Maria Arena Bell

When Maria Arena Bell was fired as head writer and executive producer of “The Young and the Restless” on Thursday, July 26, just one day earlier Soap Opera Digest reported that Scott Hamner, one of the soaps co-head writers, would also be leaving at the end of his contract. “I had decided to let my contract expire but Maria[Arena Bell, executive producer/head writer] asked if we could call it a sabbatical instead,” explained Hamner in a statement. “She really didn’t want me to leave, so I agreed to take a few months off. She has been so gracious and generous about my need to take a break and I appreciate that.” Meanwhile, with the appointment of Josh Griffith as Bell’s replacement as head writer, many began to wonder whether Hogan Sheffer would remain as the other co-head writer of the soap.

On Thursday, July 26, Sony Pictures Television announced Josh Griffith as the new head writer of “The Young and the Restless.” He replaced Maria Arena Bell, who also served as the soaps executive producer (she’s been replaced by Jill Farren Phelps in that position). In the days following the announcement of his appointment at “Y&R,” Griffith became a little more active on his Twitter account (@joshgriffith13).

Soap Opera Network has learned that actor Graham Shiels, who most recently appeared in an episode of TNT’s “Leverage,” has booked a recurring role on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

“General Hospital” makes a few changes to the writing staff.

Eric Braeden is best known to daytime fans of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” as Victor Newman and in celebration of the shows upcoming 10,000th episode (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 27), the actor appeared on today’s edition of “The Talk,” with guest co-host Shannen Doherty.

As “The Young and the Restless” gears up for its 10,000th episode tentatively scheduled to air on Thursday, September 27 on CBS, The Paley Center for Media, LA will be hosting a live event on Thursday, August 23 beginning at 7:00 PM PT with much of the veteran cast members of the popular daytime drama series including Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Eric Braeden (Victor Abbott), Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), Doug Davidson (Paul Williams), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Joshua Morrow (Nicholas Newman), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman) scheduled to attend.

In a posting on her facebook page yesterday, following the announcement by Sony Pictures Television and CBS that Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith, Jr. would be stepping in to replace her, Maria Arena Bell stated that she was “mystified” as to why she was being let go as executive producer and head writer of “The Young and the Restless.”

“The Young and The Restless” is making major changes at the top. Executive Producer/Head Writer Maria Arena Bell is leaving the show and is being replaced by Jill Farren Phelps, who will be the new Executive Producer, and Josh Griffith, who will be the new Head Writer.

October 8, 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of Soap Opera Network, an online magazine celebrating the world of soaps past, present and future.

Today “Young and the Restless” co-executive producer Paul Rauch announced that he will be stepping down from the drama series as of Friday, April 1, which ironically enough is April Fool’s Day. This of course is no joke.