OLTL/AMC Fans Get the Short End of the Deal AGAIN!

If you're a soap fan, you are probably well aware of the fact that "One Life to Live" and "All My Children" were canceled and last aired January 2011.  Fans were outraged, and protests were held.  Unfortunately, nothing could change the minds of TPTB of ABC. Enter a little known company called Prospect Park who said they were committed to bringing back BOTH shows online.  Online?  This is different--definitely a new concept to soap fans.  It was the miracle the fans of both soap operas had been hoping and praying for. The fact that the average fan never heard of this company (which should've been a clue) didn't seem to matter.  Fans were thrilled beyond belief!  We were getting our shows back! Shows were scheduled to begin in January 2012.  Good news, right?  WRONG! The day before Thanksgiving, Prospect Park announced they were shelving the idea. Fans were outraged!  My Twitter timeline was full of tweets from angry fans.  Who could blame them?  I did my share of venting as well.  We put our trust in this company and felt let down and betrayed again.  Fans once again quickly rallied and launched a campaign to prove that there was a life for the shows online.

In the meantime, "General Hospital" named Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati from "One Life to Live" Exec. Producer and Head Writer.  Not only did Mr. Valentini and Mr. Carlivati turn GH around and give us back our show, which had gone downhill with the previous regime, but they also gave us back a little bit of "One Life to Live" by bringing on Kristen Alderson, Roger Howarth, and Michael Easton as their characters from "One Life to Live". The actors were on contract, but the "characters" were on loan from Prospect Park. Everything was going well and the OLTL fans were happy since it seemed that Prospect Park dropped the ball and would not be bringing back "One Life to Live".  Nobody--I repeat--NOBODY thought "One Life to Live" and "All My Children" were coming back at this point.  

Then, just when we thought all hope was lost, we learned in January of 2013 that the shows would indeed be brought back online.  Fans were thrilled beyond belief!  Everything was going our way---FINALLY!  We were getting the justice we deserved.  It was eventually announced that the first episodes would be airing on April 29, 2013.  They would be available for FREE on Hulu. They would also be available on Hulu Plus if you wanted to pay $7.99 for a subscription to the site an also on iTunes.  Prospect Park and The Online Network promoted the shows by saying the shows were available "Anytime, Anywhere.  It's no longer daytime. It's anytime".  I couldn't believe it!  I could watch the show on MY schedule?  Really?  This was a soap opera fan's dream!  Wrong again!

Fans waited with anticipation for the debut.  The day finally arrived.  Fans tuned in to see their shows.  It was heaven! The actors were happy, the fans were happy, and both shows were in the top 5 on iTunes.  Everything was going better than expected.  And then it happened....

After only THREE WEEKS, The Online Network, parent company of Prospect Park, released a press release on May 16 announcing that they were cutting back on episodes. They would only be showing TWO episodes a week of each show instead of FOUR.  The reason?  Apparently, the fans are at fault.  Yep, they sited fans' viewing habits as the problem. They said the fans have been watching on demand or "binge viewing" (watching all episodes at once).  Now, let's think about this, shall we?  First, it's Hulu and iTunes. Of course it's on demand! And binge watching?  Hello? Did they not encourage BOTH these things when they said "It's no longer daytime.  It's anytime!"?  THAT was the beauty of this whole venture!  Heck, even the actors themselves were constantly saying "It's no longer daytime.  It's anytime!".  Now, PP/TOLN has promoted it as "anytime" TV, the actors were also promoting it as such.  So WHAT did they expect from the viewers? Of course we're going to watch when we can.  Furthermore, they said that due to their research and after analyzing our viewing habits, they feel they "have been expecting our audience to dedicate what has turned out to be an excessive amount of time to viewing these shows."  They also said "We are finding that asking most people to regularly watch more than a half hour per day online seems to be too much."  WHAT?!  They are currently only showing four half-hour hour shows weekly of both series. That is a total of TWO HOURS a week!  For the most part, soap opera fans are used to watching FIVE HOURS of each of their shows EVERY WEEK.  And we have never had any trouble keeping up. Now they want to cut it down to 2 shows a week for each series.  That is a total of ONE HOUR of programming PER SERIES, people!  

They go on to say "The clear conclusion is that while somewhat mixed, these viewing patterns resemble more closely the typical patterns of online viewing rather than how one would watch traditional television."  Is that a serious statement?  It has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.  Here's a thought.  Maybe they resemble the typical patterns of online viewing rather than traditional television because THEY ARE ONLINE SHOWS NOW!  

In addition, they basically said that we need to watch BOTH AMC and OLTL to ensure the success of the shows.  Heck, they pretty much demanded it.  Basically, if one fails, they both fail.  Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I only ever watched OLTL even though I kept up with AMC through magazines and  occasional channel switching during commercials. Now I'm expected to watch AMC as well as OLTL?  I feel like a gun is being held to my head, and I don't like it one bit.  Watching a show is supposed to be a CHOICE, not a MUST.  We were also told we need to watch the show on the day they first air in order for it to count and to make this a success.  Nevermind that the shows have constantly been in the Top 5, which proves it's working.

Let's recap, shall we?  Not only are we too slow and stupid to keep up with 2-4 hours of programming a week (not counting the unnecessary recap shows), but we're being punished for watching when and how we want and being told we need to watch both shows the day they originally air.  This is insulting!   Instead of demanding we watch both shows, why didn't they try ASKING?  (Note to Prospect Park/The Online Network:  Try watching this: The Art of Asking. You might actually learn something.)

Now, I have been a loyal daytime viewer for over 30 years.  I have also been lucky enough to have been involved with different soap celebrities over the years, and I know some of what goes on "behind the scenes".  So I am suspicious by nature and know a load of bull when I hear it.  This press release by The Online Network REEKS of a cover-up.  They based their decisions on TWO weeks of shows.  Two weeks, in which BOTH shows were in the Top 5 on iTunes.  It doesn't add up!  It seems to me that they bit off more than they could chew. They should've taken the time to do more research and learn viewers' viewing habits BEFORE they decided to go ahead with bringing the shows back. They should've done more planning, research, and thinking things through instead of jumping into this so fast.  If it's a money issue, fine.  Just tell us.  Contrary to what they obviously think, we won't break.  All we expect is HONESTY.  But PLEASE don't make US the bad guys because you didn't do your homework.  The fans deserve better.

This feels like ABC all over again. We're being disrespected.  The sad part is there are fans who will actually do whatever Prospect Park/The Online Network wants.  I'm serious. Over the years, I've had numerous encounters with this type of fan.  They're the ones who are ALWAYS happy with EVERYTHING on their soap.  They will blindly do whatever is asked of them to help out their favorite show.  I fondly refer to these people as Stepford Viewers.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't think it's completely bad.  Annoying to a point, maybe.  But it's a soap opera's execs. dream to have these viewers. Soaps need these viewers. They get to do whatever they want, and the viewer will be happy while the rest of us who speak up are considered nags, pests, and never happy.  More fans need to start speaking up.  I'm not saying be rude. I'm saying be politely critical.  Constructive criticism is a good thing.  But don't just lie down and take it when a network/company pulls what Prospect Park/The Online Network is doing.  Show them we're not stupid. Fight for what you deserve and don't you dare give up one minute before you get it!  Remmber--THEY need US, not the other way around.  

Jen Lilley

For those who don't know me, I have been a soap opera viewer for 30 years.  I know the characters on my shows inside and out, and I detest recasts because most times, they don't seem to fit the role.  I'd rather see the character killed off than have them recast.  However, there are those rare gems that make recasting tolerable. One such actress is Jen Lilley, who took over the role of Maxie Jones on "General Hospital. It was originally supposed to be temporary, but turned into a more permanent gig.  

Let me first say, I have never been a Maxie fan.  The last time I loved her, she was 6 and had a heart transplant.  After that, she turned into a hateful and very annoying character.  Enter Jen Lilley.  I was skeptical at first.  However, this woman has done the impossible.  She has made me a Maxie fan.  She is that good!

Jen Lilley clearly understands every aspect of her role.  She does the troubled Maxie who always screws up and who people love to hate (or just hate, period) very well.   But she also brings a new side to Maxie that makes you care about the character.  Now, THAT is talent.  Trust me when I say I am not easily won over.  I have seen many characters that I, as a viewer, am supposed to love, but end up going "I hate you (insert the rest of the rant here)!!!" If you had told me before Jen Lilley took over the role that I would actually like Maxie, I would've told you that you were nuts and pointed you in the direction of the nearest psychiatrist.  But Jen makes Maxie actually likeable.  This is what makes Jen Lilley unique. Since she was originally a temporary recast, I made sure to enjoy every single second of her scenes and tried not to think about the day I'd have to sit through her last scenes.  I prayed that GH would find a way to keep her, but I wasn't holding my breath because I'm never that lucky.  But someone must love me because the day finally came when it was announced that her once temporary role was now permanent.  I couldn't have been more thrilled!  I now live for the Maxie scenes on GH.

In addition to her incredible talent, she is beautiful, both inside and out.  She truly loves and cares about her fans, and it shows.  With her talent, beauty, big heart and sparkling personality, Jen Lilley is sure to become a superstar.