Wasn't there spouse to be some kind of soap summit on ways to fix the soaps? I think they should be on a show like Oprah should have a show were all soap producers should come together a discuss the problems with soaps and have a live chat or something with the fans.

http://www.oprah.com/contact_us.html

I don't understand the CONSTANT criticism that GH gets about "running out of creative ideas." or "telling the same stories again and again"!! ALL the soaps have run out of creative ideas, and they all seem to do nothing but recycle the same stories, romances, and twists time and time again. It seems that lately when the soaps do "push the envelope," it's in the form of contrived, implausible, unrelatable GARBAGE!! Of course, I'm talking about Y&R's decision to go where no soap has gone before------TWO dopplegangers on the canvas at the same time!!! The last writer on daytime television--in recent history-- who knew how to "go where no one has gone before" successfully was James E. Reilly (may he rest in peace!!).

Let's just keep it real---ALL the soaps do nothing but beg, borrow, steal,lather, rinse and repeat stories!!!

Oh, and I agree-----Vanessa Marcil needs to either finish her business or get off the pot!! Either rehire the woman or don't!! These rumors are maddening. Same with Genie Francis!! This kind of publicity doesn't make people wanna watch GH!! It's annoying and maddening!!! Please stop it!!!

Henry007--

I agree that all the writers and producers, along with AGNES NIXON (who was the queen of daytime television LONG before Susan Lucci ever came along) should get together, share ideas, and generate some new concepts. Agnes could lead the discussion, since she has more experience than Dena Higley, Bob Guza, Maria Bell and the rest of the writers, probably combined, and they should just talk about what's working and what's not working!! Oprah could host it, and I am sure it would be a great idea, especially if the audiences are allowed to give their input!!!

The problem with that, and the reason why it'll never happen is this little thing called PRIDE. Most writers have far too much pride to admit that they need help!! Sometimes, you have to reach out to other people and ask for assistance, but these writers would rather be in charge of their own sinking ships and drive themselves into the unemployment line.

The only solution would be to simply fire the current headwriters who aren't working and hire ones that WILL work, but I don't see that happening---at least not until it's too late!!!!

The current crop of writers either do not know or have forgotten how to get us to care about the new characters they introduce. On Y & R, it’s hard to really feel bad for Emily because we really never got to know much about her. Tucker not only had a change of portrayer, but apparently a complete personality transplant, as did Bianca (or Heather…whatever!) ATWT, in its final days, brings on a complete set of Ciccones who mean zero to us, the few remaining fans of this dying show.…In short, we seem to have writers who seem to be no good at doing what kept my mother, aunts, and even high school classmates, addicted to what Bill Bell, Agnes Nixon, and Douglas Marland did: Their writing made their audiences bond with the characters.

I totally agree.

Although you did forget one thing:  the addition of characters that make you want to throw things at your TV like Steffy Forrester on B&B, Daisy Carter/Smythe/Fischer (or whatever the last name she goes by is) on Y&R, Robert "I'm too busy getting busy to go out and buy a shirt to wear' 'Ford on OLTL and Lisa "why did they bring this character on when they easily could have adapted her lines for Jason Cook and leave Scrubs alone" Niles on GH.  I don't watch AMC, ATWT or DAYS, but as you mentioned and from what I've seen in others' comments here on DC, I believe there are equally interest-killer caliber characters that have been brought on to those shows as well.

It's as though the shows were being written by former publicists who believe that there's no such thing as bad press--it only matters that you're getting talked about.  Well, maybe these folks should ask post-Kish OLTL how that's working for them, ratings-wise.