Lorraine Broderick as AMC head writer

[DRW50]

Yes, she wrote all that. I loved the Alec/Arlene story.

I didn't care for the convenient bit that Adam was responsible for the plane crash. It came out of nowhere, and Liza losing her baby also felt off to me (it didn't help that Joe delivered the news with a big grin). That was the start of her baby hunger, and also another nauseating chapter of Mateo knows the truth about evil Adam/Hayley is devastated by her evil father.

She also brought in that black lawyer who was supposed to be Palmer's son, IIRC. He was dropped soon after she left.

[Vee]

I was confused about the Jim Thomason storyline as well. I had thought they'd already made him a pornographer before Born quit. It makes sense if he quit once he learned they were going to do that, but I know McTavish introduced the ridiculous terrorist angle, at least. Which climaxed with David Forsyth's Jim threatening to make Jamie his next "star!" Oh good lord.

[You're Soaking in it]

That part's a blur to me. I thought it was David Forsyth's Jim we saw killing Ricky. I can't even recall knowing of Ricky until it was Forsyth... but I'm not sure. I know I didn't like DF in the role nearly as much as I did RB... and I know it really went south for me post-McTavish coming back (see previous post for why!)

Maybe Borne's exit didn't coincide so directly with Broderick's... Did it occur somewhat afterward? I know he was pissed at McT, and that he apparently envisioned himself as a longterm character.

[DRW50]

I thought it was Born. I think everything was Born until right around the time we learned Jim had crashed the plane he and Brooke/Maria/Edmund were on. It's been so long, but I don't think Forsyth ever had any interaction with Lauren Roman, who was shipped off to China (I'm not sure if that was Broderick or McTavih).

I thought Born was great in the role. It was hard to get used to Forsyth. With some time I thought he hit a good stride, although, aside from Julia Barr's performance and a few bits like Phoebe helping Brooke bug the house, the story was awful. That was how I felt about a lot of stories at that time. Good scenes, overall bad storyline. Then as the months went on the show got worse and worse. I actually liked some of McTavish's ideas and stories, but the bad ones were really, really, really bad.

[R Sinclair]

He left when it was being hinted that Jim was a terrorist.

[You're Soaking in it]

The Alec / Arlene story happened under Behr-Broderick, but the rest was all in the Francesca James era... well written by Broderick, but very VERY dark. I even recall that under FJ, she switched the opening to a slow, rather depressing version of the theme song. James just seemed to crave a darker feeling of emotional storytelling. It certainly reflected a stong, distinct vision and feel - but it lacked the balance that had been there under Felicia Behr. While everything was still meticulously written, it was easy to start wondering if there was ever going to be a light at the end of each story tunnel. It was too much "tragedy" and very little "triumph."

[DRW50]

I know what you mean. I thought a lot of the ideas James seemed to push, if it was her, were just tonally wrong for AMC and in some cases horrendous viewing, only saved by a few cast members.

At the time I was very mixed because towards the end of Broderick's tenure, although some stuff bothered me, I also felt like there were some great points. Edmund/Tad in drag was a fun diversion from the heavy baby story. The Kevin/Kelsey story was first rate. I enjoyed Gillian's arrival.

Looking back, I guess James should have been replaced, not Broderick.

[juniorz1]

I know, but we can still dream though, right? I know I'm definitely tuning in to the 40th anniversary show just to see my Brooke again!

I count 6 myself- Pratt, B&E, McTavish, Culliton, Rayfield/Cascio(sp?), and JPiss. Thank goodness Agnes head wrote between McTavish & JPiss or it'd be worse.

And you need to bring back that Mark Collier avatar mister!

Oh hell no. Jean Dedario Burke was the worst of all the producers during my viewership from 1994-2005. She dullified even the decent storylines that aired while she was there (there weren't many). I think Burke could possibly negate Broderick and then where are we? Not that it matters, because it ain't gonna happen anyway.

[All My Shadows]

Well, I strictly meant stylistics. Compare JHC's AMC to JDB's AMC in terms of tone, look, sound, etc. JDB's felt closer to old school AMC than JHC's has *ever* felt.

[aMLCproduction]

delete

[Soapsuds]

No to Burke back as EP. She was a boring with no vision EP. Glad she is gone. She was just awful.

[Pine Charles]

OMGaGa!

This is awesome news for AMC!

LB has always been my fave HW.

[YRBB]

Does this mean I'm gonna have to start watching AMC soon?

[EricMontreal22]

I was pleased with her work at Loving/City and so disappointed to see her bring none of that to AMC. In hindsight I still think JHC is*worse* but yeah, I don't want Burke back either...

[Jonathan]

Yes, and you're going to have to change your member name as well. Who wants to watch a show written by a former costume designer?