James Mitchell and Eileen Herlie are both pushing 90. They probably don’t have the desire to be on that much and probably wouldn’t be able to handle a story. They’d never get one anyway, but you see my point. I don’t think they’re going to be fired. lol

Julia Barr is a possibility, however.

I really don't want Teri to leave, but why bother if they're NEVER going to do anything with her? SAD She's too good for AMC at the moment.

James Mitchell and Eileen Herlie are both pushing 90. They probably don’t have the desire to be on that much and probably wouldn’t be able to handle a story. They’d never get one anyway, but you see my point. I don’t think they’re going to be fired. lol

Julia Barr is a possibility, however.

I really don't want Teri to leave, but why bother if they're NEVER going to do anything with her? SAD She's too good for AMC at the moment.

James and Eileen both want to work more. Now maybe they aren't being completely realistic in their desires and perhaps cannot handle as much as they think they can, but both have expressed a desire to work more. And that was back when they were working alot more than they are now (ie never).

I'm almost certain James will be dropped, if he has not already. We only found out about Opal because of the updated opening.

I am so sick of ABC Daytime. Damn them for getting me hooked in the 90's

James Mitchell and Eileen Herlie could go on recurring, as they seem to get "Recurring" time as it is. If they go, I hope they get a fitting exit story.

IA the cast needs to be cut quite a bit. But I love Simone. She's a character who could easily be used more and she adds a needed levity to the show. I'd rather many we rarely see now be brought back to front burner, and some whom we see too much of be put bb or cut (though I hate the thought of anyone losing their job- the show is bloated). AMC has a few weak talents, a few passable talents, and quite a few very strong people. Cuts must be difficult to make. (Though I can think of a few younger ones I'd send straight to camp for a few years, at least.) So much of the problem here is that McT doesn't draw stories naturally out of the effects the last story had on the characters. Despite repeated plots, she seems to treat each story as something NEW and detached from the other stories- and thus brings new characters (and contract players) in for each new story. Surely we need newbies, but not more for each new story.

I sure hope Teri Ivens(Simone) stays, and even more so, Julia Barr(Brooke), James Mitchell(Palmer) and Eileen Herlie(Myrtle). If AMC wants to cut excess baggage start with the Laverys and the newbys!

The cast needs to be trimmed, but why not start with the 8 newbies that they brought on the show over the past couple of months?

Supportive WORD shouts for some o' dat, Casey!

Poor Terri Ivens! She would make a good Carmen Mesta re-cast if they go that route at Y&R.

If Burton Armus is focusing on small group of characters, that will be fantastic. Here's hoping we are PURGED of the excess Laverys!

The cast needs to be trimmed, but why not start with the 8 newbies that they brought on the show over the past couple of months?

Well there are 3 Laverys (Spike doesn't count) and two Careys. Add the 8 newbies, and that is 13 characters that can be axed. Did I forget anyone?

Well there are 3 Laverys (Spike doesn't count) and two Careys. Add the 8 newbies, and that is 13 characters that can be axed. Did I forget anyone?

That's an equation even my artistic, mathematically challenged brain can find beauty in!!

Anyway, I'm a little disheartened by the Armus rumor that he wants to work with a smaller group of characters. Considering the fact that it's been the same six characters (Babe, Kendall, Ryan, JR, Zach, Erica) for the entire McWhorish run, I was hoping for a little more variety in storytelling featuring characters on the canvas that we HAVEN'T had the pleasure of seeing, like Simone.

Gordon Rayfield and Anna Theresa Cascio gave AMC that ensemble feel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was like I was watching people who lived in a community... and they interacted with each other!

McTavish writes like Pine Valley is an exclusive, cliquey social club. Erica, Tad and Ryan all decide who gets to stay and who should pack up and leave town. Once word comes down from on high that Erica and her boys don't like you, YOU SHALL BE VILLIFIED FOR ALL ETERNITY!

One of my favorite (HA!) lines this show seems to have people use quite often is, "Nobody wants you here, so why don't you just leave town?!" I don't know about anyone else, but I don't pick up and leave all because three people don't like me.

Well there are 3 Laverys (Spike doesn't count) and two Careys. Add the 8 newbies, and that is 13 characters that can be axed. Did I forget anyone?

Yes Laverys(excluding Spike, whom I don't believe is Ryan's anyways) and Careys I love that

He's still not on contract, unless I missed his face in the updated credits...when they put Josh and everyone else in because NuJosh came on about the same time that NuDerek did. I remember NuDerek kissing NuJosh's behind after the Garrett mess. I have no idea what month it was, but it was definitely during THAT storyline.

September/05....I prefer Derek #1-Parnell, for as good an actor as he appears to be, simply is just not Derek for me

The cast needs to be trimmed, but why not start with the 8 newbies that they brought on the show over the past couple of months?

I prefer they get rid of Del, Colby, Sydney, Sean, Terry, ....keep Jamal and bring Livia back on contract unless Pinkins has offers someplace else and wishes to not remain tied down to one show

I don't suppose now and in this thread would be a tacky time to ask if Jackie or Agnes have any further hopeful news about One Life as well?

The thing is, I dont like this whole "writing for a small group" idea because quite often this leads to the "small group" becoming tired from being on so much and leaving. This is why we're on our 4th Carly on GH and our 4th Kay on Passions. Doing a small group thing works for B&B (and even then it's very on and off) because it's a half hour show. Imagine if it's an hour long show, it wont work.

If anything, AMC should maybe axe 4 or 5 characters and put the rest in umbrella stories to change the layout of the canvas and have different people interacting with each other.