DRW50

I wouldn't mind seeing John and Larry again, although not with the humiliation walk of many vets who are brought in. That reminds me - firing Larry was one of the first things Frank did when he took over OLTL, although I assume it wasn't personal and more just Larry playing one of the worst characters in OLTL history.

I can see your point, I just think even with the changes in the show there was still a window for Ginger to explore herself (I don't mean it that way, sorry), as we were seeing Laura and Valene rebuild their shattered lives around the same time. Maybe just a season, but I don't think it would have been as much of an issue as some of the other characters who ended up staying too long (Olivia, Cathy [that character probably never should have existed], Claudia, etc.).

I can't see a spinoff ever working and I'm surprised they even almost had a spinoff. I would have kept Ginger on the show on her own for a season though, to see where they might have taken her.

Great to see another of your reviews @dc11786 . So much to take in but you always manage to take a chunk of episodes seem brisk. I agree Chapman would have been a better Lori recast, as the one we get never really works for me.

Not to jump on this, but my biggest issue with the relationship is how it comes to define Vanessa, to the point of nothing being left of her. I did not hate Matt, but for someone who was a rough character when he met Vanessa, I thought he was sanctimonious. I also disliked the Matt/Dinah dynamics and how clear it was multiple regimes wanted them to sleep together but didn't have the guts to go through. And he's just not a compelling character. He could have been, with better writing, as I think Kurt was...OK when he got some tougher material later on (no spoilers), but the Matt we got was not that. (this is just my opinion of course - I know they had a lot of fans and I don't remember ever hearing of them being crazy like some fan groups, other than driving Paul Rauch up the wall) I didn't really care about who Vanessa ended up with in those years - my favorite Vanessa story (the custody battle over Peter) - had her alone. If she had gotten with someone I would have paired her with someone who was on her level of success, didn't feel threatened by her, could stand up to her, but also accept that she would push back on him. And someone with a good sense of humor as Vanessa, admittedly never a character prone to hilarity, needed that to balance her life. (also someone who would not have sexual tension with Dinah - preferably, someone who would rather put her in a box and send her away) I might have recast Justin Marler again. This would cause tension with Ross, as Justin was his brother, and they could bring back Sam, who would become like a daughter to Vanessa, causing tension with Dinah. I'd also be interested in seeing how Philip and Vanessa interacted due to Justin as I don't remember them ever being that involved in story.

Thanks (and for your writeup on 157). Good promo, and such interesting characters in those early days. It's a shame almost all the "soapies" of those days are gone (I think Generations is left - I'm not sure).

I was very wary of RTD returning, and unfortunately those reasons were proven more valid than I had expected. I still want to try to watch some of that run but I haven't felt up to it. I heard the spinoff show is much better, but probably too late.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT - BILL CULLEN - NBC - May 23, 1957

Reva and Josh were always more interesting without each other, maybe aside from Josh in 93-95, and that was just a dreary period for many.

Last one. (Miss Ellie writing a book could have been interesting, especially if it led her to cross paths with Valene) CALLER BLOCKED on X: "It's Sunday, so it's time for a DALLAS comic strip, syndicated by the LA Times from Feb 1, 1981 to Nov 24, 1984. http://t.co/rgRJPHqvBU" / X

@dc11786 A few others I found (thanks to some AI search - bad of me I know) Reddit - https://i.redd.it/2ytllosv2vff1.jpeg CALLER BLOCKED on X: "It's Sunday, so time for a DALLAS comic strip, running from 1981-1984, presented here by EWINGOIL. org / #SaveDALLAS http://t.co/IrcZaOkHdG" / X CALLER BLOCKED on X: "It's Sunday, so it's time for a DALLAS comic strip, which ran from 1981 to 1984 - presented by http://t.co/9wiMlauht0 http://t.co/SwjXxIFYyJ" / X CALLER BLOCKED on X: "It's Sunday, so it's time for a DALLAS comic strip, which ran from 1981 to 1984 - presented by http://t.co/9wiMlauht0 http://t.co/PXeSQ6wqxw" / X

Thanks for the extra details. I can always count on you to find more information. I never knew anything about this comic. I'm not surprised the interest faded fast - I suppose it's a feat they managed to last almost four years.

I thought you might appreciate this. Back to the Bay, probably due to Rachael's guest stint on Home & Away (her last role), wrote a detailed obituary for her going through her life and career and the mourning statements of her various co-stars. I never knew she was on a number of US shows, including a co-lead with Marisa Ramirez (ex-Gia, GH). https://www.backtothebay.net/news/2025/12/16/vale-rachael-carpani-mcleods-daughters-and-home-and-away-actress-passes-away-aged-45/

I'd guess the grind, maybe Y&R offering more money (and on paper a more exciting story), and Y&R's future not being as up in the air as DAYS.

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a69818630/russell-t-davies-leads-tributes-amanda-brotchie-dies/

Not that it's the same situation, but since Tony and Rob Reiner passed only a day or two apart, his thoughts on Luke's sobriety reminded me of Nick Reiner's complaint that the character in the film based on himself went completely sober, because in so many words you can't really ever go sober, and so on and so forth.

The more years the pass the more it seems Priscilla Presley is still in a bigger soap than Jenna ever was.

General Hospital: The Best and Worst of 2025 from Who Shot Drew to Lucky's Exit and Nathan's Return - Soap Opera Digest Some good points here, especially that most of Port Charles doesn't even know Cyrus is dead. I'm glad the shoddy treatment of TJ was called out.

I remembered her mostly because she was played by Ava Haddad, who was one of the better Cassies on OLTL (maybe the best). I guess Rauch remembered her. I wonder if there were further plans for her. I see that this was her last acting role. I think the lack of chemistry was one issue and another was not wanting to dirty Beth up too much...and also Matt and Vanessa were not central characters so there wasn't as much story. The next sucker they pair her up with makes more sense for Beth's upcoming story (don't want to give too much away).

That was a nice surprise. I wonder if one of the reasons Chad looks so emotional is Billy Flynn knowing this is his last Christmas on the show.

Thanks @Vee This year they had to just jump in as there were so many to cover. I thought they did a wonderful job. This year felt endless and as I see so many people who meant so much to us pass by, I am reminded of why. The moments with Terence Stamp and David Lynch got to me the most. A beautiful ending. I also love that they cut from Diane Ladd to Lynch through Wild at Heart.

Thank you so much @slick jones . I can't imagine all the time and effort this takes so whatever time away you need I know we will all understand.

In Memory of Anthony Geary AM Chicago 1983 returns to Tony's hometown

One of the scenes even has an SNL cast member (Rob Riggle). They are trying to cash in on Sound of Freedom, but that had a system of ticket-buying which was for that film only (they bought tickets in bulk even though many never went to see the movie). I see that Jen Lilley (ex-GH/DAYS) and Jemma Donovan (Neighbours/Hollyoaks) are also in it.