SOD Column - What's Your Opinion? (Read 470 times)

[Kpatch]

This opinion column appeared in the July 5, 2011 issue of Soap Opera Digest. I’m excerpting only the general parts of the column and those involving Days and excluding the parts that talk about actors from other soaps. I’m wondering what our members here think.

It’s Only My Opinion
By Carolyn Hinsey

Some people need to be reminded that soaps are a team sport. Let’s start with social media. In the old days, every soap had a publicist, and it was their job to spin backstage scandal, actor exits, etc. for the press and fans. As time went on, many actors became friendly with reporters calling the mags directly with their side of the story. Some execs didn’t like that, so the mags tried to work within certain parameters to keep everyone happy.

Fast Forward to today, when everything has changed. Actors have Facebook and Twitter accounts and write anything they want with no editors or filters. They spin their exits however they choose leaving the show in the dust to make a formal comment two to three weeks later to a magazine. That’s not fair because most soap honchos try to be nice and give the actor plenty of notice that their contract won’t be picked up. They don’t have to do that. In fact, it risks the actor tweeting, “I’m fired” six months before their character even leaves.

Viewers can’t imagine GH without Jax or Days without Carly now, but in six months it might make sense. So there’s this big angry uproar from fans who don’t have any idea where the story is going in the months before their fave exits. Or any idea that maybe Crystal Chappel’s exit from Days will pay for Deidre Hall to return.

I think the shows need to get with the social media program and create their own Twitter accounts. Imagine if an executive producer told an actor, “Do not tweet your exit before X date or I will tweet that you were late three times last month and cost me $20,000 in overtime costs.” In this era of instant communication, that seems only fair.
.…
I’m going to give Days the benefit of the doubt that they are getting their house in order so the upcoming exits don’t bother me. They’re not writing for Vivian so put Louise Sorel out of her misery. Chloe was damaged when she cheated, lied, and tried to commit suicide. Taylor, played by a series of former GH actresses in what seems to be a disturbing trend, never worked. And every newbie actor with an accent has to go. If I lose a couple of C-listers in exchange for John, Marlena, Jack, Jenn and more Bo and Hope, I’m good with that.
….
If soaps are a team sport, the team needs to include actors protecting upcoming story and the shows telling stories that viewers want to see – and I’m not talking about after the show has been cancelled.
Hey, it’s only my opinion.

###

[MrsM]

I can see where she is coming from definitely. That is kind of the way it is in professional sports. Players are fined if they go against the media policy that the league has established.

[mae00]

Viewers can't imagine Days without Carly??? WTH was this chick thinking?? I personally can't wait for that day and don't miss her on the days that she doesn't appear.

Apparently the author has not been watching the same shows we have because EJ has been the front runner for most of the episodes. When I think about Days, the actors/actresses that come to mind first and foremost are Brady , Victor, Stephano, & Maggie. With all the comings & goings, lets face it, Days wouldn't be Days without Victor & Stephano....

As far as to the notifications - yeah, I can understand where she is coming from on that one....

[rockfordfosgate]

I don't know if I'd agree with the idea that "most soap honchos try to be nice and give actors plenty of notice". I don't believe that's what happened in the case of John and Marlena, Steve and Kayla. If that were true, their exits wouldn't have been rushed or nonexistent.

I agree about the need for the execs to use social media, but not for the threats they could hold over the actors' heads. They need to reach the fans...period.

[fluffysmom]

I almost think there should be some kind of protocol about releasing the info regarding comings and goings. In the past sometimes an exit turned out to be a murder or some big event that may have a lesser impact if everyone already knows the character/actor is leaving. I guess it works both ways though. Since getting the word out about the returns of Jack, John and Marlena has the potential to generate a lot of interest in viewers. And hopefully get former viewers to return to watching Days.

I am glad to hear it acknowledged that Taylor never worked. We know that but it's nice to hear it from a magazine critic. The moral is... no matter how popular an actor is on another show if their character and storyline are crap it won't help the ratings.

[Kpatch]

Jun 28, 2011 21:06:05 GMT -5 mae00 said:

Viewers can't imagine Days without Carly??? WTH was this chick thinking?? I personally can't wait for that day and don't miss her on the days that she doesn't appear.

I'm right there with you Mae. I also thought it was very insulting to actors like Nadia Bjorlin saying that C-listers were being axed to make room for John and Marlena. I know "it's only her opinion" but I would be perfectly happy if John and Marlena never returned to Salem. They were way overexposed during their hayday.

My feeling about the column is that it's totally self-serving. Because of social media and actors' direct contact with fans through FB and Twitter, her magazine becomes irrelevant. We know all about the soap news long before the magazine hits the stands. I know that print media can never keep up with social/electronic media and so does she. I thought it was a desperate attempt to put down other kinds of media.

She is also forgetting about first amendment rights, which is shocking considering her profession. Unless the show has a very specific social media policy (i.e., you can say this, but you can't say that) or the actor's contract has conditions that preclude them from releasing certain information, the actor has every right to say whatever they want to whomever they want.

[fluffysmom]

It is insulting to most of those who were let go. Fine to consider the newbies like Dario or Quinn as c-listers but not the actors who have been there for years and are fan favorites.

It will be even harder to fill the magazines when there are only 4 soaps. I wonder if some of the shows will put into place any policies regarding releasing info through social media. Although at this point I would think that they should welcome any media attention that the show and actors receive.

[jaysdelina]

Jun 28, 2011 21:56:29 GMT -5 Kpatch said:

Jun 28, 2011 21:06:05 GMT -5 mae00 said:

Viewers can't imagine Days without Carly??? WTH was this chick thinking?? I personally can't wait for that day and don't miss her on the days that she doesn't appear.

I'm right there with you Mae. I also thought it was very insulting to actors like Nadia Bjorlin saying that C-listers were being axed to make room for John and Marlena. I know "it's only her opinion" but I would be perfectly happy if John and Marlena never returned to Salem. They were way overexposed during their hayday.

My feeling about the column is that it's totally self-serving. Because of social media and actors' direct contact with fans through FB and Twitter, her magazine becomes irrelevant. We know all about the soap news long before the magazine hits the stands. I know that print media can never keep up with social/electronic media and so does she. I thought it was a desperate attempt to put down other kinds of media.

She is also forgetting about first amendment rights, which is shocking considering her profession. Unless the show has a very specific social media policy (i.e., you can say this, but you can't say that) or the actor's contract has conditions that preclude them from releasing certain information, the actor has every right to say whatever they want to whomever they want.

I have to agree with you.I feel too that if an actor releases information about his/her storyline,it's because they're excited about it,and in telling the fans little snippets,they're acknowledging the writers talents,which is good.

I have to agree too that it was an insult to NB.C-Lister?Since when?Chloe was a very popular character in the 90s,just as she is now.It isn't her fault she got shotty writing and is now being let go.

As for Carly....No I won't miss her.BUT with that being said,at least she's getting an exit storyline.I thought for sure she'd be left in the breeze after Bo and Hope reunited (who didn't think that?),but they almost immediately drew her into a drug storyline,which I think she's doing a fabulous job with.Do I like Carly?No.But I do like Crystal,I DO think she's talented,and at least she's getting something to do before she goes.

Let's look at other actors who have left....Mark Hapka...all he got to do was obsess over Mel in the last few months,said "It's time to go..."and went upstairs never to be seen again.

Shelley Hennig....All she got was a final scene at the Brady pub when she said to Dario "I don't want to talk about this anymore"(speaking about Mel),she walks out of the pub and that's it.

While I wasn't thrilled with JKJ's exit,at least he got one too.He did right by his son,even if it looks like he didn't do right by Chloe.I feel he did do right by her though by forcing her to get her life back on track.Another pretty good exit.

Steve and Kayla got nothing.John and Marlena (I really don't care they're coming back),got a wedding,then nothing.

So yeah,things are up and down,but I think in some ways social media helps.It gives a chance for everyone,fans and actors to reach out to eachother,voice what they like and don't like,and it gives the actor a chance to hear what a fan thinks.A good thing in my book.

[sportsgirl]

I do see something into what she says... We read one side of the story. We get upset say that Nadia has been let go, we send petitions etc... but do we really know what went on with the other side of this? I have read Nadia was leaving on her own anyway, so bashing and flooding NBC with save Nadia stuff does seem unfair. I do disagree calling her a C-lister!

NBC rid of many veterans because of budget cuts not by choice. We have to give up doing things we like because of budget restraints also.

I agree that actors should have freedom of speech in our social media as it also excites the fan base but people need to realize, the behind the scenes people also are important.

[ghoulgirl]

Calling Nadia a c-lister was wayyyy out of line.

But I totally agree with JaysDelina in everything she said.

[Pallison]

Who the heck is Carolyn Hinsey...?? And why do we care what her opinion is.... I mean, she's not a member here for gosh sakes, so just screw her...!!!!!