From: riddle@brahms.udel.edu (Tammy Riddle)
Subject: DOOL:  SOW/SOM info - LONG!!!
Organization: University of Delaware
Distribution: world 
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 18:39:28 GMT

Here it comes....the latest and greatest info from the soap mags.  Please
excuse all typos....I'm to tired to read it again...hope you all enjoy!  As
always, the ratings are first:

Y&R        8.3/29
AMC        7.1/24
OLTL       5.9/21
ATWT       5.5/20
GH         5.5/19*tied with above 
B&B        5.3/19
GL         5.3/18*tied with above
DAYS       4.9/17
AW         3.7/13
SB         2.9/10
LOV        2.8/10

**********
INTERVIEW WITH UNCLE KENNY - Soap Opera Magazine

Here are the highlights:

Uncle Kenny admits the "show may have lost some touch with its roots during
the last year."  In the interview he talks about were they screwed up, how
the fans have reacted, and how TPTB plan to put DOOL "back on top."

"We strayed from the two main families," admits Corday.  "The Hortons have
been in Salem since day one, and the Bradys arrived 10 years ago.  They're
the pillars that hold up the house.  blah, blah, blah..."The emphasis was
wrong."   

"....viewer mail is always read and paid attention to."  Some of the
specific complaints were:

Point #1 - "...characters weren't behaving as they should."
Point #2 - "...a lot of new faces....no balance between the old and the new."

Corday said, " I don't think that's (#2) quite as important as the first point,
since you're only as good as the seeds you plant today."  Viewers
complained about gratuitous violence.  Viewers wrote, "I'm not interested
in seeing the Mafiosa marinate everyone in town -- or an outside villain
coming in and controlling the story for two or three months."  "Nor am I,"
says Uncle Kenny.  [Ed. note:  Yeah, right!  He's only interested in Bo and
Carly boinking all over Salem.]

As far as the couples go, Uncle Kenny said, "You can rarely achieve that
high-water mark a second time around with any character.  Viewers will
always compare Bo and Carly to Bo and Hope or John and Isabella to John and
Marlena.  However, in those two cases, we've overcome the problem."  [Ed.
Note:  NOT!!!]

In response to the alienation of some viewers, Corday explains, "it's the
result of story changes and storytelling.  If the stories aren't there,
even if the actors are great, it's pointless...."

About the show Corday says, "A conscious choice was made to tell a more
plot-oriented story to make the show more of an extroverted (action-based)
rather than introverted (emotion-based) show.  Eventually instead of a
character creating the story, the plot created it.  The plot called for
certain character changes, but character development should drive plot."
Thanks to "slipping ratings and volumes of reader mail" Uncle Kenny
realized "a return to original DAYS storytelling is crucial."             

"In conclusion, Corday says, 'I want the viewers to know we're making the
changes they want -- and they can expect to see them this summer and
fall.'"

Now about the characters, I didn't include all of the characters listed in
the article, just the interesting stuff.

J&J - Baby Deveareux (sp?) is due around Labor Day and will "reunify that
couple.  Jack will tighten his belt and reestablish himself as a man of
strength.  He's a husband and father."

Kayla, Kim, and Shane - Corday says, "The viewers never bought it when
Kayla and Shane fell in love.  It had been only three weeks after Kimberely
divorced him, and only as long after Kayla's husband died.  There was never
a proper grieving period."  [Ed. note:  Wonder which viewer's letter he
took that from!!!]  What will happen to Kim with the role of Shane going
away....I know Timinators just dying to know...."Kim and Shane still have
great rapport.  But Kim says she's in love with someone else.  And whether
or not Patsy stays in Salem does not depend upon Charles staying."

********

GH WOOING EX-DAYS COUPLE

"Scratch those earlier reports that Stephen Nichols is considering a role
on SB -- because the latest word is that he and Mary Beth Evans are being
courted by GH to join their cast.  Stephen and Mary Beth, palying Patch and
Kayla on DOOL, propelled that soap to number one in the ratings with their
eagerly anticipated wedding.  GH execs are hoping the same pair could mean
big numbers for their show."


*********

THE NEW PHILLIP (Kim's fiancee)

Richard Burgi joins DOOL this week as Phillip, a film producer [Ed. note:
oh, so that's what he does].  Richard, who has a one-year contract,
replaces Doug Larson in the role.

*********

FATHER & DAUGHTER RETURN TO SALEM

Melissa Reeves returns to the show from maternity leave in mid-August and
brings with her Ed Mallory who played her on-screen father Bill Horton.

**********

STACI'S CHICKEN SCRATCH

"Soap fans are not only fiercely loyal and wildly enthusiastic -- but some
can be very demanding too, says Staci Greason.  'When I signed some
autographs recently, I was rather severly criticized for my handwriting,'
she says.  'I mean, they were very annoyed.'  Good Naturedly, Staci
promises to write more clearly from now on."  [GAG!!!]

***********

INTRODUCING THE BALLISTIX STAFF

Mandy --  Beth Albright
Heather -- Carrie Stevens
Chelsea -- Lisa Marie Todd

*********** 

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

WHO:  Charles Shaughnessy (Shane)
WHAT:  Fan Club Luncheon
WHEN:  Sunday, Oct. 4
WHERE:  Mamma Leone's, NYC
COST:  $65
INFO:  (718) 763-6703


WHO:  Robert Kelker-Kelly (Bo), Crystal Chappell (Carly), Michael Sabatino
      (Lawrence), and Charles Shaughnessy (Shane) 
WHAT:  Benefit for the Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc.
WHEN:  Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 10-11
WHERE:  Pikesville Hilton Inn, Pikesville, MD
COST:  $100, dinner with the stars (Saturday); $20 and $30, show and
       auction (Sunday)
INFO:  (410) 486-4744 (dinner only) or (800) 551-SEAT
NOTE:  Visa/MasterCard accepted.

--Group Appearances--
  
WHO:  Michael Sabatino (Lawrence) with various other soap stars.
WHAT:  Personal Appearance
WHEN:  Monday, July 27 (Sabatino only)
WHERE:  The Target Store, Sawgrass Mills Mall, Sunrise, FL
INFO:  (800) 528-1628


WHO:  Michael Sabatino (Lawrence), Crystal Chappell (Carly), Matt Asford
      (Jack), Staci Greason (Isabella), and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer)
      along with various other soap stars.
WHAT:  Third Annual Benefit for Save the Earth Foundation
WHEN:  Friday, August 7
WHERE:  Hotel Bel-Air, Bel Air, CA
COST:  $100
INFO:  Judy at (818) 88-EARTH

--Television Appearance-- 

Especially for the Timinator:

Tuesday, July 28:  CHARLAYNE WOODARD (ex-Desiree McCall) on Roseanne.


THAT'S IT!!!!!  I BET I'M HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE, MY FINGERS ARE TIRED.


--Peach