AMC: The first stars to sign on for the online version are...

[SFK]

My first reaction to this news was, "Now we REALLY need Susan to sign on" as my biggest fear is that PP will follow ABC's lead of trying to make CM the *other* face of AMC. I'm hopeful that the fresh eyes over at PP can make some objective decisions in terms of what the show needs, what's working and what's not, what needs to be attempted. I don't want them to catch hell like Linda Gottlieb did for trying to reinvent/rework/revitalize, nor do I want them to lose sight of the show's history and what's made it special... but what does that really even mean anymore? Born, bred, and baptized soap folks have already done that on their watch. Well, looking forward to more casting news. I remain optimistic. The biggest losses here will be in terms of cast (e.g., Debbi) anyway.

[dragonflies]

Ryan a strong romantic lead? Pardon me while I

Ryan worked better when he was a supporting player, when they tried to pimp Cam as a leading man is when it flopped

[JaneAusten]

I don't know that Ryan needs to be as dominating as he has been over the past 10 years but I do think LB's writing has helped him not be so offputting. I still don't think Ryan is necessary, but hes not an overbearing presence provided they get him off that damn pedestal. He could be likable again if they get him away from the usual suspects. Watching him with Gillian I remembered a time I actually liked him. And as far as leading men hes not the only one this show has pimped for years. Ryan and Zach are like the Jason and Sonny of Pine Valley.

[AmandainNC28655]

Now it's being reported that PP and Alicia Minshew are in talks about her bringing Kendall to AMC 2.0. Hmmm

[Skin]

Nearly all of Ryan's pairings have been popular with AMC audiences. Gillian, Kendell, Annie and Madison all received popular feedback from viewers. It's only his pairing with Greenlee that has been dead on arrival for years. Even if you don't like him it's hard to deny his success rate for his couples and pairings. He is a strong romantic lead. As to Ryan being a strong dramatic lead of course he isn't.

[dragonflies]

Ryan & Annie were not that popular and people liked him with Madison cause her name wasn't Greenlee. Gillian is his most popular pairing of all of them.

[Marley]

Pretty much.

I think Ryan is more popular than what online fans would like to think but he's just not, and never will be a leading man or a solid romantic lead. CM does best being a supporting player.

[Khan]

Seriously, I could see Ryan in a Douglas Sirk-esque, May/December affair with Brooke.

Oh, wait, Brooke isn't on the show anymore.

Nevermind.

[Vee]

Brooke's on the show right now, Khan.

I'm sure Julia Barr would come back for more if asked.

[Khan]

Correction: Brooke/JB isn't on the show anymore save for this week's "special guest star" return.

Seriously, though, can you see JB relocating to NYC (b/c let's forget about PP relocating the show to NYC)? Because I can't. I'd love to see it, but I can't.

[DRW50]

They could do Ryan/Marian.

[Vee]

And she has indicated a willingness to return for more if need be in the past.

See above. Has anyone ever told you you're a blind pessimist?

[Khan]

Is that you, Mom?

But seriously, deep down, I always -- always -- want the best to happen, but I use the glass-half-empty mentality (even when I'm sure I'm not wrong and something will turn out good) as a defense mechanism because I want to be prepared for the possibility that a negative outcome could occur.

[Khan]

Believe it or not, Ryan is now too old and too worldly for someone like Marian. He is where his older brother, Braden, was, minus Kit's rape. But if they hadn't fucked up Jonathan, I'd seriously bring him back and pair him with her!

[AmandainNC28655]

If TK and RB dont go to AMC 2.0, then I would like to see them revisit Rendall. Better yet if Esta is willing to return then pair the two of them together.