Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100028
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY M. REICHARDT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jean Dadario Burke, who took the helm as executive producer at the beginning of the year, notes, ``It was generally acknowledged we were improving, but the ratings did not reflect it. By now, no one was paying attention. Drastic measures were in order. So the writers, led by Barbara Esensten and James Harmon Brown, put their heads together and came up with our diabolical plan.''
The latest plan is to set a serial killer loose in Corinth who would kill off many of the show's characters. And then take a few of the show's remaining characters, transplant them to New York City, and create a new show - to be titled ``LOVNYC.''
``The network, who had told us to be bold and daring, liked it,'' says Burke. ``Since the announcement, we've already reclaimed some affiliates and gained some new ones.''
For Burke, who has been with the show since 1990, the downside is having to fire many of the actors she has come to know and love.
``We tried to orchestrate our announcement to the cast so that it would all come out at once, she says, but `The Hollywood Reporter' [a daily trade paper] got wind of it the day before. Things did not go as smoothly as I'd have liked, but I had Agnes Nixon [co-creator of ``Loving''] by my side, who was very supportive and informative with the cast.''
Burke notes that her savvy cast understood this was a good business move - especially after Nixon drilled home that the network's losses were in the millions.
``After the announcement,'' Burke says, ``most of the actors came up and hugged me and, even in their pain, said they knew how hard this was for me.
``I can't speak highly enough of this cast. They continue to turn in wonderful performances. I truly wish they all find fantastic roles and work forever.''
Even now, the cast does not know who will remain, but Burke has pledged to break the news to those departing before it comes out in print.
Burke admits it is tricky maintaining the caliber she had worked hard to attain on the current show while formulating the new one, but she calls working on the show ``an addiction'' that has everyone bound and determined to make it work.
The new show will be situated in the SoHo district of Manhattan, in which businesses, artists and residents all co-exist.
``Corinth, like most daytime locales, spreads out horizontally,'' Burke notes, ``but New York City is vertical. Our base will be a building with lots of lofts and people living in it. That is not to say we won't take advantage of the rest of New York City too. There will be lots of exterior shots to show New York City in its best and worst forms.
``Most soaps have core families,'' she adds, ``usually one rich and one blue collar. We'll have different kinds of families. And, in keeping with our New York City locale, our stories will be less traditional than in middle America's Corinth. We'll be edgier and faster paced.
``We realize soaps have touched on almost every topic, but we want to tell our stories in a different manner, and we've got some terrific stories in mind.''
Just listening to Burke, you can feel her enthusiasm. As Burke explains, ``We've been referred to as `the little show that could.' That's not good enough - we're the little show that will.''
Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy M. Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns.
- United Feature Syndicate
by CNB