The timing of all this is pretty interesting - BTG just came off its best ratings since launch with the Y&R crossover. If we don’t believe the PR spin that Griffith gracefully stepped down, do we think the execs at CBS suddenly realized that a dominant Y&R has significant spillover to the rest of their lineup, specifically their in-house production of BTG? This is something you’d hope they’d always understand, but sometimes these execs need hard numbers for something to click for them. Griffith’s departure seems more abrupt than we’re being led to believe, even if they insist it isn’t immediate.

When BTG co-EP Sheila Ducksworth posted the crossover promo on her instagram, I saw a comment on her post from a viewer who said BTG was their only soap and they might now check out Y&R. I thought that was interesting since the expectation was that Y&R would bring eyeballs to BTG.

1 hour ago, BetterForgotten said:

The timing of all this is pretty interesting - BTG just came off its best ratings since launch with the Y&R crossover. If we don’t believe the PR spin that Griffith gracefully stepped down, do we think the execs at CBS suddenly realized that a dominant Y&R has significant spillover to the rest of their lineup, specifically their in-house production of BTG? This is something you’d hope they’d always understand, but sometimes these execs need hard numbers for something to click for them. Griffith’s departure seems more abrupt than we’re being led to believe, even if they insist it isn’t immediate.

CBS is expecting a new head writer to be in place with new storylines ready to go when their "fall season premiere" takes place in late September/early October. I've NEVER heard of a head writer willingly stepping down without announcing their retirement outright, particularly one who, just weeks earlier, "stepped down" as executive producer. All of it is questionable and not at all believable.

I forgot to mention that Sally was allegedly handpicked by Josh Griffith as his co-EP. There's a chance the show would also undergo a change there, too.

52 minutes ago, Errol said:

CBS is expecting a new head writer to be in place with new storylines ready to go when their "fall season premiere" takes place in late September/early October. I've NEVER heard of a head writer willingly stepping down without announcing their retirement outright, particularly one who, just weeks earlier, "stepped down" as executive producer. All of it is questionable and not at all believable.

Do you think they have someone lined up already, or are they taking the time to listen to pitches from select writers? Or maybe that’s what was already happening behind the scenes before this was announced? 🤔

Y&R, of course, is in a position of strength. The numbers are up, but I'm guessing CBS/Sony believe it has a bigger upside aka - the 1MM+ viewers that TPIR2 drop off.

After returning in January, I dropped it for recaps the previous Friday - the Diane/Jack/Patty + Victor as Mr. Higgins to Matt's Eliza was just not worth my time. Plus Billy/Sally is so bad.

52 minutes ago, Errol said:

I forgot to mention that Sally was allegedly handpicked by Josh Griffith as his co-EP. There's a chance the show would also undergo a change there, too.

Poor Sally maybe getting caught in the crossfire. She’s been at the show since the Bell era and stayed there, and is one of the very best directors in daytime.

I’d like to see what she can do with a competent writer, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised if they throw the baby out with the bath water while they’re at it.

2 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Do you think they have someone lined up already, or are they taking the time to listen to pitches from select writers? Or maybe that’s what was already happening behind the scenes before this was announced? 🤔

Not too long ago, Jamey went back to Daytime Confidential for an extensive catch up podcast. He mentioned two things that made me feel as if he wouldn't be at BTG long term. Not because they don't want him but in case another, bigger opportunity came forward. He mentioned during BTG breaks that they allowed him to go back and write breakdowns for Days and the other thing he mentioned is that he was working on a project with Ron Calivati.

Could the project they were working on be a story bible for Y&R? It's clear something has been going on for a while so it wouldn't surprise me if they have been meeting with people in anticipation of this.

^ I didn't want to put that out there in the universe, but since you just posted, yeah that was my first thought when the news broke that it might be Jamey, since Jamey always wanted to write for Y&R. I didn't think of a Ron/Jamey combo, though.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by janea4old

I definitely do like the idea and feel that this has been in the works for a while. From the moment JG's BFF left to be fair. And like I said the other day...it's not the first HW/EP at that show that was out the door once they lost their EP title first.

Just now, janea4old said:

^ I didn't want to put that out there in the universe, but since you just posted, yeah that was my first thought. Jamey always wanted to write for Y&R.

But the question is if Sony and CBS are willing to take chances on an unproven (in daytime) HW? I am not going to pretend I like Jamey or think he’s ever displayed a lick of talent in anything he’s written, but what are the chances he gets a top job like this from conservative network and studio execs?

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by BetterForgotten

WHAT? No FREAKING WAY. I need to take a moment to take this in. Haven’t even started reading the article yet. I am SHOCKED 😳 but absolutely freaking elated ofcourse!

1 hour ago, Errol said:

I've NEVER heard of a head writer willingly stepping down without announcing their retirement outright, particularly one who, just weeks earlier, "stepped down" as executive producer.

I've never heard of one stepping down with no new HW announced along with it. Not since Jill Farren Phelps tried her hand at ghostwriting for almost a year at OLTL in '99. That is what I find particularly bizarre.

I did think once Griffith moved out of the EP position it was likely he would go sooner or later. But this whole process has been a real surprise.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Vee

I don't see Sally McDonald's role as executive producer being put into question, especially if she was just put into the position solely name-wise and given her tenure at Y&R.

32 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

But the question is if Sony and CBS are willing to take chances on an unproven (in daytime) HW? I am not going to pretend I like Jamey or think he’s ever displayed a lick of talent in anything he’s written, but what are the chances he gets a top job like this from conservative network and studio execs?

I have gotten the vibe for a long time that whatever RC may be up to is an original project. As in possibly a new soap. That said, would it shock me if Sony/CBS, unwilling to invest in new blood, just went after him for Y&R instead? No.

My worst fear (and one I highly doubt will happen at present) is ABC somehow gives him the keys to reviving AMC/OLTL again, which would cement Ron as the state executor and torchbearer for all things Llanview/PV for decades to come. I appreciate a lot of what Ron and Frank did at OLTL but that is the last thing either of them need, let alone the shows which have their own identities outside these men. It's time to move on.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Vee