Much More Drama

The only reality TV show I watch regularly is The Young and The Restless.
Snicker, not! What could be more realistic than being young? It applies to all of us... some now, some goin' back a few years. And, restless? If you've stared at the ceiling waiting for sleep to arrive, then you can identify. And it's not just all in the title, either. Y&R storylines regularly ignore topics like homosexuality, struggling to make the rent and taking a dump... just like my family. That's right, if you don't talk about it then it doesn't really exist. What, I ask you, could be more realistic than that?

The best of Y&R lately is the change in dialogue. After all these years, the majority of the players have a rather sarcastic edge to themselves. Finally, people, some humour!
Don't know why the dialogue wasn't more realistic until these past 9 or 10 months, but it's a welcome change! Plus, the occasional pop culture references are a realistic element. I know that the idea at Y&R had always been to keep the show timeless, but again, these changes are great.

One other thing, the storylines feel deeper now, with much more at stake for a wider range of characters than ever before. Every storyline is a major storyline. Each is so cleverly intertwined, involving more characters, more believably. It's a joy to behold as it unfolds.

The front-burner storyline with Lauren and Phyllis is a dream come true. Not only are they my two favourite female characters (always have been), but now they're "friends" and often appearing together in some amazing scenes. The two best actresses on Y&R, together... finalement! Sleep will now arrive.

More Y&R Hot Topics:

1. The grugeon reliquary tale is like a daytime-dip in the Da Vinci Code pool. Love it!

2. Sheila's return "as Phyllis" is, admittedly, a wee bit of a stretch but utterly enjoyable to watch if only because it finally gives daytime's Best Actress (the one, the only Michelle Stafford) the chance to spread her wings and entertain us like never before.

3. Paul and Maggie Sulllivan are the freshest pairing since poached pears and goat cheese.

4. The unexpected re-expansion of the Chancellor family is wonderful. If only the incredible Thom Bierdz could reprise his role as Philip, but alas... it now turns he wasn't Jills' biological son so the only way to fire this rocket from the crypt is in a new skin.

5. Lauren's line to Sheila, "Let the bitch die", was, quite simply, the best.

One question: Why are the writers dismantling the Abbott family? To do that to the Winters' family was one thing (Olivia, Olivia's son, Aunt Mamie), but the Abbotts? That's a little bit 'o crazy.

Pssst... didya see the wee little blooper that actually made it to air on the Mon, Feb 5 episode (Tues, Feb 6 in the USA)? In the scene, Lauren is frustrated about having to leave a phone message for Scott that his brother has been kidnapped. Then, she turns to Gloria and says, "Scott will be hungry by now... what do you think she's feeding him?" Lauren obviously was referring to Fen, and should have said "Fen will be hungry by now...", but they carried on with the taping and let it go on air. Brilliant!

Y&R - a dramatic dose of daytime reality for over 30 good years. Mm-hmm.