As fae as the comments about outsiders who don't have an interest in daytime and/or don't like it...a few examples...

Harding Lemay only took on his first soap job, writing dialogue gor the syndicated DARK SHADOWS rip=off STRANGE PARADISE in 1989 because he needed the money to support his family...when he was hired to headwrite the continuing story of ANOTHER WORLD, he assessment after watching the program was, "It's [!@#$%^&*]." Needless to say Mr. Lemay went on to embrace the genre with a vengeance.

Michael Malone was one of those snooty literature types who looked down on soaps until in the 90's he turned out some of the best drama ONE LIFE has ever produced.

Finally, Hogan Sheffer had an obvious disdain for soaps when he took over WORLD TURNS.

I firmly believe that soaps have a way of pulling in even the most ardent soap-haters.

Kevin Williamson, creator of "Dawson's Creek."

I get SO TIRED of people who have never ever seen the show constantly comparing it to other teen dramas like "The OC" and "One Tree Hill." OC and OTH are good shows I think, but DC is so much out of their league in terms of character development and all of that. The characters on DC had so many indepth comversations that revealed tiny facets of their inner person and that is something is definitely needed in daytime. When you watch the show for a long time, you know why so and so does this with so and so or why so and so is upset with so and so. You understand it completely.

As fae as the comments about outsiders who don't have an interest in daytime and/or don't like it...a few examples...

Harding Lemay only took on his first soap job, writing dialogue gor the syndicated DARK SHADOWS rip=off STRANGE PARADISE in 1989 because he needed the money to support his family...when he was hired to headwrite the continuing story of ANOTHER WORLD, he assessment after watching the program was, "It's [!@#$%^&*]." Needless to say Mr. Lemay went on to embrace the genre with a vengeance.

Michael Malone was one of those snooty literature types who looked down on soaps until in the 90's he turned out some of the best drama ONE LIFE has ever produced.

Finally, Hogan Sheffer had an obvious disdain for soaps when he took over WORLD TURNS.

I firmly believe that soaps have a way of pulling in even the most ardent soap-haters.

I have a personal, passionate hate for the aformentioned writer. After having met him and talked to him on a professional level, it is safe to say I don't want him polluting ANY of my soaps. I'd go as far as to say I'd rather have Jim Reilly in charge of all nine soaps.

But I do see your point, Sedrick.

I have a personal, passionate hate for the aformentioned writer. After having met him and talked to him on a professional level, it is safe to say I don't want him polluting ANY of my soaps. I'd go as far as to say I'd rather have Jim Reilly in charge of all nine soaps.

But I do see your point, Sedrick.

Umm... which aforementioned writer, babes? Not to get you all in another tizzy, but I'm just a little bit lost since there were three mentioned.

Umm... which aforementioned writer, babes? Not to get you all in another tizzy, but I'm just a little bit lost since there were three mentioned.

E. Lynn Harris. *GAG*(And no, I don't mind being in another tizzy, especially when talking about this guy.)

If you thought everything was "All About [!@#$%^&*]" during her stay at DAYS, just wait and see what happens if Harris gets his hand on soaps. At least [!@#$%^&*] has literary credibility. He's arrogant, egotistical, and a joyless !@#$%^&*]. And doesn't have the talent to back it up. Daytime should have diversity, but E. Lynn would be such a step back for the industry. In terms of getting upset and !@#$%^&*]y, he rivals even Megan McTavish's interviews.

I think I'd start watching sports if he joined the writing staff of a soap opera.

ETA: I should have said "writer in question" instead of aformentioned writer. Sorry. My own talentless mistake. Hehehe.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned any of the creators of any of the primetime soaps on the WB/UPN.

Greg Berlanti-Creator of "Jack and Bobby". A writer who I could see writing for a type of soap like Guiding Light or All My Children.

Mark Schwahn-Creator of "One Tree Hill". Another perfect fit for AMC.

David Hudgins-Writer of "Everwood". Of what I've seen on Everwood, I believe this man would capture every aspect of what Guiding Light should be. It is remiscent of how GL was written in the early 1990s.

Rob Thomas-Creator of "Veronica Mars". Speaks for itself.

Jack Kenny-Creator of "The Book of Daniel".

David E. Kelly-I always thought he would be a perfect fit for OLTL.

Aaron Sorkin-Creator of "The West Wing" I think would be the perfect fit for Y&R as an Associate Head Writer.

E. Lynn Harris. *GAG*(And no, I don't mind being in another tizzy, especially when talking about this guy.)

If you thought everything was "All About [!@#$%^&*]" during her stay at DAYS, just wait and see what happens if Harris gets his hand on soaps. At least [!@#$%^&*] has literary credibility. He's arrogant, egotistical, and a joyless !@#$%^&*]. And doesn't have the talent to back it up. Daytime should have diversity, but E. Lynn would be such a step back for the industry. In terms of getting upset and !@#$%^&*]y, he rivals even Megan McTavish's interviews.

I think I'd start watching sports if he joined the writing staff of a soap opera.

ETA: I should have said "writer in question" instead of aformentioned writer. Sorry. My own talentless mistake. Hehehe.

Oh, okay. I kinda figured you were talking about ELH -- I get the same vibe -- but I wasn't sure. But I do think McTavish is more just self-impressed with her atrocious writing (if I have to read one more quote of her talking about "huge emotional stakes", I'm going to hunt her down, and... well, let me stop) as opposed to being self-impressed AND !@#$%^&*]y!

I'm surprised nobody mentioned any of the creators of any of the primetime soaps on the WB/UPN.

Greg Berlanti-Creator of "Jack and Bobby". A writer who I could see writing for a type of soap like Guiding Light or All My Children.

Mark Schwahn-Creator of "One Tree Hill". Another perfect fit for AMC.

David Hudgins-Writer of "Everwood". Of what I've seen on Everwood, I believe this man would capture every aspect of what Guiding Light should be. It is remiscent of how GL was written in the early 1990s.

Rob Thomas-Creator of "Veronica Mars". Speaks for itself.

Jack Kenny-Creator of "The Book of Daniel".

David E. Kelly-I always thought he would be a perfect fit for OLTL.

Aaron Sorkin-Creator of "The West Wing" I think would be the perfect fit for Y&R as an Associate Head Writer.

Greg Berlanti-Creator of "Jack and Bobby". A writer who I could see writing for a type of soap like Guiding Light or All My Children..

Now that I think about it.. he'd be perfect for daytime..

Didn't he work for Y&R before?

Marc Cherry from Desperate Housewives. Sure, last season was rocky but the amount of "OH MY GOD AMAZING" moments on that show is astonishing.

Rob Thomas from Veronica Mars. Talk about brilliant. Just look how much was going on in the second season and how it all made sense.

David Lynch because of his brilliant characterizations and twists. Sure Twin Peaks fell apart but he admiitted to being busy. And just look at Mulholland Dr. - that was supposed to be a pilot, so take away the big twist from the movie and you have the pilot for a glamourous mystery soap. He would work wonders on daytime.

Marc Cherry from Desperate Housewives. Sure, last season was rocky but the amount of "OH MY GOD AMAZING" moments on that show is astonishing.

I remember reading rumblings online(this was about 3 or 4 years ago, before Cherry hit it big with HOUSEWIVES, that Marc Cherry was interested in daytime.

He'd make a fantastic Head-Writer/Executive Producer.

My problem with Marc Cherry is that his writing is a little bit too sensationalized. He has these big storylines over at "Housewives" like Bree's alcoholism and Andrew's sexuality but they never seemed to be fleshed out. Approach the story, write some moments for it, and then move on to the next shocking twist. "DH," especially in the second season, was like a big string of plot twists strung together with no real depth. Anyways.

My problem with Marc Cherry is that his writing is a little bit too sensationalized... a big string of plot twists strung together with no real depth. Anyways.

Essentially a McTavish with a penis.

Soaps have been stigmatized in this country to the point where even a writer who may be decent in other genres will write sub-par material for daytime because soaps fans are not perceived as discriminating viewers.

We need talent from the great soaps of the UK:

Tony Jordan; longtime headwriter for EastEnders. He could restore a feeling of community spirit on one of our broken dramas like GL or ATWT. He's available since he does a lot of projects outside of EastEnders, including an American spin-off of EE that never got off the ground.

Darren Little; former archivist/scriptwriter for Coronation Street. He dedicated himself to learning Corrie's history inside and out and his episodes always made references to past history and his characterizations were extremely accurate. Right now he is writing for a Hollyoaks spin-off. A long-running soap could benefit from his genius.

Tony Wood; former executive producer of Coronation Street. He pushed that soap's production value to the extreme and made Corrie the most watchable soap of 2004. The infamous Mad Maya storyline and its exciting climax, Killer Katy, Tracy vs. Karen and many other directorial achievements unfolded under his watch. We desperately need new executive producers like him to bring our ugly soaps into the 21st century.

New writers, directors and producers who actually care about the soap genre from the UK can inject some life into our crappy shows. US soaps used to be an American institution - now they are a national embarrassment. The status quo isn't working anymore. The Brits can show us the way.

How about Winnie Holzman? She hasn't written anything since Once & Again.

Her credits include:

- Once and Again

- My So Called Life (creator)

- The Wonder Years

- Thirtysomething