I don't want to get in between the argument between Toups and Sylph but I have one question...

Sylph, why does it seem like you want Y&R to be led by all newbies rather than people who worked on the show for a longer time under Will J. Bell? And I don't mean only head-writing, but breakdowns/scripts too.

It seems to me that old Y&R writers at least have some advantage (and knowledge) as opposed to total strangers...

I don't want to get in between the argument between Toups and Sylph but I have one question...

Toups and I argue all the time! Nothing new! We disagree constantly (except on Heroes and Coupling).

Sylph, why does it seem like you want Y&R to be led by all newbies rather than people who worked on the show for a longer time under Will J. Bell? And I don't mean only head-writing, but breakdowns/scripts too.

I'm quite puzzled by your impression. Have I not listed Frederick Johnson, Best and Minnis as subwriters in my dream team? Birn also. The only thing I don't want for Y&R is bad old writers to come back. I'd, for example, love it if Sara Bibel could return.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Sylph

Toups and I argue all the time! Nothing new! We disagree constantly (except on Heroes and Coupling).

Yeah, I've noticed it... it's quite funny and enjoyable to follow your 'disagreements'.

I'm quite puzzled by your impression. Have I not listed Frederick Johnson, Best and Minnis as subwriters in my dream team? The only thing I don't want for Y&R is bad old writers to come back. I'd, for example, love it if Sara Bibel could return.

What about SSM or Jim Houghton? And why is it you don't like Natalie M. Slater?

Yeah, I've noticed it... it's quite funny and enjoyable to follow your 'disagreements'.

Well, I'm glad to hear this. I think that our arguments are civilised, we don't offend each other sneakily. At least, I think so.

What about SSM or Jim Houghton? And why is it you don't like Natalie M. Slater?

I'll have to think about SSM and JH. And my "dislike" of NMS is different from dislike of JFE. It's just that I would never put NMS to be Y&R's next HW. And she's not a stellar scriptwriter and given that I would like the best of the best for Y&R, she is not on my list.

I'll have to think about SSM and JH. And my "dislike" of NMS is different from dislike of JFE. It's just that I would never put NMS to be Y&R's next HW. And she's not a stellar scriptwriter and given that I would like the best of the best for Y&R, she is not on my list.

One more question---is your Janice & Trent dislike based on their skills as writers in any position or only HW position?

One more question---is your Janice & Trent dislike based on their skills as writers in any position or only HW position?

In any position. Y&RWorldTurner will be glad to know this. Now he holds the title "Trent Jones' biggest fan".

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Sylph

I for one don't like Sally Sussman Morina. During her last Y&R stint she really mingled some crazy stuff - don't know whether the poisoned necklace was hers (although I *think* it was her idea) - qualifying her right back for DAYS.

I always wondered how closely she was trained under Bill Bell though. In the 80s she served double duties, being on the show's writing team and also being it's first ever story consultant... Seems Bill Bell thought highly of her but for some reason never asked her back later after she quit for Generations/DAYS et al.

I would like an answer to this question: why do all these soap operas have that awwwful script format - the double spacing, stage directions all in capitals, lots of underlining etc.? Can't they just make it like the primetime episodic TV? Possibly, the Aaron Sorkin version.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Sylph

My pick: THE LABINES, mainly because they write character, not plot. Though Claire doesn't have a history with Y&R, she'd surround herself with people who do, and she'd be true to the Bill Bell vision. I'd also bring back the strong cadre of writers from the glory days of Y&R, outliners and scripters.

From what I've observed form Claire at RH and GH, she has an OUTSTANDING reputation for hiring stellar script writers. All one has to observe GH's dialogue before Labine and during her stint to see the upward improvement in the diologue department she brought to that show. Val Jean, Harris, and Korte all trained under Labine first at GH before they became Guza's friends.

However, Claire at OLTL and GL was a disaster. Yes, the dilogue did improve at both shows during her brief stints there, but the overall storytelling was either ridiculously dull or bad. I also place a lot of blame towards the EP's of both shows though. I think Claire probably works best with a strong EP, hence why wrote brilliantly at GH during Wendy Riche's reighn as EP there.

ETA: And let them do it for a year or two. Really learn the ropes. I'm not saying someone should be rushed into that position. It was different with Dena and Ron because Ron was clearly making changes for the better and DH was floundering. If you're going to mentor somebody, REALLY mentor them. I could get behind Claire for a year or two, with Sara as her co-head. (Claire's pretty much retired anyway, so I don't think it would bruise her ego at all to come out of retirement for a year or two to test this out)

I believe Claire said at that daytime writing event last year, that Sylph posted about, she'd love to return to soap writing, but she hasn't been approached by any show.

I believe Claire said at that daytime writing event last year, that Sylph posted about, she'd love to return to soap writing, but she hasn't been approached by any show.

She is supposedly also writing something with Paul Avila Meyer. There was a weird topic about this on SoapNet's forum some time ago... About one member calling her at home, or something like that, and how they talked about a lot of things...

She is supposedly also writing something with Paul Avila Meyer. There was a weird topic about this on SoapNet's forum some time ago... About one member calling her at home, or something like that, and how they talked about a lot of things...

I know Claire said she was working on a play, and I know Paul is also a playwright. I doubt it's anything daytime-related, sadly.

I'd love it if Claire and Paul re-teamed to write a soap though. Maybe they could write it for a year or two and Claire's two children, Matt and Eleanor, could take over afterwards. Yeah, just a wish...

Matt and Eleanor should be writing for soaps, they did train with their mother and they're younger as well...

Matt and Eleanor should be writing for soaps, they did train with their mother and they're younger as well...

How is it that those two just vanished?

BTW, Claire is repped by William Morris.

Edited June 12, 200817 yr by Sylph

I don't see how Claire would thrive on Y&R? She doesn't write in the tradition of Bill Bell. Her writing is much more folksy and down to earth. Classic Y&R in its heyday was pure camp and lush, sweeping romantic melodrama. Those really aren't her fortes. Plus, she'd probably get plenty of pressure from CBS and Sony, just like she got from P&G and Rauch over at GL. On paper, she should've been a perfect fit for GL, which at its heart was a multigenerational and family-centered show, Claire's trademark. But she failed miserably there.

I don't see how Claire would thrive on Y&R? She doesn't write in the tradition of Bill Bell. Her writing is much more folksy and down to earth. Classic Y&R in its heyday was pure camp and lush, sweeping romantic melodrama. Those really aren't her fortes. Plus, she'd probably get plenty of pressure from CBS and Sony, just like she got from P&G and Rauch over at GL. On paper, she should've been a perfect fit for GL, which at its heart was a multigenerational and family-centered show, Claire's trademark. But she failed miserably there.

I agree there, but maybe SOAPSFOREVER thought she could adapt her style? Like GH what is was before Claire got there. GH was extra campy with those supercouples and action/adventure stories. However, Claire managed to keep some of those qualities, but focused more on romances and multi-generational drama.

I don't know what was behind her failure at OLTL though...

Which of your fav soap writers/producers are Democrats? Who's contributing to Obama?

http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/

check out that website. My idol, Nancy Demorest (nee Curlee) donated to Obama, she lists her profession as self-employed writer...come back Nancy. Gary Tomlin for Obama; Kreizman for Obama; Brad Bell donated the max to Obama! Even though the Bells are very Republican. See William Bell's entries from 2004, donating to the RNC and George Bush..ick.