If @Errol's "blind item" isn't about Y&R/Josh Griffith, then it should be.  I've never seen Y&R in such creative dire straits in my life, and when you consider both the Lynn Marie Latham AND MAB eras, that's saying something!

Edited September 27Sep 27 by Khan

6 minutes ago, Khan said:

If @Errol's "blind item" isn't about Y&R/Josh Griffith, then it should be.  I've never seen Y&R in such creative dire straits in my life, and when you consider both the Lynn Marie Latham AND MAB eras, that's saying something!

I still don't understand how the "#1 soap' for however many decades running is relying on some The Room-level green screen for outdoors scenes and relegated to a couple sets while Frank Valentini's GH isn't. Say what we will about Frank but he'd never let it get to that point and that's why he's not going anywhere. For real though, how do they not have the money?

The other problem, assuming for a moment it's obviously Josh Griffith, is what replaces him? McDonald seems like a convenient install and JFP (pushing Methuselah age) isn't exactly promising. We've seen her grand version which hasn't updated in 20+ years. A lot of her Y&R schtick included stuff she'd been doing since Another World, right down to the Courtneys.

Edited September 27Sep 27 by Vee

I'm interpreting the tweet to mean out as EP. If Josh stays as head writer, what even is the point?

7 hours ago, BoldRestless said:

I'm interpreting the tweet to mean out as EP. If Josh stays as head writer, what even is the point?

He's the most logical choice and it is clear something is going on there. Josh was working as EP for ages and then in comes JFP and now Sally McDonald? You could argue away one of them but both suggests they feel that something isn't working. Also, the hail mary endless stunt casting screams of him making a last ditch effort to save his job this fall. His contract is up either December or January so the timing makes sense.

Unfortunately, he's like a cat with 9 lives so I fully expect him to generate enough buzz to save his job.

16 hours ago, cassadine1991 said:

Interesting

I wish it was Julie Hanan Carruthers 😢 BTG has the same inconsistent vision and poor quality control across all departments that PC and AMC exhibited during her reigns. I think one thing BTG really needs is a producer who will set a firm direction for the acting, writing, and production style. Right now it feels like everybody is free styling and they all end up clashing. I would like to see what Phideaux Xavier could do if given the chance, he often directs the stronger episodes for me.

31 minutes ago, detroitpiston said:

I wish it was Julie Hanan Carruthers 😢 BTG has the same inconsistent vision and poor quality control across all departments that PC and AMC exhibited during her reigns. I think one thing BTG really needs is a producer who will set a firm direction for the acting, writing, and production style. Right now it feels like everybody is free styling and they all end up clashing. I would like to see what Phideaux Xavier could do if given the chance, he often directs the stronger episodes for me.

During the 2023 investigation of creepy DAYS co-EP
'he who shall not be named' Alan A-r, many of the cast/crew of DAYS signed a petition for director Sonia Blangiardo-Goins to become the new co-EP, but she wasn't chosen.
In 2024, Sonia Blangiardo-Goins went over to BTG as a director.
I have no idea what Sonia's production view would be like, but it's interesting that some of the DAYS cast/crew had faith in her.

Sept. 2, 2025 interview with Phideaux Xavier
Excellent in-depth interview about the BTG directing process and more. 
Really worth watching.   Really great.  And fascinating, not boring.

Edited September 27Sep 27 by janea4old

14 hours ago, Vee said:

For real though, how do they not have the money?

I wonder if it has less to do with how much money Y&R has and more to do with how that money's being spent.  Like, where are the current production team's priorities?  Is every available dollar being put up on screen?  If not, then where else are the funds going?  And does it really have more to do with taste levels than anything else?

4 hours ago, detroitpiston said:

I wish it was Julie Hanan Carruthers 😢 BTG has the same inconsistent vision and poor quality control across all departments that PC and AMC exhibited during her reigns. I think one thing BTG really needs is a producer who will set a firm direction for the acting, writing, and production style. Right now it feels like everybody is free styling and they all end up clashing. I would like to see what Phideaux Xavier could do if given the chance, he often directs the stronger episodes for me.

I agree 100%. If Ed Scott was going to go anywhere for a few months before retiring, I wish it was BTG. He instantly improved Y&R's directing and introduced strong new sets. Julie has never been someone who I would consider a visionary and it definitely shows on screen. The show has a large studio but I don't think they use the space smartly and they need a new set designer.

In the above-posted Phideaux Xavier interview, he talks about being aware that viewers have annoyance with limited sets on BTG being used for characters meeting up, and he acknowledges this but says they have limits.   He also talks about some of the crew having trained in film instead of TV soaps, so it's a different style of filming that the crew uses.

BTG's issues with some sets are pretty minor compared to what we've seen on DAYS, Y&R, GL and ofc the all Metro Court everything years on GH in the mid-2010s. Yes, I think they need a couple more and some of the meeting places are silly but that's been an issue at soaps going back at least 20+ years.

Randy needs to stop having 'secret meetings' at Orphey Gene's though. "I can't let Joey know I'm back in town! Let's get a table by the window."

4 hours ago, Khan said:

I wonder if it has less to do with how much money Y&R has and more to do with how that money's being spent.  Like, where are the current production team's priorities?  Is every available dollar being put up on screen?  If not, then where else are the funds going?

I would have to assume it goes to the longtime salaries. I am sure every vet in daytime has taken major cuts, but one wonders if Y&R's status has empowered Braeden, MTS, etc. to take less.

43 minutes ago, Vee said:

Randy needs to stop having 'secret meetings' at Orphey Gene's though. "I can't let Joey know I'm back in town! Let's get a table by the window."

LOL!!

27 minutes ago, Vee said:

one wonders if Y&R's status has empowered Braeden, MTS, etc. to take less.

EB: "I'll be DAMNED if I take a pay cut!"

1 hour ago, Vee said:

I would have to assume it goes to the longtime salaries. I am sure every vet in daytime has taken major cuts, but one wonders if Y&R's status has empowered Braeden, MTS, etc. to take less.

I think MTS had more than one protracted battle with Sony over contracts, so you're likely right. 

MTS is one of the few I'd say should get that level of salary as she's one of the few who ever almost makes me want to see Y&R again.