Paul Raven

@janea4old thanks as always for the pics. Gives me a chance to really study the sets which is one of my things. So glad they updated the penthouse set, which rolled through several sets of residents w/o any changes. I never liked the decor so what they have done with Nate there is a definite improvement. However, comparing it to Billy's new place it looks too bland and generic. Plain sofas, lamps and dining chairs and those muted prints. They need to add texture and color and extra decor to make it more visually interesting. The chest of drawers almost identical to the bar fridge. while still keeping a masculine vibe. I'm hopeful for the Abbott revamp, even though we will be losing an iconic set. Now they need to work on CL !

1000% on all of this.

It kinda feels like they thought the first 2 weeks would be action packed and then we can settle down. They should have planned out some sort of cliffhangers for each story for a few months. People coming to soaps (and after 25 years there would be a few) have lived through a different era of television and even if they had caught soaps recently nothing of the current shows would appeal on a cursory glance. BTG promised glam and fast moving stories with confrontations etc and that's what we saw but things settle down too quickly. Viewers might be wondering why people were just talking to each other in the same sets day after day. They need more location shots, conflict and mini cliffhangers. As I stated previously part of that is having boring conflict free couples like Ashley/Derek and Martin/Smitty playing house. Now that the first batch of shows have aired, hopefully they will take stock and make some tweaks.

1974 CBS discovers soaps in `Magazine' opener CBS News is staying close to home with its first episode of Magazine, 60 Minutes' daytime cousin that premieres May 2. Of greatest intramural interest is its 20 minute look behind the scenes of TV's daytime serials. Soap operas are very profitable to the networks, observes correspondent Charles Kuralt. "A half hour show in the evening may cost $100,000 to produce. A soap opera costs an average of only $15,000 per half hour. What a soap brings in, in commercial fees, is secret, but it generally runs around $60,000 for each broadcast. So the biggest profits may be in the daytime and the greatest pressure to make money is on the soaps." Part of the pressure is seen in Mr. Kurait's tour of the set of CBS's Love of Life, into its approximately 6,000th episode, and directed for 22 years by Larry Auerbach. Mr. Auerbach cuts costs by using a rehearsal hall -at $20 per hour - as much as possible before moving to a set -$1,000 per hour fully manned. Top soap opera writers, like Secret Storm's Gillian Houghton, "make more than a decent living, $100,000 a year and up," the program reveals. Miss Houghton tells Mr. Kuralt of the progress made in the soaps' content over the years: "When I began, we weren't allowed to write about an affair; it had to be a one night stand ... and now, we really deal with very controversial subjects ... we kicked around the thought of incest, and we discarded it because we didn't feel it fit into the story, but not because it's incest.. " Secret Storm left the air after nearly 20 years, "partly because it was playing too late in the afternoon to hold its audience," Mr. Kuralt states. Another soap opera writer, Agnes Nixon of ABC -TV's One Life to Live, complains about the "putdown of soap operas." Ms. Nixon hails the writing she has done on the Pap smear test for uterine cancer in women. "When we did this we got letters from women all over the country thanking us," she said. "They went back to their doctors for the first time in five years, ten years..." One Life To Live has dealt with such issues as venereal disease, drug addiction, abortion and frigidity. Secret Storm had been working over "artificial insemination, and Catholic priests getting married," Mr. Kuralt observes. An interview with another writer, Bill Bell, of CBS's The Young and the Restless, details that program's treatment of rape "by a polite and personable young man, and what happens later, after they catch and try to convict the rapist." Mr. Bell explains that "I think it's going to hit a lot of people between the eyes ... in a court of law she was stripped naked, so to speak, bared her soul, bared all the intimate details and yet the man is going to be let go, and this happens all too often." CBS -TV will pre -empt two of its own soaps, The Guiding Light and the Edge of Night for Magazine. Fred Silverman, CBS vice president, programs, predicts the new show will be a success, and will most likely be aired "once every four to six weeks beginning in the fall." The program would float through the schedule, pre-empting various soap operas and game shows. "I hope it will produce a reappraisal of daytime television," Mr. Silverman said. "Anything that breaks the mold is good."

March 73 ABC has signed Agnes Nixon as daytime consultant. Miss Nixon is creator and head writer of One Life to Live and All My Children, two ABC daytime serials. ABC has bought rights to One Life to Live from her production company. She will continue as head writer of All My Children.

Maybe not politically, but it seems he's right leaning. Just a head(s) up...

Diagnosis Murder - Remedy for Murder Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman - Micheala Quinn

None of these exec changes made any difference to NBCs daytime woes. March 1995 NBC's Ohlmeyer takes over daytime By David Tobenkin NBC Television Stations President John Rohrbeck has ceded responsibility for the network's daytime programing to NBC West Coast President Don Ohlmeyer's Entertainment Division and will focus exclusively on station group issues, including the possible acquisition of more stations. "As NBC is now actively pursuing ownership of additional television stations, Rohrbeck's increased responsibilities make it impossible to oversee both the stations and daytime programing," says NBC President /CEO Robert Wright. "The decision to return our daytime programing responsibilities to the Entertainment Division seems like a natural transition since the majority of programing and development originates on the West Coast." When its acquisition of WCAU -TV Philadelphia closes, possibly by August, NBC will control seven stations covering 22% of the country, 3% below the FCC's 25% cap. However, two bills under consideration in Congress would raise the cap to 35% or 50%. Sources have confirmed that the network is interested in acquiring Multimedia's entertainment and station holdings. Placing the daytime lineup with Ohlmeyer puts it under an NBC executive widely credited for the network's prime time recovery. Susan Lee, senior vice president of daytime programing, now will report to him, with input expected from NBC Entertainment President Warren Littlefield and his staff. NBC's daytime lineup, traditionally third -ranked, has had mixed fortunes lately. Its Leeza talk show, cleared in roughly 85% of the country, has shown some growth and has been renewed for 1995 -96, but its The Other Side paranormal show continues to struggle with low ratings, clearance in only 60% of the country and a commitment only through Oct. 13. The network's soap block, comprising Days of Our Lives and Another World, continues to have lower ratings than those of ABC and CBS but has shown demographic improvement under Rohrbeck, whose daytime oversight tenure began in September 1992. The network has said it will announce its 1996 -97 daytime lineup this fall to avoid affiliate defections to syndicated shows.

May 2002 Buys of our lives You're watching Days of Our Lives one afternoon, and you say to yourself, "That Phillip is certainly a hunk, and his computer is kinda sexy, too. I wish I had one just like it." Well, now you can. Starting this summer, fans of NBC's Days and Passions can purchase computers, apparel, jewelry and other products through ShopNBC, the home -shopping network 40% owned by NBC and parent GE. The products will be written into the soaps, then, starting in mid July, sold every other Saturday afternoon on ShopNBC's Soap Style. The show will feature interviews with soap stars, behind- the -scenes footage, bloopers, previews, trivia and contests. Wait! There's more! Viewers will also be able to purchase the items at ShopNBC.com and NBC.com I'd never heard of this. I guess it didn't take off. Does anyone know more? How long was ShopNBC around?

I think the problem is taking the long term bible and then writing that on a day to day basis. Finding the right balance and interesting story beats along the way. We've discussed many of the story decisions that haven't gelled. Not making Martin Vernon and Anita's child. Or having making Tyrell and Samantha Ted's niece and nephew who they raised along with older brother Andre . They would be more suited to that than Martin/Smitty. One thing we're not seeing is a couple meeting and following through their love story, complete with obstacles- misunderstandings, rivals, parental interference etc. The closest to that so far is Kat/Tomas and that's not riveting. And pretty much everyone else is either married eg Vernon/Anita, Ted/Nicole, Martin/Smitty,Naomi/Jacob,Doug/Vanessa. Ashley/Derek is a misfire-not only because of the casting but the relationship itself. There is no conflict. Why not explore a coersive relationship - with Derek slowly assering control? Very topical. Or have Ashley as single as the story begins and have her meet Derek as a patient and we follow their relationship from its beginnings. Martin/Smitty could have been way more interesting if in ep 1 we see them meeting up through an app and a relationship developing.One or the other wants to keep playing around- something more current. Not turning them into Ward and June Cleaver and dull domestic stuff. The Articulettes is so wrong on a number of levels. It reads early 60s girl group eg Marvelettes, Ronettes and Primettes (the Supremes original name. And it just sounds lame -even the Sonettes would have been better.

Greg slept with both Rita and Eve. Mark Hamilton was a love interest for Katie. In the 80s soaps started killing off characters left right and center for drama then jumping through hoops to bring the actor back. Previously they recast, left town with the possibility of a return or were dead dead.

Yes, these episode long conversations slow what story there is to a snail's pace. How anyone involved would think the current state of he show is acceptable is beyond me. Waiting to see how long before Josh brings in the next psycho to follow in the footsteps of Cameron, Jordan,Ian and Martin/Alan...

This is a major no no- having a new character interact with another newbie. New characters have to be anchored with established characters for months before they branch out. But when TPTB do major cast purges, this ends up happening and many viewers are left wondering who are all these people-where is my connection?

Promo for this week indicates Fri ep. I think we are going to see a more modern, sophisticated look ,new wall color, furniture, artwork etc but the same layout. They've done a good job with the Newman ranch and Billy's place so hopefully this will work. It will make a welcome change from GCAC,CL,Society,Jazz Lounge.

I assumed they were placed that way to cover up another identifiable set, to give the illusion this was a separate place.

May 2000 Veteran NBC daytime executive Susan D. Lee is leaving the network, and Sheraton Kalouria is joining it to oversee NBC's daytime soap operas. Kalouria joins from ABC, where he had served as vice president of marketing and promotion for the daytime division since 1998. Kalouria will be responsible for NBC's two daytime dramas (Days of Our Lives and Passions) and will head development and strategic planning for daytime dramas. Lee had been with NBC for 17 years, most recently as senior vice president of daytime programming.

An overview of the major cast changes for GL beginning 1980 with Marland's arrival. 1980 IN Kelly Morgan Jennifer Bea Nola Vanessa Henry Joe Derek Tim -SORASED character from Dobson era Andy- recast charcter from Dobson era. OUT Roger Renee short term Marland charcter And these Dobson charcters Mark Greg Ann Peter Elizabeth Lucille Holly 1981 Doug Marland headwriter IN Quint Carrie Josh Tony Trish Lesley Ann OUT Joe Andy And these Dobson charcters Diane Ben Rita Barbara Adam Steve Lainie 1982 Marland headwriter till September when Pat Falken Smith and the L Viginia Browm finish out the year. IN Mark Maureen Helena Brenda/Ivy Rebecca/Mona under Pat Falken Smith? Phillip SORASED by L Viginia Browne Rick SORASED By L Virginia Browne OUT Jackie Carrie dropped by L Viginia Browne Ivy Sara Tim 1983 L Virgina Browne continues as headwriter followed by Pam Long/Richard Culliton the Pam Long solo IN under L viginia Browne Clay Suzanne Under Long/Culliton HB Mindy Annabelle Warren Lillian Billy Claire Bradley Beth Reva Jim OUT Jennifer Clay Suzanne Morgan Amanda Justin Helena

I know there is a lot of talk about the Daytime Emmys but the nominations/judging has always been so inconsistent and suspect, that I wonder what value they have ever had? It certainly didn't pay off in ratings for a best show winner, or opportunities for actors (you never saw Daytime Emmy winners being sought for primetime or even other shows.) It just seem to be an ego boost for certain producers and some (deserved) recognition for certain actors and writers etc but that's it. Especially when episodes submitted were written just as Emmy material and not always indicative. I would have jury members be required to watch a specified random week of shows to get a better flavor for each, in addition to submitted episodes. That would at give a broader indication of the acting, writing etc than purely Emmy bait.

Moved this post about Daytime Emmys to the general discussion thread

You would think TPTB would recognize that one of SFTs big problems in that era was the constant change in direction and cast changes. As @dc11786 pointed out, there was a reveal about Elan's parentage that was needlessly changed. If there were new writers there should have been a mandate to tweak what was there rather than cast purges. Too many new characters. Of course there were characters available who could have been brought on to strengthen the core. Gary and Danny Walton for example. Laine Adamson returning. An earlier (and better) return for Patti with teen kids. Maybe when the realized Louan wasn't loved, maybe Liza could have been rested for a while. So many possibilities.

Exactly -with Kyle and Billy butting heads over the direction/marketing etc and Jack trying to be peacemaker as his father once did.

Music and direction could elevate the final scene of an episode.

SOD critique of GL from 81, well into Marland's run.

@chrisml Thanks for this and all the other articles you've been posting.

HTSAM followed AW at 3.30 where it failed to hold onto AW's rating. When AW expanded HTSAM was moved to 1.30 up against ATWT. Then a few months later DOOL expanded and took over the 1.30 slot eliminating ATWT from the line-up. So I would say YES. Moving HTSAM to 1.30 was the death knell for an already failing soap.