What are the odds?

[smadleyb]

Does anyone think there's any hope of ever seeing a new, 5 day a week, daytime serial ever hit the airwaves again, or are we down to 8 and dwindling? Has Fox or CW or any of the other smaller nets ever considered creating the next great daytime drama?

[Khan]

As far as the top three networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) are concerned, I think we are "down to 8 and dwindling," as you put it. However, I don't rule out the possibility of a three- or four-day-a-week serial hitting the airwaves (albeit, on cable) that could revolutionize and rejuvenate the genre down the road.

[MarkH]

I basically agree. I even think the "big three" might have future serials...who knows.

I think it could even be the internet. Just because the cost model isn't right right now, who says it couldn't be. After Napster and Kazaa, who would have thunk Itunes could be a success...but it is. (By offering a superior, consistently priced, convenient, legal solution).

I doubt we'll ever see a 70-year long run again. I really do think the telenovela in SOME format is the way of the future....something that demands less commitment.

[JackPeyton]

yes.

5-10 years after all current soaps get the ax.

they will return.

[Tonksadora]

FOX seriously considered it in the 1990s, around 1994, and then got soured on the experience. In the 2000s there's been one rumor after another that they're 'about to' get into it.

USA was set to show a Michael Moore soap, BOURBON STREET, but I think it would have been half hour a day about 6:630 pm. I was seriously excited. Unfortunately it didn't come about & he ended up dumping a huge portion of the story he'd written into AW even though it didn't fit the canvas.

The odds are bad. But, hope has nothing to do with bad odds.

[Sylph]

USA was set to show a Michael Moore soap, BOURBON STREET, but I think it would have been half hour a day about 6:630 pm. I was seriously excited. Unfortunately it didn't come about & he ended up dumping a huge portion of the story he'd written into AW even though it didn't fit the canvas.

It was Michael Malone's soap called 13 Bourbon Street. EricMontreal22 is a big, big is a die-hard fan of that show. Even though it never aired, but based on Logan's (or whoever's comments).

[Tonksadora]

Thanks for the rest of the title. I never remember the 13! You may well have reminded me in the past! Honestly, I felt cheated by not getting to have that show on the air. I was that excited about it. But I can't figure how I could be a fan of something that was never produced. And, then, of course, I hated Malone's 6 months at AW, even though I understand some of it was because of the totally bizarre relationship between him & Charlotte Savitz, EP at the time.

[Sylph]

Thanks for the rest of the title. I never remember the 13! You may well have reminded me in the past! Honestly, I felt cheated by not getting to have that show on the air. I was that excited about it. But I can't figure how I could be a fan of something that was never produced. And, then, of course, I hated Malone's 6 months at AW, even though I understand some of it was because of the totally bizarre relationship between him & Charlotte Savitz, EP at the time.

As I said, Logan, the columnist, loved it and teased people how he read the (superb) pilot. That's how.

BTW, have you watched Malone's OLTL?

[Tonksadora]

First, and second time. Loved & admired his first time, had a lot of ambivalence about his second time & ultimately didn't think it had worked. You?

[Sylph]

First, and second time. Loved & admired his first time, had a lot of ambivalence about his second time & ultimately didn't think it had worked. You?

I love him. We had two topics discussing him:

1. OLTL Michael Malone question

2. OLTL: Michael Malone

There was also a thread about soaps that never got made, including one by Arena Bell and Jones.

[MarkH]

Hmmm...you drew me out . I had totally forgotten that "Coming of Age" thing. Are there details about this anywhere? (I quickly tried to search that thread, but the board doesn't let you search on short words like 'age'...ugh).

Of course, I am wondering how much of today's Y&R "harkens" to that Coming of Age treatment....

[Sylph]

I heard about this show from Y&RWorldTurner. I'm quite puzzled that such a thing existed, especially since I find Trent Jones/Maria Arena a weird, weird pairing. From what I heard, TJ is not HW material.

Hopefully, Y&RWorldTurner will come and elaborate.

P. S. I don't know if she's using that material since Trent would also have rights on that one and she would have to pay him etc. Copyright and all.

[Tonksadora]

Did you love him on AW?

Has there been discussion of Flannery's off-network soap?