Days: SOD Cover

[Bree]

You said it.

If another soap is smart, they'll scoop him up. Only if it's not GH or Passions, because of all the controversy over whether JER hates him or not, and because GH is such a cesspool of filth and crap, god knows what Guza the Luza would do to a character he played.

[Andre]

Jack played Tom Hardy on GH, right?

[ksale]

If it isn't personal, then I think Corday has this idea in his head that Jack and Jennifer can only be with each other and no one else. I don't think that is really true, and ironically, I think it has been Corday's own actions that have created this illusion. Each time he's fired or recasted MA, the audience gets upset and they resent any new pairing with Jennifer. The resentment isn't because they won't accept Jennifer with anyone else, IMO. The resentment is because of the callous treatment of MA. This time is different. MR is leaving on her own. No firing, or being pushed off canvas, or continuous killings. I've noticed the opinions of many fans on all boards. They're sad she's leaving, but they were willing to keep Jack around as an independent character so I do think Corday is throwing out the baby with the bathwater here.

[Cheap21]

yes and I loved him over there. Id love it if Tom returned with his son bc the Hardy/Webber family needs some blood in town. Unfortunetly Guza is such a hack writer that I wouldnt want Matt to return under his pen. I think a Tom and Skye pairing could be hot. Just imagine Matt Ashford and Robin Christopher together. I think they'd play off each other well

[PhoenixRising05]

I agree. No matter what they did they were going to piss off someone. Poeple on several boards did not want Jack to move on nor did they want a Jen recast. I think this is both a overreaction to a fanbase again and somewhat of a budget thing because it was easy to get rid of Matt without Missy staying. I think Corday heard some of what was being said and decided not to keep Matt because a good majority of people did not want him and Jen apart. So, in a way, the fanbase played a part in Matt going (I know I am getting bashed for that comment but it's true-check out other boards, letters, etc.).

Days has survived without J&J and has been better off and they will again. The ratings didn;t even go up when Matt returned in May-they were near record lows. They went up when Steve and Kayla returned. J&J are popular but they never pay off in ratings which is weird but they really don't. J&M, BOPE, Steve/Kayla, and hell even Shelle do. Just the facts unforunately. This does suck because I wanted Jack/Billie.

I do think Matt would come back someday. He knows it's a business decision and I think he knows that a good portion of the J&J fanbase wanted a happy ending. Matt is never bitter when leaving so he would come back some day-depending on the situation. I think Missy is done though.

I will keep watching though-no one actor or couple leaving stops me from watching. I am a fan of the show even though I have my faves. I am disappointed but its not the end of the world.

[ksale]

I disagree.

The posts saying they wouldn't want Jack without Jen have been in the minority, IMO.

The ratings rose the week of Jack's return to Jennifer's wedding and the week before. The ratings failed to rise when SN and MBE returned. If anything, I think the rise in the ratings was a combination because I know as a younger viewer I could've cared less about Patch and Kayla and it's not like they were promoting them either. The only reason to tune in those 2 weeks was Jack, Jennifer and Frankie.

[PhoenixRising05]

Well I have been too alot of sites and seen alot of letters in the mags since Missy said she was leaving and 75% were all pro-happy ending and not wanting a recast.

Days did not rise the week of Steve and Kayla's initial comeback due to premeptions. Many of us posted on that and figured Days would have rose a bit that week had they not had scattered preemptions. The week of the wedding was no doubt more Steve/Kayla effect then J&J. J&J historically over the past few years have done nothing for ratings. You would think they would but they don't. 1997 was a big ratings year for Days and Matt and Missy were not there. We had faux J&J. The late 90's had no J&J at all and ratings were higher. Since they have returned, the only week they did anything for ratings was the Salem bombing in 2001. Their island reunion in 2004 really did nothing for the numbers either-it may have been like a +1 increase if that. The other couples and even Sami have shown to bring viewers in.

Now don't think I am bashing J&J or Matt or Missy-I'm not. I love both of them but these are the facts that I think may have played a part in the decision making here. I think budget played a minor role but I think the J&J fanbase having a good amount of people again Jack without Jen played a huge role.

[pranji]

I don't think either the actors, nor the characters, will ever be back.

I knew from the beginning if MR left then there was no hope for MA. That is the game Corday has always played with them. I don't believe it has anything to do with the budget, or ratings. It has to do with what Corday wants. Corday wanted MR to stay (no budget concern there!). She declined. There is no doubt in my mind that this exit is permanent as long as MR stays away.

I also expect Warlock, and most likely Benson, to follow. Yes, yes, yes, I know they say the characters are safe, but I think that is for the moment and they will soon follow out the door.

[irish secra]

Well, I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

I think Corday will use the J&J'ers as an excuse for firing Matt. I just don't think it is the true reason. After all, they never fired Missy when Matt was off the screen. For some reason, Corday (or someone else with power at Days?SONY? NBC?) doesn't want Matt on their screens. Why, who knows? I fervently believe that Hogie would have written for Matt if he had the chance.

As for Corday, I don't think we will ever know what goes on in that dude's head anyways!

[Roman]

What it sounds like to me also is that even though Matt/Jack fans (like myself) are ticked that he got fired, I feel that people would still be upset, but not as upset, if the timing of the firing wasn't really bad. He gets fired 2 weeks after Stephen and Mary Beth come back to the show, and everyone was really looking forward to that whole dynamic playing out, because it really felt like there was alot of that story that could have been told.

He and J/J will always have their fanbase, and I do agree with Phoenix that if Corday saw the reaction of the fanbase, he may have based a bigger part of his decision on that. But, if SN & MBE had not had came back, the anger would still be there, but not as much, imho.

[PhoenixRising05]

Yeah I agree Roman -it is very bad timing.

Corday is screwy-what can you do. How do we know NBC did not have hand in this? We really don't know-all we know is Matt is gone and I just want him to have a great exit with Missy.

[Roman]

Oh, if that exit stincks, Corday will see his head on a platter. Days fans are already pissoed off, now you don't want them to get pitchforks and storm the old windmill.

[DaysFanJean]

I won't leave outright because Matt isn't back, but sure close to it. I'm livid. He has so much to offer on Days and it is difficult to believe they would cave into the J/J fan base to send them off together. I HATE THAT. That is why couple fan bases are soooooooooooooooooooo wrong. Jack is so much more than half a couple. He is Steve's brother. He is Abby and JJ's father....what will happen to them? Surely Hogan will fix this.

[Roman]

The word now is that Abby will move in with Kayla, which make no sense because they aren't related.

Are they?

[Ridge]

Kayla is Abby's aunt, her father's brother's wife.

Sucky move. But I guess it isn't shocking b/c Gabe kept saying it.

If a lot of money is freed I hope Mascolo can come back now. Still Ashford shouldn't have been the number one on the list, but I guess it was the most convenient. Hutzler, Brandt and Taylor should definitely follow suit IMO.