YOUNG AND RESTLESS, while still entertaining on a daily basis, is facing a couple of problems. For one, just like Adam, the show has painted itself into a corner, as many viewers have frowned on his romancing and marrying Sharon, but that doesn't mean it should stop painting. Sharon's acceptance of Adam was admittedly ridiculous at first — she knows about several of his misdeeds — but it has also fostered true, loving feelings in both of them, which gives each character more depth. BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL fans are heartily applauding a similar pairing: Katie has brought out honest feelings of love and (gasp) smiles of devotion in Bill, not just actions of cruelty and grimaces of manipulation. The huge problem in Genoa City is that one of Adam's aforementioned misdeeds ravaged Sharon's life, not only causing her to believe her baby died, but giving that baby to Ashley — who happens to be Adam's other steadfast supporter, but is clueless that his actions caused her baby's death.

Adam is a villain, villains commit horrible acts and this is far from the first baby-switch on soaps. The writers look to be trying to redeem Adam, and that's basically a lost cause. This was again proven by his being involved in Dr. Taylor's "accident" just days after he heroically saved Noah and Eden from the house fire. His downfall, as explosive as possible, is apparently what the viewers want, and hope the scribes are slowly creating.

It's been intriguing to watch Adam walk and jump between the raindrops for months, in large part due to Michael Muhney's consistently remarkable work. Yes, the storyline is somewhat unsettling, but this is what's important: unsettling is better than boring. And what other Y&R couple has become as watchable? Which leads to the soap's other problem: It needs more supercouples — pairings that excel in terms of excitement, popularity and romance. Lily and Cane are close to reaching that level; battling back to each other after his betrayal gave them a huge push toward it, and his complete support through her health crisis kept them engaging and rootworthy. Plus, surrogate Mac's bemused reaction to the revelation that she's carrying their twins adds a touch of intrigue to their story, as does her reconnection with J.T. Nick and Phyllis often get close to the supercouple level, and then her problems with his lying to her (or himself) about Sharon understandably get in the way. (The baby plotline will probably bring Nick and Sharon together now and then, so supporters of that couple should be pleased.) Lauren and Michael are always charming and are actually awarded the occasional romantic scene. I feel that's about it as far as major, hot (as in exciting) couples on the show; Amber and Daniel have considerable potential, but since their November wedding, the most true romance they've enjoyed was when, from his hospital bed, he described a fancy phone he'd like to be able to give to her, and then he later surprisingly presented it to her. I'm all for Ashley and Neil's recent pairing, and have faith the show's overall couple factor will be strengthened in the near future.

In a brief note regarding the past, to those of you who will celebrate, in your own way, the 73rd anniversary of GUIDING LIGHT's radio debut on Jan. 25, thanks for keeping the LIGHT shining.