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British producer Mal Young will no longer steer the ship at CBS’ The Young and the Restless as head writer/executive producer. He confirmed his exit to Showbiz411earlier today amid reports of his ouster.
CBS has tapped veteran names to replace Young, reports Daytime Confidential, with the network opting to go for split leadership once again. Emmy winner Josh Griffith will assume head writing duties, with supervising producer Anthony “Tony” Morina being promoted to executive producer. Griffith previously served as Y&R head writer (2007-2008; 2012-2013) and executive producer (2006-2008).
“Just arrived in London for the holidays. I felt like it was a good time to move on. Never a good idea to get too settled on a long running soap and I achieved all that I and CBS set out to do: improved scripts and production values,” said Young. “I have a project of my own that I’ve been developing and want to pursue that now. Plus running a show like this is all consuming and want to get a bit of my life back – and see my family occasionally!”
From 1997-2004, Young served as the controller of continuing dramas for BBC, overseeing EastEnders, Doctor Who, Casualty, Doctors and HolbyCity; the latter two he developed and co-created. The British import joined The Young and the Restless at the endof 2015 as a consulting producer, assuming control as executive producer from Jill Farren Phelps in the summer of 2016. He took over duties as head writer from Sally Sussman Morina in the fall of 2017.
Speculation about Young’s future at the CBS soap began inover the summer when TV Source exclusively reported Emmy winner Josh Griffith, former head writer & executive producer for the series, was returning in a supervising producer capacity. The British imports’ changes to production, fast-paced writing style and loose grasp of history didn’t sit well with fans, and record low-ratings and high-profile cast exits didn’t work in his favor either.
What are your thoughts on the creative changes? What are your hopes to see done with Y&R?
Mal Young leaving The Young and the Restless is a mistake. Was he the perfect executive producer? No. But, did he do things that other EPs are scared shitless to do? YES! Was being both EP and head writer a good idea? No. I don’t think an EP should ever co-handle titles as a HW; yes, I’m looking at you Brad Bell, who needs to be removed from both positions, immediately! Honestly, it’s the shrieking, close-minded idealist “fans” that complained the most, and it was annoying. I’m low-key hoping this change bites them in the ass, because they deserve it.
Anthony Morina becoming executive producer is a bittersweet pill to swallow that ultimately leaves me worried. Yes, it’s nice that he’s been there off-and-on since 2004, so he’s trusted with the cast and crew (I am assuming). However, his track record as EP is partially troublesome, plus, I don’t want him to come in and immediately restore how the soap ran previously, because Young made some great changes look-wise to the soap and it’s the best-looking of the four daytime dramas, and has a nice new feeling to it. There are specific changes they should be made, however, I feel like he’s going to mirror his wife and ignore the past and just do whatever it is that he wants to do, which is worrisome.
As for Josh Griffith, I’m voting NO as a whole on this. When he was first re-hired as HW in 2012, I was excited. He had background for the soap and made it known he wanted to write for characters that were lost. However, the majority of his regime was a mess. Can he write dialogue for characters? Yes. He can write a solid storyline? No. He regime was far too dark, and then his regimes at Days of Our Lives were also too dark, and absolutely depressing at the end of the day. I am hoping that he doesn’t just write-off the Rosales family, either. I like the family, I do! I just feel like they were brought in a bit too quickly. By now is when Mia should’ve been introduced, instead of rushing in after Lola and Rey. And follow a bit of Douglas Marland’s soap rules. No major changes for six-months. Look at what you have and work with it for a bit.
What I am happy about is the reception from non-cast member Jacob Young, who I said should’ve crossed over as Rick Forrester permanently. However, I am recanting on that a bit. He should either be cast as nuAdam Newman, or they should cast him in a new role after six-months. His excitement for the duo of Griffith and Morina is nice to see. However, I’m reserving my right to be worried about this duo coming in at the top of the year.