One thing he noted was exciting July 4th themed episode that was being taped. Here's what Romanovich said at the time.
What I thought was going to be just a simple meeting with Jeanne turned into a day of several surprises. I happened to catch a taping of a July 4th episode in which 90% of the cast was in attendance. I met Jess Walton who is strikingly beautiful and gave me a very nice personal compliment which was totally unexpected (note to self…find out if Jess Walton is single…). Liz Hendrickson was cute, goofy, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. Kate Linder was very gracious and very interested in what I had to bring to the table. My good buddy, Kristoff St. John was there as we’re working on other projects together. We also chatted up some Lakers, Bulls, Cubs and Dodgers news. Very good guy. Christel Khalil was very nice. Christian Leblanc was born for improv as he is a truly gifted funnyman. Could easily see him on a sitcom. Eric Braedon is as hilarious as Victor is serious. Quite a cut up and a real pro. Melody Thomas Scott was interesting because I knew she was a fan of Lucille Ball. In 2001, I produced a special called INSIDE TELEVISION'S GREATEST: I LOVE LUCY for Discovery Channel. It was for the 50th anniversary of the show and I had many of the original producers, directors, and writers. I was working with Both Lucie and Desi, Jr to make it a success. I had her quiz me thinking she was going to give me episodes to recall. But no. The very first question was to guess their address which I did not know. I was close, though. Below the belt shot, Mel! Her next question was probably going to be in guessing how many polka dots were on Lucy’s dress from episode 57. I mean all this affectionately as I really enjoyed meeting her and I promised her she would get a DVD. Then we’ll have a trivia rematch!
In the court of public opinion, we can safely say that Y&R is one of the best and most consistent soaps on television. Maria Arena Bell is steering that ship well. She has a dynamite cast, terrific writers, and well thought out stories and characters. Today was an even greater treat because the scenes I saw were nothing short of amazing. And I do not give spoilers so don’t expect any from me. But as an advocate for the promotion of daytime television, I’m telling you that if you miss the July 4th episode, you will have subjected yourself to the greatest injustice of the decade. And the performances were riveting! As a matter of fact, don’t miss that entire week as I don’t know how long July 4th will play out.
Romanovich was right and the last two days of Y&R did not disappoint. Once again the show gave us a wonderful Friday cliffhanger leaving us anxiously waiting for Monday. Watch the Y&R Fourth of July celebration below.
I am a Y&R uber-fan, and I have loved her from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, in the fan communities, there is growing discomfort with the show.
The joint play of four dark storylines at once (Mary Jane/Summer; Adam/Ashley/Rafe; P3 back from the dead; Scooby-Quad-Murders) is raising serious questions about the balance on this show.
Worse yet, many of these plots seem constructed to build (excellent) Friday cliffhangers and the "hoot" factor, but they sacrifice a lot of integrity.
Missing are quieter character moments, or scenes where everyone in town gradually "hears the news"...these spreading reaction shots that build emotional depth to a story.
Y&R, once the slowest of the soaps, is now burning plot at an outrageous rate.
Since these were critiques made of the previous HW regime, I really hope this talented creative team can just listen to the fan dissent out there and maybe adjust their methodology just a bit.
Slow it down. Play more character moments. If a Newman is in the hospital, we should get reactions from Nikki, Victor, Phyllis, Sharon, Nick, Victoria, Noah, Victor, Ashley, JT...and so forth. Each one should have a bedside moment. Does that drag the story out for days and weeks? YES. But that is what Y&R viewers expect and love about their show.
And if Mary Jane stroking her kitty is your current "psycho" story, don't play a second psycho at the same time (even if the goal is to link up the psychos to create double-carnage down the road).
The gay storytelling is very disturbing.
Adam's seduction of Rafe was used to demonstrate "how low can he go"? Adam was revolted by the act and needed to shower after. Rafe was nearly oblivious to it, and left with a big smile on his face. Homosexual sex was equated to the VILEST thing Adam could have done...like cleaning up Ashley's miscarried fetus and burning it.
And now we are supposed to believe that P3 played dead for 20+ years, and ignored his son, so he could live authentically as a gay man down under?? I totally applaud telling a story about the closet, and I totally applaud letting a gay man play a gay character. All of that is nice. But in the end it tells the story of a gay man who is SO selfish, he would let his son grow up without a father and let his family believe he is dead...all so he can pursue a secret gay lifestyle??
Goodness! This is all really positive, eh??
I love my show. I will watch it to the end. But surely, I'm not the only one who sees that something is amiss right now.