It's all in the name: we really do love soaps - but sometimes, as any die-hard soap fan knows, it has to be tough love. The type of love, for instance, that makes a friend say, "Though I support you 100% it's time you take responsibility for your own actions." But we digress.Of course, every series takes a wrong turn now and then. As fans, it's important that we offer feedback, and help the show get back on the right track. Which is why we launched our most recent survey on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.
As you will see below, there's one thing we all pretty much agree on: gratuitous young child roadkill and recycled Franken-baby storylines aren't our cup of tea, and they're not your thing either (even with Halloween just around the corner). Maybe The Powers That Be will actually listen, before some of us start tuning out, and yet another beloved soap (the top rated daytime soap!) enters that well-worn death spiral of lower ratings - cutbacks - lower ratings - cutbacks - lower ratings...
But before we delve into the data, we want to say "thank you!" to the more than 4,000 individuals who took the time to respond to our most recent survey. Thanks! Now, from October 15-22, 2013, We Love Soaps surveyed our readers about the current state of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. We were careful to phrase the questions in a neutral and objective way (fighting the temptation to ask, 'What kind of sick mind would go there - AGAIN?") and so when we received 4,127 unique responses, with an interesting mix of feedback about daytime's top-rated soap opera, we knew the results would be fascinating. We asked about Delia, overall quality, favorite thing, favorite characters, and least favorite characters. Here's what we found:
How do you feel about the decision to kill off the character of Delia Abbott?Strongly Disagree 71%
Disagree 17%
Neutral 8%
Agree 2%
Strongly Agree 2%
When a daytime soap opera is trying to appeal to fans that have watched for 20 or 40 years, or maybe just a few months, it's not easy to find a story that everyone agrees on. In this case the data overwhelmingly shows fans are on the same page with 88% disagreeing with the decision to have Delia die. Y&R would be wise to listen.
This is not the first time a daytime soap opera has told a story like this. In fact, GENERAL HOSPITAL killed off toddler Jake Spencer in March 2011 in a hit and run accident where his grandfather, Luke Spencer, turned out to be the driver. Jake's donated organs went on to save Carly's daughter, Josslyn Jacks. The week after the accident GENERAL HOSPITAL was hard not to watch with amazingly beautiful performances. The show rose #2 in the Nielsen ratings, passing THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL for the first time in six years. Stories like this tend to create short-term ratings gains so expect the same with Y&R. The problem for GH, and probably Y&R? The short-term gains don't last and a story this unpopular and depressing typically impacts the ratings down the road. By the end of 2011, actor Jonathan Jackson (who played Jake's father) had quit the soap and executive producer Jill Farren Phelps had been fired by ABC. The same Phelps that is now running Y&R.
Based on our survey results, many fans would be happy if Delia's death turned out to be a terrible nightmare Billy had one night. Emmy reels have been secured, lessons learned about leaving a child alone in a car, and viewers wouldn't have to watch everyone be miserable for months.
How would you rate the overall quality of Y&R in 2013?Average 31%
Good 25%
Poor 20%
Fair 16%
Excellent 8%
What is your favorite thing about Y&R in 2013?
The Performances 65%
The Stories 9.5%
Everything. Love it all. 9%
Watching with friends 8%
Other 7%
The Music 1.5%
Favorite Characters
1. Billy Abbott
2. Adam Newman
3. Jack Abbott
4. Paul Williams
5. Michael Baldwin
6. Nikki Newman
7. Nick Newman
8. Victoria Newman
9. Jill Abbott Fenmore
10. Victor Newman
Least Favorite Characters
1. Hilary Curtis
2. Fen Baldwin
3. Kyle Abbott
4. Mason Wilder
5. Abby Newman
6. Christine Blair Williams
7. Sharon Newman
8. Tyler Michaelson
9. Cane Ashby
10. Lily Winters Ashby
The character of Victor Newman was the only one to appear in the Top 15 of both lists. Victor received the 10th most votes as Favorite Character and ranked 11th on the Least Favorite Character list.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the survey results or your feelings on the current state of Y&R in our Comments section below.
RELATED:
- The Death of Delia Abbott: What's Wrong With THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS?
- THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Day-By-Day Spoilers (Week of October 28th)
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
