I'm salivating at the idea of Brooke playing a strong lead role side-by-side Erica, which is how it always should have been. Even back when JB left the show, I felt that Brooke had been slightly handicapped by her lack of children. Jamie was great, he kind of came and went, but Erica had two girls who had huge stories, and they gave Erica four grandkids who are capable of providing tons of story for years to come should this thing take off. Poor Brooke and Tom lost Laura, Laura 2.0, frankly, I never warmed up to her. Brooke needs a couple of nieces (and/or nephews), what she and Cecily were to Phoebe. And I mean niece/nephew in the broad sense, like children of first cousins or god children. Would love to see her and her crew in contrast to Erica's brood.

Imagine if Susan passed and they made Skye HBIC.

Oof, I mean passed on the project, not passed to be wit Jesus.

I wish they will rebuild the Tyler/Wallingford/English family along with the Kanes. I never liked how Erica never had anyone to talk to except Myrtle and Opal. Maybe they could reintroduce Mark to the show and add a few Cousins? I am tired of Long Lost siblings so I think a cousin could work.

Yes, bringing on more Tyler/Wallingford/English family members would be a great way to add new blood while respecting the history of the show. Anything that revives the Erica/Brooke feud would be fantastic, imo!

1. Solid writing. I want believable stories that I can relate to, with heightened reality. I do not want to see a talking dog. There are so many real-life situaitons to be explored. Do we really need multiple who's the daddy, back from the dead, baby switching stories AGAIN? Really, I think this is the opportunity to explore fresh talent. Do it! As others have said, the WRITING is KEY. Also, I really do like scenes that last for more than a minute. If its engaging, you won't lose people. Humor, romance, adventure. Explore the human condition.This was a strength in Agnes Nixon soaps. It was lost. Soaps lost their heart. One more thing. Complex characters, please. I will NOT watch if I see any more cartoon writing.

2. Think multi-generational and diverse. Respect for performers of all ages is a must. They are all vital and have lives. They mirror your audience. There are core families on both soaps. They need to be the foundation. One of the things that attracted me to OLTL was its diversity. People of all races, sexuality watch your soap.

3. Actors. TALENT please. I often wondered with so many performers out of work, why soap viewers were forced to watch talentless actors. If you can find a cheap bad actor, can't you find a cheap good one when so many are unemployed? Bring back familiar faces along with adding others. I want to recognize my soap.

4. Respect the audience. Do not talk down to viewers. Treat us as if we have intelligence.

5. Watch the show.

6. Location. I like what someone above said about taking advantage of outside shots.

7. Consult with those who know the genre. People like Agnes Nixon, Claire Labine, and others who helped define the genre are still with us. They love the genre, want it to succeed and would give great advice. Listen.

I have nothing more to add, you said just what I would've!

I guess both her parents (Mona and Eric) were only children.

I see Mona as growing up an only child, sharing a relationship with her Lutheran minister father not unlike Agnes Nixon's own, complicated relationship with her dad. For the most part, Mona was a pleasant, obedient, generally uncomplicated daughter. However, when she eloped with Eric, who was a member of a traveling theater troupe that was in her Oklahoma hometown for a spell, the Rev. Hagen was so outraged by her perceived rebelliousness, he cut off all contact with her.

Meanwhile, Eric Kane, also an only child, was born and raised in Chicago. Unfortunately, his father was a drunk who had abandoned the family when Eric was a little boy; and his mother, also an alcoholic, left as well to live with another man in California. This left Eric, at around age 12, alone, and a ward of the state. He bounced from foster home to foster home until, at age 16, he ran away to find his mother, now working on the fringes of the film industry as a wardrobe mistress. Eric's mother wasn't exactly eager to be reunited, however; and she made it clear that if he were to stay with her, he'd have to earn his keep. So, knowing that the head of the movie studio was into teenaged boys, she pimped out her own son to him. In exchange, he gave Eric his start in "the Industry" as a bit and supporting player.

Edited December 28, 201212 yr by Khan

An AMC reboot (special guest?) starring Victoria Rowell?? Now THAT's what I'm talking about.

Yeah, but not as Onyx Kane. Erica's had enough insta-siblings, thank you.

I'd rather see VR join the reboot as a former model whom Erica remembers well from their days on the runway. However, whatever good feelings exist between Erica and VR's character vanish the moment Erica learns VR's character (Courtney?) has outbid her for Enchantment, which is back on the market, and which Erica tries to buy back once her movie career stalled. To make matters worse, Courtney lures over Kendall, naming her Executive V.P. at the revitalized cosmetics and fragrance company. Erica, in turn, announces the launch (with Opal) of a new brand, Monica (for "Mona" and "Erica").

And the third partner in Erica's newest venture? None other than Brandon Kingsley.

Mona may not have been following her divorce, but Erica, Kendall and Bianca were all Kanes by blood so the term fit them accurately

True, but remember that scene when Mona, Erica, Kendall, and Bianca stood in front of the mirror and Mona said they were "three generations of Kane women." That bugged me.

Yeah, but not as Onyx Kane. Erica's had enough insta-siblings, thank you.

This touches on something I'd like to see done away with. Can we please get rid of the idea that everyone on a soap has to be related? Television is full of families of choice and wonderful ensembles made up of coworkers and friends that act as family. The concept that every character on a show has to be tied to everyone else by blood is archaic and causes the very things that helped makes soaps into a joke: insta-siblings, retcon parenthood, characters screwing every member of a family, etc... Then we can also do away with that core family nonsense where a character is deemed more important by pedigree instead of what they add to canvas.

Given that these shows are - I assume - going to be dealing with smaller ensembles and actors under shorter, more flexible contracts, let's take off the handcuffs of outdated thinking.

Can someone please post the link to the Podcast with Robin Christopher? Thanks.

BTW, wasn't Asa related to the Woleks? I seem to remember reading that in Soapworld or some other book. Or was he related to the Cortlandts? My memory is foggy right now, but I am almost positive that it was established that Asa was related to another prominent family on OLTL or AMC. This was before my time, but like I said, I definitely read that in some soap realted book published in the '80s that I read n the '90s.

Yes...I don't remember the genealogy (if I ever knew it to begin with) but I clearly remember Wanda Wolek calling him "cousin Asa."

That would blow my mind.

Vincent Irizarry just posted on Facebook that h'e signed on with PP.

Happy to share that I just signed on with Prospect Park for the “All My Children” reboot! Excited to bring dastardly Dr. David back to life, as he did for so many others, and to see my dear friends in Pine Valley once again. A great, big thank you to all the fans for your tenacity in keeping the hope alive. You’re awesome!!! Let’s all keep our fingers crossed together that it becomes a reality.

Now I'm officially...something. This is the first bit of news that actually makes me believe that something is happening.

Edited December 28, 201212 yr by marceline

Did he sign up the first time?

This is good news. I can't wait to see what kind of new actors are signed. I wonder if we'll get any non-AMC/OLTL vets. Also curious if Erin Torpey would be Jess on OLTL or will they do a completely new recast. Interesting days ahead. I will say that it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Debbi Morgan signed on considering she lives in Maryland. She commuted to LA for Y&R and AMC, so I could see her agreeing to it if it's what she wants.

Did he sign up the first time?

No. The only AMCers that officially signed the first time were Mathison, Hartley and WIlliams.

In fact, the last time around VI had to smack Jamey Giddens down for claiming that he was the reason PP wasn't moving forward with AMC.

http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2011/11/irizarry-responds-to-claim-that-hes-behind-reported-2-0-pause

Edited December 28, 201212 yr by marceline

Yes...I don't remember the genealogy (if I ever knew it to begin with) but I clearly remember Wanda Wolek calling him "cousin Asa."

Wanda & Asa were either first or second cousins.

I was just coming to post the Irizarry news. I'm SO excited about this development. He was such a large part of why I enjoyed the show. He's fantastic and he and Cara are going to blow my socks off.

Counting down the second till Mathison signs on...