Here is a screenshot of what the script does - and what I want it to do:

I have tried unsuccessfully to modify the li tags and to even add a line in the output and for the life of me, I can't get the script to recognize a <br> tag when I do
I've tried to adjust
$threads[$i] = "<!--o $orig_id--> ($number_of_replies)\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--z $count-->\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--s $count--><ul><li><a href=\"$count.$settings[extension]\">$subject</a> - <b>$name</b> <i>$date</i>\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--o $count--> (0)\n";
$threads[$i] .= "</li></ul><!--k $count-->\n";
to
$threads[$i] = "<!--o $orig_id--> ($number_of_replies)\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--z $count-->\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--s $count--><ul><li><a href=\"$count.$settings[extension]\">$subject</a> - <b>$name</b> <i>$date</i>\n";
$threads[$i] .= "<!--o $count--> (0)</li></ul>\n"; <-- tried removing the li's and adding a <br> here too
$threads[$i] .= "<!--k $count-->\n";
I've tried removing some of the <li> tags and adding
$addline .= "<!--o $count--> (0)\n";
$addline .= "<br>\n";
$addline .= "</li><!--k $count-->\n";
with no success - so I find myself here looking for help
What I want is the script to output like this:
<ul><li>Original Post Stuff</li></ul><br>
<ul>
<li>1st Reply</li>
<li>2nd Reply</li>
<li>3rd Reply</li>
</ul>
I just can't seem to get it there! Can you folks help?