I think MAB is doing fine, certainly better than any other HW in daytime currently.

I really only have three bitches as far as her Y&R is concerned:

-The writing for the Winters sucks

-I need some of the women to be a bit stronger

-Some characters are becoming overexposed (but thats not even a big gripe, I just think she could scale back on a few).

Listen, I don't think MAB is pulling a "hack" job or destroying the show's core or anything drastic like that. I think she does certain things well, and this is probably the best the show has been in quite some time. However, she just isn't an imaginative storyteller, her pacing sucks, she clearly CANNOT write for the Winter's or characters she creates herself, and she clearly spends most of her time focusing on characters she loves, while ignoring others.

I have no problem with bitchy characters, but her "threat" against Sharon was so not genuine or real. After the threat she made this goofy face. It reminded me of what Drake said about soap opera acting. It's for the fans - and people live or die on soaps by how well liked they are. I was NOT saying she's on the level of Drake (goodness no!)But TB has become one of those soap stars who are more personalities than actors. So the goofy face at the end of the scene felt contrived. Again, I like Lauren, and I like TB but she's not serious about her acting. and being on a soap for 25 years, it's natural to get lazy. JC, bless her heart throws me off my couch sometimes (Greeeeeeed!!!!! Gloria! Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!!!!), but I like them all the same. i just don't think either MAB or TB herself is unhappy. Like I said she's in the perfect spot for herself. she's used in scenes where she's needed, but with Sheila gone, I don't see her driving story again and don't really think I need to her to.

It was a contrived scene to stir up the Phyllis/Sharon feud and had little to do with Lauren as a character. It was one face, and I honestly think she is a very genuine actress and not just a personality when given something to play, but what does she get to play under this regime? Supportive family scenes and she isn't even getting that now.

The woman still takes acting classes regularly to study her craft, but how serious can you play a scene when all you are asked to do is be a seat filler at court cases and weddings with barely a line to say most of the time. Again, when they gave her a few good scenes to play over the past few six months, she hit them but she hasn't had a story since Lauren's PPD story after the birth of Fen over two years ago and she was very convincing and earned an emmy nom for that story. And she's not happy about her lack of story. I met her last summer and mentioned I would like to see her more and she said she was disappointed that she did not get more story and would like to be used more than she has been. A friend of hers jumped into the conversation and Tracey mentioned the change in writing regimes. She was great with her fans, but seemed disappointed in how she has been used and I can't blame her.

I don't expect her to drive story, but there is no reason she can't get some type of story to play. Most characters have had some story under Maria Bell. Tracey hasn't.

Listen, I don't think MAB is pulling a "hack" job or destroying the show's core or anything drastic like that. I think she does certain things well, and this is probably the best the show has been in quite some time. However, she just isn't an imaginative storyteller, her pacing sucks, she clearly CANNOT write for the Winter's or characters she creates herself, and she clearly spends most of her time focusing on characters she loves, while ignoring others.

I totally agree.

I still think having Sheffer as co-HW is one of the problems. I see his work in Billy and Victor and I think it's one of the reasons both characters are putting me off at the moment, because they are both very unpleasant characters, there are few layers to them, and there's no one around them who even comes close to being a strong scene partner. I think they brought Mac back to try to give Billy more depth but it's not working so far. The story has made me like Chloe, so perhaps this was the point all along, who knows.

I also think they wasted a strong opportunity to go through Sharon's past and her personality in favor of this muck with her having sex with various men and possibly having a miracle child with Nick. I would have enjoyed seeing an emotional affair between Nick and Sharon and the physical intimacy between Sharon and Phyllis. I think having Nick use both women for sex takes away some of the point of the triangle, because he's tarnished and the women no longer have as many differences.

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by CarlD2

I know this was discussed this morning, but Tracey Bregman has been written off the show yet again. She said on her facebook she has never been used so little. They don't even include her in many family scenes. She was written off for six weeks in March and early April, used for this Sharon stealing story and I think she won't be used in May either. If she was on contract, she probably would have gone the way of Don Diamont, but since she is recurring they just will keep using her this way which cost them little but frustrates her fans and Tracey. What a waste of a good actress. I can't believe Maria Bell can't figure out anyway to use Lauren Fenmore on this show.

Didnt Tracey for the most part request that 6 week break? She sure made it sound thatw ay via facebook/interviews with the magazines.

By your logic, Heyou must be "obsessed" with Adrianne Leon (although that may have some truth to it), DeeeDee must be "obsessed" with Victoria Rowell and JackPeyton must be "obsessed" with Tracey E. Bregman. No offense to the aforementioned posters.

But i am

She was also the one who started making Lauren an acessory to the Fisher-Baldwin family's crimes.

I like Lauren, but as long as she's tied to that family, she will always serve as a prop for them and in will in return, because she covers up for them so much, will come off as an unlikable hypocrite.

I agree.

Also, she's recurring, so really, I don't expect much storyline for her anyway. Eden and Noah are also recurring, can we say their storyline, for example, is anything big or exciting on this show?

If she wanted to be used more with her on-screen family and more storyline potential, then she shouldn't have refused to sign a contract. I have no sympathy for her in that sense.

Also, if they wish to write Lauren off this show, I can't say I would care. I don't think Lauren is necessary for this show to survive or that her loss would impact the show in any negative way.

I agree. lets not forget since her return TEB has been given a lot of things, much more at times than many others on the show. Lauren has gone from minor to supporting to lead to star and back many times. Its how it goes, in cycles.

I do doubt a contract would get her much more, if any.

I agree with that last part - but im a rare person that feel no soap NEEDS anyone. Y&R can go on without Victor, Kay, Nikki, Jill, Jack, etc.. anyone. Not losing them all at once, no, but if one were to leave i dont see it being the end of Y&R.

I'm only sorry that Lauren has to be the good reasonable one. I always thought she made a good bitch. As far as being a hypocrite goes, she can join the club of most Y&R characters.

SO MUCH WORD! Why is Lauren this nice good reasonable person? LAUREN FREAKIN FENMORE! WTF!

That said i dont want her scheming with them. But perhaps if she schemed to foil Gloria's plans that would be nice.

I think Lauren is being wasted.

I can't begin to understand the contract/guarantee/budget issues.

Any 'newish' viewer would have no idea that Paul and Lauren were once married and a major couple.Doug and Tracey always had good chemistry..Their divorce was borne out of bad luck/circumstance.

It would be nice to see an occasional scene where they touch base and seek each other out for advice etc.

Since both are used so sparingly,it is not a priority.

Where are the Paul/Nikki flashbacks that should be used to bolster their story?

Lauren and Paul reconnecting could be an interesting sublot to Paul/Nikki and Michael/Lauren.There is so much history there.

I agree.

I will also say one thing that set Y&R apart was its strong use of minor/supporting characters as ful fleshed out characters at any moment. Not so much anymore.

Tracey Bregman is a wonderful actress, which is being criminally underused like so many others. To critique her on one little scene doesn't mean much. She was fantastic under LML (when she actually had lines), especially in the two-episode PTS arc. Some say TB has no loyalty, but where is TPTB loyalty to actors like Doug Davidson and Kristoff St. John - and to a lesser extent Bryton McClure? All three are contract actors and receive little to no story. So, I doubt if TB went on contract that she'd actually get more airtime.

Aside from that....

I LOVE everything going down on the Newman Ranch. But MAB needs to stop heavily featuring the ONE story she's interested in, while going in circles with the rest.

ITA with the first part.

And the second part. Thats my big issue. The show is playing one main story, and a few big stories (but not as much) and thats about it.

Great post and I agree. People act like Tracey would get story if she signed a contract, but Maria Bell has shown little interest in writing for Lauren as a business woman or as a couple with Michael, so I don't think she is beating down Tracey's door to sign her to a contract.

I think it is ridiculous that people claim Tracey has no loyalty to the show because she is recurring and so in some way deserves to get no story. She has been loyal to the Bells for twenty-five years. She wants to spend a few weeks a year with her kids on vacation, but is available for the vast majority of the time to play any story they want to give her. The show hired her back as recurring and she accepted. And it is a better deal for the show because they get a good actress, and she is good, and only have to pay her when she is used. Most of these shows want good actors who would be willing to be recurring but it works both ways. If you expect an actor to stay loyal as recurring and be available then you need to give them something to do. Nobody is talking about Tracey leading a story and some may not like Lauren and Michael as a couple but she is a fan favorite and so Maria needs to figure out how to use these actors and not just play her favorites five days a week.

I don't particularly like Ashley and never have. I can't stand her with Victor, but I don't wish that Eileen gets fired because I know she has her fans. I have always thought Josh Morrow was a mediocre actor but he has his fans so I don't want him written out. I want a show that is balanced. Sure some characters will push more story, but at this point Maria and company need to think about how to utilize talented vets that have been languishing on the backburner too long.

great post.

Anyone who thinks we'll ever get a better HW than Maria is dreaming.

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by y&r_fan

I think MAB is doing fine, certainly better than any other HW in daytime currently.

I really only have three bitches as far as her Y&R is concerned:

-The writing for the Winters sucks

-I need some of the women to be a bit stronger

-Some characters are becoming overexposed (but thats not even a big gripe, I just think she could scale back on a few).

A step above utter crap isnt anything much, IMHO.

I dont have an issue with MAB, really. The things you mentioned are perfect. Add in the pacing and the fact that genoa City no longer feels like an overall community and those are my issues with the show.

That said, i enjoy the show. day to day. most stories are good.

the issues are few and far between. and thats good. now if only they could at least try to work on the issues they do have, that would be great.

But i am

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by y&r_fan

Anyone who thinks we'll ever get a better HW than Maria is dreaming.

How do you know this? Didn't you actually like Latham before she was fired? (not saying that as a slam)

I'd like to think the show can always be better than it is right now, and it is OK for the most part right now.

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Just caught up on Tues ep.Random comments

The background music was incredibly annoying.

Michael was looking 'refreshed'Has LeBlanc had some work done??

Victor opened sliding doors from the entrance-I've never seen them before.

Good to see Doris.This is what we wanted-supporting characters used when needed.

Lauren's absence was puzzling in light of Jeffrey and Doris being on.

Jeffrey reminds me of Derek.I noticed it watching the YouTube clip of the 84 wedding.

I can understand Phyllis not wanting Nick to leave on a variety of levels,but she has singlehandedly been running Ridiculous Style for months.

Billy's unhappiness at Jabot had no build up-another example of MAB's scattergun approach.

If Adam is the gaslighter,who is he working with?Frank Ellis?

Someone had to buy Sabrina's dress.Why doesn't Ashley go to the store.Surely they would remember,as it would be quite exclusive.Also,if it weren't a woman,they would recall.

Jill,dear,the necklace didn't match the blouse.

The background music was incredibly annoying.

Lauren's absence was puzzling in light of Jeffrey and Doris being on.

I can understand Phyllis not wanting Nick to leave on a variety of levels,but she has singlehandedly been running Ridiculous Style for months.

Billy's unhappiness at Jabot had no build up-another example of MAB's scattergun approach.

Someone had to buy Sabrina's dress.Why doesn't Ashley go to the store.Surely they would remember,as it would be quite exclusive.Also,if it weren't a woman,they would recall.

I really liked the rock music playing at restless style, it seems like something that would play in an office like that. That said, tone it down a bit, please.

I agree with everything else.

Billy is just suddenly mad and wants to be in power. I get it, i do, but why did nothing build up to it? or even suddenly bring it on? It was played as though it had been boiling, but we never got to see any of that.

and thank you! Ash has the dress, the credit card recpit is sure to have the name of the store and all the info she needs. At least have her go down there and no video cameras in the store and the sales lady say she just doesnt remember, altho im sure they had to have it custom made. ugh. just bad, lazy writing. and you KNOW when i notice that and point it out, its bad. LOL.

How do you know this?

I suppose I didn't phrase the question correctly. I meant that it's highly unlikely that another writer will come along and be compared to Bill Bell, as Maria has been. Unless another Bell miraculously falls from the sky.

Be careful what you wish for is all I'm saying.

Didn't you actually like Latham before she was fired? (not saying that as a slam)

I liked Latham in her first year. Her second year was horrendous.

Didnt Tracey for the most part request that 6 week break? She sure made it sound thatw ay via facebook/interviews with the magazines.

The six week break in February and March? Not from what I heard. A reliable poster I know met Christian after he did Judith Chapman's play and said he was his typical energetic self until she asked about Lauren and Michael's story and where Tracey had been. He was not happy with the lack of story and was confused because he and Tracey have been told by the writers that they like Lauren and Michael as do the fans yet they never have story. He also complained that they never use the little boy who plays their son. He said he and Tracey were disappointed she was written off for so long during the Kevin story. I know she did take a week long vacation to Mexico with her family the week before Easter, but she always takes that week and once again the writers wrote her off weeks longer. She only has 20 episodes this year and if she is off again for May that is 20 episodes in 5 months and many of those episodes were for less than three minutes. On her facebook, she said she did not know why she was written out but was philosophical and said these things happen. She has never been one to complain in the press about lack of story though, but you get hints she is frustrated.

As for interviews, I haven't seen an interview from her in awhile not since the podcast right after Christmas. Tracey said she would like more business story and be more edgy, but also pointed out she was grateful to have a job and work with people she adores. Of course, I don't think she expected her complete lack of story for the first half of the year.

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by lmfan

The six week break in February and March? Not from what I heard. A reliable poster I know met Christian after he did Judith Chapman's play and said he was his typical energetic self until she asked about Lauren and Michael's story and where Tracey had been. He was not happy with the lack of story and was confused because he and Tracey have been told by the writers that they like Lauren and Michael as do the fans yet they never have story. He also complained that they never use the little boy who plays their son. He said he and Tracey were disappointed she was written off for so long during the Kevin story. I know she did take a week long vacation to Mexico with her family the week before Easter, but she always takes that week and once again the writers wrote her off weeks longer. She only has 20 episodes this year and if she is off again for May that is 20 episodes in 5 months and many of those episodes were for less than three minutes. On her facebook, she said she did not know why she was written out but was philosophical and said these things happen. She has never been one to complain in the press about lack of story though, but you get hints she is frustrated.

As for interviews, I haven't seen an interview from her in awhile not since the podcast right after Christmas.

Well, thats interesting.

I heard a smiler, yet still completely different story.

It is true she has not been used this little, but at the same time... i enjoy her when she is on. she isnt on contract, she doesnt have a story, and hopefully down the road she will be used more. Lauren Fenmore may have gotten me hooked on Y&R, but other characters would keep me watching if she were to leave. Altho i really dont see her leaving to be honest. TEB has been in this business for three decades, im sure as fusterating as this might be, she will continue on. She also has the added benefit of being recurring and can honestly go out and do other things, unlike many others.

I just hope this happens to be an isolated issue because with people like TLW & TC willing to do recurring the show needs to be asble to keep up the great work they have been doing with recurring stars over the years.

Well, thats interesting.

I heard a smiler, yet still completely different story.

It is true she has not been used this little, but at the same time... i enjoy her when she is on. she isnt on contract, she doesnt have a story, and hopefully down the road she will be used more. Lauren Fenmore may have gotten me hooked on Y&R, but other characters would keep me watching if she were to leave. Altho i really dont see her leaving to be honest. TEB has been in this business for three decades, im sure as fusterating as this might be, she will continue on. She also has the added benefit of being recurring and can honestly go out and do other things, unlike many others.

I just hope this happens to be an isolated issue because with people like TLW & TC willing to do recurring the show needs to be asble to keep up the great work they have been doing with recurring stars over the years.

We'll see. As a Lauren fan, Maria Bell has not inspired me to hope for much. She doesn't seem to have a problem using other recurring actors, but they tend to be tied to favored characters of hers like Katherine (Murphy) or Jill (Jeffery). I am sure TEB will be fine, and the show can survive without her, but it is better with her on the show.

I didn't like when Jess and Jeanne were not utilized properly in the past and I don't like how TEB is used now and it really is quite an easy fix if Maria Bell just bothered a little. How hard would it be to create some conflict within or even outside Likey's marriage at this point? Not very, and most people are getting tired of Michael only being used to bail out his family year after year. I think we could survive seeing Billy and the quad on three days a week for a little while to allow characters like Lauren and Michael to be used twice a week in their own small story.

Edited May 7, 200916 yr by lmfan

We'll see. As a Lauren fan, Maria Bell has not inspired me to hope for much. She doesn't seem to have a problem using other recurring actors, but they tend to be tied to favored characters of hers like Katherine. I am sure TEB will be fine, and the show can survive without her, but it is better with her on the show. I didn't like when Jess and Jeanne were not utilized properly in the past and I don't like how TEB is used now and it really is quite an easy fix if Maria Bell just bothered a little. How hard would it be to create some conflict within or even outside Likey's marriage at this point? Not very, and most people are getting tired of Michael only being used to bail out his family year after year. I think we could survive seeing Billy and the quad on three days a week to allow characters like Lauren and Michael used twice a week in their own small story.

The best solution?

kevin, jana. jeff, gloria have got to go! lol. i hate them. love the actors, hate the characters.

I would much prefer they toss Lauren back into the fold via Jabot. Doesnt she have stock?