Why Sony and CBS Have to Either Let Maria Arena Bell Helm Y&R Her Way or Fire Her
Is anyone else experiencing any soapy flashbacks, set to Nadia's Theme of course, to when Maria Arena Bell first managed to wrest control of The Young and the Restless from Lynn Marie Latham and later Josh Griffith? I certainly have been, thanks to all these backstage casting dramas.
Once Ri Ri was the HIIC (Head In-Law in Charge) she quickly undid everything Latham had done on the soap, even killing Victor's (Eric Braeden) dog! We didn't mind it so much, because LML wasn't the greatest of writers for Y&R (although LML never had Daytime Emmy-winner Greg Rikaart dressed as a rodent, had two doppelganger stories going at once, or had to have Jesse, Al and Victoria Rowell force her to write for the black folks), but it was evident to all that MAB was cleaning house. Basically the only major LML addition who survived the soap cleansing was Cane Ashby as played by the popular Daniel Goddard.
While we hear MAB was itching to toss the character of Cane and the actor out on their Aussie bums way back when, the network aka Barbara Bloom said "Not no, but hell no" due to the popularity of Cane's romance with Lily Winters (Christel Khalil). Although Cane and Lily have never been a favorite pairing of this blog's, I did get where the network was coming from. They are very popular. Don't believe me? Try dissing the pairing on Twitter. You'll see the blue whale in five seconds flat from all the incensed retweets. In this day and age it really doesn't make sense to piss off soap fans who are still that diehard, all for the sake of banishing any memory of a prior regime and/or high school-esque backstage b.s.
Now that Babs Bloom has left the building, MAB has once again tried to fire Goddard, only reportedly for the new network rep to make her re-hire him, with the support of Y&R's parent company Sony. While rumors abound that Goddard's scene partners wanted him out, there had to be a way for a showrunner worth his or her salt to mediate? I mean, hello this is the same soap where Eric Braeden allegedly head-butted Peter Bergman on set and those two still manage to share scene after scene decades later. It's called work, not play. Unfortunately for another Bloom casting decision, Maura West (Diane), who is reportedly on her way out, there's no rabid fanbase, or exec fighting for her.
See, now this is why, even though Y&R is so good these days, I am beyond jaded and snarky about the soap's expressed plans to bring on stars from All My Children and One Life to Live. If it's one thing the current regime at Y&R has shown us over and over again, it is they will bring on an insanely popular actor from another soap and because of petty backstage b.s. and/or the fact that this exec liked him or her and wouldn't let MAB cast someone from Baretta instead, she''ll eff over the character—not to mention the actor—out of spite and/or boredom. This does nothing but damage the soap in the short run and help to put a nail in its coffin in the long run. Ask Ellen Wheeler, Chuck Pratt and Chris Goutman. They played the same kinds of reindeer games at their respective sudsers. That reminds me, did anyone DVR Let's Make a Deal today?
Why should I be excited about Genie Francis or Debbi Morgan or anyone else coming to Y&R when I know all it will take for the character to die on the vine is for a network and/or Sony exec to have made the suggestion to hire them against MAB's wishes? Meanwhile, Sony, not MAB, allegedly claims they can't afford to play Y&R's top female superstar of all-time, Melody Thomas Scott. This really doesn't make good horse sense, people.
There are seriously way too many cooks in the Genoa City kitchen and the ones who end up having to eat a big, ol' plate of mess when a character or story is overcooked—or not even allowed to be brought to a boil—are the fans. Wait, I take that back. It's also the talented actors, who, because MAB is forced to write for them and/or gets bored, gives them crappy, plot driven stories which water down their brands and popularity. Hello, Maura West won the freaking Lead Actress Daytime Emmy last year and this is the treatment she gets?!
Sony and CBS needs to either allow MAB to write, produce and cast the show as she wishes, or fire her and bring in someone who will do the show the way they want it done. A fan shouldn't have to make sure which faction is invested in a character or story in order to decide whether or not it's even worth the effort to root. All I'm saying is, I hope before Y&R goes after any more "big gets", they get their ish together and get on the same page about this soap's future.
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Comments
11 April 2011
1 year 51 weeks
I could not agree more. I am not buying that big bad SONy/CBS are ganging up on poor MAB. They gace her 3 years and she sucks. Time for someone to step in. If she wants them to butt out, then show success
27 December 2009
1 hour 52 min
I was using "skewed" as a less offensive version of "extreme" or overly "cynical". MAB's first year and half as HW was GREAT, IMO. Everything popped. It all went downhill and fast and shortly after the Kay and Jill cake fight. I think she did a few things right in the beginning, but she has not done anything great in years. And I'm not going to fault her on Jana. LML created and rewrote tons of times. Jana's problem goes back before MAB.
I do think some people over glamorize William Bell. He had tons of crappy storylines, but we forget them. However, there are some serious problems over at Y&R and I do agree some changes need to be made on the writing side. I think a casting directors needs to be fired.
11 April 2011
1 year 51 weeks
I do not know her so I cannot say how her personality is but I have to agree with the rest of your post. She sucks and now they are forced to step in. With GH and Days losing HW obviously CBS/Sony are not the only ones doing the stepping in bit.
Now is her cue to open her eyes and improve if she ants them to butt out
23 December 2008
13 weeks 22 hours
Bring back Josh Griffith and Cherie--NOW! (Ideally Lynn would be the logical choice IMO). MAB has, with CBS turning a blind eye for over 3 years, tanked and ruined Y&R. The Bell Family should take stock of their stock as well. WHY would Lee Bell allow her seamstress DIL to ruin her and her husband's legacy? What was the REASON for hiring the likes of Hogan and the Netflix Nutter at all? Reich is gone, but so what? CBS/SONY should step in Immediately and remove the reins from the woman who actually thinks Y&R is HER own little fiefdom, and that Fans are an annoyance that doesn't count.
I said this years ago when she was appointed to her post. MAB Has An Agenda, and it does not include the likes of SHICK, LANE, the WINTERS, Kay/Jill, Jack Abbott being Jack--anything viewers want. Hell, the woman preferred the ABC Soaps to the Bell ones--if you doubt it look at all the actors hired--all from ABC (with the exception of MW).
And as a woman the way she views women is disgusting. Whores and Whiners--no in between. What in the Hell is THAT about?
23 December 2008
13 weeks 22 hours
The reason the first part of her tenure 'popped' was because JOSH GRIFFITH was still onboard, rewriting like a MoFo as you Yanks would say. They fired him in September 2008 but there was still Story left.
26 February 2009
39 weeks 4 days
I think the show went downhill as soon as the stuff with Nikki being humiliated and rolling on the beach began. This was also around the time that they had all these unpleasant scenes of Adam weeping in prison begging for the awesome Victor's forgiveness. And Victoria bowed down before her father, literally, so he could pat her on the head. That was the day I knew Victoria was gone forever. This was when the deification of Victor, which has been one of Sheffer/MAB's most destructive crutches, began to eat the show.
I will fault her for Jana mostly because her stories for Jana were so incredibly stupid and a waste of a fantastic actress. She can't feel anything. She sleeps with Ryder. She runs off with Ryder. She returns, now obsessing over Kevin, even though they just said she no longer remembered loving Kevin. She spends months being a prop for whiny Kevin and his nasty girlfriend Chloe. Then she dies for an even more lame "mystery" story.
14 June 2009
3 hours 39 min
This is Hogan Sheffer. He has denigrated women for his entire soap career. MAB doesn't seem to have any interest in curbing this. For all we know, she makes it worse.
It is a sick loop, and worst of all, you can sense the thrill Y&R gets out of crushing once-interesting female characters (Nikki, Jill, Sharon, Diane) into the dust.
One can usually tell Hogan Sheffers writing. He has a very strong point of view. He eats storyline for breakfast. Never dots the eyes and crosses the t's. He doesn't want to dig in and find the nuggetts of gold that add depth to the story and to the acting. He just wants to move quickly from one story to the next. He also has disdain for vet characters. Oh he learned his lesson about not using them on ATWT. But he uses them as window dressing for the younger characters. They don't really get their own stories.
Maria Bell on the other hand has a strong identity as well. One that wants to honor and pay homage to Y&R of the past and to mine some of its glories.
Unfortunately she has been learning on the job and has lacked the ability and confidence to assert herself against the vet writer Sheffer.
As we have recently seen however, the show has somewhat slowed down the pace. We are not seeing three months worth story line breakdown into a conversation in the Chancelor living room (Phillip's alive and coming out and Chance's return from the war) anymore. The show is getting stronger. I attribute that to Sony stepping up a little bit since Paul Rauch is gone and to the on the job experience that Maria Bell has recieved. I mean give her a break a little. I believe her heart is in the right place. She just has had to figure it all out on the job and with some strong men (Sheffer and Rauch) to have their own say about things and maybe push her around.
Sony is right about bringing back Cane. Y&R has had a long history even of killing off their most popular leading men leading to a leakage of viewers (same thing happened when they killed off Ryan in the 90s.) Like it or not, there is a significant audience that loves Cane (maybe its the accent).
4 January 2011
3 weeks 3 days
I agree with those that say she should be fired. I watch Y&R out of habit most of the time and even then the scenes I can't stomach I keep on mute. I want to get back to enjoying my soaps and MAB has proven she can't do that and I don't care if she's a Bell...it doesn't mean she has talent. I can find someone on the street with the last name Bell and they'll probably have more talent.
9 December 2010
1 year 38 weeks
Hogan is one of the people I include in my comment about the leadership ranks needing to be addressed. It hurts to say it because I really liked Hogan's writing when he was at ATWT. In large part he tried to "re-create" ATWT's Carly Tenney on Y&R and it failed miserably, in my opinion.
But this brings us back to Jamey's point: Doesn't Hogan report to Maria, who in turn seemingly reports to a whole 'nother group of people? That's why the entire leadership at the show is in question for me. There doesn't seem to be any leadership, at least not one with a clear vision. And fans/viewers are having to pay the price.
4 October 2010
1 year 46 weeks
As a true fan of Young & the Restless since the 70s, I am so pissed at MAB, Sony and/or CBS. This show is a broken shell of what it once was.
As fans we have to acknowledge that MAB must be either retarded or stupid because the last time I looked Guiding Light, As the World Turns, One Life to Live and All My Children has been cancelled since she became employed and she has refused to step up her game or at least bring back Kay Alden, Sally Sussman & Edward Scott.
This dummy must want to be on the unemployment line. If she thinks that Sony or CBS will renew Y&R again if ABC dumps it's soaps she is delusional.
MAB must realize that All My Children, yes All My Children with the iconic Erica Cane was cancelled. If she thinks that CBS will hold onto Y&R for sentimental value she's crazy. Especially if any of the replacement shows develops an audience.
Wake up Maria Bell and stop being stuck on stupid.
25 May 2011
1 year 51 weeks
MAB has no respect for the history of the show, the characters, or the couples......I understand you have to shake things up and change, but she does too many teases....
For some reason, she thinks a popular character on another soap will equate to instant ratings as their fan base will follow....Well batting Zero.....the Heather/Ronan/Chloe triangle which worked so well on AMC has been a miserable, embarrassing flop, even Chance coudn't save it. ER as Heather is one of the most hated characters and re-casts ever......
Now poor Maura West, while very popular as Carly, has no direction or any similarity to the character of Diane.......
Stop trying to re-invent the wheel....The only good thing she has done is to try to get rid of Cane/DG and now that is also a failure.....this new idenity of Caleb is stupid and as uninspired as is his acting......
Get it together before we lose our Soap..................
14 May 2009
7 hours 9 min
- Having Adam terrorize Ashley for no apparent reason (if it was "to upset Victor", then that was a bad joke, as Victor did not give a rat's ass about what happened to Ashley or their baby), cause her to have a miscarriage, throw her fetus into the fireplace, have her touched by a doctor who liked to molest his patients, lying to Sharon that her baby died severely deformed, then hooked up with Sharon?
- Killing off Colleen Abbott and giving her heart to a man who humiliated her and hated her? THEN having this man declare a vendetta, for no apparent reason, against the family who gave him Colleen's heart?
- Bringing back Patty Williams as a lunatic who killed dogs and gave children brain damage? And who then essentially vanished, and now it is as if the story never happened?
- Daisy and Ryder sucking up airtime for months of non-story, with Ryder finally hitting the road with a whimper and Daisy returning to rape Daniel?
- Jana going through 3 or 4 personality changes all for the sake of manipulating viewer sympathy for one of the most unpleasant and asexual couples ever on Y&R (Kevin and Chloe)?
- Bringing Phillip Chancellor back from the dead for no apparent reason, other than to say look ma, I honored history? Rushing through a very complicated story (Phillip faked his death because he was ashamed of being gay, Phillip met Cane and set off mass manipulations to convince his family that Cane was really him) in about two weeks?
- For no apparent reason, unrelating Tyra and Devon, putting them in an affair, then having her disappear never to be mentioned again?
- In-between hastily rewriting Chloe's backstory and her reasons for wanting Cane (which I still don't understand), giving Billy and Chloe a child, for no apparent reason, since they quickly split for good and only share scenes to shout at each other?
- Rewriting history to claim that John was a bad father to Billy, and that Billy had never been close to the Abbotts?
- Having Victoria ignore her longed-for son, Reed, then suddenly become obsessed over another baby?
- Having Sharon bed down with Billy, Jack, AND Nick? Repeatedly saying that Sharon would fall apart if her Cassie replacement died, only for her to barely care when she thought the baby had died? Rewriting history to claim Sharon had been a klepto for years and years, and then rewriting the reasons for this (she'd been like this since before Cassie...no wait, she was like this after she gave Cassie up...no wait, she's like this because of Nick)?
- Bringing back Skye for no apparent reason other than so Adam could treat her like trash, Victor could debase her, and she'd fall into a volcano?
- Bringing in Nina's long-lost son, one of Bill Bell's last unresolved stories, only for him to barely share any scenes with Nina and instead give the definition of anti-chemistry in endless scenes with Chloe and Heather? Then throw in an "oops, he was never really Nina's son at all...never mind," twist at the end, for no apparent reason?
- Saying that Jill is Lauren's sister and having Jill forget the Fosters ever existed, only for Jill and Lauren to barely even acknowledge each other?
- Having Adam "seduce" Rafe in such scorching scenes as fixing his tie, only for this to have absolutely zero impact on story (other than Nick chortling and making drag queen jokes)?
PREACH!!!!!!!!
Maria Hackrena Hell is a terrible showrunner, what she did/is still doing to Y&R is criminal and i don't think Bloom/Sony/CBS are to blame for her shitty writing.
Why would Sony let her run things her way when we know that her way sucks? Her version of Y&R is an offensive misogynistic mess and at this point i would take LML over her. Yes, i'm not even kidding, LML's Reign of Terror was less offensive than Hackrena Hell Reign of Horror!
Maybe they can bring back Josh Griffith who was obviously the one really responsible for the early success of her regime, i don't think that it's a coincidence that everything went to Hell when Hackrena started penning her own stories.
YOU GO SONNY/CBS, fire the hack.
22 January 2008
2 hours 40 min
If you read the article carefully you will see that at no time did I blame Sony or CBS for Maria's stories. I blamed the soaps-by-committee problem at the show for primarily casting decisions and "big gets" dying on the vine. I think a quick visit to the search engine on this site will reveal oh say 505, 731 posts blasting many of the same stories mentioned in these comments, posts that lay the blame squarely on the head writing team, not Sony or CBS.
23 December 2008
13 weeks 22 hours
Despite her disdain and disrespect for LANE (Lily and Cane) they and their Fans have saved MAB's sorry bum for three years and look at the way she has hacked this Couple to promote her Favs, starting with the Chloe crap! TigerLily has been silenced and Cane has been neutered and rendered a pauper for the Chloe, Billy Abbott mess--all to promote WHAT MAB viewed as "her vision".
LANE, Sharon to 'redeem' Adam--WTH is that? Baby killers/stealers equals UNREDEEMABLE! She didn't have to go that far with Adam; apparently someone thought it was a hoot, but it wasn't! Can anyone tell me WTF happened with the Gay SL of RAFE and Adam? Adam is introduced to viewers as Gay but then WHAM--he is now a Hetero Leading Man? Yeah right! I was waiting for a SL with Sharon finding out her hubby was on the Down Low.
And what is the deal with Chloe, Heather and Villy? You can't FORCE chemistry--Villy doesn't have it (poor BM). Villy only proves that despite all your PR efforts to place a crown on a Pig and crown it Miss America, it is still a PIG to most!
MW NEVER should have been hired with MS still onboard end of! That was grossly unfair to her but then the same can be said of SN and EB. The Notion that bringing over "Big" Starts from lessor or cancelled soaps is indiotic at best. These Shows have been cancelled for a reason--Not Enough Viewers!
16 August 2009
2 weeks 2 days
I hear you Jamey. It seems like MAB's role of EP is pretty much meaningless since CBS and Sony seem to micromanage to death. I've always thought double duty as EP and HW was a mistake from the beginning, but I wonder why they even bother with having an EP since the network and Sony have their grubby fingers in the pie all day every day.
Whatever it is, it will be the death of Y&R if something isn't done to bring back the integrity of this soap.
11 April 2011
1 year 51 weeks
I am happy I came back and saw this because to be honest at first it seemed like MAB was being given a pass and Sony/CBS were the bad guys and ganging up on her. This is a business and SOAPs are quickly dying. I am sure they gave her carte blanch when she first came on but it has become obvious, especially lately, that MAB is failing. If we do not want to see even lower ratings and our show gone too soon, someone had to do something and fast. It might even be too little too late.
I am not for them just taking over just to take over but if they are, I am sure it was not a decision they made lightly and was made due to what they see going on with the show and maybe even things going on backstage that we are not privy to.
If she feels marginalized/sidelined, then quit and leave them holding the bag. Or she can be hunble and work with them to get the show back on track because if we are honest, even though it has its bright spots, teh show has gone downhill in many ways.
The best way to show she is worthy is by starting to pen some good stories that are character driven. The acting is there. Decrease the favoritism/dislike for ceratin pairings/actors and get everyone involved so fans can get variety.
Also, giving her total control of the show could be a recipe for disaster. I am not sure one person should have that much power.
5 August 2008
8 weeks 3 days
So if Maria Bell's stories suck why would we want to leave her alone. The last time she was left along was in the fall of 2008 and the show's ratings took a huge nose dive. We can't blame the committee for most of the fault with the show. The fact remains that someone needs to watch her or the show would be in worse shape. Guess she should be fired if we can't trust her with the show.
30 April 2009
2 hours 34 min
I definitely agree that MAB uses history as an excuse for her crappy stories. She doesn't build on history, she mentions it and throws it out the window.
That said, there is a huge hiring problem and given the rumors that Sony is looking for people from OLTL and AMC - then it won't change. I fear that Y&R is no longer looking like Y&R nowadays.
4 May 2009
58 min
If I had my way Kay Alden and Jack Smith would be running the show.
Maria came on and made the show great but as I have said before the show is right now good but not good enough. There is room for improvement and characters that are not necessary. I would though take a MAB Y&R over a LML Y&R ANYDAY.
As for Maura, MAB said she was going to give exposition as to why Diane was the way she was. That never happened. She just flipped from Victor to Jack to Nick to Tucker now to Adam.
What a waste. Maura West deserved better.
3 wags of the finger from this fag to MAB for that bullshit.
13 April 2009
22 weeks 3 days
Where is the "like" button? Alstonboy, I do enjoy reading your comments! So insightful! I will stand beside if the Lane fans comes after you.
How can Lane be popular? They are just plain boring. Even the whole twin thing is nauseating. The way he talks is so "overboard"!!!! Really he is not scaring me with "let me kill Lily".
Where is the Y&R that I loved in the 90's? Too many characters, stupid storylines, and underused main characters!
Don't get me started on Villy!
13 December 2009
1 year 49 weeks
Gosh I may not like Lane but I in no way shape or form believe they are not popular. Differnt strokes thats why there are diff characters and couples on a soap to appeal to a wide group of people. I for one don't get and will never understand the appeal of Villy but they have fans. Same with the charactera Sharon and Chloe. BUt then I never get why the opinions of a small minority of people online especially when its the same group of posters generally at every message board and blog are believed to represent the general viewer. But then what do I know.
Anyway its time for MAB to go or get in line. If she doesn't want to take direction or input from Sony then she can quit. ANd I don't know that their insight is any better, but killing off popular pairings, deliberating sabatoging storylines for soap vets like MW just because SHE is not a fan doesn't sound like good business practice to me. And being a Bell should not give you carte blanche. I do think SHeffer needs to go as his influence on the writing for women on this show is clearly evident.
11 April 2009
8 hours 57 min
Network executives at all of the networks have input into hiring and story in primetime (broadcast or cable) programs. Networks have talent deals with actors whom they like.
The fact that MAB is allegedly so petty that she would sabotage an actor's career speaks volumes about what might be wrong with her leadership at Y&R.
Maura West is an Emmy winner not just because she lucked out and won but because she is extremely talented. MAB could have created a new role for her. She could also have written decent material for Diane.
West had great chemistry with Josh Morrow. It's ridiculous that it wasn't explored.
As for Daniel Goddard, thank the soap goddess for someone at CBS and Sony for having brains enough to keep him.
Finally, all hail Victoria Rowell, the National Urban League, and the rest of activists who forced MAB to write for the African-American cast. The fact that all that pressure had to be applied to get MAB to do so only furthers my questions about her fitness to run Y&R.
11 December 2008
11 weeks 2 hours
I absolutely loved the article, Jamey.
As for my two-cents-worth, I say Fire MAB, please. MAB, HS & SH have been a disaster from the very beginning. They should've all been fired the very day the script was submitted to have Kevin wear a chipmunk costume.
I used to love this show - even scheduled my university classes around YR (and GL) back in the 80s... But now? pffft.
There was clearly a lack of leadership and a pettiness happening at the show's leadership that would rival any 6th grade cheerleading squad. And I can't even mention the stuff that's happening on-screen.
While I agree that the CBS and Sony's execs should stop dictating storylines and casting decisions, I could understand if they felt that the show's execs (*cough*MAB-n-em*cough) could not be trusted due to an utter lack of talent. So, to that end, I say fire MAB, get someone in there who knows what they're doing and then let the HW write the show without interference.
26 February 2009
39 weeks 4 days
I do respect that you have criticized some of the horrible stories Y&R has pushed at viewers over the last few years. I guess I decided to write that up because I couldn't get past the part about letting MAB helm Y&R "her way." To me, this WAS "her way." Most of the stories I listed did not heavily involve favorites of Sony who were forced onto MAB. These stories involved characters she supposedly liked or who were supposedly some type of history she wanted to honor.
Take MTS for example. Other than a few good scenes here and there, most of her material for Nikki has been about Nikki being a pathetic wretch who exists only for Victor. I'm sure someone would say this is what Nikki has always been, but Bill Bell wrote her with more mystique and insight, so did Kay Alden, even Jack Smith. Now we get really cheap things like Nikki having sex with Victor in a barn. What is that? The show seems to get a pleasure out of kicking Nikki while she is down, and taking away any of the complexity Victor/Nikki had. Now it's just, "Victor abuses Nikki, but this is what she needs, because she's stupid trash and Victor knows all."
I also don't recognize anything MAB has done with Katharine, who veers from noble saint to firebreathing shrew depending on the scene, and who no longer has coherent relationships with anyone on the show.
I think MAB just cannot write or produce a show. Whether Sony or CBS will stop anyone from being able to write or produce a show is anyone's guess, but I think it's more than time to let her go back to whatever she was doing before she "saved" Y&R. And take Hogan Sheffer and Scott Hamner with her.
6 July 2010
2 hours 50 min
They should lay back on the noble saint nonsense, tender loving moments yes, but no more God conversations please.
And her relationship with Victor seems out of whack , because they have moved Jill away from her. When Katherine was working at CI, Jill was working with her. It's unnatural that business talk is all the sudden off limits between the two. Jill has a lifetime of experience in Jabot and CI, more than Katherine. They should return Jill to CI. Victor was a staunch business ally and friend of Katherine, but they were never attached at the hip.
6 July 2010
2 hours 50 min
I don't understand why Sony/CBS executives are shopping for new cast members from other soaps when money is an issue? If MAB isn't requesting new people why would they hire more? If they don't know the story or care about the show why are they so interested in hiring new people to add to it?
18 August 2009
4 hours 4 sec
I will once again step in and say....
MAB is totally capable of writing a great show. She did it before Hogan Sheffer and Paul Rauch came on board. Sure, she totally undid everything LML related, but Y&R was the best it had been in about three of four years in 2008.
That proves to me that she's a good writer. I think people are tooo hard on her. I honestly believe that a lot of what we see on our screen isn't MAB, but network execs with their hands in the cookie jar, two other headwriters who are hacks in their own rights (Hamner and Sheffer), and a woman (MAB) who seems to be so disillusioned about the state of her show that she thinks she's doing the best she can with what she has. And realistically speaking, she's NOT. BUTTTTT, I wouldn't so far as to say Y&R is a terrible show. All this griping about the writing is ridiculous ot me, because as someone who still watches all the soaps, Y&R is still consistently my favorite. I don't like every storyline, but then again, I didn't like EVERY story when Bill Bell Sr., was writing either. I'm not taking the blame off of MAB, I'm just saying...it's got to be hard to have to write something that isn't your vision. It's kinda like getting mom and dad's credit card and saying "Spend whatever you like...but you gotta buy what we tell you"....WTF???
So I can see why the writing is so hit or miss. Right now the show is great...but who knows how it will be next month? I think MAB is so uninspired and unmotivated by a lot of the cast and characters that she just does ANYTHING to make sure they get a storyline. It's sad really. TO ME, Kay Alden, John F. Smith, and MAB should be the headwriters of Y&R with NO execs dictating ANYTHING. Oh, and Ed Scott as EP for the win
13 December 2009
1 year 49 weeks
IMO its a way to cheaply shake up the show and generate buzz than actually investing in it and trying to improve it. There is no longer term vision behind it and I don't believe for a second hiring Eden Riegel, MAura West, or whoever did a thing in terms of viewership for the show. If anything it alienated the current viewers. If Vanessa Marcil a proven star on GH and outside of GH didn't help GH improve or draw people in and she returned to play the character she had played, then nothing will. I am really going to be interested in how Genie Francis does on Y&R. Expecting the worst hoping for the best.
12 February 2010
2 hours 53 min
Otalia4ever--
Thanks. And cheers!!!!
11 December 2008
11 weeks 2 hours
I'm not buying this because I know that MAB wrote the Phillip Return story. So, the depth of her "talent" and "imagination" was put on full display when Cane was revealed to have kept Phillip's blood in a freezer for some years, that Cane and Chloe were both faking Delia's paternity, that Cane was a homeless street kid who was saved by Phillip and that Phillip suddenly wanted to heal his family 20 years after the fact by sending Cane to town pretending to be him... and that Phillip (the doofus) successfully faked his death because he was gaaaayy. But MAB is capable? Um.... ok. (not)