Reception
Soaps In Depth reported that Engen gained viewer support quickly after joining the cast as Adam, as did the character's romance with Heather. As the character took a dark turn, viewers continued to support the actor. On the topic, Engen said: "To think there was any likability left in the character baffles me! I'm very grateful to the fans ... they've been so supportive." The actor said fans wanted Adam either redeemed or turned into a gray character. Davidson credited the characters likability with Engen's looks, saying: "e really nailed this character. Chris' all-American looks add another layer to this story: he looks like he regrets being so evil, but he can't help himself. When Chris informed me he was leaving, I told him he really accomplished something by being so likable playing this villain." Nelson Branco repeatedly praised Adam's storyline with Ashley and Victor and Engen as an actor, saying: "The Haunting of Ashley is fast becoming one of my favorite all-time soap storylines ever. It's so 1970s. I have no doubt former Another World master scribe and Paul Rauch BFF/frenemy, Harding Lemay, is freaking if he's watching this gothic, macabre and super-creepy mystery. Moreover, camp-ilicious Chris Engen (Adam) is stealing the story with his very bitchy, and sexy performance of a deranged son scorned." Soaps In Depth also commended Adam's storyline. The magazine named Engen a gold star for portraying Adam as a gray character with "sardonic humor". Soap Opera Digest named the actor performer of the week for his work in his final scenes as Adam, saying the actor "gave a performance that elevated Adam from an average villain to a complex mastermind". The story of Adam causing Ashley's miscarriage was named editor's choice by the magazine. Engen was nominated for a SoapCentral Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2009. Some fans were upset that Adam and Rafe's "sex scene" was implied rather than shown onscreen; Branco spoke out about the issue, saying: "Filming a sex scene between a straight and gay man could come off as offensive. Firstly, Adam would have to appear uncomfortable in the situation which could anger gay right groups, etc." Muhney also approved of the choice not to show the sex scene, saying: "For me, the way it was done was tasteful and it almost makes the audience wonder what exactly happened. You can create that in your head and try to interpret it by how the characters reacted afterwards."
Branco referred to Muhney "as the most-talked-about recast in Y&R history" and praised his performance as he debuted on the show. Denette Wilford of TV Guide Canada also complimented the actor's portrayal of Adam, saying: "Viewers aren't supposed to empathize with him, but his portrayer managed to make it happen—a testament to Muhney." Michael Jensen of AfterElton.com reported that viewers enjoyed the character as portrayed by Muhney. The actor said he received both positive and negative reviews from online fans. The actor's onscreen romance with Chelsea has received praise; Zap2it placed them at number three on their "Top 10 Soap Opera Couples of 2012". In May 2013, Muhney earned his first nomination for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Read more about this topic: Adam Wilson (The Young And The Restless)
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