Leaders In The Arts, “Y&R” Wizard Maria Arena Bell

BEL AIR —Fans of the CBS mega-daytime drama “The Young and the Restless” know the Bell name in Hollywood and in Beverly Hills very well. However, what fans and viewers are learning lately is just how multi-talented Maria Arena Bell is, who is the show’s Executive Producer and Head Writer. Yes, they know that the series is soon to be the number-one rated daytime drama for almost two decades, they know stars like Eric Braeden, Jeanne Cooper, Melody Thomas Scott, Peter Bergman and Jess Walton have remained the shows life’s blood with such distinguished acting and wonderful characters created by the late William J. Bell, Sr. and his beautiful and equally as talented wife Lee Phillip Bell.

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Maria Arena Bell, Co-Executive Producer, Head Writer, Y&R

Over the past year Canyon News has received raves about the wonderful series not only from viewers who read and enjoy Canyon News, but from Ms. Bell’s talented cast as well. Eric Braeden told Canyon News last year in an interview, “Maria Bell has brought the series back to where it belongs. She understands the organic nature in storytelling that has made this show so popular and successful. Joshua Morrow says, “Maria Bell has been a savior to our show. I thoroughly enjoy Nick and all the other characters that she has worked so hard to redeem and bring out new and exciting parts for everyone.” West Hollywood hunk Thom Bierdz, who not only is the original star who plays Phillip Chancellor, tells Canyon News, “The lady is a genius.  I have always admired the Bell women. I love Lauralee and miss working with her, Lee Bell is a giant in the business and now Maria is as well. She has a unique understanding of each character and I will never forget the opportunity she gave me and gave the audience to play Phillip as a gay man who has integrity. She’s done more to emphasize a positive view of the character and to gay people all over the world.”

Maria Bell inherited a show that was always amazing, but had become lack-luster and was losing steam. She knew just how to bring on some new characters, while bringing brilliance back to many of our most beloved stars and their alter-egos. Ms. Bell realized the mistakes that were made in the past on the series and quickly reformed the format, returned the series to it’s Bible and never looked back.

What many fans would be stunned to know about Arena Bell is that she is far more beautiful than many soap stars in television today. She could pass for a sister, not just a sister-in-law of Lauralee Bell, who is one of the most beautiful women on the planet and like her in-law, equally as talented. Bill Bell always respected the way women understood daytime television. He was friends with Irma Phillips and many of the greats in his league.

Maria Arena Bell not only is in that league, but after her incredible hard work, her intense intuitions and great story-telling, she belongs in a league of her own.

“Y&R” airs weekdays on CBS and remains the top rated daytime drama for the longest tenure in television history.

Photograph Courtesy: CBS, Sony and “The Young and the Restless”