There were times (even before the Gus years) when Harley got dour, shrill and bordering on self-righteous. God knows that dealing with the Spauldings and Beth, Harley had her reasons, but it got on people's nerves.
I liked Hayley very much on ATWT. Her big story was a bulimia story that she was very good in. Some found her "too perky", but she was teen/young adult, so it worked for me. I think when she was filling in as Harley, they used her sparingly until Beth Ehlers returned. I couldn't tell you exactly how long she was in the role. But I think she either had filled in before this, or filled in again after.
I can't be sure, but I think Jay saw the writing on the wall. Other than Maeve, Fletcher had never really had a successful romance (and I'd argue his with Maeve wasn't all that thrilling). While I can't really recall it, it doesn't sound like the writers were that committed to his romance with Holly either. It might've developed into something more if Michael had still been in the role of Roger, but once he was fired, the writers didn't seem to know what to do with Holly.
By
P.J. ·