Monday, May 30, 2005

Shy

Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so shy. I want to be the guy who meets new people with ease, can talk with strangers like Kelly does, approach guys with the confidence of Valeska or even Eddy. But I’m not that guy—I go quiet and just watch the action as though it was a movie, exchanging aloofness for friendliness. And I’m not sure why.

Case in point; I went out to Club Fuel on Saturday by myself. I thought I looked cute, a little tan and dressed nice. I was all smiles and sweetness until I entered the club. The first thing I did was grab a beer and find a spot to watch the action. And the place was packed with all types of boys and their girl posses.

And what did I do? Nothing at all—though I was dying to dance, though 2 different guys talked with me, even though I had gone out to at least try to do the ‘gay’ thing. And I couldn’t do that, just stood there like a statue and watched.

Why? I don’t know. I feel like I should be able to be social—that if you saw me with my friends you would think I was. But even with them, if you ask about what they thought when they first met me—all thought I was cold and a bitch.

I just which I knew how to change this part of me. But I don’t have the first clue.

Friday, May 27, 2005

Because I've been TAGGED!

Total volume of music on my computer: um none—but over 200 cds.
Last cd i bought: Pretenders Greatest Hits

Song that's on right now: Laura by Scissor Sisters

Songs that I listen to a lot: I Like the Drugs (But They Don’t Like Me)—by Marilyn Manson, Sweet Jane--by Velvet Underground, More, More, More--by Andrea True Connection, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk-- by Rufus Wainwright, Make Your Own Kind of Music--by Cass Elliot

I tag:

Ava
Kirby
Thomas
Dominic
Joy
Lola

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Living On The Edge of a Broken Heart.

So I spent today laying low. I had to deal with the guys bringing in the new stove which meant I had to forgo normal sleep and the gym as well. Things went fine but I just felt run down and drained so I just hid out, napped, watched television.

Jac and I had a brief conversation about things and she talked about how I tend to wait for things to happen and that I have to change that. And she is right on so many terms. There is so much I want and yet I feel helpless at points to work at them. I feel limited when it comes to dating in Los Angeles—part of it is the car issue but another is I just don’t feel attractive enough to make it in this city. Add to that my social life—with plenty to do and yet no gay friends to bar hop with—as well as my crazy work life and I just find it hard to make time.

On top of this—I have just been questioning everything about my writing ambitions. Am I a good playwright? Should I be doing screenplays? Or should I work on my columns and if so—then I need to get more exeperience and do things that I can’t really do in Los Angeles. Which leads to leaving Los Angeles—which I’m not sure if I want to do.

This is all I thought of tonight as I went shopping (food and clothes), eating pizza,(off the diet again) and working through rum and cokes (drinking alone.) But tomorrow is another day-packed with plenty of do and people to talk with about things. Maybe this can all make sense soon. Hope so.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

So Much Unsaid.

Things have been weird as of late. Between the random presents from Eddy—who I miss dearly—and Charlotte’s odd behavior post work as well as some friendship issues with Kirby I have been feeling very tied up.

So I have been hiding out—reading books and watching bad television between trips to the gym and bouts of self-reflection. I have been thinking of Irene a lot as of late and really missing her.

I wish I could get over what happened between us—how messy and selfish things got on both of our parts. I wish I had been fairer to her with the work/money/car thing and I wish that she cared about what a bad place she put me in when she pushed me to quit my job. I know I did the right thing but letting go but I have been missing our talks and jokes.
And I feel that I can’t really talk about it with most of my friends because they believe that I did the right thing by ending things—that it was healthier and that I should just realize that it is for the best.

But there has been a lot of talk and thoughts that make me wonder if I was being fair to her or if I was right in my choices. I wonder if I am too hard on people and, by default, myself when it comes to feelings and talk and even my writing.

I just need to take some time to figure it out. At least I have the time right now.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Weird Night

I had a very odd night Sunday—I had been running around trying to get over my long weekend of partying, heat and drinking by throwing myself into the gym, General Hospital and grocery shopping. Feeling quite accomplished I was making phone calls and trying to catch up with various friends I didn’t see over the weekend.

I called Kirby to say hi and was surprised when she told me that she and Ruby were meeting that night to watch the 24th hour show and discuss some scripts. I was asked to meet up with them and I was worried. Last time I had discussed the scripts with Ruby she had told me that she was waiting to see my piece on stage before she figured out if they would take it to Fringe.

So I was extremely nervous coming into the meeting as the girls were watching the show and I sat nervously on the couch. Little talk was had about any of the pieces but there were brief snippets of opinion on certain pieces but none on mine either way. I grew even more nervous—did they like it? Was it being considered at all? Why weren’t they saying anything at all? I felt like I was going to throw up.

Things grew even odd as the girls changed the subject to their weekends—discussing who did what and with whom. I only grew comfortable after Ruby served up some gin and tonics and I down my quickly. I just felt so out of my depth and so unnerved by the whole night.

I didn’t say anything at all for quite a bit and just waited for the night to end. After the liquor warmed me up I got into the small talk of the night even as things lingered in my head. I guess I just was and still am confused as to what is going on.
The Liberation of Lola

There were a lot of things I was going to write about this past weekend. I was going to talk about the killer heat that seemed to hang over every moment. About how odd it felt to be at Lola’s graduation in Orange County—the weirdly skinny older women, the overly sexy and tanned boys, and the slow waves of boredom from Max Weinberg’s speech. (Thanks to Kelly and Valeska for counting the Springsteen/Conan O’Brein references—Conan came out on top.)

I was going to spread all the gossip from her raging party; how I butchered “Touch Me In the Morning”, how Susan and Valeska annoyed each other through out the night and whom went home with whom. That everyone played their parts as per the norm—about Lola and Glenda singing Heart and how Shannon cracked me up with the pronoun game when talking about exes.

Instead this weekend reminded me of moving to Los Angeles 7 years ago. That I had only three large suitcases and the biggest cardboard box every that managed to contain everything I owed. About working retail because I had no work connections, eating ramien till I thought I would scream, spending every day with Edie, Kelly, Skylar and Michael because we didn’t know anyone else in the city.

How there was the joy of making my first L.A. friend (Charity), of getting my first national magazine article, of finding Aroma and Vitello’s. The nights of driving around the city blasting Nelson or figuring out the local dating by having bad dinners and putting out because it was more fun than turning the guy away. All the ways life changed as I tried to figure out the ‘real world’ and how proud I am of it all.

I just hope Lola knows how lucky she is and how much fun it is all going to be. Cause it may take time but it will be.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Everything is Nothing and Nothing is Everything

So this past week has been hard. I’ve been mute about the whole thing for a number of reasons; I thought I was crazy, egotistical, unfair, heterophobic and maybe just wrong. I got served on every level and it led to question everything—my career, my being in Los Angeles, and what I have always wanted.

It started with 24-hour theatre. Nothing grand, overwhelming or even important really. Just the task of writing a simple ten-minute piece with a theme and so with all the elements in place I set out to get it done. I thought nothing of it. But I had a goal—to write something as emotional and riveting as the best piece from the last show. So I asked Ruby for some tips and set off to write a simple 3-character piece.

And the 1st draft bombed. It wasn’t as drastic as all that—there were elements that were good and surprising. I sent it off to Kirby and waited for her thoughts, her notes. What came back was very hard to take; that characters were either unimportant or very unlikable. We talked it to death, so much so that it made me question whether or not we could be writing partners. But we worked through the tension.

A second draft was made and sent off with better pacing—I brought a great book on writing and really studied the notes not only from Kirby but her friend Fred, a theatre director studying up the coast. Feeling like so much was better, I just waited to hear back from my producer.

I was asked again to cut the piece—get rid of a character I liked, make certain elements less heavy handed and just trim a few pages. It was tough to do; I liked the third character and some of the details that I believed were important. But I did as asked and turned it in. Nothing came back to me and it went into rehearsal so I thought it was good. It was done.

But then I went out to coffee with Ruby and discussed some of the show details. I usually work behind the scenes the night of the show—taking tickets and running lights. After a bit we came to my piece and it was discussed in more detail. Changes were asked for, flaws pointed out and I left the meeting feeling as though I failed.

Kirby and I talked for a bit on the phone and I went into to specifics about how untalented I felt and how hard I tried to make the script good. It got to the point where I questioned whether I should be writing—at least plays or film. I cried my way through a bottle of rum and just about gave up.

So going into the show I was feeling stressed—not just because I felt I failed as a writer but also caught up in the behind the scene tasks at hand. I was a scary, crazy bitch that night—people tended to run away from me. I just didn’t want to see it go wrong in person.

The piece itself went well and was quite surprising. I liked portions of it very much and saw some elements that I didn’t know were there. People that came—like Kelly, Lizzie and Patty—seemed to like it and the actors and director were very nice and talked about how much they enjoyed it. In some ways it helped me believe in myself again. Though I still have plenty of questions.

Monday, May 16, 2005

Claim Your Prize

You made me cry today--something that is very hard to do and almost never by females. Thanks!

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Don't Know Where It Came From


Boys on Sunday

There is something rather imposing about two pretty boys, gay boys, bathing boys as they linger down by the pool. There is a constant awareness of their supremeness, their attractiveness and the upward swing of desire they cause.

They move in synchronized beats, footsteps, hair flips. They cause ripples in the water and in the sun respectively. They are put out by the small children as they wander the pool edge. It is easier to hide in the deep end then let the toddlers tramp through their sun and shade.

The question of gay or straight lingers. I doubt that any breeder boys put this much effort in appearance. And yet as I wait them out—the boys try to do handstands—to impress each other and themselves. It digresses into full belly flops and splash contests. This is oddly endearing and annoying. Should they know better? This from the unwanted and unknown audience.

Saturday, May 14, 2005

The Rules of Social Engagement?

Every so often something happens to make me wish I had a clue. Normally I'm quite smart—if I say so myself—I can talk hockey, books, film, criminology, interior design, politics and even soap operas for hours on end but put me in front of any unknown male and stupidity reigns.

It can happen to me anywhere; at a bar getting drinks, the Gap in Vegas, talking with some guy at a party or even on a smoke break with new co-workers. I will eventually have a random conversation with some guy I don’t know well and there will be a moment where I will wonder, “Where is this going?”. Now I won’t say that every guy this happens with is gay or even flirting with me if he is but I just don’t know.

Like the other day—I was coming out of the gym, showered and tired, in shorts and a t-shirt and just waiting for the elevator. I was studying myself in the mirror and trying to not look to run over when another guy joined me to wait. I noticed that he was studying me and so I studied him back—cute, young, works for the gym and we had a moment of eyes catching and, of course, I looked away.

After a beat the elevator opened and we entered the car—just standing in complete silence as we started to go down. I adjusted my backpack, in the process turning to face Gym Boy who smiled and laughed. “We’re wearing the same shorts.” I realized he was right and smiled back as fell into silence. The elevator opened and I waited for him to exit but he didn’t move—turns out he was going up and just decided to ride the elevator down to get back up. Why he did this I don’t know but we had another moment of smiling eye contact.

Now some of my friends would call this flirting—he opened the conversation, lot of eye contact and random fashion comments. Others would say he was just being nice and found the coincidence funny and decided to point it out. I don’t know though—and I never seem to which can be a huge detractor when it comes to meeting and dating guys.

Which caused me to wonder—how are gay and lesbians supposed to learn the rules of social engagement? When I look back at high school, middle school and even younger I can see how my straight friends learn to flirt, interact and date—they have images in film, books and television but it’s even more than just that. Most of them had social training—whether it be Mom telling their daughter’s how to get a boy’s attention or father’s explaining to their son’s how to ask a girl out.

They have the pressure of prom in high school, spin the bottle in middle school, and even stealing kisses on the playground. Boys and girls learn about dating in health class, take dance classes in gym and get amused looks as they chase each other around during recess while gays and lesbians have only 2 choices; play along or sit it out and hope no one notices.

So when we step out of the closet and into the gay world and we just don’t know what we’re doing. We don’t know how to flirt, how to combine the looks factor of girls and the aggressiveness of males, who’s really supposed to do the asking and who’s doing the waiting to be asked. We end up with the bodies of adults and the mentality of children—unable to know how to start the relationship process.

What I’d like to suggest is a bunch of prominent gay and lesbians get together and draw up some rules of engagement for the rest of us. Maybe Melissa Etheridge, Rupert Everett, or Ellen DeGeneris could just team up and figure out the best way to flirt, date and relate within the community. People could follow a list and be divided—the asker and askee, flirter and flirtee—kind of like the top/bottom, giver/receiver. Or maybe we could decide to trade off; I ask out one guy and the next guy asks me out so we all carry the load. But that seems too logical and personal so maybe we could redevelop the hankie code.

Until we figure out how to do that, though, I’m going to be still trying to figure out and making an ass of myself with flirty waiters, cute neighbors and random strangers all around the town. But if you see me coming and what to start something then maybe wink and I’ll ask you out. Unless it’s your turn to do the asking.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Quote of the Week

"I'm so confused--I know it's an 80's party but is it early Madonna 1980's or dress like an 1880's pirate?"

Anna confused by the E-vite 1980's slang but pirate responses.
Just Come Already!!!

Asses, Elephants & Artists Present the Third Installment of,

"UNDER THE GUN"

Wednesday, May 18th,2005 at 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday's topic: IN UNDER 60 SECONDS

5 original one acts written by

Brian Fox & Mark Trytel
Annette Jacobs
Lise Kearney
Rory Lapointe
Jason Smith

Performed with ONE rehearsal only!


Located at The Complex's FLIGHT THEATER
6476 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles CA.
(Between Cahuenga & Wilcox)
Tickets: $10 at the door
Valet parking is available

All proceeds go to support our show in August's Minnesota Fringe Festival! Bring your friends, your neighbors and your friends' neighbors!

See you there!

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

A Really Nice Prom Mess

I stumbled onto this book by accident and was intrigued by the first chapter and figured I'd take a chance. This was probably the best choice I have made in awhile.

The book starts strong with the prom plot set up with the fake dates, drunk high school girls and closted hotties but goes off the rails (In a good way) with deaf dancers, drug dealers, skinny dipping, smoking pot, car chases, cute cops and more plot twists than seems possible.

The book reads like a smart, funny, slapstick, heartfelt comedy and managed to make me laugh, smile, cry, and not put it down. It's just a great summer read that has one the best cast of characters ever--you might not like all of them but they all need to be there and they all work to form one of the most daring books I have read in a long time.

Just read it!

Monday, May 09, 2005

If You Hate Ann Coulter and Her Views

This is good times... Enjoy...

http://ifuckedanncoulterintheasshard.blogspot.com/

Grant loves to send me this stuff.
Maybe I am butch?

The Channel 4 Gay-O-Meter has calculated that Rory is 53 percent gay! Find out just how gay you are with the Channel 4 Gay-O-Meter http://www.channel4.com/gayometer

Really now...Really....
It Gets Creepy

When you think that there's no point--shit like this happens.

http://gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=13&id=5782

http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=13&id=5779


I don't claim to understand how it works--I just know that it does.
It’s Like Hell Sometimes

The last couple days have been rather tough. Writing has been driving me crazy—pushing me rather hard—making me doubt things. A lot of questions have been coming up. Should I be writing? Should I be writing here? Am I any good? Am I getting better? What do I really want…

It all started with 24hour theatre and an innocent conversation. Being told that one’s work runs cold, no passion, no energy is hard to hear but I’d rather know than not know. I do have a hard time writing emotion—but I sure live it well. Instead of getting upset, I took the notes as a challenge—to really dig deep and try to create something with ‘more’ to it.

I guess where things got fucked up was asking for feedback. I don’t do well without help from others—work shopping my pieces—hearing what people feel and read from my pieces is very helpful and there are few people—and fewer in L.A.--that I trust to do it. So I handed it around and waited. On edge of course.

When I’m excited about a piece, I’m unstoppable. And for me—I’m excited about every piece, every line, every effort; I’m not very good at the ‘throw away’ mentality. Every piece I write does mean sometime, my time here at the keyboard is worth something, I just can’t walk away like the piece never happened. It’s not a good thing or a bad thing. It’s just my thing.

The bad thing is this though--I’m greedy when it comes to input, work shopping, taking notes because I want to not just hear it but understand and see it. I know that I am stubborn when it comes to the “how’s and why’” and I should have known better… I wish sometimes I didn’t care as much as I do.

The thing is—I came close to giving up. Really giving up, walking away from it, accepting that I am not good enough. ThisClose. But in the end of the day—there was a sign of sorts, I saw it for what it was worth and now it’s just about choices. What to keep and what to let go, where to be and where to stay and what do I want most.

It’s still hellish—but only a tenth of the time.

Sunday, May 08, 2005

This is Fun--But is it True?





What Is Your Best Sexual Skill?
Name:
Age:
Sex:
Sexuality:
Flirting Skill Level - 41%
Kissing Skill Level - 95%
Cudding Skill Level - 19%
Sex Skill Level - 42%
Why They Love You You taste good.
Why They Hate You You can be selfish.
This fun quiz by lady_wintermoon - Taken 2338398 Times.
New - Kwiz.Biz Astrology and Horoscopes

Saturday, May 07, 2005

What Age Do You Act?

You Are 24 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.


See--told you I was right!!!!

Friday, May 06, 2005

First Hockey, Now Soaps?!

Ratings for Soaps Wash Away

During the first three months of the current season, the combined ratings for soap operas airing on each of the three major networks dropped a whopping 18 percent among the target audience of female adults 18-34 years old, according to Nielsen Research. Bloomberg News reported today (Thursday) that the results so dismayed CBS ratings tracker David Poltrack that he asked Nielsen to recheck its data, which it did only to conclude that no error had been made. "Soap-opera ratings don't usually change that dramatically," Poltrack told the wire service. "They're usually fairly stable." Peter Butchen of ad-buyer Initiative Media commented that the audience flight is "a huge concern to advertisers." Lyle Schwartz of Mediaedge:cia added: "I don't recall ever seeing this type of decline."

Why is everything I love on the ropes?

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Quote of the Week

Kelly finally makes the cut with this observation on how gossip we all get about boys in our mass e-mails.

Roxanne's email below should have been written on lined paper and folded into a triangle, rather than sent through email.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

I was jus Curious.

You are Lili St. Cyr!
You're Lili St. Cyr!


What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Booty Call Agreement

Booty call Agreement

This pre-booty call agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") is entered into on the _____day of __________, 2005, by_______________________, between ______and______________.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL COVER THE FOLLOWING RULES AND PRINCIPLES:

1. No sleeping over - unless it is very good and we need to repeat it in the morning.

2. No meeting in public except for dinner or drinks before the events of the evening.

3. No calls before 9 PM - we don't have shit to talk about.

4. None of that "lovemaking" shit - only sex allowed.

5. No emotional discussions (i.e. Where are we heading with this? Do you love me?) The answer is no, so don't ask.

6. No plans made in advance - that is why you are called the "backup," unless you are from out-of-town, then it's only a one-time advanced arrangement.

7. All gifts accepted - money is always good.

8. No baby talk - however, dirty talk is encouraged.

9. No asking for comparisons with former lovers - it's really none of your damn business.

10. No calling each other "friends with privileges" we are not friends, just sex buddies.

11. Calling out the wrong name during sex is OK - don't be offended.

12. No extra clothing - I don't want your ass leaving anything behind when you leave.

13. No falling asleep right after sex - it's over, so get your ass up, get dressed and go the fuck home.

14. Don't be offended if I don't ask if you enjoyed it - I don't care.

15. You cannot borrow my car for any reason.

16. If anyone asks who you are, the standard response will be: "My roommate's girlfriend/boyfriend."

17. Doggie style is the preferred position - the reason is less eye contact the better.

19. No condoms, no fucking. Carry your ass home.

20. Bring your own drink - I am not your liquor store.

21. No phone use, please - don't want anyone calling back looking for your ass.

**EXTRA TIP FOR SUCCESSFUL BOOTY CALLS**:

The aforementioned rules may only be altered by the holder of the agreement. If the other party attempts to change or alter any terms of this Agreement, it will automatically become null and void and you will then be removed from the BOOTY CALL LIST and deleted from phone memory and email list. In other words, you will be BLOCKED from all communications until your silly ass understands the rules.

Participating Party

Signature_______________________________________
Date: ________________

Participating Party

Signature_______________________________________
Date: ________________

Monday, May 02, 2005

Like An Old Pair of Jeans.

Some weekends are rough—all about ‘big’ parties with outfits and themes, nights out at bars and diners, every five minutes accounted for. While those weekends can be fun—Valeska’s party, the yearly prom, Halloween at Detroit St—it is rare that we have a chill weekend but this was one of them.

It started out with a laid back, BR free, Friday night at Lola’s apartment. Glenda and Cleo joined us as we started a bad film marathon. “Crossroads” and “You Got Served” taught us a lot—that someone thought we would buy Dan Ackroyd as Brittney Spear’s father, that the death of a small child can reunite any two gangs—even dancing ones. And that my future husband is a dancer named Oscar.

We stayed up late, watching videos and making cookies—laughing at Omario’s lyrics and realizing that Little Jon is in every video that Eric Roberts is not. It was good and fun and very sleep over party without being stupid.

Saturday was fun too. After a late start I managed to get home and shower, change my clothes and meet up with Kirby. We filmed a fairy tale in 9 seconds as part of a short film she is working on and it went really well—once my brain woke up. I think I did quite well and Kirby seemed really happy with it. I also filmed an interview for a friend’s birthday surprise, which was really fun. Kirby makes it easy.

Afterwards I met up with Kelly and Lola and we made our way to a party at Dominic and Davis’ for Thomas. It was sad because it was a going away party but everyone seemed to have fun with the 5 cakes (yes—5), drinking mixed cocktails and each other’s company. People were tipsy and funny and comfortable all night long. It was fun, easy and very laid back.

And Sunday was busy—prom invites were made and mailed, helping Kelly pack for her cruise and just pulling plans together for the rest of the week. We went to another party for the new episodes of ‘Family Guy’—drinking games were started and I got a little messed up because I picked the ‘bad’ cup. But it was an early night and a fun night.

I love easy weekends—they seem to fit me well. Like an old pair of jeans.

Sunday, May 01, 2005

This Makes Me Cry.

LOS ANGELES - William Joseph Bell, an Emmy award-winning daytime TV soap writer, producer and co-creator of "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," has died. He was 78.

Bell died Friday from complications of Alzheimer's disease at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, said Raul Rojas, publicist for Bell's TV production company.

Bell's career as a TV soap writer spanned more than four decades and earned him nine Emmy awards — three for his writing on "The Young and the Restless," and the rest for producing or writing "Days of Our Lives."

But Bell's soaps didn't just win awards, they won a following with daytime TV viewers, particularly fans hooked on the lives and loves of the residents in the fictional Genoa City portrayed on "The Young and the Restless." The CBS show has long held the No. 1 spot against other daytime soaps.

"Bill Bell is one of the true pioneers of daytime television ... He is without peer in his ability to create the most compelling, endearing stories and characters, and keep them fascinating for years on end," CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves said in a statement Saturday.

"We are incredibly saddened by his passing for the daytime community has lost a true legend and the CBS family has lost a friend," Moonves said.

The Chicago native got his start in 1956 as a writer on the soap "Guiding Light." A year later, he left to write for another soap, "As the World Turns."

In 1966, Bell become head writer on "Days of Our Lives," helping to turn the flagging series into one of the top audience draws four years later.

In 1973, Bell teamed up with his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, and created "The Young and the Restless." The hourlong show was among the first serials in the 1970s to exploit America's burgeoning youth obsession.

"Bill Bell was a supremely gifted writer, a fearless and farseeing producer, a tireless champion of our industry and a gentleman," Melody Thomas Scott, a veteran actress on "The Young and the Restless," said in a statement.

In the late 1990s, Bell surrendered the head writer's role at the show but took over as executive producer.

Bell and his wife also teamed up in 1987 to create another daytime stalwart: "The Bold and the Beautiful," which also offered viewers plenty of attractive characters wrestling with romantic challenges.

"Bill Bell understood that daytime drama was not just about lavish weddings and extravagant remotes, but about the smaller, day-to-day moments between family, friends and community," said Rhonda Friedman, the show's supervising producer.

Throughout his career, Bell's writing and production work is credited with contributing to 15,000 episodes of TV daytime drama.

His three children also followed him into the business.

One son, Bill, is president of Bell's TV production company. Another, Bradley, is head writer and executive producer on "The Bold and The Beautiful." Daughter Lauralee is an actress on "Restless."

In addition to his children and wife of 50 years, Bell is survived by eight grandchildren