That sound you hear is Sony executives wailing and gnashing their teeth as CBS Daytime's The Young and the Restless hit record lows the week of Aug. 22-26 (Source: Soap Opera Network). Granted, the ratings for this period were effected slightly by preemptions on Tuesday, due to the earthquake, and Friday, because of Hurricane Irene, however daytime's No. 1 soap was the only sudser to hit new lows in total viewers, women viewers 18-49 and women 18-34. In the latter demo, Y&R was in fifth place! Y&R also tied its record low among women 18-49 for the third week in a row. Sorry, Maria. No natural disaster to blame that last one on.

I can't comment on what happened in Y&R storywise for the week in question because I was boycotting the show. I feel the exact same way about Y&R right now as I did during Chuck Pratt's show-destroying stint at All My Children. If Maria Arena Bell isn't either reigned in or relieved of her duties, this show could soon be irrevocably broken. Oh yeah, and where is Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott)?
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The Young and the Restless leading lady Melody Thomas Scott has been utilizing social media to set the record straight about her employment status with daytime's No. 1 soap opera. When I spoke with Thomas Scott on the Daytime Emmy red carpet on June 19, I asked her to weigh in on all the rumors that have been spread about her status at Y&R. 

"I don't really even recall what was said," Thomas Scott stated about published reports about her contract issues with the series. "I've recently joined Twitter because I can tell the truth in my own words. So nobody can mess with that. So all I can do is tell the truth and keep fans abreast of what is really going on. Unfortunately there is no change. Still working it out. I think I've said enough on it. Until someone says to me, 'We want to work on this' things remain the same."

Thomas Scott also voiced how touched she is that her legion of fans have rallied to her defense and have been campaigning to get her back on the show.

"I think it's really moving and I'm deeply touched. Bless their hearts." READ MORE

Melody is a phenomenal actress. Nikki is one of the great core characters of The Young and the Restless, so of course we'll see her again. She’s in a story line right now, we actually have her leaving town for rehab. She'll be back and we love Mel. She’s one of the hearts and souls of The Young and The Restless. So, don’t be worried, she will be back.

The Young and the Restless' Melody Thomas Scott and husband Ed Scott are the first-time grandparents of twins.  The actress tweeted the news, revealing the names and weights of her two new grandbabies, on May 25.

We've got babies! James Rawlings Christenson 7:59am 6 lbs 3oz and Charlotte Scott Christenson 8:00am 6 lbs. 2 oz. (Cell phone dying!).

The two bundles of joy are the first for Ed and Melody Thomas Scott’s daughter Jennifer Scott Christenson and husband John Christenson. Melody Thomas Scott recently joined Twitter and has been taking questions from fans about the expected arrivals, but didn't reveal their names until after they were born. 

Photo by PR Photos

While Sony and the brass at The Young and the Restless keep gushing to anyone who will listen how all-fired excited they are to start snatching and grabbing actors from All My Children and One Life to Live, contract negotiations at daytime's top soap continue to make members of Navy Seal Team 6 applaud the execs over there on their take no prisoners approach.

Don't get me wrong, I know it's a bad ecomic time for soaps, and fully expect soapers to help these shows stick around by taking the necessary paycuts when called upon, however I really think it's time for the people running this industry to smarten up. You don't go playing "Red Rover, Red Rover, can Genie Francis come over?" when you're claiming you can't afford your own soap's top stars. How did that work for As The General Hospital Actors Turn on CBS during its last season?

Y&R fans are reportedly about to once again be without our beloved (and in my case beloved to hate) Nikki Newman because allegedly they can't afford to play the increasingly incredible Melody Thomas Scott. Say what? say huh?
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Does the girl from the Bayou club really want Mr. Mumbles back? TV Guide's Michael Logan gets the 411 from The Young and the Restless' Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) who reveals if her alter ego still wants a crack at Victor (Eric Braeden).

TV Guide Magazine: The outta-nowhere marriage of Victor [Eric Braeden] and Diane [Maura West] is also driving Nikki booze-batty. Did she really think she still had a chance with The Mustache?

Thomas Scott: Oh, yes, I think maybe she did. Don't forget she and Victor had that recent roll in the hay — literally! — on Victor's birthday. Plus Nikki has always hated Diane and because Maura is so good in the role, Nikki hates her even more now! It's so great to have Maura in the cast. So, yeah, Nikki is trying to escape Deacon and Victor, making alcohol even more important to her than ever. She's lost her morals. There's a disturbing episode coming up where the enormity of it really struck me. Let's face it, Nikki's now having a secret life. She's a hider, and hiding means lies. In this episode I'm referring to, Nikki's kids Victoria [Amelia Heinle] and Nicholas [Joshua Morrow] come to Nikki's hotel room because they're worried she's drinking again and Nikki lies — Oscar worthy lies! —right to their faces. When the whole thing was over, I felt horrible! It was like a punch in my stomach. I realized this was a line Nikki has never crossed. She has never deceived her children. She has never sunk to that level. It was a hugely impactful moment for me. And then her best friend, Kay [Jeanne Cooper], is also sniffing around thinking Nikki is drinking, and Nikki is lying to her, too. So it's all really horrible and really dicey. It's not looking good for Nikki at all. [Laughs] But for me it's great! It's so much fun to play! READ MORE