October 27, 2008
GL had a surprise for viewers last week when it debuted its new set: a convenience store. Formerly the revamped Main Street mall, this new Springfield locale boasts handy necessities like magazines, batteries, candy and apparently miniature stuffed bears (no word yet on a Slushie machine). So, what exactly does this hot spot bring to the canvas? Unfortunately, not much — at least in the eyes of this viewer. Sure, the Peapack locations and the swanky interiors that were part of the soap's revamped production model were a breath of fresh air, but it's been less than a year since their debut, so what's the point of one more? It's troubling that GL would take the time and effort to offer yet another new set instead of focusing on creating stellar dialogue and solid storylines (have you been watching the ridiculous Lizzie kidnapping story?), especially when they're not even using cool sets they already have. Remember Leading Lady Nail Salon? Whatever happened to that place anyway? At the very least, the convenience store addition will solve viewers' gripe that GL characters spend too much time outdoors (and will no doubt be a relief to the cast during cold winter months). Still, it's tough to outsmart most fans, who know that wrapping a beloved soap opera in more shiny new packaging can't conceal its bigger blemishes.

October 10, 2008
It's always interesting to see how soaps handle the sometimes heavy and confusing legal language and other insider jargon or corporate speak during business-oriented storylines. Y&R has it down to a science and it's fairly convincing (despite the fact that the Restless Style schedule/working environs are totally whack and not true to real-life). GL, however, tends to gloss over the interesting, important details for a bigger picture, which has recently caused a little confusion for this viewer. Ever since hotshot business man Lawrence Decker came into town, I'm having trouble figuring out just what exactly Lizzie and Bill are doing for him. Did I miss one explanatory scene or was it ever addressed on-screen at all? Before it suddenly became the Macau Project last week, I had absolutely no idea what big "deal" Bill and Lizzie were trying to clinch. I assume the project (which got off to an official start today during Bill and Lizzie's highly anticipated presentation) is another one of Galaxy's hotels and that Spaulding/Lewis is helping with the construction. Still, it's frustrating that such a major front-burner business story (that viewers have been watching for MONTHS, mind you) hasn't been fleshed out enough for even the most devoted fans to fully understand what the heck is going on. In the end, it looks like Decker and his deal are serving as a simple prop for Lizzie's ridiculous kidnapping and Grady/Dinah's chicanery, but I'll be miffed if the business aspect is scrapped altogether. The show needs to invest in its stories. Yes, even the plot-driven ones. GL's true flaw is that so much now occurs off-screen, viewers are left to assume the details don't matter or aren't important to the story — and that's a shame.

September 25, 2008
When Grady first hooked up with Dinah, I thought their naughty business/pleasure relationship would be sexy and entertaining. There's nothing I love more on soaps than gratuitous shirtless scenes and steamy make-out sessions! So far, however, their on-screen fling is nothing more than a few sloppy kisses, strained flirting and loads of silly veiled threats. Sure, it's still early in their little game (something tells me Lizzie has absolutely no idea what's coming!) but instead of having Dinah wait out by the Dumpster while Grady tried on his fancy new suit, why not show her helping him pick out a tie or sneak into the dressing room with him for a little private romp? It's clear this deceptive duo is just using each other for their own selfish gains, but since the sexual attraction angle is already being explored, why not just go full-throttle with it already? Kane Manera and Gina Tognoni are both excellent actors — not to mention gorgeous — so they can easily pull it off and the Grady/Dinah chemistry is there; GL just hasn't given viewers a solid chance see or believe it ... yet.

September 18, 2008
I really enjoy watching Montel Williams's turn as Clayton Boudreau on GL, but something was a little off about the high-tension scene between Clayton and Remy at Towers. When angry and desperate Remy asked his pop for some cash so he could rent a car to visit Ava (and convince her to return to Springfield for good), Clayton denied his son the loan and reasoned that Ava has parents who should be taking care of her, not Remy. Huh? Sure, Remy's had his share of irresponsibility. There's his gambling problem, outrageous temper (which caused him to lose his EMT job) and skipping various job interviews certainly doesn't help matters, but cut the kid a break already! And I also find it hard to believe that Remy doesn't have enough funds to rent a car for a quick jaunt to Chicago. It's not like he's been unemployed for that long! I guess it's plausible for him not to have a credit card but come on, GL! Or better yet, why he didn't just ask Mel (a doctor/lawyer) instead? I'd love to see this father/son duo share more serious screen time, but bickering over money woes to the tune of a couple hundred bucks to exhibit some "tough love" just isn't believable or entertaining to watch. Plus, haven't we endured enough "I'm poor and need help" story with Natalia already?

September 5, 2008
Don't get me wrong: I love the saucy Blair/John pairing on OLTL. Kassie DePaiva and Michael Easton are both incredibly sexy. They're a (refreshingly) age-appropriate couple and there's something to be said about the old "opposites attract" adage — his pouty brooding and her sticky, sweet charms are a perfect recipe for adorable interactions and smokin' hot love scenes. BUT, I must admit that I found it kind of odd and silly when John professed his love for Blair's music/voice and appeared to be "mesmerized" as he watched her do her cheesy lounge act at Capricorn. I mean, really? Would a tough-guy cop like John (which is pretty much his entire shtick, by the way) really a) admit to digging that kind of music, even if it is coming from a sexy gal like Blair and b) stare hopelessly into her eyes as she basically serenaded him in front of EVERYONE in Llanview? My guess is no. I would've rather seen Blair give John a "private" show and watch the sparks fly, instead of suffering through that awkward public moment that (in my eyes) made this romance just a bit less believable.

August 29, 2008
I'm really looking forward to the big "Jeffeva" wedding on GL. With La Shayne's secret cancer scare, Josh's creepy, dogged devotion to "win her back" and the unusual locale (an abandoned farmhouse scheduled for demolition!), it's certain to be an entertaining event full of drama, sweet declarations of love and (hopefully) a little humor to boot. Considering Buzz's role as the wedding caterer/one-liner king, viewers can at least bank on some seriously silly, laugh out-loud moments. Justin Deas is the ultimate supporting player and when given the opportunity to shine, he never disappoints. GL nailed it with the Always movie wedding remake of "Jeva's" 1989 nups, so here's hoping they deliver again for the wedding several of us have been patiently waiting for.

August 25, 2008
Ever since her romance with Coop fizzled (thanks, Blake!), Ashlee's GUIDING LIGHT storyline has pretty much gone dark. Lap-Band surgery and ridiculous video blogging aside, Ash's wry musings and snicker-inducing asides have vanished, leaving GL's resident funny girl to serve as a boring prop to Daisy and her outrageous boy troubles. I'd love to see snarky Doris back on the canvas (where has she been, anyway?) to light a fire under her daughter and set the stage for some hilarious hijinks or serious squabbling between the Wolfe women.

August 15, 2008
Why GL is dilly-dallying around with the Natalia and Frank relationship. It's obvious they have a strong connection, they're both devoted to protecting their kin (to a fault) and, well, they both really need a friend. And it's not like either character has anything else going on right now so why not just speed things up and let the two make out already! Clearly, the show is laying the groundwork for a romance because the duo is sharing more and more screen time together. But I'm tired of listening to them commiserate about their troubled children and watching them play Go Fish at the police station. BORING! Let's turn up the heat and get on it with it. Natalia needs to get over her Gus-related delusions and Frank needs some serious TLC. I'm rooting for, dare I say it, "Fratalia" this fall.

August 1, 2008
It's such a small world, GL fans! Last night, I FINALLY saw a screening of Christopher Nolan's highly praised The Dark Knight. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that it’s the new Batman movie starring my favorite actor Christian Bale a final performance by the late, great Heath Ledger, who was absolutely brilliant as the Joker. The movie is fantastic and I urge you (even if you’re not into the comic book genre of film) to see it. But I digress. There IS a soap-related reason for this post! I was pleasantly surprised to see GL alum Ritchie Coster in the movie portraying a mad, mean Batman-hating mobster! If you recall, Coster portrayed Jonathan’s abusive adoptive stepfather Alfred. He created a mess of trouble back in 2005 when he resurfaced in Springfield. Calling himself Nate at the time, he made friendly with Reva and sent Jonathan into a tailspin of anger and anxiety after suggesting to the teen that he swindle money from Lewis Construction. When Jonathan refused to follow the plan, Nate beat him up and later tried to abscond with his son in a boat. Reva came to the rescue and struck Nate in the head with an oar, believing she’d sent him to his soggy death. Nate survived, coming after Reva with vengeance when Josh threw him back into the water and into the boat’s deadly propeller. So soapy! It’s always a treat to watch former GL players take on other roles for the big screen and seeing Coster in The Dark Knight, who plays bad guys with aplomb, was no exception. Bravo!

July 3, 2008
As every soap fan knows, weddings always serve as a great opportunity for various characters, especially those with tremendous history who've been pushed to the back-burner for months, to finally cross paths again. At Bill and Ava's nups on GL, it was a pleasure to see Billy and Vanessa join together to watch their son tie the knot. Their interaction was sweet and you couldn't help but to notice the chemistry between vets Jordan Clarke and Maeve Kinkead spark up again. (I love that Kinkead's getting some screen time again, by the way!) As they marveled at the extravagant ceremony together and reminisced about their own quickie wedding way back when, Vanessa coyly batted her eyes at Billy, whose goofy good ol' boy grin as he swooned over her was just too cute. Though it's been months since the troubled Matt/Vanessa relationship has been addressed, I'm certain there hasn't been any quickie off-screen reconciliation between the two in the aftermath of his affair with Dinah. So I say, go for it, GL! Reunite this adorable, lovable couple and put them on a double date with Buzz and Lillian stat. How fun would that be to watch?!

June 20, 2008
Well, today's the big day! Any one else counting down to the red carpet? Watching the Emmys in New York isn't quite like being right there in the swanky Kodak Theatre in L.A. with all the stars, but I'm still looking forward to tonight's festivities — and the fashion, of course. Associate Editor Lauren Flynn and I are planning to watch the red carpet action together and have our own little Star Style take on who's wearing what and how well (or not). I was giddy with excitement this morning as I scoured the Web for photos from last night's annual pre-Daytime Emmy fête hosted by SOAPnet. Seeing what everyone wears is always a highlight. There were far too many fantastic (and not-so-great) looks to mention, but I must give a shout to Farah Fath (Gigi, OLTL), who rocked the retro look in a cute canary yellow top paired with a hip-hugging charcoal high-waisted skirt. Adrienne Frantz (Amber, Y&R) also donned a cutesy throwback with a strapless baby blue polka dot number that only she (or Minnie Mouse) could wear so well. As for the guys, I totally dug Van Hansis's (Luke, ATWT) dressed-down look for the event. It's very hipster chic and completely suits him: jeans paired with a sleek vest, plaid short-sleeved shirt (untucked, of course) and a simple, thankfully not skinny, black tie. Plus, he's really the only dude in daytime I think that can pull off this kind of look. There's certain to be more behind the scenes Emmy gossip and fashion assessments (with photos!) in our upcoming issue of Digest after the event, so be sure to check it out!

June 13, 2008
Katy Perry's cameo on Y&R was so LAME! It totally paled in comparison to Snoop's absolutely fabulous recent appearance on OLTL. Plus, viewers totally got duped — she didn't even perform! And as hard as I tried to believe that suave Jack is privy to what's hip, I just couldn't help but to laugh when he discussed the singer's edginess with Sharon, who insisted that Ms. Perry could still be their Restless Style cover girl (even when her S&M-inspired outfit was too bold for Jack's taste). "But you liked her music when you listened to it before?" Sharon reasoned. "Um, yes and I still do," he responded. SURE YOU DO, JACK! Bet it's the first playlist in your iPod! Pfft! Still, we did get to watch the fun photo shoot with Perry's bi-curious (and apparently controversial) hit "I Kissed A Girl" playing softly in the background, but I would've much preferred watching her tear it up on-stage during an impromptu concert at Crimson Lights. Imagine what fun it'd be seeing superfans Amber and Jana sing along and dance in the audience and the look on newbie waitress Gloria's face when she discovers what the kids are listening to these days?! Either way, I must give Y&R props for stepping up and actually playing said "edgy" song, which (in my humble opinion) isn't nearly as awesome as Jill Sobule's 1995 pop tune of the same title.

June 6, 2008
Did anyone else think the scenes wherei GL's Rafe shot Jeffrey last week were a little anticlimactic and boring? I don't even think I heard the gunfire! I felt the same way when Gus had his motorcycle accident, mostly because it all happened off-screen. What could've been a shocking, nail-biting scene was more silly and contrived than anything else. The blood seeping from Jeffrey's wound didn't even look believable! Maybe it's a flaw with the new production model, but the big, soapy, stunning events in Springfield are totally lacking suspense and intensity these days. As a viewer, I don't feel engaged or anxious when I watch these dramatic events unfold like I do when I watch, say, GH or even AMC (Robert Gardner's shoot-'em-up scene at Jesse and Angie's wedding was thrilling and shocking). GL needs to find a better way to convey suspense because the "reality" of it is just falling flat.

On another note, several online fans, including the regulars who post on our soapoperadigest.com message forums (a shout-out is way overdue!) have also noted that nothing occurs at night anymore in Springfield. When Harley and Rafe covertly skipped town after the shooting, it would've been soooo much more believable if it had happened in the middle of the night. Instead, the delinquent duo headed for the border in the middle of the day! I also find it hard to believe that Daisy and Grady would plan to meet up in plain sight. Why they didn't decide to have their big reunion smooch INSIDE that old barn is beyond me. Shouldn't he at least be wearing a disguise or something?! Either way, I love that G, um, Grady is back and can't wait to see what happens when it all hits the fan and Cassie finds out he's Cyrus's brother. Set your recorders! It's certain to be good.