But every single pilot script that the big networks order gets published in the trades. Especially when they're based on known properties. It's as much news for the public as it is news for the industry.

I'm not even trying to defend... ABC or Kelly Ripa or anyone, but it's the way things tend to work.

Still looking for that pilot script, BTW.

5 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

The only time I tune to ABC is to see the supermarket sweep reboot. Besides that ABC shows are pure garbage! 

I can't recall the last time ABC had a show that was "must-see" for me.  I mean, "black-ish" is excellent, but it isn't something I wait with anticipation to see each week.

4 hours ago, Michael said:

It seems as if they didn't think the pilot script was right for them or prohibitive to shoot or -- well, whatever reason they had, and who knows if they ever gave it a fair shot in the first place. But you'd never have multiple episodes of a primetime revival of a beloved property filmed before word got out to the media.

They probably liked the script, but worried whether the show would appeal to anyone outside of the general, soap-viewing audience.

If ABC is serious about bringing back AMC, then they need to stream new episodes on Hulu (or some other streaming service) and leave it at that.

Edited January 13, 20223 yr by Khan

I think it just probably wasn't good enough. And I wasn't enthused about the premise, which I suspected would be reductive and as crass and ADHD as most modern primetime network-based soaps today. I may be wrong, who knows. I'd still like to see the script.

For me, I still think the future of these brands (if they have one) is on streaming. But we'll see if that ever happens, now or later.

Just now, Vee said:

And I wasn't enthused about the premise, which I suspected would be reductive and as crass and ADHD as most modern primetime network-based soaps today.

That was my feeling as well.  As described, it just didn't sound like AMC to me.  I'd much rather see them take the "Dark Shadows" route and go back to the very beginning, with the Tara/Phil/Chuck story.

I'm hopeful. Andrew Stearn had other studio offers but chose ABC because of the opportunity to reboot All My Children. Whether the opportunity will lead to something tangible, remains to be seen. But he seems passionate to make this happen. And only a diehard, respectful fan of the show's history would go out of his way to enlist the help of Agnes's son. He didn't have to do that, but he did. 

On 1/12/2022 at 12:12 PM, j swift said:

I think it is interesting that he was asked the question in the first place.  I mean how often are network executives asked about older pilots? 

My "hot take" is that the answer is related online clickbate.  If you look at the TVLine numbers, the stories about soaps do very well and are usually in the top 10 stories of the week.  Last week's EW story about the death of Luke Spencer did better than a story on the Golden Globes.  There is a hunger for soap news online, even if it does not translate into broadcast TV ratings (probably because those online readers are not in the prefered demographic).  But, I wonder if online entertainment sites are crafting questions in order to get more views, rather than gaining real newsworthy information?  

 

Soap news gets clicks. Mainstream press is getting wise to it which is why the publicists are sending major news stories to them instead of the publications that have supported them for years. While the mainstream press may report the news, the readers of the content don't stick with them...they stick with SON (this place, not that other one), Daytime Confidential, SOD, etc. Same audience. Different outlets.

Lastly, online entertainment sites have always existed for the clicks as their first priority. Even the supposed serious news outlets have become clickbait. It's all about the dollars, which I totally get.

As for the reboot, let's not forget that COVID put a damper on development during the 2020-2021 television season. Many shows put in development around that time are only now getting looked at as possible opportunities for 2022-2023 since many of the shows looked at for fall 2020 got sidetracked to 2021-2022 (if that) as a result of not being able to shoot a pilot during the early part of the pandemic.

I don't think it's impossible that ABC is actively looking for a female-appealing prime time soap as such - I mean, Promised Land seemed like such an odd outlier to order when they actually had hyped pilots like Triage, National Parks and Epic. I wouldn't completely rule out them taking their time to look at the Pine Valley script with the co-vid chaos of the last two years.

Watching Scream 5 proves to me a darker AMC/Pine Valley could work. Tbh, I wanted the show to be more darker ( Not Megan Rape and dead babies though) and serious it’s last decade while they reinvented themselves. 

Edited January 14, 20223 yr by DemetriKane

I dunno, I just feel like a "darker" AMC would be antithetical to Agnes Nixon's original vision for her creation.  She always envisioned her shows having a pronounced sense of humor.

I believe the show could still have its sense of humor. Its many different types of comedy so that would be no problem imo. I just think the show overall would have benefited from a more serious tone sometimes. I think maybe upping the gothic/hitchcockian feel to the show probably is the best way to flip the tone naturally. At times(for me), the show could be too light hearted that it lacks the “tune in tomorrow” nature most soaps need to survive imo. 

Edited January 14, 20223 yr by DemetriKane

IF this show happens, it should air on HULU

On 1/14/2022 at 8:31 AM, Khan said:

I dunno, I just feel like a "darker" AMC would be antithetical to Agnes Nixon's original vision for her creation.  She always envisioned her shows having a pronounced sense of humor.

And Agnes Nixon's stories had heart.  I don't mind a serious tone and some intensity, but I don't want dark. I want heart.  Heart is the heart of soaps.

33 minutes ago, janea4old said:

And Agnes Nixon's stories had heart.  I don't mind a serious tone and some intensity, but I don't want dark. I want heart.  Heart is the heart of soaps.

Same.

Just because it goes dark doesn't mean it loses it heart. The show went dark many times during the 90s but most fans still felt the heart. Whatever happens with it, i would hope it has a nice balance of both dark and light elements! What i don't wanna see is something that's so sugary sweet and fairytale light , which at times the show became and that was corny!

Edited February 14, 20223 yr by DemetriKane