He has never made an impression as an actor or character.

Nate would be a clean slate to work with.

I was hoping that Gil might get more story when he dated Tyra once or twice,but it was just another angle of the story that was dropped.

Gil could have a daughter who might get involved with Nate.Gil could get together with Olivia and they could conflict over their kids.

There are so many possibilties.

As for staying in race,should Nate follow in Lily's footsteps and only date whites?

How do people feel about that?

On the one hand it presents interacial relationships as a positive thing,but is it sending a message that it is preferable?