I was under the impression that the announcement of my contract status was not going to be released by Soaps in Depth magazine until the September issue and that would give me the time to tell you myself what was going on. I did not want you to find out on the Internet. Unfortunately, that did not happen and yes, it is true. I am officially off contract.
I have had the best relationships with you, the fans and I would've never had that without "Monica." There is nothing that I cherish more than the experiences and memories I have had and the special friends that I have made over the years, both on the show and off. I can't say enough about how much you all mean to me.
How do you feel Charleson's contract status change?
Not that I've watched GH all that much in the past few years (All Mobsters! All the time!) but Leslie's contract status doesn't surprise me, Guza has been actively targeting the Quartermaines for years. He can't write for the family because they require witty banter and complex business dealings, neither of which Guza cares to write (I think he's capable of it, I just think he's lazy and feels it's easier to write shootouts... and unfortunately the daytime Emmy wins for the show have only encouraged this).
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few bright moments that I've caught of Monica reaming out Sonny for decimating her family - but it looks as though that will never really blossom into a real character arc for her nor will she see justice done.
Like Jackie Zeman/Bobby, she'll just fade away and one day pop up to prop Sonny and crew up.
Unfortunately Sonny and his band of lowlifes have ruined a once great show.
Leslie will be the 1st of many to be let go. You watch Rebecca Herbst will be next, or they'll use her so seldom that she'll have no story line & eventually no contract. They'll be letting alot of people go to cover Vanessa's wages. All in all the show will still need good storylines, and Brenda's return will not save it. The only thing that will save it in my book is new writers and new mgmt from Phelps to Frons. This definitely reinforces my decision to not watch.
ReplyDeleteShe had a fantastic run... more than most actors w/ a terrific salary, great P&W, adoring fans and a fun character she could stick her teeth into. But sadly, everyone's time ends and w/ budget cuts the way they are at the network, this came as no surprise. I agree that the Qs have been depleted in the last 10 years and that bothers me. The biggest mistake ABC has made was letting "Ned" go and not grooming the 2nd & 3rd generation of "Updike" Qs. Maya's a waste (tho very, very cheap) - but the Q's should now have been headed by Edward from time to time, Tracy and her sons Ned and Dillon, and their loves and lives...
ReplyDeleteThat said, the show has become way more diverse this year w/ some terrific new talent and a few riveting storylines... IMO, of course.
ilona
Years ago, Ms. Charleson joined the show in a move that would, effectively, usher off the canvas veterans like John Beradino, Rachel Ames...and countless younger folks as Gloria Monty and team ushered in a new vision.
ReplyDeleteAs the recent historical reviews of ATWT have shown, ATWT's today-classic families were, essentially, new families introduced in the 60s and 70s (Lowells, anyone?).
Soaps are so long-running, they have generation turn-over.
I regret the loss of front-burner Monica. My favorite era of GH was the "Lassa Fever" era, after which Monica and Rick gave into their passion on the beach--and launching Leslie Webber's incredible therapy experience (with Dr. Irene Kassorla) and Alan's murderous rage (three times he tried to kill Monica and Rick, including with a falling attic roof and with an explosion at the [on location] docks).
We'll always have this to remember. Meanwhile...as they have ALWAYS DONE...the soaps march on.
It is clear that the GH regime has not been inspired by the Quartermaines for a very long time. In that case, this is likely for the best.
Will we ever see a headline that says "Denise Alexander and Genie Francis ink three year deal."?
ReplyDeleteLove Anthony Geary but let's not forget that he joined GH in November of 1978 after the show went from the basement to #2.
Besides Marland and Monty, it was the razor sharp performances of Alexander and Francis that saved this show (and to a lesser extent Zeman, Charleson, Damon)
This show lacks a pulse without Lesley and Laura.
Just as Another World ended in April 1979 (when Lemay quit writing it),GH is not the show we once knew and loved.
The network's reluctance to air reruns from over 30 years ago because the quality of the show today doesn't even come close says a lot!
Haven't they learned from AW 1979-1999 that this show will never rebound without getting back to its roots.
Take this show off life support and put us all out of our misery.