Days Of Our Lives
RATINGS: Y&R and B&B Gain Total Viewers, While GH and DAYS Slip!
The ratings are out for the week of March 7th to 11th and the number one and two daytime dramas: The Young and the Restless (+66,000) and The Bold and the Beautiful (+63,000), both gained in total viewer average for their week, while General Hospital (-40,000) and Days of our Lives ((-45,000) found themselves in the loss column in viewers.
However in the key demos, Y&R and B&B tied their lows in the 18-49 ratings share. On the flip side, B&B was also the only soap to gain viewers in the category. DAYS tied their all-time low in the 18-34 ratings share. In story for the ratings week, Y&R focused on Victor’s (Eric Braeden) arrest and the fallout from it. On B&B, Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) gave birth to her baby with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), but the bio-dad is actually Thomas (Pierson Fode), and Quinn (Rena Sofer) gave Liam “proof” of Adam and Eve’s past together to further keep him under her thumb.
Courtesy/CBS
On GH, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright)came to an understanding after taking a hard look at their relationship, Tracy (Jane Elliot)visited the Quartermaine crypt before having a seisure, and Griffin (Matt Cohen) was following Anna (Finola Hughes).
Days of our Lives featured the beginning of Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail’s (Kate Mansi) wedding, and in turn Abigail learning Ben (Rob Scott Wilson) is on the loose, plus Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Arianne being kidnapped which then sends John (Drake Hogestyn) and Eduardo (A Martinez) to the rescue with dire consequences. You can view the entire ratings picture via SON here.
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,763,000 (+66,000/-71,000)
2. B&B 3,585,000 (+63,000/+84,000)
3. GH 2,898,000 (-40,000/+78,000)
4. DAYS 2,294,000 (-45,000/+34,000)
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Alison Sweeney on Working with Bryan Dattilo: “28 Years Later, Some Things Never Change. Still Laughing Between Takes and Grateful to Have Such a Talented Supportive Co-Star”
Days Of Our Lives
Kevin Spirtas Talks ‘After Forever’s’ Digital Special ‘Riley’s Unforgettable School Project’, The Loss of Michael Slade, and a Chance to Reprise DAYS Craig Wesley
The coronavirus pandemic has put to the test many content creators on just how they would keep their projects moving forward in ways they never dreamed of. However, out of that situation has come some of the most compelling, unique series, specials, and features currently streaming for viewers. One of which is Riley’s Unforgettable School Project, brought to you by the team from the six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning series, After Forever.
Former Days of our Lives star, Kevin Spirtas (Ex-Craig Wesley) has starred in and created the first two seasons of what has become the most honored Emmy-awarded LGBTQ-themed drama series on any platform. Along with his ‘After Forever’ writing/producing partner, the late Michael Slade (DAYS, OLTL, Passions, Another World), the two also conceptualized and delivered this latest documentary-style offering now on Amazon Prime Video.
What makes Riley’s Unforgettable School Project so noteworthy is not just how they were able to execute the series based on fictional 11-year-old Riley’s virtual school project and utilize its cast, which includes: Spirtas, Cady Huffman, Jamison Stern, Lenny Wolpe, Erin Cherry, Anita Gillette, Christopher J. Hanke, and Finn Douglas, but that it was made while Slade was succumbing to his battle with cancer, and that this special marks the final script from this talented writer.
Michael Fairman TV spoke with Spirtas about making the special during Covid-19, how the death of Michael Slade has made a lasting impact on his life, what After Forever has personally meant to him, and how an official third season is still in the works, and … if he would consider a return to Salem and Days of our Lives, should they come a-calling. Here’s what Kevin had to say about it all.
Photo: AfterForever
I think the entire story of this digital special has become even more meaningful with Michael Slade’s passing. What was the genesis of the concept? You wanted to continue the telling of the story of After Forever … but we are all in the middle of a pandemic?
KEVIN: Yes and… when we filmed season 2, we had the scripts for season 3 already completed. It was our hope and desire to film them at the same time, back-to-back, so that we would have had all of our cast and crew together, and we could have gotten through it because we’ve always imagined this story being told in a trilogy so to speak – a beginning, middle, and end to Brian (Spirtas) and Jason, (Mitchell Anderson) and Brian’s healing or his steps towards healing through grief. Schedules turned out that they couldn’t really work out for us to hold all the people and hold all of the sets for that amount of time. So, we thought, “We’ve got the scripts for season 3 ready. We’ll come back to it in the following year,” and that was always the intention, and then the pandemic hit. So, it was shut down immediately that we weren’t going to do anything, but we wanted to stay current, and instead of going back in and telling the third installment of After Forever as a Covid-19 story as well, Michael and I sat down and looked at a way of staying relevant and current with a story within COVID, and there was born the idea to do this documentary style story/special about the characters of After Forever told through the lens of the character of Riley, the 11-year-old boy, who is now being homeschooled during the pandemic. He gets an assignment to do a project about the most unforgettable person he has ever met, and he, of course, chooses his best friend, the late Jason Adams, and he enlists all of Jason’s friends and family to join in. Michael actually said, “What if we tell a story about Riley being homeschooled?” And, not only is Riley a technical genius at 11-years-old in the story, but Finn Douglas, who plays Riley, is a technical genius.
And didn’t Finn perform and write the song “Forever There” contained within the special?
KEVIN. Yes. He is this incredible musician. Michael thought, “What would it be like if we asked to have the character of Finn sing a song for Jason?” I said, “Well, what kind of song would we have him sing?” Finn could play anything, I’m sure, because he’s self-taught, he plays by ear – guitar, piano, and drums. Michael said, “What if we ask him to see if he could write a song?” and when we heard this song, we all called each other and we all got on Zoom and went, “Can you believe this song? Can you believe this came out of this 11-year-old?” It’s pretty incredible. Michael did a gorgeous job of weaving the stories in and out and how they just sort of dove-tailed into each other, and then it was framed by Riley opening the project and ending the project. During the Zoom reading we wanted to hear the song out loud. We said to Finn, “Would you want to sing the song?” We all just watched everybody on that Zoom call just fall apart. It was just so beautiful. He’s an amazing talent.
Where is your character within this?
KEVIN: I still stand in the center of the story of Jason because my character, Brian, was married to Jason, and it sort of connects us all, and through Riley’s understanding of how we all connect to Jason, is how we are all sort of spread out throughout the story. Michael jokingly said, “You know, you’re not going to be the star of this special,” and I said, “I don’t think it’s about being the star. It’s really about the storytelling.” The beauty of Riley’s Unforgettable School Project is that we get to see moments of each person’s relationship with Jason, which Riley sets out to say, “Answer these three questions: What did you like most about Jason? What did you like least about Jason? And what’s your favorite memory?” Those three things, cut back and forth is where we all kind of fit in. Nobody has more of a story than the next person, and it’s all telling honest portrayals of how they’re dealing with their loss of their good friend, or their child, or partner.
It’s a very inventive idea during Covid-19 to continue it in a way where you weren’t having to go shoot a full season of episodes.
KEVIN: Well, we couldn’t. I have to say, Allison Vanore, who not only produced this special, but she also stepped up saying, “I’d love to direct this,” and I said, “Yes, please!” She knows the characters. She understands the story because she’s been a part of it for the last two seasons. Allison also has this extraordinary amount of knowledge and expertise with the camera and what was needed for a remote shoot, and to also be able to organize filming 13 people in 2 different countries and 5 different cities… that’s just the technical side of it, but having that in our back pocket, knowing that it was a remote shoot, we had to send the camera, the computer, the ring light, and the microphone to each person’s house. We had to location scout over Zoom. We had to do wardrobe over Zoom. It was all this big puzzle putting it together, and once you look at that board of storytelling and how we were going to do it, it kind of fell into place. I feel blessed that a) we still had Michael with us, at that point, and b) Allison had the know-how to do this. We all feel that at least this pandemic didn’t keep us from doing what we love.
Photo: AfterForever
In terms of the contribution of Michael Slade in this special, was it the construction of the story, and how was he able to work and write this during his illness?
KEVIN: Michael’s contribution to the special was no less than the contribution to season 1 and season 2, and the future of season 3, because the scripts are written. We did everything on Zoom, and we worked around his schedule of treatment. We scheduled 2 people per day, and we spread them out over two weeks. He was very present, and when there would be a day where he would say, “I’m going to be an hour late, let’s just push that call time,” I would ask, “Is this too much right now? We can shelve it; we can stop it.” He’d then say, “Absolutely not, otherwise cancer will win.” He was determined to stay focused and to stay active because it took his mind off of what was happening to him.
Photo: AfterForever
It would be lovely moment if you both were to win a Daytime Emmy for this project.
KEVIN: It’s our last collaboration together as a team, as I said, season 3 has been scripted, and it is on the calendar to get made. We are just waiting for the COVID restrictions to lift a little bit and everyone to get vaccinated. Michael was really hit hard with cancer – to stay healthy was so challenging for him. Sadly, he didn’t make it to see the final edit of the special, and he died four days before we launched, but he had seen the cuts before that and was very approving of it, and had made some decisions, and offered some suggestions, and if God gives him an Emmy for this, it’s not because he died. It’s because it’s great work. It just happens to be that the work that was involved in this particular special was very tricky. It brought up everything, like life itself to have to deal with. Here we are dealing with the loss of a colleague, the loss of a friend, someone’s brother, someone’s son, this is life imitating art, imitating art imitating life. I can’t tell you the darkness that I went through just experiencing the need to stay focused on getting everything edited, and everything ready, and everything aligned for a release of this project that we had put into motion. On top of it, our editor lost his mother just before Michael passed, and Allison’s mom was sick at the time, as well. It took a lot of heavy deep breaths with Michael’s death, and the pandemic, and the loss has, for me, on a personal level, sent me back to really questioning my spiritual muscle and to help remind me that we have to come out of this better than we went into this. I had many dark nights of the soul this last year, and December was probably the darkest. I feel like I’m just kind of coming out of it now with the spring revealing itself.
Photo: AfterForever
It must have been extraordinarily difficult for you to also go to New York during a pandemic and also knowing Michael did not have much time left.
KEVIN: I will say this: I am grateful that I was able to stay in touch with my heart and my instinct and go out to New York to let that be my remote location. Yes, maybe there was some risk involved. I wore my mask; I was Covid-19 negative, and I was determined to be fine. Once I got to New York, I would visit him very protectively with our masks and our gloves, and I’d sit across the room, and then I’d go back to the house I was at. It was a gift that I was able to see him at that time. We had some good talks then about how he was feeling, and I think he was still being optimistic, and then once we got the project in the can there was maybe this psychic letting go. That’s when everything really started to reveal itself as this could be the end. I did go back to see him when he was in hospice. I think I was there the last two days that he really was able to really stay coherent. He would close his eyes and be at peace and quiet for a minute, and he would finish a conversation and sort of close his eyes, not to sleep and not to go away, but I remember watching him going, “Look how peaceful he is,” and then he’d open his eyes and he’d remember that he is in this body that has been given a time limit of life, and he’s on his way out. I’d watch the fear go back in his eyes. At one point, he did say, “I’m so scared,” and I just held his hand, and I said, “I’m scared too. Let’s be scared through this together.” I don’t know how to navigate grief like that. We are all going to be in a position at some point where we are going to be on the other side of the hand holding. The wonderful thing is that we were able to have honest communication about our feelings. I thanked him for everything that he has done for me and how he believed in my talent and creativity and our partnership. I will always take that with me. I waved my finger at him, and I said, “Listen. Now, we wrote a series about a man talking to his deceased husband. You’d better talk to me!” So, we laughed about that.
Photo: AfterForever
You’ve done a lot of things in your career from Broadway to television, and of course, daytime fans know you best as Dr. Craig Wesley on DAYS. How does the entire After Forever project stack up to you within all that you have done?
KEVIN: Former DAYS casting director Fran Bascom, sought me out and offered me this 2-day role on Days of Our Lives, and those 2 days turned into 8 years, and unbeknownst to me at the time, the final 3 months of that contract of those 8 years, Michael Slade was brought in to write. We didn’t cross paths at that point, but years later, when we did cross paths in New York, and then After Forever was born, that was that universal crossing point. I am most proud of the fact that we were able create something fresh, and real, and personal to ourselves that we didn’t have to cater to any “powers that be” that had their vision and their tinkering, that they thought that it could be better in this way or that way. Then for After Forever to gain such recognition, within the film festivals, and the Emmys, and then, just after Michael died, we won the GLAAD award for Special Recognition this year. We don’t even fit into one of their categories! They found a way to acknowledge this project. If another Emmy happens again, that might be another one to put up on the shelf for After Forever that would be beautiful, and I couldn’t have done it without Michael.
For the Daytime Emmys this year, what category have you entered Riley’s Unforgettable School Project?
KEVIN: We are not a series this year, we are a daytime fiction special, and the “Daytime Fiction Special” category is a special class. It’s anything that’s digital in the construct of less than 40 minutes. NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) is being bombarded with so much content, they’re trying to find ways to put categories together.
Photo: JPI
So, now, when we last saw Days of Lives’ Dr. Craig Wesley, where was he? (Laughs)
KEVIN: (Laughs) He was in a flash from the past or something in the DOOL app’s Last Blast Reunion series. I had a fun time working with Patrika Darbo (Nancy) and Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), once again.
So, if they were to want Craig to come back to DAYS, would you be all for it?
KEVIN: Hell yes!
Photo: JPI
Now, what story would you want to be told involving Craig?
KEVIN: When Craig was first on the canvas in Salem, there was a lot of mustache twirling and a lot of hand wringing. He was always plotting; most of the time with Nancy. It was kind of this high drama, evil villain storyline being told, but when the writers created an opportunity for us to be on after those first three months by bringing on Chloe without a father, there was something real about it. It may have been told under the construct of soap opera storytelling, but there was a reality-based story about, “You have a daughter, and we are just now finding out about it?” Then, finding a cure to her health was another realistic story, and finding out that Craig was her real father. Anything that’s reality based is what I’m getting to. I would welcome any job that brings me back and gives me an opportunity to dive into something real.
Photo: JPI
Would you welcome the opportunity to play a gay character on daytime; in a medium where there are very few represented in storylines?
KEVIN: I’d have no problem with that. Do you know anybody who is starting that? Let’s do it! (Laughs) First of all, there’s nothing to hide anymore. There’s nothing to pretend you’re not anymore. I would think that bringing in a storyline that deals with anything outside the norm that we are used to seeing would be interesting. How many times can you retell a story? How many times can you set the same story up with another couple? So, why not be diverse and have a stylized story being told through the lens of a gay person.
Photo: AfterForever
In closing, so many go through life without acknowledging people who had an impact them. We don’t give pats on the back, often enough, and especially in Hollywood, where people can be very self-involved. You have already paid tribute to Michael Slade in our discussion, but what gift from him is your personal takeaway?
KEVIN: The gift that Michael really gave to me is to remember to be kind to myself and to others, and to acknowledge and salute the person who is in front of us, because we don’t know when we will have, or if we will have, another moment to do that.
Now below, check out the trailer for Riley’s Unforgettable School Project. Then let us know, what do you think of its concept? Kevin’s thoughts on the passing of his collaborator on the project, Michael Slade? And, do you hope DAYS brings back Dr. Craig Wesley? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Breaking News
REPORT: Dan Feuerriegel is DAYS New EJ DiMera
Could Days of our Lives finally found their new EJ? Rumors have been circulating on the internet for weeks that the character of EJ DiMera may finally have a new face and a new actor portraying and heading back to Salem, especially since Sami (Alison Sweeney) is back on the canvas.
The role was previously played by longtime fan favorite James Scott, who had made it very clear he would never return to Days of our Lives.
Photo: DFeuerriegelIG
Now according to Daytime Confidential and their report from setside sources, the new EJ will actually be played by former Spartacus actor Dan Feuerriegel.
The Australian-born actor has been seen in Starz’ Spartacus franchise in the role of Agron.
According to the report, look for the new EJ to make his debut sometime this summer.
DAYS fans know that in story, EJ was brought back form the dead, from the serum from Dr. Rolf, but then was injured in an explosion and had reunited with Sami and had been recovery in Europe.
So, if this reports turns out to be true, what do you think of the new EJ? Comment below.
B&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor Shares He was a Writer of Today’s Episode
Karla Mosley Temporarily Replaces Mishael Morgan on The Young and the Restless
‘This Is Us’ To End Season Two Episodes Early From Original Order
Cailtin Reilly to Appear in General Hospital Tribute Episode to Her Father John Reilly
Former ‘Bachelor’ Colton Underwood Comes Out as Gay
Former Y&R Star Jason Canela Lands Recurring Role on ‘The Rookie’
DAYS Alison Sweeney on Working with Bryan Dattilo: “28 Years Later, Some Things Never Change. Still Laughing Between Takes and Grateful to Have Such a Talented Supportive Co-Star”
‘The Talk’ Returns as Sheryl Underwood Shares the ‘Trauma’ She Feels Over Incident That Led to Sharon Osbourne’s Exit
Kevin Spirtas Talks ‘After Forever’s’ Digital Special ‘Riley’s Unforgettable School Project’, The Loss of Michael Slade, and a Chance to Reprise DAYS Craig Wesley
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Reveals Pregnancy News; She is Expecting a Baby Boy!
Cailtin Reilly to Appear in General Hospital Tribute Episode to Her Father John Reilly
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
Karla Mosley Temporarily Replaces Mishael Morgan on The Young and the Restless
Joe LoCicero on His B&B Demise: “I Do Believe I’m Done Filming But it is a Soap Opera So Anything is Possible”
The Stars of Y&R and B&B Ask the Questions & Appear on Virtual Game Show ‘Soap Opera Know-It-All’
Former ‘Bachelor’ Colton Underwood Comes Out as Gay
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Don Diamont & Scott Clifton Shine In Father/Son Scenes; As Bill Watches Liam’s Meltdown Over the Accident that Killed Vinny
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
The Stars of Y&R and B&B Ask the Questions & Appear on Virtual Game Show ‘Soap Opera Know-It-All’
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Takes Supporting Actress Honors for ‘7 Days to Vegas’ in Garden State Film Festival Awards
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick and Sharon Band Together to Help Faith in Crisis Reminiscent of Cassie Tragedy
Y&R’s Newman Kids Talk 48th Anniversary, Storylines, Camaraderie, and Take the Trivia Challenge
B&B Celebrates its 34th Anniversary Today
‘Days of our Lives’ Writing Team Bests ‘General Hospital’ for Daytime Drama WGA Award
TONIGHT: Lauralee Bell in V.C. Andrews’ Lifetime Movie ‘Pearl in the Mist’
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NewsApril 7, 2021Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
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General HospitalApril 8, 2021GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
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As The World TurnsApril 8, 2021‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
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General HospitalApril 8, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
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NewsApril 6, 2021Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Reveals Pregnancy News; She is Expecting a Baby Boy!
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General HospitalApril 14, 2021Cailtin Reilly to Appear in General Hospital Tribute Episode to Her Father John Reilly
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General HospitalApril 11, 2021Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
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NewsApril 15, 2021Karla Mosley Temporarily Replaces Mishael Morgan on The Young and the Restless
I wonder if pre-emptying GH on March 11 for Nancy Reagan’s funeral affected the lower week’s ratings for GH…it had one less day?
Oops..pre-empted
If anything not having a Friday episode to count helped GH. Fridays are almost always the lowest rated day.
Interesting Matilda. Because Friday’s can leave us with a Cliff hanger for Monday, especially around sweeps.
P.S…Plus, it was the day for the Griffin/Anna “first” reveal. And like a lot of other commenters, I figure there’s more twits and turns with Griffin. I just hope he stays a good guy.
@Rose…Per your “Val” comments to me further down the page: I do concur that this character got a raw deal when it came to the writing she was afforded….one minute she was a long-lost member of a beloved legacy family and then immediately thereafter, she became the “Scarlet Lettered” predator of Port Charles’ most reliably faithful married man who was a relative, no less. But having said that, I never found the casting of this role to be well-done, either. You had someone who was obviously very green being given highly dramatic material which she handled with noticeable difficulty, not… Read more »
Hi Shay… I think you are right about a newbie being thrown in the fire, so to speak, at a very “critical” time in the Fluke story. And up to now they never have explained her parentage. You’ve probably noted over the speculation of some she may have a bit of Q because of the affair Edward had with Mary Mae Ward. On of those leftover loose ends. As long as she’s still on the canvas, I don’t mind that they are trying to salvage her now…just keep Dante out of it.
And that’s exactly the problem, Rose….whenever a newbie hits town, there is endless speculation about their heritage, and there are very few examples where we actually get a definitive answer—except maybe for Griffin???—mainly, because, I believe, that the writers possess no explanations….they don’t have a clear plan for most of these characters…they are made up as they go along due to the fact they were created upon a whim to provide a role for the latest soap opera refugee get, or perhaps due to what I have long suspected has been a network agenda to increase representation of certain demographics(?)… Read more »
GH is in big trouble and struggling.. Jean & Shelly are not the correct writers for GH .. GH’s trademark is high drama, intense drama, suspenseful mysteries.. And I being one of GH’s most enthusiastic fans, well I no longer enjoy GH.. It is not just me… I work with many GH fans, some even men.. We see each other in break etc and of course we always mention our GH, and only one, just one likes this horribly dull stale GH.. GH has always been out of the tradition soap box.. GH was unique because it was not as… Read more »
bring back ron callivarti , he knows how to write .
Hi gail..
Better yet..
Bring in the team of Guza and Carlivati <- now, that's General Hospital .. !!!
Only if he works under Bob Guza….
Yass, please!
would nice to see anthony geary on special occaisions
Well it’s still in the positive from last year, so I have to disagree that it’s in “big trouble”.
I totally agree. The show is too normal. Where is the action/adventure, intrigue and suspense? Why can’t they add a writer from the mid 80’s to come back to the team?
General Hospital
GH is really boring, so I get it. They bring Dr. SexyPecs on board, but only show him sporadically. When will TIIC get that no one cares about Spermy, his b*** and his spawn?
Days too gloomy=John’s father a snooze…he reminds me of an old nestuke figurine i once owned-lol-the writers didnt have to make him evil…Marlena and the baby kidnapped…John and Paul kidnapped…too much murder and kidnapping…Ciara drunk-they could use that scene in acting school for bad acting…Summer story doesnt work for me-Maggie already has two daughters they could had written for…Days has some good moments but not enough…GH has too many bad characters running free and that Lomax/Olivia storyline is horrible-poorly written-still too much mob…best part is more focus on the hospital…both of these soap ok but if i miss an episode… Read more »
Great post, Jim.
OK–odd–I wrote more than “Great post, Jim.” I spoke of how I wrote another long and well thought out post about why I think GH is plummeting in ratings and how that post never showed up. It does feel rather rotten to go to a lot of trouble to write an insightful post only not to see it show up. What is going on here? You censor posts which were not in violation of any standards and then you edit posts which speak of that censorship. I doubt you will post this but please prove me wrong. You are losing… Read more »
Harry
Do not leave! You are one of a small handful of posters that I seek to read! Should you depart, I will send you my email so we can communicate about Y and R!
Boy, Harry. Do I ever know what you mean, below!!!!…i know exactly what you’re talking about, and how you feel.
“I” have had posts… that did not make the cut
I’ve started saving some of them… in my own file… should I feel that strongly … and need to repost… and… ??? like a film.. edit… “My” reel
???
kinda cuts some times
TRUTH
My days and GH are once again…. waning
I’m watching to keep up
DAYS … LORD GOD give Ryan Quan a skillset to mind DOOL
GH… give these ladies chutzpa to write out of the box… stimulate
Passion.. after all these decades… I love the longtimers
@Harry…..We’ve all been there, some many more times than others! (Really, you have NO idea, but it’s a comfort to know I’m not alone!) I cannot tell you how often I’ve replied to you to no avail….ditto for Timmm, jimh, Fanny and of course, CeeCee!!!! LOL. @Patrick…..I have long kept my own file of previous posts, so I can review the failed ones to try to figure out what I did that led to their rejection….sometimes a mere rephrasing of a sentiment can do the trick for a reposting, but most frequently, I’d say it’s the “what” more than the… Read more »
Great points, Jim! Particularly with regard to the endless GH mob storylines… Regarding your final comments, I compare GH with Y&R. I was always annoyed that GH rarely used (and then discarded) the wonderful actress Rachel Ames, whereas on another network, Y&R was thriving (at #1) while it gave continuous frontburner storyline to Jeanne Cooper. Y&R has always respected (and utilized) its veterans, whereas GH has been horribly pathetic in that regard…
WTH? ”endless mob storylines”’.. I would love to have just one mob story!!!!!
fact is;
GH hasn’t had any real Mobster’s since Guza..
GH use to have a dozen actual mobsters in the cast; now Sonny is it, one guy..
GH hasn’t had mob STORIES since Guza..
GH has been free of any mob STORY’S action since Guza and 1st year RC..
Mob ”incidents” are not even close to an actual mob story..
I want the mob !!! ,, I want the mob !!!
( there are mob short scenes but never a story..
Yes…i hated how they treated Rachel Ames …like the late great Jeanne Cooper Rachel was and still is a daytime legend…just like Valerie Starret!
James…you (also) make great points!!!!! Oh…as far as I’m concerned…bullets, gangsters, mob-like stuff, murder, shootings…sadly, this is N-O-T the GH that I remember from long ago. Beyond sad.
Take care, Brother.
P-e-a-c-e.
I hear you, jimh! The last handful of GH episodes pretty much illustrates exactly why the ratings are down….just consider that to which we were treated(?): the obnoxious breastfeeding brouhaha, narly Nina in all of her contrived busywork glory running a past-its-prime, pointless publication that’s not even remotely worth saving, the nauseating Alexis, Julian and her unappealing brood with their puke-inducing personal dramas, the ever mobbed-up Sonny, Carly, Ava and their related, redundant family issues, plus the additional drudgery featuring unnecessary newbie characters like Val, Curtis, Hayden and Jordan. Hardly the romance and adventure for which this show was once… Read more »
Love this post…so well said…totally agree 100%…if they would get rid of Valerie , Nina, and a few others they could sign Tristian Rogers to a contract and i would start tuning in daily again!
Hi Shay…I know Val is touchy-touchy with a lot of viewers. But one thing I will say in the character’s defense, whether you like her or not. A lot of that goes onto the writers. After Fluke (thank goodness that’s over), and with Val’s mom dying, they wrote her into an impossible, negative story that no one liked. It could have been a chance to add to a GH legacy family. And none of the other Spencer family members showed support like Bobbie, Carly…they were missing in action.
“Boobgate” is horrible. I was embarrassed to watch two adult actresses fighting over a phone and the fight was super lame! I imagine that this comes up from time to time in real life because this world is unbalanced but is it really a front burner issue? NO! The Crimson story is horrible. I guess if your paying me lots of money and I have two kids to raise I’ll say the lines written on the page but Michelle Stafford has to be embarrassed? After all the bubbles have popped in the bathtub, what do we do with Alexis and… Read more »
Thanks, Jim! Amen to your “legend” remark regarding Cooper, Ames, and Starrett! (You knew I would like that!)
After rewatching a few clips with her a short time ago i just fell in love with Starrett…i remember her before as a waitress when i watched the show with my grandmother…i was also a fan of her replacement Brooke Bundy who allso appeared on Days where i enjoyed her before she went to GH and i had seen her on many tv shows since the 60s too but the more i watch Starrett on those old clips i kind of wish they had kept her now and never killed off Diana…Brooke could had played her sister Beth Maynard instead!!!
Jim, thanks for your further discussion of Valerie Starrett. Also, I like your suggestion of enlisting Brooke Bundy to play Beth… As I have stated at this site and shared with you (perhaps in nauseating detail), she will always be my favorite daytime actress. She was a terrific actress as well as beautiful and popular. Fans were outraged when she was let go in 1977, but this was a time long before the Internet… The love story of Peter and Diana Maynard Taylor was captivating. They were star-crossed lovers who faced many obstacles in their quest to be together. They… Read more »
I dont find that frightening at all…its simply having a good memory and thats great…im like that with certain soaps…i also experienced the loss of a favorite actress on a soap…me and fans were outraged when Jackie Courtney was let go and replaced as Alice Mathews on Another World after 11 years with the show…she was an original cast member…like Peter and Diana Steve and Alice faced many obstacles in their relationship…Rachel Davis was a constant thorn in their side…she wanted Steve and had a child by him…both Jackie and George Reinholt who played Steve were fired from the show…Steve… Read more »
Thank you, jimh! I think it’s safe to say that most, if not all, of us naysayers that frequent these GH threads with our regular critiques would be absolutely delighted were it to be the case that we felt compelled to rejoin the show for viewing on a daily, can’t miss, basis!!!! I would definitely love to see Robert Scorpio back as a Port Charles regular….that single addition, along with a lessening reliance upon newbies that don’t embellish the long-standing fabric of the show, could very well prove the magic antidote to cure what ails GH.
I think you might be right about Hamilton Finn and his connection to David Hamiliton…i think he might want revenge on Laura…maybe its part of Helene’s plan for her…but he will probably fall in love with Laura instead-not sure if they have any chemistry-ill see…thats if it turns out that way…by mistake i watched GH today…that whole courtroom drama about breastfeeding and the women removing their tops..makes me dislike Nina even more-cant stand her…i dont see why Alexis had to expose herself-she already shows too much in the courtroom….that was sooooooo lame…some boob must have written that!!!!
@jimh…..As for Hamilton Finn???? I hope there is a very intriguing backstory for Michael Easton’s latest character…..going back to Laura’s early years on GH would certainly provide that! At any rate, I enjoyed my first glimpse of Mr. Finn….along with his scaly sidekick!!!!
Jim, just a quick response here… I’m glad I am not the only one with great memories when it comes to early soap-watching days! And, yes, we both were burned as viewers of our respective shows when the show in question chose to let go of one of its most popular actresses: Starrett and Courtney, respectively. I had heard about AW’s Steve and Alice having the same kind of relationship as did GH’s Peter and Diana. I thought of a couple of other such couples: GH’s Steve and Audrey and ATWT’s Dan and Kim. I’m sure other long-term viewers could… Read more »
The rating system needs an overhaul b/c I follow a lot of soap chats and GH was rocking it with Sonny n Carly
IMO, Y&R is good soap right now. B&B should take a hint that this triangle storyline with Baby Forrester is the kind of soapy conflict that could generate story for alot of characters and shake things up. Seeing happy families where nothing happens except for more smiles and kisses and handshakes is dull. Let the secret of the baby’s parentage come out and create arguments, passion, anger, and changes. There needs to be more rivalries, more risk, more fear, more challenges. Even if B&B ultimately decides that Ridge will be the father, the fact that he’s keeping the possibility that… Read more »
not surprised about DAYS low numbers. the show is too dark
With GH it seems that TPTB hint about great storylines, even show small teasers that make you really want to watch the show. You tune in and it just falls flat. We continue to bring back the veteran actors like Michael Easton and Wally Kurth because they know that fans will tune in for their favorites. Yet we also keep casting for new people. New people who aren’t even really on enough to gain a good fan following. I know many will say that if you don’t like the show stop watching, but I think it is really hard to… Read more »
There are too many characters on the canvas and it results in superficial stories with no impact, too many stories to follow in a coherent way, and as Layla has said, a bunch of cheap-to-hire actors who can’t act.
FV must be the cheapest executive producer in daytime. Otherwise what does he offer? He can’t tell a story with any depth or drama whatsoever, he has no talent for using his funds effectively, he has no business acumen, and he gets duped into poor hiring decisions time and time again. Maybe he is Bob Iger’s secret illegitimate son.
“…it is really hard to give up on a show after you have been watching it for so long ” it’s a captive audience… and it smarts… that GH doesn’t think… that i’m a nielson worthy enough number “… New people who aren’t even really on enough to gain a good fan following. ” newbie or recasts… need to be tied to a core veteran character… then… they’d utilize core character I can’t imagine what Robb Derringer … who wanted a job.. lauded and pressed GH… and was unceremoniously fired ! he had all the attributes necessary to sweep Anna… Read more »
Correction ” before having a seizure”
GH has no romance or adventure. That was its claim to fame. Now its claim to fame is mob, mob and more mob. Right now the only thing that I can think of that would make me watch again is Robert Scorpio. As for DAYS, it’s doing better in the romance department, they had a nice wedding for Chad&Abby .. I was pleasantly surprised, because I thought for sure Ben would ruin it all! DAYS is making use of its vets and giving them storylines. Bored with Summer, though.
The rise in viewers for “Y & R” was quite meager (66K) but still manages to be the only soap down compared to last year. It’s about time, but viewers are slowly catching on to HW Chuck Pratt’s lame, plot-driven stories and the demos speak for themselves.
It’s not going to get any better until a change is made….
Watching General Hospital, my sentimental favorite, is like watching a ferris wheel when it gets stuck and the people on it are left dangling but going nowhere. It pains me to see great actors like Michelle Stafford and Billy Miller trapped in silly or boring roles with no compelling story. The sublime actresses in the breastfeeding story had their characters written as irrational airheads – hardly a fitting backdrop to a serious women’s issue. The magazine story is as inane as it is pointless. I was embarrassed to be watching this. GH has the best cast in daytime. It’s sometimes… Read more »
Yeah, the breast feeding story was a perfect example of EVERY.THING that is wrong with GH. Superficial story with minimal emotional draw. FV’s need to go out and hire a big name to come in. Starts one day, then nothing for weeks, then picks up again when most of us could not care less. Not one element within it that gives viewers back story, ties in with another sub-story, doesn’t develop any information that ties into a larget arc. Just another vignette for a few of the cast that is meaningless in the larger scheme of things. Although I guess… Read more »
Exactly, Elizabeth! Not only was the breastfeeding story misplaced from day one, but then they had to go and “milk” it for all it was worth, which certainly wasn’t much!!!! There was an awful lot of time and effort put into such a controversial issue that had absolutely nothing to do with anything of any importance specific to Port Charles….if that much care were assigned to and reflected in honoring and drawing upon the great history of GH, just think how incredible the show could once again be!
Perfectly said!!! I skip so many scenes. I think Nancy Lee’s Alexis has long over stayed her welcome.
I loved Alexis when she was Stefan’s consigliere and truly a plotting Cassadine. Even more delicious when she was partners in crime with Luke, unbeknownst to Stefan or anyone else. Then they made her Sonny’s witless moll/lawyer and her character has been on the decline ever since. All I can hope for is that there is some relevance to her presence at the reading of Helena’s will and some meaning to the dagger that killed Kristen, her mother. Both Alexis and Sam could have an entire new world of fresh
G.H. HAS WAY TOO MANY NEW CHARACTERS.TIME TO GET RID OF VALERIE,AVA,JULIAN,NINA,ALSO JASON.HE WAS GREAT ON Y&R,SO BORING ON G.H.Y&R HAS ALMOST 2 MILLION MORE VIEWERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY ACTOR THAT HAVE BEN ON THE SHOW FOR YEARS.THEY KEEP THEM FRONT AND CENTER.G.H. NEEDS TO BRING BACK CHARACTERS THAT HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH THE SHOW.
And yet at this point there is yet another casting call out for FOUR new cast members!
I started back watching GH about 3 months ago (after a 4-month hiatus due to total boredom for much longer than that), but now I find myself FF’ing through the show. I like the recent action for the Quartermaines (Tracy, Monica, Dillon, and Jason in the crypt—also looking forward to Ned’s return) and the reading of Helena Cassadine’s will.
Since when did soaps become about happily ever after. Why are the younger characters getting married and having babies. Why are characters not mad at the person who did something bad to them, Instead they are patting them on the head and telling what a great person they are.
Especially on GH. Well the younger character are not necessarily getting married but nobody is ever mad at anyone, they are magically turned into saints. It makes for boring tv.
So GH is down from last week and up from last year. Ah, whatever, I cannot wait to see GH’s numbers starting on March 21st when ME returns. Everyone is foaming at the mouth over Silas 2.0 so lets see if he has drawing power!
hey Timmm
They could bring in George Clooney– when the writing stinks it wouldn’t make a difference..
And—
Guza at his very worst is better than what we now.
Guza never put me in a 6 month coma..
Wolf, Guza and Carlivati, were/are among the best GH writers..
I see Jean and Shelly as the worst I have seen writing for GH(GH has always had a special type of head writer, one who held the essence of the uniqueness of GH..
// that is all but buried, now..
I have been watching the last four soaps for a number of years and I cannot recall a time when all four were this dismal at the same time. Usually one soap is in the zone, but right now all of them are at best mediocre and at worse just plain bad. I love soaps, I really do, but the quality of stories on all four right now is enough to force even me, a rabid fan that would watch paint dry if were on a good soap, to admit defeat and say daytime drama should be cancel if none… Read more »
And Days should continue to fall. The show is an absolute trainwreck. Characters go missing for weeks, if not forever a la Eve. Roman who is supposed to be the police comish is now covering up 2 murders committed by his relatives. The teen set continues to struggle with acting in basic scenes let alone the high drama stuff that has been sent their way. And in what reality did Maggie have 35 yo Summer when she was 17? That would make Maggie 52!! I think Days needs a new EP with a last name that isn’t Corday.
I love Ava and am tired or Sonny but swear there is chemistry there and would love to see that played out. I waited forever to hear Helena’s will and it was snoozefest city. I miss Ron Carlivati’s writing. When he went to Ryan’s bar in New York, and there was Delia- it was such a thrill beyond words to me. Things seemed to move at a faster pace, I don’t know but I find myself tuning in less often as opposed to every day I was excited to watch. I wish for a new soap and hope perhaps someone… Read more »
hi Peggy
I miss Ron’s writing, too 🙁
I said from day one; Ava and Sonny would make a dynamite couple!
Never a dull moment and hot and sexy (recalling the crypt whoa hot)
Sonny and Ava could be an awesome explosive and yet loving with family Avery..
I would like that.. but!!! they would need really really really great writers to bring them fully to life!
I miss Ron’s writing; I still don’t he was fired. I agree that Days is awful ; maybe Ron will go there. I didn’t expect what happened to Deacon either; that was a surprise! Days ‘ teens are terrible; I kind of like Theo, thou. He seems to be playing his role better than the others. The producers should have left the younger kids. I agree about John and his father’s story; very dull. I already miss Stefano. where is Andre? I agree about Roman also. I consider him as an untrustworthy cop. Where are the writers who have new… Read more »
Y&R is and has been number one. Doesnt any of these shows examine why? I will save you the time. The Newmans and the Abbotts. Plain and simple. Mostly everything revolves around these two core families. We love or love to hate both of these families. Keep them strong in numbers and expose their weaknesses. Its that simple. GH was mentioned more than any other soap here. It has fans and fans express what they want. NONE of the writers will pacify us. We have asked for the Quartermaines back for years. ONE core family! No, they wont do it… Read more »
Out of curiosity I checked the ratings of some of the nighttime shows such as Belle mentioned….some of which I watch and like. I know it’s not “scientific” but let’s just say the average is around 4 Million. So is Y&R. I also wonder if daytime soap writing pays as much as nighttime, isn’t seen as a career builder for aspiring, talented writers, and if industry-wise, soaps have been saddled with “soaps being a dying genre”…even though if you watch carefully, or not so carefully, nighttime drama has a lot of the same daytime drama elements? Why do the soap… Read more »
I hope Days is seeing this and realizing that a MAJOR overhaul is needed. Most of the stories are bad, the teens are a mess and not in a good way. This whole John-Yo Ling storyline is so stupid and boring. I’m bored with Eddie as an assassin too. Winterthorne Academy needs to be relegated to the past. We need new writers and some recasts (Ciara). Give more story to Justin and Adrienne, Doug and Julie. Give us characters to care about. Give us more romance. Give us more light than dark! Give us our old Days back please.
I have taken advice from some fellow posters that if all I was going to do was complain about the good old days of soaps. Quit Watching!!! I have I read updates and just shake my head got use to it now I have more time for me and my family work etc. I do miss the way they use to write them but I think now they have just gotten lazy no fresh ideas just the same old same old. Also no doubt in my mind if Jeanne Cooper had not got ill and passed away JFP would have… Read more »
Are ratings still determined by Nielson and based on the homes their monitors are in? I question the accuracy of this. I cut the cable cord a couple of years ago after spending a lot on it for years. I did love Soapnet. I never watched Ryan’s Hope from the start nor Knott’s Landing or Falcon Crest and they would run two episodes of each and I was hooked in totally. On Antenna tv I get like 20 channels and one network just runs old game shows– I would love to see another network run old soaps if possible-would anyone… Read more »
Both of my shows, GH and DAYS, turning me off big time ! Days has become way too dark and dull. Likewise, GH has evolved into a snooze fest. Missing Ron Carlivati’s writing. Only thing I hoping for is romance between new BFFs Franco and Liz–two amazing talents who emit sparks. Roger is why I ever watched GH in the first place and am so furious at how he is given crumbs most of the time. Looking for a new coupling since the neglect of his relationship with Nina has managed to squelch their passion! Bring back Carlivati! Also, the… Read more »
The answer to why GH is failing is simple – It’s terrible right now,Shelly and Jean need to go!
FINALLY! BB Ridge is going to get his just reward for all the people he has screwed over! Thanks to Brooke’s discussion with Rick I know he will figure out the Thomas is the father of Douglas not Ridge! He will probably blackmail him into giving up the CEO position for silence! Ha Ha Ha! But I can’t wait for Thomas to demand shared custody of Douglas thanks to Rick! I will never forgive Ridge for the way he abused Brooke, Taylor etc! So despite the fact that the Liam storyline drove/drives me to turn off the TV, I’m watching… Read more »
Finally! Liam has been found! Where the hell is Deacon! Looks like an annulment for Steffy and Wyatt! Nut house for Quinn! Come on B & B don’t drag it out any longer!