The End of Soap Operas

There has been a great deal of talk both in and out of the industry about how the soap opera genre has run its course and should be phased out. These same people point the across the board falling rating without taking account or in some cases totally disregarding the changes in viewing habits, the societal changes and technological advancements. The genre fan base is not diminishing; in fact, it is expanding to included demographics that were previously embarrassed to admit their guilty pleasure. However, in recent years the genre has fallen victim to stagnation and network greed.

According to Nielsen, the number of viewers has been steadily decreasing. However, their outdated accounting methods do not take into account online viewing or delayed viewing. Instead they continue to rely on the diaries and equipment, which by passes all recording devices thereby ignoring a vast proportion of television viewers. With the busy schedules and easy access to recording equipment has given viewers the option to watch their favorite shows based on their own schedules; no longer tied to the networks’ timetable, viewers are able to watch their shows when they want and as many times as they wish.

It has been known for decades that the Nielsen diaries under reported daytime viewers, while propping up more “socially acceptable” programming. Many viewers simply didn’t want to acknowledge watching soap operas. For decades, it wasn’t cool to watch soaps. Yet as the storylines and characters became more complex and socially relevant, the stigma attached to watching them vanished. Characters and plots became topics of conversations not only across the back fences of homes as housewives gossiped, but also around the water coolers and in schools across the country.

Originally targeting stay at home wives and mothers, soaps focused on the family and romance. However, as the genre matured, suspense, drama and humor became an intrical part of their popularity. As the plots and conflicts became more intricate, soaps gained in popularity by broadening their appeal beyond house bound women. Although women continue to be the primary demographic, they are not the women of yesteryears. Instead of being housebound, many women have joined the work force; yet through the use of current and developing technologies, they have been able to keep up with their favorite soaps. One major difference that has developed over the decades is the age difference in the typical viewer. When soaps first appeared on television, the primary viewers were mid-teens to early thirties; however, as with the whole country, the median age of the soap viewer has risen to 37.6. Yet, network executives fail to take into account the both of these important changes in their viewership. Instead, they continue to court the younger viewers even though they don’t have the interest, loyalty or consumer spending power to attract the traditional soap advertiser.

In addition, unlike other programming, soaps have the unique advantage of being passed down from one generation to the next.


One only has to look at the popularity and the diversity at soap events to learn that the fan base hasn’t shrunk. Events sell out quickly. Mechanizing the soaps is a multi-million dollar industry. Magazines, websites, internet radio shows and blogs follow not only the soaps, but also the individual stars. Millions of dollars exchange hands

Soap operas are not diminishing in fans or popularity; they are suffering from stagnation and network greed. How many times can a beloved character be killed and brought back to life without the Whose the daddy? Love triangles




To read the storylines I wrote for Days of Our Lives go to my site at www.theresachaze.com. There you will also find excerpts of my novels, the proposal for Operation Home Base, and my feature films.



To

Soap Opera Ratings from 1950-present

952-1953 Season[2]

* 1. Search for Tomorrow 16.1
* 2. Love of Life 15.1
* 3. Hawkins Falls 13.7
* 4. The Guiding Light 11.3

1953-1954 Season[2]

* 1. Search for Tomorrow 15.8
* 2. The Guiding Light 14.4
* 3. Love of Life 14.0
* 4. Valiant Lady 10.2

1954-1955 Season[2]

* 1. Search for Tomorrow 15.2
* 2. The Guiding Light 14.6
* 3. Love of Life 13.1
* 4. Valiant Lady 10.5
* 5. The Secret Storm 8.5
* 6. The Brighter Day 8.4

1955-1956 Season[2]

* 1. Search for Tomorrow 13.1
* 2. The Guiding Light 13.0
* 3. Love of Life 10.9
* 4. The Brighter Day 10.5
* 5. The Secret Storm 10.2
* 6. Valiant Lady 9.2

1956-1957 Season[2]

* 1. The Guiding Light 11.4
* 2. Search for Tomorrow 11.0
* 3. The Secret Storm 10.0
* 4. The Edge of Night 9.7
* 5. The Brighter Day 9.2
* 6. Love of Life 9.1
* 7. As the World Turns 8.4

1957-1958 Season[2]

* 1. The Guiding Light 10.1
* 2. Search for Tomorrow 9.8
* 2. The Secret Storm 9.7
* 4. The Edge of Night 9.7
* 5. The Brighter Day 9.3
* 6. As the World Turns 8.4

1958-1959 Season[2]

* 1. As the World Turns 9.8
* 1. Search for Tomorrow 9.8
* 3. The Guiding Light 9.7
* 4. The Secret Storm 8.6
* 4. The Edge of Night 8.6
* 6. The Brighter Day 8.2

[edit] 1960s

1959-1960 Season

* As The World Turns 9.9
* The Guiding Light 9.6
* Search For Tomorrow 9.5
* The Edge Of Night 9.5
* The Secret Storm 8.9
* The Brighter Day 8.2
* Love Of Life 8.0
* Young Dr. Malone 7.0
* The Clear Horizon (Debut)

1960-1961 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 10.4
* 2. The Edge Of Night 9.4
* 2. The Guiding Light 9.9
* 2. Search For Tomorrow 9.4
* 5. The Secret Storm 9.1
* 6. The Brighter Day 7.9
* 7. Love Of Life 7.5
* 8. Young Dr. Malone 6.6
* 9. From These Roots 5.9 (Debut)
* 10. The Clear Horizon 4.8

1961-1962 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 11.9
* 2. The Guiding Light 10.1
* 3. Search for Tomorrow 9.5
* 4. The Edge Of Night 8.2
* 5. The Secret Storm 7.6
* 7. Love Of Life 7.4
* 6. The Brighter Day 6.9
* 8. Young Dr.Malone 6.1
* 9. Our Five Daughters 5.9 (Debut)
* 10. From These Roots 5.6
* 11. The Clear Horizon 3.2

1962-1963 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 13.7
* 2. The Guiding Light 11.7
* 3. Search For Tomorrow 10.6
* 4. The Edge Of Night 9.5
* 5. The Secret Storm 9.0
* 6. Love Of Life 8.6
* 7. Our Five Daughters 5.5
* 7. Young Dr. Malone 5.5
* 9. General Hospital 3.9 (Debut)
* 10. The Brighter Day 3.7
* 11. The Doctors 3.4 (Debut)
* 12. Ben Jerrod 2.4 (Debut)

1963-1964 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 15.4
* 2. The Guiding Light 14.2
* 3. Search For Tomorrow 11.0
* 4. The Edge Of Night 10.5
* 5. Love Of Life 10.3
* 6. The Secret Storm 9.2
* 7. General Hospital 5.4
* 8. The Doctors 3.4
* 9. Another World (** 3.3**) (Debut)

1964-1965 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 14.5
* 2. The Guiding Light 12.2
* 2. Search For Tomorrow 12.2
* 4. The Secret Storm 11.5
* 5. Love Of Life 10.6
* 6. The Edge Of Night 10.4
* 7. General Hospital 8.0
* 8. The Doctors 7.5
* 9. Another World 6.8
* 10. Moment of Truth 5.0 (Debut)
* 11. The Young Marrieds 4.4 (Debut)
* 12. Flame In The Wind 2.8 (Debut)

1965-1966 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 13.9
* 2. The Guiding Light 11.2
* 3. Search For Tomorrow 11.0
* 4. The Secret Storm 10.9
* 5. Love Of Life 10.3
* 6. The Edge Of Night 9.9
* 7. General Hospital 7.3
* 8. Another World 6.9
* 9. The Doctors 6.6
* 10. Days of our Lives 5.3 (Debut)
* 11. The Young Marrieds 4.7
* 12. Moment of Truth 4.3
* 13. Dark Shadows 4.1 (Debut)
* 13. Morning Star 4.1 (Debut)
* 13. Paradise Bay 4.1 (Debut)
* 16. The Nurses 3.9 (Debut)
* 16. Never Too Young 3.9 (Debut)

1966-1967 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 12.7
* 2. The Edge Of Night 10.9
* 3. The Guiding Light 10.8
* 4. Search For Tomorrow 10.7
* 4. The Secret Storm 10.7
* 6. Love Of Life 9.5
* 7. Another World 9.0
* 8. The Doctors 7.6
* 9. General Hospital 7.0
* 10. Days of our Lives 6.9
* 12. The Nurses 4.6
* 13. Dark Shadows 4.3
* 14. A Time For Us 4.0 (Debut)

1967-1968 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 13.6
* 2. Another World 10.2
* 3. The Guiding Light 10.0
* 4. Search For Tomorrow 9.9
* 5. The Doctors 9.7
* 6. The Edge Of Night 9.4
* 6. The Secret Storm 9.4
* 8. Love Of Life 9.2
* 9. General Hospital 8.8
* 10. Days of our Lives 8.7
* 11. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 7.9 (Debut)
* 12. Dark Shadows 7.3
* 13. One Life to Live 4.3 (Debut)

1968-1969 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 13.8
* 2. Search For Tomorrow 10.7
* 3. Another World 10.5
* 4. The Edge Of Night 9.5
* 5. Love Of Life 9.3
* 5. The Doctors 9.3
* 5. Days of our Lives 9.3
* 8. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 9.0
* 9. The Guiding Light 8.9
* 10. General Hospital 8.8
* 11. Dark Shadows 8.4
* 12. The Secret Storm 7.8
* 13. One Life to Live 5.4
* 14. Hidden Faces 3.3 (Debut)
* 1960s Rankings: #1: As The World Turns; #2: The Guiding Light; #3: Search For Tomorrow

[edit] 1970s

1969-1970 Season (HH Ratings)

* 1. As the World Turns 13.6
* 2. The Edge of Night 10.8
* 3. Search for Tomorrow 10.0
* 4. The Guiding Light 9.9
* 5. Another World 9.6
* 6. Love is a Many Splendored Thing 9.5
* 7. Days of our Lives 8.8
* 8. The Doctors 8.6
* 9. The Secret Storm 8.6
* 10. General Hospital 8.5
* 11. Love of Life 8.0
* 12. Dark Shadows 7.3
* 13. Where The Heart Is 7.0 (Debut)
* 14. One Life to Live 6.7
* 15. Somerset 5.7 (Debut)
* 16. Bright Promise 5.2 (Debut)
* 17. All My Children 4.4 (Debut)
* 18. A World Apart 2.8 (Debut)
* 19. Best Of Everything 1.8 (Debut)

1970-1971 Season

* 1. As the World Turns 12.4
* 2. The Edge of Night 10.1
* 3. The Guiding Light 9.7
* 4. Another World 9.5
* 4. Days of our Lives 9.5
* 4. General Hospital 9.5
* 7. The Doctors 9.4
* 8. Search for Tomorrow 9.3
* 9. Love is a Many Splendored Thing 9.2
* 10. The Secret Storm 8.0
* 11. Love of Life 7.9
* 12. Somerset 7.0
* 12. Where The Heart Is 7.0
* 14. Bright Promise 6.8
* 15. One Life to Live 6.5
* 16. Dark Shadows 5.3
* 17. All My Children 4.8
* 18. A World Apart 3.4

1971-1972 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 11.1
* 2. General Hospital 10.4
* 3. Days of our Lives 9.9
* 4. The Edge Of Night 9.5
* 5. The Doctors 9.3
* 6. Another World 9.1
* 7. Search For Tomorrow 8.6
* 7. The Guiding Light 8.6
* 9. Love is A Many Splendored Thing 8.0
* 10. Love Of Life 7.4
* 11. Return to Peyton Place 7.4 (Debut)
* 12. The Secret Storm 7.4
* 13. One Life to Live 7.3
* 14. Somerset 6.5
* 15. Where The Heart Is 6.3
* 16. Bright Promise 6.1
* 17. All My Children 5.7

1972-1973 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 10.6
* 2. Days of our Lives 9.9
* 3. Another World 9.7
* 3. General Hospital 9.7
* 5. The Doctors 9.3
* 6. Search For Tomorrow 8.6
* 7. One Life to Live 8.3
* 8. All My Children 8.2
* 8. The Guiding Light 8.2
* 10. The Edge Of Night 7.9
* 11. The Secret Storm 7.3
* 12. Love Of Life 7.2
* 13. Return to Peyton Place 7.2
* 14. Love is A Many Splendored Thing 7.1
* 15. Somerset 6.8
* 16. Where The Heart Is 6.4
* 17. The Young and the Restless 5.0 (Debut)

1973-1974 Season

* 1.As The World Turns 9.7 (#1 in viewers)
* 1.Days of our Lives 9.7
* 1.Another World 9.7
* 4.The Doctors 9.5
* 5.General Hospital 9.2
* 6.All My Children 9.1
* 7.The Guiding Light 8.1
* 8.One Life to Live 7.8
* 9.Search For Tomorrow 7.7
* 10.The Edge Of Night 7.4
* 11.Return to Peyton Place 7.0
* 12.How to Survive a Marriage 6.4 (Debut)
* 13.The Young And The Restless 6.2
* 14.Somerset 6.1
* 15.Love Of Life 6.0
* 16.The Secret Storm 5.8

1974-1975 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 10.8
* 2. Another World 9.7
* 2. Days of our Lives 9.7
* 4. Search For Tomorrow 9.4
* 5. All My Children 9.3
* 6. The Doctors 9.0
* 7. The Guiding Light 8.5
* 7. General Hospital 8.5
* 9. The Young And The Restless 8.4
* 10. The Edge Of Night 7.6
* 11. One Life to Live 7.4
* 12. Love Of Life 7.0
* 13. Somerset 6.0
* 14. How To Survive A Marriage 5.7

1975-1976 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 9.4
* 2. Another World 8.9
* 3. The Young And The Restless 8.6
* 4. Search For Tomorrow 8.3
* 4. Days of our Lives 8.3
* 6. All My Children 8.1
* 6. The Guiding Light 8.1
* 8. The Doctors 7.3
* 9. Love Of Life 7.2
* 10. General Hospital 7.1
* 11. One Life to Live 6.8
* 12. The Edge Of Night 6.7 (Final CBS episode was November 28, 1975; moved to ABC on December 1, 1975)
* 13. Somerset 5.9
* 14. Ryan's Hope 5.7 (Debut)

1976-1977 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 9.9
* 2. Another World 9.0
* 3. The Guiding Light 8.9
* 4. The Young And The Restless 8.7
* 5. Search For Tomorrow 8.6
* 6. All My Children 8.2
* 7. Days of our Lives 7.8
* 8. Ryan's Hope 7.3
* 8. One Life to Live 7.3
* 10. General Hospital 7.0
* 11. The Doctors 6.9
* 12. Love Of Life 6.3
* 13. The Edge Of Night 6.2
* 14. Somerset 5.2
* 15. Lovers and Friends 2.9 (Debut)

1977-1978 Season

* 1. As The World Turns 8.6 (#1 in viewers)
* 1. Another World 8.6
* 3. All My Children 8.4
* 4. Guiding Light 8.0
* 5. The Young And The Restless 7.8
* 6. Search For Tomorrow 7.5
* 7. One Life to Live 7.2
* 8. Ryan's Hope 7.0
* 8. General Hospital 7.0
* 10. Days of our Lives 6.9
* 11. The Doctors 6.5
* 12. Love Of Life 6.0
* 13. The Edge Of Night 5.2
* 14. For Richer, For Poorer 3.9 (Debut)

1978-1979 Season HH Ratings

* 1. All My Children 9.0
* 2. General Hospital 8.7
* 3. The Young And The Restless 8.6
* 4. As The World Turns 8.2
* 5. Guiding Light 8.1
* 6. One Life to Live 8.0
* 7. Search For Tomorrow 7.6
* 8. Another World 7.5
* 9. Ryan's Hope 7.2
* 10. Days of our Lives 6.8
* 11. The Doctors 6.3
* 12. Love Of Life 5.8
* 13. The Edge Of Night 5.8
* 14. For Richer, For Poorer 2.1

1970s rankings: #1: As The World Turns; #2: Another World; #3: The Guiding Light

[edit] 1980s

1979-1980 Season (HH Ratings)

* 1. General Hospital 9.9
* 2. All My Children 9.2
* 3. The Young and the Restless 8.8
* 4. One Life to Live 8.7
* 5. Guiding Light 8.3
* 6. As the World Turns 7.9
* 7. Search for Tomorrow 7.6
* 8. Another World 7.1
* 9. Ryan's Hope 7.0
* 10. Days of our Lives 6.6
* 11. The Doctors 6.1
* 12. The Edge of Night 5.3
* 13. Love of Life 3.5

1980-1981 Season

* 1. General Hospital 11.4
* 2. All My Children 9.1
* 3. One Life to Live 9.1
* 4. Guiding Light 8.2
* 5. As The World Turns 7.9
* 6. The Young & The Restless 7.8
* 7. Ryan's Hope 6.7
* 8. Search For Tomorrow 6.3
* 9. Days of our Lives 5.6
* 10. Another World 5.1
* 11. The Edge Of Night 5.0
* 12. The Doctors 3.8
* 13. Texas 3.8 (Debut)

1981-1982 Season

* 1. General Hospital 11.2 (1981: November 16-17: 30 million viewers; Nov. 16-20 HH: 16.0)
* 2. All My Children 9.4 (November 16-20, 1981 HH: 10.2)
* 3. One Life to Live 9.3 (November 16-20, 1981 HH: 10.2)
* 4. Guiding Light 8.0
* 5. The Young And The Restless 7.4
* 6. As The World Turns 7.4
* 7. Ryan's Hope 6.9
* 8. Search For Tomorrow (final CBS run on March 26, 1982) 6.8
* 9. Capitol 5.8 (Debut)
* 10. Days of our Lives 5.5
* 11. The Edge Of Night 5.0
* 12. Another World 4.7
* 13. Texas 3.6
* 14. Search For Tomorrow (Begins NBC run on March 29, 1982) 3.4
* 15. The Doctors 3.3

1982-1983 Season

* 1. General Hospital 9.8
* 2. All My Children 9.4
* 3. One Life to Live 8.1
* 4. The Young And The Restless 8.0
* 5. As The World Turns 7.6
* 6. Guiding Light 7.4
* 7. Capitol 6.0
* 8. Days of our Lives 5.7
* 9. Ryan's Hope 5.6
* 10. Another World 4.8
* 11. The Edge Of Night 3.8
* 12. Texas 2.7
* 14. Search For Tomorrow 2.7
* 15. The Doctors 1.6

1983-1984 Season

* 1. General Hospital 10.0
* 2. All My Children 9.1
* 3. The Young And The Restless 8.8
* 4. One Life to Live 8.2
* 5. Guiding Light 8.1
* 6. As The World Turns 7.9
* 7. Days of our Lives 7.1
* 8. Capitol 6.4
* 9. Another World 5.6
* 10. Ryan's Hope 5.0
* 11. Loving 3.9 (Debut)
* 12. The Edge Of Night 3.5
* 13. Search For Tomorrow 3.2

1984-1985 Season

* 1. General Hospital 9.1
* 2. All My Children 8.2
* 3. The Young And The Restless 8.1
* 4. Guiding Light 7.5
* 5. One Life to Live 7.3
* 6. Days of our Lives 7.1
* 6. As The World Turns 7.1
* 8. Capitol 5.8
* 9. Another World 5.5
* 10. Loving 4.1
* 11. Ryan's Hope 3.4
* 11. Santa Barbara 3.4 (Debut)
* 13. Search For Tomorrow 3.3
* 14. The Edge Of Night 2.6 (ended run on December 28, 1984)

1985-1986 Season

* 1. General Hospital 9.2
* 2. The Young And The Restless 8.3
* 3. All My Children 8.0
* 4. One Life to Live 7.8
* 5. Days of our Lives 7.2
* 6. Guiding Light 6.8
* 7. As The World Turns 6.7
* 8. Capitol 5.1
* 8. Another World 5.1
* 10. Loving 4.2
* 11. Santa Barbara 4.2
* 12. Ryan's Hope 3.2
* 13. Search For Tomorrow 2.9

1986-1987 Season

* 1. General Hospital 8.3
* 2. The Young And The Restless 8.0
* 3. One Life to Live 7.2
* 4. All My Children 7.0
* 4. Days of our Lives 7.0
* 4. As The World Turns 7.0
* 7. Guiding Light 6.3
* 8. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.6 (Debut)
* 9. Capitol 5.2
* 10. Another World 5.1
* 11. Santa Barbara 4.2
* 12. Loving 3.9
* 13. Ryan's Hope 2.7
* 14. Search For Tomorrow 2.5 (Cancelled by NBC December 26, 1986)

1987-1988 Season

* 1. General Hospital 8.1 (#1 in viewers)
* 2. The Young And The Restless 8.1 (#2 in viewers)
* 3. One Life to Live 7.7
* 3. All My Children 7.7
* 5. Days of our Lives 7.1
* 6. As The World Turns 6.6
* 7. Guiding Light 6.2
* 8. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.4
* 9. Another World 5.1
* 10. Santa Barbara 4.9
* 11. Loving 3.5
* 12. Ryan's Hope 2.8

1988-1989 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 8.1
* 2. General Hospital 7.5
* 3. One Life to Live 7.1
* 4. All My Children 6.7
* 5. Days of our Lives 6.5
* 6. As The World Turns 6.4
* 7. Guiding Light 6.2
* 8. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.7
* 9. Another World 5.0
* 10. Santa Barbara 4.8
* 11. Loving 3.7
* 12. Generations 2.7 (Debut)
* 13. Ryan's Hope 2.4

* 1980s rankings: #1: General Hospital; #2:All My Children; #3: One Life to Live

[edit] 1990s

1989-1990 Season (1 HH rating = 921,000 Households)

* 1. The Young and the Restless 8.0 (7.368 million households)
* 2. General Hospital 7.4 (6.815 million)
* 3. All My Children 6.5 (5.986 million)
* 4. One Life to Live 6.3
* 5. As The World Turns 5.8
* 6. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.7
* 7. Days of our Lives 5.4
* 8. Guiding Light 5.4
* 9. Another World 4.0
* 10. Santa Barbara 3.7
* 11. Loving 3.4
* 12. Generations 2.6 (2.394 million)

1990-91 Season

* 1. The Young and the Restless 8.1
* 2. General Hospital 6.7
* 3. All My Children 6.2
* 4. As The World Turns 5.9
* 5. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.7
* 6. One Life to Live 5.3
* 7. Days of our Lives 5.2
* 8. Guiding Light 5.2
* 9. Another World 3.8
* 10. Santa Barbara 3.2
* 11. Loving 3.0

1991-1992 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 8.2
* 2. All My Children 6.8
* 3. General Hospital 5.8
* 4. As The World Turns 5.7
* 5. Guiding Light 5.6
* 6. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.5
* 7. One Life to Live 5.4
* 8. Days of our Lives 5.4
* 9. Another World 4.1
* 10. Santa Barbara 3.1
* 11. Loving 2.8

1992-1993 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 8.4
* 2. All My Children 7.3
* 3. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.9
* 4. General Hospital 5.8
* 5. As The World Turns 5.7
* 6. One Life to Live 5.5
* 7. Guiding Light 5.4
* 8. Days of our Lives 4.9
* 9. Another World 3.2
* 10. Santa Barbara 3.1
* 11. Loving 2.8

1993-1994 Season (1 HH rating = 942,000 Homes)

* 1. The Young And The Restless 8.6 (8.101 million households)
* 2. All My Children 6.6
* 3. General Hospital 6.2
* 4. The Bold And The Beautiful 6.1
* 5. As The World Turns 5.8
* 6. One Life to Live 5.6
* 6. Days of our Lives 5.6
* 8. Guiding Light 5.4
* 9. Another World 3.5
* 10. Loving 2.7

1994-1995 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 7.5 (7.065 million)
* 2. All My Children 6.1
* 3. General Hospital 5.6
* 4. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.5
* 5. One Life to Live 5.4
* 6. Days of our Lives 5.3
* 7. As The World Turns 5.1
* 8. Guiding Light 4.4
* 9. Another World 3.1
* 10. Loving 2.3

1995-1996 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 7.7
* 2. Days of our Lives 5.8
* 3. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.4
* 4. All My Children 5.3
* 5. General Hospital 4.7
* 6. One Life to Live 4.6
* 7. As The World Turns 4.4
* 8. Guiding Light 4.0
* 9. Another World 3.1
* 10. Loving 2.4
* 11. The City 2.3 (Debut)

1996-1997 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 7.1
* 2. Days of our Lives 5.8
* 3. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.0
* 4. General Hospital 4.8
* 5. All My Children 4.7
* 6. As The World Turns 4.4
* 7. One Life to Live 4.0
* 7. Guiding Light 4.0
* 9. Another World 3.1
* 10. Port Charles 2.6 (Debut)
* 11. The City 2.0
* 12. Sunset Beach 1.8 (Debut)

1997-1998 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 7.0
* 2. Days of our Lives 5.9
* 3. The Bold And The Beautiful 4.9
* 4. General Hospital 4.7
* 5. All My Children 4.2
* 6. As The World Turns 4.1
* 7. One Life to Live 3.9
* 8. Guiding Light 3.8
* 9. Another World 3.1
* 10. Port Charles 2.6
* 11. Sunset Beach 1.9

1998-1999 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 6.9
* 2. Days of our Lives 5.8
* 3. The Bold And The Beautiful 4.7
* 4. General Hospital 4.6
* 5. All My Children 3.9
* 6. As The World Turns 3.8
* 7. One Life to Live 3.7
* 8. Guiding Light 3.5
* 9. Another World 3.0
* 10. Port Charles 2.4
* 11. Sunset Beach 2.3
* 12. Passions 2.2 (Debut)

Number 1 in the 1990s: The Young And The Restless; #2: All My Children; #3: General Hospital

[edit] 2000-present

1999-2000 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 6.8
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 5.1
* 3. Days of our Lives 4.2
* 4. General Hospital 4.0
* 5. All My Children 3.9
* 6. As The World Turns 3.8
* 7. One Life to Live 3.7
* 8. Guiding Light 3.6
* 9. Port Charles 2.4
* 10. Sunset Beach 2.3
* 11. Passions 2.2

2000-2001 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 6.7
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 4.6
* 3. General Hospital 3.8
* 4. Days of our Lives 3.6
* 5. All My Children 3.4
* 6. As The World Turns 3.3
* 7. One Life to Live 3.2
* 8. Guiding Light 3.1
* 9. Port Charles 2.4
* 10. Passions 2.3

2001-2002 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 6.3
* 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 4.5
* 3. Days of our Lives 3.9
* 4. General Hospital 3.7
* 5. As the World Turns 3.5
* 6. All My Children 3.3
* 7. One Life to Live 3.2
* 8. Guiding Light 3.1
* 9. Passions 2.3
* 10. Port Charles 2.3

2002-2003 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 6.1
* 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 4.4
* 3. General Hospital 3.5
* 4. All My Children 3.1
* 5. Days of our Lives 3.0
* 5. One Life to Live 3.0
* 7. As the World Turns 2.9
* 8. Guiding Light 2.8
* 9. Passions 2.1
* 10. Port Charles 2.0

2003-2004 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 5.8
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 4.3
* 3. General Hospital 3.3
* 4. All My Children 2.9
* 5. Days of our Lives 2.8
* 6. One Life to Live 2.7
* 6. As The World Turns 2.7
* 8. Guiding Light 2.6
* 9. Passions 2.0
* 10. Port Charles 1.9

2004-2005 Season

* 1. The Young and the Restless 5.5
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 4.2
* 3. Days of our Lives 3.3
* 4. General Hospital 3.2
* 5. All My Children 2.8
* 6. One Life to Live 2.7
* 7. As The World Turns 2.6
* 8. Guiding Light 2.5
* 9. Passions 2.0

2005-2006 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 5.2
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 3.4
* 3. General Hospital 2.9
* 4. Days of our Lives 2.8
* 5. As The World Turns 2.7
* 6. All My Children 2.6
* 7. One Life to Live 2.5
* 8. Guiding Light 2.4
* 9. Passions 1.9

2006-2007 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 4.2
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 2.8
* 3. General Hospital 2.6
* 4. One Life to Live 2.4
* 5. All My Children 2.3
* 6. Days of our Lives 2.2
* 7. As the World Turns 2.1
* 8. Guiding Light 2.0
* 9. Passions 1.7

2007-2008 Season

* 1. The Young And The Restless 4.0
* 2. The Bold And The Beautiful 2.8
* 3. As the World Turns 2.4
* 4. General Hospital 2.3
* 5. Days of our Lives 2.2
* 6. One Life to Live 2.1
* 7. All My Children 2.0
* 8. Guiding Light 1.8

2008-2009 SeasonSeptember 22, 2008 through April 12, 2009

* 1. The Young and the Restless 3.8
* 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.6
* 3. Days of our Lives 2.2
* 4. General Hospital 2.2
* 5. All My Children 2.1
* 6. One Life to Live 2.1
* 7. As the World Turns 2.0
* 8. Guiding Light 1.6


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_US_daytime_soap_opera_ratings

Days of Our Live: Wedding Part 3

I promised the fans on the NBC boards that I would do a special storyline. Here it is. It's called The Wedding. Fans of Tony and Anna will particularly enjoy it. It was going to be in two parts; however that has changed. The storyline is taking longer than expected because I'm putting more detail into it and frankly I've been working on other projects.

I've really enjoyed writing the script and bringing back the good, old Days. It is just very sad that the current writers can't do the same. Sex is not romance. Just because a man beds her, it doesn't mean he loves her, which is what Days has become. If I had been given the opportunity, I would have taken Days back to the basics. There wouldn't be the big debate over which man Sami would chose. Eventually I would bring her and Lucas back together, but not until after they had work through their own issues. They both would have been given plots of their own. Sami would have gone back to school to get her high school diploma and on to college. She would have proven that just because you drop out of school to have a child, it doesn't mean that you can't go back. Lucas would have become involved first with helping the Wounded Warriors, before taking over the Horton Foundation. Moving in with Alice would have set them on the path to becoming the new Alice and Tom. A woman from Stefano's past would have not only given him a new love interest, but she would have been an equal partner in crime. EJ and Ava would have become involved with the corruption in the horse industry; they never would be truly good guys, but they also wouldn't be the evil couple in town. Steve and Max would continue to help find missing children, including the granddaughter when her abusive father kidnaps her. Roman and Alyssa would slowly fall in love. There would be the murders that happened John and Marlena's house would be investigated and solved. I would have brought back old friends and new characters who would have been slowly developed. Since there was no Trent in my universe, there would be no Melanie. Without either, Nick would still be on the show. I would have paired him with Eugene to work on the new energy source.

You don't have to break couples up to keep them interesting. In writing 101, you learn that there four traditional conflict themes to both short stories and novels, however I have added a fifth.

Man against himself
Man against man
Man against nature
Man against God or spirituality
Man against Fate or Karma

If a writer is creative, it is easy to ways to keep couples together and interesting at the same time.

Days could have and should have so much more to offer. It's too bad that it won't be given the opportunity that Betty and Ken Corday gave it. Soaps aren't loosing fan; they are suffering from stagnation and network executives' greed.

There has to be a soap or drama out there who is looking for a creative writer. Thank you for your support and the courage to keep trying to achieve my dream.



http://www.theresachaze.com/files/Dayswedding.pdf

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/dayswedding2.pdf

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/dayswedding3.pdf

There are two new posts, which finishes the ghost story.

Here is the new posting http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-20-09.pdf

This is the final chapter in the ghost story.http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-21-09.pdf

There will be one more special posting soon.


However, if you are just starting to read the script, you will want to start at the next link in order to understand the plots. This is what I previously posted on the NBC Days boards not all of the posting are in the current proper format. However the posts at the bottom are in the format that I will be submitting to other soaps in hope of getting a writing gig.

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

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-2-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-8-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/day12-14-08.pdf

http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days12-30-08.pdf


http://www.geocities.com/easternguardian/days1-20-09

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days2-16-09.pdf

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/Days3-8-09.pdf

Here's the deal. I am cleaning up and formatting the script that I have already posted into the correct format. I will be using it as resume material to get a writing gig on one of the other soaps. Although much of it will be familiar who have been keeping up, there have been a reshuffling of the scenes as well as some tweaking. Originally, I put little effort into the scrip, especially in the beginning. This better reflects me as a professional writer. However, since the program I am using doesn't have a spell check, there may still be some typos. If you see any, please let me know in the comments section. Thanks.


Episode on:
http://www.theresachaze.com/files/DOOLepione.pdf

Episode two: http://www.theresachaze.com/files/dayseptwo.pdf

In the Zone Radio: Soap Talk

In The Zone Radio

"In The Zone" is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on entertainment such as soaps, primetime & reality TV, music and more. The show airs Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays nights at 10PM/EST for 90 minutes.



In The Zone Radio

Date / Time: 4/13/2009 10:00 PM eastern

Call-in Number: (347) 996-5978

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthezoneradio

Buzz Worthy Radio: Aiden Turner and Aidan Devane

Original Air Date: 4/10/2009 10:00 PM
BWR w/ Aiden Turner!

Aiden Turner, Aidan Devane on ABC Daytime's All My Children, will be making his first appearance on BuzzWorthy Radio. Hear about his time on the Rock the Soap event this past week, as well as promote the Manhattanites movie, set to be released on DVD May 6, 2009! Turner plays the role of Kyle Carpenter in the film, and co-stars other soap stars such as Forbes March, Ilene Kristen, and Jill Larson.

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.

Interactive Radio Show: Until You Walk the Path

Until You Walk the Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes is an interactive internet radio show, which takes a broader look at the topic of spirituality. Instead of focusing on the religious aspects of life, it delves into how our spirits inspire us to be our best and highest selves. The goal is to give a venue to those who wish to share their inspiration, their wisdom and their courage. By sharing our experiences, we not only give encouragement others to reach for their dreams, but to also help them find new alternatives and possibilities in their lives.

Until You Walk the Path, You Won’t Know Where it goes airs 5 pm eastern Sundays on Blog Talk Radio. This interactive radio show encourages its listeners to actively participate through the chat room or by phoning in. Free calls can be made through Skype by clicking on the “Talk” button on the home page http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze. The call in number is (347) 324-3745.

Days of Our Lives

Here is the deal. I have put my best effort into getting the head writing gig at Days. It was one of the reasons I kept the storylines going and added on the two extra plots. I wanted to build a diverse resume. Having said this, I have come to realization that the show has gone too far to come back. Not even I can raise the dead.

The current writers and producers have taken the show so far down the rabbit hole that there is no bringing it back. The Hail Mary I had will no longer work. So regretfully I am giving up and looking elsewhere. There has to be a soap or a production studio that is looking for a writer who can create storylines based on suspense, romance, drama and humor. Days of Our Lives used to be known for all four qualities; however, it has been turned into nothing but soft porn for teens and tweens.

As promised, I will finish The Wedding, but it won't be until later in the week. I am very grateful to everyone who has been so supportive. Without some of you, I would have never had the courage to even try for the gig. Once I did, I found a whole new dimension to my writing skills. I just wish I could have used them to save Days, but when those in power are actively trying to destroy a show, there isn't a whole lot anyone can do to save it.

For decades, soaps (Days of Our Lives and Another World) were a reliable source of profit for NBC. The loss in revenue was solely due to the bad writing driving the fans away. If I owned stock in GE, I would be asking why Jeffrey Zucker was allowed to destroy a product that was not only very popular, but also an active and dependable source of income and still keep his job.

Days of Our Lives: The Wedding

I promised the fans on the NBC boards that I would do a special storyline. Here it is. It's called The Wedding. Fans of Tony and Anna will particularly enjoy it. The storyline will be in two parts.

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/Dayswedding.pdf

There are two new posts, which finishes the ghost story.

Here is the new posting http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-20-09.pdf

This is the final chapter in the ghost story.http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-21-09.pdf

There will be one more special posting soon.


However, if you are just starting to read the script, you will want to start at the next link in order to understand the plots. This is what I previously posted on the NBC Days boards not all of the posting are in the current proper format. However the posts at the bottom are in the format that I will be submitting to other soaps in hope of getting a writing gig.

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

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-2-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-8-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/day12-14-08.pdf

http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days12-30-08.pdf


http://www.geocities.com/easternguardian/days1-20-09

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days2-16-09.pdf

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/Days3-8-09.pdf

Here's the deal. I am cleaning up and formatting the script that I have already posted into the correct format. I will be using it as resume material to get a writing gig on one of the other soaps. Although much of it will be familiar who have been keeping up, there have been a reshuffling of the scenes as well as some tweaking. Originally, I put little effort into the scrip, especially in the beginning. This better reflects me as a professional writer. However, since the program I am using doesn't have a spell check, there may still be some typos. If you see any, please let me know in the comments section. Thanks.


Episode on:
http://www.theresachaze.com/files/DOOLepione.pdf

Episode two: http://www.theresachaze.com/files/dayseptwo.pdf


If you like what you are reading and would like me to take over as head writer, please contact the following:

Corday Productions Fax number
818)840-4968
Production phone number: 818-295-2820

Sony Pictures owns the rights to Days
Michael Lynton
Chairman & CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Amy Pascal
Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment
12102 West Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
Phone: (310) 244-4000
Fax: (310) 244-2626
another phone line: 310-244-5722
NBC

NBCUNI.COM FEEDBACK
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
The GE Building at Rockefeller Plaza is NBC's corporate headquarters\
Phone: 212-664-4444. Fax: 212-664-4085

GE information
Jeffrey Immelt, CEO
General Electric Company
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06828
(203) 373-2211

Why we love Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives 3-21-09

There are two new posts, which finishes the ghost story.

Here is the new posting http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-20-09.pdf

This is the final chapter in the ghost story.http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days3-21-09.pdf

There will be one more special posting soon.


However, if you are just starting to read the script, you will want to start at the next link in order to understand the plots. This is what I previously posted on the NBC Days boards not all of the posting are in the current proper format. However the posts at the bottom are in the format that I will be submitting to other soaps in hope of getting a writing gig.

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

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-2-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/Days12-8-08.pdf

http://geocities.com/tirgana/day12-14-08.pdf

http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/days12-30-08.pdf


http://www.geocities.com/easternguardian/days1-20-09

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/days2-16-09.pdf

http://www.theresachaze.com/files/Days3-8-09.pdf

Here's the deal. I am cleaning up and formatting the script that I have already posted into the correct format. I will be using it as resume material to get a writing gig on one of the other soaps. Although much of it will be familiar who have been keeping up, there have been a reshuffling of the scenes as well as some tweaking. Originally, I put little effort into the scrip, especially in the beginning. This better reflects me as a professional writer. However, since the program I am using doesn't have a spell check, there may still be some typos. If you see any, please let me know in the comments section. Thanks.


Episode on:
http://www.theresachaze.com/files/DOOLepione.pdf

Episode two: http://www.theresachaze.com/files/dayseptwo.pdf


If you like what you are reading and would like me to take over as head writer, please contact the following:

Corday Productions Fax number
818)840-4968
Production phone number: 818-295-2820

Sony Pictures owns the rights to Days
Michael Lynton
Chairman & CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Amy Pascal
Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment
12102 West Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
Phone: (310) 244-4000
Fax: (310) 244-2626
another phone line: 310-244-5722
NBC

NBCUNI.COM FEEDBACK
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
The GE Building at Rockefeller Plaza is NBC's corporate headquarters\
Phone: 212-664-4444. Fax: 212-664-4085

GE information
Jeffrey Immelt, CEO
General Electric Company
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06828
(203) 373-2211

BuzzWorthy Radio: Beth Chamberlin!

Beth Chamberlin, who plays the role of Beth Raines on CBS Daytime's Guiding Light, will be making her second appearance on BuzzWorthy Radio! Beth will be discussing the recent return of Phillip Spaulding, played by Grant Aleksander, as well as what is in store for her character as well as more returns along the way.

Blog Talk Radio: In the Zone

To listen please go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthezoneradio


In The Zone" is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on entertainment such as soaps, primetime & reality TV, music and more. The show airs Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays nights at 10PM/EST for 90 minutes.

Jeffrey Immelt, Jeffrey Zucker, Michael Lynton, Ken Corday

Ken Corday
Gary Tomlin
Dena Higley
Corday Productions
818-840-4968

NBCUNI.COM FEEDBACK
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
212-664-4085

Sony Pictures Entertainment
12102 West Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
(310) 244-2626


Many writers see themselves as God-almighty when it comes to the projects they work on. They control the motivation, the actions and the outcome from the first page to the last. In novels, this is true, but only if there is a sole author. When it comes to film and television, every project is a collaborative effort.

Writers who step into an existing show need to play catch up. No matter how much outside research she or he does, the actor who has lived in the role will be the best asset the writer can have. However, the reverse is also true. A new writer can breathe fresh air into a show, giving it new life and inspiration. By bringing in a new perspective, the writer can give new twists to old plots and help the actors develop additional depth to their characters by opening new challenges. There needs to be a balance between the past and the future in order for the show to stay imaginative and original from episode to episode--year to year. As long as a show remains balance by being inventive, while honoring its history and keeping the egos in check, it will be able to keep its fan base happy; thereby continuing its success

Betty Corday and Irna Philips created a show that was based on romance, suspense, drama and comedy. They valued the creative effort of both the cast and crew. Betty's motto, "Don't lie to the fans; Respect your talent" was one of the main pillars that made Days an icon in television history, as was Irna's steadfast determination to create the best show possible. These two women created a genre by not accepting less than the best; they bucked the system and convinced the networks to see it their way. Not only were they were able to invent a financially profitable product that lasted for decades, but they also did so in such away that the fans stayed loyal from generation to generation.

In the past two years, you have managed to destroy everything they created. You have turned Days into nothing more than soft porn. The fans didn't just leave; you drove them away with the endless triangles, lack of real story telling, and the gutting of the established characters. Instead of focusing on the veteran actors and established characters, you created new characters that were poor written. Most high school plays are not only better produced, but also have higher quality of talent than the new actors you have brought in. Let's face it your writing staff couldn't write themselves out of wet paper bag with Freddy Krueger's help.

Like most soap fans, I started watching because of my mother and grandmother. When Dark Shadows was cancelled, she switched to Days and Another World. Even when I worked at an ABC affiliate, I would record and watch both shows. When NBC cancelled Another World, I stopped watching NBC except for Days. The firing of Dee and Drake was the last straw. Not only am I done with Days, but NBC as well. The only demographics the show still appeals to are teeny-boppers and high school drop outs that have pie in the eye dreams of marrying a millionaire even though they can’t put a coherent simple sentence together. Neither of which has the buying power to sustain or attract a profitable commercial sponsorship. You have tossed away viewers who have been loyal for decades in favor of those who are insistent and unreliable as their whims change from moment to moment--fad to fad.

When Days is cancelled in a couple of months, I will take comfort in the fact that Corday, Tomlin and Higley will be forever be remembered for the destruction of a beloved icon. Only a total moron would hired them after the hack job they did on a viable profit show.

Theresa Chaze

Days of Our Lives--No longer just a One Soap Opera Blog

Some of you will notice that I changed the title to my blog. There is a reason. Although I love Days of Our Lives very much, after January 23 I will no longer be watching it. It was a very difficult to decision to make. I have been watching since nearly the beginning. I have grown up with many of the characters. Alice and Tom Horton were as near and dear to me as my own grandparents. The romance, suspense and humor was a constant in my life; unfortunately, that show has been missing for a long time. For nearly two years, Days hasn't been the show that I loved. The writing has rapidly degraded into to being nothing more than soft porn. Favorite characters have been dismissed, rewritten to be shadows of their former selves, and ignored. There hasn't been an actually storyline for over a year. The firing of Dee and Drake for me was the finally straw. The ratings prove that I am not the only one who misses the good old Days.

In April, I started writing alternative storylines in protest to the bad writing. It started as a way to embarrass the writers to doing their job. However, it became so popular that I not only kept it going, but applied for the head writer gig. In hind sight, I'm not surprised that I didn't get taken seriously. At best the application was amateurish; at worse, just plain wrong. If there was another mistake I could have done, I certainly can't think of it. Anyway, the past is the past. I would still like the head writer gig, but at this rate it would be a temp job. Instead, I'm going to edit the script for format and style, bringing it into industry standards. After which, I'm going to apply to the other soaps for a paying gig on the staff. With Days, I know the history and the characters; but I'm a quick study. With a little help from the actors, I can catch up.

Ken Corday: You are only as Good as your last Show?

BuzzWorthy Radio: Van Hansis & Bob Guiney!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/buzzworthyradio/2008/12/15/BuzzWorthy-Radio-Van-Hansis-Bob-Guiney

Soap Operas: The Cliff Hanger-The Backbone of the Genre

Soap Operas: The Cliff Hanger-The Backbone of the Genre
By
Theresa Chaze

The cliffhanger has been the both a source of pleasure and bane to soap opera viewer since the genre was created. It is one of the hooks that keep the viewers coming back. From radio to daytime to the emergence of primetime soaps, the cliffhanger has been the one element that has remained constant. However, in the past few years with the movement away from the traditional soap opera format to one that is more titillating, the cliffhanger has also been cast aside.

In the era of multi-media and channel options, cliff hangers have become more important than ever in the success of a soap opera. With so many choices, all shows need to give the viewers a reason to keep tuning in. Historically, cliff hangers have been the genre’s best tools to create loyal fans. According the World English dictionary, the definition of a cliffhanger is:

1. Arts literature ending left teasingly unresolved: an unresolved ending in a serialized drama or book that leaves the audience or reader desperate to know what will happen in the next part

2. Arts drama serial with suspenseful endings: a drama serial that has episodes that often end in suspenseful unresolved endings

3. Tense situation: a situation full of tension or suspense because it is not clear what will happen next

By keeping the audience guessing, the writers insure they will tune in next time to learn what happens to their favorite characters. However, the more invested the viewer is in the characters the easier it is to hook them. Yet on the flip side, it is nearly impossible to retain the interest of the viewers if they can’t identify with the character or if the plot doesn‘t fit within the perimeters the show has already established. The more the viewers care about the characters, the more likely they will be loyal to the show.

Cliff hangers need storylines that are not only well written, but also well thought out and exactly timed. Cutting the scene in the middle of the action is not a cliff hanger; it is a poorly placed cut. In order to be effective, it has to be the logical progression of the plot throughout the episode. By properly organizing and timing the sequence of scenes, the writer builds the suspense and drama. Inter-cutting the primary storyline to build a secondary, not only heightens the tension, but it also initiates the next primary storyline and helps insure the show will end at climatic moment. As with comedy, timing isn't the only thing, it's everything.

Many of the current soaps have given up writing the complicated storylines that are associated with cliff hangers in favor of gratuitous sexual scenes that aren’t based in plot or character. Instead of developing characters or stories the viewers can identify with and care about, the writers have chosen to focus shallow characters and plots that more closely resemble soft porn, which is why the genre has been slowly dying. In traditional soaps, sex was the end result of romance that was gradually created over weeks of teasing, testing and sexual tension. Instant romance and relationships give nothing for the viewer to look forward to since they already know what the end results will be sex. Until the writers return to storylines, which are based on suspense, drama, romance and humor, cliff hangers will be a thing of the past, taking with them the whole genre.

Days of Our Lives: Why it will be Cancelled

Days of Our Lives: The Numbers Don't Lie
By
Theresa Chaze

Even though the ink isn’t even dry the new agreement, which renews Days of Our Lives until September 2010, there are already rumors that the soap is living on borrowed time. The non-traditional 18-month contract along with executive producer, Ken Corday, agreeing to make onscreen changes, including adjustments to the cast list, could herald the end of Days as the long-time fans’ wishes continue to be ignored.

Days was the top ranking soap for years, placing first or second in the overall standings until March 2007. With the disappearance of John Black (Drake Hogestyn), the attempted forced pairing of a rapist and victim, who's the daddy and the Colleen/Santo storylines offended many of the viewers. Their dissatisfaction was dramatically reflected in the ratings. While Days came into 2008 with a high of 2.7 and a low of 2.5, by April, the highest ranking was 2.1 with a low of 1.9.












Dena Higley officially joining the Days staff as the head writer in March 2008; however, it was reported that she was one of the scab writers who ghost wrote Days during the strike. Although she inherited rankings that ranged from 2.0 to 2.4, her writing style has only served hasten the drop in the rankings. Even though she was able to bring back both John Black and Stefano, her propensity to focus on romantic triangles and to only write for the characters or couples she likes gained her no favor with the viewers.

August 6, 2007 Corday Productions announced the Emmy award winning producer, Ed Scott, would be joining the Day of Our Lives team as co-executive producer. Ken Corday was quoted as saying, "Ed comes with more than 20 years experience with The Young and the Restless and brings a new, vibrant, creative energy and strength to this all-important position of leadership,"

Instead of working together to improve Days, Higley and Scott chose to ignore both the shows history and the fans favorite characters.. The Colleen/Santo story, although it had the potential of being a wonderfully romantic and suspenseful tale in its own right, was instead turned into a way of forcing the pairing of EJ and Sami down the viewers' throats. The DiMera Vendetta was not only another ploy to support Ejamie as the couple had been nicknamed, but it was also used to kill off Shawn Sr. and John Black. It also totally disregarded the show's history and characters' family backgrounds. The viewers expressed their displeasure as the ratings continued to drop.

In addition the veteran actors were pushed aside in favor of the younger generation; the campus rapist and the Sorority house was intended to attract younger viewers. Intention and reality were never on the same page. Instead of attracting younger viewers, the storyline drove away the loyal long-time fans. September, October and November registered the worse ratings of 2008 with September and October bottoming out at 1.8 while November did little better with 1.9. With the return of the vets, John Black as well as Tony and Anna DiMera, the ratings once again began to climb. January through April of 2008, Days gained .4, bringing it to a high of 2.4 and returning it to third place.


With the backstage conflicts between Scott and Higley spilling out not only on the set but out into rumor mill, the personality and professional conflicts between them came to a head when Higley reportedly quit, accusing Scott of rewriting her scripts and encouraging the actors to do the same. Corday convinced Higley to remain; Scott was fired. .

Gary Tomlin was chosen as Scott’s replacement. A soap opera veteran, Tomlin has worked as an actor, director, writer and producer. Again, Corday expressed his utmost confidence and faith in his new choice, promising that Tomlin‘s "...long successful history of being an actor's producer and a writer's producer to our cast and crew and I know the viewers will see the immediate results of this change for the better." However, months later that promise has yet to be fulfilled.

Except for a brief bump in the ratings that herald the return of Stefano, portrayed by Joseph Mascolo, the ratings remain flat and near the bottom of the list. Instead, leading the genre in ratings and awards, Days suddenly finds itself at the bottom with their highest rankings in 2008 equaling that of it’s lows in 2006. In the three months Tomlin has acted as the co-executive producer, Days’ ratings haven’t risen above a 2.0 and fourth place. From the two murder whodunits where no one cares who did or who died to the once again back burning vets in favor of new characters, the fans have had few kind words for either Higley or Tomlin.

Corday Productions seem to have difficulty learning from their past mistakes. With the soap on life support, Corday has chosen once again to shake up the cast by releasing popular actors, while adding younger talent. It has been recently rumored that Drake Hogestyn will be once again leaving the show along with Jay Kenneth Johnson. At the beginning of 2007 when Corday disregarded the fans wishes, Days fell from first to fourth (2.7 to 1.9) within four months; at this point, there is no place left to fall except off the air.


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Viewers' Opinion of Days of Our Lives

I am doing research about what you think about Days both current and past shows. If I can't write for Days, I'll write about it. These questions aren't about me or fan bases but the show in general. By answering the questions, not only will you help me, but through the article you might clue in the executive producers and writers. In order to quote you in the article, I will need your legal name and the state you live in.

How long have you watched Days?

Why did you start?

Are you happy with what you are seeing on your screen? Why?

How many times a week do you watch?

Has your viewing increased or decreased?

When and why did you change your viewing habit?

What has been your favorite storyline? Why?

What has been your least favorite storyline? Why?

In comparing the show from when you first started watching to now. which did you enjoy more? Why?

If you suddenly became the owner of Days, what changes would you make? Why?

What things would you keep? Why?


Is there anything you would like to say about Days?