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ARTICLE: ‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writer Posts Query: “Tell me your job so I can tweet at you how you’re doing it wrong”

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Ron Carlivati, Days of our Lives, DAYS, #DAYS, DOOL, #DOOL, Head Writer

Just like every other daytime writer before him, “Days of our Lives” head writer Ron Carlivati faces numerous bouts of criticism (and sometimes praise) on a daily basis over the show’s storylines, particularly the current possession arc which is far from over. In response, Carlivati recently tweeted a query directed at socially savvy upset fans of the soap, telling them to “tell me your job so I can tweet at you how you’re doing it wrong.”

Carlivati is referring to the daily tweets he receives from fans of the drama series who verbalize their displeasure over the way characters are written, where storylines are headed, and what they think they could do better, among other criticisms. His tweet has since garnered nearly 400 responses and has been retweeted over 100 times and liked by more than 1,100 accounts.

Some of the responses included comments from those in the soap industry, including “General Hospital” alum William deVry (ex-Julian Jerome), former “DAYS” co-executive producer Greg Meng, composer and music supervisor RC Cates (“The Young and the Restless”), actor Greg Rikaart (Leo Starks, “DAYS”; Kevin Fisher, “Y&R”), and countless others. 

“Well… .I study lines, make choices, intentions, work on technique & perfecting choices that I think best reflects the character in that scenario. I fail 9 out of 10 times,” read deVry’s tweeted response.

“They couldn’t give me “all the tea in China” to do your job! It’s the chocolate factory… speed ‘em up! The clock keeps ticking… while you live and breathe it 365 days a year! I’m worn out just stating this… and I’m in awe,” said Meng.

“I usually have 12 tones to choose from. I’m expected to put them in an order that is pleasing to others,” noted Cates.

“Haha!” said Rikaart who included the “skull and crossbones” emoji, referencing the metaphorical expression, “I’m dead.”

One fan responded to Carlivati’s tweet, saying, “Excellent point well made. I’m a paralegal and I get told by clients I’m doing my job wrong all the damn time. It’s classless, demeaning, and usually stems from a lack of understanding. Just give people the space and the grace to do what they were trained to do.”

Another said, “DAYS popularity has always been because it was the campy, supercouple, comic booky , action/adventure soap, since I watched as a young boy on the late 80s, the show has never been realistic , that’s part of its appeal, I’ve seen more grounded , realistic soaps.”

Added another, “People are so ridiculous! They have no idea what it takes to try & make a long running show riveting 5 days a week without repeating story lines & with a limited cast of characters! The crazy talent & creative writers have a challenge every day. Just know most of us appreciate.”

Check out more tweets from industry insiders below.



Note: The post ‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writer Posts Query: “Tell me your job so I can tweet at you how you’re doing it wrong” appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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1 hour ago, AbcNbc247 said:

😂😂

And what exactly did she say to you when you commented?

I already forgot. I posted it on one of SON many threads. She's a bitch! 

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@AbcNbc247

Edit...I commented on how bad Days was on Twitter and she came charging in....

4 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Boy...does he come off like an [!@#$%^&*].

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Sure, I can get that some criticism can be annoying mostly because it's usually beyond his control - ie budget, availability of actors etc. But the truth is that a lot on the show is a bust at the moment - the possession story seems to be going nowhere, the Saranee plot makes no sense, Ava vs Rafe is a c-plot at best.

 

I genuinely don't have a high standard for soaps these days either - my bar is essentially if I'm being entertained or not, and currently, I am not.

1 hour ago, Soapsuds said:

@AbcNbc247

Edit...I commented on how bad Days was on Twitter and she came charging in....

Boy...does he come off like an [!@#$%^&*].

He has always been like this. He expects for everyone to praise his horrible writing.  I do find it entertaining. When people call him out. And he gets all bitchy with them.

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Maybe he should stay off social media then or make his account private? Also, his work is public domain with the intention to entertain. If it’s not succeeding, the audience has a right to react.

He’s an aging soap writer that’s risen up the ranks during the dying days of the genre. Hardly something that’s an honor in this day and age. Perhaps he should have stuck to practicing Law.

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Oh, dear. Weirdly, it made me feel like I was re-visiting January 6th and former politician Rob Weiner's campaign at the same time. 🤔

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I do find the entire exchange about who his "boss" is very interesting and SO telling.

He could have let that go but I think ultimately the core of the problem is there: he is correct that literally his boss is Ken C. and THAT is the only person he needs to please.

That mentality - the network and producers is who I need to please - is obviously very common among head writers and that's how the worst of soaps come about.

Again, it is not to say he has to always make the audience happy but the notion that no criticism he receives is ever constructive comes from his ego.

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And this is a big reason why soaps are [!@#$%^&*]: Arrogant writers that do not believe it is important to please the audience. And since the AUDIENCE watches the show, it's a big problem.

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in 2015 I tweeted to Ron that I hoipe they arewill keep Sonny as part of GH and not the focus. Keep the show an ensemble.

 

He blocked me 

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Maybe the time he spends responding to strangers online, he could use to polish the scripts.

He must know he is going to be blasted on social media, so why bother investing on any level?

Deal with your demons Ron...

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8 hours ago, FrenchBug82 said:

I am the first one to say that audience whining should not be the lodestar - especially at Days where so many stories that we regard as classics were constantly complained about at the time by fans of this or that supercouple who didn't want them separated.
BUT that's not what he (or the actors celebrating) are doing here.
They are mocking the *very concept* of fans criticizing them. As if the skills and hard work involved made them immune to us reacting to the end result.

Agree.

Like you said, @FrenchBug82, writing is hard-ass work no matter WHICH medium you write for.  But the fact that it IS hard work doesn't mean you get a pass if/when the results suck.  It just means that, in this case anyway, your best just wasn't good enough.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Ron Carlivati needs to stay the hell off social media.

7 hours ago, janea4old said:

So, his problem is that the criticism lobbied against his work isn't constructive?  Dude, it's Twitter!  You're lucky if the feedback you get is all spelled correctly!

Besides, how much more constructive does it need to be than, "WTF is this [!@#$%^&*] that I'm watching, Ron!?"?

Edited by Khan

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