General Discussion - The Young & The Restless

[dkp]

Interview of Yani Gellma who plays Rafe:

www.out.com/detail.asp?page=1&id=25289

[dkp]

BREAKING NEWS/SPOILER:

From Nelson Branco:


A few days after The Nelson Ratings finally bought Chris Engen’s uneven portrayal of Adam Newman, the newcomer shocked the entire Y&R cast by quitting his role in the middle of his contract two days ago! According to sources, Engen bolted because, “he [allegedly] refused to kiss [his same-sex] co-star Yani Gellman [Rafe]. Chris hasn’t been happy for a while. He doesn’t like the dark direction his character is taking. He’s called in sick a lot recently and has been taking a slew of meetings with Y&R’s [top brass] to discuss his future on the show. Chris is still under contract — and Y&R is seriously thinking of taking legal action.” Meanwhile, the No. 1 soap is currently scrambling to recast the pivotal role. Stay tuned for more details on this developing story in Friday’s Suds Report.

[valso]

Wow! If it's true I'm truly sorry for what happened but at the same time if the authors intentions are really to go that way I'm time very excited!

[Bonobochick]

May 21, 2009 9:41:45 GMT -5 dkp said:

BREAKING NEWS/SPOILER:

From Nelson Branco:


A few days after The Nelson Ratings finally bought Chris Engen’s uneven portrayal of Adam Newman, the newcomer shocked the entire Y&R cast by quitting his role in the middle of his contract two days ago! According to sources, Engen bolted because, “he [allegedly] refused to kiss [his same-sex] co-star Yani Gellman [Rafe]. Chris hasn’t been happy for a while. He doesn’t like the dark direction his character is taking. He’s called in sick a lot recently and has been taking a slew of meetings with Y&R’s [top brass] to discuss his future on the show. Chris is still under contract — and Y&R is seriously thinking of taking legal action.” Meanwhile, the No. 1 soap is currently scrambling to recast the pivotal role. Stay tuned for more details on this developing story in Friday’s Suds Report.

I admit that I am having issues with the direction of the character of Adam cause I like him despite the crap writing for him always making him the punching bag of the almighty Victor Newman. That said, if CE quit for that reason, he has my support but if quit for homophobic reasons, then *SIGH*

But I've already gone the record saying I didn't want Rafe & Adam cause I like Adam with Heather. So hmmm.

[maya]

I prefer not to comment on the alleged homophic actor's reaction but I agree with Valso that the twist is really exciting,

I'm looking forward for more and who knows, maybe with the return of Philip Chancellor IV we could finally have a true (gay) love triangle.

[final81]

Michael Muhney will take over Chris Engen's role.

The Mustache will soon call a new lad "son.

Michael Muhney, whom Veronica Mars fans will remember as Sheriff Lamb, is taking over the role of The Young and the Restless' charming-yet-shady Adam Wilson, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

Muhney's first air date on CBS' top serial is Thursday, June 25. He replaces Chris Engen, who has filled the role since February 2008.

www.tvguide.com/Soaps/Young-Restless-Muhney-1006263.aspx

[dkp]

Damn that was fast!

[jjose712]

I having problems to find this storyline interesting (maybe because i don't know anything about the show), and find it far from being as catchy as other gay soap storylines, but maybe it's only a question of time, and Rafe is such a nice character than maybe is worth being patient

[pepe1958]

Personally, I think this has the potential for a terrific storyline and I've been rooting for and Adam/Rafe pairing for awhile: Rafe is such a pure, good person that to pair him up with another pure, good person would be rather boring; Adam is such a scheming, conniving, evil character that putting them opposite each other will make for some incredible fireworks. I SO cannot wait to see this play out.

[dalia]

Hmm...after Adam's crossover to the dark side I don't know if I want him with Rafe anymore. It seems like he will only use Rafe for his own personal gain, and not actually have real feelings for him. I was hoping for the Phillip Chancellor IV rumor to be true.

After reading Yani Gellman's interview, I think I'm developing a total crush. And he's gorgeous - they really need to start dressing him in jeans and a wifebeater once in awhile.

[davedoty]

Okay, just because I LOVE me some Sheriff Lamb, especially making out with a dude, I will... GRUDGINGLY!... give Y&R another try. But another stupid hallucinogenic talking chipmunk, and I'm outta here for good.

[davedoty]

BTW, on the subject of the previous actor (I haven't learned any of their names yet), as I've said before, I have no problem with an actor not wanting to make out with another guy. But if he really walked off the set, that's a whole different level of unprofessional.

OTOH, assuming it's true, I wouldn't think taking legal action would really be the best option. Rather, I'd think letting him out of his contract and moving on instead of getting dragged into legal wrangling, and instead just make sure its generally known how unprofessional and unreliable he is.

[jjose712]

I think the Y&R team are really smart and Chris Engen is not.
First of all they learn from ATWT that there's an audience for gay storylines. Nuke was a big success but faced a lot of problems and pressures, but right now the couple is still popular and the audience get used to gay kisses. So it's a good time to place a gay storyline, because there's an audience for it and the pressure will be a lot light.
Then there was the problem of who will be the gay character. For ATWT it was easy, they have a popular character who made all the coming out storyline, so they only need someone who make the spark with Van, and all will work.
But Y&R can't make the same, so they chose a low profile character, with only a couple of month in the show, and make a low profile coming out. The problem now is who will be interested in the relationships of a marginal character?
And they solve the problem very well, they place Rafe in a bigger storyline, and match him with a villain. That's soap classic variation, the scheming villain and the innocent damsel, but they change the innocent damsel for the sweet gay lawyer.
And i think they don't have any intention to make Rafe/Adam the new gay supercouple, i think all the Rafe/Adam interaction has the only purpose to make Rafe more interesting and more important, and then he can paired him with other character (and that'll be the real relationship for Rafe).
And about Chris reaction, this is gold for Y&R, it's more limelight for their storyline.

But for Chris, this would be the kiss of death for his career. If it's true than a newcomer tries to talk to the screenplayers to change his character, and get out of the set, and fake being ill, that's pretty unprofesional.
And maybe it's the first time that i heard about an actor who wasn't happy to play a villain role (all say always that it's really funny to be the bad guy).
Y&R are investing a lot in this storyline, and come on, Jake are Van are pretty popular (and Van has this third daytime emmy nomination), if ATWT did that for them, how much can do a show like Y&R with a lot more audience. So he lost a big oportunity, and probably he'll be sued.

And Y&R will habe the profits of all this buzz, and even better, they can change an actor who has zero chemistry with Yani. So all it's good for them

[dkp]

Nelson in his Suds report says he has an interview with exec producer and Head Writer Maria Arena Bell in which she weighs in on the Emmys snubbing her show, which reels she really submitted, GL's cancellation, Chris Engen's (Adam) decision to quit, whether she wants Melody Thomas Scott to re-sign, Thom Bierdz's shocking comeback as Phillip Chancellor, and why more gay characters are headed to Genoa City!

Looks like at least two more gays will be joining Rafe soon.

[maya]

this is so cool, cant wait!!

[pepe1958]

Nelson's Suds Report has further details about Chris Engen's sudden departure as Adam (one unnamed co-star says Chris clearly had some personal issues he was going through, while another says this is the kiss of death for him in Hollywood--you don't walk out on a contract in the middle of story that other soap actors would love to have), also, spoilers:

Cast members assume that Adam isn't gay, but having an affair with Rafe to keep him quiet about Adam's gaslighting of Ashley; I'd have to imagine that Adam is REALLY good in bed for Rafe to forgive Adam for framing his Aunt Estella!

[davedoty]

That's pretty much what I suspected as soon as I heard rumblings about what was happening. Also, Bonobochick: while you may have liked Adam/Heather, who knows what chemistry the new pair will have. You may suddenly be very glad to have Adam/Rafe instead of a pale imitation of your former fave couple!

One of the strangest reactions to even the IDEA of Adam/Rafe, mostly on AfterElton, was what an unsympathetic couple the evil Adam and good Rafe would make. It seems like certain people want ever gay couple on TV to be soulmates experiencing twoo wuv. Now that we've had a fair number of gay characters, and at least a few gay couples, I'd say we're WELL due for some couples that get together for money, or revenge, or one blackmailing the other into a relationship.

I had similar feelings about Amir and Harel when they were complaining that their threesome trysts took them away from what made them so likeable in the beginning. I never thought they were a solid couple, and that their threesomes were papering over bigger issues that had been pretty obvious from the beginning of the series.

I'm probably showing my Melrose roots again, but who the heck wants to watch a HEALTHY relationship?

[jjose712]

Well i have issues with till the wedding couple thresomes because i find it very stereotypical. The percentage of gay couples is very low in comparision with straight couples, but it seems the threway apears a lot more times in the gay couples, and i'm sorry but i find that kind of storyline really boring (it's always the same)

About a Rafe/Adam couple, i think Rafe is a very tangential character, so he needs to grow up, and pairing him with the bad guy it's a good way to do it. Rafe is good and sweet, pairing him with another good character could be very boring, Luke and Noah were both good guys, but they have a lot of problems, Rafe is out and proud so it'll be hard to make it work if they paired him with someone similar to him. But i don't think this is a couple to work in the long time

[Bonobochick]

More on the story here: daytimeconfidential.com/2009/05/young-and-restless-cast-upset-over-engen-walking-out

May 22, 2009 16:33:13 GMT -5 davedoty said:

That's pretty much what I suspected as soon as I heard rumblings about what was happening. Also, Bonobochick: while you may have liked Adam/Heather, who knows what chemistry the new pair will have. You may suddenly be very glad to have Adam/Rafe instead of a pale imitation of your former fave couple!

Since it's a different actor that will be playing Adam soon, maybe I will buy it though I still don't see Adam as gay... more as using sex to keep Rafe under control if he thinks he must. The way TPTB are writing him is pretty much without remorse or a conscience so I can see things happening for that reason. Otherwise, it's a hard sell for me. Guess only time will tell but I will keep an open mind about it.

And yea, I'll miss my CE-Adam/Heather.

[anthonyl]

I never liked Adam and Heather, but it's more about not liking Heather, who's voice is grating. And to me, he doesn't love her. He's only using her.

As for the rest, I love the storyline. It's classic soap and I can't wait to watch it play out.

Regarding Engen, he was a fool and an idiot and if I were Y&R he would not get off lightly. I would sue.... if only to teach other actors a lesson.

[maya]

I don't know if Adam will develop real feelings for Rafe but I agree with who say that anyway the story has the potentiality to become really interesting.
I don't think that gay characters have always to be written politically correct and I think that good guy/good guy kind of love story sooner or later become boring above all considering the lack of talent of US daytime writers (Nuke is a good example).

Maybe with time Adam will develop true feelings for Rafe or maybe he will keep is evil side and someone else will come to rescue Rafe (Philip IV?) but anyway it will be entertaining to ee how all these things will play out in the end.

I've never really cared about Adam and Heather and now even less thinking about Chris Engen lately stunt. Regardless of his beaviour being an homophobic reaction or just an unprofessional conduct, I find unforgivable that in this economy he walked away under contract without a second thought, the author's of the most watched daytime soap were giving him the chance of a breaking storyline as the son of the most important character on the show and he simply quitted when veterans of other soaps find themselves dropped to recurring contract or asked to accept big pay cuts and 72 years old Guiding Light is cancelled.

About Michael Muhney, I can't wait to see him in Adam Newman shoes, I loved him in Veronica Mars and I think he's cut for this role.

[jjose712]

Well i was reading some forums, and the audience of this soap seems quite conservative, so i don't know how they react to that storyline (even it's obvious that there are an audience to this kind of storyline, because Nuke survive even with that bad and rushing writing).
Some people really support Chris, and i find amusing that they even not have a clue about what is being an actor. The mere suggestion that Adam was a main role and Rafe a tangential character so the writers must hear Chris and even drop Rafe out, it's hilarious.
I've got problems to understand american homophobes, here in spain they don't hide behind the bible, i was raised in a catholic school and they always teach me that God is love, but it seems that for some people is only an excuse to hate.
Other things that i find amusing it's that some people coment that they stop watching Y&R if they bring a gay storyline, like they did when ATWT introduce Noah. And i find this interesting, because nobody mention Luke, it's like if it was ok for a soap have a gay character but without any sexual or love life

[justinate]

jjose712, I'm really pleased to hear about the extremely progressive views in Spain. I only wish the US could follow suit.

I actually thought Chris was one of the better actors on Y&R, but my previous love for his talent has been tempered by this revelation. I don't know what actually went through his mind when he decided to quit, but apparently he was dissatisfied with the writing for his character for a long time, even before the gay kiss. So there are two possibilities, neither of which, frankly, speak highly of Chris:

1) The gay kiss went against his "moral beliefs" as those homophobes over at some soap boards are saying. I'm assuming for this line of reasoning that Chris does indeed think expressions of same-sex affection are immoral; however, it is actually a faction of his supporters who have floated the idea that he (and they) think this - which would then clearly make him a bigot. Even if his church does preach same-sex love is wrong, he as a person is not indulging in it. He's just playing a character. What you do in character shouldn't reflect on your personal beliefs. Or does someone who plays Hitler in a biopic necessarily have to share his beliefs to be able to play him? Or should the actor turn down that role on the basis that he himself isn't a genocidal racist?

2) The other explanation was that the seduction of Rafe was just the latest in a string of bad storylines that Chris was quickly tiring of. Even though that releases him from the homophobe tag, it still makes him a horribly unprofessional actor. Loads of actors with Emmys, 20+ year histories with their shows or with an established presence in daytime, still cannot influence the writing team to write what they want for their characters. Quite honestly, they've been asked to act out downright out-of-character moments (e.g. Lucinda poisons Craig on ATWT) or storylines they think are played out (e.g. Katherine Kelly Lang about why her character of Brooke on B&B is constantly chasing a multitude of men). They just don't have the power to change anything. Who does Chris think he is, with barely a year on the show, no acting awards to his name, and only just venturing out into daytime (and barely any resume otherwise), to be acting like a spoilt child?

So yes, it's my opinion that neither explanation cast him in a good light as an actor. Which is sad, because I really liked him in the role, and never imagined he might be like this in his private life. Oh well ... at least we'll have Michael Muhney, who seems really enthusiastic (although a little old for the part) and should hopefully turn in some good performances (and dare I say it, some hot kisses with Rafe/YG). Actually that's the one good thing about Chris quitting: at least the audience won't have to suffer through watching someone who isn't 100% committed to their storyline act it out.

[jjose712]

Well not so progresive, here there are homophes (like in every other country) but they just don't hide themselves behind the bible.
Yes, the level of homophobia it's a lot lower than in the US, maybe because the influence of the Catholic Church is in it's lower point, and here there are a lot of people who are catholic but not homophobic.
The truth is 10 years ago, it was a teen soap on screen and they face a lot of problems about the gay couple (like Nuke more or less) and maybe the hadn't a ban kiss, but it was very usual that whe phone rings whe they're going to kiss. 5 years ago were a lot of mess with the gay marriage thing, but right now most people get over it (it pass five years and the apocalipsis didn't come).
There are small far right lobbys, but the truth is that tv stations don't hear them. Física o química had a lot of complaints, but not for the gay character, just because of the use of sex and drugs in the series, but the channel didn't change a thing.
I have the feeling that something is changing in the US, and when the changes start the far right makes a lot of noise, but then it calms.

About this guy, i agree with you about the 2 posibilities, but either way he is not very smart, breaking a deal could cost him his career, he is a newcomer and only people with a high profile career can act like that. The curious think is that some of his colleagues at Y&R coment that they kill to be in his situation and in his storyline

[jjose712]

By the way, i really apreciate if someone could write a little description of the characters, the other gay storylines were focused on the gay couple, so it was easy to follow and getting to know the other characters, but this is a complicated storyline, and even i'm interested, i find it a little difficult to follow, in fact apart of Rafe, i only know Adam and Victor