How much blame does Agnes Nixon have?

[Vee]

One thing Ellen Holly really got on Agnes for in her book was not defending original EP Doris Quinlan to ABC when the axe fell for Quinlan, and not protecting the core Gray/Hall family. While I can see where Holly is coming from and perhaps agree that Agnes could have done more, I just can't see it in myself to be the person to judge Agnes. I don't know enough; none of us do. For over twenty or even thirty years she knew exactly how to handle ABC daytime politics and keep her shows alive. She did it sometimes with a heavy hand or without a hand at all. For better or worse the shows are still here today.

And Agnes did take a hand in OLTL even after AMC got on the air. She worked hard to get Robin Strasser put on first AMC and then OLTL, fingering her for the recast role of Cathy Craig (which Robin didn't want), then Christina Karras on AMC, then ultimately crowning her as the immortal Dorian Lord. Without Robin as the second or third Dorian, OLTL would not be half of what it is today.

[EricMontreal22]

And AGnes did offer Ellen Holly to bring her character over to Corinth/Loving. I think Ellen saw it as an insult to go to a low rated new show... But I see that as Agnes doing what she could--I doubt she had much sway with Paul Rauch

[marlenadlc]

What you should know about the Real Agnes is, she had the special wisdom and smarts to know how to play successfully with the Big Boys (network execs on all levers). She had learned it and done it going back to the dawn of television in the early 50's (and from watching Irna, I think.) Unlike other headwriters we know and love (Doug, Claire) etc., she knew how to charm them and outsmart them. This was a key to her successs. And she was no kisass or slimy manipulator like today's headwriters and EP's. And the Big Boys in those days were pretty formidable, (like Silverman and Dennis Swanson) not candyasses like they are today (Brian!). There's an art to dealing with these people and you have to both be smart as hell and politic in a 'charming' not diva or combatitive way.

Hence, she got what she wanted, and what do you know--- she was almost always right.

Connie

who was very fortunate indeed to watch all these people in action personally over the years!

[Jonathan]

Well said! Thanks Marlena!