I realized today that Hogan Sheffer has been headwriter for the show for 5 weeks and I thought that it was about time to assess his performance at Days. I was going to wait until after November sweeps were over, but assessment of his performance so far has already spilled over in the Ratings and spoiler threads. So I thought that it would be timely to begin the discussion here.

Also, if ATWT viewers, who are familiar with Hogie's writing when he was headwriter for ATWT, could rate Hogie or give insight for how he writes soaps that would be great as well. That's why I added ATWT in the title of this thread.....

I would grade his writing for Days so far as a B/B-. I've liked the male bonding/friendship scenes. I've liked the father/son scenes b/w Shawn and Bo. I've liked some of the character development with Mimi, Belle and Chelsea in particular. I haven't liked the introduction of Willow or her involvement in the Shawn storyline. I've liked seeing Victor inserted in the Shawn/Belle storyline. I love EJ and enjoy his wicked repartee, especially with Kate. I was disappointed in the way that the revelation of Sami's latest "sins" came out--the scenes seemed underplayed for me. I've liked the scenes with John/Abe/Bo investigating Patrick/EJ. I liked the Marlena/John investigating Patrick scenes. I think the Stephanie stuff is ok. I'm neutral on her. The scenes b/w Mimi and Max have been nice. Their scenes lately have made me care for their characters a little more than I normally do. I really enjoy seeing Bo seeking advice from PopShawn about his problems about a week ago and the insertion of Caroline in the scenes with Frankie at the hospital and Mimi at the pub. It's also nice to see Maggie getting out there more. I really have no idea what direction Hogie is taking Bo/Hope/Billie. It's confusing to me. I'm ok with the Steve/Kayla storyline. I don't hate it. I don't love it. Stephen Nichols has done an excellent job acting out the scenes though...

All in all I've enjoyed the show, especially several scenes here and there. I'm just not sure what direction the show is going, especially in the Shawn/Willow and Bo/Hope scenes.

I'm really rooting for Hogan big time!! I love the guy.

But so far, I'd say C+

The show is kinda boring to me.

I give him an A right now. He has me watching every day again for the first time in a long time. Now if I forget to tape, I make myself stay up to watch on Soapnet.

Everyone seems like more of a real person now. They get out, talk to friends and family, have jobs or are looking for jobs, they eat, and days do not last forever. People are involved in each others stories rather than just each couple having their own story. He is doing a great job of setting up character motivations for storylines down the road. I wouldn't say it is the most exciting days has ever been, but at least the show makes sense now. He is turning around what was a sinking ship. He can't do it overnight, and I like how he is taking his time setting the storylines up.

I never saw his stuff on ATWT. And It's really too early to grade his stuff on DAYS.

But I'm enjoying DAYS alot right now even if the storylines are kinda slow.

I'd give the show an A-. He has made me interested in the characters of Max and Stephanie. They aren't my faves or anything but he has really fleshed them out. I'm loving the EJ/Patrick SL. I might be in the minority but I don't want Patrick gone. I love what Hogan is doing with the character of Mimi. She is now actually one of my fave characters. I like that he is using Victor more. Right now Days and YR are the two shows to watch. A definite negative is that I really hate the character of Willow.

BTW I loved when Hogan wrote for ATWT. My prediction is that Days will have a very hot year in 2007.

I give him an A right now. He has me watching every day again for the first time in a long time. Now if I forget to tape, I make myself stay up to watch on Soapnet.

Everyone seems like more of a real person now. They get out, talk to friends and family, have jobs or are looking for jobs, they eat, and days do not last forever. People are involved in each others stories rather than just each couple having their own story. He is doing a great job of setting up character motivations for storylines down the road. I wouldn't say it is the most exciting days has ever been, but at least the show makes sense now. He is turning around what was a sinking ship. He can't do it overnight, and I like how he is taking his time setting the storylines up.

I agree. He's improve the show by 300%

I'm even interested in the Willow character, because I sense a really good plot coming

up with her "back story".

But the show is very slow, there aren't many twists and the spoilers take away

any element of surprise.

They have limited sets and it's the same background every day. Nothing big

really happens, but I'm hanging in there for the long haul.

I think it is way to early to grade. I think 6 months is more sufficient or 3 at the very least.

Based on the first few weeks, I will give him an A-. The show isn't perfect but I am enthralled with almost every scene. I feel like I have to watch every scene now because something subtle or unexpected could happen. The day to day writing is much better, along with the acting. The character interaction is superb and I love seeing character-driven stories. I like that Hogan is taking the mess JER had and the stuff Beth didn't clean up and making use of it to drive story and to advance characters. He is rounding characters into shape and redefining them so the audience can invest in future story. He is telling classic soap right now and has Days on the right path (except the Willow stuff but he does have the right idea there). He is adding to existing families, fastening the pace, getting rid of the incest, and infusing new blood. His stories look like they are to explode after he took the time necessary to build them and the characters. I love how the characters are real again. Hope has seen a drastic change for the better this past week and characters like John and Mimi are actually likeable now.

I know some want more action and results and they will get that. I am sure by the end of the year everyone, or almost everyone, will be pleased. Some of us know what is coming so we are sure of this. I think Hogan is doing a solid job with what he had. I know some will say that there was ghost writer and Beth cleaning up his mess and that he had all summer to research and build stories, etc. However, it always takes a HW a little bit to round things into shape regardless of him being on the job for awhile. His stuff has been on a month and that is very little time. Now is the time to start judging him IMO. Hogan had an action packed first week and then took a step back to work on story and characters. It will pick up very soon, as in this week, and then I am sure it won't let up for a long time. I think the last month and a half of 2006 and all of 2007 will be amazing.

I do wish the EE and other day to day sites weren't around to ruin it all or give people other options then watching but my hope is people will start tuning in for the whole show nonstop once things get going.

I'd give the show an A-. He has made me interested in the characters of Max and Stephanie. They aren't my faves or anything but he has really fleshed them out. I'm loving the EJ/Patrick SL. I might be in the minority but I don't want Patrick gone. I love what Hogan is doing with the character of Mimi. She is now actually one of my fave characters. I like that he is using Victor more. Right now Days and YR are the two shows to watch. A definite negative is that I really hate the character of Willow.

BTW I loved when Hogan wrote for ATWT. My prediction is that Days will have a very hot year in 2007.

Hi mr. sweet. Could you please describe what you liked about Hogie's writing on ATWT? Do you see any similiarities with his writing on ATWT and his writing on Days? Could you compare and contrast it for us please? Do you think that his vision of Kate is similiar to his vision of Barbara Ryan? EJ with Craig? Could you just give us a heads up on what to expect from him? Some people have complained about the pace of the show in other threads? In your opinion is the current pace of the show typical of his writing style? Just curious.... TIA.....

Hi mr. sweet. Could you please describe what you liked about Hogie's writing on ATWT? Do you see any similiarities with his writing on ATWT and his writing on Days? Could you compare and contrast it for us please? Do you think that his vision of Kate is similiar to his vision of Barbara Ryan? EJ with Craig? Could you just give us a heads up on what to expect from him? Some people have complained about the pace of the show in other threads? In your opinion is the current pace of the show typical of his writing style? Just curious.... TIA.....

There are similarities between Kate and Barbara Ryan. But it isn't fair to say that Hogan has anything to do with it since Kate has always been an overbearing mother. One character I definitely see similarities with is Sami. Sami Brady is definitely the new Carly Snyder. The same bad girl about to be a heroine, always struggling with being good. I would say that EJ is a bit like Craig but he reminds me more of the Steinbecks: James and David. David was powerful and messed and manipulated many people's lives. Mimi also seems to be the new Katie Perretti. Maybe it's just me but I can see similarities. I believe Hogan is a definite fit for Days. His writing can be dark. He has a creepy, gothic and intriguing style of writing. Days has always had an underlying creepiness about it. His pace can be slow but even when it is slow, there is still stuff happening. He's not about repeating the same dialogue and having nothing happen. It sometimes may be slow reveals but he keeps building on them for it to have bigger impact. But it can also be fast-paced, depending on the SL. He also writes cops in a smart way so we should no longer see Roman, Abe, Bo, Tek acting stupidly. On ATWT he had a lot of scenes revolved around the police station.

I hope this helped.

I can't comment on ATWT.

For DAYS, I will go with a B/B+. It needs a push.

For an early rating because we really haven't got into his story good yet, I'd give him B-C+. Some of it just is not very well thought out or seems awkward, even juvenile, which is amazing seeing as I expected so much more from him....for instance Shawn believing that his job with EJ is OK, that is ludricous. He is an adult and no dunce (neither are we)....that rates and F on my slate so drags down the really good parts like Steve and Kayla today which was an A+ for me.

What Phoenix said!

There's been a change but it's way to early to grade him. Not fair at all. And yes, EE needs to go!

Hogan on ATWT - B+

Hogan on DAYS - B

I think it's far too early to rate him on Days.

But, Hogan's first two years on ATWT : B+

Hogan's last two years on ATWT : C

It is too early to rate Hogan fairly as a writer for DAYS. I believe that he and his team are doing a wonderful job so far, but there are always things that need work and things that could be better.

Hogan is a good writer. However to compare his writing at ATWT to what he'll do for DAYS isn't really good. When I say that I am referring to comparisons between characters and storylines, not the quality of his writing (because his quality is very good).

I mean he could have been horrible on ATWT (I don't think he wasn't) but be great on DAYS and vice versa. Just because there was an issue with use of the veterans on ATWT doesn't mean that there will be on DAYS. You don't want to pidgeonhole the guy as someone who "doesn't write for the vets" just because he may or may not have done it on ATWT.

One thing that differs between DAYS and ATWT is the writing team. I believe that the DAYS writing team has a good concept on what makes the show work and what the show should be about. I believe and have hope that if Hogan begins to lose focus on DAYS, that his team will steer him back in the right direction.

ATWT: I give Hogan a solid B

DAYS: I'll reserve judgement for later, but I am very happy with what I am seeing.