Extreme Stunts

Well this is February and it means Sweeps. That time of year that shows put on stunts and storylines to wheel the viewers in, and in soaps it's no different. AMC has the Satin Slayer and Zarf/Zoe storyline. GH has a weak attempt to copy 24 with a hostage situation and Alan's heart attack which by the way is sadistic in of itself and the Y&R has the Indiana Jones ripoff that is better done at DAYS. These sweeps are really extreme but for a good reason, ratings. I know I'm supposed to rip them apart for using desperate tactics and I will but with the cancellation of Passions and increasingly low ratings, these shows are becoming desperate for ratings to keep their show on the air. Don't they realize that these stunts are just short-term and the real trick to keep and lure in viewers that will tune in again and again is good writing and good actors? It is the multigenerational dynamic of the families and not just teens that will keep these shows on for years to come. If the writers and the powers that be don't realize that, there won't be a daytime soap anymore.