Reflections by Jill - A Weekly Commentary for OLTL for May 12, 2008

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Chrys writes: “I am curious to know if there are any talks about changing the writers for OLTL. Do you know if the ratings have fallen lately? I would not be surprised if that were the case! The reason why I am asking is because I have been appalled at the poor quality of the storylines for a while now. The Natalie/Jared story is twisted and annoying, Adriana's plotting is disgusting, Dorian's meddling with B.E. and Brody takes the overall story nowhere, and the Starr/Todd/Cole/Blair fiasco has been dragging for what looks like a century now. I have been so bored with this show lately that it has reached the point that I do not even mind if I miss a whole week. Any news if they will shake things up with new writers, new, more interesting storylines, or perhaps new, main characters (besides Tina Lord)?”

Dear Chrys: As far as I know, the new writing should be kicking in any time now. I believe that everything was delayed because of the strike and hopefully we’ll be getting some good storylines soon. I would love to have a break from characters like Todd and Adriana and I know that we will be getting a break from Adriana pretty soon because Melissa Gallo has taped her last episode and will be leaving the show shortly. I fear we will never get rid of Todd though. I think the show has been very dark lately and there have always been periods like this in the past. I hope we don’t have to watch Cole and Starr on the run for too long. Watching Marcie last summer was enough to last a lifetime. Word has it that with Forbes March (Nash) departing and another (as yet unnamed) actor leaving, it will make room for some old character to return like Kevin Buchanan and maybe Joey, too. I love those Buchanan brothers and would love to see them back even though I am not happy with the elimination of Nash from the canvas.

Nancy writes: “I've decided (because I really hope this isn't just very bad writing) that not only are John, Talia, and Antonio involved in this anti-Ramsey plot but that it may even be one giant sting operation with Carlotta and Michael, and maybe even Nora and those FBI agents who came for Antonio's inheritance. Michael would never just march in and say "your daughter's sick, really sick" with some vague, devastating illness that is maybe treatable but not insurable. They seem to be setting up Antonio as needing money in order to attract Ramsey's attention so very likely he didn't really lose all his money after all. No doubt Ramsey needs all that cash to support the care of whoever is stashed upstairs.”

Dear Nancy: Bingo! You get the prize and so do a lot of people who wrote me this week figuring out that Antonio was part of the set up with John and Talia and that Jamie’s illness was part of the plan. I didn’t really think Antonio was in it from the beginning and honestly, I wouldn’t think they’d use Jamie in the plan. Silly me! I am still amazed at how they can fool some of us so much of the time, even though we have been watching forever. Maybe that’s why I am not a soap writer. I wouldn’t be surprised if the plot does include Nora. She, more than a lot of people, would love to get Ramsey because of how unfair it was that Bo lost his job to that creep.

Adrienne writes: “Adriana is becoming more like her mother, Dorian, everyday. As soon as she feels threatened (by Gigi) she goes all out to be someone she's really not. Her character needs to calm her attitude. I really don’t like her character anymore. Besides Marcie, Adriana has been the coolest character in Llanview until Gigi showed up with Shane. I don’t think Gigi ever meant to get in the way of Adriana and Rex's marriage.”

Dear Adrienne: Yes, Adriana has become Dorian, Jr. and her transformation has been shocking because she used to be a very sweet and lovely girl. She was still lovely and innocent even when she was dealing with that bigot, Tate Harmon, but she toughened up a bit after that debacle and once Gigi came on the scene, Adriana all of a sudden remembered everything she learned from watching her mother in action. If Adriana were being honest with, herself she would face the fact that Gigi was not trying to take Rex from her; it is Rex who paid a ton of attention to Gigi and Shane because he has unresolved feelings for Gigi that he never dreamed of dealing with before he ran into her in Texas. I agree that Gigi never had any intention of interfering in Rex and Adriana’s relationship.

Andrea writes: “I agree 100% about how they are writing the character of Cristian. He is more or less nothing but a big child with a terrible temper. I think they need to give him an outlet. I mean, he runs the club and works at the diner but he needs something to occupy his time. They should have him mentor some of the kids at Angel Square. He could start an after school program or something. Why do they just leave these people floating out there? Marcie and Cristian would be great at this. I think that the writers are so concerned about making trouble that they don’t do anything else. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of the characters working with underprivileged children.”

Dear Andrea: You gave a very good description of Cristian. For sure, when things don’t go his way, he behaves like a temperamental child but it comes off worse than childlike because his temper has led to unnecessary violence, like when he attacked John at Capricorn. What a great idea to have Cristian and Marcie do something with the kids in Angel Square. Cristian has so much talent and could give the kids a great outlet by teaching them about art and Marcie would be great dealing with the kids and would be doing something fulfilling with her life that would be especially meaningful to her. I hate what happened to Michael and Marcie and I hope that Kathy Brier doesn’t leave the show. You’re absolutely right about the writers creating trouble when there needs to be more of a balance to the dark side of the show. You should send your ideas in to the show. It couldn’t hurt.