13 hours ago, kalbir said:

MTS has said that Victor/Nikki were an accident pairing and it was Bill Bell that saw the connection between her and EB before they themselves did.

I've heard that as well. And wasn't MTS pregnant at the time, and Bill Bell needed some way to write her pregnancy into the show? Or am I getting that mixed up with some other backstage drama, lol?

2 hours ago, Khan said:

I've heard that as well. And wasn't MTS pregnant at the time, and Bill Bell needed some way to write her pregnancy into the show? Or am I getting that mixed up with some other backstage drama, lol?

It was the combination of JLB early announced departure in February 1982 (JLB would be gone August 1982) and MTS real-life pregnancy (MTS older daughter was born September 1982, Nikki gave birth to Victoria on screen November 1982) that shifted Bill Bell plans for Lorie, Victor, Nikki.

Edited December 6Dec 6 by kalbir

1 hour ago, Soaplovers said:

Kelly was a thankless role, and it only became something because of how Watros played the part and her chemistry with Peter Bergman.

Y&R wasted Cynthia Watros talent. I think she would've worked better as a Patty recast.

A Patty return had so much potential.

Maybe she came back a new confident woman that Jack found intriguing. Patty encourages him only with the intent of dumping and humiliating him.

Or she returns still a little fragile but not the full blown psycho we got under MAB.

So many better ways they could have gone w/o the ridiculous Emily angle.

But it became shock and awe over well written character drama.

Anyone know the air dates when Leanna Love first meets Jack, Victor & Nikki?

On 11/10/2025 at 4:27 PM, Broderick said:

I gave Capitol a half-hearted chance but just didn't care for the show at all.  If I remember right, Julie & Jordy were the only two characters who appealed to me.

@Broderick Did you particularly care for Kimberly Beck as Julie?

Also, have you seen the busted 1978 pilot Escapade: I Thought It Was Someone I Knew? Granville Van Dusen and Janice Lynde were both in that one. It was "A Quinn Martin Production." I personally find it unfortunate that Kimberly Beck apparently never did anything for QM Productions, not even an episode of Barnaby Jones or The FBI. Believe it or not, Ms. Beck did appear in The FBI Story, a 1959 Warner Bros. movie starring James Stewart. (For the record, she played one of Mr. Stewart's daughters.) However, Ms. Beck apparently never worked on the 1965-74 QM TV series The FBI even though it was also from Warner Bros.

I wonder if Kimberly Beck was offered roles on any daytime soap operas after she left Capitol. If Beck's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter castmate Peter Barton could appear regularly on The Young and the Restless for several years, why couldn't Beck herself? Beck and Barton actually dated for a time, for crying out loud!

Last night, I saw "Cruise Ship to the Stars," an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century that had both Kimberly Beck and Leigh McCloskey. McCloskey has had stints on several daytime soap operas, including The Young and the Restless.

Edited Tuesday at 08:34 PM1 day by FlyRightOrchestraGuy
Wanted to bring up Leigh McCloskey and his stints on various daytime soaps, including "Y&R"

When did Victoria & Neil first meet? Anyone know the air date?

Neil was Ryan's friend when Ryan was dating Victoria. In 1995, they all worked for Jabot.

Was looking back at some old posts at our 1996-97 era discussion @kalbir @YRfan23 @DRW50 @Paul Raven and then I suddenly remembered this interview from Bell late in his career following Y&R’s 6000th episode.

BILL BELL KEEPS `Y&R' ON TOP

11/30/1996

In the world of daytime soap operas, "The Young and the Restless" has the competition conquered.

The Emmy-winning CBS show has been the No. 1 ranked soap for eight straight years, quite a feat in television, daytime or otherwise.For those of you who are soap-challenged "Y&R," as it's called, is the one that begins each hour-long episode with the sweeping "Nadia's Theme" and once featured David Hasselhoff and Tom Selleck.

And while "Y&R" sports the usual cast of cheating, conniving titans, beefcake and vixens who live in Genoa City, there is a real-life dynasty behind the scenes: the Bell family.

At the throne is William J. Bell, a charming 69-year-old who created "Y&R" back in 1973 and remains its head writer; his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, helped create the soap and is a story consultant.

For more than a dozen years, their daughter, Lauralee Bell, has played Christine Williams, a model-turned-lawyer. Their son, Bradley Bell, is the executive producer of "Y&R's" sister soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful."

And finally there's Bill Bell Jr., the financial whiz behind Bell-Phillip Productions, Inc. Anyone sensing a touch of nepotism here?

"They all started at the bottom," Bell insists.

It blossomed into a family affair, Bell says, because "it's an exciting field to be in. It's challenging. It's an experience that's difficult to describe."

At a celebration to mark the taping of "Y&R's" 6,000th episode in October at CBS Television City, many of the actors credited Bell's longevity for the show's success.

"In other soaps you see new producers and writers every four years. Not with this one," says Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott.

"We have one decisive voice," chimes in Jeanne Cooper, who has played the wealthy Katherine Chancellor since 1974.

Bell began writing daytime in 1956 when he began working with soap legend Irna Phillips, the aunt of Bell's wife, on "Guiding Light," then a 15-minute live show.

The following year, Bell joined Phillips as a writer on "As the World Turns" and remained with the series until 1966.

In 1964, Bell and Phillips created "Another World," and the following year the pair created "A Private World," prime-time's first continuing serial drama.

In 1966, Bell became head writer for "Days of Our Lives," remaining there until 1977.

In the meantime, he and his wife created "The Young and the Restless" in 1973, and another soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful," in 1987.

"It's exciting to create something from nothing," Bell says, "and then creating the characters and the relationships and casting it and seeing all these pieces come to life.

"I can't tell you how euphoric it is! These are your children, these are your people, and you have such a responsibility to them because you love them and are involved with them."

When writing sudsy lines for his characters, Bell, who still uses an electric typewriter, says: "You have to get inside the moment.

"I tell you, it's fascinating. When you're doing something long enough, strange things happen. I was in a crunch and had decided to have this new character Kurt (recently cast with Leigh McCloskey), but didn't know what I wanted to do with him.

"I just sat down and I start writing and got deep inside. In 20 minutes, I had the whole thing worked out. When you've been doing it for 40 years you have a little head start."

Is it harder for Bell to write lines for a female character?

"It doesn't make any difference, I'm bisexual," he says with a laugh.

Bell often gives his characters contemporary, social story lines. His daughter's character, for instance, has been date-raped, sexually harassed and married to a rock star. She also saw her mother die of AIDS.

"We have a duty to deal with social issues because it makes us part of the real world," Bell says. "Our viewers can learn from them and benefit from them."

The soap recently featured an incendiary tale about a married couple, in which the adulterous husband slept with an HIV-infected woman. The question remains whether the wife and child have been infected.

"AIDS had been portrayed as a gay and promiscuous disease and this took it to a different level," says actress Tonya Lee Williams, who plays the wife, Olivia. "It opened eyes about what this disease is about. This let people know this could be them."

Bell is so committed to reflecting as much of real life as possible that he has a psychiatrist read every script to make suggestions "in terms of accuracy or depth or something that we may have omitted."

And an attorney looks over any legal story lines.

While his shows may go on indefinitely, so may Bell, who is showing no signs of slowing down.

"I have another soap opera in the works," he says slyly. As expected, he refuses to say more.

Thanks @soapfan770

So there's another hint of the soap that may have replaced GL, I suppose.

There's something very sad in hindsight about the "no signs of slowing down" line.

TLW truly was a force in the Keesha story.

No comment on Kurt Costner...

7 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks @soapfan770

So there's another hint of the soap that may have replaced GL, I suppose.

There's something very sad in hindsight about the "no signs of slowing down" line.

TLW truly was a force in the Keesha story.

No comment on Kurt Costner...

You’re welcome!

Hahaha Bell’s words on Kurt Costner has always explained everything I need to know. I’m sure Bell was very familiar with McCloskey’s previous work and in his head it might have worked, but between Bell’s admitted struggles and McCloskey being saddled with a lackluster terrible recast it was all DOA.

To this day I still believe TLW deserved that Emmy wayyyyy more than Stafford.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by soapfan770

1 hour ago, soapfan770 said:

Was looking back at some old posts at our 1996-97 era discussion @kalbir @YRfan23 @DRW50 @Paul Raven and then I suddenly remembered this interview from Bell late in his career following Y&R’s 6000th episode.

BILL BELL KEEPS `Y&R' ON TOP

11/30/1996

In the world of daytime soap operas, "The Young and the Restless" has the competition conquered.

The Emmy-winning CBS show has been the No. 1 ranked soap for eight straight years, quite a feat in television, daytime or otherwise.For those of you who are soap-challenged "Y&R," as it's called, is the one that begins each hour-long episode with the sweeping "Nadia's Theme" and once featured David Hasselhoff and Tom Selleck.

And while "Y&R" sports the usual cast of cheating, conniving titans, beefcake and vixens who live in Genoa City, there is a real-life dynasty behind the scenes: the Bell family.

At the throne is William J. Bell, a charming 69-year-old who created "Y&R" back in 1973 and remains its head writer; his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, helped create the soap and is a story consultant.

For more than a dozen years, their daughter, Lauralee Bell, has played Christine Williams, a model-turned-lawyer. Their son, Bradley Bell, is the executive producer of "Y&R's" sister soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful."

And finally there's Bill Bell Jr., the financial whiz behind Bell-Phillip Productions, Inc. Anyone sensing a touch of nepotism here?

"They all started at the bottom," Bell insists.

It blossomed into a family affair, Bell says, because "it's an exciting field to be in. It's challenging. It's an experience that's difficult to describe."

At a celebration to mark the taping of "Y&R's" 6,000th episode in October at CBS Television City, many of the actors credited Bell's longevity for the show's success.

"In other soaps you see new producers and writers every four years. Not with this one," says Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott.

"We have one decisive voice," chimes in Jeanne Cooper, who has played the wealthy Katherine Chancellor since 1974.

Bell began writing daytime in 1956 when he began working with soap legend Irna Phillips, the aunt of Bell's wife, on "Guiding Light," then a 15-minute live show.

The following year, Bell joined Phillips as a writer on "As the World Turns" and remained with the series until 1966.

In 1964, Bell and Phillips created "Another World," and the following year the pair created "A Private World," prime-time's first continuing serial drama.

In 1966, Bell became head writer for "Days of Our Lives," remaining there until 1977.

In the meantime, he and his wife created "The Young and the Restless" in 1973, and another soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful," in 1987.

"It's exciting to create something from nothing," Bell says, "and then creating the characters and the relationships and casting it and seeing all these pieces come to life.

"I can't tell you how euphoric it is! These are your children, these are your people, and you have such a responsibility to them because you love them and are involved with them."

When writing sudsy lines for his characters, Bell, who still uses an electric typewriter, says: "You have to get inside the moment.

"I tell you, it's fascinating. When you're doing something long enough, strange things happen. I was in a crunch and had decided to have this new character Kurt (recently cast with Leigh McCloskey), but didn't know what I wanted to do with him.

"I just sat down and I start writing and got deep inside. In 20 minutes, I had the whole thing worked out. When you've been doing it for 40 years you have a little head start."

Is it harder for Bell to write lines for a female character?

"It doesn't make any difference, I'm bisexual," he says with a laugh.

Bell often gives his characters contemporary, social story lines. His daughter's character, for instance, has been date-raped, sexually harassed and married to a rock star. She also saw her mother die of AIDS.

"We have a duty to deal with social issues because it makes us part of the real world," Bell says. "Our viewers can learn from them and benefit from them."

The soap recently featured an incendiary tale about a married couple, in which the adulterous husband slept with an HIV-infected woman. The question remains whether the wife and child have been infected.

"AIDS had been portrayed as a gay and promiscuous disease and this took it to a different level," says actress Tonya Lee Williams, who plays the wife, Olivia. "It opened eyes about what this disease is about. This let people know this could be them."

Bell is so committed to reflecting as much of real life as possible that he has a psychiatrist read every script to make suggestions "in terms of accuracy or depth or something that we may have omitted."

And an attorney looks over any legal story lines.

While his shows may go on indefinitely, so may Bell, who is showing no signs of slowing down.

"I have another soap opera in the works," he says slyly. As expected, he refuses to say more.

Thanks! Always appreciate these rare interviews with Bill Bell. My favorite from his later years is the one he did with Claire Labine in December 1997. That was probably his last interview before stepping down as HW. I think somewhere a link is available?

for some reason that’s news to be about Irna Phillips being Lee’s aunt? I just thought she knew her because of her talk show days? That’s interesting though.

had know idea about the other soap either? Crazy how that sadly never saw the light of day and we got the bizarreness of “Sunset Beach” “Port Charles” and of course the beloved “Passions” rounding up the the final new soaps of the 90s.

1 hour ago, soapfan770 said:

Was looking back at some old posts at our 1996-97 era discussion @kalbir @YRfan23 @DRW50 @Paul Raven and then I suddenly remembered this interview from Bell late in his career following Y&R’s 6000th episode.

BILL BELL KEEPS `Y&R' ON TOP

11/30/1996

In the world of daytime soap operas, "The Young and the Restless" has the competition conquered.

The Emmy-winning CBS show has been the No. 1 ranked soap for eight straight years, quite a feat in television, daytime or otherwise.For those of you who are soap-challenged "Y&R," as it's called, is the one that begins each hour-long episode with the sweeping "Nadia's Theme" and once featured David Hasselhoff and Tom Selleck.

And while "Y&R" sports the usual cast of cheating, conniving titans, beefcake and vixens who live in Genoa City, there is a real-life dynasty behind the scenes: the Bell family.

At the throne is William J. Bell, a charming 69-year-old who created "Y&R" back in 1973 and remains its head writer; his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, helped create the soap and is a story consultant.

For more than a dozen years, their daughter, Lauralee Bell, has played Christine Williams, a model-turned-lawyer. Their son, Bradley Bell, is the executive producer of "Y&R's" sister soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful."

And finally there's Bill Bell Jr., the financial whiz behind Bell-Phillip Productions, Inc. Anyone sensing a touch of nepotism here?

"They all started at the bottom," Bell insists.

It blossomed into a family affair, Bell says, because "it's an exciting field to be in. It's challenging. It's an experience that's difficult to describe."

At a celebration to mark the taping of "Y&R's" 6,000th episode in October at CBS Television City, many of the actors credited Bell's longevity for the show's success.

"In other soaps you see new producers and writers every four years. Not with this one," says Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott.

"We have one decisive voice," chimes in Jeanne Cooper, who has played the wealthy Katherine Chancellor since 1974.

Bell began writing daytime in 1956 when he began working with soap legend Irna Phillips, the aunt of Bell's wife, on "Guiding Light," then a 15-minute live show.

The following year, Bell joined Phillips as a writer on "As the World Turns" and remained with the series until 1966.

In 1964, Bell and Phillips created "Another World," and the following year the pair created "A Private World," prime-time's first continuing serial drama.

In 1966, Bell became head writer for "Days of Our Lives," remaining there until 1977.

In the meantime, he and his wife created "The Young and the Restless" in 1973, and another soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful," in 1987.

"It's exciting to create something from nothing," Bell says, "and then creating the characters and the relationships and casting it and seeing all these pieces come to life.

"I can't tell you how euphoric it is! These are your children, these are your people, and you have such a responsibility to them because you love them and are involved with them."

When writing sudsy lines for his characters, Bell, who still uses an electric typewriter, says: "You have to get inside the moment.

"I tell you, it's fascinating. When you're doing something long enough, strange things happen. I was in a crunch and had decided to have this new character Kurt (recently cast with Leigh McCloskey), but didn't know what I wanted to do with him.

"I just sat down and I start writing and got deep inside. In 20 minutes, I had the whole thing worked out. When you've been doing it for 40 years you have a little head start."

Is it harder for Bell to write lines for a female character?

"It doesn't make any difference, I'm bisexual," he says with a laugh.

Bell often gives his characters contemporary, social story lines. His daughter's character, for instance, has been date-raped, sexually harassed and married to a rock star. She also saw her mother die of AIDS.

"We have a duty to deal with social issues because it makes us part of the real world," Bell says. "Our viewers can learn from them and benefit from them."

The soap recently featured an incendiary tale about a married couple, in which the adulterous husband slept with an HIV-infected woman. The question remains whether the wife and child have been infected.

"AIDS had been portrayed as a gay and promiscuous disease and this took it to a different level," says actress Tonya Lee Williams, who plays the wife, Olivia. "It opened eyes about what this disease is about. This let people know this could be them."

Bell is so committed to reflecting as much of real life as possible that he has a psychiatrist read every script to make suggestions "in terms of accuracy or depth or something that we may have omitted."

And an attorney looks over any legal story lines.

While his shows may go on indefinitely, so may Bell, who is showing no signs of slowing down.

"I have another soap opera in the works," he says slyly. As expected, he refuses to say more.

Thanks @soapfan770 for posting that Bill Bell interview.

Interesting he doesn't mention a possible 1 hr B&B.

Lee Bell birth name was Loreley June Phillip but I had no idea she was related to Irna Phillips.

No I don't believe she is . You would think that link would be very widely known. When Bill spoke about first working with Irna that connection was never mentioned.

9 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

Was looking back at some old posts at our 1996-97 era discussion @kalbir @YRfan23 @DRW50 @Paul Raven and then I suddenly remembered this interview from Bell late in his career following Y&R’s 6000th episode.

BILL BELL KEEPS `Y&R' ON TOP

11/30/1996

In the world of daytime soap operas, "The Young and the Restless" has the competition conquered.

The Emmy-winning CBS show has been the No. 1 ranked soap for eight straight years, quite a feat in television, daytime or otherwise.For those of you who are soap-challenged "Y&R," as it's called, is the one that begins each hour-long episode with the sweeping "Nadia's Theme" and once featured David Hasselhoff and Tom Selleck.

And while "Y&R" sports the usual cast of cheating, conniving titans, beefcake and vixens who live in Genoa City, there is a real-life dynasty behind the scenes: the Bell family.

At the throne is William J. Bell, a charming 69-year-old who created "Y&R" back in 1973 and remains its head writer; his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, helped create the soap and is a story consultant.

For more than a dozen years, their daughter, Lauralee Bell, has played Christine Williams, a model-turned-lawyer. Their son, Bradley Bell, is the executive producer of "Y&R's" sister soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful."

And finally there's Bill Bell Jr., the financial whiz behind Bell-Phillip Productions, Inc. Anyone sensing a touch of nepotism here?

"They all started at the bottom," Bell insists.

It blossomed into a family affair, Bell says, because "it's an exciting field to be in. It's challenging. It's an experience that's difficult to describe."

At a celebration to mark the taping of "Y&R's" 6,000th episode in October at CBS Television City, many of the actors credited Bell's longevity for the show's success.

"In other soaps you see new producers and writers every four years. Not with this one," says Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott.

"We have one decisive voice," chimes in Jeanne Cooper, who has played the wealthy Katherine Chancellor since 1974.

Bell began writing daytime in 1956 when he began working with soap legend Irna Phillips, the aunt of Bell's wife, on "Guiding Light," then a 15-minute live show.

The following year, Bell joined Phillips as a writer on "As the World Turns" and remained with the series until 1966.

In 1964, Bell and Phillips created "Another World," and the following year the pair created "A Private World," prime-time's first continuing serial drama.

In 1966, Bell became head writer for "Days of Our Lives," remaining there until 1977.

In the meantime, he and his wife created "The Young and the Restless" in 1973, and another soap, "The Bold and the Beautiful," in 1987.

"It's exciting to create something from nothing," Bell says, "and then creating the characters and the relationships and casting it and seeing all these pieces come to life.

"I can't tell you how euphoric it is! These are your children, these are your people, and you have such a responsibility to them because you love them and are involved with them."

When writing sudsy lines for his characters, Bell, who still uses an electric typewriter, says: "You have to get inside the moment.

"I tell you, it's fascinating. When you're doing something long enough, strange things happen. I was in a crunch and had decided to have this new character Kurt (recently cast with Leigh McCloskey), but didn't know what I wanted to do with him.

"I just sat down and I start writing and got deep inside. In 20 minutes, I had the whole thing worked out. When you've been doing it for 40 years you have a little head start."

Is it harder for Bell to write lines for a female character?

"It doesn't make any difference, I'm bisexual," he says with a laugh.

Bell often gives his characters contemporary, social story lines. His daughter's character, for instance, has been date-raped, sexually harassed and married to a rock star. She also saw her mother die of AIDS.

"We have a duty to deal with social issues because it makes us part of the real world," Bell says. "Our viewers can learn from them and benefit from them."

The soap recently featured an incendiary tale about a married couple, in which the adulterous husband slept with an HIV-infected woman. The question remains whether the wife and child have been infected.

"AIDS had been portrayed as a gay and promiscuous disease and this took it to a different level," says actress Tonya Lee Williams, who plays the wife, Olivia. "It opened eyes about what this disease is about. This let people know this could be them."

Bell is so committed to reflecting as much of real life as possible that he has a psychiatrist read every script to make suggestions "in terms of accuracy or depth or something that we may have omitted."

And an attorney looks over any legal story lines.

While his shows may go on indefinitely, so may Bell, who is showing no signs of slowing down.

"I have another soap opera in the works," he says slyly. As expected, he refuses to say more.

No nepotism… Right. They started all at the bottom. Especially Lauralee. With a character on Daddys Soap and as a Front burner lol That’s definitely the bottom of it all.