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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
Brown and Esensten are somewhat controversial; their writing has been criticized{{By whom|date=November 2012}} as often drifting into the absurd and [[sci-fi]]. When the two wrote for ''[[Guiding Light]]'' during the later part of the 1990s, the show's primary herione, [[Reva Shayne]], was cloned, and when the duo would later write for ''[[Port Charles]]'', vampires were introduced, along with other supernatural creatures. Today, vampire and supernatural soap operas are a staple of networks (American horror story, vampire diaries, etc) illustrating that the duo's ideas were perhaps ahead of their time.
Brown and Esensten are somewhat controversial; their writing has been criticized{{By whom|date=November 2012}} as often drifting into the absurd and [[sci-fi]]. When the two wrote for ''[[Guiding Light]]'' during the later part of the 1990s, the show's primary herione, [[Reva Shayne]], was cloned, and when the duo would later write for ''[[Port Charles]]'', vampires were introduced, along with other supernatural creatures. When the two took over as [[head writer]]s at ''[[All My Children]]'', the show plummeted to record lows in the ratings.<ref>{{cite web | title=AMC hits new record lows | publisher= Soap Opera Network | accessdate =November 15, 2007}}</ref> The show reached a record low of 2,144,000 viewers on November 2, 2007.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}

After the duo left, the show reached a record low of 1,931,000 viewers on August 22, 2008. Its former low was 2,144,000 viewers on November 2, 2007. (Nielsen Media Research).


Because of the [[2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike]], Brown and Esensten went [[financial core]] within the guild, allowing them to write for ''All My Children'' because of financial strains brought on by the strike. [[Megan McTavish]], the writer they replaced at ''All My Children'', was displeased. "These are not youngsters struggling to make mortgage payments or feed their children. Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves," she said.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news | first=Jacques| last=Steinberg | title=Soap-Operas Are the Hidden Drama of the Strike|publisher=''[[New York Times]]''|accessdate=2008-01-21|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/arts/television/21soap.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin | date=January 21, 2008}}</ref>
Because of the [[2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike]], Brown and Esensten went [[financial core]] within the guild, allowing them to write for ''All My Children'' because of financial strains brought on by the strike. [[Megan McTavish]], the writer they replaced at ''All My Children'', was displeased. "These are not youngsters struggling to make mortgage payments or feed their children. Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves," she said.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news | first=Jacques| last=Steinberg | title=Soap-Operas Are the Hidden Drama of the Strike|publisher=''[[New York Times]]''|accessdate=2008-01-21|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/arts/television/21soap.html?_r=2&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin | date=January 21, 2008}}</ref>

Revision as of 02:59, 30 October 2013

James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten are American television writers, primarily working on soap operas. The duo have worked together for over 20 years starting on the prime-time soap Dynasty. Together, they created the soap opera The City, a spinoff of Loving. On November 14, 2012, Esensten died at the age of 75.[1]

Controversy

Brown and Esensten are somewhat controversial; their writing has been criticized[by whom?] as often drifting into the absurd and sci-fi. When the two wrote for Guiding Light during the later part of the 1990s, the show's primary herione, Reva Shayne, was cloned, and when the duo would later write for Port Charles, vampires were introduced, along with other supernatural creatures. When the two took over as head writers at All My Children, the show plummeted to record lows in the ratings.[2] The show reached a record low of 2,144,000 viewers on November 2, 2007.[citation needed]

Because of the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Brown and Esensten went financial core within the guild, allowing them to write for All My Children because of financial strains brought on by the strike. Megan McTavish, the writer they replaced at All My Children, was displeased. "These are not youngsters struggling to make mortgage payments or feed their children. Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves," she said.[3]

Positions held

Dynasty

  • Co-Writers: 1987-1988
  • Executive Story Editors: 1988-1989

All My Children

  • Co-Head Writers: July 26, 2007 - January 14, 2008; January 30 - August 26, 2008
  • Script Writers: July 20, 2010–September 23, 2011

Days of our Lives

  • Script Editors: November 2006 - May 2007

One Life to Live

  • Script Editors: October 2004 - October 2005

Port Charles

Guiding Light

  • Co-Head Writers: 1997 - 2000

Loving

  • Co-Head Writers: 1994 - November 1995

The City

  • Creators
  • Co-Head Writers: November 1995 - March 1997

HW History

Preceded by Head Writer of Guiding Light
1997-2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Megan McTavish (no HW listed before they joined)
Head Writer of All My Children
July 25, 2007 - January 14, 2008
January 31 - August 26, 2008
Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ "Barbara Esensten Dead at 75". We Love Soaps. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  2. ^ "AMC hits new record lows". Soap Opera Network. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ^ Steinberg, Jacques (January 21, 2008). "Soap-Operas Are the Hidden Drama of the Strike". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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