So... Where does Y&R go from here?

[Sylph]

Actually, we're not here yet. Imagine in six months time these writers get fired. A new regime is instated.

What's fixable? What isn't? Which characters have to be killed off. Permanently. For eternity.

How do you correct the incorrigible?

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I fear this regime will last too long and by the time they're gone, they'll be nothing salvageable left on this show.

[Sylph]

There is so much damage, I'm afraid, in the best of scenarios, the show will go decently. Run-of-the mill, bland exit.

[lovely_m]

I think one thing any show's writing regime should do is to think about the characters and not the actors. How many times have we seen characters stay on longer than they should have because the show liked the actors. Kevin was never suppose to be Micheal's brother, but Rikkart was good so Micheal was stuck with Kevin.

[ian]

Maybe right in the crapper?

First things first, let's make women people again, on par with the men. First, for god's sakes let's ask the actresses for input as to what looks good on them, because, it just stands to reason that having to live with their hair for their entire lives, the likes of ED and SC can do their hair without looking flat and stupid.

and Jack Abbott, Please please please someone give him some substance and backbone instead of the person that gets crapped on, and I mean, OK fine even if you're going to have him get crapped on endlessly, have us feel something for him!

Either Phyllis or Sharon leaves town for a good while. Maybe Sharon while she sorts her stuff out and comes back to town to get her own apartment and live on her own and be strong.

Philip 3 leaves town and is never spoken of again, ever.

There should not be another death for approx 1 year and the good part of that year should be spent in preparing for that death, both in planning and setting that character up for that (not necessarily story-wise but I mean showing them in the light you want - good or bad? Not just a car that comes and smokes them, how do you want the audience to feel about the character? You can't barely use them for years and then expect people to shed tears over their passing. Also, spend aforementioned time planning fallout.

Gina Tognoni replaces Victoria or Victoria is put out to pasture.

Nikki goes after Victor's ass for one reason or another and he finds himself totally vulnerable to her (maybe in a life-or-death situation) and she lets him have it. She makes him feel the way he feels, and if he is able to appreciate her and PROVE it and there is definite change and redemption they should get back together to anchor the Newmans.

Dru comes back and is written for. Ditto Liv.

Lily dies if it'll get Kristoff, Victoria Rowell or TLW Emmys (and possibly even bring back Shemar for a short appearance)

Traci comes back to help anchor the Abbotts, be a part of the family that isn't directly involved in Jabot or Newman, and the family's rock because John is gone

Scoobies all find themselves in prison due to one of their stupid ass escapades (even better if they're actually innocent. Irony's good. Let them rot for something they didn't do and that'll teach them!)

Michael, Lauren and Fen start to anchor a new family, maybe have another kid, Scotty come back, maybe Christine comes back to shake things up.

Gloria and Jeffrey are put on recurring in order to give comic relief during family scenes and when needed.

After some soul searching Jill is sick of being shat on by her son Billy and kicks his ass to the curb. As well, she mends fences with Katherine and uses the closure to boost her own self-esteem and find a true relationship with someone that is hers and hers alone, and she is, dare we say it, happy?

Nina stays forever, even if it's just to stand around looking awesome all day long. No matter what.

Diversity comes, and that means black, latino, gay, asian, what have you. Let's shake things up a bit.

Let's give these characters their balls and class back. Strong families, complex dynamics and 3-dimensional people. PLEASE.

[Greg's GL]

Excellent post, ian.

Clean house:

Adam going to prison for at least 1 full calendar year. Recast the role to allow the character more vulnerability. His story was going well at the beginning with the sibling rivalry conflict with him and Nick/Victoria. He can have an edge without being a cartoon villian.

The Fisher clan should leave town - Gloria, Jeffrey, Kevin and Jana. Kill off Jeffery if necessary.

Amber packs her bags back to LA.

IA with recasting Victoria, Phillip III as mentioned above. And I like the idea that Nikki grows back some balls and gives Victor a taste of his own medicine. I imagine a scene similar to "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" when she got revenge on her bastard of a husband. Maybe not as violent, but with Nikki coming out on top. I want Victor to pine after Nikki for a while.

Ashley goes back to Jabot and the Abbots.

Cane gets killed or ships his ass back to the outback.

Just a few off the top of my head.

[Sylph]

See, this is all wrong! In my view. Absolutely, totally, completely wrong.

You cannot put a guy who burns fetuses, tortures people, exploits them etc. in jail for a year (!), recast him and then make him all sympathetic again. This is undoable. This is why soaps have failed. There is something called: unredeemability. Instant kill-off. Nothing short of that. There is no punishment big enough for certain people and certain crimes. When a show loses moral compass and condones criminal behaviour, it is then that it starts to plummet off a bridge. Unstoppably.

[Sapounopera]

* A greedy Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters or Beth Chamberlin) returns with her teenaged son Kyle and wants to be a part of Jack's life. Patty/Jack/Diane triangle with Paul and Andy Richards as parts of the story.However Patty is waay to ruined for this to happen now

* Billy and Chloe have to live like poor people after his fights with his family. They live in a tiny apartment, she is raising Delia, he has a lousy job. Conflict. She ends up getting a better job than him.

* A big fire at the Newman ranch. Adam dies trying to save Ashley. Ashley and Abby return to Europe.

* Victoria (Tamara Braun/Gina Tognioni) is running NE, while JT seems more interested in his music career and Colleen (Alexandra Chaddo/Marcy Rylan) encourages him. Victoria is working with Scott Grainger (Jon Prescott?), who runs Fenmore with Lauren. Scott and Colleen dating, Traci and Lauren arguing over their kids. Lauren divorces Michael.

* Nick and Sharon remarry. After several months they befriend a little homeless girl. (Sharon loses the baby and this stupid story is forgotten)

* Neil decides to start his own cosmetics company. He ends up working with Phyllis. A recast Lily hates the idea of them growing closer, while Daniel defends his mother.

* Jill's niece Jennifer starts working for her a Jabot. It is revealed that P3 was a fraud and Cane gets arrested for helping him. Jill hates Cane, Jennifer not so much. Heather (Martha Madison)is also involved in the story as well as Jill's new hunky lawyer played by Eric Winter.

* Dina Abbott returns.

* Dr Nate Winters returns. Lily tries to pair Neil with Olivia.

* Kevin is part of Colleen's story.

* A new teen scene with Kyle, Noah and a group of blue-collar younger characters.

* More friendships. More family scenes.

* Nobody mentions Adam Newman or P3 ever again.

* We return to the classic 80's-90's opening. The porn version is used for Next on Y&R>

* Nobody from B&B ever sets foot in GC again. Amber goes. ()

* I would try to save Patty though

[Greg's GL]

I most certainly understand where you're coming from. I suppose that my scenario involved some of my past hopes for this character and thereby influenced my post to try to redeem him. In his present form - the way the character is written AND as portrayed by MM - TIIC have ruined Adam.

And BTW, you were right about MM when he first started. I see that very clearly now.

I absolutely LOVE Beth Chamberlin. She would be awesome in this story! :-)

I love ALL of this, Elsa! Excellent ideas!

[Paul Raven]

Some great ideas so far.

My ideas are based around re-establishing the characters,cutting down the cast,using history and starting some new story directions.

Traci returns to town on a regular recurring basis,to be the stabilising force/voice of reason in the Abbott family.Steve can make some appearances as they try a long distance marriage,or their marriage could be rocky and they need time apart.She points out to Jack that a lot of his involvement with Sharon was based around his need for family as he has messed up his 2 chances at fatherhood.She advises him to reach out to Keemo and Kyle.

Jack contacts Diane(preferably Alex Donnelly)who agrees to visit with Kyle(who has to be Abby's age)Kyle is a nice boy who is respectful to Jack.Jack is encouraged and gets carried away with being a father,He suggests Diane & Kyle move back to GC.Diane says she appreciates Jack's belated efforts at fatherhood but she & Kyle have a life in Colorado(?).In fact Diane says her fellow architect is actually her partner and is very fond of Kyle.

Jack is determined to change Kyle's mind,which angers Diane.Grant comes to town to meet Jack and Jack witnesses how close he and Kyle are.Jack cannot help but respect him.He realises that Kyle's place is with Diane & Grant and they all leave with Jack promising to be a bigger part of Kyle's life.

Jack focuses on Jabot,and asks a disbelieving Jill to be a part of his team.The two are always trying to work together harmoniously.

Traci tells Colleen she needs to focus on herself and not get caught up with the Newmans as Brad and Jack did,to their detriment.Colleen decides to travel and pursue her own interests for a while(leaving the door open for a recast and charactrer return)

Traci accepts Jack's offer to work at Jabot.Keemo makes contact with Jack.Unbeknownst to anyone ,Keemo & Dina have been working together.

The MJ story ends with Paul and Todd having to commit her.They agree not to let Mary know what has happened to Patty.As she's escorted into the institution,she tells the nurse her name is Mary Jane-the nurse says that's quite a co-incidence-her roomate is named Mari Jo....

Adam's misdeeds are exposed but he manages to escape and is unable to be tracked down.He and Victor are caught in a struggle that sees Victor injured and possibly disabled.Victor has to rely on others for help.

Sharon is seen having therapy and realises she has to make changes.She gets support from Noah and Doris.She tells Nick & Phyllis about the baby but says she will not use it as away to snare Nick,Phyllis at first is threatened,but Nick tells her he has made a committment to their marriage and intends to keep it.Sharon decides to buy the bookstore and adds a cafe as another GC meeting place.

Jeffrey gets wind of a get rich quick scheme and insists he & Glo head for Hong Kong.She refuses so he takes off.Gloria realises she wants him and goes to bring him back,However,they don't return.Michael receives e-mails and postcards from far flung places as they follow their dreams and schemes.

Katherine hires Paul to find her daughter,He does so and she discovers that her daughter became a nun and worked tirelessly with disadvantaged children,before dying a few years before.Katherine visits the convent and hears wonderful things about her daughter,who chose the name Katherine when she entered the convent.Katherine visits her daughter's grave to say goodbye and donates a large sum to the convent.

Meanwhile,Jill discovers that William Foster was indeed her father.He had an affair early in his marriage.Liz remembers the woman(Evelyn) and says she was a nice lady and is old and wise enough not to judge.Evelyn died in childbirth and Bill arranged for Liz to take Jill.Snapper & Greg visit to welcome Jill back into the Foster family.

Eden gets the chance to return to France to study and she & Noah promise to be faithful,but he is attracted to a new girl working with his mom.

Neil and Olivia grow closer.Nate returns to town.

Stay tuned for more...

[Sylph]

It's very saddening. Not only because of Adam, but because of many other legacy characters which have become unbelievably cartoonish & impossible to "repair".

There is something called The Illusion of Perfect Life. It's one of the names used for that good old belief that good things happen to good people and bad things to bad people. Clearly an illusion, it is one of the fundamental reasons why people turn to soaps: when real life becomes unfair, the viewers flock to their TV screens hoping that that evil guy will, in the end, get what he deserves. A hunger for a good payoff is immense.

When that fails and when even worse stuff happens in daytime TV world... You know how it all ends.

[JackPeyton]

First things first, the cast needs to be cut. By a third.

Pick the characters that can be fixed, the ones the show needs, and the ones with great potential. Focus on them, fix whats broken, make people care. Easy job? Not at all. But it can be done. Then, slowly bring back who needs to be brought back.

Switch the storylines back to corporate, focus in on romance, add in mild camp. You know, what makes Y&R work.

[Paul Raven]

After the debacle with Deacon,Amber and Daniel cannot reconnect.Phyllis doesn't help matters by turning against Amber,which brings her into conflict with Nick.Amber leaves town.

Olivia treats Gil at the hospital and agrees to go out with him.He reveals he has a daughter,who's coming to town.Olivia is there for Neil also and they draw closer.Katherine gives Neil a lot of responsibilty at Chancellor as she decides to withdraw from the business world and spend more time with Murphy and her family.Neil has to sell Indigo.

Gil's daughter gets involved with Devon and Nate.

While minding Delia,Mac is inadvertently responsible for the child being hurt(or Delia falls ill in her care)Billy and Chloe draw closer during this ordeal and Katherine and Jill clash as Jill vents on Mac.Chance realises Chloe is still hooked on Billy and must look elsewhere for romance.Mac and Billy become estranged.

Chloe decides to seek out her father,much to Esther's chagrin.Tiny(now Rick)is divorced and has a daughter Kelly,who is resentful of Cloe.Rick and Jill are attracted,which causes upsets with Esther and Katherine.

Phillip gets a visit from his partner Jay from Australia.He's missed Phillip and wants a committment.Phillip realises GC is his past and he belongs in Australia with Jay.He makes peace with Jill,Katherine,Nina and Chance and leaves.

Scott Grainger returns and and admits to Lauren he's gay.Joanna breezes in and is not thrilled .Lauren sets her mother straight.Scott and Rafe become involved.

The story so far...

Still thinking about Nikki,JT,Victoria,Ashley etc

[Greg's GL]

I love your story ideas thus far, Paul. Especially the Gil/Olivia/Neil stuff sounds like it would be something to watch.

Seems like most people are agreed of a few things as well. That Amber, Phillip, Gloria and Jeffrey should be sent far away.

[lovely_m]

Here are some rough ideas at the top of my head...

Jana's brain tumor returns. She kidnaps Kevin, Gloria, and Jeffrey and puts them in the freezer at Jimmy's. She starts a fire that kills her and them.

Micheal asks the authorites to put bugs in Amber and Deacon's house so they can get him to confess for his crimes. He goes to jail. Amber tries to get Daniel back, but he won't because he's tired of all the trouble she gets into. Amber goes back to L.A. and raises Little D.

Daniel goes to Paris to concentrate more on his art.

Ryder is exposed as a fake and leaves town.

Phillip 3 goes back to Australia.

Newman loses all their investors and companies because of Victor's part in the Mary Jane scandal. All the Abbotts decide this is the time to stage another takeover and this time they are successful.

Jill tells that Victor is the reason the bank in Cayman went under. To save face (from the MJ scandal) he puts money back in the bank and Jill is wealthy again.

Jill stages a takeover of Chancellor and is able to become CEO. Neil remembers he has a degree and starts his own company.

Dru comes home and smacks Lily for forgiving Cane for all his mistakes. Neil and Dru remarry.

Cane thanks Jill for being his mother and leaves the country. The Wartman comes back and dates Jill.

Lily decides to devote more time to her career (the one she was in school for). She does modeling on the side to pay for her career.

Nate jr. comes to town and brings a friend. He and Roxanne start a relationship.

Devon concentrates on his music (he'll only sing on the show) and he gets JT to help him. They become friends.

Lily and Nate's friend start to begin a relationship after he's been on the show for six months. He'll be the first black guy she dates.

Chloe and Devon get close when Billy begins to waffle again. This angers Lily because she's afraid Chloe will hurt Devon.

Victor gives Estella 2 million in damages after the gaslighting incident and she leaves.

JT and Vikki divorce and she leaves town. He tries for full custody because he doesn't want Reed to be around Victor's influences. Cricket takes his case and wins. JT becomes a single parent. Mac is drawn to JT for his responsibility to his child and dumps Billy.

Kyle comes to town and is hurt that Jack never tried to raise him like he has the Newman spawn. Kyle resents Noah and tries to steal Eden away to get back at him.

Lauren gets the teens to become part of a campaign she is doing for Fenmore's.

Adam and Patty go over a cliff. Paul realizes how important family is and brings Ricky (looking like his mother) to town. Ricky is told the truth about his mother and worries if he'll end up like her.

Eden is written more as a hippie rather than an angry teenager. Abby develops a vulnerable side.

Nikki helps Lauren with her company.

Nikki and Victor live at the Ranch together (just like Jill and Kay). Nikki helps the Abbotts against Victor.

Phyllis and Sharon leave Nick and raise their children alone. Nick leaves town for a while.

Chance and Heather become friends who solve crime together and are competent.

Re-hire whoever did the casting from 99 to 03.

I'm sure I could come up with something else, but this is all I can think of for now.