He's relating this post to the cancellation of PSNS which was announced two days ago.

Don't open Max's threads then.

The PSSNS vs. AW is pathetic, you just can't compare the two shows. However, let's be real here people. There is no way in hell PSSNS had more impact on daytime than AW did in it's 35 years. AW is a landmark show for NBCD and was the first soap to challenge the then dominant CBS lineup, PSSNS can be seen as a landmark show too, but definitely not in the same way. When it all comes down, NBCD will forever be remembered for AW and Days - not PSSNS. Max does have a right to voice his opinion, given what's happened in the past week. Everyone else has a right to voice their opinion as well, but, if you're somehow aggravated by the topic, you do have the option of ignoring it.

Before I begin the subject at hand, I just want to say that I am not going to deny the obvious: I couldn't be more thrilled about Passions' long overdue cancellation. However, this does not mean that I have no sympathy for what Passions fans are going through, given the fact that I experienced the same feelings eight years ago: Indeed, I do have sympathy for many Passions fans, with the sole exception of those who never gave a rat's ass about AW's cancellation; those people who fall in the latter category are simply not deserving of my sympathy.

Now that my initial thought's about Passions have been stated, I'd like to address something that has been going on amongst Passions fans for much of this week: their attempt to rewrite history. Indeed, in an attempt to justify what a "mistake" Passions' cancellation was, some fans have made statement after statement that simply are not true. Now, I don't believe that these folks are deliberately making false statements in an attempt to rewrite history, cause if that were the case, these people would be lying. Rather, I believe that--because of a combination of ignorance, sadness, and anger--the Passions fans are making such false statements without realizing how wrong they are.

There are so many falsehoods (which is what I will call these statements; since I don't believe that these are outright lies) being made by Passions fans in an attempt to rewrite history. The purpose of this post is to list each of these falsehoods, along with the actual reality of the situation.

Falsehood: NBC is to blame for the cancellation. They did not do everything they could.

Reality: NBC did virtually everything it could to make Passions succeed, from their massive promotional campaigns to forcing its affliates to air the show in the post-DOOL time slot to keeping the show on for eight long years despite terrible ratings. (It should be noted that no other soap in the entire history of NBC was ever given so many opportunites to help it succeed in the ratings. Indeed, virtually all other NBC soaps were treated in the opposite extreme: little promotion, not getting aired on many affiliates, and being cancelled at the drop of a hat anytime there was a ratings problem.) And, for those of you who blame NBC for not firing JERk, you need to keep in mind that--despite the fact that NBC owned the show--the network's contract with JERk likely contained a clause that stated that JERk remain in control of the soap unless he retires or dies. (Therefore, if NBC wanted to fire JERk in an attempt to rescue the soap, they could not have done so without a brutal legal battle.)

Falsehood: JERk is solely responsible for the bad ratings that led to the cancellation.

Reality: Actually, this statement is true for the most part. However, the fact that the word "solely" is inserted into the statement makes it false. Certainly, JERk deserves most of the blame for the soap's bad ratings. However, one of Passions' hallmarks--the terrible acting--cannot be blamed on JERk; clearly the terrible actors themselves made people not want to watch the show. (Well, I guess you could get really technical and say that JERk was to blame because he hired these actors. However, the bottom line is the actors themselves deserve the blame for their horrible performances.)

Falsehood: The Today Show's decision to expand to four hours is the reason why Passions got cancelled.

Reality: Can't you see that this statement is just as faulty as stating that Passions was the reason AW was cancelled? The reason why Passions (or AW back in 1999) was cancelled is because of miserable ratings--plain and simple. The Today Show was merely Passions' replacement (just like Passions was merely AW's replacement back in 1999). Hell, for all we know, NBC may have been wanting to get rid of Passions for many years, yet held on to it solely because the network didn't want to give back an hour of time to the affiliates; since daytime is a dying business, it just so happened that the most profitable replacement for Passions was an extra hour of the Today Show. (The important point to remember in this possible scenario is that NBC may have wanted to cancel Passions long before thinking about adding another hour to the Today show. There's no way to prove that the idea for Passions' cancellation didn't come until after NBC first thought about expanding its morning program.)

Falsehood: Passions' enjoyed critical acclaim.

Reality: This statement would only be true if your definition of "critical acclaim" meant occasional praise from TV Guide (whose Michael Logan has a huge bias in favor of both supernatural storylines and JERk) and Entertainment Weekly. When I talk of critical acclaim, I am referring to the gold standard: The Daytime Emmys. And, here, the fact remains that the show won ZERO Emmys in all the major categories that count. (Yes, I concede that Passions won some technical Emmys, but those categories are very minor.) Furthermore, please don't respond to my opinion by stating that "NBC soaps couldn't win Emmys because the network only has two soaps." This argument is completely bogus, as evidenced by the fact that AW's Charles Keating and Anna Holbrook both won Emmys back in 1996, a year in which NBC only aired two soaps.

Falsehood: Passions outperformed AW in the ratings.

Reality: There were a few weeks in December 2000 when Passions scored a 2.9 rating--which was better than what AW had in 1999. However, keep in mind that there were very few weeks in which Passions received ratings in the high 2's. (And also keep in mind that all soaps did so much better than normal in the ratings during those couple of weeks in December 2000.) For the vast majority of time, AW's ratings in 1999 (which usually ranged from a 2.5 to a 2.7, and never fell below a 2.4) were higher than the ratings Passions got during its first 1.5 years on the air (which usually ranged from a 2.0 to a 2.3). Therefore, on average, there can be no denying that AW had better ratings than Passions.

Falsehood: Passions did so much better than SuBe and PC in the ratings.

Reality: This statement is only partly true. In regards to PC, there are two points to be made: First, PC actually consistently outperformed Passions in the ratings during Passions' first year on the air (while PC never once got better weekly ratings than AW). Second, once PC did finally get lower ratings than Passions, such ratings PC got were only slightly (as opposed to sizably) lower than what Passions had at the time. Now, regarding SuBe, it can be stated that Passions did indeed get sizably better ratings back in 1999. However, the ratings that Passions is getting now are almost as bad--if not just as bad--as what SuBe got when it was cancelled. Most importantly, comparing Passions' ratings to those of SuBe or PC is most definately not an apples to apples comparison: Passions was the beneficiary of massive network promotion and a great time slot (that NBC forced all of its affliates to air it at), while SuBe and PC got little network promotion and were often aired at bizarre times of the day (if the affiliates even bothered to air those soaps at all).

Falsehood: Passions' cancellation is the worst thing to ever happen to daytime.

Reality: Such a belief is completely absurd. If you examine history, the most damaging things that have occurred have been the cancellations of extremely long-running soaps (specifically I am referring to AW, SFT, TEON, and LOL); the loss of such daytime institutions has been a far greater blow than the loss of an 8 year old soap (which, by industry standards, is a relatively short run). Additionally, the deaths of many of daytime's most legendary performers have hurt the genre far more than Passions' cancellation. Furthermore, Passions' cancellation is not even the worst thing to happen to daytime in recent times; rather, that distinction goes to Bob Barker's decision to retire as host of TPIR (something that will cause certain soap's ratings to drop far more than Passions' cancellation).

However, it is just not past history that Passions fans are trying to rewrite. Additionally, an effort is now being made to rewrite "history" before certain events even occur. Take a look at these examples:

Falsehood: Passions' cancellation is the reason why DOOL will likely get cancelled by NBC in 2009.

Reality: The reason why NBC will likely cancel DOOL in 2009 is not because NBC will soon become a one-soap network; rather, the reason for DOOL's impending cancellation is due to the fact that the show just isn't making much (if any) money for NBC, given that that ratings in the mid-2's are not enough to offset the massive costs NBC incurs by broadcasting DOOL. Believe me, if DOOL gets Y&R type ratings come 2009 (which would allow NBC to make a sizable profit off the show), it will have no trouble getting renewed on NBC, regardless of NBC now being a one-soap network.

Falsehood: Passions' cancellation is the reason why ABC will cancel one of its soaps in order to make room for a third hour of Good Morning America.

Reality: This statement would only be true if it read "The Today Show's expansion is the reason why ABC will cancel one of its soaps in order to make room for a third hour of Good Morning America." Again, remember how I already proved that the fourth hour of Today is not the reason Passions got cancelled (it was merely its replacement). Any move by ABC to expand its moring program is merely a reaction to what the Today Show is doing. And, just as importantly, any cancellation of AMC or OLTL is merely a response to the fact that both shows just aren't making ABC much money (which would still be the case if Passions remained). To say that Passions' cancellation is the reason why Good Morning America will expand is to deny this logical conclusion: if The Today Show was expanded to four hours--while Passions was still being kept on the air--ABC would still be considering the option of expanding Good Morning America (and cancelling one of its soaps to make room for it) as a reaction to the The Today Show's expansion.

Falsehood: Passions' cancellaton will be the reason why so many soaps will soon be cancelled, thereby leading to the destruction of the entire genre.

Reality: I've already told you why other factors--and not Passions' cancellation--will cause DOOL, AMC, and OLTL to likely be cancelled. If the other two soaps in danger--GL and ATWT--are cancelled, it will also be because they are not making much money for CBS and P&G. (And both of these soaps would still face cancellation in the near future even if Passions was not cancelled.) It is just simply absurd to think that the cancellation of a short-lived soap (that's the joke of the entire industry) is responsible for the demise of the entire genre.

So, to all the Passions spin doctors, please stop trying to rewrite history. There is nothing you can say or do to deny the ultimate fact: that Passions has been a failure, both artistically and commerically.

GREAT post and VERY true!!

While there are a FEW things you said I don't agree with (like how you say PSNS had worse ratings than AW, yes in HH, but demos is a WHOLE different ballgame), for the most part you are totally correct!

What a good news that Passions is cancelled!

This soap was really pathetic with its stupid storylines

and i happy that Passions's longevity was 8 years, less than santa barbara (my soap fetich) with half past 8 years.

I have told several people about PASSIONS cancellation (one that currently watch everyday, some that watched everyday back in the day and occasional viewers that tune in once in a while cause they are bored after DAYS is over), and the reaction I got is that not too many people really cared too much.

Only one person was really upset about it, but even then they said they would just start watching GH again at 2PM.

I think this is the general trend for many people, losing PASSIONS is just a not a huge blow for most people (though I am not saying it isn't for the diehard fans because it is), I am just sharing my experiences in breaking the news to people about PASSIONS.

Personally I will miss seeing Tabitha and Endora, they could cheer me up even on my worst days.

I am excited to see how JER will end the show though...I probably will start tuning in in the last month full-time to watch and see how PASSIONS is ended.

i'm a PASSIONS regular viewer, but i side with max on this one.

you guys jumping all over him need to get a grip. you tell HIM to stop beating a dead horse, but you're beating your own. you tell HIM to get over it, but you have no plans at this time to get over anything.

and these posts about how you're despondent, and hurting so badly, and having a horrible week -- that is just effing ridiculous. stop the melodrama, would you?????

king is right -- if you don't want to read this stuff, DON'T. don't click on these threads. that's all it takes.

i disagree with max on one point: i most certainly blame JER for PSNS' cancellation -- 100%. and i don't blame weak actors, either. it's STORYLINE that moved at a glacier pace, and worse. it's 2 years' worth of story in 8 years. it's repetition beyond reason. it's total hubris and laziness on JER's fault. he ruined his own creation, and i hope he never works in daytime again.

This is Max's first post since PSNS' cancellation. Stop telling him to stop beating a dead horse. He is stating his opinion a lot more respectfully, maturely, and tactfully than most of us do. I have hated the PRO-AW/ANTI-PSNS threads myself over the years, but he's not breaking the rules so let him the the hell alone.

What is happening to this place?

Um, wrong. When you use words like "falsehood" when it's not about something objective (remember, he doesn't count the GOBS of magazines and TV shows that love "Passions" as real critical praise; only "Daytime Emmys" count for him), you're going to invite criticism -- ESPECIALLY when the subject is something as emotionally charged as the cancellation of a well loved soap opera.

The only thing Max writes about are these long-winded, tired ass posts about how it's Passions fault for everything in existence, and I'm sure I'm not alone in the fact that he needs to get over the fact that AW was cancelled eight/nine years ago! I swear if he could he'd blame Passions for the ice storm in Texas or the icebergs cracking or the snow in Malibu. It's old, and he needs to think of some new [!@#$%^&*] to say.

Amen.

The PSSNS vs. AW is pathetic, you just can't compare the two shows. However, let's be real here people. There is no way in hell PSSNS had more impact on daytime than AW did in it's 35 years. AW is a landmark show for NBCD and was the first soap to challenge the then dominant CBS lineup, PSSNS can be seen as a landmark show too, but definitely not in the same way. When it all comes down, NBCD will forever be remembered for AW and Days - not PSSNS. Max does have a right to voice his opinion, given what's happened in the past week. Everyone else has a right to voice their opinion as well, but, if you're somehow aggravated by the topic, you do have the option of ignoring it.

Actually, I disagree. It depends on your generation. If you're a teen who got hooked on soaps with "Passions" and "Days of Our Lives," after AW was canceled, then THOSE two shows will define NBC Daytime for you.

i'm a PASSIONS regular viewer, but i side with max on this one.

you guys jumping all over him need to get a grip. you tell HIM to stop beating a dead horse, but you're beating your own. you tell HIM to get over it, but you have no plans at this time to get over anything.

and these posts about how you're despondent, and hurting so badly, and having a horrible week -- that is just effing ridiculous. stop the melodrama, would you?????

king is right -- if you don't want to read this stuff, DON'T. don't click on these threads. that's all it takes.

i disagree with max on one point: i most certainly blame JER for PSNS' cancellation -- 100%. and i don't blame weak actors, either. it's STORYLINE that moved at a glacier pace, and worse. it's 2 years' worth of story in 8 years. it's repetition beyond reason. it's total hubris and laziness on JER's fault. he ruined his own creation, and i hope he never works in daytime again.

Sorry, ranger, that's virtually impossible.

I know I'm not the only one on here who finds it IMPOSSIBLE not to click on a thread that mentions their soap's name in it.

I might add: not opening these kinds of threads is NOT an option.

We're defending on our show's honor. it's no different than how a man would beat another to a bloody pulp if he called his woman a very vulgar name.

Edited January 20, 200718 yr by JointStrikeFighter

Max, I commend u on an insightful, great post! Probably the best post on SON in Jan. 07! Nope, THE best post of the month! I've been thinking about the very subject matter you raised for several months now. PSN fans are the worst kind! The worst kind in TV! DOOL fans aren't far behind. PSN will go down as THE worst American daytime drama series & deservedly so! Daytime doesn't need a show like PSN or their limited viewership! Even though it's been on the air for about 8 yrs, PSN is a failed series.

Cringe-worthy acting, cliched, ridiculous, atrocious writing, amateurish directing is what PSN has always been about. It doesn't deserve a final ep with closure (with JER as head honcho, closure aint gonna happen ), it deserves to be yanked off the air immediately. I'm so happy that PSN was cancelled! It was about darn time that NBC wised up, and now we get a two-4-1 combo with the cancellation of DOOL on NBC. Jeff Zucker said that DOOL's last renewal was May 2006, that NBC will not give it a reprieve in May 2009. Great news all around this week! I'm thinking DOOL will air it's last ep Dec 08. NBC will not have the patience to wait till about Sept. 09.

Now, more than ever, is the time for CBS & ABC Daytime to further trounce on NBC Daytime, to put them further into shame. It's time to jump onto the Y&R, GH & OLTL bandwagon, y'all. Those 3 shows have the most potential. They'd rather have crap like PSN & DOOL than quality made shows like Santa Barbara & Another World. I guess anything for the almighty dollar, huh? How foolish!

PSN IS FINALLY CANCELLED & WE, TRUE DAYTIME FANS, CAN ALL CELEBRATE, WE CAN ALL BE PROUD THAT THE JAMES E. REILLY'S CRAPFEST WILL BE OFF THE AIR BEFORE THE END OF SUMMER 2007! Ah, the sound of millions of teenage girls weeping

NBC, U FINALLY ARE MAKING GOOD DECISIONS WITH THE CANCELLATION OF THE SH*TTY PSN & DOOL!

Anti, you're just trying to get another thread closed, aren't you?

You know, I would offer a rebuttle to everything you said (which was horse[!@#$%^&*] by the way), but I won't. Because the fact that pretty much EVERY thread you start or offer two cents to gets closed. Your reputation and lack of credibility precede you. HA.

AntiNWO I'm a Y&R/GH/OLTL fan, but please leave them out of this. This entire thread is silly as it is.

JOINT, U CAN'T IGNORE THE FACT THAT PSN IS A FAILED SERIES. A LOT OF PROMOTION WAS GIVEN BY NBC TO THE SHOW, YET IT STAYED IN LAST PLACE IN TOTAL VIEWERSHIP FOR YEARS. IT WAS ABOUT TIME THAT NBC CANCELLED PSN. DOOL IS NEXT ON THEIR HIT LIST. THEY WANT OUT OF THE DAYTIME DRAMA BIZ. EVEN TODAY IS BETTER THAN PSN & DOOL.