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Post Info TOPIC: Scott Gore Of SON's My View Of Llanview For Feb 20th


GTA Revived The Radio Star

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Posts: 3752
Date: Feb 21, 2007
Scott Gore Of SON's My View Of Llanview For Feb 20th


(SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- "One Life to Live" gets a new Co-Head Writer, but is change really on the way?

Well, my how time flies. Here are again, time for my second "One Life to Live" column of 2007. Hope you have enjoyed watching "OLTL" as much as I have. Whether you agree with my ramblings or not, you have to admit that Llanview has had a lot to comment on recently. So without further ado, here are my thoughts and opinions on the happenings of "OLTL."

You may recall that I mentioned in my January column about the recent improvement of "OLTL" and briefly touched on the rumor that the show might be getting a new head writer. While I had no concrete evidence to back up the rumor at the time, I could just sense that something was different about the show. While watching the show, it seemed like this wasn't the same show I had been watching only a few months before.

In recent weeks more of the show's veteran actors were featured, and the story lines seemed to be picking up steam. Granted the show was no where near perfect and more changes still need to be made, but "OLTL" seemed to be in a much better shape than only a month or two before. At the time I didn't read much into the new head writer rumor for obvious reasons, until I read an article in the February 27th edition of Soap Opera Digest.

The article brought good news to many longtime fans of "One Life to Live;" but the news wasn't all good. While it was refreshing to hear that longtime "OLTL" writer Ron Carlivati was being named Co-Head Writer, it also served as a reminder that, for better of for worse, we are stuck with Dena Higley for the time being. While Carlivati's 10+ years of service and dedication to "OLTL" will be an asset to his new position, he will not be alone in charting the course of the show. Dena Higley will be able to continue her reign of terror on the poor, unsuspecting characters of Llanview, PA. I have heard that perhaps this is the beginning of the process to slowly wean Dena Higley from "OLTL," but I won't believe it 'till I see it. But at least with Carlivati as her equal on the writing staff, we can rest a little easier at night with the fact that "OLTL" is not a lost cause.

While I admit that I am totally unaware of the all the backstage politics at the three ABC soaps, I can't help but think that Kay Alden may also be partly responsible for the recent improvements in "OLTL." I am aware that there are conflicting reports which place her in the back seat of each of the network's three daytime dramas, but her behind-the scenes contributions seem most notable, in my opinion anyway, at "OLTL." While there hasn't been any one big thing so far on "OLTL" that seems to scream Kay Alden, there does seem to be a lot of little things which have to make one wonder. Granted that's only speculation on my part, however, I feel there may be some truth in it.

While standing in the check-out line of the grocery store recently, I glanced through the various soap magazines. In one of them I skimmed through an interview with Dena Higley concerning the fantasy Valentine's Day episode. In it she mentioned wanting to keep the "OLTL" tradition of special stand alone episode alive and, at the same time, do something 'wildly romantic' for Valentine's Day. Now I watched the fantasy Valentine's Day episode of "OLTL," but I didn't see anything wildly romantic about it. Rather it seemed more like comedic relief. I admit that I did somewhat enjoy the episode however. While it was cheesy and campy, for the most part it was pretty funny; especially the scenes with Todd, Dorian, Rex and Roxy. The rest of the episode had its moments, but I found myself laughing at what was supposed to 'dramatic scenes.' But it wasn't a total loss. I've seen a loss worse episodes of "OLTL." The first one that comes to mind is John McBain's 'funeral' from last fall. Not that was bad. The funeral itself was nice, but knowing it was for John McBain made it nearly unwatchable. And to top it all off he wasn't even dead! But I digress...

If "OLTL" wants to do another special stand alone episode, they should call on former Executive Producer Gary Tomlin. Yesterday I watched parts of the "OLTL" special July 4th episodes from 2001 and 2002--the 'Trading Places' and 'Babes Behind Bars' episodes respectively. I have to admit those two episodes were great and are classic "OLTL." Unlike this year's Valentine's episode, they were innovative, rather well written and featured quite a few of the veteran cast members. Also unlike this year's episode, they featured special openings which also made you laugh. And how I could I forget to mention to the special 'Live' week of shows under Tomlin's reign? Perhaps "OLTL" should consider replacing Frank Valentini with Gary Tomlin. After all Tomlin, who is now a director on the NBC soap "Passions," will be out of a job when that soap finally kicks the bucket in September. Come on back to Llanview Gary!

I have to applaud the writers for finally wising up and not dropping the ball on the 'Who Killed Spencer Truman?' and 'Arsonist who burns down Llanview' story lines. Having been guilty of making it obvious who the lawbreakers were in past 'who done it?' story lines, they have finally gotten their act together with the two present story lines. Right now we really have no idea who killed Spencer or who is the Llanview arsonist, and that's a good thing. It keeps us tuning in to see if we can figure out who did it. And believe me, that's a lot better than figuring it out right after it happens and sitting on your hands while 'Llanview's finest' takes months to do the same.

On a parting note, I would just like to mention how refreshing it has been in recent weeks to see so many of "OLTL"'s veteran cast members finally getting some airtime. How wonderful it has been to see more of Viki, Clint, Asa, Nigel, Renee, Nigel, Carlotta, Lindsay, Dorian, Roxy, Nora and others. Although their airtime is still rather limited, it is up significantly from what it has been.

Nora's house being targeted by the arsonist should have been about her and Matthew. But who do we see as they are taken off-screen to the hospital? Bo and Talia. That one still has me scratching my head. Viki and Clint's date last Friday also has me scratching my head. As Friday's episode ended, Dorian had stormed off and Viki had just set down to start her date with Viki and bam! 'Stay tuned for scenes from the next "OLTL"'. And then today, they were no were to be seen. Talk about continuity. Here are a few final thoughts: Clint should be Viki, Dorian is a hateful old shrew, Marcie and Michael deserve to keep Tommy, Lindsay should be back with RJ, Bo and Nora should be back together, and John McBain should join Spencer in the land of the dead. That's just my two cents, but it's something to think about.

Well, that's all for now. Thank you for putting up with my ramblings once more. What can I say? I love "OLTL" and I know a lot of you do too. So until we meet again, happy trails to you and enjoy the show.

Until next time remember, we only have "One Life to Live" .....

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"If you were looking for something clever or witty or funny here, you've come to the wrong place."


Twilight Posting Princess

Status: Offline
Posts: 1352
Date: Feb 22, 2007

i agree w/much of what he says tho i found the valentine's episode totally boring & useless.

i do hope the new co headwriter is the beginning of the end for dena. she has got to be the worst writer in soaps history!!

he's right about us not having a clue who killed spencer....it's not going to be michael....or who is setting the fires & more importantly why. hope it's not another stupid conclusion like who the serial killer is on AMC.

i'm really hoping that OLTL can get back on track....tho i don't think that will truly happen until higley is gone. it's a sure bet that the small improvements cannot be attributed to her *vision*.

kris


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an ABC soap fan since i was a teen. favorte hobby is reading mysteries & legal or medical procedural mysteries
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