Y&R: Who Should Replace LML, When The Time Comes?

[TC]

So what are we sayng here? Is Bloom just a more honest version of Brian Frons, with more stylish undies?

[bellcurve]

Spin, spin, spin.

Every soap that has experienced a new HW regime that infuses new blood into the show coasts high in the ratings for awhile, then stablizies, and then once the damage has been done, viewers tune out in droves. THis is a KNOWN fact.

And Barbara Bloom is a BREAKDOWN writer?! Are you kidding me?!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Yep, she was credited as Associate Head Writer on June 29. I know you were a fan of Bloom and Harris' co-head writing stint on PC, do you think she's a match at all for Y&R?

[bellcurve]

Honestly, I always thought that Karen Harris was the steak and potatoes of the dinner that year. I think anything good in 2000 on that show was attributed to Karen Harris.

If it is any indication why I think so, when Jim Brown/Barabra Esenten took over the HW chores at PC, Bloom stayed as an Associate Head/Breakdown Writer. Karen Harris got out of dodge(and I think she still continued to script episodes for PC).

Bloom being a part of the writing staff at Y&R troubles me. If she approves of the nonsense going on at Y&R(not only as Head of the Daytime Division of CBS Daytime), then maybe that is why long overdue changes aren't being made on the PGP shows. Lord knows they need new HWs. Hell, she could be the reason why CBS still hasn't named Barker's successor on THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

Thank God Brad has a stronghold on B&B.

ETA: Oh, and to answer your question...no. Bloom is no match for the Y&R people want. But I don't think Harris would be a great fir for Y&R either. I could see Harris doing great things with one of the PGP shows or GH. Harris is a character-driven writer, but she's SO ABC.

[heatherwebber]

Bloom being a part of the writing staff at Y&R troubles me. If she approves of the nonsense going on at Y&R>>""

Approves???? Not that I think it's nonsense but Barbara is behind the changes. She's spearheading it along with a couple of other people.

I do think this is just the beginning. In order for the soaps to survive they're going to have to morph and make some changes, sometimes radical ones. Staying the same is obviously not working. Change may be hard for some people to take but get used to it. I think there's a lot more coming down the pike on the rest of the soaps. Even at ABC which I haven't been able to tell what the hell's been going on because everything has just been so BAD for so LONG.

[bellcurve]

Staying the same has worked for Y&R for many many years! They were #1 before Lethal got her hands on the show. They may be #1 right now, but I think there may be battle for that spot sooner rather than later.

You don't make changes or morph something that isn't broken to begin with. Y&R is NOT LOVING. Yes, Jack Smith ran out of steam, but the ideal situation would have been to hire a writer who respects Y&R for what it is..not for what they can change it into.

Y&R was an institution. There is a reason why the show has stayed ontop for many years, because there have hardly, if ever, been any major shifts in power. Messing with that is not only risky, but downright suicidal.

I get your point about soaps surviving. But you can't change something or fix something that isn't broken to begin with. Y&R was a soap that did not need this kind of overhaul.

We keep going around and around and we obviously aren't going to change each other's minds about this. All I have to say is that in the next two-three years(if even that), you will be eating your words. Y&R will probably do battle with GH by then.

Funny, because that used to be ABC's line...training the audience to like or "get used" to something.

CBS Soap Fans of old never needed training. They knew what they liked. And now, we're seeing those fans have an allergic reaction to what is going on all across the board and ESPECIALLY at Y&R. Because they are supposed to be forced or "trained" to enjoy something. CBS Soap fans don't need training because they have been spoiled with good storytelling for many many years. You can't go from living in a mansion to a shotgun shack and still enjoy your sleep.

If its anything like what's going on at Y&R, I need to just go ahead and call myself an ex-soap fan right now.

[heatherwebber]

I've been watching Y&R for years and I'm not complaining. Except about the Sheila mess.

I can't sit through the ABC shows. They're awful. Y&R is still great. Different but great.

I strongly suspect soaps are going to start getting cancelled. I'm not sure they'll all last the next 2-3 years.

Networks have a habit of getting desperate. If they're not getting the ratings they want, and they have all been going down for years, networks are going to jump in and put on other types of shows they think will get stronger ratings.

The truth is when CBS hired Lynn they hired a woman with a proven track record who has done wonders with several shows in the past. Her work on Knots Landing was great but her show Homefront was a masterpiece. She also did great work with The Division at the beginning.

I don't know what the people at CBS think of her work but I strongly suspect I'm not the only person enjoying the show. If I like what I'm seeing then I'm certain other viewers are too. And possibly network executives as well. I also don't think that the Emmy win hurt any. If anything it probably

made CBS think they made the right decisions.

Now I do have strong criticism on a couple of other shows, mixed criticism about a couple, and nothing but rage & fury about what's been going on at ABC for the past 6 or 7 years- especially GH which is hideous hell. But I find Y&R a breath of fresh air.

I'm not convinced they're going to pay attention to a few people saying "I hate this." ABC certainly didn't about the mess at GH which has been going on and on and on and seems destined to take the show to the grave.

[bellcurve]

PC anyone?!

She may have a proven track record in PRIMETIME, but daytime is a different animal. I don't think she realises this.

But it's not just a few people and...

this ain't ABC.

[heatherwebber]

I enjoyed her PC and I also enjoyed it under Scott Hamner. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't have enjoyed either one.

It was later when they started bad supernatural Buffy ripoffs that didn't make sense that I couldn't watch it anymore. And I'm a huge fan of Dark Shadows. And I watched Buffy all the time.

[bellcurve]

[DeeeDee]

LOL. Pretty much.

[Sylph]

Maybe Barbie is saving her own ass, since she has realised Lynn Antoinette is ruining the show, and since Lynn was partly her choice, she doesn't wanna look bad in front of her higher-ups or Sony, so she's taking the matters in her own hands...

[Cat]

I thought Friday's episode was pretty good (apart from the continued presence of Albino Porn Whore stinking up my screen). If Barbara Bloom is responsible for any of those scenes featuring Nick, or Victor and Jack spitting barbs at each other in the hospital, then I would happily take her contribution to the show.

I'm still wondering WHY she was there, though. Cleaning up the mess LML has made? Responding to viewer discontent? Maybe she's leaving her post at CBS Daytime and going back into writing.

[bellcurve]

It would be great if she did leave and was replaced by the likes of Ed Scott(or someone similar). Someone who actually cares about quality programming. Letting Y&R go to crap is a big reason why I want her head.

Wasn't Scott up for the job of President of ABC Daytime when Frons got the spot?! God help us all if JFP left GH to become President of CBS Daytime.

[jacks]

Shame on LML for firing Adrienne allegedly for her weight. I saw her today and she looks perfectly healthy! I think that sends the message that if you look like her you need to go barf it up.