A Tale of Two Photos

 The official Y&R 40th Anniversary photo has been released.



So pretty, aren't they?

There's only one problem. Let's see if you can spot it.

Oh heck, let me help!  Here is a screen grab of the cast photo at the end of the special Behind the Scenes of the Y&R 40th Anniversary video Y&R posted on their official website.

Steve Burton has been Photoshopped into this version of the photo.  He's up there in the blue shirt under the Y&R logo. He wasn't even a part of the cast yet (supposedly, according to Jill Farren Phelps...) when the video was shot, but...whatever. I digress.

Now, let's look at the Official cast photo again:

It appears Mr. Burton has disappeared! Well, now, why would TPTB go through all that trouble to add him only to delete him? He is God's gift to everything in Ms. Phelps' world, after all. Why would she delete him?

Answer?

She didn't. 

Mr. Burton was deleted from where they added him under the logo in the pic from the video. From there they slapped his face onto Stephen Nichols' body for the official release of the photo.

No, really, they did. Go ahead and look again. I'll wait. Look right there between Jessica Collins and Jerry Douglas (if that's really Jessica Collins and Jerry Douglas, anyhow...)

Yep, that's Stephen Nichols' body looking sharp in the black suit... with Burton's mug slapped on top.

I've never meant this as much as I do at this moment: You're a bitch, Jill Farren Phelps. And you've gone well out of your way to be said bitch with this. Steve looked fine there up under the logo where you added him - nevermind that he's only been around Y&R for 42.6 seconds. I'm not even mad about that. But you couldn't just leave Mr. Nichols in? All of him, that is.

No, you couldn't.

Because you're a bitch. 

But we've already covered that.

So, in closing, bite me, and have a great night.

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Translating Jill Farren Phelps

Source: TVGuide - Y&R Steve Burton Scoop

Below is a transcript of a TVGuide interview with Y&R Executive Producer, Jill Farren Phelps, about her hiring her pal, Steve Burton.  My bullshit-ometer started screaming at me as soon as I read her first response so I decided to read between the lines and translate her responses.  You can thank me later.

TV Guide Magazine: It's no shock Steve Burton is joining Y&R, given your relationship. But how'd you make the magic happen so soon?
Phelps: We didn't start talking seriously until about five weeks ago. We put out the character breakdown for Dylan McAvoy and we were seeing actors for the role. I just kept thinking how great Steve would be in the part but, at first, it was just a dream. I talked to his manager and we were able to make it work out so that Steve could continue to have the life he wants in Nashville. Plus, Steve loved the idea of playing a character very different from Jason Morgan. 

Translation: Oh, Christ! Are you kidding? I speed dialed Steve the second I was hired at YR and told him I'd create a brand new character exclusively for him and would do anything and everything he wanted in order to lure him away from General Hospital. We devised this story about how he wanted to take a break from acting and move his family to Nashville.  And don't you know those GH fans bought it. Can you believe that? Morons! [Laughs]


TV Guide Magazine: The current GH brass wasn't able or willing to create that kind of schedule for Burton and he walked. If you were still exec producer at GH, would you have made it work?
Phelps: Yes. In fact we did work out a schedule for him to fly back and forth when I was still there. He has long wanted to be in Nashville. This is not some capricious thing with him. 

Translation: Yes.  In fact we did work out a schedule for him to fly back and forth when I was still there.  That didn't go over so well with the rest of the cast and the higher ups, though.  Cause I got fired for SUCKING and nearly destroying GH.  [Laughs] (I might have embellished that translation a bit for my entertainment.)


TV Guide Magazine: Back when he was having unsuccessful talks with GH did you say, "Don't worry, Steve, I'll always give you a job at Y&R"?
Phelps: Oh, I'm willing to bet I said something like that. [Laughs] But jokingly! Contrary to whatever rumors are out there, I promise you I did not lure him away from GH nor did he leave GH to come to Y&R.

Translation: Verbatim! [Laughs. Then smile fades.]  How did you know that?


TV Guide Magazine: What if Burton had said, "I'll play this Dylan guy but I need more time. I'll do it in six months or a year"?
Phelps: Then we would have moved on with another actor. The part was locked into scripts.

Translation: Then we would have waited another six months or a year for him. The part was not locked into the scripts in any way.


TV Guide Magazine: Were you looking for a big star in this role?
Phelps: We were seeing the cream of the crop — well, the cream that's available and affordable.

Translation: We were seeing the cream of the crop — well, the cream that's available and affordable. Why write for the amazing cast we already have, am I right or am I right? [Laughs]


TV Guide Magazine: We know Burton doesn't come cheap.
Phelps: I'm not going to get into that.

Translation: You ain't kidding![slaps knee] We're paying him a shit ton of cash and funding his kids' college funds. [Thinking] There's also that "bow to him in the hallways but don't dare make eye contact" clause. It's kind of ridiculous. [Looks over shoulder] Look, don't tell Braeden, okay?


TV Guide Magazine: How did you afford him when your mandate is to cut the budget at Y&R? Did you drop Stephen Nichols [Tucker] from the show in order to pay for Burton?
Phelps: Absolutely not. I know that's what people are going to think, but no. I love Stephen Nichols. He's a wonderful actor. I'm sorry we couldn't make it work out with him.

Translation: Define "drop." 


TV Guide Magazine: Meaning you did offer him some sort of deal he didn't accept?
Phelps: It wouldn't be right for me to discuss that. You'll have to talk to Stephen.

Translation: We offered him $10 a day with no contract and an unlimited supply of pez. With the dispenser, even! I just don't know what else the man could possibly want. And the fact that Steve's start date coincides directly with Stephen's last airdate means absolutely nothing. Honest. Total coincidence!  [Laughs]


TV Guide Magazine: Back to Burton, what can you reveal about his character?
Phelps: Dylan is a war veteran who was greatly traumatized by what happened to him in Afghanistan. He was severely injured and was rescued by a family who helped him recuperate. He's not been heard from for a couple of years, which is why people think he's dead.

Translation: He's in witness protection from turning State's evidence on the mob which is why everyone in Port Charles thinks "Dylan" is dead.


TV Guide Magazine: Will we be seeing any of that in flashback?
Phelps: No, but we will use flashbacks to bring the audience into the history of the Dylan-Avery relationship. Avery was the great love of his life, though I'm not sure she quite had the same feelings for him.

Translation:  No, but you can check out "Dylan's" previous life on YouTube. Just do a search. Keywords: Jason and Morgan.


TV Guide Magazine: Are you going for the obvious romantic triangle with Dylan, Avery and her current man, Nick [Joshua Morrow]?
Phelps: Dylan does come to town to find Avery but this story has much more complexity than that. It's really pretty delicious. What you think is going to happen is not what's going to happen.

Translation: Yes. What you think is going to happen is definitely what's going to happen.


TV Guide Magazine: A tweet went out, supposedly from Melody Thomas Scott, saying that Dylan is Nikki's long-lost secret son. True? Or was it just some evil fan yanking our chains? Because it's a damn good idea!
Phelps: I know nothing about any such story. People on Twitter are having a blast making up stuff.

Translation: Who cares? I'm firing Thomas Scott in an hour anyhow.


TV Guide Magazine: Then Dylan is completely new to town? No secret pasts with anybody?
Phelps: He's brand new. Initially, he'll be with Avery and Nick and also Sharon. But there's a long story for Dylan that takes him on a journey from character to character and, ultimately, to someplace you never dreamed he was going to go.

Translation: He's brand new. Initially, he'll be with Avery and Nick and also Sharon. But there's a long story for Dylan that takes him on a journey from character to character and, ultimately, to someplace you never dreamed he was going to go - Port Charles to bring his old pal Sonny to Genoa City.


TV Guide Magazine: Is this swell shooting schedule you gave Burton going to piss off the other big cheeses at Y&R?
Phelps: I'll do anything in my power to not have the cast pissed at me. I love this cast! We don't shoot Mondays, and we'll collapse Steve's material into fewer days so he'll have several long weekends. Then we have several dark weeks per year. It's not that big of an accommodation. And, let me tell you, getting Steve is a big shot in the arm for Y&R. People there are very happy to see him. And he's very, very happy to do something different. [Laughs] He has new hair! And he's actually going to be wearing colors other than black!

Translation: I'll do anything in my power to not have the cast pissed at me.  It won't work, mind you.  I can only do so much. I mean, are you kidding me? They're going to be pissed! I made Steve promise to stay right by my side when he's not taping and act as a bodyguard for me. [Laughs]


TV Guide Magazine: He was famous at GH for refusing to take off his shirt on-camera. You plan to fix that?
Phelps: I'm going to try. [Laughs] We'll have to wait and see what happens!

Translation: No.
 


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Steve Burton to Y&R?

Source: TV Guide: Is General Hospital Alum Steve Burton Heading to The Young and the Restless?

Well, that didn't take long.  

According to "reliable sources" at TVGuide, Steve Burton (formerly of GENERAL HOSPITAL) will soon join the cast at THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.  

Nothing against Burton, but I dislike this for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the rumor that Burton's arrival forced out my favorite, Stephen Nichols, for budget reasons.  Nichols' departure is still unconfirmed but if Burton is indeed headed for Genoa City some serious cast cuts would need to be made in order to make room for his salary.

Overall, there has been one too many new-arrivals lately for my liking. I can handle a new actor and/or character here and there but there have been too many of late. I find it hard to invest in them, especially when established, veteran characters are taking a backseat to them.  If Burton does wind up in GC who will he be? A long-lost relative of a GC vet or another completely new character we're expected to care about and invest in?  Is the mob is about to infiltrate Genoa City?

Call me old fashioned but I barely recognize Y&R as Y&R anymore. I miss the Newman ranch set. It was the only thing about the Newman family I liked at all anymore, save Adam Newman.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.  My judgment may be clouded a bit by my bitterness at the moment.  Do you think Burton's arrival at Y&R would be a good thing?  Let me know in the comments section. 

~ Kristen

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Tantrum: Disgusted by "Niktor"

Am I the only one hoping that Sharon wanders over to Newman Enterprises and, putting her new found arson skills to good use again, turns it into The Towering Inferno?  I can't be the only one, right?  Come on, one more before the meds kick in!

I absolutely hate Victor and have no desire to watch anything about him trying to get his company back.  I hope he never does.  I hope he goes to his grave knowing "JaggAbot" is still in control of his life's legacy and that his children did absolutely nothing to help.  I'm serious.  I want only the absolute worst for The Great Victor Newman. Likewise for his visible-stick-up-the-ass Queen snotbag hanger on, Nikki.  I hate her when she's with Victor.  Hate.

Victor and Nikki's blatant apathy toward Sharon's mental health is disgusting.  Listening to them talk about Sharon as if she's scum makes my blood boil. And I'm not necessarily a Sharon fan.  In fact, before this mental breakdown story I couldn't stand her but Sharon Case has earned my respect.  I'll jump in the ring with anyone to defend Sharon Newman against anybody in the Newman family.  That family has treated her reprehensibly and, shockingly (sense sarcasm here), shows no remorse.

Victor was responsible for bringing Patty Williams back into town, which set off a spiraling shit storm of destruction, including (but not limited to) the death of Colleen Carlton, the near-death of his granddaughter, Summer, Jack's paralysis and Adam's temporary blindness.  

 But, being The Great Victor Newman that he is, he snatched up Colleen's heart, shoved it in his chest and (thanks to successful contract negotiations - yay.) went about his hypocritical, sanctimonious life as if none of it ever happened. Seriously, he was back to his kicking the asses of men half his age self in no time flat. Punching bag? Check. Black tank top? Check. You got that? Check. Heart transplant scar? I don't think so.  Epilepsy? What epilepsy? 

Next, he kidnapped Billy and held him against his will while Billy's little girl, Delia, was possibly dying of leukemia. This, of course, was after he hired Chelsea to drug and sexual assault Billy and then plant drugs on him so that he would be thrown in a jail in Myanmar for the rest of his life, never to be seen again.

For her part, Nikki (the former stripper who met her billionaire beau/sometime emotional abuser while shaking her tassels for him) has been married to eight different men, more than one of them several times, yet never wastes an opportunity to tell Sharon she is a whore or slut or gold digging opportunist.  Her last marriage, the second to JaggAbot, lasted all of a couple weeks since barely 12 hours after the ceremony she was off chasing after missing-and-OMG-possibly-dead-for-the-789th-time, Victor.

And who can forget how Nikki got blackout drunk at rehab, drove through the night and attacked Diane Jenkins in the park for absolutely no reason? When Diane tried to defend herself Nikki bashed her head in with a rock 10 times and snuffed her out for good. For some unfathomable reason this was called self-defense so Nikki was absolved of all guilt and consequences and went about her life as if nothing happened.  Sidebar - Nikki also killed her abusive father and a childhood friend.  But, no matter.

Sharon has a diagnosed personality disorder that makes her act out impulsively and when she tried to apologize (something nobody in the Newman family, save Adam, is remotely capable of doing) for the bad things she's done they shun her in front of her only son.  It's disgusting.  

I had faith these new powers that be might change a few things when it came to the Newman family but my faith has not been rewarded.  Status quo it is, then.  For me that means fast forwarding as soon as Victor or Nikki "grace" us with their presence on screen. 

That is all.

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Video: Tucker & Jill

These two are great together.  Tucker needs a woman to keep him in line (and who is exactly like him) and Jill needs the challenge a guy like Tucker brings to a relationship.  Good stuff.  

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