~By Giddy…

So….much to my shock I was informed yesterday morning that this was my week for “Blog Wednesday.” What?!?!? I have nothing interesting to say. Plus my readers are hounding me for updates on my fan fiction and now I am supposed to drop everything and come up with a blog idea? Well okay…because actually I do have something that has been weighing on my mind.  Will my readers forgive me for taking time out to share some random thoughts for the blog this week? I feel sure they will, especially since I know many share the same opinion.  Besides, it helps that I have an update in the works. 😉

You know, the really great thing about a blog is that it offers an excellent opportunity to express oneself. These are my thoughts and I am speaking only for myself. If you don’t agree with me that is fine. I certainly respect your right to have your own opinions. The comment box is open and I welcome any and all feedback as long as it is constructive and considerate in its intent.

I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone to hear that I am a very vocal supporter of Mary Beth joining ‘The Young and the Restless.’ I have made no secret of that fact seeing how I have posted on message boards, bantered about it, sported a banner proclaiming such, and just generally been an advocate for it whenever and wherever I see the opportunity. That being said, I also realize that not everyone agrees with me. Again, that is fine. It’s your prerogative to want to see Mary Beth in primetime, on stage, or nowhere at all.

My argument is this: I am a huge Mary Beth Evans fan and I miss her. I want to see her now and I want to see her regularly. I also want to see her on a show that is worthy of showcasing her talents. Anyone who has followed her career knows that she can seamlessly pull off a wide range of emotions (anger, fear, sadness, strength, vulnerability, sarcasm, and outright humor) with little effort at all. With that said, why wouldn’t I want to see her on Y&R, the #1 rated daytime show? Stephen Nichols has said that, as an actor, it is a privilege to work on such a wonderfully talented and managed show. Why wouldn’t I want the same for Mary Beth?

I realize some fans feel that Stephen and Mary Beth don’t always have to be on the same show, and they are right.  They don’t. I respect their opinion even if I don’t agree with the logic behind such feelings. Stephen and Mary Beth have both done countless projects without the other, but the fact is many of their fans want to see them together.  With such unparalleled chemistry and proven success as an onscreen duo, how could we not wish for them to enjoy that success yet again? They were on Days and GH together and obviously garnered a strong and intense fan following with both shows.  But, beyond that, I don’t see the reasoning behind saying that fans want them joined at the hip. The overwhelming majority of their acting projects have been one without the other, and their individual and collective fan bases have been supportive of those projects as well. The bottom line is that Stephen and Mary Beth have repeatedly stated that they enjoy working together, and as a fan, I enjoy seeing them together. For those of us who have been around since 1986, it is a pity that some of us feel the need to constantly defend ourselves in wanting to see them working together again. The fact is that they work well together, and I for one enjoy watching the magic they create. Whether or not they would be paired on Y&R is not even the issue. Even if they never entered each other’s orbit, I would be happy, because I think they both deserve to be on a show that is worthy of their talents.  Top rated actors deserve a top rated venue.

I would also like to point out that Mary Beth mentioned going to Y&R long before Stephen got the gig as Tucker McCall. In the April 29, 2009 issue of Soap Opera Digest, Mary Beth said the following:  “I’m a hustler by nature. I hit the ground running. I’ve been on some great auditions- I went out for a Gossip Girls spin-off and I got a new agent, things I haven’t done in forever. I would love to go to Y&R, where Hogan (Sheffer) is writing.” 

Of course I would love to see Mary Beth on primetime, but I am also realistic when it comes to such things. I agree that, in principle, she would get much more exposure on primetime and that she certainly has the talent to be successful on any show that is smart enough to snatch her up.  But primetime is a mess, as much as daytime is, if not more. I am also realistic in considering the most likely venue for getting to see her on a regular basis is on daytime. The grim reality is that there are simply not an abundance of primetime roles for anyone, regardless of age or gender. The even grimmer reality is that there are virtually no primetime roles available for 40-something actresses whose primary exposure has been on daytime TV. Other than the occasional guest appearance, I don’t think we are likely to see Mary Beth starring on a primetime show.  If by some miracle we did, there is no guarantee that the show or role would last.  Y&R has been around for over 37 years, and promises to be around for years to come.  No show in primetime can come close to making that claim. Primetime execs simply don’t know how great she is and that’s a shame, but again it is the reality.

Mary Beth has said repeatedly in many different interviews how much she loves daytime, and I am inclined to believe that she is being sincere. We all know she wouldn’t say it if she didn’t mean it. Of course she wants to do things that challenge her as well, but I don’t see that as her closing the door on daytime by any stretch.  Y&R would definitely be a challenge. From what I have read, it seems to me as if she would like to do both, which is all the better for us because we would get to see her more!

As for Y&R specifically, Mary Beth is quoted as saying, “Look, I’m game for whatever, and Y&R is such a good show.” (http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2010/mary-beth-evans-wedding-belle_25096.html). Again, according to the interviewer that is a direct quote from Mary Beth. To me that sounds as if she is not only saying she would go to Y&R if given the chance, but that in fact, she would welcome the opportunity. I am also inclined to believe from her quote just prior to that where she speaks of a fan campaign that she is not opposed to such. Who knows whether or not it would work? I know that Maria Arena Bell has said in an interview that they do care what fans have to say, so who knows what impact if any a campaign would have? But I certainly don’t see where it would hurt.  Even still, when it is all said and done, if Mary Beth did get an offer to join the cast of Y&R, the decision would be hers and not that of her fans.  I for one would love to see her given the opportunity to make such a decision.

I think the bottom line is that we all love Mary Beth and we just need to support her constructively and positively, regardless of whether we want to see her on daytime or on primetime.  She deserves no less.

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