Btw, I have started to be very disappointed in the production aspects of the show lately as well. The show still looks far better than anything else on daytime, but the lighting, the clothes, the directing, it's all getting worse and worse. I was watching some 2003 episodes earlier and the show just looked so amazingly wonderful, rich, vibrant, even then. Especially the lighting was just superb. Where has all this gone? Is this all Paul Rauch can offer?

They recently let go of many people in production to cut costs, that could be why there's a drop.

They're also doing things a lot faster than before, to save money and time.

Edited July 27, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

They recently let go of many people in production to cut costs, that could be why there's a drop.

They're also doing things a lot faster than before, to save money and time.

Ugh, figures.

Well, I guess we just have to face it. Y&R, the once impenetrable soap, has fallen. No longer is it immune to the issues that plague other daytime soaps. That's what an LML with her horrible writing=lowered ratings=destroying of the show, only to be further destroyed by others does.

Well, Y&R is already intent on destroying whatever credibility it has with the WGA, so they might as well.

Seriously, doesn't anyone see how having two Fi-Core HW's, like Y&R, damages this show's reputation within the industry? Prior to this regime, Y&R used to always be up for WGA awards.

This is just one more reason why this writing regime needs to go!

LOL. I forgot all about Tyler Perry's WGA Scandal.

We need Maria and Hogan on the staff, so they can give us humor during Emmy season. And Tyler can be three for the price of one. CO-HW, Consultant for the Winters, and he can double as Aunt Virginia(in drag of course). Oh, and a fourth one, Tyler can also consult with the hair and makeup team on how to make Chris Engen and Michael Muhney look like Velma Harper.

Ugh, figures.

Well, I guess we just have to face it. Y&R, the once impenetrable soap, has fallen. No longer is it immune to the issues that plague other daytime soaps. That's what an LML with her horrible writing=lowered ratings=destroying of the show, only to be further destroyed by others does.

Maria is also inexperienced when it comes to production matters, and Rauch is an old f.uck pushing what, 80? I'm sure he's not as energetic as he used to be.

But even if the writing improved, I doubt the ratings would rise.

Bring JFP in to rock the production values and give us a stunt every week! I know you'd like it, bellcurve.

Edited July 28, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

But even if the writing improved, I doubt the ratings would rise.

Bring JFP in to rock the production values and give us a stunt every week! I know you'd like it, bellcurve.

Yep!

The production values don't matter to me so much as the substandard writing, but as everyone has hashed out before, I've never been that blown away by Rauch's production values even when he had big budgets.

Maria is also inexperienced when it comes to production matters, and Rauch is an old f.uck pushing what, 80? I'm sure he's not as energetic as he used to be.

Yes, Rauch does not seem up for the task--should we start calling for an EP change as well? Shaughnessy perhaps?

But even if the writing improved, I doubt the ratings would rise.

I have to disagree with that. I don't think anyone's expecting Y&R to go back to 8 million viewers daily, but I believe the fact that, as soon as the writing quality increased with the Marge stuff and later on, we saw a small rise in numbers (not that the show was brilliant, but you know what I mean). If the quality was consistent, with stories continuously building up and expanding, I think ratings could have gone up more. Again, maybe not HUGE rises, but at least something to indicate that the audience is happy with what it sees.

With the budget cuts and everything else, we're never going to have the grand production values we had 10, even 5 years ago.

I'd rather focus on the crappy writing for now - it's what makes the show watchable or unwatchable, and right now, the show is getting to be very unwatchable.

Someone needs to work some type of magic on this show...

The production values don't matter to me so much as the substandard writing, but as everyone has hashed out before, I've never been that blown away by Rauch's production values even when he had big budgets.

Oh, absolutely, if the writing was great I wouldn't give a moment's notice to the show's current look--except perhaps to be nostalgic for the way it looked once!

Yes, Rauch does not seem up for the task--should we start calling for an EP change as well? Shaughnessy perhaps?

I think they should seek out a film producer, not a big name one of course (there's no money for that), to help produce this show like a movie.

Kind of like what Linda Gottlieb did for OLTL in the 90's. The production on that show under her time there was beautifully cinematic and gothic. I think Y&R needs an innovative spirit like that to revamp the show and give it the overhaul it so desperately needs.

I hear Shaughnessy is happy doing voice-over work and other outside endeavors, so I think it's unlikely he'll ever come back, it's a shame.

Even now with a much smaller budget I think OLTL looks better than Y&R.

I think they should seek out a film producer, not a big name one of course (there's no money for that), to help produce this show like a movie.

Kind of like what Linda Gottlieb did for OLTL in the 90's. The production on that show under her time there was beautifully cinematic and gothic. I think Y&R needs an innovative spirit like that to revamp the show and give it the overhaul it so desperately needs.

I hear Shaughnessy is happy doing voice-over work and other outside endeavors, so I think it's unlikely he'll ever come back, it's a shame.

Yes, that would be a nice alternative, just as long as it's people who respect the show's history and look.

Had no idea on Shaughnessy. It's great if he's happy but a loss for the show. He could do some wonders right now....

This show is just in some dire need of innovation from the writing to the production. We need some strong change, while still respectful to what makes Y&R unique.

But, this is all talk, we may never get any change and new writers and producers.

From Sarah Bibel's column

Y&R used to be the one show with a zero tolerance for sexual assault. As popular as both Eddie Cibrian and Rick Hearst were as Matt Clark, the character was a rapist and was therefore written off. Michael was also written off for years while his character served a realistically long prison sentence for attempted rape. Perhaps Y&R started down a slipperly slope when it chose to redeem Kevin, who was originally intended t be a short term psycho. Still, the show shyed away from giving Kevin a love interest for a long time because of his treatment of Lily and Colleen, before giving him a rather asexual pairing with a woman who has her own history of violence. Unfortunately, now the show seems to be becoming as misogynist as every other show in daytime.

She's right about Kevin. No way in hell would Bill Bell redeem him. And BB would have been right. GR's a talented actor but Kevin is a waste of space. How much time & story has been used trying to save this character? They should have just made GR into Rick or Thomas or whoever on B&B and let Kevin rot in jail. Bill Bell sent Michael away for years for ATTEMPTED rape. Wherever BB is spending his after life, he can't be a happy camper right now.

I think that's what they wanted from this character, and why Engen just didn't want to play it anymore, regardless of this inane gay twist that they totally botched and no kiss was ever shown on screen for.

They wanted this character to be a cartoon villain and to bring some type of hallowed shock and awe appeal that has no substance to the show, since that's what Maria, Hogan, and Scott only go for.

Man, I miss Chris Engen and then some. Today though, for the first time, I am glad he is gone because it allows me to quit this show and stick to it. IMO, Adam pretty much died anyway when CE left. MM's not bad, it's just that I am indifferent to him. The should throw NuAdam into the Scooby storyline. Cardboard acting, story and characters all around.

Even now with a much smaller budget I think OLTL looks better than Y&R.

I agree. Victoria and Dorian and Clint are wealthy and look it. Victor, Kay and Jack seem more upper-middle class than super wealthy. The ranch has totally seemed cramped of late.

Yes, the main problem is the "writing" and the bizarre minds behind it. Is it that hard to find a writer who doesn't hate women and know how to pace a freaking story?