Y&R December 2021 Discussion Thread

[BetterForgotten]

B&B also has a similar slogged together approach across all departments right now too. Juggling budget cuts with COVID protocols must be hell for these shows. 

[sheilaforever]

Did these shows pay their cast & crew while they were on hiatus? Maybe that's why they are cash-strapped (trying to make up for this timeframe without income)? I really want to believe that the asthetics can get better again.

[Faulkner]

It seems like they splurged some for the Victoria/Ashland wedding, which was decent by modern Y&R standards. And they had a lot of actors in one place.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Faulkner

[Antoyne]

It really is ludicrous that the party is in the freaking hotel lobby. It should’ve been at the ranch or Chancellor mansion.

[Ponds]

There is hardly a set that isn't the lobby at TGP or Society or Crimson lights.  The show should be ashamed of themselves for trying to sell that to the viewers.

[Paul Raven]

One way to free up some cash and shake up the story would be to drop Phyllis.

She's quite expendable at this point. she has no relatives on the canvas and the relationships with Nick and Jack have been played over and over. There is zilch chemistry with Billy and they tend to ignore that.

Have Jack decide he doesn't want to tangle with Phyllis again and then she can get a message Daniel is in some kind of trouble and BAM goodbye Phyllis.

On the subject of useless cast members, where can they go with Rey? No workplace, no family and a boring marriage to Sharon...

[David_Vickers]

Y&R needs to drop the powers that be and add more money to the budget that is what is needed!

Edited December 9, 2021 by David_Vickers

[Faulkner]

Which is crazy because they clearly consider her a strong lead, and she clearly has a fanbase, yet you’re right in many ways. Sometimes Y&R feels like an unfunny, early ‘90s workplace sitcom set at the Grand Phoenix with Phyllis as the acid-tongued proprietor. They are just leaning on Stafford’s Phyllis-ness, thinking that’s all people want, without giving her much substance.

The problem is that she’s the only story right for Jack, who’s been to relegated to his niece’s ridiculous story. The Abbotts have been pretty much gutted. Traci and Ashley only pop in from time to time.

Just drives home how stagnant the show is. Beyond JG, they’ve made a lot of bad writing/casting/production decisions over the years, and the chickens have come home to roost. 

Edited December 9, 2021 by Faulkner

[Paul Raven]

Had Jabot remained front and center instead of the inane Chance.com, Jack would have more to do outside of any romantic involvement.

Billy, Lily, Mariah and  Abby are just some of the possibilities to work there with Jack overseeing corporate battles etc

Of course, delving into the Keemo void is an obvious avenue.

Maybe sometime along the way, Jack should have married a woman with a couple of kids as a way of bringing new blood into the Abbotts.

[Broderick]

I'm always amazed that Rey has lasted as long as he has.  

[Paul Raven]

Having him marry Sharon was a pointless exercise. Did nothing for either of them.

[soapfan770]

Rey could have easily been a Dylan recast instead of the last family member of a failed family. With Rey and Sharon really having zero story at the moment I don’t think Rey will last much longer.

I mean the Sharon and Esther conversation yesterday just felt awkward and forced, like why are they gossiping about Chance? 

[Paul Raven]

I was happy to see Esther again, but yes the convo about Chance was odd.

Esther making the crack about avoiding Jill played against their relationship. Wasn't Esther supportive and Jill appreciative during her heart attack?

Jill has always been frosty to Esther but there is an underlying connection.

Esther should be living at the Chancellor Estate .

Is that the first time she's been on in 2021?

[janea4old]

Esther has been living at the house or apartment that is the home of Chloe and Kevin and their children Miles and Bella.
They all moved out of the Chancellor estate into this new place after Chance and Abby got married.

The last time Kate Linder appeared onscreen was April 28, 2021.
"Esther bumps into Nina on Crimson Lights’ patio. They catch up about Chance and Abby and the surrogacy. As they recall the good old days of Katherine and Jill battling, Nina realizes that Esther misses working in the Chancellor house. Esther admits that she feels left out after spending so much of her life managing the estate. Nina tells her she should come back if she wants to, even if it’s only for the occasional shift. Esther happily agrees."
https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/recaps/598462/young-restless-sharon-nikki-horrified-when-faith-collapse/

And she was never seen again, until December 2021.

Fyi, in the October 27, 2021, Esther was in the episode but always slightly offscreen, so she wasn't shown or heard.  She was at the park with Kevin and Chloe and the children. Kevin and Chloe were seated on the park bench talking, while Esther played with the children in the park just out of our view.  Chloe and Kevin periodically call out to them but we don't see them.  And then later we saw Kevin and Chloe at the park with the baby carriage and they commented on how Miles is tired because he had so much fun with Grandma.

April 28 was the only time Kate Linder was seen or heard during 2021, until December 2021.

Edited December 10, 2021 by janea4old

[Paul Raven]

Thanks for those details. Wonder why Kate is not being used?

She's now one of the longest serving cast members.

After how Doug Davidson was treated, is Kate heading the same way? Hope not.