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Jill Farren Phelps targeted by Internet pranks
Posted Sunday, June 24, 2001 12:01:37 AM
by Dan J Kroll
For one reason or another, Jill Farren Phelps has had more than her fair share of Internet backlash.
During her tenure at
One Life to Live, Phelps was lambasted by fans who accused the executive producer of ruining characters. Much of the criticism dealt with characters suddenly acting uncharacteristically. Other fans lashed out at Phelps for bringing some of the actors she'd worked with on other shows into the OLTL canvas. Internet posters refer to these cast members as "Friends of Jill" or simply "FOJ".
Phelps defended her decisions by insisting that she picked the performers with the best credentials. The fact that she worked with some of the performers, according to Phelps, did not show favoritism.
When Phelps made a move to General Hospital, Internet griping followed her. When Sarah Brown (ex-Carly) announced that
she was going to leave the show to pursue other ventures, an Internet rumor popped up stating that Phelps and Brown had gotten into a fiery argument. Both Brown and Phelps vehemently denied the reports and Brown claimed that she and Phelps were both members of "a mutual admiration" society. A similar report surfaced when Amber Tamblyn (Emily) revealed that
she would be leaving the show.
Now, still more trouble plagues Phelps on the 'net. It has been reported that Phelps and head writer Megan McTavish are at odds. Rumor has it that Bob Guza, Jr., a former GH head writer, is on deck to replace McTavish.
By all accounts, Phelps is a consummate professional. Unfortunately, the ease with which comments can be posted to Internet message boards has made it easier than ever for disgruntled viewers to concoct tales that, regrettably, attack certain soap actors or executives. It's another reminder that not everything on the 'net can be believed.
