It’s that time again.
All sorts of blogs, Web sites and media publications are dishing out their Best & Worst issues. They’re ubiquitous enough, but to add insult to injury, many outlets are also sharing their Best & Worst of the Decade.
It’s rather hard for me to come up with a whole slew of “bests” in a year that saw the two shows I most frequently wrote about get the axe. But I’ll do my best to give you an objective list of what I loved, what I hated and what made me say, what the Frons?
Earlier this week, I posted some thoughts on As The World Turns, and some ideas on how the culmination of 54 years of storytelling could be orchestrated.
The next day, a very interesting interview with ATWT’s executive producer, Christopher Goutman, appeared on TVGuide Magazine.com.
The interview, written by veteran soap reporter Michael Logan, gave some insight into Goutman’s mindset.
Here are some of the quotes from that interview:
When I first read this interview, I was really angry and disappointed.
But I respect Goutman’s optimism. And I agree with some of what he says. ATWT has been very weak in story for several years, but I’d agree that it has not had that long, slow decline that weakened Guiding Light so much. There are characters who are still recognizable.
There’s still a HUGE gap from where he and Jean Passanante (who was quoted elsewhere as saying that she’ll continue “great stories”) believe the show is, and where viewers and fans like me are actually seeing it. I don’t disagree that, in general, the stories and the focus is much better in recent months than it has been for some time.
But folks, if you snagged the Emmy-award winning Tom Pelphrey, and the ONLY thing you could think of as a story for him was to resurrect James Stenbeck for the ninth time, this is a significant indicator of how empty the well is creatively for your show.
I also took a moment to re-examine my own outlook. My earlier post did, after all, include a photo of ATWT circa 1986. Am I stuck in history? Is it impossible to please a fan like me unless we pressed “rewind” and went back to 1986?
The answer is “no,” and here’s why.
One of my favorite books is The Same River Twice by Alice Walker. It’s a autobiography/memoir of sorts of a specific time in her life, but the title says it all: You can never stand in the same river twice. (And expecting that you can catch lightning in a bottle twice? Is a sure pathway to disappointment and disillusionment.)
I don’t expect the shows that I watch to be the same as they were twenty-three years ago, nor do I discount newer characters and actors who are wonderful and exciting to watch.
But both P&G shows clearly made a decision a few years ago that history was not a rich minefield for story, but an albatross that complicated the narrative and was to be avoided when possible. If they did remember history, it was often history that was less than five or ten years old.
And this is where, as a writer, I disagree with their approach. Of course, younger characters are immensely important for demographics and ad rates. But the whole of the tapestry of a story becomes stronger when all of the threads are interwoven and tied tightly.
This show has a number of amazing older characters whose history would be an awesome springboard for story – story that would virtually tell itself. Of all the veterans, Margo has had the best lot of it, struggling with her sons’ choices and figuring out what those choices mean to her and what she believes in. (Though I still am in disbelief that she chose to support Adam after his near-rape of Maddie.)
Tom and Margo otherwise exist as a backdrop for mopey son Casey. Apparently, Kim, Bob and Nancy can only appear at holidays or if they’re on life support. Eileen Fulton is so rarely on the show I’m convinced she actually left three years ago. This is Lisa we’re talking about here!
And the most egregious backburnering of all is Lucinda Walsh. It’s shades of how the once-great Alexandra Spaulding at Guiding Light was taken from a woman to be reckoned with……to a drug-dealing dolt.
Apparently, if you’re over 50 and a woman on soaps, you can only be Grandma or Crone. (A memo that other entertainment forms haven’t gotten – nighttime TV has many strong female characters in their 50s and 60s, and Meryl Streep, looking glorious at 60, is on the cover of Vanity Fair this week.)
I realize that ATWT, more than any other show, had a much larger cast of veterans and has had a difficult time pleasing everyone. But I wish they’d try a little harder. I respect Mr. Goutman’s drive, and I respect his willingness to keep ATWT alive for a possible new home. But the team at ATWT also needs to realize that the show could end for good in September. They are stewards not only of the story at ATWT, but the last of Irna Phillips’ solo creations and the last of the Procter & Gamble soaps.
This show can’t end with a splash and a bang, Mr. Goutman. There is much more to honor – and much more at stake. If this show (and this genre) is truly dying, let the fans – the ones who have invested in the show and believe in its theater and its heart – mourn its passing properly.
I’m still processing the news about As The World Turns. I’m sure I’ll be talking more about it in the days and weeks to come.
We have to say goodbye to an old friend soon. We just watched this happen with Guiding Light. GL did a fairly good job of wrapping up loose ends, considering how many historical characters (Harley and Ross, most importantly) were missing.
The GL team gets points for bringing back a number of characters, even if only for a day. It gets demerits for waiting until the last minute to share those return visits, and the utter debacle that was Jeffrey O’Neill’s end (a story just as unappealing as most of the character’s stay).
It may be almost 10 months before the show concludes, but according to Nelson Branco’s Suds Report, ATWT is taping so far ahead that it will likely wrap production in June. That means there’s already story in the can for much of next year.
With that in mind, I’m sharing this wish list. One that hopefully makes its way to Brooklyn AND West 57th Street. A fan can wish, can’t he?
1. Wrap up your C stories as early as possible. This was definitely a mistake that GL made. I liked Ashlee and (on occasion) Daisy well enough, but we really didn’t have to have significant chunks of the last day – or even the last month – be about them. Characters like Alison, Casey, Jade, Maddie, Hunter, Teri, etc. should NOT be driving story coming into final weeks and months.
If it were up to me, I’d wrap up the whole Casey/Alison mess, send them and Jade away, beg Meredith Hagner to hang around for a few more months and let Parker and Liberty be the representatives for the younger crowd in those last weeks – while playing a supporting role to their parents.
2. History, history, history. OK, I get that in the big drive for ratings, the big focus was on younger characters and shying away from history. But with ATWT’s fate decided, and this also representing the end of P&G soaps, I hope ATWT looks at its history as a gift to enjoy and NOT an albatross, as it has for the last decade.
ATWT has an enormous cast of characters and actors who have played the same part for 20 or more years: Nancy, Bob, Kim, Tom, Margo, Holden, Emma, Lucinda, Susan, Barbara, and the iconic Lisa, just to name a few. Those characters should be front and center. There should be an umbrella event (Kim and Bob’s anniversary, or perhaps a surprise birthday party for Lisa to celebrate a birthday that perhaps she’s in denial about?) that the town can gather together to enjoy.
3. Did I mention history? There are any number of characters that would be fantastic to see before the show ends. On my personal list of “wants”: Iva Snyder, Shannon and Duncan, Andy Dixon, Hank Elliot, Kirk Andersen, Ellie Snyder, and Brian McColl. From the younger set, I’d suggest Molly and Holden’s daughter, as well as Will and Gwen. (Edited to add: I’d forgotten about Penny Hughes and Lyla Montgomery. Both would be great to see again.)
I’d also REALLY like to see the character of Scott Eldridge resolve his issues with Lisa (a role vacated so long ago this would be easily recast at this point). I’d also concur with Roger Newcomb’s idea – it would be ideal for Ellen Stewart, an original character, return to the show (if only to interfere with Emily and give Susan hell).
But there are, in my opinion, three former characters/actors who are “must haves” – who ATWT should move heaven and earth to get.
One, we really need to see John Dixon again. Whether it’s a day, a week or a month, we need to see Larry Bryggman wrap up his magnificent work as John. His character touches SO many characters on and off screen, and it’s really important that John be part of the end of the story.
Two, there are a number of high-profile ATWT alumni out there: Meg Ryan, Marisa Tomei and Parkey Posey to name a few. Any one of them would be welcome (and Meg Ryan’s Betsy still has family ties in Oakdale). But for me, who began watching ATWT at the beginning of the Marland years, I’d love to see Julianne Moore (Frannie Hughes) return. It may sound far-fetched to ask the Academy-Award nominated Moore to return, but she’s expressed great affection for the show, has visited co-stars like Kathryn Hays (Kim) over the years and fondly recalls her Marland-penned story. I bet that if ATWT had the right story (Kim and Bob’s anniversary, anyone) and the right length (a few days), Moore would return to say goodbye.
And three? Martha, Martha, Martha. Whether it’s tomorrow, next week or a week before the show wraps, ATWT needs to bring Martha Byrne back. This suggestion needs no explanation, right?
I know money is an issue, but I have to agree with a recent theory that Carolyn Hinsey mentioned in her It’s Only My Opinion column. Take the actors out for a nice meal, explain that there’s not much money but that they’re an important part of the show, and that you’ll write them a great story. Chances are, they’ll come back to say goodbye.
I’m not suggesting there aren’t great characters on the show currently, and I hope those characters (Jack, Carly, Henry, Craig, Molly, and Janet, to name a few) will stay strong in story. But we definitely want to see a culmination of the last 54 years. There would simply be no time to bring back every character who was ever important on the show, and I understand that. But the characters I’ve suggested above still have connections to Oakdale, so those returns would actually have an impact.
What do you think should be on ATWT’s to-do list before it ends?
If you have not already, please go to marlenadelacroix.com and check out Marlena’s musings on the As The World Turns cancellation.
Marlena’s Critical Condition about ATWT in the Marland years is one of the best pieces of writing about ATWT that I’d ever read. And the series we did together to honor ATWT, and Douglas Marland’s accomplishments there, was one of the most joyous projects I’ve ever worked on.
Please check it out……
If you’re like me, you’re angry and (dare I say it) pissed at yesterday’s announcement of As The World Turns‘ cancellation.
After hearing badly timed news from ineloquent network heads, it just makes me want to react like this:
Then it came to me: Like Clue, this seems to make for a thrilling, multi-suspect murder mystery. Who killed ATWT?
A suspect list:
LES MOONVES
Indications of guilt: Bringing elegance and dignity to the news through his usual eloquence. Hitting a trifeca of class by (A) talking to a CNBC anchor about the cancellation – a CNBC anchor whose mother-in-law is Marie Masters (Susan Stewart); (B) labeling the surviving soaps “special soaps.” ABSOLUTELY NO ONE understands what the hell he means by that. (C) Announcing this news on the same day that he announced CBS ad revenues are up 25%. Just to be super-clear, Oakdale: He is SO over you.
Alibi or defense: Hey, more free time on the schedule means there are more daypart hours his wife, Julie Chen, can be programmed in. You gotta keep ‘em happy at home, y’know?
BARBARA BLOOM
Indications of guilt: A general lack of direction for GL and ATWT; stonewalling the press, which usually isn’t a positive thing; having her husband appear on ATWT in one of its worst stories of the last five years; letting Martha Byrne slip away.
Alibi or defense: It’s been said that Bloom had great affection for GL and ATWT (particularly GL), so it’s unlikely Bloom would have encouraged ATWT’s end.
CHRISTOPHER GOUTMAN
Indications of guilt: Talented, accomplished producer who seems to have burned out and lost interest in ATWT a few years ago. Goutman desperately needed to have a rest or a period to re-charge (probably due to exhaustion from fighting with Suspect #1 and Suspect #2) and it had begun to show on air. Help arrived (David Kreizman and Ellen Wheeler) but it was too little, too late, especially when it looks like ATWT’s fate was decided months ago.
Alibi or defense: I may not have always agreed with his choices, but Goutman has poured his energy into this show for the last ten years. Clearly, CBS doesn’t want the show in any format.
JEAN PASSANANTE
Indications of guilt: For a mishmash of storytelling that seemed to be terribly unfocused, often dark and misogynistic, and only occasionally referenced ATWT’s strongest suit: its history. For taking the luster and momentum that Hogan Sheffer had put into place before his departure….and slowly frittering it all away. For mishandling Luke and Noah, an explosively popular couple whose popularity was never capitalized upon properly.
Alibi or defense: It’s hard to tell what bad choices were hers, which ones were Goutman’s, and which ones were made by P&G or the network.
ELLEN WHEELER
Indications of guilt: None – her directorial work hasn’t aired yet.
Alibi or defense: None needed, but I think we should all pitch in to get Ellen a good therapist. To have this news announced a few days after she re-joined ATWT, where she was a director several years ago, has to be devastating. Ellen is SO not having a good year.
Of course, the answer to who really killed ATWT is: no one. No ONE factor is responsible.
Pundits and bloggers will struggle over the next few days to lay blame somewhere, especially when speaking to the mainstream press (who know nothing about soaps and only want their 30-second soundbite). But the cause of death for ATWT is a combination of factors, a death by a thousand tiny little cuts.
You know, I used to have dreams about Oakdale.
Like any wonderful book you’ve read, or movie you’ve seen, sometimes the place and the characters seem so real. I used to dream about them, imagine I was walking around the streets of Oakdale. I loved Springfield first. But I dreamt about living in Oakdale, in the world where Douglas Marland was the gatekeeper and the weaver of the tapestry.
This wasn’t the post I’d intended to make today – to comment about the news, ultimately not unexpected but shocking in its timing, that As The World Turns has been canceled.
I’d intended to post a commentary today reflecting on the now somewhat-eerie fact that it was a year ago today that I was in Pepack, New Jersey, having lunch with Jill Lorie Hurst and sitting in a makeshift green room listening to Ellen Wheeler talk very passionately about Guiding Light. It was a glimpse inside of another story, a glimpse I’m eternally grateful to have had before that narrative was relegated to history.
Fast forward a year to today’s news. It’s surprising in its timing, but perhaps to be expected in all other aspects.
I’d been thinking with GL and ATWT that I was surprised that CBS and P&G hadn’t tried to cut each show to a half hour. Had every option been examined?
But Les Moonves made it clear in his statements today where his company stands. In an era where networks are increasingly looking to make partnerships with advertisers, he ironically declared that the day of the sponsor driven product is over.
ATWT had a ticking clock tied to its back on April 1rst. It was only a matter of time.
Stories are dreams that make it into a screenplay, onto our TV screens. I used to dream – seriously! – that I lived in Kim and Bob’s house. I was in a highly prized demographic at the time, but despite all of the flashy flair that the network undoubtedly insisted to Douglas Marland, Laurie Caso and Bob Calhoun was necessary, despite all of those teen stories, I was mesmerized by the cool, complex, sexy, smart grownups.
There was sturdy Tom and fearless Margo, John and the unsinkable Lucinda Walsh, her headstrong daughters, Lily and Sierra. There was the weary hopefulness of Iva Snyder, the classic romance of Duncan and Shannon, the travails of Barbara and beautiful Frannie Hughes. And Lisa! Lisa, who was the Original Recipe Bitch, and proud of it!
And I was fascinated by Bob and Kim – in particular Kim Hughes. Kim was Everywife, but with an exotic layer underneath. Kim was, and is, so many women that I’ve met and known.
The story where Bob and Kim were reunited with Sabrina was just beautiful. Their reunion was breathtaking and beautiful, a child and parents being reunited. Onscreen, it was the resolution of a storyline thread that had been started years earlier. But it meant more than that – it was a resolution of sorts for ATWT’s creator, Irna Phillips.
Kim was Irna’s last creation, a woman who was meant to be independent, free-thinking and full of passion. But Irna’s story had Kim sleeping with Bob Hughes – a man married to her sister – and that just couldn’t be done. Kim had to be punished, and the baby lost – until Douglas Marland and his meticulous attention to history set things right.
I wanted to live in Douglas Marland’s Oakdale – to have Thanksgiving with the Synders, to be a guest at the Hughes’ house, to talk to Grams and hear the wisdom and richness of their lives.
ATWT certainly hadn’t been flying at the top of its game. But it was, in my opinion, stronger in some key areas than GL. Whereas GL had slowly declined over a decade or so, it was only a few years ago that ratings were up at ATWT and Emmys were being won for best show and for many of the performers.
But like GL, ATWT has been on shakier ground. As all daytime soaps are. The audience at large is shrinking. And the remaining soaps are trying desperately to be every single, possible thing they can be other than a soap. The remaining soaps have an audience, but they don’t respect them.
I don’t blame them, folks – they have a gun to their heads, so to speak, and a mandate to make money and maximize advertising. And so stories and ads are aimed squarely at that young audience. But as a result, the daytime soaps are making a fatal error: they’re not writing a story for the dedicated fans who actually watch their show.
And so another long story, another book with many chapters and many layers, is coming to an end. I agree with We Love Soaps’ Roger Newcomb that soaps will live on, in some format, on the Internet.
But another domino has fallen, the last of its kind. This one makes me very, very sad.
When I last wrote at length about As The World Turns earlier this fall, I wasn’t very encouraged by what I was seeing on screen.
It’s not perfect, but I’m happy to report that Oakdale is a far more welcoming (and watchable) town these days.
Maybe I’m just being more grumpy than usual. (Yes, I know – you’re asking: Is that even possible?) But it seems to me that several shows are making very stupid choices – ones that, in some cases, will be hard (if not impossible) to undo.
My list of who’s been naughty and not-so-nice (and yes, I checked it twice):
Hope everyone’s having a great Thanksgiving! It’s all about being with family – which gives me an excuse to post these as a reminder.
A clip from Guiding Light, with a sea of familiar faces (including one who came into our homes for almost 50 years, Mary Stuart):
From As The World Turns. That Hubbard squash is gonna get it.
I’ve posted this before, but who doesn’t want to catch another glimpse of Another World’s Mac and Rachel Cory (and crazy Aunt Liz)?
No Thanksgiving remembrance could be complete without a visit to the Quartermaines.
And at the risk of being a nag, I really hope you can send some of the warmth you’re feeling today into the lives of others. To honor GL and ATWT’s creator, I made a contribution to a local food pantry run by the church that inspired GL. I hope you’ll consider making a contribution too (read my earlier post for more details).
Happy Thanksgiving!
After watching this teaser? I am SO there. So, so there.
Love the song, by the way. Hope it’s on iTunes!
