As a lifetime soap opera fan, I have watched a lot of soaps and most can't compare to the best soap on television. Screw the Emmys for not naming it the Best Daytime Drama of the year. Since it's debut in 1973, The Young and the Restless revolutionized daytime by the master, William J. Bell and his wife Lee Phillip Bell. Together they created the Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful, both the most watched soaps on daytime today. What's their secret? They don't kill characters and return them back from the dead, rather they don't kill many characters. They stick to the old fashioned way of storytelling. They don't do things quickly which is why is may not be for everybody. What is their strength is the excellent cast of actors and crew members who don't just stay 3 years and leave. THey stay a lot longer and there are exceptions. I think they stay because the work is good and in Los ANgeles, you can do other things like film and television and even theater. Yes, the cast includes Jeanne Cooper, Eric Braeden, Peter Bergman, Melody Thomas Scott, Kate Linder, and so many others who have come and gone. It's not for everybody, it might be too slow for some people but the stories are good and somewhat crazy sometimes but worth watching. At least, they make an effort to focus on the older characters like Katherine and Jill, archenemies, friends, and rivals and even related. The show gets stronger in time. With head writer, Kay Alden in charge, things have not changed so much since the Beloved William J. Bell passed away a year ago. he was a legendary creative person entirely. He and Lee treat the cast and crew like their family which is why so many have stayed so long. Bill and Lee were a dynamic team together on screen and off-screen as well. I wished the Kennedy Center Honors would have honored him for his contributions to daytime television which are just incredible. He helped create daytime. He is still very much missed today.