Y&R's Paul Rauch OUT as Co-Executive Producer

Paul Rauch will vacate his position as co-executive producer of ‘The Young and the Restless.’

Rauch Out As Co-EP

Paul Rauch will no longer serve as co-executive producer for The Young and the Restless effective April 1, 2011. According to a statement, the industry vet will relocate back to the East Coast. “My collaboration with Steve Kent, and Maria and Bill Bell has been very rewarding. I have had great pleasure working with Y&R’s magnificent cast and crew. I feel that I’ve accomplished everything that I set out to achieve, and it’s now time for me to return to New York.”

Rauch has served as co-executive Producer since September 2008, when then executive producer Josh Griffith was fired. The Daytime Emmy winner has served as EP for a multitude of soaps over the years including Another World (1972-1984), One Life to Live (1984-1991), Santa Barbara (1992-1993) and Guiding Light (1996-2002).

This news shouldn’t come to as a surprise to those who follow the behind-the-scenes happenings as Y&R. Maria Arena Bell, the series’ head writer and now sole executive producer was promoted to executive producer shortly after Y&R’s three year renewal. “It’s incredible,” said Bell at the time. “We got the three-year renewal, which is such a vote of confidence for the show and the industry in general, and we just celebrated 22 years at No. 1. Now, I have a new deal with the show to continue in my role here and in essence a promotion, so now I’m the sole executive producer and head writer. I’m still working with Paul in the great partnership that we have. Historically, this show has always been a writer-driven show, as we know, so it’s a great confidence for me that I was given the title.”

Editor’s POV: With Barbara Bloom and now Paul Rauch gone…Bell is now in complete control of Y&R. 2010 gave us evil look-a-likes and psychotic doubles..and that was with Bloom and Rauch. What will 2011 hold for us viewers? Not sure what to make of this but I wish her the best of luck.

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