ETA: do you guys think Hogan is embarrassed by his initial comments? "ATWT is the show everyone asks, 'is that show still on?' why Days is the hot, must-see show?" Consider the ratings, he must be eating crow.

And whether Corday wants to admit it or not, he really can't afford to use his big name stars the way he used to.

Then the HW should use them for the days they are guaranteed in their contracts. Balance is the key.

I have noticed since JER left the first time the show always goes into somewhat of a rut and period of inconsistency from late Jan-around May.

That would be a good excuse had JER not left in April 2006. The writers had 8 months to write good stories so it didn't fall into a "rut"

The budget is bad. Really bad and I don't think this gets through to people sometimes. All I hear is cut the newbies or young characters to have the money for the vets but the vets make so much that isn't going to help.

DAYS budget is 1.3 million dollars per week. And it's the third biggest budget in daytime.

It's the budget. It's not all on Hogan. Yes, he could pace things better and so on but if he can't use the actors he can't use them. It's sad but it is what it is.

That's the thing Phoenix, He can use them. They all have contracts. Corday/NBC/Sony knows better than to stop paying their contract actors. It's illegal and there would be severe penalties.

Then the HW should use them for the days they are guaranteed in their contracts. Balance is the key.

That would be a good excuse had JER not left in April 2006. The writers had 8 months to write good stories so it didn't fall into a "rut"

DAYS budget is 1.3 million dollars per week. And it's the third biggest budget in daytime.

That's the thing Phoenix, He can use them. They all have contracts. Corday/NBC/Sony knows better than to stop paying their contract actors. It's illegal and there would be severe penalties.

Well I can assure you that Corday is not doing this on purpose. He is not that stupid. He has never backburnered these four for this long. Not all at the same time. Everything was fine until January and no one can tell me things go from balance one week to unbalanced the next week because the EP and HW decided to all of a sudden completely change focus and hand the show off to who we are seeing now? No way. Hogan and Corday are to blame for the poor pacing but there is some big reason why this has happened and it is not a creativer decision on their part. Corday has always caved to fan demands so the fact that he is still isn't says alot about what is happening.

If Days could use them, they would be used. If Corday could've worked magic and put the big 4 back on by now, he would've. He has taken action and done something every other time drops like this happened. If people think Days is doing this purposely and that Hogan would really make all those promises and not keep them with his good name and reputation on the line, then I am going to be done wasting my breath because that isn't thinking enough about the situation as a whole. It's just looking at the surface. Days has never done this nor has Corday ever allowed a period like this to happen since the island fiasco in 2001 and even then we still had Jack/Jen/Greta and it was a period that lasted from July 2001-September/October 2001.

I am not going to toss this back and forth anymore because everyone believes what they do and that isn't going to change until the show says something, which they don't really need to since it's pretty clear there are major issues based on what is going on. Even if they do speak, we probably won't get the whole story anyway so whatever.

The Big 4 have contracts and ARE being paid whether they are on screen or not. #2 proves this.

Here are the legalities from AFTRA/SAG

1. Rates of pay and any terms & conditions of employment may not be changed without

the express consent of the AFTRA/SAG office, unless of course, the change is better than what exists

in the current contract covering the work.

2. Benefits are processed through the AFTRA/SAG office in order to insure the

member is paid correctly and on time. Some local payservices pay twice per month, and the U.S. Government

has allowed an additional 60 days before late payment penalties accrue.

3. Both AFTRA and SAG have rules which prohibit members from working for

employers who are not signed to the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.

4. No AFTRA member may render any service to any employer who has not signed an AFTRA-negotiated

contract when such employment is in the jurisdiction of an AFTRA contract. Any member found to be

in violation of this Rule may be subject to disciplinary action under the appropriate provisions of the

National or Local Constitutions.

5. Talent may not work for less than scale plus appropriate Health & Retirement contributions

within AFTRA & SAG's jurisdiction. There is no such thing as a buyout, except for extras, so

members shouldn't get fooled into selling their services up-front.

So all this BS about saving money by not using the Big 4 is pure hogwash. They have binding contracts with NBC/Sony/AFTRA/SAG that make sure they are paid their minimums

The only way around not being paid their minimums, is if the actors bumped to recurring status, and the closing credits say otherwise

Girls 12-17 Viewers

1. GH 74,000 (+14,000/+22,000)

2. PSNS 40,000 (-3,000/-25,000)

3. DAYS 34,000 (-17,000/-42,000)

3. Y&R 34,000 (-6,000/+6,000)

5. OLTL 29,000 (+1,000/-4,000))

6. ATWT 26,000 (+12,000/+7,000)

7. B&B 25,000 (+10,000/+3,000)

7. GL 25,000 (+5,000/-1,000)

9. AMC 7,000 (-23,000/-31,000

AMC - only 7,000 female viewers aged 12-17? Wow. That's pretty bad.

WOW, DAYS is down a whole FULL POINT and .1 from last year. That is terrible.

I agree with what Rick said but I also agree with Kenny. Except that Hogan's current problems INCLUDE bad story telling and lazy writing. He's not as good as people are making him out to be (and I don't think JER would be even better. The only advantage or whatever you may call it, that JER had over Hogan is the utilization of veteran characters MORE than newbies). All the ATWT fans seem to affirm that Hogan is not this awesome writer, they did it before he joined DAYS and Hogan himself is proving it. None of Hogan's stories right now are even mildly compelling and the ratings prove that. Forget all the young-uns, if Steve and Kayla's storyline was as awesome as it SHOULD be I gauruntee you people would not be upset or tuning out with the show, but all it is is the same drivel and very uninteresting stuff. People don't want to see Tony Jr. and a very poor rehash of John's storyline.

LMAO who cares anymore? I give up. Bye SON.

The Big 4 have contracts and ARE being paid whether they are on screen or not. #2 proves this.

Here are the legalities from AFTRA/SAG

So all this BS about saving money by not using the Big 4 is pure hogwash. They have binding contracts with NBC/Sony/AFTRA/SAG that make sure they are paid their minimums

The only way around not being paid their minimums, is if the actors bumped to recurring status, and the closing credits say otherwise

As I understand it, they don't have to be paid their minimum until the end of their contract. So right now Drake isn't being used and he's not getting paid unless he actually works. Their guaranteed shows can be spread out any way the show wants. Therefore, if, for example he's got a two show a week guarantee, they could jam all his guaranteed shows into the second half of the year, working him 4-5 days a week to fulfill his contract. I don't know what Drake's guarantee is but I believe his contract comes up at the end of this year.

This is just a guess but I think newbies like Brandon Beemer, Martha Madison or Rachel Melvin, who are still in their first contracts, probably work far more than their guarantee while very few of the vets, if any, work much more than their guarantee.

Let me try and explain

Drake has been at the show for more than 10 years so he qualifies as a veteran. A 10+ year plus Vet (Ali, Dee, Drake, Kristian, Peter) makes around $1,500-4,000 per episode.

Daytime contracts have a 1-3 day per week guarantee.and are paid for 1-3 shows per week, regardless of whether or not they work. If they work more than their 1-3 per week guarantee, they are reimbursed at the end of the year.

Example: There has been 13 weeks so far in 2007 and Drake worked a total of nine.

Is he has a..

1 day a week guarantee: He's paid for 13 episodes

2 day a week guarantee: 26 epiodes

3 day a week guarantee: 39 episodes

But perhaps when Drake upped his contract last year they changed his guarantee to 1 day a week? I just wish Corday/Hogan would address the lack of acreentime for Marlena, Bo, Hope, and why John will be in a coma until after May.

I don't know what Drake's guarantee is but I believe his contract comes up at the end of this year. .

Drake signed a 4 year contract last year, so he's on until 2010 errrr 2009

Here's an interesting read...

For someone new to the business and what you could call an "unknown," the minimum would be around $700/per episode or even much less, depending on many different factors. This might initially sound like fairly good pay, however, a newcomer on a soap will be lucky if they work one or two days a week. Typically, all soap stars are only guaranteed 1-3 days of work per week, even for some of the veterans on the show. So some weeks may be good, others may not. Of course the longer they are on the show, the more money the actors may make per episode, and the more likely they will be guaranteed more days of steady work.

So once a newcomer has been on a show for awhile, they can generally expect to make anywhere from $700 to $1300 per episode.

For soap stars who have been around the block a little longer, typically 5-10 years, their salaries can now be upwards of $1300 to $2500 per episode, which again may only be anywhere from 1-3 days a week of actual work guaranteed.

Lastly, for the soap star veterans, those who have been in the business for more than 10 years, the range of salaries can now be found around $1500 to $4000+ per episode. Only a small percentage of soap stars are actually in the $4000 or more range, but it's not unheard of for some of daytime's most popular actors or actresses. Plus, with the growing salaries of many primetime actors, there is no doubt that some daytime soap stars are most likely offered substantial incentives to stay put in daytime.

Let me try and explain

Drake has been at the show for more than 10 years so he qualifies as a veteran. A 10+ year plus Vet (Ali, Dee, Drake, Kristian, Peter) makes around $150,000-400,000 per episode.

...

I believe you meant $1,500-4,000 per episode, no?

Let me try and explain

Drake has been at the show for more than 10 years so he qualifies as a veteran. A 10+ year plus Vet (Ali, Dee, Drake, Kristian, Peter) makes around $150,000-400,000 per episode.

Daytime contracts have a 1-3 day per week guarantee.and are paid for 1-3 shows per week, regardless of whether or not they work. If they work more than their 1-3 per week guarantee, they are reimbursed at the end of the year.

Example: There has been 13 weeks so far in 2007 and Drake worked a total of nine.

Is he has a..

1 day a week guarantee: He's paid for 13 episodes

2 day a week guarantee: 26 epiodes

3 day a week guarantee: 39 episodes

But perhaps when Drake upped his contract last year they changed his guarantee to 1 day a week? I just wish Corday/Hogan would address the lack of acreentime for Marlena, Bo, Hope, and why John will be in a coma until after May.

Drake signed a 4 year contract last year, so he's on until 2010 errrr 2009

Here's an interesting read...

This makes sense. The key issue, though, is when the actor has to be paid for the guarantees? My guess is that since contracts can be terminated at the end of a 13 week cycle (sometimes 26 weeks for veterans), this is also when actors must be paid their contractual dues.

I believe Drake's new contract took effect in January. Assuming (for argument's sake) that his guarantee is 2 days a week, that means the show have to pay him for 52 episodes by the end of June. If they don't, these episodes CANNOT be deferred until later in the year (since a new 26 week cycle would begin in July). By then, every guaranteed episode that he's not been used for is money down the drain.

Edited March 31, 200718 yr by Ponz

I believe you meant $1,500-4,000 per episode, no?

My bad

Assuming (for argument's sake) that his guarantee is 2 days a week, that means the show have to pay him for 52 episodes by the end of June. If they don't, these episodes CANNOT be deferred until later in the year (since a new 26 week cycle would begin in July). By then, every guaranteed episode that he's not been used for is money down the drain.

Exactly Ponz

WOW, DAYS is down a whole FULL POINT and .1 from last year. That is terrible.

I agree with what Rick said but I also agree with Kenny. Except that Hogan's current problems INCLUDE bad story telling and lazy writing. He's not as good as people are making him out to be (and I don't think JER would be even better. The only advantage or whatever you may call it, that JER had over Hogan is the utilization of veteran characters MORE than newbies). All the ATWT fans seem to affirm that Hogan is not this awesome writer, they did it before he joined DAYS and Hogan himself is proving it. None of Hogan's stories right now are even mildly compelling and the ratings prove that. Forget all the young-uns, if Steve and Kayla's storyline was as awesome as it SHOULD be I gauruntee you people would not be upset or tuning out with the show, but all it is is the same drivel and very uninteresting stuff. People don't want to see Tony Jr. and a very poor rehash of John's storyline.

Your post was right on time....I also question why Hogan or Ken Corday hasnt come out and explain themselves.And have Soap opera digest or weekly try to get some answers.Dont we as fans deserve it? afriend of mine has been watching the show off and on since january.She says she is bored with the show and how can i disagree.Ken Corday needs to come to the magazines and explain himself!

I don't want JER back, but its becoming clear that Hogan isn't working with Days....Maybe the show should have just stuck with Beth Milstein..At least she was making fans happy, but lucky for her she got to clean up and resolve JER's mess...Days needs big events, stories that make people want to tune in everyday so they don't miss a minute...And Hogan isn't providing that..He's is making the show almost sleep inducing...I have been a huge Days pollyanna for years, and i'm not that interested right now...nick and chelsea are the only real bright spots for me lately...

Please do something huge Hogan..Give us a buzz worthy storyline that gets lots of press...Do another tv guide article where you give us a look ahead at exciting things to come...Put john, marlena, Bo, and Hope on the screen 4 or 5 days a week in May and for the rest of the year...and try to redeem yourself..Because right now you are making yourself into a joke and killing Days....You are so much better than whats been on the screen for the last 4 months..At least i would like to believe that...

Hogan Sheffer needs to go! However the bigger question is:who could replace him that can help fix this floundering show??! I have been a days fan for over twenty years...THIS IS BAD!

Wow...it really is a sad day when people actually WANT James E. Reilly back at DAYS.