We Weigh In: Will Y&R Ignore Doug Davidson Throughout Their Golden Jubilee?

All across social media, stars of The Young and the Restless (Y&R) are posting selfies and candid shots to celebrate a rare occasion: new cast photos! 

A new logo and opening credit sequence are part of the buzz surrounding Y&R’s golden jubilee season, but new cast photos generally occur every three years on the CBS soap. Sadly, there’s one beloved cast member who doesn’t appear to be included in the festivities so far: Doug Davidson.

Mark Grossman (Adam) shared a photo of himself with Courtney Hope (Sally). Hope shared a photo of herself and Brytni Sarpy (Elena). Christian Le Blanc (Michael) tweeted images of Michael Graziadei (Daniel), while Melissa Ordway (Abby) shared photos with the likes of Bryton James (Devon) and Beth Maitland (Traci). 

Want Y&R spoilers? Check out Young And The Restless Spoilers For The Week (September 26, 2022)

Y&R fans have also been privy to a number of selfies from Greg Rikaart (Kevin), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea) and Mishael Morgan (Amanda). 

However, the best glimpse of the new cast comes courtesy of Christel Khalil (Lily), who posted a candid, birds-eye angle to her Instagram stories. In the shot, Joshua Morrow (Nick), Sean Dominic (Nate), Amelia Heinle (Victoria) and Eileen Davidson (Ashley) can be spotted in a sea of stylish, pink and black formal wear.

Viewers won’t be surprised if CBS neglected to get Davidson’s measurements for their new crimson attire, but they should be upset. The star, who has portrayed fan-favorite Paul Williams since 1976 and is the longest serving actor on the show, hasn’t had a scene since late 2020. 

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However, there’s more to this story than viewers and big wigs at CBS not seeing eye to eye about an actor. Y&R still acts as though Davidson is a member of the cast. The network still has his photo on the soap’s cast page, and Y&R routinely marks his birthday, like they do for all current cast members.

In stark contrast to Y&R’s stance, which is paying lip service to one of their most famous stars, Davidson has been honest and transparent about the show’s neglect. On Twitter, he often ruminates about how he’ll probably never return to the soap and retweets encouraging notes from fans. 

Want Y&R news? Check out Young And The Restless News Round-Up For The Week (September 19, 2022)

Sometimes that honesty can even get a little edgy. When Y&R marked Camryn Grimes’ (Mariah) 25th anniversary with the soap, a fan sarcastically commented, “Unlike Doug Davidson who made the show what it is”. Davidson retweeted it – twice. 

“I find it remarkable that after 42.5 years I haven’t heard from the network at all,” the icon remarked on Twitter last October. “No thank you for your service, a phone call. Many gifts from the first 25 years… not a peep from this group.”

Want Y&R plotline predictions? Check out Young And The Restless Plotline Predictions For Fall 2022

Davidson deserves to be frustrated. Outside of a few guest appearances on prime time shows, the actor has committed himself to Y&R. Yet even in storylines that require Genoa City’s police commissioner, Paul never gets a scene. Instead, Y&R writers work around his absence by having characters name-drop Paul, or “the chief”. But why?

If the show doesn’t foresee bringing Paul Williams back to the canvas, wouldn’t it be kind to communicate as much? Rumors about a “falling out” behind the scenes, however unsubstantiated, take on a life of their own when the network is so indifferent toward one of their own. So, how long can the soap’s silent treatment last?

Want more Y&R spoilers? Check out Young And The Restless Spoilers For The Next Two Weeks (September 19 – 30, 2022)

Viewers might not have to wait much longer to get their answer. According to a CBS press release, Y&R’s new logo will drop on Friday, September 30th. The network will also soon share the full cast photo. And if Davidson is nowhere to be seen, the writing will be on the wall: Y&R has officially ghosted Paul Williams.

To ignore Davidson’s contribution to the soap on its 50th anniversary would be a terrible misstep. Williams’ adventures as a private investigator and his romances with Christine (Lauralee Bell) and Lauren (Tracey Bregman) were highly bankable, and changed the canvas forever.

However, if Y&R chooses to ignore the actor during such a celebration, it will at least send the message loud and clear that Paul Williams’ time in Genoa City is over. 

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