James DePaiva fired from OLTL! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

spunkygirl · 08-22-2003, 02:03 AM

James Depaiva talks about his exit from OLTL:

"Do not lay any of the blame for this on Frank Valentini [EP] or Josh Griffith or Michael Malone [HW]. They all like me and they loved the character of Max. But every time they tried to present a story for the character, it was swatted down. ABC said, 'Let's get rid of everybody over 40 because we want teenagers to watch the show. I had said this time and time again: Teenagers watch the show because their mothers watch the show. It's never been about teens. Never has and never will be. Other than Tim Stickney, we have no males under contract between 40 and 55. If they had not hired Dan Gauthier, they would not have anybody over 32. They're wiping out that whole era. And I think you'll see a lot of women going in the future."

dandelion wine · 08-27-2003, 11:05 PM

... I can't believe they actually fired him. Guess they'll be dropping Asa and Bo from the cast someday, too.

spunkygirl · 08-27-2003, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by little insomniac
... I can't believe they actually fired him. Guess they'll be dropping Asa and Bo from the cast someday, too.

I am so disgusted with ABC and NBC that I can't stand it anymore!

I read that no longer will Viki, Dorian, Asa, Bo, Nora, etc... lead storylines, I guess they would rather the show revolve around SlutJen Rappaport.

I agree with James, Teens watch because of their parents, I know that's why I watch, I grew up on soaps.

*Edited to add*

I also read that Asa(Phil Carey), Renee(Patricia Elliott) will be on recurring status most likely. Rumors are that they will be getting rid of Roxy Balsom, and possibly Fiona Hutchison, They've already fired Nathaniel Marston(Al) because Frons(pres. of ABC Daytime) said that Teens don't find him "attractive enough"

spunkygirl · 08-27-2003, 11:16 PM

More to add, word has it that Hillary B. Smith(Nora) wants to leave when her contract expires to do other projects outside of soaps, and word is that if she leaves, then there's nothing for Bo to do, so he will be phazed out.

dandelion wine · 08-27-2003, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Topanga
I am so disgusted with ABC and NBC that I can't stand it anymore!

I read that no longer will Viki, Dorian, Asa, Bo, Nora, etc... lead storylines, I guess they would rather the show revolve around SlutJen Rappaport.

I agree with James, Teens watch because of their parents, I know that's why I watch, I grew up on soaps.

*Edited to add*

I also read that Asa(Phil Carey), Renee(Patricia Elliott) will be on recurring status most likely. Rumors are that they will be getting rid of Roxy Balsom, and possibly Fiona Hutchison, They've already fired Nathaniel Marston(Al) because Frons(pres. of ABC Daytime) said that Teens don't find him "attractive enough"

Are you kidding me? Because they don't find him 'attractive enough'? That is such a piss-poor excuse for letting someone go. It'lll go downhill (in my opinion) if they quit showing those characters the way they used to, they way they should. They're what holds the soap together, not just the younger cast members!

That's why I started watching soaps, too, so I agree with James as well.

dandelion wine · 08-27-2003, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Topanga
More to add, word has it that Hillary B. Smith(Nora) wants to leave when her contract expires to do other projects outside of soaps, and word is that if she leaves, then there's nothing for Bo to do, so he will be phazed out.

Ok, I haven't watched OLTL in several years, and have never been a big fan of Nora, but that is really going to hurt the show. OLTL wouldn't be the same at all without Bo, OR Nora!

spunkygirl · 08-27-2003, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by little insomniac
Ok, I haven't watched OLTL in several years, and have never been a big fan of Nora, but that is really going to hurt the show. OLTL wouldn't be the same at all without Bo, OR Nora!

Frons said that about Nathaniel, then backpeddeled and said it was storyline dictated. It makes no sense because Marcie and Al are OLTL's most popular couple, they are #1 in almost every soap poll weekly. It's a copout, Frons has this thing about actors over 40, I guess to him they're over the hill at that age.

I don't care much for Nora either, I like Bo and Gabby together, but Hillary B. Smith is a great actress, and Bob Woods has earned his dues and doesn't deserve to be treated this way.

dandelion wine · 08-27-2003, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Topanga
Frons said that about Nathaniel, then backpeddeled and said it was storyline dictated. It makes no sense because Marcie and Al are OLTL's most popular couple, they are #1 in almost every soap poll weekly. It's a copout, Frons has this thing about actors over 40, I guess to him they're over the hill at that age.

I bet he backpeddled, trying to save face.

Quote:

I don't care much for Nora either, I like Bo and Gabby together, but Hillary B. Smith is a great actress, and Bob Woods has earned his dues and doesn't deserve to be treated this way.

I agree 100% about Hillary Smith, and Bob Woods. He's been a huge part of that soap, has done an excellent job all the way, and has definately earned his dues. To phase him out would be a big slap in the face to all of his fans. Bo and Gabby were always my favorite, too.

JT · 08-28-2003, 06:14 PM

Frons hates Al/Marcie. He called Nathaniel "not attractive enough" and said that Kathy Brier is "overweight and not pretty"
but he said that "she has a great voice though." Who does Brian Frons think he is?!?!? He's overweight himself! He needs to get far far away from ABC...

Cliff Barnes · 06-25-2017, 04:27 PM

This is a really interesting thread to revisit years later. They never did get rid of bo and nora although some of the others came true. I wish the show was still around now for the casting to be complained about, looking back in time this was a decent era for the show, i came back to it during this period.

08-27-2003, 11:05 PM	#2
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,964	... I can't believe they actually fired him. Guess they'll be dropping Asa and Bo from the cast someday, too.
	__________________ Fans of Jon-Erik Hexum Merry Christmas!

08-28-2003, 06:14 PM	#9
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,219	Frons hates Al/Marcie. He called Nathaniel "not attractive enough" and said that Kathy Brier is "overweight and not pretty" but he said that "she has a great voice though." Who does Brian Frons think he is?!?!? He's overweight himself! He needs to get far far away from ABC...
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

08-22-2003, 02:03 AM	#1
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,557	James DePaiva fired from OLTL! James Depaiva talks about his exit from OLTL: "Do not lay any of the blame for this on Frank Valentini [EP] or Josh Griffith or Michael Malone [HW]. They all like me and they loved the character of Max. But every time they tried to present a story for the character, it was swatted down. ABC said, 'Let's get rid of everybody over 40 because we want teenagers to watch the show. I had said this time and time again: Teenagers watch the show because their mothers watch the show. It's never been about teens. Never has and never will be. Other than Tim Stickney, we have no males under contract between 40 and 55. If they had not hired Dan Gauthier, they would not have anybody over 32. They're wiping out that whole era. And I think you'll see a lot of women going in the future."

08-27-2003, 11:16 PM	#4
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,557	More to add, word has it that Hillary B. Smith(Nora) wants to leave when her contract expires to do other projects outside of soaps, and word is that if she leaves, then there's nothing for Bo to do, so he will be phazed out.

06-25-2017, 04:27 PM	#10
Cliff Barnes Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 163	This is a really interesting thread to revisit years later. They never did get rid of bo and nora although some of the others came true. I wish the show was still around now for the casting to be complained about, looking back in time this was a decent era for the show, i came back to it during this period.