The Young and the Restless at a Crossroads: 9 Explosive Reasons Fans Say Josh Griffith Is Failing the Show

For decades, The Young and the Restless has been the crown jewel of daytime drama — a delicate balance of family feuds, forbidden romances, and shocking revelations that could unravel lives in a heartbeat. But lately, that magic feels like it’s slipping away. The pacing is off, the stakes feel muddled, and many fans are pointing fingers directly at head writer Josh Griffith.

Social media is ablaze with frustration, not over small nitpicks, but over seismic missteps — dropped storylines, baffling character decisions, and missed opportunities that leave loyal viewers shaking their heads. Here are the nine story choices that have sent Y&R’s momentum spiraling, each one with ripple effects that could forever alter Genoa City.

1. Mariah’s Forgotten Murder Mystery

The Mariah Copeland storyline was supposed to be a slow-burn thriller — a shocking revelation that would test her marriage to Tessa and shatter the life they’d built. After months of nervous glances, cryptic comments, and emotional meltdowns, we finally saw the truth: Mariah killed a man while on a business trip.

But after a couple of moody flashbacks? Silence. No fallout, no investigation, no tense courtroom standoff. Mariah has all but vanished from the screen, as if the murder never happened. Fans were ready for a morally complex arc about guilt, secrets, and how far Tessa’s loyalty could stretch. Instead, the entire plot evaporated into thin air — taking audience investment with it.

2. Kyle’s Calculated Betrayal

Kyle Abbott has made questionable choices before, but knowingly playing along with Audra Charles’s seduction scheme to secure a deal with Victor Newman crossed a line. He knew Audra’s intentions, knew she was using intimacy as a bargaining chip — and still went as far as stripping down and making out in a hotel bed.

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment lapse; it was deliberate. The betrayal isn’t just physical — it’s emotional sabotage against Claire, his partner. If Claire forgives him, viewers fear it sends a message that manipulation and deceit have no real consequences in Genoa City. And for a soap built on explosive payoffs, that’s a dangerous precedent.

3. Nikki’s Unforgiving Cold Shoulder to Summer

Nikki Newman is the matriarch who can forgive attempted murder from one grandchild (hello, Claire) yet can’t seem to muster basic warmth for Summer. The tension is palpable — and not just between them, but between generations.

Nikki’s distaste for Phyllis seems to bleed into her treatment of Summer, making for a petty, generational grudge that undercuts family unity. For a character as powerful as Nikki, this selective affection feels small and unnecessarily cruel — and it risks alienating viewers who love Summer as much as they love Claire.

4. Damian and Nate’s Wasted Brotherhood

When Damian was revealed to be Nate Hastings’ half-brother, fans imagined the emotional goldmine: late-night talks about their father, shared memories, and a bond forged in the shadow of loss. Instead, every interaction between them was overshadowed by Amy, and before we knew it, Damian was gone.

The decision to cut Damian so quickly feels like a squandered opportunity for rich, character-driven storytelling. In a show that thrives on layered relationships, this was a glaring omission.

5. The Perplexing Presence of Holden

Holden was introduced with intrigue, yet months later, his purpose in Genoa City remains a mystery. He’s rarely seen outside Crimson Lights, where he sips coffee and exchanges small talk with Claire.

Without a clear storyline, he feels like filler — a placeholder where drama should be. In a show where every character should push a plot forward, Holden’s aimless existence sticks out like a sore thumb.

6. Cole’s Sudden and Senseless Death

The return of Cole Howard after 25 years should have been a nostalgic triumph. Instead, it became one of the most puzzling creative choices in recent memory. Out of nowhere, Cole is struck with Legionnaires’ disease and dies.

The loss feels cheap — a convenient way to nudge Victoria back toward Nate while giving Holden and Claire a shared grief. But in doing so, the writers robbed viewers of a deeper exploration of Cole’s history and relationships. His death didn’t feel earned; it felt like a shortcut.

7. The Decline of Audra Charles

Audra entered the scene as a sharp, ambitious strategist — someone who could play the corporate game on her own terms. But lately, she’s been reduced to a one-dimensional temptress, used as bait in other people’s power plays.

From Nate to Tucker to Kyle and now Victor, her intelligence and ambition have been overshadowed by a revolving door of romantic entanglements. This isn’t the Audra fans rooted for; this is a character assassination in slow motion.

8. Summer’s Disappearing Act

Summer’s trip to Milan to recruit a new creative head for Marchetti was supposed to be a quick business detour. Three months later, she’s still gone. Worse, her absence derailed a key emotional beat: she wanted to be there when Kyle told Harrison about moving in with Claire.

While actress Allison Lanier’s departure explains some delays, the refusal to recast has left a gaping hole in the Abbott family storyline — and sent one of the show’s brightest sparks into limbo.

9. Sharon’s Overused Kidnapping Curse

At this point, Sharon Newman might as well have “kidnap me” tattooed across her forehead. Cameron, Jordan, Ian, Martin — the list of abductors keeps growing, and the setups keep getting more predictable.

Even in France, she found herself locked in a room with Nick by Carter. It’s no longer suspenseful; it’s cliché. Sharon deserves a storyline that showcases her resilience without strapping her to a chair every few years.

The Ripple Effect

Individually, these choices frustrate fans. Together, they create a sense that Genoa City is drifting — that plots are abandoned before they can peak, that character arcs are sacrificed for shock value, and that the show’s legacy of emotionally gripping storytelling is at risk.

The true danger? When viewers stop caring. Because in daytime drama, indifference is far deadlier than outrage.

The Path Forward

Y&R has all the raw material it needs for a creative rebound: powerhouse actors, decades of layered history, and a fanbase hungry for bold, cohesive storytelling. The fix isn’t to chase cheap twists — it’s to honor the emotional truths of the characters and let stories breathe long enough for the audience to invest.

If Josh Griffith and his team can refocus on these fundamentals, Genoa City can once again feel like the high-stakes, addictive world that has kept viewers tuning in for generations.