I have to wonder if Jess is really coming back, and if there really was a new contract in place for her to return to.

I wouldn't be surprised if Maria helped orchestrate this in an effort to avoid backlash.

The whole thing seemed like a setup to me. They barely used Jill for years, they tried to humiliate her, they repeatedly told viewers she could not compare to superstars like Fluckers or Genevieve - any time she had a popular story they'd drop it. So then when Jess goes on this break, they know it's permanent. From what Jeanne Cooper said, that's it for Jill.

MAB should be ashamed of herself. Her father in law would be sickened by her treatment of a character he loved and cherished. He could have easily dumped Jill once Brenda Dickson left, or taken his anger at Brenda out on Jill. He never did. That's because he actually cared about the integrity of this show. Not about the integrity of dressing like an extra in Madonna's Borderline video.

Did anyone watch Eric Braeden on the talk? Did he talk about this news?

Did anyone watch Eric Braeden on the talk? Did he talk about this news?

The Talk was likely pre-taped before this news was announced.

Even's Jill;'s exit was about how she can't compare to that bitch Genevieve who is nowher enear a good mother. The only good thing about Jill's exit was Delia playing in the mud.

He was on for like 2 mins and only talked about his family and how he stays in shape. He and Shannen Doherty talked about how the show keeps the stars so you can always watch years later and how they both love that.

The Bells were satisfied with her first year.

It wasn't until around Colleen's death that they really began to have problems with Maria.

I would say it was before Colleen's death. MAB wrote Don Diamont out, killing off Brad in a giant F*ck You to the actor. Love him or hate him, he was a vet and a relatively popular one. All because he gave an interview saying he preferred LML's take on Brad. She let personal feelings get in the way of what was good for the show. And Brad, at that point, was on the verge of being a real gamechanger in the Phyllis/Nick/Sharon triangle, so his staying would have added an interesting dimension for the show, and for Sharon. Instead, MAB (and Hogan) made sure the Bradcicle could never come back.

That was a first sign for the Bells, and if Brad immediately hiring him two days later as Bill Spencer Jr wasn't a giant HINT to Maria that she may have made a mistake, well, the Bells should have realized that hints alone weren't going to get through to her.

Edited July 27, 201213 yr by Cat

As soon as the David Chow mess ended with women being slaughtered left and right and Nikki rolling on the beach I thought the show was heading for bad times. Then the final confirmation was Molester MD/fetus in the fireplace/eye jabs. I still can't believe that got through.

I always assumed Brad Bell kept a hands off policy with Y&R but if he and Lauralee did fight to get MAB dumped, good for them.

And now I wonder if the sole reason MAB did this evil Christine story is to get back at Lauralee.

Colleen was also named after Brad Bell's wife....

As soon as the David Chow mess ended with women being slaughtered left and right and Nikki rolling on the beach I thought the show was heading for bad times. Then the final confirmation was Molester MD/fetus in the fireplace/eye jabs. I still can't believe that got through.

I always assumed Brad Bell kept a hands off policy with Y&R but if he and Lauralee did fight to get MAB dumped, good for them.

And now I wonder if the sole reason MAB did this evil Christine story is to get back at Lauralee.

I honestly think she was blindsided by yesterday's news, so how could she know to write Christine so badly in a story conceived a good 3-6 months ago and filmed in June? Her Facebook outpouring of grief really underscores how shocked and emotional she is. No, I think MAB worships Phyllis and she wrote Christine like she wrote Jill, like she wrote Nina, like she wrote Chance, like she has written Nikki and Paul on occasion -- as an afterthought. As expendable (though I do like certain beats of the story and its umbrella nature).

However, maybe this latest SL was a last straw for Lauralee?

Edited July 27, 201213 yr by Cat

She may not have realized she was so close to the exit, but these rumors have been going on for months about Sony wanting her out. Maybe Lauralee had complained to her. Lauralee had also refused a return at one point.

OK, I'm hungry. It's 8pm where I am, and the Olympics opening ceremony is happening. I am out of here, peeps, but will check back later to see if there is any new news. Have a great rest-of-Friday!

She may not have realized she was so close to the exit, but these rumors have been going on for months about Sony wanting her out. Maybe Lauralee had complained to her. Lauralee had also refused a return at one point.

LLB and her brothers are tight, though... that's why I think Lauralee would have held her tongue for a while, perhaps only telling Lee or Brad.

To honor history, I think JFP should cast Kim Zimmer as a hipster with "look how young I am" long blonde locks who gets canned from her soap.

Bingo Cat! From what I hear this storyline and Lauralee's presence on set, speaking to all her old set friends (both cast and crew) was the last straw for Lauralee and when she smelled blood in the water with Sony she made her case, Brad agreed (lest we forget who Brad Carlton was named after) and Lee gave her approval to relinquishing Bell creative influence. Bill Jr still has his job, a role that cannot be done away with...so the axe could fall on MAB with no repercussions.

I really do wonder if Jess agreed to leave politely and the "6months off to help with her new grandson" was just good timing and good spin. 6 months is so long in this business, I wonder if the plan was for Jess to later announce that she loves her life in Oregon so much and is loving being a grandmother so much that she is "retiring" from the show? I wish I knew. Only time will tell.

You have to wonder if most of the family is scared to be around this woman...

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but Jess Walton's name was removed from the credits, unlike Melody's who also had a LONG absence. Maybe it means something, and maybe it doesn't?