By Michele Dargan

I was never, ever one of those girls who was attracted to the bad boys.

In life – and in soaps – it’s the good guys….the guys with honesty and integrity, who I always root for.

Having said that, my top three fave guys in soapland these days are actually quite similar in the way they are the white knight, do-the-right-thing kind of guys.

And they are (drumroll please) – Police Chief Bo Buchanan/OLTL, Det. John McBain/OLTL and Officer Dante Falconeri/GH.

Hmmm. There seems to be some kind of these going on here…

Oh yeah…They’re all cops!

Robert S. Woods‘ Bo Buchanan has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember.

Robert S. Woods (Bo Buchanan)

Bo has always been the antithesis to his powerful – albeit immoral – father Asa, played brilliantly by the late, great Phil Carey.

Yes, Bo struggled all his life – right up to his father’s death – with the love for this father and the hate for the choices (many illegal) his father made.

Asa was a hard-living, womanizing, boozing, cantankerous old coot.

Bo is the polar opposite.

But they both loved each other.

One of the choices that was contrary to his character – and that he struggled against – was kissing his ex-wife, Nora, behind his brother’s back while Clint and Nora were engaged, and later married.

But, really, Nora (Hillary B. Smith) and Bo were meant to be together all along….and I think that counts for something in the right vs wrong department.

In other words, if destiny intervenes (and I don’t mean Destiny Evans)…if two people are made for each other – like Bo and Nora – then it’s more right for them to be together than wrong….Does that make any sense?

And they didn’t have sex until after Nora broke up with Clint (Jerry Ver Dorn) – and in this day and age THAT counts too!

Speaking of which, where the heck ARE Bo and Nora these days???

They had that wonderful wedding week, which I thought was really funny and highlighted the comedic sides of many of the cast members.

Hillary B. Smith (Nora), Eddie Alderson (Matthew) and Robert S. Woods (Bo). (ABC/Donna Svennevik)

Then, POOF, they were gone off the canvas….and now they’re back…and Bo has a new, young assistant….

Unfortunately, I think we ALL know where THAT is going.

As far as Johnny McBain….There’s always been a soft spot in my heart for him.

Michael Easton as John McBain (Photo/ABC)

Michael Easton‘s portrayal of John…well, he’s one of my favorite characters in soapdom.

It’s his intensity for doing the right thing….the hero….the rescuer….

And those deep, blue eyes….

He’s another one who always does the right thing and is honest as the day is long.

And if you’re one of his peeps…someone he cares for….or even just a friend…
No matter, he will go to the mat for you!

Take Kelly and the murder of her mother…John and Kelly were mildly acquainted before she asked him to help her find out what really happened to her mother.

But he has gone above and beyond to help her.

Ya gotta love it!

One of his biggest struggles came when he found out that Michael and Marcie’s baby, Tommy, whom they adopted because he was abandoned, was really the son of Todd Manning and Margaret Cochran.

In that case, it was a huge dilemma for him ….What exactly was the right thing to do? Betray his brother?

It ate at him – and Easton showed the viewer the inner struggle that McBain was going through.

And Dominic Zamprogna‘s Dante Falconeri reminds me so much of McBain!

Julie Berman (Lulu) and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante). (ABC/Ron Tom)

Dante is honest to a fault – and Zamprogna shows us those qualities through the earnestness in his eyes when he’s talking.

Dante’s big brown eyes….they’re just honest, that’s all I can say.

And he, too, struggles with a similar situation to Bo…although, in my opinion, having Sonny Corinthos as a father is WAY WORSE than having Asa as a father.

Dante is loyal…boy is he loyal…even after being drugged by Brook Lynn, he’s still loyal, thank goodness…

And I love the fact that Michael has figured it out…He’s on to Carly’s plan to use Brook Lynn (Adrianne Leon) to break up Dante and Lulu (Julie Berman).

Yes, I’m a sucker for the good guys.

I guess it stands to reason that police officers SHOULD be the good guys…

But, as we all know, it doesn’t always happen in life – and, especially doesn’t always happen in the soap world.

HELLOOOO, Det. Ronnie DiMestico!

By Silas Kain

Silas Kain

Many of you may not know that the working title for One Life to Live was Between Heaven and Hell.

These days there seems to be a heck of a lot more Hell and very little Heaven as the writers drop one opportunity after another for the only soap on ABC Daytime that has staying power. And that’s where it’s at for me.

One Life to Live has become the daytime serial of lost opportunities and I see only one motivation – pulling the plug. The way I see it, ABC Daytime began this descent when they replaced visionary Angela Shapiro with studio pit bull Brian Frons.

That’s right I said it.

He’s a pit bull who has no clue what it is to be a Daytime fan. He’s surrounded himself with his own groupies who worship at his altar of ratings and power while sacrificing the compelling story lines which ABC Daytime had come to be known for.

While actors, producers, crew and Agnes Nixon herself would never publicly utter a negative word in Frons’ direction those of us behind the scenes know the truth.

Nevertheless, I digress. Back to OLTL and why I am flipping mad…

There was one thing fans of OLTL appreciated – the diversity of stories.

Sure, some were over the top – but woven into those surreal stories were valuable lessons to be learned.

Take the Eterna story, for instance. There was something mystical, almost magical about it. It was a parable for making new beginnings. It was a story of hope, of being steadfast and opening one’s eyes to alternatives to the reality one may find him or herself.

Getting to the heart of the matter, OLTL writers “got it”. They understood their role in the American conversation.

Over the years they brilliantly portrayed the struggles of a “white looking” African American. They introduced interracial romance and, yes, they even introduced viewers to Jewish customs and traditions with the show’s heroine, Nora Hanan Gannon Buchanan. (I just LOVE typing that out).

I may have been a rabid Another World fan but with the birth of the VCR, I was able to keep up directly with its competition. So, we’ve got the hype out of the way. Let’s get on to the missed opportunities and why I see OLTL as being primed for Brian Frons’ chopping block.

It all began a year ago. Oliver Fish – overall good guy, cop and cute as an All American Apple Pie button. Enter Kyle. Past lover. Has issues. That’s right, Oliver’s gay. But in the end, they do love each other. Fans become part of a movement known as KISH.

Oliver Fish (Scott Evans) and Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell) - KISH

Meanwhile there’s another storyline going on where Carlotta is questioning Cristian’s sexuality. It’s all very innocent. Part of the whole scenario.

Patricia Mauceri

But behind the scenes Patricia Mauceri was let go because, she claims, it was due to her personal religious beliefs and those of her character.

First of all, I don’t agree with Ms. Mauceri’s personal religious beliefs with regard to homosexuality.

However, I do believe she is entitled to her opinion because that is a part of her faith and culture. And it was that exact faith immersed in her culture which propelled her to the role of Carlotta Vega for 14 years.

Like it or not, Mauceri was right. No self respecting very Catholic Latina woman is going to embrace the notion of a gay son without drama. That, my friends, is reality. And that is what OLTL was known for portraying for a quarter century. The first opportunity lost was exploring Carlotta’s apprehension and fear.

Then there’s the angst of Cristian hiding his friend’s secret at great cost. There could have been such a compelling storyline written here about the love of a mother, the loyalty of a son and the price paid for respect of an individual’s choices.

But it doesn’t end there.

There was the Stacy baby story line that was shoved down our throats because Brian Frons was enamored with the thought of Crystal Hunt being on an ABC soap. Isn’t it amazing how the whims of one man can destroy 30 years of Daytime?

Again, I digress. Back to the point.

The baby, as we all know, was Oliver’s thanks to a one night stand when Oliver had to prove to himself that he was straight – oh my! Believe it or not, that entire storyline was plausible. Ask any gay guy. He’ll tell you. And there they were – Oliver, Kyle and Sierra Rose.

And off they went. Off the canvas, away from our hearts robbing us of some great Daytime Drama.

You see, there were Oliver’s parents. A custody battle for Sierra Rose. The delineation of factions in the fight for that child. It could have drawn many in Llanview into the fray. We could have seen Carlotta take the side of Oliver’s parents which would lead to more angst between her and Cristian. This could have dragged on for months as we watched characters get in touch with their core values in deciding which side of the equation was the right one.

But that story will never come to pass.

Instead, Frons gave us the insidiously stupid (faux) lesbian wedding of Dorian. That was going to be enough placate the “gays”. Sorry, Fronsie bear, that’s not how Daytime works.

Now let’s get to Geraldo “Markko” Rivera and his family. Again, another missed opportunity.

In the old days of soaps, writers would take their cues from the newspapers. Somehow that which was dominant in the national conversation made its journey in some small or major way to a Daytime script.

Think the Woleks. Think drug abuse. Think Karen Wolek’s life. Think GREAT Daytime.

Imagine if Langston had fallen in love with a young Muslim man who came from a traditional Muslim family. I know it’s risky. I know it’s not popular. But I also know that this type of story could have opened to doors to a discussion among the fan base which would have led to discussions in living rooms across America. See, that’s the beauty of great Daytime writing. It opens doors.

Instead, we see Markko going off for a short stint at UCLA. He succumbs to his parents’ wishes. And we’ll just have to wait and see if there will be a reunion of Langston and Markko.

There’s one slight problem here. I’m not invested at all in Langston, Markko or the Riveras. That ship has sailed right off the edge of the globe. As much as I like Langston as a character, I feel that she’s lost her place in Llanview.

Picking up with Bobby or James isn’t going to miraculously transform Langston into a character worth rooting for. And we have the writers to thank for that.

That brings me to the current arc of Bobby, James and Nate. The Kennedy brothers of Llanview.

All good looking, all flawed, all complicated.

See, I look at the introduction of the Fords as Frons’ twisted attempt to satisfy the KISH base.

Nicholas Robuck as James Ford. (ABC/Steve Fenn)

In his small mind, he figures that by populating the screen with incredibly hunky studs he will satisfy these “superficial” KISH fans. Again, it’s proof positive of Frons’ complete lack of understanding the Daytime dynamic.

Having a bunch of hunks parading around in their BVDs isn’t Daytime – it’s MTV or soft core porn.

I’m not saying that there’s no hope for the Fords – quite the contrary. But, once again, it begins with the vision of the Head Writer who is subject to Frons’ every whim.

Take Bobby, for instance. I hated the character in the beginning.

But now that I know his background, I see vulnerability. I see a frightened little boy who escaped a cruel father and regretfully abandoned his little brother in the process.

I see a young man who is torn between his love and hate for his own mother. I understand his misogynist behavior. And I would like to see a story where there is some kind of redemption as we watch Bobby grow and face his own demons.

I’m not so sure about James yet but I do know one thing. He and Starr (Kris Alderson) have an on screen chemistry that rivals many a Daytime super couple.

Nicholas Robuck (James) and Kristen Alderson (Starr). (ABC/Steve Fenn)

They are the Carly & Jack, Mac & Rachel, Lily & Holden of this generation of viewers. That is their potential. And none of it could be accomplished without Alderson herself.

We’ve been fortunate OLTL fans. We’ve watched this kid grow before our very eyes from the spider collecting little brat to a ferocious young mother. Starr Manning is a heroine on so many levels without even trying – and that is a testament to the brilliant acting of Ms. Alderson herself.

Of course, I can’t continue without commenting on the “mother.”

Jessica Leccia as Inez. (ABC/Heidi Gutman)

I like Jessica Leccia a lot but I don’t like the casting for Inez. We needed someone a little older. A bit wiser and a woman who can do “tough as nails.” It should have been Martha Byrne.

Leccia’s casting as Inez may have satisfied Leccia fans in the short term but in the long run I see Inez Salinger as being a short lived part of Llanview. There are rumors that Bo is going to go into “rescue mode” and that Inez may become an issue between Bo and Nora.

Hillary B. Smith as Nora and Robert S. Woods as Bo. (ABC/Lou Rocco)

First of all, there is only ONE issue between Bo and Nora and her name is Lindsay Rappaport. No matter how much Bo loves Nora, he still has a weak spot in his soul for Lindsay.

Nora (Hillary B. Smith) and Lindsay (Catherine Hickland)

And no one but Cat Hickland’s version of Lindsay can get to that soft spot better. She knew how to work Bo and drive him into that rescue mode he’s so well known for. Leccia’s Inez doesn’t have that grit. She doesn’t have that “presence” in a scene with Robert S. Woods.

The casting directors blew it in a big way this time. This was a role made for Martha Byrne – or dare I say it – Nancy Lee Grahn. Every soap marriage or relationship has its ups and downs.

Those of us who have been Bo and Nora fans from day one are entitled to a better story line than that which we seem to be experiencing.

Once again, I blame the writers – but I note they work for Frons.

And then there’s the baby brother Nate. He’s got the greatest battles ahead. Discovering two brothers. Learning his Dad is a monster worse than Todd.

Oh, then there’s dealing with Todd. We all know how Todd feels about his girls. There could have been great drama here with the right mother. There could be great drama here as Todd discovers Nate’s past and the parallels. Perhaps Todd may even find it in his heart to accept Nate as a “suitable” love for Dani.

Kelley Missal as Dani. (ABC/Lou Rocco)

Who knows?

The problem here is that with the way the stories have been playing out – I hold very little hope for the real possibilities. Having been let down so much this last year, I really am concerned about the direction of OLTL.

And, here we are, at Todd Manning.

I hated Roger Howarth’s Todd. I admit it.

I detested Todd and the credit goes to Howarth.

When Todd returned via Trevor St. John, something changed drastically. St. John made Todd his own on every level. Suddenly I saw the vulnerable side – the side worthy of redemption. I respect Todd’s love for his kids. It’s unconditional. It’s gut level; it’s as real as it gets. Todd’s scenes with Starr, Dani and even Jack are some of the best in Daytime today.

Trevor St. John has delivered on the redemption of Todd Manning. He’s given us a character that is at the verge of being a hero. He’s taken that broken down little boy who was a victim of Victor Lord and transformed him into a loving, loyal father.

Sure, Todd has his weaknesses. He’s not very good at interpersonal relationships. He sucks at love – except with Tea.

Florencia Lozano (Tea) and Trevor St. John (Todd). (ABC/Steve Fenn)

But that which is locked deep inside Todd is recognized by his sister Vicki and niece Jessica. They see it. They recognize his potential. And the both of them are better people as beneficiaries of his love. And that is as it will be for Dani.

At the start of the Tea brain tumor story I have to admit I was pretty angry. I adore Florencia Lozano. I find the dynamic of Todd and Tea to be fresh and entertaining. And then I saw the possibilities of loss. As much as I would hate to see Tea die, I saw so many stories unfolding in the aftermath as Todd dealt with his own grief and that of his new found daughter.

Instead, it seems that we’re embroiled in some sinister plot by Eli Clark a/k/a Bennett Thompson. And in that little scam we see Dr. Greg Evans (Terrell Tilford) immersed as a conspirator.

I don’t know how this one will end – what I DO know is that Matt Walton played a great character full of potential.

Matt Walton (Elijah) on OLTL. (ABC/Keysha McGrady)

He and Kassie DePaiva as Blair are great on screen. Their relationship has been fun to watch. Eli, the swashbuckling pirate sweeping Blair off her feet in a way she’s never experienced.

It would have been an awesome ride and I’m getting the feeling it just isn’t going to happen.

And what of Greg? How will this affect Shaun and Destiny?

The Evans family is yet another family in Llanview worth exploring. I love Shaun. He’s a big huggie bear of a guy with such a great heart. He’s on that quest to find his little piece of happiness and we’re all rooting for him. He and Rachel were great together. Don’t worry; I’ll spare you the rant I have for the way the writers unceremoniously threw Rachel out with Fronsie’s bath water.

Destiny is a great character.

J.J. Singleton (Darren), Shenell Edmonds (Destiny) and Eddie Alderson (Matthew) (ABC/Lou Rocco)

Her teenage crush on Matthew was something many of us identified with. And she’s growing up into a beautiful young woman. There’s so much promise in an adolescence story line with Destiny Evans. And as a sidebar, I want to see more of Mom and Dad Evans, too. I miss Tonye Patano. She’s a great actress as many Weeds fans will attest.

I was chatting with a younger viewer of OLTL yesterday and she expressed an “ick” at the thought of David and Dorian. Those of us who have been Tuc Watkins fans over the last 14 years understand David. He’s that male version of Goldie Hawn on Laugh-In. He’s the himbo we all fantasize about. He’s tall, dark, and exquisitely handsome but lacks the common sense of a turtle.

And now he is Bo’s oldest son – and I LOVE it!

Robert S. Woods (Bo) and Tuc Watkins (David). (ABC/Lou Rocco)

When he and Matthew (Edward Alderson) have scenes together I see that side of David I love most. He has such a need for family bonding. Remember now, he’s Spencer Truman’s kid brother, too. David means well. He’s not vicious and his agendas are simple. All he wants is his father’s respect and love. He wants that family connection. And he wants the love of his life – Dorian. That’s how I explained David to that repulsed young woman. I presented David Vickers Buchanan as I saw him and explained why he was the way he was.

And she was like, um, are you a history buff or something? She learned more about OLTL in 15 minutes than she has in three years of viewing. And that, my friends, is what we’re missing. We’re missing the connection we had with our Moms (and Dads) and grandparents who secretly watched “their stories.”

And I learned something in those 15 minutes as well.

I learned that I’ve been right all along. There remains a place for soap opera on television. Oh, and for the record, she now understands all the “jokes” between David and Dorian. And she actually sees the humor in the dialogue!

Sorry, I tend to go off in different directions when I write. I try to be true to myself. When I sit at the keyboard to put something on paper, I just go with what I’m saying in my mind. I don’t filter it out, I run with it.

Back to Llanview again.

So, we’ve covered some of the so-called “major” stuff. Are there additional lost opportunities? Well, to quote a former Governor of Alaska, “you betcha!”

Let’s recap. We have the lost opportunities of the Vega’s and KISH. We had to suffer through a miserable story line involving Rex and Gigi’s tribulations with Stacy all because reports have it that Mr. Frons just adored Ms. Hunt. We have the new Ford family – filled with potential led by a miscast matriarch.

Of course, we haven’t explored the twin baby saga of Jess and Natalie.

B-O-R-I-N-G.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Jess and Brody.

Bree Williamson (Jessica) and Mark Lawson (Brody). (ABC/Donna Svennevik)

They rescued each other. I totally get why Brody turned to Natalie and vice versa. But you know what? It’s just too milquetoast for me.

If Natalie and John are going to be together, give me some old-fashioned Daytime romance. Breathe some life into John McBain for a change.

Melissa Archer (Natalie) and Michael Easton (John). (ABC/Lou Rocco)

This whole Edge of Night version of Detective McBain is getting on my nerves. He’s an onion. Start peeling the layers. Give us emotion. Give us John McBain dealing with his past. The surface has been scratched but there’s so much more which we are being deprived of here. Brooding only goes so far before the glass breaks and the emotions rise – even if it’s temporary. Bring back Marcie and Michael and round out John’s family.

That’s what it has always been about in Llanview – family. Whether it’s the Buchanans, Lords, Woleks or Vega clans that’s what engages us.

And that brings me to the ultimate heroine of the show – Victoria Lord.

Those of us who have been around for 30-plus years know Erika Slezak well.

She’s delivered every time whether it’s a DID story involving Joan Randolph or Nicki Smith or suffering through breast cancer. Ms. Slezak proves that quality acting begins with Daytime. Those who know (her father) Walter Slezak’s work will know where she gets her acting skill. It’s embedded deeply in her genetic code.

They don’t write much for Vicki these days. They’re almost turning her into the Alice Horton of Llanview. And that, quite frankly, pisses me off.

Sure, Vicki and Charlie Banks is a cute couple. But there’s just no sizzle. Did somebody forget that beating in Vicki’s chest is the heart of her dead husband? Anyone who remembers Ben Davidson knows he was a vibrant, energetic and extremely passionate man.

Viki (Erika Slezak) and Ben (Mark Derwin). Photo: ABC

That’s what Vicki needs to be. She deserves a buck a little younger than herself – like Ben.

Take her out of that damn kitchen where she’s planting peonies and get her back in the publishing world. There was a time when the Banner and The Sun were integral parts of Llanview life.

Bring them back. Give us some juicy investigative reporting. Give us a war of words. Remind the soap fans that we’re lacking something in our own lives – local newspapers!

But, you see, Mr. Frons and the advertisers on Wall Street are of the opinion that television viewers don’t want to see a woman over 50 on screen.

Obviously they’re completely oblivious to the Betty White phenomenon.

Perhaps they don’t read the fine print in the trade papers which proclaim that TVLand’s Hot in Cleveland is huge. The powers that be at Mickey Mouse Land need to take off their Mickey Mouse hats and let some oxygen in. Mr. Frons needs to take off his propeller beanie and wake up to the dynamics of Daytime and its relationship with viewers.

The handwriting is on the wall.

All My Children was moved to LA as a “cost cutting” measure. Fans were told nothing would change. Sets would be the same. Pine Valley’s “look” would remain. Ding. Ding. Wrong again. Everything about AMC has changed. But we’ll save that one for another rant.

And now the studios of One Life to Live are relocated. They’re sharing a building with The View. For the record, that’s known as consolidation – ABC style. Now that the As the World Turns studios are dark, there remains one soap in New York City: One Life to Live.

And, as we all are aware, the days of soap opera seem numbered. Within the OLTL community rumors abound that the days are numbered. Studios deny it. ABC scoffs at the idea. But remember who remains at the helm.

And this week they’ve announced Kim Zimmer’s return to Daytime. Of course, I’m thrilled for her! She’s Daytime Royalty (by virtue of her being Nola Aldrich, mind you). But with every “major acquisition” there comes a cost cutting measure be it cast, crew or set. So the enthusiasm is tempered. The concern great.

See, that’s the other thing management doesn’t seem to comprehend. Soap fans “get it”. We understand costs, we appreciate good writing. We even appreciate producers and directors. We’re the engaged bunch. We’re the ones that appreciate the dedication and we repay that by purchasing the products advertised.

We could always count on the Llanview saga to be contemporary. It used to be the cutting edge show which challenged us to look at ourselves. There remains an opportunity for the writers to give us juicy stuff like the character of Carla Benari Hall, brilliantly portrayed by Ellen Holly. There remains a cast of characters who are worthy of deep exploration as they confront issues which reflect what’s going on today in our own society. That’s the beauty of One Life to Live. It’s always been our microcosm of daily life. It was that one place we could visit and see a little bit of ourselves.

We learned something along the way with Victoria Lord. We laugh at the antics of David and Dorian. We’ve been ripped to shreds as we watched Blair and Tea bond in Tea’s final days. Oh, the possibilities! Oh the journeys we could take if the powers that be would just return to Agnes Nixon’s simple vision. That’s what we’ve come to know and to expect.

Sure, the times have changed dramatically since the 70’s. And, for the most part, OLTL could be counted on to stay with the times.

I hope Kim Zimmer delivers those ratings Mr. Frons seems desperate to achieve. But Mr. Frons has to remember one thing – it’s the story. It’s the dedication to the spirit of the show that creates the success.

If ABC delivers and renews its commitment to OLTL the fans could very well reciprocate. We could cut out the UPC codes from advertisers and mail them. Maybe a few thousand written thank you notes accompanied by UPC codes will make somebody somewhere stop and take notice. Anyway, that’s all for now. The catharsis is complete.

And rememeber – we only have ONE LIFE TO LIVE!

By Silas Kain

Silas Kain

I was holding off writing about this because I had more concerns about One Life to Live.

But after watching last week’s episodes of General Hospital I can’t hold back any longer. So, here goes. It’s not one of my more wordy pieces but it gets to the heart of my greatest frustration with GH these days.

So, what do we do about Sonny Corinthos? Mobster, serial husband, dad to a litter of flawed puppies?

Maurice Benard (Sonny) Photo:ABC

What do we do about Sonny now that the love of his life is returning to Port Charles?

Well, I say we do nothing.

In the early days, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was a romantic pirate – a modern day Jean Lafitte. Sure, he’s a mob warlord. Yeah, he’s killed a few people along the way. And he’s been a romantic hero to so many for so long.

Maurice Benard as Sonny (ABC/Michael Yarish)

But just how did Sonny come to be? Just WHO is Sonny Corinthos?

Sonny was born into a pretty rough situation. Yes, he’s Mike’s son. But Mike abandoned him early on. And that was the first nick in his armor.

His Mom remarries and this time to an abusive cop who treated Sonny like dirt from the get-go.

So, I get Sonny’s issues. They’re all so damn Freudian.

Son loves Mom. Son hates stepfather. Son grows up to be rebellious. Sonny looked at every cop as being his stepfather. I get it. I understand how the character of Sonny came to be.

There’s one slight problem…we all have to grow up at some point and the writers have locked Sonny in a time warp from which there is no escape.

Let’s look at the canvas of Sonny’s life today.

There’s Carly.

Laura Wright as Carly. (ABC/Michael Yarish)

They still love each other – no question.

But Carly (Laura Wright) is beginning to open her eyes because if there’s one thing to be said for her – she is a lioness when it comes to her cubs. And that’s what I respect most about her.

Carly is a selfish, self- absorbed shrew in every way except one – her children. That’s her redemption.

There’s Olivia, mother of Sonny’s first-born son, Dante. She kept him away from his father for all the right reasons. I respect Olivia and her choices. I admire her tenacity and see her as Sonny’s first brush with Carly.

Laura Wright (Carly) and Lisa LoCicero (Olivia). (ABC/Rick Rowell)

Olivia and Carly are alike in more ways than not – the difference?

Olivia brings her Italo-Catholic Bensonhurst upbringing to the table in a splendid way.

And while she struggled through her adolescence and her 20’s raising her son to be everything his father was not, Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) now realizes she may have failed. Sonny’s genes dominate Dante. And now Dante has to confront his own demons about his “unknown” father. Dante has to face his own genetics and question who he is as a man. In doing her best to protect her son, Olivia failed Dante by shielding him from the truth for too long.

You know, we’ve had many a romantic journey with Sonny. Be it Brenda, Kate, Alexis, Carly, so on and so forth.

This current arc with federal prosecutor Claire Walsh is a complete joke and an insult to legal professionals everywhere.

Dahlia Salem (Claire) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) kiss. (ABC/Ron Tom)

And even with the prospect of Brenda coming back into Sonny’s life, it doesn’t let him off the hook – not by a long shot.

As an avid GH fan, I’m insulted by the direction Mr. Guza has taken. Whether you realize it or not, you can learn a lot about a head writer’s personal values by the direction in which they take their characters. And as bad as General Hospital is these days, there is room for redemption and learning a lesson.

It begins with acknowledging that Sonny Corinthos is no longer eligible for the redemptive process. He’s toast. He’s finished and he must go, period. And before your head explodes by what I just wrote, let me explain why I am so adamant on this course…

It all began on that fateful day when the shot fired by Sonny was heard around the soap world. With complete malice and forethought, Sonny Corinthos pointed a gun at Dante Falconeri’s heart and pulled the trigger.

Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Maurice Benard (Sonny). (ABC/Rick Rowell)

Yeah, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) was a cop hell bent on talking Sonny down. And Sonny hates cops. I get it.

I also get the fact that Sonny was robbed of Dante’s childhood. And knowing Sonny’s fierce love for his spawn, I even understand his attempt to win his eldest son’s soul.

Notice I didn’t say heart. Why? Sonny no longer deserves to be recognized as even having a heart.

In that split second with the cold, heartless stare of a monster, Sonny fired the bullet than must change General Hospital forever.

In the aftermath of Dante’s shooting, we’ve painfully watched Kristina be brutally beaten within an inch of her life. Though the scenes between Sonny and his daughter were gut wrenching due to his own history, it just isn’t enough.

Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) recognizes her father’s flaws. Kristina has had to grow up in her father’s shadow, keeping him at arm’s length because she knows him all too well.

Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Lexi Ainsworth (Kristina). (ABC/Rick Rowell)

Kristina is more like Sonny than anyone realizes. She has his stubborn streak. She sees most of the world in terms of black and white.

Without the love and guidance of Alexis, Kristina could have very easily become the reincarnation of Claudia without even a blink of an eye. For Kristina there is hope and the prospect of a good life – after her father is taken out of her life permanently.

I saved the best for last.

Michael.

First of all I had low expectations for Chad Duell and I admit I was completely wrong. This kid has presence.

He’s taken Michael into manhood brilliantly and is handling a very sensitive story line with the professionalism of a seasoned thespian.

Michael is a casualty of mob war.

And as much as Sonny genuinely loves Michael, Sonny loves himself more.

When Michael went to jail it was Jason who stepped up to the plate. Jason, the ever present subservient Sonny bitch, has come into his own. Sorry for being so graphic but I’m calling this spade what it is, a spade.

For too many years Jason (Steve Burton) has also been in Sonny’s shadow being ever loyal and a wee bit blind to Sonny’s flaws.

When Michael went to jail we got to see some emotion.

Chad Duell (Michael) and Steve Burton (Jason) behind bars. (ABC/Patrick Wymore)

Let’s face it; through all of Jason’s trials and tribulations, he is the father Michael should have had. Jason has been the nurturer, the father figure the source of unconditional paternal love.

While Michael was in jail, he was brutally raped.

That’s right – Michael was raped.

And while the writers are slowly exposing what happened I am furious at how nonchalant Guza and his team have been and continue to be. Anyone who has suffered through such an ordeal knows what I’m saying is Gospel truth.

And, in the end, it all goes back to Sonny Corinthos.

The writers have opened Pandora’s Box this time.

This isn’t Luke rapes Laura. This isn’t glamour. This is cold, hard reality.

An adolescent boy on the verge of manhood has been violated in a horrific way in a place where he never would have been were it not for his “father”.

Jason knows it. Dante knows it. Carly is beginning to realize it.

Sonny, as usual, is oblivious because it wasn’t Sonny who got raped.

There is an opportunity to take Michael’s journey of healing in the right direction. The writers gave us the story; it’s time for them to deliver the consequences.

We need to recognize, understand and identify with Michael’s pain. We need to share the agonies of Jason and Carly as they come to terms with what’s happened. We need to experience the horror when Alexis has to comfort her daughter not only for the violation of Kristina but for the aftermath Kristina will experience when she discovers her brother – her hero – was violated just as brutally and worse.

The manner in which the writers have handled Michael’s trauma is nonchalant, too cavalier. And that speaks more to the values of Guza nd Frons than it does to the cast, crew and fans.

This is a painful story. At the basest level it has to be explored. Like I said, they opened Pandora’s Box.

In the end, it all comes back to Sonny Corinthos. It started the day he shot Dante. That did it for me. There was no room for redemption.

When Michael went to jail, Sonny remained the typical coward while Jason took responsibility. Sonny uses mob power, sexual prowess and his own sense of justice to his advantage and no one else. As touching as his scenes were with Kristina, they don’t begin to redeem him.

Enter Brenda. Oh boy.

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda) and Maurice Benard (Sonny). (ABC/Patrick Wymore)

ABC management seems to think they can undo all the damage by bringing back a beloved character with a rich history. It just doesn’t wipe away the consequences which must be delivered.

There is only one logical conclusion to the decades of Sonny – he’s got to go, period. Inasmuch as I would love to see Sonny Corinthos cut down in a hail of gunfire as a result of his own actions I propose a better alternative.

Let him be charged with shooting Johnny. Let him be tried, convicted and sent to Pentonville.

And as the jail cell door locks behind him, let the last words he hears be from Carly with Jason and Michael standing there, “Sonny, while you were protecting your own ass, Michael gave up his for you.”

Slam the door. See Sonny go mad.

And let him fade way from the Port Charles landscape while the rest of us pick up Sonny’s miserable pieces.

Hey Gang!

Thought you all might like to hear last night’s Delibernation BlogTalkRadio show, where host Silas Kain and I discussed the state of soap operas – present and past.

Silas and I think a lot alike regarding our appreciation of the rich history embedded in soap operas.

So, if you’d like to hear our thoughts, click on the play button below….sit back….relax…..and listen to us yack about our fave (and not so fave) characters and our hopes for the direction of the genre’s future.

By Silas Kain

Silas Kain

My name is Silas and I’m a soap opera aficionado.

There I said it and I have no shame.

And that’s how I’d like to begin my relationship with you.

A couple of weeks ago, Michele asked if I would consider being a contributor to Soapbox1. I didn’t have to think about it for long – because Michele gets it. She understands the intimate relationship fans have to soap opera.

So, in this introductory piece for Soapbox1, I’d like to take a moment of your time and explain what it is about Soap Opera that I respect and admire. And when you’re done, I hope you seriously consider what I’ve written and share your thoughts here at Soapbox1.

It really doesn’t matter which soaps you may watch, we all share a common bond. So with all that being said, a glimpse into the life of a soap opera fanatic…

It began for me as a little boy.

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on the weekend of my 8th birthday (please don’t do the math). Suddenly this little 3rd grader was sitting in front of the television translating the words of Cronkite, Huntley and Brinkley to his deaf parents. It was a quick education. But that baptism of fire caused me to become extremely interested in current events, the American political system and History.

The following summer I would come in from morning play to capture the 15 minute soap opera Love of Life. Remember them? Bruce & Vanessa Sterling? Christopher Reeve? Life on a college campus? Sure, it was quirky – almost silly at times. But the lives of the people in Rosehill, New York was completely fascinating to me on so many levels and for so many reasons.

That was a contentious year – the aftermath of John F. Kennedy.

The week following Mother’s Day 1964 would transform my life on so many levels. That was the week my mother began watching Another World.

Remember we’re at the Summer of 1964.

And by the end of that summer, this little boy learned what abortion was – thanks to Pat Matthews and the vision of Irna Philips. Sure that was too much for a kid – but remember, I was my parents’ human closed-captioning device.

From that summer I was baptized by the families of Bay City into a world of bumps and curves which lasted until that final show in June 1999. For 35 years I followed the lives of the Matthews, Davis, Cory and Carrington families. I laughed and cried with Wally, Felicia and Cass. When the show bid their farewell to Mackenzie Cory, I wept openly with my mom. It’s OK for a man to have feelings. I learned that from soap opera.

You see those shows were my education into the real world.

My parents did their best, but they viewed the world without the “noise”. They had innocence and as hard as they worked at being parents – their innocence and sheltering from their own families did not really prepare them for the world of the 60’s.

I grew up fast. And, in retrospect, I wouldn’t give up a thing. Every rise and fall. A marriage. Ups, downs, near fatal illness – all of it. I wouldn’t change a thing because all of it was but a dress rehearsal for this stage of my growing, fulfilling life.

And through it all, the cast of “my story” would be guests in my living room 5 days a week. They became my friends, my teachers, my guides.

Take All My Children, for instance. When Tara and Phil went through the trauma of the Vietnam War, I was right there with them. That’s where I got my attitudes against the war.

Tara Martin (Karen Lynn Gorney) and Phil Brent (Richard Hatch)

When I was introduced to the character of Erica Kane – she was a spoiled self-absorbed brat being raised by the ever loving Mona. While everyone was abuzz about Erica being raised by a “single” parent – I found it interesting from a different perspective.

My grandmother raised 10 children on her own. My dad was the product of a single parent having lost his father at 11 months. He never knew his father and I never understood my grandmother’s “hardness” until Mona Kane. She made me understand my grandmother in a whole new light.

Frances Heflin as Mona Kane

Of course, there was Ryan’s Hope.

My other Grandmother – the Irish Catholic one — and Maeve Ryan were so alike it was almost frightening. The only difference? Grandma had the faith of Maeve but the spunk of Mary.

Ryan's Hope

But it was tough to keep up in the 70’s. School work was a priority and there were many familial events which would be yet another transformation.

There was a constant.

The stories.

Those silly little daytime dramas which were packed with knowledge like no other program on television.

At this point you must be asking yourself why I’m weaving this broadcloth? Where am I going? Relax. It all comes together — and when it does I hope a light bulb burns brightly above your head.

If you’re under 50 you probably don’t know much about the 60’s. But life was different back then.

Most mothers were at home raising their families. And while they watched their stories in the afternoons they would learn about appliances, detergents, furniture and life. The classic American soap opera became a classroom in millions of living rooms across America. Don’t laugh just yet, my dear. I’m uttering a profound truth.

Twelve years ago a small group of Another World fans got together in an Internet campaign to save our show. Of course, it didn’t happen. But what blossomed were friendships and bonds that remain strong to this very day. And we had the opportunity to share notes over the years.

The first two years after AW, we held reunions in New York City. The AW stars came out – at their own expense. They spoke to us, encouraged us but most of all they were grateful on so many levels for the loyalty, the respect and the love we shared.

In 2001 we got the Governor of Connecticut to proclaim Linda Dano Day. She went on The View the day before our 2nd Reunion. Joy Behar thought it was kind of dumb but that’s Joy Behar. She couldn’t understand the daytime dynamic – she wasn’t really part of it. But this small group of AW loyalists accomplished something astounding. And we accomplished these feats by learning from Rachel & Mac Cory, Ada Downs, Felicia Gallant and Donna Love. Those people were role models to us – the simple folk. And we became determined in our goal, we had the steadfastness of Ada, the creativity of Rachel and the loyalty of Liz Matthews.

Interwoven in my 35 years of Another World was my interest in Days of Our Lives, All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital.

Another World was and always will the ultimate. So when I make commentary on the shows I view today, remember I was spoiled by a band of actors and writers who were in many respects the Shakespeares of their genre.

So, that’s why I am a soap fan. Not only was I entertained but I was educated on life in so many respects – as each of you is a beneficiary of that education without realizing it!

If you are young man or woman reading this, you may not know it but your grandmother or mom may have been a soap fan. And some of the wisdom they imparted upon you came from what they learned.

Like I said. Soap fans and cast have a different dynamic. They’re guests in our homes. They come on screen 5 days a week. And, in the evolution of the characters’ lives, we learn from their experiences.

A story line such as interracial romance on One Life to Live served to change attitudes on so many levels. When OLTL went out on a limb there was such disdain! Yet today, interracial romances are no novelty. They are the fabric of soap.

The rape of Laura on General Hospital became fodder of discussions in millions of homes. The abortion of Pat Matthews in 1964 had equal impact. The bottom line is women across America were learning more about the realities of life through the stories created by visionary writers.

Do the research. As far as I am concerned, women would not have achieved that which has been achieved without the influence of American soap opera. While most thought of the typical soap fan being an overweight bon-bon devouring woman, lounging like Jean Harlow across a couch – there’s the truth.

Once upon a time, All My Children was shown on college campuses across America. Luke & Laura’s Wedding dominated the entertainment headlines like no other.

Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis)

Days of Our Lives attempted to introduce a gay character – Eric Peters — at a time when gay rights were just an idea. The fan backlash was so horrific, Days writers reversed course for the character.

It would be years before soap would dare enter the forbidden zone. Remember Capitol? Believe it or not, many female political science lovers were inspired by Wally McCandless and Myrna Clegg.

What Daytime accomplished most is that it served as a vehicle for women to come into their own. Were it not for the strong, driven female role models of soap opera such as Maggie Powers, Dr. Althea Davis and Mona Aldrich, I dare say the evolution of women’s parity in our society would remain delayed.

So, young men and women, believe it or not your lives would be remarkably different today were it not for the genre known as Daytime. As Shakespeare revolutionized storytelling in his time, the pioneers – Irna Philips, Agnes Nixon and countless others have helped shape and shift our attitudes toward contemporary life.

To be honest with you, my ultimate fantasy is to have the Museum of Television & Radio do a serious symposium on the influence of Daytime on American society from 1955 – 2000.

While Daytime seems to be dying these days, I hope to inspire you to understand that which I’ve known for years. I hope you will come to appreciate Daytime’s stellar history and realize that soap opera remains an interesting facet of our culture which needs a little love right now.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll get you to return to one of those stories you stopped watching.

Reality TV may be the rage these days but there’s nothing “real” about it.

Those who write the lines and create the characters of daytime have a keen sense of our society and world. And in their own little way they bring those things to the screen every day, every week. And, in many cases, the situations the writers create are more real and relative to our lives than that of Snookie and da Situation.

Another goal is to have you come out of the closet.

There’s nothing wrong with being a soap fan. You may be a housewife or retired homemaker. You may be a working gal in a law office or the head of a corporation. You’re a law professor, banker and, yes, even a physician.

Soap fans come from all walks of life. And plenty of them are male – gay and straight. Get over it.

Soap opera is the diversion – the non-pharmaceutical which calms, infuriates and makes one consider options.

Every couple of weeks I’ll be writing a piece for Soapbox1. I’ll be talking about story lines, actors, writing and more. I’m going to be coming from a perspective of 35 years’ intimate experience with the world of Daytime.

I’ll call them like I see them – you may not agree. And when you don’t — I hope you’ll get in to the discussion. I’m human. Perhaps you have a perspective I haven’t considered.

If there’s something you want me to write about, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m full of myself. There’s nothing better than bellowing out an opinion. That’s the Irish in me.

Perhaps you’ve finally reached that point of enlightenment which suggests that soap opera did, indeed, have an impact on your life even before you knew Todd and Tea or Sonny Corinthos.

Perhaps from these story lines that we discuss, we can come up with the writer’s rationale. That’s another beautiful aspect of being a soap fan. We get it. We get the actors and we know when a writer screws up history. If a producer changes, we’re the first to cast our ballots. If a costume designer changes – we know it.

Soap fans are the ultimate focus group underused by media companies. We’re the ones who can tell you everything right down to the sets or change in make-up artists.

We’re up close and personal.

And – we are the ultimate consumers of advertisers’ products. Think about that the next time you go shopping. Those companies who sponsor OUR shows deserve our response.

So, thanks for reading.

The next column I post will be all One Life to Live – on many levels because I am on FIRE at the direction I suspect they’re taking.

Adieu.

[NOTE: Silas Kain hosts the weekly BlogTalk radio show Delibernation, where he and his guests discuss a variety of topics that include "politics, personal empowerment and what each of us can do to make this world a better place for the next generation."
Michele will be his guest Thursday at 11 p.m. EST to discuss "The Influence of Soap Opera on American Culture."]

By Michele Dargan

I know it’s been out for awhile….

But I just had a chance to watch all six webisodes of the online ABC fantasy soap series “What If,” where they pair a character from one ABC soap in a chance meeting with a character from another soap…..

HY-sterical!

The thing about the episodes is that they are short, four-to-five minute clips, each, so that you can get a taste of the two characters interacting – and it leaves you wanting more!

They are well-written and well-acted.

It’s all just pure fun….

And let’s face it….who doesn’t like our soap characters having a little fun together???

Watch the intros to the series by the actors, who talk a little bit about what it was like working with each other.

I’d have to say my favorite is Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) meeting Tess Buchanan (Bree Williamson)…those two characters together made me smile and laugh the entire time!

In my opinion, Zamprogna and Williamson are so great in portraying their respective characters, so no surprise to me that they would be good together.

Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) meets Todd Manning (Trevor St. John)….this is also one of my favorites… I mean, what can you say when these two polar opposites collide….ya gotta love it!!

The ending is PRICELESS!!

I also loved the Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) meeting Erica Kane (Susan Lucci).

Those two vets worked off each other seemlessly – and Sonny and Erica together was the epitomy of soapiness!

Then there’s Carly Corinthos Jacks (Laura Wright) meets Ryan Lavery (Cameron Mathison)….Again, those two make it seem like they’ve been onscreen together forever.

And the chemistry between the two is electric!

But let’s face it…who wouldn’t have chem with either of them?

When Angie (Debbi Morgan) and Jesse Hubbard (Darnell Williams) meet Starr Manning (Kristin Alderson)….let’s just say the teenager hears TMI! So funny!

And when Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) meets Greenlee Smythe (Rebecca Budig), there’s a bit too much alcohol involved, if you catch my drift.

The “What If” series can be found at abc.com and soapnet.com.

I have to say that I’m really looking forward to the next four webisodes coming out….

We have Luke Spencer (Tony Geary) meeting Viki Buchanan Banks (Erika Slezak); Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms) meeting Rex Balsom (John-Paul Lavoisier); Blair Cramer (Kassie DePaiva) meeting Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight) and John McBain (Michael Easton) meeting Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco).

Talk about some fireworks with those couples!

By Michele Dargan

So tonight is the BIG night for Ali, The Bachelorette.

Who will she choose?

Will it be Roberto, the guy she had chemistry with from the first time she laid eyes on him?

Or will it be Cape Cod Chris, the sympathic choice who moved home to take care of his dying mother?

Or will she choose neither?

Reality Steve, a blogger who apparently has “a source” close to the show, has successfully predicted the last couple of bachelor/bachelorette picks.

He’s been saying Ali will pick neither….but today he posted a blog saying that’s not the case.

Since Soapbox1 is a spoiler-free zone, I didn’t read the entire entry because I don’t want to know.

(Actually, Reality Steve kinda looks like Craig, the attorney….hmmmm.)

Here’s what Ali will look like tonight when we find out the answer.

Ali Fedotowsky, The Bachelorette (ABC/MATT KLITSCHER)

The two guys will meet Ali’s family in Bora Bora, site of the finale.

Has this been a season full of drama – or what???

First there was the drama between the “dangerous” Craig M. and Jonathan “the Weatherman.”

I thought that Craig was a bully and wasn’t sad at all when he got the boot.

Next up, Justin “the wrestler,” who ended up having not just one girlfriend, but TWO.

Glad when he got the boot too.

But the real shocker of the season was Frank….who seemed really into Ali and was even whiny and needed to be constantly reassured by her.

Yeah….I really liked Frank from the beginning and thought that he was a good match for Ali.

Who knew he would have some feelings left for his ex that supposedly resurfaced during his quest for Ali.

Then he goes back to Chicago to see his ex before going to the Final Three in Tahiti and decides he’s really in love with his ex.

WHAT??? Are you kidding me???

Roberto, Chris, Frank and Ali, The Bachelorette (ABC/RICK ROWELL)

See, here’s where I have a huge problem with this show.

It seems like every season – when they get down to the final 3 or 4, there’s some sort of crisis….

Last year it was Ali, who just HAD to go back to her job….Didn’t she know before she committed to the show that she would get the time off from her job? Didn’t she have to tell her bosses ahead of time and get the clearance to go on the show?

That just didn’t make sense and seemed orchestrated.

Therein lies my big problem with The Bachelor/Bachelorette series.

I really feel that a lot of the drama is really just orchestrated by the producers.

I’ve watched it consistently for the past 3 or 4 seasons, despite the fact that I swear off the show EVERY season…

When Jason ditched my pick, Melissa, on National TV after he had already proposed to her, I SWORE I would never watch the show again…

But here I am, how many seasons later?

And, I swear, I CAN’T WAIT for tonight’s eppy!

If Ali doesn’t pick Roberto, who she obviously has uber-chemistry with and he also seems like a great guy, then I’m never watching the show again.

Famous last words!

By Michele Dargan

First they break up Spixie….

Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli). Spixie in happier days. Photo: ABC

And now they’re turning Spinelli dark.

Why is it that soap writers feel the need to take something reaalllly good – and turn it bad?

And even worse, they are not being true to the character – at all!!

That’s one of my biggest problems with the soaps – taking a really good character and turning him into a bad guy on a dime.

(One Life To Live does it a lot, but that’s a blog for another day!)

I give all the credit to whomever thought up the concept of Damian Spinelli and executed all of the brilliant writing I so fondly refer to as Spinelli-speak.

Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) was so different from most soap characters.

He had a genuine goodness through and through….someone unable to lie or show meanness toward anyone.

It was certainly not the norm that he forged a lasting and profound friendship with someone who is his polar opposite – Jason Morgan, the mob enforcer.

But, again, that was part of Spinelli’s charm…he could see past the outer Jason to his inner good qualities.

Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) and Steve Burton (Jason). (ABC/Ron Tom)

I loved the innocence, yet deep wiseness of Spinelli’s character….

Spinelli – the nerdy, off-beat computer geek who endeared himself to all….

Where has he gone?

This whole revenge plot with Carly against Dante is ridiculous.

The thing is….the real Spinelli would see the illogic of Carly’s thinking in blaming Dante for Michael’s incarceration….When WE ALL know the blame is on Sonny, Jason and Carly herself for raising Michael in the life and exposing him to the mob….not to mention the entire coverup of Claudia’s killing.

It’s been a slow, yet steady progression down a slippery slope into becoming just like all the other not-so-nice characters on GH….and there are PLENTY of those.

Therein lies another big problem with GH….they kill off all the really good characters…..Georgie…Emily…..

Need I say more?

And now, slowly but surely, they’re turning Spinelli into another bad guy.

I just don’t get it!!

Kelly Monaco (Sam) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) (ABC/Ron Tom)

Why would you take someone so special like Spinelli and turn him into just another revenge-driven character?

Sam said it best in yesterday’s eppy.

“Spinelli, I’ve never seen you act like this. It kind of scares me. I’ve never seen you so dark.”

By Michele Dargan

It’s sad to see the soaps dying – one-by-one.

Last year, Guiding Light.

This year, As The World Turns.

Ugh!

For someone like me, who’s been watching soaps for more than 40 years, It’s just plain sad….sad to see what soaps have become.

I look back on the old days of soap operas, when the writing was compelling and storylines revolved around core families…they were people we cared about and were invested in.

And there wasn’t this graphic and prevalent violence…don’t even get me started on that one!

Oh, how I miss the days when there were no revealing previews and no Internet spoilers…..actually, there was no Internet, which on many levels was a blessing.

You would turn on the TV each day and wonder what would happen next.

Quite frankly, what is the point of watching the show if you know what’s going to happen.

I don’t get the appeal of spoilers, but that’s just me.

At any rate, there are a plethora of reasons for the failure of soaps these days.

Author Kelly Wittmann lists the top 12 reasons for the demise of soap operas on her blog “Five Agents and A Funeral.”

Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 9 would be tops on my list.

I wholeheartedly agree with Kelly’s assessment and offer her blog entry for your perusal.

Click on the headline below. It’s a good read!

“One Writer’s Opinion of Why Soap Operas are Dying.”

So what do you think?

Agree or disagree?

Or do you have additional reasons to add?

By Michele Dargan

First of all, let me start out by saying I loved the tribute to Dick Clark and American Bandstand.

So well-deserved!

It was difficult watching Dick Clark sobbing at the end and I do think they could have taken the camera off of him sooner.

I also am so happy that Agnes Nixon, creator One Life To Live and All My Children was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Agnes Nixon - Lifetime Achievement Award

Again, well-deserved and so appropriate that Susan Lucci give her that award.

Known as bringing social issues to her daytime dramas, Nixon is a pioneer and a trailblazer.

All I have to say is that I wish she were still at the helm of her beloved soaps.

The tribute to As The World Turns, which is ending its 54-year television run in September, was definitely sad.

But I really wish they had used more clips from its early days….I find that when they do these tributes to longtime soaps, they use a couple of old clips and a majority of newer ones.

As many of my Twitter peeps noted last night, where was the In Memoriam???

I think that was a huge black eye on the event, not to have honored those who have passed away and have given so much to the genre.

And there was NO pre-awards, red carpet coverage!

Where the heck was SOAPnet with that?

I know SOAPnet (the alleged soap channel) is going off the air in 2012, but has it already checked itself off the air?

SOAPnet usually carries that portion of the program.

That was a HUGE faux pas not having live red carpet coverage.

Click here to see SOAPnet’s still photo red carpet gallery

And, for the record, I don’t think the 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards were rigged for CBS – per se – just because it was broadcast on that network.

(My tweets last night were taken out of context…coming from a reporter I never thought I’d be saying THOSE words – LOL!)

Facts: the awards WERE broadcast on CBS and it did receive the majority of major awards.

But I DO think ABC got ripped off….there were some amazing actors and actresses from ABC who were nominated.

That’s not taking ANYTHING away from the CBS actors who did win and I’m not saying they didn’t deserve it.

In the name of full disclosure, I am an ABC soap fan. Those are the main soaps that I watch daily.

(Hey, I can’t watch them all…I have a day job!)

Julie Berman (Lulu/GH) took home the Best Younger Actress Emmy and was the only ABC actor/actress to do so.

It was her second consecutive win in this category and huge kudos to her!

I do think the sentimentality of As The World Turns ending in three months may have factored in to the fact that ATWT won so much. (Note the usage of may have.)

And that’s not a bad thing, because this is their last chance to win for this soap and it is a wonderful tribute to this longest running soap.

It’s really extremely sad that As The World Turns is ending – and following so closely on the heels of it’s CBS compatriot Guiding Light closing down last year.

I enjoyed the emotion and the speeches by the ATWT actors who won: Maura West for Outstanding Lead Actress (Carly/ATWT), Michael Park for Outstanding Lead Actor (Jack/ATWT) and Outstanding Supporting Actress Julie Pinson (Janet/ATWT).

I really liked the way Pinson – in her acceptance speech – payed homage to her fellow nominees in the supporting actress category….Very classy of her!

Julie Pinson (Janet/ATWT) winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress

Just like last year, I think that was one of the strongest categories.

In my opinion, it should have been between Carolyn Hennesy (Diane/GH) and Bree Williamson (Jessica/OLTL) for the win.

Again, not taking anything away from Pinson.

Hennesy is one of the brightest spots on GH….Among all of the mob violence and doom and gloom, Hennesy as the saavy mob lawyer who brings a humaness to all the violent stuff around her.

Carolyn Hennesy (Diane/GH) Oustanding Supporting Actress nominee

She lights up the screen and is a master at putting a smile on my face while I’m watching her masterfully portray the smart, sometimes wise-cracking Diane.

As for Williamson (Jessica/OLTL), she got totally ripped off last year. She should have won it, hands down, no question!

So she’s nominated again this year….with equally strong performances – and she doesn’t win again? Huh?

Williamson is one of the strongest performers on OLTL…she constantly delivers in all of her scenes – whether comic or sadness – Williamson gives 110 percent.

In the Outstanding Supporting Actor category, Brian Kerwin (Charlie/OLTL) got my vote.

Again, not taking away ANYTHING from winner Billy Miller (Billy/Y&R)….but Kerwin is a great veteran who brings lots of experience to the role of Charlie Bank and has brought lots of layers to the character in the past year.

I also have to give nods and kudos to Bradford Anderson (Spinelli/GH) and Jonathan Jackson (Lucky/GH) for their noms and, quite frankly, I would have been happy if they had won.

Anderson….what can I say….he is totally amazing as the offbeat, sweet and brilliant computer geek Spinelli….He’s another one who brings so much to his character and to the role, that he really needs to win this at some point.

Jackson…I must say I was less than happy when he took the role back from Greg Vaughan, who I loved as Lucky. When Jackson first came back, I thought he looked way too young to be Lucky….let alone a cop.

But, I must say, Jackson has won me over.

He gave such gut-wrenching performances when Lucky found out about Liz/Nik betrayal and he’s done such good work that I’ve come around to thinking of him as Lucky.

There’s no doubt he’s a wonderful actor and I also love his scenes with Luke (Tony Geary) and Ethan (Nathan Parsons) his new-found brother.

As far as Outstanding Drama Series, the Bold and the Beautiful won for the second consecutive year!

Seriously?

Oh…almost forgot….

So glad that Cash Cab won two Emmys, including Ben Bailey for Outstanding Game Show Host.

I love that show!