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'Twas a month or so before Christmas, and all across the land, fans of "One Life to Live" remained verklempt, mired in  despair. A rumor had been swirling for months: "Did you hear that JFP is going to 'General Hospital'?" The confirmation was slow in coming, but finally the announcement long-time fans had hoped and prayed for was made! JFP is really leaving "One Life to Live" in order to take the helm at "General Hospital" (much to the chagrin of that show's fans).
The announcement was like having Christmas come in November! The party has begun!
In the three years since JFP began her tenure with "One Life to Live," long-time fans of the show have been increasingly alienated, disenfranchised and, in many cases, lost completely. It remains to be seen whether or not they can be wooed back.
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Length of Jill Farren Phelps'
Reign of Terror as
Executive Producer of "One Life to Live"
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Many members of the show's cast --- some long-time veterans of fictional Llanview, some more recent additions --- disappeared from the screen as they were either summarily dismissed or left voluntarily when their contracts came up for renewal.
As for the art of storytelling? "Fuhget about it." Believability? Credibility? Continuity? Not factors in JFP's world of plodding plotlines and character reconstruction.
The show, under JFP's leadership, became literally "unwatchable." Oh, fans may not  have used that specific word. But plainly, by the time that Felicia Minei Behr returned to ABC and went on record with her observations and opinions, she was merely giving voice to the conclusions that veteran viewers had reached long before. Of course, her comments received a less than warm reaction from Erika Slezak, who still claims to love the "Blondie" debacle.
There is, frankly,  only one aspect of JFP's reign that I am going to miss --- the humor she inspired. Some of it has been absolutely scathing, but brilliantly funny. For instance, Llanview Online has featured some hysterically funny parodies, including the "Dumb & Dumber" banner at left and the more recent "Stupid Quote Generator" which boasted verbatim comments from the pair.  Other favorites included the take-offs on movie posters, featuring JFP herself, as well as many of the show's characters. As with this year's election deadlock, which has caused me to be glued to Letterman, Leno, and "Saturday Night Live," the situation was made more bearable by the comic relief. Don't misunderstand, however. I will gladly forego the laughs in favor of "One Life to Live" gaining an Executive Producer who actually cares about what the show's viewers want to see on their t.v. screens.
Since JFP's departure was announced, as though making out lists of gift requests for Santa, fans have been making lists of the things they want the new Executive Producer, Gary Tomlin, to do. For instance, there has been an outcry for an end to the era of "Rappadavidsons."  Many fans want the "FOJ's" -- Kale Browne, Mark Derwin, John Bolger, Linda Dano, et. al. -- who were hired by JFP to exit with her. Hope springs eternal for the return of long-time favorite performers, such as Robin Strasser, who were lost during the JFP-era. A huge number of long-time female fans hope that Mr. Tomlin's arrival means the end of the insipid "Blondie" and the return of their long-suffering heroine, Victoria. And there are plenty of folks who hope that the transformation of the Buchanans into bumbling buffoons will be undone and they will start acting like the characters they loved for so many years before JFP foisted her "vision" upon the show.
And what's on my wish list for Mr. Tomlin? One simple request:
All right, I admit there are a few other things I'd like to see rectified in Llanview. I'd like the "Rappadavidsons" to hit the dusty trail, -- sooner, rather than later -- starting with Sam Rappaport and his gratingly annoying little brother, Ben. I'd like to see a few superfluous characters, who add absolutely nothing to the current storylines and are just plain boring, also eliminated (Colin and Melanie immediately spring to mind). I want Bo and Nora, and Asa and Renee to reunite. I want Reverand Andrew Carpenter and Dr. Larry Wolek to be on-screen more than semi-annually. I would really like to see Mr. Tomlin attempt to salvage the character of Viki, as well as the characters of Kevin and Jessica, and, if I never heard the word "Blondie" again, it would, frankly, be too soon.
But when all is said and done, there is really one key event that I want to see take place in Llanview: I want to see Clint Buchanan return to town. Llanview just isn't the same without Clint. His presence is needed because he is Llanview's "Everyman" and a typical American guy: Gruff on the outside, sometimes too quick to anger and too slow to apologize, but with a heart that beats strong, true, consistently and unconditionally for his family and true friends. Before Clint left for London, the Buchanan family stood strong, loyal to each other. Sometimes it took them awhile, but the Buchanans always eventually did the right thing. Usually, it was Clint who figured out what the right thing was and paved the way for it to be accomplished. An old friend of mine once wrote a song: "Black hat, white hat, look for the right hat: hero or villain . . ." Clint was the guy in the figurative white hat and, since he left town, too many guys in black hats have been dominating the action and winning the battles.
How do I envision Clint's return to Llanview? With the lovely Dallas on his arm! They make a handsome couple. Dallas is, of course, portrayed by Loyita Chapel Woods, perhaps better known as either Blaize Buchanan in the 1888 storyline or Bob Woods' better half. Clint very much enjoyed working with Loyita on both occasions. I was intrigued by the woman who told Clint Buchanan, "You're sugar,"  and I wanted to know why a cowboy like Clint "had to go all the way to London to meet a woman named Dallas," as he put it. Who is Dallas? Where did she come from? How did Clint meet her? Why was Clint attracted to her? Those questions remain unanswered. And I honestly believe that any story revealing the answers to those questions has to be more interesting and infinitely more watchable than any scene in which Mark Derwin mumbles "Blondie" another dozen or so times.
So what about Clint and Viki? Shouldn't they be reunited? That question calls for a simple, resounding response: It is too late. As was made clear in Michael Malone's recent interview, it was inevitable, strictly from a storyline perspective, that Clint and Viki would find their way back to each other. But extraneous "factors" interfered in the natural progression and telling of the stories. Given the transformation in the character of Viki since approximately February 1999, it is inconceivable to me that Clint Buchanan would have any desire to be with her. In my imagination, Clint Buchanan is alive and well, living in London, running Buchanan Enterprises with Cord, and enjoying a mutually satisfying relationship with Dallas. They love and respect each other. Clint stands by her and she stands by him. However, Clint is not her doormat. And he was always Viki's doormat. I have no desire to watch him be used by Viki again, and tossed aside when someone new and exciting waltzes into Llanview. Viki has never admitted the wrongfulness of her conduct with Roy Thinnes' character. That would be a fine starting point. However, before Clint and Viki should ever be together again, the audience deserves to see them work through their history, slowly and in detail. Even under those circumstances, though, I would still prefer to see Clint with Dallas, being loved and appreciated. At this juncture, his children and friends need him far more than Viki ever could.
So that is the extent of my wish list. It's pretty short, don't you agree? Very straightforward and understandable. I just want to see my favorite cowboy on my t.v. screen on a regular basis again. Lunch hours just haven't been the same since Clint left. I, along with the show's other fans, received the second best conceivable Christmas present when JFP's departure was announced. Now I want the very best:
The return of Clint Ritchie as Clint Buchanan!
*Disclaimer: The "Editor's Corral" contains only the thoughts and opinions of the editor of this site and guest editors, none of whom are affiliated with ABC-TV, The Disney Company or any other organization. Although Mr. Ritchie has lent his support to and endorsed this website as a whole and in concept, the opinions and observations expressed herein have neither been discussed with nor endorsed by him. In fact, whether he agrees or disagrees with the opinions expressed herein is entirely unknown. The only area of this website where you will find Mr. Ritchie's own opinions and commentary are within the interviews which he has graciously granted and the letters which he has written himself.
 Want to be a Guest Editor? Contact the Editor-in-Chief/Webmistress!
Past Editorials:
 The Top 10 Most Annoying Things About the Current State of "One Life to Live"
The Long-Awaited Reiner Interview with Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps --- with Analysis by Guest Editor Apricot
Needed: A Few Proud, Brave Network Executives
Life in Llanview Without Clint
Why I Tuned Out After 30 Years, 11 Months and 2 Days"
Viki & Ben? No Dice!
The Top 10 Ways for an Executive Producer to Destroy a Long-Running, Successful Soap Opera
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