Y&R: Is Paul Williams Gone?

This past week, Doug Davidson (Paul Williams on "The Young and the Restless") spoke about his status change, which happened back in January, and how now he has no more dates to work at the program in the near future. Below are my thoughts.

People Magazine's website had a good summary of what has gone on with this situation.

Anyway, my first thought was I wish something would have been said months ago, when he was taken off contract. By staying quiet, many fans just assumed the story was light, and he would get a plot eventually. There were no outward signs on the actual program, they didn't move him in the cast list or other things that signal a move from contract to recurring status. There can't be much of an uproar if people don't realize what is going on, which is what happened here.

My second thought was by handling it the way, it was handled since there was no uproar, it made it easier to erase the character from the canvas. Will it be a scenario where Paul is mentioned, but not seen, and eventually just not mentioned at all, like so many other soap characters, who are unceremoniously dumped.

My third thought was I feel sorry for the fans of the actor and the character, as it is never fun to lose a fave after many years. The character became islanded so to speak as he didn't have family in town except his wife, who was only seen in court scenes. This isn't back when Y&R (or any soap for that matter) would keep characters on just for their functions, whether it is to be the town doctor, lawyer, or police officer.

At the end of the day, I wish things were different, but in daytime things can always change.