When the pre-nominations for the Daytime Emmys were released last week, I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on it. Because I knew if there was any justice in the world — at least in the acting sense — Y&R’s Michael Muhney would be on the list.

Well, justice can bite me.

Muhney didn’t make the cut, despite being hired as an emergency recast, and despite making the character of Adam Newman his own. More, in fact. He lived, breathed and completely took over as Victor Newman’s son.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of how the pre-nominations are made (that’s what I rely on our soaps expert Nelson Branco for), but all I know is that of all the soaps, his portrayal of the sympathetic villain is arguably the best.

Muhney has reveled as the bad guy on other shows, most notably as Sheriff Don Lamb on Veronica Mars, where he was hated by many … in the beginning. But as the series went on, his antagonistic character started to warm to others who liked the balance between his character and the beloved titular P.I. (Kristen Bell).

The majority of Y&R fans who have written about Adam have accused Sharon (Sharon Case) of being a complete dummy, so blind and needy that she doesn’t realize just how awful Adam is.

But I completely disagree. Sharon has never seen the Adam everyone else is talking about, and regarding the people who are trying to convince her of that, it’s understandable why she would doubt them. Phyllis, Nick, Victor, Jack? All of them have made their feelings about Adam perfectly clear, but Sharon has chosen to stand by her man.

However, it has been Ashley’s words that have really planted seeds of doubt with Sharon. But since Adam always has an answer for everything, it’s easier for her to be in denial.

Muhney’s take on a man caught in the middle is what I love best. Sure, Adam has done some despicable, regrettable things, and it’s been an experience watching Muhney portray them, but it’s how torn and remorseful Adam is that makes him a sight to behold.

I buy his love for Sharon 100 per cent. It has never dawned on me that he was using her for more personal gain (though it’s been a bonus for Adam that he and Sharon totally get under Nick and Jack’s skin). But as their relationship grew, so did the complications that came along with it.

And that’s the beauty of Muhney’s portrayal. In the beginning, his horrific acts against Ashley were all about revenge against his Pops, but even then, you can tell he felt horrible doing it, and he had gone too far to stop, but it was, in his eyes, survival of the fittest — and he chose himself.

He’s been the baddest bad guy in Genoa City (a bold statement considering Patty lives there and it looks like Sheila might be returning), but because Muhney is just so freakin’ good, it’s impossible to hate him. In fact, the opposite happened, at least in my case. I relish all his scenes, whomever is acting opposite him, and when he’s not on that day, Y&R just isn’t the same.
Winning over fans on 'Mars'

Adam’s obviously on his way out. I’m not sure how the writers can redeem him since he’s gone to a point of seemingly no return. Once Ashley realizes the scope of what Adam did to her (made her think she imagined her fall down the stairs, which resulted in a miscarriage, and even cleaned up the “mess” in a fireplace – ugh; convinced Ashley she was still pregnant, which worked since she was suffering from a hysterical pregnancy, made her believe she accidentally killed Sabrina, then Nikki) and learns that he switched babies, and that her daughter, Faith, is in fact Sharon’s “dead” daughter, Hope, well, the poop is going to hit the proverbial fan.

And as Adam’s past finally comes back to haunt him this week (via a telltale journal), it’s clear Adam — and Muhney’s — time is almost up. Or is it?

Sure, the story becomes more complex and convoluted as time goes on. Adam knows he has spiraled out of control and not only isn’t there a quick fix, but it might be irreparable.

But co-executive producers Maria Arena Bell and Paul Rauch know what a gold mine they have with Muhney and the character of Adam, so here’s hoping they can figure out a way to keep him around.

Plus, the baby-swap storyline can be mined for years. Take Ashley, for instance. John Abbott believed Ashley was his biological daughter, right up until the day he died. He was never the wiser and that seemed fine — for everyone. Couldn’t the same thing happen with Ashley and Sharon and Hope/Faith?

Nevertheless, when the big reveal does take place, it will be what great drama is made of. There is no way these upcoming scenes are going to be a letdown. It’s classic soap opera at its finest, witnessing a character go from the depths of hell and try to come out unscathed on the other side. And I can’t wait.

Loving or hating Muhney — and Adam Newman? denette@tvguide.ca

Follow Denette on Twitter

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on Global/CBS. Check TVGuide.ca listings for times.

 

Denette’s not ashamed to say she has loved TV for as long as she can remember, whether she was rolling her eyes at Polkaroo on Polka Dot Door, catching up on soaps recorded on her family’s trusty Betamax, crushing on Face from The A-Team or laughing along with The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Nowadays, Denette digs Glee, Mad Men, Chuck, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother, awards shows, and Friends reruns. Things that annoy her to no end are Samantha Harris’ co-hosting Dancing With the Stars, the addition of Kara DioGuardi on American Idol, someone calling during Lost and her PVR crashing. If you’ve thought it, it’s probably crossed her mind, too. Denette will gladly praise a show, but she’ll be more than happy to slam something if it sucks.

 

Follow TV Guide Canada on Facebook