The Young and the Restless News: Adjusting To COVID-19 Production

On the heels of The Bold and the Beautiful returning to the TV City studios, sister soap, The Young and the Restless, is also back taping. The top-rated soap is implementing all the safety protocols in order to stay safe as the show works hard to bring original episodes to viewers.

The Young and the Restless: A New Normal

“We were all tested again before going into studio,” Braeden tweeted a few days ago, as he prepared to re-enter the facility that’s been home to YR since its 1973 debut.

Some production personnel has shared specifics as to how the show is being cautious in light of the coronavirus on social media. The show is using two-person scenes and actors are standing six feet apart, as per social distancing guidelines. Also, actors are doing their own hair/makeup/wardrobe for now.

Plus, talent only take masks off when taping scenes. Crew members, such as camera operators, wear masks and face shields.

While BB is returning with new episodes on Monday, July 20, there’s been no word as to when YR will be back. Currently, the show is airing classic episodes from the show’s 47-year history.

YR was created by the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. For the first 13 years, Bell wrote and monitored the show from his home in Chicago. In 1986, he and his family relocated to Los Angeles so he could more closely monitor the show’s daily production.

Bell served as head writer on the show for 25 years. During the last 10 years of his run as top scribe, the soap was No. 1 in the ratings, a position it holds to this day. Currently, Tony Morina serves as executive producer. Josh Griffith is co-executive producer/head writer.

The show’s longest-running cast members are Doug Davidson (Paul), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki), and Eric Braeden (Victor). Last month, YR won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, its 10th overall in the category. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.