DC #357: CBS & Days Do Or Die Time

OK here's my 2cents on GL.
I would've prefered it to be canceled after 70th yr. and see sets.
And everyone we have opinions and would you guys rather have the fine ppl over here at DC playing spin doctor like the rest of the soap media or having some unfilter dialogue by ppl who care about the genre? And how the current production is, I know Jay says that we need the glamour and all of that jazz, but I disagree. I like the approach of the real life thing, but if the writing isn't there it doesn't work.

I would hope that the show stays on a little longer, but good things always comes to an end and I hope when that time comes for this show the morons in charge will at least try to honor the history and give us a good final episode.

Sorry about the rambling, but that's my take.

LOL! I'm no doctor, but after listening to the podcast, I say Jamey is suffering from depression and prescribe Lexapro stat! After reading this post maybe zanex too! Get thee to a pharmacy!

Jamey is the ultimate soap diva

I love the suggestion of a new love interest for Hope. If Crystal Chappell needs work she could come back and form a quad. Ultimately Bo and Hope should reunite, but they need to do something. It doesn't even have to be a romantic paring. Hope could just develop a close relationship with another man.

Don't feel bad about anything, shale, because I agree with you 100 percent. Without question GL has had its trouble these past few years, so much so I thought about giving up all together (after 20 plus years of watching), but lately, the past month or so, the show slowly started to find its legs again, and I have been actually LIKING GL again. Otalia is classic soap, Chappell is taking it to another level with this storyline, and Jessica Leccia's Natalia is doing some of her best work lately. Edmund is back, and his grief is believable over Lara's death, but you know once he finds out HOW she died, watch out Springfield. We got Shane/Dinah, The Coop/Beth/Alan story is picking up steam, with the great Justin Deas (Buzz) right in the mix too. We get more Lillian trying to talk sense into Beth. Anytime Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) is on, I am happy. And even Christina/Remy, an African American couple is taking it slow but still moving forward and believe it or not they actually have some fans. I can't say much about Mallet/Marina, but even a scene recently where he talked about his past and they were in the snow, that was filmed beautifully, like a winter wonderland. But the folks at DC don't mention any of this. The show is basically sh!t on a stick, and it will die. With all that bashing of GL, I just thought surely you can find maybe ONE or two good things to say in the podcast about GL for the week. Or do we have to have another crack about Kim Zimmer's balls freezing off in Peapack or another joke about how hell, the entire cast changes clothes in one car. We know, we know, the show is on a very very limited budget.

As for actors controling storyline- there is NO WAY Diedre and Drake had a say in that ending. It's all the producter and head writers fault. Here is what they said in a Nov 2002 SO Digest fan question:

Digest: Fan question: What would you want John and Marlena's final story to be?
Hogestyn: John and Marlena are coming back from their latest adventure as Nick and Nora, ad Deidre would say, and they're on their sloop. They're sailing and they run into a storm, and it breaks the mast and they drift away.
Hall: I want the explosion. I want the space shuttle. I want Thema and Louise the Grand Canyon. You don't want to just fade away. I've faded away its no fun.

So much for them not wanting a splashly exit. And from what I read about Drake's comments on his characters' other mishaps the past two years-shot, liver stolen, in a coma, etc. There is NO WAY he would want his character to leave Salem paralized from the neck down! The ptb decided way before Nov to get rid of them. There was no story after the spring. They had everyone living at the Dimera mansion and got a lot of funny stuff with J & M & Sami & EJ. Stephano envited everyone over and threateded revenge for his coma. Then-NOTHING for 7-8 months! No story, no movement, dropped storyline. They could of done something, have John & Marlena reunite, defeat Stephano and fly off on a round the world trip. Not that crazy blond Dr, and everything happening the LAST Day? They only gave them 14 min on the last episode too! Those scenes were short! 1 min, cut to Dan & Chloe, 2 min, cut to Nicole- Ack! This couple was the bread and butter couple for the 80's and 90's. The millenium's been rough but we stuck it out- then to end like this? An Anti-clamatic ending. Isn't that the worst crime in storytelling? They have forgotten how to write a soap story ending worthy of them. Sad.

quotes from: http://www.jason47.com/days/deedrakeinterviews3.html

THanks Nathan, you are right about all you said I do not look for those on this Podcast other than Mike and Mel to actually talk about storylines though, just the way it is.We some good times get the rude comments and actual storyline coverage which I do not mind, but mostly just rude comments and no storyline coverage.

That is my real issue with those on the podcast is the fact that they can spend all the time with their comments on how bad the show is but they don't even talk about the past week storylines. All the other shows got that but GL did not get it and most times does not get it.

It bugs me to no end about the same KZ freezing her balls off and changing clothes in the car, but that will always be said and so will the comments about sets and all the changes but I am used to that, but not covering any of the storylines is wrong and it happens often.

I think Jamey, Jillian, and Luke think I am mad about what you say, I do really care, but when the rude comments are in the place of actual coverage on the GL storylines that bugs me. You all will have a view on GL and I do not care to change it or even really care about your view, I thought that since other shows got storyline coverage that GL should get the same respect.

And Jillian they film in the producers office and the chapel set you are talking about is in an office and the t.v. were already in the office so EW did not go out and purchase those telvisions they had been there since before.

We always start with major news story discussions and then if there is time for each soap we discuss s/l. If there isn't time to discuss s/l I try to get something or quick in like the Bizzie topic where we went around the circle real fast. Some week's a show may not have any major news so we then only discuss s/l related topics. That is what happened with ATWT in this episode.

I would argue that the importance of Grant Aleksander's return far out weighs what is actually going on GL s/l wise as it relates to MB's comment about it being do or die time for the show. Also, we discussed the return of Edmund and how it factors into Shayne's storyline.
 
Those three topics far out weigh anything relating to Beth and Coop or Otalia.

As for respect towards to GL on the podcast. I try to keep the CBS/Days at or around 45 minutes in length. Coverage of any show on any episode each week is dependant on what other, possibly more important news may be happening on the other soaps also discussed in an episode.

The podcast and website is something that all of us do in our free time or while balancing our day jobs. It is obvious that several of you are very passionate about GL and I would encourage you to start your own podcast and website to talk about the things that you believe we and other sites are not giving proper coverage to. 

There are many people who would love to listen to a podcast just about GL. Also if I'm not mistaken GL no longer produces its own podcast so there is definitely a void that could be filled if you don't think we're doing a good enough job here at DC.  Maybe the industry as a whole wouldn't be in the shape it is if more people were stepping up and trying to do something to change it. The more voices the better.

Okay, you want to know what we think about the storylines? Here's my take:

Otalia: Loving it, but after seeing ATWT's shitty way of handling a gay story, I ain't holding my breath for its sister sudser to get it right.

Bill/Lizzie/Cyrus: Hate. Hate. Hate it. It's just another excuse to keep Cyrus and Marina apart because the actors who play Mallet and Marina are together in real life and want to be together on the soap, and that kind of madness has been killing this show for at least the last five years.

Reva/Jeffrey/Edmund/Josh/Shayne/Dinah: Jeff Branson is great, but this is a retread of Jonathan's last big storyline. Reva's angry son losing the love of his life—who we never once hear about, so why should we care?—only this time instead of Alan (one of Reva's past foes) who her son can direct angst to, it's Edmund. I'm sorry, it's like they said, "Well, we can't get Pelphrey back so let's make Shayne all angry, yell a lot and love a dead girl too."

Coop/Beth/Alan: I LOVE Coop and Beth, which of course meant they had to kill him off. Alan is the biggest mustache-twirler on daytime right now. He actually grimaces in scenes. I half expect him to say "I'll get you my pretty" any minute, I feel so sorry for Justin Deas, the greatest actor in soaps, to have to deal with this madness.

I have said over and over the stories have improved, that's from an F to a D, nothing for me to herald and proclaim the show is back and better than ever, i.e Y&R. Improved is all I can muster and I am sorry, that ain't gonna cut it, when the show still looks like crap. If the writing were at a B, maybe I wouldn't notice the weird camera angles and the fact that several of my beloved stars are shot in the most unflattering ways imaginable, but as it is I can't suspend what I see on my screen just to make people happy. Would you rather I lied and said I thought it was great, when I don't?

"Those three topics far out weigh anything relating to Beth and Coop or Otalia."

See I would rather hear about Beth/Coop then Bizzie/ Cryus stuff but that's just me lol, i hate that Coop is leaving ARGGGGGG

"Also if I'm not mistaken GL no longer produces its own podcast "

GL never had a 'official podcast', it just had a audio version of its show put out, a way to keep up with the show.

Anyways If anyone here is going to put on a 'dedicated' GL show or just a podcast in general and would like some tips or anything about getting started I do have some tips:

#1. Make sure the host has a GOOD microphone, the host should always sound the 'best'.

#2. Get multiple people with multiple points of views, If possible you want to have a wide arrangement of people, people that love Otalia, people who hate them, People that think GL is improving, people who don't, People that bring something to the conversation.

#3. Podsafe music! :
You will probably want a opening/closing song for your podcast, something short but catchy, that is where podsafe music comes in, podsafe music is music you can use on your podcast without worrying about being sued by TIIC over at the RIAA because they have nothing better to do.

#4. Audacity/ Skype = the Love that can save your world

As the latest GL theme song tells us only LOVE CAN SAVE THE WORLD, well Audacity is the LOVE for your podcast lol, Audacity is a free, open source podcast editing program.  And along with Audacity is the free online talking program Skype. (google to find links to both)

#5. What is the best way to record???????

There are multiple ways you can record your podcast, one way would be to have everyone record their own audio and send it to you once you finish recording (This would be done via Audacity), another way would be to have everyone on a Skype conversation and by using a third party program (I don't have any suggestions at the moment sorry) record yout Skype conversation.

#6. What to edit out???????

Here is what I edit out when I am editing podcast for people:

The Um's, Hums, uh's, ah's --

While editing you will learn to hear what needs to be edited out. So if I start a conversation saying "Um well my performer of the week is" you may be able to take out the "Um" and possibly the "well" depending on the tone of the voice, I always go back and listen after i have made a change to hear the difference.

Restarted sentences --

Example: 

"Well actually I...um..ah... I don't like the way the story ..." or "I would disa...would disagree" you can edit out the first "I um ah's " and "would disa".

Pauses:

"I would like to talk about ........................................you know.......this weeks scenes..."

You can edit out and save ALOT of time by getting rid of pauses, keep in natural but get rid of a LOT of them.

Pretty much just listen, if things are not sounding right then edit it out and tweak it, the goal in editing is to make the podcast sound like a pro level 'talk radio show'.

You are going against MANY other podcast, and I have to tell you I drop A LOT of podcast due to low quality, I just don't have the time to listen to it, so produce a highquality podcast.

#7. IT IS ALL about the COMMUNITY
make sure to build a COMMUNITY, and involve them, a lot of podcast don't do this, they have a 'podcast' and they think that's it, what they do not understand is a podcast should only be one part of the conversation, it should  be a 'subject starter' the real draw is getting people to discuss the topics you are talking about and get them involved.

"This weeks top 5 was brought to us by forum member ___" or "We would just like to give a shout out to ___ who reminded us about" Or "We had a real debate going in the Blog post for DC #357, with John, Shale, Nathen and Jillian and Mike and everyone and I would just like to say thanks to everyone for contributing and  advice everyone who hasn't yet to check it out and weigh in, also remember to comment on the other episodes in their respective post"

Just do the best that YOU can do, and never, and i mean NEVER think you are the best, You can ALWAYS improve, and ALWAYS do something better, look at well known and well done podcast, TWIT.tv's 'netcast', Cnet's podcast (BOL!!!) Maybe Mugglecast / Pottercast and just look at what they have done and why they are so popular and try and mimic them.

Anyways I am rambling on WAY to much, but if anyone has any questions about podcasting let me know, I would be glad to help and if you can't tell I do kinda like the podcast industry LOL.

(disclaimer: This post was in no way meant to come off as me knocking any podcast, if you run a podcast and do not do any of the things listed that does not mean i think you are a bad podcast, this was only a suggestion on my part and is in no way the thoughts of Daytimeconfidential.com/ Tv Fan Online Inc. or any of its other users or admin, this message was brought to you by Me the proud supporter of Podcast since 2007)

LOL I have NO clue why i decided to add a disclaimer... just kinda did, though I should have added something about "This advice will not protect you from loving crazy soap characters or going on websites and ranting about them, this advice will do the exact opposite and make you pimp out your podcast. If this occurs for more then 3 hours at a time, please walk away from your computer, get a glass of water, drink the glass of water, take a deep breath and return to ranting about how _Insert executive_ is ruining your favorite show"

Jamey if you all did that on the Podcast I would be happy. You are still being real about your view and talking about storylines which I think is what should be on the podcast. I do not agree with any you said but that is not the point. The fact that stories were discussed on a Podcast is what i consider fair coverage of GL.

Luke I am sorry but that is a lame excuse for me not to mention the storylines but now I see your method of thinking and understand now why the stories were not discussed this time on the Podcast.I have heard you all say the same thing about GA that you all would watch and the comments about GL so I think talking about the stories would have been better than the same thing, but that is my view.

You are right about doing somthing instead of complaining about you all. I do not want an entire podcast of GL though I did enjoy the one you guys did.

I do like what you all do which is why I have said somthing, if i did not find you all entertaining I would just stop listening, I guess I am thinking that maybe my comments will be a way to make it better.

Jamey I do want to say that some of the things you say I agree with, I would just rather if I have to hear those comments made about GL that some actual storyline coverage is done on the podcast.

Shale, I respect your opinion and will try to strive to talk more about what is actually happening on our screens. I have to say it is a lot easier to do this about the soaps that are actually doing well onscreen. All soaps have tons of backstage drama, but for soaps like GL and Days where the backstage power plays and kill moves are more dramatic than anything onscreen, it is hard to focus on the storylines, especially when you hate 80 percent of them, but for you guys as listeners, speaking for myself, I will try.

Shale not for nothing but I don't care if someone's mad at me for voicing my opinions. I said it before and I'll say it again, I stopped watching GL YEARS ago because the story lines never captivated me anymore. Why should I lie and rave on a show because others do when I don't feel the same? I spoke once again about the tv's I found it frivolous in a CHURCH not a office when that can go towards something else... Back to the matter at hand, I am not going to hype up a show because some like it and others don't I will give credit when credit is due like I do with Y&R and I do with things on B&B and ATWT and GL. I said I liked Dinah's storyline with Shayne and wanted to see a Reva/Vanessa showdown. That would bring it back to the basics of what their relationship was in the past as a way to integrate the newer characters and people involved in the Lewis/Shane gang. Not everyone's going to like what people have to say and agree with your take on a show, that's how life is. I guess you missed the podcast where we praised EW for trying to save GL by cutting the newbies and trying to re-hire core characters and fan favorites back. We don't set out to bash GL, we give props when its warranted and if not we speak the truth.

Jillian I think you are still missing what I have been saying, I do not care about your view on GL and are free to say whatever you want. I have never seen GL the way you have and do not care if you like it or not, I would like to hear more about your views on the storylines instead of just comments on the backstage.

Again you will feel how you feel, and I do not mind hearing that and I am not mad about you voicing your view, I would just like to hear your view and still be able to hear storyline coverage from the past week.

I never said I cared about what you all said I said I just thought that storyline coverage should be done with GL! I do not want you to hype up GL or any show I want your honest view but if the storylines are not being fully covered like the other shows got on the podcast I see no point in just hearing the same thing.

Shale again YOU must have missed the podcast on when we discussed storylines and not just backstage issues. I've said which storylines I like and which ones I'd like to play out and so on.

Well all I can say is Guiding Light is freaking HOT again...and I love it and can't wait till the next episode. Phillip & Beth are so stellar together and I can't wait to see that chemistry between them tomorrow. I can smell emmy's out of this next year!!!!!!

Shale again YOU must have missed the podcast on when we discussed storylines and not just backstage issues. I've said which storylines I like and which ones I'd like to play out and so on.

*Reminds everyone to take a DEEP BREATH and BREATH lol*

Jillian what I believe Shale is saying is he wants MORE discussion on storylines, yes you slightly discussed it, but instead of hearing talk about Grant's return he would rather see that time spent discussing why you like or dislike actual storylines and going maybe into more detail about them then what Ellen wasted money on this week lol. * I say ditch the t.v's  and save Coop but whatever lol*.

Anyways I think we all understand by now everyone's feelings, the episode is out and what's done is done. My only suggestion would be to just stay tuned to future episodes of DC and more GL discussion in the coming episodes .

I can smell emmy's out of this next year!!!!!!

If only i had any faith in the emmy system LOL, I would love for them to get one, or for half the people that deserve one to get one, but I am not holding my breath lol.