Wednesday, July 25, 2012

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Co Head-Writer Scott Hamner Taking 'Leave of Absence'; Jill Farren Phelps On The Way?

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Scott Hamner, Y&R's co-head writer, is taking a temporary leave of absence from the soap.

"I had decided to let my contract expire but Maria [Arena Bell, executive producer/head writer] asked if we could call it a sabbatical instead," explains Hamner. "She really didn't want me to leave, so I agreed to take a few months off. She has been so gracious and generous about my need to take a break and I appreciate that."

Meanwhile, Daytime Confidential is reporting that Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer for Nick at Nite's HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS, is in talks to take over the EP reins at Y&R. Phelps began her television career on SANTA BARBARA where she ultimately rose to Executive Producer and later served as Executive Producer on GUIDING LIGHT before going to ANOTHER WORLD in the same capacity. Afterward, Phelps returned to ABC Daytime serving as Executive Producer of ONE LIFE TO LIVE and later moved to executive produce GENERAL HOSPITAL from 2001-2011.

HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS is co-produced with Televisa in association with Sony Pictures Television.  Josh Griffith (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, AS THE WORLD TURNS) ix also an executive producer of the series as well as the head writer.  Griffith's writing team includes Valerie Ahern, Brent Boyd, Catherina Ledeboer,Christian McLaughlin, Sally Sussman Morina, Greg Schaffer, Jed Seidel, Lisa Seidman and Flint Wainess.

RELATED:
- RED CARPET INTERVIEW: Maria Arena Bell at the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards

6 comments:

  1. What does Hamner write versus Maria Bell?

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  2. Scott Hamner seems to be the guy MAB forwards phone calls from SOD and SID to in order to explain Sheffer's stories. As such, he's become an expert at "teasing" and "chuckling" his way through interviews where he tries to make sense of plots and come up with reasons for characters doing what they're doing.

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  3. Nothing is set in stone just yet. But Nelson Branco of Soap Uncensored did say that Maria Bell was showing Jill Farren Phelps around the Y&R set today. With that knowledge, I think we can safely assume that JFP will indeed take over as EP. However, I want Maria Bell gone from Y&R completely. Her writing has destroyed this show and made it into something I don't recognize anymore.

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  4. JFP takes over...next up? Guza as Headwriter.
    Watch.

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  5. If you think MAB has done damage? you aint seen nothing yet with JFP. Watch it become the Young Mobsters Kill the vets! Save Jeane Cooper and Eric Braeden!

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