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This article is from the rec.arts.tv.soaps FAQ, by Margaret D. Gibbs gibbsm@ll.mit.edu with numerous contributions by
others.
19. Do the soap writers/actors read rec.arts.tv.soaps?
PLEASE NOTE: this is *only* information about the newsgroup
rec.arts.tv.soaps.* - not about AOL, web pages, or "the internet"
in general. Please keep this in mind when emailing me
additions/corrections.
Many readers of this newsgroup have wondered if the writers of their
soap opera(s) read r.a.t.s.*. James Kiberd [Trevor Dillon] told an AMC
fan that the writers read both the UNIX and Prodigy newsgroups. Eva
LaRue (Maria Santos-Grey on AMC) is regularly sent printouts from
r.a.t.s.a. and enjoys reading them. Robyn Griggs (ex-Maggie on AW),
has had access and has posted to r.a.t.s. in the past (around 1993
I believe).
Bryce Jasmer, actor Brent Jasmer's (of B&B) brother, reads r.a.t.s
and has given Brent some of our comments. Jim Acker (rats-er), wrote
to the writers and producers of B&B, explaining the internet and
r.a.t.s. In return, he received a hand-written letter from Bradley
Bell, head writer of B&B and son of the legendary Bill Bell. So he
knows we're out here, whether they read or not!
Both Hunter (Taylor, B&B) & Michael (ex-Blade, Y&R; Quinton, GL) Tylo
are regularly sent printouts of anything related to them on r.a.t.s.c.,
through the computer representative for the "Michael and Hunter Tylo
Official Fan Club" (Connie Gondek). Hunter Tylo has also posted to the
r.a.t.s.c. newsgroup, through an account on Prodigy.
Eva Weitzel is in contact with the stage manager at Y&R, and has also
written to TPTB at Y&R about r.a.t.s*. While she hasn't heard from
TPTB directly, at least they should know about us!
I have since heard (in June 1995) that a writer from B&B emailed a
poster who had the same name as one of the writer's friends. In
correspondence with the B&B writer, it was revealed that there's at
least one Y&R writer lurking in r.a.t.s.cbs as well. In December
1998, I received word that Jim Houghton, former actor on Y&R and one
of the senior members of their writing staff today has posted to
r.a.t.s.c. several times over the past 6 months.
Margaret Reed (ex)Shannon of ATWT is a r.a.t.s.cbs-reader's
sister-in-law. He keeps her informed as to what's going on here.
Yvonne Perry (Rosanna on ATWT) is sent copies of r.a.t.s.c. articles
by her friend, Lisa Petrocelli. Alison Rice-Taylor (Connor on ATWT)
was reading rats-cbs for a while around July 1996, and and corresponded
with several r.a.t.s.c.-readers via email. Another ratsc-reader has
gotten email from both Greg Watkins (ex-Evan, ATWT) and Michael Swan
(ex-Duncan, ATWT) both of whom are sometime lurkers.
Jodi Bloodgood (an ex-r.a.t.s.-er)'s husband Jim is in Wally Kurth's band
(Ned, GH). Another rats-er continues to print out posts & forward
them to Jodi & Jim to read or, if there is something interesting
written or comments made regarding the show (i,e, suggestions, praises,
complaints, etc.), sends them to Wally and/or Christian Taylor, Wally's
musical partner (Gene on GH) so they know the feelings of their audience.
The band is now on the show (including Jodi's husband, too, as the
character "Nick"). Neither Wally, nor the band has access to netnews,
but they are truly interested in everyone's feelings and opinions.
While they may not be active readers, they do get the message.
May Lee (Ms. Purple!!) is in contact with Jeff Lindstrom who
is Jon's brother (Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain, GH). Jeff had seen
her General Hospital World Wide Web Page, and has sent Jon some
printouts of it. Jeff is now posting to r.a.t.s., and May will
be visiting the GH set later this fall (1994), and hopes to interest
some of TPTB in the internet. Apparently she did, because Mark
Przybyszewski (r.a.t.s.-er) was on the Suzanne Somers show in
December'94, and asked Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie, GH) if the writers and
actors were reading what we have to say. She replied that yes, the
writers, producers, and some actors lurk on r.a.t.s. She also replied
that it's gotten to be a big opinion about plot lines. May has
recently (March 1995) also spoken at length with Wendy Riche, the
executive producer, about both the GH WWW page and the newsgroup.
Jamie Howarth, who does music for OLTL, is a regular reader of r.a.t.s.
He told this to the OLTL followers in early January 1994 in a r.a.t.s.
post where he asked if anyone had any comments about the New Year's Eve
show because "we" worked hard on it. This of course led ratsers to ask
if he was connected to the show, and he reluctantly revealed himself, as
he believes the r.a.t.s section is for the enjoyment of viewers, not
insiders. Larry Storm's daughter (OLTL) occasionally posts as well.
Timothy Stickney (RJ, OLTL) posted to r.a.t.s.a. in November 1996,
and said he regularly reads and enjoys the group.
Gary Warner, author of the AMC Scrapbook, and poster to r.a.t.s.abc,
wrote "...I do know of several execs, writers and actors that
do read r.a.t.s and the BB's on AOL and *P*. You provide a wonderful
and nearly instantaneous window into what viewers are thinking about
the soaps." So there you have it - we're famous! :-)
If anyone else has proof that the writers (or actors!) of their soap
reads r.a.t.s.*, please email me (gibbsm@ll.mit.edu).
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