During the TV critics tour of Los Angeles, NBC triumphantly announced that The Today Show would be going to 4 hours. The victim on this nonsense is Passions.
Now, I admit, I am no fan of Passions. I find it rather silly. I laugh each time Robyn is home from some offbeat school holiday and calls me to ask "Have you watched this Passions show, it is CRAZY?!" However, the show does great with the younger demographic. And, for the most part soap fans are loyal. This is why I have always said that NBC should stick with Passions because it could beat Y&R in the ratings in a decade or so. Alas, network executives have no patience.
Which leads to the question WHY? The Today Show is too long as it now stands. Do we really need one more hour of cooking segments, celebrity interviews and lame weather jokes?
And, not only does it speak to the little patience that network execs possess, it speaks volumes to what may possibly be the future of soaps.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Death doesn't become her
Within a week's period of time, All My Children and Guiding Light killed off popular characters(Dixie and Tammy, respectively). No sooner was it announced that AMC was killling off the beloved Dixie, that fans started to speculate on how it would happen and how she could return.
On some boards, Tammy's death happened on the same day that fans speculated on how she could be "not really dead." In fact, more time has been spent posting about how these folks could return than on sadness that the character has died. Both lines seem to fall around some sort of "faked her death to protect and hide her from _____" (slayer, Alan Spaulding, or whomever you want to fill in the blank with on this).
I know the writers think this is great, that they can keep us on our toes by saying that "anyone can go at any moment". However...
What this really says: That the coming-back-from-the-dead thing has been so overdone, that we highly expect it. And expect it so much, that the death scenes and following mourning has little affect on the average fan.
On some boards, Tammy's death happened on the same day that fans speculated on how she could be "not really dead." In fact, more time has been spent posting about how these folks could return than on sadness that the character has died. Both lines seem to fall around some sort of "faked her death to protect and hide her from _____" (slayer, Alan Spaulding, or whomever you want to fill in the blank with on this).
I know the writers think this is great, that they can keep us on our toes by saying that "anyone can go at any moment". However...
What this really says: That the coming-back-from-the-dead thing has been so overdone, that we highly expect it. And expect it so much, that the death scenes and following mourning has little affect on the average fan.
You, too, could write a soap!
This weekend, I was veggin' on the couch with a buddy catching up on a week's worth of YR stored on my DVR. They were at the scenes where Lauren finally sees Sheila (newly transformed via plastic surgery to be Phyllis's doppelganger). Paul and Michael are there and they are fretting like two little girls over what to do with the ill Sheila. They turn to Lauren for advice.
Right before she says it, I reply "Let the bitch die." My buddy was awed that I predicted the line, something I had done a couple of times. He thought maybe I could write a soap. My reply was that "oh no, this is just a sign that I watch a lot of soaps."
Right before she says it, I reply "Let the bitch die." My buddy was awed that I predicted the line, something I had done a couple of times. He thought maybe I could write a soap. My reply was that "oh no, this is just a sign that I watch a lot of soaps."
Sunday, January 28, 2007
AMC: Dixie Dies!
This is a spoiler. I hate spoilers. But, this particular one was hard to avoid if anyone does any soap-related surfing on the internet. I guess this explains why Cady hasn't posted on her witty and insightful blog since the beginning of the new year.
And, there is some controversy over this one. First, AMC does this big production of bringing back Cady McClain as Dixie. Then, just a bit over a year later they are killing off the character as an inadvertant victim of the serial killer. And, they are killing her in a way that doesn't seem possible to bring her back from the dead (more on that issue later--cuz I have some major thoughts on that).
I heard a rumor that she is headed to Guiding Light. I wonder what character she could play over there. Someone new? A recast? I'm really trying not to read the spoilers.
However, I would love, love, love (really, I would love it) if she came back as Rosanna Cabot on ATWT. Now that Craig is back (though not our beloved--and Cady's personal beloved--Hunt Block), it would be perfect timing. Maybe she could come back with Carly after Maura West's maternity leave. Maybe she could come back before then and, once again, play a motherly role to Carly's kids.
I will be thrilled if she is on either show and the CBS fans will welcome her with wide open arms.
And, there is some controversy over this one. First, AMC does this big production of bringing back Cady McClain as Dixie. Then, just a bit over a year later they are killing off the character as an inadvertant victim of the serial killer. And, they are killing her in a way that doesn't seem possible to bring her back from the dead (more on that issue later--cuz I have some major thoughts on that).
I heard a rumor that she is headed to Guiding Light. I wonder what character she could play over there. Someone new? A recast? I'm really trying not to read the spoilers.
However, I would love, love, love (really, I would love it) if she came back as Rosanna Cabot on ATWT. Now that Craig is back (though not our beloved--and Cady's personal beloved--Hunt Block), it would be perfect timing. Maybe she could come back with Carly after Maura West's maternity leave. Maybe she could come back before then and, once again, play a motherly role to Carly's kids.
I will be thrilled if she is on either show and the CBS fans will welcome her with wide open arms.
ATWT: Registered vs Bearer Bonds
I know. I am being picky.
However, ATWT has driven me nuts this week with their storyline about Casey stealing Will's registered bonds. When Barbara handed these securities over to Will, she cautioned him to be careful because they were "registered bonds" and can be redeemed by anyone. This wasn't just a one day error, but repeated throughout the week.
Putting on my stock broker's hat:
Registered bonds are just that--registed to the name of the bond holder. They can only be redeemed either by the registered holder or, if endorsed, to whomever they are endorsed.
Bearer bonds are more likely what Babs and the rest of the ATWT characters meant. These are not registered to any individual and are payable to the bearer or the person who is in possession of the bonds.
Again, just being picky but it is driving me nuts.
However, ATWT has driven me nuts this week with their storyline about Casey stealing Will's registered bonds. When Barbara handed these securities over to Will, she cautioned him to be careful because they were "registered bonds" and can be redeemed by anyone. This wasn't just a one day error, but repeated throughout the week.
Putting on my stock broker's hat:
Registered bonds are just that--registed to the name of the bond holder. They can only be redeemed either by the registered holder or, if endorsed, to whomever they are endorsed.
Bearer bonds are more likely what Babs and the rest of the ATWT characters meant. These are not registered to any individual and are payable to the bearer or the person who is in possession of the bonds.
Again, just being picky but it is driving me nuts.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
BB: We love you Sally Spectra
Although I have known about this for more than a week, I just haven't been able to bring myself to post about the death of Darlene Conley (I'm actually getting a bit teary typing this now). This woman was the personification of the word gregarious. I loved her and loved her playing Sally's antics. I will always remember her outrageious scenes with Phyllis Diller. And who can forget Darlene as Rose Deville on The Young and the Restless.
CBS will air a special tribute to Darlene Conley at the end of this Friday's (1/26) episode of Bold and the Beautiful.
CBS will air a special tribute to Darlene Conley at the end of this Friday's (1/26) episode of Bold and the Beautiful.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
YR/BB: Lauren Crossover Observation
On Y&R, Lauren is so down with agoraphobia-ladened post partum depression that she can barely leave her apartment, let alone the town of Genoa City. Yet, on Friday she crossed over to Bold and the Beautiful (set in Los Angeles) for the launch of Forrester Originals. Hmmm....
Friday, January 19, 2007
ATWT: From Go Henry to Oh Henry!
Last Monday, I was rooting on Henry for finally giving Katie what she deserved. Well, it isn't even a week later (in real time—same day on the show, I think) and here is Henry forgiving Katie's transgressions. How can we so quickly go from Go Henry (Go Henry, It's your birthday) to Oh Henry (said with much disdain)?
I understand the point of Henry wanting his best friend back in his life, but what kind of friend is she and what will Henry think the next time she squashes him like a bug to get what she wants?
On a side note, that peach/orange shirt and tie that they have had Trent Dawson in looks really good on him and brings out some coloring for him. But even with that, I am a bit tired of seeing it (though it does make me realize it is the same day).
I understand the point of Henry wanting his best friend back in his life, but what kind of friend is she and what will Henry think the next time she squashes him like a bug to get what she wants?
On a side note, that peach/orange shirt and tie that they have had Trent Dawson in looks really good on him and brings out some coloring for him. But even with that, I am a bit tired of seeing it (though it does make me realize it is the same day).
BB: Forrester Creations vs Forrester Originals
I guess since Spectra Fashions has bitten the dust, they need this storyline to infuse some business competition into the story. However, I really don't understand what the Forrester family is so worried about with Nick owning Forrester Creations. A design company is only as good as its creative staff. If the entire creative staff is at the new company, what does Nick really have?
Though, this is building into a good YR-like corporate plot. I love how Nick vows to buy all the fashion boutiques that would carry the new company's clothing lines. Um…vertical monopolies were made illegal over 100 years ago. I know Nick is just a sailor masquerading as a business man, but this is taught in 5th grade social studies!
Though, this is building into a good YR-like corporate plot. I love how Nick vows to buy all the fashion boutiques that would carry the new company's clothing lines. Um…vertical monopolies were made illegal over 100 years ago. I know Nick is just a sailor masquerading as a business man, but this is taught in 5th grade social studies!
AMC: Serial Killer
I guess in the world of soaps that the single murder mystery has gotten so blasé that we have moved along to the serial killer. This has been done on several shows in the last few years, with All My Children being the latest.
The one thing that most shows don't understand is that they are, for the most part, killing off people we don't care about or don't like. I know you can't kill off a bunch of key characters (unless your Days) without a fan revolt, but the storyline is uninteresting when we don't care who is doing the killing or who has been killed.
The one thing that most shows don't understand is that they are, for the most part, killing off people we don't care about or don't like. I know you can't kill off a bunch of key characters (unless your Days) without a fan revolt, but the storyline is uninteresting when we don't care who is doing the killing or who has been killed.
YR: Lujack!
I know, wrong show.
I love that Vincent Irizarry is now appearing on YR. I hope that this isn't a short-term stint since he is being brought in to the Carmen Mesta murder storyline. However, if it is short-lived maybe we can have him back on GL as Nick/Lujack.
On a related note, since it was first brought up about Carmen's affair at her previous employer (and it was obvious that she was about to become the victim in a murder mystery), I thought that the murderer could have been either that previous lover (being played by Vincent I) or the scorned wife. Maybe I was on to something…
I love that Vincent Irizarry is now appearing on YR. I hope that this isn't a short-term stint since he is being brought in to the Carmen Mesta murder storyline. However, if it is short-lived maybe we can have him back on GL as Nick/Lujack.
On a related note, since it was first brought up about Carmen's affair at her previous employer (and it was obvious that she was about to become the victim in a murder mystery), I thought that the murderer could have been either that previous lover (being played by Vincent I) or the scorned wife. Maybe I was on to something…
GL: Moving Right Along
In a recent discussion with my sister, we both wondered how Jon and Tammy were to marry (as shown in promos that aired) when Jon had just left Lizzie and was still married to her. I guess that's the one good thing about Wednesdays on Guiding Light where they move story along so fast! This can only be beneficial. When some shows (e.g. ATWT has been on New Years Day for about 3 weeks) can spread out one day across a whole calendar month, these Wednesday episodes are refreshing.
BB: Nick and Taylor
I am not sure if I could care less about this storyline. The one good thing that would come out of pairing these two would be that, for the first time on BB, I might actually fast-forward through part of the story. Wow! What will I do with that free time?
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
BB: Oh my Gosh! Oh my Gosh! Oh my Gosh!
I almost fell out of my chair when toddler Hope revealed to toddler Alexandria that Taylor was the one who killed Alexandria's mother, Darla. I was hoping for this story to drag out until Alexandria was SORAS'd to a teen--something that could add to the teen girl/mother angst.
But alas, soaps move so fast now and there usually isn't much of a wait for "the big reveal."
Anyway, it was great and I can't wait to see the ramifications of this truth on the Forrester family.
But alas, soaps move so fast now and there usually isn't much of a wait for "the big reveal."
Anyway, it was great and I can't wait to see the ramifications of this truth on the Forrester family.
ATWT: Don't Drink the Water
Interesting developments with the contaminated well water at the Snyder farm. Though I could do without the ESPaul storyline (didn't we just have ESParker a few years back?), this little twist could get interesting.
Although Paul stopped Meg from drinking the water, Emily had a big glass to calm her nerves right before hand. And, of course, Emily has done Craig wrong. So, I see Emily having some type of poisioning episode that gets blamed on Craig.
On a side note, Paul's mother wanting him to use his ESPowers to find baby Johnny was just a priceless example of how bad a mother Babs truly can be.
Although Paul stopped Meg from drinking the water, Emily had a big glass to calm her nerves right before hand. And, of course, Emily has done Craig wrong. So, I see Emily having some type of poisioning episode that gets blamed on Craig.
On a side note, Paul's mother wanting him to use his ESPowers to find baby Johnny was just a priceless example of how bad a mother Babs truly can be.
ATWT: Go Henry, Go Henry, Go Henry!
Well, a Goddess can get excited can't she? During 1/2 time of the BCS game (Go Gators, You're the Champions), I switched over to watch the ATWT I had recorded that day. Boy, am I glad someone came into the library and wanted to watch SpongeBob at 1 PM (when ATWT airs) so I got to see this at home!
Henry finally gave Katie what for and how much! On Thursday and Friday's episodes, Katie had been unsufferable, cruel and heartless with Henry. He seemed to finally reach his breaking point.
I had to rewind and watch the scene about 5 times and almost missed getting back to the start of the second half of the game.
Henry finally gave Katie what for and how much! On Thursday and Friday's episodes, Katie had been unsufferable, cruel and heartless with Henry. He seemed to finally reach his breaking point.
I had to rewind and watch the scene about 5 times and almost missed getting back to the start of the second half of the game.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
BB: The big Name Short Run Revolving Door
BB fans have been treated to some really great actors filling limited run roles on BB lately. Recently, we had the great Betty White as Stephanie's mother. While this actress is usually good to make me laugh (Sue Ann Nivens, anyone?), she really did well in this dramatic role.
In the past few weeks, we have been treated to Hal Linden as a person from Nick and Jacqueline's past. My mom was such a big Barney Miller fan and I mentioned at monthly Saturday breakfast that Linden had taken a part on the show. My sister had informed her of the Betty White deal a few weeks ago. Maybe we may get her to start watching at least one soap.
It's too bad the Daytime Emmys do not have a "guest star" award similar to the one they give away in the Primetime Emmys.
In the past few weeks, we have been treated to Hal Linden as a person from Nick and Jacqueline's past. My mom was such a big Barney Miller fan and I mentioned at monthly Saturday breakfast that Linden had taken a part on the show. My sister had informed her of the Betty White deal a few weeks ago. Maybe we may get her to start watching at least one soap.
It's too bad the Daytime Emmys do not have a "guest star" award similar to the one they give away in the Primetime Emmys.
ATWT: Katie You Bitch!
Oh, how I wanted to jump through the screen yesterday and throttle Katie. She has always been such a manipulator. However, when she tried to use Henry's unrequited love for Katie as leverage for him to be her partner in crime, I truly wanted to bitch-slap the gal.
Speaking of Henry, in this week he has almost showed us a new side of himself. I think we are starting to see him struggle to be good (or at least legal) and his "friends" seem to be breaking his resolve.
On a lighter note, Terri Columbino (the actress who portrays Katie) has been looking glowing lately. Might there be another Columbino Bambino on the way? Oh well, just a guess but she has been looking great.
Speaking of Henry, in this week he has almost showed us a new side of himself. I think we are starting to see him struggle to be good (or at least legal) and his "friends" seem to be breaking his resolve.
On a lighter note, Terri Columbino (the actress who portrays Katie) has been looking glowing lately. Might there be another Columbino Bambino on the way? Oh well, just a guess but she has been looking great.
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