September 24, 2009
There was an interesting article in yesterday's New York Times, explaining how the U.S. Census Bureau is using a storyline in a Spanish-language soap opera to help wary Hispanics get comfortable with the census process. The telenovela has incorporated a plot in which a main character becomes a recruiter for the United States Census Bureau, and the storyline is intended to gain Hispanics' trust. This isn't just about imparting information — it's an effort to change people's thinking. That even the United States government recognizes soap opera's power to persuade makes it surprising that the genre is struggling to survive. If I wanted to convince people to use a product, I'd rather advertise in a show with a rapt, devoted audience than one with bigger ratings and distracted viewers that channel surf as soon as a commercial comes on. For further proof of the power of daytime, look at the bereft GL fans. We actually have people call the office crying because their show went off the air — it's like they lost a friend. And of course, in a way they have. I just wish the power of soaps, a genre that makes people laugh and cry, or reexamine their attitudes about interracial couples and homosexuality, or get a mammogram because a character on their show did, was better understood and capitalized on. Because I would hate to lose another friend.

June 18, 2009
B&B's PRICE IS RIGHT scenes were truly priceless, weren't they? I loved the inside wink when Donna got the call to "Come on down" instead of rabid fan Pam, then had to guess the pricing order of dog food, lemon bars and honey, three items Pam knows all too well. But what really sold the scenes was Jennifer Gareis's hilariously over-the-top performance. No fan of game shows, cynical sex kitten Donna nevertheless transformed into crazed contestant as soon as her name was called. Throwing caution, and dignity, to the wind, Gareis jumped, squealed and screamed just like one of the show's real players (come to think of it, Gareis's performance wasn't so over-the-top after all). The campy performance was a real treat, and having enemies Pam and Donna team up for the (double!) showcase, and end in a genuine hug, was icing on the cake. Daytime serves up drama aplenty; this was a clever CBS promo and refreshing change of pace rolled into one.

June 5, 2009
There's a lot to admire about OPRAH, but I especially appreciate the range of topics the show covers. One day's episode might be about spousal abuse or obesity; the next day could feature instructions for eyebrow plucking or finding the perfect bra. Soaps are like that too: we can see frothy, cheesy scenes of B&B's Owen and Jackie, and a few minutes later Stephanie and Eric are dissecting their failed marriage. Or OLTL's David hilariously pitching hemorrhoid cream, mixed with scenes with kidnapping and stolen babies. On GH yesterday, pregnant Carly griped about having to eat a healthy meal, while Nikolas shared the story of his tragic childhood with Rebecca. From day to day, real life throws us moments both significant and silly. I like that soaps do, too.

May 27, 2009
I'm glad Chris Engen responded to the rumors that he quit Y&R because he refused to kiss a man on television. Because of the timing of his exit, and that fact that he is taking the unusual (and professionally risky) step of breaking his contract with the show, people jumped to the conclusion that he's intolerant. Judging from his statement on MySpace, that doesn't appear to be the case at all. Engen says he's been upset with the direction his character has been going for some time. Indeed, Adam has taken some confusing, dark twists. Of course, lots of actors go through stages where they are unhappy with a show's writing, and soldier on. I don't know whether Engen's decision to quit is brave or foolhardy, or a little of both, but I appreciate his reaching out to explain his point of view.

May 26, 2009
Maybe it's because I have a big birthday coming up (tomorrow to be exact), but I am getting a kick out of the Jackie/Owen affair on B&B. It's fun! Sure, it was creepy at first when Jackie coerced Owen into having sex with her, while he was clearly crushing on Bridget. But the writers apparently saw the spark between Lesley-Anne Down and Brandon Beemer, and the couple has gone from using each other to genuinely enjoying each other. Today Nick saw his mother fiddling with an mp3 player, and she giddily explained that Owen had taught her now to use it. An exasperated Nick telling Jackie she looked ridiculous didn't dim her enthusiasm; she explained that while their union faced greater odds than most, it just made her happy. It was sweet! And so was Owen's insistence that he wasn't with Jackie for the corporate perks (a big promotion, raise and sex at the office); he really likes being with her. Now, dating someone half my age isn't something that would appeal to me, but I appreciate that after pairing patriarch Eric with sex kitten Donna, B&B is giving the other side of May/September romance equal time. Jackie does look silly for falling for a younger man, but no more ridiculous than Eric does for taking Donna seriously. With fun in short supply on daytime right now, I appreciate getting a fix on B&B.

May 18, 2009
Relationships are everything on daytime, and this year, they played a big part in Daytime Emmy nominations, too — especially familial connections. I was struck by how many nominees are related on-screen: DAYS's Peter Reckell and Rachel Melvin play father and daughter. GH's Tony Geary and Julie Marie Berman play father and daughter. ATWT's Julie Pinson and Meredith Hagner play mother and daughter. AMC's Debbi Morgan and Cornelius Smith Jr. play mother and son. It makes sense that young actors who work closely with talented vets would raise their game, and it's nice to see that work rewarded with Emmy nominations. Sandwiched between Mother's Day and Father's Day, the nomination announcement was perfectly timed.

May 12, 2009
A 70-year-old friend of mine who lost her husband a year ago, after a happy 50-year marriage, just started dating again. She was shocked to discover that the early stages of love (or something resembling it) are a great leveler, bringing us all back to high school. No matter how confident adult successes made us, no matter how experience weathered us, the exciting, nerve-wracking uncertainty — does she like me? Will he call? — bring us back to the days of wondering who will ask us to the prom. A good example on soaps right now are OLTL's Bo and Nora, who are finding themselves knocked off-balance by their attraction to each other, a renewed mutual crush that both are too quick to deny. The scenes in the car, where they nearly kissed before being (mortifyingly) caught by Marcy, were adorable, and Viki's amused, "whatever you say" look as Nora insisted nothing would happen with Bo, said it all. It's sweet story at any age.

April 30, 2009
Fun episode of B&B today — I loved the flashbacks of Ridge and Taylor, and while it was preposterous that Ridge and Brooke's marriage would be invalid because Pam filled out the paperwork improperly, B&B winked at the situation by having Pam explain she'd been distracted by her favorite show, THE PRICE IS RIGHT (which tapes steps away from B&B). But I did have to shake my head at the scenes between Brooke and Ridge, as they argued over her refusal to realize what a creep her son Rick is. "He's taken advantage of both my daughters and their mother," Ridge pointed out to the woman who slept with two brothers and their father, with a half brother thrown in, too. "I'm not a mother who can turn her back on her son," said the mother who destroyed both her daughter's marriages by sleeping with Bridget's husbands. Ridge spending the night at Taylor's to support his children was deemed "inappropriate," by the woman who cheated on her husband with her son-in-law — at work. Get where I'm going with this? I love the character of Brooke, but her stunning lack of self-awareness borders on insanity!

April 29, 2009
I was cranky enough that our office's air conditioning doesn't turn on until May 15 and it's 90 degrees out (and thus in), when this afternoon's press conference about the swine flu scare interrupted soaps here in New York. Of course it's important to reassure people and give them the info they need, but do we have to watch middle-aged men in suits drone on? Surely there's a better, more efficient way to relay important information. And it is important — I'm one of the cliché moms who, when my son didn't feel well yesterday morning, almost rushed him to the doctor, fearful of swine flu. (Turned out it was allergies.) But couldn't the message have been delivered more concisely?

April 14, 2009
Y&R's Heather makes me crazy. She is so self-righteous, so judgmental, and worst of all, usually dead wrong about whatever case she's making. You'd think she'd have learned her lesson after practically torpedoing her career going after Victor. Her radar was also wildly off target with Adam, and now she's gunning for poor, wrecked Kevin. I like actress Vail Bloom, but it's hard to root for a character who careens from one bad judgment call to another.

January 26, 2009
You never know what a new day will bring. Out of the blue last week, I got a call from Lilibet Stern, who played Patty Williams back in the early 80s. She left soaps in the middle of a contract, eventually becoming a registered nurse. She's got a new career now — about six months ago she started her own company, coaching people for job interviews. She was so enthusiastic on the phone I could just imagine her motivating job-seekers. She gave me a few tips to share with readers, which will appear in an upcoming issue, and talked about the winding journey she's take since Patty caught Jack on her on their wedding day. She's about to launch a Web site — as soon as it's up I'll let you know!

January 8, 2009
I really appreciate how soaps have been portraying realistic troubles lately. On GH yesterday, Lucky lamented that he couldn't handle doing his taxes, and enlisted mathematically-inclined Liz's help. GL's Buzz was on the verge of losing Company because of a bad loan. Y&R's Nick and Sharon are dealing with a sullen teen who lies to them so he can spend time with a girl. These situations are all in the service of larger storylines, of course, but seeing everyday problems on screen makes the characters more relatable. And as many of our own problems are growing in a bad economy, it's somehow reassuring to see daytimers' issues shrunk to real-life proportions. Just spare me any character's trip to the DMV! Handling that in real life is enough.

January 6, 2009
I took almost two weeks off for the holidays, the longest I've been away from the office that didn't involve a newborn, and it was so strange watching soaps at home. Instead of sitting at a desk, I was catching snatches of everything I could, in between car pools and grocery shopping and entertaining drop-in friends. I got a real sense of how complicated it can be to set aside an hour or two to watch soaps at home, as opposed to the way my mother did. Back then, I guess more homemakers were busy with household tasks that they could perform while watching their stories — watching daytime was simpler. I can see why ratings have suffered as the rhythm of household life has changed, and so many caretakers have business outside the home. Last week it seemed like every time I'd try to settle in and catch DAYS or Y&R the doorbell would ring, or I'd get a call that a child needed to be picked up. So hats off to all of you who are better time managers than I am at home, or find more creative ways to keep up with your soaps. Spread the word, you're keeping daytime alive!