AMC Head Writer Charles Pratt Fired - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Charles Pratt, Jr. fired as head writer of All My Children
Posted Friday, November 20, 2009 1:16:42 PM
Updated Friday, November 20, 2009 6:04:05 PM
by Dan J Kroll

As the cast and crew of All My Children get ready to pack up and head to Los Angeles, they'll also have to get used to someone new penning the action in Pine Valley.

Charles Pratt, Jr. has been relieved of his duties as head writer. Pratt joined the show in June 2008.

All My Children fans were up-ended earlier this year when ABC announced that it was transitioning production of the show to the West Coast.

Now comes another surprising turn: the show will be moving on without its head writer. ABC is now confirming a report made earlier today by soapcentral.com: Charles Pratt, Jr. has been fired as head writer of All My Children.

Pratt's first day at the helm of All My Children was June 23, 2008. Upon his hiring, Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, referred to Pratt as "a master storyteller" and touted Pratt's work experience as something that would "undoubtedly elevate All My Children stories in new and exciting directions."

Fans, however, have felt otherwise.

Over the past six months, viewers have inundated soapcentral.com's mailboxes with complaints about the direction of the show. What was to have been a complex and mysterious murder mystery -- the "Who Killed Stuart?" storyline -- dragged on too long in the eyes of many fans, and most have expressed dissatisfaction with the plot's resolution.

Other viewers have threatened to tune out and a soap columnist even urged viewers to boycott the show until Pratt was fired.

In three years, All My Children has had three head writing regimes.

In February 2007, the ABC soap dismissed Megan McTavish as its head writer amid complaints that the show had become too dark.

Three months later, Barbara Esensten and James Harmon Brown were unveiled as co-head writers.

A year later, Esensten and Brown were out and Pratt was in.

Though the network confirms Pratt's ouster, ABC declined to offer additional comment. A replacement for Pratt has yet to be named.

http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2009/1123-pratt.php

catlover79 · 11-21-2009, 01:31 PM

Why am I not surprised?

MickeyMac · 11-21-2009, 01:49 PM

With the move to LA and losing another writer, things could get shakey over in Pine Valley.

HuntingtonM15 · 11-21-2009, 02:43 PM

I think this will help things. He seemed like a truly awful writer.

Coffeecup · 11-22-2009, 07:49 PM

I watch the show. Some of the plots are a little nutty. I feel so sorry for Amanda but how could she have falling into bed with David. These characters have to bypass the Confusion bar to avoid temptation. Now she's been pulled in again. I am glad JR is feeling better. For a while there I thought his character would be on death's doorstep. As for the other plots not bad but they do go on and on and on. Let's hope the new writers have shorter story lines.

spunkygirl · 11-23-2009, 01:23 PM

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About freaking time! He lasted a year and a half too long

Lorraine Broderick is replacing him

catlover79 · 11-23-2009, 02:00 PM

Get rid of Phelps and Guza at GH next and it would be a service to humanity!!!

11-21-2009, 01:24 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,121	AMC Head Writer Charles Pratt Fired Charles Pratt, Jr. fired as head writer of All My Children Posted Friday, November 20, 2009 1:16:42 PM Updated Friday, November 20, 2009 6:04:05 PM by Dan J Kroll As the cast and crew of All My Children get ready to pack up and head to Los Angeles, they'll also have to get used to someone new penning the action in Pine Valley. Charles Pratt, Jr. has been relieved of his duties as head writer. Pratt joined the show in June 2008. All My Children fans were up-ended earlier this year when ABC announced that it was transitioning production of the show to the West Coast. Now comes another surprising turn: the show will be moving on without its head writer. ABC is now confirming a report made earlier today by soapcentral.com: Charles Pratt, Jr. has been fired as head writer of All My Children. Pratt's first day at the helm of All My Children was June 23, 2008. Upon his hiring, Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, referred to Pratt as "a master storyteller" and touted Pratt's work experience as something that would "undoubtedly elevate All My Children stories in new and exciting directions." Fans, however, have felt otherwise. Over the past six months, viewers have inundated soapcentral.com's mailboxes with complaints about the direction of the show. What was to have been a complex and mysterious murder mystery -- the "Who Killed Stuart?" storyline -- dragged on too long in the eyes of many fans, and most have expressed dissatisfaction with the plot's resolution. Other viewers have threatened to tune out and a soap columnist even urged viewers to boycott the show until Pratt was fired. In three years, All My Children has had three head writing regimes. In February 2007, the ABC soap dismissed Megan McTavish as its head writer amid complaints that the show had become too dark. Three months later, Barbara Esensten and James Harmon Brown were unveiled as co-head writers. A year later, Esensten and Brown were out and Pratt was in. Though the network confirms Pratt's ouster, ABC declined to offer additional comment. A replacement for Pratt has yet to be named. http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2009/1123-pratt.php

11-21-2009, 01:31 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Why am I not surprised?
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

11-21-2009, 01:49 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	With the move to LA and losing another writer, things could get shakey over in Pine Valley.

11-21-2009, 02:43 PM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I think this will help things. He seemed like a truly awful writer.

11-22-2009, 07:49 PM	#5
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	I watch the show. Some of the plots are a little nutty. I feel so sorry for Amanda but how could she have falling into bed with David. These characters have to bypass the Confusion bar to avoid temptation. Now she's been pulled in again. I am glad JR is feeling better. For a while there I thought his character would be on death's doorstep. As for the other plots not bad but they do go on and on and on. Let's hope the new writers have shorter story lines.

11-23-2009, 01:23 PM	#6
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About freaking time! He lasted a year and a half too long Lorraine Broderick is replacing him

11-23-2009, 02:00 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Get rid of Phelps and Guza at GH next and it would be a service to humanity!!!