Thursday, September 11, 2008

Douglas Marland: How Not To Wreck A Show

After watching parts of or all of several soaps today, I can't think of a better time to re-post "The Marland Rules." I just hope a head writer, producer or someone with with any power or influence reads and takes heed.

The late Douglas Marland is considered one of the greatest soap opera writers of all-time. At various points in his career he was the head writer of As the World Turns, Guiding Light, General Hospital, The Doctors and Loving. He also wrote for Another World (on Harding Lemay's team) and co-created Loving and A New Day in Eden.

The rules on "How Not To Wreck A Show" were published in the April 27, 1993, issue of Soap Opera Digest about six weeks after his death. They seem like common sense but are any of these being followed today? By anyone?

How Not To Wreck A Show
* Watch the show.









* Good soap opera is good storytelling. It's very simple.


  1. Chris Goutman should have someone hold this up in front of him as he walks around the studio each day. He is guilty of breaking at least half of these rules, especially listening to fans and not changing core characters.

  2. Ron Carlivati has broken rule #6 so many times it's not even funny.

  3. RC has broken everyone of those rules not just number 6

  4. Can some please send this over to the writers at Days of Our Lives please. They do so many things wrong including when they bring back a old character and completely change his character 180 degrees that his fans are completely upset. Also it is clear they also break so many of the rules no wonder they are in last place.