A fall was definitely coming. I called it back in November, when everybody was gung-ho on the show. It's the Carlivatization that happens on the web. Nelson's the worst offender of it. Every show goes through cycles - I've seen it happen over and over again. And when a writing team stumbles and fails miserably, the immediate reaction is to turn on them. I suspect that by the fall, it will have settled down a bit and be a little more fifty-fifty in terms of fan approval. When everybody was saying how wonderful MAB was and she was going to single-handedly save daytime, it was obvious the backlash was right around the corner. Nobody can keep that up. The "Internet Monster" is deceiving and while I'm a huge supporter of Internet message boards, I also know we're talking about maybe a couple hundred thousand fans, as opposed to five million viewers with Nielsen boxes.

If the ratings start bleeding again, I'm sure changes will be made. But while they're stabilized, this is probably going to remain how things are. For better or worse.

The problem is with the structure of the show more than fan reaction. The structure of the show is extremely dark, extremely plot-driven, and extremely shallow. Extreme. They never let fans stop to breathe or to care. They burn through everything and hope people won't notice because the next gimmick is on the way. They come up with these ideas which sort of wink at history but mostly treat it like an old paper to be ripped off instead of studied. It's like a very bad Wikipedia entry of Y&R.

I think that is what has annoyed fans more than any Internet backlash. I know fans who don't go anywhere near soap boards and they are getting sick of the show.

But, miracles can happen. I mean, who expected LML to be fired after the strike? Her ratings were MUCH MORE stable than MAB's, and she was let go. Who is to say the same won't happen soon to this regime, with the fan backlash and unstable ratings?

Not that this has anything to do with anything, but we know now LML's firing had nothing to do with ratings and everything to do with the fact that her mismanagement of the show's production was causing SERIOUS problems with getting the show even on the air in time. The show just couldn't function anymore... literally function on a daily basis... with her as EP. It's a whole different animal.

I'm not saying you're right or wrong about MAB, but LML's firing was for completely different reasons than creative ones.

Not that this has anything to do with anything, but we know now LML's firing had nothing to do with ratings and everything to do with the fact that her mismanagement of the show's production was causing SERIOUS problems with getting the show even on the air in time. The show just couldn't function anymore... literally function on a daily basis... with her as EP. It's a whole different animal.

I'm not saying you're right or wrong about MAB, but LML's firing was for completely different reasons than creative ones.

That may be true, but if unstable ratings are the key for change, then when is change going to happen?

LML have have handled production terribly, but it isn't like MAB isn't wasting money with this show's bloated cast, that she's only adding to and not trimming down.

I mean, you can't look at Y&R right now and not say this show is wasting away money on certain areas. ESPECIALLY with the recent budget cuts we've heard so much about from MAB...

Edited July 17, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I think that is what has annoyed fans more than any Internet backlash. I know fans who don't go anywhere near soap boards and they are getting sick of the show.

I agree, and I've noticed that too.

That may be true, but if unstable ratings are the key for change, then when is change going to happen?

LML have have handled production terribly, but it isn't like MAB isn't wasting money with this show's bloated cast, that she's only adding to and not trimming down.

I mean, you can't look at Y&R right now and not say this show is wasting away money on certain areas. ESPECIALLY with the recent budget cuts we've heard so much about from MAB...

Honestly? I don't think Bill Bell, Jr will fire his own wife unless the ratings nosedive into the 2.0's. I could be wrong, but I think the Nielsen boxes would have to have a drastic reaction for the Bells to let go of one of their own.

Maybe he blazed a doobie before he got to the house? Ya neva know girl!

You never fail. Your jokes are 100% dependable.

I know fans who don't go anywhere near soap boards and they are getting sick of the show.

LOL! I actually don't know anybody in my personal life who watches soaps. That's why I come here every day. My friends think I'm crazy for devoting so much time to this.

Edited July 17, 200916 yr by brimike

Honestly? I don't think Bill Bell, Jr will fire his own wife unless the ratings nosedive into the 2.0's. I could be wrong, but I think the Nielsen boxes would have to have a drastic reaction for the Bells to let go of one of their own.

What if Sony/CBS intervenes? I mean, according to MAB and recently MTS's interview, Sony handles the budget for the show and Y&R used to be a major cash cow for them in both the US and internationally.

We've also heard Sony owns the majority stake in this show, I wonder if Steven Kent and other Sony execs are happy...

Bill Bell, Jr. is an idiot businessman. Anyone can look at both Y&R and B&B to come to that conclusion. I mean, who lets their inexperienced wife run the #1 soap on daytime? Did he honestly think problems weren't going to arise from this?

If they wanted to keep close control on the show, they should have done what they always did - hire an experienced writer, one that maybe trained with Bill Bell, and let them write the show while they oversee it. There is no excuse for keeping someone with little writing experience at the helm of this show.

Well I will say John Driscoll is looking more sexy on Y&R than he did on GL, perhaps it was the uniform?

Yeah he sure is.

Are we suppose to hate Phillip 3?? Cause I sure do. Gawd...i love that Kay is giving it to him. He seems not to care at all about them or his son. If MAB intention was to hate Phillip this time around she sure accomplished it. To think I use to adore Phillip. I feel no sympathy for him. Why is he still in Geona City if he hates it so much?? It sure doesnt seem like Katherine cares for him anymore..LOL

Edited July 17, 200916 yr by Ruxton Hills

LOL! I actually don't know anybody in my personal life who watches soaps. That's why I come here every day. My friends think I'm crazy for devoting so much time to this.

One of my friends and her husband have watched Y&R for a few decades now. Her husband was a big fan of Victor. He got sick of the show earlier this year and gave up. She only watches out of habit and now she spends more time working on her lawn than following the stories. That may have been happening gradually anyway, but I think it shows people outside of the Internet are losing focus.

Edited July 17, 200916 yr by CarlD2

LOL! I actually don't know anybody in my personal life who watches soaps. That's why I come here every day. My friends think I'm crazy for devoting so much time to this.

Ditto dude. My roommate said I was acting like her mom because I religiously watching Y&R LOL. But I'd take Y&R over any of that reality dreck, which she's addicted to of course, even though Y&R is in "dire straits" [ Y&RWorldTurner].

And SON isn't always fun, but it's a lot better than reading how Lane are the bestest supercouple in the history of soaps everyday. <3<3Squeeeeeeee!!<3<3

Yeah he sure is.

Are suppose to hate Phillip 3?? Cause I sure do. Gawd...i love that Kay is giving it to him. He seems not to care at all about them or his son. If MAB intention was to hate Phillip this time around she sure accomplished it. To think I use to adore Phillip. I feel no sympathy for him. Why is he still in Geona City if he hates it so much?? It sure doesnt seem like Katherine cares for him anymore..LOL

That is why I think part of this ridiculous storyline was to prop Cane and to better establish him as a character on the show, while the real core character is damaged forever and let go after 6 months...

MAB and Company are hacks...

What if Sony/CBS intervenes? I mean, according to MAB and recently MTS's interview, Sony handles the budget for the show and Y&R used to be a major cash cow for them in both the US and internationally.

We've also heard Sony owns the majority stake in this show, I wonder if Steven Kent and other Sony execs are happy...

I honestly don't know. Wish I did!

LOL! I actually don't know anybody in my personal life who watches soaps. That's why I come here every day. My friends think I'm crazy for devoting so much time to this.

I've watched soaps for years. I don't think any of my friends watch anymore. But at this rate the soaps will be done soon. So your friends wont think you are crazy for too long...LOL

Ditto dude. My roommate said I was acting like her mom because I religiously watching Y&R LOL. But I'd take Y&R over any of that reality dreck, which she's addicted to of course, even though Y&R is in "dire straits" [ Y&RWorldTurner].

And SON isn't always fun, but it's a lot better than reading how Lane are the bestest supercouple in the history of soaps everyday. <3<3Squeeeeeeee!!<3<3

LMAO!!!!!!! WORD to everything.

I've watched soaps for years. I don't think any of my friends watch anymore. But at this rate the soaps will be done soon. So your friends wont think you are crazy for too long...LOL

That's how I see it. Just trying to enjoy it while it lasts, get the most out of that I can.

Edited July 17, 200916 yr by brimike