by Kimberly H. Smith

Created on: February 09, 2009   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

The Young and the Restless, commonly referred to as Y&R, is my favorite soap opera of all time. I have watched soap operas since I was nine years old. This spans twenty-seven years. CBS soaps were what my babysitter watched as well as my grandmother and great aunt. I spent a considerable amount of time with each, so I can recall story-lines that were prevalent in the early 1980s. It is no secret that Y&R has been rated the #1 daytime drama for twenty years. It is because they never disappoint in their storytelling. Many uneducated viewers will tell you that a missed episode of any soap opera means nothing because you can catch up in no time with the next episode. Not true of Y&R. Regardless of changes backstage, the stories are always surprising and suspenseful. They pride themselves on great casting which is consistent. Most of the actors have been on the show for ten years or more. They have often brought original cast members back to solidify familiarity and comfort for longtime viewers.

Two years ago, I began getting bored with my other favorite CBS soap operas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns. I had watched them as intently and for as long as I had watched Y&R. However, my interest in the two began to wane. Veteran actors I loved were axed or decided to leave, the story-lines became unbelievable and new cast members became the focus quicker than I had time to empathize. I fought my resistance to watch GL and ATWT for some time. I continued to remain abreast of their happenings via Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly, but I no longer gave them my full viewing appreciation.

But I could never begin to fathom turning my back on The Young and the Restless. Even as I moved from one market to another, my viewing of this fabulous soap opera remained the same. I always altered my ever changing daily schedule to accommodate it. Thank God for SoapNet and www.cbs.com/daytime/the_young_and_the_restless/video . Being able to view recent missed episodes is wonderful!

Jeanne Cooper, Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott, Tracey E. Bregman, and Doug Davidson have graced Y&R for many years. They have been on the canvas long enough to be intertwined in various stories with veteran and new characters regardless of age. The characters they portray have grown as they should and sustained lasting relationships and acquired fresh ones. I love how this show embraces ethnically diverse individuals and tackles subjects like physical disabilities, alcoholism, substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.

Just when you think an arc is bending a certain way, it redirects itself and changes course. It is then that you realize the excellent writing team that is always in place had those plans with the inception of the surprising subplot. If you aren't already a fan, get on board with The Young and the Restless. You'll be glad you did.

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