DRW50

They chose some of the dullest episodes, but then Soapnet didn't keep AW long enough either (wasn't it just a few years) even though 87-91 had some high spots.

I'm still surprised any time I am reminded of that photo. People used to be a decent magazine, for what it was, in the '80s and '90s. That they even got the first Blake involved is so nice. You have to respect Elizabeth Denehy for being willing to participate even after being fired. Sometimes I forget just how young Sherry was when she took over as Blake.

I wonder if Chad and Willow fans really have any say or if it's just the type of story Frank would have always been averse to...or maybe Korte/CVE. They seem reluctant to write nuanced storylines. Or are just incapable. Can you imagine telling someone 30-35 years ago that Jeff Kober, Michael E Knight and Genie Francis would be playing siblings, and no one would give a [!@#$%^&*]. (or do people enjoy Laura with them? I am not a Laura fan so I have no idea)

I think what may have hurt (I'm aware we disagree on whether this hurt her campaign or not) is there was a gap where she did interviews, which allowed the media and Trump to paint her with the label of being afraid. Then when she did start doing more formal interviews, so much expectation was put onto them and Trump, with help from the press, was able to pick them apart and blunt any major positive comment (earlier today I saw that even 'entertainment' sites like Deadline were mentioning the edit in her interview on 60 Minutes). Meanwhile, Trump can dance at a rally and get praise from the NYT, can cancel an interview in a place like Squawk Box that should have been a layup for him, and the usual suspects run cover with a tiny caveat: I think Harris should have either done major interviews immediately or stuck to a plan of avoiding major media and doing smaller outlets (ditto for Walz, who has just been cocooned to the point where the main time I hear about him beyond all the "knucklehead" stuff is ugly smears from grifters/bigots and a hateful impression from Jim Gaffigan on SNL). I saw a Politico interview with Bill Daley, who used to be Obama's chief of staff, saying it's Trump's race to lose, she is an underdog, she has to become better known because the campaign is so short. I assume given his ties to Obama a number of the people at the campaign feel this way and that's why this frantic push is happening after a lull, but I fear that the path taken may be the worst of both worlds and allows her moves to be spun as reactionary even if they are likely not.

Sadly that's the best we're going to get on any US soap (or UK soap...).

I remember some fans saying they never liked him with April anyway and preferred him with Robin.

You're right, it never would have happened (and JER's feelings about gay men may have been best expressed on Passions). I just figured since there was talk about other story choices that never would have happened due to the show at that time (like Mike/Lexie) I thought it might be interesting to ponder.

Everything with Rogan and Bernie was part of a wagon train of delusion and toxicity, trust fund kids like Walker Bragman and deeply embittered "revolution" grifters like Brie Brie. If Harris goes on it won't be for those reasons and is (similar to her doing interviews with the Shade Room) just trying to cover all bases, but I do wonder if it will be seen as trying to chase Trump voters even as almost none of the Rogan fans/Trump voters will ever vote for her. Even the attempts at positive interviews she had recently ended up being spun against her by the press and seemed to hurt her numbers somewhat, if polls are any indication. Maybe the internal numbers are at a point where she thinks she has nothing to lose. If so I can't blame her for trying anything.

Some of the reporters at the hate rally mentioned that two attendees, one quickly after the other, had medical issues and were sent out. Some of the attendees begged for the doors to be opened as it was so hot inside. Kristi Noem made a "joke" blaming Harris and the economy for why the building wasn't in better shape. You're absolutely right that Biden wouldn't get away with this. Or Harris, who was attacked by many for a Teleprompter issue which was not even hers, yet Trump can call Arizonans "Allyasians" and no one cares. His greatest strength is always that he can just do and say whatever the hell he wants and everyone shrugs.

Would you have ever reintroduced the story of Mike thinking he was gay (which was just used to have Linda help "make him a man") to have the character later question his sexuality? Having a bi Horton would have been interesting to me, back when there were traditional Horton figures around to react to it. A gay story also would have made sense to me for Lucas. Not that this has anything to do with the above, but I remember a fan talking about how dull they found Marina and the Marina/Steve story until Marina became obsessed with the key and what it meant. Would you agree with that?

Tom Hughes vibes (both shows that involved Bill Bell and Irna), although Tom did have story for a longer period than Mike did.

I hope it doesn't happen, but I often thought (before Biden dropped out) the outcomes were a big Trump win or a narrow Biden win. With recent polling (if it's accurate) I am just putting Harris' name in place of Biden.

Thanks for the internals. I don't believe those Michigan Senate numbers, as Gary Peters nearly lost in 2020 and this election will likely be as close or closer than that one, even if Elissa Slotkin seems to be an overperformer. I am also hoping that the Wisconsin Senate numbers are wrong as I don't really get why they would be so close, unless it is due to the increasing homophobia and transphobia in this country, or some voters have a weird daddy fixation on Eric Hovde and his pornstache. I think Cruz will win in Texas, probably by 3-4 points, although I hope he loses as he's just a smarmy shitstain constantly begging for love. PA will likely be very close but unless Trump has a big night (which sadly seems more and more likely), I think Casey will pull it out. The Ohio internal for Trump is interesting. If that is accurate, slimy Bernie Moreno (who now seems to be going around saying he's been subject to racist attacks - how ironic) is likely hosed. Marcy Kaptur and Emilia Sykes may also hold onto their Congressional seats. Trump is going to win Iowa but if he doesn't have as big a blowout there as he did in 2020 Democrats might manage to get one of those Congressional seats back. The last polling for him, I think around the last debate, wasn't great by his 2020 standards but he seems to have made a real comeback since then.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/14/nx-s1-5152538/lilly-ledbetter-pay-equity-obituary

Thanks. Never heard of this.

Joyce Bulifant is still alive, although I don't know if she counts. (similarly, Lisa Gerritsen is still alive)

I would guess being somewhat remembered from ATWT helped.

I wish someone could ask her, if she still remembers.

Thanks so much @slick jones

@Franko I can definitely see the comparison. (I wonder if Ariana is meant to look like Patti Lupone). @Vee Stevie's performances. I actually think that Lighthouse song sounds better here.

Oh wow.

That's a great idea. I might be able to see her as a Meg or Ellie Snyder recast too.

They do have some fans, as most same-sex pairings do, but the story has been so overlong, and Phil is just a plot device. Harper is played by one of the best actors on the show, but her relationship with Drew feels spent. Everything with Nicole also feels spent, and incredibly draining. I think she has reached an end as a character. Monique also seems to have reached an end - I don't see how they can come back from her supporting racism and segregation because she isn't being treated well enough at work. I don't say that lightly as she was one of my favorite characters but that's hard to get past. I would also get rid of Sage with no real regret. You can tell they will end up reuniting Madonna/Viliami again at some point. I am fine with her pairing with Thaddeus but they scream placeholder. If so I would just have her go back to Viliami and write them out. Feels like just a matter of time before Esther/Marty split up too. You can always tell she doesn't think he's worthy of her. This has been a very uneven year for the show, as per usual, with Chris' breakdown and slow recovery being the highlight.

@dc11786 So many great ideas there, especially Quinn being a cad and Jo having to raise a child all over again.