It’s noted in the article that Griffith’s departure isn’t immediate. So, either he’s giving them time to interview and search for his replacement, or that’s just PR spin Griffith and Sony worked out for the press.

I do think the writing was on the wall for Griffith though. When it was announced just a few weeks ago that Sally McDonald was taking over as sole EP, and Griffith would just “focus” on being HW, it felt strange. So, he would willingly step aside and lose power? It just didn’t make any sense. And now, just a few mere weeks later we hear he’s resigning entirely? The communication has been wonky and there appears more to the story than we know publicly.

13 minutes ago, Chris B said:

I'm happy Josh Griffith is gone finally but won't get too excited until I know who is replacing him. I feel like the writing was on the wall for a while between Steve Kent overseeing the show and then JG losing his EP credit, not to mention JF consulting. Clearly something was going on and someone wasn't happy.

Now since I see comments about past regimes I'm going to give my defense of Sally Sussman. When she took over with no notice and no story bible or plans, it was obviously slow. With that said, the way the characters were written was like night and day. It was like a snap of the fingers and everybody was suddenly written in character again. I do think with time she developed a strong show but it was just too soon to fire her. She didn't even get a full year if I remember correctly.

I feel like if Mal Young had worked with her instead of firing her, they could've been a dream team. His punchier story ideas mixed with her knowledge of the characters and tone of the show would've been magic. I just think it's a shame they didn't give her a full two years.

Sally Sussman Morina has never had a successful HW-ing stint anywhere - Generations was threading water until Jorn Winther joined as Senior EP to revamp it before it was cancelled, her DAYS HW stint saw that show lose like a million viewers, and the Y&R HW stint was boring and ill-plotted - characterization was OK, but as with most of Sally’s work, there was never any pizzazz.

4 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Sally Sussman Morina has never had a successful HW-ing stint anywhere - Generations was threading water until Jorn Winther joined as Senior EP to revamp it before it was cancelled, her DAYS HW stint saw that show lose like a million viewers, and the Y&R HW stint was boring and ill-plotted - characterization was OK, but as with most of Sally’s work, there was never any pizzazz.

I agree when it comes to her other HW stints but I thought her Y&R was must see tv. That was the last time I was truly invested on Y&R. Her Y&R had great bones and had Mal Young worked with her I think he could've picked up the pace enough that they would've been a strong long term pairing. A big issue is that I feel like she was writing the show with more old school pacing which I was fine with but a faster pace would've probably been preferred by most viewers.

Mal Young was genuinely the last time I enjoyed watching The Young and the Restless. It was not-to-miss, had some momentum, and was so fun to watch. However, he should have either been an executive producer or a head writer. I am not the biggest fan of someone holding both those titles at the same time.

38 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Sally Sussman Morina has never had a successful HW-ing stint anywhere - Generations was threading water until Jorn Winther joined as Senior EP to revamp it before it was cancelled, her DAYS HW stint saw that show lose like a million viewers, and the Y&R HW stint was boring and ill-plotted - characterization was OK, but as with most of Sally’s work, there was never any pizzazz.

Sussman's last tenure was horrible. She came in with a chip on her shoulder and a vendetta for not being brought back sooner, etc. Her stories were slow, held no promise, and just did not work. At all. And the one interview she did came off really sour in my mouth. I was not a fan at all. She should have been a story consultant and Kay Alden should have been the head writer, instead of the other way around.

Machiavelli would be proud. Sony demoted him before the crossover aired then made him sit through BTG's parade of EP credits for a week.

I assume Sony wanted a change more than CBS, since Y&R is pantsing the other soaps in the W25-54 demo, and only doing worse than B&B in W18-49 YOY retention.

Just now, BetterForgotten said:

This is why we need Michael Logan back in the soap press. He was never afraid to say things or ask the questions that needed to be asked.

SSM’s last tenure on the show was the lasts time I was watching daily.

Yeah it was slow and low stakes (for weeks Nikki was simply afraid of playing the piano lol), so I roll my eyes at her interview about the stakes. Also aging the Ashbys kids was a mistake. Would I have preferred KA as HW? Yes. But still I recognized the show and enjoyed it.

3 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

2 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

This is why we need Michael Logan back in the soap press. He was never afraid to say things or ask the questions that needed to be asked.

Oh wow. And he usually only tweets when major soap stars pass away these days. Feels like the only critical voice we get from “the soap press” is from podcasters (who are more “superfans” than journalists).

He should get a Substack.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Faulkner

2 minutes ago, Faulkner said:

Oh wow. And he usually only tweets when major soap stars pass away these days. Feels like the only critical voice we get from “the soap press” is from podcasters (who are more “superfans” than journalists).

Yeah. His last post before this was in December 2025 concerning the passing of Anthony Geary. So needless to say he's got some opinions on this latest update. He didn't even say anything when Griffith stepped down as EP or when Sally McDonald was added as co-EP. 😀

4 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

@kalbir @YRfan23 @Paul Raven @ranger1rg @Faulkner @Taoboi @Soapsuds @Antoyne @janea4old

Now HOW did I OVERLOOK THIS yesterday??? Good riddance!!!

Well I tried to tag you when I tag @Antoyne but my laptop just was not having it. lol. Cheers to us having something to talk about on Y&R again.

7 hours ago, Antoyne said:

OMFG WE CAN FINALLY WATCH AGAIN!!!!

IKR!!! Fingers crossed.

2 hours ago, Chris B said:

I'm happy Josh Griffith is gone finally but won't get too excited until I know who is replacing him. I feel like the writing was on the wall for a while between Steve Kent overseeing the show and then JG losing his EP credit, not to mention JF consulting. Clearly something was going on and someone wasn't happy.

Now since I see comments about past regimes I'm going to give my defense of Sally Sussman. When she took over with no notice and no story bible or plans, it was obviously slow. With that said, the way the characters were written was like night and day. It was like a snap of the fingers and everybody was suddenly written in character again. I do think with time she developed a strong show but it was just too soon to fire her. She didn't even get a full year if I remember correctly.

I feel like if Mal Young had worked with her instead of firing her, they could've been a dream team. His punchier story ideas mixed with her knowledge of the characters and tone of the show would've been magic. I just think it's a shame they didn't give her a full two years.

Honestly it's been tradition at this point that once a HW loses their EP on this show, their job is soon to follow.

That said...I too will step up to defend Sally Sussman as well as I do for her brief return. Like you, I also felt that as soon as she showed up...hurried story bible or not...all the characters started to act back in character. Was it slow? Yes. I still enjoyed it. I also believe her and Mal Young were a good combo. I'm sure the L. A. remote was his idea, and all the stories took off after that point, showing how good a combo they were. She really should have been given a year. Heck, I feel Juliet (Laur Allen of the breathy Scarlett Johnansen voice and look) would still had been around to put Cane and Lily through it because she was giving old school Y&R.

But Mal Young had to pull that coup.

And while I didn't like the SORAS of Lily's kids, I am not going to say that I hated Reed/Mattie together.