Photo: CBS/JPI
Daytime Emmy Award Winner, Doug Davidson, (Paul, The Young and the Restless) was recently interviewed by Soap Hub. The online magazine covered an array of topics with Davidson with most of the focus revolving around his exit from Y&R.
Doug Davidson joined The Young and the Restless in May 1978 where he played detective and fan favorite “Paul Williams” for over forty years before his last appearance in Genoa City in late 2020. Davidson was initially taken off contract some years back but Davidson said he saw a shift long before then. “I don’t remember the exact date [taken off contract], but I got my notice in early December of 2018. But [changes] actually started when Bill [Bell] stepped down [as head writer in 1998].”
Furthermore, he had this to say about the shift, “Jill [Farren Phelps, who came on in 2012] and I had a really good working relationship. They made her hire her replacement. I guess her replacement was doing what Sony [Pictures Television, which produces Y&R] had issued. He was the one that made the decision [to take me off contract]. He had a history of cutting legendary characters from his shows. He made the claim that nobody has to know [I’d been fired]. I went to a producer three times that year in April, June, and another time. I was saying if he doesn’t write for me, it’s going to raise a red flag. I’m under my guarantee. I was told not to worry.”
There was reason to worry. 2018, the year Davidson was taken off contract, was coincidentally Davidson’s 40th anniversary with the show. One could only imagine how that was for Davidson, “I felt odd to celebrate my 40th when they took me off contract, essentially firing me. I was pretty stunned at the time.”
After Davidson was taken off contract, the audience saw less and less of Paul, who was ultimately last seen in Genoa City in late 2020, although Paul’s name is mentioned from time to time. Davidson shared how there had been some discussion about him returning to the show. “I was contacted [by the show] about coming back. I had several Zoom meetings with Danielle [Unger, director of current, CBS]. She cares about the show. She was delightful, engaging, forthcoming, honest — everything you’d want to see. Josh [Griffith] was great. They said, “Well, we will set the ball [in motion]. I’m sure we can [find] a middle ground and have this taken care of.” I contacted my lawyer. He contacted Sony, and it was like they had no clue about [my talks with Josh and Danielle]. I felt there was a total disregard to my legal representation. My answer was, “No, thanks.”’
Davidson is doubtful he will ever return to Y&R although he did say that “There’s always story. There are plenty of story wheels that would work.” So, never say never?
The interview concluded with Davidson expressing his gratitude to the fans for their love and support. “I feel the love… Y&R viewers have been incredibly supportive. They’re the only reason I’m on social media anymore – their commitment, support, and love. I can’t say enough about them.”
You can read Soap Hub’s entire interview here.
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