Do you think the new Head Writer will turn OLTL around?

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

There isn't [!@#$%^&*] going on on AMC right now either. You say BandE are coming in with a big story, well so is Ron. There is going to be a big BE story surrounding Asa's death and the aftermath of that with a new character coming on. Right now, Ron as solo head writer hasnt even showed up yet so him having nothing right now is [!@#$%^&*] obvious...and please dont use the he was co-hw excuse, because these storylines were Dena's. This [!@#$%^&*] airing is Dena's stories. Ron hasnt started as Head Writer and wont for another month or so. BandE are [!@#$%^&*] Hacks.

[NYC123]

Well excuse me. I am not saying that AMC is great. I am saying that this year for AMC has been a improvment from last year. What OLTL. It sucks. If AMC sucks then why do fans give it a 6.5 and OLTL fans give it 1.5. Yup OLTL is great! *right* I'm just saying that the new HW for AMC are coming with a huge storyline involving AMC favorite characters. Whats OLTL. There is nothing going on. On AMC theres one major storyline. Its Greenlee's Return. Also AMC has been able to use Vets. AMC's rating might not be good, but they have the potential. OLTL is BORING. The ^&#*@ story with Todd. Hate that! Also Jessica/Nash. B&E on AMC. I have faith. OLTL has just gone nowhere! everyone that I know that is a soap watcher says OLTL sucks!!

[Tishy]

I think that the new HW will be able to turn things around. At least give him a chance. If he utilizes the vets and gets rid of the people that we don't care about, like Tate and Adriana than the show will improve. Please solve the mystery of Spencer's death because frankly, I don't care. Wind it up, move on and focus on people like Viki, David, Clint, Dorian, Jessica, Nash, Antonio, RJ (give him a sl), Nora, Bo, Lindsey, Michael and Marcie. People like that.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Well let me in order break down each thing you said. 6.5 to 1.5 is nothing but some magazine results. If you believe that those are not fixed, then you've got some learning to do. This isnt to say fans think AMC is better than OLTL. Just look at the ratings. oh yes , I forgot. You said again, AMC has a big storyline, Greenlee's return. Negating quality, OLTL has the Arsonist story, Jessica's sickness, The Todd story so yes, there are things going on. What AMc favorite characters are being used? Annie, the annoying as newbie with ugly lips? Oh wait, maybe its Ryan, the most hated character on AMC, or maybe Greenlee, who more fans hate than love? AMC has been able to use the vets? Get out of here with that. David Canary is the only vet used. OLTL has used Cat Hickland more now than ever, Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser were and still are involved in a little story right now. OLTL is using it's vets. OLTL is boring? Thats your opinion. The story with Todd is getting ready to speed up now that the new Head Writer has taken over the story. Asa's Funeral, and David is a Buch, and the BE story as well as others by Ron are set to debut. Everyone you know still is not everyone

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

You know what. You think OLTL sucks. I dont care. I asked you a question and you answered it. You're entitled to your opinion.

[cal3]

Are they getting rid of people? Ok it is early but so far Tate and Paige are the only confirmed departures. Is there any consensus about the "people we don't care about"? Maybe if we start hearing confirmed departures I would be more optimistic but so far it sounds like the pets with some promised Viki on the side. The talk about a focus on the core doesn't go very far for me when many of the "core" members of the Lords, Buchanans and Cramers are no where to be found.

[Scotty]

They aren't exactly "getting rid of people" right now. Tate, Paige, and Kirk are the only confirmed departures. Adriana will likely be gone within a year, as Melissa Gallo has indicated she will likely not renew her contract when it expires in January. Hunter and David are also leaving in the next several weeks.

[brimike]

Well, I certainly don't think it sucks. When I made that comment about reading too quickly, it really wasn't meant to imply something subconscious. :-) Honestly, I just read too quickly, and the 't' and 'i' blurred together to make a 'u'. So please don't think I was trying to start anything. I think it's actually in a good position for RC to make something great. A lot of stories are coming to a head, so I feel like that's a good place for a head writer to take over.

[cal3]

Thanks Scotty.

I think that is my point here. What is changing? So far the only changes are Dena swapped for Ron. Optimistically that will be a good thing but there is far more wrong with the show than simply the writing. A new writer is a good place to start but for me it is just the first baby step. I look at the episode count and think the show needs to be gutted both behind and in front of the scenes.

Maybe there are different concepts on what turning the show around constitutes. I have no interest in Frank's view of Llanview. For me turning around Llanview means making big changes. So until it looks like something is changing I will remain skeptical.

[TC]

Could he? Yes

Will he? Doubtful as long as Brian Frons and Frank Valentini are pulling the strings. I hope I am wrong.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Well, T.C, I am glad you said that because that was something I wanted to address. Are people blaming Frons and too much? Are they making him the fall man because they are upset over the dying Genre? So what, Frons tells the HW who to write for, and not always I may add. Folks, we have known this for YEARS. Barbara Bloom does the same thing. She tells the HW's what is popular and who to write for. Frons is a big lazy [!@#$%^&*]! Do we really think he has the time to sit down and write an episode of AMC, OLTL, and GH? NO! He does not. Head Writers have meetings with their writers, and they discuss ideas for the show. Brian may say, John is good, give him a story and if the story was good, we'd never notice. When the story aren't good, we do notice and that is because of the writers. You could take the most boring character and make him damn good if you are a good writer. This isn't about Frons anymore, this is about the writer, and if Frons tells Ron to write for Todd, and Ron does it good, Frons isn't even an object.

[TC]

To me the Frons influence is most evident in the episode counts. It doesn't matter who does the writing if a certain small number of characters are decreed by him to have that much airtime to the exception of the others. One in particular has been at the top of those lists, or near it, for years now, but it doesn't really matter who it is. No one character should be that dominant.

A good writer could make it marginally better overall but unless that imbalance is addressed, I don't see any drastic improvements on the way.

Frons is the common thread in all ABC shows, and none of them are doing well. He's had his chance.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

You've got that right about Easton. No character should be on that much. I agree with you about Frons favortism because, not even the worse writer would put a character on every day. Thanks for that.

[Adam]

Ron has the potential do well, or the potential to fall flat on his face and the turmoil behind the scenes at OLTL continues as normal. This show really hasn't had decent, consistent writing in like a decade or more. Sure different periods along the way of good storytelling but for the majority not. Dena obviously was not a good fit for this show. The show was damaged the most with her at the helm since the days of Megan McTavish and JFP. There is hope. Ron talks a big game, and hopefully he can deliver. I am in "wait and see" mode. I will be watching OLTL more now that Dena's stuff is starting to be flushed out.... the show I have noticed is marginally better but most of the overall storylines do not interest me what so ever. I reallu hope Ron can take this show back towards its identity, an identity which was lost many years ago as is the same for all the ABC shows.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

The biggest mistake OLTL made was demoting Lorraine Broderick and Christopher Whitesell, the show hasn't recovered since Malone and Griffith's second stint onto now.