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OPINION
Mala's Masala
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Mala Bhattacharjee, news editor
— Weekly
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October 15, 2008
I am still on Cloud Nine from last night's NIGHT SHIFT! The dorky grin has
yet to leave my face. And all because I rolled out of bed, settled in with
my morning coffee, and got to travel back to the 1980s, which was when I was
first introduced to GH by my mom. My only beef? They needed to put up an
extra title card after the classic ambulance opening with "GENERAL HOSPITAL
NIGHT SHIFT" in that old school font: "SPIT-TAKE WARNING, WATCH AT YOUR OWN
RISK." Because if you put Tristan Rogers (Robert), Anthony Geary (Luke),
John J. York (Mac), Finola Hughes (Anna), John Reilly (Sean), and Sharon
Wyatt (Tiffany) in a room together, it is a laugh-a-minute,
spill-your-coffee-down-your-shirt extravaganza! (Thank goodness I was still
in pajamas.)
I can't even tell you how many times I choked with giggles — and if we're
keeping track, Geary did it to me the most! He's also the one who managed to
make me cry, when Luke shook Robert by the shoulders, telling him they both
deserved better deaths and shouting that he'd kill Robert himself if he had
to. I actually had to stop the tape right there and get ready for work —
and, yes, I didn't finish watching until I was ensconced in my office some
45 minutes later. That was a massive hardship.
The trope of Robert's past confronting him during his coma was a brilliant
one, allowing GH: NS to dust off his old townhouse (I mistakenly thought it
would be his penthouse, which is now Sonny's old digs in Harborview Towers),
and, more importantly, it allowed Robert to dust off his old pals! They even
explained why Holly wasn't there. Anna "innocently" saying that her invite
to Robert's death party got lost in the mail was hilarious. But aside from
all the in-jokes, the scenes just resonated with history, with candor and
camaraderie. I loved the device of Robin's speech at Robert's bedside being
intercut with the pep talks from everyone in his dream. I LOVED the classic
clips of Robin and Robert's first meeting and Robert and Anna's first
wedding that were shown before the commercial breaks. And I loved the
not-so-subtle message that the past creates us, shapes us, and is always
with us, but can't be recaptured. You have to take it and move forward:
which is a beautiful way to summarize NS' handling of GH's history. It
respects it, celebrates it, and uses it to move story into the present and
the future.
Oh, wait, other stuff happened in this episode, too, didn't it? Claire
resigned. Jagger got served with custody papers by Stone's Mystery Mom —
and then got a serving of Saira's undeniable charms. Kyle and Eric had an
achingly sweet scene where Kyle actually admitted his vulnerability and Eric
promised to come back to him from clinical trials in Portland — which, I
might add, went a long way towards soothing the pain of Calvin and Michael's
breakup earlier that night on GREEK. Toussaint found out he has a secret
baby. And Patrick, totally rocking the threads of gray hair, was receiving
threats from those skinheads he refused to treat two weeks ago.
Which means we can all guess what was coming when they cued up the closing
montage to "Make You Feel My Love," by Adele. Soaps have trained me well.
The minute everyone began pouring into the parking lot — a wistful Kyle and
Eric, despondent Claire, Patrick with his Concern Face, and an all-too happy
looking Saira and Jagger — I knew trouble was ahead. I was actually yelling
at my TV, "No, Saira, don't walk away!" because she totally had the pre-Lily
Clink!Boom expression on her face. (For the uninitiated, that refers to
Lilly Melgar's character on the Day Shift blowing up in front of Sonny's
eyes in Luke's club's parking lot in the '90s. She had this wonderful,
beatific smile on her face as she glanced back at Sonny and you just KNEW
she was toast.) As Patrick gazed around the lot, it was just a matter of
guessing WHAT was going to go boom. The ambulance, like in the NS season one
premiere? The dumpster? (Yes, it was the dumpster.) And the thing is, I
didn't even MIND the flashy FX and very typically "Friday cliffhanger" feel!
Why? Because the biggest boom, this episode's most powerhouse moments,
didn't come from violence. They came from love, the love Robert's friends
and family feel for him — and the love viewers feel for the wonderful show
that GENERAL HOSPITAL used to be.
October 10, 2008
Okay, is everyone sitting down? If you're reading my blog, it probably means you're at your computer and in a chair, right? I actually enjoyed a full episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL. Yes, the one that's on at 3 pm in New York, not the one on at 11. Today's episode, and actually part of yesterday's, had me laughing out loud. Max and Milo's father, Maximus, hitting town was a huge part of that, and you can check out a future issue of the magazine for my thoughts about that particular storyline. But here, I want to talk about the other parts of the episode that really reminded me of how fun this show can be.
Robin and Patrick were so adorable that I can't get over it. It's been two years since I have really liked them, because they've just had so much ridiculous conflict that made the characters unlikable. Thanks to NIGHT SHIFT this season I'm used to them acting like their capable, intelligent selves again, but seeing them get their stuff together on the parent show is just fresh and new — and wonderfully romantic. The interrogation room proposal was precious. Kudos to Uncle Mac for sticking them in a room and making them work it out. It's about time these two grew up and realized the biggest obstacle they face is their dueling egos. Once they put those aside, all that was left was the twinkling and the giddiness that expectant parents and would-be marrieds should be experiencing. I just wanted to pat them both on the head and take them home and give them soup. That's how cute they were.
Then there were Lucky and Sam and Ric and Claudia. With the former playing a little couch tag and the latter playing pool, we got 1)heartfelt talk and 2)flirting. Isn't that SO much better than fists and bullets flying? There was so much couple-y-ness that I actually felt like I was watching a different show. Even Sonny and Olivia's talk out by her stalled car entertained me, because it took place somewhere other than the coffee warehouse or Sonny's living room set or the docks.
Last, but not least, there was Coleman! Max and Milo are great, and I love Diane, but Coleman is without a doubt my favorite non-contract character. The rugged, raunchy barkeep can always be trusted to offer up a quotable quip and an ego boost for any lady that walks in the door at Jake's — and I actually miss the days when he got to mix it up in actual story with Luke, Tracy, and Skye. I'm so glad Patrick hightailed it to the bar to tell him about his pending nuptials. If anyone deserves an invite to the Scrubs wedding, it's Coleman, since he's had a ringside seat for most of their highs and lows.
October 8, 2008
We haven't even gotten to the super-duper Nostalgia Alert edition of NIGHT
SHIFT with Luke, Sean and Tiffany that airs Oct. 14, but I'm already a
wreck about this show going away. Just like last season, I feel like I'll
need a support group to get through the withdrawal.
Every note of last night's episode was perfect. From Robert and Anna cuddled
together on the hospital bed, to Anna breaking down as she described her and
Robert's connection to Jagger... oh, man, I felt like I was in grade school
again, watching Robert pine for Anna as she committed to Duke! Then there
was the Patrick and Robin scene, where they were simply sitting on their
sofa bed giving each other comfort. When's the last time we saw that kind of
moment in the afternoon? I loved the way Kimberly McCullough stroked Jason Thompson's hair and touched his face as Patrick confided his insecurities
about being both Chief of Staff and a father. And I have to give major kudos
to Thompson, who is not only not afraid to cry, but he's REALLY good at it.
That's right, folks, Jason Thompson is not an Ugly Crier. Alert the media!
Wait, I AM the media. (LOL.) It's the little things that give a couple
authenticity, and both the junior and senior Scorpio sets excelled at that
last night.
I was also really glad to see Saira stand up for herself in a way that was
perfectly in character. She's so gentle, so nice, that of COURSE she wouldn't
go ballistic on Leo for cheating. The simmering hurt and passive-aggression
was spot on, and I really felt for her when she explained to Leo why his
love confession wasn't enough.
Then, just when I thought things couldn't get any better, we had Kyle and
Eric scenes. A 14 episode season makes it nearly impossible to take things
slow, and yet NS manages to make all their relationships feel like they've
gone on for ages. There's a connection factor, a give-and-take between
script and actor chemistry, that made Claire and Ryan feel real, that makes
Saira and Leo's affair feel like it played out over months, and that makes
Kyle and Eric compelling. I loved that in the wake of all of Eric's blatant
flirting, it was Kyle who made the first move, pulling him in for a kiss.
And that was some kiss. Kyle, who never takes chances, who is always
worried about everyone else, just let go and took the leap. If he's
"rewarded" for opening up like that by Eric dying on him, my heart's going
to break into itty bitty pieces.
But on a tangential note, I'm really hoping that Claire and Kyle are able to
mend fences since they've now both been embroiled in very Izzie/Denny
relationships and fallen for patients. And I have to say it again: Adam
Grimes is this season's find. I would love to also repeat "Bring him to GH:
DAY SHIFT" but at this point I'm realistic enough to know we would never see
Kyle if that happened. They have WAY too many characters already to do his
story the justice NS has.
October 3, 2008
Raise your hand if you watched the Vice Presidential debate last night. Talk about SOAPY. I'm not going to foray into politics because this isn't the platform for that, but that's so going to be the watercooler talk of the office today (finally bumping the topic of B&B!). That is, unless I can change the subject to SMALLVILLE. As much as it weirds me out that SMALLVILLE has jumped around, seriously altered Superman back story, and has suddenly decided to make Clark a reporter at the Daily Planet without finishing college, if you give me a good Green Arrow episode, I am willing to overlook the heebie-jeebies. Last night was certainly that. I love when they delve into Oliver's past, and I'm really intrigued by his connection to Tess "Mercy" Mercer. Justin Hartley (ex-Fox, PASSIONS) also spent a good portion of the episode running around shirtless. Looks like the missus (Lindsay Hartley, ex-Theresa, PASSIONS) made sure her hubby hit the gym this summer!
And how fantastic has ATWT been this week? While, like many, I'm bummed that the James Stenbeck aspect of the story wrapped up so quickly. Dusty's return has me on tenterhooks, waiting for the scenes spoiled in yesterday's preview, where Dusty arrives at Metro (remember when he used to run it?) and Lily faints. Can I hope Holden knocks him out? I mean, I love Dusty, but Holden and everybody else in town has a right to slug him when he shows up all Not Dead. Repeatedly. That, my friends, is what good soap is made of. Those gasp "Oh, no, he DIDN'T!" moments. And the fact that Dusty shaves off the Grizzly Adams beard before returning to Oakdale certainly helps, too!
I also have to give massive kudos to this week's Carly and Jack scenes, where, after the longest time, the shoe was on the other foot and we saw Jack reaching out, pleading for a reunion, while Carly was the one wary of going down that road again. When Carly said loving Jack was like breathing... okay, I'd be lying if I said I didn't flail around a little with glee. Even if they never get it together in the romance department, these two are a great team. In fact, I just had a chat with Michael Park yesterday, on the very subject of Carly and Jack and I will admit I totally raved about the scenes to him. (I know you're all thinking, "For the love of Pete, Mala, put your Carjack pom-poms away." If it helps at all, I actually like Janet/Jack, too.)
And on a slightly less gleeful note, I know there a lot of people raving in the other way (the kind that gets paired with "ranting and...") because Luke and Noah's anticipated reunion only took about 3 minutes of the Oct. 1 episode. I'm sorry, Guys. I feel your pain. On the bright side, that's NOT the only time we'll see them this fall. And they were cute and they kissed! But why didn't Noah bring ME a souvenir from his trip? Where's the love, Dude?
October 1, 2008
Can I make a confession that I hope no one will hold against me? I love Ridge Forrester. Yes, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL's Ridge Forrester. I kinda can't help myself. I give a good portion of the blame to the fantastic and hilarious "Baby Come Back" Swiffer commercials that keep airing between all my soap viewing. I LOVE those ads. (It also helps if you picture Ridge as the forlorn mop and/or squeegee, Brooke as the woman who threw it out, and Nick as the Swiffer.) I keep hoping Player will come to the East Coast so I can see them in concert. But make no mistake, it's not just the awesomecakes of Ronn Moss raking in classic rock residuals at work here. It's more than that. Ridge cracks me UP.
Mind you, I just started covering B&B for the magazine this year and before this had only watched sporadically. Has Ridge always been so snarky? Moss just pops off these dry one-liners that make me clap my hand over my mouth so I don't bray with laughter. And, okay, it helps that the one-liners are usually at the expense of Nick, who is probably the character on B&B I love the least right now. Any time Ridge can get a shot in at the serial Logan dating salty dog, I'm a happy camper. (And that's not a slight against Jack Wagner. I loved me some Warren Lockridge back in the day when I used to watch SANTA BARBARA.) In addition to Ridge's bitter snarkiness, I really love how incredibly supportive he's been to Bridget as she breaks free from Nick. He helped her move! He got up in Nick's face on her behalf! What a good stepdaddy! (I try to forget that they played tonsil hockey a few times and just focus on the fact that he delivered her at Big Bear. Aw!) And, then, today, he showed Brooke that adorable Maid of Honor dress for Hope and the suits for RJ and Jack...? Awwwww. That was so sweet.
I need help.
Or a vacation.
Possibly both.
September 24, 2008
Can you believe there's only a handful of NIGHT SHIFT episodes left? Whatever shall I do with myself? I'm especially despondent now that this season has really hit its stride.
For instance, Patricia, Leo, and Kyle's confrontation scene in the breakroom last night actually made me cry. Kathleen Noone proved why she's a veteran powerhouse, establishing character history and motivation in such a way that I felt like she'd been on the show this whole time. Ethan Rains finally came into his own, showing us the vulnerability in Leo that would've helped us key into him had it been written into the premiere. Maybe it's because I'm an ethnic minority myself and also because my brother was a perfect student while I was the slacker, but he totally got to me. I just wanted to hug him and apologize forever thinking of him as "NapoLeon." And Adam Grimes showed why he's the breakout star of the season. If he doesn't land on GH: Day Shift, it'll be a shame and a waste, because Kyle is everything you'd want in a gay character: He's a fleshed out, fully realized person being played by a talented actor. He's no token, he's no desexualized saint. And his immediate chemistry with Chad Allen's Eric had me grinning. I know it's too early to call it, but I think they might be my favorite gay couple on TV, closely followed by GREEK's Calvin and Michael, who are just as witty and adorable as that show's straight couples. (And interracial to boot!) And, okay, yes, the fact that I totally crushed on Chad Allen during his MY TWO DADS/OUR HOUSE era helps. (By the time he hit DR. QUINN MEDICINE WOMAN, I was all about Joe Lando's Sully. We can thank Lando's turn as OLTL's Jake Harrison for that. Jake and Megan...sigh!)
The rest of the episode was enjoyable as well. I loved Robin being all freaked out by last week's Awkward Pre-Kiss Moment with Jagger. I loved Patrick's expression of utter disbelief when kinder, gentler Epiphany tried to counsel him in the supply closet. I loved Jagger, Robert, and Stone all bonding. I love how this is a show that strengthens key family ties, whereas the parent show is one that relishes tearing them apart. And that's really just a sad commentary on GH. Why should we HAVE to tune in to a primetime show to get family interaction? To get diversity, richness of character, and nods to history? Why is a reunion with Anna, Sean, Tiffany, Luke, and Robert happening at 11 p.m. instead of 3? Gee, I guess it takes away from prime Zacchara and Sonny/Kate time, huh? We might miss mob drama! Gasp.
Though, okay, I will concede that GH rallied a little by bringing back HalluciLaura and having Lulu, Lucky, and Nikolas share scenes, and also by having Matt Hunter turn out to be Patrick's brother. Still, that's not enough and, for me, it's just a little too late.
But at least GH isn't as derivative as the new 90210. WHY am I still watching this? It's. So. Bad. Every single storyline is predictable and Shenae Grimes's Annie is even more unlikable than Brenda was back in the day. (Have I mentioned I'm a Kelly girl? Because I SO am.) I dislike Annie SO much that I was actually cheering when Adrianna got one over on her. She's a petulant, wishy-washy brat. I would rather watch scenes with her awesome parents, Harry and Aunt Becky (I don't even remember Lori Loughlin's actual character name! LOL!), than watch her. On the plus side, I continue to think Dixon is adorable and I love his budding romance with Silver. It's the only bright spot in the otherwise snoozeworthy teen set. You know you have a problem on your hands when Kelly, Brenda, Harry, Aunt Becky, and Ryan are all the real draw to this show. I also have to put in an honorable mention for James Patrick Stuart (ex-Will, AMC) and Christina Moore, who, as Naomi's divorcing parents, probably had the sexiest moment of the entire episode. Way to show 'em how it's done!
Also? I was already having Spring Awakening issues because I get a lot of "bestest musical EVER!" rhetoric from friends. Thanks, 90210, for officially hammering the last nail in the coffin and making me never want to see it.
September 19, 2008
This is quite possibly the shallowest blog post I'm ever going to write, but I can't help it. While watching AS THE WORLD TURNS this week, it struck me just how pretty the cast is. When they're out on location, with all that natural light shining down on them, you get an even more clear indication of why the Maura Wests, Julie Pinsons, Jon Hensleys, and Jon Prescotts of the world are on TV and why mere mortals like myself are tied to a computer. I mean, these are people who look good even before they hit the makeup chair, just wandering the studio halls in their street clothes, so it should be no surprise that they look good in the sunlight. But even ATWT's interior lighting is incredibly flattering and plays to their actors' best features. Back when Marie Wilson's hair was redder, I had severe envy every time Meg was on, because the color looked so rich. (Mind you, I'd look awful as a redhead!) And it's not just hair. No one ever looks pasty or washed out. Everyone always seems to have a healthy glow. (Not counting Ghost Sofie.)
When you think about it, it takes some serious effort to make a soap star look less than their best.
So why are there some shows that are doing exactly that? Is there a major difference in their lighting equipment? Do the makeup people just not know how to blend the right foundation to go with the lights? Why does everyone on ATWT look so vibrant while some people on other programs look like they haven't been let out of the basement in years? (And trying to compensate for bad lighting with tanning really doesn't work; many people just look like Oompa Loompas.) I've seen actors from a few other shows who look exponentially better in real life than they do onscreen — where they're supposed to look more fabulous than the average person. That's just sad. (And, no, I'm not naming names or calling out the shows. I don't want to make enemies! LOL!)
So it just begs the question: Why can't more people see the light? And point it in the right direction?
September 11, 2008
So, I've been kind of bad lately. I missed GH: NIGHT SHIFT again. I know, I know...here I am, a giant advocate and I'm playing hooky. Shame on me. However, what I haven't missed is THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. Every single episode this week has been must-see. I absolutely adored watching Bridget find out about Katie and Nick's affair. From the whole skeevy set-up of Nick making love to her and then dropping the bomb (OMG! What a creep!) to Bridget flipping out and snarling that he should've kept his pants on, it was sheer soapy brilliance. As much as I hate Bridget having to go through the umpteenth instance of "you slept with my husband, prepare to die!" it's always entertaining to watch the fall-out. And did anyone else get a huge kick out of delusional Katie hoping to Brooke that Bridget would take the news well and then telling Bridget the same thing? The look on Bridget's face when Katie expressed her wish that Bridget and Nick raise her Catalina love child if she dies was the best thing EVER. I haven't laughed so hard in ages...at least not until today's episode, where Stephanie and the Forrester kids gathered around Eric expecting that he was about to croak.
When Stephanie asked Thorne to bring her the basin from her old bathroom and then began washing Eric's feet, I actually had to walk down to a colleague's office and go, "Hey, are you watching B&B? What's up with the Jesus-y foot washing?" I'm sure it was supposed to be poignant and moving and whatnot, but this is Stephanie "Badass Mofo" Forrester we're talking about, not Mary Magdalene! And besides, if you want to go with the apt biblical metaphor for fallen women washing the benevolent savior's feet, shouldn't that be Donna? Then again, I suspect that if she wants to atone for getting frisky with Owen, she'd have to wash a lot more than just Eric's neglected tootsies.
September 3, 2008
Not only did I watch 90210 last night like half the planet, but I am all
caught up on NIGHT SHIFT after slacking last week. And, yes, I realize my guesses from Aug. 27 about what happened weren't exactly on the mark. The kids with Cystic Fibrosis who wanted to get married are officially my favorite patients of the season so far. I almost cried at their goodbye scene on either side of the door. Capping off their plight was the incredibly resonant conversation Robin and Patrick had, where he admitted he felt like an outsider because he wasn't HIV+, too, and she told him she needed him to be healthy so he could raise their child if anything happened to her. Two and half hankies! I was sniffling all over the place.
This week's episode had its own emotional ups and downs, but the highlight was definitely seeing Mac, Robert, and Robin together like a family. I mean, not only did Mac's Australian accent return (Haven't heard it in years! LOL!), but watching him and Robert rib each other and swap stories was so much more fulfilling than the punch in the face during the 2006 virus story on GH. And Robin sitting cuddled with Robert before his surgery brought to mind little Robin in the old days so acutely that I even felt like a kid again. Speaking of kids, it was a nonexistent baby bump week! Robin's fictional fetus fluctuates weight more than me on the Atkins diet!
Claire's adorable and annoying patient, Ryan, cracked me up and my eyebrows rose at some of the dialogue they got away with. And Leo and Saira...? I was officially SO over them and waving the Jagger/Saira banner — until Leo broke down and asked Saira for help and then admitted how he feels about her. Just when you get out, they suck you back in!
Now, on to Rob Thomas's (of VERONICA MARS fame) version of 90210. Permit me to use a highly technical TV review term... "meh." The only reason I tuned in was to hear what my favorite Beverly Hills residents are up to now. Jennie Garth looks fabulous (I've always been a Kelly girl; sorry Brenda people!) and though Rob Estes was a MELROSE PLACE guy and not reprising that role, he looks great. I can't believe that he and Lori "Aunt Becky" Loughlin are now playing parents of teens. Tangentially, I got the double whammy of seeing my AMERICAN HEIRESS favorite AnnaLynne McCord (ex-Loren) winning the Andrea Zuckerman Award for Oldest Fake Teen at West Beverly and seeing James Patrick Stuart PLAY HER DAD. AMC's Will Cortlandt. Her. Dad. Oh my God.
For that, and many other reasons 90210 v.2.0 is so freakishly jarring. I can't get over how much skinnier the girls are, how much more risque the show is, etc. Are we SUPPOSED to root for sweet little Annie (Shenae Grimes, ex-Darcy, DEGRASSI) to hook up with Ethan, the guy who was getting uh "serviced" in his car the first time we saw him? Ew. Where's my Dylan? Where's my Brandon? (Besides in Belize calling Kelly at 3 a.m., I mean.) When the most appealing guy is the cute English teacher (Ryan Eggold), you know you're in trouble. I don't care if Ethan surfs, he is no Dylan McKay. I had a poster of Luke Perry on my bedroom wall as a teen; I take any attempts to fill his pre-emo James Dean-knockoff shoes very seriously.
It was interesting to see which archetypes they did borrow from the old show. Of COURSE the brown guy, Navid (Michael Steger) is the new David Silver... and there's a beefy blond guy that's Steve-esque. Siblings Annie and Dixon (Tristan Wilds), with their adjoining rooms, do give off a Brenda/Brandon vibe. But I think my favorite teen is Erin Silver (the stunning Jessica Stroup). Not only is she quirky and edgy, but she's tied to the canvas! I loved her scenes with "big sis" Kelly, even though I had to suspend disbelief because there's NO way she and Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez would be the same age. At least through Erin, we'll get to see Jackie and hopefully find out that big bro David is off preventing robots from taking over the earth!
August 29, 2008
Did you know August is a Sweeps month? Me neither! But judging by the drama
here at Digest/Weekly, it's true! First we had a casting shocker, and yesterday we had a FIRE. I am not even kidding. I ran out to grab a late lunch yesterday afternoon and walked back to the office building only to spy
flames shooting out of the roof. As it's New York, there were people
standing around gawking and going, "Hey, yo, that building's on fire." I, of
course, was like, "That's MY building!"
I called my colleague Julie up in the office, who was flabbergasted when I
told her the roof was on fire. The alarms weren't going off! I was like,
"Dude, no, the roof's on fire. Get everybody out." Anyway, the gist of it is
that, yes, the alarms kicked in, everyone from all the floors got out, the
firemen came, and everything worked out. We were back in the office within
an hour. But geez...talk about heart-stopping action!
Consequently, I'm wondering what else can happen before Sept. 1.
—There's a blackout (entirely possible; it's happened before.)
—Somebody gives birth in the elevator. (GH Editor Joe: "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!")
—A mysterious accented mercenary descends upon the offices and makes us all play silly games. (Spin the Bottle, Twister, etc.)
—Somebody pumps a mysterious gas through the vents, causing us all to
hallucinate. (Frankly, I believe this happens already...)
—Our two Style editors get struck by lightning and sent to a time period
where really ugly prints were "in."
—A monkey escapes from the Madagascar exhibit at the Bronx Zoo and infects us all with a mysterious virus. ("Is there a monkey by the water cooler?"
"No, but there IS one on top of the copier.")
—Somebody gets hit on the head (probably me, because I'm a klutz) and sent to the afterlife to see beloved vets and learn some kind of life lesson.
I guess we shouldn't be surprised that there's big Sweeps stunts at a soap
magazine, huh? I'm just waiting for a SOAPnet reality series set here!
August 27, 2008
It's been a crazy few days, so I forgot to set a tape for NIGHT SHIFT. I
know, I know. I'm ashamed of myself. I watched two episodes of EUREKA and
the second season premiere of GREEK on ABC Family and went straight to bed.
So, imagine my disappointment when I awoke this morning and realized I had
no NS to indulge in! I'll have to pilfer a tape from a colleague at some
point or wait till the Sunday replay.
Still, let's not let a little thing like missing an episode keep me from
speculating. Here's what I think I missed: 1)Gay Kyle and Not
Izzie were overwhelmed by one thing or another and sat on the Gurney of
Angst. 2)NapoLEOn noticed Jagger and Saira are spending time together and
got huffy. Jagger probably flashed that dimpled smile that so eloquently
telegraphs "Wow, you are a tool." 3)This week on ALL MY BABY BUMPS, Robin
probably looked like she was a little bloated from PMS. 4)Robert did
something awesome, because that's just how he rolls. 5)Somebody was
half-naked. 6)Epiphany got in someone's business.
I will check back in after I've seen the episode to gauge how on point my
guesses were, or feel free to tell me in the comments.
Now to GREEK for a moment. It's a show I hooked several coworkers on, and
one I'd gladly recommend to anyone else. Don't let the whole frat
boy/sorority girl thing fool you; it's a wonderful, witty, show with a great
cast. I'm not sure what ABC Family is doing pairing it with THE SECRET LIFE
OF WALTER MITTY er, THE AMERICAN TEENAGER, which seems like a much more dour
7TH HEAVEN-ish series. GREEK pushes the boundaries. I mean, hey, just last
night, we got to see a bunch of guys in cheerleader skirts! (My hats off to
you, Beaver, for doing the splits.) It's not too late to Rush and join the
audience of this gem of a show.
August 22, 2008
So I've already loosed my venom on B&B's poor Katie Logan. Now that I've
gotten all that bile out of my system I'm actually at a very zen place with
Katie. I don't mind her anymore. Clearly it's time I cleansed some more and
came to terms with a few other characters who drive me nuts. Oddly enough,
the topic of today's spewage is also a Katie ... GH's Kate Howard. Now, when
it occurred to me that #2 on my soap opera dart board had the same moniker
as #1, I started wondering if I had deep-seeded Kate Issues. There
was a girl in high school named Kate who was really mean to me. Maybe
I'm just lashing out at poor, unsuspecting Kates and Katies because of that?
Except that theory doesn't hold water. I like all the other Kates I know.
DAYS' Kate Roberts, my boss' cute daughter, Kate Hudson ... oh, wait, there's
Katie "Kate Cruise" Holmes, but I don't think that counts.
Where was I?
Ah, yes, Kate Howard! So, I don't like Kate, and it's not a consistent,
festering hate. Sometimes she doesn't bug me at all. She and Sonny are off
in their little bubble and more power to 'em! I'm not invested in the
couple, but if they stay together I have a better chance of seeing Carly and
Jax survive into 2009. My dislike of Kate usually pops up in the context of
her Big Dramatic Identity Secret. It sets my teeth on edge that she
Anglicized her name from Connie Falconeri in order to succeed in the
fashion industry. That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. This
point has been made a thousand times by our magazine, by bloggers, etc.
Italian people are pretty much synonymous with fashion. You'd think Ms.
Falconeri would have no problems! But, unfortunately, the Italian name goes
along with Kate's embarrassment with her Brooklyn upbringing. There's a
dozen reasons you can tell GH is put together in California (like Max and
Diane rooting for the Dodgers! SACRILEGE!) but the biggest, most glaring
ones, come from Kate's storyline. No real New Yorker is ever ashamed of
coming from Brooklyn. It's a badge of honor. (Tangential shout-out to GOSSIP
GIRL: Williamsburg is not the wrong side of the tracks.) I'm not from New
York originally, but two of my close friends are, and watching them whip out
the Brooklyn cred is awesome.
Then, there's how Kate runs Crimson. She's a demanding, condescending boss
with a STAFF OF THREE. How do you put out a glossy mag like Crimson with
Clarice and two crazy assistants who are never in the office? Kate's this
super famous editor that apparently has one heck of a rep...and she doesn't
do anything except bark orders at people and name-drop. Though she does have
meetings that Sonny interrupts, and there's apparently fashion designers
involved and mannequins with designer dresses on them. But let's not forget
that she thinks having a fake affair with married Jax sells issues. What?!
That's not a "woman who can have it all," Kate. That's a dirty tramp. If
what a magazine staff does on their own time made the issues fly off the
shelves, every one of us at WEEKLY would be squiring some handsome lad about
on our arms for the paparazzi. (Although, I'm willing to do that if anyone
wants to volunteer...)
I like Kate the best when her guard is down, when she lets Connie peek
through and Megan Ward does that completely over the top, nasal
accent. That's charming. That's something to connect to. This character has
so much potential to be a good one. To be more than a collection of false
images of New York and icky messages about denying who you are to get ahead.
Kate's a working woman, confident and successful. Can't she be those things
without being insufferable? What is GH trying to say about competent women
with ambition?
August 20, 2008
Help! I don't know what's happening, but it appears that my fondness for
NIGHT SHIFT's Claire (see, I'm even using her name) is growing in direct
proportion to how much my interest with the rest of the show is waning. The
pacing for this week was SO slow. I only cracked a smile a few times, like
when Patrick and Jagger had an über-awkward conversation at the beginning of the episode, and when Epiphany called a pestering Claire "Miss CSI Flower Unit." Oh, and when Leo reached up and tousled his "little brother" Kyle's hair in the locker room. Aw! I did love Epiphany and Robert's heart-to-heart about their kids and Kyle talking to Patrick about wanting a family someday, but the rest of the time, my mind wandered. I don't want to be bummed
about this show. Stop it!
On the plus side, GH: DAY SHIFT drew me in for about 2. 5 seconds yesterday
with angry Nikolas hauling Nadine against him to kiss her...and then lost me
again when he proceeded to do his impression of a face-hugger from
Aliens. Ick.
Luckily, I'm still enamored of ATWT, especially with their peapacking (to
peapack: verb; to film one's show outside, a la GUIDING LIGHT, in Peapack,
N.J.). The outdoor scenes on the Snyder farm development site and out by the
barn and pond are the perfect balance to their indoor shots... even if,
sometimes, they can't keep track of evening at Metro and afternoon outside.
Oops! Plus, I have to give Marie Wilson (Meg) and Kelley Menighan Hensley
(Emily) massive props for navigating that terrain in heels. I can't even
walk on a sidewalk in flats without tripping.
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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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