Exactly, it's as if everyone became to increasingly dumb.

Everyone has to be dumb for them to force these ridiculous plots down our throats.

Here we are in total agreement. It is obvious, JT and Victoria are underdeveloped, and this is not Victoria.

Thad can still be the self-involved sexually selfish bad boy. It would take some work at this point...but a disappointed JT could be achieved by ( 1 ) continued emasculation by Victoria, and ( 2 ) Victor revealing that Victoria's son Reed is NOT JT's (he in fact, as we all suspected, switched the paternity test revealing that Brad was the dad).

With those two steps, an angry JT could spin out of the Newman orbit. And Thad -- not daytime's best actor -- but suitable for the task of the snarky lothario -- could be free to do his thing again.

When Victoria learns that Victor did all this (switch tests) to spite Brad, she could leave town in a huff, and return as a recast later.

I can hear folks saying -- and I AGREE -- "not ANOTHER paternity switch". So, to be clear...that isn't necessary. JT can simply get disillusioned and it would still work. But LML and early MAB/JG really really set up a Victor-test-switch when Reed was born.

I think this would work Mark because it really did feel like Victor guaranteed those test results would show JT as the father, and now that Brad is dead, Victoria's son will be raised as a Newman and JT could be integrated back into the younger set.

As a fan of some of these ignored characters, it stinks hoping, like the actors, that MAB just might find some way to use them on the show. We hear about budget cuts and yet read about new characters being added to the canvas. These actors and their fans are just being strung along.

Damn, I'm losing my enthusiasm for this show as well, much like some you. It kinda dawned on me that things never actually got that better; it's just that a good story fell in the writers' laps. They used history to revisit a certain storyline and it was all going well until they realized that it was a success and basically decided to have most of the other storylines also revisiting history. It works well for fixing the storylines that sucked and retconning something that was never approved of, but after a little time it just becomes boring. And where new storylines are concerned, it all turns out to be really bad. Pretty much all the new storylines were equally bad, and it's worse when MAB thinks she's doing wonders with the show.

That said, here is how I stand with certain characters at the moment:

I feel as if the writers don't know what to do with any of their character. They push story to the fullest and are blindsided when they have to come up with new stuff, and then we all wonder how exactly did all storylines conclude and new ones began all in a few episodes.

They brought in Adam with a fairly good storyline and decided to write him into a corner by teaming up with Jack. That was okay, until they decided that they are going to try to write for him again, and of course, another corner came. I feel sad for Adam because they don't have the ability to come up with a single good amazing storyline and instead choose to push something that just won't work. Why ruin a legacy character? Same thing with Heather. There is a lack of interest in building character. And the few times that they tried (Heather getting hired at Jabot; getting that disease) they decided that she wasn't worth it because they didn't have the brains to pursue story, so they just used her as a prop.

I never bought Sharon and Jack as a couple and wanted to see Nick and Phyllis broken up, but now it seems as if something is missing. Reuniting Sharon and Nick shouldn't have happened so fast. I'm sure we'll get another few months of Nick not being able to decide what the hell he wants. He should just be sent on another plane. I'm sad they dropped that whole thing with Sharon stealing and sleeping around, and pregnancy was the most easiest way out.

It pains me that both Ashley and Victor have turned into brainless people, because I would personally always be vary of Adam. I hope it won't take them long to figure this one out. Still, at least I'm interested in where all of this is going. Will they be able to work something out for Adam or will we have another murder? Nikki and Paul should have had more airtime because they are interesting to me; even just watching them talk. If MTS doesn't come back, things will only get worse.

I could care less about Gloria and Jeff. There seems to be some sort of deficiency on the show because the writers can't realize when a character is played out. Waaaaay played out. Gloria should have been left in prison or just left with Jeff. Another tumor on the cast board is Sursok, who seems to have made a pact with the devil that is keeping her on this show all the time, and for some reason she has more power than anyone on that show.

Kay, Jill and Murphy were all great for a long time, but now I'm wondering where is this going next. I agree that Kay and Murphy need some time to rest after being on for so much, so I don't really have a problem there except Jill teaming up with those two losers. I hope, in the very end, she ends up winning over them. I wanted Michael and Lauren to appear as supporting character because frontburner storyline just doesn't work for them. However, this is where the writers' inability to write for backburned characters come in. They both made barely any appearances lately. Eden can be forgotten, for all I care.

And now onto the worst written family... the Winters. There was no interesting storyline there ever since Dru left, and it's only getting worse. First we have to suffer through a talentless model winning over Karen, and now we're having the world's most demented kid lusting after his aunt? Sick, sick, sick. I can't even come up with words to describe how disgusted I am with this. Lily and Cane were always a thorn in my eye and they aren't getting better. CK could care less about acting, she just wants to watch Ellen, while Goddard is obsessed with showing his failing body and trying to act, which he can't.

The writers are set on keeping Amber, Kevin, Daniel and Jana together for a long time, and they can't exactly come up with anything good for them besides breaking them up. Jana and Kevin might have been interesting, but now they're just way too boring. Jana needs to die just for being a horrible Latham creation (plus the fans won't ever forget about her past). Amber was entertaining mostly in scenes with Katherine, but when in scenes with these three, she's just whining way too much. I don't even care about Daniel one bit and it's a shame because I used to. I can't remember when exactly I started yawning on his scenes, but it shouldn't be that way.

I loved Billy when he returned and I always loved Chloe, but the writers became obsessed with Mac ever since she came back so everything fell into the water. I no longer care so much for Billy and I don't really know what to say about Mac. Chloe apologizing to Lily and Cane is something that I just don't understand. Lane fans are getting what they want, and it's sickening. Moving on to J.T. and Victoria, I don't feel as if I have to explain because yesterday I said it all.

Mary Jane had potential and I love her antics, but I'm worried that the writers won't know when to stop with her and she won't be around. They need to stop for a second and thing long-term before planning storylines. It's always either about the storylines that fall into their lap or something else, but they don't think ahead.

I agree with Alvin and Sylph regarding the need for a change, but can we get one in these times? Will there be a good soul that will actually go looking for someone better, or have MAB's thrilling interviews and compliments from the cast pretty much cemented her position for a long time? I feel as if I'm back to last year after LML was fired, thinking things might get better yet getting disappointed every step of the way. The production and acting has improved and it can save the show from time to time, but it can't do anything for it long-term. I will continue watching, but my interest in the show is once again failing.

I would like to apologize for this long post... It was nothing knew, just to make some people see that I know where the problems are. We all have the answers as to how to fix the show, but I don't see it happening. I'm being comfortable watching the show, I'm acknowledging it's problems, and I think I'm one step away from quitting watching. I felt like this all of last year, so nothing has changed, right?

Nice long post dmarex.

Nice long post dmarex.

Wow, so someone actually took time to read it. Thanks. It's how I've been feeling all along, but I'm still hopeful for things to get better. I have no idea why I'm being such an optimist when in real life I'm always pessimistic.

Wow, so someone actually took time to read it. Thanks. It's how I've been feeling all along, but I'm still hopeful for things to get better. I have no idea why I'm being such an optimist when in real life I'm always pessimistic.

Good luck with the optimism.

The flaws of this writing regime have been apparent since they took over, it was just masked with the occasional great storyline. But now, these flaws are still there and they aren't getting better or at least attempted by this writing regime to be fixed. It's disappointing and I no longer hold out any hope.

Good luck with the optimism.

The flaws of this writing regime have been apparent since they took over, it was just masked with the occasional great storyline. But now, these flaws are still there and they aren't getting better or at least attempted by this writing regime to be fixed. It's disappointing and I no longer hold out any hope.

Yeah, even then we knew what we were going to have, but November sweeps took us by surprise and I've pretty much loved the show ever since. It was just something that worked at the moment and when they realized they could constantly use history to push story they decided to go through with it. I'm just sad that when it comes to new stories, they mostly all suck: Sabrina's storyline, Tyra and Ana overall, Daniel's art story, River's time in GC... all either new characters or new stories which are not working.

Effin Laker's parade - no Y&R today! I'll only watch or care about b-ball when they play naked. Gonna go watch it online...

Chris B - THANK YOU!!!!!! Can't wait!!

No more switch paternity twists please, seriously? Is this DOOL now? Are we going to have a paternity issue everytime one is done? MAKE IT STOP!!!

Wow, so someone actually took time to read it. Thanks. It's how I've been feeling all along, but I'm still hopeful for things to get better. I have no idea why I'm being such an optimist when in real life I'm always pessimistic.

I read it also and thought it was spot on. Of course, I think Michael and Lauren can play a frontburner story once in awhile Still, I am all aboard them being used as significant supporting players if it would save them from being let go and perennial on the backburner. As for your other observations, I agreed with all of them. I would love those in charge to read your post.

I read the post too dmarex and i'll be optimistic with you. What's the point in being pessimistic about a soap opera anyway? It's a waste of negative energy.

I sound like faux David Vickers. Namastay.

Edited June 18, 200916 yr by rhythmchyc

F.UCK OPTIMISM when this show disappoints at every turn.

Edited June 18, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I read the post to dmarex and i'll be optimistic with you. What's the point in being pessimistic about a soap opera anyway? It's a waste of negative energy.

I sound like faux David Vickers. Namastay.

I enjoy the show everyday which is why i watch it everyday. I just don't understand why you would watch a show that's horrible and spend so much time talking about how horrible it is. I see lots of good stuff, probably more than most, but I see bad stuff too and post about that too. I just don't get why it's ALL good - or it's ALL bad.

it seems like it gets all political party Dems vs. the GOP - and then it gets very talk-radio where everything is either you're for the show or against the show in its current state. it really perplexes me.

Exactly, it's as if everyone became to increasingly dumb.

It's plot-driven madness. Victor and Ashley couldn't behave like normal thinking people because, then, Adam wouldn't live to scheme another day. And of course the writers need this sick plot to sink to even lower depths before Adam finally can see his comeuppance (they've gotta string this story out to November sweeps, naturally). It's stupid, and I've checked out.

Jeanne Cooper, Jess Walton, and Tricia Cast are riveting. Damn them! If they weren't so great, I'd have dropped this show like I did AMC.

It's plot-driven madness. Victor and Ashley couldn't behave like normal thinking people because, then, Adam wouldn't live to scheme another day. And of course the writers need this sick plot to sink to even lower depths before Adam finally can see his comeuppance (they've gotta string this story out to November sweeps, naturally). It's stupid, and I've checked out.

Yep.

Jeanne Cooper, Jess Walton, and Tricia Cast are riveting. Damn them! If they weren't so great, I'd have dropped this show like I did AMC.

Those three are the ONLY great thing on this show right now.

It's plot-driven madness. Victor and Ashley couldn't behave like normal thinking people because, then, Adam wouldn't live to scheme another day. And of course the writers need this sick plot to sink to even lower depths before Adam finally can see his comeuppance (they've gotta string this story out to November sweeps, naturally). It's stupid, and I've checked out.

You and me both for the same exact reason, too much suspension of believability

Jeanne Cooper, Jess Walton, and Tricia Cast are riveting. Damn them! If they weren't so great, I'd have dropped this show like I did AMC.

Aren't they though? Love them all three.