Former “Y&R” EP/Head Writer MARIA ARENA BELL on Muhney’s Dismissal: “He Should Have Been Let Go Months Before”

Maria Arena Bell
Maria Arena Bell

Former executive producer/head writer of CBS Daytime’s “The Young and the Restless,” Maria Arena Bell, recently had a quote in Soap Opera Digest about the direction of the show currently, as well as the dismissal of one of its stars, Michael Muhney (Adam Newman). Below is the quote that was in Digest about Muhney:

Michael brought amazing dimension and complexity to the role of Adam Newman, and his and Sharon’s was a great dark love story. Sadly, that story was seriously derailed in the last year, so I am not surprised that the show would look for a solution to their problematic storytelling decisions. It will be a tough role to recast.

A recent post on TMZ earlier stated that the actor was fired from “Y&R” for allegedly bullying and groping a fellow co-star. In an interview with Tommy Garrett of Highlight Hollywood, Bell clarified her statement in regards to Muhney. Read the quote below:

Let me be clear. I am a fan of Michael Muhney the actor-not the person. Frankly he should have been let go months before because of his behind the scenes actions. 

It’s still a loss for the fans. Instead of acting quickly they tried to turn the fans against the character of Adam. Bad move. And they should not recast right away now. It’s too damaged.

The only thing that matters in this story-now on TMZ is that a young girl is protected. She should have been all along. People should have been more decisive not less in this matter.

I think they should have taken immediate action. They didn’t. Whatever happened, they need to protect the safety of the cast.

Michael Muhney’s final airdate on the CBS Daytime soap is on January 30, 2014.

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