DRW50

I think that's a well-done moment. I can see where people felt Paul went too far (which is why they just blamed it all on a brain tumor). The biggest mistake is never bringing any of those characters back from the dead.

I think the Jason/AJ car crash and Jason brain damage may have also been tied to them, although I may be wrong.

IIRC anything of Sunset Beach that worked (whatever did) popped up after he moved on. Most of Guza's work (in my opinion) tends to be based in worship of mobsters and thug storylines, misogyny, and comes hand-in-hand with a general contempt for soaps, in spite of their giving him steady employment for decades. To me, the only headwriting stint he ever had which generated returns was his turn on GH in 1996, parts of which were supposedly based on plans left over from the Labines. GH ground to a halt within a year or a year and a half of his 1998 return, and that's not even getting into his third stint. All this with the help of a strong writing team. I am aware he may just be there to guide the show, but his getting a larger role as they get closer to their debut, along with the involvement of some extremely...flawed writers from other shows, makes me wary about what the end result is going to be.

Based on Colleen's style here I assume they are preparing to recast Jordan with Ariana Grande's mother.

While looking for an obituary on Edelstein I saw that an online magazine of some kind published a short story of his around 2017. (this story is NSFW) https://www.scarletleafreview.com/short-stories29/rick-edelstein-what-matters

GH did this with Carly at one point. I think it would have worked if they wrote Dolan and Holmes in a lighter way (as they did in the early '90s) rather than how loud and cold they became by the mid/late '90s.

Great thread. I am trying to remember how many I ever watched. Not as many as I should have. The premiere of Search for Tomorrow is a good setup for the show's central identity - some focus goes on Keith's struggles at work and with his father (I think it was his father), but the moment that feels so "real" to is Jo comforting a hysterical Patti after she dreams of her father's death. A clever way to set up Keith's fate, but even outside of that moment you immediately know Patti and Jo and the relationship between them is the heart of the show.

I think the rights went back to ABC/Disney, which is why they were able to have Jack appear on GH.

There was never any reason for Abby to exist.

I think he hits his stride when Ellen Dolan is brought in as Margo and they have a few good years (89-92 or so) as a married couple juggling work, kids and crises. He has no real chemistry with HBS though, which makes his first few years in the role awkward (not even getting into the relationship with Shannon which was just there to stall out time for both characters). Marland did a lot for the show over a much longer period of time, but I do miss how much looser the show felt in the six months or so before his arrival, while still being strong in quality. And Margo and Tom are just never the same after he arrives.

I know Ray Wise was ill a while back. Glad he is still working.

There have been multiple revival attempts. That's the main reason some are still talking about the possibility. I do think a revival would likely be AMC in name only, although there are some unsung writers out there who might do an OK job. IIRC the revival got better in its final months.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/nov/13/timothy-west-star-of-stage-screen-and-television-dies-aged-90?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

One of the judges who was planning to retire has already changed his mind. https://www.reuters.com/default/after-trump-win-ohio-federal-judge-backtracks-leaving-active-service-2024-11-11/

You could tell whatever may have been wanted with Gio and Trina was dumped by Frank or whoever immediately as Gio was mooning over Joss (no idea if that is still a thing). The worst part is I remain convinced we will hear of a Spencer recast about a week after Trina leaves.

While watching a special I saw a few promos that I'd never seen on Youtube before (I may have missed it) so I clipped them:

As you never know how long a Youtube channel will last, I thought I'd post these clips Byrne Offutt uploaded from his soap bit parts (I think these are already in @slick jones extensive credits).

Even more depressing to remember the main reason that change happened. If viewers are meant to commit to Drew being a sleaze and a user, then his using what minimal sadness he felt over Sam's death to get into Willow's designer drawers would make sense. But I'm not sure he is meant to be seen that way, and it doesn't do much for Willow that she went along. I'm reminded of when JFP used a story about a dead Vietnamese child to justify John committing adultery with Felicia on AW. Regarding Kristina, I do wonder how far Mulcahey may have intended for her feud with Joss to go. Joss is barely active now (not that I'm too sorry). Weren't some assuming Kristina or Molly would bed Dex? And did he have plans for Gio or was that always just some Frank jerkoff moment? Are we still waiting to learn Gio is Dante and Brooklyn's son? Hell, maybe he's Robert and Holly's son too...

I still think they are going to reveal at some point that Sasha and Cody aren't actually related. Having them break up over something that was in no way their fault and both spiral downward is interesting or would be on a better show. I agree Cody/Tracy doesn't seem likely, although I hope the show at least keeps the relationship ambiguous and doesn't try to paint her as pathetic and obsessive. They do seem to be winding down most of his stories, although some, like the Heather flop, I am still not sure who to blame as didn't Alley Mills brag that CvE was responsible? And isn't she supposed to be coming back (yet again)? I'm still surprised they even decided to go for Drew/Willow, although clearly they would only do so if Nina was not involved. I'd be surprised if she had that much say but it would help explain why no one wants Lucky there.

I would assume JJ's return was an ABC mandate, helped with the salaries of Howarth and Easton (and Monaco). This way they can just keep half-using Jackson to the very limited fanbase he even has these days until he leaves again.

Boyd returning only for short stints with such life-changing events was a bad idea. Very disappointing. If they couldn't afford to have him back more often they shouldn't have given him such dark material. They didn't even show the conversation where Drew confronted him over knowing about the affair. Meanwhile we got the same miserable and depressing scenes with Nicole, Harper, Drew, etc. all year. Nicole's story has been hard for me to get through, but the twist of Louisa being the one who came up with the group chat was brilliant...unfortunately, they kind of ruined it by having her return before the reveal. As soon as she was back I knew it was her. Good idea about Harry. Monique/Nazar are such a good couple, in spite of some writing issues. Nazar is one of the best new characters in years.

I'm so sorry to hear about your father.

The miscarriage story did seem to turn the tide further, but I don't think she was ever in a good place. I would be curious what Mulcahey might have done with her if he'd had more say.