Cashton, how can you not blame the writers somewhat for MTS?

Seriously, did we need Paris? Do we need Tyra, Ana, Mac and so many other characters? Did Sony force MAB to not write a decent story for Nikki? I highly doubt that.

And at the moment, the show has neither in spades.

the glass is either overflowing or broken in pieces isn't it?

The writing has just gotten worse and worse, and the flaws of this writing regime have been so very apparently over the past two months or so. This show isn't good at the moment folks, and please don't compare it to other soaps. This show is sucking by its own standards.

You're persistent, LoL.

The show is uneven. I only sporadically watch other soaps, but Y&R is the one I tune in for. MAB might have not been an overall success, but man she's trying.

She undid Katherine/Jill as mother/daughter.

She brought back Tricia Cast. Alongside Julianna McCarthy, Marla Adams...

She put Jill and Katherine back on the front burner, and gave Cooper a love story.

She's respected the history of Bill Bell for the most part.

She had Gloria exposed for the tainted cream.

She brought back Billy, gave Jabot back to the Abbotts.

She's trying to fix the mistake of Cane.

She's putting an end to Nick/Phyllis, while trying to please the Nick/Sharon fans.

What baffles me is that most people have been BEGGING for these things to happen, and yet she's still being raked over the coals for trying to restore some dignity to the show, post LML. Granted not everything she's done was a success, and the way she did things weren't the best, but MAB shouldn't lose her title yet.

Cashton, how can you not blame the writers somewhat for MTS?

Seriously, did we need Paris? Do we need Tyra, Ana, Mac and so many other characters? Did Sony force MAB to not write a decent story for Nikki? I highly doubt that.

Paris or no Paris the situation wouldn't be much different.

Edited June 4, 200916 yr by MTSRocks

AMC was my soap. Right now though it's unwatchable. I turned to Y&R as my main soap because it was the best of the bunch but it's definitely gotten far off track. I want to watch a soap. If Y&R continues to deteriorate, then where will I get my soap fix? I might have to try one of them foreign soaps people are so hot for.

At this point I am down to two soaps...ATWT and Y&R. My soap days will be gone probably in about 2 years at this rate.

Just what we need, the Big Bad Wolf to huff and puff and blow everyone's houses down.

I knew you would mention the huff and puffing of Hall.

Cashton, how can you not blame the writers somewhat for MTS?

Seriously, did we need Paris? Do we need Tyra, Ana, Mac and so many other characters? Did Sony force MAB to not write a decent story for Nikki? I highly doubt that.

Exactly.

MTS's contract wasn't up a year ago, so it doesn't explain why Nikki has been backburned for close to a year and why her relationship with Paul has happened OFF-SCREEN for most of the time.

My great fear is that Kim Zimmer or Diedre Hall will be cast as Nikki! Ugh. TPTB might say they won't recast but you know that sooner or later they would.

No. Helll no. They both would be AWFUL re-casts. I can't see Victor Newman being attracted to Reva Shayne Lewis, or Deidre Hall being anywhere as effective as she was decades ago.

if MTS doesnt wanna take a cut then let her walk. The show will go on without her.

Stars need to realize they work in a dying genre, with slashed budgets, a tenth of the viewers, and those huge raises they got in the 80's and 90's need to go.

if MTS doesnt wanna take a cut then let her walk. The show will go on without her.

Stars need to realize they work in a dying genre, with slashed budgets, a tenth of the viewers, and those huge raises they got in the 80's and 90's need to go.

Wow! I actually agree with you. I guess miracles do happen.

Cashton, how can you not blame the writers somewhat for MTS?

Seriously, did we need Paris? Do we need Tyra, Ana, Mac and so many other characters? Did Sony force MAB to not write a decent story for Nikki? I highly doubt that.

My lovely cara mia, I can't blame the writers if an actor decides to leave the show. Paris gave Y&R huge tax breaks and concessions to shoot there. the writers write for who's securely set in the show. I blame MAB for not forcasting this to the press and giving everyone reason to think that they were immune to all the pay cut maddness that is creeping up on every show in porimetime and daytime.

Susan Lucci deserves much praise for taking a 70% paycut. I want them to write a huge Nikki story, but if she's not going to be there, how can they? Did you watch GL when Bev left them flying high and dry? It was messy and sloppy. They seem to have planned all sorts of beats for Paul/Nikki/Victor and the rest but they can't cause she's in the midst of tense contract negotioans. Like I said, I firmly beleive if it was up to the writers they'd pay MTS whatever she wanted and then some, and have her onscreen everyday - but we're in a new economic reality. We don't know what's going on, just bits and pieces.

Exactly.

MTS's contract wasn't up a year ago, so it doesn't explain why Nikki has been backburned for close to a year and why her relationship with Paul has happened OFF-SCREEN for most of the time.

I love Nikki/MTS, but I don't think she was backburner per se. She did some wonderful work in the Katherine arc, and some nice scenes with Victor. From 2004-2007 Melody Thomas Scott has practically anchored this show at times, as well as being prominently featured. If there is one thing I credit Jack Smith for is reviving the character of Nikki Newman. I didn't mind seeing her less, however the alternatives that we got was the bigger crime.

Honestly this sounds strategic I wonder if TPTB is using the Drake and Deidre situation as an anchor to position these actors and actresses

THANK YOU!!! Anything bad that happens to the show is just another reason to fire up those damn drums. This has to do with money, not writing talent!

This is a multi-causal problem. Mostly it is a dismal economy matched with hugely shrinking viewership across the board.

We all understand there need to be cuts. Some of us would pare the show down to 5 cast members (including MTS) before we have 30 newbies and no MTS.

What baffles me is that most people have been BEGGING for these things to happen, and yet she's still being raked over the coals for trying to restore some dignity to the show, post LML. Granted not everything she's done was a success, and the way she did things weren't the best, but MAB shouldn't lose her title yet.

Paris or no Paris the situation wouldn't be much different.

Yup.

BTW isn't it almost time for one of Victor's yearly trips? I love when EB goes on vacation!

if MTS doesnt wanna take a cut then let her walk. The show will go on without her.

Stars need to realize they work in a dying genre, with slashed budgets, a tenth of the viewers, and those huge raises they got in the 80's and 90's need to go.

Total agreement.

Let me try an analogy. I'm a male in my 40s...if I go to the doctor, I'm gonna have a prostate exam. I don't have to like it...it's gonna happen.

But the doctor can either go gently into that good night, or he can force so hard I'm seeing China.

I'd rather have the gentle. So, relating that to MTS...

It sounds like this pay-cut thing is being handled with ham-handedness and disrespect. That makes it even worse.

if MTS doesnt wanna take a cut then let her walk. The show will go on without her.

Stars need to realize they work in a dying genre, with slashed budgets, a tenth of the viewers, and those huge raises they got in the 80's and 90's need to go.

ICAM!

And cara mia, I don't think AMC is at all unwatchable. It's actually one of the better shows right now IMO.