Hating Danny & Cricket doesn't make up for the fact they were thrown under the bus for St. Giggly & an unnecessary Daniel recast. It's that same Giggly propping that made SHARON (whose child had just died) into the villain in Nick's affair. Danny being a neglectful parent was WAY out of character for him but anything to make Giggly look better.

 

Victor left town just before Thanksgiving of 2004 (he & Nikki didn't go see Victoria until the spring of 2005). During the fall/winter of 2004 he mainly spent watching Nick fail as CEO of Newman & interfering with Nikki's relationship with Bobby (Brittany & Bobby left the ranch almost as soon as Braeden returned)

I actually didn't understand the multiple Daniel recasts either and it's funny that the first Daniel has been far more successful than Graz who seemed to do more outside work while on Y&R since leaving it. Unfortunately it wasn't until 2008 when Danny came back for the show's 35th anniversary and made up with Daniel that I finally realized how stupid that plot-line had been in hindsight.  Still I'll admit I loved Stafford and Phyllis from her return until Phick happened.

 

There was a weird line back in 2010 when Nikki was in rehab and Victor blasted her for her relations with Deacon whom Victor called "scum just like Brad Carlton, Bobby Marsino and David Chow!" I just never understood why Victor felt compelled to name Bobby Marsino of all people to that list. 

The only reason Daniel was SORASed was to throw Danny under the bus. Danny goes from fighting hard to keep his son to being a deadbeat dad? Then Cricket, Danny & Gina are made villains because they DIDN'T trash Giggly to her son?

 

That's cup there with Paul & Jack whining about being wanting to be parents but not being fathers to the two children they both already had.

 

Braeden was NOT happy about John Enos & MTS chemistry. He was the first pairing she had that was a real threat to Niktor. I'm surprised they never threw Brittany at Grambo to make it a love quad. It's not like Bobby & Brittany had much else to do until they were fired the next year.

 

The sad thing about Victor and Diane was in spite of their less than humble beginnings they really fell in love with each other

 

Victor really did love Diane (a fact which too often gets lost in the Niktor saga). She was different than any of Victor's other wives because she was an accomplished career woman who didn't apologize for her ambition which attracted Victor.

 

Unfortunately Diane (and Ashley) went under the bus for Niktor.

 

Braeden & Donnelly had a few really well written scenes after Nikki recovered where Victor sincerely tried to make amends with Diane but she was still hoping they would reconcile (which was a large part of her motivation during The Great Spermcapades).

 

Braeden had a fairly sweet scene with Susan Walters Diane when he went on his apology tour before marrying Nikki (for the third time) but it didn't go anywhere.

Edited December 7, 20159 yr by DeeeDee

The first half of 2004 is terrible.

 

Lily's RAPE being treated as consensual sex? MICHAEL telling Neil & Drucilla NOT to have an issue with his INSANE serial rapist brother STALKING their teenage daughter? Serial rapist Kevin almost getting his rape victim Lily almost raped AGAIN to stroke his own ego? Kevin SETTING HIMSELF ON FIRE? The Newman family acting like Nick was wrong for turning Victor in? Victor getting off almost scott free for breaking a million laws? Cricket & Danny going under the bus for Giggly Heffa? The annoying & unnecessary Daniel recast? Diane being written into a corner everywhere? The stupid orchid story? Brittany moping after being electrocuted by a stripper pole? Sharon & the disappearing corpse? Giggly Heffa throwing The Abbotts under the bus for VICTOR? Colleen deciding JT needed to be a pop star for 15 minutes? Lauren becoming a pod person to prop Kevin? Insane Ashley? Olivia dating ANOTHER of her sister's ex's? Katherine randomly falling off the wagon? Nick & Sharon PARACHUTING INTO A CORNFIELD? Brittany comparing her scars to Cousin Geri's cerebral palsy? Drucilla using the hair relaxer on her hair & it turning into an alopecia story? Brad standing around while Nikki & Ashley fight about who gets to tell Victor about Abby?

 

The ONLY good things to come out of 2004, especially early 2004, were David Hedison's Arthur Hendricks, Joan Van Ark's Gloria & the return of Ashley Bashioum's Mackenzie.

 

For me I have to take retrospective approach because even though it sounds bad looking back, at the time I actually had enjoyed some of that. Like for an example at the time I was a Phyllis fan and gleefully smirked over the Daniel/Danny neglect revelation as I was less than enthused with the Danny/Christine reunion at the time. I smirked when Grace Turner turned out to be Cameron's lover and co-conspirator. I felt Katherine falling off the wagon was due to reaching a mental breaking point from the stress of trying forge something with Jill and it was actually a nice throwback to have Katherine have flashbacks of her and Phillip and then dream of Rex and Phillip III. John dumping Gina for Van Ark's trashy Gloria was hilarious. However some of the other stuff which you mentioned Dee was indeed completely forgettable(Olivia even got engaged to Wes!) and even I had a forgot about some of that stuff. I could have bought a real Kevin redemption story, but they botched it really bad. Heck I forget about that orchid story, it feels like Damon Porter was never a character on the show now. I liked Damon, but then his own story went down with the stupid stuff about having to rescue his ex-wife or something?  Ask me about the Cameron story and I think the only thing I can say about that story would "oh yeah that's when Nikki and Sharon were in the sewers". 

 

But yes 2004 did certainly unravel into a trainwreck  and somehow Lynne, John Silva, and Mamie all exited stage left. Well I think Lynne moved in her with her mother in Chicago but it was all without any fanfare. 

 

Didn't Braeden almost at one point leave for a bit in the fall of 2004? I remember right after taking his complaints to the soap press Victor was gone for a month to seek out Victoria to convince her to return. 

I don't know much about Damon but he's one of those characters that probably was suppose to do more, but ended up getting wasted as usual.....I know he worked at Jabot, and had brief flings or whatever with HT Victoria and Phyllis, but that's about all I know.

It's still  funny that Linden Ashby who played Cameron has a major supporting role on one of my favorite shows, "Teen Wolf" on MTV...........I have always thought for some weird reason the last couple years that several actors on that show, might have been good SORAised characters for the missing children on campus...

It's really sad all those side characters were banished and never to be seen again as I think it would still be possible to tie them all to the canvas......especially Rafe being related to John Silva...maybe even Miguel...

Here is the recap for Y&R on this day exactly twenty years ago for Thursday, December 7th 1995: 

 

Nina goes to see Christine in her office...and tells her about the talk she had with Danny the night before. Nina tells Christine that Danny is going to do anything and everything he can to win her back. Christine tells Nina that she has told Danny time and time again that its over between them. Paul walks in...and Christine runs to him...and kisses him. Nina thinks this is to be her exit...and tells them both to have fun. Paul tells Christine that he is going to Madison, to talk with Sharon's ex-boyfriend Frank. Paul wants to see what he has to say about Matt showing up there months ago.Paul asks Christine if she can join him...but Christine says no...she has a ton of work to do already.

 

It’s Blade's funeral today. Ashley is talking to Luan when Jill walks in. Jill tells Ashley that she will just go upstairs and change..then she will be right down. Ashley is stunned. "Jill...are you coming to the service." Jill says yes...but Ashley isnt too thrilled about it. "Look Ashley...I know how this family feels about me...but Blade was always nice to me..and never treated me like an outsider...I just want to pay my last respects to him...dont deny me that." Ashley shakes her head, and tells Jill to do whatever she wants...because she is not capable of fighting with her at the moment.

 
Mari Jo is in her office..thinking of ways to get rid of Rick...before he destroys the Abbotts, and her life. Especially with all the hopes she has about Jack and her getting back together again. Jack walks in, and asks Mari Jo whats wrong. Mari Jo smiles, and tells him that she is just sad, because of Blade. Jack understands..then asks her if she would like a ride to the funeral home. Mari Jo thanks him, but thinks its better that they take separate cars...just in case Ashley decides she doesn't want Mari Jo there.

 
Neil is sitting in his office, thinking about Keisha. He picks up the phone, and demands that Keisha come to his office in 20 minutes...if she knows what's good for her. Meanwhile...Nathan telephones Drucilla, and begs her to come to his home to talk with him.

 
Danny telephones Phyllis...and asks her if its alright that he come and visit with his son. Phyllis is thrilled once again..and tells Danny to come right over. Joanie walks in...and Phyllis tells her about Danny stopping by.

 
Keisha stops by Neil's office. Before Neil has a chance to say anything, Keisha tells him that she will not be blackmailed in any way. "Keisha..the other day you told me that you were in love with my brother...if thats so true..why dont you just tell him about your affair with Nathan...it will be better coming from you...then Malcolm finding out in other ways." Keisha tells Neil that Malcolm will never find out...unless he or Drucilla tells him. "Keisha..we are a very tight knit family...it will come out sooner or later...I suggest you be the one to tell Malcolm first." As Keisha is about to respond to Neil's comment, in walks Malcolm. "What are you doing here
Keisha." Neil tells his brother that he called Keisha in to his office...so that he can get to know her better. Malcolm looks at Keisha...and Keisha nods her head. "Yes..that’s right." Soon Neil gets a telephone call...and has to leave his office.

 
Nathan tells Drucilla that he is a changed man..and begs her to keep her mouth shut. Drucilla tells him that for now, she will...but if he slips up in any way shape or form....she will go straight to her sister, and tell her everything. "Nathan...the only thing I want to hear from Olivia..is how happy she is, and how well and good you are treating her and my nephew...thats all I want to hear...you got it." Nathan promises her that’s all she will hear.

 
Christine has finished her work for the day...she looks at her watch..and decides to call Paul in his office. When Paul answers the phone...Christine is glad that he is still in town. "I'm glad I caught you, guess what...I got most of my work done...so I was thinking that I might just join you after all." Paul is happy..and tells Christine that they can have a romantic overnight trip away. Christine tells Paul that she is looking forward to it..then hangs up. But Christine sits there for a moment...and thinks about Danny.

I can't believe all that Danny/Cricket/Paul stuff went all the way to June 1998. I mean, I liked Danny & Cricket but seriously....

Is it terrible that I'm secretly rooting for Sheila and Tom? Their plan to kidnap Lauren and hold her for ransom so they can escape to a tropical island has me at the edge of my seat. I love Lauren and all but I'll hate to see Sheila go down because she is so much better on top and scheming!

Gloria clashing with Joanna was funny! When was the last time Joanna has showed her face in Genoa city since then? Has she come back at all? Even when Lauren found out she was related to Jill? I can't really remember.

Is it terrible that I'm secretly rooting for Sheila and Tom? Their plan to kidnap Lauren and hold her for ransom so they can escape to a tropical island has me at the edge of my seat. I love Lauren and all but I'll hate to see Sheila go down because she is so much better on top and scheming!

Gloria clashing with Joanna was funny! When was the last time Joanna has showed her face in Genoa city since then? Has she come back at all? Even when Lauren found out she was related to Jill? I can't really remember.

Yeah I think she did show up when Jill was retconned to be Neil Fenmore's daughter

I "enjoy" 2005 insofar as it's not as horrific as what followed in 2006 and beyond. They still retain a lot of the easily recognizable trademarks of Y&R (the music, sets, lighting, directing, even the tone and style of acting). Nevertheless, the destruction is there and the show is rotting. I would still prefer it over anything that followed, but that doesn't say much. It was Y&R in the most surface of ways. 2004 and 2005 are the reasons why Y&R was destroyed but, like I said, still better (and more interesting) to watch. I'd never dream of rewatching an LML episode. Ever.

 

(That being said, as always, my thanks for the 2005 episodes, and anything else! YouTubing soaps ain't easy). 

I can't believe all that Danny/Cricket/Paul stuff went all the way to June 1998. I mean, I liked Danny & Cricket but seriously....

It was a really dumb plotline that in his victory lap over Phyllis Danny decided to pursue Christine again to woo her away from Paul when they had already been happily married for two years. I guess that's why they ended up letting Damien go and writing Danny out due to lack of story line. 

A rare glimpse of Nikki #1, Erica Hope: 

I "enjoy" 2005 insofar as it's not as horrific as what followed in 2006 and beyond. They still retain a lot of the easily recognizable trademarks of Y&R (the music, sets, lighting, directing, even the tone and style of acting). Nevertheless, the destruction is there and the show is rotting. I would still prefer it over anything that followed, but that doesn't say much. It was Y&R in the most surface of ways. 2004 and 2005 are the reasons why Y&R was destroyed but, like I said, still better (and more interesting) to watch. I'd never dream of rewatching an LML episode. Ever.

 

(That being said, as always, my thanks for the 2005 episodes, and anything else! YouTubing soaps ain't easy). 

I "enjoy" 2005 insofar as it's not as horrific as what followed in 2006 and beyond. They still retain a lot of the easily recognizable trademarks of Y&R (the music, sets, lighting, directing, even the tone and style of acting). Nevertheless, the destruction is there and the show is rotting. I would still prefer it over anything that followed, but that doesn't say much. It was Y&R in the most surface of ways. 2004 and 2005 are the reasons why Y&R was destroyed but, like I said, still better (and more interesting) to watch. I'd never dream of rewatching an LML episode. Ever.

 

(That being said, as always, my thanks for the 2005 episodes, and anything else! YouTubing soaps ain't easy). 

It's all good, I'm just glad some are enjoying watching them again

 

Oh, I agree about LML whole-heartedly. While I despise MAB for whatever the f*ck her watered-down version of Y&R was, I'm strangely finding her era a lot more tolerable than I did the first time around. It's still bad, but LML on the other hand...I struggle to get through so much as ten minutes of any of her episodes. 

It was a really dumb plotline that in his victory lap over Phyllis Danny decided to pursue Christine again to woo her away from Paul when they had already been happily married for two years. I guess that's why they ended up letting Damien go and writing Danny out due to lack of story line. 

 

Dumb is the word for it, and nothing was dumber than Christine's hour-long dick tour that must seriously be one of the worst things from classic Y&R ever. It was unbearable, despite the wealth of flashbacks.

 

Danny had just run his course. He always felt like late 80s/early 90s, anyway, and by 1998 he was done. They would have either had to create him a whole other arc (which I don't think the show even had time for) or cut him loose. They made the right decision.

Edited December 8, 20159 yr by YRBB

I remember Kay Alden saying at the time that Bill Bell made the decision to drop Danny,which she wasn't totally on board with. She hoped to use him in some kind of music storyline with Callie. This was in an article about Bell handing over the reigns and how that was working in practice.

While I agree that Michael Damien's days at Y&R are done (except for guest stints) I wish the show had a "Danny" like character now that started his own rock band....I honestly thought if they were seriously gonna keep Fen around he would be the show's new Danny, probably cause Max Ehrich is in a band in real life....but I guess it's just too expensive to have that type of story now (not that I would wanna see it with Pratt...) 

I remember Kay Alden saying at the time that Bill Bell made the decision to drop Danny,which she wasn't totally on board with. She hoped to use him in some kind of music storyline with Callie. This was in an article about Bell handing over the reigns and how that was working in practice. 

I'd agree with Bell on that one, given Danny was pretty unpopular with viewers at the time and apparently throwing him at Christine was the only thing they could think of to sustain him. Phyllis had at least given Danny extra shelf life, but Paul and Christine went back to the summer of '93 and pretty much made their footnote in Y&R history between Paul saving Christine from Michael and them saving Margret and Miles by working together and later saving April. What made it so bad was that Katherine even appeared out of the black hole she was in at the time to advise Danny to reclaim Christine. I can't imagine what kind of "music storyline with Callie" Alden had planned with Callie and Danny except it would have had to have been very boring had it played out.