In this case though, if ABC stands to (marginally) profit from it, hy wouldn't they allow the talent to move over? OF course this is ABC we're talking about...

Gah, ABC just sold the rights to the two shows what more are you people expecting? Aside from the fact that none of these writers and/or producers are as talented as fans want to believe, has it not occurred to you and others that even if ABC was willing to let them go, they might not want out of their contracts? Not many people want to go from guaranteed employment into an uncertain future.

Edited July 7, 201114 yr by Ann_SS

Well said carolyn1980!

This is an interesting development. I do think it's not going to be as "pared down" as some here are making it out to be. The ultimate goal is to have all TV's capable of streaming HD-quality shows through them, much like you can do with Netflix compatible devices now. In fact, Netflix actually out-bid every other broadcast and cable network for a full season (26 episodes, in this instance) of a David Fincher-directed, Kevin Spacey-starring show called "House of Cards." It was a hot property, and yet it will only be available online, or streamed to your TV through the internet. (Prospect Park could even make deals with cable/satellite systems to offer through OnDemand, who knows).

So this is not necessarily a death sentence like when Passions limped along on DirectTV. It's about a whole reinvention and transformation of how we receive TV shows. The broadcast model is dying, and these two saved soaps may very well lead the charge for the future.

Time will tell.

There are so many completely legitimate reasons to not be excited about this and there are just as many reason for others to jump for joy. IMO, the cancellations did a good job of exposing the rifts in "the soap community" and this just builds on that. (Online vs. offline; character fan vs. actor fan vs. show fan; soap as escapism vs. soap as "capital D" drama. Just to name a few...)

Whatever happens with this, the shows won't be the same. That's good news for some and bad news for others. On one hand, there are the soap fans who only want to see their show on at the same time on the same channel with the same actors playing the same characters. Those people are fucked. OTOH you have people like me. I love some of these actors and characters but I think it's more beneficial to break all this down than to keep my faves on my screen. I'd love an AMC where the Hubbards and Fryes were given the same attention and time as the Chandlers, Martins and Kanes. Where Natalia got the same screen time as Greenlee. I was never going to get that. So as far as I'm concerned...

BURN IT DOWN.

(Prospect Park could even make deals with cable/satellite systems to offer through OnDemand, who knows)

This is what I'd like to see more than anything. It bugs me that none of the networks ever put any of the soaps on their OnDemand lineups. If ABC still has a hand in the business side of AMC and OLTL (god forbid they have a creative hand in them), I wish they'd consider putting them OnDemand, if only as a catch-up thing.

I wonder about this too.

If it were me, I would start filming some material to air right after the finales. How about a day or two after? Bring back old favorites who may not be in the finale, or only appear briefly. What if Nina and Bobby and her other kid and Sam appear briefly in the finale, and then they have a heavy role in the first episode of the websoap. Then over time, they could phase the established AMC characters in, as the actors are more available to film or contracts are settled.

ABC has set a pretty nice precedent with the special webisodes. This reformatting will be conducive to more stand alones which would be a really nice treat, particularly if they focus on favorite off-canvas characters. From Nina and the boys as you mention, to say Natalia and Brot in Philly, or even sighted Angie with baby making an emotionally mixed visit (a break, really) to see Cassie (and Jacob!) in Paris.

I don't understand how the press release can claim Prospect Park will take charge of the same cast and crew when it seems pretty evident the cast knew nothing about this (and Debbie Morgan is already set to go to Y&R). It seems pretty clear that the cast isn't free until September and you would think PP will have to negotiate with each of them. And the crew members, writers, producers, etc are employees of ABC, aren't they? Would ABC really release them to go work online?

I can see why people wouldn't be happy about the news. They've already said goodbye, mentally or emotionally, to these shows, and now it's all back again, in some strange form.

You've made a very point and while I'm only speaking for myself, the emotional attachment simply isn't there anymore. After waiting and almost praying for change, it hasn't been for years and when cancellation happened it just made it official. I've accepted that soaps were over and now ppl are wondering why folks aren't more excited. Pom poms are the last thing on my mind. I'm not even cautiously optimistic about this. I'm just neutral and it really is a natural reaction for those who are cynical or, at the very least, have a wait and see approach. I'm not going to begrudge others who are excited about the possibilities but it is what it is.

Oh, no doubt about it. I dunno if even the most positive people about this expect that, and if they do they are setting themselves up for a fall. That doesn't mean we need certain posters (and I don't mean you even though Lord knows we've disagreed about AMC) repeatedly saying the exact same thing as if it's brand new, unexpected opinion--or complaining when people disagree.

:wub:On your comment.

I am disappointed with all the negativity already before we even know any of the details. Everyone assumes that this will fail.

Who is to say that OL would have to move to LA? If PP is producing shows already, maybe they have studio space set up somewhere that OL could do shooting there (without using the current ABC studios)?

Erika Slezak already said in an interview she is looking for work immediately, so why would she not want to stay on in some capacity as Viki. I could see her doing that as long as she is still free to do other projects.

Hilary Bailey Smith has done webisodes before, so why wouldn't she stick around?

If those two are a go, I could see Bob Woods and Kassie DePaiva staying on since they have been loyal for years. Maybe even Strasser?

There may still be hour long eps but we don't know if as many hours per week, so a lighter work load may appeal to some while opening up time to do other projects (and off-setting the income).

Didn't Sony say one thing they wanted to do was take AMC/OL to other media outlets which ABC wasn't? Maybe PP has some things in mind where they can make money off of the shows in other ways than just one online source. This could be part of why they aren't announcing anything because they are getting things in order and negaotiating everything before speculation.

PP seems committed to the online aspect of viewing, so why not give them a chance to see what they can do? Just because they are new doesn't mean they aren't in place to do great things (Dreamworks anyone?)

I hope this succeeds with all of my heart, but if it fails I am not going to condemn them for stepping up and TRYING.

I can't believe after months of angst over losing these shows people are not excited by this news. I am thrilled maybe because I see this as a potential new beginning and not same old same old. I wonder what people want really.

Well since this is ground-breaking, historic, never been done before in the history of soaps, and it isn't clear what exactly we are getting its understandable why the reactions are skeptical. Certainly if it was announced NBC was picking up both shows, you would get the overjoyed reaction that would have resulted. And of course we have the segment of posters who insisted something like this would never happen, lol, so don't expect them to admit they were wrong! Although I suspect most are happy something is happening to keep the shows alive, very curious to learn more, but far from being overjoyed as its so new and unknown what we are getting.

You've made a very point and while I'm only speaking for myself, the emotional attachment simply isn't there anymore. After waiting and almost praying for change, it hasn't been for years and when cancellation happened it just made it official. I've accepted that soaps were over and now ppl are wondering why folks aren't more excited. Pom poms are the last thing on my mind. I'm not even cautiously optimistic about this. I'm just neutral and it really is a natural reaction for those who are cynical or, at the very least, have a wait and see approach. I'm not going to begrudge others who are excited about the possibilities but it is what it is.

For me it's not necessarily excitement about the shows continuing (although that is part of it - I didn't want OLTL to end in an orgy of rape apology and bile like a young mother being sold for spare parts so her boyfriend can persecute other mothers) as it is about someone still having some faith in the soap genre and not just saying soaps are dead, they've been dead for ages, let's bring on The Locomotion. I want to see this genre continue and thrive and adapt, as it has before, and could again if the regressive despots who run today's major networks are not involved. I want to see that it's not the genre itself that is failing, it's the people in charge.

Edited July 7, 201114 yr by CarlD2

Shrug, then don't pay. I'm willing to give it a chance. As others have said, vets have certainly done cheaper sounding websoaps in the past. I don't have a ton of faith in this, even I admit, but I do think the web eventually WILL be the model, and I think it's worth someone giving a try now. Even if the shows are essentially brand new, as many think they will be, I think it's smart to start with some ties (even the name) to bring in viewers who would have never bothered in the past. This comment "We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network." makes me think that initially (and I know, this could last as little as a week or month before the plug is pulled) they are doing brand new episodes...

I get why so many are cynical (although I don't really get why you dragonflies continue to watch after how much you've loathed the past 5 years or so--or more?), I admit I'm not gonna really accept this until I hear exactly more about the format. My biggest fear right now is it will be a Hulu like service with no access to Canada.

Move to the USA.....I'll find you a place.

I'm apprehensive about this situation. And like others I started to emotionally detach. Really I have to look at this as separate projects, that will be called All My Children or One Life to Live. Especially until we know more, because it depends on how the new shows are whether or not I will enjoy them.

What

WAT

....I'm sorry, I've been very busy this past month and I have barely paid attention to the growing OLTL clusterfuck, but I have maintained that soaps would survive in one form or another down the line. I certainly didn't expect it would be this soon, so, um - I guess I have reading to do. This seems far too good to be true.

Edited July 7, 201114 yr by Vee