Y&R: RIP Kristoff St John

[StepBack]

Yeah Y&R is going to have to go all out and make sure the writing is top notch (as it should be) since all eyes will be watching. I’m loving the outpouring of love and support for Kristoff. 

[BetterForgotten]

Regarding Kristoff and Victoria Rowell’s relationship. Did they get closer in recent years?

 

I do remember when VR left the last time, she did make some comments about not feeling supported by Kristoff and though she felt they had chemistry on-screen, they weren’t friends off-screen. 

 

I know they they did those TV movies in recent years. Whatever it is, it’s nice they got closer again before he died.

[Chris B]

 

Oh they’re absolutely scrambling. The thing is, they had the data to back up the popularity of these characters they just don’t care. Do y’all remember when I believe Shemar Moore left and the ratings plunged and an internal report about the cause of the ratings drop leaked. In respond they brought on a flood of black characters and Victoria Rowell came back. Also, when she left during LML’s stint the ratings fell around half a million if I remember correctly. Dru, Neil and Lily were as important as the Newman’s and the Abbott’s during her time on the show so it isn’t surprising that happened. But again, they know this and they don’t care. 

[Faulkner]

Well, they certainly can’t get away with not caring right now. I do wonder what will happen when this is no longer fresh in everyone’s minds. 

[DramatistDreamer]

 

They've worked together at least twice since then on projects at VR's request.  It's clear that they enjoyed working together.  Perhaps once they were free of the politics and confines of the machinations at Y&R, they might have developed an appreciation for each other and a true bond.  There are certain things that the public are just not privy to when it comes to relationships.

 

 

Probably business as usual.  Y&R is a machine.

 

 

Studies have also shown that television shows and movies with multi-ethnic and diverse casts that drive story are box office and ratings gold.  On the surface, Y&R (and most daytime soaps) may look diverse on the surface, but in terms of equity of story, it appears far from that

 

Part of me thinks that shows like Y&R cling to the myth (outmoded, though it may be) of the mid-western housewife, who will somehow clutch her pearls in revulsion at characterizations that actually reflect the world that we currently live in. 

It's crazy that CBS/Sony/Y&R and daytime soaps in general are willing to leave all that money on the table, rather than adapt.  Fear can breed irrationality though and I say fear because the other part of me also thinks that Y&R/Sony/CBS have a fear of being labeled a "Black show" if they give their black characters actual agency and consistent front-burner storylines, so they desperately cling to the status quo, even if it costs them an exodus of viewers.  

None of this makes sense to any of us but somehow there is a rationale for this, in their minds.

[Taoboi]

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That said...given the taping schedule and BTS changes...who would be in charge of the tribute...Mal or Griffith?

[DramatistDreamer]

 

His work is still onscreen but Mal's already gone, isn't he?

 

 

I wish people in the comments section on Instagram and social media, in general would stop saying things like "...if only he would've had the strength to ask for help..." or "if only he would've asked for help...".  Well, people who pay attention realize that he did ask for help, he checked himself into a facility on more than one occasion.

 

 

[Taoboi]

@DramatistDreamer, to my knowledge, I believe he is gone. But I'm not sure. I at least think Griffith would try to be knowledgeable enough to do a good tribute. Mal on the other hand...

[Vee]

 

Exactly. As I said before, they had a mission to make the show a bad ABC soap, and they are still carrying it out.

 

That clip of VR is heartbreaking.

[DramatistDreamer]

 

It's going to be Griffith.  Mal's back in Liverpool.

[Taoboi]

Okay.

[Antoyne]

Man that was hard to watch and then when they showed Kristoff talking about his son’s death. Man.

[DeeeDee]

 

[DramatistDreamer]

Considering that Mark Pinter and ex-wife Colleen lost their son last year, this probably evokes some painful memories.

 

[DeeeDee]

Why I'm mourning Kristoff St. John

 

Long before there were black showrunners like Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris creating series that showcase the complexity of the black experience, there were black soap stars acting out storylines that often ignored they were considered "the other" in the mainstream.