You wouldn't think that a television program that has been ranked number one for nearly two decades would need much fine tuning. However, there have been a handful of behind-the-scenes changes at The Young and the Restless of late.

Lynn Marie Latham has been named the CBS soap's new head writer. Latham had served as executive story consultant for Y&R since 2005. Former co-head writers, Jack Smith and Kay Alden, will remain on board with the same titles, but both will now be working under Latham.

Latham is no stranger to the world of daytime television. From 1997 to 1999, Latham served as head writer of the now-cancelled ABC half-hour soap, Port Charles. She also has writing credits for the primetime soaps Knots Landing, Pacific Palisades, Homefront and Savannah.

Elsewhere, Smith was also removed from his post as executive producer for The Young and the Restless. Smith had served as the show's executive producer since 2004. There will be no immediate replacement for Smith, however. CBS states that the position has been eliminated. It is unclear if cutting the position is seen as a way to cut the show's budget or if the position will simply be non-existent until a suitable replacement is found.

Edward Scott, the show's former executive producer who currently serves as supervising producer, will continue in his current post.

The shakeups seem particularly unusual considering that Y&R has received a mountain of honors so far this year. Earlier this month, the show picked up 18 Daytime Emmy nominations and earned top honors at the Writers Guild of America Awards.

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News Archive: Shaughnessy out as EP, Edward Scott to return. [Dec 22nd, 2003] News and More: Return to soapcentral.com's Y&R FrontPage