PhoenixRising05

Jul 13 2008, 10:44 PM

That's a good question, Ellie.

I'm not sure. I know for sporting events they often look at the ratings in time increments, as in how the event did at certain points in the day or evening. I would think they measure the show in time increments and average the number together come up with the total number but I'm not sure.

Sweet Sauce

Jul 13 2008, 08:13 PM

I'm a fan, and I know where she stands, and it makes me happy. I don't need her to do an article in SOD saying she hates what the writer is doing, because I already know she cares. I know that she does 100% to keep Marlena as close to the core of who Marlena is and should be.

There were some rumors in 03 that Deidre didn't like what Higley was doing to Marlena, but she didn't say a word to the media while Higley was there. IMO, you saw it in how she portrayed Marlena onscreen. Moments that were obviously supposed to drive Tony and Marlena closer, by having Marlena act out of character, but she played it as best she could. I don't need her to make a big statement or yell it out, because she tried to keep the parts of Marlena that she could true to who the character was.

I am not saying what fans thought, I'm saying what the actors said, the people getting the feedback and response. And they said that John/Isabella weren't a popular couple, so please, don't shoot the messenger. Rumors are rumors, but when several different people say the same thing without having to, to me, that's a reason to belive them.

ladyofthelake

Jul 13 2008, 06:46 AM

OK, I got this off of another board that has a "Backstage Drama" thread. (Don't know if I'm allowed to mention the board, but Tripp and Paxton know about it.) Here's the scoop, paraphrased (and the poster put on that she is NOT the direct source):

There have been backstage politics & squabbles, network demands, and Dena Higley was given a come-to-Jesus. TPTB demanded rewrites and restructuring, the reason for the quick and nonstop couple shuffling. And there will be more. Nicole gets lots of story coming up, but it's still up in the air as to whether EJ will be her guy. They still have not determined a long-term partner for her. Actually, the entire Nicole/E.J./Sami/Lucas/Chloe/Phillip/Morgan mess is still not set in stone, although DH is strongly wanting to write for Lucas/Chloe and Phillip/Morgan this summer. The problem there is that "Lumi" and "Phloe" fans are still strongly supporting those couples, and so the networks don't want to throw in those towels just yet. Also, Tamara Braun was a hit as Ava and it was not just the audience who loved her work with Drake Hogestyn. "Java" was a hit with higher-ups as well, and attempts will be made to get TB back, if they haven't been already come to an agreement. However, even if TB does come back, Deidre Hall can put a stop to "Java", and TB will be chem-tested again elsewhere. Just as with the John/Isabella pairing, DeHa is NOT happy being the odd, older woman out in a triangle, and she may get her way. The show is still in trouble.
She didn't hear anything about EJami. She's not sure if it's completely shelved, but it certainly isn't high priority.
One of us can post more as we hear about it.
So, well, I guess I'll find my happiness with Days when I can. Sounds like it won't last long. Maybe I'll bombard the NBC board! :huh:

ladyofthelake

Jul 13 2008, 06:46 AM

OK, I got this off of another board that has a "Backstage Drama" thread. (Don't know if I'm allowed to mention the board, but Tripp and Paxton know about it.) Here's the scoop, paraphrased (and the poster put on that she is NOT the direct source):

There have been backstage politics & squabbles, network demands, and Dena Higley was given a come-to-Jesus. TPTB demanded rewrites and restructuring, the reason for the quick and nonstop couple shuffling. And there will be more. Nicole gets lots of story coming up, but it's still up in the air as to whether EJ will be her guy. They still have not determined a long-term partner for her. Actually, the entire Nicole/E.J./Sami/Lucas/Chloe/Phillip/Morgan mess is still not set in stone, although DH is strongly wanting to write for Lucas/Chloe and Phillip/Morgan this summer. The problem there is that "Lumi" and "Phloe" fans are still strongly supporting those couples, and so the networks don't want to throw in those towels just yet. Also, Tamara Braun was a hit as Ava and it was not just the audience who loved her work with Drake Hogestyn. "Java" was a hit with higher-ups as well, and attempts will be made to get TB back, if they haven't been already come to an agreement. However, even if TB does come back, Deidre Hall can put a stop to "Java", and TB will be chem-tested again elsewhere. Just as with the John/Isabella pairing, DeHa is NOT happy being the odd, older woman out in a triangle, and she may get her way. The show is still in trouble.
She didn't hear anything about EJami. She's not sure if it's completely shelved, but it certainly isn't high priority.
One of us can post more as we hear about it.
So, well, I guess I'll find my happiness with Days when I can. Sounds like it won't last long. Maybe I'll bombard the NBC board! :huh:

hoochielicious

Jul 13 2008, 10:56 PM

Just curious why do you think Marlena was out of character by getting closer to Tony? From what I heard, Deidre pushed for "Mony." Thaao did not want "Mony" and has said so publicly. Yet Thaao got all the shit for Mony which he is still getting shit for, and Deidre received no backlash for that couple.

Thaao and Dee did push for Mony back in 1995. I do have an article to support that. They both wanted out of the John/Kristen thing.

PhoenixRising05

Jul 14 2008, 12:03 AM

EJ/Nicole and Philip/Morgan, I think, Higley and co. have been lucky with because things have tuned out perfect. The setup actually worked and now you have so much you can do with them as their relationships grow. They even have perfect complications to deal with (Trent/Sami, Paul). I think if Days sticks with both they could end up being HUGE couples. EJ/Nicole already have many fans and Philip/Morgan is growing too. They are two of the things Higley and Days has done right this year IMO. I really hope Days commits to both couples and stays with them for the long haul.

marisol40

Jul 14 2008, 10:05 AM

I say give them a chance, it's not like Phloe is doing anything for the ratings. As a matter of fact they were hot and heavy when the ratings began to slump further into the daytime basement.

Paxton

Jul 14 2008, 10:40 AM

marisol40

Jul 14 2008, 10:05 AM

I say give them a chance, it's not like Phloe is doing anything for the ratings. As a matter of fact they were hot and heavy when the ratings began to slump further into the daytime basement.

I never blame any one couple for the ratings, but if we're going to do that, then I think it only fair to point out that Morgan and Philip aren't raising the ratings either. Are they a couple? No (and God willing, they won't be), but Morgan has already kissed Philip and they're clearly being built up as a romantic pairing. People have had enough time to get interested. Some people are, some people aren't, but it's not like if you've ever watched a soap before you couldn't tell where they were going with them. If they had the power to raise ratings I would think we'd be seeing it already.

Like I said, since I don't want them, Phorgan fans can sit back and enjoy; my fate is sealed.

PhoenixRising05

Jul 13 2008, 10:29 PM

The fans you are talking about, Ellie, are the show's core fans. They may be people who have watched since the beginning, like my grandmother, or people who more or less still watch out of habit or just love of the show. I know many like that for many soaps. They probably do make up a good percentage of the Nielson system. That wouldn't surprise me.

I don't think we get a distorted view online because I've actually witnessed people in real life turn off a TV or only watch if their favorite character/couple is on and there are definitely many online that do that or just watch youtube clips of their faves instead of viewing the whole show. Usually, they will watch the first act and turn it off if they don't see who they like (which is stupid now because Days will have characters pop up during the show. Fans are quite fickle now and that is the case for all soaps but especially Days.

I know we disagree alot but I do appreciate the way you respond. It's not antagonistic or forceful. I like that we can have respectful debates like this and I look forward to many more :smile: .

Shylock

Jul 13 2008, 11:53 PM

@ the no "hit" couples thing from earlier: It's hard to have a hit couple when they're still shuffling them about and haven't given them anything to run with. Nicole/EJ and Sami/EJ have a lot of chemistry, as do Phillip/Morgan. But none of them are together and are being given any sort of direction. Phillip / Morgan have the whole thing with her father, but no one knows where that's going. Nicole and EJ could have a good hunk of stuff to work with if you take the Trent factor into consideration. They're a much more versatile couple than EJ and Sami. And I figure they could be this show's new Supercouple. And I mean that in a "Hey, these people bring in the ratings" sort of way, but the writing has to be there to back it up.

@ the Marlena picture thing: John removed the picture of Stefano and put the picture of Marlena up there in a failed attempt to impress her. Wasn't he trying to woo her a little bit at the time and he had Stefano's picture replaced with one of her?

JERSoapsFan

Jul 14 2008, 03:58 PM

'She could be the next KRISTEN!'

JERSoapsFan

Jul 14 2008, 03:58 PM

Shylock

Jul 13 2008, 11:53 PM

@ the no "hit" couples thing from earlier: It's hard to have a hit couple when they're still shuffling them about and haven't given them anything to run with. Nicole/EJ and Sami/EJ have a lot of chemistry, as do Phillip/Morgan. But none of them are together and are being given any sort of direction. Phillip / Morgan have the whole thing with her father, but no one knows where that's going. Nicole and EJ could have a good hunk of stuff to work with if you take the Trent factor into consideration. They're a much more versatile couple than EJ and Sami. And I figure they could be this show's new Supercouple. And I mean that in a "Hey, these people bring in the ratings" sort of way, but the writing has to be there to back it up.

@ the Marlena picture thing: John removed the picture of Stefano and put the picture of Marlena up there in a failed attempt to impress her. Wasn't he trying to woo her a little bit at the time and he had Stefano's picture replaced with one of her?

Here's my take. The 'hit' factor isn't about ratings. The current viewers were positively buzzing about John and Ava, 'two misfits who fit perfectly together -- it's SO well written, so in character for both of them to be drawn to each other'! And let's not forget, 'Oh, the CHEMISTRY!' and 'She could be the next KRISTEN!'

That's what many viewers saw, and I believe that's what TPTB saw. That's what makes them a 'hit,' if it's true. Not the ratings.

PhoenixRising05

Jul 13 2008, 07:39 PM

Yes, it is the writer's responsibility but writers are human. They make mistakes and sometimes they need an actor's help too. Look at how Kristian Alfonso stepped up and helped out with John's funeral. Tom Casiello was openly appreciative of that. Sometimes a writer doesn't get a character at all and you can't just fire a writer for not knowing how to write for one character. Therefore, the actor's help is needed at times. That is all I am saying. I applaud her for pushing the show in a positive light. I have no problem with that. I just think behind the scenes she could and should be a bit more forceful, especially at times like this when her character is a mess.