Another guilty pleasure...

Okay, I admit it. I love TV. I watch House, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, Bones... and yes, One Life to Live, a "daytime drama" aka soap opera.

I am a huge reader and am never without a book in hand, but lately I find myself turning on the set in the evening. Why? Because the quality of those shows is good.

House says things we all wish we could say. Lost is a mystery that pulls you in anew each week. Desperate Housewives, while last season was a bust, makes me laugh... especially with the things I can identify with. Nip/Tuck is unrepentently shocking. Heroes is just plain fun. Grey's is ER Lite, for those of us who don't need the stress. Bones is a new twist on the abundance of CSI spinoffs and ripoffs.

So with all of these smart shows, why do I watch OLTL? First of all, habit. I've been watching for about 20 years. And second, and most importantly, OLTL gave me my first real writing opportunity. I write for The Llanview Banner website. For last couple of years I have been ranting to an audience of 200-500 each column. Soap fans are passionate about their shows and respond to my writing. Some love it, some hate it. But they all read it. They boosted my confidence and helped me move on to the next step. This blog.

So I thank all of my Banner readers and hope they will visit me here. And if any of you are hiding your dirty little soap fan secret, visit me there...

And now a question: Anyone interested in reviews of the shows I have listed? I have considered writing some reviews, but I don't want to waste anyone's time if you aren't interested! Be honest, please!

L

Ageism in daytime television

Let's start with an easy one. I watch a soap. I admit it, it is a guilty pleasure. I have watched One Life to Live for 20 years. Over time, a trend has emerged that is purely predjudicial against actresses over 35. Many soap viewers are loyal fans who have watched for many years, carrying on the tradition of watching with family members and friends, visiting message boards and attending fan functions. Many of us are over 35.

The recent attitude at ABC seems to be "flood the scene with new, young talentless actors with no connections to anyone currently on canvas. Shove them down viewers throats and push them into every major story arc. By giving them the majority of screentime, let's just toss the established core families aside. No one cares about anyone over 40 anyway." Well, Mr. Valentini, Mr. Frons, and Ms. Higley, you are dead wrong.

I participate in a number of message boards and am a columnist at The Llanview Banner. Most fans seem disgusted with the current landscape in Llanview. Die hard fans are shutting off their tv sets. Fans in general are tired of stunt casting (did anyone really need an American Idol reject cast as a Buchanan?). But I digress. The point is: ABC is purposely underusing major, talented actresses in favor of younger, useless newbies.

Brian Frons went so far recently as to say that viewers “will be trained” to accept the fact that our beloved veteran actors/actresses will be used to support the newer, younger cast additions. Frons also referred to a returning cast favorite as "a fat, middle-aged woman" and said that no one would want to see her in front-burner story. Interesting statement, considering that he engineered her return during November sweeps and spent untold amounts marketing this guest appearance.

At any rate, ABC is alienating the foundation of its fan base. Someone should wake them up, give them a cup of whatever beverage is paying the most advertising dollars, and show them how to win us back. Here's a hint: Never refer to any woman as fat and middle aged; Never assume that by pushing the over 40 actresses aside, fans will lose interest in them; Never piss off the Women on the Verge.

Coming soon: Thoughts on NYS Testing in our public schools

L