In answer to the question at the top of this thread... my experience watching different soaps has been: Be Careful What You Wish For.

 

I, too, would love to see my talented, smart forum friends create and write the soap of their dreams. However, so much of what RUINS a good soap is outside interference. From the network, from the production company (side-eyes Sony), from hopeless yes-men HWs, nosey-parkers in marketing who want synergy tie-ins with KFC...

 

So therefore, I would suggest that in addition to your talented selves at the helm of a show's imaginative life, you also hire a strong EP who can handle the talent and direct production beautifully, as well as a tough-guy enforcer to deal with the networks. This is a genre that cries out for a single strong vision and steady, united hand.

Edited July 2, 20187 yr by Cat

Unfortunately, Robert Calhoun and Allen Potter are dead, so there go my EP's.

39 minutes ago, Khan said:

Unfortunately, Robert Calhoun and Allen Potter are dead, so there go my EP's.

 

I'd go for Ed Scott who used to make Y&R and Days look gorgeous.

 

He also would give the actors notes and re-implemented some measure of rehearsal time. Actors were thrilled because they felt he was taking their craft seriously.

Edited July 2, 20187 yr by Cat

1 hour ago, Cat said:

I'd go for Ed Scott who used to make Y&R and Days look gorgeous.

 

He also would give the actors notes and re-implemented some measure of rehearsal time. Actors were thrilled because they felt he was taking their craft seriously.

 

Yeah, he just might be one of the last of the "good ones."  Him, and David Shaughnessy.

21 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

 

Sally Sussman created Generations.. which on paper looked like a good show.. but perhaps she shouldn't have been head-writer of it since it didn't really hook viewers right away.

I think GENERATIONS had great potential, but it needed a little more guidance. Sally Sussman has great ideas, but she needs someone to help her with structure. I really liked Spyder Games and she worked on that. I think Christian McLaughlin really helped. The big issue with Spyder Games was budget.

Edited July 2, 20187 yr by SteelCity
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Wendy Riche is an EP that could handle the networks and temperamental sponsors with skill... but sadly, I don't think that type of EP will ever be hired on soaps now.  Now it's all about staying within budget (as much as I didn't think Julie C was a good EP for AMC.. she always went over budget and got all the money Frank V didn't use on OLTL LOL).