First, I'd like to congratulate everyone on their hard work and effort. We're already getting results. We were mentioned in Soap Opera Now Magazine. Here's an excerpt from SON gotten through Shadysha's Newsletter: ANALYSIS: YET ANOTHER CAMPAIGN
As we have noted before in this space, the nature of the business of soap opera fans interacting with their favorite shows is changing almost daily thanks to the power of the Internet. There's no need to explain all this again. Instead, we'd like to focus a bit on the latest campaign to hit cyberspace.
In the past two weeks, we have been bombarded (along with every other soap opera publication, soap Internet site, NBC, and Sony) with the following message, over and over and over:
"For Carrie, Mike Horton is just what the Doctor ordered!!!"
"From the Mike and Carrie Crusaders"
"Mike+Carrie=Magic."
Now we have no problem with the fact that the Mike and Carrie Crusaders have launched this initiative. They've been very polite about it (though guys, we get the message--can we reduce the torrent to a small trickle?). What fascinates us is the underlying reason for the effort in the first place.
Soap operas are a unique medium in so many ways, and one of those is that our shows are freer to do a little "mixing and matching" while pursuing stated storylines. Sometimes, this switching around of actors to see how they react to each other results in a whole new storyline for the show. Prime time shows don't have that flexibility, and you can just forget movies, plays, etc. No, only soap operas can do this and learn something from their audience.
In the case of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, the accidental pairing of Mike and Carrie has been particularly instructive.
DOOL went through a long period when its storylines stagnated. There were endless variations of the same themes, especially when it comes to the Sami/Austin/Carrie triangle. Early this summer, DOOL shook itself out of its stupor and began to move its plots more rapidly (there had been a lot of complaints from viewers about the pacing). The show though it could wring yet one more variation on its long-running theme by having Carrie seek a little guidance from her strictly platonic friend Dr. Mike Horton.
A funny thing happened along the way. Two attractive actors found they had an easy and enjoyable chemistry on screen. Their scenes were decidedly different from the angst-ridden Carrie/Austin ones. They were more relaxed, warmer, and infinitely more fun. It was due in part to the different in the relationships between Carrie and Austin v. Carrie and Mike.
Perhaps viewers were simply tired of seeing the same thing over and over with Carrie and Austin, with the relationship seemingly destined to go nowhere. Perhaps it's because there was so much immediate warmth between Carrie and Mike. Yet for whatever reason, viewers have responded very positively to seeing Carrie and the doctor together. Austin may not like it, but the show's fans sure do.
So what's a show to do in a situation like this? That's the dilemma currently facing DOOL. For the past two years, it seemed clear that once Austin and Carrie finally had Sami where they wanted her (well out of the way they hoped), they would be free to be together at last. And that is what fans indicated they wanted. Yet now, having done a little mixing and matching, viewers are telling the show something completely different. We've seen many letters (outside this campaign) saying Austin deserves Sami, and Carrie would be better off with Mike. All this time, DOOL thought it was giving the viewers what they wanted, now it's not.
And as the weeks mount up, you can expect the Crusaders' campaign to get more intense. The strange part is this is a situation that the show created for itself, but there was no expectation that it would go so far.
You know, there are worse things for a soap opera than to have sparked renewed interest in a long-running storyline, especially if the new alternative ahead might indeed be the right direction to pursue.
Right now, all DOOL has to do is vamp for two more months, then new head writer Sally Sussman will take the helm. Perhaps Ms. Sussman--who has a history of being very responsive to viewers as well as being sensitive to the ever-changing dynamics of mixing and matching on a soap--will decide to give Mike and Carrie a chance. Of course, this will leave poor Austin out in the cold, but then again, he's still officially married to the lovely Sami. If Dr. Laura were writing the storyline, you know she'd have Austin stay with Sami for the sake of Will, even if he isn't the little boy's father (Austin is the only daddy Will has ever known). And the possibilities that could be spun in pairing Mike with Carrie (a happy couple) while Austin finds himself attached to Sami could be fascinating indeed. (mk)
Our efforts are being noticed. Now, we need to keep the pressure on both NBC and the magazines to keep Mike & Carrie together. Please continue to email the following addresses:
Days@nbc.com
SOMSoapBox@aol.com
SODsound@aol.com
SPWpubop@aol.com
SODdays@aol.com
SoapCity@station.sony.com
Send the following slogan to them: For Carrie, Mike Horton is just what the Doctor Ordered! Be sure to sign it from the Mike and Carrie Crusaders and the trademark Mike+Carrie=Magic. We have removed Soap Opera Now from our email campaign at the request of their editor Michael Kape.
For our letter writing campaign we need you to continue to send a book of matches along with the slogan "Mike and Carrie: A match that burns HOT!" to each of the addresses on our mailing list. Again, be sure to sign this from the Mike & Carrie Crusaders with the Mike+Carrie=Magic logo. We'll start a new campaign on our next newsletter. Send our letter writing campaign to these people:
Ken Corday
Tom Langan
Steve Wyman
Roark Critchlow
Christie Clark
James Reilly
Days Of Our Lives
c/o NBC-TV
300 W Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523
Soap Opera Now
Box 234
White Plaines, NY 10605-0234
Soap Opera Digest
45 W 25th St.
New York, NY 10010
Soap Opera Update
270 Sylvan Ave.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Soap Opera Magazine
660 White Plains Rd.
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Soap Opera Weekly
41 W 25th St.
New York, NY 10010
It's also very important to continue to make our presence felt and out voices heard on the Message boards. Make sure that we keep things friendly. We want to be known as a classy group. Let's not stoop to personal attacks between us and the Austin/Carrie fans. Let's respect their opinions, and hope that they respect ours.
If any of you have more slogan or theme ideas, please feel free to email me at JAXYkat@aol.com or Elaine at EyeDClaire@aol.com.
Mike And Carrie's Song
As posted in the last newsletter, "How Do I Live" is definitely Mike & Carrie's song. The only true debate was which version was better. Although good cases were made for both sides, LeAnn Rimes won the most votes. The most commonly given reason for this was that this is the version played on Days', and because LeAnn is a HUGE Days' fan. Here are the words to the song:
"How Do I Live"
How do I
Get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be?
Oh I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul
If you ever leave
Baby you'd take away everything good in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live...
Without you
There'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There would be no world left for me
And I
Baby I don't know what I would do
I would be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live?...
Please tell me baby
How do I go on? If you ever leave
Well, baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby, don't you know you're everything good in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live
How do I live without you?
How do I live without you baby?
How do I live...
Personal Appearance
Roark Critchlow will be making a personal appearance at the Days Of Our Lives Fest and Fanfare in Salem, IL on September 21. Please, all you Crusaders from IL, go and support Roark. For more information, call (618)548-0878. I'd go, but that's my boyfriend's birthday.
Crusader T-Shirts
Gina Green is making Crusader T-shirts . They will be designed with "The Mike & Carrie Crusaders" on the front, "Mike+Carrie=Magic" on the back, and our signon's all over them. She will be selling them for $12.00, and will be sending complimentary shirts to Roark Critchlow and Christie Clark. Anyone interested in purchasing one can email her at Poca33@aol.com.
Mike and Carrie Web Site
There is also a new Mike and Carrie Web Site. The new site address is www.bestinwest.com/magic. This site is also a big part of our Crusade. Check it out. It has both of Roarks Chats posted, as well as many interesting tidbits. I think that you'll like it. I did.
Editors Chat Room
SOD Days' editor has a chat every Thursday from 5-6pm est. All you crusaders on AOL may want to stop in and put in your two cents worth about Mike & Carrie, and any other Days' storylines near and dear to your heart. Let's make our voices heard.
Days & GH Fans
I have noticed that many of us Days' are also GH fans. I've also noticed that Many of you Crusaders are also Jax and Brenda fans. I see the similarities between the two situations, so it's not surprising. I just want you guys to know that fellow Crusader Kristy is also one of the leaders of the J&B Reuniters. If you'd like to join her campaign, please email her at Spoiled@aol.com. She'd love to include you.
Men Of Days
One of our Crusaders was in Canada at Joyce Becker's Soap Opera Festival. Here's the scoop from Lisa, aka danica @hotmail.com.
The Men who were there:
*Drake Hogestyn : John Black
*Victor (some italian last name) : Franco Kelly
*Roark Chitchlow : Mike Horton
*Brian Dattilo : Lucas Roberts
Let me just say that there were all MORE gorgeous then they appear on TV""" Gosh, there were so much things said!! Especially jokes and horsing around, so maybe what I write won't sound funny but it was when THEY said it!! They were all so awesome, nice and loved their fans. I can say that Roark is just Crazy!! He was so funny!! He waved at me and my camera TWICE!!!!! And he looked at me and said "it's hot here", and I said "I know", and he answered "you are too". WOW, I was freaking.. As you can tell I was close to the stage, I was in the second row from the side!! He was lip saying a lot of stuff and when he was talking to you, you knew it, he has good eye contact!!
OK, well let's start with the spoilers and hints they gave us.
* Will is Lucas's Son. and they will find out at a wedding ( I am thinking Austin and Sami's wedding)
* Kate is Franco's boss (we found that out today) (Victor was cute when he answered that question, he hesitated but said it was true.)
* Lucas -hinted- that he will get custody of his baby William.
* (IMPORTANT) Roark told us that the love story between Mike and Carrie all depends on how the fans react to the storyline (So let's do everything we can Crusaders!! Mike+Carrie=Magic) :)
They were asked if they were able to change their character what would they change about them?
Brian (Lucas)---- I would give him a house, an education and a WOMAN)
Victor(Franco)--- I would be a good guy like John (Black)
Drake (John)----- I would put the video camera where they belong...
IN THE BED ROOM (Whewwww)
Roark (Mike)----- I would get him a place to live (hahaha)
They were asked - How young was the yougest girl you ever kissed and how old were you?
Drake----His wife Victoria at 12 years old
Roark----Victoria when she was 11..(ha-ha). No, I was 5 and she was an older women, she was 6 years old ( haha, what a guy :)
Victor---I was 3 and she was 1yr. (he-he)..Really, I was 14 and she was 15.
Brian----I got slapped across the face the 1st time I tried to kiss a
girl and she left me with a fat lip...
Roark---Brian, so you want me to kiss it better???
(That part Roark and Brian laughed and it was so funny :)
Q- Boxer of Briefs?
Drake---Use your imagination!!
Roark--- I switch, depends how I feel that day, if I feel like being in
controle or loose and out of control!!
**Victor--- I WEAR NONE!! (oh, I laughed at that one!!)
Brian----On my own, I wear Boxers, and when I am working, I wear briefs.
FACTS:
*Drake's wife Victoria was there with their 3 girls, and their 15 yr. old son was home.
*Roark's wife Maria was there. He and Maria have 2 kids, Jera and Rain. (They are married for 7 years. They looked so in love, it was cute!!)
*Roark likes working with Christie Clarke
*In Roark's opinion, Mike and Carrie should be together
*Roark said the only downside to having a great storyline is that he has less time to spend with his family (CUTE!!)
*When Brian(Lucas) was asked to flex his muscles, he said " I want you to love me for my mind!" (BUT…he did flex earlier!! And wow baby, he is very FINE)
*Brian--When someone said, "I wish Lucas and Sami were together", Brian said "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR".
*DID YOU KNOW THAT BRIAN(LUCAS) IS ONE DAY OLDER THAN VICTOR(FRANCO)? As if!! They are both 26 years old!
*A little girl asked Victor if he is really dating Kristian Alfonso(Hope) in real life and he said...."YUP" (it was a rumor, but I wanted to hear it from him, and yes, It's true!)
*They sang Happy Birthday to a 16 yr. old girl
*Victor(Franco) did an impression of Elvis!! (Man, that was so adorable)
*They talked about Frances Reid's(Alice's) health, and they say she is fading away slowly but that she is a strong woman and they all look up to her.
*Roark talked about the car accident with carrie and he said STAY TUNED!
*Also, they talked about the new writer, that her policy is more ROMANCE and longer scenes and none of that outrageous stuff....GOOD!! WE need super couples (Mike and Carrie perhaps??)
WELL, that is all I can think of now guys...I tried to remember everything but it is almost impossible. All I can say (in my part) is that they were all cool!! We sometimes think they are their character but remember they are real people!! Roark surprised me the most, he is sort of shy on the show but...HE IS NOT, he is outgoing and really, truly loves the attention and fans. ALSO, Lucas is bad, but Brian is really good, and very pesty!! Like to pull jokes all the time! The most impressive was Victor(Franco)..I didn't care that he was going to be there but NOW I LOVE HIM. WOW, he is so much cuter in person, taller I think. AND there were rumors that his accent was fake, but let me tell you it is NOT, it is sexy and he is very hard to understand, did you ever notice that he talks very slow on the show, well, that is because when he talks normally, he is very hard to understand...And Drake is similar to his character I find. He loves his family. Very normal, down to earth people. You wouldn't think so but they are. So when you watch days, remember that this is acting. They are real people who are normal.. that is the biggest lesson I learned!!
Hope you enjoyed this!!
Cyberhug £
Lisa :)aka Danica
The Wedding Scene Scenarios
As promised in the last newsletter, I'm listing the top three wedding scenes. Thanks for all of your scenarios. Elaine and I found them all very entertaining and fun to read. Now, I need you to cast your votes on the best one.
Scene 1
The Wedding
Mike is so happy to be with his son Jeremy. Robin has returned to Salem with Jeremy just as Sami and Austin are to renew their wedding vows at St. Luke’s. Robin asks Mike if she and Jeremy could go with him to the ceremony. Mike reluctantly agrees since Sami asked Carrie to stand up for her at the ceremony (just another way for Sami to rub it in.)
At the church everyone is taking their seat as Carrie and Austin are standing at the altar. Carrie is on the verge of tears thinking her true love is going to marry her sister when see looks out in the crowd and sees Mike smiling at her. She starts to smile back but sees Robin sitting with him touching his knee. A twinge creeps across her stomach. "That's strange," she thought, "I should be happy for Mike that Robin has come home. After all, he's been so supportive of me and Austin." She rubs her stomach and looks away. Mike notices the disturbed look on Carrie's face and realizes it must be because Robin is touching him. He lightly brushes her hand away. As the ceremony is about to begin, Eric comes rushing in, "Stop, this wedding is a fraud!" Everyone looks to him in shock. "I don't know exactly what Sami is up to, but I can feel it's something awful. She's been fooling all of you."
Austin walks up to him and grabs him by the collar, "Hasn't Sami been through enough? Why are you doing this to her? She has changed, I've seen it, she's more caring now and she's a good mom. I'm going to do the right thing and make us a family."
"But you don't love her, you still love Carrie and she still loves you." Eric pleaded with him. Austin turned to look at Carrie who was smiling through her tears.
"Is that true Carrie? Do you still love me?" At this point Mike lowers his head and thinks, "This is it." He is going to lose Carrie forever.
Still crying, Carrie says, "Up until this very second I knew I still. . ."
"NOOOOOO!" Sami comes scrambling down the isle. "You can't have him Carrie, I won't let you, he's mine." Mike stands up and grabs Sami to try to calm her down. Carrie looks intently at Mike and realizes time and time again whenever she needs him, he has been there. All her life he has been there. She looks from Austin to Mike then back to Austin. She touches her stomach again and realizes Mike is the one who sends butterflies through her. He's the one who has made her laugh when she was down, supported her through thick and thin, has been her friend, and was ready to make the
ultimate sacrifice: give up his happiness if it meant she would be happy with Austin. But it was too late. Robin was back now . Everything was changed. Rather than this day being the happiest of her life, it was the saddest. She had lost two men today-- one she used to love but now loved no longer and the man she had loved all her life and was still in love with after all these years. Carrie looks at both of them one more time, "Austin, I'm sorry, but I can't, I don't. I realize now that we've never been truly happy, and we never could be. Sami will always manage to come between us. I can't always worry about that. Besides, you and Sami are always going to be Will's parents, and she will always hold that over you."
"But I thought you loved me, Carrie?" Austin pleads with her. "If you loved me, you wouldn't leave me now."
"Even if that meant I wouldn't be happy?" Carrie inquisitively asks.
"I can make you happy Carrie, I did it before, didn't I?"
"That's true, but. . ."
"Stop!" Just then Jamie runs in. "Stop this wedding, I have proof that Austin is not Will's father." Everyone gasps in horror. Austin turns to Sami who slumps down in Mike's arms.
Austin approaches Jamie, "What are you talking about?"
"I've kept this quiet too long. That night you thought Lucas and Carrie were making love at Titian, it was actually Sami."
Austin shook his head, "No it can't be."
"Yes, it's true, and I bet if you and Lucas took a paternity test it would come back that Lucas is the real father of Will."
"Carrie, see now we are free to be together." Austin says to Carrie.
She looks again at Mike. "Oh Austin, I never thought I would be saying this. . ." Mike couldn't take it any longer he broke in and said, "Carrie before you do what I think you're about to do, I have to tell you something."
"You don't have to say it. You have shown me-- You love me!"
Mike looks confused, "How long have you known?"
"I just realized it, I realize everything now. You were willing to give up everything for me. No one has ever done that before. You stood by me helping me get through this whole ordeal with Austin all the while knowing that you loved me. Even so, you were willing to let me go because it's what you thought would make me happy."
"So, are you going to be happy with Austin?"
"There's only one man I'm going to be happy with and that's you Mike, but now I must be as noble and unselfish as you have been. Robin has returned with your son. I would never come between you, Robin, and Jeremy."
"Carrie, no you don't understand. Robin has met somebody else and is getting married. She came back because she wanted to tell me in person and to let me see Jeremy. Carrie, it's you I love. I've always loved you."
"Oh, Mike, I love you too."
They go to each other and kiss passionately.
--law@williams.com (LorriAnn Vlaanderen)
Scene 2
Austin finally musters the courage to tell Carrie, with Kate's help, about the annulment. Although Carrie has confronted her feelings for Mike, she feels obligated to go ahead with the marriage to Austin. After all, isn't this what her heart has been waiting for all these months? So, Carrie proceeds to plans her wedding to Austin. Mike is, of course, devastated, but consoles himself with the belief that if this is what will make Carrie, his
true love, happy-- he can't stand in the way.
The wedding day arrives, and Carrie and Austin are gathered before friends and family at St. Luke’s. Mike stays silent about his true feelings until he can't hold them in any longer. As the priest says "If any one person has a reason why these two people should not be married..." Mike stands up. Everyone looks confused and starts whispering to one another. Mike than goes on to say "Carrie, I need to talk to you in private for a minute."
Austin replies, "She's not going anywhere with you! If you have something to say to her, you say it here!" So Mike continues to speak in front of everyone "Carrie, I love you. I have now for a long time. I couldn't bring myself to say anything earlier because I didn't want to be the one to come between you and Austin. But, I have to tell you now before you go on. I love you and nothing in this world can make me change the way I feel about
you." Carrie just has a blank expression on her face because while she realized her feelings for Mike, she never dreamed he could feel the same way about her. She drops her bouquet, walks up to Mike, and gives him a passionate kiss. Everyone gasps. As the two lovebirds are locked in a smooch, Austin throws his arms up and heads out of the church with Sami hot on his tail. Mike, overwhelmed with the moment, asks Carrie to marry him. She says yes, and the Austin/Carrie wedding becomes the Mike/Carrie wedding. The most important element to this scenario is that Austin, in my mind, gets exactly what is coming to him. He gets rejected, just as he made Carrie feel rejected.
Jessica Molnar
maiga@geocities.com
Scene 3
After everyone finds out that Will is Lucas' son and that Scami has her memory back, Carrie and Austin re-unite BUT it doesn't feel quite right to Carrie. After all the pain everyone has gone through, especially Austin, she feels obligated to push through and marry him. Austin is not above a little manipulation either, by constantly playing on her
emotions.
The love scenes are not quite what they used to be and Carrie often has thoughts of Mike when with Austin. How his kisses felt when she was sick after the car crash, how his skin felt when she nursed him after his snake bite.
Carrie and Austin are getting married and are at the altar saying their vows. Carrie is obviously agitated about something and Austin keeps asking her under his breath what's wrong. She doesn't respond to his question.
The priest asks Carrie if she takes Austin as her husband and Carrie looks over Austin's shoulder at the crowd and sees Mike looking at her with love in his eyes. Carrie says to Austin: ''I'm sorry, Austin, but I just can't. After all we have been through, this is very
anti-climatic and I now have stronger feelings for someone else. With you, love has been painful and torturing. I realize it doesn't have to be that way. It can be steady, supportive and true.''
Carrie looks back at Mike, who is looking at her and they slowly walk toward each other. Carrie says to Mike, ''I will take you Mike, will you take me too?'' Mike grabs Carrie in his arms, kisses her passionately, and asked if he answered her question. She breathlessly
says yes and the priest then marries Carrie and Mike while everyone else looks on. Austin leaves with his Mom and Scami close behind.
Mczuz@aimintl.com
The Love Shack
Mike and Carrie are currently stranded alone together in a small shack. They are staying skin to skin to keep warm. Carrie is injured, but Mike has rescued her. I want you to tell me what your favorite imaginary scenario would be for this situation. We'll once again vote for the top three in our next newsletter.
On A Personal Note
I'd like to apologize to all you Crusaders for being a little late in sending out this newsletter. I've been very busy at work, and have had a family emergency. Thanks for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at JAXYkat@aol.com or Elaine at EyeDClaire@aol.com. Keep Crusading!