AMC and OLTL Canceled!

[DRW50]

I think a lot of people who enjoy soaps see it as more than a hobby (as a lot of sci-fi fans do). It's frustrating because the genre has been so bad for so long, yet it seems relatively sudden - even if it isn't - that it's all going away. It doesn't help that, for all the talk of how many viewing options we have, there isn't a lot to replace it. If I didn't have Youtube and Netflix I would watch about a half-dozen or less shows...I used to watch so much more. These days the Skinemax "dramas" are better than a lot of TV.

It would probably be similar to stuff like Super Soap Weekend or So Long Springfield or other fan club events. Some fan clubs are a nightmare, but others, like the old AW Fan Club or the Edge of Night fan club, seemed like they had good relationships with each other and with the actors.

[Khan]

So, are you saying we should protest, R? Not being sarcastic, just want to know your thoughts.

That's because, they still believe in giving you maximum bang for your buck. So to speak.

[DRW50]

That's true, but sad to say even the acting and writing on something like Lingerie, although not exactly award-winning, was probably a little better than most dramas (and all the soaps) these days. It just makes me want to see an adult soap opera like Showtime tried 30 years ago.

As for protesting, I think if it doesn't hurt anyone you might as well make your voice heard. I don't think it shames soap fans or brings down lightning bolts from the heavens - I just hope that it might eventually lead to some kind of effort against other, serious problems.

[Khan]

IA. I might not wish to participate for a host of reasons, but if others need an outlet to voice their disapproval to the suits that does not incite violence or hate-mongering of any kind, be my guest.

AFAIC, the best way to "protest" the loss of soaps is not necessarily boycott the individual networks, but search for alternatives out there that provide the kind of entertainment that soaps used to provide and that might not be on the traditional "Big Three" (be it cable, be it on-demand, be it online streaming or whatever). If enough people were to do that, I believe, the major networks would have to pay attention, b/c they'd see there was a certain market of viewers out there who still crave a certain kind of drama but who are lining other people's pockets.

[DRW50]

I agree with you there. Boycotting the network is probably the main way to get results. I think that a lot of people end up slowly boycotting a network anyway, even if they don't make a conscious effort. For instance, I barely watch anything on CBS now. While that's not because GL and ATWT are gone (it's more because 98% of their shows do nothing for me), those cancellations didn't help. It's the same way with ABC these days. I barely watch one show on a regular basis.

[chyti]

The one thing I have learn being a union member, quasi organizer and someone who has attended many rallies if you don't have the numbers don't stage one. There are many ways to protest boycotting and throwing rallies are just two and in this cause very ineffectual for one soap fans don't have the numbers, the money or the organization to hold a successful rally, individual boycotting of Disney does nothing since it can't be proven who actually stop watching soap-fan or nonsoap-fan which is why most organization would call for a specific day of boycotting this way they can claim credit. The only way to get big corporations to take notice is through their profit margins, the lost of viewership is not as important as the lost in revenue so if they can make money with less viewers they don't care.

If soap fans really want to see results they need to incorporate the aid of an advertiser who is willing to invest in soaps. Sony and P&G seems to be the ones to try and convince daytime serialize storytelling is desirable. I do think soaps will be reformatted but my concern is if it isn't shown at least three times a week is it still a soap wouldn't it just be another serialized show.

[JaneAusten]

I think this is why some pointed out what fans of shows like Chuck or Jericho or FNL did. Chuck fans especially did that very effective Subway campaign which was a more proactive approach, adding value to Chuck, NBC, and Subway.

I don't know that anyone here was slamming these folks for what they were doing just pointing out that its likely ineffective. Sometimes people just need a way to vent and protest to the folks who make these decisions more power to them.

Organized boycotting is effective but I am just not sure asking people to boycott ABC is really effective. How to you prove what you did impacts anything other than the natural viewer attrition that has been occurring over the years already in primetime. BUt then this comes from someone who's pretty apathetic to the whole situation anyway. Of course I would probably be labeled a non fan then.

[marceline]

I don't know if this is geared "at" me but I'm going to take it on because of something that happened recently. Some real soap fan dropped a bunch of crazy all over Michael Symon's FB page complete with line after line of "SOS SOS SOS..." Then when that wasn't enough, they proceeded to harass the people on that page through private message. These people had no idea what was going one or why somebody was posting this mess they just happened to have the misfortune of being a fan of something other than soaps. All that person did was succeed in making all soap fans look crazy AND turn people who had no real feelings for these shows into active enemies of the genre. So yeah, I really want to separate myself from them. Don't you?

My problems with these protests is that 1.) they're old fashioned. Like I said successful fan campaigns didn't include people standing out on the street because that doesn't work and all they've done is draw attention to the fact that they don't have the numbers. and 2.) these people are claiming are claiming to speak for the majority of fans but they don't speak for me and I'm done giving them a free pass to engage in mayhem and mischief in the name of the show that I watched for most of my life. Not all soap fans want the same thing. Some want the status quo. I don't and if once again that means that I'm not a Real!Soap!Fan well then I'm growing prouder of that with every poorly attended protest.

[Ann_SS]

ITA. Fans of the Sci-Fi genre are accustomed to cancellations and franchises being renewed after a break. The original Star Trek was cancelled in its third season although there was a letter writing campaign. For the most part, SciFi fans just immerse themselves in writing and reading fan fiction until the next series comes along.

[Khan]

I wonder whether it would have been simpler just to mail in bars of soap to ABC and Disney's offices instead.

[marceline]

It's been done. Those people got a visit from Homeland Security.

I was really hoping someone would talk to the people who conducted the Chuck or FNL campaigns. Or even a fan campaign that failed but still put up a good fight like Veronica Mars. It didn't work but the machinery behind it was impressive. But now its too late. Too much damage has been done.

[JaneAusten]

I don't think you have anyone organizing these activities with the knowledge base. It's not a criticism. But this might have been where some of those bloggers like Jamey and NB could have provided some guidance and direction. BUt then Caroline Hinsey felt this was a good plan also so maybe I'm all wet. And I guess its easy to sit back and criticize when you aren't involved or passionate enough to be so what do I know.

[Clear Drama]

http://daytimeconfidential.zap2it.com/2011/05/18/did-brian-frons-laugh-at-heartbroken-soap-fans-protesting-outside-of-abc-upfronts

[~bl~]

ICAM I was expecting someone who has a "following" of sorts to step up and give advice. Then again most people who understand grass roots even a tad, may think that it isn't worth the time or energy.

The sending soap thing was done by ATWT fans, and like marceline said people nearly got into serious trouble. When I heard about that plan I knew it would be a bad idea as some fans sent crackers after Farscape got cancelled and it was thought to be anthrax as the crackers got damaged in the mail.

[Ann_SS]

Actually, this was taken from Errol's report on this very board.

I have to ask; how does Errol know that Frons was chuckling at the soap fans booing him? Chuckling seems so tame. I mean, since he is the "evilest evil that ever eviled" *sarcasm* I would have expected him at least to point and laugh hysterically.