I think there are many ways to have a finale which is open-ended and still find closure. For instance, if Erica went off to a new adventure, I could see this as fitting her, in some ways. I would hope that stories which truly do have to be resolved, like the Jesse/Angie baby story, would be resolved.

But I think it's AMC and Lorraine vs. Agnes. There's really no place for a split amongst the writers at OLTL: Ron is the boss. But AMC has Broderick and Nixon.

I say its AMC based on the fact now is the time for them to be planning the end game. Ron has said most of the summer and early fall will be stories already planned pre-cancellation announcement so why would he and others be fighting now over who will be asked back in the late fall, it makes all the sense for this to be what AMC is deciding now.

If they are being literal about the writers office then it would have to be OLTL which (I think?) still actually has a writers office.

But I think it's AMC and Lorraine vs. Agnes.

There isn't any such thing as "Lorraine vs. Agnes." They are probably the last two soap writers on earth that would ever be on opposite sides of a power struggle.

As for the validitiy or the specifics of the SOW blurb, who knows? At OLTL, Carlivati loves history, maybe others are concerned about current storylines.... Maybe it's at AMC. We have to remember that there's more than just a head writer at these meetings. There's an Executive Producer there, there are Associate & breakdown writers. I think it's not at all surprising to hear that there would be debate and concern over what to focus on when wrapping the show... So even the blurb is true, it's probably much ado about nothing.

Bring Back Characters If IOt Makes Sense But We Can also Characters who are still in town but Not seen. Im Not saying for Months But Maybe For a week Or so. See what they are Up to

I wouldn't believe there's any sort of hand-off moment happening - but more of Broderick with Nixon's influence and input throughout: LB will be constructing the story right up to the end. She's Nixon's protegee, so of course they have very similar, character-driven (and socially relevant) styles. There's no questioning that they work very well together. I suppose one might be able to distinguish Broderick's work as having a contemporary sensibility and that it has been more whimsical (think Palmer's memorial) in its execution. I think those traits served AMC very well, for the most part.

It's good, from both a PR and a creative perspective, that AMC announced that Nixon would be helping bring the show to a close. But I honestly believe Nixon wants it to be LB who head-writes the show at its conclusion - just as she wanted her, and helped facilitate her return to AMC, in late 2009... Beyond having the right vision and respect for character history (and being particularly gifted when it comes to writing for the characters of Pine Valley), she also has the experience / stamina / organization skills to lead as head writer in today's soap environment... and I think it's perfectly okay to acknowledge that Nixon isn't in a position, at this point in her life, to take that on anymore.

This is basically what I meant. Lorraine will take care of all the current stuff on her own while Agnes is off in Agnesland kicking around ideas that she likes. Then at the end, they'll come together and Lorraine, who will already have an idea of how she wants the show to end, will take into consideration Agnes's suggestions, should she have any.

I mean, we all know Agnes was invited to writers meetings as late as 2002, and of course that stopped at some point before they moved to LA, so I'm wondering if "Agnes is back" simply means Agnes is Charlie's Angels-ed in on writers meetings again.

No, folks, Agnes is right there in L.A. for the time being, penning every word of every script by hand, and then working feverishly into the night re-copying her own work, so each actor can have a handwritten (and maybe perfume-scented) script.

;-)

I think there are many ways to have a finale which is open-ended and still find closure. For instance, if Erica went off to a new adventure, I could see this as fitting her, in some ways. I would hope that stories which truly do have to be resolved, like the Jesse/Angie baby story, would be resolved.

Exactly. Writing the end doesn't have to mean putting a pretty little bow on everything. For some characters, it would be very fitting for their ending to be a "new beginning" a la Brooke and Adam's exit story was.

I say its AMC based on the fact now is the time for them to be planning the end game. Ron has said most of the summer and early fall will be stories already planned pre-cancellation announcement so why would he and others be fighting now over who will be asked back in the late fall, it makes all the sense for this to be what AMC is deciding now.

Because Ron is a proven liar?

Edited May 7, 201114 yr by marceline

Much like virtually everyone else in this industry.

I guess my question is what vets does each show have to argue over where bringing them back would be an issue? On AMC, Dixie would most likely be a vision or dream. Adam and Brooke could fit right back in as supporting players without much work while Joe and Ruth have already made several appearances so I don't see them being an issue. I guess if people want to bring back others like Greg or Nina or newer characters like Leo and Vanessa, I could see the problem.

As for OLTL, who could come back? Max? Cord? Tina? Kevin? Would they fit in with current stories? I could see a reappearance of Dr. Larry but again that wouldn't be worth fighting over. And please don't say Judith Light because that ain't happening.

No, folks, Agnes is right there in L.A. for the time being, penning every word of every script by hand, and then working feverishly into the night re-copying her own work, so each actor can have a handwritten (and maybe perfume-scented) script.

;-)

As Lorraine "tweaks" dialogue in random scripts written three months ago with obscure references to a character's high profile past like Liza mentioning Greg Nelson.

Meanwhile, Agnes's apparently heavy eyelids flutter as she "tweaks" Lorraine's "tweaking."

I think there are *cute* little ways to bring random beloved characters back not for a big last hurrah s/l so much as a kiss goodbye. Kind of like Julianne Moore's quickie appearance. For instance, a month or so before the show ends they could dedicate a hospital wing to former head of housekeeping Sadie Gray and bring back Carla with Ed in tow (Josh??) to make a lovely speech, as well as Dr. Larry, Karen, not-dead Jenny et cetera just for the occasion. I'm talking hi's and byes, a couple "What have you been up to?"/"Let's now establish for the audience that we've been in touch off-screen" lines and that's it. Just a lovely little day to say some goodbyes without the "bigness" of an anniversary episode. Those faces will do the work.

But this whole "bringing characters back" thing is rather superfluous in my point of view. I rather the show focus on wrapping up the stories of the characters on the canvas. Not waste time catching up with characters whose stories have come to a close years ago. Like, I don't wanna see Devon McFadden stroll up to Bianca and be like, "You know, something? There was a time..."

Granted, if it ties into the conclusion of stories of the characters presently on the canvas, fine.

Also, while I'm peeing all over everything, let me just say... NO "Hollywood and Vine" references. Please? Erica Kane is allegedly this famous supermodel who has traveled the world. I mean she was held captive in a wine cellar in Budapest for God's sake. Clearly, she's experienced more than the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

This is true.[/Mabel Thomas]

I agree that wrapping up the present stories is most important but I'd rather see Ellen Holly and Judith Light for five minutes over a week of Ford foolishness come finale. And in the case of someone like Tina, they left her on such an awful sour note, I'd at least like to see that one remedied. But like I was getting at, a quick hi and bye is a nice way to honor history and the fans and is much more fun than a flashback we could catch on YouTube. AMC is in a much better position when it comes to nostalgia as it's been much better at honoring its history over the years (not just 1987 and beyond save for Viki) and a healthy portion of the cast has some sort of tie to legacy.

Keeth, I'll leave you alone about your Ellen Holly/Carla Grey fascination... we talked about that before, your love for her "methody" acting which leaves me wondering if this chick was really all that.

But with One Life, the question is, when did the show honestly get put on the map? Those of us who follow ABC soaps and Agnes Nixon know that a great deal of material occurred in the late 60's into the 70's, but still... It wasn't until the Wild West element of the 80s that this show began to come INTO its own identity. Yes, some might dispute that OLTL is the red-headed stepchild of ABCD, but still... The Buchanans and the Old West element gave this show a vitality... and the characters involved are looked at as (dare I say) "legacy" (in quotes) characters. So I wouldn't doubt that a Cord Roberts would come before a Carla and/or Sadie Grey.

Chances are, it's OLTL. RC wants to (indulge in his gayboy fantasies one more time and) bring back eccentric former characters like AE as Tina, but Frons' hand puppet, FV, would rather (keep his closeted gay boss happy and) focus on the current cast, including the rapidly aging boy band that is the Jonas Ford Brothers.

Edited May 8, 201114 yr by Khan