Grass Always Greener?

I've been doing some research lately and it seems very few people are happy with the current direction of All My Children. This got me thinking. For many years, under head writer Megan McTavish, fans complained the show was too dark, serious, and uneven. Many people assumed that a change in power and vision could only mean an upward climb. Barbara Essenstein and James Harmon Brown were next. Would they be able to undo the considerable amount of damage done under the previous regime? Their track record wasn't exactly stellar. They were crafting stories for Port Charles when it was canceled. Many Guiding Light fans claim the duo responsible for one of the worst periods in its history. Initially, their AMC tenure seemed promising, with tighter stories, more diverse character interaction, and better dialogue. However, as time passed, little changed. Inability to write engrossing storylines, or create three dimensional characters were just a few issues that had people wishing Essenstein and Brown suffer the same fate as their predecessor.

Wishes were granted when it was announced that Charles Pratt Jr. would try his hand at the mess. While he is receiving a more favorable reaction then others on the whole, there are things being done that are downright baffling. Can anyone tell me how I'm supposed to emotionally invest in an actor, character, or story when I know from the start its only short-term? Signing high-profile actors to day-player roles is utterly pointless. You know it's bad when a show you love more than just about anything is only being watched out of habit. Another thing, supposedly devastating disasters don't mean anything without far-reaching consequences. It's not all supposed to run together in a big blur.

While comparing the aforementioned writers, I realized something. As loud as we all screamed for Ms. McTavish's head on a platter, she's the only one who made me feel something. Essenstein, Brown, and Pratt have been unable to accomplish that goal. One should always way the pros and cons of a situation as precisely as possible. Feeling indifferent is the worst thing that can happen. I've almost reached that point. Remember, though it may appear to be, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.