There are rumors going around that ABC is not happy with November sweeps for their daytime, including Genie's return at GH being a tease bait and switch operation because they only showed L&L a couple of days a week. Last week Smith and Alden are rumored to be helping consult at AMC and GH, my question is: what about OLTL? Are we supposed to suffer through even more of this hack Higley??? They can't possibly let this woman stay when OL November sweeps were the worst in quality and in ratings and the prized demos. Valentini also has a lot to share in this blame since he does nothing for OL or its cast, especially shoving vets aside which he could put a stop to but doesn't. Now rumors are of cancellation for OL while GH and AMC get help. What about OLTL? When is it our turn? I don't totally believe ABC would cancel OL because doesn't it still make money off of the Soapnet lineup as well? But when are they going to get the help they very much need to fix this show??

OLTL is not being ignored. Alden and Smith are consulting on all three shows. I believe that the SOW article said it was rumoured that Alden would focusing first on AMC. That's just a rumour and even if it is true it still implies OLTL will receieve attention at some point.

Besides, I don't believe Alden and Smith are going to be able to accomplish much anyways so it doesn't really matter.

I don't think OLTL will get any help. It is long past time that they needed to make changes and it is still the status quo. The suggestion that OLTL may get Alden's help after she finishes whatever it is she's doing at AMC offers no hope. OLTL was in critical shape six months ago. They don't have another 6 to wait for their turn. The fact that there are 3 new characters in Thalia, Miles and Tate being introduced only signals that there is no effort to fix what is wrong with the show. At this point I'd say cancellation was more likely than any real effort to save the show.

OLTL used to be one of the most gripping soaps out there. I actually admit that I used to LOVE Blair and Todd back then. When Roger Howarth was in the role I never got tired of these two. This show used to rock. It has moments when I feel like the show is returning to its genius, but then it quickly goes south (which can be said for practically every soap). Soaps need passionate writers, who actually enjoy writing for this genre and are not just there for a paycheque.

The problem with OLTL is keep focusing on those things which do not work.

As anyone with an IQ of 5 can clearly see by now, the status quo on OLTL is not working. So, how do they try to fix it? They make things even worse.

No one cares about John McBain. No one cares about Antonio, Cristian, Evangeline, Vincent, Layla, and all the others.

I'll have to give them credit for ridding us of Claudia and Ted. That was a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, however, they take three steps back by hiring three more newbies to pop on screen over the next few months.

They fire DG and JC, and let HT and TW slips through their fingers.

People want to see more of the characters they have grown to love over the years: Viki, Clint, Dorian, Asa, Renee, Michael, Marcie, Nora, Bo, Starr, Matthew, Lindsey, R.J., Carlotta, Nigel, Roxy and others. They don't want to see more and more new faces.

Enough already. ABC has always treated OLTL like an evil red-headed, stepchild...but lately the treatment has gotten even worse. ABC is kicking OLTL while it's down. It's like taking a crutch away from a one legged war veteran. They simply show OLTL NO respect whatsoever.

I see that they are doing one good thing bringing back Nora.

Now there are rumors of Demorest and Curlee from GL being new HW team in Feb. Does anyone know them from GL and know how they are as writers? If this is true Higley is gone, and we can all rejoice.

Nancy Curlee was incredible.

I kind of agree with what Scotty said about ABC treating OLTL horribly. It has always seemed to be it's least favorite soap for some reason. I have noticed that is barely has any actors or much less characters left from the seventies, eighties, and nineties. I mean, if you go back to an opening from the one in the middle/late eighties and early nineties you will see that only few familiar faces are there. Even though vets are getting cut on all three soaps, it seems like OLTL is the one who cuts vets the most, and it is probably thanks to ABC.

I don't know if anything is going to happen at this point. Everything is just at a standstill for AMC and OLTL. There was this big buzz about it months back...but now you barely here anything.

The problem with OLTL is keep focusing on those things which do not work.

As anyone with an IQ of 5 can clearly see by now, the status quo on OLTL is not working. So, how do they try to fix it? They make things even worse.

No one cares about John McBain. No one cares about Antonio, Cristian, Evangeline, Vincent, Layla, and all the others.

I'll have to give them credit for ridding us of Claudia and Ted. That was a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, however, they take three steps back by hiring three more newbies to pop on screen over the next few months.

They fire DG and JC, and let HT and TW slips through their fingers.

People want to see more of the characters they have grown to love over the years: Viki, Clint, Dorian, Asa, Renee, Michael, Marcie, Nora, Bo, Starr, Matthew, Lindsey, R.J., Carlotta, Nigel, Roxy and others. They don't want to see more and more new faces.

Enough already. ABC has always treated OLTL like an evil red-headed, stepchild...but lately the treatment has gotten even worse. ABC is kicking OLTL while it's down. It's like taking a crutch away from a one legged war veteran. They simply show OLTL NO respect whatsoever.

Well this show can be saved because the loyal fan base will come around if the writing gets better. I disagree with you about some of the new characters but the problem is in matching them up with the people who create sparks. McBain is boring all the way round. Spencer had played out. Rex/Adriana, Christian/Evangline, Antonia/Jessica, Bo/Paige do not work on any level. On the other hand my tv catches flames whenever Natalie looks at Vincent, Todd looks at Evangeline, RJ is in the vicinity of Lindsey and still when Bo and Nora are on screen the fireworks for these couples are undeniable. I fear the PTB are afraid to cross the racial lines with these couples but they work!! I never got Christian with anyone other than Jessica and the slap in the face to history astonishes me with them. I admit, Nash and Jessica/Tess or whoever else may be in her head are the next supercouple but they have to go through the Todd/Blair torture chamber for the next five years. Bring back the Krammer women, Cassie needs to come back with River and some man to balance Dorian's antics. Bring back Addie to the Manning household and bring back Cord/Tina/ and their children. The Lords and Krammers were core families long before the Bucannan Boys rode into town. They bring with them conflict, history, drama and loyal fan followings. Expose David as Asa's son and start Dorian's world wide search for her true love and put Clint back with Vicki. Bring on a real therapist and deal with the generations of mental health issues with the Lords and Krammers especially with Star and her brother who have inherited all sorts of issues genetically from both sides. Wait for Susan Haskell to come off maternity leave and bring back real Marty and lose fake Marty and her non acting son. Also bring back Powell Lord and deal with real healing from the rape. Let's get a real villiam ala Ivan Kippling/Urusla Blackwell who has a real historical reason for revenge. Link RJ to Rachel or Vincent and give the minorities a real link and story. Take more chances for that is what OLTL is all about. Most of all write for the winning actors, hell Erika has 6 damn emmies, she can deliver, put her back in the forefront as Vicki, Nicki, Tory, Jean, Tommy or some damn body. Dorian, real Marty, Bo, Nora are all emmy winners...they can deliver and Jessica, Starr, Vangie, and Blair should have emmys for the consistant good work they put in....FYI John, Natalie, Adrianna, Rex, Claudia, Layla and even though they look good the Vega boys can't act but they are pros compared to Cole....Casting needs to go with talent not looks. Lastly, Nigel, David, and Roxi are the best comic deliverers in town, let them have their one liners.

As unwatchable as OLTL is right now, no one can deny that AMC is in MUCH WORSE SHAPE.(Not to turn this into another AMC vs. OLTL post.)

As unwatchable as OLTL is right now, no one can deny that AMC is in MUCH WORSE SHAPE.(Not to turn this into another AMC vs. OLTL post.)

I'll deny that. I can still sit through an episode of AMC. I cringe when OLTL comes on. They are both bad but AMC still has something to work with in it's families. OLTL has nothing.

Well this show can be saved because the loyal fan base will come around if the writing gets better.

I wouldn't count on that either. Much of that loyal fan base has been hemorraghing since Santi. The show never did recover those lost viewers and it's pushing others out the door as fast as it can.

I have to agree with cal. AMC at least has those families and characters going years back.

I can actually sit through a hour of AMC, but I change the channel as soon as OLTL comes on. That show is awful at best. I don't care about John McBain. He serves no purpose to me. They don't realize that most viewers want to see the vets. I'm still waiting on Viki to get some sort of s/l.

Until I see a drastic change for the better, I won't be watching OLTL.

I think Higley and Valentini are in their own way trying to fix based on some of the criticism. I don't think it is going to be enough.

1. The show is more Spencer-centric than McBain centric, and the story is back more in the Mannings arena than McBains. It looks like this is the typical prelude to a violent exit. The problem here is that she has made him an all-purpose villain, hinging far too much story on him, having either written out or defanged the other villains. What type of vengeance could Todd get that is suitable? The Chinese water torture doesn't begin to do the job. What is meant to take the place when Spencer meets the inevitable end? Many of the new characters reported aren't coming until February.

2. The show is already filming February sweeps, meaning they have to be dependent upon the stories and philosophies present in November sweeps -- filming that far ahead means more of the same for December, Jan and Feb. This means there will be heavy banking on John/Natalie, and the same other couples who are not exactly performing now. By February, Disney will either have or looking to be cutting costs again.

3. The pacing now is breakneck, but it is breakneck with obvious plot points, many most likely going nowhere. Blair's pregnant when Todd already has a son out there he's all but ignored? They do a 'family Christmas' scene with only half a family? The writing is also obvious with the favorites agenda, and taping so far in advance, there's little that can be done about that. Even Dena with a consultant is Dena behind the execution and follow through, her weakest points. Rewriting and Retaping can only go so far, especially while Dena is still behind the manuscript and Valentini producing.

OLTL has lost its audience. Frons put a bullet in this show's head in November. I don't think it can be saved and right now it's not worth inventing five minutes in much less an hour a day.