DRW50

Thanks. I could definitely see that being an ABC decision. One that seemed to be ended quickly. When I first started the RH repeats on Soapnet, I saw Tolan as Mary, and I was bewildered. Not only was she abrasive, but she could also barely speak. I know Helen Gallagher recommended her, but that isn't enough. She seemed to have better luck as a writer.

I'm not saying it out of dislike, because I never have disliked Sam (although you can tell how checked out Kelly has been for a long time), I just feel like everything about the character has reached a natural end and her exit would, as @Vee said, benefit others.

@vetsoapfan Thanks. I'll have to check that out. I did watch the interview with Helen Gallagher, which was probably a mistake on the show's part as Helen couldn't recall a great deal, but Malcolm was on with her and was a good bridge. Was it PFS' idea to bring in Robin Mattson as Delia?

This does feel like an ideal time to write BLQ and Chase out. As that doesn't seem likely, I would still go with my idea of them being foster parents. Of characters who actually could leave, I would say there's never been a better time to write Sam out, even if they need angst for Jason. The character could easily be recast, although the problems with her are widespread among younger women on the canvas.

Thanks so much @slick jones for all the clippings and updates. I didn't know Rebecca Schull was still alive.

For me the worst of the show is often what reminds me most of the soaps that drove me away in the '90s - Kimberley arriving out of nowhere and eating up the canvas, the endless mob hell brought in around the same time, and the repetition of wicked/insecure Delia scheming against the Coleridges (especially the 80-81 era where she was meant to contrast with good, noble Faith and Roger). I didn't mind some of the silly side plots as much. (I've never really seen most of the Kirkland era or the PFS era) Regarding RH vs Loving, that's one of those switches I knew about years before I knew most behind the scenes soaps moments of yore due to how often Rosie O'Donnell used to complain about it on her talk show. Rosie's mania could be exhausting at times, but it was nice to see such a genuine soap fan getting a platform. It does make you wonder how long RH would have lasted. I'd say it probably still wound have ended somewhere in the mid '90s to make room for something else.

Nancy Addison and Tichina Arnold. Roscoe Born later went on AMC (similar to Ilene only joining OLTL years later - she did join Loving for a year or so post-RH).

I don't even know if he had that much use for Eddie, considering that he was willing to trash Matthew so badly, but I do think he keeps trying to find another Kristen or another version of Emma and Spencer. Violet reminds me a lot of Emma. I hadn't actually watched anything with that Spencer in a decade or so, so I went back to watch a few clips (I think from his big scar story) to see if he was as annoying as I remembered...he very much was. Our Gang used to parody stage school kids, and most of those kids remind me of the casting process at GH.

If it makes it any easier there's a lot you can skip (namely, pretty much anything featuring Chelsea/Paul/Terese/Toadie/Melanie, Haz, or the months-long saga of Karl being blamed for shitting all over Erinsborough).

https://www.cbr.com/don-perlin-moon-knight-bloodshot-creator-obituary/ Messy as The Defenders was, I still enjoyed reading it, and Perlin's artwork was a big reason why.

I don't think they will get every vote, but the segment of the vote they are courting in Michigan were already shifting to Republicans before 10/7. Many voted for or worked with this lunatic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_Dixon How some Michigan Muslims united with extremist Republicans against LGBTQ+ rights • Michigan Advance Hamtramck mayor describes group that flew LGBTQ+ Pride flag as a ‘militia’ • Michigan Advance Some of the most vocal Michigan Arab voices in the no Biden movement were, IIRC, previous supporters of W, or had also made a point of never supporting Biden or Hillary in 2016/2020. The Gaza crisis was just a cover. And even with Trump's campaign not even making a bare minimum effort, it will probably remain their perfect cover.

I noticed that the Washington Post op-ed writer who was gushing over this meeting had little to say about the meeting itself. They're lucky because they will probably still get most of those votes. https://www.salon.com/2024/05/22/envoy-to-arab-american-flops-at-michigan-meeting-talks-about-gazas-real-estate-potential/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/catching-up-with-mariann-aalda-on-the-edge-of-age-disruption/

These 1983 credits fascinate me. They are essentially an identity crisis set to a thumping beat. Preacher solemnly sitting in front of a big-ass photo of Jody is especially amusing to me, but my favorite part is the random shot of Didi and Cliff and getting their Mary Richards on. As shown with Gunther as well, at least Edge did proudly showcase their comedy characters in their openers.

@detroitpiston I feel nothing for plot point hollow Clenshaw's EE but I do appreciate reading your posts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tylenol_murders The Hollyoaks story, as one of a million ways they are trying to dump most of their cast, had a number of stressed characters buying pills from the dealers of longtime local thug Warren. He did not know the pills were tainted (if there are more details someone else can fill them in). Two of the people who took them died - one in her father's arms at his wedding. (probably one of the only effective scenes I've seen on there in a while)

That would be an exciting story - maybe it starts with mass headaches from Violet's singing.

Why does the show have so many pill addicts on the current canvas? I know it's an epidemic these days but I'm surprised. They should have done the recent Hollyoaks story where a number of characters accidentally took bad pills and died.

"The truth about Jennifer." Tom also would have been upset. I don't know if they ever asked MES or not. It felt like they mostly stopped caring after 1993 or so - whenever Sabrina's last appearance was.

Colleen Zenk complained in the press about the writing for Barbara in the Barbara/Gavin pairing - she felt that Barbara was being too naive, IIRC. That whole crew was very heavy. I think that's one of the reasons the story is remembered as flagging out, with the Harpers, Daryl, Arthur (one of my final flashes before I go will probably be Rex Smith saying "Arthur"), etc. I think Marland managed to still keep it worth watching, but the real impact was lost due to his death meaning Frannie never returned (cameo aside) and we lost all the drama with Frannie and Barbara we should have had. I still wonder if he was going to pair up Frannie/Hal.

I actually do wonder how he might have been in another role - maybe another of Iva's doomed boyfriends (although she was nearly gone by then). He was just all wrong for Linc.

He was a racist, yes. He was too dull and unpleasant a character for all the airtime he received. Marcy was fun. I remember when she briefly returned in 1994, Michael Logan praised it on Pure Soap as it meant at least something was happening. Similar to Tess, she was probably closer to early Meg than Julie or Emily as she was just a blatant schemer...she was so blatant that it made Linc and his mother look foolish (although neither were known for their brains). It wasn't a strong story but worked fine as a support plot chugging along. I do wish they'd found some way to keep James Wleck as I thought he was just gorgeous. No comment on the recast...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/20/trump-muslims-arabs-michigan-election/ The latest shift in the attempt to get Muslim voters to support Trump (something many on the left and right have been doing eagerly for years now and they just use the carnage in Gaza as justification).

I think Leslie was a competent, likeable actress. She was a good balance with Fletcher, as @P.J. mentioned, as he was go-go-go and she wasn't. I just think such a wan role needed a performer who could give more of an inner life. I'd say someone like Cindy Pickett, who made Jackie such a vibrant character even though most of her stories were about pining and suffering.