New All My Children Head Writers Speak!

David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski speak!

 

In January, David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski were named new co-head writers of All My Children. The pair - who were co-head writers on Guiding Light (earning them a 2007 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing) - recently sat down with us to give us their thoughts on Pine Valley, and what stories we can expect to see in the comings months.

 

SOAPnet.com: How is it going so far?

David Kreizman: "So far it's going great. We've really been thrown into the mix. We've had lots of meetings with everyone in every department and luckily we've had relationships with some other people on the team, so there is a comfort level."

 

Donna Swajeski: "How can you not be happy taking over a show like this? It has such a great history, and we love that. We were fans before we were writers."

 

David: "We've spent a good amount of time with Agnes [Nixon] and that's been really helpful and exciting."

 

Why did you want to write for this show?

 

Donna: "We were fans of the show, and we do love to work together. This came up and it was the perfect blend for us because we love tradition. We love family and all that warm stuff, and yet, we are contemporary writers, so it's kind of good to have that blend of the old and the new. That's what we love about this show. It has a good blend. It has great roots and tradition, and yet it can be funny and hip."

 

David: "And I've never worked at ABC before, and that's something that I've always wanted to do. I had great experiences with Proctor & Gamble and CBS, but there is just something different in that ABC owns its own shows and can promote them in a different way."

 

Donna: "And I started here at ABC years ago, so it's like coming home."

 

Donna, Didn't you work for All My Children?

 

Donna: "I worked at ABC as an executive just right out of college. The first shows I [worked on] were actually All My Children and Loving. I mean, can you imagine being thrown in with the master storyteller, Agnes Nixon? I got to learn a lot from her, and many things that she told me would happen in life came true. I always remember her words. She was a great person to begin my career with."

 

Comments (131)

Mon, Mar 22 - 10:34 am

Welcome new writers! AMC fans are very vocal about ideas for the show...I love it! I like Ryan/Madison...he needs a softer/gentler woman than Greenlee and I do see great chemistry there...Greenlee/Ryan is a "been there/done that" too many times. I saw some real chemistry between Erica & David when he thought Erica was shot, and when they each took turns being tied up by the other...Erica is the only dame who can handle David & I don't think he's going to be leaving the show anytime soon, so why not give them a shot...it sounds like an exciting challenge...the triangle would be that Greenlee would be even more jealous of Erica if she thought she was losing David to her. Fireworks! And as for JR, I don't think Marissa is a keeper if JR is indeed going to become the great Patriarch of the Chandler fortune/family...so...as in all of the greatest love affairs two people who start out hating each other fiercely, then against all odds at some point unbeknownst even to themselves...they begin to fall in love with each other....who else then but JR and Annie! Ha! That would be a huge challenge to the writers to make that fly. Annie falls in love with JR...and gets JR to fall in love with her. Annie could be made-over into a beautiful classy blonde (like she used to be) and have everyone eating out of her hand. Well...I don't know how/if it can be done, but I'm tired of her story line now...acting like a crazy 3rd grader, embarassing herself all the time...there's a challenge for you!!

Mon, Mar 22 - 9:17 am

I love their desire to bring back the Cortlandt/Chandler dyamic- I also love the idea of Colby and Damon falling for each other. I especially like anything comedic for Erica- Lucci can be so funny when it involves her men- not sure about the triangle- depends on who they bring in?! The idea of JR suddenly filling his father's shoes give me pause and just sounds silly because he hardly has the experience or dedication to fill those big shoes- or at least not so far. The one thing that disturbs me is their comments that things we will watch Greenlee and Ryan as they find each other again, get back together, whatever- That's been done way too many times for me! The best thing they could write is a story line involving Ryan and Greenlee finally realizing they just cannot make a go of it and go their separate ways finally, once and for all.

Mon, Mar 22 - 8:24 am

hmmm looks like my comment has disappeared so will repost it.

So, i see you writers seem to view Krystal as being irrelevant/useless as i do...since apparently she wasn't important enough to even warrant a mention. well, if so...don't blame you! therefore, let's get to the point....if y'all really love Tad then you'd free him from her, once and for all! meaning have her move out of Tad's home....heck orbit. she drains the life out of him and it isn't fair that Tad is basically her lap dog on a leash who she keeps stringing along all so she can have her comfortable situation. in fact, she's nothing, but some cheap replacement for the person who has 20 years of history w/ Tad and has earned her place w/ all the ups/downs she has gone through w/ him over the years/one who's ALIVE return is highly clamored for on the boards etc...Cady McClain's CORE character Dixie Cooney [as in CORTLANDT] Martin. if that's not enough, we their fans have waited 20 years for it too...yet we don't deserve a payoff/reward [like you claim Jake/Amanda/their fans-a couple who has been together for only at most 2 years...do] of her ALIVE/Tad finally being able to raise their daughter together?! that's what was anticipated for years, promised, and promoted yet all we keep getting are weak attempts at providng "closure"--meaning we're continuously cheated/teased and given cheap-no chem-boring replacements instead like he/Krystal. no one else w/ him will do or suffice for many. Tad and Dixie are a constituted super couple for a reason so please...Just Do It!

Mon, Mar 22 - 7:33 am

Piece of this interview that gives me hope, wanting to bring back the Cortlandt vs. Chandler dynamic. One way to accomplish that that would endear you in my eyes forever, BRING CADY BACK AS DIXIE!!! You already have a brilliant method to do so by bringing up Palmer's will. Reveal that he spirited her off to a clinic post pancake coma and has been caring for her in secret. That's how he lost all his money, caring for his beloved niece. Would be completely in character for Palmer and the most fitting final story for this legend of a character. Plus would accomplish something fans have been clamoring for since Black Tues. For good reason!
Dixie is connected to both those families, plus the Martins, not to mention, has earned a place alongside Tad unlike Krystal, who drags him down and sucks the life outta the man. Restore one of the top supercouples of all time and stop toying with the ghostly stints!! Janda fans have been suffering for 2 years, TnD fans have been suffering for 2 decades without our payoff.

Also for the record, there is NO payoff whatsoever by rehashing Ryan/Greenlee AGAIN. Please stop trying to sell these two as a star crossed supercouple. Ryan has abused Greenlee physically and emotionally, and she loses whatever spine she has around the man. Do us all a favor and send this pair out to pasture. Keep Greens with David, send Ryan to a monastery. Just end the madness.

And in case I didn't say it enough! BRING BACK DIXIE ALIVE!
Please. :)

Mon, Mar 22 - 1:16 am

I want JERICA. I don't want triangles. I want a story between the two of them while they review their history and mistakes and take the blame for what went wrong and set out to fix it. They should be the core couple of the show. For those suggesting Jack with Brooke, you obviously didn't watch the show when they were together and it was the WORST pairing EVER. Talk about NO romantic chemistry. They are better as friends and I will never watch that road traveled again. UGH! Any woman will always be second best in Jack's eyes so why would you want him with her or anyone else? Let her go with Adam. I think she is one big bore frankly.

Mon, Mar 22 - 1:00 am

As long as you are bringing people back, how about Leo, his body was never found. He's Greenlee's true love. Also if Dixie isn't staying how about bringing back Hillary for Tad. Also, how about Marcy Walker back as Lisa? Then I'd like her & Tad as a couple if the other two don't work out. Also pairings of David & Ericka; Jack & Brooke (then Ericka can go after Brooke again about taking her leftovers); Ryan & Madison. A new Marissa would be good. Like Jake & Amanda to continue being happy. A good storyline for the Hubbard families. Let Frankie & Randi have a baby. I can see them as parents of a cute little girl. They would be great parents. Also wish that Zack & Kendall could come back to stay. would be nice to see them as a happy family. Sorry this was so long. Just some ideas.

Sun, Mar 21 - 9:58 pm

Me, and a lot of My friends and a lot of other people i know ,that are not on message boards, love rylee and can not wait untill they are together again. David and Greenlee look more like brother and sister, but david and erica i believe could be great together.

Mon, Mar 22 - 8:22 am

So, i see you writers seem to view Krystal as being irrelevant/useless as i do...since apparently she wasn't important enough to even warrant a mention. well, if so...don't blame you! therefore, let's get to the point....if y'all really love Tad then you'd free him from her, once and for all! meaning have her move out of Tad's home....heck orbit. she drains the life out of him and it isn't fair that Tad is basically her lap dog on a leash who she keeps stringing along all so she can have her comfortable situation. in fact, she's nothing, but some cheap replacement for the person who has 20 years of history w/ Tad and has earned her place w/ all the ups/downs she has gone through w/ him over the years/one who's ALIVE return is highly clamored for on the boards etc...Cady McClain's CORE character Dixie Cooney [as in CORTLANDT] Martin. if that's not enough, we their fans have waited 20 years for it too...yet we don't deserve a payoff/reward [like you claim Jake/Amanda/their fans-a couple who has been together for only at most 2 years...do] of her ALIVE/Tad finally being able to raise their daughter together?! that's what was anticipated for years, promised, and promoted yet all we keep getting are weak attempts at providng "closure"--meaning we're continuously cheated/teased and given cheap-no chem-boring replacements instead like he/Krystal. no one else w/ him will do or suffice for many. Tad and Dixie are a constituted super couple for a reason so please...Just Do It!

Sun, Mar 21 - 4:52 pm

I am back to watching AMC and posting on the boards for the first time in years. I saw a magazine cover with Jack and Erica on it and it said they would be getting closer so I starting watch in early February. Last week's J/E scenes made me glad I did. I think they are as hot together as they always were and I want so badly for them to reunite. I also find myself loving David/Greenlee and Ryan/Madison have a lot of potential if AMC is going there. If AMC continues like this I am going to find myself an avid viewer once again.

Sun, Mar 21 - 4:44 pm

I hope the writers will do whatever is necessary to bring Thorsten Kaye/Zach back to the canvas. There's been some improvement in the show since Pratt left, but there's a glaring hole that's been left since the departure of Thorsten/Zach. Offer Susan Haskell a role on AMC if you're going to create new female characters so maybe he'll come back.

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