Chris B

She usually does sing live, but Madonna sounds TERRIBLE live so I'm glad she didn't ruin the moment by sounding a hot mess.

The most disappointing thing with Joan is she never knows when to stop. She looked so beautiful in season 13, then when she returned for the series finale she'd had some more plastic surgery and looked a mess.

It's a shame that she's getting this huge showcase and it's for this lackluster single. I think the song is very cute and passable and radio will eat it up, but for Madonna it seems a bit forgettable. I wish it was something more like Hung Up, or even from Candy Shop you had Give It To Me which was fantastic.

Yep, which is true. I can't wait to see Kyle and Adrienne clutching pearls at that when even THEY (especially Adrienne!!!) didn't believe Taylor's claims. Just because Russell killed himself doesn't mean he was the monster Taylor makes him out to be, it just means it's easier for her to pin it on him because he isn't there to defend himself. Now I do believe there probably was abuse, but I doubt it was one-sided or an open and shut case. I certainly don't think it's as bad as Taylor makes it out to be. Unfortunately for Russell, he didn't get to see the show and that the other women actually had POSITIVE things to say about him and didn't believe her claims. He didn't get a chance to clear his name which was so sad. I wouldn't have minded a true and honest conversation about their relationship, but all we get is spin.

Yeah, Brandi already cemented her place on the series. Brandi and Dana were both (smartly) given a test run and it's clear who won out. Shame for Dana, because you *know* Bravo would've loved filming her lavish wedding in Paris, but she just didn't catch on with viewers or the fellow wives. Stick her on OC at best, those losers might be impressed with her. When Watch What Happens Live did the poll for Favorite RHOBH, Lisa came in first and Brandi came in second. Kyle was a strong third and Taylor/Kim tied for last place with 2% of the vote. What does that tell you? I feel like I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but I really cannot stomach another season of Taylor. She is truly a sick person, a phony, a money hungry grifter and not pleasant in any way. I don't want her dominating another season with all of her lies and manipulation. I wouldn't mind Kim sticking around, if only for the rumored addition of Kathy Hilton to the cast.

For 20 episodes, 23 with the reunion, I never felt bored. New Jersey also had a long season 3, but it felt so repetitive and long. I thought ending on Pandora's wedding was a nice note. It was a central storyline and really a saving grace for them. Considering Russell's suicide and filming being stopped, I would've hated for them to end on the previous episode. I'm glad they decided to go ahead and film Pandora's wedding just so they don't have that dark cloud hanging over everything. I can't wait for the reunion which looks very dramatic. Team Lisa/Camille/Brandi all the way. I hope they don't go easy on Taylor.

Wow! I know it's already been released, but the entire series is getting an official Complete Series collection! So now instead of individually buying the DVDs for 2000+, you can get the entire series for less than 450. That's pretty amazing to think a daytime soap is considered worthy enough to not only get a film, but a complete series set. Here's the link: http://www.welovesoaps.net/2012/01/dsdvd.html Now I just need them to release a trailer for the film. I think this is going to be a big year for soaps on DVD.

With this episode it was promoted as a special episode so viewers were aware that it was airing. I guess a good comparison would be the movie made about the origins of Coronation Street. Same thing, except a soap in the US isn't going to have a tv movie commissioned so they have to use their own timeslot to air and promote something like that.

I don't see what is so shocking about it. It was simply a special episode. The soaps have done that many times in recent years. A good example would be those Fan February episodes OLTL had, or the most recent Fraternity Row episode. I thought it made sense considering how many years GL was running and how many different special episodes they would've done at that point.

LOL I loved that episode where Barb jumped through the window. I started watching ATWT in 2004 so thats the only Barbara I knew.When I started looking at classic episodes I was so confused when I'd see her as a fairly nice person. I hope they include that episode on a future DVD release.

Why exactly did she decline a return in 1998? I never knew she was invited back.

I've been on a bender looking for as many Carla clips as I can find. Unfortunately there's really nothing pre-83, but I still tried lol. This episode has a lot of interesting stuff. Sadie and Carla have such a stunning mother/daughter relationship. How I would've loved to have seen Ellen Holly with Victoria Rowell as her daughter in the later years of OLTL. And Al Freeman has such a sexy voice. He reminds me a lot of Ben Hendrickson from ATWT. The same honey with gravel voice. Love, love, love him! And honestly, this storyline genuinely seems interesting and they fit well into the canvas. I just want more, more and more! It's unfortunate we didn't get more. Okay I was wrong! Looks like Carla is in this wonderful episode from 1980. Haven't watched yet so I can't comment yet. Also love seeing Andrea Evans from this era as Tina was so different.

I remember her on Dallas. IIRC, it was like one or two scenes and nothing important. I think her character was married to someone who may have been more important, I can't remember exactly.

I think that;s just gossip in regards to Brandi. Considering most of Kim's storyline directly involved Brandi, I'm guessing they originally planned ot include her as one of the original housewives, but with Kim not there they won't need her much beyond her appear with Dana.

That picture of Claire Malis and Ellen Holly is a gem. I'd love to see her in the role of Dorian. She certainly looks the part. Also interesting that the two were somehow tied together in the story.

I missed this. I don't like the summary of 1752. Why not have Barnabas go on a rampage, then be imprisoned in the tomb? Makes no sense to turn him into a vampire and then bury him. He doesn't get to experience the terror of that story. I also wish they'd held off on details because for a second film they could've used that as a storyline. The original series is perfectly set up for a series of movies. You have 1752, then 1897, the variou stories with Quintin, etc.

Next weeks episode looks dynamite. I can't wait for all the fireworks once Kim arrives. Mostly, I'm excited that Dana wasn't invited. Still can't get over what a loser she is. On her blog she posts how upset she was that Camille invited Brandi, yet she didn't get an invite.

I guess that's understandable, but such a shame. If she wanted to she could've been a Susan Lucci or Frances Reid, Katheryn Hays, etc. in daytime. I bet she's probably had a happier life outside of soaps though. She was able to do things on her own terms and still pursue what she wanted which I admire.

I want to see this show so bad after reading that! And that clip was interesting as well. I just can't believe Rosemary Prinz got these roles on AMC and this show and didn't stay. She's a great actress, very popular so you'd think she'd be interested in extending it.

With Lar Park Lincoln, it was more a change of tone for the entire show that was the problem. I understand Latham and Lechowick were leaving for Homefront, but I don't understand why they decided to go with such a dark writer to replace them. I can understand not going slapstick, but to go so dark was completely unlike Knots. I'm surprised David Jacobs or somebody approved that. Losing Linda was a HUGE HUGE blow. Maybe she could've spared us the horrible Vanessa during the final season. As for Larry Riley, I agree it was very sad and shocking to see his decline on screen. In general that Williams family had potential to be VERY strong but was wasted. Pat should've NEVER been killed off. They should've toyed with a Gary fling. And Kent Masters-King was brilliant as Julie. I wish Julie and Jason had stuck around and maybe had a teen pregnancy.

How can you fall UP stairs?

For Another World fans, what are the 20 episodes from the 1979-1999 time frame that you would like to see on a DVD set? We should start thinking of it since it'll probably be released sometime next year.

Despite her past, I didn't expect Marlo to be such a disaster and so over the top from the season promo that was released. I also thought Kandi was fighting with Kim in the promo for the most recent episode so I was completely blown away. Atlanta didn't look interesting from the season trailer, but it's been very entertaining. A big improvement over last season even. Not too heavy on the dark drama we're used to seeing, but it's very good. A classic housewives series. They seemed to keep most of the good stuff out of the season trailer. I'm constantly looking forward to whats next. Similarly, while I was expecting a short season for Beverly Hills, it's going on forever. That's in a bad thing, as I've been enjoying it very much, but I assumed the Russell incident ending shooting early. Considering they're already at 16 episodes with no end in sight, it's safe to say they got their moneys worth. I could even see this season reaching 22 episodes with the reunion. Tonight's episode was another gem with Crazy Kim vs Slut!Pig and Taylor continues to surprise me. It's clear by now that TAYLOR is manipulating people and is a complete liar and social climber. I wouldn't be surprised if TAYLOR is the one leaking the stories to the press and trying to stay relevant. Before Russell's death all we were reading about is how she was the villain. Had he not commited suicide this wouldn't be such a slam dunk for her. It shocks me that still people seem to believe all of her claims. I think it was probably a combination of both of them and she's now using this to her maximum advantage. The fact that she's releasing a book so soon AND hosting a fricking New Years Eve party show how much she cares. And then Kim is an absolute psycho. I hope she's out of rehab in time to get eaten alive at the reunion. She's just a crazy, unpleasant person, although I do enjoy watching her brand of crazy. Brandi looked completely blown away by her last night lol. Just a total nut.

I do think Kim's show will do well. It helps that Atlanta is the highest rated, but her personality is broad enough and she actually has a storyline. Nene would have nothing to offer on a show. What would the focus be? Her new business of fast food pizza joints in airports? Or her dull home life? I do think her personality is good, but they'd have to really think hard. Maybe she could be a host for one of their competition shows. I wonder how Kandi's show is going to do as well.

I finally finished Hollyoaks Later which was the weakest of the series, but very entertaining. Then I start the next week of the main show and it seems so dull. Were they written by different people? I know Bryan Kirkwood still wrote Later after he'd left the main show. Maybe there is a similar arrangement. Also shocked at the lack of fallout from Rae's death so far. Perhaps her body is hidden and hasn't been discovered yet. Still, I'd expect somebody to mention she's missing at least. That was the big cliffhanger on Later and should be the main thing they pick up on. With the main show the cast seems too large and so many of these actors and characters seem bland. It was awkward seeing Jacqui who is nothing like that spitfire I remember. All in all the show is watchable enough that I'll be back full time. It's just as mediocre as my American soaps. Maybe I should give Eastenders or Emmerdale a shot, but I fear they'll be similarly uneven. At least I have history with Hollyoaks.