THE SCOOP

This week marks a turning point on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

After two days of wondering what’s going to happen next in Genoa City, after daytime’s number one drama series was displaced last week Thursday and Friday for CBS’ broadcasting of the NCAA tournament, fans will finally get to see how the JT (Thad Luckinbill) hostage saga unfolds, with several twists and turns promised. The week also marks the beginning of a shift in the show’s overall storyline trajectory as head writer Josh Griffith‘s material begins to air. In addition to his writing duties, Griffith is now a co-executive producer on the soap, working collaboratively with EP Anthony Morina.

A taste of what Griffith has to offer for his return stint overseeing the show’s writing began last week, March 20, when his name appeared in the credits alongside that of Mal Young, who departed the series last December after serving as both executive producer and head writer. Fans noted tweaks in character interactions and dialogue and have associated Griffith with the positive changes.

In addition to the behind-the-scenes adjustments translating into on-screen improvements, fans will also get to see the return of Doug Davidson who returns as Paul Williams. Davidson, who first appeared on the show on May 23, 1978, was unceremoniously fired from the show last year, several months after being bumped to recurring status. Davidson returns to the screen beginning with the Tuesday, March 26 episode.

In addition to Davidson, look for the return of Ashley Abbott when Eileen Davidson makes a visit to Genoa City on Friday, March 29, and again on Monday, April 1, as Ashley shocks the Abbott clan. Beth Maitland also appears as Traci Abbott on the Monday, March 25 episode.

Fun Fact: Doug Davidson’s return date just so happens to mark the 46th anniversary of when the show debuted on CBS.

Created by the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, “Y&R” celebrated 30 years at number one in December 2018.