‘The Young and the Restless’ New Head Writer Sally Sussman Answers Our Burning Questions

Michael Logan
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'The Young and the Restless' Set - Melissa Ordway, Beth Maitland, Peter Bergman, Eileen Davidson
Howard Wise/JPI Studios
Peter Bergman, Beth Maitland, Eileen Davidson, Melissa Ordway "The Young and the Restless" Set CBS television City Los Angeles 10/20/16 © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 Credit: Howard Wise/JPI Studios

Help is here. Back in the day, Sally Sussman was one of the most gifted and revered writers at The Young and the Restless, working alongside its legendary cocreator William J. Bell from 1984-89—widely considered the show’s golden era. Now she’s back at this troubled CBS juggernaut as head writer and co-executive producer and longtime fans have greeted the news with both relief and ecstasy. Sussman, who created the groundbreaking, multi-racial soap Generations and also served as head writer at Days of Our Lives, wasn’t planning a return to daytime drama. In fact, she had moved on to a career as a documentary filmmaker—her newest venture, Midnight Return: The Story of Bill Hayes and Turkey, had its world premiere to great acclaim at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. So this homecoming isn’t just exciting and energizing and the best thing to happen to Y&R in years. It’s really kind of a miracle. Here, in this exclusive interview, Sussman gives us a preview of her first episode—airing December 7—and her longterm plans for Bill Bell’s treasured serial.

The Young and the Restless head writer Sally Sussman. Photo courtesy of CBS

Sussman is taking charge in Genoa City

Welcome back! I hope you know how happy this news has made the old-school fans of Y&R. We’ve been yearning for it, praying for it, begging for it.
The response has been so heartening! The enthusiasm of the fans on the message boards has touched me a lot. I loved Bill Bell and it’s a real testament to his talent that, even with all the not-so-good changes at Y&R over the last few years, the show is still on the air and still relatively solid. That’s due to what Bill created. But I won’t lie. What’s happened to Y&R, and what’s happened to daytime in general, makes me sad. There have been people hired to write this show who didn’t know the history.

And, worse yet, didn’t care that they didn’t know the history. It’s like being cavalier was a prerequisite for the job.
You have to be born to this kind of work. Bill used to always say, “You have to be inside it.” Some people take the gig just because gigs are hard to come by.

That’s why it’s been extra incredible to hear you’ve brought back Kay Alden, another great Bill Bell protégé.
I wouldn’t have done this without her. To my mind, Kay is an indispensable writer. I have great respect for her skill and her history with the show. So it’s been very exciting. I hear people talk about how they watched Y&R with their mothers and grandmothers and how all they want is the show they fell in love with. Well, I hope to give them that show. I highly respect the fact that the fans know this show isn’t working.

Yet how realistic is a return to the glory days? Bill is gone. Times have changed. Can we really go home again?
The irony of this whole thing is that, while soaps are said to be dying, the serialized format is thriving today like never before—in primetime, in cable, even in the big movie franchises. How ironic is it that the genre that was once at the cutting edge of storytelling is now stuck doing stories about stolen babies? There is so much to write about today, so much to talk about, and that’s what Bill did. When people want to see the old Y&R recreated, what they mean is that they want honesty with the characters. They don’t want a show driven by plot or incident.

Do you believe it’s possible to grow an audience today, or is maintaining the status quo, ratings-wise, the best we can hope for?
Y&R has a bigger audience than, say, Mad Men, but Mad Men had a devoted audience. You didn’t dare miss it. That’s where daytime has missed the boat. It has failed to make the shows cultish and contemporary. Now Brad Bell certainly makes The Bold and the Beautiful contemporary. But the others have gone completely the opposite—it feels like you’re watching the 1980s again. That’s why people don’t talk about soaps much anymore, certainly not in the mainstream conversation. I have issue stories I want to tell, if the network [will let me], stories that can make Y&R relevant again. The genre isn’t dead yet, thank God. Y&R still gets over 4 million viewers. First, we must keep the audience we have, but I do believe we can bring back some of the lapsed viewers and make them want to see the show again. That will be the test.

Before we look to the future, let’s bring up the uncomfortable past. You returned briefly to Y&R in 2005 to work under head writer Lynn Latham, whose reign was a bloody disaster. A decision you regret?
It was horrible. After that, I never thought I’d come back to daytime. And the way it ended was not nice. It was badly handled. It was all incredibly frustrating. I grew up when daytime drama was cutting edge. I got frustrated when the genre began to lose its glow and frustrated with the serious dumbing down of the shows. I’m not just talking about Y&R. The Erica Kane un-abortion story on All My Children was the death knell for me. I was attracted to Y&R from the very beginning, but I really loved AMC, as well. Agnes Nixon did some groundbreaking, news-making stories back in the day, and so did Bill. That’s why I feel very sad about what’s happened to the show since he died. Lynn Latham was writing about Nazis!

And reliquaries!
The episode that killed Y&R for me was when Victoria went to the art supply store and then made a copy of a 9th century reliquary in her hotel room. Talk about jumping the shark.

And remember when Latham had Victor—daytime’s ultimate alpha dog—contract that rare form of epilepsy that had him arranging flowers, creating origami and taking dance lessons? What a nightmare.
It was humiliating. Well, Lynn fired all of us in 2006. Jack Smith and I got fired the same day, Kay a month later. And I’m the kind of person who, when I leave a show, it’s over for me. I never watch again.

So what can we expect on December 7? Sometimes a new headwriter’s work is clearly evident on Day 1. Sometimes, it’s more of a slow roll-out. How will it be for you?
You will see a difference right away. The very first scene of my first episode starts with an Abbott family breakfast.

A Bill Bell classic!
And it will be a real scene, like in the old days. I want to get back the spirit of Y&R, which to me is topical, multi-leveled storytelling with extended scenes—none of this choppy-chop-chop-chop stuff—and stories that give the audience a real payoff.

RELATED: Beth Maitland (aka Traci Abbott) Returns to Y&R

Looking at the canvas of characters, who is most important to you?
I see eight stalwarts. They are the indispensables. In no particular order: Nikki, Victor, Jack, Ashley, Nick, Sharon, Billy and Victoria.

Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden of The Young and the Restless. Credit: Edward McGowan / PlainJoe Studios

Y&R royalty: Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden

Let’s talk Victor and Nikki. Do you see them remaining together?
I think Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott are still extremely viable as a couple. They are both so great together. Because I have not watched Y&R, I can let my mind go back to the way some of these landmark characters were 10 or more years ago, and write them with that in mind. Victor Newman will be the Victor I remember. There will be none of that Stefano DiMera mustache-twirling villain stuff. The same goes for Nikki. Melody is money in the bank. This is a woman who can deliver. I see her as the powerful matriarch, the doyenne of Genoa City society.

Peter Bergman of The Young and the Restless. Credit: Edward McGowan/Plain Joe Studios

Peter Bergman (aka Jack)

Thoughts on the never-ending Jack versus Victor rivalry? Does Jack have to be such a wuss?
Their hatred and animosity will always be there, but I don’t want to drive major story with that. For now, I’d like to stay away from it because the problem with that is that Victor always wins.

He’s the roadrunner.
Yes! And Jack is the coyote who can never get the anvil to land properly. Enough. The show has been hamstrung by that. Yes, there are certain plot developments I must take into account, but for the most part I am not influenced by what’s happened in recent years. I am definitely ignoring certain things that just seem absurd to me.

For example?
Jill being Katherine’s daughter. I think that caused real problems. Things never worked well for Jill after that.

Ditto when they made Jill and Lauren sisters—an idea that went absolutely nowhere.
That’s also something I’m choosing to ignore and will probably negate at some point. It makes no sense. It was completely physically impossible! I wrote for the show back when Jim Storm was playing Lauren’s father—I named him after my friend, Neil—and the character was the same age as Jill so how could he possibly be her father? I just don’t know how they spun that.

What other problems need to be addressed?
I do believe it was a mistake to make Devon Katherine’s grandson and leave him with $2 billion. It has left him without drive, without a goal. What does he want? What does he strive for? I don’t think those questions were ever asked, so we need to fix that.

Yearning seems to be so passé. It used to be an essential ingredient in soaps. Now everybody’s rich. Everybody has access to a private jet.
Yearning is in the very DNA of Y&R! This show started with the Brooks family and the Foster family—the haves and the have nots. Jill was a manicurist reading movie magazines. I think, in general, there has been a serious lack of thought over the last few years. There was a taking of the audience for granted, thinking they would always be there. There was a lot of complacency and a lot of dumbness. [Laughs] But, hey, I’ve also written some turkeys in my time.

So did Bill Bell if we’re being honest here.
And he’d be the first to admit it! It’s part of the deal. Being a head writer on a soap is the hardest writing job, bar none. Mistakes will be made.

But Bill didn’t need the audience to tell him when he’d gone off the rails. He was the first to know it and if he decided one of his stories was crap it was gone by Tuesday. With no explanation.
Exactly. He’d be the first to say, “This s–t isn’t working.” And then he’d end it and move on. Now nobody admits anything.

Mishael Morgan of The Young and the Restless. Credit: Edward McGowan/Plain Joe Studios

Mishael Morgan

In creating Jonelle Allen’s remarkable character Doreen on Generations, you were the first soap writer who had the balls to give us an African-American villainess. So I’m guessing you probably spark to Hilary.
I do! I love Mishael Morgan and I love that character. And I think that GC Buzz is a good contemporary arena. I want to continue to work with that. And I still love Jonelle Allen! My fantasy is to bring her onto Y&R as Hilary’s social-climbing aunt. We need catalysts like that on the show, which is why we’ve brought back Judith Chapman as Gloria to be involved in a story with Michael and Lauren. We need that energy.

Can we get back the old Lauren?
She will return to the feisty and clever Lauren we knew.

And Jill?
She’s going to experience a serious personal crisis that will cause her to reevaluate her entire life.

Eileen Davidson of The Young and the Restless. Credit: Edward McGowan/Plain Joe Studios

Eileen Davidson

Regime after regime has failed to find anything substantial—much less dynamic—for Eileen Davidson to do. Ashley always seems to be an accessory in other people’s stories. Eileen is a freakin’ superstar! Why can’t writers write for her? Where’s her great romance?
Here’s the problem: Eileen is a very powerful performer and there are very few men that she’s really worked well with over time—very few who can match her. And that’s going all the way back to 1982 when she first came to Y&R. I wrote her exit story on Days, so I know her power. I still believe that Ashley was always best with Victor. I also remember the great Jack-Ashley scenes. She’s been so nice to her brother, Jack, all through this recent Billy situation but, back in the day, they hated each other. They used to fight like crazy. They were once so different from each other and now they’re like the same person. OK, people get older, they change, they mellow. I can buy that. But there used to be something very electric there. What I’m creating for her is an unexpected soulmate story—a story with someone who is not going to be the love of her life, but that someone is going to leave her open to one day having the love of her life. Eileen is too important to the show. Too vital. I am determined to make this work.

What else? We’re on a roll here!
Well, for years there has been a template that must go away: Two characters meet. The first week they kiss. By the second week they’re in bed. And by week six one of them has turned crazy and become a stalker and then goes off to the crazy house. The Carmine story comes to mine. I would have gotten two years out of that situation. He went mental overnight. So no more of that. People go crazy too easily. They did it to Sharon Newman.

And what about Sharon? What’s your plan there?
I have big plans for her and Nick. And Sharon is going to embark on a new goal that surprises everyone in Genoa City—one that brings a new person into her life. That’s another problem. We really need to build some longterm romantic couples. You have Nick and Sharon and Billy and Victoria, but neither couple is currently together. Where is the couple that is actually together that we want to root for? That couple doesn’t exist. We have to create some. We may need some people from the outside because the cast is so unbalanced right now. There are so many single women and I don’t know who to pair them with because there are very few men—Billy, Nick—who aren’t attached. Besides you can’t just put two people together and call them a supercouple. I’m looking right now for the unexpected, but the problem is everybody’s related or connected. There is no wow couple. You could maybe put Phyllis with Neil, and Billy with Hilary or Nick with Hilary. But they would really have to jump off the screen like the great supercouples do.

RELATED: Sharon’s Explosive Baby Secret

What about Nick not being Christian’s father? Will that be revealed soon?
I’m not playing it at all. Adam is off the show. And Justin Hartley will never be back. He’s too successful now. He’s gone.

So no recast?
I don’t see that we need it. Nick believes this baby is his and for all intents and purposes, it is. When and if an Adam comes up, then we’ll deal with it. I’m not looking to bring that character back nor do I want to do a paternity reveal involving a character who is off-camera. Unless there is a compelling reason to have Nick learn the truth, I see no reason to go there. What purpose would it serve to do it now? Look, how long did Bill Bell play the truth about Michael Horton’s paternity on Days of Our Lives? [Laughs] He got like, what, 10 years out of it?

The Billy and Phyllis hookup left both characters hugely unsympathetic. There’s no reason to give a damn about either one.
They’re unlikable. I agree 100 percent. That story was done at the expense of both characters. They will not be together anymore. That ship has sailed. It’s one thing that they were drawn to each other. Phyllis certainly had motive for making emotional decisions. What Victor did to her was absolutely disgusting. But it was wrong to have them be in love.

Are there some things you just can’t fix?
Yes. [Laughs] But I still have my fantasies. I jokingly say that I would love to write a scene where Ashley comes downstairs first thing in the morning and says: “Wow, I had the most terrible dream last night that Dad died.” And then she’d look into the dining room and there would be John sitting there at the table. Killing him was the last thing Lynn Latham did before we were fired. We begged her not to do it, but she wanted him to come back like a ghost on Six Feet Under because she was in love with that show. It was so unnecessary and having that character still around now would be so valuable.

This show is desperately without emotional catharsis. There’s no reason to cry your eyes out, which is why they keep dragging out poor little dead Delia.
I know. I know. We need real emotion. Real heartache. Again, we need honest characters. We need to give the audience something really meaty. Emotion was Bill’s stock in trade. He took it to a really deep level. I would like to strive for that. Another problem is that everyone is just too passive. Devon and Hilary have the only active story on the air right now. You can’t get by on just one active story. This show must become binge-worthy.

Explain that.
I would guess that 80 percent of our audience records the show. I read the boards and see people saying, “I watch Y&R but fast-forward through most of it.” No! I want you to want to sit down and watch several episodes at once because you’re that hooked. Each episode only has 34 minutes of actual programming, so it’s entirely easy to watch two or three episodes or even an entire week in one sitting. It’s so doable. I want the show to really move. I want to eliminate all the repetition, which I hate. Now your average viewer is only watching once or twice a week. If we can give Y&R momentum—so that people truly cannot wait to see the next episode—we can create more audience that watches more often. So that’s the grand plan! [Laughs] Let’s you and I regroup in January after you’ve had a chance to watch the first few weeks. I’m sure we’ll have much more to talk about!

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The Young and the RestlessEileen DavidsonEric BraedenJudith ChapmanMelody Thomas ScottMishael MorganPeter BergmanSally Sussman



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  1. B

    BlueHelmet

    I'm very disappointed! The best part of watching Y&R was the many sides of Adam. Especially the wonderful acting by Michael Muhney.

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      RedBowtie

      Super UpVote for you!

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      GoldCorn

      I too, am disappointed about not bringing back Adam. I always looked forward to his scenes. If Sally gets enough fans begging, she still could bring him back some day in the future. I think letting Michael Muhney go, was a huge mistake, as he had great chemistry with Melissa Claire Egan, and also with Sharon Case. His comedic timing and body language/facial expressions, were impeccable, when saying his lines too. That being said, I never thought someone could replace him, but I loved Justin Hartley as Adam. He had a lot of the same mannerisms as MM, but he's on prime time now, so, doubtful he'll return, but never say never. :)

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        RedGoggles

        Yeah he had great on-screen chemistry with Chelsea but behind the scenes was a different story. Even MM admitted that himself that it was his own fault why he got fired. He should have kept quiet he said. You can't take a legend like Eric Braeden and come in want him fired so you can play the next Victor...That is what MM's attitude was...He even stated to some actors on the show, out with the old and in with the new...MM was a great actor no doubt, but lets face it, if you had to choose of getting rid of a character who's been there 5 years suppose to someone who's been there for over 30 years who do you think they'd keep?

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          RedCupcake

          I would have kept Michael Muhney, period!

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            PurpleCar

            They will not bring him back! What Eric Braden wants he gets!

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            BlueGrapes

            EXACTLY!!! Tell EB you may not get along with MM but this is how it is going to be.FANS Want him. when on the set,you keep your differences to yourself. It should not be what EB wants,EB gets. It is not the EB show or the Victor show.Start treating it, as the title,The Young and Restless.

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        GoldCorn

        I agree with everything you said about Michael Muhney!!! But as Sally said, they are not bringing him back. BUT IF she ever has her ratings fall, pick up the phone and bring M.M. back. It would be explosive!! A lot of people quit watching the show when he was fired. Just sayin!

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          RedBone

          pick another adam then just bring him back please dont kill a newmon

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          PurpleCar

          MM has been fired twice for sexual harassment proven or not! Eric Braden doesn't want him back so guess what... no MM

          1. B

            BlueGrapes

            Been proven to be a dumb internet rumor,but he was still let go, because EB didn't like how popular MM was becoming,so they let him go.I don't get why they cater to EB, The show is not about him. One man does not make or break the show. EB is getting old,if he can't deal with it ,Tough shit, let him walk. Do what fans want Y&R. MM didn't say he wanted EB fired he and Victor didn't get along and Victor is not so much a legend as you put it Kelly R. that he should be above any one else and call all the shots. Guess what.Shannon Doherty didn't get along with quite afew on 90210 but they never let it interfere with the show, or cut her from the show. They should of told EB you may not like MM but this is how it is.dislike each other off the air,but on this show you will get along and not let it show.EB being a so called legend as you say, the pay him alittle more then some of the others but do not let him control the show.simple as that.

            1. P

              PurpleCar

              Because EB is the show! He always has been!

          2. G

            GoldHammer

            THIS IS A OUT AND LIE, THIS LIE STARTED BY SOME WACK JOB FROM FLORIDA ,THIS IS CYBERBULLYING THAT MM AND HK HAVE STUFFERED FROM ,KARMA WILL BITE THE ASS OF THESE CYBERBULLIES,!

            1. P

              PurpleCar

              What's a lie? That he won't be rehired? No that's the truth EB won't allow it to happen! He doesn't like him

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              PurpleCar

              Well I don't know anything about a cyberbully I only know what he said in his interview

            3. P

              PurpleCar

              We will see!

            4. P

              PurpleCar

              That is NOT a lie! He was fired twice for the same thing I would be happy to provide you a link!

            5. G

              GoldSubmarine

              If this was a lie. Nikki/Neil/ Paul Williams/Kevin would all be liar's because they spoke out about it.If you go back to twitter Neil has one from back then where he tells M.M. to just own it because he's ruining the show.

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          BlueGrapes

          Y&R lost 500,000 viewers when they fired Michael Muhney. Word gets out they rehired him, They would Gain those viewers back again and also keep the ones they have still,that are on the fence about watching still or quit watching. He was wrongfully let go, and it was proven to be false just a short while ago and has said it was an internet rumor that spiraled out of control. EB also didn't like how popular MM was becoming over him which played into him being fired too.I hate how they cater to EB. he is no better then the others on the show. We want MM back, BUT even if Y&R is to uncaring to bring him back, we at least need a special actor to join the show to keep adam going. Stop catering to EB and do whats best for the fans, Sally...

      3. B

        BlueGrapes

        Justin had A LOT of mannerisms, BECAUSE Michael coached Justin to help him out and be accepted by fans he showed him how to play Adam to a Tee. It seems only fair to bring MM back when Justin left.Keep our story of Adam and Chelsea going.They should of been the next Newman super couple for the future generation. EB as Victor is not going to last forever and Y&R should be thinking down the road to keep Adam on.. we need Adam back. As it is right now,I find myself fast forwarding a lot of the show,because its just not the same now. I'm sure many others feel that way too.

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          PurpleCar

          He will
          Not be hired back!

        2. P

          PurpleCar

          And why are we talking about this now? This conversation is from 3 months ago!

    3. P

      PurpleCar

      I agree! Not recasting Adam has me seriously thinking about finding another show!

      2

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        BlueGrapes

        Many of us have been hanging on to see if they plan on bringing Adam back. to kill Adam off for good,Is Y&R ready to risk losing another 500,000 viewers without Adam on the show,like they did when they fired MM before,because EB wanted him gone. Eb is not a God and should not be ruling the show. Y&R needs to get a backbone and do what the Fans WANT!!

    4. B

      BlueGrapes

      YES!!!!!!!!! That is why it does not make any sense for this new writer to leave him dead. Adam was the future generation of the Newman's when Victor's character comes to an end and it will sometime,EB is getting old and we never know when our time is up. My brother was a total health nut. never ate red meat or junk food, fish chicken veggies and fruits. never drank or smoked, but he died of a heart attack at age 45 that was caused by a blood clot.... So I am saying Y&R needs to think Ahead and should of thought how Fantastic it would be for Adam to become the next top dog Newman. LORD KNOWS We all want Michael Muhney to come back and fill the role as Adam, but if Y&R cannot see that's what fans want,they need to bring someone on as Adam,to continue on and be back with Chelsea. e need that one super couple to continue on and that is Adam and Chelsea.

  2. O

    OrangeScissors

    I'm disgusted by this interview. As a writer, you respect the fans--all the fans. I completely understand wanting to honor the veterans of the cast, but the show is no longer about eight core characters. This is an ensemble cast with incredibly talented actors that deserve respect.

    To call a pairing that has a strong fan base unlikeable shows a tremendous disconnect with fans. More than that, it discredits a story both actors and fans invested in for nearly a year.

    I've watched Y&R for 25 years, but the show should grow and change with time. For Sally to come in and believe she can ignore everything she doesn't agree with that happened in her absence is irresponsible, arrogant, and incredibly irrational.

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    1. G

      GoldBattery

      I think you should see it from her point of view, and anybody in television will tell you; you can't always give the viewers what they want. You have to live them with something, but something to come back too. I think you should give her a chance, because she knows this show unlike the others.

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        BlueBullhorn

        She knows this show? That's not what I feel reading this.

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        BlueRadio

        Right on, I mean the fans have these High expectations when it comes to any new HW that is coming into their show. Not Everyone is going to get what they want It happens

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        1. B

          BlueBullhorn

          Ignoring what the past regimes wrote just because she doesn't like that is not knowing the show or history. Maybe she wasn't there but I was.

          2

          1. B

            BlueRadio

            Sally was there when LML was in charge back in 2005 then she was let go along with kay,And Jack smith.

            1. B

              BlueBullhorn

              So? Phyllis and Billy in love IS history. Jill and Lauren sisters is history. Adam being Christian's father is history. Katherine being Devon's grandmother is history. Just because she didn't write it and doesn't like that doesn't mean it never happened. I won't say that woman knows the show when only her writing matters.

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                BlueRadio

                Right but if you read what she said about Jill and Lauren being sisters it shouldn't have happened. I'm looking forward in seeing her and Kay's changes soon, It's going to Take Time.

                1

                1. B

                  BlueBullhorn

                  Just because SHE thinks it shouldn't have happened doesn't mean she can rewrite. I was there the ten past years and I'm not amnesic. Same with Adam/Christian, same with Philly. They were in love and suddenly don't know each other anymore?

                  2

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                    RedBowtie

                    Sharon had the audacity to accuse someone of having ulterior motives . . . well, she would know. LOL and thanks for the UpVote, Ban.

    2. C

      CyanCandy

      I agree with you. I don't usually make over dramatic comments like this, but I don't think I have ever been so offended by what a writer had to say than I am now with what Sussman had to say about Philly. She sounds like an upset fangirl rather than a professional head writer.

      Honestly, I can take certain Y&R viewers criticizing Philly. That is their right. However, for a professional creative person to not be able to see what Jason and Gina has is just incomprehensible.

      8

      1. R

        RedBowtie

        UPVOTE X 850 FOR YOU! You were concise and perfect in your post. I; totally, agree with you. She sounds like she is still bitter for being fired and is sticking her writers tongue out at the show and the crap that other writers wrote, just because. That's only going to hurt us and the show.

        Phyl and Bill was written and acted very well to me; although, I'm no fan of Jason--from GH--however he and Gina Tagnioni(I think that's how you spell her name, if not forgive me)have scene spark, because they look good together. They look better than Jack and Phyl do and in this medium a couple has to first look right together. I also believed in their story. If it was orig. Phyl, I wouldn't have, but this Phyl I do.

        I loved when Nick and Phyl fell for each other and how they fell for each other. That's what makes you believe and fall for it, too . . . the writers and how well they write the how. I've never believed in Nick and Sharon and hate them together. Sharon has never been what they made her out to be in my eyes. I've always seen her as a scheming, crazy skank! She's like Kelly Taylor on orig. 90210. Valerie wasn't always the villain, but to prop up Kelly Taylor they made the villain. Sharon and Kelly are both flawed judgmental Bitches and always look down on other while perpetrating frauds and implementing heinous crimes. The idea of her forcing Nick and Sharon BACK together(Never liked their boring pairing)after all that Sharon has done over the years is absurd and most of all CRAZY to me!

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        GreenQuill

        That affair sucked...Is that comprehensible enough for you? Everyone does not like that affair and the fanbase for Philly is a loud mouth few from Twitter to Soap threads

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    3. O

      OliveChefHat

      I couldn‘t agree more with Lynn. I‘m very disappointed with the content of this interview and it‘s tone.

      My issues: Ms.Sussman critizes that some of the recent writers were not familiar with the show‘s history and then states: „Yes, there are certain plot developments Imust take into account, but for the most part I am not influenced by what’s happened in recent years. I am definitely ignoring certain things that just seem absurd to me.“
      Those recent years, even resent months are the show‘s history, too.
      For, us, viewers. We can remember what‘s been airing and we care about (different) storylines and characters. And we definitely don‘t want our viewing experience to be ignored, just because theres‘s a regime change and the new HW doesn‘t like the work of the previous one. It‘s still the same show, I expect it to be consistent, not full of contradictory confusing scenes because there was a regime change.

      Now to the Phyllis/Billy issue. It looks like we already see the „ignore“ trend in this story. I‘ve been asking myself for a quite while why the show did a radical storyline shift ignoring some very important aspects in this story.. The following quote explains it: „Phyllis certainly had motive for making emotional decisions. What Victor did to her was absolutely disgusting. But it was wrong to have them be in love“. So now the show is doing everything they can to ignore that THEY SHOWED them as being in love. As a viewer who watched the story develop and loved it (because it was a pretty well-written story, and the
      actors have great connection on-screen and incredible chemistry which is pretty rare on soaps these days) I feel like I can‘t trust this show anymore.

      Furthermore, I‘m very surprised reading that the writer who wrote Nick/Phyllis
      affair suddenly thinks Billy/Phyllis affair made the characters unlikeable. It certainly wasn‘t my experience. I got interested in these characters because of this storyline. But even if it made them unlikeable to some people, it‘s already aired. Ignoring that they wrote them as being in love and pretending it never happened won‘t make the characters more sympathetic. It‘s just disrespectful to the viewers and to the actors. A love affair on a soap is certainly nothing catastrophic for the characters. And let‘s not pretend it never happens in real life. And not only to unlikeable people. The question is, has Ms.Sussman even watched the entire storyline or just heard/read about it?

      That said, I wish Y&R all the best. Be careful with risky moves - sometimes evolution is better than revolution.

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        GreenCupcake

        Agreed, and you said it well. YR history didn't end when Sally left, just to skip everything that's happened since and then start where she left off. (Shades of a "dream YEAR" on Dallas----lazy, lazy writing!)

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        RedGoggles

        Seriously, Who would you rather see writing the show, someone who knows diddly squat about the show or someone like Sally Sussman who knows the history...She was part of the team that made the show go to number 1 and her attempts at bringing back to what it once was is the best thing that could happen to the show since others ruined it...She helped create most of those characters and yet the others who took over ruined the characters. They made Victor have epilepsy, in jail, beyond ruthless to the point you hated his character. What happened to him wining and dining Nikki at the colonade room...People forget that softer side of him because the other writers ruined his character...The Abbott's were so close at one point, the writers ruined the Abbott family and killed off John...BIG MISTAKE!!!! ...Sharon's character, they made her character so crazy over the years to the point she is unlikable...What happened to the pool parties, holiday celebrations and Abbott breakfasts...The happy times on top of the drama...Lately its been too sad to watch...Bill Bell made it real and look real...He didn't do the baby switching, paternity switching and everyone is sleeping with everyone in that town...Once he does a story line, he never repeated it a few years later...And this is what you like? That is the way All my children, as the world turns, one life to live did their story lines and look where those shows went...I'm afraid if they didn't hire Sussman, give it a few more years and young and restless probably would have been cancelled...They already lost a lot of viewers and although still no 1, they want to remain that way by bringing her in...I been a viewer for over 30 years, and you know something's not right in your show when you start snoozing through it or don't care to watch it. Some of you viewers who are already complaining about her must realize that you are probably just use to how the other's in charge who had ruined it over the years and forgot what Bill Bell created that was destroyed by so many who took over. I loved her interview and as a long time viewer, I can see her trying to bring it back to what it was.

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          GreenElephant

          I agree, I have hated all this bed hopping from one relative to the other. We need some new men so these women can have a love interest that not related to her pass love. The Billy and Phyllis story line was off because Billy had already hurt Jack by sleeping with Sharon when she was married to Jack and he forgave him, then Pratt turned around and let it happen again with Phyllis. That was not a good move. What I want her to address once and for all is whether Adam killed Delia or not.

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            BlueHelmet

            Adam needs to return! Michael Muhney needs to return! Bring life back to the show..

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              OliveBeer

              I agree, Adam MUST RETURN, Michael Muhney needs to return. The dynamic couple you, SALLY, speak about is Adam and Chelsea. Adam/Chelsea romance is a big part of why a lot of women watch the show. Also, Phyllis and Jack, They are about as dynamic and exciting as you can get. Forget Billy Boy, Jack is who Phyllis needs......Billy and Vicky need to stop dancing around each other and get it right this time. What a beautiful family they would make. Sharon needs to be reborn, she needs to have a life and romance with someone new, Nick/Sharon would also be good. The mustache would have a fit......

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                RedCupcake

                I totally agree 100% with you.
                They need to revamp Devon. Hilary needs to be with someone different. Devon doesn't fit the billonare personality. He's not a business man. Not big business for all that money. He doesn't even live the lifestyle.
                He needs a better woman for him that suits him.
                Marhia needs a man. Hey maybe a Marhia/Devon matching. I love that she now loves her mom and has softened up. I like the newer personality on her. She's still strong but shows compassion now. I love how she's Sharon's biggest supporter. I also love how Chelsea speaks up for Sharon and tries to help everyone if she can. I do not like Faiths attitude towards her mom. That needs to change. Sharon is a truly devoted loving mother. Family means everything to her. She is not deserving of all the people who faults her for what happened. She is a victim in this. Maybe even the biggest one. Not only did she lose a child she had thought was hers and loved as her own. That child is happy and well because of her. Nick should be grateful that the doctor gave his child to her rather than a stranger far far away and then he would never have his child back and the child may not of been taken care of so well. All these people especially Dillion are all about pointing fingers at Sharon because the doctor is dead and they can't get their anger out so they pick on Sharon. She knew how it killed Dillion for what Chelsea did and she didn't want him to lose another child. What Chelsea did was worse and thankfully Chelsea was able to admit that. That's why I'm glad that the writers at least acknowledge that.

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                BlueBullhorn

                Jack and Phyllis? Exciting? Peter could be Gina's father, this is just gross. There is no woman on earth who would stay with a man saying "let it go" after being raped for months. GT/PB should have NEVER been paired together. And Jack has NEVER been the love of Phyllis' life. She loved Nick, Ronan and Billy so much more.
                Villy will never work either. She will ALWAYS choose her father over him. And there is like ZERO chemistry between AH/JT.

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              RedBowtie

              UPVOTE X 2000 FOR YOU! I AGREE 100 PERCENT!

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              GreenElephant

              I don't know about Michael Muhney but it would be great if he could return but I'll wait and see it's about as likely as Victoria Rowell (Dre) coming back unless she win her lawsuit. Now that would be a story because she could handle Hillary and then some. Stranger things have happen, Taylor won her lawsuit and came back to Bold and the Beautiful. With Michael if the rumor are true and there was even a hint of sexual harassment then they can't bring him back. Sad face.

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                RedGoggles

                I don't want Victoria Rowell back...She was great as Drucilla, but after seeing her whining because they don't want her back nah keep her dead or recast her.

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                OliveFlower

                Hunter Tylo's lawsuit was against Aaron Spelling and Melrose Place, not BB and B&B. Rowell won't be brought back to Y&R because all of her costars have openly alluded to how much they hated working with her and her diva attitude. Michael Muhney has at least admitted his pride and confidence in his talent got the better of him, and expressed his regret. Rowell just can't seem to get on with her life and stop trying to keep herself relevant with bs drama. I too would love for MM to return, but I think Eric Braeden has set an ultimatum on that which unfortunately no one is willing to cross.

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                  GreenElephant

                  Since I work in the court system one should never say never when it comes to lawsuits. And all her co stars didn't feel that way about her, I too have read articles and many felt her concern with black not getting recognized for their contribution to daytime were valid, as did the judge who set it for court. She has a valid case so we will see what happen. I would guess you didn't like her as an actress? As for Michael Muhney if sexual harassment was part of his dismissal, as was first reported, it will be hard to bring him back unless the person who lodged the allegations withdraws the complaint or they no longer work for the company. Then they still would have to consider if the other cast members will feel comfortable working with him. This I know too from working in HR where these charges are hear often. Interesting post. Thanks.

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                  PurpleCar

                  MM will never be back because Eric Braden will quit !

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                    RedBowtie

                    Thanks for the UpVote, Chelle.

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              CyanScissors

              I agree ChristineVea Adam Needs to return!

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              RedGoggles

              After reading her interview I disagreed with keeping Adam dead I thought he should be recast, yet after reading so many peoples comments, they are whining about Justin Hartley and Michael Muhney and want him back...Do you ever think they don't want to come back? So its probably best she keeps him dead because fans will never accept the new Adam because they are infatuated with MM or JH...I loved both in the show, they played the character well, but its a show and to look at all this obsession over an actor is sad.

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            RedBowtie

            I also want the cast pared down. Too many miscellaneous characters roaming around and that goes for old stalwarts with no real usefulness. I love Eileen Davidson, but she is better on DOOL, because Ashley Abbott is useless and boring. ON DOOL, SHE SIZZLES! I'm tired of seeing Nikki's old tired ass face, too. She's not a great actress and that slight accent is annoying as hell. She's like Susan Lucci and some actress out of an old Black and White movie combined. That cast needs to be sheared down! Sally Sussman is going to be the end of Y&R.

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              Blue8Ball

              Oh God, who ARE you new fans? Melody Thomas Scott has probably been robbed of an Emmy like what, 3 or 4 times? Yes, Eileen's fab on DOOL but Sony owns both shows so we'll take what we can get. And can the Muhney homers please get OFF this board?

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                RedBowtie

                New fan please. I've been tuning in, since the 70s. Melody Thomas Scott couldn't act her way out of her makeup and as for your last question No, Muhney is the Muh-ann!

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              GreenWrench

              Actor's/Actress's are only as good as the Writers..........

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              PurpleCar

              I'm tired of Nikki like she is some angel:/ smh

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                RedBowtie

                UpVote! I concur 100 percent, Michelle!

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            BlueBullhorn

            Sharon and Billy were a lust affair. Billy and Phyllis were in love.

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          RedBowtie

          I can't believe that Bitch Lynn Latham killed off Mr. Abbott, because she loved Six Feet Under. She deserved to be fired. If the Network didn't tell her to do something about Mr. Abbott, because that was when they really started to swing for the fences on only having young people on soaps and she just came up with that; ridiculously, stupid idea on her own, I'm glad she got fired.

          P.s. I've always hated Victor and mildly enjoyed, most times, but not he's just a character I hate.

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          GoldBlowdryer

          Wow I agree, I don't understand why people are so up in arms about SSM before they even watch for a few weeks to see what she brings to the show. I miss the days when the show actually gave us romance not the let's just have sex and become a couple crap that has been going on for years. I miss the families being close, celebrating holidays, Victor not being some evil cartoon character, I don't even recognize Neil and Sharon anymore because they have just ruined their characters. Even Billy having the affair w/Phyllis and going after Jack is laughable. I get it that Jason and Gina have some crazy chemi but can't we have couples that aren't sleeping w/their brothers wives, their mothers one night stands for a change? I'm disappointed about the Adam news too but I did not read that she said she would never bring him back. I'm so sick of this latest baby drama that I'm ok w/Nick believing that's his son so that this madness will just stop. I just looked at the spoilers for this week, it looks like Lauren will actually have a story line. Omg I miss her and Michael. I'm am counting the days for SSM to come on board.

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        RedBowtie

        Upvote X 900 for you!

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        OrangeWeights

        Here here! I agree... I'm hoping Sally will reconsider not watching the past 10-years and catch up on several storylines.
        Most important IMHO would be Adam's development within the Newman family inc. with Nick & his humbling-effect on Victor.
        I also urge you to watch the build up & actualization of "Philly"(Phyllis & Billy): his coma, paragon, their mutual revenge desires for Victor, opening up to one another & the way they fell in love, starting with Phyllis's refusal to abandon him; & commencing with the more recent guilt they both felt.
        Like you, many of us had our initial doubts about that affair (and even about Jason Thompson as Billy) but their chemistry is undeniable & the way they connected is compelling.
        Please reconsider (especially since Jack already found out..!)

        Billy expressed it: he didn't do it to hurt Jack; it was bc "of him it didn't happen sooner." He finally found the one person who understands & loves him, BC-of, not in spite of, who he is. He IS in love with her. Meanwhile, we watched Phyllis struggle with incredible guilt yet fall deeply in love. That cannot be unwritten.
        They could even be a long-term love like you mentioned. The foundation is not destroyed.. If anything, Phyllis is being true to the character we all know - strong & resilient but all too vulnerable in love. Her attempts to win Jack back so she can forgive herself are evidence of that.
        Their relationship as a core love could even be a metaphor for your "fresh start..!" :)
        Please, Sally - we're thrilled you decided to come back & excited for what you have in store, but please watch some of those recent episodes, or even fan vids;) don't leave out ALL history that sounds unappealing on 1st thought..

        All the elements you value: character-driven storytelling, audience engagement & binge watching, happened with that storyline!!
        Sincerely, another former AMC lover

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          RedBowtie

          Thank you for my UpVotes and one back at ya! I'm an ex AMCer, too!

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            OrangeWeights

            Thanks MJ! Why don't I see the up vote? :/

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              RedBowtie

              I'm too above just clicking an arrow. I'll; actually, acknowledge you with an "UpVote." Only when I like what was said, but not all of it or something will I give an arrow-press upvote. Sometimes, I'll give mine and arrow press, but those are rare.

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        RedCupcake

        Ms Sussman is correct in the way Y & R needs to go. Sharron needs to be the strong loveable woman she use to be. Even Victor loved her. He was her biggest supporter. When that changed Sharon went downhill. Bring her back Please.

        Billy/Phyliss should never of happened. If all the people who loved it were longtime viewers you all would agree. The current writers obviously did not know the history of the show. Billy and phyliss never liked each other. She pulled his and Victoria's first child together away from them. They adopted a little girl and it turned out to be Phyliss granddaughter.
        They always were at each other's throats at Restless Style. Plus Billy and Victoria are a SUPER COUPLE. They belong together. They may be pulled apart be always need to be brought back together. Billy should never of been thought to be in love and NEVER of said it other than to Victoria.
        They went through so many Billy's since the second Billy left for General Hospital.
        That Billy was the longest time Billy and he would never of been with Phylis. You can't ignore history like that. Just because someone new takes over the role you can't put them with someone that doesn't follow history.

        I do agree that Adam needs to be back. To have Chelsea go through losing him again to only end up having him come back is ridiculous. She thought he died once already and it broke her heart, you can't do it again. She had a real hard time moving on with someone she already had feelings for (Billy) but she couldn't stop thinking of him and missing him, and Billy still always had a connection with Victoria. Even thou I like putting Chelsea with Nick ( if Adam is not coming back and if Nick doesn't end up with Sharon again) she shouldn't fall so soon and so easily. They should build up on them. Start with a friendship like now but nothing but friendship and maybe some flirtation should go on with them for many months before even a first kiss. They shouldn't just jump into bed together.

        The Victor we have now has been mean, ruthless and just another Stefano DiMeria. He had a softer side and never did things so evil and criminal as he's done the last few years. He never really hurt anyone. Let's face it if Catherine were alive she would not be best friends with him that's for sure. She would hate him for what he's done. She would never ever condone any of it.

        I look forward to seeing the Resurected Y & R back again. Thanks.

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          OliveChefHat

          Speaking of the “supercouple” concept, I’m not sure if it is still viable (or useful, for that matter) for current soaps. Of course, we want to see exciting couples with great chemistry on-screen. But statements “they should be together and not with anyone else because they are a supercouple” bother me because when this happens the show becomes stale, looses it’s natural dynamic and appeal (especially, for newer viewers who want to see something new developing). We don’t have that much of adventure stuff anymore, the shows have more characters, so just sticking two characters together because they’ve been together for some years is not what I want to see on my soap. It gets boring and repetitive. I’m looking something new - new relationships, surprising chemistry etc.
          In regards to Billy and Victoria, I don’t even think they are “a supercouple”. They are a long-term couple with children, but that’s it (in my eyes). IMO their romantic part is played-out but I liked them trying to co-parent their children together in a “non-fighting” manner, being exes and friends. That’s an important aspect of our life as well. Do I want to see them romantic again? No, especially, not in the near future. Both of them are/were shown as in love with other people. Just because there’s a regime change I don’t want the consistency of the show destroyed. Unfortunately, right now I see them doing a total destruction of storylines (I mean specifically storylines, not couples - it’s not the same)
          with Victoria/Travis and even more obviously with Billy/Phyllis. Why? For months, they’ve been showing us Billy and Phyllis as a love affair (wedding phantasies, future plans etc.) but now it didn’t happen? Just because the new Headwriter thinks it was wrong to have them be in love? First, I can’t see the reasoning behind it. She thinks it was done at the expense of the characters – but a casual sex with an in-law would have been better? It would have been much much worse in my
          opinion. Is it because if they had Billy/Phyllis as a couple, they couldn’t do Abbott family dinners with all the Abbotts present? (They’ll get over it, just like it’s not a problem for Winters anymore lol). Either way, it AIRED, we WATCHED it, it was shown as a love affair, and the show shouldn’t pretend
          otherwise. If the show thought it was a bad idea they shouldn’t have gone there in the first place. You can’t turn the clock back (regime change or not) – inconsistent storytelling is not what I want to see on a #1 soap. Nor do I see the need for it. The storyline was decent (until the change of direction), the
          chemistry is explosive, the performances were great. It’s an affair, so people aren’t supposed to like it. However, despite of it being an affair I’ve seen lots and lots of support for this on-screen couple which speaks volumes – if a couple that started as an affair between in-laws could gain so much support, it wouldn’t be very wise for the show to waste that kind of chemistry and storyline potential.

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          BlueBullhorn

          Do YOU know history? Victoria and Billy HATED each other before dating. He exposed her cheating in Restless Style and she fired his niece Colleen. They couldn't stand each other.

          It's a soap!! And it happens in real life. People hate each other and then fall in love. If it happened for Villy, why couldn't it happen for Philly?
          Billy was engaged to his rapist. Christine married her rapist. Kevin married the woman who tried to kill him. IT IS A SOAP!!

          Also, Victoria and Billy NEVER adopted Lucy. Billy BOUGHT her.

          And Victoria and Billy are everything but a supercouple. That ship sailed three Billy ago.

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            PurpleCar

            Kind of like the writer of Babd B said they would never do the Ridge/Brooke thing again.... but guess what... they are! Lol ! Do you know why? Because they were losing ratings

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        BlueBullhorn

        She admitted she has never watched. She read boards and this is how she can judge lmao

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          OliveChefHat

          Yes, and as someone who regularly posts on at least one soap board, I have to say TPTB have to be very cautious if they want to identify real trends on boards. Boards have their own mentality. If not censored ~80% posts on boards in general (about anything) are negative. It's human psychology, people like to get things off the chest. If you like something you tend to say it once or not to say at all, if you don't - you tend to say it as many times as possible because it makes you feel better. I'd say worst storylines are the ones people don't talk about at all, it means they are not interesting enough.

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        RedCupcake

        Nick's and Phyllis' affair and subsequent marriage was written by LML, not SSM. She wasn't even a part of the writing team when they were a couple. It was MAB that, IMO, screwed them up.

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      GreenCupcake

      I have to agree with you. I was sooo looking forward to her return because I knew she would return the character-driven story-lines we loved in the past. But, to throw out anything she herself was not responsible for writing is a big, big mistake. There are new pairings, couples we've invested years in, and new people on the canvas that can't be washed away because it would be "difficult" to write for.
      Adam is NOT dead, and Chloe has never been revealed as having something to do with his disappearance. Sure, she drugged him, but she didn't leave him in that cabin. She has thought about it many times, and the director has had EH give that look of knowing more than the viewers know. Also, there is the ring placed in a drawer by ???? Adam, of course. So many great opportunities for a story here, and leaving it dangling would be a crime! I HATE unfinished stories: like who actually killed the guy at the masquerade ball: Adam?? Patty??? Or someone else? Now we have the Christian thing. Too important not to play out--especially since Chels and Vic have already discussed it.
      I could go on, but that's enough for now.

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        RedGoggles

        How do you know if she will not resolve the story line if Chloe killed him or not...It wouldn't be interesting now would it if she was to resolve that story line maybe putting Chloe that she didn't kill him. That was Pratt's doing...Nobody saw her blow the cabin up, it just showed her looking at it being blown up. As for Adam, I agree there...I don't think she should leave him dead. Adam and Chelsea were a great team...Justin Hartley is gone and that was his choice, but I think she should re-cast him...That is one thing I think she should keep but as for her other changes, yeah I agree with her...You have to be a viewer for many years to realise that yeah, Neil (Lauren's dad) was around Jill's age yet he is her father? Some story's bill Bell would not have written, some couples he would not have put together, yet other writers over looked the history of the show and ruined it...She is trying to bring that back...I also agree with her about making Devon Katherine's grandson who inherits her 2 million and makes him rich and famous...Nah, doesn't work for me been a viewer for over 30 years and it doesn't sit well with me...That money should have went to the next matriach in the soap which is Jill or Esther.

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          GreenCupcake

          Weird...you sort of jumped all over me just to turn around and agree with most everything...Anyway, for your information, I have watched YR since it began. Also, Devon inherited way, way more than 2 million---he got billions from the grandmother who barely knew him.
          My main gripe is that she wants to ignore the things she, personally, doesn't like, That is a mistake. Those of us who have been watching are, at least somewhat, invested in those stories; there is "history" in the last few years, too, and she needs to realize that.
          Adam--wow, now there is a story is MUST keep. He needs to come back, he needs to be Victor's rival, and they need to quit trying to kill him!! He's only got one kidney, he's been shot and blown up and burned (good god, the man should be in a wheelchair or hosp. bed) I don't know what silly game Pratt was playing with that SL of Victor framing him only to try to save him, but Victor is an out-and-out criminal, and Adam is alive. (Ring being placed in the drawer, etc.)
          It might be a difficult story to figure out, but I think it would be a huge mistake not to do it just because of that. We were tired of Pratt's "magical" explanations that appeared from nowhere (Abby slept with Summer's husband? a plane crash, where everyone (almost) survives, a ship blows up and Jack and Marissa end up in a hotel somewhere, Kelly is just murdered by Jack, and that's that--UGH, too many to go on--they were AWFUL!!)BUT, Adam is Victor's son, part of a legacy family, an immensely interesting, conflicted character (just like Victor--not one of Vic's rich, spoiled-brat kids--a man who worked his way up with brains and pluck) and MUST come back!! (And, as many of us hope and pray, with Muhney playing him!)

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            GreenElephant

            I believe with the Adam situation it wouldn't do any good to bring him back if the fans don't accept the new Adam. Hopefully she is trying to wait until one of the ex-Adam's are available. Because if she recast and he is unlikable (Last Billy) then the fans will complain about that too.

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              RedPalmtree

              I think its the opposite. I think Eric Braeden is her friend or has to much clout on the show. They dont plan on bringing Michael Muhney back. They hope we forget about Adam so that our expectations can be lower when they drop a recast. I was happy to see her take the helm until I realized how they cant do anything without Eric Braeden blessings it seems

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                RedGoggles

                Did you not forget that Bill Bell sent Adam to live with his mother Hope...Bill Bell had that Newman written out of the show it was the new writers who brought him back maybe Sally Sussman is going to keep him gone because that is what she remembers I disagree there because we did get use to him. So many fans were complaining about the other writers etc and I agree they ruined the characters over the years and I am surprised to see fans complaining about SS because she is the best thing to happen to young and restless...She knows the history and learned everything about writing from Bill Bell. Yeah she will write things that we don't agree with, but stop whining about it because she is the best thing for our show...If you don't like her style of writing, you'll never be happy with any writers because she knows this show (her and kay Alden) more then anybody.

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                PurpleCar

                That's the way it's always been! Eric Braden makes the rules

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              RedWrench

              Michael Muhney needs to return. he was a great Adam. Sexy and mysterious.

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                GoldMustache

                I am so sick and tired of them doing Sharon the way they are doing her,let her be happy for once. Nick is such a hothead I'm really getting tired of him. I cannot wait until he finds out Adam is the father of that baby.

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                  GreenWrench

                  i agree.. they have messed up the Sharon charactor.... She needs a good happy story line

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                  RedGoggles

                  Did you read Sally Sussman's interview thoroughly. SHe said she is going to re-store Sharon's character so whats your point of whining about it? She is going to do that! She also said she won't be doing the DNA test and keep Adam dead. So you waiting is going to be a long time for you to wait.

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                    OrangeCandy

                    They actually did do the DNA test. Paul said Adams DNA was all over the place. If Adam comes back from the dead one more time, I'm never watching again. Kill him off for good....how would they explain his looks changing...again...? And I for one miss Sage.....and why didn't Sharon suffer for being responsible for Sage's death?

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                  PurpleCar

                  Well apparently Nick won't find out says the writer! -'and Chelsea is getting on my damn nerves all high n mighty ! She did the same crap Sharon did only Sharon was drugged and a victim herself!

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                RedSushi

                He is absolutely amazing and sexy and he is great on the show called This Is Us.

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                  BlueGrapes

                  Justin Hartley is on that new show ,Michael Muhney was the Adam before him they are both sexy

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                  PurpleCar

                  This is Us is my absolute FAVORITE show!

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              BlueBullhorn

              Jason Thompson is the best Billy Abbott. Hands down!! Nothing unlikeable about him or his acting.

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                OrangeBasketball

                I have to admit, Billy Miller is my fav Billy but I just LOVE what Jason has brought to the role. I feel disloyal to Billy Miller for liking Jason SO damn much lol.

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                GreenElephant

                I must disagree. Billy Miller made the part of Billy come alive. From the beginning after they aged the character. When he came on he made the character likable even when Billy was messing up. People were behind Billy and Victoria and when cheering for them to make up. When Victor jailed him and he came home to save Delia people fell in love with him all over again. That's because Billy Miller made you want to forgive Billy when he messed. That's why the fans on this site love and miss him so. Jason just doesn't have that yet, but he's working on it. Now I love Jason Thompson but as Patrick from GH, he has to grow on me for this Billy part. I just don't think if Billy Miller had still been playing the part Pratt would have written in the affair. Billy knew it had hurt Jack when he slept with Sharon so I don't think he would have repeated it. I think that's why so many people had a problem with them writing the Billy/Phyllis affair, but Jason Thompson is playing the heck out of the part as I knew he would if they gave him good material in which to work.

                3

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                  BlueBullhorn

                  "Billy knew it had hurt Jack when he slept with Sharon so I don't think he would have repeated it".
                  LMAO. Billy is a character, he doesn't think. If Billy Miller still was in the role, he would have done what Pratt wanted him to do. Do you think Villy would've happened with David and Heather Tom in the roles? Nope! Recasts and chemistry bring new stories.

                  "People were behind Billy and Victoria"
                  Not me! Billy Newman ruined Billy's character.

                  "Billy Miller made you want to forgive Billy when he messed. That's why the fans on this site love and miss him so."
                  Still not me!!

                  " Jason Thompson is playing the heck out of the part as I knew he would if they gave him good material in which to work."
                  He had good material with the Philly affair. But Sally thinks it's better to waste his talent in a chemless pairing with Amelia Heinle.

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                    GreenElephant

                    Because Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle had chemistry and Amelia and Jason not so much. It was the same when Jason play Patrick on GH, no one had chemistry with Jason like the girl who played Robin.

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                      BlueBullhorn

                      Billy Miller was the ONLY man Amelia Heinle had chemistry with. It doesn't change the fact that they were a total mismatch.

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                      PurpleCar

                      Disagree I loved her with Burgess!

                2. O

                  OliveBullhorn

                  I love this Billy on the show now, especially the chemistry he and Victoria had when he first came out of the coma, prior to Phyllis..and, I wasn't sure the two were going to get that back, at that point, it had ruined it..and Travis is like a fish out of water with that crowd. Nothing tops Billy and Victor when it comes to working with one another (which is rare), and this dynamic, over their knocking heads with one another. But, imo, they still have the same caliber of determination when it comes to getting what they want with family in mind.

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                PurpleCar

                Disagree! For one he's ugly for 2 his chemistry with Victoria is zero!!

            4. R

              RedGoggles

              I think she should re-cast him, but what you said makes a good point...Re-casting him, fans would be whining. They are still whining about Billy Miller gone and its been 3 years since he left.

              3

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              RedBone

              I would except any adam they chose

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                PurpleCar

                Me too! I already dislike this writer!

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              PurpleCar

              I for one LOVE Burgess Jenkins! Please don't speak for the fans just yourself

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                GreenElephant

                I wouldn't dare speak for you because I don't know who you like but the majority of the poster on the sheknows site I post on never liked him in the role. He was the oldest liking Billy we've seen and he never seem to have any chemistry with Victoria. Sorry just a lot of different opinions but some did like him as an actor and wished him well in another role.

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            RedBowtie

            UPVOTE X 755 for you!

            3

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            RedGoggles

            where did I jump all over you? You are taking my words negatively. You are complaining that Chloe was never revealed and made it sound like it won't be...It is like you are finding things to whine about for nothing when you don't know if she is going to address that or not..Some things I agree with you on what you said and other things I don't. That's not jumping my dear.

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            PurpleCar

            I agree and their ratings are going to drop because people want a resolution to the Christian paternity! It's ignorant to start out her writing this way

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            GreenSeahorse

            You forgot about Neil suddenly going blind in an accident and then suddenly getting his vision back, and his wife and son having an affair while he was blind.

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          PurpleCar

          I agree! Now they are going to turn Cain into a pill head! Seriously losing my love for the show! Then you have Chelsea all high and mighty when she did the same thing to Dylan

    5. R

      RedBowtie

      UPVOTE X 1000! ONE THOUSAND UPVOTES FOR YOU! YOU NAILED IT WITH MY SENTIMENTS!

      2

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      BlueCone

      I think you need to read the article again. She never said she was ignoring anyone. She mentioned those characters but doesn't mean that others won't be involved.

      2

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        GoldBlowdryer

        I don't they are really interested in actually reading it. They just want to find something negative and go off on it. So what she doesn't like Philly I really don't think the majority of the viewers have since the ratings for this year have been down. I don't think it is going to kill the show if they ignore the Jill and Lauren sister thing and if Devon gets a story line where he's not having to babysit Hilary.

        2

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    RedGoggles

    I love that Sally/Kay are back but I strongly disagree on 2 points.

    #1- She said Victor/Jack rivalry would be put aside because it's not fun because Victor always wins.Hello? You're the new HW! You have the power to bring Victor to his knees.That scumbag deserves it. And for Pete's sake quit having his family accept/whitewash him That's lead me to hating ALL the Newmans right along with Victor

    #2 I totally disagree about Phyllis/Billy. I love them & root for them to reunite.Plenty of couples on soaps fall in love post affair. I want Phyllis angry at Jack (he never supported her need for justice)not groveling to a man who's angrier about an affair than he was her being repeatedly raped.Philly are great together and Gina/Jason have chem to burn.

    Lastly, PLEASE undo all the crap that's been done to Sharon.Her character's been abused beyond words.Plus, IMO Sharon should have Sully. Victor/Chelsea's telling the truth could mitigate a lot of this pain.Why should Nick have him?

    Welcome back to Sally & Kay!

    17

    1. C

      CyanStrawberry

      I'm just glad that she's going to take the time to make Victor human again. Ten years ago ,when she was still writing for the show, he was a flawed, romantic, anti-hero and I'm happy that she's working to make him that way again.

      7

      1. R

        RedGoggles

        So am I...Victor always had a ruthless side but he always showed love for his family and was romantic with Nikki, the previous writers ruined him. Glad she is bringing him back

        2

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      GoldPuzzle

      Agree abt the chemistry to burn. Philly set the screen on fire. Seems like shooting yourself in the foot

      7

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      PurpleLeaf

      I guess people would say because he's his "son" but he's not his son so now what? I really used to wonder who christian will end up with. Well i guess I should not wonder anymore because she says the truth doesn't need to come out. Well why couldn't sharon keep him??

      6

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        GreenElephant

        I you will remember they did the same thing with Lily. Bill Bell actually said he would never let Neil find out about Dre and Malcolm but ten plus year later they addressed it and made Lily Malcolm's child.

        4

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        OliveBox

        There is no Sully, he was Christian and he was Sage's son - and Nick was Sage's husband, that's why she can't have him. If Sharon told Nick the truth as soon as she found out, he might have agreed to either visitation or something like that. I feel bad that Sharon's character has been so ruined, I hope new HW makes some big changes for our Sharon, she's been on this show forever, she deserves a break!

        4

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          BlueGrapes

          Yeah she desrves to be written off.She has been on way to long and we are sick of her.Same with Victor. I so wanted Adam and Chelsea to become the future Newman's to step up and take over Victor's role as head honcho. If Y&R was smart they would realize EB is getting old and needs to think of the new generation, and Adam should be the one to step up and take over Newman. Nick was never interested.Victor just doesn't have what it takes like Adam does. Y&R does not always know what is best for the future,what fans want. I always wish they would of contacted Heather Tom on B&B and bring her back to Y&R as Victoria. She has more Drive and Sass in her expressions,the the current victoria, the current one's hair is always messed up and she talks to softly all the time. she doesn't know how to show different types of emotions as Heather does. Jst like her brother David Tom was a great TEEN Billy, BUT as an adult Billy he wasn't cutting it.His mouth was always hanging open and he was to blah....

          2

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        GoldSubmarine

        Christian at this time is in fact Nick's legal son and only Adam has any right to contest that. So unless he rises from the dead or wherever he is then Nick remains Christian's father and no one not even Victor has any more claim on the child than Nick. Why is it so hard to accept Christian being raised by a biological family member over that of the woman that schemed to keep him from his rightful mother and let her die knowing it,

        1

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        GreenWrench

        Because its the old writers that broke that story open.... Sally and Kays story lines start on Dec 7

      5. R

        RedGoggles

        They had to end that story line...Too many fans whining about it...Thats all I heard for months from every site I read so I am surprised to come on here to see a fan say why couldn't it be kept the same way with Sharon keeping the baby now that the story is out.

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        BlueGrapes

        Christian is Definitely Nick's son. Cannot believe fans do not remember,that THREE days after Adam was with Sage, Sage was announcing she and Nick were having a baby. If the baby was Adam's, a home pregnancy test would not show up positive Three days later.The baby is Nick's

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      GoldTrumpet

      I love to see Billy and Phyllis to reunite and be together.

      4

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        RedBowtie

        Me too! Gina and Jack don't look good together. She looks too young to be his girl. Orig. Phyllis fine, but not NuPhyllis. I don't like Billy, because I didn't like him or his acting on GH; however, Gina looks better with NuBilly than with OldJack!

        2

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          GoldDucky

          billy miller back with victoria

          4

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      PurpleHammer

      Why should Nick have him? Because he is a Newman. Adam is his father and he deserves to be raised by his family and some cracker barrel looking for a dull butter knife to spread ChezWhiz.

      4

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        PurpleScooter

        forgot the word "not" before some cracker barrel

        2

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          RedBowtie

          I knew that. The post was still hottt!

          2

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        BlueGrapes

        He is Nick's son, She announced three days after being with Adam she was pregnant with Nick's baby. She would not have a positive pregnancy test 3 days later if that were Adam's. Nick's baby for sure.

    6. G

      GoldSubmarine

      At least he has biological ties to the kid and Sharon has none and in whose world does a kidnapper get rewarded with keeping the child they kidnapped? Let's not even go there with Sharon didn't kidnap him the Doctor did because that doesn't wash after Sharon found out and would not surrender him to his rightful mother. She even stared at his mother coldly as she died begging for Sharon to do the right thing and this woman let Sage die in agony knowing she wouldn't honor her dying wish, Nick has a right to him because his wife at the time of the child's birth was Sage and he is the father of record on the birth certificate and that makes him legally the boys father. Sharon has no legal right nor does she have any moral right to Christian and shouldn't be rewarded for her indefensable acts.

      What Victor and Chelsea tell or don't tell has nothing whatsoever to do with any of those facts not to mention no one can be sure that Adam actually got the paternity switched because he could have had no way of knowing exactly where Sage had the test sent or exactly when she sent them so unless his name was Madam Cleo the whole scenario was so far fetched as to be a joke.

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        OrangePumpkin

        Wow you're really invested in this aren't you? LOL

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          GoldSubmarine

          Not really, I just pay attention and don't like to be treated like an idiot by writers who think the viewers are morons who can't remember what they had for breakfast.

          2

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            BlueGrapes

            I agree with you 1,000 % been saying that for months now on Y&R fan sites. Writers think we forget when we don't.special episodes that have great impact I save in my dvr and everything you said is spot on. Just like I keep telling fansites that Sage announce THREE days later after being with Adam, that her and Nick were having a baby,and there is no way that Sage's home pregnabcy test would show positive after Three days of being with Adam.It is Nick's baby. also that BS with Sharon at Fairview. yes she was drugged, but so much wrong with that. She hallucinated that she was pregnant,But come On!! She still had to have her monthly period.What did she do bleed all over the bed because she didn't know to wear a tampax? What about when she went home with Dylan.No Breast milk. No soreness, no stitches.No Evidence of ever giving birth. Not once did she ever say to Dylan,where are my stitches or breast milk. how is it we made love the first night I came home, when I should be healing from stitches. I find it so hard to believe that a woman taking showers at home does not see she has no stitches, or her 6 week check up by her doctor Never telling her, you never gave birth Sharon. So Corny and insulting to viewers.

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        GreenApple

        I totallay agree with you.Christian belongs with Nick.

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      Blue8Ball

      I think it's in EB's contract that Victor always wins? Have heard that repeatedly...

      3

      1. R

        RedGoggles

        JFC! Whoever gave him that contract need 2B fired. That's ridiculous.

        6

      2. R

        RedGoggles

        Its not his contract...That's the character that was written for him. The other writers just ruined him over the years. Go back to his first show and how Bill Bell created him.

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          Blue8Ball

          no actually i think it's in his contract...Steve Burton had a "no shirtless" in his contract during football season -- nothing is off-limits. If you can prove otherwise, have at it! It would also explain the animosity betw he and PB

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            GoldChilli

            That's so weird... lol

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        BlueGrapes

        Because its true.He whines and demands he gets the upper hand and wins against Jack all the time,or he walks. Which is why many fans hate Victor. It gets boring seeing he always wins. I say let him Walk. Its Not the Victor show. Fans love other characters besides Victor. what is the sense in watching if any storyline everytime we know how its going to end with Victor winning,why bother to watch,if we know the outcome.

        1

    8. R

      RedGoggles

      Victor character has always been powerful that is the way Bill Bell created him so to have Victor's character brought to his knees wouldn't look right with the long time viewers. So she is doing the right thing by just not going there. You must be a new viewer because the history of the show is the Abbott's were always a loving family and supported one another not sleeping around with your brother's wife that is why she is changing it to get them back to supporting one another.

      1. R

        RedGoggles

        I've watched since the beginning. Abbotts have been a loving family but even loving families do things to hurt each other. Jack bedded his father's wife for Pete's sake.
        Victor did not always win under Bell. Things swung evenly between Victor & Jack/John. The last 10 years Victor's lost every redeeming quality & is total garbage. It's high time he gets comeuppance & for Pete's sake quit having Nikki & the kids absolve him.It's made me hate every last one of the Newmans.

        4

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        CyanLamp

        Victor is powerful, but so powerful he can never lose? I never understood that, and it's just not right; Victor contrary to popular belief is a human being, and everybody loses sometime. That is why I think many fans had a problem with him always winning these past few years especially doing evil things in the name of family, including myself, because it's ridiculous. The greatest heroes and villains in soaps have lost, so why not Victor? I'd like to see him at the least, win most, lose some, at least some and that would go a long way to resetting a proper balance that was upset years ago by Victor always, well, I'll say mostly winning because Victor did go to jail and his children took millions from him, and Jack has put some good dents in him over the years and in a way Jack was always the winner to me because Victor needed his company but Jack always had his family, However I always wanted Jack to have at least one decisive win that can never be taken away; he deserves that. This is coming from a decades long viewer. I totally agree with what you said about the Abbotts. They are known for loving and supporting each other through thick and thin, even when it's hard, and they mostly took the high road which is why I always loved them.

        3

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          BlueGrapes

          I agree about Rich and Powerful should not always win. Jack is rich and powerful too,but Y&R makes Jack the punching bag all the time. General Hospital has Sonny who is rich and powerful mobster,but he does not always win and get the upper hand,it goes back and forth with other Rich and powerful mobster Julian.its not just Sonny getting the upper hand. and they have alot of interesting storylines and not just bed hopping constantly or who's the daddy constantly.

          2

          1. C

            CyanLamp

            I agree with you totally Joan, especially about Sonny. He has had many huge losses, so I can't say he has always won. He will even admit it. I've heard him say to Julian or Ava, 'Ok, you got me this time, ok, I can respect that, now watch my next move,' lol, and he keeps it moving and planning his next whatever in his crazy mob war. I'd love to see Sonny and Victor go head to head, both are ruthless. Jack and Julian would probably team up, I can just see this wild three way. The Newmans vs. the Abbotts Vs. the Jeromes. May the most ruthless family win! I thank the Lord that Sonny and Julian aren't in those storylines you mention.

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        BlueGrapes

        I have been with Y&R since 1973 and Just because Victor started out always being powerful,doesn't mean one always gets away with BS. Like everytime he has bribed a Judge, he gets away with it. Not once does a Judge prosecute Victor for bribing Or blackmailing a Judge. The latest that gets sickening is the Horrible story he did with getting Marco out of prison and placing him in Phyllis's bed as Jack,and having him held captive by Kelly,so inhumane,tied to a bed for weeks without a shower or proper food,having Marco forged signatures as Jack.to obtain Jabot.So actually any deals that went down signed by Marco should not be valid. and also Victor NEVER should of gotten out of prison for such acts of crimes,after afew short months,JUST BECAUSE Nikki and Victoria, went back to the court and spoke again for Victor.That just does not happen. Why is it the writers now are not having Victor turn Chloe in for what she did to Adam? Chelsea deserves to know this,even if Victor has to do more time again. That's what many of us hate about Victor.he never truly pays.

        1

    9. P

      PurpleLeaf

      Totally agree with you about Billy & Phyllis! I think they are a HOT couple!! Surprised people can't see it.

      2

      1. O

        OliveBullhorn

        I totally agree , with you everyone is praying for Victoria & Billy to reunite & all the Writers are so obsessed with that Story when they didn't even give Phyllis & Billy a Chance what so ever why create a Story Like that if it didn't workout it's stupid i would Like to see Phyllis & Billy Reunite and make that work out but the Writers won't they will just hook them up & get him back with Victoria

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      BlueGrapes

      NOoooooooo!!!! I can't stand Sharon. She has gone through every man possible on the show. Its so Dumb that she didn't know her own body AFTER leaving fairview never gave birth to a baby. She Never had Stitches, Never had breastmilk.anyone knows there is 4-6 weeks healing before having sex,yet that day she went home she and Dylan made love. she never questioned her body ,getting dressed daily and telling Dylan something is wrong here. She didn't want to know. I am tired of Y&R keeps putting Nick and Sharon back together,so now that Dylan will be gone we have to expect it AGAIN.Same old recyled relationships is annoying. Sharon has been on so long and has worn out her welcome on the show. She has the same ol whiney nasally tone in her voice.way to much cover girl on her face. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE Head writer Sally. Just because Justin is to busy to come back, doesn't mean Adam has to stay dead. Waiting for Adam to return is keep many of us hanging on. Michael Muhney made the character Adam and MM should be brought back. He actually coached Justin in how to play Adam. He deserves to come back. he was wrongfully let go and it was proven to be fales,just a big internet rumor that spiraled out of control and Eric Braeden was jealous of MM becoming more popular then him,had a lot to do with his not staying on the show. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't let Adam stay dead. I have been with this show since 1973 but I cannot say I will continue if Adam is going to be gone for good.We have been waiting and waiting for his return Once again. and Chelsea looks horrible with Nick,he's too boyish looking for her after being with Adam and he's too sloppy looking with the beard. Dump Sharon and bring back ADAM Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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        GoldHammer

        BRING MM 'S ADAM BACK FOR SHARON,

  4. B

    BlueUmbrella

    Wonderful interview!

    16

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      BlueRadio

      ITA I love her, she is honest and very forthcoming. She knows the show and that's a Good thing. It's going to take time for the show to be back on a even keel.

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        GoldBattery

        I agree! She saying the things we the audience have been saying for years. She not spinning a story in her interview like the others. She being honest and real about it. I love this! Sally, welcome home!

        P.S. She said how come these writers don't know the history of the show? I'm been saying the same thing as well too!

        10

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          BlueRadio

          Bingo, that's what I loved about this she was telling the truth. She knows the fans are unhappy with the direction the show has taken the past few months, so I'm not surprised by what she said.

          9

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    PurpleButterfly

    Reading her IV made me so content! She gets it, she really gets it! I really hope she can undo the damage done to Sharon's character. Welcome back!!

    15

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      RedGoggles

      yep, she stated in another interview she is going to repair the damage done to Sharon...She hated how they always made her crazy and going to the institutions

      8

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        CyanLamp

        Katie? Thank god, finally some sanity is returning to Y&R. Sharon needs some major overhaul, she can't keep ending up out in now where land. This newest baby switch has left me rolling my eyes ans fast forwarding much of the show. Can't Sharon get so good stuff going for her???? How come every one is the 'haves' and no real Dian to earth family unit. Who isn't rich by inheritance, a great IT break through, blab,blab, blab!,
        I'll be glued to my PVR fir the De. 7th episode. And Jong A bots ghost needs to have a roll in future stories, or maybe his death was fake??? Does that work, he was off recovering and watching how his kids are messin' up at home and work???
        Thanks fir giving ba a place to vent 👀

  6. P

    PurpleRing

    This interview actually made me NOT want to watch the show, a few points.

    1. All of the characters she mentioned as most important are Newmans and Abbotts. We're sick of them. The fact that she didn't mention Neil or a single character of color is horrendous especially considering how long KSJ and Neil have been on the show. Pushing the same character on viewers with absolutely no balance or regard for other characters is why the ratings are what they are.

    2. Nearly every character she mentioned is over 40. I knew this would happen. Another recycled writer who isn't going to invest in the younger set at all and replay the same stories with the same characters over and over. We are sick of some of these characters! There is nothing fresh about her ideas or her opinions AT ALL.

    3. Her comment about there not being any "supercouples" on the show currently. This isn't the 1970's. Supercouples don't exist anymore and soap writers really need to move past this dumb, dated phenomenon. Stuff like this is exactly why they're dying.

    4. I had my issues with Billy and Phyllis but it's totally stupid for any writer to basically say they're done forever and completely alienate a fanbase.

    5. Her comments about Adam and the baby story were totally nonsensical. Viewers don't have amnesia. You can't pretend like Adam wasn't a huge part of the story or make anyone forget all that transpired to get them here. That's going to backfire. If her plan is to just pretend he doesn't exist" she has zero respect for her audience at all - we're not dumb. You're a writer, figure out a way to address it. It's your JOB.

    6. I HATE and I do mean HATE that she only talked about female characters almost solely in the context of their pairings with the exception of Hillary. PASS. Nikki/Victor, Victoria/Billy and frankly Nick/Sharon are boring couples that have been overplayed and do absolutely NOTHING for the females involved in the stories. They all look like doormats for sticking with men who have repeatedly treated them terrible. It doesn't fly anymore. This is 2017 nobody wants to see Nikki continuously run back to a man who verbally abuses her or Victoria with no ambition running back to someone who repeatedly cheats on her.

    I was excited about SSM's vision for Y&R. Sadly, not so much anymore. Sometimes you can't go back again. I'd prefer if she stayed gone.

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      GreenPalmtree

      I agree. I read nothing in the interview that makes me think the show will be interesting anytime soon. Every decision described in the interview is bassackwards to what would drive interest and viewership

      4

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        BlueRadio

        Give the lady a chance, we had two years Of Pratt, it's going to take time to get the show back to where it was before JFP and Pratt made a mockery out of it.

        6

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          GreenBulb

          THANK YOU.....

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            BlueRadio

            YW

            2

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        GreenCupcake

        agreed

      3. R

        RedBowtie

        UpVote! Bassackwards! I love that and you're right, too!

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      OliveCone

      Agree totally with your #6.
      I cannot see any new viewers wanting to watch the show just for her stalwarts and Hilary.

      1

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      GoldBattery

      I think you should give her a chance. At least she speaks for the audience. She made alot of valid points about Sharon, who I'm tired of being a doormat. I think since she once wrote the show and KNOWS THE HISTORY unlike others she going to bring her A-game. I think it great! I do want her to write off or kill some of these young kids who serve no purpose on the show i.e. Natalie, Travis, Kevin...etc

      7

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        RedBowtie

        If you add Summer to your list of dead-to-be, then I'll concur; however, I don't agree with the rest of your post, especially, the part about Sharon. Sharon is a manipulative, skanky, crazy bitch! She's no doormat.

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        BlueBullhorn

        For the audience? She doesn't speak for me.

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      GoldPuzzle

      I agree....this actually alienated me. Absolutely no more Philly? Meh, I'm LESS likely to be invested with these absolutes.

      4

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      BlueChefHat

      She forgot about Hillary, who is a major character. And I still want to see Adam again! He and Chelsea could be that SUPER COUPLE!

      1

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        OrangePopcorn

        Did you actually read the interview?

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        PurpleLeaf

        SHE did mentioned Hilary, she said she loves her.

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        GreenCupcake

        Yes, yes, yes on Adam. (especially if you can get Muhney back). That story needs to be played out, and Victor needs a child like him--strong, smart, conniving, complex-----not like wimpy Nick, or wishy washy Victoria.

      4. R

        RedGoggles

        I am excited for Sally Sussman to be back but I think she is making a mistake by letting Adam remain dead...Recast him if Hartley isn't coming back and as for Jill and Lauren and not acknowledging that they are sisters is a mistake too...I didn't agree that the writers had them become sisters as Jill is the only Foster left from the original family and the writers erased the whole Foster clan, but it has been done, and you can't just ignore it and pretend its not there. I am glad she is focusing on what the show is mainly about.

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      BlueBox

      I was also disappointed that she didn't mention Cane & Lily or Devon & Hillary as couples that fans love. Also, the idea of stripping Devon of his fortune is awful. If anything, why isn't Devon a big shot taking on Victor or grabbing control of Chancellor Industries.

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        PurpleLeaf

        Very very good points. Totally agree.

        2

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        RedToast

        Devon came out of nowhere! Him being Katherine's grandson was a ridiculous storyline! Devon's character is so shallow now. It would have been cool to have him continue in the music business and watch him grow based on his talent and adopting the values given to him by Neil and Victoria.

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          GreenCupcake

          And, with good writing, it could still happen! Music should be his driving ambition. Hillary is going to dump him relatively soon because she doesn't really love him, and she hasn't for a long while. (Not since their aborted honeymoon). He will need something. She will have her ambition. She reminds me of Phyllis years ago. Devon could become a music tycoon like his "father".

          4

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          RedGoggles

          Agree...Devon was an orphan who had no money adopted by the winters and now he's a millionaire basically overnight...if they wanted him to be rich, they should have built his character up and make him work for his money like they did Victor's character...When Victor came to the show, he worked for Katherine Chancellor, there was no Newman Enterprises as it showed where he built himself up to get what he earned...It wasn't handed to him like they did with Devon.

          4

        3. C

          CyanScissors

          Well Dylan came out of no where being a policeman. Lauren and Jill being sisters came out of no where. What values did Neil give him how to abduct someone, be a alcoholic and never pay for you sins.

      3. O

        OrangeBike

        Devon should have never been made Katherine's grandson. It came out of nowhere and that didn't fit with Kays 35 year history Plus giving him all Kay's money brings a 25 year old character to endgame prematurely. Our we supposed to root for him not to lose his money? Snore.

        Devon isn't a big shot because his money is inherited. He is not a self made man and was never interested in business.

        5

        1. G

          GreenCupcake

          The whole "will" was stupid, stupid writing!! Jill never DID find out anything about that box. I'm sure when Katherine wrote that she was giving Jill the most valuable thing she had, she DID NOT mean that stupid necklace in the light fixture!! There must have been a plan there, but it was shoved under the rug. (Or, god forbid) the writer had no idea what that box was leading to. The most important things to Katherine were love, family, integrity---and I thought Jill would somehow discover those things with that box. Also, she and her husband defrauded the insurance company, and nothing was done about that. They are criminals who stole a cool mil. That should somehow come back and bite them in the ass.

        2. R

          RedGoggles

          Yeah that didn;t sit well with many fans who remember Kay's character from day one...No mention of ever being pregnant and all of a sudden she has a son Tucker and now a grandson...The idiots who wrote that didn't do the research on Katherine's character too well when she was with Brock's dad...She dated Brock's father since high school married him after college had a son and then dated and married his college roommate Phillip...So where does Tucker's dad come in? It was written that the only other person she dated in high school was John apart from Brock's dad.

          2

      4. C

        CyanPin

        What about Abby and Stich. Make a story about them. They need to start over, some romance and courting and bring the love they had back. They could start a family and add new little ones to the Y&R

        1. G

          GreenWrench

          And they did it again pulling families apart or thinking of it, by making Stitch also to be in love with Ashley........ WTF and then another family love triangle.. Neil Hilary and Devon...
          Then Billy, Phyllis and Jack... Help me out here what other family love triangles have they done in the last 2 years......

          1

    7. P

      PurpleLeaf

      Well considering the show is about the Abbott's and Newman's I can't say I'm sick of them I watch the show and I love it for the most part. And I am sad and kinda angry that she didn't mention Neil. Hilary? Really? And you mentioned the younger set. I'm ok with younger people on the show as long as they don't make it all about them. Please dont do that. I like the idea of supercouples. Everything from the past is not bad. It could work again. It's much better than giving someone a great love having the fans get all invested, then ripping it apart for no good reason. I agree with your point at the end if number 5. And number 6? She mentioned in the article about making Nikki stronger so don't count her out yet.

      2

    8. R

      RedGoggles

      I bet you the ratings go up with her as HW. You like the baby switching, DNA switching, people sleeping with everyone's husband/wife, the younger actors chosen more screen time over the longer characters and the list goes on because that is what the show focused on for the last 10 years...I don't know about you, but I been a viewer for over 30 years and found myself falling asleep when JFP and Pratt were in charge. They repeated too many story lines, and didn't make it look real and danced around too many stories...When have you ever seen them sit down for a meal and keeping it real,,,not since Bill Bell wrote it and Sally Sussman is trying to make it back to the way it was...I'm sure she'll make some changes of her own and bring it up to date because after all we aren't in the 70's anymore when the show first aired so she'll bring it up to date, but she's also going to bring the show back to what this soap is all about...I'm sure she;'ll give Neil a great story line because she knows like everyone else that he is part of the history...My lord, she was part of the writing team that created his character for goodness sake. She'll give him a good story line...She can't sit there and ruin all of her spoilers for the show cuz nobody would watch it then if she spoils it.

      3

      1. R

        RedBowtie

        I tried to ignore you, but you're a sycophant. Sally Sussman is going to further ruin an already ruined show. You also seem a bit like a nut, too. How could you not see that she's going to go about the show all wrong. The ratings might spike off of sycophant fan hype for a like a month and a half--tops--but after that . . . they will be lower than they are now. This soap is making its way to the chomping block and your precious Sally Sussman is leading the brigade!

        1. G

          GreenWrench

          It's called... bringing the show back to its ROOTS.... and a show that we all loved and watched faithfully.............

          2

      2. G

        GreenWrench

        I remember the morning breakfast with the Abbots and Mamee who was their housekeeper............ They all loved her breakfasts :) Oh the Abbots..... Miss the good quality family time... Excited for them to go back to the FAMILY roots of Y & R it went from the Fosters and the Brooks to the Abbots, Newmans and Winters......

        1

    9. R

      RedBowtie

      Point 1: Preach! She only mentioned Devon--because his grandmother is White Katherine, but I digress. She also mentioned Hilary, because Hilary reminds her of a character she created once. Sally is an egotistical bitch and she's going to ruin further an already ruined soap.

      Point 2: Preach! I agree. The problem with today's basic Network programming is they are either trying to get all the old people to watch or all the young people to watch. Why not just write good stories? Then EVERYONE WOULD WATCH.

      Point 3: Hilarious!

      Point 4: My issue with Billy and Phyllis is the fact that I used to watch GH and can't stand Jason Thompson. He's not a bad actor, but he isn't a good one either. He doesn't do anything for me. Gina Tagnioni is a great soap actress, but he wasn't up to snuff; however, I loved them together, because it stopped her from being with her grandfather, Jack Abbott of AMC Cliff Warner fame. Billy and Gina look like they went to High School together, instead of looking like the perverted college professor that is in his 60s and trying to bag the newest Freshmen on campus like her and Jack do. Also, I think Billy and Phyllis fell in love too fast. Not for the real world, because that happens, but for a soap. The story seemed rushed. Damn Jason Thompson had just gotten to the show.

      Point 5: Was just Perfect! You killed it and hit the nail on the head. What writer in their right mind says they're going to ignore history of the show, because they didn't write it or didn't like it, and then turnaround and say the previous writers were wrong for ignoring history? Also, how do you say, you're going to ignore something, instead of figuring out a way to invalidate it? You don't ignore the past, you face it head on, learn from it and correct it, so you can move on. That would be so much fun, to clean up other writers' messes and demonstrate just how talented you are. She's behaving like a brat. She's Summer! I HATE Summer! Why didn't Sally Sussman mention Chelsea in her stalwarts? Is Chelsea going to be fired and sent to GH? I would love that!

      Point 6: I concur! TOTALLY! I loved your post and how you expressed yourself. If anyone didn't see what you were saying they were just some sycophant reading Sussman's crap and sopping it up.

  7. B

    BlueHelmet

    Well, I liked the Phyllis and Billy story line they were falling in love, it was more than just an affair, and it was exciting (better than Jack & Phyllis). I would have loved to see where it could have gone. Victoria is too (something) to be for real with anyone except her father. I hope Nick never learns the truth of Christians paternity and I sort of like him and Chelsea together if that would ever happen. Victor and Nikki are a staple so that is a given. I do miss the family togetherness of the Abbotts and I could live with it being a dream that John died, I did like him and Gloria together. Neil could acquire his son (be a single parent) and then maybe later find a love interest (Hillary's aunt). I guess this is all I have for now.

    10

    1. R

      RedBowtie

      I Hate Victor and Nikki together, but they really don't play well, when paired with other actors. They; truly, belong together, but they are so boring together, so Victor would have to be stirring up trouble while courting her. I LOOOOOVE Nik and Chelsea together! I liked your post, too. UpVote!

  8. P

    PurpleCar

    Philly was unlikeable because they had an affair? Because that has never happened on a soap. Philly was great together. They had chemistry and they are fun to watch. They made me excited again. No Chadam, not sure where that leaves Chelsea. Some things I agree with, but some things I don't. I think I just read, going to do what I want to. 😒

    9

    1. C

      CyanPopcorn

      When in the hell is Faith going to grow up she should be a teenager bye now because she's been a pre teen for way too long Lily and Cain twins are the same age she is now you know this isn't right the Faith character should at least be around 13 or 14 yrs old Summer was not that much older than Faith if Summer is grown that means Faith should be a teenager

      2

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        PurpleCar

        Yeah, I agree it is time for Faith to grow up.

      2. R

        RedGoggles

        Okay that is just plain ridiculous...Its been the same girl over the last 5 years, you can't just put her a teen when its the same girl acting her...The most ridiculous aging they done was a month before Summer was aged she was a little girl to only come back a month later an 18 year old so please...Keep faith the way she is! They been growing these kids too fast. Fen goes away for a year as a little boy and comes back a grown boy in college. Bill Bell didn't even age them that quickly...He sent them away for a few years when they were kids before bringing them back a teenager.

        4

      3. R

        RedBowtie

        I want Summer dead. I H8 that girl!

        4

    2. R

      RedBowtie

      UPVOTE X 75 FOR YOU!

      2

  9. G

    GoldBattery

    This interview is gold, and I like this because she understand this show and what daytime about. I grew up with this show, and the last 10yrs has been a snooze fest. I will say Maria Arena Bell did some good, but in 2010-2012 she went crazy.

    I was no fan of JFP/Pratt that was a mess, but to know Sally in charge and she bringing Kay Alden back this is the best news all week despite this week tragedy. I can say that I'm rooting for Sally and the team, because Y&R always been a great soap, and this is my YR that I've watched for years.

    Happy to see this , and I think some of you should give her a chance. Old clips of YR on YouTube in the 80s with the old Jill was some good stuff. It better than the current storylines on TV!

    8

    1. R

      RedGoggles

      I agree...Some stories that Maria Bell did was just plain aweful, but I must say, she did try to keep most of her father in laws legacy alive...It seems the other after her wanted to erase what Bill Bell created all together and turn it into their soap. They just forgot one thing when they tried to do that was it's his name on the credits and creator along with his wife...Glad Sally Sussman will bring back what he created...What more can we ask for then the two people Bill Bell took under his wing which is Kay Alden and Sally Sussman...He taught them everything about his show and how to write for his show.

      2

  10. C

    CyanCandy

    In all due respect, I completely 100% disagree about Billy and Phyllis. They were great together. Quite honestly they were the driving emotional force of the show for a long time. Their affair was the main reason to tune into Y&R this past summer. The chemistry between Gina and Jason was amazing. It is a huge huge mistake not to put them back together.

    8

    1. B

      BlueHelmet

      I agree 100%.

      6

  11. B

    BlueBullhorn

    After one year of build up and zero real shot, the Philly ship has sailed? WTF?

    The woman created Phick but thinks Philly is wrong? Like WTF???

    7

    1. R

      RedGoggles

      Yeah Philly was a good pair when Michelle Stafford is in the role, but Gina Tognoni looks much older then Nick. She is better with Jack.

      1. B

        BlueBullhorn

        Better with Jack? Are you kidding me? Joshua and Gina have the same age. Michelle is 9 years older than Joshua and Peter 20 years older than Gina.

        And Philly is Phyllis and Billy, not Nick.

        5

    2. R

      RedBowtie

      This bitch is crazy! She thinks Hartley is too successful. He's not successful at all. He just got his tired, none-acting ass out of SoapLand. His show will not go beyond a 2nd Season, if he's lucky enough for it to get past the first. She's stuck in 1996! She's Hilarious!

      1

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        BlueBullhorn

        Actually, she is right about JH's show. This Is Us is a hit.

        4

        1. R

          RedBowtie

          No it isn't. Check the ratings. They decline almost every episode. That show is two seasons tops. It's another Mysteries of Laura. People thought that show was going places . . . and it did . . . for two seasons and the place it went was . . . Cancellationville! LOL!

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            BlueBullhorn

            Yes, it is! The show got a full season.

            1. R

              RedBowtie

              If you grade a show successful by it getting a full season, then shame on you. A lot of shows are already slated for them, they just don't let the audience know that, until it's announced, so they can fool the audience into believing the network believes in the show. Bantilau, shame on you for not knowing that.

              1. B

                BlueBullhorn

                Take a look on the last ratings. Yes, the show is a hit.

                2

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                  RedBowtie

                  This show is the New, Mysteries of Laura. Two Seasons tops.

                2. R

                  RedBowtie

                  The only reason why those ratings were so high, for the last episode, is because it was raining in most of America and people were forced to stay in and everyone was still reeling from the election. This Week's will not be so high and the week after neither . . . unless the cold air keeps everyone in.

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                    BlueBullhorn

                    lmao!! The show is a hit. Stop making excuses.

                    2

                    1. R

                      RedBowtie

                      Only time will truly, tell, but it's not.

                    2. B

                      BlueBullhorn

                      It's not only in your imagination.

                      2

                    3. R

                      RedBowtie

                      Just like you now are . . . whoops, thought's cleared . . . you're all gone. Phew.

                    4. B

                      BlueBullhorn

                      Take your pills.

                      2

    3. O

      OrangeWeights

      She ALSO created Jack & Jill.. So, somewhere deep down, she has that ability to "create controversial & complex characters!" (who, may I add, have both done enough yearning for the entire cast this year!) They deserve to end up together after all that they've been through (esp Billy!)

      I hope Sally will dial into that & see the characters for who they GREW into.. not at all unsympathetic; to the contrary, they were beloved & rooted-for by a HUGE fandom, eventually even by many who were initially 100% against it..!

  12. P

    PurpleLeaf

    I must say I am quite surprised. I read the other comments before I posted mine and it seems many people did not feel encouraged after reading the interview. I felt very encouraged and hopeful after reading. It made me really look forward to the new changes. But I have to say I do not one bit agree with the character of Adam not coming back or being thought of as not needed in the show. He is very needed and the majority of people are very invested nd love this character. Ok it can't be Justin H. Ok. Find someone else. Adams character should not be forgotten about and left off canvas for a long time or never to be brought back. That is absolutely ridiculous. Sorry guys never cared about the Philly story. Glad it's over...BUT If so many fans are invested in them maybe from a fan point of view it should be revisited. I just hate what Philly did to jack. But I hate Phyllis and have from day one and I don't want her with my jack so ok maybe let Billy have her. And yeah there was some heat.

    6

  13. O

    OliveLocomotive

    I'm looking forward to her writing to start. I'd love for Ashley to wake up, come down the stairs and say she had a dream that her dad had died then find him at the breakfast table again. I loved his being part of the show. He brought sense and leadership to the Abbott family. I've watched since the spring of 1974 and as I said, I'm really looking forward to her writing a show I can look forward to each day.

    5

    1. R

      RedGoggles

      Yeah that would work if he just died, but that would be kinda impossible now...That is like saying that last 10 years of the soap has been a whole dream? You can't erase 10 years of the show and what has happened since his death.

      1. O

        OliveLocomotive

        The nice thing about fiction is that it’s always up for change ~ with the last 10 years we’ve had with unbelievable story lines on Y&R I fail to see why it wouldn’t work. For those of us who are Jerry Douglas fans anyway.

        1. R

          RedGoggles

          Well, for the last 10 years, the Abbott's been mourning his death so a dream would mean that its all a dream even their mourning for the last 10 years.

  14. O

    OrangeBucket

    Wow! looking forward to the new Y&R.

    4

    1. R

      RedGoggles

      Correction...Not the new Y&R it's welcome back Old Y&R lol

      2

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        OrangeBucket

        You're right, I thought that after I posted my comment.

        2

  15. R

    RedWrench

    Ten y&r fans will offer up ten steadfast opinions about how SS should proceed cleaning up the mess created by the plot contrivances of the last decade. If anyone can return the program to the layered, stylized, sexy and compelling program it was during its very best days in the mid eighties, it's Sally Sussman especially aided by Kay Alden. Everyone needs to just relax and let her do her job, and while she won't be able to please all the people all the time, she's the best chance to guide this wonderful show back to new heights. Remember how many masters she has to answer to: CBS, Sony, the Bells, Eric Braeden-MT-Scott, several other long-term cast members like Doug Davidson and K. St. John, etc. These women know what they're doing and know the history of the show, both in terms of story and just as importantly, tone. They're hardly starting from square one either, so let's give this Godsend a chance...
    That being said, I'm throwing my suggestions into the mix...
    Adam can't be forgetton, he's too strong of a presence both as a core family member, and in terms of his effect on story, almost all of which has occurred since SS has not been involved in producing or even watching (per her own admission) the show. Commenters seem to be getting bogged down in the Justin Hartley factor, and while he was the best of the three actors who've played the role, he can and should be recast. Recasts are the one trick that serials seem to be able to get away with without impugning too much audience disaffection. Michael Muhney did more then admirable work in his time (his harassment allegations notwithstanding), and if a deal could be struck, rehiring would be a good publicity-angle, a la every person deserves a second chance/life imitates art. Muhney brought a darker version if Adam, with a more potential for menace facet to the role, which would serve well in potential conflict with Victor, an angle that hasn't been exploited to the fullest degree. There's months of storyline potential in setting up and playing out the conflict between father and son, especially if Smilin Jack inserts himself as the inevitable "other woman" of this new kind of super couple (don't get bogged down in past tense definitions of what a supercouple actually is; on B&B, the most compelling supercouple was Brooke and Stephanie). Adam is too valuable to dismiss him outright just because NBC primetime has stumbled on a hit. If you can accept that B&B's Katie and Bill were both completely different characters as Y&R's Victoria and Brad, we can easily get used to another actor as Adam, or a return to MM...
    Billy and Phyllis worked, just not with the latest Billy; Gina acquits herself very well in some very big shoes--maybe Billy Miller just casts too long a shadow on the role, but this latest guy doesn't fit; again, people will accept the right recast--and ithis is the role with the most recasts in y&r history, isn't it? Toss up as to how to advance Phyllis Billy--upside is the deep deep well of passion and conflict, downside is the current pairings' lack of chemistry... maybe back burner them for a while as jack & Billy rebuild and repair just to inevitably tear their relationship down once again, with the Phyllis specter always haunting the true return to Abbott filial-abbot grace. Ashley-Phyllis has been a great conflict center as well, don't dismiss its inherent dramatic power.
    OK, here's the mine field issue: TPTB need to find a way to get Victoria Rowell back; everybody involved needs to get over their respective egos and swallow some pride. Take one for the team and GET HER BACK. The PR value alone could be stupendous, to say nothing of what she could bring to the story, and Neil; and though I have been dismissive of her past discrimination claims, chalking them up to supreme diva-hood--and part of her allegations could be just that; but there could be an element of truth to her charges, and in light of the current nasty tone overtaking the contemporary culture, who's to say her allegations aren't worth their day in court. A white person will certainly interpret things differently than one who been subject to a lifetime of entrenched and subtle institutional racism. And rehiring her would serve as something of a media mea culpa for past wrongs. Y&R getting ahead of this national socio-political trend could be a long due olive branch, even if it's not explicitly presented as such--the subtext would be apparent to those paying attention, and would make y&r as relevant as the trans story did for B&B last year-push the envelope, and folks/ratings will respond accordingly; something to think about, Powers that Be...
    A "conflict w/Hillary" seems to be a pop culture theme this month, let's run with it; Devon has to somehow be discredited as the heir to Katherine C., which seemed VERY much an inorganic plot extrusion I ; can't even recall how THAT happened, except that guy from DOOL who was on for a minute and half had something to do with things. Totally not believable, and the writers need to get creative and clever without jumping that shark; Bill Bell could figure that story problem out in a credible way, and so can his protégés. That's why you guys make the #bigbux, so let's get cracking, ss and ka, you've got it in you... divesting Devon sets up all kinds of dramatic and realistic plot potential, particularly if Hillary shows her true colors and drops him like a poor dirt farmer once he's revealed as not so well endowed, (in the money sense, of course).
    And #clikonduh get JILL back on the canvas in more than an intermittent fashion. The last regimes have absolutely dissed her legacy; she needs to be integral again, esp if traci-Lauren are back with an evolution of their past conflicts. Don't forget the layers and texture these legacy characters bring, even if they are only written as B-C storylines. It's a disservice to the long term texture of the show if they are summarily forgotten. Lauren could be a real beyotch back in the day, especially if you could get Joanna manning, or the holy grail, Dina Abbott Mergeron (jack-Ashley-tracis mother, once married to john abbot) to reappear and settle up account with her progeny; what if she returned broke, and becanpmevfriends with Gloria? That's some Laverne and Shirley fun with a dark twist! But avoid the Dallas temptation of "I had a bad dream, dad" as a stunt to bring john back; that ship has sailed; appearing as jac's moral conscience is about the best we should see from Jerry Douglas. But crucially a drucilla return could beget the occasional mamie and Olivia appearance, recalling that Olivia was a great friend/foil to Ashley at one time, and she's always lacked a good female buddy; ash and Lauren as great friends doesn't play off laurens default to bitch mode, wherein she shows "like mother (Joanna-Susan seaforth hayes) like daughter" dynamic.
    All these past characters should be used judiciously, re-referenced and brought to the fore sparingly in a "less is more" approach. Bill Bell knew how to layer and texture his A B C D storylines, as the master weaver of story-stunt-drama-pathos-just under over the top plotlines-humor-july4 BBQs-Abbott scrambled eggs in the am scenes and build up to those phenomenal Friday cliffhangers and months-long buildups to story payoffs.
    So, what's holding you back, ladies? Let's get a crackin'--and remember the occasional jump from the B&B is cool too; but, NO Sheila, NO doppelgängers ever again, and PLEASE NO Gina, Collanade Room or "I am lucky Pierre" sing-a-longs!!!

    3

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      GreenCupcake

      Wow! How 'bout YOU writing for YR? Astute observations AND good writing skills--you're a natural! ( and I almost 100% agree with you--LOL)

      2

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        RedWrench

        Thank you. I'll be waiting for their call!
        I worked as a CBS page back in the pleiciostone era, and would park my self right outside Kay Chancellor's living room window (presumably standing on the grave of the late Phillip C.), and answer the studio floor phone, which did not ring (naturally), but would flash whenever a call came in, prompting a Pavlovian 2.0 hop-skip-jump to answer in whispers, always when the Chancellor living room was "hot" and they were taping just steps away; but the best job on the Page staff (we all floated around TVCity) was the phone assignment in the control booth, where all the above the line creatives sat and pulled Genoa City out of their collective head 12 hours/day five days a week, 48 weeks/year; same assignments for "Capitol," the WDC-set soap that preceded, and was cancelled for "The Bold and the Beautiful"'s premiere in 1987. And no one on the studio floor could ever be in Tracey Bregman's sight line as they rehearsed or taped, because if they were, the subtleties of Lauren's trials and tribes couldn't come to the 'fore!
        Funny what one recalls thirty-odd years later (so be cool, thespians...);
        I guess you could say I'm somewhat vested in this show...

        3

    2. O

      OrangeWeights

      Awesome insight on ALL - the only disagreement I feel is your opinion the current Billy & Phyllis lack chemistry.

      Now that's just PLAIN crazy. 😛

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        RedBowtie

        Thanks for all the UpVotes, Meggy!

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  16. G

    GreenCloud

    I had high hopes for Sally but if she's gonna keep Hillary and that GC BUZZ crap I'll be tuning out.

    3

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      CyanStrawberry

      I'm sure it will be better written, with more intelligence than the stuff Pratt's giving us.

      4

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      CyanCandy

      Even though I am excited about her return to Y&R I am not a fan of the GC Buzz stuff either. It is silly to think in a small town a tv show such as tmz exists about the town characters. That said, the writing as a whole right now is as crappy as it has ever been. I expect if she keeps it going she will temper it. From the interview she seems to be open to scrapping the things that don't work. I am very encouraged. I bet she reads the boards. That is great in itself.

  17. O

    OrangeScissors

    Why were no questions asked about the Winters Family and no talking about Hilary and Devon do not count. Neil who is a veteran character and Lily who is a legacy character have no storyline(s) or screen time on this show and are basically used as filler. It's not right how KSJ and CK are being treated. I also don't give a flying fig about Hilary's relatives but I would love to see Olivia and Nate come back full-time, and maybe Aunt Mamie and or Malcolm could come back for a short stay.

    Also when she mentioned the characters that were stalwarts of this show, my eyes glazed over. Nothing but white characters who was already getting copious amounts of airtime in the first place ( with the exception of Nikki and Ashley)

    3

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      OliveSnow

      You are so right. Nothing about Neil or Lily and not respect for Devon & Hillary. Lily & Cane are beloved but she has no love for them all.

      3

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        RedWrench

        That's because lily and Cane are the dullest characters on the GC canvas, and always have been. The only drama they ever fostered was her cancer/birthing twins plot; Cane has been proven an extrusion, not truly related to anyone. At this point (1/1/17), the headwriters back in place have demonstrated a respect for, and knowledge of, past Genoa City doings. But they've signaled their intent by their first episode back, when the oh-so-beloved Abbott breakfast scene was revisited, and BLEW UP IN EVERYONE'S FACE! Think about the symbolism inherent there. Yes, we know and respect what's occurred in the past, but won't be lead by it like a nose ring attached to an adverse cow. It's a healthy approach, and one that needs a chance to gestate. Let the gals do their job, and a year from now, the better bet isn't a future blogosphere decrying the events of 2017 GC, but hopefully, one of viewers staunchly reinvested in the show. And remember on a previous point, MM not being invited back is just as likely the result of MANY MANY Y&R stakeholders whose voices aren't publicly known, i.e.: Sony, Les Moonves/CBS, Bells, etc. Eric Braeden is hardly the God off stage as viewers take him to be on. His opinion has weight but it's hardly the only voice chiming in.

    2. P

      PurpleLeaf

      Good points would love to see those characters u mentioned come back. Her not mentioning Neil and the winters's was a huge oversight and downright disrespectful. I will leave it at that.

      2

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        RedBowtie

        Neil and his portrayer has been a doormat of that show for decades. He has always been treated like a stepchild, storyline wise, in my eyes. I would have quit, a longgggg time ago.

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      RedGoggles

      I think you been watching too much of Victoria Rowell's lawsuit...I didn't know Hilary was white...talking about Hilary would bring the other winters family in there as she is part of their family...You have no clue about what she has in store for Hilary and the winters...She is hiring an actress to play Hilary's aunt, um, that would mean she's black wouldn't it?

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        OrangeScissors

        No, talking about Hilary doesn't have anything to do with the Winters Family. The Winters have been around since the 90s and they shouldn't be revolved around Hilary just because she married into that family, twice by the way. This family has been on Y&R before Hilary and they will continue to be on the show after Hilary. Just because SSM was thinking of bringing Hilary's aunt that doesn't mean damn thing to me considering I could give a rat's ass about the character and her kin folk but who I do care about are characters like Neil, Dru, Malcolm, Olivia, Nate, Lily, and um, Devon.

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        RedBowtie

        No, not; necessarily, because Black people have White parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents and don't stick up for Sally, because she got caught with her pants down. All of the people she chose were White and OLD. That is gonna affect the viewership and not in a good way. The Old tried storylines with old tired characters and people more than the color of the people. Just face it Kelly R. This show is over and Sally with her 3 year contract will be the last nail in Y&R's coffin.

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    Blue8Ball

    I'm not impressed by a few things this writer said, and they are:

    * "Billy and Phyllis are unlikable and that it was wrong to have them fall in love". Oh but they are likable. I like them, in fact I love them. Feelings change, and they can especially change when a spouse, or any significant other fail to support you. Jack supported Victor when it was revealed he was behind Phyllis' rape, and his kidnapping. He stood in a room with she and Victor listening to his wife cry her heart out over being raped for many months, and then told her to basically suck it up, or be publically humiliated. In her eyes, Victor won. He won, and her husband didn't protect her, he protected her enemy. He wouldn't even protect himself by sending Victor to prison. Instead, he allowed a monster to walk freely back into the community to do more harm. Billy on the other hand stood by her, and listened to her pain, and suffered with her. He was her champion, and took on Jack to his face; questioning how he could allow Victor to get away with such monstrous behavior. He took on Victor to his face as well... assuring him that he would not allow him to get away with what he'd done. He didn't know how he'd do it, but the threat to make him pay was there. It was easy for her to fall in love with a man like that, and the affair....was one of the best written. The chemistry between Jason and Gina was magnificent. Usually, I don't approve of affairs, but the one between this couple was amazing. I would love to see them together again, but it looks like I'll have to wait for the next head writer to consider it.

    * "I do believe it was a mistake to make Devon Katherine’s grandson and leave him with $2 billion. It has left him without drive, without a goal". Ludicrous statement. Why not make him her grandson? Why not leave him the money? They had a wonderful, loving relationship before she died. Mac had one with her too, and she inherited millions as did Brock. Kay's family wasn't mistreated in the will because Devon inherited the bulk of her estate, and they aren't contesting it, so they are obviously fine with it. If anything was weird about Kay's estate it was in leaving the house to Jill instead of solely to Esther who cleaned it for over 30 years. As for Devon's wealth, he has done something with it. He's the new owner of the local media buzz show, and I believe he mentioned that he's still producing music, so he has goals. He's not doing business like Vic and Jack, but does the show need another alpha-male? Why can't he be the nice guy with a lot of money. A guy who uses his money to help people instead of hurting them? Everyone on a soap shouldn't be evil. Besides Devon has Hilary for a wife, and she's been more than enough evil for him. And any shady goals he doesn't use his money to accomplish, I'm sure she will do it for him.

    * "Nick believes this baby is his and for all intents and purposes, it is". So did Dylan. He believed Sully was his baby, and was raising him. For all intents and purposes that makes him the father over Nick who never had the boy. Letting Nick be Sully's dad when he was already in a loving family is ridiculous. If the paternal reveal won't happen, then why move the boy to another home? Dylan was just as much in the dark as Nick about that, so why make him suffer? Nick had already grieved Cristian, and was coping. That should have been left alone.

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    PurplePizza

    I watched Y&R from year one on and have loyally chosen to stick with the show for better to worse. Now in my mid 50's there aren't many soaps I haven't watched at one time or another. Most definitely I have watched the majority of series finales. I certainly leant my Nielsen point to Generations. All this to remark on a good but somewhat troubling interview of a writer I have the utmost respect for. Having Recently lost Agnes Nixon and now Claire Labine R.I.P. Sally Sussman now leads the rank of the legendary. For those of you not in the know. .back in the day you followed the best writers from show to show and nearly peed your pants when soap reporters..for me it was Linda Hirsch.. and then soap magazines said they were on their way back to daytime. it's how you familiarized yourself with soaps you weren't that into watching. I'm excited for her return but not to turn back the clock. To use your extensive knowledge to advance the genre. This is an instance when the owners and networks desperately need to come out of the 60's and into the here and now if this genre is to survive. Like She stated. .primetime grabbed the serialized form and never looked back. My Suggestion to Sally Sussman and Mal Young and CBS..clean up the mess but don't leave hanging chads. A Hanging anvil that never falls is much worse than one that falls on the wrong target. my suggestion for the mess is this. ..don't ignore the baby drama. .bring nick into collusion with it with Victor and Chelsea. .getting him on board and reticent with it also softens him towards Sharon and SHE won't know why. ..Paul needs Dillon so recast. .still an upright hothead thorn in Paul's work arena. .Phyllis is reckless and always will be unsympathetic and reckless. .love the Jonelle Allen idea of exposing Hillarys trite self while out for self..don't make Sharon Joan of arc she shines with dirt. .clear up all those diseases with Victor and Nikki and keep them hot tempered and at odds but in love. .Esthers heartbreak over Chloes deceptions. .give Devon a real backbone. ..put him with Mariah over Lillys vocal objections. ?nobody will ever be good for her brother. .give lily a life and more attitude. .love Lauren. .the thing is you're writing lives for characters in each others orbits with people coming in and out of those lives. .life happens to people. .people make dumb choices and stories flow. .yes it is that simple if you just sit down and stop making it like the biggest math puzzle on earth. ..as a writer you're showing viewers how to solve those puzzles because your characters are showing you how. I hope CBS let's the two of them bring the magic truly back.

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      PurplePizza

      Abs stop writing so fast you miss gaping plot holes and glaring mistakes. .own it. .plot it. .write it. .the other writers you trust will voice it. .and have a oh no you didn't better rethink that because ten years ago person right in your face.

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      GreenCupcake

      Love this, and love the idea of Mariah with Devon!

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    CyanPopcorn

    Dear Lord, Sally Sussman, please deliver!!! I'm heartsick to see my favorite daytime show lying in the urinal, storywise. Good luck to you; you're gonna need it.

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    PurplePuzzle

    Sally's words worry me some, and I'm not sure that's a positive spin on things. I get what she's saying — she wants to undue a lot of the story-directions that she does not agree with, but sometimes the fans are alright with these stories (i.e. Jill and Lauren being related), etc. And I must admit, at some points, she comes off as arrogant. Look, I respect Sally and what she is bringing back to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. My worry is that she's going to take it too far back that she joins the ranks of those other soaps she keeps nameless, and that it becomes a redux of the '70s and '80s.

    And it feels like she is harboring hard-feelings from her previous firing, and that strikes me as worrisome, as well. And then reverting the Devon paternity reveal? Again, something else that strikes me as off. I get fixing things you do not agree with, but to completely re-design the fold of what has become this soap, to me, seems risky and I am not sure it's going to pay off.

    I'm happy, however, that she is dropping the Phyllis-Billy storyline; it was cute and entertaining, until they slept together and kept it behind Jack's back. What I want to see is strong, character-driven drama and development. Women that are strong and confident, and men that are not pigs and arch-rivals. To me, it seems as if Sally is playing into the fan-fantasies that I believe are going to SINK the ship.

    And her comments concerning Adam and Justin Hartley — I get it. We get it. But, at the same time, they come off as arrogantly put, and it's off-putting as a fan and as someone who was willing to welcome her back with open arms.

    I am willing to give Ms. Sussman a chance in her regime, as I fully believe in CBS' intent of keeping this soap alive, but until I see some major walking from her talking, I take it all with a grain of salt.

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      BlueRadio

      I think sally Is going to try to keep it as is for now, I would like too see the stories go back to Maybe the early 80's when Soaps were fun. I'm Giving sally a chance along with Kay these two ladies have a lot work ahead of them.

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        PurplePuzzle

        Don't hold your breath; Sally's own words in this interview merely make it sound as if she's unhappy with soaps that are trying to re-live the '80s hey-day!

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          BlueRadio

          Yeah But i give the lady credit for speaking the truth though.

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            PurplePuzzle

            See, I don't necessarily see it as "truth", as much as I see it as arrogant, much like the rest of her interview.

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              BlueRadio

              IMO I don't see it as "arrogant" I see it as her speaking with the Fans, we have been saying these things for years. Sally worked Under Bill as did kay so we have two ladies who are going to have their work cut out for them in the coming months. I think the fans need to step back and look at the bigger picture, at least she is being honest and admitting her mistakes.

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                PurplePuzzle

                "We have" is a select group of fans, Charlie. She isn't speaking for every single fan of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and yes, I see it as arrogant and hate-speech, because she was fired 10+ years ago. Let her work do the talking; I hold my reservations right now about her regime right now.

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                  BlueRadio

                  I say Give the lady a Break, she was let go 10 years go along with jack smith and Kay Alden when LML took over. I don't see it as "ARROGANT" I see it as Telling the Truth, remember when Pratt and JFP gave that Joint interview last year?! The "Fans" complained to high heaven how "arrogant" they were , Now the roll Is Reversed Sally is getting the brunt of the Fans anger for what Pratt and JFP Created this mess so Put the blame were it Belongs On those two.

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                    PurplePuzzle

                    Sorry, but I haven't had issues with Pratt's regime at THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. I have thoroughly enjoyed his regime reign at the soap.

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                      BlueRadio

                      A Lotof those "fans" like me won't agree with your statement on Pratt , I had "issues" with His writing Nothing was resolved everything was either too rushed or just left hanging for a long period of time. Dare we forget the "Murder mystery" he wrote when he first started or dare we forget the "Adam" reveal which was IMO bad, Now we have the Baby thing coming out and that didn't boost His Numbers for which have been down for months. WE wanted a bell writer back to fix this Mess and we get two Ladies Kay Alden and Sally who are here to rescue us for this Nightmare.

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                      GreenCupcake

                      And I cannot forgive that Muhney was let go in order to "change the direction of his story". (We all know those rumors of harassment were created to "cover" the real reasons for his "firing": a personality conflict with Braeden, "fisticuffs" w/Braeden, and JFP and Pratt trying to weaken and soften the character of Adam.) Someday EB WILL retire. If YR is still around, who is strong enough, conflicted enough, somewhat-evil enough to fill those shoes? Only Adam. Victor's other kids are silver-spoon-fed weaklings!

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                      RedBowtie

                      Thank you for the UpVote!

                      2

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                      CyanStrawberry

                      I don't see how any soap "fan" can enjoy anything Chuck Pratt has ever done. He killed All My Children and he has made Y&R absolutely ridiculous and not true to the Bell vision.

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                      PurplePuzzle

                      Because there are those with different tastes and likes, which is what makes this world unique in its way.

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    RedPlane

    What a great interview! Yes please have Ashley come down and realize it all was a dream on Y&R the last 10 years! Thank you Kay & Sally for coming back and rescuing us long term viewers! Sally please bring back Tricia Cast as Nina. Glad to see Traci Abbott is back also!

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    OrangeBike

    I've been watching from day one, and still remember, the Fosters, Liz, Snapper Jill, and all the drama with Katherine, even though I was in middle school at the time & couldn't watch everyday. So I'm most excited to see what they've come up with for Jill, because a young Jill yearning to be wealthy & important like Katherine Chancellor is what hooked me.
    The previous writers botched the death of Katherine. Everything about her death, will, and family was out of character. Nothing was believable. I'd love to see Jill in put Katherine's position and see how she would handle things. Every time I see her in that mansion I know I'm watching my show.

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    PurplePizza

    YES! YES! YES! Sally is just what this show needs. Her love for and knowledge of the show's history, with emphasis on CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT over contrived plotting is dead-on. Reading this has me excited once again for the show, which hasn't been the case for years. Her calling out the horrific errors of the past was as if she were in my own head. Bring it on Sally!

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    CyanBottle

    I don't care for this interview one bit. Adam throw away trash. Philly sailed? Is she serious they the best thing happened to yr lately. And where are the Winters? I'm out.

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    GreenFlask

    Extremely disappointed that she sees no value in keeping the character of Adam....big mistake. So Justin can't come back...how about someone new, or here's a thought, how about MM? This character has brought so much interest and has been one of the only reasons I kept watching. This is a real bummer......and dropping the paternity of Christian is also a huge mistake. Something we all have been looking for.

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      CyanStrawberry

      MM will never come back in the same way Brenda Dickson and Victoria Rowell won't come back. They've all burned too many bridges.

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        RedPalmtree

        Victoria Rowell has burnt bridges but Michael Muhney has not. He hasn't spoken against the show at all. The problem is that Eric Braeden has too much power. Some actors of the show love Michael muhney a fraction did not. Peter Bergman could of had the same faith as Michael Muhney. years ago the only difference was that Eric hadnt yet become totally indispensable as he is now. Imagine if Braeden would of won that batlle too. I love Victor but I hate Braeden

  27. O

    OliveHelmet

    Not a single word about Paul, played by the longest-running current cast member of the show, who happens to be a wonderfully talented Emmy winner! What a disappointment!

    I'll never forgive Lynn Latham for killing off John Abbott. But she did a good job with Paul and Lauren's friendship. I miss these two sharing scenes.

    Except Jack, the characters mentioned as the most important are Newmans or have been married to at least one Newman! I'm afraid that won't bring me back as a daily viewer.

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    GreenPalmtree

    I've watched YR since the first day it was aired & the most interesting character I ever saw was Adam Newman, no matter who played him. I think it is a huge mistake to have no plans to bring Adam Newman back. Nick is more than worn out. Adam is needed. I stopped watching when he "died". Don't have a single friend still watching.

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      CyanStrawberry

      I don't think she's ruling Adam out entirely. She's just being realistic that Justin will not be back, and it would be too jarring to cast a new Adam Newman right away. She'e got over a decade of problems to fix on this show and it sounds like we're heading in the right direction.

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        GoldHammer

        I'D ONLY WANT MM AS ADAM ,MORE I SEE JH ON THIS IS US,THE MORE I COULD NEVER SEE HIM AS ADAM ,BUT I AM GLAD THAT SHE IS GOING TO GIVE SHARON BETTER S/L'S,HOPE THE SAME FOR MARIAH WHOM MAL LIKES ALOT ,SO THAT LOOKS GOOD,

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          PurplePuzzle

          Time will tell if they will bring the character of Adam back. Right now it looks iffy.

      2. G

        GreenPalmtree

        Adam Newman doesn't need Justin. MM was perfection but with good writing & understanding of the character someone else can play the role & we don't need another plastic surgery, I'm tired to death of Nick, Sharon, Victoria, and Nikki - even Jack and the endless wars. I found huge interest in a new direction with Chelsea and Adam. Victor can't go on forever and the story needs the Adam character. I'll return to viewing if and when they shake things up.

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          CyanStrawberry

          MM will never come back to Y&R in the same way Victoria Rowell or Brenda Dickson will never be back. They've burned too many bridges.

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            GoldBattery

            Very true if we all want all three of them to come back as the character they've played!

            Plus I would love for Muhney to come back, but the character of Adam, needs to take a rest at the moment! Tired of all the recasting.

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        PurpleLeaf

        I enjoyed the article for the most part, it made me feel hopeful and like she understood and even agreed with alot of the issues that the fans have. But I think you are putting words in her mouth she said no adam. Which is a major injustice and downright foolhardy. She better get him back and quick.

      4. G

        GreenPalmtree

        I think she UNrealisticly acts as tho Justin is necessary for the character to continue. The character is extremely important but Justin is not. He's gone and that's ok. There is no problem with any good actor taking over and we don't need a plastic surgery story. Just "Adam Newman is now being played by..." Many fans quit because they are tired of Victor, Nikki, Victoria, and Nick.

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      OliveSailboat

      Can I just say - I don't understand this "I watch for one character/one couple and that's it" mentality. That's kinda not what soaps are supposed to be.

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        GreenPalmtree

        I could watch for more characters and couples but there aren't any that aren't already worn out. Another go-round of Shick? No thanks. There is just nothing to watch right now and Adam supplied the interest that brought me back. Show is deadly dull with Nikki and Victor and Jack same old, same old, same old.

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      CyanGuitar

      I don't see he big hype bout Adam Newman. He was OK, but people act like he was God or something. I don't wish either that he will never be brought back, especially because of his son.

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      RedWrench

      That's because you, and all your old movie star friends, Miss Claudette Colbert, have been dead for years, and everyone knows cable service up/down there is lousy...

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    CyanBottle

    I'm so happy Sally Sussman is back! I have a feeling I won't be fast forwarding anymore. Her ideas sound so refreshing and wonderful! I respectfully disagree about Phyllis and Billy. I love them as a couple. I agree that the relationship began under bad circumstances but the chemistry between them is undeniable. I can't wait until December 7!

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    RedGoggles

    I am excited for Sally Sussman bringing it back to the way it was...But she simply just can't ignore all story lines that the other writers wrote in...I like the fact that she is keeping Christian Nick's son, but she can't just ignore the fact the Pratt and PHelps wrote in another DNA of who's my daddy...She should address it somehow by proving the child is Nick's by maybe Victor altered the DNA to blackmail Adam. I agree with her saying too many DNA switching, but she needs to address that. Just ignoring it, won't sit well with the fans and until she addresses that in some way, fans will keep at it for years. They will keep at it...We heard enough whining from fans about Sully Story taking too long, you'd think these writes will come in and realize that you can't ignore something. Same with Jill and Lauren being sisters, she wants to ignore that too...I see where she is coming from because Jill is the only one left of the Foster family and the other writers shouldn't have written that they were sisters, however, the writers did write that in and she can't just pretend it doesn't exist. She has to go with it. Another thing, we saw black gloved hands putting Adam's wedding ring in the drawer, is that just going to be forgotten? Who did those hands belong too? Charles Pratt was part of the writing team that wrote Adam's hands for over a year before Justin Hartley came on the show and he did it again (which I disagree with) ...Isn't there someone above him that oversees what he writes and if they have no intentions of recasting Adam, why bring that in or air that? I thought all writing had to be seen by the EP and network before it is given the okay to run with it...I got that when I read that Pratt was going to write Avery out in a bad way and he was told to re-write it because it wouldn't sit well with the fans....Why didn't they do the same thing with the gloved hands and not air that because they have us believing he is alive by doing that just to announce Adam isn't being recast because now they are probably going to forget those gloved hands...If Adam is dead and that was someone putting his wedding ring away because he is dead, address who that was instead of ignoring it....Are they going to leave that unfinished and pretend it didn't show on TV? This is what is upsetting the fans

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      BlueRadio

      True Kelly but you also have to Understand Pratt did a lot of damage to the show and to the characters not to mention the history for which he screwed up. Sally and Kay both have their work cut out for them Not only with the Fans but with the Network as well to really Turn the show around and make it watchable. The Fans will always have these high expectations when it comes to any Hw to make sure they don't do this or that, But the fans also have be patient as well.

  31. G

    GreenWrench

    It's so hard because our world has changed... When I first started to watch Y & R back in the day, its because it was the show my mom watched, and I watched with her. But today most of us record the show and watch it later but our children are not into soap operas, the way we are and were... I would like to know the average age of the viewers of Y & R what is the target audience.??

    1

  32. B

    BlueGrapes

    Don't want Sharon and Nick back together,I kinda like Nick and Chelsea together since Adam won't be coming back and unless you can get Billy Miller back please ,please don't put Victoria and Billy back together they have no chemistry what-so-ever

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  33. C

    CyanFish

    Please don't put Nick and Sharon back together. They suck and Nick doesn't even respect her. I hate Sharon, but let her find someone that isn't a caveman. And no more baby stealing. Just because characters have chem doesn't mean they should be together. The Niktor relationship has ruined Nikki and made her look like a pathetic idiot. Everyone is so unlikable. I can't root for Hevon because of everything they did. And no Phack. He's too old for Phyllis. I agree that Ashley is underused. Frankly, I don't like Ashley. I loved Eileen on Days. She chewed that role up and spit it out. Ashley is just a judgmental bore. I'm tired of cheating. It's the most overused plot on Y&R. Almost every character has cheated in the last two years. Enough! Between that in the DNA crap, I'm ready to stop recording. I don't know that I have faith this writer can turn it around. How do you even begin to fix that hot mess Sharon? She never pays and her eyes are practically falling out of her head in every scene. I never liked her and I can't see anything changing my mind. I'm not a Mariah fan, but it seems like they have no clue how to write for her. Is she ever getting a love interest? They better at least deal with Chloe. I'm not an Adam fan so I don't care. I don't just want to watch the older characters. Can we write something interesting for the middle of the road ones? Victoria sucks the life out of every man she's put with. Please don't put Villy back together. It was so forced and Billy has to pretend to be something he's not. Ugh. I just think it's time to take a break. I'll be soapless for the first time in 40 years.

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      RedBowtie

      I LOVED YOUR POST! I; ACTUALLY, LAUGHED OUT LOUD! UpVote X 3000, for you! And thank you for my UpVote.

  34. C

    CyanBucket

    While I think some of the SLs are good. I think its a BIG mistake not to bring Adam Newman back, if not only for his son, but he is the only one strong enough to bring Victor to his knees. Im the first to admit that when Michael Muhney came on to play Adam I hated him,I even stopped watching the show for a bit or would FF his parts. He was a despicable,conniving,evil, man without a soul. Then one day it hit me, for an actor to affect me that way, hes gotta be doing something right lol. Shortly after I started watching the show again,and began to understand why he did what he did and was glued to the TV. I couldnt wait to see what he was going to do next or hopefully redeem himself (just a bit). This isnt 20-30 years ago when the audience was mostly housewives watching DOOL or YR and would wait for paternity to come to light. Victor needs to be brought down a few pegs and not to get his money, he needs a life lesson reality check and Adam Newman AKA Michael Muhney is just the man to do it.

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    GoldButterfly

    Please let the best character find happiness at last. Sharon. She's beautiful. More than any other Actress on the show you have to look at her when she's in a scene. Please make her the fully grown woman she should be. Let her go back to school and be truly happy with it without nick. By the way his self righteousness does get old

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    OliveBox

    I'm so happy that Sussman agrees with me that it was a mistake to make Devon Kay's grandson and hand him $2B. That never made any sense to me - while leaving Jill just that necklace. Kay loved Jill for many years, there's no way she would have done that. I'm not a Devon fan, I find his character so boring.

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    RedBowtie

    This bitch is crazy! If she thinks she can just come in and take characters back to a place of 2000! She's going to; definitely, change the ratings, but they won't be for the better. You can't take out all of the ingredients of a show. She's planning on throwing out a 1 year old baby with the bath water and putting the fetus form of said baby back in the tub. That ain't gonna work. CBS should hire Donald Trump, he's not too busy! LOL! I digress. I hate to warn you guys, but this is the begging of the end for the last four soaps. DOOL is gonna be gone by 2018/2019 tops. ABC is just waiting for that to happen, so 6 months to a year later they can cancel GH--which is garbage--might I add, and then I always felt B&B would go before Y&R, but I might be wrong. Sally Sussman is the stooge CBS has hired to finish off the job that soaps has been getting for the last 12 years. It always follows a pattern. 1- Hire back an old writer that was fired in a flashy way and didn't quite workout 2-Have said writer hire back old character actors/actors/or bring back characters no one wants to see(Except I want to see Gloria)3- Hire back old actors of characters we love and misuse them or waste their talents, so to alienate the audience into tuning out and wishing the old character didn't return.4- Poach actors from shows we don't want on our Soap 5-write stories trying to recapture the past, but still manage to alienate the audience, because you can't go home again 6-Fire or chase off actors and actresses we like (Like why didn't she mention Chelsea in her list of stalwarts. No one likes Sharon or Sharon Case like that, anymore, for her to build a whole show around her, again. Sharon is crazy and has stolen like 12 babies and Sharon Case ain't cute nor a spring chicken, anymore. CBS is going to cancel their soaps last, but it won't be too long after NBC and ABC does. The kicker is, NBC and ABC are going to cancel their crap soon, as well. GH's 55 anniversary is 2018. I predict it will be their last milestone anniversary. by 2020 the latest, they'll be gone.

    P.s. Victor has always been a mustache twirler and I don't--in god's name no--want Nick and Sharon back together. they are like watching Glue dry on a White Sheet of Paper for a Kindergarten class making leaves collages. Nick and Chelsea all the way! Chelsea kept me watching, when she came onto the show. After all that has happened, how could Nick take Sharon back, puh-lease! She; blatantly, stated in her article that she is going to be ignoring like a decades worth of work and just picking up from where ever in the show's history that she chooses. That is going to cause major problems.

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    OrangeMagnet

    Did Sally just slip the 12/7 Abbott Breakfast past ML. She did say that we would see big changes on day 1 of her script. There's Tracie, could John be on the other side of the table? Did Ashley really have a Dallas Dream? That would clean house and bad story with one script. Maybe Mal and Sally can bring back Drucilla, That's if CBS will let Ms. Rowell in the Building. :)

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    PurpleScooter

    Please kill off the entire Winters clan and Nick. . thanks

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      PurplePizza

      What a loopy thing to say..clearly you..oh forget it

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    CyanCoathanger

    I can not say enough about bringing back Beth Maitland full time as Traci. She was character driven, and I loved her rivalry with Lauren. It is nice to hear that Lauren will be feisty and clever, so set a rivalry with Traci-Michael-Lauren. The Jill/Lauren sister reveal still has me scratching my head to this day! I agree.

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    GreenFlask

    What about the background music?? Classic music needs to come back!!

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      CyanCandy

      I agree. The background music was part of the Y&R brand.

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      CyanCoathanger

      I agree, the ORIGINAL background music was the best and had some great instrumental. It set the tone for scenes when actors would walk into a scene.. There was an LP record put out with just the Y & R instrumental back in the 70's that featured the original illustrations of the Brooks and Fosters cas. It was the same background music that they used in the 70's and 80's on the show. I always loved that music, and was sad they do not have their distinctive music anymore.

  42. O

    OliveCactus

    All I can say is Hallelujah!!! FINALLY the Y&R can become the show it should have been all along!!!!

    1

  43. C

    CyanCandy

    That is a great interview. You can feel her passion for the show and I bet it will be greet. I like what she says about the chop, chop, chop we have been seeing lately and the return of extended segwayed scenes. IMO - GC Buzz feeel a little Procter and Gamble soap to me but she is talented and will decide what works. I do look forward to the 7th.

    1

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      BlueRadio

      I Know I loved it, she told the truth.

      2

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        CyanCandy

        She is so candid and honest and humble. Admits mistakes and isn't ego driven.

        1

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          BlueRadio

          Exactly, she knows everyone makes mistakes so she isn't afraid to admit them.

          2

  44. B

    BluePaw

    One of the best interviews I have read in a long time. I am excited to watch this show again after a five year break

    1

  45. B

    BlueBullhorn

    Ok so in this interview, she is just ok with logan opinion, which is not the majority of viewers's opinion, you are screwed Y&R, we will not watch !!

    1

    1. G

      GoldBattery

      I think your are jumping the gun. She understanding the show, and knows the show. Yes, Logan like to kiss up to get interviews. He too much for my liking, but Sally and Kay these were Bill Bell's people.

      They knew this show and that how it became #1. She created The Abbott Family, so she knows her stuff. That dream she should totally invest in that and bring Father Abbott back to life!

      4

  46. G

    GreenSushi

    RE: "Adam." "I'm not looking to bring that character back." "Justin Hartley is too successful...." Um, okaaay. Aside from that....THIS is what you do:

    "that character" played by Justin Hartley was never really Adam. Michael Muhney can be swept back in (a RETURN, he's not a recast), the "real Adam" is revealed and was either kept from his family or incapacitated for years while Justin Hartley, who was really Gabe all along (she can figure out how to write that) took over Adam's life for whatever reason. With Gabe, the family that once despised Adam, suddenly grew to love and forgive this "new" Adam. Victor made peace with Adam as did Nick. We heard things come out of their mouths at his memorial that we never would have imagined them ever saying to the "real Adam." Adam, once hated by everyone in Genoa City, was now loved by all of them. And now...the black sheep, the one who was hated, who had layers, the REAL Adam (Michael Muhney), returns to his family, his wife. All of these characters now have to deal with not just the fact that this man who they despised is alive, but that they were deceived by the "fake Adam" that they all grew to love and forgive. Victor, Nick and especially Chelsea, who actually believed this man with a different face was really her husband and took him into her bed. They will all deal with the consequences, the guilt, the anger...layers, layers, layers and so much story that can be told. Oh, and Nick gets to keep believing Christian is his kid because fake dead Adam/Gabe is really the father, not REAL Adam. So no one ever has to know. Happy ending for Nick and bringing REAL Adam back, Y&R has it's first "Christmas Miracle" in years. Remember those? Lets see if this writer has the balls to write something like that. I dare ya...

    1

    1. P

      PurpleLeaf

      Ok but then you have a situation like Phyllis and jack all over again. Doppelganger and married woman thinking she's having sex with her husband but is an imposter. No more rape.

      1

      1. G

        GreenSushi

        She slept with gabe before thinking it was Adam. Not rape.

  47. O

    OliveSailboat

    As someone for whom Y&R was never their soap (was always more an ABC viewer), that was a really great interview. Hope she succeeds and makes others shows pick up their game. *glares at GH*

    1

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      BlueUmbrella

      So much of what she said made me thing about GH.

      2

    2. G

      GreenPalmtree

      I prefer ABC soaps also but I always watched YR. Love the faster pace of ABC soaps. I'm only watching GH and occasionally DOOL now.

  48. C

    CyanStrawberry

    I am so excited by this interview. This show has struggled to find it's identity for a decade and it sounds like Sally is going to bring the Y&R that we love back to us.

    1

  49. G

    GoldMustache

    The stories drag on too long.. One story has been completely not resurfaced...Billy had Delia's scarf in his hands and dropped it on the road. Adam drove over it, hence, how it got stuck in his wheel well. Therefore, WE, know that he did not run over Delia. How about telling the truth on that story. Also, why not bring up that Chloe's daughter is Billy's...and let it eventually come out that Nick is Christian's step dad...

  50. G

    GoldHammer

    Bring back Adam! Bring back Adam! Bring back Adam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  51. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    Please, please get rid of the teenage dream and .It's ruining the soap it's stupid , bad idea.

  52. R

    RedElephant

    I stopped watching Y&R about five years ago because of the implausibility of so many story lines and the death of Jeanne Cooper, but there were more reasons:

    - Years ago they ruined Jill, the only surviving character on the show. It was long before they made her Lauren's sister or ever Katherine's daughter. Jill was the best character on daytime (in my opinion) and they they messed with her too much.

    - Nick and Paul having a child while in the cult..... they make it seem like when the were away no one saw them. Well, guess what ... we did.

    - Victor came on the show and put his wife's (Julia) lover in a dungeon under the ranch and then over time he morphed into this holier than thou character. Sorry.. there has to be payback He was an awful man who has always gotten away with everything.

    - Jack has been a spineless mess for ever since Terry Lester left the show. Never liked the character since.

    - Devon getting Katherine's money... ludicrous!!!!

    I would consider watching the show it they would slowly start to get rid of all of the crap and focus once again on the family that became the core family after they REALLY RUINED the show by getting rid of he Fosters and the Brooks.... meaning the Abbots.

    Bring back Drucilla and bring back some of the children or grandkids of the original two families (Fosters and Brooks.)

    The grand dame of the show should be Jill (not Nicki.) Give Katherine's billions to Jill, replace Jess Walton with Brenda Dickson or find a strong competent actress to take over the role. Let the audience warm to her and then have her take over everything....

    Start being true to the characters and write with their histories in mind. Y&R was always a character driven show....

  53. O

    OliveSnow

    The only thing that has kept me watching was the hope that MM would be back after JFP was gone. If that's not going to happen, I will not waste any more time......been here since day one, looks like the last one is very rapidly approaching.

  54. B

    BlueGrapes

    A Totally different twist as Sally says she wants not using same old couples,would be Ashley and Jack. The family doesn't know that she is not a blood Abbott.Only Jack and Ashley knows that. The family should learn about that. Ashley goes through alot of turmoil over it,and Jack comforts her leading to an unexpected kiss. no worse then other story lines where Phyllis had kissed Kyle or Victor married Sharon, or Cole and Victoria had to break up because they thought they were brother and sister,only Ashley and Jack aren't blood brother and sister.

  55. O

    OliveClover

    I too am looking forward too Sally's return, hopefully the storylines will change and maybe Sharon will get a break from being made to look crazy for a change, every one picks on her, I feel sorry for her, she's only playing her part. Maybe this new year she will be given a break from crazy, I have always liked her and kind of felt some closeness to her

  56. O

    OliveClover

    Please put Jack and Phyllis back together, I have stopped watching every day , just bored, with the storyline, miss some of the spice

  57. O

    OliveCactus

    The only thing I disagree with is leaving Adam out of the core group. :(

  58. O

    OrangeTree

    Why isn't Paul considered a valuable core character? Doug Davidson is an amazingly good actor and very appealing. I would love to see him in the forefront on a consistent basis, not just a prop for other characters.

    I would also enjoy Victor FINALLY reaping his just rewards for the wide swath of devastation he has wrought....from exploiting the mentally ill (Patti) which resulted in the death of a legacy character (Colleen) to sending in a stranger pretending to be Jack which in essence allowed Phillis to be raped. There is such a long list of crimes, and Victor never loses. THAT'S why I quit watching.

  59. G

    GoldChilli

    I did like the character of Stictch and Dylan when they first appeared on the show, was nice to have a normal male on the show. Avery was great too.

  60. G

    GoldChilli

    Phyllis's and Billy should never have happened. Hillary, Devon, GV buzz boring bunch. Adam needs to be on the show, not the same. Hope Summer is gone.

  61. O

    OliveBoomerang

    I dont agree with not bringing adam back and whats up with not bringing the orginal back do u not read how much people want him back and also sharon and nick no way shouldnt happen just my opinion from a long time fan 40 yrs or more

  62. G

    GoldDucky

    i don't like phyllis and billy. i like sharon and nick. and yeah, i want victor to lose he is a scummy guy. ego driven and very unappealing. that thing with what's his name and jack, yuk. i am one of those that dvr's and skims through to what i want to see. which isn't much and i have been watching for decades. I ALSO DO NOT LIKE CHLOE. SHE IS GOING TO GET AWAY WITH KILLING ADAM AND THAT IS JUST WRONG. SHE SHOULD BE WRITTEN OUT BUT IT SEEMS YOU WON'T RESOLVE THAT, JUST BRUSH IT UNDER THE RUG AND MOVE ON...YUK

  63. B

    BlueSnow

    Nice interview with Sally. Some hard truths admitted unlike Ken,Dena and Quan over at Days who would rather lie and keep living in denial about the state of Days and why they have lost so many viewers. I'm glad that they are going to restore Sharon. This interview has made me think about coming back and watching Y&R again after skipping much of Pratt/JFP ridiculousness.

  64. C

    CyanLamp

    I'm very excited by what Sally has said; nice to see someone who knows what they are doing, knows the inner workings of the characters, and what the show is really about, AND is extremely passionate about it! I could ask for no less for someone worthy to write the great Y&R. I really wish she had put in her important characters list Neil, Paul and Jill. Neil is the head of the Winters family and I really would like them to acknowledge that the show has 3 main families, not two. I hope she takes the time to properly integrate the Winters and they need an identity as well, other than being the African American family. The Newmans are the business family, kinda cutthroat but they support each other, The Abbotts are the family where love comes before business, they think with their heart and conscience as well as their brain, mostly. I want the Winters to have their own thing too, something that represents them, a company or a brand of something to further solidify them, and their stories deserve to be as important as the other two families, something we can chew on. Lily and Cain need real story, and I don't mean another affair or a drug addiction, something that is main plot, not b or c plot. Now I know Devon came late to the scene but I really hope he stays Mrs. Chancellor's grandson. Let's not undo that because that would taint all the scenes he had with Mrs. Chancellor before she died; there's no harm in him remaining a Chancellor heir. There's no reason to take all the money from him either. Why wasn't it properly distributed and why is he the only Chancellor on the show? Bring Chance and Mac as family for him on his Chancellor side, and maybe a battle for the money, because the Chancellor name is as important as the other 3 families. Don't take away the history, expand. Devon can still have hopes and dreams and not be broke. He doesn't deserve that just because he met Kay later on in her life, towards the end.

    Now I'm glad she's ending the Billy/Phyllis stuff, because it made me hate them both, Billy mostly because he seems to hate Jack and has little to no remorse. I get where Phyllis came from but why did Billy need to hurt Jack like that? I know that Jack and Jill had an affair years back but the difference between those stories is that Jack and Jill had a slow burning story, so we had time to process the madness of what he was doing to his father, and how they got together. The Billy/Phyllis junk was rushed from the beginning and took two Billys to get to it, and there was no proper remorse from Billy, so why would anyone enjoy seeing those two together when it's reallly 'ill gotten gains?' Phyllis regretted hurting Jack but I got where she was coming from. Billy was so cold that is was hard to believe that someone who didn't care about sleeping with his brother's wife would even have the capacity to fall in love with her; just didn't fit to me. I'm happy to see that Lauren, Michael, and Gloria have a story coming up, been too long with them on the sidelines. I need couples and characters to root for, like I used to root for Nina, Sharon, and other heroes, anti-heroes, villains, and underdogs. This looks good though, great even and I hope soon that Days, B&B, and especially GH get their s#$t together all the way. Mostly B&B and GH because those shows have been like mismatched puzzle pieces for years. They need their 'Sally' as well.

  65. R

    RedSushi

    I, and many fans like me, want Adam back. Chelsea does not belong with Nick or anyone else. Adam was the best character on the show. I'm quite sure he can be replaced. Y&R replaced Billy so many times & we adapted. Most of the destruction of this show, which I have been watching for 43 years, was caused by writers who ignored the fans. Long time viewers knew the show's history better than they did. I suggest you poll the fans to see what they like or do not like. It would give you a lot of incite and a good base to build on. The main thing that Y&R keeps forgetting is that without the fans, you have NO Show.

  66. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    No couples to root for??? I for one was always rooting for Chelsea & Adam!! You can't just act as if the past few years never happened! I actually thought there may be a chance for Chelsea & Adam since the crazy head writer was gone maybe even have them be the future Victor & Nic, No Adam?? Not needed? W-O-W Look I have been around since mid to late 70's with show only stopping for while when Miller & Muhney exited the show (HUGE MISTAKE) I agree with roots BUT Adam needs to return and the idea of just erasing the past few years just because YOU have not watched is not fair to those that have!

    1. R

      RedBowtie

      Thanks for the UpVote, TAS!

  67. B

    BlueBeer

    She left me scratching my head. The only reason I watch Y&R still is because of Sharon, Adam and chelsea. I don't like the fact that the Newmans win all the time. Sharon (who the last writers ruined) always loose. She lost her child first, she lost her husband to Phyllis, she lost her family, she was made to town sl--t, she was made to be the crazy one. I and others always wanted to know what happened to Sharon's mother, her real father what is the true story of Sharon and why didn't she start a business she after all did go to college. Nick is shelfish and once again he gets a child and Sharon nothing!! If she the new HW want viewers she better make sure to return Adam to the canvas and Christine/Sully be with his real father ADAM.

  68. G

    GoldCorn

    I wasn't aware they chose to kill of John Abbott. I thought the actor wanted out, so hearing this really disappoints me, as I loved the character. It's nice to see him once in a while, but you can only be on screen so much, as a ghost. Too bad they couldn't find a way to bring him back. Maybe he was really kidnapped, and held all these years.......NO?...ok, probably not. :( Why not bring him back as a long lost twin, even though the already did it with Mariah.

    Speaking of Mariah, PLEASE get her a love interest, and NOT Kevin!

    1. R

      RedBowtie

      Thank you for the UpVote.

  69. O

    OrangeStrawberry

    I will come back to y&r if this lady does what she says! I quit watching because this show was so boring and I could guess what was happening! They need new writers for bold and beautiful it's pathetic the same thing over and over!

  70. O

    OrangeGuitar

    I believe bringing Adam back, with you head writer skills, could bring alot to the story. Too many unresolved stories--Chloe and her part in Adam's death, the real daddy dearest for Christian/Sully, the growing feelings of Nick and Chelsea, the role Victor played once again in his interference with his son's lives..come on. no one did brother rivalry better then Adam. And please quit making Sharon the blame for everything..she has been to hell and back so many times. Let her be happy and not the evil skitz-o

  71. G

    GoldSubmarine

    If she can contemplate doing a dream reboot with John Abbott then she sure can fix this fix this absurdity with Adam being Christian's biological father because it was done as an afterthought and made no earthly sense. Sage sent that test off not Adam and it totally stretched credulity that he could have had it changed not knowing where it would be sent or exactly when it was sent.

    That was just some last minute plot driven device of Pratt's that never ever tracked right and I think it was done to force Sage into being unsympathetic to many viewers in order to dampen some of the serious backlash at Sage's horrifying death. If this writer truly doesn't want to address the paternity because of Adam not returning then simply do away with this assanine plot twist that serves no purpose whatsoever. This would require very little effort to undo and might actually be interesting not to mention give Nick something left of him and Sage which for me had turned into a lovely love story and the only one that felt right for him in a very long time.

    I am also rather disappointed that Sharon gets to romp off in a pink halo on a cloud of moonbeams, it leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. If Sussman wants to rehabilitate the character in some way that's one thing, but to act as if none of what she did happened is absurd. If she wants to do that then make Nick's marriage to Sage and Christian's birth a dream Nick had also and be done with it. Sharon wasn't some angel ten years ago she was willful and selfish even then, case in point causing her mother's heart attack to name one incident and running off and leaving Cassy and Noah to find herself was another. Which puts paid to the false narrative that Nick's affair ruined Sharon's character so if you want to stay true to the character's history don't cherry pick back further than is viable for die hard fans to stomach or you are doing just what Pratt did and rewriting history to suit yourself not the fans.

  72. R

    RedApple

    As a long-time viewer who has admired the writing, acting and production of the show for decades, I'm sad to read that Adam Newman's character has been completely removed. That character is the next generation to continue the show's dynasty and in my opinion, it's a big mistake not to recast. Ask Michael Muhney to reprise the role. He's a talented actor who really did that role justice. Bringing Adam back would only help solidify the direction of show and its storylines today and in the future.

  73. C

    CyanCandy

    Let's just see how she does. A well written script can take a boring story and make it interesting or bring depth to an otherwise flat and boring character. I look forward to seeing what she does. We will all know soon enough. IMHO the writing presently is at it's worse or a tie for worse with Latham. I wish Sally and Kay the best of luck and success.

  74. C

    CyanBucket

    I am cautiously optimistic. As long as SS brings character-driven drama - not melodrama - everything should be okay. I am, however, concerned that she plans to ignore the history that she doesn't like. We saw it, we know it happened, and we HATE it when new regimes try to pretend we didn't.

    Now, we really need to talk about GH...

  75. B

    BlueGrapes

    Gosh, can she PLEASE, go write for GH.

  76. R

    RedTurtle

    I think as a writer you should bring Adam back. Adam made such a good father and husband. He paid the price for what happened with Dehila. I believe he was a great story line. I want to see Khloe pay for all the wrongs she has done. We miss him.
    As for Victor and Jack I'm sorry I'm just so tired of that whole story line. They have been at eachother for years and who always gets the upper hand, Victor. Victor will always win so lets just move on.
    Now I like Jack and Phyllis together. I think they make a great couple. Maybe you should work on that for a power couple. I didn't like Phyllis and Billy together made my teeth hurt. It was just dumb to begin with.
    Sharon needs to work on herself. She doesn't need any new or old loves in her life. She needs to pay for the baby situation.
    Nick needs to concentrate on being a father again. I have no idea why the hell did theu kill off his wife. They also made a great couple.
    Okay I think that is enough from me. Lol

    1. B

      BlueBullhorn

      Jack and Phyllis? A power couple? They look like father and daughter. He treats her like crap. And Phyllis loved every man more than she loves him.

      3

  77. O

    OliveSword

    She talks about core family, but leaves out Adam. He is key to.Victor's legacy! When Michael Muhney was Adam he challenged Victor! Nick can't do that, he's a Woosh and Victoria is not devious like Adam. Their relationship is complex and riveting to watch! Too many loose ends not finished. What about Chelsea and Connor. Never believed that Hartley was Adam. He was Gabe. The Adam situation needs to be resolved. Name has to be cleared from Delia's death. Such a pivotal character to not be resurrected is unconsciousable.

  78. O

    OrangeCandy

    Hate the Billy and Phyllis story glad it's dead! I wish Jack would bring victor to his knees just once... paragon should have been jacks idea..... Adams character should come back.. it would clean up a lot of bad storylines ( stolen baby crap and Chloe). I like Hilary with Billy... I think Nick would be to soft for her..

  79. C

    CyanController

    So very disappointed to read this. I had hoped that Adam was one of the few to lead this show into the future and had hoped that it would be Michael Muhney. Now I'm disillusioned and don't know what to think !

  80. G

    GreenCupcake

    I would love to see the old Billy come back! Bill Miller is much better !

  81. G

    GoldSubmarine

    I am so happy I read this article to affirm that I am officially done with this show. Nothing that was said sounds promising to me, and especially no recast of Adam and perpetuating the Christian storyline with the stupid paternity lie. Absolutely made me laugh when she actually thinks people won't continue to fast forward the show. That is one of the best things about recording. You can't please everyone and the statement made about Adam proves that to me and to his fans. I am done with this show. I am already looking for new things to watch and/or record in its place. Sinora Y&R. It's been a long and bumpy roller coaster of a ride.

    1. P

      PurplePizza

      We simply don't abandon our shows and you won't either..but as I said in my post there are good ways around a non recast that still makes viable watching.

      2

      1. O

        OliveTooth

        You may not abandon the show and that is your right, but when I say I am done I mean it. Adam was my main reason for continuing to watch. He actually made the Newman's watchable to me. The show has been a crap fest for a while and I have stood by, but the show has lost my loyalty. Nothing Sussman said will change that. I truly hope for those who continue to stay loyal that things do turn around because the show needs a major overhaul.

        1. G

          GoldRing

          *Newmans

  82. O

    OliveBandAid

    I want Adam's character back! He is an integral part of this show! HATE how they just kept killing him off. Ok, so Justin is gone, we HAVE to accept that, but throw us a bone, give us someone great and bring back Adam!!! I personally think the show NEEDS his character....only thing that I didn't like in all the ideas was losing this character!

    1. C

      CyanStrawberry

      I'm fairly confident that the show will be so good now that she won't even need Adam back in the picture for a while.

      1. O

        OliveBandAid

        I just adore his character, miss it when it's not there.

  83. P

    PurpleButterfly

    This was an interesting interview and I like some of Ms.Morina's ideas, but I am absolutely AMAZED that she doesn't care about VICTOR ADAM NEWMAN, Victor's son with Hope. A character created by Bill Bell with the express purpose of becoming the next generation to be YOUNG and restless, along with Nick, Victoria, Sharon, Billy, etc.
    She seems to have such love for the Newman and Abbott families yet she's willing to completely drop one of Victor's own children? Unbelievable.
    Here she has the opportunity to write a great story of intrigue and revenge. The real Adam, played by Michael Muhney, could come back and prove that Justin Hartley's Adam was an impostor. This story and all of the fallout from it just writes itself.
    She admits there aren't enough men in the right age group on the show and she's about to lose another one (Dylan) and yet she has no interest in bringing Adam back? The focus is going to be the over 50 crowd?
    Wow.

  84. O

    OliveFlower

    Oof. No Adam? This show is electrified by that character. If Sally doesn't value that character than she certainly doesn't value the show's future. Buh-bye.

  85. O

    OlivePlanet

    Albeit for me to point this out but . . . . the writers get to determine if Victor "always wins"! Trust me, there are many fans who'd love to see him fail and fail miserably for once.

    I think it will become insulting to the audience's intelligence to never address the true paternity of Sully/Christian. Fans know he's Adam's son. It's the elephant in the room that the writers can only avoid for so long, IMO. And the worse Chelsea (and even Victor) will look the longer they let that secret go on.

    Finally, please let Sharon out from under the buss. She's been the town pariah for long enough. Do right by this poor character. And thanks for ending the hot mess that was Billy/Phyllis. Hated them.

  86. B

    BlueProcessor

    Oh GAWD! I was loving this until I read Kay Alden's name. Ugh. FAIL!

  87. B

    BlueProcessor

    Aww GAWD! This gave me hope until I read Kay Alden's name. FAIL!

  88. G

    GreenPalmtree

    I concentrate on GH these days - faster paced and more interesting. I'll return to YR if and when they center the show around Adam Newman rather than tired Nick. Victor is long in the tooth and they better wise up. We don't need MM or JH, just a talented actor and a brief announcement "Adam Newman is now being played by..." Absent that I've seen the last of YR.

    1. C

      CyanFish

      GH is just.....no words for how much that show and all the characters are ruined and unrootable. Depressing.

      1. R

        RedBowtie

        UpVote X 3001!

  89. O

    Olive8Ball

    I'm disappointed with this interview. I do agree about the 8 stalwart characters that Sussman mentioned. But she left out the most important stalwart, Adam!!
    Sally is right, there are not enough male characters. But she doesn't realize she is making the case for Adam to return. Sharon and Adam were a supernova supercouple! Sally pointed out that head writers can be wrong sometimes so I hope she realizes how wrong she is about Adam.

    Sally mentiones she wants to write a show that makes people binge--then make your most popular characters front and centre!!

  90. G

    GoldPizza

    I love the show, only soap I watch, I would love to see Sharon and Dillon stay together, think they are a great fit, I want Jack and Phyllis to get back together, I want Kevin to find out what slime Chloe is and don't want to see him get hurt again, he should be with Mariah, I think Nick should share custody with Sharon and Dillon, I have a lot of ideas, lol!!!

    1. P

      PurpleLeaf

      No to jack and Phyllis! No to Kevin and Mariah she deserves better.agree with the rest.

      3

    2. P

      PurpleTrumpet

      You have a lot of ideas indeed but they are all BAD !! Ha.

  91. C

    CyanBus

    This interview convinces me I should stop wasting my time with the show I've been watching this show since before Hope and Victor were a couple. Bill Bell made a promise with his audience when he had Victor Adam Newman born on camera. He promised us that this show would evolve, that Victor and his generation would have their time in the sun, but that the next generation would come up and be powerful, and take us further down the road of storytelling. The last thing I want is to be stuck in 1986 forever, focusing on characters who are frankly getting too old to drive the heart of the stories. It is almost 2017 for crying out loud! I invested years in this show and I want some returns on my investments. To hear that Adam is some throw-away character is absurd. His generation of Nick, Sharon, Billy, and Victoria are the promise of what once made the show so great in the 80's. It's their time now, and to completely spit in the face of the audience and say we don't need Adam (who is arguably the most important character on the show and who insures the legacy of Victor will stay alive and thrive) then this head writer is blind and ignorant and I find her casual attitude about this character offensive. Personally, I was inspired to watch the show again, when Michael Muhney played Adam. His performance of such a diabolical, intelligent, manipulative Victor-like character (with a dash of charm and romance) breathed life into the show! It gave the show a purpose, a future! His super coupling relationship with Sharon made me believe we were finally moving on to the next Victor & Nikki. I was convinced that JH's superficial, non-alpha-male performance was leaving the door open for a story about a "fraud Adam" and allow us to have our breath taken away once MM returned to claim his rightful place and light a fire under half of GC.

    I'm lost on this new writer's ideas. I'm offended. I was hoping for the next generation, and I was convinced that Bill Bell himself took us down the "Adam" road as a baby so that we could enjoy the next chapter of Y&R that Bell always wanted to tell. I wanted to see Godfather 2. I was all-in. But without Adam, after all these years, I'm sorry to say...I'm all out.

  92. C

    CyanController

    Excuse, I think you are forgetting about one of the BEST couples that has ever come out of Y&R Cane and Lily Ashby and their adorable twins Charlie/Mattie. This couple is a ray of Sunshine when they are on the screen. There's loads of chemistry of Daniel Goddard and Christel Khalil who portray them They have had awesome chemistry over the years as Cane and Lily Ashby.

    1. P

      PurpleLeaf

      So True, so true ,so true. They are hot, always have been.

  93. O

    OliveGrapes

    Well, sounds like the same old soliloquy with a different character playing the part. If the audience was so terribly interested in Newman's and Abbotts all the time the ratings wouldn't have been tanking for so long because they're all that's ever on all episodes - every episode. And, I haven't been able to watch Hillary's patent feral top lip sneer for almost a year, so I have zero interest seeing further development by giving the vicious character anyone else in the family with similar traits. I agree with VivWSardRegBevWil, after reading that portion of the article, my first thought was that the Winters family will continue to serve as props that value the lives of the lords of the manor above themselves. Before reading the article I was hopeful, I'll just continue to read the spoilers to find out what happens because I will not be watching. I'm actually glad I read the article, now I don't have to anticipate a light at the end of the tunnel as the Nabbotts will be blocking the view. As Jonelle Allen's character will probably say, 'Girl Bye.'