^^ You should never watch a soap for just one character/couple.

^ Some do, it's their perrogative to do so

Mala from SOD/SOW is disappointed in OLTL:

http://soapoperadigest.com/opinions/mala/

March 11, 2010

I know daytime is in a tough position. Believe me. I see every day that we're amidst a sea of sinking ships. But OLTL dumping three of its best young actors is not going to help keep it afloat. Scott Clifton (Schuyler), Scott Evans (Oliver) and Brett Claywell (Kyle) aren't dead weight. They're ballast, keeping the enterprise equalized and steady with talent.

I was still reeling from news of Daphnee Duplaix (Rachel) and Amanda Setton (Kim) leaving and this...? This floors me. The Kish part especially, because there has been so much critical acclaim for them and the show was lauded for writing such a beautiful story. And, yes, I will continue to laud them for that...but I'm not going to clap for getting rid of actors who make your show better. Every soap needs its B- and C-story crew to fill in the places where big plots don't spill over. And that's where Kyle and Fish come in. One's a med student and one's a cop...they're parts of the canvas that can be utilized at any time. Not only are they gay, but they're integral parts of the Llanview community. And they weren't taking up that much space. They're not on that much! Why must Kish bear the responsibility for low ratings? Dorian's over-the-top mayoral campaign was a huge part of Fish's coming-out story, wasn't it? And there are dozens of other things that were happening in the episodes they were in that could account for a ratings drop. I was going to point out that Schuyler and Gigi made love the same day Kish did, but then I realized that, oh, wait, the show axed Sky, too, didn't they? So much for making a case there. Oops.

It's just short-sighted. I'm thrilled Kish gets a happy ending and that Schuyler is going out in an exciting storyline, but I'm really saddened that in an effort to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, OLTL jettisoned a few of its life preservers.

^ Some do, it's their perrogative to do so

Yeah, and then they end up screwing themselves over when stuff like this happens.

I don't know if anyone chooses to only care about one couple or one storyline on a show. If they do that's down to the poor efforts of those who make the show.

^ Some do, it's their perrogative to do so

Mala from SOD/SOW is disappointed in OLTL:

http://soapoperadigest.com/opinions/mala/

Nice column on this topic. It encapsulates how I feel.

And everyone has favorite characters on the show. There will always be characters who draw certain viewers in. There is nothing wrong with that. Just because the show screws those viewers over is no reason to blame the viewers for liking certain characters.

Edited March 11, 201015 yr by Leia

No one's blaming anyone. Soaps feature upwards of 20 characters, so if you're only watching for 1 or 2, that's kind of silly. No wonder you'll be disappointed if those 2 go.

No one's blaming anyone. Soaps feature upwards of 20 characters, so if you're only watching for 1 or 2, that's kind of silly. No wonder you'll be disappointed if those 2 go.

In this case it's 5 characters have been terminated. It's silly to blame the fans of those characters for liking them.

In this case it's 5 characters have been terminated. It's silly to blame the fans of those characters for liking them.

I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the people who only watch for Kish.

People watch for what they watch, it doesn't make them any less of a fan, and why judge them for that?

Because if you're only watching for a character or two, you're setting yourself up for major disappointment if they leave.

People watch for what they watch, it doesn't make them any less of a fan, and why judge them for that?

True, they are still fans... but a very different type of fan. The shows should be more concerned with the audience as a whole rather than groups of 30 rabid letter-writers pushing for their couple or duo at the expense of the entire show. That's what has gotten these execs in so much trouble over the past 30 years. The super couple phenomena was great in the short term with record successes in the 1980's, but has done far more damage than good in the long run.

People watch for what they watch, it doesn't make them any less of a fan, and why judge them for that?

I don't think it is a matter of judging as much as a little common sense and a helpful suggestion. On a show with 20,30,40 people, if you are saying only this one specific character is a reason to watch and therefore the only thing that makes the show good and watchable, you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment with the show. It is such a narrow way of looking at a show it is almost impossible to enjoy it and why subject yourself to all that frustration?

I love LOST and Locke is my favorite character, but if I only watched for Locke I would have to skip half the episodes and thereby destroy my understanding the of the greater plot (not that I really know what is going on anyway). Just my opinion, but people for their own sake are better off not focusing on any one element when watching a TV show. But to each their own.

Goodbye One Life To Live, They were the reason I have been watching.

GL is gone, ATWT is going, There just is no reason to watch daytime anymore...........

So true.

GLAAD to ABC: Don't End 'One Life to Live' Gay Storyline

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/glaad-to-abc-don-t-end-one-life-to-live-gay-storyline

While I certianly have my issues with GLAAD, I'm happy they are speaking out and looks like this fan outrage could have legs.

There are no core families in Llanview today. They have the same last names but that's about it. I've never seen the Buchanans as far apart as they are now.

I think this was it for gay characters. If they were blamed for ratings losses, then the most we may see of gays again is a story about how shocking and disgusting the whole thing is, like the Daniel Coulson murder spree.

I think you may have put your foot in your mouth with some of what you posted here. Or maybe you said what you meant.