OLTL writer

[daysfan]

I agree with pretty much what everyone has said. All those returns would rock. And I would love to have Tomlin back. His time at OLTL wasp robably one of my favorite periods for the show.

They really should bring him back immediately and fire Valenti!

[cal3]

Malone is the one who brought Dorian back. Under Tomlin, Viki's family consisted of Jess and sometimes Todd and the only Cramer in town was Blair. For all that Malone did that was wrong, he is the one who brought back Dorian, David, Kelly, Kevin, Joey, River, Sara and Duke and generally gave the Lord/Cramers a place in Llanview again.

I agree that for them to raise ratings they are going to have to focus on characters outside those they do now but I don't think it's as easy as suggested. The character appeal and destruction factor is pretty high. Michael's appeal isn't what Al's was and Marcie's unique character factor has taken a hit. GT could come back as Kelly but she's still saddled with the Buchanan whore issue after the rectory romp as well as her stepson's child and all that is on top of being a baby stealer. All of that would have to be addressed. I don't think the Rappaports were all that popular. Bringing back Will may appeal to some but I don't see it as being the thing that will get lost viewers to run to their TV's. I suspect a Tina return is even questionable as a lure for viewers. Which Tina would you bring back? AE's Tina was my least favorite out of all of them and the character's been gone for years. To lure back lost viewers you have to give them a reason to return and it would help if they had broad appeal. I doubt centering even more story around Jessica given her questionable ability to carry what she has now will do the trick. Then what is the story? Bringing back David to have scenes wth McDud didn't even tempt me to turn in and I like David. Just look at how they handeled Clint and Marty's returns as an indicia of how they think.

I don't see the Lord or the Cramer next generation in good hands. So far those hands are Jess and Todd. Natalie's never been truly made a member of the family and comes off more as Balsom than Buchanan/Lord. Tina has been gone for years as has CJ. Sara and Joey have been gone for years sans brief returns under Malone which were less than successful. Duke's dead. Kevin's gone. Jess was gutted and the kiddie porn story did little in the way of fixing the character. The Cramers are in little better shape with Cassie MIA, Kelly and Blair trashed and I wouldn't call Adrianna a successful addition.

My long way of saying the accumulated damage to the show over the last few years is exceedingly deep. There are no easy or quick fixes.

[Jess]

I disagree with some of what you said Cal and agree with other parts.

I think they need to bring back Kevin, Joe, Max, Tina and other core characters. Yes, I think they should bring back the Rapps. I also think that Jessica is a very popular character and that Bree has done a wonderful job carrying the storyline and in a central role. She and Nash were isolated from Llanview for more than a year and did a great job.

I don't think any one character can save a show or bring in viewers. It failed with ME, failed with Antonio, Jessica is fine but one character can't save the show. Any effort to save the show through one character will fail. It doesn't matter who that character is.

Now this regime has done some serious damage. I think it can be undone -- some of it anyway. Obviously killing off Duke can't be fixed without some very clever steps. They made Spencer so evil that they could do it. I would suspend reality for the brief moment it took to make that happen. I think people would forgive Kelly just to have her back. I know I would. I want Kevin back and I want Dan to be that Kevin. I'd really like to see Dan and Gina T. together because I think Gina T. would bring some edge to the part and make it shine.

I like AE as Tina and think she would be a fine return. I really want RJ back.

My point is that there is no one miracle cure for this show. No one character is going to make the difference. I do think a lot of viewers hope something is done. A big step would be to stop focusing this show on one central character, particularly one as weak as McDud.

[cal3]

Jess, I presume you still watch? While they obviously have to maintain viewers such as you who are watching, that pretty much ensures them the status quo of 2.3 to 2.5 with the occassional 2.6, 2.7 or 2.8 for the week. If they are going to change that they have to appeal to those of us who do not watch. If Jess the body doesn't work for me then why would centering more story around her and that characterization make me return? I say that knowing that Will/Jess was my favorite couple for a while. Kevin and Kelly are my all time favorite couple and I love GT and DG, but even I don't know how you make Kelly appealing at this point and I disagree that I'm going to just forgive and forget -- especially with Zane there as a reminder.

That doesn't mean I don't think they shouldn't try. I'd love to see Jess ditch the himbos and go it alone for a time. Become a character with some strength who is about something more than who she sleeps with. I'd love to see Kevin and Kelly and Duke back, but they just can't bring them back and hand viewers the kool-aid to drink, they are going to have to tell a story that lets the viewer buy into the return. Same for anyone they bring back.

ETA: Because life interrupted me -- making Duke alive only cures part of the problem with Duke. The uber soarsing is a separate issue that has to be fixed as too old Duke never worked in the first place. It's things like that which suggest the true complexity of fixing this mess.

I agree that no one character will fix the show. I agree it is a mistake to ever center a show on one or even two or three characters. I also agree that they need the core characters back, but I don't think it's that simple. You can bring them back but they have to be played by excellent actors and they have to have stories that work and are interesting and have pay off. That may be the greatest challenge. Even long time characters that you enjoy can be damaged by enough bad story. The Nora/Lindsay merry-go-round pretty much did me in on what was once a favorite character. More of that isn't going to entice me back.

Obviously each viewer will have their own opinion as to what works for them and what doesn't, but that's what makes getting back lost viewers such a challenge.

[2shane8]

Random Comments:

Lindsay/Nora ~ This is a change for the positive, for sure. Contracts extended and returned to Cat Hickland and HBS, respectively. Every time they have been on the past couple of weeks has been a pleasure to watch. Lindsay makes Paige tolerable, and she's always fun with Dorian. Nora and Matthew are delightful to watch. The renewed focus on these two is a strong point in OLTL's favor right now, and if they do end up fighting over Bo again, that's fine with me. I never did get a proper resolution to Bo and Nora, so I'll tune in. Plus, Robert S. Woods has been sadled with losers like Lanie and Paige, so he may as well get to work with the women with whom he has chemistry.

John McBain ~ They lessened his airtime, which is good, but he is still made out to be the central character and the pillar of manly honesty/integrity in Llanview, and I think it's a crock. His obsession over who killed Spencer is as boring as his obsession over who killed his father ever was, and he positively sucks the life out of Melissa Archer, who has looked like a new woman in any scene she has had without him these past couple of months. The only hope for John is to pair him with another woman, namely Marty or Blair (I can't believe I typed this; it makes me sick, but Kassie would at least get him to act) and to NOT have said woman worship at his alter as though he is some kind of God.

Tina ~ I would love to see her back, because the character is fun, she makes a good foil for Blair, and she beefs up Viki's family. Who to bring back is a problem, because although Andrea Evans IS Tina to many, she really symbolizes a decade (the 1980s) more than almost any other soap character, and I'm not sure that she would pull in viewers. Then there is the fact that Karen Witter is arguably the most successful female recast in soap history, and to many other fans SHE is Tina. She is more recent in memory, having been a part of Malone's initial golden age, and I think she might be the smarter choice. To go with a new Tina would be as pointless as hiring Christina Chambers to play Marty, so they should just scrap that idea.

Cramers ~ Dorian and Blair CAN carry the show in the Cramers names. Their scenes together are wonderful, and Starr is old enough to be part of the coven now. However, it's always nice when there are more Cramers in the kitchen, and I can't really count Adriana as a Cramer, no matter how hard I try. I wish they would bring back Cassie, have she and Adriana on the screen together for a month or so, just so that it doesn't look like they are trying to make us forget one daughter by bringing back the other. Then write Adriana off, and focus on strong storylines that involve the remaining Cramers. I would say bring back Gina Tognoni, but after Heather Tom's successful (but botched) run, I don't know about that. Dorian, Blair, Cassie, and Starr would make for great viewing.

Shirtless Men ~ OLTL has some of the hottest men in daytime, but they aren't really known for that. People say things like "there are not hot guys on OL," and DAYS and GH get all the buzz for their hot men. Start showing more shirtless scenes of Forbes March, David Fumero, John-Paul Lavoisier, and newly buff Nathaniel Marston. They are all hot sons of !@#$%^&*]es.

Erika Slezak ~ Quit acting like you can focus on every vet in the house except Viki. She is the anchor of this show, and ES is stillt he best actress in daytime. Someone once told me there was a rumored storyline about Viki discovering an old music box of her mother's, which led to a mystery of sorts. God knows this could be horrible in the wrong writer's hands, but something like this would be wonderful for Viki fans. Also: don't just give Viki and Clint one day a week and call it good. If they want to write this triangle with Dorian, they need to WRITE it, and that involves discussions of why Clint and Viki broke up in the first place. The chemistry is there with JVD and ES, but they absolutely need to have them on three days a week.

Evangeline/Todd/Blair/Cristian ~ Not sure how I feel about this, but I will say that if they are going to go full tilt with Todd/Van, then again ... they need to WRITE. Writing emotional stories means that you address the different angles, and you can't just have Evangeline and Todd become a couple without exploring the impact that this has on them: specifically, how Todd feels about moving on from the love of his life to start something new and exciting, and how Van feels about leaving Cris in the lurch.

And then Cristian and Blair need to be given viable love interests, because as popular as they are, this is not the Todd/Van hour.

Bree Williamson ~ I do think she is one of the strongest young actresses in daytime, capable of doing a lot. However, they go overboard in their attempts to make her the Central Heroine, and the ads for this "Jessica's Choice" that are airing this week are ridiculous. I'm glad they are finally taking steps toward having Nash and Jessica become the hot couple we all know they can be, but are the steps going to lead anywhere, or is it going to be drawn out in a pain-staking Higleyesque manner all year, as Jessica pines for Nash but continues to live with Antonio?! Just drop it already. Write a powerful breakup scene for Jess and Antonio, and then move the focus on to the new couple.

[2shane8]

Damn! I hate when it acts like your post didn't go through, so you post again and end up with a double. Sorry. God knows I'm long winded enough that you don't want to sit through it twice

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Cal, just remember that the Head Writer technically can't "bring someone back". Higley cant say to Valentini or Frons, "Hey Brian, I want to bring back Andrea", well she can but it doesnt work like that. Executive Producers are the ones who scout for people to come back, not Head Writers. Malone didnt bring anyone back, he just wrote a nice story for the person who was brought back, by the EP and sometimes President.

[BetweenHeaven&Hell]

I'm just curious if the writers and producers read the fan sites and boards, such as this one, to get a feel for what their viewers actually want ?

I'm guessing they don't - as John seems to get more and more seconds of screentime everyday.

[cal3]

I will stick with what I was told, Malone (MM/JG -- if you want) are the ones responsible for bringing Dorian back.

I just don't see the changes. HBS got a contract but she's not treated any differently story wise than she was before. They burn down her house and she goes MIA from what I read. The excuse that they have to wait to get her into things also doesn't work at this point. They had an entire year not to mention if they can have her in the fire scenes they can have the follow up ones. As I understand it CH's contract status has not changed. She doesn't have one. Is John's airtime really reduced when he leads the episode count? I just don't see those things as signs of a change from the status quo.

More to the point DH and FV are still here and still guiding the show. Even if they did bring back characters from the past they willl still be stuck with the horrible writing and character assisination.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

CH does not want a full contract. All she wants is to be shown like a recurring character should. She thinks that just because a character is recurring, it doesnt mean they shouldnt be shown. She has a new Cosmetics company that she is focusing on.

[Jess]

My thoughts:

Nora/Lindsey: That was a very strong scene between them on Thursday. I think it's a good development. Jay, you probably know more than I, but I can't imagine that Cat doesn't want a contract. I know she had Bruno putting out her name for parts on other shows so I think she does want the security of a contract.

John McBain: His airtime has, in my opinion, picked up tremendously over the last six weeks. I honestly don't think he has missed a day in three weeks. I don't know what happened, but this show has gone back to making way way too much about him and I don't like it. I think that remains a big weakness.

Tina: I would like her to come back and I would like it to be part of making this show about core characters.

Newbies: I don't get it right now, and, back to the original topic of the thread, I think it is a major shortcoming of Frank Valentini and a key reason why he needs to go. Since he became EP, it's been the newbie parade and I blame him. Right now you have NuMarty and Miles acting like they have been on the show forever. In all truthfullness, it is having two people on together way too much and leaves me asking why I should care about them. I don't know them and yet I supposed to take interest in their romance? I liked it far better when he was enteracting with Jess and Viki. Tate and Talia are being brought in right now at a good pace.

Bree Williamson: I'm going to cut and paste Shane here and add to it. I also think she is one of the strongest young actresses in daytime, capable of doing a lot. I think she has the potential to a future central character of the show. I don't like that the show is centered so much on her for three reasons: I don't like the show centered on any characters as much as it is centered on a very few right now. Two: There is not enough story to justify any character, including those I like, being on five days a week. Three: She is a better actress than REG, MA, ME, and the other OLTL airhogs and I don't want her clumped in with her. I like the character and I like the actress. The character has been my favorite through two actress. I hate those ads that are running now because, instead of promoting something that might be good for OLTL, they are promoting what people are tired of what has become redundant. I think a lot of us hate hate hate Higley's obsession with triangles. . I think Bree has done a great job. I too want to move forward with Jess and Nash, but again picking up from Shane: I'm glad they are finally taking steps toward having Nash and Jessica become the hot couple we all know they can be, but are the steps going to lead anywhere, or is it going to be drawn out in a pain-staking Higleyesque manner all year, as Jessica pines for Nash but continues to live with Antonio?! Just drop it already. Write a powerful breakup scene for Jess and Antonio, and then move the focus on to the new couple.

Cramers: I think Gina was a great Kelly and would like her back. I too don't understand why they don't bring back Cassie and dump Adrianna. I think making Adrianna a Cramer was stupid, it was unnecessary and it added nothing to the show. She was fine as Carlotta's godchild or whatever she was.

Rex: I really like he and Bo together, but I really don't like Sainted Rex. Give me my Sexy Rexy the bad boy back.

Erika Slezak: I'm lifting from Shane because I agree totally. Quit acting like you can focus on every vet in the house except Viki. She is the anchor of this show, and ES is stillt he best actress in daytime. Someone once told me there was a rumored storyline about Viki discovering an old music box of her mother's, which led to a mystery of sorts. God knows this could be horrible in the wrong writer's hands, but something like this would be wonderful for Viki fans. Also: don't just give Viki and Clint one day a week and call it good. If they want to write this triangle with Dorian, they need to WRITE it, and that involves discussions of why Clint and Viki broke up in the first place. The chemistry is there with JVD and ES, but they absolutely need to have them on three days a week.

Todd/Van/Cris/Blair: FF. I love KDP. Get her out of that one. If they have to use this show to prop John McBoring. Have him on three days a week with Blair.

[ZaraB]

OLTL has a penchant for telling the wrong story. The audience has never cared that much about who killed Tom McBain. It's the least of Spencer's sins, and not one that has ever made much sense, since we'd never even known Truman Sr or McBain Sr. (much like Santi Sr.) We saw Todd executed in front of our faces (indeed PUSHED in our faces). Yet we see ever cynical perennial bad boy Todd now in love with the wide-eyed innocent lawyer who failed to get him off when he was innocent. Todd is blithely ignoring who did kill Spencer. Even Kevin and Kelly's Spencer story had far more emotional immediacy than the papa McBain saga. Maybe the Tommy Jr. story does, but it really hasn't been sold that Todd could have loved this child or wanted it. Only when it is dramatically convenient.

Yet, these past weeks, who killed Spencer is about Tommy Jr. and John/Natalie. Blair is the one who was drugged, kidnapped, all but raped and found with the corpse. Yet all her story is bedroom politics with Todd and Evangeline.

[Jess]

Excellent post.

[Brandeis]

I'll second that.

[Scotty]

I'll third it.