GL: Bloggers invited to see how things work in Peapack, NJ

[allatwitter]

A few bloggers, including Michael Fairman and Sara Bibel were invited to visit the set of GL in Peapack.

Sara:

http://thebiz.fancast.com/2008/12/one_day_...nd_the_wor.html

http://thebiz.fancast.com/2008/12/putting_..._springfie.html

Michael:

http://www.michaelfairmansoaps.com/message...=398&page=1

[Rakesh]

I would love to visit the set of GL. I can even see myself directing an episode. lol

[Vee]

Oh for God's sake.

[SFK]

[Soapsuds]

Seriously, Ellen Wheeler is delusional if she buys all the crap she is saying about the new production values.

[DaytimeFan]

Does Ellen Wheeler seem just a tiny bit...um...'sensitive'?

I did like what Jill Lorie Hurst had to say. I've never heard of the woman before but she seems to 'get' the problems with the writing.

[Dan]

You know Ellen... Having au natural production values does NOT make a show more real. The writing does. The characters do. And I sure as hell have never met an Australian jewel thief nor his hitman brother. I've never heard of a international corporation setting up shop in East Bumfuck. I've never heard of a woman getting pregnant after menopause AND breast cancer. Nor have I heard of someone who is as indestructible as Reva. I've never heard of a young woman getting married to her godfather and former uncle. I've never heard of a woman about to date a man who was a child (LITERALLY) the last time they met.

The characters (and actors) who would have sold this new format are long gone or severely underused. Peter Simon, Jerry verDorn, and Michael O'Leary are BRILLIANT in playing the Everyman. Maureen Garrett, Beth Ehlers, Yvonna Wright, Maeve Kinkead play similar characters. Jordan Clark's Billy is just the kind of person with whom you would get drunk with. Maeve is truly the heart and soul of this show now and should be used more as a matriarchal and ethical force.

Ellen, you are trying so desperately to have your cake and eat it to. You want to create a new show, yet retain the franchise of a 70-year old monolith. You want to completely change the format of the show, yet retain some of the unrealistic flourishes that have marred soaps since the 70s. Make up your mind! The decision (right or wrong) would benefit from a consistent vision.

[Adam]

It would not be hard to direct an episode of GL. That would be a way to reduce costs.... just get people off the street to hold the camcorder while you shoot scenes.....

[Dan]

I'm sure they do. They already have hired non-union crewmembers...

[Adam]

Guiding Light, a television institution reduced to this. Its a really sad commentary on the genre as a whole if you think about it. I hope this scares off any other show was potentially entertained the thought of implementing the "Wheeler Model".....

[Soapsuds]

It's not like you could hold the camcorder and make it shake. I think we could all direct an episode of GL.

Soapsuds: Ok....Kim walk towards the house as the camera shakes and you talk to Josh...LOL

[Dan]

Now shoot all these actors in between the branches of a [!@#$%^&*] tree, behind a rock, under a porch, until you can't tell the difference between a soap and a peeping tom's wet dream.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I'm sure Kim's walking alone makes the cameras and house shaky.

[ClassicsSoapFan]

Sometimes when I watch GL I have to check to make sure I haven't got it on the community cable access channel instead.

[Soapsuds]

That's all they do! Talk on the street. Talk under a tree. Talk on the front porch without any substance at all!

Oh dear gawd...too funny Alvin!

I do that too. I sometimes watch and wonder is this GL????? WTF?? Looks like a damn different show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!! Rant over!