OPINION

The Virtual Soapbox

Mala Bhattacharjee, news editor

— Soap Opera Weekly

December 18, 2009
Soaps make me laugh, they make me cry. Seldom does one make me so angry I'm actually shaking. Yep, I'm talking GENERAL HOSPITAL, which used the 1998 story of Elizabeth's rape to garner sympathy for the character while she's sleeping with her fiancé's brother.

Look, there is no doubt that Rebecca Herbst and Jonathan Jackson sold the scene at Jake's, in which Liz and Lucky told a horrified Rebecca about the brutal crime. I am not questioning their skill as actors. This is a question of why the-powers-that-be chose to use the most horrific event of Liz's life to convince Rebecca to stay silent about Liz and Nikolas' affair. You know, because the Four Musketeers' friendship stemmed from that awful period and Becks shouldn't torpedo that bond. Or whatever the rationale was. I don't know, I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it. Not to mention that Liz and Nikolas have already done a pretty good job of undermining all that historic friendship by christening every flat surface at Wyndemere while Lucky makes wedding plans.

What it boils down to for me is that Elizabeth's rape should not be used like this — randomly thrown in to remind us that she was once an innocent victim...especially not with flashbacks. Oh, my God. It's cheap, it's demeaning and it's emotionally manipulative. And it doesn't make her any less of a cheating trollop in the now.

Plus, playing the rape victim card at this point in time runs roughshod over several years of history.

If Elizabeth really believes so wholeheartedly that Lucky healed her and she loves him like no other because of it, what were the years in between 1998 and now? She pursued Jason. She married Ric. And what about Zander? As for Nikolas...

"My first experience was so brutal that it shut something down inside of me," Liz claimed on Dec. 3. "And obviously I've been with other guys, and it's been fine, and I've enjoyed it, but there's a part of me that has always been unavailable, and I rarely initiate sex. And, honestly, I would be more than happy to never have it again. Until now. Nikolas awakened that part of me, and he brought it to life."

Wait, so Lucky didn't heal her after the rape? I'm confused!

Especially since today, just a few weeks after that confession to Robin, Liz acted like Nikolas is of no consequence. We're suddenly seeing Liz tearfully look at Lucky like he's the only man in the world for her because he found her in the park one awful night 11 years ago. You can't do that, GH. You can't change your minds on a dime! Okay, fine, so you can do that, but we'll call you on it.

God knows I love LL2, but their "permanent lock" done broke, thanks to Nikolas. No attempt to stroll down Memory Lane revisiting Liz's rape is going to fix it.

I know that GH would like us to pretend that no other actor ever played Lucky, but Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan both did, and both Lucky and Elizabeth's lives grew and changed during that time. No amount of flashbacks to the good ol' days and Photoshopping Natalia Livingston in where Amber Tamblyn's Emily used to be is going to turn 11 years into just yesterday. Too much time has passed.

This story is all over the map, and in the midst of all the mixed messages, GH is being outright distasteful, and disrespectful to one of its most wrenching stories of the '90s.

The infamous "Not a word" warning uttered by Liz's rapist, Tom, is advice that GH should've taken when it came to this tale.

December 16, 2009
I know I get snarky sometimes, but we all know I love soaps, right? I adore this genre with every fiber of my being and will defend it to the death against its detractors — of which, sadly, there are many.

Whenever the daytime industry encounters misfortune, people are always ready to swoop in like vultures and pass judgment, making generalizations about poor writing, actors who can't hack it elsewhere, and how it's all sexy romps and people coming back from the dead.

I've got to tell you, it makes my blood boil. Daytime drama, as an industry and as a genre, is wonderful, unique and full of so much talent. From the powers-that-be to the casts and crews to the PR machines and the soap press, soaps are far from some empty-headed flash-in-the-pan that deserves to be dismissed.

When our longest-running show clocked in at 72 years, in an age where 15-year-old ER was considered geriatric, I think we've got some major cred. Soaps are not a way-station for writers, producers, and actors who couldn't make it in "real Hollywood." Soap journalism is not the slush pile for those writers that the New York Times turned down. I'm here because I chose to be, and because I'm passionate about it. It doesn't mean I'm the village idiot who can't construct a sentence and got sent to the back of the class. (I was a journalism major, I know four languages, and being able to name all of Sonny's women on GH has no bearing on my intelligence.)

We're a living, breathing collective that generally loves what we do. It's kind of like being part of a huge, crazy family. We have that wacky uncle whose worldview is a little outdated but we tolerate him anyway. We have to keep Grandma away from the cooking sherry. And, boy, are the kids a rambunctious lot! But there is a place for everyone at the table. And we will claim you as family no matter how far away you move. (Hi, James Earl Jones and Julianne Moore! And, yes, you, too, Brad Pitt! And hiya, Michael Ausiello!)

Do people really think any of this is easier than prime time or film? That working for Weekly or Digest must be a cakewalk because we just sit around watching TV all day? Please. It doesn't matter if you're working on a soap or covering one, it's always a challenge. Spend a day on a soap set or walking around in my shoes and you'll see that.

Daytime deserves respect; it has earned it.

So instead of trying to kick it while it's down, how about reaching out a hand to help it back to its feet?

December 15, 2009
There are a lot of logic flaws in GH's "Franco Hearts Jason" story, but here's one in particular: If everyone knows Jason is a killer, he's not the best hitman, he's the worst.

Now, I'm hardly an expert when it comes to contract hits and the mob (okay, I'm lying; clearly whacking people is how I make extra cash), but I'm pretty sure the entire business depends on secrecy. Sure, there's a healthy intimidation factor, but in general, nobody goes around advertising that they kill people for a living. Because it's not a legitimate career like, say, insurance sales or working at the local bakery. Murder is illegal, ya know?

So why, then, does everyone in Port Charles...and apparently also in Europe, where Franco lives the high life...know what Jason does? I mean, "coffee importer" is a laughable front now. Even the corner news stand guy knows what Jason and Sonny actually do for a living. People know their names, their faces, and who their families are. That means Jason's a crappy hitman, folks, and not someone fruitcake Franco should be fanboying over.

And wouldn't you think the cops and the DA would be able to throw the book at a criminal organization that might as well have its activities emblazoned in neon lights? Sonny and Jason's outfit is about as subtle as a pole dancer's G-string.

Oy.

If you want good storytelling about contract killers, I highly recommend the novels EXIT STRATEGY and MADE TO BE BROKEN by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong. Nadia Stafford is an ex-cop turned hitwoman and, unlike Jason, she comes off as both very human and also very efficient at her job. She has several "colleagues" as well, and the whole business has a very specific code.

December 11, 2009
Since I've been covering ATWT for three years for Weekly and watching regularly for five, I have a lot of emotions about ATWT's cancellation. I also have emotions about yesterday's ATWT episode.

Because, much like the journey of the show this year, what was a great resurgence of story really ended on a bad note. Ignoring Teri's painful, starry-eyed crush on Dusty (he's just not that into you; please start a support group with B&B's Steffy), the episode had me completely engaged. I loved Margo and Jack watching Katie and Simon at the Oakdale PD and realizing Simon is Katie's rock right now. Simon's nod to the Malta opera house hijinks was hilarious. ("I'm a mother now!" Katie gasped in mock outrage.) And Carly and Simon's scenes at Al's were filled with so much sparkage. Maura West and Paul Leyden couldn't stop smiling at each other, and the dialogue addressed perfectly the question of, "But how can Simon claim to have loved Katie all along?" Then, Jack hauling off and punching Simon over Carly... a weary Janet salvaging her pride and walking out on Jack... Katie and Henry visiting Brad's grave... there was so much great character work. They didn't make a single misstep.

Until the end.

The argument over Brad possessing Henry was funny, and felt a little like sexual double talk. I actually laughed out loud at one point.

Brad: I have been doing some research about the how-to-talk-to-Katie thing, and the way it works is, you get a friend, and for a while, you zoom into their body.
Henry: No.
Brad: It doesn't hurt. I mean, no permanent damage.
Henry: No.
Brad: All I have to do is be inside just for a little while. So, can you do it?
Henry: No.
Brad: Come on. Just a little quick jump-in. I talk to Katie, get her to kick Simon out, and then we're done.
Henry: No. You are not jumping into my body, you are not taking over my body, you are not talking through my body. My body is my temple. It is a sacred space. No outsiders. No.

And then I quit laughing. Because Henry said "no," repeatedly and Brad climbed into his body after he lay down for a nap. Brad took him over against his will. I can't believe no one flagged that scene as inherently unfunny. You can't go from Brad basically trying to cajole Henry into "giving it up" to Brad forcibly taking it. Just...no. Wrong. Bad. But, then again, I don't know why I'm surprised, after the gross mishandling of rape stories on the show in recent years.

Sure, it'll be played for comedy in today's episode and I look forward to seeing Trent Dawson portray Brad-as-Henry, but couldn't a simple "yes" have sufficed? It's one word. Henry loves Brad and Katie, and it would not have diminished the scenes in the least to have him ultimately cave to Brad's wishes and voluntarily take Brad's ghost for a spin. Instead, ATWT chose to make it a nonconsensual act. Ick.

There are countless survivors of sexual violence in the average soap audience. For crying out loud, have a little couth! It's a very triggering issue for both men and women who have suffered trauma. Don't be so cavalier, because it's no laughing matter.

December 7, 2009
I watched VENICE, GOTHAM and WED-LOCKED this weekend, and while it's great to see actors branching out with indie projects, I'm not ready to throw a ticker-tape parade and cry, "Hooray, soaps are saved!" just yet.

First things first, despite the fact that I practically live on the Internet, I'm a traditionalist. I prefer to hold a book in my hands rather than reading it on an Amazon Kindle, and I only watch TV shows on my computer out of necessity, not enjoyment. So even if these Web shows wowed me to the very depths, my instinct would still be, "Man, I wish I could watch them on television." To me, that should still be the daytime industry's goal: to keep us viable on TV. I think the day that we look to the Internet as our solution and savior is the day we lose a huge battle. Yes, it's the future of media, but until there's technology in every single household for Internet-based shows to be broadcast on your 35-inch Toshiba, I'm going to be cautious.

And I was cautious going into all three of these Web series. Let's face it, the hype for GOTHAM and VENICE has been huge. And maybe that's why, ironically, it was Lawrence Saint-Victor (ex-Remy, GL) and Karla Mosley's (ex-Christina, GL) WED-LOCKED that I actually came away liking the most. There were no fancy credit sequences, no jump-cuts and montages and snazzy edits. It was just watching two people — the fairly juvenile Robbie and his control freak wife Denise — interact within the confines of a fledgling marriage. Saint-Victor and Mosley are wonderful together, and their characters bear little resemblance to Remy and Christina.

That's in direct opposition to VENICE, which kicked off riding the coattails of GL's Olivia and Natalia. In its favor, I will say that the production values were great, the visuals absolutely stunning, and VENICE definitely has its technical stuff together. But pretty images (and an even prettier cast) aside, it seems like the whole premise is just to give Otalia fans a story that includes Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia making out like they weren't able to on GL. In other words, it's Otalia fan fiction with the names changed. Except, folks, here's the thing: fan fiction is free. To watch more than the six-minute pilot episode of VENICE, people must subscribe and pay $9.99 for a season pass. Yeah, I'm not doing that. I wasn't intrigued enough by what I saw to plunk down 10 bucks for more of it. In six minutes, we had at least 1-2 minutes of credits and establishing shots. Then, it was Gina and Ani kissing and cuddling in bed, Gina pulling a QUEER AS FOLK's Brian Kinney and going, "So sorry baby, not into commitment, can we just have sex in the shower instead?" and a scene with Galen Gering's Owen that had no story value, since you'd only know he was Gina's brother if you'd read a character description.

The 3-minute GOTHAM teaser suffered from similar issues. It wasted entirely too much time on a senseless establishing montage, had terrible sound quality and jumped around like a music video. It told the viewers evenless about its characters than VENICE did. I had no idea who Michael Park, Martha Byrne and Anne Sayre were playing (again, outside of reading their character descriptions beforehand) and the voicemails left on Park's character's phone were lost on me. I didn't recognize any of those dulcet tones! I just saw rich people doing rich things and then Michael and Martha stared at each other in a Very Meaningful Way.

I sound like a total Debby Downer, right? I know. I didn't want to. I wanted to like these shows, I wanted to be supportive. And I'll probably tune in to future episodes of GOTHAM just to see if it finds its footing. But based on what I've seen so far, I wouldn't quite herald Web soaps as the successor to televised drama. They need to work out some more kinks first. And VENICE needs to not charge for the rest of its episodes. Having to pay to watch lesbians involved in drama is why I quit watching Showtime's THE L WORD!

December 4, 2009
So, apparently James Franco joined GENERAL HOSPITAL as a form of performance art. He proclaims that it's about making the audience suspend their disbelief. Not for nothin', Mr. Franco, but have you ever watched a soap? We viewers suspend our disbelief every single day.

Franco outlines his reasoning in an article in the Arts & Entertainment section of the Wall Street Journal online (click here to read the article), and I really appreciate learning his take on the experience and what prompted him to try his hand at a soap now. It seems like he's really committed to his craft and to taking artistic chances. But it also makes me chuckle and shake my head...because while it may be this ground-breaking, avant-garde experience for him, for soap viewers it's just another sweeps stunt, just another crazy story. And soap actors...? They do this 52 weeks a year, making the impossible seem possible.

I could name off 20+ storylines more shocking than Franco the Crazy Artist from this year alone. (Mr. Kitty! Nash's corpse!) Never mind the entire history of the genre! Elizabeth Taylor played Helena Cassadine on GH in 1981...I'm thinking that was a bit more for viewers to swallow than James Franco stepping on throats and ravishing ingenues! Or how about rapper Snoop Dogg scoring 2008's awesomest guest appearance on OLTL? Not only did he perform his latest single, but he also interacted within the fictional Llanview universe, establishing a past association with the character of Bo Buchanan. We're used to meta commentary on the genre, cross-media interaction, etc.

And then there's baby switches, evil twins, face transplants, eye-patches, people back from the dead...need I go on? James Franco, you're talented, you're good-looking, and you're clearly a risk-taker, but you're just another day at the soap opera beach!

December 3, 2009
ATWT is awesome right now. I mean, we know me, right? I'm the channel-flipping, two-timing soap tramp. But for almost three weeks straight, I have not cheated with DAYS or OLTL! And it's more than me being a veritable paragon of monogamy (GH's Liz should take note!): WORLD TURNS is finding its groove and returning to the classic soap so many of us have loved for years.

Jack's "Never Surrender" tour not only brought him back home to the family who loves him, it brought home for viewers some of the most wonderful things about life in Oakdale. He visited Ben, he checked in with Mike (who finally has a wife and baby of his very own! Aw!), he ran into Molly...and there, my friends, was the turning point for me. The tongue-in-cheek meta of Molly working for CBS 2 in New York was brilliant, but it was Lesli Kay and her joie de vie that really hammered in ATWT saying, "Hey, viewers, we are BACK, baby!" Molly mixing it up with Jack, reuniting with cousin Carly, and then flirtatiously dropping her robe for first love Holden took us back years. It was like she'd never left! And her chemistry with Holden continues to simmer now. I'm so glad she's back in Oakdale. I really love Lesli Kay and Jon Hensley together...it's like he can't stop smiling!

And I can't stop smiling every time Carly and Jack and Simon and Katie are on! Soaps are all about the heartfelt connections couples make...even when they're not together, and that's something Carly and Jack often forget, what with all their fighting. But since Maura West has been back from maternity leave, the show is really repairing a lot of the damage done to Carly and Jack. I love Maura and Michael Park's easy chemistry and the genuine fondness that has been permeating their scenes of late. They feel like friends again...which is a relief after the years of them being at odds. And Simon and Katie? God, they're hilarious, even in the wake of all the tragedy Katie has suffered. Is it just me or is a little bit of Paul Leyden and Terri Colombino coming through? The twinkling and the grins and the nods back to the past...just like with Molly, it's like Simon left to get the milk and came back with party favors for all!

November 24, 2009
A lot of mainstream critics are weighing in about James Franco's first few days on GH, so I guess it's my turn! First, I think it's terribly sad that, in GH's shot to draw in new viewers with Franco's guest appearance and the surrounding media blitz, the hospital has not been shown once so far. If that isn't an indicator of just how astray this show has wandered in 10 years, I don't know what is.

With my obligatory warbling of "The Way We Were" over, let's talk turkey! (Mmmmm turkey.) One thing that current GH does excel at is creating good villains. And I don't mean the Mobster of the Week, like Joey Limbo or Karpov. I mean the likes of Manny Ruiz, Mr. Craig and now Franco. Pardon my French, but ... bitch crazy! I guess if you're going to blow dough on new sets, they might as well be as thoroughly disturbing as Franco's studio and his gallery installation. He sure does love him some crime scenes! And James Franco impressed me by reining it in and not going "big," as some outsiders might perceive soap acting to be. No histrionics, theatrical gestures and over-emoting. In fact, at points he was a little TOO laid back, his whispery voice and heavy-lidded eyes almost giving the impression of a sleepwalker.

Or maybe that was just me snoozing while watching the denizens of Port Charles get herded in to the art gallery to kiss the new bad guy's ring. 'Cause, see, I generally don't watch soaps for psychopathic killers. That's what I watch my procedural dramas at night for! And as charming and fascinating as Franco may be, I just do not care that he's obsessed with Jason and likes playing with corpses. Unless the next stop on Franco's tour is OLTL and he and Mitch Laurence set up a play date to pose corpses together. Because that would be awesome.

I watch soaps for love stories, for family stories, for cheaters and forbidden romances and babies — for drama and action sequences that makes sense. So you know what part of Franco's first two days I liked best? Fraxie! Yes, Franco and Maxie. Because, to me, that was the moment James Franco became a soap actor.

Maxie: I'm not an art critic, I am a fashion expert. I had no idea who this pompous twit even was until my magazine editor made me swear I would throw my skirt over my head so we could get an exclusive with this guy.
Franco: Love the visual.
Maxie: All right. Come on. Seriously. What are you doing here? Are you like a fan of this guy's or something?
Franco: He and I go way back. Which is why I can guarantee that the artist known as Franco won't mind that you trashed his masterpiece.
Maxie (flustered): That I trashed it? Wow. I wasn't the one lounging around here like I...owned the place.
Franco: Yeah? Use your words. Sounds like...?
Maxie: Well, you're either a psychopath who doesn't give a damn what happens to him or....
Franco: Why does it have to be one or the other?
Maxie: Nooo. Really? You can't be him, right?
Franco: Pompous twit, at your service.

The banter, the flirtation, the decidedly kinky hijinks with the blindfold... if we just take out the morbid part where Franco made Maxie lie down in a chalk outline, it was hot. When you have an actor with James Franco's talent and good looks at your disposal, why waste it having him step on a thug's throat or waving at Jason like he's on a Rose Parade float? For crying out loud, put him in a short term love story and stick him in a white labcoat! That's the GH we want newcomers to the genre to know and love!

Reader Comments

Posted Tue Apr22, 2008, 1:40 PM — By WEEKLYJoe

It's not just you, Mala. I also have been disappointed in ATWT's misuse of Ameera as a generic complication for Nuke. She is a unique character who presents an opportunity to show daytime audiences something truly different. ATWT should use her background as a jumping-off point to tell uncommon stories and showcase Tala's appeal.

Posted Mon May12, 2008, 1:50 PM — By WEEKLYJoe
Since school hasn't been a concern for...um, a couple of years, and I also work here, how about a few things I would change the channel from some other soap to watch? Let's start with: 1. AMC's Jesse/Angie 2. ATWT's Henry/Vienna 3. Marcy, Marcy, Marcy -- as in Rylan's Lizzie. Don't worry, soap fans, this is far from an exhaustive list.

Posted Wed May14, 2008, 10:13 AM — By Aaron
My favorite soap moment this year was when Luke and Noah finally shared another kiss at Old Town.

Posted Fri Jun13, 2008, 11:36 PM — By Mich
Mala I can't agree more with your comments on Jerry, Sebastian Roche and Jerry and Alexis and whoever your unnamed colleague is that thought the kiss in the Haunted Star was one of the hottest they've ever seen I completely agree! What can we do to get a joint interview with Nancy Lee Grahn and Sebastian Roche in your magazine! I'd totally buy that and I'll bet they'd be hilarious together. I've heard good things are coming up for "J-Lex" and I am all too happy about it. They are a sexy, mysterious treat and one of the best things GH has going for them right now!

Posted Wed Jun18, 2008, 8:17 AM — By WEEKLYMala
Mich, J-Lex has definitely turned into one of my only reasons for tuning into GH these days. They are really fun to watch and Grahn and Roche just look like they're having a blast.

Posted Thu Jun19, 2008, 9:40 AM — By Pat
I completely agree with you on Grahn & Roche.They are actually the only reason I'm still hanging onto GH right now. They have electric chemistry and I think the possibilities are endless for Jerry & Alexis. I too, would love to see her "Cassadine" side come out to play here. I'd also love a joint interview with them in the magazine. I would definitely buy that one!

Posted Thu Jun19, 2008, 10:08 AM — By Cher
I share your love for Sebastian Roche and am a full-fledged, card carrying member of the Jerry and Alexis fan club (or cult). They make such tremendous music together. They both radiate passion and angst... perfect soap couple! I'd love to see a joint interview with both. Can you inagine the fun with THAT interview!

Posted Thu Jun19, 2008, 5:43 PM — By Cassandra
I have been waiting for the Jerry/Alexis story for well over a year now. The first day he grabbed her arm at Wyndemere to keep her from leaving the room I knew that they had IT. It's about time that GH started using them. I'd love a joint interview.

Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 1:09 PM — By AJ Samuel
Mala, girl you are a GENIUS! I love it! Jason Morgan returns to Jason Quartermaine! OMG!!!! It's brilliant....so, can u move to LA and get a writers job on GH to make it happen? lol

Posted Fri Aug 1, 2008, 3:34 PM — By jennifer
DAYS so they break lucas out of jail to pair him with chloe and they break sami and ej up to get our hopes up of reuniting sami and lucas just to disappoint

Posted Wed Aug20, 2008, 11:42 AM — By Suzanne
Mala, J-Lex is one of the best things about GH these days. Nadine and Nikolas are getting hotter, but the mob stories are getting old fast. The mob needs to be run out of Port Charles and the hospital needs to be front and center. Night Shift is well-written and entertaining. I can't help but wish that the Night Shift writer would take over for the day shift.

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 4:15 PM — By Margie
Why hasn't anyone blogged today? I am missing the current blogs by the editors of Digest. Pleasea write something! I want to hear someone's opinion today!

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 10:22 PM — By WEEKLYMala
If it helps at all, I'll have a new entry up tomorrow! :)

Posted Tue Nov11, 2008, 5:57 PM — By ATWTfanatic
Loved reading your JUST ASKING! blog entry and learning more about you. I always wondered how actors had such witty answers to these questions and now I know it takes time.

Posted Thu Dec11, 2008, 1:48 PM — By Gin Luthor
I agree with your post on 12-11-08, except, I'd rather have Chloe/Clark than Clark/Lois. My GH Christmas List: 1. Richard Dean Anderson returns as Jeff Webber, giving Liz some family other than Audrey. 2. The Baldwin family is brought back to the canvas. Bring back Gail & Lee! Lord knows Monica and Scotty could use someone in their corner. 3. AJ Quartermaine returns with his fiancée Keesha Ward, and with no knowledge of what's been going on since he left with the Quartermaine fortune in 2003. The AJ that came back was an imposter! Just imagine the drama that would unfold. Plus, Jason could apologize to AJ's face instead of his grave! 4. Sam joins the police force and marries Lucky. The police force stops being an embarrassment. 5. Everyone stops dumping on Kate and starts dumping on Carly. My GL Christmas List: 1. Instead of rehashing Marina/Shayne or going with Dinah/Shayne (ew!). Pair up Shayne Lewis & Ashlee Wolfe! I imagine plenty of snark and heat. 2. Lizzie & Bill raise Sarah.

Posted Fri Dec19, 2008, 3:05 AM — By ATWTfanatic
You're SO right about B&B's Bridget! I fell for Bridget and C.J's relationship back when Jennifer Finnigan was Bridget. Bringing back C.J. for Bridget has been a wish of mine for years. And I liked the one scene that Bridget and Owen shared. Why did the show have to tease us with that and not further that relationship?

Posted Mon Jan12, 2009, 6:26 AM — By Savş Oyunları
Why hasn't anyone blogged today? I am missing the current blogs by the editors of Digest. Pleasea write something! I want to hear someone's opinion today! thanks

Posted Fri Jan23, 2009, 7:09 PM — By Birdie
Oh Mala, sorry to disagree with you, but I didn't see what you saw AT ALL! First, Reese was plastered to Zach. Didn't you notice her constant need to keep touching Zach as he listened to Kendall's heart? What? She couldn't give him som privacy? But that's nothing new with Reese who prefers Zach's company to Bianca's. And I'm sorry, Zach's dialogue did NOT indicate he was petrified about Kendall's condition. What he said was he's afraid the heart he arranged to be placed into her is no longer the heart he fell in love with. In other words this isn't the same Kendall for Zach. Zach wasn't concerned about Kendall's condition, he was concerned about HIMSELF. This was so much at odds with the frantic Zach we saw on Monday who would do anything to save Kendall. As for Bianca, once again, she was wandering around randomly and not being around her fiancee who feels the need to be attached to Zach's hip. Nice to see Bianca is so broken up over Josh'

Posted Tue Feb10, 2009, 7:49 PM — By Cindy
Mala, I couldn't agree more with what you had to say about Johnny and Maxie in your 2/4/09 entry. I never saw that kiss coming, but it was definitely a fantastic surprise. I've always enjoyed watching Brandon and Kirsten together, and these latest scenes were just proof of how great Johnny and Maxie could be together. I just cannot stomach the thought of Maxie and Spinelli in a romantic relationship. She loses her wonderful sass and snark around him and becomes annoyingly dependent. They sacrfice her for the sake of "Spixie" and making Spinelli look like her white knight. Maxie needs a guy who doesn't put her up on a pedestal, but rather one who will stand right next to her and be her equal. She's a tough cookie and for the longest time I have thought that she and Johnny would be incredibly well-matched. Now, if only I wasn't so set on Matt and Maxie...

Posted Mon Mar23, 2009, 8:47 AM — By wiccachick_1
Mala - I couldn't agree more with your March 18 blog about Johnny and Maxie. I have loved the potential between these two characters since...well, he blazed his way into Port Charles. I was giddy when they gave each other the eye at the apartment but since the garage scenes during the crisis, I have to admit, Johnny and Maxie have helped me fall in love with General Hospital again and I wasn't sure that was even possible. That dialogue you quoted made me melt into a puddle and I can't help but root for these two complicated, reckless but vulnerable souls to find love in each other! I'm so glad you are seeing the same thing!

Posted Mon Mar23, 2009, 9:50 AM — By Candymen
Hey Mala! I could not agree more with your 3/18 blog on Johnny and Maxie. They have so much spark and chemistry I can't help myself for falling for them. They both light up with each other and they are exactly what I want for a soap couple. They challenge each other and give as good as they get. I just pray they give them a fighting chance and get them out of their "existing ties" so when they are together it is about them and only them. I have been loving the lines that they are getting from the scene you quoted which gave me goosebumps to Johnny telling her he thinks she spends way too much time with Spinelli (I agree), then him questioning just what is an essential person...did I sense a little jealousy from Johnny? I am actually excited to watch again and it is because of them.

Posted Mon Mar23, 2009, 2:03 PM — By boltmaiden
Thank you so much for writing this Mala! I too am very excited about the possibilities with JoMax and really hope they are given a chance. I believe their chemistry is off the charts but what makes them even more exciting is the moments of depth we get flashes of. With the few gems such as-the because your you(thanks for highlighting that exchange) and the time she was crying over Georgie's acceptance letter all that time ago- I really believe GH has something special here if the writers take advantage of it. Thanks again!

Posted Mon Mar23, 2009, 4:33 PM — By elizabeth merkey
i completely agree. these two are unbelieveable, their chemistry, there everything! i am praying that these two get together, the writers better not screw it up, these two are amazing!

Posted Fri Mar27, 2009, 2:23 PM — By Maree Blackston
I am disappointed you are advocating a self-destructive pairing such as JoMax based on nothing but sleaze, lying, & cheating. Spixie is a beautiful story that could bring young love & romance back to GH at a time when fans are leaving the show in droves. Last week's JoMax limo kiss garnered a whopping 1.9 rating, & according to one Spixie fansite literally hundreds of Spixie fans called the comment line vowing to turn off their TVs on Wed. 3/18 which they did. Wed. 3/18 ratings were 1.8, the lowest rated day on any ABC soap last week...costing GH to trail behind AMC & OLTL in week's total viewers. When the soaps are gone, magazines covering them will be gone too. I am cancelling my 15-year subscription to SOD for their supportive JoMax letters & editorials, & I can stop buying SOW as well. Spixie's magic is their deep, honest, mutually respectful, unconditional love. Once you've tasted a flute of the finest crystal of the Dom Perignon that is Spixie, anything less is a Dixie cup of rot gut.

Posted Fri Mar27, 2009, 3:19 PM — By Jenna
Spinelli & Maxie's love story is the only story I want to see. Spinelli and Maxie are perfect for one another. There is so much passion, chemistry there that TPTB would be silly to not actually go there after a full year of investment for it. Bradford & Kirsten work beautifully together. The story between low self esteem bestfriends becoming lovers is extremly believable. They are my root for couple...always!

Posted Fri Mar27, 2009, 3:21 PM — By Sylvia
I love Spinelli and Maxie together. I've loved their story for the past year and I want to see them grow as a couple. I think Maxie freaked out after she said ILY and she's acting out now. They have a sparkle and caring that I want to see more of. They are in love with each other and now there are all these obstacles in their way - JoLuWin. I want them to have a serious adult conversation about how where they're going. Together. Long live Spixie!

Posted Fri Mar27, 2009, 3:36 PM — By anpspinning
Personally I have no interest in seeing Maxie paired with Johnny and getting mixed up with his "dark" yet amazingly bland self. I will always want Maxie with Spinelli. Theirs is a beautiful story of two lost souls who find acceptance, happiness and love with each other. It is a true romance. Bradford Anderson and Kirsten Storms are a match made in heaven, and I would love to see what they can do with a full-fledged romantic relationship for Spixie.

Posted Sat Mar28, 2009, 5:04 AM — By Holly
Seeing Johnny and Maxie together makes me physically ill. It has made me dislike both characters. Sure they are being self-destructive, but I don't like that it's going to hurt two good people (Lu Lu and Spinelli) in the process. I wouldn't mind the Spixie angst so much if we had gotten some actual romance beforehand. It's been torture having all these Spixie kisses lead nowhere! Then Maxie says she loves Spinelli, but the next day jumps Johnny??? WTF??? I had really hoped that these four characters could have been close friends. I had always enjoyed their scenes together. Now I just feel uncomfortable watching them.

Posted Thu Apr 2, 2009, 11:23 AM — By Rhonda Grroves
Bold and Beautiful storyline with Rick and Steffy is makibg me sick to my stomach. Enough with the kissing already. Rick is just using Steffy, and he is being an arogant, selfish brat. Maybe he should go back to Paris and let Steffy and Marcus find theit way back to each other. Someone needs to knock him down a peg or two, or tell Steffy that he threatened her father,if she knew the whole truth she would give him up. Rhonda in Ohiovbfdg3

Posted Thu Apr 9, 2009, 2:47 PM — By Sonya
You are spot on. GL is great and I hope they find a home after they leave CBS. I love Otalia, Bizzie, and the Spaulding family dynamic is about to really take off again. I want to see GL continue these great stories.

Posted Thu Apr 9, 2009, 3:11 PM — By Jazzy
"Guiding Light" **has** to find a new home -- it's too good to be taken off the air! I came to GL a couple months ago for Otalia but have been sucked into the other stories, too, especially Bill & Lizzie, who are just as adorable as you described (though I haven't seen today's episode yet; yesterday they were wonderful!) and I'm a big fan of Remy and Christina. Add my love of Doris, Phillip/Beth, Josh, Dinah and Shayne and this show really has me hooked; is there any "light" on the horizon about it finding a new home? Two million viewers is nothing to sneeze at!

Posted Thu Apr 9, 2009, 5:55 PM — By blake
I agree that GL is the hottest it has been in a LONG time! Sexy new couples like Otalia, Bizzie and Dinah and Shayne, along with old favorites like Reva and Josh, Beth and Phillip, Vanessa and Billy! And I can't wait to see what happens at Frank and Natalia's wedding next week!!!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:42 PM — By Debbie
This was a HUGE day for Otalia fans and we loved every minute of today's show. CC and JL rocked those scenes today and I can't wait for tomorrow. It's great to see Otalia getting so much positive press. I hope that GL will find a new home so we can continue to watch Otalia and GL.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:45 PM — By Sonya
Guiding Light is on fire and Crystal Chappell is the best there is. I hope and pray GL can stay on the air somewhere, because I would go through serious withdrawals if I couldn't see her on my screen again.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:44 PM — By Lindsay
So far this week, Guiding Light has delivered in some many ways. The angsty Otalia build up continues, but today we finally had some outpouring of truthful emotion. GL's other stories are keeping the audience entertained, but we're on the edge of our seats to see what happens between Olivia and Natalia.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:46 PM — By Kiran
OMG!!! Crystal was unbelievable today. The whole show is SO good these days. It is the highlight of my day. When did that happen? If Crystal doesn't get an Emmy for the current storyline, I will be devastated. Thank you for your comments.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:57 PM — By Nicole Franklin
Mala, If Crystal does not get performer of the week or something then something is seriously wrong. She was on fire today! Guiding Light is seriously must see soap. This is so old school soap opera and I'm glad their are still editors like yourself who appreciates good old fashioned storytelling. Thanks for always caring and writing and blogging about Guiding Light

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 12:53 PM — By jordan
Guiding Light..OMG..off the charts awesome!! Crystal Chappell..the best..the very best there is!! Find this show a home P&G..you have a gold mine on your hands and whoever picks up GL will not be sorry for an instant.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 1:09 PM — By Tracy
When do we start the Emmy campaign for Crystal Chappell? And how can I help? Because she has consistently given the best performance in soaps today - what amazing range she has! - and it's about time she gets recognized for that. C'mon, Soap Opera Digest, I've only just started buying your mag for Otalia but I'll do whatever you want if you can make this happen...:)

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 1:18 PM — By Simone
I am still scraping my heart off the floor after Otalia today. What an amazing story - CBS must be full of complete morons to decide to cancel this show. It is the only show on television that can render me a complete emotional mess by 10am. Simply amazing, I can't wait for tomorrow. Thanks for all your great GL/Otalia posts!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 1:20 PM — By Amanda
Crystal Chappell was absolutely amazing today!!! Guiding Light and the Otalia story line are rocking the house everyday...THIS is must see TV people! Crystal and Jessica are wonderful together!!!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 1:20 PM — By WEEKLYMala
Thanks, everyone! I'm really, truly engaged by GL and Otalia right now and you're all absolutely right: Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia have been phenomenal. Can't wait to see tomorrow's scenes!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 1:26 PM — By collins
man, if crystal chappell doesn't kill me with all the crying and angst and emmy-worthy acting, the thought of september 18th getting closer and closer surely will. for the love of all that is good and right with the world, this show needs a new- and better- home. it's quite obvious the show is hitting on all cylinders right now (otalia especially), so what's the problem? could it be the lack of promotion by CBS, the weird airing schedule by local markets, the antiquated ratings system? uh, yeah, i think so. regardless, whatever network is smart enough to pick this show up will be getting a steal. a gold mine. a cash cow. all they have to do is tell us what they want us to do to keep GL & otalia on the air and we'll do it. but P&G products? done. order SOAPNet? done. watch on-line, live, on demand, order through iTunes? done, done, done and done.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 2:01 PM — By annie
Cristal is too good to be true. Otalia is soap at its best. Guiding Light must keep shining

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 2:36 PM — By Kelly
Thanks for highlighting what outstanding work Crystal Chappell has been doing. She's always delivered no matter what the story line or how strong or weak the writing. But, right now, with Ellen Wheeler and Jill Lorie Hurst at the helm creatively and with a scene partner like Jessica Leccia, Crystal is doing the finest work of her career. I won't allow it into my consciousness that September marks the end of the road for Guiding Light and the Otalia story line. The show on all levels is too good and there has to be some wise network executives at other outlets out there who are seeing this phenomenon and are smart enough to pick up the show.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 4:23 PM — By Michelle
OMG! Crystal just shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. That was seriously the best last five minutes of a soap that I've seen since Tony put his head to BJ's chest on GH in 94. Crystal is truly in a class by her self. Nice blog btw. I so agree about how GL has you on a high and GH leaves you wondering why do you even bother watching it.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 4:38 PM — By BBK
Thanks for the great comments on Guiding Light and Otalia! Wasn't Crystal awesome!! No one can touch her in the game today!!! I just got my heart beating again and its been 30 minutes since I saw that scene!! CBS has made the mistake of the lifetime letting this show, this story line and these terrific actresses go!! Everyone on GL rocks!! Someone find the cast and crew a new home, soon!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 5:47 PM — By Paige
Today was the day we've been waiting to happen for over a year. And even knowing it was coming, no words could ever do justice to the last five minutes of today's show. I think every Otalia fan needs a reboot! Kudos to JLH, EW, CC, and JL. And thank you for continuing to support the Light!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 5:46 PM — By Emily
Commenting in Haiku: Chappell perfection The eyes bring it home, no doubt Master method class

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 6:51 PM — By maraleia
Just back up the brinks truck and hand CC all the emmys that will be handed out during this years show. I have never been such a shaky, blubbering mess over a show. GL just has to find a new home. I want to see Otalia live on forever.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 8:34 PM — By Alli
The last 5 minutes of Guiding Light today was W.O.W!! Crystal Chappell knocked it out of the park and she delivered an Emmy performance!! I have never been so invested in a television storyline ever. Otalia is the best romantic love story on TV period. Thanks for covering them, Mala.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 8:46 PM — By Sarah
Todays Guiding Light was amazing. Crystal Chappell is brilliant. Those last five minutes brought physical tears from me. Guiding Light has to find a new home- its to great of a show not to!!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 8:53 PM — By Amanda
GL is now the only show I refuse to miss. I'm a big Otalia fan but I'm enjoying the other storylines too. I hope GL finds another home soon as they are delivering some great entertainment.

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 9:49 PM — By gheekchik
"Oh, my heart" exactly! It literally hurt after that episode. That ending!

Posted Tue Apr14, 2009, 11:11 PM — By buggy123
Otalia is the best storyline on daytime; the writing is supreme, the acting is unbelievably good, and the chemistry between CC and JL is heart-stopping. Keep it up GL and I truly hope you find a place to land. Thank you for the support of my favorite duo on daytime of all time. buggy

Posted Wed Apr15, 2009, 1:54 AM — By toastedgrrl
I had that exact same theatrical moment at the end of GL 4/14!! Otalia continues to be one of the best love storylines written today. Crystal Chappell was absolutely wonderful today and I look forward to Jessica Leccia's continued brilliance with Natalia. I hope our show finds a new place to rest its head at night. Keep the Light Shining!

Posted Wed Apr15, 2009, 8:50 AM — By Kate
CC was truly amazing yesterday. I just do not tire of singing her praises! Give the woman an Emmy, for crying out loud! Oh, and save GL, since it's... i don't know... the best show on TV right now!

Posted Mon May 4, 2009, 4:30 PM — By Difficult Diva
Mala, thank you for the article about the shameful way that today's current soaps have put most of their minority characters into their own "soap bubble world" within the fictionalized world on most soaps. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but over a decade ago, there was twice as many minority characters on screen, then there is now. It's just shameful, but I don't think or feel that a campaign will change anything, because it's up to the writers of these shows to create storylines that will somehow intertwine all of these characters into the fabric of the show. I'm not against Bonnie being involved with Dusty at all, but will Derek somehow leave town in order for Bonnie to be single and available for her new upcoming romance with Dusty "The Savior of All Oakdale Female Folk" Donovan?! Also, I just love how a certain group feels like they're being "blamed" for the lack of storylines for fictional characters of color. Those folks need

Posted Mon May 4, 2009, 4:56 PM — By David Adam nole.
With the majority of the soap auidence being African American women. Why is Y&R still so lily white? Shouldn't this show represent the it's viewership? i mean we have an African Amercian president. African Americans sell covers of mainstream magazines. Vogue had two covers back to back with Michelle Obama and then Beyonce. What's the deal with Y&R and soaps in general. Daytime is racist and they know it and they refuse to change even though the facts and numbers point to AA's as the main audience. I'm trying to wrap my head around this. So love to hear your thoughts. Y&R has been on a decline ever since Victoria Rowell left the show. The Winters have been ghettoized over the last 1 and a half. The show has bumped Bryton to Recurring. We have a barely seen Roxy and Olivia comes in for a brief moment to give advice. Then they fire The Actress and keep the model who can't act. Now that doesn't bold well for future storylines. We have started an ongoing series on my soap we

Posted Mon May 4, 2009, 5:05 PM — By David Adam nole.
We are also doing on an ongoing series on diversity in daytime. @ the site here: http://timeaftertimeonlinedrama.webs.com

Posted Tue May 5, 2009, 8:02 AM — By Cyberologist
GH: Sonny, front burner. Dr. Lee, Nurse Epiphany, Robin's therapist; all recurring and seldom seen There is also the beautiful Dr. Elaine Winters who does not get any story, was put on recurring status...Detective Cruz who just disappeared, the clerk of Asian heritage at Metro Court who they cut. The African American orderly who disappeared... IMO, Soaps have lost the African American audience which contributes to their decline...we don't trust them and aren't coming back for the "most part" they have permanently lost this audience... They will not put African Americans in lead story for the most part...just wallpaper to give the look of diversity to support the other actors. They are basically bit day players on GH.

Posted Thu May 7, 2009, 3:20 PM — By Difficult Diva
Again, I agree with your new blog about what GH's doing with the history of Luke (and his epic former storyline with the love of his life, Laura). It's very clear to me that TPTB really don't give a crap at all, about the history of characters and storylines that made viewers interested in their shows in the first place. The viewing audience isn't at fault for why this genre is slowly dying out. It's the people in charge of it, that are guilty.

Posted Thu May 7, 2009, 11:27 PM — By The Last Straw
The Luke/Ethan mess has revolted this 25 year viewer more than I am capable of verbalizing. This is just another, more shocking example of GH's thumbing it's nose at the longtime audience they obviously no longer court. Once you finish destroying the stories that have kept fans connected to a show, it ceases to exist for them. What the hell happened to the character of Luke? When did we see him lose his soul,because it's most certainly gone. Was it when he drunkenly rutted with Holly while his wife Laura was waiting at home with their son Lucky? The son who most assuredly inherited her heart. Whoever's brainchild this story was should be ashamed.

Posted Fri May15, 2009, 12:40 PM — By jordan
I love Guiding Light and most especially Otalia. Crystal and Jessica are bringing their very best to this storyline and their best is genius. Jill Hurst and Ellen Wheeler are brilliant for all they do. Guiding Light must be saved.

Posted Thu May28, 2009, 1:42 PM — By gw
After this last week-end, then coming and reading this I realize, I could'nt really care less about your opinion anymore. It is just like oh, ok, whatever!

Posted Fri May29, 2009, 4:59 PM — By JC
While the whole Ethan is Luke's son storyline is stupid it would of been even dumber to try and tell us that Lulu was still born in 1994.

Posted Fri Jun 5, 2009, 11:46 AM — By josie
I agree Drew is commanding and really can't wait to see more of him. Olivia and Johnny are different; not sure yet about them. But I think if anyone deserves some loving it's Matt. He's been on the show almost a year! I think it's time to give Matt a real romance!

Posted Fri Jun 5, 2009, 4:56 PM — By Toni
Drew Garret is great as Michael!! already love him, did you see the way he had those tears flowing with Robin!!! NuKristina um yea, shes going to take some time to get used to. Maybe it was nerves, but she needs to put more effort, so that I can really feel her emotions. Right now she just seems like a brat with no heart.

Posted Sun Jun 7, 2009, 11:23 PM — By Scroll
Does it make me a bad person to say that I would love a Michael/Kristina hook-up. First of all, the Carly and Alexis drama is all there. Secondly, it would bother Sonny to no end. I mean, all along I was rooting for cousins, Morgan and Molly, to drive the drama - but hey! I'll take the chemistry where I can find it.

Posted Fri Jun26, 2009, 11:21 PM — By inspiron
mala, you are a better person than I! i just cant get into any of the s/ls on atwt-the adam/riley is way too rushed for me granted i dont know who adam was, but nor do i want to its funny i can tune into y&r or days on soapnet and not know anything about the show, but i am intrigued and actually watch cant say the same about atwt unless its a paul day

Posted Thu Jul 9, 2009, 4:59 PM — By Margie
THANK YOU MALA! I totally agree with you. It's like they are afraid of offending viewers. They are offending me by not showing the kiss! If people don't like what they show, they can tune out, it shouldn't be up to the writers to censor the content of the storyline based on what they think viewers won't like. Heterosexual couples are half naked all of the time. Show some gay action! Thanks again Mala for writing what I was thinking!

Posted Tue Jul14, 2009, 2:00 PM — By reader
Mala, I think I will be forever confused why you would root for Carjack (after they've been destroyed by stunts like Carly pretending to die and luring Jack to Montana) and not root for Spixie. Spinelli & Msxie is the ULTIMATE drawn out love story that has kept me tuned into GH. I would say root for Liason also, but I wouldn't want you to go through that pain that GH has put us through.

Posted Wed Jul15, 2009, 12:51 PM — By Cindy
MALA,you Roooccck!! I love reading your blog, it's the first thing I check when I check out the website.

Posted Sat Jul18, 2009, 12:50 PM — By Natnic
I agree with you about the chaste lesbian and gay characters on daytime. Those against gay and lesbian characters won't even acknowledge that true love can exist in same sex relationships. They will tune out. Why try to pander to them by not showing kissing and love making? There are a lot of other straight fans like you and me who simply respond to good writing and storylines for both straight and same sex couples. Are Olivia and Natalia ever going to kiss?

Posted Fri Jul24, 2009, 5:25 PM — By Margaret Makens
Mala, you certainly hit the nail on the head about GH's Sonny and his women. I agree with everything you said, except the part about getting back together with Kate--that re-write didn't work for me. Why does every woman that comes to town HAVE to be with Sonny? They become sniveling idiots. They protest his advances and then become his biggest cheerleader. If I have to hear one more woman say what a good man and father Sonny is I'm going to scream. It's time to change the story and the dialoge.

Posted Fri Jul24, 2009, 11:40 PM — By Peaches
Mala, you are my favorite blogger on this site. As much as I adore Maurice Benard as an actor, you are RIGHT ON about Sonny. He needs to be written differently so Maurice doesn't have to keep playing the same ol' song over and over. When Sonny went through the bipolar storyline, I thought it was a chance for change for the character. The whole Emily story was icky but as Mala said, it was different. Claudia-Sonny could have worked if they hadn't made her completely psycho from the start. They could have bonded over their similar horrific childhoods, etc. Sarah Brown makes me watch Claudia and it's a shame she and Mo won't get to make that marriage a romance, which it could have been. GH is a mess, still. LOVE the new Michael but he's headed down a bad path due to the writers. ARGH! Love in the afternoon? Hell no. Not anymore. Which is why the audience continues to disappear....

Posted Sat Jul25, 2009, 11:23 AM — By WEEKLYMala
Thanks for the recent comments, everyone! I'm glad you're enjoying my posts. Margaret - I'm suggesting Kate as an option because I figure it saves future women from being trapped in the cycle. LOL. Might as well go back to one that he's already been through it with!

Posted Sat Jul25, 2009, 8:53 PM — By MAM
I love Jolivia. I do not want to see another woman that is feisty, strong and independent sacrificed at the alter of Sonny Corinthos. Johnny and Olivia are fun to watch and the best new couple on GH in a long time.

Posted Mon Jul27, 2009, 6:41 PM — By Karen
On GH, I don't even want Sonny with Kate. Kate always treated Carly like trash and let's face it she did take Michael without Carly's permission to the warehouse. In the end though, I am sick of the whole drama surrounding Sonny and his women. I am tired of watching new woman X come to town and assume Sonny's marriage broke up because Carly failed yada yada yada. For an intelligent person Kate was dumb not to realize who shot Carly in the head so now she is forgotten, Karma. Sonny has no empathy for carly and the kids it is all about him, I don't care anymore.

Posted Mon Jul27, 2009, 11:14 PM — By crayon
I agree with some of your post. Sonny's love life has become a bit repetitive but I don't think there's anything wrong with Sonny and Olivia. I like them. I think they have chemistry. And of course Johnny's being nice he's sleeping with her. I bet Sonny will be nice too when they start having sex. Johnny and Olivia have no future. There's way more story potential with Solivia.

Posted Mon Jul27, 2009, 11:36 PM — By Bonnie
I agree with you 100% about Sonny. Claudia is such a looney character,I feel the writers are making Sonny so totally abusive and ugly (Sonny understood Michael when he shot kate, today he screamed at Michael who may not have even run Claudia off the road). One reason ratings are tanking is that Claudia and Sonny do not work as a couple and no one wants to watch them. To have Olivia and Sonny together the writers are already rewriting Skate which is als turning away viewers. Skate's ratings were anywhere from 40 to 60% better than current ratings. I say that Kate is the only character that can make Sonny watchable again and they should keep Johnny with Olivia.

Posted Tue Jul28, 2009, 7:55 AM — By Carly
I understand about Sonny and his women but I think Olivia is different. Solivia have chemistry and Liv can hold her own with Sonny. Jolivia is just sex and that is all it should be. What future would they have none? They should do Solivia but keep Olivia strong. I want Johnny with Maxie I love those two together. I wouldn't mind seeing Claudia with Dante either.

Posted Fri Jul31, 2009, 12:13 PM — By take out dining
Couldn't be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing! Please come visit my site Restaurant Fast food Directory when you got time.

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009, 8:41 AM — By Mary
Yes Johnny and Olivia are so swoon worthy, I love how she has given him a free pass for Michael's shooting, I love how she's reliving her life with Sonny through Johnny, and Sonny is the great big bad mobster but Johnny is just misunderstood. To bad she wasn't around for Johnny's part in Michael's shooting And as for Sonny feigning sympathy. You mean sympathy for the wife that poked holes in condoms to get pregnant in the first place that put Sonny in the position to lose another child, the woman that has Jerry out now trying to kill Michael, you mean that woman and wife Mala, what show do you watch or are you so skewed in your opinion over the perfeciton of Johnny & Olivia that the story itself loses you. Try at least some honesty

Posted Wed Aug12, 2009, 4:06 PM — By Elise Baker
Was it ever actually established that Ashley delivered the baby and Adam burned it in the fireplace? I just remember that he burned the bloody bathrobe and towels. I don't think even Adam is capable of burning a fetus ... that would be too sick, even for him. I just assumed that Ashley has been carrying around a dead fetus all this time ... which is still dark, but not quite as twisted. Wouldn't it be nice if Dr. Taylor was lying to Adam about her miscarriage ... and that she is actually still pregnant? He could have done so to keep Adam from trying to hurt the baby again ... guess I'm an optimist!

Posted Wed Aug12, 2009, 6:15 PM — By WEEKLYMala
That's a good point, Elise, I guess we don't *really* know what specifically Adam burned in the fireplace, but I pretty much assumed that he'd gotten rid of whatever it was that she bled out. If she'd still been carrying a fetus inside of her, I think she probably would have had more medical issues, given the blood loss, etc. And before Dr. Taylor fiddled with the sonogram, there was absolutely no motion and no indication of a mass on the screen. It'd be a great twist if he was lying altogether just to stick it to Adam and she really is still pregnant, but the horrorshow of the fall down the stairs and Adam's clean-up...man, I will never get that out of my head!

Posted Wed Aug12, 2009, 10:05 PM — By Elise
Yes, either way, it is TOTALLY a horror show, as you so perfectly described it. I am personally hoping that Adam can be redeemed. I, like you, saw a spark with him and Ashley. If he burned the baby, I just don't know how he can be brought back from that! Anyway, here's hoping that there's an end in sight to this particular storyline!

Posted Fri Aug14, 2009, 7:10 PM — By Alice
I totally agree with you, why is Adam gaslighting Ashley? She has been nothing but good to him, and this is the way he's treating her? Adam's story, and Mary Jane's story, have to be the strangest stories I have ever seen on Y&R.

Posted Wed Aug26, 2009, 4:03 PM — By Anna
Mala, don't story lines have to be edited? How did the pairing of Marty and Todd in a therapy session go unnoticed, didn't anyone consider this to be bizarre? That, to me was for sure a "what were they thinking" moment. Do the actors not get to voice their opinion about the characters they have played for years and say this is a stupid story line, or are they happy to have a job and don't care about insulting the intelligence of dedicated viewers?

Posted Thu Aug27, 2009, 12:27 AM — By gail
Mala, I have to FF this Todd (if he really is Todd). Tea and Blair should join forces to kick his butt. He either acts like he's 14 or he's a snoozefest. Why would either of these great women want him?

Posted Wed Sep30, 2009, 8:08 PM — By Gail
Thank you for the Adam link. I was not watching the show then, and I cannot think why they would want to save this character?! The cast is bloated with him, Allie, Casey, Hunter, Meg etc. They need to do a housecleaning and write for the interesting characters they have like Pem, Ro, Craig, Babs, Henry, etc.

Posted Wed Sep30, 2009, 10:19 PM — By FormerATWTfan
Thank you, Thank you, thank you Mala! Seriously Thank God for your comments about this Sick redemption story for that disgusting Rapist Pig Adam! In my 20+ years of watching soaps, no story has offended me as much as this one has! I was screaming as loud as you were at the horrible absolution of Adam for physically and sexually abusing women! How dare ATWT do this! How dare they insult the fans intelligence about what we all saw happen on the screen just two friggin years! This complete re-write and whitewashing of what Adam did is so appalling and wrong! What exactly is the message ATWT wants to send to women who are attacked? It's your own fault what he did to you because you somehow caused your own attack. So you should go apologize to him b/c you asked for it? ATWT is officially more misogynistic than GH is now! The writers are insulting are intelligence if they think we didn't see with our own eyes what Adam did. Adam was a psycho before Maddie hit him over the head! He framed Will & attacked Gwe

Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009, 10:09 AM — By Billie P. Davis
Please include Luke Spencer in the "men who have hurt women" history. The powers that be turned Luke's rape of Laura into a great love story which still goes on to this day.

Posted Thu Oct 1, 2009, 6:00 PM — By Gin
Regarding the Adam situation: I was more pissed off when they brought Adam back the first time, and turned him into a creep. I hate that they screwed with his character simply to create drama for the teen set, Maddie/Casey & Will/Gwen, who I wasn't interested watching in the first place.

Posted Thu Oct15, 2009, 11:50 AM — By Anna
Mala, the Bank Of Mom & Dad seemed like it was going to be worth watching, NOT! Until you pointed it out I did not pay attention that all the previews I have seen were with daughters. I did think that the show was going to be for college daughters, one daughter was 33. This show won't last and I don't like Holidate. I wish they would bring back Soap Talk, One Day With Wally and I Want To Be A Soap Star.

Posted Tue Oct20, 2009, 1:23 AM — By Ashlee Hamilton
And now, a Christian/TRUTH point of view on all of this. a) Homosexuality is an abomination, NOT a love story. Guiding Light was cancelled when its lesbian "love story" was its most popular, and most low-rated storyline ever. b) People CAN be redeemed through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Although no entertainment media today would ever bring forth the glory of God as a healer, it can be done. If written correctly, Adam on ATWT finding God and redemption could be an AWESOME story. c) General Hospital should split off into two shows. The first would be the mother show, called GENERAL HOSPITAL...the one we knew and loved until 1996. The second show, could be called Night Shift 14, or General Mafia, or The Sopranos 2, or The Jason and Sonny Killing Show, or anything else that glorifies murder and crime. It makes me physically ill that this show has chosen to feature two blood-thirsty murderers as the show's main heroes since 1996. Oh, I forgot, they're hot and misunde

Posted Wed Oct21, 2009, 11:51 AM — By Denise
I just knew that the PR idiots from ABC Daytime would go down the same route of touting "The Real" crap for Jonathan Jackson's return. It's a blatant slap in the talented face of Greg Vaughn, who kept the character of Lucky Spencer alive on GH for 7 years. Yes, you can be glad that JJ agreed to return to GH, but there's something called TACT that can and should be used, when promoting his return. It's just tactless and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but it's business and that's certainly what Frons and ABC Daytime are all about at this point.

Posted Thu Oct22, 2009, 10:21 AM — By Billie
Thank you Mala for raking ABC over the coals for this lowball tactic. I know JJ was very popular, but so is GV. Changing the role of Lucky is NOT going to fix the problem of ratings. If ABC were so concerned about ratings, why not bring back Laura since Luke has a new son and maybe throw Scotty in there as well? Also, the Q's would be a welcome change from the Sonny and Jason hour. I don't see the appeal of the mob although I do LIKE Sonny, he doesn't deserve the whole show. The viewers would come back in droves if ABC would show more of what the fans really want to see.

Posted Thu Oct22, 2009, 1:27 PM — By Darcy
There are no words how GH has alienated many viewers I post with. Its like GH is purposely driving viewers away. They didn't take notes re: their real Greenlee? Wasn't that a monumental flop? So now what? its the original Lucky? The horrid scribing of Elizabeth dragging out vets I haven't seen in the longest time (even taking pics for Laura) to herald a man who slept w/another woman in their bed, she's not being deserving...on the very same parapet saying the very same thing to a different man from one year ago. 'THE SAME STORYLINE.' I've never liked how Elizabeth Webber is written with any of the Lucky's. She reverts to a Spen-Stepford wife...no matter which actor plays him. The misogynistic writing morphs into various forms, when will she be written w/a positive focus & get some of that sunshine w/rainbows Jason's romance is getting w/their "special scribing to make" them look so good. The Q/A w/L.Wright bragged they do romances well..I'm not seeing

Add Comment

Name (Required):

Email (Required, will not be shown to public):

Comment (Required, max chars: 1024):

You have characters left.

Type the characters you see in this picture

Subscribe to Soap Opera Digest for just $14.95 - that's only 58 cents an issue! With your subscription you'll receive THE INSIDER, our subscriber-only weekly newsletter filled with news and gossip you won't find anywhere else!

First Name:
Last Name:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Email:
Credit CardBill me later

READER PANEL

PROFILE

OPINION

The Virtual Soapbox

HOT OFF THE NET

POLLING BOOTH

SOAP OPERA OFFERS

READER PANEL

PROFILE

Star of the Week

OPINION

The Virtual Soapbox

HOT OFF THE NET

POLLING BOOTH

SOAP OPERA OFFERS