Article: “The Dirty Dozen; Y&R’s Most Regrettable Recasting Decisions“

[soapfan770]

I wasn’t quite sure where to put this so I’m creating a new topic. Randomly @DRW50 this list has poor Melinda Fee on here of all people. 
 

Let me know if anyone wants to read the full write-ups. Note that even though Tognoni made it as #1 the author was much kinder towards her than some of the others on the list. 

12. Shari Shattuck as Ashley

11. Heidi Mark as Sharon

10. Scott Seymour as Billy 

9. Lachlan Buchanan as Kyle

8. Robert Newman as Ashland

7. Melinda Fee as Jill

6. Darius McCrary as Malcolm

5. Reprised David Tom as Billy in 2014

4. Burgess Jenkins as Billy

3. Amelia Heinle as Victoria 

2. Melissa Ordway as Abby

1. Gina Tognoni as Phyllis 

Edited September 1, 2022 by soapfan770

[DRW50]

I'd love to see it. I don't know what Robert Newman or Melinda Fee are doing on there though.

[BoldRestless]

I don't agree with Robert Newman, but that's a solid list.

 

I don't care for Melissa Ordway but I didn't like Emme Rylan any better so I wouldn't have it that high.

 

[Liberty City]

What? How? Gina absolutely OWNED the role of Phyllis and embodied that role from day one to her final day.

And actually, a lot of people on this list I actually liked!

Probably my favourite Kyle, and hated how under-used and wasted he was in the role.

[soapfan770]

Sure thing, here’s was the author had to say about both actually:

“When Richard Burgi was fired for “naively and inadvertently” breaking health protocols, Y&R jumped at the chance to recast the role with Guiding Light alum Robert Newman. However, they should’ve looked before they leaped! Although Newman’s energy was refreshing in the beginning, bringing out the more human side of the Locke-Ness Monster, he lacked the quiet menace that Burgi brought to the role. Ashland’s character was gradually written into a corner, with the once successful businessman now a scorned, penniless lover. And while Newman played that desperation well, it’s because as revealed in a recent interview with Soap Opera Digest that he was eager to get off the show himself!”

For Fee:

“The role of Jill Abbott has been played by many actresses over the years, and most fans can agree that the original Jill (Brenda Dickson) and current Jill (Jess Walton) have led the pack when it comes to this character. One “Jill” recast that didn’t quite shine was Melinda Fee, who jumped into the part for a little while in 1984. Fee was a good actress, but she simply lacked the fire and glamour that is necessary for the role of Jill during her short guest stint.”

Edited September 1, 2022 by soapfan770

[DRW50]

Thanks. 

As a number of people said at the time of Newman's casting, I doubt they had any plans to keep the character on the show, with him or with Burgi. 

[BoldRestless]

Found the article with all of them:

https://m.fame10.com/entertainment/5-worst-young-and-the-restless-re-casting-decisions/

[soapfan770]

You’re welcome. The whole Ashland story was a big waste of talent.

I was a bit puzzled by the glamour bit for Fee, although I am baffled overall why she ended up on this list at all. 

[DRW50]

Yes, this was during a deglammed period for Jill. This is the peril of just watching random clips.

[soapfan770]

. It’s been a long time since I had seen those Fee clips I’m inspired to dig them up now lol.

PS thanks @BoldRestless I had seen the article in full posted on a rival message board but didn’t feel comfortable linking to that board directly. 

[Paul Raven]

Including Melinda Fee on that list is odd. She was a temp replacement and nothing more.

Might as well include Giselle McKenzie as Katherine and Robin Eisenman as Nikki.These people are brought in as placeholders only.

I would place Amelia at #1. She changed the character of Victoria completely and has never been able to achieve what Heather Tom brought to the role or really refashion Victoria into something else.

I'd add Jason Thompson as there is nothing of the loveable screw up in his portrayal. He would have been better as an Adam recast.

Gina made Phyllis more tolerable for me.

I'd include Kelly Kruger as Mac and Ryan Brown as Billy. Mac could still be part of the show had they gone with a better recast.

Maybe Victoria Mallory as Leslie.

[dragonflies]

Oh Fame10 article lol! I've seen some of their so called "lists" and they're usually way off on all of them

[ChickenNuggetz92]

This list has some bogus entries - Gina SO does not deserve to be on this list and at the number 1 spot at that! Maura West as Diane Jenkins and Eden Riegel as Heather Stevens should have been on here.  

[Liberty City]

I wouldn't list Maura West, only because she confirmed they were recasting the role any way with someone younger, so in retrospect it could have been a lot worse. But Eden Riegel? Yes! Horribly miscast. Horribly. I would also place Clementine Ford as Mackenzie Browning on the list.

[Spoon]

Gina was good on the show but a terrible Phyllis.  Would've been better as Victoria or someone else.  JT is another one who isn't necessarily bad bit he's not a great fit for Billy.