Soaplovers

What was the difference between a executive story consultant and a head-writer? Do you think Pam Long would have been a good fit for the show long-term? I know she only was there for the last six months of the show... did she make any noticeable changes to the show? I read somewhere that she had originally wanted to end the show with Jo and Stu getting married but utimately nixed it because the characters worked so well as friends.

Was Ann Marcus on long enough to make an impression on Love of Life? I hear so much about how Jean halloway basically hurt the show, but do you think Ann marcus was able to turn it around.. or did she hurt the show in a different way?

I thought season 4 basically had a lot of great ideas but the ideas were not properly carried out, imho. Case in point, Sydney/Amanda as room mates... totally rife with comic potential but we only were treated to one or two scenes. Another great idea was having Kimberly moving into the very building that she blew up.. yes very unrealistic but still would have been interesting to see her interact with all her victims (case in point, no interaction between Jo and Kimberly.. and I would have loved to have seen some awkward scenes between the two of them given their history). I noticed that season 4 was the start of isolating characters with little character cross-over. Totally would have been interesting to interact Sydney and Brooke, and what happened to Allison/Jo's friendship? I know they had a falling out after the custody situation but the two had made up.. but season 4 showed Allison/Jane as best friends when before it was Jo/Allison.

The first three seasons of Knots were basically a series of self-contained episodes with some continuing aspects mixed in. An advantage of self-contained episodes are that you get resolution but also can present an excellent character study.. if done correctly. A disadvantage is that since the story is wrapped up in one episode with very little carry-over, sometimes the beats arent played out properly. With that said, were there any self-contained episodes that you wish were carried out in a more soap-opera format (i.e. story carried out over several episodes as opposed to just one episode?) Or do you think that the issues presented in the self-contained format were just fine without any need for future episodes?

While some people hate the "Three Sisters" episode, I think this episode totally summed up Val's inner feelings/guilt quite well! Granted the haunted house aspect was a little out there, at the heart of it was Val's need to be a mother that was never fulfilled. Hence why she always helped out those in need during the early years like Annie, Cricket, and Olivia. What I most liked about that episode was how Laura figured out why the ghosts were targeting Val and none of the other women.. and that Lillimae finally stepped up as a mom and helped her daughter in need... when she had failed miserably back when Lucy was a baby. I cant really recall if Karen, Abby, or Ginger contributed anything to this episode or not... I just recall Laura, Lilimae, and Val being more prominent. I know that Gary and Val's daughter Lucy visited once... but was she more resentful against Gary or Val? or was she resentful to both of them equally?

I do recall season 13 could be actually be split into two seasons... First half of season 13 was a totally odd show (i.e. Linda being killed, Karen's public service story, Claudia trying to kill herself to guilt her daughter to forgive her, the tidal wave story, and Val teaching a waitress how to read). It was like the new writers were trying to combine early season type of stories in the current soap opera model.. which didnt work. The other part of season 13 had some interesting stories started up (Val writing Greg Sumner's biography, Claudia sleeping with her hunky male house guest while he was starting to date her daughter Kate, and it looked like they were bringing up Laura's history with her 'real mom' coming back to claim Meg.. which potentially would have revealed Greg as her father...).

Off topic, but do you think if the show had stuck with the original concept of life on a cul-de-sace, do you think the show would have lasted 14 seasons? Personally, I can divide the show into three distinct eras: The cul-de-sac era, the Lotus Point era, and the Sumner Group era. I think that the ;'Scenes from a Marriage' concept survived all 14 seasons, it just evolved over time. Out of all of Karen's children, I think Diana had the most story potential and it is a shame that she left because I could have seen her with the Alec Baldwin character plus would have been interesting to see her go toe-to-toe with Paige later on. I do think it is a shame that Olivia ended up leaving because I think she and her hubby could have easily moved onto the cul-de-sac and been the start of the next generation of 'Scenes of a Marriage". JMHO It's interesting watching the first few seasons and noticing that Valene isnt quite so 'Poor Val'. She displays a quiet strength and I think it is interesting to note that she doesnt fall apart when Gary cheats on her but being told her babies are dead when she knows they are alive. For her, having her children stolen from her twice is too much for her to bear. I think for her, not fighting for her children is the biggest regret in her life.. not losing Gary. It's a shame that LML turned VAL into a campy victim. I did like in season 13, that Val is normal and thinking about her career (i.e. writing greg sumner's biography even though Gary and Karen disapprove). Regarding the last season, there does seem to be a lack of truly Knots traits like the little moments though there is one memorable moment when Claudia/Nick are sleeping together and a towel-clad Nick answers the front door when Karen knocks. Karen's reaction at seeing him in a towel and his towel slipping down and seeing Karen's reaction was truly a classic Knots trait (the neighbors reactions to the latest going ons).. that it sticks out at me.. probably cause it's the only moment I can recall from that season!

I agree with all that is said! I kind of wish they had traded Luann for Alex. Somehow I could see Alex getting along with the new additions especially Aviva for some reason. Oh well..

So I'm finishing up season 4... and I can totally tell there is a new show-runner in charge. The pacing, stories, and out of chracter behavior is apparent throughout the season. Is season 5 as bad or is it an improvement? 1) Jo- You guys weren't kidding when you talked about Jo changing.. and this is most apparent in season 4. Gone is the independent, no non-sense girl with a biting wit and big heart. What I'm seeing in season 4 is a woman trying to stay with a guy who turned to her when Jane admitted she didnt love him. The Jo of old wouldnt have fallen for his charms and I bet she would have popped him one! P 2) Friendships/character interactions: This season is the start of characters only interacting with characters in their own stories. Sometimes it felt like watching three different shows (i.e. D & D gang, Richard Hart Designs gang, and the Wilshire gang with very rare crossovers). Almost no Jo/Allision interaction... Brooke hardly interacted with anyone outside of Allison/Billy/Amanda (twice with Jane, once with Jo, and twice with Jake)... I would have had Brooke/Sydney interact.. either as partners in crime or trying to one up each other in some respect. Plus, the fact you have Kimberly moving into the very building she blew up would have created a boatload of interesting character interactions (i.e. with Jane, Sydney, Jo, Matt, Amanda, etc). 3) Amanda/Sydney: I totally loved these two interacting... Though in the reboot, they seem more evenly matched in terms of outwitting each other as opposed to this season where Amanda outwits Sydney at every turn. It seems like there were a lot of good ideas, just very poor execution (i mean amanda/Sydney as room mates should have been featured more.. the comedic potential alone.. oh well.. dare to dream). How does season 5 fare in comparison to season 4?

Totally unrelated post.. but I think gosh for netflix so I can relive the show again After watching most of season 1, I had forgotten how down-to-earth the show once was. It kind of reminded me of old school Knots Landing. I do agree with writing off Rhonda as the show evolved into a prime-time soap because while she fit in perfectly during the first half of the season, once it started evolving, she didnt fit. Now if you had Halle Berry and/or the other Vanessa Williams in the part, they would have so fit in. I do agree that Jo's arrival was the initial spark that gave the series some life.. and Heather Locklear was the gasoline that lit that spark. What is done to both of their characters in later seasons is very sad, indeed. WIth that said, I think the one aspect of the first episodes that worked was the vast amount of interaction between the characters.. once the 2nd half of season 1 starts, everyone is seprated into their own story orbits with very little interaction, imho. I'm wondering if the season 5 story where Jane goes crazy and stalks Allison/Billy intended for Jo? I heard somewhere that Daphne Zuniga wanted a stronger Jo.. and the producers basically said that for that to happen, Jo would have to go crazy so she quit.

Regarding Pam Long's year-long stint on the show... was there any established character that anyone felt she actually wrote well? Of all the established characters, I think the character she wrote the best was Gina.. but since Gina was an OTT character, I think that could be why. I remember reading an interview with Pam Long during her stint that she did have plans for Terri Garber's character Suzanne.. but shortly after that interview came out, her character was written out. So I wonder if she was fired, or if the actress just chose to leave? I remember she was tested with Ted... then she fell off a cliff after being terriozed by that weird old lady and then left town as soon as she came out of a coma (I certainly hope that wasnt waht Pam Long meant when she said she had plans for her LOL). That said... i thought the Ballymoor story had potential when it started out... and then just became stupid as it went along. I do think that Pam Long was trying to evolve the show since a lot of the popular actors had departed.. but I think she went about it the wrong way.. and in some cases... went too fast with all her changes. The one character that I did actually like that Pam Long created was the Lisa character.... she was such a great bitch.. especially to Lily... a win imho

I remember it was suppose to a short-term affair and then they were to be paired off with other people... I wondered if Josh/Vanessa were the intended goal...imho, I think it would have been interesting especially if Billy returned after they hooked up.... what coud have been LOL I recall that Lucy and Matt were suppose to be paired... or at least were tested (i remember several scenes where Matt/Lucy bickered and annoyed each other.... and then it was dropped... I even think they tested Lucy with Josh briefly as well.) Michael, Holly having a down syndrome baby was created by Mctavish.. and at the time, the plan was to showcase parents raising a down syndrome children.. ... I think the regime changes put a kibosh on that...and I think Holly becoming the nursery rhyme stalker was a result of her being a horrible mother to Blake and Meg. And they did mention Meg a few times in early 2000's.... and I hear there were suppose to be scenes between Fletcher/Holly in 2009. but they didn't happen for some reason

I like the show but it seems like they kind of rush resolve some of the aspects of the show without any long-term fall out (i.e. the harvard hustler, fake Amanda leaving, and Lydia being spirited off). While I like the revenge aspect, I certainly think that the other plotlines need to be fleshed out so that the concept of the show is carried out long-term...

I cant help but disagree... SB was an awesome show.. even in it's final year, it was leaps and bounds above the dreck that shows present to us nowadays.. The only weakness SB might have had was a lack of a strong, long-term b-story... It was like the show was both traditional soap opera and a telenovela... if that makes sense. While Cruz/Eden, Mason/Julia, C.C/Sophia stories seemed to span several years... other stories like Brick/Amy, Flame, Cain/Andrea, Quinn/Robert, etc. seemed to last a year or so then vanish without leaving any trace of their existence... Not to say that those b-stories were horrible because they were fantastic.. but perhaps these hybrid might have turned off traditional viewers. Just a thought.

This is actually funny.. but I was visiting my mom and the video for 'Edge of Glory' came on.. my mom was on her laptop and like a minute into the show she looks up and stares at the tv.. then turns to me and says 'does she realize how much she sounds like Madonna?'. I explained how Gaga was saying how her music is unique and ground-breaking, etc.. and my mom said 'she is totally mimicking Madonna from music to vocal stylings to the point that I thought it was Madonna singing before I looked up and saw that meat girl on the tv screen'. If I dare broach to a hard-core Gaga fan that she is mimicking Madonna.. I get looks of how dare I compare Gaga to that inferior creature.. and I'm like 'um, I can look at any gimmick that Gaga does except the meat dress and know instantly when Madonna did it first'. Now, I'm not saying I don't like Gaga because she does have some killer music.. but I think she goes too far sometimes with her over-the-top stunts. Plus, I think she does more harm then good for the gay movement.. an honest opinion from a gay dude.

Speaking of Ferananda.. she was the grand marshall at Pride this past Sunday... She looked ever hotter in person then she did on the show/reunion. Seeing her on the reunion made me understand why she was cut. She wasn't a train wreck waiting to happen. Granted that would have been nice to have this season but it appears as if the powers that be disagree... oh well

Adele only has one good song... I think the problem is hype. If any other artist released Born this way.. it would be viewed as a nice tribute to the 80's. However, since it was Gaga, it got over hyped as the cd of the decade. So when you buy it, it will disappoint, no matter how good it is.

Yes... Cat was right on the money when she dressed down Luann on WWHL.. do you think it had any effect on Luann when Cat did that? She did kind of look a little freaked out. I like when others outside of the show calls Luann out on her [!@#$%^&*]. If I were on a show with her.. I'd say 'it's been my experience that classy people never go around proclaiming they are classy.. they just live their life.'

The soapnet reruns are getting close to when Catherine Hicks takes over as Faith. Just wondering if CH had a lack of warmth as Faith, too. I noticed FC played Faith like a shy, awkward girl.. that NB played Faith as more grown-up but still a little unsure... and that KMB was a bitch. So how did CH play the part?

Oddly.. Rachel/Carl being a couple did come out of left field but it happened over several months.. plus everyone was against it especially her kids and Iris. It was done slowly and over a period of year or so. Nowadays, they would have been thrown together without playing the beats of the story and everyone on the show would have accepted it due to being plot dictated as opposed to character driven. Watching episodes from 1988-1992 reminds me about how truly good the show was! Sure there were some weak parts of the show, but for the most part, it was fairly character driven.. even after Swajeski left in late 1992, her associate headwriter took over till late 1994 so that the consistency was still there. I think Phelps coming in did signal the start of the end sadly. What surprises me is how decent Swajeski was as headwriter. Yes, she might have started writing out Lemay's outlines but no way did his outlines last for four years. How she could have done well at AW and fumbled so badly at AMC confuses me to this day.

I could easily have seen Rae being inserted in several of these stories especially in regards to Max... I could have seen her dealing with Jacqueline/Maggie, etc. From what I hear... Dee was played by Robin Mattson during this time and that is wrong on so many levels.. Robin Mattson is too confident/sarcastic to play Dee properly, imho. I do agree writing out Faith was a good idea... there didn't seem to be any place for her on the canvas at that time, but where were the Ryan's family in 1984? What was Pat, Johnny, Maeve doing at this time? 1984 was more of a downfall for the show then 1982 was by a long-shot!

Very possible since back then, writers did draft one to two year bibles for approval ahead of time. I do think that stories that happened circa 1990-1992 were more likely Swajeski stories... I know that Jenna/Dean was her idea based on interviews back then where she stated that.. and I bet Lorna/Felicia being mother/daughter was her idea as well...

When did the Labine's stop writing RH in 82? I notice in mid-summer 1982 that several stories seemed to shift, etc... though I notice that one of Dee's schemes actually succeeded eventually (i.e. regaining air rights to Crystal Palace due to blackmail tape she had made in regards to paternity). I fail to see this period as Kirkland's hope since Pat, Faith, Dee, Rae, Kim, Seneca, and Siobhan had ample story. Though the brief serial killer story came out of nowhere plus Johnny being angry with Maeve taking dance lessons.. what was that all about? Strangely, I think this brief time that the Labine's didn't write the show seems very intriguing where different characters/situation came out... Pat had a new girlfriend, Faith had a new boyfriend.. Dee schemed, etc.. Imho

Ah... the Hughes house set! A much nicer set then that awful Snyder set

I'm curious as to what TPTB define as boring... from what I've seen, she's seems like a real sweet girl.. and quite frankly the show needs someone nice on the show. Plus, she isn't totally blonde and plastic either LOL