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OPINION
Mala's Masala
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Mala Bhattacharjee, news editor
— Soap Opera Weekly
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April 2, 2009
It just kind of figures. I post about my GUIDING LIGHT love and how the show
can't be canceled and, then, the very next day, the ax falls. Much like many
of you out there, I'm still reeling from the news and you can check my
Soapbox column in our April 28 issue (on sale April 17) for my
expanded thoughts on this dear, wonderful, piece of television history going
gently into the good night.
I hate losing a soap. I hated watching ANOTHER WORLD, SUNSET BEACH, and
PASSIONS all get canceled. I hate knowing that DAYS may only have through
2010 and hearing that ATWT may not have much longer without its big sis
around. But I also love the soaps. I love everything about them —okay,
except the misogyny and Todd Manning, which sometimes equates to the exact
same thing — and so I'm going to soldier on and keep sharing that love.
Like my love for Y&R's Kay and Murphy! I admit I was too distracted by GL's
Otalia and GH's really, really wrong JoMax to notice this duo until
recently. But now I'm hooked! They're banter-y, they're sweet. Jeanne Cooper
and Michael Fairman are great together. (Whodathunk Sonny's old henchman,
Harry Silver, was such a softie? LOL.) I also have to give major props to
B&B for the revitalization of not just Jackie M but of Jackie herself. The
woman is hot like fire! And watching Lesley-Anne Down with Brandon Beemer's
Owen is a rollicking good time. As much as I like Bridget and Owen, I can't
deny that Jackie and Owen have oodles of chemistry as well. This is going to
be one steamy spring!
March 31, 2009
I'm not normally an alarmist — at least not lately since I'm trying to cultivate a sense of zen like Charlie Crews from LIFE — but WHAT is going on with the rumors of GUIDING LIGHT being canceled this fall? Say it ain't so! I know things are tough all over, but how is jettisoning a show that pulled itself up by its bootstraps and reinvented itself so completely a GOOD thing for CBS and Procter & Gamble?
It's not! GL is the epitome of the rags-to-riches success story right now. They moved themselves lock, stock and barrel to Peapack, NJ and made it work, even while people were scoffing at the new model. They pared down to the bare minimum and kept on trucking. Then, after fixing their outsides, they went to work on their insides. And despite being low in the Nielsen ratings, people are tuning in. The stories are better than they've been in years, the actors are at the top of their game, and even mainstream
press is talking about the show. Not to discount soap press because, hey, we love us some GL and have loved it all along. I even raved about it here in my blog on Feb 17.
Heck, just from a selfish standpoint, I do not want this show canceled because I want to know what happens to Olivia and Natalia after Jessica Leccia's inevitable maternity leave. Do the math, people: That means the show has to last longer than September!
And if GL, a show that's actually brilliant right now, gets taken off the air, what does that say for the sustainability of shows that are floundering in quality? We've got to hold on to the soaps we have until someone more brilliant than I figures out how to revitalize the genre as a whole and keep it going through the 21st century.
So write to CBS. Write to sponsors. Buy Swiffer and Pampers. Tell your friends who have Nielsen boxes to keep the TV tuned to GL even if they aren't watching. Fight dirty if you have to, and then let Mr. Clean take care of the mess.
March 18, 2009
First things first, stay tuned to the BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL section of our
site for the write-up of my first visit to the show's set in sunny California! Second things second, I now have the task of catching up on all the soapiness I missed, and that's quite the chore ... unless we're talking about yesterday's GENERAL HOSPITAL. Okay, just a specific portion of yesterday's GENERAL HOSPITAL: Johnny and Maxie. Yes, I know this snappy banter and stolen kiss thing they've got going on makes them faithless cheaters and it's despicable to betray their respective partners in such a way, etc. But you know what? There is precious little to get excited over on GH these days, and I'm going to cling to whatever squee-inducing thing I can, no matter how faithless and cheating it may be. Desperate times call for desperate measures, folks. This beggar cannot and will not be a chooser.
I know I waxed poetic about JoMax in my February 4 entry, but I can't remember the last time a couple or non-couple on GH got me this interested. I liked Lucky and Sam, but I wasn't actively rooting for them; I just wanted them to spend a lot of time in the hot tub and hanging out with Lucky's kids looking adorable together. But with Johnny and Maxie, it really hits one of my soap hot buttons. I'm such a sucker for the people-who-barely-like-each-other-become-lovers trope. I loved it with early Zach and Kendall on AMC; I've loved it with GL's Olivia and Natalia — and the slow burning duo haven't even gotten to the 'lovers' part yet. So, I guess it was inevitable that when GH started playing that angle with Johnny and Maxie I would fall for it, too. They just sparkle. (I know, it's
a silly word and it reminds me of those vampires from TWILIGHT, but it's
apt!) The actors are obviously having a good time and it's that wonderful,
banter-y tease that so few relationships get anymore.
The rational part of me knows that Maxie and Johnny will only continue to be
in each other's orbit just long enough for the show to figure out what
they're doing with Lulu and Ethan and Spinelli and Winnifred. But I'm going
full-tilt anyway, much like I did back when Carly and Jax were opening Club
101 together circa 2001-2002. Did Carly and Jax get together then? No. But
they're together now! (Well, sort of. But let's save that for another post.)
So, hey, if they don't get rid of Brandon Barash just because Ethan,
nuMichael, and Dante are on deck — much like they jettisoned Jason
Gerhardt's Coop and Josh Duhon's Logan to make room for Johnny — then this
couple could have a legitimate shot sometime in the future.
But what about "Spixie," you may ask?
Well, if Spinelli and Maxie are supposed to be some grand love story, her telling him she'll sleep with Johnny if he's not there to be with her is a classic case of "UR DOIN IT RONG." That is not something an "I love you" should go with...unless you're talking to your best friend whom you really have no romantic feelings for. Plus, if Spinelli and Maxie are really the root-for couple, why is GH writing and directing scenes like this....?
Maxie: What did you like about me today?
Johnny: You don't want to do this.
Maxie: Yes, I do. Okay, I'll start. Of course I noticed your ass, and you're really hot. Now it's your turn.
Johnny: You're beautiful, Maxie, okay? But that is not why I want to kiss you.
Maxie: Really? Why?
Johnny: Because you're you.
Maxie: Aw, damn it. :::pounce, kiss:::
Wait, what was that question again? "Why is GH writing and directing scenes
like this?" I think I have the answer: To torment me! LOL! It's because I
love NIGHT SHIFT more, isn't it?
March 10, 2009
Have you ever stopped to think how odd it sometimes is to watch soaps for a living? For one thing, I can't get into an elevator without thinking it's going to stall and someone's going to go into labor. (And one of our elevators here actually does hiccup; it freaks me out every time!) But then, consider the love scenes! You know how people on the 'Net warn if a link or a photo is "NSFW" (Not Safe For Work)? I mean, many soap love scenes aren't exactly SFW, are they? Even when you work at a soap magazine! LOL!
Yesterday morning (we just "sprang forward," so 12:30 IS still morning for me), I was having a quick bite at my desk while watching YOUNG AND RESTLESS when Nick and Phyllis got all hot and lathered up in the shower — complete with slamming against flat surfaces. ACK! MUST we have all that wet flesh flailing about? Give a gal a "Caution: May Require the Heimlich" warning!
And putting aside the fact that I almost choked on my sandwich, there are just some things that are mighty awkward to watch in an office setting. There are people in other offices and cubicles nearby. It's broad daylight, I have ridiculously bright fluorescent lights in my office, and anybody could walk by and hear the porntastic sax music and see the characters getting groin-y on my TV screen. Like, people from other magazines and the mailroom guys and bigwigs from corporate headquarters. You
gotta admit that would be more than a little awkward. "No, no, I swear, this is all for work!" "Suuuuuure."
As such, here's a bit of wishful thinking on my part...
Mala's Five Rules for Soap Love Scenes
1. When in doubt, go with the Fade to Black; it never goes out of style.
2. Please, for the love of Pete, do not flash anyone's bare thigh. In fact, consider anything below the chest and above the knee verboten!
3. When kissing, please refrain from the Aliens face-hugger technique.
4. Once in bed, limit things to generic rolling around. Hip thrusts are a bit much in the afternoon.
5. No 'O' Faces. No. No. No.
March 5, 2009
So, I was formatting the list of this year’s Daytime Emmy pre-noms for the
issue we're working on this week, and just marveling at how weird the
pre-nom and nomination process is. I'll be honest, there are years where I
look at the list and just go, "What? Huh? I don't get it!" I don't know if
it's equal parts popularity contest and political maneuvering or what, but
sometimes the Emmy process just doesn't make sense to me!
For instance, while GENERAL HOSPITAL's Sarah Brown has been a lead actress
in the past, Claudia was a supporting character last year. Alicia Minshew
(Kendall) has been a lead actress on ALL MY CHILDREN for ages now. So why is
she always in Supporting Actress? Especially when Thorsten Kaye (Zach) is in
Lead. The same goes for GUIDING LIGHT: Why is Daniel Cosgrove (Bill) in Lead
and Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) in Supporting? They drove the same exact story last
year and had pretty much equal airtime. And if the philosophy there is that
Minshew and Rylan have a better shot of winning in Supporting because they
can't hold their own against the Jeanne Coopers (Katherine, Y&R) of the
world while Kaye and Cosgrove can go toe-to-toe with Anthony Geary (Luke,
GH)...well, that's pretty gender biased and insulting, don't you think?
Do shows consider who can "beat" a nominee from another network? Do
they have a cage match backstage to figure out who goes where? A double
elimination pool? "Whoever draws the short straw ends up in Younger Actor."
"But, dude, I'm almost 26!" Ooh! I know! They play Rock, Paper, Scissors,
don't they?
That's not to say I'm not happy about the way many of the pre-noms panned
out. Because I am indeed pleased that Rylan got a spot on the roster no
matter what category she's in and I'm happy for the whole gang from
AS THE WORLD TURNS, as well as the people THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL put up.
Yes, those are the two shows I cover. LOL. Speaking of biases, I bet none of
you are surprised that I'm happy DAYS OF OUR LIVES's Jay Kenneth Johnson
(Philip) is on the pre-nom list. ("Why, yes, Mala, considering you're so SHY
about Philip being a favorite..." LOL.) I've already confessed my abiding
love for Ridge in a 2008 blog entry, so it also shouldn't be a shock that
I'm rooting for B&B's Ronn Moss! He might have a good shot if he submits his
work from Phoebe's death and an episode like the one where Ridge gave Nick
Hell for doing Bridget wrong.
Of course, there are a few omissions that caught my eye, though it's not as
bad as years past. Maybe it's just because I'm on soap overload and
desensitized to who did what in 2008, but I don't have a huge sense of "OMG!
So-and-so WUZ ROBBED!" Still, Y&R's Sharon Case (Sharon), Melody Thomas
Scott (Nikki) and Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) are missing? Say, what? (I'm
not going to launch into a boo-hoo about Billy Miller, because this year's
work should earn him a lock for next year's pre-noms!) And ATWT's Jon
Hensley (Holden) and Austin Peck (Brad) had incredibly solid years. Plus,
there's Roger Howarth, who gives 120 percent even when Paul is riding the Crazy
Train to Over-the-top-ville. And where's GH's Sebastian Roche (ex-Jerry)? Or
Jason Thompson (Patrick)? He did beautiful work during the course of Robin's
pregnancy and Emma's birth and is truly emerging as one of the most solid,
dependable actors on that show. And, of course, his acting partner Kimberly
McCullough (Robin) should be on the list, too. And it goes without saying
that I believe that they both deserve to be honored for their work on NIGHT
SHIFT, as does head writer Sri Rao.
But, really, congratulations to everyone who scored a pre-nom and good luck
making it to the nomination round!
February 27, 2009
When it comes to my critical pieces in the magazine lately, I've been, well, critical. There's a lot to go off on when it comes to soaps these days and finding things that make me all warm and fuzzy proves to be a harder task than finding something that makes me all fork-stabby. But fear not! For this blog entry is completely devoted to things soap-related that make me smile. (And I promise the only time I'm mentioning cute men holding babies is right now. See? Done!)
First off, there's today's DAYS OF OUR LIVES. I heart John Aniston. Sure, Victor's a misogynistic old grouch, but damn he's funny. I love Philip (and we all know I love Philip), but watching his cantankerous father cut a few strips from his emo "wah, I gave up Stephanie" hide was priceless.
Then there's Mick Hazen. The AS THE WORLD TURNS teen made me smile this week when he was previewing some of Parker's upcoming story (check out the March 17 issue, hitting stands next Friday!). He's so on-the-ball. He makes me wish I was that together when I was not-quite-16. He's a good egg!
But, wait, let's move from smiles to straight-up belly laughs. ATWT's Trent Dawson (Henry), who shares my penchant for total geekdom, dished the recent New York Comic Con with me and we eventually did get to the subject of Henry and Vienna, but only after we discussed broadswords, people in costumes, and Watchmen. Then there's Alley Mills, (Pam, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL), who is a total treat when setting up her character's latest wacky antics. When she takes in-character swipes at Rick and Donna, it's hysterical. Last, but not least, I got to chat with Bryan Genesse, who returns on March 12 as B&B's Rocco Carner. A lot of our conversation made it into Weekly's March 17 issue, and there's plenty more fodder where that came from. He was a hoot, telling tales about B&B in the '80s and co-star Ronn Moss (Ridge).
And as long as I'm in flashback mode, here's the #1 thing that made me happy this week: I found GENERAL HOSPITAL's Decker and Dawn clips on YouTube! Decker and Dawn were my Nuke, my Zendall, my LL2, etc. Their love story was the first one on soaps I really remember being suckered in by. And from 1989-'91 Decker (Michael Watson) was SO my guy. I think I've mentioned before that I used to cut the fingers off my gloves, right? And up until recently, the only clip that existed of D&D was this one, where Dawn runs off after her wedding to Ned: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11n_zZWcS1I
Now, there's more! Yay! Here are a few choice examples...
Decker and Dawn on the run, wearing atrocious outfits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZKQWX7-oM
Decker pouring his heart out to a hospitalized Dawn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfrGrLF4zk
The obligatory montage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GOmqDaRhac
February 20, 2009
Sometimes, there's an actor that just wins hearts across the board. Critics and fans alike cotton to them, and they take their gloriously dysfunctional character to a level where you can't help but feel for them. GL's Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan) was one such find and I'm sure it's no surprise if I suggest that Y&R's nuBilly, Billy Miller is another. To say it less formally...dude, this guy ROCKS. I have not been able to tear my eyes away from him during the fallout from Delia's birth. He's so compelling and I bet ALL MY CHILDREN is just kicking themselves for killing off his prior incarnation, Richie Novak. And if they aren't? They should be!
Whether he's swaggering around in player mode or completely sloshed or absolutely bewildered by a baby girl who could probably fit in the palm of his hand, Miller's Billy Abbott is Must See TV. And pitting him against Jill's "golden boy," Cane makes it all the more riveting. I mean, let's just be shallow for a second here. Miller and Daniel Goddard arguing...? What's more fun than one charismatic, good-looking guy in a well-written scene? TWO charismatic, good-looking guys in a well-written scene! Goddard's no slouch and when Cane went OFF on Chloe, Billy, and Lily for all their lies and insisted Delia was still his child no matter what, I was sold. Watching Y&R these days is like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one! Except for the part where I can't choose between Jill's sons. I am so torn!
Kinda like my predicament with B&B's Rick and Ridge. I can't choose. I feel for them both. I'm like Brooke — without the multiple marriages, illegitimate children and steam room sex romps, that is! But seriously, I really enjoy both Kyle Lowder and Ronn Moss and their showdowns are the best part of the show for me right now. Oh, wait, I'm lying. Anytime Susan Flannery (Stephanie) gets to go off is awesome, too. I could watch the snarky insults fly all day long.
February 17, 2009
Most people who are soap fans watch soaps on their day off. Given that I
watch soaps for a living, the logical conclusion would be that the
last thing I do on my day off is watch them, right? Then could
someone explain to me why I was sitting on my couch between the hours of
10 and 11 AM yesterday glued to GUIDING LIGHT?
Oh my God, folks. I couldn't look away. From start to finish ... a finish
which, by the way, actually had me on the verge of bawling. Dangit, John
Driscoll, way to knock it out of the park with a helluva exit line. In fact,
he had me the whole episode, managing to retain Coop's purity of spirit and
his trademark snarky Cooper humor while growing progressively weaker and
weaker. ::sniffle:: I'm getting all maudlin just thinking about it.
Coop's death arc isn't the only thing to tune in for right now. Obviously,
there's Phillip's return. And while I'm glad Phillip is back and glad to see
Grant Aleksander, it's the repercussions for the other characters that's the
most compelling aspect of it for me. Olivia and Natalia, who really are one
of THE best couples in daytime right now (please don't screw it up, GL,
PLEASE; you're already doing a better job with The Gay than AMC and ATWT)
are pulled even closer together by their desire to protect Emma. And it has
spurred Olivia to really analyze how she feels about Nat — and even confess
said feelings to Bill. (I may have run around my living room making an
'eeeeee' noise at that point.)
Then there's Bill and Lizzie, who are one of my favorite couples in daytime,
and who've pretty much spent the better part of a year in Screwedville. Were
they even happy for five minutes before they were torn apart? I doubt it. In
any case, Phillip being back plays beautifully on Lizzie's trust issues and
brings out the protective streak in Bill that is so often obscured by his
self-destructive streak. And watching Marcy Rylan and Daniel Cosgrove ... oh,
man. They're such organic, honest actors that a viewer gets to laugh and
wince in the context of one scene. I want Bill and Lizzie back together so
badly I can almost taste it.
Seriously, when GL is good, it's so good. And entirely undeserving of
its low Nielsen ratings. It makes me want to throw my arms around its legs
and cry, "Don't goooooooo!" because I cannot imagine a soap world without
this show in it.
I know a lot of people have criticism for the "Peapacking" of GL, but the
one amazing thing about the stripped down sets and the handheld cameras is
that it strips away the artifice and glitz of a soap and leaves you with
what should be the most important thing: the actors (and characters) who
tell the story. And GL has a crop that is so talented, so amazing. They make
magic every day without makeup, without fancy lighting. We, as viewers, are
pulled into a world far more intimate and personal because of it. It's like
eavesdropping on real people, being a part of their loves and their losses.
And, sure, it makes me sound like a stalker, but I don't want to stop
listening in on Olivia and Natalia. I don't want to stop watching
Bill and Lizzie's push-pull courtship. And I want to come along for the ride
as the Coopers mourn one of their own.
Even on my day off.
(P.S. I watched B&B and ATWT, too, but skipped GH. Make of that what you
will. LOL.)
February 4, 2009
Between the poor showing for Carly's "gala" for Michael, an airborne toxin
that seems to only strike every fourth person, and a pathetically
underpopulated hospital, it's been hard to drum up any kind of excitement or
sense of urgency while watching GENERAL HOSPITAL. Gone are the nailbitingly
tense days of the Metro Court hostage crisis of Ought Seven or the 2006
virus story that actually jeopardized multiple people and featured staffers
and laymen alike actually wearing surgical masks. But just when I thought I
was going to need to bailout of GH's numbing biotoxin story, the show
delivered me a stimulus package in the form of Johnny and Maxie.
You want tension? You want excitement? I found that when Brandon Barash's
Johnny started eyeing Maxie like a three course meal as they discussed their
respective flaws. And their kiss? That was a nice surprise! Now I admittedly
am not a huge "Spixie" supporter and think Spinelli works best as Maxie's
friend — and in small doses. I also haven't seen the charm in Lulu for
quite some time. So a Johnny/Maxie pair-up doesn't just inject some vigor
into my viewing habits, it serves the bonus purpose of putting together a
pairing that actually intrigues me. Maxie never catches a break, and I love
her self-awareness in that respect. What I haven't liked is her idea that
Spinelli, computer dork extraordinaire, is somehow her redemption. Johnny,
who is searching for redemption himself and looking in all the wrong places,
seems to be more up her alley. Who's to say this dysfunctional duo can't try
and redeem themselves together? And if redemption's not on the horizon,
well, I am not opposed to more sharing of beers, confessions, and illicit
kisses.
Speaking of illicit kisses, another liplock that caught my eye this week was
that of AS THE WORLD TURNS' Matt and Alison. Yowza! Way to welcome back Eric
William Morris, who won many a fan's heart during his last go-round as
Casey's ne'er do well cellmate. Explain to me why Ali is kissing Matt to
make Casey jealous when she should realistically be kissing him because it's
fun. Much like Spixie, "AliCase," is a pair I like best as friends.
After all the relationship trauma they've been through — and the fact that
a lot of it for both of them involves Emily — isn't it better for them to
be involved with people that don't have nearly as much inter-Oakdale
baggage? Pairing Alison with Matt and Casey with Jade would go a long way
towards breaking the Stewart woman/Hughes man curse!
January 23, 2009
I've been a little behind with my soap hopping, so I haven't tuned into AMC
for a few weeks. But judging by the unhappy mail we get, it seems like
watching the show is a cross between watching the live feed of an execution
and getting a root canal. So, when I offered to pinch hit for our web site's
AMC daily recap today, I seriously questioned my sanity. I was like, "Dude,
what am I setting myself up for?" Guess what? I loved the entire episode!
Expecting to see the "evil" Reese plastering herself all over Zach and
"traitorous" Bianca waving her "spawn" at him in an effort to keep him from
his beloved Kendall, what I saw instead was a Zach who was petrified by his
wife's fragile condition and struggling with his vulnerability. I saw a
Reese who platonically kicked his mopey butt into Kendall's room. And I saw
a Bianca who was the St. Binks of the Holy Cross that I've always
remembered. (Baby Gabrielle didn't make an appearance at all.)
And guess what? There was other stuff on the show, too. ('Cause if you go by
e-mails and message board posts, you'd think the above storyline is the only
thing on.) I didn't realize that Pete was so darned cute. And Lucy Merriam's
Emma continues to be a total scene stealer. Brot, Taylor, Jake, Amanda, and
JR all got a bit of face time to stir their issues around. Then there's
Aidan and Annie at Oak Haven...oh my goodness. Their "As The Air Vent Turns"
bonding through the wall almost made me tear up. Yes, I'm that big of a sap.
When I spoke to Aiden Turner during Super Soap last year, I remember he said
he really liked playing Aidan a little bad, but honestly I love him good.
Aidan Devane is an old fashioned soap hero and the few months where he was
smacking Annie around and helping fake deaths were months I'm going to
pretend didn't happen. So this Aidan? The one who pressed his palm against
the slats of the vent and urged Annie to visualize holding his hand...?
Yeah, he's a keeper!
Kinda makes me wonder, exactly what feed of AMC did I get? 'Cause it's sure
not the one a lot of fans must be watching!
Maybe I just got lucky? LOL.
January 12, 2008
I rave about Y&R for a few reasons in the issue of Weekly that hits stands
this week (you'll have to pick it up and find out why), but that doesn't
necessarily mean the show is pitch perfect. In fact, I have some big ol'
problems with the show at times.
Like...Restless Style is a national magazine, right? So why do the
editors think that putting people like Victoria on the cover or doing
features about GC residents' favorite boys (Billy, Cane, Daniel, etc.) would
sell issues? I mean, seriously? That's an incredibly limited market you're
pitching to there: that of those who follow local Wisconsin pseudo-celebs.
That's hardly going to up the sales on a national level. I mean, if I sat
around and talked about my personal life in Weekly or I was on the cover, I
don't think a single issue would leave the stands. Except if my mom bought
one. LOL. Though maybe that's what Daniel's mom, Phyllis, is planning to do
to boost sales...buy all the copies herself!
Speaking of Phyllis, I’m having a little trouble mustering up empathy for
her "Oh, noes! Sharon's in New York with my husband!" angst. All her
righteous indignation about Nick running back to Sharon would be easier to
buy if SHE hadn't been the "other woman" in Nick and Sharon's marriage and
built a family on the foundation of their wrecked one. Why is it that people
who cheat never think it's going to happen to them? Uh, chances are if
somebody strayed before, they're going to stray again. So now that the shoe
is on the other foot for Phyllis, I'm not exactly feeling sorry for her. She
literally made her bed and has to lie in it.
Now, mind you, none of the above paragraph means I've taken a side in the
Great Shick Vs. Phick Debate. I have no opinion whatsoever on who ends up
with who because the actors all work so well together. In fact, I enjoy
Nick/Sharon/Phyllis/Jack in ANY permutation and wouldn't care if it somehow
ended up Sharon/Phyllis and Nick/Jack!
January 6, 2009
Some might say I have a bit of a preoccupation with DAYS OF OUR LIVES'
Philip. What's not to like? He's a complex, well-written guy, and he has
dimples! But I'm also fixated on him because I'm impressed that DAYS "went
there" with the character's war injuries and gave him a prosthetic leg.
Since that initial storyline, which Kyle Brandt played out, Jay Kenneth
Johnson has done a great job of remembering to limp on the correct foot. But
what DAYS itself sometimes forgets is that an artificial limb isn't just
about a limp and experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq aren't just footnotes
and dogtags worn on a chain.
In real life, people live with disability every day and it impacts them in
myriad ways. Why haven't we seen Phil sit down Stephanie, and talk about
what his entails? I don't recall him mentioning it to Morgan either. He's
practically blasé about it. Wouldn't it be nice for viewers dealing
with similar conditions to see him actively acknowledging his issues and
overcoming obstacles on a weekly basis? Back during the February 2008 plane
crash arc, Philip and Chloe joked about how it was lucky his prosthetic leg
got trapped under wreckage and not his real one, and then he asked her if it
was okay if he detached it. With wreckage and snow carefully hiding the fact
that Jay Johnson has two working limbs, Philip took off the prosthetic and
commenced to fixing it. I appreciated that. It made sense and it reminded
viewers of a key part of who he is.
But since then, aside from the limp, we get nary a hint that this is an
ongoing issue for Philip. As a viewer, I get that he's smokin' hot and rich
and charming, but when it comes down to the mechanics of say, SEX, don't you
think a conversation with a ladyfriend about how not all of Philip is as
prettily sculpted as his chest is warranted? And it's something that
Stephanie would probably be able to relate to and connect with him over, as
her own father is missing an eye and she's seen what a non-issue that is for
Kayla.
I had to laugh at yesterday and today's episodes, where Philip pulled back
from Steph because of his track record with women, because he didn't want to
hurt her, and not because he might have some lingering insecurities about
how she'd react to his prosthetic. Even funnier? When Philip vaulted over
the footboard of the bed with absolutely no problem.
It would feel so much more organic if the show put aside the "emotionally
wounded bad boy" thing for a second and remembered that he lost both his leg
and his face in service to his country. And didn't he also work for the ISA
for a bit? There is so much that could be mined from those aspects of his
past and so much that those experiences could explain about who he is
and why he acts the way he does when it comes to matters of the heart. I'd
find that a much more compelling story than the poor little rich boy.
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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.
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.
My favorite soap moment this year was when Luke and Noah finally shared another kiss at Old Town.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
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
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.
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!
If it helps at all, I'll have a new entry up tomorrow! :)
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.
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.
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?
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
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'
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...
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
"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!
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...:)
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!
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!!!
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!
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.
Cristal is too good to be true. Otalia is soap at its best. Guiding Light must keep shining
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.
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.
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!
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!
Commenting in Haiku: Chappell perfection The eyes bring it home, no doubt Master method class
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.
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.
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!!
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.
"Oh, my heart" exactly! It literally hurt after that episode. That ending!
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
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!
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!
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
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
We are also doing on an ongoing series on diversity in daytime. @ the site here: http://timeaftertimeonlinedrama.webs.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
MALA,you Roooccck!! I love reading your blog, it's the first thing I check when I check out the website.
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?
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.
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....
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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!
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!
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!
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.
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?
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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