The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that Sally Sussman is considering bringing Michael Muhney back as Adam Newman. As devoted soap fans know, head fakes have always been a key part of this genre. Y&R’s new head writer recently winked at the audience when she directly addressed this lingering character question. Yes, her statement was purposely intriguing.
Michael Muhney remains available for full-time work. Whether he was unofficially blacklisted in Hollywoodland, or simply clashed too often with key cast mates at CBS’ long-reigning steamer, as he himself alluded to in a past interview, will likely always be unknown. That once red hot topic will likely never be fully answered, which does make that real life mystery somewhat similar to the questions surrounding Adam’s current disappearance.
As fans recall, Muhney publicly advised in 2014 via his Twitter account that he was in the running to return to the show. Because Y&R never countered his statements, all wild conjecture about a so-called incident involving Hunter King (Summer) appeared to be logically rebutted. Therefore, Muhney was and remains a viable rehire candidate. Whether Sussman wants him back and executive producer Mal Young would approve of his return can’t yet be known.
One of founder Bill Bell’s proteges (Sussman) agreed to return to the soap she once loved earlier this fall. Her writing team’s first official script hits United States’ HD screens on December 7.
Before exploring what Sussman recently said and how her comments impact the Adam character a brief flashback memory refresher is in order. Skew the screen image slightly, create a scant echo effect. Okay, here we go.
Former head writer Chuck Pratt, Junior intentionally left Adam’s supposed death open for interpretation. While daytime drama killings often provide some wiggle room for re-imagining, Justin Hartley’s ending scene saw him apparently falling into an unconscious state after crazy Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson) shot him with a dart gun. Then the cabin Adam was hiding in somehow exploded. But that happened sometime after he was last seen alive. So this cool cat could have easily used another of his nine lives to escape, or be dragged out ahead of the fiery tragedy by an as yet unknown hero, or heroine.
Flashback sequence over, back to the aforementioned wide-ranging interview: Sussman said that she didn’t see the need to recast the Adam role, “…unless there is a compelling reason to have Nick (Joshua Morrow) learn the truth.” Sussman didn’t say that it won’t happen and actually provided a pathway for Adam to return. Why would she specifically do that? Yes, to offer hope.
Soap opera scripts at The Young and the Restless are shot approximately six weeks in advance of their air dates. Since Sussman is less than two months into her job, she needs time to implement her overall vision. Have patience Y&R fans and await what would be one of the great returns in modern soap history. Cue the voice over and for added effect have Eric Braeden (Victor) mouth the honors, “Michael Muhney is now playing the role of Adam Newman.” Boom!
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