TVGEN: Welcome! Tonight's chat is with Days of Our Lives' executive producer Tom Langan and head writer Sally Sussman-Morina. Welcome and thanks for joining us, Tom and Sally.

Tom Langan: Welcome to everyone; hope you enjoy this evening's entertainment. We look forward to all your questions. Sally is getting set up to join us!

Sally Sussman-Morina: Hi, too! Welcome, everybody; sorry we're running a little late.

GinaBringsHope: Tom and Sally, let me say thank you for the Gina storyline. I am very hopeful that she will bring about the restoration of my faves, Bo and Hope. I recently sent each of you a tape illustrating the issues that need to be addressed between them. I'm wondering if you've watched it and if so, whether you found it enlightening?

Sussman-Morina: I got the tape, I definitely will watch it, I just got it the other night. Since I wasn't on the show at the time, I look forward to seeing what you have put together.

DaveNorton: What is your analysis on the low ratings of recent months?

Langan: I guess all the daytime ratings are down. And the most obvious explanation for that is that people have more choices. Either they are going on the Internet or doing other things other than watching TV. The research also seems to indicate that some people are leaving television and not returning to the daytime lineup &emdash; in other words, finding other things to do with their lives.

Sussman-Morina: I can add one thing to that, which is that I feel that part of the reason is that real life has eclipsed what we used to do in daytime in terms of outrageousness and scandals. Jerry Springer is bringing all this to TV, where you can see your neighbors, people you know, talking about real-life issues that were once taboo. That used to be part of the fantasy world that they watched on soaps. So we have to find a way to kind of reinvent ourselves, as Tom said, not only to handle the competition from cable and the Internet, but to tell compelling stories that don't seem passé.

CarrieAustinFan: But wouldn't another explanation of low ratings be viewers' lack of interest in current, long, drawn out storylines???

Sussman-Morina: We don't think our stories are long and drawn out. However, the fans believe so! But I think you'd have to look at all soaps because ratings are down on all the shows. So I guess that would be a complaint for all the shows.

Langan: That's right.

VictoriaWinters99: Any chance of having a vampire storyline on any of the soaps? :-)

Langan: On Days anything is possible, but whose neck do they want the vampire to suck?!

TyroneusD: Any chance that Patsy Pease will get a contract and major story? Do you think there's room for her on the canvas?

Sussman-Morina: There is always room for characters from the past. And at this point, we don't have long-term plans, but at some point we might consider bringing her back full-time.

llanview: What has the response by fans been regarding the Gina/Hope transformations?

Sussman-Morina: I haven't heard any reaction; I'd like you to tell me. It just happened.

cowgirl_jodi: Are there going to be any new characters soon?

Sussman-Morina: Yes! There will be some new characters.

Langan: Some of our younger people are going to grow up overnight. In the near future, we're going to be seeing the next generation of young people on Days.

Calicia_DaysJMFan: Hi, I'm 15 and I've been watching the show for a while. I want to know why John is ignoring his family for a complete stranger. Please don't say that he isn't because he is. He doesn't even know that his kids are sick. When will John refocus on Marlena and his kids? That is what your fans want to see.

Sussman-Morina: John is always focused on Marlena on his kids, and will always focus on them. But he very curious about his connection to Greta.

Soapfan35: How is Frank Parker? Please send him the prayers of all us Days fans.

Sussman-Morina: Oh, that's very nice. How is he, Tom?

Langan: When I saw him at the funeral he was still in a state of shock. Obviously it is going to take him time to recover, if ever, from the loss of a child. Prayers are always appreciated.

nydc26: Thanks for coming here tonight and for putting Bo and Hope back into the forefront. I am wondering why, during their brief reunion over the last few months (before Gina) they NEVER kissed. Was this a calculated move for storyline purposes, because it seemed so contrived?

Sussman-Morina: It wasn't contrived. I think that it's important to remember that just a few months ago these two were on different continents. And yes, of course, these two love each other very much, but there is still a lot of healing that had to take place. And keep watching because when you see them kiss the next time, it will be because they both are ready to make that committment again.

waterytart: Is Kate's secret going to be exposed soon? It's been going on for so long!!

Sussman-Morina: Yes, it will be exposed at some point when it is most effective for the story.

TheShiftyEyedBandit: Are you surprised by the success you have had?

Langan: We're always surprised and yet happy when the show is successful.

taylor_aries: Will Kate and Lucas be exposed? And why isn't there more accountability for wrongdoing in the stories? Where are the consequences?

Langan: There are always consequences! They just don't necessarily time out the way you'd like them to. But definitely people will pay for their crimes.

LisaW_MC: In the SOW poll last week they were listing the top vote-getters for ex-soapers fans want back. Matt Ashford and Melissa Reeves were topping the list. Do you guys know how desperately many of us want the ORIGINAL J&J back?

Sussman-Morina: Hey! So do we. We would love to have them back! But at this point Melissa Reeves has no interest in returning to daytime. That's what we've heard. But we'd love to have them back, though.

janisking: Hey, Tom, are Mike and Carry going to find true love together?

Langan: Mike and Carry have found true love, whether or not it will be everlasting is up to the gods.

Dani676: Why do you use MTV-like short scenes that destroy any ability for characters to exchange real thoughts or emotions? We like the longer scenes.

Sussman-Morina: We write lots of long scenes! And many times you will see characters playing emotional scenes throughout episodes. I've been doing soaps a long time, and we've never shortened scenes. Scenes are as long as they need to be.

joe23_1999: Tom, I hear you were recently in a car wreck??

Langan: No, I wasn't!

DeeHallisno1: Where have all the romance storylines from the '80s gone?

Sussman-Morina: We have a lot of romance on the show right now. Mike and Carry. John and Marlena. Bo and Hope. Eric and Nicole, Nancy and Craig, Billy and Roman.

Clair9: Please let me join the chorus of viewers who were deeply disappointed with the John and Marlena events at New Year's. Perhaps you have forgotten why Marlena has been wearing a 10-carat ring for months now. John has already proposed &emdash; the fifth time was trite and dumb especially since no date was set.

Sussman-Morina: A date will be set. He was just reinforcing his desire.

zettybou: So you guys do listen to fan mail?

Sussman-Morina: Yes, I read all the mail that is addressed to me. You look for trends, for what is working or not working. Ultimately we have to go on our gut instincts. But it's always good to get a sense of what the fans are thinking. And it certainly fits into our long-term plans in terms of what a majority of the audience wants.

kelly40_98: Will Roman ever get the truth out of Kate or Lucas?

Langan: It's not something we really can answer because it would reveal a secret of the story.

alexae01: Do you plan to pursue the possibility of an Eric & Taylor romance? You seemed to be headed that way, but now Taylor is getting no air time.

Sussman-Morina: Taylor is going to be getting a lot more air time in the future. And we may very well explore a romantic story with them in the future. We'd be curious as to what the audience thinks about that.

dani2374: Will Vivian survive this whole Stefano mess?

Langan: She has survived worse than this!

Sussman-Morina: Yes, she will, and she will live to tell about it.

DMVee66: I believe the majority of the audience hates the Nicole character. Any plans on ditching her or recasting?

Langan: No. Hopefully she's someone you love to hate.

spookiebear: When will Nancy and Craig be caught?

Sussman-Morina: LOL! If they were caught, we'd have to get rid of them, and they're so much fun!

beth_1996: Are Sami and Austin going to get together?

Sussman-Morina: It sure looks that way!

gldaysfan: Do you have any spoilers to tell us?

Langan: Dr. Wu will help Vivian uncover the mystery of what's wrong with her.

DaysFan_VA: Kudos to the casting department at Days... Patrika and Kevin and other additions to the cast are great. How much input do the writers have in this selection process?

Sussman-Morina: In the case of Patrika and Kevin, we discussed the kind of character we wanted. The casting person was familiar with Patrika's work, and they hired her because they knew what we wanted. But most of the time we're very involved with the casting of characters. We look at the tapes that Tom gives us of people.

Prideman2: Is it difficult to keep the characters continuous with what the last writers did?

Sussman-Morina: Not really. These characters are so well established that you might enhance them and stuff like that. So when you take over the show, you can't throw out what's already been played.

Serena_22f: Will Ally get violent?

Sussman-Morina: Ally loves Mike desperately. And she will do anything to have him back in her life.

Langan: And Sally means anything.

Bashful_ca: Do you guys have a favorite character?

Sussman-Morina: No, not really, I like all the characters, I don't think I have a favorite.

Langan: It's like asking a parent, do you have a favorite child?

cutes36: Will Greta be in love with John, and why does she continue to call him Father John?

Sussman-Morina: She calls him Father John because that's how she knew him when he was a priest. And her feelings for him are more paternal than romantic.

O_Lucky_Me: I must apologize for some of my fellow chatters, I sincerely appreciate your taking your valuable time. May I ask, has Austin really been fired?

Sussman-Morina: NO! Not at all.

almac550: Will anyone ever get possessed again?

Langan: Isn't Hope possessed by Gina at this point?

raemurl_189: Is there any chance that Patch and Kayla or Doug and Julie will return to Days? That would certainly boost the ratings.

Sussman-Morina: Patch & Kayla are currently on GH as different characters. And as far as we know, there are no plans to write them off that show. And Doug and Julie are traveling in Europe; he's Hope's father, and could very well return to the show at any time.

DeAnn9: What do you think will be the most exciting, compelling storyline to watch for during February sweeps?

Sussman-Morina: Oh, God, we have so many! I'd say the John-Marlena, Bo-Hope, Carry-Mike, Sami and Austin, Vivian-Stefano, and those are the ones to watch.

Langan: It's going to be a fabulous February!

Bashful_ca: Who has been on Days the longest?

Sussman-Morina: Frances Reid, and John Clarke have been on Days for 33 years, since it started.

DeeHallisno1: Sami and Lucas used to be the gruesome twosome, and now gruesome describes their relationship. Any plans on making them pals like the good ol' days?

Sussman-Morina: They have a lot of baggage to work out right now; they're certainly a long way from being friends. But you never know, over time, how things will change.

DeAnn9: Which couple do you think is the most romantic on Days? Why?

Sussman-Morina: John and Marlena, without question. Bo and Hope, and Mike and Carry.

love_of_life: I was impressed by the fact the you paired Nancy and Craig... Don't you think that was a brave step, she being a bigger woman?

Langan: I like bigger women! She is a very lovable person. I think that people are into size too much.

sherri_leigh: Will they give Shawn Douglas a girlfriend or a good storyline anytime soon?

Sussman-Morina: He just came through a hell of a storyline. As he gets older and matures, you'll see the character do the same.

RoseDawson98_98: What's it like being a writer and a producer?

Sussman-Morina: Well, it's a lot of time-consuming work, but it's a lot of fun. It's like having 35 people in your brain at all times.

Langan: I feel very fortunate to be doing a job that I love to do, and to work with someone as talented and intelligent as Sally.

ANGELface714: Do you see a relationship evolving between Nicole and Lucas, or will she stick with Eric?

Langan: We're anxious to see if Lucas will make any headway with Nicole.

Stanford300: There is a rumor that Carrie gets very sick soon. I think a cancer story would be very compelling and I am sure the actors would do a wonderful job with it.

Sussman-Morina: We don't have any plans to do that kind of story at this moment.

kelly40_98: What has been your favorite storyline?

Sussman-Morina: So far I would say I really enjoyed the Kristen murder mystery. And I'm really looking forward to the Gina-Hope-Bo-John-Marlena-Stefano storyline.

Langan: The greatest storyline will be told in May!

Soapfan35: Isn't Christie Clark's contract up soon? Will she renew?

Sussman-Morina: We hope she does.

SF_area: The multiple-character plot ploy (The Dead Pool) didn't work so well for Days ratings-wise. Why is Days again resorting to a multiple-character story with Kristian Alfonso?

Sussman-Morina: The Killing Pool storyline had the highest ratings we had in two years. But these two stories are completely different.

rixskg: Will anyone be leaving the show?

Sussman-Morina: Not that we know of right now.

dhallfan1: Is May the month John and Marlena get married?

Sussman-Morina: Yes.

SallyWlsn: Mr. Langan, have you thought about joining James Reilly with Passions &emdash; since all the work you did making Days what it is today?

Langan: Days is the happiest show on earth. I would never leave!

Sussman-Morina: Amen to that! Thank God! I would never want to do Days without Tom. I love working with him. This is all true. We have known each other for 16 years.

TVGEN: Thank both of you so much for chatting with us tonight. We really appreciate it.

Sussman-Morina: Thank you to the fans for participating tonight. This is the third one of these we've done. It's great to get the feedback. And we hope to come back again soon. Keep watching: We have some great stuff coming up.

Langan: Watch the TV Guide awards on Monday. And keep your fingers crossed for Days!

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