ARTICLE: ‘Ambitions’ Writer Skyy Sandifer Joins ‘The Gates’

[Errol]

Although it has been reported that veteran writer Robert Guza Jr. (“General Hospital”) and producer Julie Hanan Carruthers (“All My Children,” “Port Charles”) have joined “The Gates” as executive producers, creator and showrunner Michele Val Jean, who is also an executive producer on the series, has only officially confirmed one new hire since the news of the show’s development was first announced earlier this year.

On X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday morning, Val Jean shared that writer Skyy Sandifer had joined the new daytime drama series, which is set to debut on CBS in January 2025.

Michele Val Jean
Sonja Flemming/CBS

“Welcome to #TheGates @SincerelySkyy. So happy to be working with you again,” said Val Jean in her X post, referring to their time working on “Ambitions,” the short-lived OWN original series created by “Days of our Lives” writer Jamey Giddens.

In response to Val Jean’s post, Sandifer said, “Thank you so much! I’m so excited to be part of your baby!”

Since kicking off her professional writing career at “Ambitions” in 2019, where she also served as a script coordinator, Sandifer has gone on to work as a script coordinator for such series as “Blindspotting,” “House of Payne,” “Young Dylan” and most recently “Sistas.” Previously, Sandifer worked as a production assistant on such series as “Survivor’s Remorse” and “Sunday Best,” and the Marvel film “Ant-Man.”

Telling the story of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community, “The Gates” marks the first brand new soap opera in development for a broadcast network since the 1999 launch of NBC’s “Passions.”

Note: The post ‘Ambitions’ Writer Skyy Sandifer Joins ‘The Gates’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.
 

 

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[Liberty City]

Disappointed, as I wasn't impressed with Ambitions, but congratulations to Ms. Sandifer.

[DramatistDreamer]

I was only able to get through a handful of episodes of Ambitions. Now, I’m starting to get a little nervous.

[BetterForgotten]

She’s the writer’s assistant - she’s not actually doing any writing or crafting long term story. 

[DramatistDreamer]

Yet. One would think that being staffed is an eventual goal, no?

[BetterForgotten]

Some soap opera writer’s assistants spend years in that role, lol, without getting a proper promotion. 

It seems from that soaphub article that MVJ may have most of her writing team already in place, and a good amount of material already written. The article mentioned another multi-Emmy award winning writer (who we all assume is Patrick Mulcahey) is also on staff. I am assuming the rest of the team may be made up of lesser known/fresh talent. This Skyy person is only getting mentioned because MVJ Tweeted to her. 

Edited August 2, 2024 by BetterForgotten

[John]

I trust MVJ knows what she is doing. 

[te.]

You weren't impressed with Robin Givens announcing in every other scene that she *is* Stephanie Lancaster?

[DramatistDreamer]

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And I don’t even think as negatively of Given’s acting talent as others. She has shown skill (e.g. The Women Of Brewster Place) with good direction but she can’t elevate a poor script and poor direction.

[Chris B]

 

Should yall already be nervous considering MVJ was a producer and key part of the writing staff of Ambitions? People love to place all the blame on Jamey, but MVJ and Susan Dansby were also producers and pitching stories and writing episodes. 

Personally I enjoyed Ambitions (despite Robin Givens being miscast) and I was happy to see it get a second life on streaming. I think it was a good show but on the wrong network. I thought the show was well plotted and felt like a classic primetime soap with modern sensibilities. 

I also loved that it had a very diverse writing staff with people of all ages. I hope more of the younger talent gets snatched up, which we're already seeing on some of the other soaps. That show may have lasted one season but it's had a strong impact on the daytime community and created a lot of jobs. Not to mention, Ambitions is what put MVJ on Sheila Duckworth's radar for The Gates. 

[BetterForgotten]

IMO, it says a lot that Sheila went to MVJ and not Jamey Giddens to help create the network’s first soap opera with a predominantly black cast. I think we’re lucky things worked out this way…

[Taoboi]

Well, I'm happy to see new/fresh blood anyway we can get it. 

 

Gives one hope.

[Liberty City]

Nah, because Jamey was all-over Ambitions and that was my main problem with it. He should have stuck to his delusional "wishful castings." It's about as good as he got... and even those went far.

[DramatistDreamer]

It’s just my personal preference and opinion. I didn’t enjoy it. There are many series that others enjoy but I don’t. I understand it created jobs and I’m not knocking that, but strictly as an entertainment vehicle, I didn’t enjoy it and I guess I had little interest in trying to stick with it.

Edited August 6, 2024 by DramatistDreamer

[BetterForgotten]

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