Atwt @ soapcentral.com

Here is my annual picks for the Best and Worst of 2008. Happy New Year to everyone on here!

Best Actor: Eric Braeden, Y&R
Best Actress: Melody Thomas Scott, Y&R:
Best Return: Jason Cook, GH
Worst Return: Cady McClain, AMC
Best Ensemble Cast: Young and Restless
Best Friends: The Teen Scene, OLTL:
Worst Friends: Kendall/Greenlee, AMC:
Best New Female Character: Janet Ciccone, ATWT:
Best Family: The Lewises, GL
Worst Family: The Mannings, OLTL
Most Entertaining Family: The Fishers, Y&R
Biggest Waste of Talent: Most of the Cast, GH
Best Couple: Robin and Patrick, GH
Worst Couple: Ryan and Greenlee, AMC
Best New Couple: Rex and Gigi, OLTL
Worst New Couple: Rick and Taylor, B&B
Most Quirkiest Couple: Kevin and Jana, Y&R
Most Entertaining Couple: Jeff and Gloria, Y&R
Most Tortured Couple: John and Marlena, Days
Most Annoying Character: Melanie, Days
Best Vixen: Maxie Jones, GH
Best Villain: David Hayward, AMC
Worst Villain: Andre Karpoff, GH
Best Villainess: Dorian Lord, OLTL
Worst Villainess: Sasha Donev, GH
Best Hero: John McBain, OLTL
Worst Hero: Jason Morgan, GH
Best Heroine: Marlena Black, Days
Worst Heroine: Taylor Thompson, AMC
Best Scene Stealer: Tuc Watkins, OLTL
Best Casting Decision: Re-Hiring Grant Aleksander, GL
Worst Casting Decision: Firing Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall, Days
Best Storyline: Luke and Noah’s Romance, ATWT
Worst Storyline: Text Message Killer, GH
Most Preposterous Plot: Vincent Gives Birth, Passions
Most Shocking Revelation: Nick Killed Trent, Days
Most Shocking Plot Twist: Nick Stalks Melanie, Days
Biggest Tearjerker: Myrtle’s Death, AMC
Best Trend: Bringing Back Fan Favorites, All Soaps
Worst Trend: Firing the Veterans, All Soaps
Most Disappointing Show: General Hospital
Most Improved Show: All My Children
Worst Show: Guiding Light
Best Show: One Life To Live

Soap Bailout

 

The title may be a little misleading, I’m not recommending the government step in and help this industry out financially but I am heeding that all execs at ;least take a peek at what I have to say. I may not be an expert, but I have watched soaps since 1990 with my mom, and aunt. I am also a writer and obsessed with pop culture if that makes me any more “experienced” in anyone’s opinion. Without further ado here is my plan to save our beloved industry.

 

Changes Start from the Top

 

In any other sector if performance or profits were this dismal the first target would be the higher ups. At ABC Brian Frons is probably the most hated man among fans for quite a few faux pa comments he made. The most famous or infamous being something along the lines if ‘You have to train the audience to like what you like.’ Instead of say listening to what the audience wants. Someone over at Disney needs to have a talk with him and put him on warning.

 

As far as exec producers go I am only familiar with one current, Julie Caruthers. During her tenure there have been 3 head writers in as many years. Something is definitely wrong with this picture. Te ratings have dropped rapidly on her watch and yet nothing has happened to her. ABC should start looking for a replacement for her, and if they don’t want the position to be empty, ask AMC Creator Agnes Nixon to fill in temporarily. I know Ms. Nixon is retired but she has happily filled the role of creative consultant for years, and When Charles Pratt took over he had several meting with the legendary writer. Who would know what Pine Valley should look like than the woman who single handedly created it?

 

If Agnes Nixon won’t return, ho about someone like Francesca James, she has acted on the show and directed.  If they went with her there would be no need for relationship building time as that has happened over the course of many years.

 

My next target is the writers. Daytime as a whole needs fresh blood, with the exception of the late James E Reilly; the current writers seem to have run out of fresh ideas. Maybe someone like Jackie Collins won’t accept a deal to write for soap but it doesn’t hurt to try.

 

If any exec in day time read fan fiction they would have plenty of ideas for fresh faces to join the ranks. Fans know what they want and more than any one else they know the history of almost every character and the show as a whole.

 

 

 

The Write Stuff

 

Continuing stories are what make this genre unique. I understand it can be hard to have enough story to last over 200 episodes a year, however head writers are paid a lot of money to do just that. Does that mean every story has to be a pearl? No. Part of the fun of watching soaps is getting to roll your eyes at preposterous plot twists. When Josh Madden was revealed to be the fetus Erica Kane thought she aborted on All My Children, I like many fans rolled my eyes, but I was hooked. I waited breathlessly as Erica came to grips with this out of outer space revelation. Of curse that has more to do with the actors but the writing on the story was solid, even I the premise wasn’t.

 

The stories that really capture me are the ones that affect the whole town. The recent tornados that blew through Pine Valley shook the canvas up and we got quite a few surprises out of it. Bianca was pregnant with Zacks baby!!! For me this story is great and has all the elements of a great story. First it features Characters/actors fans care about. Eden Riegel has played Bianca since 2000 and has a large fan base. Thorsten Kaye (Zack) and Tamara Braun (Reese, Bianca’s lesbian partner.) Have fan bases from other soaps and AMC. Alicia Minshew ( Kendall ) is the new leading lady of AMC and all of them are in this story, front and center where they should be. (Side note, Alicia Minshew is on vacation, therefore Kendall is not yet front and center but will be). Gabrielle (baby at the center of the storm) was conceived without Zack or Bianca talking to Kendall about using his sperm. Some fans are arguing that this destroys Zendall (Zack and Kendall ’s couple name), Kinks (Bianca and Kendall’s ‘couple’ name) and Zinks (Bianca and Zacks ‘couple’ name.) as well as the characters of Zack and Bianca. I disagree, if anything I thing I think it makes said relationships and characters more interesting. Bianca is no longer the patron lesbian saint, but a real 3 dimensional character that finally has more story line avenues, other than sitting around twiddling her thumbs. I always thought it was a big mistake having her forgive Babe, but that is no longer relevant. It also gives all of the actors juicy material to sink their teeth into and each one o them is turning in some terrific performances

 

Over on The Young and The Restless, They have Kay’s “death.” I should probably be rolling my eyes at another presumed dead story but this one is fascinating. Again the reason is even if the premise is shaky the day to day writing is terrific and the performances are beyond amazing.

 

What I want to see more of is romance! Its not dead and even if it were use your imagination and create it writers. Imagine Days of Our Lives actually giving jay Kenneth Johnson a real love interest. Maybe his Phillip reunites with Chloe (huge fan base in Phloe, people) Or How about they hook him up with Sami (I don’t think they’re related). I also wanted juicy secrets, maybe even combine the two. Imagine Bianca lying in bed with a sheet wrapped around her, the shower is running, and se flashes back to a fight with Reese. We assume they made up, but out of the shower pops Laura English, Brooke’s daughter. Or better yet Erica makes a surprise trip to Jacks house and who should answer the door but her sworn enemy and long gone beloved character Brooke English.  

 

Real Life

 

These are hard times we are living in. Especially in the soap world where budgets are tight and actors are asked to take a pay cut. Some are willing and some aren’t. We as fans have to understand that, even if it makes us scratch our heads and ask why? Why would DOOL let the aforementioned Jay Kenneth Johnson, handsome, talented, popular walk out? I hope in this case DOOLs lose is another soaps gain. Maybe AMC could bring him over as a recast Jamie.  One Life to Live could use him as Joey, As the world turns could create a character for him, maybe as an interloper for Noah and Luke?

 

As with most people actors may want to just move on after playing the same character for years at a time, so what is a show to do? Show some respect first of all. Not only to the departing actor but to the audience, don’t recast right away and expect the recast to b a big hit. And certainly don’t “kill” off a character just to recast and bring them back. 2 shows do a great job with allowing actors to come and go as they please. AMC with Eden Riegel, who technically exited in 2006 but has come and gone since then. One Life to Live also does that with the wonderful Tuc Watkins. He comes in and plays for a few months then leaves again, and each time it makes sense. Obviously we can’t have a whole cast that does that but for the top performers why not?

 

 

 

Fans: To Listen or Not?

 

Fans are what keep shows on the air and actors with a job. That’s a simple fact of the life for anyone connected to the entertainment industry. Without them there would be no reason to put on a show, but should they have a right to change the direction of a storyline? There’s a fine line between giving them what they want and ignoring them. I’ll take the 2 All My Children stories as examples.  The unabortion. Yes I said the fall out was riveting but I and many other believe that the sci-fi story went to far in destroying an important part of AMCs history and legacy; Daytimes first abortion. They should have listened and made Josh, Erica’s son via her egg donation or Kendall ’s twin. I get that Megan McTavish was striving for originality but someone, perhaps the Executive producer or ABC Daytimes president should have vetoed this story. On the other hand the story of Bianca becoming pregnant with Zacks child is a believable plot and the fall out will be amazing. It re-establishes Zacks dark side and gives Bianca new shades and more personality than being Pine valleys lesbian martyr.

 

Most fans want their favorite couples front and center and happy. That is not going to happen; I always think that a couple is at their most interesting when they are battling someone or something.

 

Diversity

 

“I don’t write for a white character pr a black character, I write for a character.” I can’t for the life of me remember who said that but the sentiment is perfect. If a story is good it shouldn’t matter what race or what the sexual orientation of the character is. If I were lucky enough to be a head writer the firs thing I would is to try to make my canvas reflect real life. I look at some of the shows and wonder why are there no Indians (either race), hardly any black people, any Asians, and what about the gay people. It is surprising to me that The Bold and beautiful is set in Los Angeles and yet there is not one gay, Asian, or Indian character.

 

Race, in this day and age should no longer be a factor. If the story is strong and the actor decent why not take the plunge? If the story doesn’t work, then try; try again like you do with the white folk that currently populate your town. I don’t have statistics in front of me but I’m betting that if people were to see themselves on television they might tune in and ratings would obviously go up.

 

AMC and ATWT both have gay characters. Reese and Bianca on AMC are enjoying front burner status and have made love at least once at this point. Luke and Noah on ATWT have only chastely kissed, and that as after 200 odd days with no physical contact between them. Is there a double standard in daytime with gay men and lesbians? No I don’t believe there is. I believe that the show is giving into one segment of the fans on this one and that is wrong. Let “Nuke” make love for the first time before the fans who turned on the show for them tune back out. I know that there are some people out there who are really truly offended by gay people and will threaten a boycott but I ask this; Where is the moral outrage when a married man or woman sleeps with someone who is not their spouse?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trendsetter

 

In the golden age of soaps they were the trendsetters for the rest of pop culture. Instead of trying to copy “CSI” or “Desperate Housewives” go back to what originally made soaps popular in the first place. Good solid storytelling that sometimes would have social issues mixed in. During McTavishs tenure as head writer at AMC we were introduced to Zoë, a transgender rock star. The story made headlines every where and was fairly popular with the fans. Better still in the fall of ’07 “Dirty Sexy Money” debuted and Patrick Darlings mistress was none other than “Carmelita” a transgender woman. On prime time we regularly see lesbians and gay me kissing, so lets up the ante daytime and find the new frontiers and show the prime time and movie people how it is done.

Hi There!!!

   My name is Cindy, and I started this blog so I could post my daily thoughts about As The World Turns.  My favorite couple is Jack and Carly, and I believe their characters are ALWAYS destined to return to one another.  Thanks for visiting, and feel free to drop by anytime.

Stole this from another member but here are my predictions, months in advance of the Daytime Emmys.

Younger Actress

Winner:

Kristen Alderson. Shes had an amazing year and I dont think all the headlines and comparisons to Bristol Palin will hurt.

Nominees:

Rachel Melvin (Chelsea, dool), Brittany Underwood (Langston, OLTL), Emily O'brien (Jana, Y&R), Julie Berman (Lulu, GH)

Brianne Moncief  is a long shot but for the first time this catergory doesnt have a clear winner.

Younger Actor:

Winner:

Van Hansis (Luke, ATWT)

This is wishful thinking on my part but I think he may be able to pull out his first win, in what many consider to be his weakest year.

Nominees:

Darrin Brooks (Max, Dool), Brandon Buddy (Cole, OLTL), Tom Pelphrey (Jonathon, GL), Jake Silberman (Noah, ATWT)

This will probably be the dullest contest for the awards.

Supporting Actress:

Winner:

Alicia Minshew (Kendall, AMC)

Alicias current story should be the one to finally win this talented actress her first emmy.

Nominees:

Kathy Brier (Marcie, OLTL), Melissa Claire Egan (Annie, AMC), Gina Tognoni (Dinah,GL), Debbie Morgan (Angie, AMC)

This like the Younger actress catergory could be wide open. MCE may sneak in and steal Alicias thunder, especially with the material shes been given.

Supporting Actor:

Winner:

Billy Miller (Richie, AMC)

I am very biased here as I love Billy Miller and think he is the best thing on daytime. He should win his first time out, every performance was spot on from him.

Nominees:

Ric Hearst (Rick, GH), Greg Rikaart (Kevin, Y&R), Trent Dawson (Henry, ATWT), Aidan Turner (Aiden, AMC)

Lead Actress:

Winner:

Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC)

She showed a great deal of range this year, and made the insider trading and subsequent prision reform story work.

Nominees:

Michelle Stafford (Phylliss, Y&R), Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL), Laura Wright (Carly, GH), Erika Sleazak (Viki, OLTL)

This would be my dream niminee list. All of them could be winners and all are deserving this time around. For the first time in recent memory all of the "divas" of daytime were given very good material.

Lead Actor:

Winner:

Tony Geary (Luke, GH)

He seems to be the pereninal winner.

Nominees:

David Canary (Adam/Stuart, AMC), Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R), Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R), Trevor St John (Todd, OLTL)

David Canary could be the dark horse this year.

Directing:

Winner:

GL

Nominees:

AMC, GH, OLTL, Y&R

Writing:

Winner:

AMC/Y&R

I think this could be a tie. If AMC uses new headwriters Charles Pratts material they should have a very good chance at emmy glory. If not then Y&R will take it.

Nominees:

GH, GL, ATWT

Best Show:

Winner:

Y&R

As badly as I want AMC to come back form the debacle that was last year I have serious doubt thats going to happen.

Nominees:

AMC, GH, DAYS, OLTL.

GH could be the dark horse as they always seem to be golden. I think DAYS nomination may shift the competition around a bit.

Hello!

I'm Kriselda, and I'm new here :)  I just recently started watching soaps again after about 5 years away, so I'm trying to get caught up.  The ones I watch are "As The World Turns," "All My Children," and "One Life to Live."

I first got interested in OLTL during the late-70's/early-80's and watched for several years, then stopped again while I was in college.  In the mid-90's, some health issues I'd had for a long time started getting worse and I became disabled, so I started watching again to help fill the time during the day when I'd previously been at work.  During that time, I also got hooked on AMC - mainly from seeing the "next time on AMC" teasers right before OLTL started, and then picked up ATWT when Roger Howarth started playing Paul.  I stopped again in about 2003, but when I heard about some of the stuff coming up for OLTL's 40th anniversary, I knew I wanted to check in on that again, and figured "what the heck" and started recording AMC and ATWT again as well. :)

I'm having fun seeing what my old favourites are up to, and getting to meet the new players.  I'll probably have more to say once I've gotten a better feel for what's going on, which storylines I'm enjoying, and so forth, but though I'd at least introduce myself.