ABC snags PGP writers

[Saving ATWT]

Frons has recently raided the CBS and PGP 'talent' pool by hiring former GL and ATWT writer David Kreizman, ATWT Head Writer Jean Pissantee and ATWT Script Editor Courtney Simon for ABC Daytime. My main question is WHY? All three writers are associated with failure and each has penned some of the worst story in daytime history. PGP had been trying to innovate and, in the process, gain more younger viewers with these writers; however, most of the efforts were total failures. Also, ABC shows beat both ATWT and GL while these writers were in charge. There are still a few good soap writers out there (Kay Adler, Jack Smith, Pam Long, even Lynn Latham) who have a proven track record of uping ratings and telling good story. Is Frons trying to kill his soaps? Or, maybe, is this part of some misguided effort at lowering production costs and transforming AMC and OLTL into 'new' shows?

I've got a bad feeling that Chris Goutman will be the next ABC hire. He has been with PGP for over 10 years and is known as a able cost cutter.

[JackPeyton]

No.

[dragonflies]

From what I understand in regards to AMC, no one wanted the job, not even Lorraine Broderick. So he literally had to scrape the bottom of the barrell.

I guess no one wants to be micromanaged by Frons

[R Sinclair]

Courtney Simon is hardly a failure.

[LoyaltoAMC]

Seriously, people need to stop labeling these writers "showkillers." It's so childish. ATWT's death notice was signed long before they (and even Passanante) ever entered the picture. All of the shows, not just the P&G's, have all been on a downward trajectory for years now. It's just the nature of the ever-decreasing share of the network-viewing audience. The P&G shows, because of their expense to produce and appeal toward a older demo (compared to some other shows), just happened to be the first to go. No amount of amazing storytelling could've saved ATWT or GL. I kind of get Kreisman's writing and though I've never been a huge fan of Swajeski or Passanante, I don't understand why they're considered showkillers when they just happened to have been on the writing team of shows that were already failing.

[P.J.]

JPiss came from ABC.

It's hard to blame Kriezman for GL's demise. The show's budget woes certainly weren't his fault. Didn't he write a lot of the Jonathan stuff, which some thought was golden?

And Sherman---she did a lot of good work. She was a good enough team player to take on a lot of extra responsibilies at the end. At least I can believe she'll do a much better job with stronger staff and direction.

[marceline]

You'd think that someone would notice that Frons' presence and management style makes it difficult to hire talented people and do something about that.

[bellcurve]

As long as he's sticking to producing, why would this be a bad thing?!

[Sylph]

Because he won't stick to producing.

I've always found it funny, in a way, that Frons hasn't made AMC and OLTL even bigger clones in certain ways of GH by hiring e.g. Karen Harris to pen OLTL and Michelle Patrick AMC.

[All My Shadows]

ITA. It says a lot that no one wanted the AMC job. Who in their right mind would want that, at this point? Unless you can work miracles, you're gonna be stuck with a hot potato and get all of the blame for it.

[Jay]

Headwriter on ANOTHER WORLD when it ended: Jean Passanante

Headwriter on AS THE WORLD TURNS when it ended: Jean Passanante

Headwriter-to-be on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, which posted "new low" ratings last week: Jean Passanante

[Jonathan]

Why are you blaming her for that?

[Jay]

I'm not. I'm just demonstrating the "showkiller" pattern.

[MichaelGL]

Courtney Simon is talented. Passanante and Kreizman are not.

[JackPeyton]

I think for someone to be a showkiller they must actually have a hand in... well, killing the show