DC #442: ABC Executives in Glass Houses

Female characters/actresses are simply replaceable. They can easily get rid of them BUT male actors hell no. They think us females just care about shirtless men 24/7 on our screen. Sorry naughty Nikki but I really could care less about that. As a STRONG female i expect to see strong female.

And why torture us Nash/jash fans. Unless this leads to Jared's death I hate it. Cause Jared is useless.

I'm SO HAPPY you guys did a podcast on this!!!! This is topic of what executives have been saying about the industry I feel is soemthing fans really wanted talked about these days.

I'm SO HAPPY you guys did a podcast on this!!!! This is topic of what executives have been saying about the industry I feel is something fans really wanted talked about these days.

What a fun show! LOVED the Robin Strasser story! And JB, your death panel comments were hysterical!

And you guys already know how I feel about how ABC treats the actresses and female characters on their shows, so I won't comment on that, lol.

Jamey, I liked my casting call for Sonny Corinthos better.

Daisy, come on, comment on it, LOL. Yeah, the females on ABC get the dumps while the men get everything even though they don't deserve it.

I do not like Brian Frons.
I hold him accountable for wrecking ABC daytime, especially GH and AMC. I also think his own agenda caused may favorite Quad (written during the strike) Liason and LuSam to be destroyed and switched back without fan desire or support, hence another big ratings drop resulted..

BUT... I must say this.
I love GL, started watching again this year after years that I did not. BUT...
He is right, the production job made the jobs of the actors and actresses harder. It cost many of the most talented actresses in daytime who had storyline to support them from nominations this year. Because of the look.. Kim Zimmer, Gina Tognoni and Crystal Chappell did not get nominated.
The men on the show faired better, because the look that is harsh made the males appear easier to the viewers eyes.

If you were bad in the old production model, you were horrible in the new one.

If you were ok in the old model you were bad in the new one.

If you were great,you greatness was highlighted, it just wasn't appealing to the eye and it made them have to work harder and it did take away.

Frons was right about that.

So Jamey if they attached important government matters to Miley's stripper pole you'd be more well informed on things like the "death panel" business?

siomonstuart2003: I'm sure another one of my rantings on the rampant misogyny over at ABC (in particular) will be coming soon, lol!

Awesome podcast! And Jamey I think you just made my soap viewing yr. w/ur casting call for the men at ABC! And my whole thing on AMC is that yeah I can see it getting at least a yr. in LA, but after that it won't survive and all that money tlk the Frons loves to do (stick w/you know best and go count something while the writers, producers, and actors do what they do, but I digress) and helping his friends keep their jobs won't mean a damn when he has to answer to a higher power.

Great podcast!

BTW, Layla mentioned when she was getting ready to move out of her apartment (before she was roommates with Fish and Cris) that Adriana sold their company....

Season, I read the Life and Money sections of USA Today and use the others to wrap fish! I do as my grandpappy taught me and vote Democat all the way down, then don't worry about the rest!
 

Great podcast. Love the reference to Lucci, Strasser and Diller. While I understand the popularity of Lucci, as a OLTL fan, I do not want her to take up residence on a regular basis in Llanview. Perhaps in a short story arc or in a guest capacity. Strasser and Slezak are OLTL; Lucci is AMC. Just like it did not work when Another World castaways joined ATWT, I do not believe it will work with OLTL.

Actually chris345 I have my own little theory on why none of the actresses were nominated. I think many of the actresses didnt receive noms because none of the actors/actresses doing the nominating wanted in any way to praise the new production style they were afraid (for good reason) that if it received much praise their shows might go towards it that and I agree they probably didnt make it through much of the episodes since it is hard to get used to the new production model but I think thats why the Emmys need an overhaul just because your sets are crappy doesn't mean the acting is. But I agree Frons has destroyed GH

I have to say I'm really disappointed with this weeks podcast. I just sick of the bias that seems to exist when it comes to GH on this podcast. The talk is dominted by AMC and OLTL with very little conversation on GH.

I think there's alot to talk about when it comes to GH and wish it was given a bit more. Also, can't believe Burton's performance on Friday was not mentioned at all. I thought it was outstanding and that the technical aspects of the show itself was outstanding.

I read the Life and Money sections of USA Today and use the others to wrap fish! I do as my grandpappy taught me and vote Democat all the way down, then don't worry about the rest!

HA!

 KYGal67,

Sometimes the podcast just rolls like that; while the topics are structured and outlined, the discussion it pretty freewheeling. Most of the network podcasts run about 50 minutes to a little over an hour, while shows like the Performer of the Week are 35-45 minutes on average. Please bear in mind that there are time constraints on the moderator and most of the participants, so topics sometimes get rushed, some topics go long, and some things get missed.

To be frank, All My Children's move to AMC and it's effect on OLTL and just about anything ABC Daytime does these days in regard to them is still big soap news that is unfurling by the day. And, to be fair, GH has had plenty of coverage in other podcasts while sometimes OLTL or All My Children didn't get a lot of attention. That's the way the cookie crumbles.

If it makes you feel any better, I had a number of GH things I — and perhaps the others — wanted to touch on, but time would not allow. In fact, I rather enjoyed the show for much of last week, including Burton, the technical aspects of the show, Ainsworth & Garrett, and the developments on the Rebecca/Nikolas/Elizabeth/Lucky fronts.

Totally funny podcast especially about the death panel and the male casting calls!

And, chris345, ICAM on your comments...

"I do not like Brian Frons.
I hold him accountable for wrecking ABC daytime, especially GH and AMC. I also think his own agenda caused may favorite Quad (written during the strike) Liason and LuSam to be destroyed and switched back without fan desire or support, hence another big ratings drop resulted.. "

J, I like you, I really do, but when I hear you or anyone say nice things about Brian Frons, it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Seriously, most if not everything that is wrong with ABC Daytime should be laid at his fat feet. The man just comes across as a sexist pig that’s all about business and not about the overall quality and historical respect of daytime television. I’m constantly, yet pleasantly, surprised that OLTL has the success that it has, particularly in regards to its production and writing, but honestly how long is that going to last. I’m even more surprised that Frons hasn’t totally ruined that by now.

Granted, we could certainly blame Guza, Pratt, and Caruthers, and Phelps but only but so much. It was Frons who was the force behind Erica’s “revised” abortion, “ooh Lesbian…bad” rape of Bianca, OLTL’s rapemance, the disrespectful treatment of Genie Francis, the departure of so many wonderful veterans, etc., etc., etc that could all be traced back to contributing to the state that ABC Daytime is in now. I honestly believe that if we had someone who really cared about daytime like an Agnes Nixon, Mimi Torchin, Claire Labine, Frank Valentini, and others were in Frons’ position, ABC Daytime would be in much better shape than it is now.

J., please don’t take this as an attack and I hope it doesn’t come off that way because I really like your participation in the DC podcast but when I hear any sort of compliment thrown Brian Frons way, I just don’t get it. It has been said by Jamey and many others on the DC podcast and forums that Frons’ is at least largely to blame for the eventual demise of ABC Daytime dramas and when the last nail is placed in the coffin, he will be the one who should be held responsible. How is someone like that worthy of compliment? I really despise that man.

This is a simple test..

Who do fans love more..
GH's Luke or GH's Laura...

The winner would be without doubt Laura..

Yet TG and Luke live on and call all the shots, while GF was treated like dog you know what..

They refuse to listen to what the fans like or want.

When Another World and Loving left the airwaves, I did not want to hear a rival daytime honcho scold the shows for how bad they had become in their later years (true or not).

Frons has made some foolish mistakes during his helm...

*Not giving Genie the respect she deserves, while catering to Steve, Tony and Maurice.

*Letting GH turn into a mob driven nightmare, that has been a turn off and tune out to a legion of loyal fans (myself included).

*Not allowing Erika to have a major story on OLTL, while allowing the Stacey Fiasco to dominate the Spring/Summer months.

*Forcing Robin Strasser to take another paycut. She is one of the few stars that deserve a hefty raise.

*Allowing his good friend turn AMC into such a mess, I will never watch again. I have heard enough on the podcasts to take AMC off my radar for good. Jessie and Angie should move to Llanview.

I do appreciate his allowing the KISH story, Christian/Layla, Bo/Nora, and Matthew/Destiny on One Life.

I hope he is so distracted with the AMC move, he leaves OLTL alone forever. Let Ron work his magic, and hands off big mouth.

Luverica,

I don't take your comments as an attack at all.

I am in complete agreement with Jamey about Frons: I believe he really cares daytime and in his own way, but he knows nothing about story and is complete misguided in a a lot of his decisions which have alienated a lot of fans and contributed to driving the ratings of many of his shows into the ground.

Having said that, ABC is the only network at present whose schedule over the last decade has remained intact. Sunset Beach & Passions: gone. Guiding Light: gone. ATWT: about to go soon, so we here. Days has to be coming up on a renewal soon and who knows which way NBC will blow. AMC, OLTL, and GH — regardless of how one feels about their state of storytelling — are still safe...for now. And Frons gets credit for that, however grudging it might be.

In regards to Frons, the only thing I said is that he wasn't factually wrong in his remarks about Guiding Light.

Great podcast, guys. Love to hear from a newbie on the podcast, great job, David. You guys are hilarious. Jamey, love the casting calls and that just shows you how ABC feels about their actresses. On OLTL, that whole thing with reality show was classic David, and you guys are right there are men and women who struggle with that Mackenzie line with Fish. GH is getting better little by little, have to say that actor playing Dante is growing on me, but I wish Olivia wouldn't go to his partner and try to get Dante off the case, she will blow his cover. I also think that Brian Frons should be let go plain and simple and stop hiring his friends to destroy shows. I disagree Jamey with you on AMC, if they just get new writers, and bring back characters that we care about it may have a chance.

I honestly believe that Frons days are numbered. If he doesn't do anything fast to improve the state of all of the daytime shows, aside from OLTL I guess, he will be putting a nail on the coffin slowly but surely. I am not sure if GH can be completely thrown down the toilet as much as many do it. It makes me laugh to hear all the negative posts and makes me just think that it is human nature and that we all need something to complain about and this time it is all about the Mob driven storylines and the lack of anything but that in daytime. A few years back no one seemed to care that it was the driving force of GH but in the past year or two it has been the case. I think the bottom line is we all would be alright with it had they never done the unthinkable and have Michael shot. While I do see how great it turned out from a story line purpose it was unnerving how it felt when it happened. The killing of Emily and the death of Alan were un needed blows that Guza did and I do not agree with that at all. Guza is the one he needs to go not Frons, well maybe, and Pratt. They are the two who stunk up GH. It seems they just ran out of good ideas and started putting together crap ever since they got back from the strike. Bring back Gavin as the headwriter and/or the writer for NS2. If we go back to something Guza said after he returned from the strke in regards to Olivia not being mentioned it was something like I did not write that and will not be pursuing things I did not write. As the Liasons cheer in vindication to why their couple is not on screen anymore it is more of a slap in Guza's face by himself. He went back on his word and good thing he did. Olivia, whom I thought was a love child of Kate and Sonny's, came to town and is a hit. Carly finally has a girlfriend, Jax has a good business partner, the best since V, and Sonny has a hot love interest on the horizon. Not to mention the pairing of Johnny and Olivia is amazing and the reveal that Sonny has a cop for a son is way better than Lucky being a cop. Note to Guza have Lucky leave the force please! While Guza did well in his first run on GH his second has turned into crap. Get rid of him and quite frankly bring back Wendi Richie too! When she was holding the cards at GH it was unstoppable. I bet if she was still their Alan, Emily, Laura, Scott, and Brenda would all be too! Note to TPTB at ABC we want a new Headwrter and Executive Producer. We all know it will take a little bit of time but it didn't take OLTL too long to turn things around and make it what it once was before. There is hope but only if they get their heads out of their asses and actually listen to the fans. BTW JaSam makes way more sense than Liason. Liason was a horrible pairing and Elizabeth going back to the bad self she used to be and getting with Nik will be scorching! Watch out daytime this is the sleeper couple. Give it a chance GH you have nothing to lose if anything you have that much more to gain. Especially to see the brainwashed Emily turn from this amazingly gracious woman into one who was scorned by her bestfriend and love of her life. Of course she will forgive them as she was not herself at the time but not before the much desired in my mind pairing of Emily and Lucky!

I'm pretty sure that Layla said that Adriana sold the underwear company a while back, and that's why she ended up being without a job.

Luverica, I am so glad to have J. Bernard's perspective on the podcast, because he is a lot more rational about Frons than I am, or most soap fans. LOL. I am histronic by nature, so it is nice to have someone who looks at things from a more calm perspective. My late grandmother spent the better part of the first 25 years of my life saying, "Boy, would you calm down!" So, I appreciate having a cooler head on the podcast, it makes for a better debate! And I guess Frons could possibly be human... though I swear I saw him roaming through the forests on True Blood!
 

Love your comments! I do have a little issue though. You have overated Susan Lucci's historic significance just a little. The only difference between Lucci and her peers (and she does have them) is a sound bite. She is what mainstream media mentions when they know nothing else about daytime because she is a big emmy loser. I think Deidre Hall is just as famous and important to daytime as Lucci. As well as Genie Francis, Eric Braeden, Tony Geary, Kim Zimmer, Jeanne Cooper, Bill and Susan Hayes, to name a few biggies. Heck when A Martinez and Marcy Walker left Santa Barbara, they had to cancel the whole show. That is definately star power... Yes she is definately an icon in daytime but she is NOT daytime tv. Just part of it. I get along fine every day NOT watching her (mainly because I hate her acting).

Okay. Well I have got to say. In no capacity am I, or will I ever be an ABC Daytime fan. I am a CBSer all the way. But I think you have all persuaded me to tune in to One Life to Live, and get into the world of Llanview. Truly. Like I said, I don't watch any of these ABC's, but I am 'acquainted' with the basics, and the big characters. But, all this positive energy that seems to be at One Life I think would be a welcome into my life. So, it's time to loose myself in Llanview, just like I lost myself in Springfield 5 years ago.

I am new to these podcasts but I have loved everyone I have been able to catch particularly the ones on ABC soaps.

I completely agree J.Bernard's take on what is wrong with AMC. As a 30+ yrs viewer who has in the last few months given up the fight I appreciate that you summed up my problems with the writing in such a tidy nutshell. Who are these people ?, What do they want ?, Why would they do that ? Are all questions I asked repeatedly and frankly grew weary of waiting for the answers to since Pratt didn't seem to know from week to week or seem to be interested in sharing with the veiwers if he did know.

Nearly died when Jamey spoke of Angie and Jesse shouting about a hair model...LOVE IT !!! So tired of the human Bratz Doll thing and what she has done to my dear Hubbards ...LOL

I am loving OLTL these days and mainly checked it out again cause of you guys.

Also, loved the the call sheets for our "irreplaceble" male leads...ROFL

Keep up the good work you guys you'll be around longer than the soaps at this rate.