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Latest Ratings: Bad Week for B&B/Y&R/GH; DAYS #1 18-34 | #3Viewers | #2 18-49
Topic Started: Oct 22 2008, 10:37 PM (2,473 Views)
Rick
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Dreamlander

Courtesy of SON
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings

Ratings for the week October 13-17, 2008

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)


Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,661,000 (-245,000/-936,000)
2. B&B 3,404,000 (-205,000/-607,000)
3. DAYS 2,700,000 (+204,000/+100,000)
4. GH 2,691,000 (-145,000/-287,000)
5. OLTL 2,584,000 (+29,000/-204,000)
6. ATWT 2,555,000 (-85,000/-553,000)
7. AMC 2,506,000 (+76,000/-172,000)
8. GL 2,122,000 (+3,000/-495,000)

Households
1. Y&R 3.4/12 (-.2/-.7)
2. B&B 2.5/8 (-.1/-.5)
3. GH 2.1/7 (-.1/-.2)
4. DAYS 2.0/7 (+.1/same)
4. OLTL 2.0/7 (+.1/-.2)
6. AMC 1.9/7 (same/-.2)
6. ATWT 1.9/6 (same/-.4)
8. GL 1.5/5 (same/-.4)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 966,000 (-129,000/-262,000)
2. DAYS 849,000 (+10,000/-40,000)
3. GH 845,000 (-83,000/-173,000)
4. OLTL 789,000 (same/-179,000)
5. AMC 725,000 (same/-143,000)
6. B&B 687,000 (-135,000/-251,000)
7. ATWT 644,000 (-56,000/-175,000)
8. GL 592,000 (+4,000/-148,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.5/9 (-.2/-.4)
2. DAYS 1.3/8 (same/same)
2. GH 1.3/8 (-.1/-.2)
4. OLTL 1.2/7 (same/-.3)
5. AMC 1.1/7 (same/-.2)
6. ATWT 1.0/6 (-.1/-.2)
6. B&B 1.0/6 (-.2/-.4)
8. GL 0.9/5 (same/-.2)

Girls 12-17 Viewers
1. Y&R 48,000 (+12,000/-14,000)
2. ATWT 45,000 (+25,000/+18,000)
3. DAYS 42,000 (+13,000/-7,000)
4. GL 39,000 (+23,000/+18,000)
5. B&B 34,000 (+12,000/-6,000)
6. AMC 31,000 (+19,000/+7,000)
7. OLTL 24,000 (+5,000/+8,000)
8. GH 18,000 (-4,000/-10,000)

Women 18-34
1. DAYS 1.0/6 (same/-.1)
2. GH 0.9/6 (same/-.1)
2. Y&R 0.9/6 (same/-.3)
4. OLTL 0.8/5 (+.1/same)
5. AMC 0.7/5 (same/-.1)
5. B&B 0.7/4 (same/-.2)
7. ATWT 0.6/4 (same/-.2)
8. GL 0.5/3 (same/-.2)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 1,131,000 (-89,000/-286,000)
2. B&B 751,000 (-37,000/-127,000)
3. AMC 563,000 (+103,000/-10,000)
4. DAYS 505,000 (+38,000/-1,000)
5. OLTL 503,000 (+37,000/-65,000)
6. GH 502,000 (+15,000/-84,000)
7. ATWT 500,000 (-52,000/-118,000)
8. GL 462,000 (-24,000/-55,000)

Dailies
AMC
Monday: 1.9/2,518,000
Tuesday: 1.7/2,277,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,535,000
Thursday: 2.1/2,725,000
Friday: 2.0/2,475,000

ATWT
Monday: 1.9/2,621,000
Tuesday: 2.0/2,789,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,612,000
Thursday: 1.9/2,567,000
Friday: 1.7/2,186,000

B&B
Monday: 2.6/3,667,000
Tuesday: 2.5/3,362,000
Wednesday: 2.5/3,423,000
Thursday: 2.5/3,464,000
Friday: 2.3/3,104,000

DAYS
Monday: 2.1/2,759,000
Tuesday: 2.1/2,886,000
Wednesday: 2.1/2,667,000
Thursday: 2.0/2,672,000
Friday: 1.9/2,514,000

GH
Monday: 2.2/2,735,000
Tuesday: 2.1/2,643,000
Wednesday: 2.0/2,588,000
Thursday: 2.2/2,828,000
Friday: 2.1/2,663,000

GL
Monday: 1.5/2,122,000
Tuesday: 1.5/2,228,000
Wednesday: 1.5/2,166,000
Thursday: 1.5/2,110,000
Friday: 1.5/1,985,000

OLTL
Monday: 2.0/2,690,000
Tuesday: 1.9/2,514,000
Wednesday: 1.8/2,457,000
Thursday: 2.1/2,695,000
Friday: 1.9/2,567,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.5/4,970,000
Tuesday: 3.5/4,750,000
Wednesday: 3.4/4,646,000
Thursday: 3.4/4,548,000
Friday: 3.2/4,392,000



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Ellie


http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/10/23/days-of-our-lives-matches-a-20-week-high-in-women-18-49-and-a-nine-week-high-in-women-18-34/6759

‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ MATCHES A 20-WEEK HIGH IN WOMEN 18-49 AND A NINE-WEEK HIGH IN WOMEN 18-34
Posted on 23 October 2008 by Bill Gorman

via NBCU press release:
‘DAYS’ TIES FOR #2 IN WOMEN 18-49 RATING FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 13-17

FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW, ‘DAYS’ TIES FOR #1 IN THE VALUABLE WOMEN 18-34 CATEGORY

BURBANK, Calif. – October 23, 2008 – For the week of October 13-17, NBC’s “Days of our Lives” (1.3 rating, 8 share among women 18-49; 1.0/6 among women 18-34) tied for #2 in the women 18-49 category and tied for #1 in the women 18-34 demographic. This is the second week in a row “Days” has tied for #1 in the valuable women 18-34 category.

“Days” matched its highest women 18-49 rating in 20 weeks (since May 26-30) and matched its highest women 18-34 rating in nine weeks (since August 11-15).

Season to date, “Days” is tied for #3 in the women 18-49 race and tied for #2 among women 18-34.

Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
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soapfan
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Thanks! That is great congrats Days!
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Y&RWorldTurner
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Sharongate, bitches!

http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=102008_26

Fringe Ratings Report: ABC Daytime Programming
Week of October 13, 2008


"The View" Positions as Daytime's No. 1 Program
for the Fourth Straight Week in Women 18-34

Monday's "The View," Featuring a "Day of Hot Topics," Stands as
the Show's Most-Watched Telecast in Women 18-49 in 8 Months

Season to Date, "The View" Exceeds Year-Ago Levels by 8% in Total Viewers

ABC is Home to 3 of the Week's Top 5 Programs in Daytime in
Key Women 18-34 and Women 18-49 Demographics

ABC Daytime

_ For the fourth straight week, "The View" qualified as Daytime's No. 1 Program in Women 18-34 (337,000/1.0 - tied on rating).

_ Monday's "The View," featuring a "Day of Hot Topics," stood as the show's most-watched telecast in Women 18-49 in eight months (1.12 million, since 2/25/08).

-Season to date, "The View" exceeds year-ago levels by a notable 8% in Total Viewers (3.82 million vs. 3.54 million).

-In Women 18-34, ABC aired 3 of Daytime's Top 5 programs: "The View" (No. 1T - 337,000/1.0 rating), "General Hospital" (No. 3T - 305,000/0.9 rating) and "One Life to Live" (No. 5 - 255,000/0.8 rating).

-In Women 18-49, ABC was home to 3 of Daytime's Top 5 programs with "The View" (No. 2T - 889,000/1.3 rating) "General Hospital" (No. 2T - 845,000/1.3 rating), and "One Life to Live" (No. 5 - 789,000/1.2 rating).


Following are the Daytime Lineup averages, plus Top 5 Programs Ranks - Week of October 13, 2008:

Daytime Rank: Total Viewers Women 18-49 (Rtg/000s)
No. 1 CBS 3.38 million No. 1 NBC 1.3/849,000
No. 2 ABC 2.92 million No. 2 ABC 1.2/812,000
No. 3 NBC 2.70 million No. 3 CBS 1.1/711,000



Top 5 Daytime Programs in Women 18-49 (rank based on rating):

Program Net Rtg/000s
The Young & the Restless CBS 1.5/966,000
The View ABC 1.3/889,000
Days of Our Lives NBC 1.3/849,000
General Hospital ABC 1.3/845,000
One Life to Live ABC 1.2/789,000
Edited by Y&RWorldTurner, Oct 23 2008, 05:35 PM.
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Kevc1980
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Go Days...thats awesome..Glad NBC is showing a little faith in the show..
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PhoenixRising05
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Well, now we know NBC and Days are merely focusing on demos. It seems they are back to releasing press releases. Good for Days though. It's been awhile since they had ice cream. Maybe they will get it soon if they hit #1 in 18-49. I heard the show went up 200,000 in total viewers too so good week for the show. I bet the Columbus Day holiday helped.

It seems AMC got good daily on Thursday from what I read. They got a 2.1 but then dropped to a 2.0 on Friday. The 2.1 shows the audience will come back for a heavily promoted event but it shows why ratings will be what they are or worse because they numbers went right back down. That is why I don't think it matters what these shows do, daytime or primetime. Ratings are either staying the same or dwindling and now we are seeing the emphasis in many respects shift. NBC has gone back to it's early 2000's philosophy of targeting the demos already in regards to Days and many other shows.
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daisysmommy


I agree they are focused on demos, but it's not like they can actually brag about total viewership. I think they were lower in HH last year at this time, but the 18-49 category was 1.3 and 18-34 was 1.1.

When the vets were featured first quarter, they were getting 1.4- 1.7 in the 18-49 category and routinely at 1.0-1.4 for 18-34. Why is it so mindboggling for TPTB to consider that using older players may not mean garnering older eyeballs? I don't get it-- the ad revenue they would get from spiking these demos would more than make up for the cost of using the vets.

I'm thinking sweeps is not gonna be a great boon for them. I think they'll stay steady, but I don't see these stories as teased in the mags pulling in lapsed/casual viewers...much less new ones. Also, I suppose it will depend on what their head-to-head competition does storyline-wise. In NYC, they are now up against AMC (until recently, it was OLTL) and 1/2 hr Y&R/B&B. How does it shake out in most markets, I wonder?
Edited by daisysmommy, Oct 24 2008, 04:10 AM.
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Steve Frame
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They are not doing anything else than they have done in the past. All the shows have focused on the demos but the press releases are no more than ABC's press releases. It is not what they are focusing on - it is spin. That is what ABC has done with it's press releases for years and they get called on it all the time. Everyone says they can't wait to see how ABC will spin the bad ratings this week. They usually do it by focusing on the time slots their shows won or the demos they are leading in. They don't try to focus on the overall ratings. NBC is just following suit.

I am back to watching AMC because of the tornado story but I am also staying tuned for OLTL and GH most days. AMC is the only one with anythign to brag on, but as I posted over on anotehr board AMC nor any of the soaps can recover from this mess. AMC is finally focusing on more than just the sextette and general fans love the show. But guess what all the talk across the Internet is about the fan bases and how unhappy they are because they are getting pissed on. Well boo hoo.

Sorry fan bases but you are killing the very soaps you claim you to love. No matter what the writers do they can't make you happy. For years I ahve complained about how bad soaps are, but I am slowly coming to realize that no matter what the writers do they can't win. IF they try to keep the couples happy they get boring and the fans complain. If they backburner them or just show them to prop other scenes then the fan bases get mad. If they try to put them in a front burner storyline with either a person threatening the relationship or if the relationship is threatened in any other way the fan bases get unhappy.

It leaves writers not knowing what to do anymore.

The powers that be can no longer focus on just producing a good quality show anymore because they are first off trying to produce a show that appeals to the demo they are trying to win and 2nd they are worried about not ticking off the fan bases.

There is no way in the world that soaps can ever pull out of the doldrums they are in. I am a firm believer in that now.

It is not just the fan bases that are to blame though. The powers that be created these damn fan bases by pushing the agenda of one love that lasts a lifetime.

It is funny that in the 70's and before the divorce rate was lower than it is now. couples generally stayed together longer in real life, but fans back then accepted that not every couple always stayed together. Many of our favorite couples then split up, moved on and never got back together. Also many of our favorite couples lost the love of their life to death and moved on and the loved one didn't suddenly return from the dead. It was all part of life.

Now today the divorce rate is higher but in the soap world esp. with super couples they are supposed to be forever tied to one love and to that love only. It is so unrealistic. Also it makes for bad soap opera.

Bill Bell and Pat Falken Smith kept Days at or near #1 in the 70's by focusing on star-crossed tragic lovers. Guess what he focused on them but they were hardly ever actually couples or together. They were for the majority apart and longing to be together. Bill & Laura Horton were a couple from 1966 to 1980 and were probably happily together as a couple about a year of the whole time. Doug & Julie were a front burner couple from 1970 to 1984 and were together happy without any outside force separating them about a year and a half. For 5 years they hardly even got to kiss and only made love 1 time.

Today the fan bases of those 2 couples would be fuming.

But back then we ate it up. We tuned in everyday and just waited it out - longing for them to be together.

I just don't see how soaps can ever pull out of this at this point. I don't see viewers changing and I definitely don't see writers changing because even if they wanted to the modern viewer wouldn't let them at this point.
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FanODays


Steve Frame
Oct 24 2008, 07:13 AM
They are not doing anything else than they have done in the past. All the shows have focused on the demos but the press releases are no more than ABC's press releases. It is not what they are focusing on - it is spin. That is what ABC has done with it's press releases for years and they get called on it all the time. Everyone says they can't wait to see how ABC will spin the bad ratings this week. They usually do it by focusing on the time slots their shows won or the demos they are leading in. They don't try to focus on the overall ratings. NBC is just following suit.

I am back to watching AMC because of the tornado story but I am also staying tuned for OLTL and GH most days. AMC is the only one with anythign to brag on, but as I posted over on anotehr board AMC nor any of the soaps can recover from this mess. AMC is finally focusing on more than just the sextette and general fans love the show. But guess what all the talk across the Internet is about the fan bases and how unhappy they are because they are getting pissed on. Well boo hoo.

Sorry fan bases but you are killing the very soaps you claim you to love. No matter what the writers do they can't make you happy. For years I ahve complained about how bad soaps are, but I am slowly coming to realize that no matter what the writers do they can't win. IF they try to keep the couples happy they get boring and the fans complain. If they backburner them or just show them to prop other scenes then the fan bases get mad. If they try to put them in a front burner storyline with either a person threatening the relationship or if the relationship is threatened in any other way the fan bases get unhappy.

It leaves writers not knowing what to do anymore.

The powers that be can no longer focus on just producing a good quality show anymore because they are first off trying to produce a show that appeals to the demo they are trying to win and 2nd they are worried about not ticking off the fan bases.

There is no way in the world that soaps can ever pull out of the doldrums they are in. I am a firm believer in that now.

It is not just the fan bases that are to blame though. The powers that be created these damn fan bases by pushing the agenda of one love that lasts a lifetime.

It is funny that in the 70's and before the divorce rate was lower than it is now. couples generally stayed together longer in real life, but fans back then accepted that not every couple always stayed together. Many of our favorite couples then split up, moved on and never got back together. Also many of our favorite couples lost the love of their life to death and moved on and the loved one didn't suddenly return from the dead. It was all part of life.

Now today the divorce rate is higher but in the soap world esp. with super couples they are supposed to be forever tied to one love and to that love only. It is so unrealistic. Also it makes for bad soap opera.

Bill Bell and Pat Falken Smith kept Days at or near #1 in the 70's by focusing on star-crossed tragic lovers. Guess what he focused on them but they were hardly ever actually couples or together. They were for the majority apart and longing to be together. Bill & Laura Horton were a couple from 1966 to 1980 and were probably happily together as a couple about a year of the whole time. Doug & Julie were a front burner couple from 1970 to 1984 and were together happy without any outside force separating them about a year and a half. For 5 years they hardly even got to kiss and only made love 1 time.

Today the fan bases of those 2 couples would be fuming.

But back then we ate it up. We tuned in everyday and just waited it out - longing for them to be together.

I just don't see how soaps can ever pull out of this at this point. I don't see viewers changing and I definitely don't see writers changing because even if they wanted to the modern viewer wouldn't let them at this point.
I agree and disagree with you. Yes there is no making some fanbases happy-agree with that 1,000%. However, I don't see Days really working to make any of them happy. The J&M fans aren't happy, neither are the Lumi, EJami, EJole, Sami, etc. Futhermore I don't see any of these pairings as being starcrossed or fighting to be together. I just see one big ole tangle of, well I don't know what.

I think part of the issue is the aging of the genre and the characters. How many times can the older couples be separated and then reunited without it becoming a joke? That is particually true for Days because there is usually a baddie involved who keeps them apart, even now for J&M, Stefano is the cause. Days had a terrific opprotunity with the storyline about Bo's illness but they blew it to make it about Dr. God and Chelsea. Bo could have had complications (impotency, paralysis, etc.) and he pushed Hope away which would have also been plausible because SHE approved the operation that ultimately resulted in Chelsea not being able to have children. Nope, they messed it up and why? Because of the NETWORK'S obsession with the demographics, so its not all on the fans.

I read a lot of boards and yes those that only watch for specific characters tend to be the least happy, and they always will be unless they get it all their way but there are a lot of people who have been patient and willing to wait through the most horrific of stories in hopes of better stories to come. With Days that really hasn't panned out. That is evidenced by their pretty steady position at 2nd or 3rd from the bottom during the past year.

My point, its not just the fans who are to blame.
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Steve Frame
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I said part of it was the powers that be's fault too.

But I will ask the question I asked on the other board:

Since when did making soap operas become all about making the fan bases happy?

That is what is wrong with soap operas right now is that every one watches if for the most part with that in mind and for the most part the powers that be make them with that in mind.

It's time we throw that out and concentrate on making good soap opera. And not just make it to make the fan bases happy. That is the way soap operas used to be made - they listened to fans but they could have really given a flying fuck as to whether a particular fan base was happy or not. I know that for sure because there would have been many things that happened between 1960 and 1985 that would have never happened if they had worried about making fans happy. There were many many times fans were not happy with what happened and voiced their opinions - but the writers didn't change it. They let it happen.
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FanODays


Steve Frame
Oct 24 2008, 12:09 PM
I said part of it was the powers that be's fault too.

But I will ask the question I asked on the other board:

Since when did making soap operas become all about making the fan bases happy?

That is what is wrong with soap operas right now is that every one watches if for the most part with that in mind and for the most part the powers that be make them with that in mind.

It's time we throw that out and concentrate on making good soap opera. And not just make it to make the fan bases happy. That is the way soap operas used to be made - they listened to fans but they could have really given a flying fuck as to whether a particular fan base was happy or not. I know that for sure because there would have been many things that happened between 1960 and 1985 that would have never happened if they had worried about making fans happy. There were many many times fans were not happy with what happened and voiced their opinions - but the writers didn't change it. They let it happen.
Soaps and all TV became about making the fans happy when TPTB tried to recreate successful stories by relying on gimmicks rather than quality storytelling (and its not just daytime either but I'll stick to that for the sake of this conversation). For example, when was the last time we had a truly unique younger couple? Lulu and Johnny are being compared to Luke and Laura, Shawn and Belle were compared to Bo and Hope. Why not concentrate on creating something new rather than trying to find a quick way to cash in on past successes?

I know its not easy because after 40+ years for some of these soaps alot of it has already been done, but all the silly writers need to do is to read a few fan fics and they could get some terrific ideas.

I've been a loyal fan of soaps for close to 40 years and have not been a fanbase oriented viewer. Yes I've had my favorites, but I can still watch for the shows and not just my favorites. The past 2 years have been pretty much god awful all around. There is little or no suspense, and not just because I read spoilers, there is hardly any romance which is just stupid considering these are soaps and overall the stories are bad and worse, told badly.

That is why I refuse to shed a tear for any of these soaps when their viewship declines.
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King
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Steve, I think it became all about making fan bases happy when soaps began losing money. Soaps are losing money, annually, for the first time EVER in their, what, sixty year history?

They need to hang on to the fans they have or they'll be canceled sooner than they all think. And they are catering to the fans they do have.
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Steve Frame
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Yeah but even those fans are sticking to the show. They get mad about the least little thing and quit.

AMC killed off Dixie to placate the Zendell fans and lost the Tad/Dixie fans. All they are doing is just setting themselves up for bigger falls. I fear for the character of Bianca right now on AMC. She is a threat to Zach and Kendall now and although not ever Zendall fan demanded Dixie's death or delighted in it - many did. And believe me right now the Zendall fans are not happy at all. I just wonder if Pratt will give in and get rid of Bianca like McTavish did Dixie.

TPTB are stupid fucks. As I said before the fans do have some blame but so do TPTB. I mean when you say this demo is the one that is important all you are saying to the others is you are not important. You can go fuck yourself for all we care. And that is what they do when they placate one fanbase to make another fan base happy. Maybe that is what Higley is doing right now. Maybe she is sayign well I can't make any of you happy so none of your faves will be together.

Who knows? All I know is taht trying to hold on and placate fan bases is killing the soaps and soon there won't be any fans left who even give a damn except for a few here and there.
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esp13
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Personally, I think we're all using the wrong terminology. Of course soap operas are about making fans happy. If fans aren't happy, they aren't watching the show. Do you really think any show can survive with an audience that doesn't like the product onscreen? The problem isn't that TPTB are focused on making fans happy, the problem is that TPTB have forgotten that the #1 most important ingredient in making your fans happy with your show is telling a good story. It's not events, gimmicks, shock value, or even keeping two characters together forever. It's creating strong characters and telling stories that allow those characters to connect with the audience in all different ways.

The other problem is that viewers have lost faith in the show to do the characters or the story justice and TPTB have lost faith in their viewers. In the past, there were always storylines that had viewers screaming in the middle of them. But, deep down the viewers had faith that the payoff would be worth the pain, and TPTB had faith that no matter how mad the viewers might be at any particular time in the story, they'd stick around to the end and that end would ultimately make the fans happy.

So, I don't blame the fanbases for screaming bloody murder. They've always done it. And, these days, they are more often right than wrong. I blame the TPTB for forgetting the most basic rules of storytelling in favor of schlocky gimmicks and quick fixes.
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Steve Frame
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But again for the most part they don't have to do that to please the die hard fan bases.

How many times have we read over and over again in the daily discussions that a show was bad that day because of who was on. And then the next day the show can be just as bad but a large number will come on talking about good it was. And the only difference is that their favorite was on that day.

And I am not talking about general fans. Yes they do have to make fans in general happy but they should have learned by now that with the die hard couple and character fan bases there is no way to to make them happy.

Some of the shows have learned that too. Remember Danny and Michelle on GL. The writers tried and tried to make the fan base happy and no matter what they did they couldn't. So they just cut their losses and wrote Danny and Michelle off.

The trouble with today is that they are not working to create a show that makes just the fans happy - they work to create stories that are just that couple or character stories in order to appeal to a certain part of their audience.

As I have said before the writers now write stories where the story is not written to fit characters but characters are altered to fit a story. They go into the story with the idea in mind that this needs to be a Bo/Hope story or a John/Marlena story - well their history doesn't exactly fit that - so guess what they change the history of the character to fit that story - so that it can be a story for that couple. They just want to write that story and just apply it whether the story actually fits them or not.

It is just sickening.

I for one have lived through seeing many of my favorite couples split up, lose their loved one, or even just be written off into the sunset. I would rather have that happen to them than see them thrown into one bad story after another just for the sake of keeping them on the air. Also they don't always have to be front and center in every story. Many big couples have been shifted from the limelight over the years. They were kept as part of the show but actually propped and supported others. It is something that needs to happen. Soaps need to go back to being an ensemble. Soaps are supposed to be about community and family and part of conveying that is to make the show an ensemble production and not a star vehicle for certain actors, characters and couples.
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Miss Rhi
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esp13
Oct 24 2008, 01:49 PM

So, I don't blame the fanbases for screaming bloody murder. They've always done it. And, these days, they are more often right than wrong. I blame the TPTB for forgetting the most basic rules of storytelling in favor of schlocky gimmicks and quick fixes.
Fanbases may have always screamed bloody murder, but now they have more ways to voice their displeasure then they did in the past and with things like message boards and such they can gain more cult members then ever before. Then they collect money for campaigns for whoever they are fans of, and they also send e-mails and snail mail, hell I wouldn't be surprised if some writers and producers give in just so the fanbases will leave them alone.....
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daisysmommy


I don't think soaps are in the red-- if they were, they'd be cancelled. They just probably don't make as much as syndie shows that fly...but the problem is, for every Ellen, there's a Bonnie Hunt. That show, IMHO, will probably scare the 'rainbow colored chicken' to keep DOOL through 2011...
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esp13
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I don't disagree at all. There are a lot more ways to make the voices heard than ever before. But, again, I firmly believe that if TPTB put a good story on the air, the fans will stick around and watch. So what if some of them are always bitching about something? They will still be watching.

And yeah, I'm sure there are some fans that will never be happy no matter what they do, but the answer is not to try and write for those fans. I just don't understand the idea of blaming fans for expressing their displeasure with something. If I don't like something, I'm going to talk about the fact I don't like it. TPTB are free to disregard that and if it gets bad enough, I'm free to stop watching the show. I'm not holding the show hostage.

Somewhere along the way, it suddenly became the fans fault when they didn't like the show and I don't understand how that works. I don't care if it's a soap or any other show, if I only watch for a certain character or pairing and that character or pairing is dumped and I choose to stop watching, I haven't betrayed the show. I've made a choice about how to spend my time. TPTB have made a choice that the character or pairing is not important to the show. Nothing wrong with that. If I disagree, I'm free to leave.

That's why, for me, it goes back to TPTB, not the fans. Tell a good story, use your cast, and don't sacrifice characters for plot (or stories for events and gimmicks). If you follow those basic rules, most of the rest will take care of itself.
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FanODays


esp13
Oct 24 2008, 02:54 PM
I don't disagree at all. There are a lot more ways to make the voices heard than ever before. But, again, I firmly believe that if TPTB put a good story on the air, the fans will stick around and watch. So what if some of them are always bitching about something? They will still be watching.

And yeah, I'm sure there are some fans that will never be happy no matter what they do, but the answer is not to try and write for those fans. I just don't understand the idea of blaming fans for expressing their displeasure with something. If I don't like something, I'm going to talk about the fact I don't like it. TPTB are free to disregard that and if it gets bad enough, I'm free to stop watching the show. I'm not holding the show hostage.

Somewhere along the way, it suddenly became the fans fault when they didn't like the show and I don't understand how that works. I don't care if it's a soap or any other show, if I only watch for a certain character or pairing and that character or pairing is dumped and I choose to stop watching, I haven't betrayed the show. I've made a choice about how to spend my time. TPTB have made a choice that the character or pairing is not important to the show. Nothing wrong with that. If I disagree, I'm free to leave.

That's why, for me, it goes back to TPTB, not the fans. Tell a good story, use your cast, and don't sacrifice characters for plot (or stories for events and gimmicks). If you follow those basic rules, most of the rest will take care of itself.
I don't think the reason for the declining ratings and viewership is because those that say 'if so and so aren't together I won't watch.' I have a 'feeling' that those groups do not consist of that many people albiet many of them are very focal and create the illusion that there are more than actually exist. If those are the fans that TIIC are trying to get then good luck because its a losing battle just for the reasons cited. Make fanbase y happy and fanbase z gets pissed off. Make z happy and a and b are mad, yadda, yadda, yadda.

It all goes back to the quality of the stories being told and that can be blamed on nobody but those in charge. I remember when Bo and Hope divorced in Mexico, my heart broke but then I watched Hope pick up her life and move on and Bo try to leave Hope behind and my heart broke more. There were times when I truly didn't know if they would reunite but that was okay because the story was told so well.

Also the story of the J&M affair, wow, that got to me because I was a huge Roman and Marlena fan and truly didn't know who to root for. It can be done, TIIC need to get a pair and be willing to take a chance that they might tell a story that will bring back viewers. TIIC of TIIC need to let them have the time to set up such stories too. Lately too many stories are rushed so that we aren't given time to really get it which is why they rely on gimmicks to grab our attention.

Stop selling the viewers short.
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Steve Frame
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It all boils down to which dog barks the loudest - and sadly right now many of these fan bases bark louder than the others. And sadly it is those fan bases that organize as Rhi referred too for these campaigns that are getting their voices heard.

Why in the hell do you think these fan bases are all over the Internet bragging about which fan base group is the biggest. They are trying to get the attention of the shows. I don't get a lot of SOW or SOD anymore. Occassionally when I am on vacation I will get one. I think I read one or two whole issues last year. But I can remember seeing letters in there about this or that fan base and how large they are. And believe me if they are writing the mags they are writing the shows.

And sadly these fan bases are the ones the shows are listening too.

And as far as holding the show hostage - maybe some of you aren't - but many of these fan bases try to hold the show hostage all the time with their demands if you don't do this or you do this then we will quit watching.

I agree with the statement TPTB need to grow a pair and call them on their bluffs way more often.
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