Bernard's "World" View: In Defense of Christopher Goutman

I am sorry but no.......Chris Goutman, Jean Passanante, and Leah Laiman have no business helming any further shows.

Another World and now ATWT have died on their watch.
Stop the madness and the hackery!

Had I been on this show's creative team I would have:

NOT made Janet and her family such a major deal in the last months

NOT wasted time on Craig's new son

brought back Andy Dixon, Penny Hughes, Iva Snyder for guest spots

shown Lisa, Emma, and Susan in the last 2 weeks

not sacrificed Reid for a "legacy character" who is a recast who has been on the scene for less than a year

given Luke a happy ending with Reid since he and Noah were ruined (Let's face it...Luke's love story with Noah was the best story ATWT has had in the last few years when they were not dealing with Ameera, blindness, paralysis, Colonel Mayer, and a whole bunch of other slop that passed as "story".)

allowed Martha Byrne back and told Goutman to shove it and get over himself.
Give the audience what they want.
Obviously, Goutman doesn't know that.

I wanted to see Irna Phillips version not The goof Goutman show.

Ryan-Scott you took the words right out of my mouth. His ego & Passante's got the better of them & they didn't want to listen to what the fans wanted & the did what they want & now that there's backlash they're trying to backpeddle. They focused on too many non-important people like Janet & her whole off-shoot of family, Chris Hughes while Bob & Kim's son, was never greatly written & they never could keep a decent actor to flesh him out to make him worth rooting for. I liked Daniel Cosgrove who was the last one but he had no chemistry with Terri as Katie & that romance was forced & not natural at all.
Not bringing Martha back was CG's biggest mistake to date, he should of been fired & let her run the show the last year, we would of had a better show with better endings for everybody.
I hope nobody hires them again, i know JP is at OLTL, hopefully they won't fold, but with her there, i don't hold out hope. Any show that hires CG is a fool for doing it.

FIRST OF ALL TO MENTION GOUTMAN OR PASSANANTE IN THE SAME BREATH AS DOUG MARLAND IS BLASPHEMY AND ACTUALLY ILLEGAL IN SEVERAL STATES.TO PUT IT SIMPLY..DOUG MARLANDS STORIES WERE WELL WRITTEN AND MADE SENSE.PASSANANTE IS VIRTUALLY A ONE WORD PLAGUE IN DAYTIME.SECONDLY, MARLAND EITHER WROTE MASTERFUL STORIES AROUND CORE CHARACTERS OR CREATED NEW CHARACTERS THAT WERE ACTUALLY LIKABLE.JANET IS PRETTY MUCH THE MOST LOATHESOME CHARACTER IN DAYTIME.THE VERDICT IS UNANIMOUS...THOUGH JULIE PINSON IS AN INCREDIBLE ACTRESS,THE AUDIENCE DESPISED THE CHARACTER OF JANET.GOUTMAN AND PASSANANTE DID VIRTUALLY NOTHING RIGHT.THEY BUILT HUGE STORIES AROUND CHARACTERS PEOPLE EITHER DIDN'T LIKE OR HAD NO INTERSET IN WATCHING.DOUG MARLAND MUST BE SPINNING!!!!!

Wrath, successfully and — predictably — incurred. And if you hated what I've said above, you will positively detest what's about to come in part 3. LOL

I agree with Ryan-Scott's post.

On a related note -

What's wrong with ATWT ending on a Happy note? I watched the last couple of weeks and have enjoyed the performances of most of the actors. But for the life of me, I don't understand killing off Reid. I thought GL was cowardly for not allowing Otalia to kiss ! Heck, at least they had a happy ending! I enjoyed their storyline and I am grateful they weren't killed off in order to save Rafe.

I really enjoyed what GL did as their farewell to fans (for the most part). At least they didn't KILL OFF Olivia or Natalia.
Alan Spaulding bit the dust and deservedly so for the dastardly deeds he had been doing (under Killer Kreitzman's watch).

I may not agree with Part 3 but I look forward to reading it Bernard.

I don't know how long Bernard and others on here have watched ATWT but I've watched since 1991.....Lily was Heather Rattray, Andy Dixon worked at the Yacht Club every summer as host, Angel and the incest storyline were front-burner, Courtney was bulimic, Barbara was pg with her brother-in-law's baby, Tonio Reyes had shot Bob and everyone and their mother was going to Lynn Michaels for therapy. Well, Andy was seeing Dr. Matthews for his therapy but that's beside the point.

I have very strong views on this show I gave 19 years to.

You know...Im actually getting tired of hearing ATWT's praise and GL's mocking I honestly think GL's lead up to the finale was better than ATWT especially since they didnt have as much time. Yes the production was spotty but that doesn't mean the show should of been canceled.

I might be taking it personally because GL was my favorite soap but to hear other soap fans and journalist say "well it was time mostly due to the production values" I get angry GL was starting to turn itself around they were getting 1.7s (which by todays soaps standards isnt bad) and they had the bad production values so they must of been doing something right.

I agree Katie.

I already KNOW I am going to think GL ended on a better note.
(with the exception of Jeffery being out there...somewhere...)

In its last year, GL gave Killer Kriezman 3 other head-writers so the show did improve.
Also, an improvement was the direction. The jumpy camera and shots of people up their nose had gone away.

Thanks Ryan-Scott

I just get tired of hearing about how bad GL was in the end when really it had gotten much better than when it started the new filming. Philip had returned Otalia didnt die (but didnt kiss)and we had many wonderful returns. ATWT could of worked a little harder to get some of their famous vets back instead Goutman focused on his characters and ego its not bad by any means but it could of been so much better.

Technically, I've been watching As the World Turns  off and on since Lisa's son Chuckie was killed which would be about 1973 (when I was all of 8 years old) , but gradually but steadily increased to "full time" 1983 when Steve/Betsy/Craig were at the height of their popularity and James lured Barbara in the bullring in Spain to kill her.

So, depending on how you count it,  37 years or 27 years.

Oh my, I was waiting for your punchline that never came. I would be fine with the DESERVING Hugheses getting happy endings but not at the expense of other characters. And especially NOT Chris Hughes. He has been never been redeemed on the show I'VE been watching for 10 years. Does anyone remember what he did to Allison the last time he was in town, for example? He was not worth being recast or even saved in the end, just because his last name was Hughes. I would have much rather seen a storyline with Lisa.

It is truly baffling that the horrid & very creepy Gabriel, equally detestable & leech-like Liberty, the soul-sucking Red Menace Janet, and indefensible moron/slut Allison would all get new & pleasant beginnings over characters that - oh, I don't know - evolved & made us cheer for them. For instance, why is Luke miserable? Why is Reid dead?

I have to strongly disagree that Goutman had some Grand Plan for the show that we, the so-called short-sighted viewers, simply cannot appreciate. That would give him too much credit. Let's call a spade a spade here. Goutman is the one that got stuck on his personal preferences for certain characters and that's who he wrote for. Everyone else he wrote for when he needed some filler for The Janet Ciccone Show. This is all so obvious when you consider the incredibly poor, mismatched & downright unprofessional editing of the shows just last week.

You can put lipstick on a pig and call it Monique, but it's still a pig. Goutman failed. That is all.

Barbara in the bull ring! I have seen pictures but have never seen it.
Wish I had.

I have to strongly disagree that Goutman had some Grand Plan for the show that we, the so-called short-sighted viewers, simply cannot appreciate. That would give him too much credit. 

I never said that Goutman did, although, yes, many viewers — though certainly not all — are short-sighted these days in the ways I laid out above and maybe others (which I will touch upon next time).  [I know I'm not supposed to say that out loud, difficult as that truth may be.]

Taking the show out with several story lines that propels various groups of characters en masse toward a series' and new post-broadcast character arcs and conclusions is not the same thing as having a "Grand Plan" for the show as a whole, with the specific exception of said conclusion. Perhaps you should re-read what I actually wrote.

But I shall save the best for the last part and cease getting into more arguments and debates here. LOL

Douglas Marland must be rolling over in his grave over the chaos that it ATWT in the bitter last days. The Marland years were a beautiful time in soap history and to compare CG & JP to his genius is appalling. The lack of continuity, inconsistant writing, choppy editing, boring & unemotional storylines and characters that no one cares about are the legacy of Goutman's reign at ATWT. Not to mention the letting go and not allowing the return of Martha. Major mistakes.
The addition of too many uninteresting new characters when they should have focused on established core characters at the end was completely disrespectful to the show and fans. If they wanted to add characters so badly why not bring back more old favorites, not just John Dixon. That would have honored the show's past and returned characters that the fans actually cared about.
The one truly intriguing new character (who made so many fans reinvest in the show) was sacrificed for the happiness of a character that has no emotional tie to the fans.
The show is ending and never coming back so why not give everyone a happy ending and let the fans be content. No, they end the show with so many of the fans angry and disheartened. With the way our once beautiful show has been destroyed I am happy the show is at an end.

GL's last days ended on Alan, Phillip, Beth, Vanessa, Billy, Reva, Buzz, Lillian, among others.

ATWT's last days have been about Dusty, Janet, her recently recast daughter, Craig's son who has been around for about five months, and not a lot else. I can't believe how much of the last week has been about this woman and her latest out of wedlock child.

Amen Carol2 ! ! !

"GL's last days ended on Alan, Phillip, Beth, Vanessa, Billy, Reva, Buzz, Lillian, among others.

ATWT's last days have been about Dusty, Janet, her recently recast daughter, Craig's son who has been around for about five months, and not a lot else. I can't believe how much of the last week has been about this woman and her latest out of wedlock child."

I really enjoyed the emphasis that GL put on the show's beloved characters toward the very end. I loved seeing Nola Reardon Chamberlain and Bridget Reardon, even if it was all too brief.

I really did enjoy GL's last week of shows.

In regards to your article title, it is just as predictable and provoking enough if you were looking to Irked fans who disagrees with every decision Chris Goutman and Jean Passanante made for these story lines.

Many of the fans of the show, have been watching it for a long time, generations through this show, to say we focusing on the day-to-day scene and not the long run is rather insulting to the majority.

It is not the day -to -day basis the fans of the characters are upset about or focused on, it is because WE KNOW these characters and over the years to see them being TORN DOWN and DISMANTLED with gimmicks and foolish plots had rather tarnish the characters than uplift them in the viewer's eyes as Marland's list stated - " Don't change a core character. You can certainly give them edges they didn't have before, or give them a logical reason to change their behavior. But when the audience says, "He would never do that," then you have FAILED."

It is not about what's "right" as you say but more of what's necessary to tell a story, intrigue people, not leave them in confusion about the characters decisions. I can argue with the use of twitter, facebook, other social media have not hurt but has help spread the word more and unite people who love these soaps and broaden their aspects as to what is going on and help save them.

Marland's list stated
" Read the fan mail. The very characters that are not thrilling to you may be the audience's favorites." You go on about tying up loose end with the characters. Although they(Chris Goutman) could be commended for keeping the show going this long, since if there is nothing worth they could write about in the first place then yes, it is commendable. A lot of people have lost interest in the show and it is not the characters for they are at the WRITER'S mercy as it is there jobs to keep people wanting more not the opposite. Since you did not mention Luke(Van Hansis) as a main character in the show, it is necessary without a doubt that the ending and the roller coaster this character have been on is rather very tragic to watch. You can arguable say, it's just one of the "predictable" as you say "gay stereotypes" as it seem you were aiming to provoke than share your thoughts. Besides being a character on the show Luke's character is iconic in it's representation of the LGBT community and historic. Also since this was another reason for his ending (his lover Reid dying) have left us angry and frustrated. Yes, you can argue they created for Luke to be gay but again, what's "right" for this show, in the end come off as being stereotypical within itself, is this possible? to "tie up loose ends" and still end up doing nothing at the end. I can say those loose ends still have me at a lost since it was a blur of ride in which these characters have taken have only to left me and for the response from the viewer's un-touch if it was not for the actors brilliant acting.

" that fans want are not always what’s in the best interest of a show?" Then who's interest should it be? Soaps are made and have been invested for the AUDIENCE pleasure. Marland's stated from his list " Be objective. When I came in to ATWT, the first thing I said was, what is pleasing the audience? You have to put your own personal likes and dislikes aside and develop the characters that the audience wants to see." should I continue?

It is not recently the fans of the show have been upset and wanting more than boring story lines that seem to be caught in a time loop of nonsensical things but more compelling "Good soap opera is good storytelling. It's very simple. "

Characters who returned in GL's last weeks were Holly, Ed, Nola, Bridget, Dylan, Jonathan, Michelle, Danny, Fletcher. Some did not have the returns they might have deserved but at least we got to see them one last time and knew they were happy.

ATWT's finale has had...John Dixon, which is fantastic and I'm grateful, but what else? Iris? A Sierra I never completely got used to, and yet another pointless Lucy. Will and Gwen standing around.

Unfortunately ATWT's lack of returns just reinforces how bad many of Goutman's favorites are. Then again when Katie is the center of Nancy's memorial episode what can you expect.

Bernie darling I really do not know where to begin. I've read your pretentious reviews & commentaries in the past. Sometimes I've actually found myself agreeing with what you have had to say, sometimes not. Your latest, applauding the talent & brilliant executive producer leadership of Christopher Goutman, was just a tad overstated. No, not a tad. Let's be honest, shall we? Grossly overstated!

Perhaps I've missed something in the past by accident, perhaps I just overlooked it. Tell me, what exactly are your credentials other than being like the rest of us a fan of daytime drama? Because other than DC & Twitter, I can't seem to find anything else about you. Are you a frustrated writer? Performer? Even when I have agreed with some of your basic opinions and views on the world of daytime drama, I've actually gritted my teeth at times with your style of writing & over-the-top adjectives ("the divine", "the mesmerizing", etc., etc.). Perhaps a night school course in "Becoming a Critic 101" is in order and would give you a fresh perspective? I don't think THE NEW YORK TIMES will be hiring any time soon.

What is even more amazing is your less than attractive cockiness in the responses to your latest commentary. Let's just have one more "LOL", shall we? It seems to me you are actually enjoying irritating fellow viewers and fans & yes it is true, perhaps you will have "the last hurrah" through your column out here with your opinions and thoughts but I am afraid dear Bernie that you, darling, are in the vast minority of viewers of AS THE WORLD TURNS who would agree with you on this last hurrah of applause to the absolutely abysmal Christopher Goutman.

Perhaps you & he could work together some day. I think it's safe say that you both are just about equal in talent.

And in your honor Bernie darling: "LOL".

ATWT has been very watchable for the past several weeks. Whereas we all have our own ideas, good and bad, about how we would run the show, I think we don't understand all the complexities it takes to do that. There are network brass watching over every move; the sponsor (P&G) controlling the budget, and others all who have great input on the show. Chris Goutman may, in most people's minds, be the boss but, simply put, he is not. He gets the credit for running the show but his is one of many voices. The head writer actually has the power to dictate story but that, also, is controlled by budget and union concerns. The writers can get fired but then they have to get paid out for the remainder on the contract. In her day, Irna Phillips wore the crown and had the power to call the shots but those days are long gone.
I would have liked to see several former vets return for a last glimpse but there simply may not have been money for that. John Dixon's return was wonderful -- and I'm sure Larry Bryggman cost big money -- but he actually drove story in ATWT's final weeks. Ellen Stewart, who I would have liked to see, would have had no story to drive. I think Chris Goutman has done a good job running ATWT and, I'm sure, we'll see his name pop up on another soap very soon.

This would be like trying to defend Chuck Pratt...lol So I'll keep it simple. When Jessica came back to take Bonnie away I went with her.

I'm going to assume this is a joke article. Chris Goutman FAILED at his job at ATWT. How do I know this? Simple. He got me to stop watching the show twice. First because it was clear he did not care what his audience wanted. As he said in his infamous interview, he doesn't listen to fans or read fan mail. That click you heard was me & many others turning off & tuning out ATWT. Not surprising if you turn off the audience, the show gets cancelled.

I came back to watch the show this year after the cancellation news to find nothing much had changed. The acting was still good overall, the writing still abysmal & it was still as Janet's World turns. Then a new character was introduced, Reid Oliver. He got many fans to watch the show. People were interested in him & this romance with Luke Snyder. What did Mr. Goutman do with this gift. He shoved it in front of a train & again gave the fans the finger. And if you think this heart story line that was rushed, incoherent in spots & featured the no chemistry pairing of Katie & Chris, that trampled on the death of Helen Wagner/Nancy was an example of good story telling, then I question your taste & what show you were watching.

I noticed in your little round up that you neglected to mention the happy ending for Luke Snyder. That's right. There wasn't any. I guess that's reserved for the straight people on the show.

As others have noted, you do appear to have something in common with Mr. Goutman. A contempt for your audience. But in the end, when you're in the TV business, you ignore the audience at your peril. I was so turned off again by Mr. Goutman's actions that I stopped watching for the past 2 weeks. In addition, I'm not watching OLTL due to Jean Passanante getting hired there. And I will not watch any show that has the Goutman name associated with it. I'd say anyone in the television business who hires a man who cares less about his audience like Mr. Goutman are fools.

Jean Passanante has recently admitted that she identified closely with the character of Janet. She was her “alter ego” of sorts. This would explain why Janet and her family members got so much airtime at the expense of more deserving characters. Chris Goutman refused to invite Martha Byrne back to wrap up a role she had played off and on for almost 25 years, a role most fans of the show associate most clearly with her portrayal.

Both cases are examples of the interests and preferences of fans being sacrificed and ignored because of the EGO of two extremely unprofessional people. It is unforgivable. And, JBernard, for you to downplay the fan’s feelings on this score is like rubbing salt in a wound that is still very fresh.

If it's about writing people based on story, then Allison and Casey could have been gone ages ago. They had enough money to bring in characters like Gabriel, to keep Lily around even though Noelle offered to leave, and to recast Liberty instead of just writing her out. I don't think bringing back Ellen for a day or two would have been a big cost. GL managed to bring back many of their vets. I also don't understand why Lyla was not brought back. She hasn't even been mentioned, and she could have been a big part of story with her kids and grandkids. I might give a rat's about Katie or Craig if Lyla was around.

Bravo Allie! I concur with everything you said!

How sad to identify with a shrieking hypocrite who loves to judge other people while repeatedly having babies by men she is not married to. This also explains why the leech family drove poor Emma off her farm and now off the show altogether, and why laughable Liberty was recast only to simper for months and months like some sort of sitcom daughter from 1954 dumped into the middle of Oakdale.

I guess this also explains why Julie Pinson's husband got a job, even though his part was worthless and a waste of airtime.

I like Julie Pinson but I hope Jean does not bring her to OLTL. That show has enough unpleasant and self-righteous characters who are producer favorites.

Bernard, can you tell me how they have been building up to Gabriel calling Craig daddy? Allison going to medical school, or reconciling with Cassey? What about Holden and Lilly's reunion, did that start happening before or after Holden's wedding to Molly was called off, and then Holden and Lilly vanished from the canvas? How long have they been building up to Craig getting back together with Roseanna? How long have the been building up to John getting back together with Lucinda?

The problem is that they wasted time on so many storylines that didn't have any repercussions on what is happening as the show comes to an end. Months were wasted on the storyline about Janet being pregnant with Jack's child, but with a snap of a finger, none of that mattered. Jack and Carly are back together without working through their issues, the same is true for Roseanna and Craig, Lilly and Holden, and Allison and Casey.

Things were done to make the fans happy, but the effort wasn't put into writing a longterm storyline that would make all of these endings come about in an organic way, instead, people were slapped together at the last minute, or in the case of Janet's baby, the "problem" just vanished.

For many of these stories there was too much telling and not enough showing. We were told that Katie and Chris are in love, instead of seeing them falling in love and being a couple, which made the scenes of the last two weeks seem weak and pointless.

The show was canceled, it doesn't get any simpler than that. Goutman and the other show runners are reaping what they sow. They are producing crap, and people are responding by finding something else to do with their time.