‘The Young and the Restless’ News: Sally Sussman Hits Homerun on Day 1 – Encouraging Debut By Head Writer

Yes, it was just one episode on ‘The Young and the Restless’. But old school fans likely found head writer Sally Sussman’s debut effort to be very soothing and therefore, encouraging.

The opening scene of the interior of the Abbott household was scored with a slow version of Nadia’s theme and included a sequence of old photos interspersed with classic sound bites of John (Jerry Douglass) and his children at various family breakfasts. Then Jack (Peter Bergman) heard unexpected noises in the dining room as he descended the stairs in December 2016.

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Jack, who easily ranks with the most nostalgic of all Y&R characters, found his sisters Ashley (Eileen Davidson) and Traci (Beth Maitland), along with his niece Abby (Melissa Ordway), preparing for breakfast.

Margarita Franco debuted as Mrs. Martinez and a classy remembrance of Mamie (Veronica Redd) was offered as well. That’s right, one of Genoa City’s legacy families was rightly honored by Sussman and her team.

It’s subjective, but fair to say, that a sizable portion of Y&R’s fan base hasn’t recognized ‘their show’ in many years. While CBS’ steamer has continued to top its three remaining competitors, devotees have been worried about the long-term prospects for this iconic show.

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Jill Farren Phelps’ exited as executive producer earlier this year and head writer Chuck Pratt Junior’s final penned episode played on December 6. Those combined departures closed a door on a controversial period in Y&R’s history. Mal Young took over for Phelps many months ago and Sussman supplanted Pratt this fall. Together, Young and Sussman have been given an opportunity to directly address fan concerns by restoring the residents of Genoa City.

Young’s soap chops were cut at the BBC. Sussman was mentored by the great Bill Bell. The Young-Sussman era begins with optimism. If all goes well this daytime drama could become buzzworthy again. As savvy Y&R viewers know, this off-screen super couple could also prove to be its last real hope.

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