DRW50

I think they tried some buildup with Abby and Rick, and I think it worked, but mostly gave up on them after a few years. At the time this story, and the show in general, was getting a lot of praise and push, but I found it all extremely manipulative, extremely hollow. They were trying to set Rick up as having everything so we would be upset at the thought of him dying, but none of what he had felt earned (this was also undercut by Rick already having his first child not even a year earlier) and it was clearly he wasn't going to die. Choosing to just do a knockoff of a story GH and St. Elsewhere had already done just made GL feel generic. I tried with Rick and Mel, I really did...more than the show did. The show was more honest about their relationship when they split up several years later, but that was marred by the pathetic, toxic relationship with Beth.

I do wonder if something has been said behind the scenes which is why MVJ responded to some of the negativity on social media (and I haven't even seen that much negativity). I know some of the names attached (like Carlivati, Jamey Giddens, Julie Hanan Carruthers) didn't exactly suggest a needed new approach for the genre.

I don't blame you there. His returning for Alex made more sense anyway. I don't think the Marvel episode was a big deal, but I can see where a musical episode might have gotten more attention. I kind of wish they'd tried a live episode. I guess that was too difficult for most of the soaps to bother with by then, aside from OLTL.

Fletcher left town with the daughter he had with Holly. She later ended up in a special school, I think. About a decade later, Fletcher returned briefly in the finale to leave with Alexandra. (I'm still surprised the show remembered him by that point) I'm glad to know there were other Fletcher fans. I never really felt an attraction to him, but I do laugh at the memory of Pam Long saying he had great buns (this was in an interview - before they split up...).

Kudos to Chad for being gracious, especially with the usual fan wars. I've seen some who don't give Rory Gibson a chance and others who try to say he's much better than Chad. This is fine to talk about but usually ends up getting dragged all over social media and gets to the actors. I do have a feeling if Chad ever wanted to return, Frank would probably still bring him back.

The period of Jeffrey's creation may have been at the peak scumbag/"anti-hero" era for soaps. He was just repulsive. I didn't mind Cole as Richard, I would even say I liked him and his relationship with Cassie. He worked as the cardboard prince. He did not have the right charisma or talent to play such an aimless pig. Even before the rape story with Olivia (which was after I had stopped watching), his chasing Marah and [!@#$%^&*] Beth on the floor of a restaurant was more than enough for me.

I was going through some old UK commercials and saw this one that has Ilene Kristen. A nice surprise.

I was mostly lapsed from GL at the time, and I did watch the episode when I heard about it. I think I tried to find the comic too but couldn't. Still, it didn't make me tune back in regularly. I agree it wasn't the type of choice which would help the show long term, but I did appreciate the effort. I just wish the effort had been put into better writing and casting.

I don't understand why they didn't have Don attend. Looking at Soapcentral he was back on canvas from February 1976. I guess that could be wrong...it's all confusing.

I don't think anyone could play Kristina at this time. If they give her a break for a year or two, maybe, but I'm not sure if they see where they went wrong. I agree Mansi is probably too good at playing the material. This might almost be a case where a non-actor would dull the edge. Still, that's not Mansi's fault. I am sure she could do better if she was ever given the chance.

For some reason I thought it was said at one point Danny was meant to be a short-term role. It seemed like Michelle/Jesse were also the rooting couple early on (as Budig had left by choice, IIRC, not due to the show's plans), then that shifted after Joie Lenz worked so well with PAS and PAS was just so good in general.

I think she may not have been the best choice for Kristina as she is a little too intense for the part, but sometimes I wonder if that intensity is down to her knowing the writing is not there. The writing for Kristina has been shocking. I keep assuming they are going to reveal her crimes and there will be some reaction as the obsession just goes on and on and on, but I wonder if they have the sense to actually commit her and give her a lengthy break from the canvas, instead of just blaming Ric and Ava.

I think the idea of teaming up with Marvel for a superhero comic on a soap was a fun idea, creativity in a way that did show Wheeler was trying new things, but I never really knew how it would have worked. And I think they should have chosen Reva (even if Zimmer would have burst a blood vessel), as she had already been cloned and traveled through time anyway. I wonder if the original plans for the Santos family were very short term until Manny took off.

I think P&G has had plenty of deserved blame from fans. And I do blame them for some of the lack of interest in vets returning, although I do wonder if Rosemary Prinz or Pat Bruder were asked.

That makes sense.

Odd to see GH's 18-49 go from .13 one day to .31 the next.

This will be on in a little over an hour.

The Grants (not Gilly, sadly) will still pop up here and there in the late '90s, but yes, diversity was poor.

They really went all out for the Dane/Harry brawl and poor Ann's stricken involvement. Another reminder of how lavish the show could seem in spite of the ratings.

Thanks again @Maxim Phil Carey must have been having a blast, doing fight choreography at his age. The direction, as you've mentioned, is striking, adding some life to soap moments that often feel played out. There's an atmosphere allowed here. I am impressed with the amount of extras milling around the Banner. Imagine the luxury... They sure made use of that Blair theme. I wonder when the last time was that characters had their own music cues.

Thanks @slick jones I've been fascinated at the varied careers of the Scripts and Scruples cast.

This isn't the one where she opens the box but it's the episode immediately after:

The Constance and John Locher Room will be starting in about twenty minutes.

Cuomo seems so delusional I could see him still running in the general, even if he must know he'd have a tough time. I guess it depends on whether he'd rather try to help Eric Adams win. Mamdani is the far left fantasy figure for many - charismatic, good looking, mostly able to stay on message - but I do wonder how he'll fare to November, especially with all the money and establishment media which will focus on his actual history and positions and associations, which are a mess. I see evil Charlie Kirk is already trying to tie him to 9/11, which is the type of bigotry that inevitably works where even if he does win in November it will have a lasting effect.