The Young and the Restless (Y&R) spoilers continues to detail Adam Newman’s (Justin Hartley) life because he can’t be dead. As this character prepares to rise from the grave for a second time, viewers are rightly thinking that a fictional plastic surgeon shouldn’t be summoned again. Save storyline somersaults by allowing whoever assumes this pivotal role to simply be announced as, “… is now playing the part of Adam Newman.”, and then allow the script to roll.
There was a variation in Adam’s perceived demise in the summer of 2016. A cabin exploded, which is believed to have killed the character this time. In 2014, an SUV went over an embankment, crashed and was engulfed in flames. But, explosions were used in the climax of both actor departures to create open-ended storylines.
The suspension of disbelief is a concept used in escapist fantasy. The audience doesn’t expect all points in this form of entertainment to be based in reality and completely logical – that’s especially true in the soap opera genre. So, why not allow Adam to simply reappear with a new face, sans some convoluted explanation about his latest appearance?
Various Y&R cast members have replaced the initial actors who filled roles, or the adult version of roles, in the past. Among the many changes, Michael Muhney replaced Chris Engen in 2009 and Gina Tognoni replaced Michelle Stafford in 2014. Neither character (Adam, or Phyllis) had to undergo plastic surgery in order to facilitate the new actor’s entrance.
And, viewers also know that the many faces of Billy Abbott (Billy Miller to David Tom, to Burgess Jenkins and now to Jason Thompson) didn’t involve surgical makeovers either.
Allow Adam Newman to be found, escape, return in an unknown fashion, or whatever. But, write the arc in a manner that focuses on how his return affects everyone involved, rather than a stretched suspension of disbelief scenario that’s based upon medical miracles that were involved in him somehow having a new mug. Viewers are willing to accept unfathomable occurrences to certain degrees. But, there are limits to what people are willing to mentally digest.
However, there likely is one solid counter to the digital thesis that’s been presented. It would be reasonable to question the face of one particular actor if he’s hired to play Adam again. Yes, Michael Muhney.
The seemingly wide segment of Y&R’s fan base (Our poll shows over 80% of you want Muhney back as Adam now that Hartley has left) that still hopes he reprises this role would likely swallow any scenario, including reverse plastic surgery, if he becomes Adam again. As for the remainder of the audience members, they would just have to accept Muhney’s return, offer ongoing snarky comments about it, or claim not to be watching Y&R after he’s reclaimed the throne.
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High Drama next week on #YR as a family picks up the pieces! @CBSDaytime pic.twitter.com/etNCiHsMG0
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) September 3, 2016
