REFLECTIONS BY JILL for November 19, 2007

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Mary writes: “Do you see much overall improvement in the storylines for OLTL since Ron Carlivati became solo Head Writer? I don't. I think he still drags storylines out way too long, just like Higley did. He's turning Natalie into someone I have a hard time still liking. Some of the adult storylines are more like junior high (i.e., the Talia pretending she has a boyfriend because she doesn't want Antonio to know she likes him and Natalie and Christian trying to make Sarah and Jared jealous). Anyway, I expected more from Carlivati than the garbage I've seen so far. I'm having a hard time still caring about the show.”

Dear Mary: I think a lot of the fans feel the way you do and in many ways I agree with you also. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to get away from that annoying practice of dragging out storylines well past the time that anyone cares about the outcome although it would be nice if the soap writers gave it a try. I couldn’t agree more about the immaturity and silliness of Talia pretending Shawn was her boyfriend to make Antonio jealous and that ridiculous display at The Palace where Cristian, Natalie, Jared and Sarah made complete fools of themselves. I always have high hopes when a new head writer comes up, but honestly, the only good change I’ve seen so far is that Viki is once again getting a life and having some fun. She was on the back burner for way to long serving as wallpaper and I just hope that TPTB realize how much the fans enjoy seeing Viki do more than coddling her grown kids. Personally, I love Viki’s new storyline, because even if it doesn’t involve my beloved Ben, it reminds me of his time with Viki at every turn.

Desiree writes: “Now that there is a writers strike, what will become One Life to Live. Will they be showing repeats?”

Dear Desiree: I have heard that the soaps will not be affected by the writers strike for several weeks because they usually tape ahead and many of them have scripts written far enough in advance so that they won’t be affected until the beginning of the New Year. I’m not sure how far in advance One Life to Live is taping right now, but I do remember hearing that they tape about four weeks ahead so what we see now was probably taped several weeks ago. So, shows that are taping now from scripts that have already been written before the strike won’t air for several weeks. After that, who knows? Maybe we’ll see repeats of special shows. No one knows at this point what will happen.

Nanny writes: “My friends at the office and I are hoping OLTL will not let Michael go. I understand he got into a bit of trouble losing his temper. That makes him more normal than some on the program. Please bring Michael and Marcie and the baby back together.”

Dear Nanny: I understand that some fans feel the way you do, but I think it is important to remember that Nathaniel Marston got into more than a “bit of trouble losing his temper” and it certainly was not the first time it has happened, in or out of the studio. I don’t really know how that makes him more normal than some actors on the show. At this point it seems final that he has been let go from the show and that the role will be recast. I have always been a fan of Michael and Marcie and I think it’s a shame that Nathaniel’s career has taken this turn. Even more upsetting to me is that his life has taken this turn and hopefully he can work on moving on and do better in the future. I know that the fans brought him back once when he was let go for behavior that the show deemed unacceptable, but somehow I doubt that will happen again.

Judy97 writes: “Judy writes: “You were absolutely right calling Mo a big teddy bear. That is just what he is. It's always nice to meet new characters when we go to the studio and he was just a doll. There were about six other fans at the studio that day and I think he was kind of surprised to have all these girls falling all over each other to get there picture with him, but he was a very a nice man. I'm still waiting to meet Brian Kerwin.”

Dear Judy: I think it’s great when fans go to the studio and are happy with the reception they get from the actors. I don’t know his real name, but I think it’s really cute that the actor who plays Mo was surprised at the fans’ reaction to him and it probably made his day to be so well received by the fans. He’s a cutie and I’d love for him to wind up in Llanview, perhaps working for Renee at The Palace. After all, his gourmet cooking skills are wasted in Paris, Texas. He needs to try out some of those fancy dishes on the good citizens of Llanview. Maybe someone can get Bo to eat something other than a burger.