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- SAVING LIVES: MORE WAYS TO
- SALVAGE SOAP FAVORITES
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- By Cassie L. Damewood
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- Still afraid the rumors you're hearing are true, that one day soon you'll plop down to catch up on your beloved daytime drama and Crazy Charlie or Demented Debbie is nowhere to be found?
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- Entertainment Publicist Rita Runyon has witnessed the demise-and resurrection-of many soap characters and shared some solid tips on making your opinions count.
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- Letters to actors should always be sent to them in care of the show they appear on. Corresponding via fan clubs, web pages, etc. is fun but then the networks do not see that outpouring of support. The networks actually count each letter an actor receives, so you can imagine the impact bags and bags of mail could have on saving an actor's job!
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- Even though you may spend hours surfing the web and your Aunt Gert might be Internet savvy, Hollywood is an entity unto itself, and does not always respond to electronic mail. At least for now, sending snail mail is the way to go!
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- Spewing your venom at a network president or executive producer might make you feel better but name-calling and destructive criticism does not work. Turn that frown upside down and shower the actors you want to keep around with praise and lots of letters of support.
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- Advertisers are always anxious to hear what consumers of their products like and dislike about the shows they sponsor. Drop them a few lines and praise their courage, open-mindedness, and/or compassion for supporting specific characters and storylines.
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- National and international support groups need to hear what you think of certain characters. For example, viewers who are eager to see more of Loren Freeman (Elton) on General Hospital should contact organizations such as PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Gays & Lesbians) or GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to express their advocacy. Or if you would like to see your favorite African American characters get more air time, write letters of support to the NAACP.
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- And, remember, real letters written to local and national chapters get far more attention than email.
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- "The very best way to keep your favorite character on a show is to write to the actor in care of the series they are on" states Rita Runyon.
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- Whatever route you choose to launch a character crusade, always keep it upbeat and practical. Try to include a positive influence a character's storyline or life decision had on your life or that of a friend or family member. Tugging at heartstrings is a tried and true method for achieving positive results.
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