2008: The Directors and Writers Thread

[brimike]

Oh, Sylph... how I've missed you. Hope you had a good weekend!!!

I still don't totally understand this GL change. So is it more like we're getting back to breakdown writers again, and one member of the "head writing team" writes a breakdown, while the other member writes the script? Or are they alternating weeks as head writers (part of me almost hopes that's true, because the sheer hubris of that is mind-boggling) Come on - somebody must have an inside source in Peapack, New Jersey. Anyone?

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

I wonder why Tamiko Brooks came to daytime. Anyone know anything?

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Tamiko Brooks did ABC's Writing Fellowship Program in 2003. So, she might have connections at ABC and needed a job.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Yep and she wrote for ABC's Kiddy show "The Proud Family", and ABC primetime's "8 simple rules". She's black too. Its a good thing to have some minority writers at OLTL.

[Sylph]

Any info on Stephen Demorest?

[Y&RWorldTurner]

He's primarily a breakdown writer, and one of the BEST in the business I might add. However, since most soaps abolished that position, he might not be back writing for a soap ever. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes MIA, like his talented wife, who you all know I wish would return to the business.

Here's the funny thing about Stephen, he's written for both the P&G soaps and all 3 ABC soaps. I also hear he and Guza really didn't like one another for the year Stephen was there in the late 90's.

[Chris B]

I guess it's good that OLTL has a black writer on staff, but what is going on with the cast? Carlivati has his flaws and the most major one is how white the canvas is. I can understand maybe they're having problems with Renee Goldsberry (due to how ABC treated her), but Evangeline wasn't the first and only black character on OLTL! I remember when Victoria Rowell was in talks she'd be perfect tied to Ellen Holly's character and they could create a whole new (and old) black power family. Then you have Rachel who is connected to Nora and is still young. Gary Tomlin showed Layla some love during the strike and she shined. Where are her scenes with Dorian or Brody now? Why is RJ still an extra? Not one of the characters he's brought on could've been played by a black actor?

That is my #1 question for Ron if he ever did say a radio interview or something. Where is the bloody diversity? Where are the socially relevant stories? Once I see this stuff I will consider thinking of him as a *potential* soap great in the same vein as Bill Bell, Marland, etc. Unfortunately, most people don't call him on any faults, so he won't fix the diversity problem unless HE decides he wants to.

[brimike]

I guess it's good that OLTL has a black writer on staff, but what is going on with the cast? Carlivati has his flaws and the most major one is how white the canvas is. I can understand maybe they're having problems with Renee Goldsberry (due to how ABC treated her), but Evangeline wasn't the first and only black character on OLTL! I remember when Victoria Rowell was in talks she'd be perfect tied to Ellen Holly's character and they could create a whole new (and old) black power family. Then you have Rachel who is connected to Nora and is still young. Gary Tomlin showed Layla some love during the strike and she shined. Where are her scenes with Dorian or Brody now? Why is RJ still an extra? Not one of the characters he's brought on could've been played by a black actor?

That is my #1 question for Ron if he ever did say a radio interview or something. Where is the bloody diversity? Where are the socially relevant stories? Once I see this stuff I will consider thinking of him as a *potential* soap great in the same vein as Bill Bell, Marland, etc. Unfortunately, most people don't call him on any faults, so he won't fix the diversity problem unless HE decides he wants to.

I agree, Chris. It's definitely a HUGE flaw in Ron's writing. However, I'd give him a little longer to see what he does there. You can't just throw a new black family into town - every fan in the world would start crying "Rappaport!" Newbies thrown into front-burner story never goes well, as we all know. Ron was only head writer for a few months before the strike hit, and his air shows have only been back for about five weeks now, post-strike. Hopefully, he'll surprise us.

But if the diversity issue isn't addressed (or at least in the works) by December, I'd definitely back you up on that complaint, whole-heartedly.

ETA: Aida Croal is also African-American. So there are two on staff.

[Sylph]

Oh, if Frank Miller wrote for soaps... The newbie stories wouldn't be a problem. As we said previously, it's not about lots of newbies, it's about the stories you tell about them.

[brimike]

I agree completely. Sadly, most fans do not. They cry "Newbie!" almost as quickly as they cry "Hack!" Do I trust some viewers to give everyone a fair and balanced shot before passing judgment? Yup. Do I trust most not to? Yup.

[Sylph]

Ever thought about noir elements in soaps, brimike? Or comic book writers doing a daytime soap?

[brimike]

I would LOVE to see an updated version of Edge of Night, incorporating a noir approach to soap mysteries. That would be SO much fun. Imagine the directing and lighting possibilities!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I don't know how much time has to do with why OLTL doesn't have a much more diverse canvas. When Nancy Curlee inherited GL in the early 90's, the Grant's went from being a stalk family to having a huge up-front presence on the show. Similarly, when Claire Labine inherited GH in 93, a few months later, the Ward family was introduced and had a presence that was felt on the show.

Though, diversity on soaps in general is severely lacking in today's world.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

I agree.

[Khan]

Which is what I've been praying for each and every night since the end of the "Who Killed Georgie Phillips?" mystery on OLTL, the last time I was genuinely excited about a story on any soap.

Co-sign!