Soap Opera Ratings (Live+SD) for the week July 7-11, 2008
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,845,000 (+49,000/-482,000)
2. B&B 3,546,000 (+259,000/-18,000)
3. GH 2,936,000 (+160,000/-473,000)
4. OLTL 2,763,000 (+233,000/-296,000)
5. ATWT 2,675,000 (+228,000/-167,000)
6. AMC 2,654,000 (+133,000/-185,000)
7. DAYS 2,538,000 (na/-94,000)
8. GL 2,168,000 (-22,000/-293,000)
HH
1. Y&R 3.5/11 (+.1/-.5)
2. B&B 2.6/8 (+.2/-.1)
3. GH 2.2/7 (+.1/-.4)
4. OLTL 2.1/7 (+.2/-.3)
5. ATWT 2.0/6 (+.3/-.2)
5. AMC 2.0/6 (+.1/-.3)
7. DAYS 1.9/6 (na/-.1)
8. GL 1.6/5 (same/-.3)
Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,051,000 (+34,000/-173,000)
2. GH 945,000 (+11,000/-233,000)
3. OLTL 885,000 (+107,000/-62,000)
4. B&B 767,000 (+88,000/-22,000)
5. AMC 765,000 (+14,000/-82,000)
6. DAYS 750,000 (na/-154,000)
7. ATWT 656,000 (+114,000/-79,000)
8. GL 583,000 (+9,000/-108,000)
Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.6/11 (+.1/-.3)
2. GH 1.4/9 (same/-.4) <——– ties low rating
3. OLTL 1.3/9 (+.1/-.1)
4. AMC 1.2/7 (+.1/-.1)
4. B&B 1.2/7 (+.2/same)
6. DAYS 1.1/7 (na/-.3) <——— ties low rating
7. ATWT 1.0/6 (+.2/-.1)
8. GL 0.9/5 (same/-.2) <——— ties low rating
Submitted by
on Fri, 2008-07-18 17:50.
Please help me out
simone66
The first number is the actual number of viewers in that demographic for that time period, followed by (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year) as indicated above. I'm unsure what "<--- ties low rating" means. I'd use an asteric explanation.*
*this rating is tied with ....
.
Glad to oblige about title, odd arrows and terminology.
Many soap followers have seen that the genre been bleeding viewers across the board (ergo the possibly cryptic "blood-free" reference in the title) and that ATWT has been losing many more viewers than most shows. This pattern has been the norm for months. Last week ATWT came in last place in the most prized demo (women 18-49), which it had never done.
A look at this week's numbers shows that ATWT rebounded from last place in that important demo , that it had the highest increase per households of any other show (+ 0.3), and among the highest in total viewers, thus referring to the fact that some people don't watch the show alone.
The arrows pointing to "ties low rating" can be confusing as they reflect a comparison that applies to both the week and the year comparison. For example, the GH rating and share applicable to the 18-49 demo (1.4/9, respectively) basically says that sometime during the past year GH also had a 1.4/9. In fact it happened at least last week, ergo the "same" in the week to week comparison. While somewhat irrelevant for our purposes, the minus 0.4 for GH is telling us that a year ago that show had a rating of 1.8 versus 1.4 as of this latest report.
In order to keep things as simple as possible I usually cut and paste from the direct ratings source, which uses arrows to point out highs/lows/ties. No highs to speak of these days and I think that ATWT will soon see lower lows as the explosion of the Carly/Holden revelation will create more backlash against the show than those looking to rubberneck. Also hurting the show are stubborn focus on secondary characters, the Nuke boredom, and most importantly what I see as a rebirth of an anti-female rhetoric and an almost defiant refusal to tell compelling love stories. I am loving Butter and Emily, but for some reason they are getting little airtime.
I hope that some of the above helps. Let me know if you have any other questions as I've been a Nielsen observer forever. It's gotten a little easier to follow daytime these days as they want to hold those as close to the chest unless an entire line-up is doing well and they can use them for advertising. ABC used to do that when it was wiping the floor with CBS as ABC has almost always had the younger demo until the _____ hit the fan a year and some ago. It also owns The View so many times you'll see a release about ABC "daytime" that disregards anything non ABC-related. Guillermo's Media Guillotine: Entertainment, journalism, politics, and popular culture.
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Carly, Holden, and Lily
I agree with your comments
A couple more questions Guillermo
How are they able to determine that 18-49 year old women are watching the show?Which of the numbers are the most important to ATWT? What is done with these numbers? Would TPTB let's say for example blame the low numbers on Luke and Noah kissing on screen or the NuLily? Would they finally replace the writing team?
If I had an authoritative response, I'd be very rich/powerful
I'll make this one a short one (everybody claps :-) by linking you to Wikepedia's post on audience measuring systems and the many criticisms of the status quo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Ratings
All shows would love to have as many young as possible as they are perceived to have more disposable income and generate higher revenue than older folks. Daytime dramas are even more specific in their focus as they want young females who not only will allow them to charge more for ad time, but they perceive that younger viewers have longer-term potential as fans than older viewers who may be dying off.
This perspective ignores so many facts, which are documented in the following article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jul/07/television
Don't worry that it's a UK paper as all the data corresponds to the US market.
I can only respond to your last question via a feeling rather than any concrete fact. I don't see the writing team and especially the executive producer going anywhere in the near future as they've both worked very closely with their employer to present a trend and that their proven experience is the best way to carve out profits. By replacing fan favorites with actors/characters that cost a fraction of their predecessors and continuing to cut costs, the show could still generate sufficient profits not to have to take any action. I'd love to see the show continue to lose the ratings battle as all other shows seem to be putting a good fight by going back to their roots, bringing back fan favorites, and cleaning house where needed.
I would recommend that P&G let go both its Executive Producer and Head Writer to really make a bold statement. The problem is that the EP used to be very respected and I think that he continues to foster the perception that these tough times that call for a steady leader who does not waffle no matter what anyone says and makes unpopular decisions. Sounds like anyone you've heard of?
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Thanks Guillermo
Bring it on simone66. It makes me feel useful as most of .....
ATWT is certainly a quagmire that I can't wrap my arms around as it seems like they are letting down everyone at a time when they need them most.
Maybe we'll all eventually learn some surprising show-specific info. that will give us a clue as to why the show seems to be fighting itself.
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Nielsen Ratings
Unless there has been a study refuting it, and perhaps there is, viewers in the 18-45 age group are not as set in their ways. They are likely to follow much of the same buying habits as their parents, but even more likely to try out new brands. This is crucial in the soap industry. If they can get a 22 year old to get hooked on Dawn Direct Foam, chances are she will stay with the brand for years to come. It is nearly impossible to get someone to change laundry soap, who has been using the same brand for 30 years, so the advertising dollar doesn't go as far when they are pitching laundry soap to oldsters. Now, if you are selling things like yogurt that makes you poop, you may want an older market.
Since P&G sells soap, the younger audience would be the most important. However, as the article that G linked to tells us, you can pitch products to any market, or age group. I am sure that ATWT are crunching the numbers on a daily basis, they should have a clear picture as why the ratings have slumped and may have predicted it when Martha left. One thing that the current writers and Gautman did in the last year was bring ATWT from about 6th place (or worse?) up to number 3. An almost unheard of feat. I am sure that P&G are willing to give them a second chance at the same success. Either way, the show has come out ahead, it soared for a while, and is back to where it started at. Nothing gained, but nothing lost and they were able to pay for a new studio and cameras.
It seems like the soaps tend to draw writers from the same pool of talent. So the questions doesn't seem to be so much would they replace them, or even when but 'with whom?"
It's strange that the
Ads follow the demo
If ATWT were able to connect to younger viewers then the advertisers would be quick to follow. But even when ATWT was at the top of the heap last fall, they found it hard to attract those younger viewers. That demographic has been the one that advertisers have been keen to pay the most amount of money to pitch to. What the article that G. links to above suggests, is that that may be about to change.
I was just reading Wikipedia about ATWT, and they were one of the top rated programs (not just day-time) at the infancy of television.
I totally agree with you Nukely on talent pool. Musica chairs...
The above background is for those who don't have their brain taken up by this junk as I do. My thinking is that ATWT could benefit from trying something like this again by retaining a reprimanded Goutman to work harder on relations with the actors, costs, and providing feedback on what is working or not. There are so many great writers out there who would kill to story board a year's worth of the show as was done by Hogan. I'd also keep a couple of the writers who are currently scribing the strong daily dialogue as shown in the Emily/Casey and most of the Hughes/Stewart scenes and replace all others with a mix of insiders and outsiders who put forth dialogue that reads well and mines the show's history.
I have a strong feeling that this industry like many, does not want outsiders as they are counting on the musical chairs game always being something that they can benefit from. Out today, in tomorrow. Hogan was subsequently canned from DOOL and is now apparently going to work on Y&R. One could easily argue that he's now part of that inside circle. Don't be surprised if you start hearing the name Dana Higley as a possible replacement for Passanante as it's her turn in the game of musical chairs and she's been doing a bunch of making ammmends PR as if ready for a desperate show to pick her up.
On the other hand, the Cassey/Emily and Hughes/Stewart conflict has the sometimes dead on and other times whacked out Nelson Branco from TV Guide Canada calling ATWT one of the shows to watch and thinks that the scenes involving these characters families maybe be Emmy worthy. Nelson is a little bipolar as he hits hard and has been outspoken about the Nuke crap, but his opinion changes like the weather as he current scribe at OLTL the real deal (with the Douglas Marland comp. and all) and now hates the show.
http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/The+Nelson+Ratings+July+14+2008/Soaps/Nelson_Ratings/Articles/080714_ratings_nelson.htm?isfa=1
There have been moments of sheer fun, but I think that the show needs new blood as babies, boredom, focus on filler characters, and the destruction of key characters seems to be on autopilot even if there is a writer sneaking in some much needed zingers and reading the show's bible. Nothing against soap writers but while it's a unique profession, no one can tell me that it's so unique that it has less viable candidates than the most precise of sciences.
Nukely, I've seen you write some killer stuff. Have you ever considered/tried to crash the writing party as a well presented story-board in the right hands (i.e. not those of Passanante/Goutman) at P&G/CBS may allow one of our own to give us some great stories. I am serious as we all think that some things are so out of our reach so why try or simply may not want to. The latter is of course acceptable, but you already have fans here.
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shucks
I think a perfect job for me in this regard would be the Producers and head writers expeditor. They don't seem to be able to do that themselves. Someone who could ask them why they are doing what they are doing and suggest a more dramatic way around it, or a way to connect the stories. Fans just want good stories they can grab a hold of and own, it doesn't have to be jazzy or fast paced or kooky.
Gautman needs someone who can say to him, "what the hell is wrong with you?" without getting fired. (when I saw his ego fully explored on that apprentice show I expected him to come out on a cotton-ball cloud throwing glitter thunder bolts) I imagine that Passanante is a mean and bitter shrew, because if she had any friends at all they would be calling her on the crap she's writing. I couldn't commend my friends for the type of tripe she often gets away with. They've written this show like they are in last place, (which they basically are right now) and they are aiming for second to last place. Maybe that's what P&G want and Gautman and Passanante are doing the best that can be expected?.
I second this....
...Nukely. Just write a script for a future show and send it in. Stranger things have happened. Better yet, keep writing them and keep sending them until someone pays attention. In the film industry, nobody's job is a sacred cow. When something better comes along, one moves out, one moves in.
I say we take the warning labels off everything and let nature take it's course.
I was going to send this to you
I was going to send this to you yesterday, Janet. I just thought I'd be silly or proud if I did.
The set up:
As I suggested before, Holden had actually caught Luke and Noah together the week before, but they were fully clothed and he let it slide.
This is the scene after Emma finds Luke naked in Noahs bed, as I suggested. It would be that much more poiniant now that Holden isn't on the best terms with his son.
...
Emma is sitting on the couch in the porch when Holden comes into the farm house.
Holden: Mom?
Emma: Oh, Holden, there you are...
Holden: ... Are you crying?
Emma: No. Not really.
Holden: (he sits down next to her) You're upset. What's wrong.
Emma: Well. I just found Luke in Noah's room. They were together, all night, I'm afraid.
Holden: I'm sorry.
Emma: Has this been going on?
Holden: They're young and they're in love. I know what that's like.
Emma: That's not good enough.
Holden: What can I say?
Emma: If your father was alive... You know, that's what sucks.
Holden: Mom, I've never heard you use that word?
Emma: That's what's wrong. That's it.
Holden: You're upset.
Emma: There is no one left for me to talk to, no one who understands what I'm facing.
Holden: I'll try.
Emma: When you were just a little boy, before we came here, you probably don't remember my father. He lost his hearing and then his sight was going and we took care of him. I took care of him, you and Meg were too little. But the Family, my brothers and sisters, they treated papa like a child. You know, he was always a proud man. That's why I insisted that I had to take care of him. I gave him his favorite foods. I washed his feet. And I let him make decisions for himself. It's about respect, Holden. That's what it all comes down to. You can never make some one respect you. But when you lose the respect of your family, you've lost everything. That's when you really are alone.
Holden: I don't think that Luke and...
Emma: Holden, I don't expect you to understand, I know someday you will. And I need to ask if you ...
Holden: What? whatever, I'll do it.
Emma: I hate saying this. I want you to ask Luke and Noah to leave. (she starts crying) I want them to leave by tonight.
Now that's what......
.....I was talking about!! If you send them scripts like this... full of realistic dialogue true to each character's personality, and canon to the history of the show, they would have to be insane to not take notice. I don't care how silly or proud you think it is...keep on writing!! You are awesome.
I say we take the warning labels off everything and let nature take it's course.
Keep at it!
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Jay
You obviously don't like the material I've writen. I get the feelilng your not a writer and you're making a visceral reaction to the plot. That would be the best complement you could pay me. If I had written a scene like this and Nuke fans weren't upset, then I would have totally missed the mark. Hell, the scene upsets me. But not as much as what I would have follow it.
I am curious Jay, because like I indicated above, we all need the critique. What is it you didn't like about my little foray into soap writing?
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Critique
Nukely - I thought your scene was rather good. The "respect" angle was very nice. It shows an understanding of a world view and thought process that you yourself don't share, which is essential for a soap writer. And you manage to write it as though you do believe exactly as Emma does. My one critique is that the way I understand Emma, she would have a mixture of anger and sadness and betrayal. But the anger would definitely be there. Further, I think she'd have very mixed feelings about what to do and say, and would probably stew about things for awhile before asking the guys to leave. But I did think the strengths in your scene were evident.
My own scenario would have been to have Emma come home early while the guys were still sleeping. She'd eventually go up to the room and look in. Her face would show a progression of shock, dismay, embarrassment, and finally quiet anger. (I think she could pull that off.) Luke would wake up and they lock eyes for a loooonnngg few seconds. Then Emma would quietly shut the door and go downstairs. That then leaves a great scene for Luke and Noah to share in bed, and then a multitude of scenes with Emma and Lily and Holden later.
Just my own two cents....
One suggestion about Jay and other votes you might get; ignore them. Not that Jay's reaction isn't important or valid, but simply that people often vote on posts without expressing why. That has happened to me many times. Including by you! I'm personally not a fan of the posting mechanism for that reason, but there it is.
I'll take your comments
I wouldn't have a problem writing the peek and (muffled) shriek scene, you suggested. But I went the way I did because I tend to go toward the high drama before suspense, unless someone is in physical danger. I get annoyed when every detailed emotion becomes the one song of suspense, rather than a symphony, and I think finding the two in bed would be a shock that could play out the gamut of Emma's emotions, a symphony that starts with a bang in the first stanza.
"The way I understand Emma, she would have a mixture of anger and sadness and betrayal."
I agree, and I would play out those emotions in separate scenes. The anger would be her shock and response to Luke and Noah when she finds Luke in Noah's bed. She would become parental, telling him to "put some cloths on", like he was a child. And she would express her disappointment to the bewildered Noah. Of course, we could allow Nuke to calm and sway her, but what would be the dramatic sense in that?
The scene with Holden is the scene where she discusses her sense of betrayal, and how it makes her feel: lonely and old. In subsequent weeks she would get a chance to play out her sadness and a host of other emotions and notions. I would have her grieving the loss of her favorite grandson (even while grieving her own mortality). In the gay story-line, Emma is the voice of the conservative viewer that 9 months ago would complain about two boys kissing but now are wondering why they aren't taking it further. Even though Emma's story is about betrayal and respect, it also ignites a conversation about how a gay couple fits into our lives. So, in talks with Meg, Aaron, Lily and women her own age, Emma would be able to address issues of gay love, not just her own thoughts, but others fears and reflections as well. So while we wrench our hankies over how Emma is going to deal with her broken heart because of her rash decision to kick Luke and Noah out, we also learn how do deal with our own concepts of gay love.
Typically, Emma would loath to kick anyone out of her house. However, the reason for her sudden irrational reaction in my scene is because she is fearing her own mortality and feels cheated. She's thinking of all she has done for her family, and who is going to wash her feet when she's deaf and blind? She wouldn't have felt that way 20 years ago but she might now. She also might be harboring some latent homophobia. I think it is important for her to explore her own fears as well as reflect the stories of her kids. She doesn't have to be a cardboard cutout for a cookie-making grandma.
I generally don't like to pan a post, without saying why, unless I am certain that the person would rather not hear my explanation. I know that Jay is enamored by Nuke. And perhaps he simply doesn't want to read anything bad happening to them. But I was hoping that he would be able to reflect on their story, and like you seem to suggest, enlighten us, before I tell him how my story arc ends.
I think soap writing is like writing a roller-coaster ride. There are lots of low curves, and bumps before you get to the long climb and the thrilling, screaming descent. If all you want are the gentle bumps you can go over to the Kiddy Carnival and ride the mini roller coaster with the grandmas and preschoolers. There has been a long climb as far as Nukes sexual relationship goes. If there isn't a gigantic descent at the end of this, like Emma kicking them out, then we have been riding the kiddy carnival roller coaster all along.
.
Compliment
Thanks
Great Scene!
That's a great scene you've written there Nukely!
As I think others have mentioned, it get to the heart of each of the characters, and the nice thing is it also provides future angst and stuff for all the actors involved to sink their teeth into! No offense to and big fans of the show, I enjoy iot somewhat, but if the writing was at this level more often, that'd make it REALLY something to watch!
Again, great job!
8)
ATWT Continues To Puzzle Me...
I don't get why they seem to think we really, really, really want to see Parker and Liberty on the front burner and that we'd really, really, really rather not see popular couples such as Em/Casey and Luke/Noah but once or twice a week. Not to mention making Brad and Katie mere props to this nonsense. I never thought I'd see the day when Katie was reduced to one day a week standing in the background while Brad threatens a 15 year old boy. How the mighty have fallen! When you're in ratings trouble you don't sideline your proven commodities. And one week is not enough to say the ratings woes are over. However, the show revealed some it's summer plans a few weeks back and it's going to be all about Parker and Liberty with the parents acting as backdrops to the story.
I see where the show is going with the story, that they are moving too fast too soon, their parents are not paying attention because they are too busy having sex themselves. My guess is that a teen pregnancy is coming, following by the wailing and gnashing of teeth, discussions of abortion, followed by a convienent miscarriage. I know it's summer fare to have your teens up front. Last summer the show did it with the Luke/Noah/Maddie triangle to great success. The problem here is that the Liberty is failing to catch on with viewers and I don't see this storyline having the same kind of impact and popularity that the hot story from last summer did.
Say it isn't so Anthony..... Babies again? I am going to cry
Maybe they'll save that to punish Carly as the head scribe seems to really hate the actress or may be trying to keep her popularity/price low during the next contract negotiation. Since the character was already branded a child abandoner (which is picking up speed again with Parker slamming her), given a death sentence, written to continue a ruse with her family, and now partook in yet another Carlyism (as reframed by the lead writer), why not have Carly get pregnant and get a really graphic abortion. Goutman could get Maura on the cheap with the moral majority hating her even more.
Like you, I am clueless about why this show seems to be trying to hard to fail. Of course there are different opinions as hard-core Katie lovers tend to hate Carly and vice versa, but when it comes to what constitutes the show I don't get what I see. It's funny that you mentioned Katie as I think that in this mess she's coming out smelling like a rose as the actress does not have to play this paragon of virtue as she did when paired with Jack, but make everyone else look like the idiots that they are. A total waste of her talents, but at least she's not getting the Carly treatment or even what Jack and Holden are getting as these actors have to be dying inside.
Ratings speak louder than opinions and P&G is a global brand with all sorts of experience in market research. I just don't get how Chris Goutman thinks that the audience is going to get into a Liberty storyline, a Jack/Juicy Janet insta-pairing, or the continued destruction of Carly. Where's the glamour, naughtiness, bad-girl power that made Carly bad but fun? There are pockets of it in recent scenes with Susan and Barbara, but they are supporting story lines that suck. Liberty and Parker, front burner? The show should accept that it's got an older audience that may have no interest in a badly told tale that does not involve love, danger, romance. It's not Hannah Montana and the kids would rather watch something exclusively for them.
The same applies to Ali? Do I get the impression that after all this she and Chris are going to revisit the same place yet again. Jack and Carly hatred? The show's ability to film outdoors has opened a whole new world to make its viewers feel "summery." Do the scribes think that we'd rather watch Parker hit tennis balls than maybe have Aaron strip in the new huge Snyder pond? Katie and Brad at the "club" pool looking hot and playing around. So much potential mostly wasted every single day. Pockets of incredible fun/feeling/camp, but not nearly enough to save those who seem to be jumping ship faster than ever. With OLTL having special shows this week and continuing to reap the benefits of a critical resurgence, ATWT is in trouble as Janet wants frienfs with bennies, but there may not be any takers in the audience soon.
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babies on fire
Teenage girls are attracted to older boys. So, if your 'teen' story line involves a 14 year old like Parker then you are pitching your story to 10 year olds. I don't know how much yogurt 10 year olds buy. If they wanted young teen girls, 14-18, they should have connected the Parker and Casey stories. Liberty should have a major crush on Casey, (an older 'man') who ironically has a crush on an older woman. But since she can't have him, she settles for Parker. When Casey finally gets dumped, Liberty is suddenly at his side with her arms stretched tying to catch his fall. That's when parker finds out he has been used, which is the archetypical stage of amorous attraction for a boy his age: woman as destroyer.
.
Did You See Today's Show?
It was pure trash. Folks have complained about Luke and Noah's stories moving too quickly and wrapping up with blinding speed, you would've gotten whiplash as the show tore through this episode. Yet somehow with there being a kidnapping and a shooting, it was all terrible dull. But Paul and Meg have that effect on anything they touch. But Paul and Meg do have something in common with Luke and Noah in that the wrap up of Sofie's murder was as bad as the wrap up of the Col. Mayer/Ameera storyline. It made no sense with holes all over the place.
Wasn't it just two weeks ago that Chris and Ali were at each other's throats? Now they are openly flirting? BTW, that whole scene about the running.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............................ ... Apparently the show doesn't realize that they are a boring couple with NO chemistry.
And tomorrow? Parker calling Carly a slut? That is totally wrong (even if it's true!)I just caught the mess - It was totally modeled as a Nukisode
My guess is that these fools (not using word lightly) are trying to make the show more accessible by writing self-contained episodes. It sounds like a desperate attempt to capture an audience that I don't think exists, and in doing so it makes the product feel even less vital, easier to miss/stop watching forever, and strips it of of unique ability to build stories and milk any payoffs.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN TODAY'S (7/21) SHOW:
Are the writers on crack? As all the scenes felt like they were being fast-forwarded for minimum impact. Cole on drugs? Since when? I don't have a problem with who the killer was and the reason as I saw it a mile away when Meg screamed the exact amount of money that Sofie received so that the killer would know that he'd been had.
No need to introduce drugs out of left field. When the hostage was first taken, this could have allowed for a full week's worth of suspense rather than 100 sequences with an ending that was laughable in every respect. If you don't feel like your "people" are in danger and zero suspense is earned, it's as effective as Meg always telling people that she's a good nurse, the Lakeview elevator camera appearing and disappearing at will, or Lisa running into her best friend with a gun to her back and getting looks from every angle (as did the viewer) and going on her merry way. The flashbacks were so weak and should have included both Meg and Babs in scenes that we were not privy to. A Joke...
I have no inside information as I hate spoilers, but Ali and Chris? I saw the Dr. Decker thing last week (the original syringe man) and was afraid that they were going to go there with Ali and Chris. GUESS: I am thinking that Ali's daddy bracelet has some drug that was injected into it by Decker and will make Chris look like even more of a creep who is now needing to drug his tricks and again be saved by Aaron. I give it an execution time of 1 week from beginning to end.
I tomorrow Parker is going to call his mother a slut. No matter how true, that kid should be beaten to a pulp and not just a Juicy Janet smack as the show dances around whether she's an abused kid or not. Maybe it will speed up the pregnancy storyline as the kids find solace fornicating while Luke and Noah suffer in less attractive/boring ways.
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Hey, your right, atwt had no
Liberty and Parker
Liberty's vocatioanl options
Didn't I read somewhere that the actress who plays Liberty had first wanted to be a school teacher, but she realised her chances were far better in theater?
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Is she on drugs too? WFT?
God does protect its weakest and lines them up with front-burner story lines on ATWT. I am still thinking that Sofie may return as a Cleo-like character....
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No, But Sofie...
Must you hurt me so?
Back to Sofie. This incredibly long stay of actress is either the most overt manifestation of a perception that some of us have that Goutman does not give a crap about what the audience likes/dislikes and/or that the actress must have hidden talents/information on the happenings of the show that would make what airs seem tame.
On the other hand, Meg deserves a good snarky ghost as she's as annoying as Sofie to me and I think that the show would have been well served by getting rid of Paul and Meg once the writers forced the 4some from hell. They got rid of the wrong characters (Ro and Craig), only to keep the expensive Roger Howarth (Paul) and continuing to write Meg and Paul as idiots with Memento-like short-term memory appreciation of how worthless they are.
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The neverending
Love the villain
Two reasons.
1) They need a villain. It's hard to kill someone everybody loves to hate.
2) They dig ghosts. Remember Noah's mom, what a groovy ghost she made trying to lure Dusty to the netherworld just before his contract was up. And she got more air time in the spirt world that week than Noah gets in months.
.
The difference to me is that the ghost was played by.....
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This was the week where Nuke
"Much needed zingers"
The zingers have been coming left and right
If only the show used more humor and less hatred. I am off to see what today brings us, but based on the first line of Anthony's post, I am already prepared for the worst for my beloved Carly.
I also want my zingers to come from veterans or Cole types, not Liberty or "zany" Juicy Janet. If that wench goes half a show without saying the word "ricotta" I'll consider myself a lucky man. It's no match for Lucinda's "darlin'" or Kim's "kiddo"/"you betcha" or anytime Susan says the word "Emily."
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Speaking Of Emma....
I am going to watch it right now and will read your post
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Poor Carly....
... is taking her shots, such as Parker calling her a slut. Now Carly may BE a slut, but Parker deserves a good smack across the face for talking to her like that. I'm really growing to dislike the kid (though the actor is terrific), but that maybe in part because of my total disdain for Liberty.
But Carly isn't just taking her shots on screen, if you watch the promos for this weeks show's, which hints that Liberty and Parker hit the sheets, Carly's bad mothering is getting the blame for that as well.
Today's show was not without it's flaws, most notably, as usual, Meg and Paul. Again the show is tearing through story with blinding speed with Meg's insta recovery from a point blank gunshot wound. And tomorrow, on to a new plot with Meg's sudden hallucinations. Can't they (and we) get a rest?
I just caught yesterday's show and I agree with you 100%
I also loved Lucinda and the line about Nuke was a perfect Simpsonesque throwaway yet powerful to us who scream at the Nuke stupidity. I also agree that Fily and Carly's bit was good as Noelle stepped it up. What I can't stomach is more Carly bashing, and even in her dialogue with Fily I hated so many of her lines as it's stale and I'd rather see Carly own her imperfections are they are not worse than any others. This whole abandonment of the kids BS and naming Simon almost every single episode feels like cruel and unusual punishment unless the show is bringing Simon back and having Carly tell all to screw themselves.
Is Carly a bad mom? Probably no worse than any other. Adopter dad Snyder is as guilty (Katie/Juicy Janet/bad mouthing Carly in front of him), but ultimately it's not about the characters but lousy writers who keep going back to the same tired re imagined character well but now wink at us while doing so. The female bashing and male perfection/judgment hour that took over now gets labeled on the show, but it still happens.
This is as unrealistic as pathetic Carly stalking Jack and Katie all that time. My Carly would tell everyone to f*** off, and figure out a way to deal with her Stepford child as she and Parker had such a beautiful and unusually close relationship before Parker was recast. I get the teens are a battlefield need to shake things, but the blame is on the damn kids, their parents, and their families.
These morality tales are for the birds, but at least there was Emma and what looked at times like a real daytime drama without the curtain call at 2:55. Speaking of which, today looks like it will be an awful show as it seems that my prediction about the poisoned Alison bracelet is going on day 2 of what I assume will end as 5 with Chris being found innocent of trying to drug her and all being a little gift from Dr. Death Decker. I hope I am wrong, but how lame as if I am right it's strictly Nuke-like material.
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