Members Y&RWorldTurner Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Listen, I don't think MAB is pulling a "hack" job or destroying the show's core or anything drastic like that. I think she does certain things well, and this is probably the best the show has been in quite some time. However, she just isn't an imaginative storyteller, her pacing sucks, she clearly CANNOT write for the Winter's or characters she creates herself, and she clearly spends most of her time focusing on characters she loves, while ignoring others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lmfan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 It was a contrived scene to stir up the Phyllis/Sharon feud and had little to do with Lauren as a character. It was one face, and I honestly think she is a very genuine actress and not just a personality when given something to play, but what does she get to play under this regime? Supportive family scenes and she isn't even getting that now. The woman still takes acting classes regularly to study her craft, but how serious can you play a scene when all you are asked to do is be a seat filler at court cases and weddings with barely a line to say most of the time. Again, when they gave her a few good scenes to play over the past few six months, she hit them but she hasn't had a story since Lauren's PPD story after the birth of Fen over two years ago and she was very convincing and earned an emmy nom for that story. And she's not happy about her lack of story. I met her last summer and mentioned I would like to see her more and she said she was disappointed that she did not get more story and would like to be used more than she has been. A friend of hers jumped into the conversation and Tracey mentioned the change in writing regimes. She was great with her fans, but seemed disappointed in how she has been used and I can't blame her. I don't expect her to drive story, but there is no reason she can't get some type of story to play. Most characters have had some story under Maria Bell. Tracey hasn't. I totally agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DRW50 Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 I still think having Sheffer as co-HW is one of the problems. I see his work in Billy and Victor and I think it's one of the reasons both characters are putting me off at the moment, because they are both very unpleasant characters, there are few layers to them, and there's no one around them who even comes close to being a strong scene partner. I think they brought Mac back to try to give Billy more depth but it's not working so far. The story has made me like Chloe, so perhaps this was the point all along, who knows. I also think they wasted a strong opportunity to go through Sharon's past and her personality in favor of this muck with her having sex with various men and possibly having a miracle child with Nick. I would have enjoyed seeing an emotional affair between Nick and Sharon and the physical intimacy between Sharon and Phyllis. I think having Nick use both women for sex takes away some of the point of the triangle, because he's tarnished and the women no longer have as many differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Didnt Tracey for the most part request that 6 week break? She sure made it sound thatw ay via facebook/interviews with the magazines. But i am I agree. I agree. lets not forget since her return TEB has been given a lot of things, much more at times than many others on the show. Lauren has gone from minor to supporting to lead to star and back many times. Its how it goes, in cycles. I do doubt a contract would get her much more, if any. I agree with that last part - but im a rare person that feel no soap NEEDS anyone. Y&R can go on without Victor, Kay, Nikki, Jill, Jack, etc.. anyone. Not losing them all at once, no, but if one were to leave i dont see it being the end of Y&R. SO MUCH WORD! Why is Lauren this nice good reasonable person? LAUREN FREAKIN FENMORE! WTF! That said i dont want her scheming with them. But perhaps if she schemed to foil Gloria's plans that would be nice. I agree. I will also say one thing that set Y&R apart was its strong use of minor/supporting characters as ful fleshed out characters at any moment. Not so much anymore. ITA with the first part. And the second part. Thats my big issue. The show is playing one main story, and a few big stories (but not as much) and thats about it. great post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members y&r_fan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Anyone who thinks we'll ever get a better HW than Maria is dreaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 A step above utter crap isnt anything much, IMHO. I dont have an issue with MAB, really. The things you mentioned are perfect. Add in the pacing and the fact that genoa City no longer feels like an overall community and those are my issues with the show. That said, i enjoy the show. day to day. most stories are good. the issues are few and far between. and thats good. now if only they could at least try to work on the issues they do have, that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members y&r_fan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Y&RWorldTurner Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 How do you know this? Didn't you actually like Latham before she was fired? (not saying that as a slam) I'd like to think the show can always be better than it is right now, and it is OK for the most part right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Paul Raven Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Just caught up on Tues ep.Random comments The background music was incredibly annoying. Michael was looking 'refreshed'Has LeBlanc had some work done?? Victor opened sliding doors from the entrance-I've never seen them before. Good to see Doris.This is what we wanted-supporting characters used when needed. Lauren's absence was puzzling in light of Jeffrey and Doris being on. Jeffrey reminds me of Derek.I noticed it watching the YouTube clip of the 84 wedding. I can understand Phyllis not wanting Nick to leave on a variety of levels,but she has singlehandedly been running Ridiculous Style for months. Billy's unhappiness at Jabot had no build up-another example of MAB's scattergun approach. If Adam is the gaslighter,who is he working with?Frank Ellis? Someone had to buy Sabrina's dress.Why doesn't Ashley go to the store.Surely they would remember,as it would be quite exclusive.Also,if it weren't a woman,they would recall. Jill,dear,the necklace didn't match the blouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 I really liked the rock music playing at restless style, it seems like something that would play in an office like that. That said, tone it down a bit, please. I agree with everything else. Billy is just suddenly mad and wants to be in power. I get it, i do, but why did nothing build up to it? or even suddenly bring it on? It was played as though it had been boiling, but we never got to see any of that. and thank you! Ash has the dress, the credit card recpit is sure to have the name of the store and all the info she needs. At least have her go down there and no video cameras in the store and the sales lady say she just doesnt remember, altho im sure they had to have it custom made. ugh. just bad, lazy writing. and you KNOW when i notice that and point it out, its bad. LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members y&r_fan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 I suppose I didn't phrase the question correctly. I meant that it's highly unlikely that another writer will come along and be compared to Bill Bell, as Maria has been. Unless another Bell miraculously falls from the sky. Be careful what you wish for is all I'm saying. I liked Latham in her first year. Her second year was horrendous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lmfan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 The six week break in February and March? Not from what I heard. A reliable poster I know met Christian after he did Judith Chapman's play and said he was his typical energetic self until she asked about Lauren and Michael's story and where Tracey had been. He was not happy with the lack of story and was confused because he and Tracey have been told by the writers that they like Lauren and Michael as do the fans yet they never have story. He also complained that they never use the little boy who plays their son. He said he and Tracey were disappointed she was written off for so long during the Kevin story. I know she did take a week long vacation to Mexico with her family the week before Easter, but she always takes that week and once again the writers wrote her off weeks longer. She only has 20 episodes this year and if she is off again for May that is 20 episodes in 5 months and many of those episodes were for less than three minutes. On her facebook, she said she did not know why she was written out but was philosophical and said these things happen. She has never been one to complain in the press about lack of story though, but you get hints she is frustrated. As for interviews, I haven't seen an interview from her in awhile not since the podcast right after Christmas. Tracey said she would like more business story and be more edgy, but also pointed out she was grateful to have a job and work with people she adores. Of course, I don't think she expected her complete lack of story for the first half of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 Well, thats interesting. I heard a smiler, yet still completely different story. It is true she has not been used this little, but at the same time... i enjoy her when she is on. she isnt on contract, she doesnt have a story, and hopefully down the road she will be used more. Lauren Fenmore may have gotten me hooked on Y&R, but other characters would keep me watching if she were to leave. Altho i really dont see her leaving to be honest. TEB has been in this business for three decades, im sure as fusterating as this might be, she will continue on. She also has the added benefit of being recurring and can honestly go out and do other things, unlike many others. I just hope this happens to be an isolated issue because with people like TLW & TC willing to do recurring the show needs to be asble to keep up the great work they have been doing with recurring stars over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lmfan Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 We'll see. As a Lauren fan, Maria Bell has not inspired me to hope for much. She doesn't seem to have a problem using other recurring actors, but they tend to be tied to favored characters of hers like Katherine (Murphy) or Jill (Jeffery). I am sure TEB will be fine, and the show can survive without her, but it is better with her on the show. I didn't like when Jess and Jeanne were not utilized properly in the past and I don't like how TEB is used now and it really is quite an easy fix if Maria Bell just bothered a little. How hard would it be to create some conflict within or even outside Likey's marriage at this point? Not very, and most people are getting tired of Michael only being used to bail out his family year after year. I think we could survive seeing Billy and the quad on three days a week for a little while to allow characters like Lauren and Michael to be used twice a week in their own small story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JackPeyton Posted May 7, 2009 Members Share Posted May 7, 2009 The best solution? kevin, jana. jeff, gloria have got to go! lol. i hate them. love the actors, hate the characters. I would much prefer they toss Lauren back into the fold via Jabot. Doesnt she have stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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