‘The Young and The Restless’ Memories – Y&R Loss of Michael Muhney and Billy Miller Still Hurts on Two Year Anniversary

‘The Young and The Restless’ has just seen a new Billy Abbott [Jason Thompson] come on board and the newer Adam Newman [Justin Hartley] is still doing well. But for many fans, Billy and Adam will always be Billy Miller and Michael Muhney.

On the second anniversary of Miller and Muhney’s abrupt departure from Y&R on January 30, 2013, we take a look back at how much these actors meant to ‘The Young and The Restless’ fans and how the show is lesser for their exit.

When Michael Muhney stepped into the role of Adam Newman in 2009, he rapidly became the darling of both fans and critics. While his predecessor in the role, Chris Engen, allegedly had some qualms about the darkness of the role, Muhney embraced it and played it to the hilt.

From his Shadam relationship with Sharon Newman [Sharon Case] to his gaslighting of Ashley Abbott [Eileen Davidson] and his hit and run of Delia Abbott, Adam has brought nothing but chaos to Genoa City and fans have loved him for it.

But CBS showrunners and some of Muhney’s costars weren’t so warm and fuzzy about him – but aren’t soaps supposed to be for the fans? You’ll recall after Muhney was let go that fans hired a plane to fly over the studio with the banner “#TeamMuhney supports Michael Muhney.”

In fact, the #TeamMuhney tweets continue even now. One recent #TeamMuhney tweet was this: “I quit watching when they pulled that crap with @michaelmuhney & never looked back. Always #teammuhney.”

Muhney’s exit was a mess with allegations made that he touched Hunter King (Summer Newman) inappropriately although no charges were filed and it’s hard to find a fan to believe he did the deed – or any witnesses. It seemed trumped up then and still does now!

The Muhney departure hit hard as it came hand in hand with the exit of other fan fave Billy Miller leaving the role of Billy Abbott. Despite his Emmy wins, CBS showrunners refused to meet Miller’s contract terms or allow him to pursue outside projects.

While Miller did pursue outside work, word around the Y&R set was that he always checked with Jill Farren Phelps well ahead of time to try and ensure it didn’t impact his work on the show. But TPTB at the soap didn’t like his outside interests.

Rumor has it that the contract terms offered to Miller were a less than optimal payday and further limitations on his ability to grow his career. Angelica McDaniel, head of CBS Daytime tweeted that they “wish him great success in his future endeavors.” That seems like a kiss off…

Fans were outraged over his departure as well. Some of the fun tweets about replacing Miller with former portrayer David Tom included: “Billy Miller is the one and only Billy Abbott. Wont work. Wont last. Need a casting agent Y&R?”

Despite fan irritation at the loss of two incredible actors, you have to admit their final scene work together was incredible. As Billy took Adam to Delia’s grave at gunpoint and forced a confession of the hit and run, it was these two at their best.

And just before the accident that was assumed to take Adam’s life, Adam hitting back at Billy for leaving his daughter alone in the car and sharing some of the blame was riveting. Then the struggle for the gun left the car smashed to pieces, much like Y&R fan’s love for these actors in these roles.

Of course, Miller has moved over to ‘General Hospital’ as Jason Morgan and has rapidly drawn fan raves there while Muhney has moved on to other projects outside of daytime. For many Y&R fans, though, Billy and Adam will always be Miller and Muhney in their hearts…

What do you think Y&R fans? Do you wish Miller and Muhney were still on Y&R? Do you think the show is worse off without them? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check back with Soap Opera Spy often for more ‘The Young and The Restless’ spoilers and news.

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