Home > Soapbox > Archives > 2008 > January
January 2008
Liza would make AMC more complete
I think now would be a great time to bring Liza Colby back to All My Children.
We’ve gotten the return of Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams as Angie and Jesse. What a hoot it would be to if AMC rounded out their 1980s renaissance by rehiring Marcy Walker.
I was overjoyed with the scenes between Debbi and Michael E. Knight as Tad. Those two connected like old friends; the high-comfort level was palpable.
I’m now excited to see how Tad reacts to seeing Jesse. That first face-to-face meeting should pack an intense punch.
These characters have such a rich history. AMC could really add to that depth by bringing Liza back on the canvas.
Granted, Liza isn’t quite the same person she was when they were all teens. (But, really, who is?) She’s not quite as snotty or spoiled. But she could still scheme with the best of ‘em if she put her mind to it.
I actually think it would be interesting if Colby and Frankie became a couple. Much more interesting than her growing attachment to Dre (even if he is particularly dreamy).
Can you imagine the drama from Frankie, the son of Jesse, the guy Liza once falsely and maliciously accused of rape, had a real love connection with Colby, the surprisingly sweet, generally level-headed daughter of Liza and her one-time hubby Adam Chandler?
I like the possibilities.
But we really need Liza back to get the full effect.
So what do you say, AMC?
Not only would Liza bring more resonance to the Angie/Jesse comeback, but her return would also be a great excuse to save Tad from Krystal’s orbit.
Hey, a blogger can dream, no?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: All My Children
Jared and Ramsey - One Life To Live’s ICK Factor
There are so many things that I like about One Life To Live right now.
But there are two things not to like.
And their names are Jared Banks and Lee Ramsey.
I haven’t liked the characters from day one of their respective entrances.
And, really, it probably says a lot about the talents of the two actors - John Brotherton who plays Banks and Hunt Block who portrays Ramsey.
Ramsey just makes my skin crawl everytime he’s on the screen.
And not in a good way.
I hate the way he unfeelingly kidnapped an asthmatic kid (Shane) and threatened his single mom (Gigi). He later broke into their apartment to threaten them again and never batted an eye when young Shane struggled for breath during an asthma attack.
Check out the video of Ramsey and Todd, having already kidnapped Shane, threaten Gigi to cooperate with them - or else!
And I was absolutely horrified by the way Ramsey cold-heartedly shot out the tires on the van carrying Marty and Cole, which resulted in Marty’s death.
And how about the time he shot at Marcie, while she was holding Tommy. Michael jumped in front of Marcie and ended up taking a bullet in the shoulder….Once again, Ramsey was cold as ice.
As far as Jared, he’s just sleazy.
That’s the only word that really suits him.
I mean, how many guys would get involved with a woman (Natalie), get her to start falling for him and then masquerade as her long-lost uncle in order to get money from her wealthy family….
As Nigel so aptly put it - Jared took money over love.
Okay, it’s not just about the money….
It’s about the power too.
That compounds the sleaze factor.
And he had the nerve to kiss Natalie after he pretends to be her uncle by obtaining a fake DNA test.
UGH!
This video says it all.
And I absolutely hate the way he treats his father.
His real father, Charlie Banks.
Not his pretend father, the late Asa Buchanon.
There’s just something about Jared that screams - slimy!
Ramsey and Jared…..
Sorry.
I’m just not into them.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: One Life To Live
One Life To Live’s Rex - Is He A Balsom Or Isn’t He?
There’s lots going on in Llanview these days.
I mean LOTS!
And there’s some heavy-duty questions that are hanging in the air on One Life To Live.
For instance….
What’s going to happen to Marcie, now that she’s in jail for babynapping?
And Gigi.
What’s going to happen to her now that she’s been arrested for aiding and abetting Marcie?
Will Adrianna and Rex also be arrested for keeping the secret that TJ/Tommy/Sam is really Todd’s kidnapped son?
And that sleazy FBI agent Lee Ramsey. He keeps threatening Gigi and her son, Shane.
What is the always chivalrous John McBain going to do to stop Ramsey?
And speaking of Shane.
Who exactly is his father?
Is it Rex?
They’re alluding to that scenario since Gigi Morasco (Farah Fath) and Rex Balsom (John-Paul Lavoisier) were high school sweethearts and haven’t seen each other since. We now know that Gigi left Michigan shortly after Rex - Gigi going to Paris, Texas and Rex to Llanview.
I seem to remember awhile back that Gigi told Viki she hadn’t dated anyone since she was with Shane’s father —- but she’s never, ever mentioned the father’s name and the guy is supposedly dead.
Hmmmm….
Perhaps the most intriguing question on OLTL is the mystery surrounding Rex’s father.
Rex’s mom, Roxy, and his aunt, Corinne, who raised Rex, are keeping some kind of family secret and it may have to do with who is Rex’s father. After all, on Friday Corinne said she’s not sure if Rex is a Balsom.
There is some speculation on message boards that Roxy was raped by the evil Mitch Laurence and that Rex is Mitch’s kid.
Again, it’s just speculation.
But that would be an interesting twist….That would mean that Rex and Jessica would really be brother and sister, when Jessica’s twin, Natalie, was raised as Rex’s sister….Of course it was later discovered that Allison Perkins stole Natalie for Mitch Laurence and gave her to Roxy to raise.
Whether or not Rex is Mitch’s son, remains to be seen.
But it is awfully coincidental that crazy Allison shows up Friday, after being gone from the canvas for a few years.
When she sees Jessica at St. Ann’s, the local mental institution, Allison tells Jessica that she has a secret.
Hmmmm….could it be about Rex?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: One Life To Live
ATWT’s Dusty bites the dust
As the World (Without Dusty) Turns.
That’s what I think I’m going to have to call the longtime CBS soap now that Dusty Donovan is gone.
I still can’t believe ATWT did it. But, then again, they’re not the first show to kill off a main character with lots of history and ties to the canvas.
To be honest, I’m not sure what upsets me more: That ATWT let Dusty go or that they let the charismatic, smoldering Grayson McCouch go.
It’s a toss-up, really.
Dusty is a long-term character who shares significant and poignant history with some major Oakdale residents, most notably Lily (Martha Byrne), Holden (Jon Hensley) and Emily (Kelley Menighan Hensley).
I still remember when he was played by the dreamy Brian Bloom. (Hmmmm, whatever happened to him?)
When Grayson started portraying the adult Dusty, I was thrilled. I loved him on Another World as Morgan and knew he would bring the same intensity and sexiness to the role of Dusty.
I wasn’t disappointed.
When he was paired with Peyton List’s Lucy, sparks flew. It was a beautiful thing to see. Dusty got to be his brooding, complicated, heroic yet insecure self. They made a fantastic couple.
But then List left.
Dusty dabbled with Meg and then fell in love with Jennifer (Jennifer Ferrin). And I fell in love with Jen and Dusty. Once again he was the character he was meant to be.
But then Jen died, and I don’t think the show knew what to do with Dusty anymore. He seemed to flounder storywise.
Through it all Grayson persevered. He never lost the charm and depth that made Dusty so intriguing, despite a dearth of good material to work with.
I’ll miss Dusty … and Grayson.
Hopefully, though, someone will snap up this wonderfully enigmatic actor soon, so I can see him on my screen again.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: As the World Turns
Listen To ABC Daytime Stars sing “Love Affair”
Remember a few weeks back, when General Hospital’s Luke (Anthony Geary) was on the operating table - teetering between life and death?
At one point he was having those wild dreams and belted out that wonderful rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way?”
Well who knew he could sing?
But he sure does.
And you can hear him sing “Everytime We Say Goodbye” on the newest CD “Love Affair” produced by the stars of ABC soaps.
Geary is one of several ABC soapsters to sing some of the all-time favorite love songs.
Featured tracks include: * “They Say It’s Wonderful” - Susan Lucci (“All My Children”) * “Let It Be Me” - Kassie DePaiva (“One Life to Live”) * “I’ll Be There” - Tika Sumpter (“One Life to Live”) * “My Funny Valentine” - Bradford Anderson (“General Hospital”) * “Because You Loved Me” - Bobbie Eakes (“All My Children”) * “Never My Love” - Kathy Brier (“One Life to Live”) * “Every Time We Say Goodbye” - Anthony Geary (“General Hospital”) * “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” - Sonya Eddy (“General Hospital”) * “Quando, Quando, Quando” (duet) - Jason Tam and Brittany Underwood (“One Life to Live”) * “In My Life” - Rick Hearst (“General Hospital”) * “From This Moment On” - Kristen Alderson (“One Life to Live”) * “Always On My Mind” - David Canary (“All My Children”)
This is not the first time ABC soapsters joined together to produce a CD.
Two years ago, they came out with “A Holiday Affair,” a collection of Christmas songs.
I bought the CD at Super Soap Weekend and I play that thing throughout the holidays.
“Love Affair” will be released on Jan. 29. You can get it online at abctvstore.com for $18.98.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, “Love Affair” may be just the ticket to get your valentine in a romantic mood.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: ABC Soaps
GH’s Sonny and Kate hard to believe
OK, um, huh?
That’s all I could sputter as I watched Sonny propose to Kate on General Hospital.
I really don’t get this couple.
Yeah, yeah. I know. They were teenage sweethearts in Bensonhurst (there’s no way GH will ever let us forget that … or the name Connie Falconari, for that matter) who went their separate ways and into vastly different worlds and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
I mean, Sonny and Kate talk about it incessantly. There’s no way I could not know their “story.”
But that’s been the problem for me. I, as a viewer, never got to see their grand romance unfold. So when they talk, that’s all it is. Just talk. It has absolutely no resonance or significance or investment for me.
It’s a bit of a shame, too, because I think Maurice Benard and Megan Ward work well together. I just don’t buy the great love story GH is trying to sell.
It doesn’t matter how many cutesy memories they giggle about or how many cheesy movie theaters/restaurants they yammer on in or how creative their “flashbacks” are.
I just don’t feel it because I haven’t seen it.
Show me, GH. Don’t tell me.
But whenever I find myself shaking my head at Sonny’s warp-speed, stuck-in-the-past, rather pathetic courtship of Kate, I just remind myself of one thing.
At least he’s no longer macking on Emily.
That alone makes Sonny and Kate OK (well, at least tolerable) in my book.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: General Hospital
“The Real Greenlee” Returns - A Big Yawner In My Book
Lame!
That’s the first word that came to mind after watching “The Real Greenlee” return to ABC’s All My Children last week.
More accurately, I should say, after I made it through only half the show before changing the channel.
I have nothing against Rebecca Budig “The Real Greenlee,” according to the ABC’s crass ad campaign to herald her return.
In fact, I really enjoyed her portrayl of Greenlee Smythe.
Back then I was actually watching AMC.
Because back then the writing was actually pretty good.
But I stopped watching AMC on a regular basis a couple of years ago.
I still tune in from time to time to see if the storylines are improving at all.
So far, that’s a no.
I also tune in to watch certain actors like Thorsten Kaye, David Canary, Michael E.Knight and Cameron Mathison.
I like their performances and their characters and they’re the reason I won’t abandon AMC for good.
I also used to enjoy Cady McClain as Dixie Martin —— oh wait, they killed her off….
And Julia Barr as Brooke English….Oh yeah, she just disappeared from the scene after 30 years on the show when ABC failed to renew her contract.
So you get my drift. I’m not happy with the powers that be at AMC.
Kara has written at length about the tactless and crude “Real Greenlee” campaign launched by ABC after they fired Sabine Singh in order to rehire Budig, the role’s originator. The entire campaign and countdown to Budig’s return was low rent and disrespected Singh’s work, which by the way was good.
Click here to read Kara’s Jan. 8 entry about Singh and ABC’s shabby treatment of the actress.
In fact, fan outcry towards ABC has been so widespread that there are campaigns to rally behind Singh. You can read all about it here.
So I decided to turn on SOAPnet last week to watch Budig’s return, just because I wanted to see if AMC would do anything interesting.
Dissapointed again!
They had some stupid party at Fusion with everyone welcoming Greenlee back.
I’ll leave you to watch it for yourself.
So what do you think?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: All My Children
Y&R’s Jeanne Cooper one of a kind
Is Jeanne Cooper the best or what?
After nearly 35 years as Katherine “Kay” Chancellor on The Young and the Restless, she still manages to be thoroughly entertaining.
This veteran actress has such a handle on who Kay is and what she brings to the show as a whole. I just love watching her work.
Recently, she counseled Nikki, encouraging her dear friend to talk about her problems (both business and personal) with soon-to-be-ex-husband Victor.
She then spoke to Nicholas as he was on his way out of Newman Enterprises, after being fired by his father.
Finally she tried to reason with Victor, stubbornness personified.
In all of these interactions, she was firm, yet compassionate. She tells it like it is, making no apologies, but she has a gruff tenderness about her that tempers her rougher edges.
When she speaks, people listen. They may not always heed her words, but they listen.
Perhaps it’s because she speaks from loads of experience. You don’t get to be the grande dame of Genoa City without facing — and overcoming — more than your fair share of troubles.
Whenever I watch her, I’m reminded that she’s the type of person you want on your side. She loves just as hard as she fights.
At the end of their conversation, Nikki said to Kay, “You’re one of a kind.”
That she is, Nikki. That she is.
And so is Jeanne Cooper.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: The Young and the Restless
Putting the hospital back in GH
It sure is nice to see the hospital on General Hospital.
It sounds silly, but as many fans can attest, ABC’s stalwart soap has too often lost touch with its namesake. In fact, I have frequently referred to the show as General Mob-is-all because the hospital was practically nonexistent.
I enjoy mob stories. Really. But I enjoy medical mysteries and sweeping romance and family dynamics, too.
Mostly, I enjoy balance in my soaps.
So when GH actually plays out its drama in the hospital, I’m thrilled.
The latest excitement at GH involves a man with a bomb strapped to his chest who is threatening to blow the place sky high if the medical staff doesn’t help his pregnant wife. The couple had been turned away because of a lack of insurance.
But it’s not just this drama unfolding. The hospital walls are brimming with activity. (And with major characters to boot!)
Nikolas is having tests to determine what his violent rages and blackouts are about.
Ghost Emily, sweet as usual but creepily happy considering she was brutally strangled to death a couple months ago, is hanging around, trying to keep Nik calm. (But does she really have to wear scrubs and an ID tag? She’s dead. I don’t think proper attire and security are really going to be an issue.)
Robin and Patrick are working together to find out what’s wrong with Nik. Of course, in between consultations, they’re taking time to engage in their usual banter, although it’s now tinged with sadness because they always come back to the same dilemma: her maternal desires vs. his paternal heebie-jeebies. Oh, yeah. And Robin keeps fainting. Dun-da-dun!
Cute-as-a-button nurse Nadine is talking with Nik, and it’s giving viewers more of a glimpse of her personality. So far, I’m really liking what I’m seeing.
Then there’s Elizabeth, who brought in infant son Jake after she rescued him from a house fire. She’s got a nasty cut on her leg that required the help of Monica. Yay! I mean, boo for Elizabeth’s profusely bleeding artery, but yay for Monica getting something to do.
There was a Mac sighting (yay again) as the cops were called in.
Even Lucky and Scott and the mayor are involved. And let’s not forget the hospital’s supporting staff: Epiphany, Cassius, Dr. Julian, Dr. Lee, Dr. Ford.
And, of course, there’s Jason, arriving in the middle of it all as he frantically looks for Elizabeth and Jake. Sigh.
See, GH. You don’t always need the mob to stir things up. The hospital can provide an awful lot of drama on its own.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: General Hospital
Angie and Jesse AMC’s ‘real’ comeback story
It’s funny. I was watching SOAPnet or ABC, whichever, and I saw a commercial for Rebecca Budig’s return to All My Children. (In case you hadn’t heard, the “real” Greenlee is back. The promotional campaign has been rather lax, with only about 10 ads every hour, plus tickers and teasers and so on scrolling across the screen … so you might not have been aware. Don’t worry. If you missed it or just plain forgot, I’m sure ABC has tattoos and skywriting available.)
Anyhow, guess what else I saw? A promotion for Angie and Jesse.
No, really. They’re coming back, too.
You might not have realized it considering all the hoopla surrounding Greenlee’s second coming, but one of AMC’s premier couples is reuniting in Pine Valley.
This is huge news. Not only were Angie and Jesse extremely popular, but they were historic as arguably the first black supercouple on daytime TV. And … Jesse’s supposed to be dead.
It doesn’t get much huger than that.
But you know what? I’m ashamed to say that I’d almost forgotten about Angie and Jesse’s return. In fact, I’m not even sure when they’re supposed to be on screen again.
Oh, wait. I think their one promo says Friday.
On the flip side, I’ve known for a month now that today is Rebecca’s first day back. ABC made sure of it.
How sad is that?
Not only did AMC insult Sabine Singh by ramming Rebecca’s return down our throats, but the powers that be also insulted Debbi Morgan (Angie) and Darnell Williams (Jesse).
Instead of the Greenlee overkill, ABC should have invested more time, money and publicity in Jesse and Angie. They are the ones who should really be in the spotlight.
Maybe now that the Rebecca countdown is over, Debbi and Darnell can finally get the recognition they deserve.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: All My Children
One Life To Live’s Marcie - What Will Happen in the Standoff at the Bon Jour Cafe
In - tense!
That’s what One Life to Live is these days - really intense!
OLTL is edge-of-your-seat good with the Marcie babynapping story nearing the end.
As I’ve said in a previous blog, Kathy Brier as Marcie, a distraught mother on the run, deserves an Emmy nod.
She has been incredibly moving since discovering that her precious son, whom she and husband Michael adopted thinking his parents were dead, is really Todd Manning’s lost son - stolen by the evil Dr. Spencer Truman.
Some fans aren’t too hot on the babynapping story.
I must admit it’s been dragging - until last week - when the Llanview, PA and Paris, Texas worlds collided.
Viki Davidson’s family in Llanview, while watching the Paris hostage crisis unfold on TV, discover that their matriarch, heiress, newspaper publisher, mother has been waitressing for ther past five months.
You see, Viki (Erika Slezak) told her family she was in Paris all these months - failing to add the Texas part.
Well, of course, they assumed it was France.
So when Noelle, a waitress at the Bon Jour Cafe, tells a TV reporter that Viki has been waitressing there for five months - the stunned looks on the faces of Clint, Nora, Jessica, Natalie, Nash and Jared were priceless!
I must say that all of the performances in the past few days have been riveting - from Brier, to Slezak, to Trevor St. John as Todd and Chris Stack as Michael McBain - they’ve all really moved me.
Yeah, tears welling up in the eyes and all that.
I am really liking Stack’s portrayal of Michael.
Stack took on the tough task of replacing Nathaniel Marston during this heavy-duty storyline. Marston was fired by ABC following his arrest for allegedly attacking three men in October.
But, I have to say, I think Stack is wonderful in the role. He’s so natural.
Don’t get me wrong. I liked Marston.
But Stack has made the transition seemless.
And his scenes with all of the major players - Michael Easton (John), St. John and Brier - have been so emotional….None more than the scenes he had with Brier on Friday.
Stack really moved me as he delivered these words: “Marcie. Being with you again, it’s like I have my life back. Marcie, you are my life. You always have been and you always will be. Marcie, I love you.”
Check out the video below of Friday’s episode as Michael tries to convince Marcie to end the standoff and hand over the baby to Todd.
So with Marcie still locked inside the diner holding the cops at bay, I can’t help but look forward to today’s episode.
It’s getting close to the moment of truth.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: One Life To Live
Drake Hogestyn returning to Days
So Drake Hogestyn is returning to Days of Our Lives as John.
Nevermind that he was the fatal victim of a hit and run. Or that we watched scene after scene of him on his death bed. Or that everyone gathered around to say goodbye, first at the hospital and then at his funeral (complete with a through-the-years montage for his character).
Nope. Apparently he’s still alive and kicking.
Granted, I don’t know how it’s going to play out. But this is Days we’re talking about. Of all the soaps, it is the most, er, creative when it comes to rousing people back from their proverbial dirt naps.
You’ve heard the phrase, “No one’s ever really dead on soaps?” Well, I firmly believe that was coined for Days.
How many Salemites have been presumed dead, only to pop up later, looking even more fabulous than the last time we saw them?
Buttloads.
Here’s a short list: Roman, Patch, Marlena, Hope, Jack, Tony/Andre … and, of course, The Phoenix himself, Stefano.
Now we can add John.
And I’m kinda torn.
Although I’m happy for all the John/Drake fans out there, I thought the character’s death was a shot in the arm for the show.
I know people were upset that he was killed off, and I appreciate the respect fans have for this veteran actor and his longtime character.
But it really is OK for someone to die on a TV show. Especially soaps, which live and breathe on drama.
It hurts when a fave disappears from our screens, but I think it makes each show — and the genre, in general — healthier.
That doesn’t mean TPTB don’t make their share of mistakes, deaths that just don’t serve much purpose except for shock value or to trim the show’s expenses (i.e. Georgie on General Hospital or Dixie on All My Children).
But sometimes a character’s death provides story momentum for years, especially if it’s someone beloved, someone the viewers — and fellow characters — really care about. Tammy on Guiding Light, Jenny on All My Children and Stone on General Hospital are all examples.
Although it was sad, I though John’s demise provided great material for the cast, particularly Deidre Hall as Marlena. I’ve loved watching her go toe-to-toe with Stefano.
All that said, I welcome Drake’s return. I have nothing against him or the character. (Roman/John and his Izzy B were one of my favorite Days couples).
I just wish soaps weren’t always so quick to bring characters back from the dead.
Although these demises can be truly heartbreaking, they also can pump new life into a show.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Days of Our Lives
General Hospital’s Diane and Alexis - The New It Couple?
Let me preface this by saying it’s not going to be another General Hospital rant.
There isn’t a lot about General Hospital that I’m liking these days.
Violence, mob wars, killing Emily and Georgie…..Ugh!
There’s more….
Just when Ric Lansing was getting his humanity back….
Just when it looked like Ric (Rick Hearst) and Skye Quartermaine (Robin Christopher) would finally find a little happiness with each other…
Skye announces she’s leaving town!
Ugh!
I can’t even discuss it, I’m so mad.
So, yeah, I’m not happy with GH overall.
However, there are a few characters who I absolutely love.
Diane Miller, played by Carolyn Hennesy, is one of those.
Since the moment she stepped her designer shoes into Port Charles, Diane has never failed to entertain.
Hennesy’s portrayal of the tough-as-nails, hard-hitting, perfectly coiffed, couture-wearing, defense attorney for mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) has been a joy to watch.
What started as a small, character part has blossomed into a major player in Port Charles.
And, more importantly, a very enjoyable one!
I love watching Diane flirt with Max, Sonny’s bodyguard.
There was a scene awhile back with the two of them drowning their sorrows about Sonny and Carly at a bar and coming thisclose to leaving together.
It has been fun watching as little by little they are realizing an attraction for each other.
The scene in Sonny’s backroom last week was so funny, when Max (Derk Cheetwood) entered, saw Diane and squirted some breath spray into his mouth.
She not only plays the tough, lady lawyer scenes perfectly, but she also has a wonderful comedic side that always makes me laugh out loud - never more than the past few days when she’s been paired with her legal nemesis, Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn).
Both were nominated for Litigator of the Year.
Both were shown receiving their letters, scrambling to get couture gowns and boarding a plane to the awards ceremony in Philadelphia.
They end up sitting next to each other on the plane - thus begins Alexis and Diane’s not-so excellent adventure.
And they were such pains to the flight attendant that they end up getting kicked off the plane.
So Funny!
Grahn and Hennesy feed so well off of each other.
They both have a great natural comedic delivery and the two together are hysterical. I mean I could not stop laughing throughout their escapades trying to get to Philadelphia to see who will collect the coveted award.
They rent a car and get a flat tire and then run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
So they grab the garment bags with their gowns and begin walking towards a light.
It turns out to be a biker bar.
If you think their plane and car escapades were funny, check out the biker bar video.
Hysterical!
These two veteran actresses remind me of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance.
General Hospital needs more Diane and Alexis and less mob wars and violence.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: General Hospital
Stop with the mush-mouth, Victor Newman
Is it just me, or does Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless spend an awful lot of time mumbling?
I’m not trying to slight portrayer Eric Braeden; he is a daytime icon, after all. But really. Is Victor supposed to be so lifeless and monotone?
I seriously doubt it.
Eric has been playing this role for more than 20 years. And he has played it well, bringing just the right mix of charm and ruthlessness to Genoa City’s patriarchal tycoon.
Lately, though, there have been few moments of true intensity from the character, which seems odd considering the year he’s had.
Let’s see, he thought his son Nick had died. His wife and soul mate Nikki slept with another man and then dumped him. His pregnant daughter was in a coma, leaving he and Nikki at odds as to whether to pull the plug. He was arrested for murder. Oh, yeah, and he was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Whew.
All that strain can definitely leave a man exhausted and defeated.
And perhaps prone to mumbling.
But this is Victor Newman we’re talking about. When is he ever really down and out?
Never, by gum!
So, please, is there some way we can oust the mumble monster that has taken hold of Eric Braeden’s tongue?
And then send that slayer on over to General Hospital. Maurice Benard’s Sonny could use a little help, too.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: The Young and the Restless
Sabine Singh deserved better from AMC
I’m really starting to think ABC stands for “Anything But Class.”
I’ve written before about my distaste with the way head honchos have treated Sabine Singh. She’s the actress who was hired as a recast Greenlee on All My Children, landing her in the difficult position of replacing original, uber-popular portrayer Rebecca Budig.
Well, now Rebecca is back. And I love her. Really. But ABC’s not-so-subtle assault on Sabine is unprofessional and downright mean.
Have you seen the AMC Web site? It actually has a countdown … A COUNTDOWN .. to the return of Rebecca as Greenlee. As if advertising that the “real” Greenlee is back wasn’t insult enough to Sabine. Now this?
What are these people thinking?
I get that Sabine wasn’t an immediate hit with most fans. But once she started getting a story that (thankfully) moved her away from Ryan (Cameron Mathison) and toward Aidan (Aiden Turner), things changed.
Sabine’s chemistry with Aiden is sweet and sultry. It helped Sabine connect with the Greenlee most AMC viewers fell in love with.
Then came her scenes with Zach (Thorsten Kaye) while they were trapped in a bomb shelter. It was another major turning point for Sabine in the role. Greenlee bonded with the one man she hated most, and their interaction since has been a fabulous mixture of uncertainty, respect and kinship. They understand each other now; you can see it in their eyes when they talk. Where will that palpable connection be when Rebecca steps into the role?
Without the history of Greenlee’s scenes with Zach — and with Aidan, for that matter — will Rebecca’s interactions with these characters have the same resonance for me?
I’d like to say yes, but I’m not so sure.
And it leaves me feeling very disappointed … and sad, actually. Sad that Sabine didn’t get more of a break from fans. Sad that she got axed just when she was hitting her stride in the role. And sad that I’m not more excited about Rebecca’s return, simply because of the stink that surrounds this whole thing.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: All My Children
You Gotta Love Paris….Paris,Texas, that is, on One Life To Live
Anyone else loving the way One Life To Live has been interconnecting the Paris, Texas and Llanview, PA storylines and characters?
Because I am!
It is just amazing to me how head writer Ron Carlivati has turned OLTL 180 degrees in the right direction.
He is rectifying all the convoluted storylines set in motion by the previous head writer.
One of the main things he is doing is giving good substantive storylines to the OLTL vets, with Erika Slezak (Viki) a 35-year veteran out front in a wonderful, creative storyline of her own as a waitress.
Victoria Lord Davidson….heiress….newspaper publisher….former mayor….former Dean of Llanview University…
Waitress at the Bonjour Cafe in Paris, TX?
I love it!
It has been pure fun watching Viki interact with the new characters at the Bonjour - Moe, Noelle and Gigi….
Not to mention watching Viki slowly begin a new relationship with Charlie B. (Brian Kerwin) - who we now know is Charlie Banks…as in Jared Banks’ father.
That part, I’m not so crazy about.
Cause I’m not so crazy about Jared.
But that’s fodder for another day.
Getting back to the Paris, TX storyline - I really have loved everything about it.
The material has really given Slezak a chance to shine in a front-burner storyline - which has been long overdue.
Viki is also long overdue for a love interest and I really enjoy the chemistry between Slezak and Kerwin.
And watching Carlivati intertwining and connecting the Paris characters to Llanview has been a gift each day.
How about Dorian, Viki’s nemesis, overhearing that Jared is really Charlie’s son?
And the topper was on Friday’s episode, when Dorian saw the photo of Viki in the waitress uniform together with Charlie.
Priceless!
I can’t wait to see what havoc Dorian (Robin Strasser) will wreak with that information.
I didn’t see the Rex/Gigi connection coming…. I’m looking forward to the possibilities there.
I’m assuming that Shane, Gigi’s son, is Rex’s son…..but I guess there could be another twist.
And then there’s the whole Marcie babynapping storyline ending up in Paris.
I tell ya, I was on the edge of my seat watching Friday’s episode.
First, Michael was shot and then Viki discovered the photo of Marcie and Tommy and realized that the two were right under her nose at the Bonjour!
If Kathy Brier doesn’t get an Emmy nod after all the heartwrenching performances that she’s turned in….
Bottom line is that she so deserves one.
And when Marcie walked into the Bonjour and came face to face with Viki…..
Yeah.
Cliffhanger Friday.
Tune in today.
I sure will.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: One Life To Live
General Hospital’s Luke needs more Tracy
It looks like General Hospital is taking Luke through yet another near-death experience.
All I can ask is “Why?”
OK, I know fundamentally why. To give Tony Geary several one-man tour de force performances. And although I think Tony is fabulously talented, enough is enough, GH.
Luke’s trips to purgatory or limbo or whatever you want to call it are getting old, but there is one aspect of this story line that I am appreciating. Luke’s heart troubles are shining a spotlight on the love he shares with Tracy.
Tony Geary and Jane Elliot are wonderful actors in their own rights, but put them together on screen and they create a special kind of magic.
Luke and Tracy, surprisingly enough, are actually quite sweet together. It’s nice to see that side of characters with such tough exteriors.
These two people pride themselves on playing for keeps; they leave little room for sentimentality. But when they’re together, underneath all the bickering and posturing, there is genuine respect and love.
I think Tracy is a perfect fit for Luke. It’s been hard for him, and viewers, to accept anyone except Laura in his heart. Tracy, however, is so different from Laura that I don’t feel like Luke is betraying his now-catatonic ex-wife.
Luke and Laura are so legendary and so intertwined (even now, despite the fact Laura’s portrayer, Genie Francis, is no longer on the GH canvas) that it really required a strong personality to step in and stand side-by-side with Luke.
That woman is Tracy.
So what do you say, GH? Instead of sending Luke off to face his judgment for the zillionth time, how about devoting more scenes to this offbeat couple?
Goodness knows this show could use a little more laughter and love.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: General Hospital
One Life To Live’s Talia and Antonio - Finally!
I had tears in my eyes watching Talia and Antonio on Monday’s One Life To Live.
Tears of Joy!
I have absolutely loved BethAnn Bonner ever since she stepped foot in Llanview a little more than a year ago as police officer Talia Sahid - a cop who was a first-responder at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
She came onboard OLTL after finishing third in I Wanna Be A Soapstar, season 3. The winner of season three, Mikey Jerome, got the top prize of a role on OLTL, but lasted about five minutes onscreen.
Yeah, the season 3 judges made a huge mistake not picking Bonner. But it seems that OLTL Executive Producer Frank Valentini rectified the situation by offering Bonner the role of Talia.
Click here to watch a video of Bonner talking about how she got the OLTL role after losing Soap Star.
Bonner is one of those rare, naturally-gifted actresses.
She’s as wonderful and at ease doing serious and sad scenes as she is performing lighthearted, comedic ones.
And she has a great chemistry with Kamar de los Reyes, who portrays Antonio.
Kamar has been on OLTL since 1995 and, I have to say, hasn’t had much good material written for his character in the past few years.
Antonio’s relationship with Keri Reynolds, RJ’s long-lost daughter began on a high note, but ended badly, with her committing suicide and then trying to frame Antonio for her murder - not good.
(Kamar and Sheri Saum, the actress who played Keri, tied the knot in May).
Then there was that whole Santi thing - him being the lost-long son of Manuel Santi and sinking into his dark, dismal, really angry period - not good.
He emerged from that and found his way back to Jessica, only to find that Jess was really Tess - as in multiple personality disorder.
And if that wasn’t enough, Jess - when she was Tess - slept around with everyone on the face of the earth and took up with a wayward guy named Nash.
Yep. You guessed it.
Tess got pregnant…by Nash - definitely, not good.
When all was said and done and Jess/Tess was integrated - Antonio stuck by her through it all - they finally got married.
But not before a lot of drama with Nash pulling out all the stops to get Jess to choose him and Jess insisting she was in love with Antonio.
Of course after marrying Antonio, Jessica realizes that she loves Nash and they begin an affair right under Antonio’s nose - sleeping around all over town and doing it everywhere in town.
But before Jess can tell Antonio, she is stricken with Hepatis C, another gift from Tess when she was running around and sharing needles.
She finally tells Antonio that she wants to be with Nash, while basically on her deathbed, when Antonio is informed he is the only match that can save Jessica’s life as a liver donor.
Of course, Antonio does the right thing, gives her a part of his liver and saves her life. But he is obviously a hurt and broken man.
Now, after all his past heartbreak, Antonio finally has someone who will put him first.
And I say, it’s about time!
Talia has been such fun to watch as her crush grew on her boss. She even made up a fake boyfriend, George, so that Antonio wouldn’t know that it was he who she liked.
It was so cute and she never failed to make me smile during that whole “George” thing.
And when Talia finally admitted her feelings to Antonio, he said couldn’t reciprocate because he wasn’t ready for another relationship yet…He’s trying to put the Tessica mess behind him.
So Talia does what any red-blooded woman who feels her love is unrequited would do - she asks for a transfer to another police department, packs her bags and sits in a bus station on New Year’s Eve, waiting for the bus to take her to her new job.
But in true soap opera fashion, Antonio realizes in the 11th hour that he’s made a mistake and goes to the bus station to get Talia to stay.
“I cannot let you get on that bus without letting you know how I feel,” he says.
Hooray, Antonio!
He continues.
“I know we don’t have time to list all the different reasons why I care about you, but let’s just hit the highlights. You’re smart. You’re funny. My daughter is a terrific judge of character and she’s crazy about you. You’re gorgeous. You’re a great cop. You’ve always got my back.
“New Year’s is a time for new beginnings and all I’m asking is for a second chance and if I’ve blown it then I completely understand But I couldn’t let you go without letting you know how much you mean to me.”
Wow!!!
What woman hasn’t wanted to hear those words from a man who you’re crazy about?
Watch the video here. It’s wonderful.
And I, along with many fans, have been rooting for Talia and Antonio to get together.
I am so glad that they weren’t rushed or thrust together immediately, but, rather, we saw them grow together as friends first.
To me, that’s so refreshing for a soap couple and that also signals that maybe - just maybe - they will be happy for a long time??
I hope that’s true, because after what he’s been through in the past year, Antonio so deserves some happiness.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: One Life To Live
Soaps have their own ‘rat pack’
Happy New Year, dear readers!
Wow, 2008 is here, and hopefully it will be a good one for you — and our beloved soaps.
Anytime our new year comes around, I always think of the Chinese New Year. Other cultures and their traditions never cease to fascinate me.
The Chinese New Year doesn’t start until Feb. 7, 2008, but I wanted to see which animal got top billing this year. (For those not familiar, Chinese New Years rotate among 12 animals. Click here for a better explanation than I could give!)
This year, it’s the rat. People born under the year of the rat are supposed to be charming and good leaders, among other positive traits.
For the purposes of this blog, though, I’m going to invoke the more Americanized meaning of rat. You know, the word we use to refer to those sneaky, trouble-makers, the type of characters that scurry about on soaps?
Aren’t they awesome?
So as an homage to the vermin who make soaps so much more interesting — and who make our heros and heroines all the more heroic — here’s my list of some of the top “rats” in daytime:
Adam Chandler on All My Children. He might just be “The King” of rats. I mean, how long has this devilish tycoon been causing trouble in Pine Valley? Long. Time. Just when you think he can’t do anything worse … he does. Just ask little Jenny Martin. She’s only capable of googoo, gaga, but trust me. She knows.
Richie Novak on AMC. He’s pretty new to the canvas, but he’s made up for limited airtime with maximum evil. The guy’s not just bad; he’s crazy. Yikes.
Trevor Lansing on General Hospital. This guy gives me the full-body heebie-jeebies. Someone needs to eradicate this rodent ASAP. Yuck.
Ric Lansing on GH. I used to think he was a big rat (like a ROUS), but after meeting his father, I’ve categorized Ric back down to standard size. Portrayer Rick Hearst somehow manages to make me feel sorry for his character, even when I know I shouldn’t. But he’s still a rat.
E.J. Wells on Days of Our Lives. Yeah, he’s tall, dark and handsome, but a rat is a rat, no matter how fancy, charming and appealing it might sound with a British accent.
Jared Banks on One Life to Live. Simply put? “Uncle” hitting on “niece” is just … ewww. I’m not even sure “real” rats are into incest. Just sayin’.
Alan Spaulding on Guiding Light. OK, this guy gives AMC’s Adam serious competition for the crown as “top rat.” Really, though, Alan reminds me more of a cockroach. You think he’s taken care of, and then you turn on the lights to the kitchen one night and there he is eating your crumbs. But since there is no year of the cockroach, welcome to the rat pack, Alan.
There you have it. Some of the top rats in daytime. (Yeah, I know, they’re all men. What can I say?)
Who would you add?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Various
