The Young and the Restless (Y&R) spoilers teased that Justin Hartley’s new gig on NBC, This Is Us, could lead to the Adam Newman role being recast, again. Michael Muhney’s name will always remain connected to this daytime character due to the electric performances he consistently delivered during his tenure (2009-2014). But, viewers know that any possible rehire would need to address the face-change plot that has already played out.
Many things are possible in the real world. But, anything goes in the land of soap operas. So, science, or reason, wouldn’t limit Muhney’s return to The Young and the Restless. Instead, Mal Young’s Y&R writing staff would merely have to invent an acceptable scenario whereby Adam’s face somehow transformed back to Muhney’s mug.
One of the easier methods to accomplish this goal would involve Adam in another accident where facial reconstruction surgery, or deconstruction in this case, was needed. If Adam remains in prison indefinitely, then The Young and the Restless spoilers say a possible viscous beating might take place. Another option would be to have him suffer serious skin injuries in a major fire. So, if Michael Muhney ever returns to this role, some horrible event will need to predate his revival.
In 1986, CBS’ iconic nighttime soap opera Dallas handled the return of Patrick Duffy in an unusual manner. One year after the actor decided to quit the show, he opted to return. So, the writing staff invented a scenario where Pam Ewing (Victoria Principal) simply dreamed that her husband, Bobby, had died.
The classic cliffhanging shocker, where Pam found Bobby in the shower, enabled Duffy’s return to the show. However, that particular technique meant that all other connected plots and characters had to be reset to the point where Bobby had apparently died in a car crash.
Such a scenario seems impractical for The Young and the Restless to impose on everyone who has been living in Genoa City since January 2014, when Muhney was last seen as Adam. Therefore, if (when) Justin Hartley eventually leaves Y&R and Muhney is recast to replace him, some palatable plot vehicle will need to be created to explain Muhney’s return to the audience. Many fans will surely be waiting to see what developments could play out.
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