Seed Newsvine
Showing posts with label Cancellation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancellation. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2009
In the Zone Radio: Guiding Light Cancellation
On tonight's show we discuss the sad news of GL's cancellation and how and who will be effected by the loss of the 72 year old soap.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
To Jeffrey Immelt
Greetings Mr. Jeffrey Immelt,
In order for a company to succeed, it has to provide a product or service the public finds valuable. In addition, a company that ignores their customers’ needs will rapidly find that they don't have customers. Mr. Immelt, you know all this. You weren't just handed the CEO position of one of the world largest corporations, you earned it.
You know what it's like to be creative enough to make something out of nothing. Unfortunately, there are those do the reverse; they make nothing out of something. This is what Ken Corday and Dena Higley are doing to Days of Our Lives. To some people it's just a soap, but to many it is a connection to our mothers and grandmothers as well as a little port in the stormy sea of life. These two have nearly destroyed a very successful and prosperous business. Ratings and thus revenues are down solely due to their mismanagement and incompetence. The fans are leaving due to the bad writing and the recent firings. There does need to be drastic changes made in the staff. In business, you fire the people who aren’t getting the job done, not the ones who go above and beyond.
Mr. Immelt, you have the power to change this and save an icon. GE owns NBC. NBC holds Corday’s leash. A phone call from you could make the needed changes But why would you? After all it’s just a soap. A 43 year run is great, but all good things must come to an end. All true. It’s also true that Days has an extremely loyal fan base. They had remained devoted until now, when there is no longer a reason to be.
Daytime soaps are failing not because lack of interest but due to exclusiveness of the business. It seems the industry has become so inbred and arrogant that they believe no one outside their clique could possible write for soaps. When a writer is fired from one show for incompetence, she or he just moves onto the next until eventually she or he completes the circuit and is hired back by the original show. Soaps are failing because the fans are tired of the same old storylines. Higley has been fired for the same reason by every soap she has worked for, including Days. Yet, here she is again, writing the same old stuff. The industry hasn‘t run its course, it’s merely stagnant.
In April, I started writing alternative storylines for Days and posting on the NBC boards. It was in protest to the bad writing and was only meant to be short term. I had my own writing projects to work on that didn’t leave much extra time for an off-the-cuff project. However, so many people like what I wrote that the project took on life of its own My script had more favorable comments than what was being shown on the screen and many suggested I contact executive producers. I did, but wasn’t even given basic common courtesy. They only wanted to know how I got Gary Tomlin’s private office number; I’m a writer--a real one, which means I know how to do research. When a head writer does their job right, they spend their career making the show, the executive producers and the actors look good, while quietly standing in the background. The only time anyone outside the industry wants to know their name is when they really screw up.
According to your bio, you not only encourage change, but you are willing take risks in order to make it happen. If the doors were opened to new writers with fresh voices, this would revitalize the genre, once again making them an asset to the network. You are also known for being able to see new opportunities even in the darkest of challenges. If this be true, I challenge you to create change not only for Days, but for me as well. I want the head writing gig. I can’t guarantee to make it number one. I can’t even promise to save it; however, I would like the opportunity to do my best to do both. What I written is at http://elfmagic.blogspot.com/ along with some of the comments from the NBC fan board and articles I wrote about soaps.
Mr. Immelt, please call whoever you need to in order to make this changes happen.
Thanks
Theresa Chaze
In order for a company to succeed, it has to provide a product or service the public finds valuable. In addition, a company that ignores their customers’ needs will rapidly find that they don't have customers. Mr. Immelt, you know all this. You weren't just handed the CEO position of one of the world largest corporations, you earned it.
You know what it's like to be creative enough to make something out of nothing. Unfortunately, there are those do the reverse; they make nothing out of something. This is what Ken Corday and Dena Higley are doing to Days of Our Lives. To some people it's just a soap, but to many it is a connection to our mothers and grandmothers as well as a little port in the stormy sea of life. These two have nearly destroyed a very successful and prosperous business. Ratings and thus revenues are down solely due to their mismanagement and incompetence. The fans are leaving due to the bad writing and the recent firings. There does need to be drastic changes made in the staff. In business, you fire the people who aren’t getting the job done, not the ones who go above and beyond.
Mr. Immelt, you have the power to change this and save an icon. GE owns NBC. NBC holds Corday’s leash. A phone call from you could make the needed changes But why would you? After all it’s just a soap. A 43 year run is great, but all good things must come to an end. All true. It’s also true that Days has an extremely loyal fan base. They had remained devoted until now, when there is no longer a reason to be.
Daytime soaps are failing not because lack of interest but due to exclusiveness of the business. It seems the industry has become so inbred and arrogant that they believe no one outside their clique could possible write for soaps. When a writer is fired from one show for incompetence, she or he just moves onto the next until eventually she or he completes the circuit and is hired back by the original show. Soaps are failing because the fans are tired of the same old storylines. Higley has been fired for the same reason by every soap she has worked for, including Days. Yet, here she is again, writing the same old stuff. The industry hasn‘t run its course, it’s merely stagnant.
In April, I started writing alternative storylines for Days and posting on the NBC boards. It was in protest to the bad writing and was only meant to be short term. I had my own writing projects to work on that didn’t leave much extra time for an off-the-cuff project. However, so many people like what I wrote that the project took on life of its own My script had more favorable comments than what was being shown on the screen and many suggested I contact executive producers. I did, but wasn’t even given basic common courtesy. They only wanted to know how I got Gary Tomlin’s private office number; I’m a writer--a real one, which means I know how to do research. When a head writer does their job right, they spend their career making the show, the executive producers and the actors look good, while quietly standing in the background. The only time anyone outside the industry wants to know their name is when they really screw up.
According to your bio, you not only encourage change, but you are willing take risks in order to make it happen. If the doors were opened to new writers with fresh voices, this would revitalize the genre, once again making them an asset to the network. You are also known for being able to see new opportunities even in the darkest of challenges. If this be true, I challenge you to create change not only for Days, but for me as well. I want the head writing gig. I can’t guarantee to make it number one. I can’t even promise to save it; however, I would like the opportunity to do my best to do both. What I written is at http://elfmagic.blogspot.com/ along with some of the comments from the NBC fan board and articles I wrote about soaps.
Mr. Immelt, please call whoever you need to in order to make this changes happen.
Thanks
Theresa Chaze
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What the Fans on the NBC Boards Think of Day of Our Lives
Although there are many fan message boards for Days of our Lives. The most active one is on the NBC home site. It has one of the most diverse viewer demographics. However, one theme has been increasingly prevailant--the fans are not happy with the direction the executive producers and writers are taking Days. There have been more than one thread asking for the firing of both.
On more than one occasion, ideas that were presented on the board appeared a few weeks later on the screen; credit was never given to the posters, but it has happened consistently enough to prove that either the executive producers or the writing staff had been checking in. It is too bad that while they are swiping plot points and ideas from the fans, they don't take the time to listen to what the fans want and need. If they did, the fans would be staying instead changing the channel and ratings would be increasing instead of falling.
The viewers want:
Deidre and Drake to stay; many viewer have already stated that the actors last air date will be the last time they will watch Days.
The vets to be actively involved with storylines, not just show up occasionally to prop up the newbies.
An end to endless and continuing triangles. Enough already. Triangles are a good short term plot point, but nothing more.
New writers. The replacement need to not only know the show's history, but be able to write for vets without gutting and recreating them, created interesting new characters, and write storylines that are based on romance, suspense, drama and humor.
They were disappointed that Thanksgiving was ignored and afraid the same will happen with Christmas. Both holidays were always very special for the fans.
The following are quotes taken from the different threads.
With the show only having an eighteen month contract, I'm wondering if the scribes have any real intention of "wowing" the viewers. So far, they have failed miserably. I seriously hope that they check out these message boards to see how disheartened DAYS fans truly are. Unfortunately, the show has landed itself in the same position that PASSIONS was in not too long ago. PASSIONS received a couple of one year extensions for their contracts. But, sadly, that show has bit the dust. I shudder to think what these short contract deals mean for DAYS. It's not too promising. So, my BIG question for the scribes is what will you do to truly turn the show around? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty much fed up with triangles, dead babies, lifeless characters, and the departures of vets such as Dee/Drake. For the past couple of years or so, I've done more groaning/complaining than anything else when posting about the show. I can remember when Salem was a happy place filled with love and adventure galore. It's now a shadow of its former self. The scribes are going to have to come up with something super tremendous to keep me coming back for more. I don't have any faith, however, that they will be able to deliver.
Cookfan
Okay, if DOOL continue to replace popular actors with other unknown actors. They might as well cancel the show. Enough already!!!
Thesun
Oh, Marlena is probable gone too, the way things look we will have the stupid young group and that is it.
atsvan
Why am I not surprised? Ken Corday has no desire to preserve his parents legacy! Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable! I do feel the end is near for our beloved show. Yes I know that we're thinking 18 months... but at this rate it's going to be a pathetic 18 months.
I'm sending you a big hug, Hartleyfan. My six year old says that hugs always make you feel better. I think in this case, though, it's going to take more than a hug to make any of us feel better.
Boomonster
So Corday gets rid of John Black yet we are still stuck with Melanie, Max, Nicole and Daniel? Why don't they just cancel the show right now! Higley and Corday obviously don't care about the show or the fans who have remained loyal. Screw them!! Just cancel the show already! Obviously, TIIC don't care about the actors or the fans. If they did, they wouldn't be firing beloved vets and bringing on more pointless newbies.
Jnjfan
I am really hoping that this is a rumor. I don't want to see John go.
Max could go back into racing, and be on the circuit... Melonie could go anywhere but Salem... Nick is going to jail so he is already out, Chelsea and Stephanie could go back to college and do it abroad... not in Salem.
Dr. Dan could just go... Roman hardly is on and has no storyline, as much as I love Roman, send him off to some training class or something. What on earth are they doing with Victor and Stefano? If they aren't going to use them for their evilness then why have them at all.
Lexie and Theo could go some where to get theo help... they have nothing to add to the show.
There are so many little characters that don't really need to be there that you could explain away that they could keep the majors.
Why are we spending so much time on Trent's murder? No offense, but some college professor should take a back seat to the Mayor's murder and they haven't done anything on finding the killer of the Mayor... We have had to deal with Trent for what 3 months after his murder... just get this over with... and lets just get rid of Melonie.
Co770
I guess Ken doesn't remember last time he decided to fire Drake? The fans went berserk. If the actors and actresses who have been on the show the longest continue to leave, they won't get to finish out their new extension. Half of the viewers will be gone. They say that they want to make room for other stories, what the heck does that mean? That they think whoever is leftover when they finish their massacre will be more important? The vets are important and they aren't on enough, and that's the reason they are in the spot they are in now. The fans would have been loving this John storyline and viewing in drones had they handled it right. They let Drake tell us about all of the stuff coming up for him in this story and they let him go!?
And not just that. Had they given the rest of the vets stories or at least given us some real stories and not this dribble we have now of slow and boring storylines, they wouldn't have to let anyone go. New people are nice, but don't sacrifice the proven formula for a new one!
I'm furious that they are just letting their talent out the door. They are really proving that they don't know what they Hell they are doing. We might as well accept cancellation and let it go.
And you know, I said before that I wouldn't stop watching. But if none of the characters I know are on the show, what's the point in watching? So im starting to rethink that. Good job Ken!
NewDaysfan
If this is indeed a fact, I can definitely guarantee to NBC that me and many of the loyal viewers who have remained, will be gone forever. I have already talked to some of these people and we are in total agreement......NO JOHN means NO VIEWERS. The show has been totally horrible but we have hung on for the last year for a glimpse of the old John returning to reunite with Marlena. Enough is enough!!
Jane083
I loved that S/L! It was creative and innovative. I would be open to bringing her back....oh if only it were up to me. I also like Sheri Anderson as HW. I don't like the direction "Hackley" is taking the show...it's lame, predictable and what she thinks is interesting... which is not what the fans find interesting.
Twisted fate
Are you happy with Days and the storylines
Definitely yes. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
yes [ 5 ] [10.20%]
Sometimes [ 10 ] [20.41%]
I'm hanging in there hoping it will get better [ 14 ] [28.57%]
not really [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Definitely no [ 9 ] [18.37%]
I fast forward through most the show. [ 4 ] [8.16%]
If I miss it, it doesn't matter. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
I have given up and am moving on to another soap. [ 1 ] [2.04%]
The best years are over all that's left is to turn off the stage lights. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
If you could have five minutes with the Executive Producers, What would you say to them?
Good job [ 1 ] [2.04%]
What are you doing? [ 15 ] [30.61%]
I have a few ideas to make things better. [ 17 ] [34.69%]
Why do you work on Days if you hate your job [ 4 ] [8.16%]
Your fired [ 12 ] [24.49%]
Honestly, I think I could have voted ALL of these:
I'm hanging in there hoping it will get better
not really
Definitely no
I fast forward through most the show.
If I miss it, it doesn't matter.
I have given up and am moving on to another soap.
The best years are over all that's left is to turn off the stage lights.
And I would tell them to get back to using their "main" characters in storylines where everyone is involved, like they did in the 80s. It's time to get back to basics and stop pandering to the younger demographic already.
Soozn79
There is so much more than I could possible list here. However, what the fans want is very clear to anyone who is open enough to see it. Most fans believe that Days will be cancelled before the contract ends and at this point they don't care. The show they have loved and have been loyal too for decades doesn't exist any more. But it doesn't have to be. Change can be wonderful, but so can keeping to tradition. Two generations have grown up with Days; many of the vets feel like family. It doesn't have to end. There are still many viewers and fan who desperately want to be loyal, including me; we just want our show back--the one that was based on romance, suspense, drama and humor--not just shallow soft porn. We are a demographic that can be very profitable to any network that choices to give us back Our Days.
So Mr Fairfield, Connecticut are you willing to step up to the plate and make your voice heard. You can make the necessary changes. The power is within you to save Days. It's a good business, good karma and just a plain out and out good deed--And if you decided to take up this challenge, remember, me for the head writer gig. I would very much like the opportunity to brink back the good old Days.
On more than one occasion, ideas that were presented on the board appeared a few weeks later on the screen; credit was never given to the posters, but it has happened consistently enough to prove that either the executive producers or the writing staff had been checking in. It is too bad that while they are swiping plot points and ideas from the fans, they don't take the time to listen to what the fans want and need. If they did, the fans would be staying instead changing the channel and ratings would be increasing instead of falling.
The viewers want:
Deidre and Drake to stay; many viewer have already stated that the actors last air date will be the last time they will watch Days.
The vets to be actively involved with storylines, not just show up occasionally to prop up the newbies.
An end to endless and continuing triangles. Enough already. Triangles are a good short term plot point, but nothing more.
New writers. The replacement need to not only know the show's history, but be able to write for vets without gutting and recreating them, created interesting new characters, and write storylines that are based on romance, suspense, drama and humor.
They were disappointed that Thanksgiving was ignored and afraid the same will happen with Christmas. Both holidays were always very special for the fans.
The following are quotes taken from the different threads.
With the show only having an eighteen month contract, I'm wondering if the scribes have any real intention of "wowing" the viewers. So far, they have failed miserably. I seriously hope that they check out these message boards to see how disheartened DAYS fans truly are. Unfortunately, the show has landed itself in the same position that PASSIONS was in not too long ago. PASSIONS received a couple of one year extensions for their contracts. But, sadly, that show has bit the dust. I shudder to think what these short contract deals mean for DAYS. It's not too promising. So, my BIG question for the scribes is what will you do to truly turn the show around? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty much fed up with triangles, dead babies, lifeless characters, and the departures of vets such as Dee/Drake. For the past couple of years or so, I've done more groaning/complaining than anything else when posting about the show. I can remember when Salem was a happy place filled with love and adventure galore. It's now a shadow of its former self. The scribes are going to have to come up with something super tremendous to keep me coming back for more. I don't have any faith, however, that they will be able to deliver.
Cookfan
Okay, if DOOL continue to replace popular actors with other unknown actors. They might as well cancel the show. Enough already!!!
Thesun
Oh, Marlena is probable gone too, the way things look we will have the stupid young group and that is it.
atsvan
Why am I not surprised? Ken Corday has no desire to preserve his parents legacy! Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable! I do feel the end is near for our beloved show. Yes I know that we're thinking 18 months... but at this rate it's going to be a pathetic 18 months.
I'm sending you a big hug, Hartleyfan. My six year old says that hugs always make you feel better. I think in this case, though, it's going to take more than a hug to make any of us feel better.
Boomonster
So Corday gets rid of John Black yet we are still stuck with Melanie, Max, Nicole and Daniel? Why don't they just cancel the show right now! Higley and Corday obviously don't care about the show or the fans who have remained loyal. Screw them!! Just cancel the show already! Obviously, TIIC don't care about the actors or the fans. If they did, they wouldn't be firing beloved vets and bringing on more pointless newbies.
Jnjfan
I am really hoping that this is a rumor. I don't want to see John go.
Max could go back into racing, and be on the circuit... Melonie could go anywhere but Salem... Nick is going to jail so he is already out, Chelsea and Stephanie could go back to college and do it abroad... not in Salem.
Dr. Dan could just go... Roman hardly is on and has no storyline, as much as I love Roman, send him off to some training class or something. What on earth are they doing with Victor and Stefano? If they aren't going to use them for their evilness then why have them at all.
Lexie and Theo could go some where to get theo help... they have nothing to add to the show.
There are so many little characters that don't really need to be there that you could explain away that they could keep the majors.
Why are we spending so much time on Trent's murder? No offense, but some college professor should take a back seat to the Mayor's murder and they haven't done anything on finding the killer of the Mayor... We have had to deal with Trent for what 3 months after his murder... just get this over with... and lets just get rid of Melonie.
Co770
I guess Ken doesn't remember last time he decided to fire Drake? The fans went berserk. If the actors and actresses who have been on the show the longest continue to leave, they won't get to finish out their new extension. Half of the viewers will be gone. They say that they want to make room for other stories, what the heck does that mean? That they think whoever is leftover when they finish their massacre will be more important? The vets are important and they aren't on enough, and that's the reason they are in the spot they are in now. The fans would have been loving this John storyline and viewing in drones had they handled it right. They let Drake tell us about all of the stuff coming up for him in this story and they let him go!?
And not just that. Had they given the rest of the vets stories or at least given us some real stories and not this dribble we have now of slow and boring storylines, they wouldn't have to let anyone go. New people are nice, but don't sacrifice the proven formula for a new one!
I'm furious that they are just letting their talent out the door. They are really proving that they don't know what they Hell they are doing. We might as well accept cancellation and let it go.
And you know, I said before that I wouldn't stop watching. But if none of the characters I know are on the show, what's the point in watching? So im starting to rethink that. Good job Ken!
NewDaysfan
If this is indeed a fact, I can definitely guarantee to NBC that me and many of the loyal viewers who have remained, will be gone forever. I have already talked to some of these people and we are in total agreement......NO JOHN means NO VIEWERS. The show has been totally horrible but we have hung on for the last year for a glimpse of the old John returning to reunite with Marlena. Enough is enough!!
Jane083
I loved that S/L! It was creative and innovative. I would be open to bringing her back....oh if only it were up to me. I also like Sheri Anderson as HW. I don't like the direction "Hackley" is taking the show...it's lame, predictable and what she thinks is interesting... which is not what the fans find interesting.
Twisted fate
Are you happy with Days and the storylines
Definitely yes. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
yes [ 5 ] [10.20%]
Sometimes [ 10 ] [20.41%]
I'm hanging in there hoping it will get better [ 14 ] [28.57%]
not really [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Definitely no [ 9 ] [18.37%]
I fast forward through most the show. [ 4 ] [8.16%]
If I miss it, it doesn't matter. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
I have given up and am moving on to another soap. [ 1 ] [2.04%]
The best years are over all that's left is to turn off the stage lights. [ 2 ] [4.08%]
If you could have five minutes with the Executive Producers, What would you say to them?
Good job [ 1 ] [2.04%]
What are you doing? [ 15 ] [30.61%]
I have a few ideas to make things better. [ 17 ] [34.69%]
Why do you work on Days if you hate your job [ 4 ] [8.16%]
Your fired [ 12 ] [24.49%]
Honestly, I think I could have voted ALL of these:
I'm hanging in there hoping it will get better
not really
Definitely no
I fast forward through most the show.
If I miss it, it doesn't matter.
I have given up and am moving on to another soap.
The best years are over all that's left is to turn off the stage lights.
And I would tell them to get back to using their "main" characters in storylines where everyone is involved, like they did in the 80s. It's time to get back to basics and stop pandering to the younger demographic already.
Soozn79
There is so much more than I could possible list here. However, what the fans want is very clear to anyone who is open enough to see it. Most fans believe that Days will be cancelled before the contract ends and at this point they don't care. The show they have loved and have been loyal too for decades doesn't exist any more. But it doesn't have to be. Change can be wonderful, but so can keeping to tradition. Two generations have grown up with Days; many of the vets feel like family. It doesn't have to end. There are still many viewers and fan who desperately want to be loyal, including me; we just want our show back--the one that was based on romance, suspense, drama and humor--not just shallow soft porn. We are a demographic that can be very profitable to any network that choices to give us back Our Days.
So Mr Fairfield, Connecticut are you willing to step up to the plate and make your voice heard. You can make the necessary changes. The power is within you to save Days. It's a good business, good karma and just a plain out and out good deed--And if you decided to take up this challenge, remember, me for the head writer gig. I would very much like the opportunity to brink back the good old Days.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Days of Our Lives 12-2-08
Days of Our Lives
Alternative Storyline for Days of Our Lives
Here is the next installment of my alternative storylines for Days of Our Lives.
This is what I previously posted on the NBC Days boards http://geocities.com/tirgana/daysofourlives.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/Days10-16.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days10-26-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days10-31-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days11-2-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days11-15-08.pdf
The newest entry is at http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-2-08.pdf
The last three entries aren't in the proper format; I'll fix it later.
If you like what you are reading, please leave me a comment here or on the NBC message boards. Or better yet contact the executive producers at
Gary Tomlin or Ken Corday
Corday Productions
3400 W. Olive Avenue
suite 170 Burbank CA
91505-4630
818-295-2821
Days of Our Lives
Alternative Storyline for Days of Our Lives
Here is the next installment of my alternative storylines for Days of Our Lives.
This is what I previously posted on the NBC Days boards http://geocities.com/tirgana/daysofourlives.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/Days10-16.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days10-26-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days10-31-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days11-2-08.pdf
http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days11-15-08.pdf
The newest entry is at http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-2-08.pdf
The last three entries aren't in the proper format; I'll fix it later.
If you like what you are reading, please leave me a comment here or on the NBC message boards. Or better yet contact the executive producers at
Gary Tomlin or Ken Corday
Corday Productions
3400 W. Olive Avenue
suite 170 Burbank CA
91505-4630
818-295-2821
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Days of Our Lives: Fans Missing the Good Old Days
Fans Missing the Good Old Days
As a writer and long time viewer of Days of our Lives, I'm more than a little saddened at the lost of my beloved soap, especially when it didn't need to be. As with all soaps, the fans of Days were known to be rabidly loyal until they are given cause not to be. Since the beginning of 2007, the viewers have been given more than just cause to change the channel. Ignoring the importance of the vets and corrupting the show’s history while pandering to the younger viewer only proved that the current writers and producers simply don't understand how soap loyalty is built. Factoring in the incomplete storylines and the endless triangles, there is little wonder why the ratings dropped from 2.7 to 1.9 in four months and never really recovered.
Like most, I started watching soaps with my mother and grandmother. It was something we shared especially through the teen years when it was sometimes the only safe topic of conversation. My Mom started me with Dark Shadows with its endless cliffhangers and spooky storylines... My grade school was five blocks from home and even through the show started the same time school ended, I was able to run fast enough to make it home before end of the opening credits, which wasn't bad for a short eight year old. During that half hour, people knew not to call or stop by unless it was an emergency; after once, they new they wouldn‘t be well received.
When Dark Shadows was cancelled in 1970, Mom switched to Days of Our Lives and Another World, I naturally followed. Although, I could only watch on sick days, holidays and summer vacations, Mom kept me updated. When The Young and the Restless premiered in 1973, I briefly watched, but it simply wasn’t the same and I went back to NBC’s soaps. Even back then, I was able to see where the storylines were gong, which used to drive my Mom nuts. She had her own in house spoiler, who would tell what was going to happen days and sometimes weeks ahead.
Days has always pushed the limits. Not just the typical soap, the gothic flavor kept its storylines unique. The plots were complex and well developed. The mysteries were suspenseful, with twisting plots and believable misdirection. The romances were developed in such a way that that the sexual tension drove the fans crazy--the love stories were slowly developed with so many misses and close calls that when it was consummated the fans also smoked a cigarette. The characters were written to have more shades of gray. Alice Horton, who was the perfect everything, still helped break Roman Brady out of jail, while Stefano DiMera, the epitome of evil, was still be willing risk his own life in duel with the devil for the soul of someone he loved. Whether you loved to hate or just simple loved the characters, over the decades they have become member of the family. Unlike the other soaps, humor has always been a keystone to Day’s success. From Eugene’s unique perspective on the world to the multitude of sexual innuendos of the developing relationships, humor has been used to tease and romance the audiences. By equally balancing these elements, Days became show based on suspense, romance, drama and humor, which fans were willing to suspend their disbelief even through the space alien twins whose parentage kept changing.
Although there have been dry spots when the storylines weren’t exactly up to par and many people watched out of habit instead of real interest, it was never was as bad or lasted as long as now; nor were the long-time viewers sacrificed to favor of younger. Obviously, the writers and executive don’t know or don’t understand that the new viewers have been and always be brought in by the loyal ones. With the vet being ignored and dismissed, the writers and executives are also casting aside the viewers who have stuck with the show for decades. While they are casting their net for the tweens and teens, they have forgotten that is this their parents and grandparents who not only control how the household budget is spent; they are also the ones who have the secure incomes and the buying power the advertisers are seeking.
Daytime dramas weren’t nicknamed soaps because of their clean content, but due to their advertising base that was directed toward women who were home in the middle of the afternoon. Detergents and cleaning products of all types were the primary sponsors of daytime television. With the technological, economic and life style changes, the society has changed. Women are still the primary target audience; however, the twenty-something's are no longer the power age group. Not only have popular actors aged, but so have their fans. The typical soap viewer per the Soap Opera Digest
* working woman
* 35-44 years of age
* married
* has children
* At least a high school graduate
* With a household income over $70,000.
This demographic has no interest in teeny boppers in heat or in seeing middle-aged men lusting after the barely-legal. However, seeing older women, who still have romance and adventure in their lives gives these women hope that they will have the same. They don’t fantasize about being a whiny teen, but growing older with passion, love and adventure. Marlena and John, Bo and Hope, Maggie and Mickey, and Kayla and Steve represent this demographic’s ideal. Kate is every single woman heroine; she is intelligent, powerful and sexy enough to get the attention of every man in the room. This demographic is also the ones with the spending power to buy the cars, take the trips, and buy the luxury items as well as the household products.
With the writers strike in 2007, all the soaps suffered; however, Days took the biggest hit. Writing first as a scab, Dena Higley officially joined the staff as the head writer in March. Previously Higley had been fired from One Life to Live; her writing style not only dropped the show in the rankings, but also put her at odds with both the cast members and fans alike. Emmy Award winning actress and grand dame of One Live to Live, Erika Slezak was quotes as saying, "‘Dena doesn't care about the rich history of the show, which is evident in what she writes,’ and that Higley ‘wants to write stories that she thinks are interesting but nobody else does.’" Evidently, Higley learned nothing from her dismissal as she has carried this same thought process to Days as within weeks of her taking the helm, the ratings nosed dived from 2.7 to 1.9. Instead of competing for the top spot, Days is now found at the bottom, frequently tying for last place.
As with OLTL, Higley has totally disregarded the show’s history and established characters. Her storyline are incomplete and make no sense. From the rape victim falling in love with her attacker to the incestuous relationship between Stephanie and Max to sex in the elevator, her vision of romance more closely resembles soft porn than a soap opera. Storylines were launched only to be dropped. Neither murder mystery ever had much mystery nor did any one care about the victims or if the killers were caught. The clues made no sense as did the revelation of the murderer. She turned the strongest younger character to a psycho-stalker in a matter of weeks without any build up. Hope’s statement that she saw it coming for almost a year has no basis in fact. It was only after the fans starting pointing the finger at Melanie’s mother, who would have been portrayed by Eve Plumb, did Nick start loosing his grip on reality. Writing Alison Sweeny’s pregnancy into the show only proves how little respect Higley has for her fans. The most obvious mistake was the timing. A teen or an obese woman may not notice they are five months pregnant, but most women, especially those who had children before, would have known after their second missed moon time. Time is also a factor in the Abe for mayor storyline. Although it’s great for the character, the illogic behind the plot is staggering. There is no way a political campaign could be launched in three weeks much less the candidate win.
Higley gutted the veterans with an old, rusty knife, inflicting pain on both the actors and viewers alike. With little or nor regard for what the fans want, the veterans and favorite couples were shoved aside to give air time to younger characters. She would only have to read the boards to learn what and who the fans want and don’t want. Repeatedly the fans asked for better storylines and more air time with the vets--the real vets: Marlena, John, Bo, Hope, Kayla and Steve. By no stretch of the imagination could EJ be considered a vet; he’s only been on the show for two years. We also miss Francis Reid. We were told she was scheduled to appear, but had to decline for health reasons. It makes me wonder if she was really ill or if what was happening on the screen was making her sick. There was even a tongue-in-cheek thread where posters were asked to describe the best ways to get rid of the characters they hated. Max, Chelsea, Stephanie, and Melanie were those most often killed off, yet these are the ones Higley put front and center.
She turned the strong women of Days into spineless, wimps who have lost all direction in life. Higley simply doesn’t have a clue how to write for strong women. She turned Sami, who used take no prisoners--I’m going to get my man character into one who was indecisive and inconsistent. The real Sami wouldn’t have jumped into bed with EJ when she received Lucas letter; she would have jumped into her car and drove to the prison. Even if she would have had to break in, Sami would have gone to Lucas. Sami being Sami, she would have gotten caught. I can see it now: Roman clicking his tongue and saying, “Sami, Sami. Breaking into prison? I taught you better than that.” Not only would have it be character consistent, but if well written, it could have also been hilarious. Stephanie went from a world-class racer to worrying about where Max was; at least the scripts were ecologically responsible; they just recycled them day after day. When Marlena was given a storyline, she was either trying to save John or used as a crutch to prop up the younger characters.
I wondered why way Ken Corday keeps trying to kill John Black; you would think he has a personal grudge against the character--almost as if Corday has the same obsession with Marlena that Stefano had and is jealous of their relationship. However, Corday should be aware that Higley has ripped Stefano’s balls off and has turned him from a powerful character that controls his world into a simpering, goo-gooing secondary caricature of his former self. She has also turned EJ from strong villain, who was reminiscent of Al Pacino‘s Michael Corleone, into Sami’s whipping boy, who has no life other being part of Ejamie.
In April, I started writing alternative storylines for Days and posting on the NBC boards. It was in protest to the bad writing and was only meant to be short term. I had my own writing projects to work on that didn’t leave much extra time for an off-the-cuff project. However, so many people like what I wrote that the project took on life of its own My script had more favorable comments than what was being shown on the screen and many suggested I contact executive producers. I did, but wasn’t even given basic common courtesy. It seems the industry has become so inbred and arrogant that they believe no one outside their clique could possible write for soaps. Some people claim that I’m just bitter because I’m not invited the party and that I just want the fame of being the head writer. If I wanted fame there are better and easer ways to achieve it. When head writer does their job right, they spend their career making the executive producers and the actors look good, while quietly standing in the background. The only time anyone outside the industry wants to know their name is when they really screw up. Would I still like the gig? Sure, without a doubt; however, at this rate, it would be a temp job.
Trying to make this about me doesn't change the facts. Days came into 2007 with 2.7 rating within four months, they dropped to 1.9. So congratulations Higley, everyone knows your name; however, your career will always be credited with the death of an icon. By tanking Days, you have done the same to your career. Only a moron would hire you after Days is done. The cast and crew, especially the vets, will always be loved enough for the fans to not only look for them but to also follow them to whichever show picks them up. As for me, I've gone back to my projects and will have another novel coming out by the end of the year; as time and energy permits, I'll continue what I started, at least until after the ghost story.
As a writer and long time viewer of Days of our Lives, I'm more than a little saddened at the lost of my beloved soap, especially when it didn't need to be. As with all soaps, the fans of Days were known to be rabidly loyal until they are given cause not to be. Since the beginning of 2007, the viewers have been given more than just cause to change the channel. Ignoring the importance of the vets and corrupting the show’s history while pandering to the younger viewer only proved that the current writers and producers simply don't understand how soap loyalty is built. Factoring in the incomplete storylines and the endless triangles, there is little wonder why the ratings dropped from 2.7 to 1.9 in four months and never really recovered.
Like most, I started watching soaps with my mother and grandmother. It was something we shared especially through the teen years when it was sometimes the only safe topic of conversation. My Mom started me with Dark Shadows with its endless cliffhangers and spooky storylines... My grade school was five blocks from home and even through the show started the same time school ended, I was able to run fast enough to make it home before end of the opening credits, which wasn't bad for a short eight year old. During that half hour, people knew not to call or stop by unless it was an emergency; after once, they new they wouldn‘t be well received.
When Dark Shadows was cancelled in 1970, Mom switched to Days of Our Lives and Another World, I naturally followed. Although, I could only watch on sick days, holidays and summer vacations, Mom kept me updated. When The Young and the Restless premiered in 1973, I briefly watched, but it simply wasn’t the same and I went back to NBC’s soaps. Even back then, I was able to see where the storylines were gong, which used to drive my Mom nuts. She had her own in house spoiler, who would tell what was going to happen days and sometimes weeks ahead.
Days has always pushed the limits. Not just the typical soap, the gothic flavor kept its storylines unique. The plots were complex and well developed. The mysteries were suspenseful, with twisting plots and believable misdirection. The romances were developed in such a way that that the sexual tension drove the fans crazy--the love stories were slowly developed with so many misses and close calls that when it was consummated the fans also smoked a cigarette. The characters were written to have more shades of gray. Alice Horton, who was the perfect everything, still helped break Roman Brady out of jail, while Stefano DiMera, the epitome of evil, was still be willing risk his own life in duel with the devil for the soul of someone he loved. Whether you loved to hate or just simple loved the characters, over the decades they have become member of the family. Unlike the other soaps, humor has always been a keystone to Day’s success. From Eugene’s unique perspective on the world to the multitude of sexual innuendos of the developing relationships, humor has been used to tease and romance the audiences. By equally balancing these elements, Days became show based on suspense, romance, drama and humor, which fans were willing to suspend their disbelief even through the space alien twins whose parentage kept changing.
Although there have been dry spots when the storylines weren’t exactly up to par and many people watched out of habit instead of real interest, it was never was as bad or lasted as long as now; nor were the long-time viewers sacrificed to favor of younger. Obviously, the writers and executive don’t know or don’t understand that the new viewers have been and always be brought in by the loyal ones. With the vet being ignored and dismissed, the writers and executives are also casting aside the viewers who have stuck with the show for decades. While they are casting their net for the tweens and teens, they have forgotten that is this their parents and grandparents who not only control how the household budget is spent; they are also the ones who have the secure incomes and the buying power the advertisers are seeking.
Daytime dramas weren’t nicknamed soaps because of their clean content, but due to their advertising base that was directed toward women who were home in the middle of the afternoon. Detergents and cleaning products of all types were the primary sponsors of daytime television. With the technological, economic and life style changes, the society has changed. Women are still the primary target audience; however, the twenty-something's are no longer the power age group. Not only have popular actors aged, but so have their fans. The typical soap viewer per the Soap Opera Digest
* working woman
* 35-44 years of age
* married
* has children
* At least a high school graduate
* With a household income over $70,000.
This demographic has no interest in teeny boppers in heat or in seeing middle-aged men lusting after the barely-legal. However, seeing older women, who still have romance and adventure in their lives gives these women hope that they will have the same. They don’t fantasize about being a whiny teen, but growing older with passion, love and adventure. Marlena and John, Bo and Hope, Maggie and Mickey, and Kayla and Steve represent this demographic’s ideal. Kate is every single woman heroine; she is intelligent, powerful and sexy enough to get the attention of every man in the room. This demographic is also the ones with the spending power to buy the cars, take the trips, and buy the luxury items as well as the household products.
With the writers strike in 2007, all the soaps suffered; however, Days took the biggest hit. Writing first as a scab, Dena Higley officially joined the staff as the head writer in March. Previously Higley had been fired from One Life to Live; her writing style not only dropped the show in the rankings, but also put her at odds with both the cast members and fans alike. Emmy Award winning actress and grand dame of One Live to Live, Erika Slezak was quotes as saying, "‘Dena doesn't care about the rich history of the show, which is evident in what she writes,’ and that Higley ‘wants to write stories that she thinks are interesting but nobody else does.’" Evidently, Higley learned nothing from her dismissal as she has carried this same thought process to Days as within weeks of her taking the helm, the ratings nosed dived from 2.7 to 1.9. Instead of competing for the top spot, Days is now found at the bottom, frequently tying for last place.
As with OLTL, Higley has totally disregarded the show’s history and established characters. Her storyline are incomplete and make no sense. From the rape victim falling in love with her attacker to the incestuous relationship between Stephanie and Max to sex in the elevator, her vision of romance more closely resembles soft porn than a soap opera. Storylines were launched only to be dropped. Neither murder mystery ever had much mystery nor did any one care about the victims or if the killers were caught. The clues made no sense as did the revelation of the murderer. She turned the strongest younger character to a psycho-stalker in a matter of weeks without any build up. Hope’s statement that she saw it coming for almost a year has no basis in fact. It was only after the fans starting pointing the finger at Melanie’s mother, who would have been portrayed by Eve Plumb, did Nick start loosing his grip on reality. Writing Alison Sweeny’s pregnancy into the show only proves how little respect Higley has for her fans. The most obvious mistake was the timing. A teen or an obese woman may not notice they are five months pregnant, but most women, especially those who had children before, would have known after their second missed moon time. Time is also a factor in the Abe for mayor storyline. Although it’s great for the character, the illogic behind the plot is staggering. There is no way a political campaign could be launched in three weeks much less the candidate win.
Higley gutted the veterans with an old, rusty knife, inflicting pain on both the actors and viewers alike. With little or nor regard for what the fans want, the veterans and favorite couples were shoved aside to give air time to younger characters. She would only have to read the boards to learn what and who the fans want and don’t want. Repeatedly the fans asked for better storylines and more air time with the vets--the real vets: Marlena, John, Bo, Hope, Kayla and Steve. By no stretch of the imagination could EJ be considered a vet; he’s only been on the show for two years. We also miss Francis Reid. We were told she was scheduled to appear, but had to decline for health reasons. It makes me wonder if she was really ill or if what was happening on the screen was making her sick. There was even a tongue-in-cheek thread where posters were asked to describe the best ways to get rid of the characters they hated. Max, Chelsea, Stephanie, and Melanie were those most often killed off, yet these are the ones Higley put front and center.
She turned the strong women of Days into spineless, wimps who have lost all direction in life. Higley simply doesn’t have a clue how to write for strong women. She turned Sami, who used take no prisoners--I’m going to get my man character into one who was indecisive and inconsistent. The real Sami wouldn’t have jumped into bed with EJ when she received Lucas letter; she would have jumped into her car and drove to the prison. Even if she would have had to break in, Sami would have gone to Lucas. Sami being Sami, she would have gotten caught. I can see it now: Roman clicking his tongue and saying, “Sami, Sami. Breaking into prison? I taught you better than that.” Not only would have it be character consistent, but if well written, it could have also been hilarious. Stephanie went from a world-class racer to worrying about where Max was; at least the scripts were ecologically responsible; they just recycled them day after day. When Marlena was given a storyline, she was either trying to save John or used as a crutch to prop up the younger characters.
I wondered why way Ken Corday keeps trying to kill John Black; you would think he has a personal grudge against the character--almost as if Corday has the same obsession with Marlena that Stefano had and is jealous of their relationship. However, Corday should be aware that Higley has ripped Stefano’s balls off and has turned him from a powerful character that controls his world into a simpering, goo-gooing secondary caricature of his former self. She has also turned EJ from strong villain, who was reminiscent of Al Pacino‘s Michael Corleone, into Sami’s whipping boy, who has no life other being part of Ejamie.
In April, I started writing alternative storylines for Days and posting on the NBC boards. It was in protest to the bad writing and was only meant to be short term. I had my own writing projects to work on that didn’t leave much extra time for an off-the-cuff project. However, so many people like what I wrote that the project took on life of its own My script had more favorable comments than what was being shown on the screen and many suggested I contact executive producers. I did, but wasn’t even given basic common courtesy. It seems the industry has become so inbred and arrogant that they believe no one outside their clique could possible write for soaps. Some people claim that I’m just bitter because I’m not invited the party and that I just want the fame of being the head writer. If I wanted fame there are better and easer ways to achieve it. When head writer does their job right, they spend their career making the executive producers and the actors look good, while quietly standing in the background. The only time anyone outside the industry wants to know their name is when they really screw up. Would I still like the gig? Sure, without a doubt; however, at this rate, it would be a temp job.
Trying to make this about me doesn't change the facts. Days came into 2007 with 2.7 rating within four months, they dropped to 1.9. So congratulations Higley, everyone knows your name; however, your career will always be credited with the death of an icon. By tanking Days, you have done the same to your career. Only a moron would hire you after Days is done. The cast and crew, especially the vets, will always be loved enough for the fans to not only look for them but to also follow them to whichever show picks them up. As for me, I've gone back to my projects and will have another novel coming out by the end of the year; as time and energy permits, I'll continue what I started, at least until after the ghost story.
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