Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Scott Hamner, Y&R's co-head writer, is taking a temporary leave of absence from the soap.
"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," explains Hamner. "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, Daytime Confidential is reporting that Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer for Nick at Nite's HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS, is in talks to take over the EP reins at Y&R. Phelps began her television career on SANTA BARBARA where she ultimately rose to Executive Producer and later served as Executive Producer on GUIDING LIGHT before going to ANOTHER WORLD in the same capacity. Afterward, Phelps returned to ABC Daytime serving as Executive Producer of ONE LIFE TO LIVE and later moved to executive produce GENERAL HOSPITAL from 2001-2011.
HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS is co-produced with Televisa in association with Sony Pictures Television. Josh Griffith (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, AS THE WORLD TURNS) ix also an executive producer of the series as well as the head writer. Griffith's writing team includes Valerie Ahern, Brent Boyd, Catherina Ledeboer,Christian McLaughlin, Sally Sussman Morina, Greg Schaffer, Jed Seidel, Lisa Seidman and Flint Wainess.
RELATED:
- RED CARPET INTERVIEW: Maria Arena Bell at the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
