ABC developing real-life version of 'General Hospital'

[Khan]

Let the church say Amen.

[DRW50]

Unless they have doctors brawling in the streets and wearing mini-skirts to work, most won't watch today. Reality shows mostly go for the gutter at the moment. And I watch some of those, don't get me wrong, but that's what they do. It's what gets eyeballs.

[Khan]

Exactly, Carl!

If they really want to develop interesting, new programming for their daypart, I say they should just capitalize on the current craze and start developing limited-run telenovela-like series that don't require lavish budgets but that do appeal to more diverse, younger audiences. But that's just me.

[marceline]

No it's not just you.

[Bright Eyes]

Why networks try at all with daytime programming is beyond me. No one cares.

[Khan]

Don't get me wrong: I've resisted telenovelas for the longest time. I want soap operas, and nothing else. But, hell, if the choice is between telenovelas and more, godawful talk and reality shows....

[marceline]

The only other option is to devote the daypart to reruns of primetime shows or give it to the affiliates. I think the rerun thing might work. It certainly works for basic cable. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't tried. I could easily see DAYS followed /replaced by reruns of Silk Stalkings, Monk or SVU. Or GH being followed/replaced by eps of Roseanne, Moonlighting and/or The Wonder Years. At this point there's nothing to lose.

I was wondering. I know that you've been resistant to the telenovela model. A popular telenovela could easily lead the way back to a more traditional soap opera. Although I think (hope) that even if that's true, the days of "worlds without end" is over. I'd rather have a daily soap that runs for five years and makes some goddamn sense than another Project Orpheus, Mitch Lawrence back from the dead again or Tomarenzo.

[SFK]

I would totally do a cheap as hell 30 min. novella shot "reality style" that was somewhat of a Girls ripoff centered around a (somewhat revolving) group of hipsters in Greenpoint.

Oh, and they're centaurs.

[Khan]

Another idea: revive the "ABC Afterschool Special," with an original movie split over two days every week.

[Marco Dane]

I loved the ABC AS Specials they should REALLY bring those back!!!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I wouldn't mind a daytime Anthology Series...

[frequentsoapfan]

I really don't think the young people would watch.

[chicklitsandfantasies]

A telenovela is just a limited run soap opera. It still has plenty of filler like longterm soaps and it's frontburner and side stories.

[chicklitsandfantasies]

Yeah I do have to give that marketing person their props for that one. I'm already seeing the gullible buy into their crap. I studied marketing for 3 years and know what spin words make soap fans look stupid, can I get a job with ABC Daytime?

I shake my head at it all the time to. Because it makes what network execs said "You can train the audience to watch what you want them to" so true.

[Jonathan]

Isn't this basically Dr. Oz's primetime show NY Med?