The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that executive producer Mal Young and his writing staff will make a mark on Y&R. All things soapy are deeply subjective, especially in today’s hyper-competitive entertainment world. But fans of this longtime steamer and the genre in general will see change delivered as the fall and winter play out. Open-minded audience members will maintain a balanced view of Genoa City.
A tired GIF eye-roll is seen whenever Y&R, or the soap opera genre in general faces irrational critique from claimed supporters. Those who constantly yell, scream and shout about everything being wrong appear to be acting. Facts aren’t generally offered and no solutions are given. Yes, that approach is always very revealing.
Has Y&R created poor storylines, stretched arcs far too long, made some questionable on-screen and behind the scenes hiring choices and created its own tumult at times? Yes to all. But snarky minds choose to believe that side of the coin represents its entire reality. Well, that assessment is one-dimensional.
Let’s dig in to a few topics starting with Adam Newman, as most recently played by Michael Muhney and Justin Hartley.
A bad public relations event was turned on its head. Both actors were truly great. Hartley’s hire negated whatever fell apart with Muhney. Young therefore appears primed to not revisit this character for the time being and move forward in other directions on this ensemble show. Of course there remains the possibility of a harbinger of Adam’s return being signalled at any time.
Are couples or singles more interesting in real life? That’s debatable. But anyone who believes that single people make more interesting daytime characters is wrong. Coupling generates a new dynamic between similar, or dissimilar personalities. That fusion creates greater drama than whatever most single personas could ever muster.
So, Philly, Jane, Mead, Mevon, Rashley, Jilin, Chick, Shott, Nessa, Mead, Likey, Pristine and the rest all matter. Meanwhile, past or potentially revived couples like: Niktor, Villy, Hevon, Lane, Nack, Shick, Phick, Scabby, Messa or others are always worth discussing.
Young’s challenge is to work toward the ever-impossible balance of creating and sustaining couples that fans like, hope for or want split apart. Boring pairings generate little, if any audience passion. However, well-liked duos and couples that are deeply disliked have generally similar value, as passion is evidenced in either instance.
What about heroes, villains and the grays? Well, mashing good and bad to make everyone’s soul malaised is foolish. Some people strive for good, in general. Other people are self-involved and therefore work for their own greater good, rather than the world’s.
Victor (Eric Braeden), Jack (Peter Bergman), Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and others are who they are. Young must not veer too far off those typed character courses. If he does, known characters become unrecognizable and therefore, not believable.
It is okay to have redeemed characters, like Billy (Jason Thompson), or Sharon (Sharon Case), who are working toward stability, fall backwards. Someone like Abby (Melissa Ordway) can be allowed to grow past immaturity. But in these instances it’s best to keep pushing forward because the hardcore audience becomes invested in progress.
Many other issues could be referenced as well. But Young’s task is not to see everything and believe it all needs fixing, or to think all is well. His team just needs to strive for consistency. True fans will recognize and support honest efforts, just as they always have.
CDL is a leading source for everything linked to The Young and the Restless. Check back regularly for Y&R spoilers and news!
Get ready for tricks, treats and Red HOT drama next week on #YR! pic.twitter.com/Dv9L0WDQiV
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) October 27, 2017
