GH: Body Slammed by TV Guide/Michael Logan
Rthrquiet
this has already been posted and discussed. I was leafing through TV Guide in
the store yesterday, and Michael Logan's column just rips the current state of
GH to shreds. I mean, Logan has always been outspoken, but I've never seen him
write anything this devastating. He even went as far as to say that GH didn't
deserve its Best Show or Best Writing Emmys it just won, and he said he's not
surprised at the sorry state of the show given the ongoing conflicts between
Riche and Guza. (Honestly, does Wendy Riche get along with *any* head writer
she works with? Not necessarily to say the conflict is her fault--I don't
know--but I am seeing a pattern here.) He complains about how they tear apart
pairings when the actors actually have chemistry in favor of bland pairings,
how the Quartermaines are no longer interesting at all, and he particularly
finds the Hannah character and storyline insulting. (I must have been quite a
spectacle in the checkout line with my mouth wide open!)
I went to the TVGuide site and the article isn't posted anywhere,
unfortunately. Anybody else see the print version? What did you think? Were you
as astonished as I was (not at the criticism--I think a lot of what he says is
right on target--but at how uh, direct he was)?
Michael
Tante Joan
>. (Honestly, does Wendy Riche get along with *any* head writer
>she works with? Not necessarily to say the conflict is her fault--I don't
>know--but I am seeing a pattern here.)
Yes, she got along just fine with the Labines -- they weren't fired
because they didn't get along. They were fired because the ratings
went down.
TJ
[Probably posted to all and sundry, especially Sundry. Who's Sundry?
He helps me shave with Occam's Razor.]
Rthrquiet
>Yes, she got along just fine with the Labines -- they weren't fired
>because they didn't get along. They were fired because the ratings
>went down.
They were fired? I thought they left of their own accord when their contract
was up. I even remember reading a comment from Claire Labine saying they were
staying on for a few months to wrap up the storyline involving Stone because it
was their "baby" and they wanted to see it through to completion. I know the
ratings were a disappointment while they were there, but I never heard or saw
anything to indicate they were fired.
No, with respect to the Labines, what I was referring to is that I understood
Riche was furious with them for trying to write a GH spinoff involving Ned and
Lois (the show that didn't get picked up when ABC decided to go with PC
instead) and that there's no love lost between any of the parties now.
Michael
Rthrquiet
<<text of TV Guide article on GH>>
Thanks for posting iit, Cyndi. Rereading it, I was just as amazed at how
direct Logan was in laying it on the line. (As I said, Logan is rarely
circumspect about what he says, but even for him, this was *direct*.) I can't
argue with most of what he says, though. (I do find it surprising, though, that
he chose to sting GH with such criticism when there are *so many* other shows
in even more wretched shape.)
Michael
Linda Martindale
I'm going to address this in reverse order.
> I went to the TVGuide site and the article isn't posted anywhere,
> unfortunately. Anybody else see the print version? What did you think?
> Were you as astonished as I was (not at the criticism--I think a lot of
> what he says is right on target--but at how uh, direct he was)?
I've seen it--and was very surprised by the tone. Unfortunately, Logan's
stuff hasn't been posted recently. He seems to write for the magazine
while Reiner writes for the web.
Now on to your remarks on the article
> ... and Michael Logan's column just rips the current state of
> GH to shreds. I mean, Logan has always been outspoken, but I've never seen him
> write anything this devastating.
Oh, come on--he was downright vicious. I can see him snarling as he
writes. He didn't sugar coat anything or do his usual routine of not
"ruffling feathers."
> He even went as far as to say that GH didn't
> deserve its Best Show or Best Writing Emmys it just won, and he said he's not
> surprised at the sorry state of the show given the ongoing conflicts between
> Riche and Guza. (Honestly, does Wendy Riche get along with *any* head writer
> she works with? Not necessarily to say the conflict is her fault--I don't
> know--but I am seeing a pattern here.)
Is the conflict between the two fact? I haven't seen it anywhere stated
in print except in Logan's piece. Rumors have surfaced but not as blatant
as he put it. I won't say it didn't deserve these two awards, but I will
say I'd like to see the tapes submitted ;>
> He complains about how they tear apart
> pairings when the actors actually have chemistry in favor of bland pairings,
Maybe he should tune in to OLTL where fans are still hot over the Sam/Nora
pair. As for pairings--we only have AJ/Carly, Jax/Chloe, Bobby/Jerry, and
Sonny/Hannah. Of these Jax/Chloe and Sonny/Hannah are new. I have a
personal problem with Sonny/Hannah but actually like Jax and Chloe
together.
> how the Quartermaines are no longer interesting at all,
Now yesterday's scene with Ned telling them off was very good. The Qs
though have seemed to lose some of their comic flair. I don't know if it
is because of the addition of Chloe/Carly to the mix or not. Only time
will tell.
> and he particularly
> finds the Hannah character and storyline insulting.
(See above).
Pearl
Yes, thanks for the article. Although I, too agreed with a depressing number of
his points...and although I usually don't snipe at the nearly-extinct or dying...
at least GH hasn't yet worked in a guy in a gorilla suit at one of their weddings.
Pearl
(who's still getting over the fact that 6/23 was a Heller show)
Shannon Stewart
you-know-what, and I don't think they deserved the writing Emmy either.
I actually moaned out loud when they won. To think that such a
prestigious award would be handed to a man who, in my opinion, has
completely destroyed a show I've watched fro nearly twenty years--well,
it makes me ill.
Wendy Riche gets no compliments from me, either. When I read Finola
Hughes' quote in TV Guide a couple of weeks ago, about how she hadn't
even been seriously approached about returning to GH, I was livid. There
is SO much potential for a great story there, now that Faison is back.
Unfortunately, we're still being force-fed the Opie Opus.
>what I was referring to is that I understood Riche
>was furious with them for trying to write a GH
>spinoff involving Ned and Lois (the show that didn't
>get picked up when ABC decided to go with PC
>instead) and that there's no love lost between any of
>the parties now.
Truly a shame, because I think the Labines were among the greatest
writers GH has ever had. I also have a hard time fathoming why the
ratings dropped during their tenure. Nothing happening on GH today even
comes close to the Stone, BJ/Maxie, or Lois/Ned storylines. I suppose we
viewers are partly to blame. I still wish everyone who is as pissed off
as I am about the state of GH would simply tune out. A message
definitely needs to be sent. Unfortunately, the Emmys on Guza's &
Riche's shelves no doubt count for more than the wishes of mere mortals.
Shannon
Carly Bludgeoning Squad
(Anyone want to start a Guza/Riche Bludgeoning Squad?)
LET_me...@webtv.net
in that article is true. Yes I think that GH is bland right now, and a
big YES to how the great potential couples are torn apart when they have
such chemistry is so complelty dumb( EX...JAX AND VENUS). I still watch
GH right now, only cause i Find the Hannah/Sonny story interesting and
cause I cant wait to see what happens between Jason/Carly/A.J.. The
only thiing that is making me completly and udderly mad right now, is
that Lisa Cerasoli(V) is being let go, when it is so obvious of the
chemisrty between her and Ingo(JAX)........UUUGGHHHHH anyway.....TPTB
have shown us fans that they dont listen, and they might never
Tante Joan
>
>They were fired? I thought they left of their own accord when their contract
>was up. I even remember reading a comment from Claire Labine saying they were
>staying on for a few months to wrap up the storyline involving Stone because it
>was their "baby" and they wanted to see it through to completion. I know the
>ratings were a disappointment while they were there, but I never heard or saw
>anything to indicate they were fired.
>
They were fired, but not by Wendy Riche. The method of letting them
go was very gentle, because they were so well liked and respected, so
they were allowed to say they left of their own accord. But they were
encouraged to go.
>No, with respect to the Labines, what I was referring to is that I understood
>Riche was furious with them for trying to write a GH spinoff involving Ned and
>Lois (the show that didn't get picked up when ABC decided to go with PC
>instead) and that there's no love lost between any of the parties now.
>
Wendy was furious? They were both pretty hot under the collar. The
Labines, whom I adore, BTW, were pushing for "Hearts and Souls," which
would have centered on Brooklyn, where the Ls live, and the
Cerullos/Cerullo-Ashtons. Riche's proposal was for PC, which was to
be set on top of GH, so to speak, and would allow for cross overs,
fewer major start-up costs and the saved expenses of a shared
production team. ABC chose PC. In the soap world, it is hard to
maintain a grudge, because the door revolves to fast -- he whom you
revile today will be your boss/colleague/yardman tomorrow. The
Labines and Wendy Riche are back to admiring one another.
DonnaB
rec.arts.tv.soaps.abc netizen SDSt...@webtv.net (Shannon
Stewart) posted the following in Msg#
<7019-377...@newsd-153.iap.bryant.webtv.net> :
| Truly a shame, because I think the Labines were among the greatest
| writers GH has ever had. I also have a hard time fathoming why the
| ratings dropped during their tenure. Nothing happening on GH today even
| comes close to the Stone, BJ/Maxie, or Lois/Ned storylines. I suppose we
| viewers are partly to blame. I still wish everyone who is as pissed off
| as I am about the state of GH would simply tune out. A message
| definitely needs to be sent. Unfortunately, the Emmys on Guza's &
| Riche's shelves no doubt count for more than the wishes of mere mortals.
I would suggest that the ratings were down for the Labines
because the show lacked balance. In that case at that time
the show was too depressing. Of course, as far as I can see,
the show still lacks balance ...
--
DonnaB BA*RF GAG, RATSFuzz, CCWF, MPW, LGAW, GRITS, SWATCHr
& ARIAA <*> http:www.delphi.com/soapopera 8^> icq308592
AW: only 1 more episode; then NBC is the History Channel At
My House
"First you saved my life, then you changed it ... forever."
- OLTL's Antonio to Andy, at the altar, post vows, 8/97.
DonnaB
netizen rthr...@aol.com (Rthrquiet) posted the following
in Msg# <19990624150412...@ng-fq1.aol.com> :
| They were fired? I thought they left of their own accord when their contract
| was up. I even remember reading a comment from Claire Labine saying they were
| staying on for a few months to wrap up the storyline involving Stone because it
| was their "baby" and they wanted to see it through to completion. I know the
| ratings were a disappointment while they were there, but I never heard or saw
| anything to indicate they were fired.
|
| No, with respect to the Labines, what I was referring to is that I understood
| Riche was furious with them for trying to write a GH spinoff involving Ned and
| Lois (the show that didn't get picked up when ABC decided to go with PC
| instead) and that there's no love lost between any of the parties now.
But, Micheal, as I understood it they were writing the bible
for their NY-based GH spin-off *before* WR conceived of her
LA-based GH spin-off. And, if they really have hard feelings
with each other over that brief competition, then, most
everyone in the soap biz must be mad at at least the other
half of the soap biz half of the time!! <G>
--
DonnaB BA*RF GAG, RATSFuzz, CCWF, MPW, LGAW, GRITS, SWATCHr
& ARIAA <*> http:www.delphi.com/soapopera 8^> icq308592
AW: only 1 more episode; then NBC is the History Channel At
My House
"Are you bedding down all the women in Llanview?" - Cassie,
OLTL, 9/98
Rthrquiet
>But, Micheal, as I understood it they were writing the bible
>for their NY-based GH spin-off *before* WR conceived of her
>LA-based GH spin-off. And, if they really have hard feelings
>with each other over that brief competition, then, most
>everyone in the soap biz must be mad at at least the other
>half of the soap biz half of the time!! <G>
>
Yeah, that was (or so I thought) the source of the anger on the Labines' side.
As the story went, Wendy didn't even have any idea about a spinoff until she
heard the Labines were planning one, then grabbed the Cullitons and threw one
together in a hurry. The Labines, I thought, felt she had deliberately undercut
them. It wasn't that they were in competition purely, but that both sides felt
the other side had played unfairly.
But whatever the source and intensity, I'm going to take your word and Tante
Joan's that they've since kissed and made up (especially since I haven't heard
anything about the "feud," if it ever reached that level, for a while). If
Delta Burke and the Thomasons could make up after the Designing Women
hostilities, I'm willing to believe nearly *ANY* show-biz in-fighting can be
forgiven and forgotten.
Michael
Shannon Stewart
>I would suggest that the ratings were down for the
>Labines because the show lacked balance. In that
>case at that time the show was too depressing. Of
>course, as far as I can see, the show still lacks
>balance ...
Allow me to suggest that GH is even MORE off balance now. At least back
then the show had Lois, who brought lightheartedness and humor to the
show without resorting to "wackiness" a la Lucy Coe. As things are now,
Port Charles seems to have a black cloud permanently hanging over it.
You'd almost think Mikkos Cassadine's weather machine had been
resurrected.
Shannon
Carly Bludgeoning Squad
ajk...@remove.this.bit.home.com
> cgl...@nyx10.nyx.net (Cyndi Glass) posted:
>
> <<text of TV Guide article on GH>>
>
> Thanks for posting iit, Cyndi. Rereading it, I was just as amazed at how
> direct Logan was in laying it on the line. (As I said, Logan is rarely
> circumspect about what he says, but even for him, this was *direct*.) I can't
> argue with most of what he says, though. (I do find it surprising, though, that
> he chose to sting GH with such criticism when there are *so many* other shows
> in even more wretched shape.)
>
> Michael
*** I think he chose to sting GH precisely because, as he acknowledged, it's his
favorite soap. It's much easier for me to take it lightly when AMC and OLTL take a
quality dive, simply because I've seen GH at the height of its powers (BJ, for
example) and it was absolutely transcendent. It's tragic to see how far it's
fallen.
For the record, although I understand Logan is not to everyone's taste, I
absolutely adore anyone who will stand up and tell it like they see it. I enjoyed
Logan's tenure as the TV Guide online soaps guru and intensely dislike the guy who
replaced him because he never seems to *say* anything.
April K.
Proudly BA*RF: AAAAAK!
Kami
I agreed with what Michael Logan said to the point I stopped watching (with
the fire in Lucky's room). I just had it. I'm following some things here,
but so far I see nothing to make me want to watch GH again.
Kami
--
http://members.tripod.com/~Furpods
(If emailing, change to .net)
Rthrquiet
>For the record, although I understand Logan is not to everyone's taste, I
>absolutely adore anyone who will stand up and tell it like they see it.
On the whole I agree with you. I think I was taken aback because of the
ferocious tone of this. Logan is often "no-holds-barred" but this is probably
the most vitriolic I've seen him.
< I
>enjoyed
>Logan's tenure as the TV Guide online soaps guru and intensely dislike the
>guy who
>replaced him because he never seems to *say* anything.
Amen, amen, amen. Boy do I agree with you there. I tried to give Reiner a
chance, but not only does he get his facts wrong (he has answered a number of
questions and then had to go back and correct himself--OK once in a while since
nobody's perfect, but he seemed to do it all the time for a while), he never
seems to have a real opinion about anything, or if he does, he seems scared to
share it for fear he'll ruffle the feathers of TPTB at the shows or the
networks. I miss Logan's willingness to risk making them mad (though I am sure
there are things he too knew and did not pass on to the fans). I used to make
it a priority to attend the Tuesday night chats; now I just read the
transcripts.
I understand that Logan gave up the responsibilities on the Web site because it
was too much to do the print version and keep up the Web site stuff. I just
wish he would find a forum and return semi-regularly to chat somewhere.
Michael
DonnaB
rec.arts.tv.soaps.abc netizen SDSt...@webtv.net (Shannon
Stewart) posted the following in Msg#
<7020-377...@newsd-153.iap.bryant.webtv.net> :
| Allow me to suggest that GH is even MORE off balance now. At least back
| then the show had Lois, who brought lightheartedness and humor to the
| show without resorting to "wackiness" a la Lucy Coe. As things are now,
| Port Charles seems to have a black cloud permanently hanging over it.
| You'd almost think Mikkos Cassadine's weather machine had been
| resurrected.
Whether it was more out of balance then or now, I'm not in a
good position to say. Then, the tilt was because of doing
Stone's story & Monica's breast cancer storyline in such
close proximity of each other. Now the lack of balance seems
to have more to do with storm clouds overhead as you say,
sturm & drang, dark feuds, mobsters, and of just plain
becoming overwhelmed with one storyline to the detriment of
most all others. So, I can clearly see that they're out of
balance in *different* ways while not being able to say
which is worse. I guess it's according. I'm watching it now
& I couldn't watch it day in & day out then, so, ... <G> Of
course, I couldn't stand Lois (love Rena, though) & I love
Lucy even when I hate her, but, so much of the light GH
moved to PC, now, didn't it? <G>
--
DonnaB BA*RF GAG, RATSFuzz, CCWF, MPW, LGAW, GRITS, SWATCHr
& ARIAA <*> http:www.delphi.com/soapopera 8^> icq308592
AW: only 1 more episode; then NBC is the History Channel At
My House
"PC is good, solid soap-making that boasts first-class
production values & actors, characters, & relationships that
hooked us immediately." - Michael Logan on PC TVG 8/97
bluee...@hotmail.com
> & I couldn't watch it day in & day out then, so, ... <G> Of
> course, I couldn't stand Lois (love Rena, though) & I love
> Lucy even when I hate her, but, so much of the light GH
> moved to PC, now, didn't it? <G>
Oh yes. :0 I recall posts from a year ago
commenting that, even in the midst of PC's
umbrella serial killer storyline, it still managed
to be lighter than GH. And it still feels that
way to me.
Chris
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Tangyn
>On 24 Jun 1999 19:04:12 GMT, rthr...@aol.com (Rthrquiet) wrote
snipped....section about the Labines being "fired"
>>No, with respect to the Labines, what I was referring to is that I
>understood
>>Riche was furious with them for trying to write a GH spinoff involving Ned
>and
>>Lois (the show that didn't get picked up when ABC decided to go with PC
>>instead) and that there's no love lost between any of the parties now.
>>
>Wendy was furious? They were both pretty hot under the collar. The
>Labines, whom I adore, BTW, were pushing for "Hearts and Souls," which
>would have centered on Brooklyn, where the Ls live, and the
>Cerullos/Cerullo-Ashtons. Riche's proposal was for PC, which was to
>be set on top of GH, so to speak, and would allow for cross overs,
>fewer major start-up costs and the saved expenses of a shared
>production team. ABC chose PC. In the soap world, it is hard to
>maintain a grudge, because the door revolves to fast -- he whom you
>revile today will be your boss/colleague/yardman tomorrow. The
>Labines and Wendy Riche are back to admiring one another.
Interesting item...ABC thought PC would be cheaper....however...
I heard somewhere (I'm not sure where) that PC ended up being
more expensive than they thought...and cost as much as "Heart
& Soul" would have in NY.
Tangy Nancy
Tan...@aol.com
* If I didn't know for a fact that Elvis was working in a donut shop in *
* Beaver Falls, I'd swear he was masquerading as Ned in Port Charles*
hila...@epix.net
> Here is the article
>
> no sparks whatsoever are force-fed to the audience (the attempt to
> re-create the magic of Sonny and Brenda - played by Maurice Benard and
> Vanessa Marcil - by teaming Benard with Marcil lookalike Lisa Vultaggio
> is desperate and insulting).
As you suggested in response to my post about the sex videotape, there is
*so* much more that could be done, *especially* with a lookalike Brenda.
One of the reasons for the below...
.
.
\ /
.
> "Once-vibrant leading men - Steve Burton (Jason),
> Stephen Nichols (Stefan) and Benard - are now phoning in uninvolving,
> one-note performances--
is because *all* these guys are brooding, feminine characters with
previous storylines that were highly emotional. The flip, dark side of
emotion (stalking, obsessiveness, even, god forbid, sexual violence) is
always suggested in Sonny's attraction to Hannah, Stefan's never-ending
PMS about Laura, Jason's really mixed-up feelings toward Carly.
But--CAPITAL ALERT--
THE WRITERS DON'T *DO* ANYTHING WITH IT!
For example, what in God's name happened to the sincerely terrifying scene
with Stefan and Laura pre NB, when he was waxing psychotic about offing
somebody, doing anything out of love, etc. etc.? I mean, what *happened?*
As with the tremendous potential in the Bobby sex tape, it was just
dropped like a hot potato. Like the rivalry between Jason and AJ. Like
the sexual tension between Felicia and Luke. These writers are worse than
sleepwalkers. Maybe they should all take the summer off. It would be
kinder than having viewers spend time and videotape waiting for drama that
never occurs. Instead we get
More and MORE and M O R E vapid, overdressed rich people. I for one don't
give a ratsa's aspirin about the achingly old corporate miseries of the
Australians, or the Quartermaines, or about the trials and tribulations of
PC's mob-who-couldn't-shoot-straight.
There was a time when *human* drama--whether dark, like Stone or Monica,
or over-the-top, like Luke/Laura/early days--made this show unbeatable.
I wish someone would turn Stefan into a vampire and rename Spoon Island
Port Collinwood, and give us an old-fashioned gothic romance summer.
Carly could be his housekeeper Angelique, and Laura could be the madwoman
in the attic.
Something... *Anything*...
Kate....@icn.siemens.com
<hila...@epix.net> wrote:
> > "Once-vibrant leading men - Steve Burton (Jason),
> > Stephen Nichols (Stefan) and Benard - are now phoning in
uninvolving,
> > one-note performances--
> But--CAPITAL ALERT--
>
> THE WRITERS DON'T *DO* ANYTHING WITH IT!
<snip some suggestions>
I agree. There are some things I really love about GH these days.
I loved the Nurses' Ball - I thought most of the acts were really
good, I'm one of the few (or only one?) that loved Lucy's dresses
this year. I also really like the blossoming of Jax & Chloe's love.
I think she's really bringing out Jax, and I find I'm "swooning"
over him (and I haven't "swooned" in a while!) - but I hate the
previews of what's going to happen.
But - I really think they missed the boat BIG TIME with Sonny, Hannah,
Jason & Carly. We all (almost all) loved Hannah giving it to
Carly. Many liked the chemistry between Sonny & Carly.
Why didn't the writers follow the chemistry??!!!!!
I know many complain about SIDARs - but if Hannah hooked up with
Jason (and I thought they had more chemistry than H&S) then imagine
the fights with Carly!!! Then Sonny could step in to stop the fighting
and eventually C&S could have gotten together - with such a rocky
start! And if Sonny was the rival against AJ, I think that would
have been interesting & maybe even could have "built up" AJ a
little (I'm not sure how, but I think there could have been some good
drama in there somehow). I feel like the Jason & AJ is "been there,
done that" rehash - get AJ against Sonny - who's worse, the Q's or
the mob? (Now that Jas is out I guess - what DOES he do?)
Anyway - I've stopped watching after teh NB - just not enough
holds my attention. When I hear of good things again (more than
just 1 or 2 days of Faison, please), I'll tune in.
--Kate--
Edna
GH,I now find myself fast forwarding so much that the whole show takes
15 minutes, and sometimes less. Michael Logan really tells it like it
is when he says the show stinks.
Edna
NyANKEES2
>he chose to sting GH with such criticism when there are *so many* other shows
>in even more wretched shape.)
>
But so many other shows didn;t just win Emmys for writing and best show. The
way things are going maybe next year they can get awards for Worst Plot and
Best Use of Recycled Plotlines.
Nicole
MBrid46
with Stefan and Laura pre NB, when he was waxing psychotic about offing
somebody, doing anything out of love, etc. etc.? I mean, what *happened?*
>>
I so agree..the problem is in the WRITING!!of these brooding characters..
Stefan is not an easy character to write for..he cant just go off adlibbing and
cracking jokes..that is not Stefan...he is a character much like Barnubus
Collins that must be written for..must be given his a storyline and given good
dialogue..
Stefan cant go off swing dancing like Luke..the characters are so
different..Stefan's character is rigid and depends mostly on the story he is in
and the dialogue he is given..if the writing is not there the character suffers
as does the actor.
When TFoolsIC finally have an inclination to write Stefan complete
story..somebody wake me. Ive been waiting three years.
SIPort27
Reiner, who never has anything good to say about GH. I may disagree with Logan,
but, I don't doubt his love for GH at all.
I'm glad that he called out S&B lite for what it is..a ripoff of Sonny/Brenda.
At a time where the other soap rags seem to be ' falling into line' with the
'party line', it was nice to see someone rocking the boat.
SIP
Micki
<<Well, I have to say that I agree with Logan that GH is a piece of
you-know-what, and I don't think they deserved the writing Emmy either. I
actually moaned out loud when they won. To think that such a prestigious
award would be handed to a man who, in my opinion, has completely destroyed
a show I've watched fro nearly twenty years--well,
it makes me ill.
Wendy Riche gets no compliments from me, either. When I read Finola Hughes'
quote in TV Guide a couple of weeks ago, about how she hadn't even been
seriously approached about returning to GH, I was livid. There is SO much
potential for a great story there, now that Faison is back. Unfortunately,
we're still being force-fed the Opie Opus.
I think the Labines were among the greatest writers GH has ever had. I also
have a hard time fathoming why the ratings dropped during their tenure.
Nothing happening on GH today even comes close to the Stone, BJ/Maxie, or
Lois/Ned storylines. I suppose we
viewers are partly to blame. I still wish everyone who is as pissed off as I
am about the state of GH would simply tune out. A message definitely needs
to be sent. Unfortunately, the Emmys on Guza's & Riche's shelves no doubt
count for more than the wishes of mere mortals.>>
I agree with everything you've said. I am truly sick and tired of this
Opie/Carly/Jason/AJ CRAP! I hope Steve Burton *does* leave, because what
they are writing for him is absolutely putrid, and he's admitted he hates
it. I couldn't care less if Sarah Brown leaves, either. You know the writing
is horrible when even *she* is complaining about this storyline.
Quite honestly, I only watch the show for Sonny these days. Sonny and Hannah
don't compare to Sonny and Brenda, but I like Hannah, and I would much
rather Sonny be paired with her than Carly. The mere thought of an S&C
romantic pairing makes me lose my lunch. That people even think this
plausible is ridiculous. They obviously don't know jack shit about Sonny if
they think he'd ever love that slutty bitch. Sonny and Carly are good as
adversaries, but that's it. If the writers ever go as far as pairing them
romantically, Sonny will be ruined for me, and I'm sure he'll be ruined in
the storyline, too. One thing GH doesn't need to do is give Sarah Brown more
airtime. She already has way too much for me to stomach, and other
storylines are being sacrificed for hers. That is *not* a good thing.
I think one possible way GH could redeem itself is to bring Jack Wagner back
and make Felicia's storyline more interesting. I like Kristina and Tony
together, but I don't find the memoirs thing the least bit interesting. I
like Mac, but he and Felicia together do nothing for me. Frisco and Felicia,
OTOH, never lost the chemistry they had in the eighties and early '90's
during the heart transplant storyline. Somehow, some way, GH needs to
utilize that, and talk Jack Wagner into signing another contract.
--
Micki
Carly delenda est
FGC's Sonny & others, FPC Victor Collins, FGCO S&B, S&Believers, SCBG,
MBOFC, MBL, Sonny Corinthos Honor Guard
MHGC Carly, Strategic Implementation Officer & Training Sgt., CRDSS,
Co-Founder Carly Bludgeoning Squad
"Love is a bitch!" -Sonny Corinthos, GH, 6/29/98
"You're not fit to make Jason's bed, let alone lie in it!" Robin, GH 1/15/99
"She's a lying tramp!" Sonny, to Jason, GH, 2-2-99
"You've got more versions of the truth than Ben & Jerry's got ice cream
flavors!" Sonny, to Carly, 2-23-99
Dana Kiehl
Shannon Stewart <SDSt...@webtv.net> wrote:
>
>Truly a shame, because I think the Labines were among the greatest
>writers GH has ever had. I also have a hard time fathoming why the
>ratings dropped during their tenure.
More than likely it was because the AIDS storyline was just too sad (or
realistic) for many fans. Plus, the Labines made the mistake of having too
many really sad storylines all in a row - BJ/Maxie, Monica's cancer,
Paige's death from cancer, Stone/Robin - and it resulted in the show being
too depressing for a lot of viewers. I agree with you that the Labines
wrote fantastic stuff and that the BJ/Maxie and Stone/Robin storylines
were the best things they did, but many online fans at the time stated
they couldn't take so much darkness or that it was _too_ realistic for
them and hit too close to home (especially with the AIDS storyline - the
ratings just dropped like a stone)
--
Dana in MD
Shannon Stewart
>I think one possible way GH could redeem itself is
>to bring Jack Wagner back and make Felicia's
>storyline more interesting.
I'm not sure that alone would do it, but it would be a start. Bringing
back Anna, Robert, Sean, Tiffany, Robin (KM playing her as she's
SUPPOSED to be played), and Lois would go a long way toward making me a
happy man. Of course, Guza would have to go first. No sense bringing
back great characters just so he can "deconstruct" them. Of course, I
also want Luke and Laura back together.
I> like Kristina and Tony together, but I don't find the
>memoirs thing the least bit interesting. I like Mac,
>but he and Felicia together do nothing for me.
>Frisco and Felicia, OTOH, never lost the chemistry
>they had in the eighties and early '90's during the
>heart transplant storyline.
Well, they ARE married in RL! ;-)
Shannon
Carly Blugeoning Squad
(Whose ideal stroyline involves Carly, a speeding bus, and a
malfunctioning "don't walk" signal)
Shannon Stewart
>I agree with you that the Labines wrote fantastic
>stuff and that the BJ/Maxie and Stone/Robin
>storylines were the best things they did, but many
>online fans at the time stated they couldn't take so
>much darkness or that it was _too_ realistic for them
>and hit too close to home
Granted, it wasn't GH at its lighthearted best--it even got to be too
much for me at times--but it was far superior to the dreck that's being
turned out now. I suppose bad writing, ruined characters, and rewritten
histories are more acceptable to viewers than well-written stories about
upsetting subjects. That's what I'm having a hard time understanding.
Shannon
Carly Bludgeoning Squad
Tresjolie9
<many really sad storylines all in a row - <BJ/Maxie, Monica's cancer,
<Paige's death from cancer, Stone/Robin - <and it resulted in the show being
<wrote fantastic stuff and that the <BJ/Maxie and Stone/Robin storylines
<were the best things they did, but many <online fans at the time stated
<they couldn't take so much darkness or <that it was _too_ realistic for
<ratings just dropped like a stone)
yeah...but although those storylines were depressing...they had Lucy Kevin Lois
and Ned to "balance things out"
Sarah Tresjolie9
Major Thomas Gibson Fan
Daniel Nyland's Guardian Angel
AIM Tresjolie9
ICQ 15401559
Micki
Micki wrote:
>I think one possible way GH could redeem itself is
>to bring Jack Wagner back and make Felicia's
>storyline more interesting.
<<I'm not sure that alone would do it, but it would be a start. Bringing
back Anna, Robert, Sean, Tiffany, Robin (KM playing her as she's SUPPOSED to
be played), and Lois would go a long way toward making me a happy man. Of
course, Guza would have to go first. No sense bringing back great characters
just so he can "deconstruct" them. Of course, I also want Luke and Laura
back together.>>
I totally agree with all that you said above, and so does my niece who has
recently started watching GH with me. Laura and Stefan make both of us want
to puke.
The other day we were watching old episodes, and she asked what the hell
happened to make the show so crappy as compared to what it used to be. It
pained me to tell her that Guza is either on crack or so taken with Sarah
Brown that he can't resist propping her up at the expense of all the other
storylines he's left dangling or destroyed.
>Frisco and Felicia, OTOH, never lost the chemistry
>they had in the eighties and early '90's during the
>heart transplant storyline.
<<Well, they ARE married in RL! ;-)>>
Yes, I know, and I'm sure that helps! :D
<<Shannon
Carly Blugeoning Squad
(Whose ideal stroyline involves Carly, a speeding bus, and a
malfunctioning "don't walk" signal)>>
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Now *that* would be worth watching.
Joel Davis
exhaling before every line? Is this supposed to be sexy? I find it
nausiating. I was dissapointed to see her face in the opening pictures
today. UGH! They should have paired Sonny with a blue-eyed blonde or a
red-head, not a clone!
I've watched GH a long time, (since the L&L left handed boy adventure),
but I don't pay attention to who the writers are at any given moment.
But, I do admit to being glued to the vcr when the Stone/Robin storyline
was on. ( It was a good reason to cry, besides being pregnant and
hormonal-LOL)
Mahwe
marta rodriguez
hysterical! (LOL!) Shannon, can you please, please, please, please,
please write a little vignette involving Snarly, the malfunctioning "Don't
walk" light and that bus? (LOL!)
Marta
Carly Bludgeoning Squad
MHGC Snarly: Keeper of her one way ticket to Ferncliff.
Micki
<<Oh Micki, every time I see that line of yours of guza on crack... It's
hysterical! (LOL!)>>
Always happy to make you laugh, Marta. :D
<<Shannon, can you please, please, please, please, please write a little
vignette involving Snarly, the malfunctioning "Don't walk" light and that
bus? (LOL!)>>
Oh, please do, Shannon! That would be even more hysterical.
Shannon Stewart
>(Whose ideal storyline involves Carly, a speeding
>bus, and a malfunctioning "don't walk" signal)
Then Marta wrote:
>Shannon, can you please, please, please, please,
>please write a little vignette involving Snarly, the
>malfunctioning "Don't walk" light and that bus?
>(LOL!)
To which Micki replied:
>Oh, please do, Shannon! That would be even more
>hysterical.
Oh, good. Just so long as there's no pressure! ;-)
Shannon
Carly Bludgeoning Squad
(Now plotting her grisly demise)
Micki
>(Whose ideal storyline involves Carly, a speeding
>bus, and a malfunctioning "don't walk" signal)
Then Marta wrote:
>Shannon, can you please, please, please, please,
>please write a little vignette involving Snarly, the
>malfunctioning "Don't walk" light and that bus?
>(LOL!)
To which Micki replied:
>Oh, please do, Shannon! That would be even more
>hysterical.
<<Oh, good. Just so long as there's no pressure! ;-)>>
We didn't impose a deadline. Writing is a precarious process, so do it
whenever the muse calls. :D
Beverly Powers
(Shannon Stewart) writes:
>I wrote:
>
>>(Whose ideal storyline involves Carly, a speeding
>>bus, and a malfunctioning "don't walk" signal)
>
>Then Marta wrote:
>
>>Shannon, can you please, please, please, please,
>>please write a little vignette involving Snarly, the
>>malfunctioning "Don't walk" light and that bus?
>>(LOL!)
>
>To which Micki replied:
>
>>Oh, please do, Shannon! That would be even more
>>hysterical.
>
>Oh, good. Just so long as there's no pressure! ;-)
>
>Shannon
>Carly Bludgeoning Squad
>(Now plotting her grisly demise)
>
>
Putting the pressure on! Waiting impatiently for *The Shannon Report* coming
soon to a computer screen near you :-)
Ibesis
FGC Amy (CEO), FGC Hannah (CEO), FGC Leticia (CEO), FOC Matthew (CEO)
Mother to Michael, Rebekah, Patrick & Richard
Grandmother to Dalton Robert
1998-99 National Dean's List Honoree
(remove .no.spam to reply)
DonnaB
netizen rthr...@aol.com (Rthrquiet) posted the following
in Msg# <19990624183752...@ng-fe1.aol.com> :
| Yeah, that was (or so I thought) the source of the anger on the Labines' side.
| As the story went, Wendy didn't even have any idea about a spinoff until she
| heard the Labines were planning one, then grabbed the Cullitons and threw one
| together in a hurry. The Labines, I thought, felt she had deliberately undercut
| them. It wasn't that they were in competition purely, but that both sides felt
| the other side had played unfairly.
I guess I understood why one side would feel that the other
side had played fast & loose, but, not why that feeling
would be reciprocal. <g> IYFWIM
| But whatever the source and intensity, I'm going to take your word and Tante
| Joan's that they've since kissed and made up (especially since I haven't heard
| anything about the "feud," if it ever reached that level, for a while). If
| Delta Burke and the Thomasons could make up after the Designing Women
| hostilities, I'm willing to believe nearly *ANY* show-biz in-fighting can be
| forgiven and forgotten.
Oh, I didn't know 'nuttin, except that 3 years-ish had
passed & in showbiz a lot of water can pass under the bridge
in that much time.
--
DonnaB-Following The Curl! <*> BA*RF GAG, RATSFuzz, CCWF,
MPW, LGAW, GRITS, SWATCHr & ARIAA 8^>
Wednesday, June 30th, 1999, No AW Day 3
"I always enjoyed being your protector, Alexis. Sometimes I
even miss it." - Stefan; "So do I." - Alexis, GH, 8/97
http://www.delphi.com/soapopera icq308592 http://members.delphi.com/dlbee
DonnaB
netizen cant...@osu.edu (Scott Cantor) posted the following
in Msg# <7l0t55$okf$1...@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> :
| There isn't. Logan was, ahem, direct, but it had to be said. AMC and OLTL
| are nowhere near as boring as GH is right now, regardless of their faults.
| For it to win an Emmy for writing or drama is just laughable.
Then, basically, those awards probably shouldn't have been
given for last year.
| I don't watch any of the non-ABC soaps, but offhand, I don't think *any* of
| the ABC soaps deserve an award at the moment, really. If the others are just
| as bad, the state of soapdom is sorry indeed.
Generally speaking ABC is in better shape soap-wise period.
And, I think that that does speak of the point soaps find
themselves at right now & that in particular the Emmy
nominations for the past 2 years have shown that in an odd
way.
--
DonnaB-Following The Curl! <*> BA*RF GAG, RATSFuzz, CCWF,
MPW, LGAW, GRITS, SWATCHr & ARIAA 8^>
Friday, July 2nd, No AW Day 5
"You've stopped reading your condolence letters." - Nik "I
can sense the hypocrisy through the envelopes." - Stefan GH
7/2/98
Richard Hudson
>
><<Oh Micki, every time I see that line of yours of guza on crack... It's
>hysterical! (LOL!)>>
>
>Always happy to make you laugh, Marta. :D
>
>vignette involving Snarly, the malfunctioning "Don't walk" light and that
>bus? (LOL!)>>
>
>
a few painful injuries and mabye a spinal cord injury?
Richard Hudson Sergeant Major CRDSS