Y&R has some of the worst scriptwriting imaginable, but I LOVE it on that show, it just works with the tone of the show...Always has...

I wouldn't say Y&R's scripts are bad. Just stylized. It has a sort of '40s movie style. And it can be really, really sharp and intelligent. I'd say watch the Jan. 2 episode - some really clever dialogue there.

I think the years of Zendall montages have fogged your depth perception, my dear. Tea and her defense have been presented as pretty despicable.

And can someone please tell why everything has become Y&R vs. OLTL??? Why not Y&R vs. AMC ?

Because OLTL and Y&R were 2008's two best soaps. And I think they'll continue to be the best in 2009. Who knows, maybe AMC will make it a three horse race.

I wouldn't say Y&R's scripts are bad. Just stylized. It has a sort of '40s movie style. And it can be really, really sharp and intelligent. I'd say watch the Jan. 2 episode - some really clever dialogue there.

Oh I agree, it is highly stylized, always has reminded me of a Douglas Sirk film. That's why I love it-

But on the same token, a casual viewer may think of it as being very melodramatic.

But once again, Y&R escapes all criticism because its Y&R. The hypocrisy bores me.

Y&R has some of the worst scriptwriting imaginable, but I LOVE it on that show, it just works with the tone of the show...Always has... Bold and the Beautiful has the worst scriptwriting imaginable- cliche after cliche after soap cliche....

Y&R, and B&B or the matter, have always had an over the top stylized form of dialogue, it's just embedded into the identity of those shows. As you've said, it works for them. That doesn't mean it doesn't drive me nuts sometimes, and Y&R/B&B dialogue SO DOESN'T bode well when they're doing social-issue storytelling. LOL!

Oh man. I could not disagree more with nearly everything you said about OLTL's scriptwriting....

What I LIKE about OLTL is that the scriptwriting doesn't sound like a soap. Its more contemporary. Especially playwrite, Aida Croals..

There's nothing playwriter-esque about OLTL's dialogue to me. To me, it's dialogue is akin to a cheap sitcom on the CW network.

GH has the most contemporary dialogue on daytime, if you ask me. Judge the dialogue alone between OLTL and GH, and you'll find an outstanding difference. GH's dialogue isn't as hockey and doesn't feel as unnatural at least IMO.

Y&R, and B&B or the matter, have always had an over the top stylized form of dialogue, it's just embedded into the identity of those shows. As you've said, it works for them. That doesn't mean it doesn't drive me nuts sometimes, and Y&R/B&B dialogue SO DOESN'T bode well when they're doing social-issue storytelling. LOL!

There's nothing playwriter-esque about OLTL's dialogue to me. To me, it's dialogue is akin to a cheap sitcom on the CW network.

GH has the most contemporary dialogue on daytime, if you ask me. Judge the dialogue alone between OLTL and GH, and you'll find an outstanding difference. GH's dialogue isn't as hockey and doesn't feel as unnatural at least IMO.

World Turner- I really do agree with you regarding GH. The conversations are extremely natural. Its actually very impressive.

Bold and the Beautiul is generally garbage from scripting to performances- Critically and ratingswise that show gets away with MURDER. And there is always some excuse given by the fans- Well that's just how B&B is, It its style.... It really bugs me.

And Oh my god World Turner- you just struck up a memory in me. I used to HOWL when watching Y&R in the late eighties and early nineties. I was only in my early teens. But honestly, ANY social issue storyline due to Y&R's scripts was like reading a junior high school pamphlet! Some of them were so preachy and soapy! Jessica's speech at the Abbott's dinner table regarding AIDS is a real howler- I am sorry and I mean no disrespect to anyone touched by AIDS. I am strictly talking scripts. (and its on Youtube).

And the V-8 thing on Y&R right now is a SCREAM. To hear Nikki even say V-8 made me giggle.

I think it is the juxtaposition of Y&R's truly beautiful and otherworldly look productionwise that has always mixed very oddly with realistic, hardhitting social issue storytelling. Its a weird combo.

Back to OLTL's dialogue- I will say that there is an OC-ish "I am just so clever-ness" to OLTL's scripts at times...

Edited December 31, 200816 yr by rangethatrover

GH has the most contemporary dialogue on daytime, if you ask me. Judge the dialogue alone between OLTL and GH, and you'll find an outstanding difference. GH's dialogue isn't as hockey and doesn't feel as unnatural at least IMO.

AMC's dialogue has gotten a lot better under Pratt. Nowhere near as cheesy and a lot more straightforward.

Because OLTL and Y&R were 2008's two best soaps. And I think they'll continue to be the best in 2009.

Pretty much!

I love Deedee because I love Pam Grier, and I always love Dee's one or two word responses. (And we generally agree which makes it even better!)

I love Deedee because I love Pam Grier, and I always love Dee's one or two word responses. (And we generally agree which makes it even better!)

DeeeDee is awesome.

All Soaps on television today need Ron Carlivati or a Ron Carlivati type, who sticks to the soaps history and use the vets. OLTL is one of the only soaps on today that actually have the beginning family in spotlight. GL: The Bauers are all gone, ATWT: You barely see the hughes or the stewarts, B&B: focus to much on certain characters, Y&R: Jill and Kay are the only original characters, i wish the could use a brooks sister or two, AMC: Tad is looking for the characters that are not coming back to the canvas with him and they could use more Martins or a Tyler or two. GH: The Quartermaines are all dead either by God's will or by firing, too much focus on Sonny, the original cast members been gone. Days: Never show Doug and Julie much, casted a Mickey and never see him. Nick was jailed, great opportunity to bring on his grandmother, mother and/or father for a few episodes/ recurring. So in other words i like Ron and he is doing a wonderful job, he brought me Tina, Cain, David Vickers, Alex, Max (I wish i could see him more), and Nathan Fillon's Joey (Dorian's Joey), and a few others. I wish he hadn't ruin Hunt Block and brought him on as Wolek or Lord. He is doing good he has soaps biggest supercouple today Gigi and Rex. and oh how i love Nora and Clint as a couple, make me not care if she kiss Bo again.

Frank Valentini is at OLTL for a reason he has been with the show since 1985 in every position until he was named executive producer in 2002. Also he manages to keep the show looking expensive, is available to afford comebacks and everything. OLTL had no cuts at all during AMC massive cutfest. In fact the show was UNDERBUDGET FOR THE YEAR. They had crunched a yearly budget that still has money left over and it will just carry over to 2009. OLTL does not pay their vets as much as AMC plus Frank uses a smaller team in his production/writing. Frons has made no secret he loves Valentini, the only way I see FV leaving is of his own accord but he grew up on OLTL. He is not the hugest visionary but he keeps costs down and managed to produce an expensive looking show on a small budget.

Frank Valentini is at OLTL for a reason he has been with the show since 1985 in every position until he was named executive producer in 2002. Also he manages to keep the show looking expensive, is available to afford comebacks and everything. OLTL had no cuts at all during AMC massive cutfest. In fact the show was UNDERBUDGET FOR THE YEAR. They had crunched a yearly budget that still has money left over and it will just carry over to 2009. OLTL does not pay their vets as much as AMC plus Frank uses a smaller team in his production/writing. Frons has made no secret he loves Valentini, the only way I see FV leaving is of his own accord but he grew up on OLTL. He is not the hugest visionary but he keeps costs down and managed to produce an expensive looking show on a small budget.

Johnnysbro- Do you think OLTL's vision is basically Frons and Carlivati's?

OLTL is ABC's best looking soap by far- from lighting to sets, and it is obvious that Valentini has alot of musical influences... but I don't sense any show vision from him at all. OLTL seems to give the audience a little bit of everything. Humor, Humane drama, lurid drama, camp, romance...

It must be said that Valentini is a genius when it comes to budgeting because you would never know if from the actors continously returning to the show- Andrea Evans, Tuc Watkins, Tonja Walker, Florencia Lozano, Susna Haskell... Its insane!

DeeeDee is awesome.

I'm gonna have to jump in on the DeeeDee love.

It must be said that Valentini is a genius when it comes to budgeting because you would never know if from the actors continously returning to the show- Andrea Evans, Tuc Watkins, Tonja Walker, Florencia Lozano, Susna Haskell... Its insane!

Andrea Evans?

Not so much.