Let me start out by stating the following as plainly and concisely as is humanly possible:

1. I was and am a STAUNCH Michael Easton supporter!
2. I was and am a STAUNCH Renee Elise Goldsberry supporter!
3. I was and am a STAUNCH supporter of the character called “John McBain”!
4. I was and am a STAUNCH supporter of the character called “Evangeline Williamson”!
5. I was and am a STAUNCH supporter of the onscreen pairing of the fictional couple known as “John and Evangeline”!

I know that all of this should be apparent to anyone who has ever read any of my previous commentaries but in light of recent comments and activity on the good ol’ worldwide web regarding this subject, I feel it extremely necessary for me to make myself clear.

Further…

You may or may not have noticed that I never refer to myself as a “JoVan” fan or a “Jovan” fan. There is a very simple reason for that. I am a John and Evangeline fan. I am a Michael and Renee fan. For me, this means that I support BOTH characters and BOTH actors – not just the pairing of the two. In fact, the Connected Souls message board states the following:

We consistently support BOTH Michael and Renee/John and Evangeline individually and together. To us they are more than and are bigger than any acronym.

You betcha! They are absolutely more than and bigger than any acronym or otherwise internet-based blend of a name that folks can come up with to describe them.

Renee Elise Goldsberry is a gifted and skilled actress. She is not only capable of but has on many occasions moved me to either laughter or tears or both – whichever is dictated by the dialogue and situations written for her as “Evangeline Williamson”. Renee’s skill as an actress is what pulls me into the world of the moral, principled, and selfless “Evangeline”, and whether bubbly and upbeat or downhearted and depressed, Renee makes this character look, feel, and seem real. And because of everything that Renee brings to the part, I just plain like “Evangeline”. It is Renee who makes me care about this character. It is Renee who makes me look forward to seeing “Evangeline” on the OLTL canvas day in and day out.

Michael Easton is a gifted and skilled actor and a seasoned pro in the world of daytime drama. With few or no words at all, he can take a complex character like “John McBain” and put me in touch with everything that drives him – his demons, his dreams, his regrets, his passion. I want to shake “John” sometimes but I always, always care what happens to him. And no matter what mistakes “John” makes, I always know that he’s made them because he’s trying to do what’s best. I like “John” very much. Ultimately “John” is a man with a good and kind heart with a need to do what’s right – no matter what it does to him personally. To be able to portray all of this with just a look or a word here or there must be very difficult to pull off but Michael makes it look easy. And any episode that doesn’t have “John McBain” in it somewhere falls a little short of the mark for me.

Also, for the record, I am not a fan of soap opera triangles. I would much, much rather watch a thoughtfully crafted love story between two characters who just seem as if they belong together – characters like “John McBain “ and “Evangeline Williamson”. When you’ve got two characters like these being portrayed by two actors like Renee and Michael, there should be no question about whether or not to drag other unneeded characters into their sphere. The only question should be which of their respective stories to tell and what’s the best way to tell it so that the audience can watch them grow together through the experience so that when the smoke clears, the relationship between the two characters has been strengthened, standing on even firmer ground because of all they’ve endured together. That should be the focus when you’ve got in your hands what OLTL has with Renee and Michael as “Evangeline” and “John”. But instead of that focus, we’ve got this triangle that simply will not die. And, believe me. No one is more frustrated by this fact than I am. Time goes by. Producers, headwriters, and even actors and their roles change all the time. While the powers that be at OLTL have this fertile moment in time in the palms of their collective hands, they must tell this story. They must not squander the opportunity. That’s the only thing that makes sense.

But the funny part is that they are telling it. Man, are they taking the scenic route but they are telling this story. Look back over the past year of OLTL. Look at how much time we’ve spent with “John” and “Evangeline” – separately and together. Look at how much both characters have grown. Look at how much they’ve changed. Yes, they’ve been torn apart for far too long now but look at how beautifully they came together over the past many months. OLTL recognizes that the story of “John” and “Evangeline” is key. They realize that this story is something that many, many fans have connected with. And they are telling it. No, I don’t like many of the paths they’ve taken to do it.

But they are telling the story.

Don’t like the way it’s being written? Then tell Executive Producer Frank Valentini or Head Writer Dena Higley or even ABC Daytime President Brian Frons. Write that letter, explaining to them that what you want to see is not happening. Explain to them how much you enjoy watching Michael and Renee as “John” and “Evangeline” and how you’d enjoy watching them even more if they were featured in a story that wasn’t diluted or diverted by other characters who need not be part of their story. Call the OLTL comment line daily and tell them the same thing. Write to the soap mags. Write those letters of support to Renee and Michael to be sure, but let everyone involved know how you feel. That’s how you change things – by taking an active part and exercising your voice. Yes, it’s acting that brings the words to us but everything that we see on our screens springs from the writing – period. Renee and Michael are doing their jobs by pulling together everything they have as actors to bring that writing to life but ultimately if you don’t like what you’re seeing happen onscreen for either “John” or “Evangeline” or both, it’s the writing that’s at fault – period, end-of-story – and it’s the writing that needs to change. It’s as simple as that.

The upshot of all of this is that I am still in this – all the way. Michael and Renee brought me back to OLTL and, frankly, I didn’t think that would ever happen. They brought me back and made me care. And they make me watch. Through all of my frustration with the current state of things, they still make me watch. They still make me care.

Jovan or JoVan – whatever. That’s not why I’m in this.

I’m in this for “John” and “Evangeline” and the wonderful story being told about these wonderful characters. More importantly, I’m in this for Michael and Renee – to thank them over and over for giving me so many hours of moving drama that stimulates my mind, fires my imagination, and touches my heart.