No, but they did need to have Damon and/or Tad at least confront Hillary and explain herself. It didn't have to turn into a contract return, but it would've been something.

Edited December 7, 201015 yr by Khan

Didn't Tad do that in offscreenville? So that made it utterly pointless too.

Hilary had the potential to be a very interesting character this go 'round too. She was AMC's chance at a "Real Housewife"-type character, a white wine alcoholic dealing with an a-hole husband and a difficult kid, perhaps duped by the sweet young love that soured with Tad, content not living but existing in her Chardonnay haze.

Everything about the Hilary angle was utter garbage ESPECIALLY when Carmen Thomas was available and willing to return. But even if she wasn't then bring on Lisa Peluso or Noelle Beck as a recast and TELL THE [!@#$%^&*] STORY!! Instead they brought on Paul Miller in the attempt to make Tad look like SuperDad and trashed the characters and history.

And that's precisely why fans get so bitchy, it's all laid out right before them and they take the bonehead route instead. Still could have had a jerk stepdad, but to not include the mom who we KNOW?? I mean, really. Not even any cool Maris-like references. So many potentially great moments just tossed out the window.

Everything about the Hilary angle was utter garbage ESPECIALLY when Carmen Thomas was available and willing to return. But even if she wasn't then bring on Lisa Peluso or Noelle Beck as a recast and TELL THE [!@#$%^&*] STORY!! Instead they brought on Paul Miller in the attempt to make Tad look like SuperDad and trashed the characters and history.

the role of Melanie Cortlandt is on reserve for Noelle Beck. Peluso however would have been gladly accepted into the role of Hillary

Lisa would have also made a good Silver if she wasn't dead.

Oh, and Noelle is perfect for Lanie though Lanie is zzzzzzzzzzzz...

Edited December 8, 201015 yr by SFK

Lisa would have also made a good Silver if she wasn't dead.

Oh, and Noelle is perfect for Lanie though Lanie is zzzzzzzzzzzz...

we havent seen her in 20 years. Its possibly shes changed since then and gotten more exciting. Id bring Noelle on as her as a reimagining of the character similar to what JL did for LIza

That would help, NB is more interesting when she's got some spice. She's be an intresting love interest for Tad, and the Dixie connection naturally. Maybe she'd be all corporate and work with Caleb at Cortlandt.

And Cheap who is that in your avatar? Lately I've been seeing that face in my head when I'm watching TV and have a similar reaction to something someone says.

That would help, NB is more interesting when she's got some spice. She's be an intresting love interest for Tad, and the Dixie connection naturally. Maybe she'd be all corporate and work with Caleb at Cortlandt.

And Cheap who is that in your avatar? Lately I've been seeing that face in my head when I'm watching TV and have a similar reaction to something someone says.

Kandi from the Real Housewives of Atlanta. She used to be in an early 90s R&B group, Xscape

Oh okay, thanks, didn't recognize her face but yes I definitely remember Xscape from my high school days. Tiny (T.I.'s wife) was the one with the unforgettable mug in that group.

That's the first thing that crossed my mind.

I really did not see the point in Damon when he first joined the show and I felt like they were bending over backwards to make him work (which I'm almost ashamed to admit now as it was nothing compared to what OLTL has done with the Ford brothers). He had a kind of bumpy start, but he really grew on me. The Liza stuff has been quite interesting, and frankly I think he's too good for Colby. Let that dewd Asher have her. At any rate, he's a good actor who will hopefully do well in primetime should that be his next goal, and of course he'll always be at home in the theatre.

Agreed with all of this. I'll be disappointed to see him go honestly--he was a good actor and the character was starting to make sense on the canvas. I feel a bit better though now that it sounds like it was his own decision... Really though the fact they never even brought Hillary back temporarily was a mistake...

Edited December 14, 201015 yr by EricMontreal22

I think it's a combination of both. I think FW was signed to a standard contract however I also think he asked to be released. He's clearly a theatre guy and IMHO hardcore theatre people don't adapt well to soaps. Whether because of timing or a change in writing regimes, you didn't have to be Miss Cleo to see that AMC wasn't committed to Damon. Better to get out now. Some actors DO choose to walk. Michael B. Jordan (Reggie) left AMC so he could finish school. Nobody believed that at the time (including me) but it was true.

I agree with most of what you say except that theatre people don't adapt well to soaps... That would basically negate half of our all time best soap actors from the James Mitchells alone. However starting on a soap in New York and then going to LA if you want to keep in theatre could be a problem. If anything, even now, soaps are the one filmed genre that's still the closest to theatre (much longer takes with dialogue more important than action, less chance of retakes, etc)

I thought new characters usually had an out clause after one year on their contract?

From SOD, posted at SOC:

Finn Wittrock's one year deal has ended with AMC and he's opted to leave. Kreizman says Damon will go out under big/dramatic circumstances.

The new SOD reports that while some of the AMC decision-makers loved FW and would have fought for him to stay had he wanted to, others "didn't get his appeal".

Translation: Jeanine Guarneri-Frons strikes again lol