I’m sure you heard me whine once or twice this past week about All My Children being canceled. The finale was on Friday & I had heard via soap spoiler websites that Agnes Nixon, the creator, was going to give fans the gift of wrapping up all the lose end story lines in the finale. I was stoked.
The show started off ok, they had managed to bring a few of my favorite killed off characters back from the dead over the last few weeks so it was nice watching them but about 40 minutes in to the finale I started to get a twinge of panic because nothing had really happened yet. 50 minutes in & I was really starting to freak out, this is the last episode of a show I’ve been watching since I was in utero & it was starting to look like the finale was going to be an even bigger let-down than LOST. Six minutes later my fear became a reality, the show slugged along the entire episode without answering a single question & then ended suddenly with a gunshot in a room that was filled with every single character.
Seriously?
I started doing some digging & it didn’t take long to find interview after interview of scorned AMC actors speaking out about how unhappy they were with the ending. Rebecca Budig (Greenlee) even went as far as to point out that there were several scenes filmed with Josh Duhamel that were meant for the final episode but would never see the light of day because of the rewritten finale.
Wait, rewrite? What??
More searching & I found my answer. As Agnes had promised, a finale was written giving AMC fans everything which they had hoped. Surprise guests, reignited past loves & most importantly answers. (Who was that secret patient under the suspicious white sheet anyway???) Many of the scenes had even been already filmed when a few business meetings behind closed doors led to a change of events. It appears that when ABC sold the show to Prospect Park, who planned on continuing the series via webisodes, it was contingent on AMC re-writing the finale to be a complete cliffhanger. It’s probably safe to assume that was with the hopes that fans would be so desperate to see what happens next they’d transition into watching the series online. I wonder if Prospect Park or ABC ever considered that viewers might not continue to watch if they were completely & utterly PISSED OFF.
It often seems that big businesses no longer think of their audience or clients as people but rather just another dollar sign in the budget.
Another great example of this is Netflix. The mega movie giant is expected to lose 1,000’s of subscribers, their stock is down significantly and they’ve had to lower their yearly expectations by millions after they raised rates by over 60% AND decided that now you would have to subscribe to two separate plans to watch DVD’s streaming online & receive them in the mail. This company had a huge following of dedicated fans & instead of just being grateful for their success & continuing to give their customers what they wanted they got greedy. They saw profit instead of people. It’s even stoked a new motto, “if it’s not broke, don’t netflix it.”
So where does that leave me? Yes, I can complain to you about being disrespected & treated as just another number & yes, I can vow to never watch “The Chew” which is taking AMC’s place on ABC. (I may or may not have a DIY Mario Batoli voodoo doll tutorial coming up, orange crocs & all) but what would probably make the biggest impact is if I can take a lesson away from it & apply it to my own life. As a blogger I need to remember that my readers are just that, people who are reading my website. Not “uniques”, not a stat, not even a notch on the “follower” scale. It’s an actual person who is willing to give a small amount of their day to read my blog. On top of that, even though big businesses don’t seem to know this, that person is most likely not a complete idiot. People know when they’re being bamboozled. They know when something is a sales pitch & not genuine. Perhaps giant companies like ABC will never have make that connection & that’s a shame. If nothing else, it was a reality check for me.
I’m curious, am I the only one who feels this way or have you been run over by the big guy?
I tweeted you about it on Friday before I watched it. I was so excited about the possible cliffhanger, which I don’t mind. I’m all for a goooood cliffhanger. But this was a huge let down because my last internet digging lead to only TWO characters signing on (Ryan & Cara) so I think because of that it sucks. If not all of them come back they are going to have to give so many explanations & I hate that. Ugh.
I know right?? I’ve read that all the AMC actors are too jaded & don’t want to sign on with Prospect Park. Bummer.
This really bothers me… but it’s not just about the big companies. When a small business starts to “grow”and lose sight of what’s important and are chasing money the business is useless in my opinion. I joined a small workout class earlier this year. Had a great community feel…I loved it. All of a sudden our personal trainer started trying to get more and more clients. He started to lose sight of the real goal, which was helping people get to their personal goals. He didn’t/doesn’t care about us…we are just a number. A number that can be replaced. He became money hungry almost overnight..and the entire dynamic of the place changed. I’m not against people making money (both big and small companies)but they can’t lose sight of what’s important. Of why they are doing it in the first place.
Well said Jess, my point exactly
I feel your pain. Not over this particular show, I’ve never heard of it, I’m in the UK. But about people taking me as a number and not considering that I have a brain.
🙂
That stinks about your show. I hate getting into a series and having it end at a cliffhanger, never to be the same again.
About Netflix, their CEO made a statement on the Netflix blog about the price increase, and at a nice piece of humble pie while he was at it.
http://blog.netflix.com/2011/09/explanation-and-some-reflections.html
Apparently they are separating Netflix into 2 separate companies, which necessitated the price change.
I understand that customers are people and companies should treat them as such, however they are businesses. And the number priority of any business is to make a profit. This is partially accomplished by making customers happy, but if you are doing so at a cost to the company, your business will go the way of the Michael Scott Paper Company. I understand the initial reactions by Netflix subscribers, but if Netflix wishes to grow their business, separating the two components was the only way to go. Streaming, by far, is their bread and butter. Many people think the streaming business is a “no cost” business for Netflix, this isn’t true, however. The cost of contracts with production companies to allow the movies and TV shows to be shown is enormous. And initially, the novelty of the program allowed a continuous rise in customers, which allowed the company to remain profitable while basically offering a free service. But once you get to the holy grail in terms of customers, you have to find other ways to maximize profits. Netflix chose to start charging for what had previously been free. A lot of people have a problem with this, but if they had not done it, in a few years there would be no company left to complain about (as will be the case with Blockbuster soon). And some are saying they are paying more for the same service but, again, more TV shows and movies will be able to be added to the streaming service because of this price “increase” (just look at the number of shows they have now in comparison to when the streaming service started). I realize your entire issue was not with Netflix, but I think the backlash is indicative of America’s “gimme, gimme, gimme” mentality. $7.99 a month is not an excessive amount to pay for a service like Netflix streaming (just compare it to cable!). But because it is more than people are used to, they call the company greedy. It is the same when people demand a higher minimum wage, but then complain about production jobs going out of the country. If we had to pay the prices for items produced in America, most people would not be able to afford them because of the amount of our minimum wage. But most people don’t see these as related issues, they view them as one having nothing to do with the other. The bottom line is, companies are supposed to be in the business of making money, that is what makes our economy go ’round.
What I want to know Angela is did you take your Netflix nametag off before or after you wrote that? (;
Ok, then. Well it’s been nice reading your blog.
Aw, it was a joke. C’mon…obviously you’re very knowledgeable about how Netflix operates but there’s nothing wrong with that. I was just making a little funny about it. But I guess you didn’t find it very funny. Sorry ):
It was funny and exactly what I was thinking as I read the comment. Angela, the streaming online does not have the content to increase prices 60%. You say content is going to increase but that isn’t exactly true. They have a contract with Stars that is ending because they (netflix) does not want to pay Stars more when they are bringing in more. The Stars contract was all the streaming had going for it (that and childrens shows that can be DVRed). Last I read (2 weeks ago) they expect to lose one million members. This American mentality you perceive as gimme gimme gimme is actually wanting what you pay for and not wanting to be taken advantage of (which is fair, no?). Yes, we must move forward or be left behind, but netflix is going about it the wrong way. In the long run they are trying to get big blockbuster companies to sign with them, but are already losing many of their classic and independent films. Netflix is turning into the Blockbuster company they orginally set out to run out of business. They are losing sight of who they are…or who they were.
I thought it was hilarious Natasha. And I totally agree with you. I think the practice of having a happy customer is long gone. What seems to be important, is how much can they put in their pocket. Not all companies are like this but it seems more like the norm now.
I agree! I was SO mad about AMC! My mom watched it, then I watched it and now…. Ugh! So angry, and they already have a lot of useless reality tv and Jerry springer type shows on tv at that time anyway. I want my soap back! Full of beautiful people with outrageous issues. I would much rather visit Pine Valley than the Jersey Shores!
I just don’t see how it can be the same online without Erica Cain 🙁
And what the heck is up with JR? And Jackson leaving Erica for good with a quote from Gone With The Wind! Oh so many frustrations with that last show! And glossing over babies and engagements! 😛
I was hoping they would end it with a finale wedding for Jackson and Erica 🙁
There’s a local DC comedy blog who I feel encapsulates exactly what you described. They had a legion of dedicated followers, kept PROMISING to post, would make excuses WEEKS after missing posts (they didn’t get ‘paid’ to blog, so obviously their fans expectations don’t matter), and THEN had the nerve to write 3 books they intended to sell to their “fan base” they alienated. And guess what? Now they are back to semi-regular posting, but make sure to center each entry around their 3 books/launch party. It’s just irritating to WANT to support something you enjoy, but and then it becomes apparent your support only is important when it comes to shelling out money. Sad.
I am totally with you! I’m a huge One Life to Live watcher and I’m so nervous about how they plan to end that one….
Yes, totally with you. I am sick of everything being about money and profits. I understand the need to have profits in running a business but… it’s disheartening to say the least. One example I have is my daughter’s daycare; she used to go to a center that was part of a larger chain. As she was there longer and longer, I realized that they didn’t care about my daughter at all – they cared about making money. I began to see right through their “caring” words and cute little mottos. She is now in a similarly sized center, but one that is family owned and operated. The Director is part of the family that owns the center, and she is in the business because she loves it, loves the center, loves the children. You see the commitment in the teachers, in the management; it’s just a different vibe and a different feel. I have since started trying to support local businesses as opposed to chains whenever I can.
My husband works in retail and I did as well before I had Lola. I started working for a small family business where I felt like I was doing something that was a give and take. I help make money for them and they pay me in return (and paid me MORE than working for stupid chain stores. And gave me health benefits that are nearly unheard of in retail). Big businesses exploit their workers- Les Wexner I’m talking to you… my first job was with Express which has now been sold off to a Japanese electronic company? They rip off their customers too. Though I am happy to read that letter from Netflix. I also find it hilarious that they chose the name Qwister as there is already that whole thing with Twitter and the pot head teen….
Long story short, I agree with you! Things have definitely changed and the whole “customer is always right” is now “make the customer think they are right unless you can make money off their wrong-ness” even if they return everything they felt pressured to buy from you the previous day.
I always love reading what you have to say. And this blog post makes me think of something my dad told me. He was on a flight and he ended up next to a guy who was born here in America and he decided to attend college in Australia, his family isn’t Australian. Anyway, so after college he came back to DC and he told my dad how much he hated it here, because the only thing people cared about was their careers and money. It’s like when did it stop being about the people and more about the bottom dollar. I find that I will return to a store or use a service again if I feel like I was treated with respect and not as a dollar sign. One of my favorite shows is NCIS and on the season premiere they said something that hit home. Rule # 37: If it feels like you’re being played you most likely are.
I agree 100%. I didn’t watch AMC, but I hate the feeling of being a number. I was a HUGE fan of The Talk last season. Then when season two started two of my favorite ladies were gone. The show never said a word about it. Just went on like nothing had ever happened. I was so mad that I stopped recording it and won’t watch it again. I watched every episode last season and feel like they should have at least said something. Acknowledge when the ladies weren’t back. I did research online and found out that their contracts were not renewed. Apparently there are a lot of people mad about it and even websites/Facebook pages dedicated to it.
It is all about the money huh? My aunt used to write for AMC about 4 years ago, she’s at Y&R now and she said unfortunately most soaps are gonna go online. That’s the way the daytime shows are heading. Not a fan of that.
Love don’t Netflix it! LOL! We are huge fans of Netflix and I feel the same way you do about the change.
Thank you so much for writing this. I also have been watching AMC since birth. I was so utterly disappointed with the finale. I know they want to move it to this internet tv thing, but in my personal opinion Prospect Park has ruined the integrity of the show. I was sad when they announce the show was ending (okay I was really mortified), but I am even more upset that ABC and Prospect Park did not allow the show to end with grace.
I totally agree with you when it comes to Netflix. I’m so disappointed. If Netflix doesn’t sign again with Starz they will lose tons of their selections, leaving almost nothing to watch. I just can’t see spending money Netflix if there is going to be nothing to watch. I love the streaming because of my schedule I can just sit and put on a movie but I find myself going to my local Blockbuster and Redbox to rent newer movies for $1 because Netflix is so slow getting anything new on streaming.
So sorry to hear about AMC, I used to watch it years ago but between work, kids and school soaps took a backseat. Hope you get the answers you are hoping for online.
Jessica
Progress, technology, advancement. How often do we hear these words? In today’s society, it seems to be all about moving forward, what’s the next best thing, what corners can we cut? We don’t often hear as much about quality, service and integrity. In an effort to make more and more money, human interaction has been sacrificed for efficiency and cost savings. You call a company and you get an automated system, you want to check in for your flight and you have to touch a screen, I’ve even had to make a dr’s appointment by automation. I find that as I get older I’m more nostalgic about “when I was young” which I suppose is to be expected, but what I miss is the idea of service. When did it become okay for a company to make a promise but then not keep it hoping everyone would forget. There used to be a Walmart advertisement that they promised the lowest prices but when it was proven that many stores offered lower prices, they just changed their slogan instead of honoring the original and lowering prices. It’s business, I understand that, but it lacks integrity. I miss walking into a store and not being worried about finding someone to not only help me but to be able to answer questions, I miss stepping onto an airplane and not having to pay for a tissue to wipe my nose. What some companies may not realize is that there IS a market out there that will pay a bit more for good service. I would love to have a flight where I felt compelled to dress up because the service was that good. Do you really need to nickel and dime me for a blanket and an olive? What’s next, quarter toilets? Anyone else remember the prizes at the bottom of the cereal box? Do they even do that anymore? What about all the cool useless crap we used to get from McD’s and BK as kids? Oh wait, we’re already hooked on the food so there’s no need to spend that much to grow the customer base. How will I trick or treat this year without my happy meal punkin pail? 🙂 At least McD’s is trying to “healthy up” it’s menu. I wonder if anyone recently has done a return on investment study on simple service… I miss it so.
Wow, well said Melissa, well said indeed! Ever think about writing a blog because what you just wrote would make an AWESOME post!
Or maybe you do already? In blogger I could just click on the person’s name in the comment’s and see if they had a blog attached but I’m not sure how (If I even can) to do that in WordPress…
Thanks Natasha. I’ve thought about blogging but worried I would not be able to think of something to write all the time. How do you come up with all your ideas? maybe I’ll start and see what happens. I could write a couple of posts on accident rubberneckers 🙂
It’s funny that, when you posted this, we had just been talking about how ridiculous cable prices are and I was about to blog about it myself. So here’s a link to my post answering whether or not I’ve been run over by the big guy.
http://dadventuring.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-anti-cable-rant.html
I hope you enjoy!
Jared