It is easy to believe that everyone does pull together to make the show such a success...it is by far the very best soap. Kudos to everyone & keep up the great work..

Speaking as someone who produces an hour of live television (news) each day, I am truly amazed at what you and your staff are able to pull off on a daily basis. I'm loving the show right now... especially the Sheila/Lauren story. In fact, I think the show is better than it has been in a long time. I do have one complaint, however. Can you please get the newer cast members in your opens? The Bold and the Beautiful has always been great about updating the opensm (in fact, most of the soaps are these days), but Y&R never has been in all the 30 years I've been watching. Because of cast defections, I think there are about 8 actors in rotation right now. That's outrageous! What about Judith Chapman or Kimberlin Brown or Amelia Heinle or Roscoe Born or Bryton or Michael Graziadei or Rachel Kimsey or Blair Redford or Tracey Bregman (granted, she's not on contract, but she's on more than anyone, thank goodness)? I'm sure they're all asking the same question I am. Let's get them in the opens, PLEASE! I'd also like to applaud your decision to include the actors names in the opens. I think that's only fair. I've always wanted to be a producer or writer on Y&R. Maybe I'll get my wish someday. I could be in charge of your opens. LOL

Please don't get rid of Sheila! I have enjoyed watching this character since the first time she aired on Y&R. Kimberlin is a terrific actress. If Sheila must go, let Kimberlin portray the look a like that's in the prison!

That is fascinating...the whole process,I mean.I didn't realize the Netwok had that much influence on such a regular basis.Interesting.

The process is interesting- thanks for letting us all understand it.
On a side note.... please bring back Lyndsy Fonseca/Colleen Carlton. She is greatly missed and sorely needed! I am sure the writers enjoyed writing for this character- you know you want to do it more ;)

Mr. Smith, as one who likes dignified English, I was _INDEED_ impressed with how you expressed yourself in that Article, and found the Substance fascinating and interesting as well! Like one of my Predecessors in this Thread, I was also surprised as to how large a Role the Network plays in your Process. I was somehow under the Impression that they just trusted you to do your Jobs and did not feel a Need to interfere if that is what one should call it.

Yet, after you had Master Romalotti cleared of unwarranted Charges, I was hoping that this would entirely, or nearly so, take away the Hurt I felt at the Death of Miss Cassie Newman. And yet, during the Thanksgiving Scenes, the Hurt somewhat returned, and I wish we could have kept our good Miss Cassie, and again regret Miss Grimes feeling that she was too good, though one cannot dispute her Right to feel that Way and to express it.

I am indeed drawn to the Scenes involving Miss Carter and Terrible Tom, but personally hope they do not go on too long and will ultimately result in those two getting what is coming to them unless, Miracle of Miracles, they _SOMEHOW_ can be unexpectedly redeemed. And, apparently unlike some, and somewhat uncharacteristic for me, I _REALLY_ like Master Hamilton and his Mother, and am _DELIGHTED_ that the Latter may _FINALLY_ be getting _REALLY_ sorted out!!! Please continue to provide them with interesting and worthwhile Things to do!!!

Once again wishing all of you a probably-belated good Thanksgiving,

J. V.

I think you should get rid of Sheila, she's been written into a corner and not much can be done now. I'd much rather see terrible Tom stay on the show , he's a much more interesting character.

And why are you breaking up Nick and Sharon's marriage by way of infidelity, you said this would not happen when you killed off Cassie. You said you wanted to challenge their marriage but did not want it to be because of infidelity. I am most disappointed that you killed off Cassie for what seems to be for no reason at all now.

I agree with the other poster, bring back Colleen Carleton.

The entire show deserves a rousing round of applause, especially that wonderful, gifted writing team.

i love y&r my favorites are michael,kevin,lauren,gloria,phyllis,,jill,katherine daniel,. greg rikaart is one of the best actors on y&r he totally rocks as kevin!!! i just hope he doesn't get into any bad trouble anymore. and not go psycho like he did on colleen a couple of years ago i want the actor and character to stay on for a long long time as long as possible. christian leblanc and tracey bregman are the best couple on y&r now!!

p.s......bring back Larry Warton!

Fascinating insight into what goes into an episode - wow, I had no idea network got so involved! Thanks for all the great insight into everything that happens before one episode is produced. Yes, historians doubtless will wonder how daytime tv producers, et al. were able to come up with an hour per day; very remarkable. Love the show - looking forward to seeing Genie Francis and other new people coming up next year; any show benefits from new blood!

I have been watching Y&R since day one in March, 1973 when I was 15 years old. I love the show so much and am thankful to all who combine their efforts to make suxh a wonderful show. I do wish they would bring out the entire show from the beginning on dvd so that we ardent fans could relive all of those specials days gone by. The Brooks and the Foster families, Brad Elliot, Pierre, Sally............right up to present day. I also miss the music from the past scenes and the sketches of the characters in the opening credits. It has been a wonderful journey that I hope to continue for many years to come. Cheers!

Thank you so much for bringing back Sheila, I'm enjoying her so much. Only thing is, on B&B we saw a Sheila who was recovering in a way, one who had found love and acknowledged that she had a psychotic disorder. Can we have a hint of that back in the writing for the character please? One thing Sheila NEVER was was a straight up villain, the girl has heart, albeit a messed up one!

PLEASE TRY TO GET OLD CLASSIC EPISODES OF Y&R ON DVD FOR THE FANS. EPISODES FROM THE NINETIES ANDS EIGHTIES WHICH LEFT VIEWERS AT THE EDGE OF THEI SEATS! PLEASE!!!!

Since coming to the Y&R luncheon in August, I love the characters all the more. They were beautiful people. I have been watching Y&R since the first time it came on TV.
I especially took a liking to Josh Marrow, he resembles my own sons. When he smiles I love him all the more.

I once again join others in hoping for DVD's of Past Episodes, and have already told you which ones would be at the Top of my Priority List were that to happen!!!

It is good to be reminded that indeed Miss Carter has shown Heart on Occasions, though, again as pointed out here, in a messed-up Way. I still rather dislike that Character, but again _JUST_ _MAYBE_ we should temper this just a little in Light of that Heart which sometimes has manifested itself. And finally for now, though there has yet to be any full-fledged Infidelity, it seems that that Couple of the Younger Newmans, once one of the strongest on the Programme despite rocky Patches, just might be headed for what nowadays is sometimes called Splitsville, a Pity I would think.

J. V.

The whole process does seem amazing. It's much more difficult than I thought. But I'm going to be honest with you. Michael, Kevin, Gloria and Lauren brought me back to Y&R after a few years, espeically the pair up of Mike and Lauren! But the return of Sheila is going to drive me away. If you check out My Soaps Online you will see that I'm not alone. When polled, nearly 65% feel that Sheila has wore out her welcome. I will aways watch Michael's scenes because he's my fav. I hope that Sheila's SL will be wrapped up and soon. Looking forward to the Wedding, that is if in fact it goes off without Sheila or Tom ruining it. I will be extremely upset if that happens. I don't think I'll be alone then either.

dear, mr.smith
i hope that you would bring miss grimes back to the show as cassie newman. instead of killing her off the show, why couldn't you do a recast.

Thank you for sharing with us, what goes on to produce a show.I did not know there were so many steps to bring a scene to life.

P.S. Please bring Larry Warton back!

I've been a fan of the show for over 20 years and I think it is, by far, the best show on daytime and one of the best on all of television (along with close runner-up B&B). Acting, writing, directing, production values are superb. I enjoyed Jack Smith's article and I, too, did not realize the network had quite that much imput. I also think CBS should mention it is the #1 daytime network in its recent promos touting its night time ratings. I have read Roscoe Born's Terrible Tom is being killed off. Although I understand why plot-wise and can see this is going to involve much of the cast, I am really disappointed to see Mr. Born go. He has become one of my favorites. An interesting character - there area lots of layers to him - an excellent actor and extremely sexy!

The show is just not as good anymore. when is Jill,Katherine, Nikki, going to have a story?

As is hopefully well-known by now, Miss Grimes said that she would not renew when her Contract expires next March, so we probably would not have had her back even if her Character had not been killed off. I do not know how much this figured into Mr. Smith's Decision to kill that Character off, but it appears that it was primarily Storyline Dictated. Had she been allowed to live, a perceptive Re-Cast would hopefully have been acceptable once we had become used to the new Actress, provided, as far as I am concerned, that she had been allowed to return to her virtuous Ways, preferably, again as far as I am concerned, as soon as possible!

Meanwhile I find a welcome Dignified Streak in the Actress who portrays Miss Abby Carlton, and again personally hope that will not be ruined by trying to make her more "hip" or the Like in how she speaks!

J. V.

I must commend you Mr. Smith for not taking all the credit of putting out such a phenomal show. You wear 2 hats on the show and that in itself is a lot of weight on your shoulders and back. It's okay to take the credit, without your leadership there is no way this show will survive. It's so refreshing to know that your power of intention to put out a show a day is reflected in every show that airs.

Cassie (Camryn Grimes) was killed off to challenge Nick and Sharons marriage. Mr.Smith was quoted as saying that he did not want to do this throughi infidelity. Well it seems now that is not the case because apparently Nick will sleep with Phyllis and eventually I think Sharon and Brad will sleep with each other.

I find this a sacrifice of a much loved character. They could have easily put strain on the marriage by having Cassie as an out of control teen. Then if she did not want to renew they could have shipped her off to the infamous boarding school in Switzerland.

Abby Carleton is cute but surely no replacement for Cassie Newman.

I have heard thru the grapevine that COlleen Carlton will be come involved with Daniel. DO you honestly think that Jolleen fans will go along with that?? Daniel is her best friends boyfriend. Come on Jack Smith Leave lily and daniel alone and reunite JT Colleen.

Mr. Smith,

I hope you're having a great day and a great holiday stretch, but with all due respect, have you forgotten something that used to make Y&R the best soap on air? Have you forgotten what balance means? Without bringing up how disappointed I am in your inability to write Jack and Phyllis as together for more than two months, what about your promise that Cassie's death was going to be about getting Nick and Sharon away from the adultery card?

Back to balance, it seems that the show right now, and in the near future, will be very much about six characters, and any character that doesn't fit in that is a bit out of luck. That's not how Y&R works best. Y&R works best as a balanced show, not as the Jack/Phyllis/Nick/Sharon/Brad/Victoria hour. What about a storyline for Jill? For the Winters family? Maybe if Kristoff had something to sink his teeth into he wouldn't have chosen the door. What about Nikki and Victor?

Please Mr. Smith, get back to the Y&R I know and love, and get back to the couples it's built on.

I will say that despite everything I've said, this is still the best soap on air.

Happy Holidays

I believe that the writers think that the veiwers are stupid. Why is it that every marriage and/or relationships is in trouble on the show? No one is ever happy. How long will it be before Michael and Lauren break up? How does JT get to be a detective or (whatever he is under Paul's wing) with out any training or certification. I am glad that they took off that whiney, spoiled Brittany. I am tired of the Neal and Druscilla saga. Admit it already, soon Neal and Yolanda will hook up and Drew will be out in the cold. I am tired of the Brad, Sharon and Victoria triangle. Will it ever come to light about Phyllis, when she hit Paul with her car long ago when he was married to Cricket? Will Paul ever find a true love? Will Neal ever find out that he is raising Malcom's daughter? What about Jack's son: I guess the next time that we see him he will be a grown man.what about Victor's son that he had with Hope. Face it you need to spice things up and stop dragging the veiwers along on a long boring ride.

This is in regards to Nick & Sharon. Dont ruin their marriage. Why? Doesnt this show the young people of today a negative message? Stress causes problems, yes, but many people work out those problems and grow from them. With all the divorces of today, it would be great if even a soap opera story line with a powerful message worked out. Bumps in the road happen, thats part of life, and sometimes we have to admit our guilt, ask forgiveness and move on. Dont ruin this marriage..keep it strong.

I really think that the Young and the Restless has made a big mistake in recasting the role of Colleen Carlton. The show needs to bring Lyndsay back. I am considering not watching the show anymore because of the recast. Lyndsay and Thad had great chemistry on screen. Why is the show not listening to its fans?