It's been several days since a report surfaced claiming that Michael Muhney (Adam Newman) was let go from The Young and the Restless because of misconduct. Now the actor has broken his silence
"Benjamin Franklin said it best, 'Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see,'" Muhney said on Twitter. Some time later he added, "...and that quote doesn't only apply to what is being said about ME. It also applies to others. Please be kind to everyone. #respect"
It was the first time Muhney had taken to social media since a December 18 interview in which he revealed to the Huffington Post how he'd come to learn that he was being let go from his role on the CBS soap.
"I saw it coming, and I didn't see it coming," Muhney explained. "I suspected it could happen, but I didn't think that it really would -- at least not now; maybe down the line."
The actor's fans took to all forms of social media, as well as the Soap Central message boards, Feedback forms, and 24/7 caller hotline, to express their outrage over Muhney's dismissal. Most vented their wrath on Y&R's executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps, calling for her immediate dismissal.
During the height of the maelstrom of controversy, Emmy winner Doug Davidson (Paul Williams) took to Twitter to tell fans that Phelps was not to blame.
"Trust me, there is more to the story," Davidson wrote. "Please know we love you guys and we will continue to bring you the best show we can. I've got at least 20 castmates that vow the same pledge."
On January 4, celebrity tattle site TMZ, citing several unnamed show sources, reported that Muhney had been let go because he allegedly "fondled" a female co-star's breasts on two occasions, and that the advances were "unsolicited and unwanted."
Some fans immediately took to social media to lob at times horrific insults at both Muhney and the woman reported to be his accuser. Per Soap Central policy, we do not disclose the name of victims or alleged victims in cases that are sexual in nature.
Reports have since surfaced that the alleged victim threatened to call the police if Y&R executives did not remedy the situation by terminating Muhney. Radar Online states that after it was determined that Muhney would be let go, the actress "was told by producers, if she believed a crime had been committed, she should pursue appropriate action, regardless of their decision."
Rumors soon surfaced that the "source" who leaked the information about the incident to TMZ was Angelica McDaniel, the head of CBS Daytime. McDaniel's husband, Brian McDaniel, is a contributor for TMZ's syndicated television show, and, contrary to published reports, Angelica McDaniel has never tried to keep that connection a secret.
McDaniel, however, was quick to deny the allegations.
"[That] didn't happen, but thanks for sharing your thoughts," McDaniel said in response to a Twitter user who'd accused her of being the leak.
In other developments, over the weekend, a Facebook page of Muhney supporters revealed that it had raised in excess of $750 to hire a plane to fly over the CBS lot where The Young and the Restless is filmed. The plane was originally set to fly over with a banner reading, "NO ADAM NEWBIE, JUST MICHAEL MUHNEY." The message was changed to "#TEAMMUHNEY SUPPORTS MICHAEL MUHNEY" when the flyover took place on January 9.
For more on Michael Muhney's firing, please click here.
To read Michael Muhney's only interview to date on his firing, please click here.
And for more on the allegations of what led to Muhney's firing, please click here.
What are your thoughts on Muhney being let go? Should Adam be recast at some point? Tell us in the Comments section below or share your thoughts via Feedback by clicking here.
