A Critic’s Review Of The Y&R: A Roundup of the Best and Worst of 2023

We here at Soap Hub are never shy when it comes to giving The Young and the Restless its lumps when it proves grating or downright frustrating, nor are we backward at coming forward with praise when it’s due – moi especially.

Young and the Restless — Best and Worst of 2022

In that vein, below you’ll find a roundup of the staff’s Best and Worst of Y&R followed by my ever cheeky, always heartfelt contribution — which may include endorsements and/or rebuttals to my colleagues’ picks…how surprised you must be to hear that we don’t always see eye-to-eye.

Best Character Backtrack: Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) succumbs to her urge to drink. — Rachel Dillin, Managing Editor

Best Reunion: Adam (Mark Grossman) and Sally (Courtney Hope). — Rachel Dillin, Managing Editor

Biggest Missed Opportunity: Showing the adoption process on-screen for Mariah (Camryn Grimes) & Tessa (Cait Fairbanks)…as well as showing them as parents. — Amber Sinclair, Editor

Not telling Mariah and Tessa’s adoption story on-screen. — Rachel Dillin, Managing Editor

Character Most Lacking In Stick-to-itiveness: Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson). Would it kill him to stick to one job for more than a few months? — Diane Brounstein, Editor-In-Chief

Most Protective Mama: Sharon finally got out from behind the counter at Crimson Lights and got to sink her teeth in a story when Cameron Kirsten (Linden Ashby) terrorized her family. Viewers have clamored for Sharon to have more to do for a while.

Most Welcomed Returns: Hasn’t it been grand to once again see beloved characters Nina, Mamie, Leanna, Danny (Michael Damian), Gina (Patty Weaver), and Cole (J. Eddie Peck) in Genoa City?

Most Triumphant Return To Daytime: Colleen Zenk (Jordan, ex-Barbara Ryan, As the World Turns). — A sentiment across the board.

Best Revisited Romance: Danny and Christine/Cricket (Lauralee Bell) should have reunited back in 1998 after Phyllis’s machinations were exposed. Now, 25 years later that story is being revisited.

Worst Execution For Drama’s Sake: The death of Adam and Sally’s baby. — Rachel Dillin, Managing Editor (Refresh your memory on that here.)

Worst Romance: Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Audra (Zuleyka Silver)…what does she even see in him? — Amber Sinclair, Editor

Worst Storyline: Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) fakes her death. — Rachel Dillin, Managing Editor

The Critic Muses On Y&R In 2023

And The Point Was: Cameron Kirsten’s (Linden Ashby) condensed reign of terror resulted in….well, not much. (Read more about him here.) Sure, Sharon assumed control of his conglomerate and merged it with Newman Media for a hot minute, but now it’s back to business as usual for the dispenser of coffee and sage advice.

Best Reveling In The Past: Y&R celebrated its 50th anniversary with a cavalcade of returnees, including gossipmonger Leanna Love (Barbara Crampton), protective mother Nina Webster (Tricia Cast), and mother figure Mamie Johnson (Veronica Redd), and the soap was all the better for it.

Best Prop: Nikki’s flask.

Least Affecting Breakup: Summer and Kyle.

Most Affecting Death: Borgnine the Cat.

Performer Of The Year: Melody Thomas Scott. I think the acting she’s been putting in as of late bears this choice out.

Worst Boss: Victor Newman.

Worst Use Of History: Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) is Eve Nicole. Just because one can manipulate a past storyline until it suits one’s needs doesn’t mean that one should.

Worst Villian: Tucker McCall (Trevor St. John). All bark and no bite makes this supposed baddie a very dull boy.

The Young and the Restless 2022 Report Card: C+ Jordan’s tormenting the Newman family has revitalized this staid, uninvolving soap that features hardly anything more than talk.

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.

The best place for true soap fans to be is our Facebook groups. Have you joined? If you love soap spoilers, gossip, and fans as dedicated as yourself, check out Days of our Lives Fans, General Hospital Exclusive, The Young and the Restless Fans, and The Bold and the Beautiful Fans.