| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on OLTL | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….
In the
wake of the terrible tragedy our country has recently suffered, I wanted to take
some time to say to everyone out there that I hope you and all of your loved
ones are safe and well – and to those whose lives and hearts have been forever
personally altered by terrible, irreplaceable losses, please know that my
thoughts and prayers, as well, I am sure as those of all of our readers are with
you in this time of sadness.
It seems that everywhere I turn I find someone whose life has been derailed by what happened 2 weeks ago. Being a native New Yorker myself, I can tell you that although I feel very blessed that everyone I know and love (even those who worked in downtown Manhattan) is safe, I have been tremendously affected by this tragedy, as I’m sure all of you across the country and our friends to the north in Canada and all over the world have been.
I can’t even properly put into words how I feel about the senseless loss of thousands of innocent lives. For many, many years I worked around the corner from the World Trade Center and spent a great deal of time there, enjoying so many things it had to offer. I was part of the evacuation of lower Manhattan in 1993 when the World Trade Center was bombed, thinking nothing worse could happen and feeling fortunate that unbelievably, more damage was not done. And look at what we have to face now. The city will not be the same for the loss of our wonderful landmark, which loss pales in comparison to the senseless loss of all those lives. I have to say that I have never seen people pull together like they are pulling together now. This is the city where people believe you can walk down the street and never meet another person’s eyes…never hear a kind word. I am so proud to see what is going on in New York now…the compassion, the outpouring of donations of time, of money, of support for those tireless men and women who are working so hard down in that beautiful part of New York City that now is indistinguishable from places like war-torn Bosnia. I’ve always known that New York did not fit the stereotype…well, maybe a little bit, LOL…but I am so proud that now everyone knows it. And it’s not just New York. We can all be so proud of the way we have pulled together…I’m just so sad that it took something so horrible to unite everyone in this way. Some of our innocence was lost…some of our complacency about our safety was lost…but we’re still here and I guess all we can do is to help each other to get through it all.
OK…so since this is a column about One Life To Live…and since I have decided to wait another week to let my creative juices start flowing again…I thought this week I would dedicate my column to answering some of the great mail that I’ve received from so many of you, whom I never get a chance to answer. So many people write in with great comments and questions and I only get to address a few each week. So, since your e-mails cover all of the characters on the show and all of the storylines, I thought I would just share some of them with you….the smarts….the humor….the threats to Gary Tomlin….LOL…well, they’re not really threats…all of the stuff that I enjoy reading every week. Maybe between the e-mails and my responses to them, we can enjoy sharing what we agree on and chew on the things we just can’t stand.
I would love to get all of my readers into one giant focus group (since Gary Tomlin seems to like and respect them so much….HAH!) and then we could really give him some ideas about what the SMART VIEWERS want!
So…read and enjoy!
Jmagnavite writes: “Why can't Renee and Asa get together again. She has always been the love of his life and vice versa. For a truce for a while, couldn't we have Asa and Renee plus Ben and Vicki plus Blair and Todd and Max and Gabrielle all united for a brief but very happy time. I would even put up with Nora and Sam too. Just all of them peaceful as Lindsey is carted off somewhere on a long vacation. (maybe she could take Jen with her) That would leave Christian to find Jessica again. Then maybe a new lady arrives for Bo. Antonio and his love interest could be content. Now that would be sugar and spice for just a bit...just a love fest. Then the anger and hostilities can begin all again. Just a small time for peace and quiet. But then it wouldn’t be a soap opera any more.”
Dear Jmagnavite: Boy, do I agree with you! I could handle a love fest for more than a little while. I like all the couples you put together and I could more than tolerate Nora and Sam. Could you just see all of those happy couples standing outside the courtroom waving “Adios” to Lindsay as she is being carted off for a vacation at Statesville? I kind of like Jenn…Lindsay can definitely leave her behind. For a long time I wanted Jessica and Cris to get back together, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen…and now that Will is going to be back on the scene in October, who knows what will be with Jessica? As far as Renee and Asa go, I agree that they do love each other more than anyone else. Asa sure doesn’t deserve Renee, but she’s probably the only one who could ever save him from his own miserable self.
Firstofmay writes: “Hi, Jill! I just read your column about the fall preview. I hope we have some great stuff to look forward to. I am with you about Ben! I LOVE his scenes as "Dave". I practically fall out of my chair laughing. I have to respectfully disagree with you about Colin. I loved him! I think he went psycho WAY too fast. They wrote him into a corner, which should never be done to a character being portrayed by an actor with as much talent as Ty Treadway has. I hope "Troy" doesn't suffer the same fate. I think I read somewhere where he has a 4-year contract, so they better start doing something with him SOON. They actually took the time to get him back, now use him, darn it! Of course, I will be happy even if he is just in one scene......anything just to have him on the show. But I would prefer OLTL be turned into the Ty Treadway Show. Ha, ha! If they need storyline material for OLTL, I have a couple storylines I am working on myself that would really showcase Ty Treadway's talent. Now if they would only listen to me. :) I took Journalism.......maybe I should send them my resume?”
Dear Firstofmay: Hey, I’m behind you…go ahead and send in your resume. I know tons of great writers who could run rings around the writers we’ve had at OLTL in the past couple of years. If you can get a foot in the door…more power to you…and just in case you do get your foot in…or even a toe, ask GT if he’s reading what we all have to say or if he’s too busy hauling out the oxygen tank every time Gabby has one of her breathless scenes on the show. Oh, and by the way, “The Ty Treadway Show?” OK, I’ll make you a deal…one week a month it can be the Ty Treadway Show…IF…the other three weeks of the month it can be “The Mark Derwin Show.” Fair is fair!!!!
Keith writes: “Thanks for your OLTL news. It's truly a great show. 2001 is proving to be a great improvement over '98-'00 under Farren Phelps (who I believe ran the show into the ground). I'm grateful for Gary Tomlin's changes. I have a question regarding Allison Perkins. I don't recall any mention of Allison's accomplice, Maria Vasquez. I remember that Allison dressed up as Niki Smith when she first kidnapped baby Jessica. But wasn't it Maria that made Allison put the red wig back on when she returned Jessica?”
Dear Keith: I’m not sure I agree about JFP running the show into the ground. I think she did some great things and brought some great actors onto the show…and I do like a lot of things that GT has done…I’m just waiting for him to do more. Regarding your question about Maria Vasquez, I am sorry to say I wasn’t watching the show back then so I don’t even know who Maria Vasquez was…shame on me! If some kind fan with a great memory for history will write me and fill me in on Maria, I’ll print it for you next week. Now you’ve got me curious, too.
Yolanda writes: “Jill, I just read your comments about Sam, Nora and Troy and I completely agree. I didn't like Colin but Troy may be ok. TPTB do need to find someone for him because I do not like him with Nora either. I also do not think Troy needs to be in the mix with Sam and Nora. Sam and Nora have a twenty- year history which we know little about. Surely the writers can make up something exciting for these two without Troy. How about some romance and family fun for Sam and Nora for a change ... now that's a thought! I would love to see Sam and Nora have some fun and happiness.”
Dear Yolanda: I would love to see more of
Sam and Nora, without
Troy
getting in the middle. I’d love to know more about their history…but I’d sure
like to get them back to the days before she lost her memory…and actually,
before she had her doubts about marrying Sam. Romance and family fun….right up
my alley!
Maria writes: “I loved your commentary about
the fall previews--I think you made a lot of good points. I also agree that I
would like to see Todd team up with someone (who currently can't stand him) to
save Viki and Jessica from whatever scheme it is that Allison has cooked up.
Incidentally, my husband, who watches the soaps with me, said weeks ago that
Natalie is Allison's daughter and that Seth will probably fall for Jessica. As
for Lindsay, ITA with some of the other viewers who said that she ought to get
what's coming to her for once. She has gotten away with entirely too much and
it does wear one down to see "bad" always come out on top. Keri and
Antonio--dynamite! I don't particularly care for Gabrielle with anyone. I
wasn't watching the show when she was on originally, this is an opinion I
developed since she came back. But anything that breaks up Blair and Max and
puts her (Blair) back with Todd is fine with me. As for Todd--I can't leave till
I say I think he is fantastic! He should win an Emmy every year--I know, I
know, that's a little far-fetched but Roger Howarth is great. The bad boy with
a big heart--if only someone
will find the way to open it. Thanks for listening and I enjoy your comments.”
Dear Maria: Your husband has a good eye…and I love husbands who watch soaps with their wives…he’s a keeper. I agree that Keri and Antonio can have some great storylines…I am anxious to find out about her. And don’t even get me started on Gabrielle…I have a hard time deciding who I’d smack first…Gabby or Lindsay…oh, who am I kidding…Lindsay wins the slap hands down. Roger Howarth….no argument here….he’s a great actor and I’d love, love, love for someone to find a way to open his heart.
KuhlVLR writes: “I TOTALLY agree with you
that Jessica should be Vikki and Clint's daughter....and IF she wasn't, how can
you NOT have "Dad" not rushing back to Llanview to console the her after all
these years of father-daughter relations. Hello writers...you can't just send a
message from England in a case like that! I also agree that we need to see Todd
and Blair tie the knot. They make a wonderfully obnoxious couple and I would
think they could write volumes with the two together. Thanx for your
insights..I luv reading them.”
Dear KuhlVLR: Perfect description of Todd
and Blair, “wonderfully obnoxious.” I wish I had thought of that. As for
Clint, word has it that he has refused to come back for the amount of episodes
he was invited back for…so it doesn’t look like we’ll see him, but I do agree
that if Jess goes through a big trauma about her parentage, her dad should be
there.
Sheree writes: “I too agree with you about Max & Gabrielle. They don't deserve to live happily ever after. Max still doesn't understand how much he hurt Blair, he's never once said he's sorry either. Until then, he doesn't deserve to be happy with anyone. As for Gabs, here is a woman who took a boy who loved his dad and turned him against his father for the sole reason that Max didn't come to rescue her. Did she ever try to rescue herself? Gabby is dangerous. Heaven help anyone who gets between her and Max. That includes Al and his twins. Speaking of which, isn't it time for them to come home? Max doesn't need two more like Al.”
Dear Sheree: Max and Gabrielle…a horror show…and yes, Max does need to repent in some way for what he did to Blair…if I weren’t a peace-loving person, I’d say he deserved that shot in the back that she gave him…LOL. Did I just say that? Yes, Gabby is dangerous…I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her heavy-breathing, undressed little body.
VTGrammy writes: “I am a soap watcher of
well over 50 years and the sad lack of true romance and adventure in daytime is
exactly what's killing the ratings. Daytime and it's focus groups seem to have
decided that sex, lust, betrayal, and manipulation equate romance and it just
isn't so at all! Daytime viewers are probably the most discriminating and
intelligent viewers that TV has and yet TPTB continually dismiss our thoughts
and our feelings as nothing more than the rantings of obsessed, bored, loved
starved housewives. When will they wake up and realize that without these
intelligent, committed, focused fans Daytime is dying a slow and painful death
and to get us back they have to listen!
We want ROMANCE...like Viki and Ben's not lust and various states of undress
like Max and Gabby or Jen and Cris!
We want HUMOR and JOY not total manipulation, lies and deceit.
We want LOVE in the afternoon...not murder, the supernatural, the absurd, the
outrageous day in and day out.
We want ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT...not plot driven happenings forced upon
characters we used to love and are now unrecognizable.
Most of all we want FAMILY storylines about day to day happenings and
survival in a world often gone awry mixed in with all the angst, unhappiness
and misery.
This was what attracted me to soaps over 50s years ago and it's the lack of
it that is causing me to turn off my TV more and more.”
Dear VTGrammy: Wow…you said a mouthful and I agree with every, single word. There is something to be said for experience and when it comes to soaps, you’ve got it. Romance, humor, joy, love, adventure….I’ll take all of the above, exactly the way you spelled them out.
Lamar writes: “HI JILL, WILL R .J. EVER HAVE A LOVE LIFE? WE ALL NEED LOVE. I AM SICK OF ASA NEW WIFE ALWAYS HALF-NAKED. I KNOW SHE CAN TEMPT MAX, BUT IS SHE POSING ALL THE TIME? SHE GETS ON MY NERVES. I LIKE STARR. SHE IS A LITTLE BRAT BUT SHE IS GOOD.”
Dear Lamar: Hmmm…will RJ ever have a love life? Yes, we all do need love and it would be nice for RJ to have some…do you think he could find a nice woman and get himself straightened out? RJ is one character that I like being kind of bad…even though I’m not a champion of the bad guys. He just does it so well. And yes, Gabby is posing all the time…her legs must be killing her at the end of all the shows when she twists herself into a pretzel…don’t you think? Starr definitely IS a little brat, and I adore her…I wish she’d be back soon on a regular basis.
Carol writes: “Jill, Brava! Whatever happened to everyone being entitled to their own opinions? You've highlighted one of the reasons why I've never really gotten involved in message boards. How boring life would be if everyone agreed on everything! It's possible to respect someone else's opinion without agreeing with it. By the way, I tend to agree with your opinions about 90% of the time.”
Dear Carol: Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and how smart you are never to have gotten involved with message boards…although there are some that are really worth keeping around. And hey, what do you mean you agree with me 90% of the time????? Let’s talk about the other 10%…LOL!
Elizabeth writes: “I must agree, Ben and Viki could have some sweet revenge on the people of Llanview, mainly Todd. Ben really needs to team up with Viki and they could go after Asa and Todd together! And naturally, I agree with one more thing. Ben and Blondie on the pool table was better than Gabby and Max on the card table!!”
Dear Elizabeth: You’re too funny…I would
love to see Viki get revenge on some of the people who have wronged her…and
Ben…although right now I’m kind of interested to see where the Ben/Asa
relationship might go and hope that they bring in a lot more of Ben and Renee.
Their relationship is truly an untapped resource. And Elizabeth, I saved your
email for the very end, because your last comment was the most intelligent thing
I’ve read all week….LOL…Gabby and Max on the card table were a terrible joke
compared to Ben and Blondie on the pool table…I SO TOTALLY AGREE!!!! Your
wisdom elevates my spirits!
_______________
Well, I hope you enjoyed reading some of the entertaining mail I get every week. I love hearing about everyone’s likes, dislikes and what they’d like to change. I think we all agree on a great deal of the points made above.
In closing, I’d like to wish everyone peace, love and quality time with your friends and family. I know these things have come to be even more important to me in recent weeks than they ever were before. If anyone has any thoughts about the one thing we’re all going through now, I’d be honored to print them next week in a section dedicated to friends supporting friends…and of course, I never get tired of reading any and all comments about the other thing we all share….One Life To Live!!!!
Have a safe and wonderful
week….See ya next week!
Jill
