Y&R: Week of June 1, 2009

[KLN]

I don't think anyone's denying that the shows need to slash budget. The issue is how they're going about it. There's a right way and a wrong way to make cuts. For example, going on location to Paris isn't the right way, LoL. Keeping useless characters like Jeffrey, Gloria, Tyra, Devon, Noah and Eden while playing hardball with MTS resulting in her exit isn't the right way. It's alright to cut costs, but cut away the bologna before taking a chainsaw to the filet mignon.

[DRW50]

I think undoing past mistakes is fine, but not if they're only being done because people wanted them to happen, not if the stories themselves have had no real followup. Since their dissolution as mother and daughter, Kay and Jill are reduced to Jill snapping at Kay and Jill doing comic scheming with Gloria and Jeffrey. Gloria's become irrelevant but continues to get airtime. The writing for Sharon/Nick/Phyllis has made him look terrible and brought into question why either woman would want him. Billy's spread much too thin and his main love story is one which is completely devoid of chemistry.

I'm glad she brought Nina back and I'm glad she's trying to marry the current Cane and the Cane who first arrived in Genoa City, but I think the execution of many of these stories, along with her other stories, has been problematic.

[Cashton]

Well there u go - if it's a decision between having 5 vets and 30 newbies then we're all screwed, cause I don't want either one. EB, JC, PB, MTS and oh...let's say ED do not make a soap.

[Juliajms]

:lol:

[JackPeyton]

Was the budget slashed when they needed to go on location?

And honestly, even if you add up jeff, glo, tyra, devon, noah, eden... i doubt they = MTS' money. And even if they did, if you are in a genre that only maxing X amount of money now, and you are getting paid for it was maxing 25 years ago, then why cut the newbies who get paid according to the current state and not the ones who got a blowen up salery?

I love MTS. i love Nikki. I hope she stays. But IMHO she doesnt deserve the amount shes making. No body does because the genre isnt making that kind of money anymore.

[MarkH]

Well maybe they could afford 6 or 7, then

[Cashton]

Come on now, has a soap ever had only 6 or 7 contract players?

[MarkH]

I'm kidding on the numbers...but honestly I think GH does it right. A very small number of consistently front burner folks.

[cara mia]

Cashton, I can see your point somewhat. Still, Nikki's been backburnered for a while now. They could write Nikki full-throttle and then if things fall apart, give her sister Cassie and have Nikki run off. A little bit awkward sure, but still better than what we've been getting.

MarkH, I hate the GH way of just writing for 6 characters. I do need some variety. There has to be a happy balance.

IMO, you need characters in the four main age groups: Teens, Younger Adults, Middle-Aged and Prime of Life:) I hope I don't offend anyone when I put 35-50 as middle-aged.

Here's the breakdown

Teens: Abby, Noah, Eden, Anna. KS is the only good actor in the bunch. We actually need more teens. It would be great to add Ricky (not Kyle because he's related to Abby) and write a true teen quad. I would subtract Anna but they could actually write her as having a crush on Noah or Ricky (like Cassie did with Daniel). 4 Teens, increase to 5. (Plus 1)

Younger Adults: JT, Adam, Rafe, Heather, Billy, Colleen, Chloe, Lily, Devon, Tyra, Mac,

, Kevin, Amber, Jana, Daniel. This where we need major cuts. We We don't need JT, Colleen, Devon, Tyra, Mac, Daniel, Amber, Kevin or Jana. You can write a triangle with Rafe/Adam/Heather, a quad with Chloe/Billy/Lily/Cane and throw

in as a spoiler. Instead of 16 young adults, cut the number down to 8. (Minus 8)

Middle-Aged: Cane, P3, Victoria, Nick, Sharon, Phyllis, Michael, Lauren, Mary Jane, Neil. A big problem here is that Cane is interacting with the wrong age group. Laurel isn't used. If Laurel isn't going to be used, they should be cut. (I do not want this at all but what's the point if they're not used?) Victoria & JT should be sent off-screen if they have no story. (Minus 1-3)

Prime: Jack, Ashley, Victor, Nikki, Paul, Jill, Kay, Murphy, Gloria, Jeffrey. Let's get real here. Glo & Jeff should be gone already. If I had to make a Sophie's Choice between Ashley & Nikki, I would pick Nikki. A Paul/Nikki/Victor triangle gets more story than Vashley. (Minus 2)

That's 10 characters gone and that allows us to keep MTS. In addition, it's a better show if the show refocuses on just the Newmans, Chancellors, Abbott and core Winters. Cut F-Bs and the extras, the show gains focus and clarity.

[DeeeDee]

Yep.

[DeeeDee]

JT, Devon, Colleen & Mackenzie can stay.

Cane, Rafe, Kevin, Daniel, Amber, Jana & Tyra can go.

[DeeeDee]

But would Eric & Peter?

[JackPeyton]

gh does it wrong. i dare you t go find 5 happy gh fans, lol.

i dont think they would, and imho then the show shouldnt cave.

[DeeeDee]

Exactly!

[JackPeyton]

I do think the show would ask, yes.

i dont think either would take it.