While word of Mal Young’s replacements at the top of “The Young and the Restless” has leaked, the soap and its producers remain mum in making it official.

Mal Young is officially done as executive producer/head writer at CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

Mal Young is reportedly out as executive producer/head writer of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” Josh Griffith said to be replacing him.

“Days of our Lives” has made a head writing switch. Josh Griffith, who joined the soap in 2015 as co-head writer with Dena Higley, is out and is being replaced by Ryan Quan. Soap Opera Digest first reported the news, that was quickly confirmed by the show.

After portraying Griffin Castillo on “All My Children” and Tony Santos on “Guiding Light,” actor Jordi Vilasuso decided the timing was right for another turn in daytime. Lucky for him, “Days of our Lives” was looking to expand the Hernandez clan with the return of Dario (last played by Francisco San Martin). After meeting with executive producer Ken Corday, co-executive producer Albert Alaar and co-head writer Josh Griffith last summer, Vilasuso responded well to the idea of portraying a “very intelligent” character on the soap.

Returning for “Days of our Lives'” 50th anniversary, after three years away from the soap, proved to be more fun than Peter Reckell (Bo) ever expected. In an NBC video interview, the actor said he found the show “so engaging” that it was “a little difficult for me to leave.”

With Josh Griffith and Dena Higley‘s work officially hitting the screen beginning with the Wednesday, August 19 episode, fans of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” are in for a daring ride with the return of Stephen Nichols as Steve “Patch” Johnson and the beginning of a serial killer storyline. The first victim? Serena Mason (Melissa Archer). But did Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) have something to do with her death?

Is Dena Higley‘s reign as co-head writer of “Days of our Lives” over before it even hits the air? According to a report by Daytime Confidential last week, Higley asked for, and was granted, a leave of absence from the show citing personal reasons.

Hot on the heels of news that NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has put out a casting call for the contract role of Finn, a new doctor set to work alongside Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian) when he hits Salem later this year, comes word that the daytime drama series has made a shift in ranks behind the scenes. Lisa de Cazotte is out as co-executive producer, a role she took on in October 2011, with veteran “DAYS” director/producer Albert Alarr set to replace her.

In the first major casting announcement under new head writers Dena Higley and Josh Griffith, who replaced Christopher Whitesell and Gary Tomlin last month, “Days of our Lives” is seeking to cast a legitimate Australian actor for the contract role of Finn, a “ruggedly handsome” Australian doctor who is doing his residency in Salem and will work under the stewardship of Doctor Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian), reports the Australian Associated Press and TV Tonight.

After several months of disastrous ratings returns that has left many in the industry wondering if “Days of our Lives” would survive its next renewal talks between NBC, Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, producers of the soap, the daytime drama series will welcome back veteran writer Dena Higley, and former “One Life to Live” and “The Young and the Restless” head writer Josh Griffith, as its new head writers. The two replace outgoing head writers Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell.

CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” is getting a new head writer in the form of Charles ‘Chuck’ Pratt, Jr., who is best known for his writing stints at “All My Children,” “General Hospital” and “Santa Barbara.” The news was first reported by Highlight Hollywood. Thanks to the power of social media, Pratt has already updated his Twitter profile to reflect his writing duties at “Y&R” while also indicating he will receive an executive producer credit.

Although the network and Sony Pictures Television, producers of the series, have yet to issue comment on the matter, Daytime Confidential is reporting that Pratt will lead the writing team of daytime’s number one drama series beginning in November.

While reporting on the nominees for the 2014 Writers Guild of America Awards (See: WGA Nominations: ‘Days of our Lives’, ‘General Hospital’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’), a couple of names appeared to have been omitted, specifically “Days of our Lives” co-head writer, Gary Tomlin, and former “The Young and the Restless” head writer, Josh Griffith. A couple of you inquired with us about that, and I in fact initially questioned it myself, at least until I was quickly reminded that both Tomlin and Griffith went “fi-core” during the 2007-2008 writers strike.

Just as the fall season gets ready to kick into high gear next month comes word that “The Young and the Restless” may have lost its head writer as a result of creative differences with the shows executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps. Josh Griffith, who took the reigns from Maria Arena Bell one year ago, has reportedly given notice to Sony Pictures Television and Bell Dramatic Television of his decision to leave.

“The Young and the Restless’” Doug Davidson (Paul Williams) may have been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor twice before, but the veteran actor admits that the honor never, ever gets old. In fact, he says the onset of social media has actually made receiving the honor all the more spectacular! “The support we get from the fans is so immediate now, because of Facebook and Twitter and all of that, and it’s almost like they’re riding along with you. So it’s really exciting!” he says. “Everybody should have something like this in their job, where you step back and get recognized by your peers.”

As Senior Vice President of CBS Daytime, Angelica McDaniel is ultimately responsible for the daily operation of television’s most popular daily lineup consisting of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Price is Right,” “The Talk” and “The Young and the Restless.” Just a few weeks ago, Soap Opera Network had the opportunity of speaking with McDaniel about her diverse lineup filled with soap operas, game shows and talk shows.

Tuesday, March 26 marks the 40th anniversary of “The Young and the Restless’” very first episode, and in celebration, the show is offering up plenty of special glimpses into its iconic past. For starters, the soap’s official website currently features 40th Anniversary photo galleries and videos, and there’s an option for fans to answer trivia questions for a chance to win a VIP trip to Los Angeles to tour the set and attend the show’s on-set Anniversary event. But as Angelica McDaniel, the Senior Vice President of CBS Daytime, says: The show’s 40th Anniversary is also the perfect opportunity to start focusing on what’s ahead.

Earlier today we posted our ratings report for the week of February 4-8, 2013 and it looks as though the debut of Steve Burton on “The Young and the Restless” and Jack Wagner’s return to “General Hospital” have helped bring new (or returning) viewers back to daytime television.

New head writer Josh Griffith makes some changes to “The Young and The Restless” writing staff.

Soap Opera Digest grants Daytime Confidential’s Jamey Giddens his wish. On Wednesday, August 15, Giddens had posted a Wishful Casting report shortly after word broke that Kevin Schmidt was out as Noah Newman on CBS'” The Young and the Restless.” The writer figured that Nickelodeon’s “Hollywood Heights” actor Robert Adamson (Phil Sanders) would fit the role perfectly. Today the magazine reported on its Facebook page that Adamson is now heading to Genoa City!