Given how they think, TPTB were never going to let Michael Easton walk. My question is what the nature of his demands were. It could have been money, but he strikes me as being smart enough to realize daytime salaries are just decreasing. I suspected his reticence to re-sign had more to do with the crazy fans who wouldn't let him be (as in his former message board editor). I hope he negoitiated for more time off, freedom to pursue other contracts...things that may eventually lead to better story and less airtime for him - whcih can only improve the show, a win-win for both parties (even if one doesn't see it). If they cut other actors just to keep him, it WILL kill the show, just as the perceived need storywise and airwise to feature ME as Caleb led to Port Charles cancellation.

I too am in the minority here and think the show's doing okay. A little momentum's been lost but for the most part it's consistently entertaining.

I love Tess and Nash and really want them back. The reason I stopped watching is because they were treated so poorly. I also thought Kevin and Kelly had great chemistry and want them back together. I think as a couple they could be the future of the show.

The Dorian/Clint pairing where Clint totally sleeps with his family's enemy has done a great deal of damage to the character for me. I don't want him with Viki. In fact, I don't like the character anymore.

Today, I heard Michael Easton has re-signed his contract. With Antonio returning to the police department, we all know what this means. We are returning to the crime-fighting duo of McBoring and Huffy.

So I change my opinion. This show is a goner. The McBoring hour has been a flat out bust, and Valentini and Co. are either too stupid or too arrogant to make a change. It would merely involve a greater mix of characters and less emphasis on two -- one who has a small but vocal fan base and the second who is just reviled. It's also obvious they totally caved to demands by Michael Easton, the most overrated person on the show.

OLTL is doomed and I'm sticking with DOOL.

By the way, there is no question that the ratings stink. They stink as compared to other years, and they stink as compared to other soaps. OLTL is dropping like a bomb. At this rate, GL should tie or pass it before the end of the summer. This show has lost its base of support, and it has lied and abused its fanbase for such a long time that it is going to be very difficult to get us back.

Yep, I'm now pissed.

I do think they will put Nash with J/Tess in the near term. So I guess that is something. DG and HT do have great chem on a show where it is sorely lacking. They should have been the future of the show both from a character and an actor pov. I don't have a clue how they get around stepson sex. It's simply a huge stumbling block and they have avoided the only way I can see getting around it which was to confront the vile act for what it was and then try and put the pieces back together again. If there is another alternative I'm open to it but what they are doing isn't working, at least not for me.

I also agree that I no longer like the character of Clint.

I think this sums it up the best "[t]his show has lost its base of support, and it has lied and abused its fanbase for such a long time that it is going to be very difficult to get us back. "

Cal, I agree with you on Kevin and Kelly. A good starting point would be for them to have Kelly admit she was wrong, that she did a terrible thing. That never happens. Instead, they have Kevin painted as an [!@#$%^&*]. Yes he was jealous, but my goodness, he had cause to be. Duke -- in one of the worst written storylines in history -- was after his dad's wife. Kelly did sleep with kevin's son and she had been lusting after him previously. So Kevin did nothing wrong IMO.

Regardless, the show is in trouble and I don't trust OLTL anymore. That's bad on me. I want to be proven wrong. I also don't totally blame Higley. I do blame Frank Valentini. She was right on target with her remarks when she was hired. Unless she's a world class liar, she's being outvoted on stories. Now she's not a good writer by any stretch, but Michael Malone is a very very good soap writer and he did some lousy storylines during his second tenure. OLTL's problem go beyond writers.

Cal, I agree with you on Kevin and Kelly. A good starting point would be for them to have Kelly admit she was wrong, that she did a terrible thing. That never happens. Instead, they have Kevin painted as an [!@#$%^&*]. Yes he was jealous, but my goodness, he had cause to be. Duke -- in one of the worst written storylines in history -- was after his dad's wife. Kelly did sleep with kevin's son and she had been lusting after him previously. So Kevin did nothing wrong IMO.

Regardless, the show is in trouble and I don't trust OLTL anymore. That's bad on me. I want to be proven wrong. I also don't totally blame Higley. I do blame Frank Valentini. She was right on target with her remarks when she was hired. Unless she's a world class liar, she's being outvoted on stories. Now she's not a good writer by any stretch, but Michael Malone is a very very good soap writer and he did some lousy storylines during his second tenure. OLTL's problem go beyond writers.

Agreed.

I especially agree that the problems extend far beyond the writer. The same mistakes that existed under Malone are being repeated under Higley. Now I think Higley adds an entire new layer of incompetence to the equation but that doesn't mean that removing her solves the problem. They need a house cleaning.

Cal and Jess, I can't add anything to what you guys have said, but did want to say I agree with it all.

I'm glad that some of you seem to think the show is okay. As a long time viewer I think the show is in worse shape than I have ever seen it in. I thought the Malone 2nd tenure was bad, but this is worse.

I do agree that the problems go far beyond just the writer, and that Valentini and Frons share a lot of the blame. But as one who witnessed Higley's time on Days, I can say that she is a terrible terrible terrible writer. I gave her the benefit of the doubt for many months, but just couldn't any longer.

The only thing that kept me hanging on for a long time was the performers, but after awhile even they couldn't keep me coming back.

I don't want to see any show leave the air, but I fear for OLTL. It already has the smallest budget of the ABC shows, and if the ratings keep falling they won't be getting anymore. I wonder if they will even be able to hold on to the vets that they constantly manage to misuse.

Hopefully someone at ABC Daytime will wake up soon.

All three ABC shows are suffering -- I've only sporadically watched GH and AMC, but they still have some semblance of a good soap. I'm sure a loyal watcher could pick apart the Adam/Jr relationship, but the show still HAS David Canary, Vince I, Susan Lucci, Bobbie Eakes (cough!), Julia Barr, Thorsten Kaye (although I think the Zach and Ryan show sounds far less than appealing), Cady McClain, Ted Knight, and Alicia Minshew all playing viable characters. Although they have a flood of new characters, they still have a semblance of a core. GH SHOULD be able to put together a Sonny story or a Luke story that can bring back viewers -- especially with Genie Francis's return. Whether it will or not is a matter of TPTB's will.

Has OLTL even that much? They won't use signature characters they have or have some problems keeping them in character when they do. They won't return Todd to his bad self because they think they can redeem Spenser -- and have the Tangeline fanbase to contend with. If they put Todd and Blair back together, appeasing a longtime, hardcore fanbase, they lose just as many frustrated over not getting Tangeline. They've already now had Blair crushed to death for a week last year, Todd executed this year, now they just about killed Starr no more than two months later -- and not even in sweeps.

What worries me most is the bigger picture. If it were just OLTL in trouble, TPTB might do something, but this whole soap regime is not going to turn 180 degrees on its own. As some point out, OLTL is the smallest budget, and the stepchild -- with the other two in trouble, it probably isn't even a consideration.

OLTL is finished, gone, one step from being liquidated. The latest rumors have Easton re-signed and Slezak on the way out.

Easton has already ushured one ABC soap to interment. I give OLTL one more year.

I gave up caring ages ago.

I fought so hard to stay with this show, but a month ago I just found myself fastforwarding through the entire show and I knew it was time to give up. I may come back if the stories ever improve but for now, I've given up everything except Y&R.

The latest rumors have Easton re-signed and Slezak on the way out.

Where did you hear that Slezak is on her way out? I don't believe that for one second. ABC will never fire Slezak, if she leaves it is either because she is dead or she wants to leave forever, ABC can't fire her, Frons tried and failed last time.

Toadstool. there's no way that Erika Slezak is on her way out. That's a load of crap.

Honestly, I hate Dena and I can see validity in many complaints but I just don't see Dena as being as horrible as she is made out to be. Now I hated Dena's work at DAYS. She litterally drained the show of any life it had. She destroyed some of its integrity and its history too. But OLTL has been OK with her, IMO. Malone's last few months were worst. There are still a lot of things wrong with the show but she hasn't been as bad as others, IMO.

its not tha acting

OLTL have some fabulous actors/actresses.

Its the writeing, diologe, nonvets, to many newbie who have noconnection to vets

not enuogh humor , plot points too much singing& slow pace.

Well I am at the point the only thing I am watching is anything dealing with Todd. Yes I dont want him back with Blair cause IMO she doesnt deserve him. I want Tangeline but I think Todd can go after Todd with out distroying Tangeline IMO.

I want Erica to get a storyline. I am at the point where I dont think I want Vicki with Clint espically after sexing up Dorian. EWWWWWWWWww

I will say I currently like Hugh and Kelly. Yes throw the stones but there is something there and I like Heather Tom as Kelly.

Overall the show sucks cause I ff threw 90% of the show.

If they fired Erika Slezak to make room for Easton they may as well cancel OLTL right now.

Viki needs a storyline and a new love interest. I find it interesting that people petitioned the show for Clint to have an affair with Dorian, now people hate Clint, think he is stupid and the sleeping with Dorian was ewwww now no one wants him for Viki where they did before. Guess people better be careful what they wish for. Personally I knew it would destroy the character of Clint, and it is because people don't like him anymore since he is basically a blind idiot turning his back on his family. I saw no reason for them to have Clint sleep with Dorian as part of a big Viki/CLint reunion, but they did and now Viki is out with no love interest and the big Viki/Clint reunion has gone sour before it even started. Why does OL make these idiotic decisions?

Where was this Erika Slezak being fired for Easton come from?