I know a lot of people loved Sheffer's early work at ATWT, but I think that most of the interest it attracted in terms of increased viewing was more about how different it was than what ATWT had been. It wouldn't be that different from what OLTL has been for years. High profile serial killer stories (the stuff with John James - KAD, Music Box, et al). Leading men who are cold and dead and nasty and everyone around them is trashed to make the sociopath seem like more of a "man with balls" (Craig - Todd, Ford, Spencer). Hostility towards families and friendship. (Hughes - Buchanans, Cramers, et al). Wooden, sometimes laughably bad teens (Allison/Aaron/Lucy/girl in a crate - Cole, Dani, Nate). Sci-fi gimmicks (women put in a spa - 1968, Eterna, Wild West, Heaven). Random psychotics (Julia, Dahlia - Ross, Eli, et al). Casual killing of legacy characters for shock value (Bryant - Duke, Drew, et al.).

Something like look at crazy Julia, she killed a horse and raped Jack, isn't she hilarious, if that was told on OLTL, people might just think of Margaret and flip the channel.

I agree 100%. I was only on board for Hogan's last two years, but it was crap. If you want a writer who hates soap opera and wants to turn it into something else that he thinks is "cool," then big Shef is it.

I guess a lot also depends on the producer, and who runs the network. I'm very biased about Sheffer, but if OLTL had a strong producer and if Frons weren't running ABC Daytime then he could work, as McTavish, not exactly seen as a good writer in recent years, worked at AMC up to about 1994 or early 1995. Unfortunately there is no real control or intelligent producing on soaps today.

Bring on Libidozone and the gay twin saying, "Make love to me."

All I can say is, if her tenure at ATWT is any indication, fans should expect every woman in Llanview to suddenly feel the very pressing need to get pregnant.

All I can say is, if her tenure at ATWT is any indication, fans should expect every woman in Llanview to suddenly feel the very pressing need to get pregnant.

Better to be pregnant than to toss your funky drawers at a rapist with a very deep abusive streak.

Better to be pregnant than to toss your funky drawers at a rapist with a very deep abusive streak.

Thanks SOOOO much for that image, AMS.

Thanks SOOOO much for that image, AMS.

Please, don't thank me. Thank Ronald. He brings it to you in living color weekdays on ABC!

1. As long as JP doesn't write another high school musical, I welcome her with open arms.

2. I think if they work as co-head writers, it might strike a nice balance.

3. There are bigger problems with the show than just the writing. For example, I know people complain that he doesn't write for certain characters (Marty) or writes poorly for others (Dorian/David). I think the actors have a lot to do with it. I know with Susan Haskell, they've worked out a schedule where she only films one day a week. Tuc Watkins will be leaving as soon as Desperate Houswives begins filming. It's really hard when actors work part-time, they come and go, have month-long summer vacations, etc. All of that, plus the fact that their budget keeps getting cut, I understand why OLTL is over-run with teens and new actors who will work for less. I'm not saying I like it but I get it.

Even though I'm a supporter of Ron and think that Frons shares just as much of the blame, Ron probably needs to go.

Not sure if Ron just ran out of ideas or iwasn't there a rumor that since Kishkill, Ron's been HW in just name only, and that Frons has been dictating all the stories? Either way, someone new is probably needed.

I wouldn't choose Jean P though. She'd be worse than Ron IMO. Not sure who I'd get to replace Ron, with a mircomanager like Frons, I doubt anyone good would want the job.