On 12/7/2023 at 8:59 AM, Planet Soap said:

Thanks for this topic.

Speaking for Y&R specifically:
1) Show structure: YnR was very easy to follow in the 90s because there was a select group of lead characters for which other characters orbited around (Victor, Lauren, Dru, Christine...) Because characters only existed in bubbles, and everyone didn't have connections with everyone, it was easy to keep track of who is connected to who. This unlike Douglas Marland's marvelous ATWT which boasted a large cast with connections all over the map.

2) Attention to Detail: look at the Sheila baby switch plot. Bell knew he had five days a week to fill so we got to see small but important details like Lauren setting up an insurance scheme in order to get Scott, Sheila and the baby's bloods to do a DNA test. We actually saw Sheila switch the babies and go through the process of switching birth tags, foot, and fingerprints. We saw doppleganger Marge go down to the bank to practice impersonating Katherine and forging her signature before taking her place. Meanwhlie, on the modern show, they said Cameron dug a tunnel to break into into the Newman ranch--- which was not shown. Bill Bell showed us Michael building a tunnel for days to break into Christine's apartment. Classic difference.

3) Story plotting: I like his ability to stretch stories out for years and let them have big payoffs. Jack & Jill's affair, her resulting divorce from John and fallout, spanned from 1983? to 1987. Bill didn't just write for the moment, his storylines had long-term implications. Stemming from the divorce in '86, Jill remains at Jabot today. Victor taking over Jabot lasted 10 years, and his reign finally ended in that dramatic Brad and Jack take over story! 

I also like that his storylines were consistent throughout a year. I can pick 1995 out of the lineup and know that I am automatically going to see Nick, Sharon and Matt Clark, or Nathan and Keesha be a constant thread. 

1) I 100 % agree with that point.  It was realistic and very real life...and sometimes there would be random scenes where 2 characters from seperate bubbles would interact and kick off a new story (Victor seeing Nikki perform at the Bayou, Ryan sitting alone at Gina's and being invited to sit with Danny/Cricket/Nina, etc).

2) His plots were slow moving, but it wasn't like being in a hamster wheel...there was movement.

3) I remember when Victor wrote his codicil that Jabot would go back to the Abbots once he passed away.  Then we got Victor persumed dead and a court case in 1993...long before the Brad/Jack take over story in 1998.

 

On 12/7/2023 at 8:59 AM, Planet Soap said:

Thanks for this topic.

Am I the only one who keeps thinking it should say "gold standard"?! I've never heard the phrase "top standard", have you? 

 

 

 

 

Nearly 210 minutes of unedited Bill Bell interview.