Jump to content

How much blame does Agnes Nixon have?


Recommended Posts

  • Members

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 18
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Members

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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy