Lorraine Broderick as AMC head writer

[Soapsuds]

Both are awful and should be out of jobs for their terrible attempts at EP the show!

[Soapsuds]

I'll watch but if she gives me the same boring drivel [!@#$%^&*] as was the case the last time on ATWT and AMC....I wont be watching that long.

[YRBB]

[EricMontreal22]

While I do get why McTavish is the top name used when people discuss the destruction of this show, I think the EPs at the time really do deserve as much of the blame (in fact when McT came to the show, briefly, the show was somewhat revitalized). It's just another example of how messed ABC Daytime isthat JHC has remained so long (and Burke fo rthat matter)with NO signs of improvement to the show.

[Pine Charles]

I do remember the first time I started to notice a change in AMC -- like I could take or leave watching (when before it was MUST-SEE) -- was around 1996/1997. Wasn't that around the time Disney took over ABC? Coincidence? Looking back, though, the stuff from '96/'97 was SPECTACULAR compared to the last few years.

I really like LB's style; it strikes me as the most-true to Agnes Nixon's vision.

BTW, who's that hot piece of man meat in your avatar? hehe

[EricMontreal22]

Yeah and it was just around the time AMC was losing its footing (fast) to Days. While it seemed weird for ABC to fire LB when she was winning so many awards, on a practical level I get why they did (and even why they rehired McTavish even though FMB had fired her because she was starting to get a bit out of control and the ratings were actually already starting to slip under her last little while, she stil was HW back when AMC was last number 2) since the ratings just continued to slip (as DAYS climbed so quickly). Soon that level I can't blame them.

When Disney bought ABC though they did seem to quickly lead to the soaps starting on their way to being micromanaged(even if no one took it to Frons' extremes--I remember Angela Shapiro's main crime seemed to be being OBSESSED with Shopping with the Soaps).

But yes in hindsight everything from that era looks brilliant.

[DRW50]

I don't think I could ever call Tanner Jordan brilliant

[EricMontreal22]

I do agree here. Remember when JHC said she was coming in to fix lighting, etc? and suddenly it felt more budget than ever? The lady has, IMHO zero story or vision sense, nor does she seem capable of spending on budget whilemaking the showlook higher budget--so why does she have the position?

[Pine Charles]

Oh, don't get me started!

''To buy a replica of Leo's used condom the night he f*cked Greenlee @ the boathouse, call 1-800-SHOP-AMC''

[EricMontreal22]

Thanks! That is how I remember it and I knew that was where much of the upset was (particularly when Brooke shot him dead). On hindsight it does clearly show an early precedent of what AMC has become was too guilty of (largely because of the lead of McTavish) which is when the town conspires to band together to set up someone despite the law, etc. (and while I get why they staged it with Brooke leading him to a room filled with those images of Laura--for the effect--it's so over the top and out of character, as you say)

[EricMontreal22]

It's so hard to know where to place blame, but I think it was outside pressure--but I guess James shoulda said"no this is wrong for out show." I forgot about the drag story!

Who did the stupid Charlie/Cecily online dating story?

[Soapsuds]

Rafael Novoa, he is a spanish soap opera star.

Anything back in 1996 in any show is better than what we are getting now...lol.

[DRW50]

Broderick/Behr did the Charlie/Cecily borefest.

Cecily seemed devoid of personality that whole return. I remember reading about when she came back and I thought she was supposed to cause a bit of trouble. I guess that changed when McTavish was fired.

Charlie was so deadly dull.

[EricMontreal22]

No you're right, it was an awful, unpleasant story and character that also had bad repercussions on Hayley's character (she sure looked dumb). The only positive was it led to Tom Cudahy returning for two episodes to consul Hayley (I kno cuz even though I was 16 I was excited enough to save those episodes on video).

I wonder if some of that was dictated by ABC too--at the same time AMC and CIty had Aussiehunks(both from the Aussieteen soap Heartbreak High no less) and I think GH had just gotten theirs--it seemed like they had read Aussie males were THE new thing and sent a mandate to have them on all the shows. Of course that doesn't mean they had to make one an unpleasant rapist "best friend" of Matteo who for some reason secretly hated him and wanted to get his wife...

[Pine Charles]

Kevin and Kelsey were awesome.

I could really relate to Kevin.... and I loved Kelsey as his confidant.

Why were they let go?!