Members marlenadlc Posted October 27, 2008 Members Share Posted October 27, 2008 "All My Children’s latest tornado was amusing to watch for more than a week as a soap special event. But I’m going to use a word for it I’ve never used in decades of watching or writing about soap opera. I have never seen such a overly contrived piece of soap opera in my life." So says veteran critic Marlena De Lacroix even though she liked watching the pre-sweeps "Act of God" by hypermanipulative new headwriter Chuck Pratt. http://marlenadelacroix.com/?p=159 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nell17 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 I'm still trying to figure out how Bianca's plane managed to land in such weather and how she made it all the way to the Slater beach house without hearing one word about the tornado coming. Surely the pilots who flew the plane would have heard something. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vee Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Did David have to live in the damn tunnels like a crazy person? And why is DI HENRY involved in all this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EricMontreal22 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hrm I agree and don't. Is it really the most contrived piece of soap opera ever?? Hardly from even my years watching... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 was it contrived? without a doubt. However it was NEEDED. This show has been stale and a bore for the betterpart of the past 10 years, IMHO. The past 3-5 years have been awful, and the show was been on life support. This event wasnt about Chuck Pratt. It was about reshaping the show, shaking it up, and trying to salvage it. What he does in the next few months is important, IMHO. Judge him then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EricMontreal22 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Wow I might actually kinda agree with you Jack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sylph Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Wow, this column has really reached new lows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EricMontreal22 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 LOL you mean the thread or original blog? *confused* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sylph Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 The blog, the blog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SOAPSFOREVER Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 This is a perfect example of what's wrong with daytime, and ABC daytime especially. Instead of hiring a writer with a history with AMC (Broderick, Johnson, etc., etc., etc.) who writes character driven stories, Brian Frons hires Chuck Pratt, who comes from the Bob "it's all about stunts" Guza school of storytelling. AMC has such a rich history, but new headwriters come in and don't bother to learn it. Pratt's tenure is all about "let's see how bizarre we can make the stories, that's sure to get the audience talking." But all it succeeds in doing is turning off "the faithful." Pratt will be gone within a year; the raiting will continue to languish, but Brian Frons will continue to sit atop his ABC daytime throne, with the rest of us scratching our heads and wondering how he manages to keep his job when he makes so many diasterous hiring decisions. It boggles the mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EricMontreal22 Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 I actually think Pratt has surprisingly done a lot right. But Frons (and yes, prob Pratt too) love their stunts, it's true. There was a rumour that Broderick was asked if she'd return at one point and turned it down--I know she doesn't want to work under Frons' control (she seemed to hate her experience at OLTL enough when he came in and demoted her) I don't see Pratt doing more "bizarre" stories though than AMC has had lately--which are you refering to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sylph Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 But that's the problem - these shows are destroyed in a pretty substantial amount that, e.g., a writer like Lorraine wouldn't be able to save it. Sure, she would write excellent stories, but can those alone attract new viewers? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members detroitpiston Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 Thank you for saving me the time to type, ITA! Amen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members marceline Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 It was definitely contrived. But I get the impression Pratt felt like he needed to reset the canvas FAST. And the tornado suceeded in doing that. I know its heresy but I'm beginning to find the "history" cry a bit tiresome. One of the things I'm enjoying about Pratt's writing is the fact that he's staying firmly planted in the modern world: the war, Bianca/Reese, Jesse's relationship with a white woman. He's taking risks instead of playing it safe in a haze of nostalgia. There are DEFINITELY things I would change (the timing on Jesse's other family for example) but I'm interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darn Posted October 28, 2008 Members Share Posted October 28, 2008 I'll take a fast and quick reset over new headwriters who say they need 6 months to get their stories in place. You always hear that and I always think it's a load of crap. If a soap thinks a story isn't working they will scrap it in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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