| Speaking Out - Messages to TPTB from the Fans of OLTL | |
|
Incredible! Is the best word to describe the amount of e-mail I have been receiving after I published the commentary last week from OLTL fan Kenneth Durham, in which he spoke about the return of Victor Lord, and how he feels about the new writers on the show. I am pleased so many fans have decided to take an active role and have submitted their opinions. The only other time I have received this many e-mails was during the Viki/Niki storyline last summer. As a fan myself, it concerns me when I hear a lot of the same complaints, which this time is about the new writers and specifically the Victor Lord storyline. 95% of the fans who have wrote me up to now agree with Ken's assessment of the new writers and their recent storylines. So I have decided to publish some of the opinions I have received so far, including those from fans who do not agree with Ken. All submissions will also be sent as a group to TPTB next week, so for those fans who have not submitted their opinion, please fill out the online form (located on Page 2) by Wednesday, February 26 to be included in this mass mailing.
On a side note,
I wanted to respond openly to Tracy from Phoenix, AZ (which I might add did not
leave an e-mail address to respond to) who wrote me this: "This
is pathetic. Are you so bitter that LL (she is referring to Larry Lau) was
canned that you are advocating the cancellation of the show? Careful, your
agenda is showing."
Here's my response: First of all Traci, I
have never been happier for my pal Larry Lau and for him leaving One Life to
Live. His character was so poorly written over the past year (which most LL
fans will agree with me) and it was decided by TPTB it was best to eliminate the
character from the show, simple as that. He thoroughly and completely enjoyed
his time on the show, and neither Larry nor I, are in no way bitter towards the
new writers, OLTL or ABC, which they would tell you also. Larry has a wonderful
new project ahead and we are both thrilled this exciting opportunity has come
his way. Second, think about it Traci, would I really be advocating the
cancellation of a show I base my entire work and Web site on? I don't think so!
So my "agenda" as you put it, is and has always been to get fans involved in
their favorite soap, and to help advocate to TPTB to listen to their fans' needs
and wants.
Here now are more fan opinions as they came in to my mailbox last week:
Submitted by: Vera Miller from
California:
Comment: I read what Ken said with great interest. I can say that he is 100
percent correct when he says that he is "somewhat of a guru on About.Com OLTL"
because I have asked him several questions about things that have happened in
the past (before I started watching the show) and he has given me the answers in
depth and I believe in him. He would not put anyone down for asking questions no
matter how insignificant.
I, too will leave the show if it is not righted.
Re-writing the show is an insult to the fans and knowing how faithful the fans,
at About.Com OLTL are I think more will follow.
_________________________
Submitted by: J D S from Maryland:
Comment: Paleeze Mr. Durham. Get a reality check and realize that after all this
is just a daytime drama. I've watched OLTL for most of 20 yrs. (thanks to the
VCR). I've watched and withstood many story lines that just didn't gel with my
way of thinking (let's see... princess Nora thinking every man in town is just
crazy about her and gagging over each until some other male hormone winks at
her- then there's the Ben and Viki thing. I just couldn't buy her attraction to
this lifeless cad who just couldn't act. Hope his new show does well just so he
doesn't come back.) Back to my point. I sleep well even if the writers aren't
thinking the same way I do on every subject. They've managed to keep the Lord
and Buchanan family pretty much in the forefront. I appreciate that Viki and
Jessica have stayed a constant.( miss Erin but glad you recast-Bree is doing a
great transition) I really miss Clint and the boys. Joey's back at least. I also
can't wait for Dorian's return. I also miss the chemistry and balance that Bo
and Clint bring out in Asa. Maybe we could bring back Cord and Tina to add that
spice there. And I LOVE the chemistry and fire between Todd and Blair. See
there's just too much going on for me to get hung up on just one story line. I
think bringing back Victor Lord is a wonderful opportunity to get back to the
core of what started this great soap to begin with. Bah Humbug Kenneth! Keep up
the good work OLTL! A loyal viewer in MD.
_________________________
Submitted by: Tina Payne from TN:
Comment: It is ridiculous for OLTL to bring back Victor Lord. There's "soap
dead", with no body, and "dead dead", with a body. Victor Lord was "dead dead".
Then again, so was Mitch Lawrence.
_________________________
Submitted by: Joan Rusnak from San Diego, California:
Comment: I agree with the evaluation of OLTL's further slide into oblivion by
Mr. Durham. How in the name of God the writers can continue to twist the history
of the past, by bringing back "dead people" is beyond my comprehension. I saw
Mitch's dead body and to see the debacle that is going on now boggles my mind
and sends my itchy finger to the TV that turns off Channel 10 at 1:00 P.M. here
in San Diego, California. I am 74 years old and have watched OLTL since its
conception. I sure as hell hope it doesn't die before I do!!!!!!!
_________________________
Submitted by: Bev Moulse from Salem, Virginia:
Comment: I agree totally with Kenneth Durham. As a long time viewer, I remember
Dorian serving time for Mitch's murder, only to be set free by videotape. But
what of Victor Lord? Was he not exhumed and autopsied when it came to light that
Vicki's alter Tori killed Victor? I am insulted. Gimme a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________________
Submitted by: Sheeglah from Westbank, British Columbia, Canada
Comment: Mr. Durham has said it all!!! I SO agree with what he has said. The
long term viewer has been rewarded for their loyalty with plots that suspend
even the suspension of reality that the genre requires of its faithful
followers.
I am no longer in the coveted 18-49 demographic, obviously my longevity and
loyalty as a viewer is of no of consequence to TPTB. The show insults our
intelligence; it had rewritten history in such a way the current storylines are
ludicrous. The new writers and wheel house were awaited with anticipation and
the hope that the show would once again become an entertaining, enjoyable break
in a busy day. Not only do I find the Mitch Laurence/Victor Lord storyline
ludicrous, it's dark and ridiculously preposterous. Whatever happened to love in
the afternoon, character driven plots and the utilization of the talents of the
best cast and crew in daytime? It's now a moot question. I will no longer be
tuning into ABC in the afternoon.
_________________________
Submitted by: Deborah from Madisonville, KY:
Comment: Do you really expect everyone to believe that Mitch Laurence knows
Victor Lord. I was a young child when Victor Lord was on the show and I know
that was in the 70's. Mitch Laurence was no where around in the 70's. I know
soap opera's are not realistic, but let's get real please don't insult our
intelligence like that.
On another note why can't you find any love interest for your black
characters on the show. Black people need to have love interests on the show as
well as the white and the Latinos. Why can't you explore a beautiful black
storyline.
_________________________
Submitted by
Deborah Wakefield from
Dallas, Texas:
Comment: I must agree with Kenneth. Why can't the writers come up with
new, fresh, believable drama? All these dream sequences and voice-overs are
gimmicks to hide the fact that nothing is going on between the rich tapestry of
characters that used to be Llanview. Instead of rewriting history, be creative,
come up with something new. There are so many issues to tackle in today's world.
Please don't make any more episodes of everyone dressed in white, dancing and
blabbering. Write some drama about love, and work, and friends and life. That
is what we want and need to see.
>>> Read More Fan Opinions Here, Plus Add Your Own! - PAGE 2 >>>
