I agree that soaps are now controlled by business executives who answer to shareholders. I dream of the day when a strong head writer is allowed to execute on his/her vision. When it was allowed, each soap had some awesome moments. There was no better period in GL history than when Curlee/Demorest/Reilly/Broderick wrote the show. It was on fire for about two years and oddly Phelps was EP. But Curlee demanded a small head writing team and eventually couldn't handle the network interference. When Phelps took over AW it showed promise when she brought back Hardling Lemay and Tom King to write with Craig Carlson, but again NBC kept interfering. And it didn't last once DePriest was brought in to ruin yet another show.

The only hope is if Sony allows Sally McDonald or another long time director/producer to take over as EP and that EP is allowed to build a passionate team. If the soap loses another million viewers in the next year that could happen.

Herein lies the problem. Just because Conforti, Beldner and Simon have worked on other soaps doesn't mean their talents are suited to Y&R. Jean P.'s worked on soap after soap. Some still sing her praises, but she's an unabashed failure on Y&R. (Ditto Altman, though her experience is much less.) Also, characterizing Beldner's rep as "stellar" may be stretching it. Competent, yes, but "stellar"? As for Conforti and Simon training under other strong head writers, again that's the problem. Every head writer is different. If there was a strong head writer at Y&R who knew the Bill Bell style, or better yet had trained under him, maybe Conforti and Simon might have a place there, after being properly trained in Y&R's unique style. But that's what's wrong at Y&R these days. Writing is secondary as is the head writer to JFP and the powers that be. They've purposely chosen a weak head writing team that basically kowtows to whatever the net or Sony want. There's no distinct "voice" any longer to this show. The plots are contrived (Neil going blind) or tasteless (Mariah hitting on Nick), but mostly just boring. Bringing in Simon or Conforti, as good as you seem to think they are, solves little if nothing, if they're just writing for Y&R the way they did for GL and GH (whatever). This soap will remain a generic mess until a really strong head writer with an understanding of Y&R's history and uniqueness is hired, and allowed to turn this show around. It won't happen with JFP in place, but still "it's the writing, stupid." Posters on the soap boards, including this one, keep saying that year after year, and rightly so. If they see it why can't TPTB who are supposed to know that soaps are all about the writing? That's when soaps flourish. It's not rocket science, but apparently it is at Y&R these days.

:wub:

You can hire the best writer out there. If the show doesn't return to its tone, style, voice, special unique way of doing things, it will never work.

You can hire the best writer out there. If the show doesn't return to its tone, style, voice, special unique way of doing things, it will never work.

Perhaps. On the other hand, what if you had a HW or HW'ing team who took over a show, changed the tone and whatnot, but still wrote a damn fine soap opera (albeit one that isn't exactly in line with that particular show's creator's vision for it)? See, that's my problem right now with Y&R, and that's what has been my problem with each new HW'ing regime since Kay Alden and Jack Smith left.

Even if Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman can't write Y&R the way Bill Bell would, I'd still expect them to write a show that is entertaining on its own, regardless of whether it apes the Bell style exactly. But they can't even do that! They can't find a provocative new vision for Y&R the way JER arguably did for DAYS (or Megan McTavish did for AMC, or Michael Malone and Josh Griffith did for OLTL, and so on). All they seem to be doing is stalling, and it's making for a very uncomfortable, bland and boring little show.

It would have made more sense if Carmine had stepped into the situation that Lauren and Michael now find themselves in where they either can't find the time for sex or Michael has ED or some sexual anxiety and can't 'perform'. A frustrated, lonely and horny Lauren could've turned to Carmine who had started out as a flirtation then progressed to a confidant and then a lover. A more complex story than the story Y&R ended up telling, which eventually descended into madness.

Talk about a missed opportunity.

On another note,

JFP & the Casting Dept. seem to be into casting sandy haired males lately.

Edited August 19, 201411 yr by DramatistDreamer

Abby and Stitch....a match made in......losing your contract after at the next 13 week cycle....

Michael couldn't get it up? And why? He's gay and Lauren's not a transexual after all! They have such an opportunity to tell a tall tale here. Ive never bought the straight chemistry between these two and as they've gotten older....Carmine was the best thing Griffith did and they ruined it.

Michael couldn't get it up? And why? He's gay and Lauren's not a transexual after all.

Or someone could be his lacing food or drink with a substance that causes decreased sexual interest. It could go either way.

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by Khan

Kevin or Fen?

Both Michael and Fen are gay/bisexual. Kevin was molested/is asexual or something. Lauren must come to grips with her husband's dual sexuality and her son's and question everything in her life. That's the story, it's at least as old as Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid in Far From Heaven in the early 2000s. You could run it for months and it wouldn't get old. But they won't.

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by Vee

Nope, not Y&R. They'd just as soon get run over by a runaway food truck than do anything that's going to be provocative and entertaining.

So, I'm behind…Is Phyllis still in a coma? What's going on? Why is there no talk of Gina in the role?

So, I'm behind…Is Phyllis still in a coma? What's going on? Why is there no talk of Gina in the role?

Yes, she's had 3 episodes so far, Phyllis is still in a coma and showing some signs of improvement.

Well Cynthia Watros series got renewed. Seems she made the best choice in leaving y and r. Does anyone miss her on y and r?

Well Cynthia Watros series got renewed. Seems she made the best choice in leaving y and r. Does anyone miss her on y and r?

I only liked Kelly when CW was playing her.

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by John

Thank you, dmarex!

U know what I thought about this I know finding carter probably won't start filming again until next year. Have Cynthia come back and finish Kelly's story out.