ABC Daytime Issues Lengthier Statement on OLTL's Kish-tastrophe

Good lord the spin. I just love how they are playing up the GLAAD awards, while announcing one of only two gay couples are coming to an end. Yeah, that will go over well ABC! Now, unlike the TVGuide piece, this one says Kish did resonate with the auidience. Okay, then why get rid of them? 

Folks who are leaking info from the network anonymously and otherwise are talking out of both sides of ABC's mouth: Logan's sources say the KISH story DID NOT resonate with the mainstream audience and that Kish seems SOLELY responsible for OLTL's lackluster ratings despite the fact that there were concurrent storylines that took up much more air time than KISH ever did during November Sweeps and December.  

This BS PR release now says otherwise.  Not only that, but by its own admission, ABC is acknowledging that the KISH saga has garnered awards for OLTL.

So, which is it, ABC Daytime?  If this PR statement is to be believed, which I don't, then it makes no sense at all to kill an award-winning story that resonates with the audience.  There is no logic whatsoever to this spin that ABC is trying to create to hide behind the fact that it has caved in to hatred and bigotry.

This is not the same OLTL that dared to tell Carla Gray's story in the 1960s despite opposition from bigots from several areas of this country.  And that is just a damned shame.

I can't comment on any of that, because I haven't heard that, so I guess you will have to ask Nelson about that. My sources say it was fear that the gay storyline was driving viewers away. Ridiculous, short-sighted, panic and fear.
 

This is a pathetically unoriginal excuse.  They are just wasting time until this all blows over.

This is your typical GENERIC statement, which basically SAYS NOTHING, EXPLAINS NOTHING and could have been written by practically any idiot's publicist in less than two minutes!!! They would have been better off saying NOTHING than offering such vague nonsense to their loyal fans!!  I am glad that I have not watched OLTL much, otherwise I would be leading the witch hunt to have Frons burned at the stake!!! LOL!!!!!

If only the networks could be so QUICK and MILITANTLY efficient at ending storylines that fans DON'T want to see, like the Patty/Emily nonsense on Y&R, or that stupid Mendorra storyline with Tina on OLTL in 2008, or ALL the crap that Chuck Pratt wrote during his two year reign of terror at AMC, then we would all be better off!!!!

The only time the networks take any real action seems to be when they want to PISS on our parades!!!!

Don't get me wrong, this is a huge crock for all the Kish fans, but at least Kish will leave the show,  happy, alive, and together thats more than what BAM got, lord knows what Nuke's gonna get. I think the last happy couple was Otalia (I don't really count Breese)

I hope Scott and Brett blow the whistle on those cowards at ABC Daytime.

What bullshit!  Don't believe a damn word they say, people.

They give this kiss-butt, fake statement right after Michael Logan blames gays for the ratings drop and after a "source" tries to blame Brett Claywell or Scott Evans for doing too much partying.

It's all two-faced. This reminds me of the hypocrisy of that short, pointless story about Marcie's gay brother Eric which came at the same time as their big hyped story that said being gay makes you a serial killer.

OLTL has existed for years without these characters and will go on without them but I have no idea what will be showcased.

John/Natalie/Marty....zzzzz

Dani the bratty 8 year old "teenager" who cares, she drains the life out of everyone, just like her father

Kelly is boring and her scenes with Todd are unpleasant

Todd is a pig who has chemistry with no one

Tea is a big voice and a tiny little character who affects no one

Langston's story is trashy

Starr's story is boring

Rex and Gigi are one of the worst couples ever on daytime

Jessica's story is a joke and makes a joke out of her character

This is the ABC/OLTL that FIRED ALL of its black cast, including Ellen Holly who played Carla Grey, because a straight, all-white cast was more acceptable. 

This is what soaps do.  They introduce minority characters, black, Asian, Latino, and, now, gay and then DUMP them. 

There is a huge irony that ATWT, which has been maligned for not giving Luke and Noah much story, stuck with the characters through the bitter end. 

Similarly, GL stuck with Olivia and Natalia to the end. 

P&G and CBS may have been meek with displaying affection but they did NOT fire the actors and flush the characters.

"

This is what soaps do.  They introduce minority characters, black, Asian, Latino, and, now, gay and then DUMP them. "

Usually they aren't quite so in your face. OLTL has had a long history of slowly marginalizing black characters. They did this with the Halls and Grays before dumping them. They did this again with Rachel, Hank, and RJ (with Sheila the first to be dumped), with that group slowly being driven away until only RJ was left, and finally he quit. Then there was the wonderful story of Keri, a black woman, being driven insane by the white and blonde Jessica.

I thought it was going to be more of the same slow slide after Evangeline was gone and Layla remained, but then suddenly, you had Rachel back again, finally, and the Evans family, and Layla in one of her best stories. This didn't seem like token status, this seemed like a step forward.

What happens? They're all dumped. All at once. Except for the worst actor of the lot, Terrell Tilford, whom we are reassured will ONLY be around in a "doctor" role.

How prejudiced, regressive, and downright ugly is the soap world going to get before its finally gone?

If this was Frank Valentini's decision to fire these two wonderful actors who put their hearts and souls into their characters, then his ass should be fired by ABC and the viewers should DEMAND that he be fired.  Who in the hell conducts business like this?   He obviously didn't have the cahonies to look these two wonderful actors in the face and tell them they were being let go, they had to read about it in the press with everyone else.  That's the "thank you" they get for bringing in multiple awards for this show with their wonderful storyline!

I would love nothing more than to pick up my paper tomorrow and see that Frank Valentini is being FIRED for his actions (but don't tell him until it comes out in the press).  I have been a lifetime watcher of OLTL (since it's first airdate) and I am a middle-aged, married female (one of those "mainstream viewers" that supposed DON'T like the Kish storyline).  BULLHOCKEY!   This was one of the best love stories I have ever seen on any daytime soap opera.  It wasn't the writing that made the storyline so good, it was the wonderful performances of two phenominal young actors that totally sold it to viewers.

When Kish is gone, I will no longer be a OLTL viewer (especially considering the way these two young actors have been treated in all this mess).

Furthermore, I will no longer watch ANY shows airing on the ABC network anymore (the network that has always been my favorite up until now).  If ABC allows business to be conducted this way, then I want no part of it.  They obviously don't give a damn what viewers want to see, nor do they care about the actors that have worked so hard for their network and shows to give us such wonderful stories.  So, in turn, I will no longer give a damn about them either.  The ABC network and its daytime and primetime shows will no longer be part of my TV once Kish has made their last appearance.

Shame on you ABC Disney!   And Mr. Valentini, you are total disgrace to humankind!

 I'm only speaking for myself here, as not only a gay male but a person of color and someone that has watched OLTL for much of my life--

I'm more irritated that Rachel is leaving. 
I'm more irritated that Lindsay was written into a corner and written off.
I'm more irritated that Mitch is back and acting like Boris from the Rocky & Bullwinkle show.
I'm more irritated that Blair's interest in Todd flip-flops in order to move stories forward.
I'm more irritated that this show is too chickenshit to recast Evangeline.
and so on and so on.

I've been watching OLTL long before "Kish" happened. I think the actors and the characters are great and they're a delight to watch, but my concern and interest usually falls on the side of legacy characters with roots in Llanview. It's disappointing that Kyle and Fish (among others) are being written off, but I'd much rather they get a happy ending than meander about on the canvas and fall into some of the same undignified, plot-driven storytelling that Blair has fallen into. OLTL's first mistake in their gay storyline was by not bringing back CJ Roberts and making him a part of the couple. I suspect making the character part of a prominent Llanview family would've at least bought him some time on the show.

But no, they made Kyle Rebecca's brother, and to what end? What's the usefulness in this? Also, it needs to be pointed out that the writing for both Kyle and Fish has been most inconsistent. Kyle was a scheming, lying opportunist but as soon as we learned he had a thing with Oliver he became saintly. They didn't need to sterilize his character in order to make him part of a viable couple. Villains are part of some of the best couples in daytime. 

And don't even get me started on Fish who, at the convenience of the writers, was only sleeping with females because he was "struggling with his sexuality." Ok. If that aspect of the story was written with more foresight into this character's direction, the execution would've been more believable. 

I like Scott Clifton but Schuyler has overstayed his welcome. The entire Evans family, including Destiny, is a misfire because most of them can't act. Get rid of them and re-populate Llanview with Gannons. Carlivati is seriously showing his hand and his preference when it comes to the writing on this show. There is absolutely no reason why there's not a viable Black couple on OLTL in addition to a gay one. Simply having people on canvas is pointless if they are not in passionate relationships and have engaging storylines with consistent writing and capable actors.

Or, Carlavati could have done something TRULY groundbreaking and wrote a gay Black male character. Perhaps then I could relate from a social perspective and not just as a fan.

The only thing pulling down OLTL's ratings are the poorly acted and poorly written Stacy/Gig/Rex story, Mitch trying to rape his own daughter, Dorian throwing a fake gay wedding and as mayor never once attending a meeting, going into the office or doing any other mayoral type duty other than firing Bo to hire a convicted kidnapper, drug pusher and murderer to be chief of police.  And then there's the stupid teenage nonsense going on as well as Jessica reverting into a spoiled rotten, snotty teenager herself.  Who the heck wants to watch any of this?  Then there's the interesting storylines where they're firing the actors and writing their stories off the air.  That's why OLTL is always last in the ratings. 

For me personally I don't know which is worse these days, OLTL or AMC.  They're both in the race for worst soap on the air. 
  

 
I have to tell you all, I have some strong points agreement with nOva.  Not everything, but, I can follow your thinking.  

Some things to consider.  Everyone hated Stacy.  Everyone complained.  Hate was the watch word for Stacy.  Then she is given the pink slip and everyone is crying the blues.  Now  we have Fish and Kyle, or we don't have them in actuality, but never the less, their time is up.  Say a fond good bye and move on, they will.  Two okay actors had a good run and will, if they can, find work elsewhere.  You know, we are only along for the ride.  We do not control the actors or the writing.  Some stories are great, some mediocre and others are flops.  It is part of the soap opera roller coaster.  Tomorrow a story will intrigue you and in a year another one will be your favorite.  Things change, change can be good.  

I was never overly wound up about Fish.  He started as a geek, never improved that much in my mind, and I wish him well.   Kyle was a rat to start off, but I rather liked his changed self, he seemed warmer than Fish.  I do think they missed an opportunity to do a story with some comic relief with these two.  My favorite characters have a real sense of humor and comedy, that is what I like.  Perhaps you like more drama, to each his own.  

I recall a lot of very happy people when Mitch was being touted as coming back.  I was not one of them.  So many come back and never reclaim that wonderful shinning moment in time that made them and their story line excel.  

We have core characters that stay with us, we love them or love to hate them, they work.  Other get a whiff of fame and glory and try their hand at new options.  Take Tina.  She was a bore to me when she returned.  Her time had gone by.  Could Roger H come back and play Todd to our delight or would he be destined to fail because of circumstances?  I rather liked Marty on her original run, but she has suffered this time around.  The magic is hard to recapture.  

We need new characters to interact with the old ones, but right now, I would rather watch fewer actors with better writing.  there is just too much going on to make any one story great.  

Give me a payoff for Rex, Roxy and Beau.  Quit stretching the reality of what I have watched for all these years.  Clean up the mess of story lines.  Quit baiting and switching on me.  

Give me the next Karen Woulek, a character that made me cry for her, an actor who can act and make me feel it.  The story will grow if they carefully cast and write for the actors that have heart and talent.  Please, do not bring Karen back, her time has passed.  Geve me a Jonathan Jackson that can make me feel and care for him.  

Keep the  characters true to the character that they were meant to play.  IE Starr, love her as a brat, because she can act it, but she is boring as Miss Sally Sunshine.  I can feel for bratty Star, but Dani is not making me feel it.  Todd with Roger H. made me love him.  With all his evil ways, he brought out that soft side of Todd with a heart for CJ and his sister.  Remember back then when he hid in the gardeners shed?  He played with those kids and showed his heart.  He made Todd endearing.  Could he do a Jonathan Jackson comeback and redeem Todd again  ... I am not sure.  But, while we may dislike certain characters and their departure, it does move things forward and gives up the opportunity to come to know new ones that we can really appreciate.  Marco Dane, Karen, Asa, Vinny Woulek, Luna Moody, Max Holden, so many.  

Let's all move forward and appreciate the new actors that will come our way, you just never know who will come along and entertain us, the next Meg Ryan or Tom Berenger, Kathy Bates and on and on.  

If you hate OLTL, quit watching, I did it in 1982 to Ryan's Hope.  Or ... sit back and see what happens next.  You do not get to write or cast the show.  You have no control.  

Chill out! Calm down.  I have watched OLTL since the start.  Few characters remain forever, more often than not OLTL in my opinion comes through and gets me interested in what is going on.  A few weeks ago the talk was how great the show was, it still is, If they are going to give me a gay couple, male or female, (I am straight and only know a few gay people) give me a story that will grab me and actors that can engage my interest.  I was just not vested in Fish and Kyle.  Educate me, make me love them, make me feel for them.  Actors and writing, that is the magic.

"OLTL's first mistake in their gay storyline was by not bringing back CJ Roberts and making him a part of the couple. I suspect making the character part of a prominent Llanview family would've at least bought him some time on the show."

Why would this have been any more successful for CJ than it was for Sarah, who failed twice? None of CJ's close relatives are on the show. Jessica and Natalie only have stories about men and mental problems so they wouldn't interact with him. Clint probably wouldn't get involved. Todd is too emotionally dead to have interesting scenes with anyone.

Every single time they have brought in a member of the Buchanan or Lord family since 2002 or 2003, they have flopped. "Flash" Sarah/blonde Sarah, Duke, BMH's version of Joey. The way Kevin has been banished, I guess we should also include him.

No interesting male characters are allowed. It's only Rex, John, and Todd.

"You know, we are only along for the ride.  We do not control the actors or the writing.  Some stories are great, some mediocre and others are flops.  It is part of the soap opera roller coaster.  Tomorrow a story will intrigue you and in a year another one will be your favorite.  Things change, change can be good.  "

That used to be true. I don't believe it's true now. Now there are VERY strict rules. Those rules seem to say that you only get a story if you are a dumb teen, or if you revolve around Rex, John, or Todd, or if you are a psycopath. Everyone else has been fired, and every other story which is not about this over the past few years has been ended very abruptly. Even relationships I thought were popular, like Jessica/Brody, were shut down. There is no longer a reason to invest because it's not about what the audience wants. If we like something that we're not supposed to like, then it's deemed some kind of threat. Just look at how swiftly they destroyed Ross's character because enough people weren't interested in Todd/Tea and their brat.

Nova,

I agree with you. I have a faithful viewer for over 25 years. I care more about the legacy characters.

I said this before, I hate to see both actors let go, but the ratings speaks for itself and I prefer they save the show and not sacrifice it for a storyline.

The Rachel Gannon phased out irritated me more also.
,
The way Jamey Giddens is going on about this , one would think that it was him that was fired. There have been other gay characters on soaps and I am sure oLTL will continue at some point to show diversity. But it has to survive 1st

Someone posted, they should've been tied to a main character as a family member. i agree with that. That way the older less tolerant audience would've had a easier time digesting it.

 @Carol2:
 
God point. There's no way to know if the character of CJ would've worked storywise, but he might've been more significant to the canvas if he were a relation. Additionally, there would've been more opportunity for story there, if the Buchs were involved. 
 
I think the reason Sarah didn't work is because they never settled on a characterization of her that made sense. It's always been my belief that if Tina had an adult daughter, she'd be Natalie. But that prototype was used to give Viki another daughter and that was the end of that. They never figured out a way to make Sarah interesting or give her character any gravity.
 
However, imagine a character not only being a Buchanon, but also Tina's child and also a  gay male? There's a LOT of story to tell there and opportunity to cultivate an interesting character we could care about. 

As a sidenote, imagine also if there was a third Evans brother that was gay and he was used as a spoiler for Kish as opposed to Nick. That might've been interesting as well.

"However, imagine a character not only being a Buchanon, but also Tina's child and also a  gay male? There's a LOT of story to tell there and opportunity to cultivate an interesting character we could care about. 

As a sidenote, imagine also if there was a third Evans brother that was gay and he was used as a spoiler for Kish as opposed to Nick. That might've been interesting as well."

I think the idea of Tina having a gay son and the Buchanans dealing with a gay man in the family would have been interesting, but not with the current state of that family. They are very emotionally cut off, and most of them barely have relationships now, so they barely feel like a family to me these days. The closest we got to this type of drive was the contrivance of the whole family suddenly seeing David as pure evil. I was happy when I thought Matthew was going to become manipulative and bitter like Asa, but that went out the window so he could show up a few times a month to tell Danielle how wonderful she is and how great Todd is. I would have used that rewrite of David not being the heir to Asa and instead had the heir turn out to be a gay man, either that or a man who had a complicated relationship with his gay son. That might have shaken up the family, added new dynamics. As it is now, these people are so damn passive, they don't care when a monster like Mitch Laurence runs roughshod over their family. Then again, if ABC sees gays as worse than killers and psychos, maybe the Bukes would too.

A third Evans brother would have been great drama (more than the conflict between Shaun and Greg, which never had a chance to get off the ground), although I think Nick might have been too, with better buildup. He was in love with Kyle fast, they got together fast, etc. The pacing on the show now misses all the beats.

Stacey had some good moments between the Ho's and the Mo's... Stacy wasn't the problem. The problem was the writing of the Stacey character, like most other characters on OLTL. They never use their actors to their potential because of their bad writing.

Anyway, I only started watching OLTL because of Kish and when it goes off, so will I. I don't believe we yet are being told the truth but hopefully we can put enough pressure on them to change their minds. If enough people tune out they may revisit their decision.

I bet Patricia Mauceri is LOVING this.

Nova... look at the ratings before Kish and during Kish and then now.  It's a smokescreen. The whole ratings excuse isn't true.

 At the end of the day, OLTL's ratings are low.  I have a feeling this decision wasn't that of the EP and HW. Clearly, someone in a big chair thinks the ratings are linked to Kish  I do wish the characters would remain on the canvas and involved in story.  It will be interesting to watch the ratings of the soap once the story does wrap up.  I am guessing there is a new vision for OLTL.  Will it be more of the younger set (Starr, Cole, Langston, etc)?  Will we see more interaction between Viki and Dorian?  Or will old favorites, like Kevin and Cassie, return full time?  

Fantastic, thoughtful, provocative posts here.  I'd have to agree w/the poster who said it's HARD TO INVEST, when even seemingly top couples like Jody are being dismantled, a popular couple is fired, Tea has been backburned when she was just the LEAD in the show a few months ago, etc etc. I'm going to try to be patient, but i just get a feeling something else is going on here that we're aware of. I have loved Gina T. coming back, but it seems like heads are rolling as a result. WHY OH WHY are we having a Blair/Todd/Kelly story shoved in our faces?  I see ZERO chemistry w/Gina and TSJ. Now rumors abound and my stomach is a mess! I'm going to hang in there, but i get a bad feeling.

I'm lucky to have Jamey voicing my anger and frustration w/the show right now.  I appreciate all the journalists trying to get to the bottom of this and will keep watching and reading, w/cautious optimism. Many of these posters here remind me that this show -- like any show -- can hit or miss.  I'm willing to see what Ron and Frank do next, i'm not ready to hang those 2 out to dry yet.  But i SURE HOPE those two are not blaming gays OR blacks for the low ratings.  I was SO PROUD to be a viewer of this show, and hope it doesn't let me down.

Dax, Luke and I were just saying the SAME thing last on the phone. Five will get you ten Patricia Mauceri thinks God had a hand in this. Help us all, Lord.

 @md1347, I actually don't buy the ratings excuse either. My argument comes from the fact that I can't be as outraged about Kish leaving when they were mishandled from the beginning and there's so much else wrong with the show. I mean, GLAAD can get involved for the sake of Kish but what group is going to lament the state of the rest of OLTL?

WISHFUL CASTING TIME!!!!!!!!

Since CBS / Y&R has gotten so good at fixing ABC's mistakes.....bring Brett Claywell on as a SORASED Kyle Abbott, and Scott Evans as a SORASED Noah Newman.  Both are a little old for the part, but what the heck, we've got a 30year old Abby Newman overnight, (and I'm delighted to see Marcy Rylan coming) so, who cares if Adam and Sharon's baby boy is now in his twenties?

So...Kyle and Noah fall in love.....how GREAT would it be to see TGVN's grandson and Jack's son hitting the sheets?!  Not only could we amp the rivalry up (cause who's bored with that, right?)....but we could see Nikki being supportive of her grandson while the moustache comes to grips.  Also, let's bring Tracey back to be the sounding board for her young nephew (I miss her so much).....Much like Bianca from AMC, we can see what a difference it makes to have LGBT characters as part of LEGACY families! (don't just muck it up like GH...anybody remember Lucas Jones?)

While we're at it, Noah could really prove to be his father's son, and not be able to keep it in his pants.  BOOM!.....now we have a love triangle with Noah, Kyle, and Rafe...

For a bonus, keep Vail Bloom on as Heather and have Eden Reigel become Eden Baldwin instead, finally make this character interesting, as she deals with her 1st love actually being gay...then she can turn to Billy Abbott to help reaffirm her sexual prowess. He'll oblige, of course, and that puts her right smack into Chloe's  (Elizabeth Hendrickson's) orbit!

How to pay for these new hires?  GOODBYE Daisy, Ryder, Jeffrey, Gloria, Cane, Chance, Mac......

KISH fans should show our power, let's pick a date NOT to watch the show and pick another program to watch at that time, for instance ATWT, and let everyone pay attention to the ratings at the set time. That is the language ABC speaks, right? Let's do a directed BOYCOTT!!!!!!

Freerhythm-----

I think that Scott Evans is a little bit too old to CONVINCINGLY play Sharon Case's son!!! That woman has aged pretty well. Also, he looks more like someone that Joshua Morrow would go drinking with than his son! LOL!!

Marcy Rylan is far more convincing as Ashley's daughter because she actually LOOKS like she could be Eileen Davidson's daughter.

I actually like that chick who plays Eden, whoever she is. The character is annoying as HELL, but she is a good actress.

HURRAH to getting rid of Daisy and Ryder!! I also feel that Jeffrey and Gloria are dead weight, but I enjoy Judith Chapman, and I am sure the whole cast loves her, so she ain't going nowhere.

I also love John Driscoll as Chance, and I am a BIG Chance/Chloe fan, so I don't want him to go anywhere.

They could fund this by CHANGING THEIR MINDS about this stupid "Lauren doppleganger" storyline!!! The extra money that they are gonna have to pay Tracey Bregman doesn't seem to be worth it unless they can manage to turn this into a KICK ASS storyline. I have my fingers crossed, but not sure.....

I say, they should get rid of Stacy Haiduk (Patty/Emily), Daisy, Ryder, Jana, Amber, Cane and Malcolm!!! That would free up plenty of space and money. Also, they should then get rid of JT and recast Mac with a DECENT actress. All of these characters listed above are nothing but DEAD WEIGHT!!
The Rafe character also seems to be misplaced. I was hoping they would keep Thom Bierdz and put his character, Phillip, in a relationship with Rafe, but that story would probably go the same way as the KISH story on OLTL is going.....(let's not go there again!!!)

Amber should go back to B&B!! She seems out of place in Genoa City.

Looks like the network is covering it's ass. Imagine bringing up the GLAAD awards, wich they never seemed to care much about before. Yes, OLTL is good at writing stories for characters that come for only a short stint, but that's usually because the *actors* have other things to do and don't want to stay on too long.
And I highly doubt that Kish's story was done and that the writers were reading to move on. Frank and Ron have worked very hard at building a decent romantic storyline for this couple and they've become wildy popular.  This is a slap in the face to all the diehard fans who's favourite couple is KISh, not to mention to the writers themselves.