REFLECTIONS BY JILL for April 23, 2007

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Judy writes: “About John & Natalie, I am really getting sick of John's drivel about his father's death. It's been 25 years; now get over it!! And I totally agree with the viewer who said Todd & Blair were boring. I really can't stand him with Evangeline either. I don't know what has happened to her. It would be really nice if Tate's father got interested in Viki too, I'd love to see two men fighting over her. That would really make Dorian crazy. I can't wait to see Randy Mantooth on the show.”

Dear Judy: Yep, John dwelling on his dad’s death has gotten very old, especially since Spencer’s death should have given him some closure. And I think the problem with Todd and Blair and Todd and Evangeline is Todd. His behavior is still so obnoxious and it’s been going on for so long that it is boring. One thing we can count on is Todd’s unpredictability and after all this time it’s just immature and tedious. I don’t know what has happened to Evangeline either and now that she has left the show we may never know. And as for Viki, I wouldn’t mind seeing men fight over her, as long as they were worthy of her time and attention and Clint is not. I remember a few years ago when people were tossing around Randy Mantooth’s name as a replacement for Ben. Hmmm, might be interesting.

Traci writes: “I find it so interesting that when the character, Natalie Buchanan, was on screen three to four days a week on OLTL, not a complaint from your loyal readers. Now that Evangeline is receiving more airtime, all of the usual foul comments are rearing their ugly heads. Has it ever occurred to you Nat lovers, that it's quite possible that Ms. Goldsberry's contract is or has expired, and the writers are trying to progress with the scripted story lines before major rewrites are required or even the need for the recasting of the role? And please find a writer to give Viki a decent story line. The pitiful dinner with the inebriated hospital head was so beneath her that it only lends more credence to Ms. Slezak's newsletter commenting that the OLTL head writer only looks for an immediate impact, without the proper build-up. Viki should have slapped her date, Dorian, Clint and most importantly, Dena Higley for placing her in such a ridiculous scene.”

Dear Traci: I can only speak for myself, but there is a very simple explanation for why I complain a lot more when Evangeline hogs the airtime than when Natalie does. I simply don’t find Evangeline very interesting to watch, especially since the writers have destroyed her character. And for the record, I have never let Natalie slide when her behavior has been bad. I am the first one to admit that Natalie has needed a behavior and attitude adjustment many times, but this is a commentary column (gee, I’ve said that at least 100 times) and I don’t really enjoy the character of Evangeline very much. Sorry! Shouldn’t we all be entitled to our likes and dislikes? I don’t defend Natalie as any kind of angel to people who can’t stand her. And no one needs to defend Evangeline to me. As for Viki, I totally agree that slaps were deserved all around during that scene where she humiliated herself at The Palace. It was horrendous and Erika Slezak gets a standing ovation from me for telling it like it is in her newsletter. And for the record, regarding contracts, no matter who the actor is, I find it really bad form when they abandon a role because of a contract dispute where they reportedly ask for the stars and don’t get what they demand. Since I don’t have all the facts I won’t comment any more about it, but I feel that way about Renee Goldsberry and I felt the same way about Michael Easton and Melissa Archer when they were negotiating. Even though I am a fan of John and Natalie, I don’t approve of hostage taking at negotiating time. I certainly feel the same way about Phil Carey who refused to accept recurring status and quit. What an ego! The fans supported him through a terrible illness and were thrilled to have him back and this is how he rewards their loyalty.

April writes: “Do you think once they put Jessica and Nash together they will eliminate the roles of Jessica and Nash? I think once they are together there storyline will get very boring. No couple on the show lives happily ever after. I think it would be great if Bree would really turn out to be Antonio’s. In my opinion, Antonio is a much more stable character and better actor than Nash. In my opinion, I think the writers will be making a huge mistake in putting Jessica and Nash together. I think their viewing rates will drop some.”

Dear April: No, I don’t think the roles of Jessica and Nash will be eliminated if they put these characters together. There are tons of possibilities for storylines for these two and if the writers are smart they will find a way for them to be together without too many people getting hurt. As far as happy couples being boring, that certainly has happened a lot, but it doesn’t have to happen if the writing is good. I think Talia is going to be a cushion for Antonio and maybe he’ll find happiness with her. I do hope that something makes thing better for Antonio. He doesn’t deserve what he’s getting. I don’t know why Bree would turn out to be Antonio’s baby, but with the way DNA tests get tampered with in Llanview, I guess anything is possible. I don’t think it’s a mistake at all for Jessica and Nash to be together and I think lots of fans see the chemistry as I do. I don’t see viewer rates dropping at all from this, but lots of people are sick of plenty of other storylines on the show that could cause a drop in viewers for sure.