DRW50

I don't think they could have gotten away with it by that point as there was a certain idea of James still being charming and suave in his '80s run. I also don't think the ATWT of those years (mainly the Sheffer years but also after) would have seen it that way, as they romanticized and made a fetish of older men in inappropriate (Dusty/Lucy) and in some cases outright perverted (Craig/Dani) relationships.

I thought it was marginally better, mostly thanks to stuff that had already started before his arrival, like Katie's scheming. Stories like "crazy Julia" that the soap magazines got the vapors over at the time made me feel sick - I couldn't have a great haha over Julia punching Jack or killing animals. And Craig was a disgusting, offensive, failed recast from day 1. That stuff soured me on what I might have enjoyed elsewhere.

Corinne committed suicide, offcamera, sometime after James was exposed and fled Oakdale in late 1987. Monica inherited the money and company. I didn't realize until watching some of the episodes how frank they were about James exploiting a young Monica and how open they were about James having a history of essentially grooming young women. Marland really made the character into a complete monster (aside from his love for Paul). His last return is gripping but also repulsive viewing for that reason.

In a sense they were or should have been matriarchs but OLTL took that away in the mid-late '90s. I still get annoyed at the memories of Viki wringing her hands over her worthless brother instead of having an active role.

I can't really say I thought the show was any better with Sheffer and Culliton, but then the ATWT I enjoyed was gone by 1996 anyway.

I remember Schemering's book saying Browne brought the ratings up and also introduced the older Philip.

Belated happy birthday. Partial AMC episode with Jane.

You may want to check munecojim - they uploaded a lot of that material. The episodes that were taped with a tilted camera aren't up though.

I've been getting a few (two so far - partial episodes) Y&R '90s episodes. A December 1990 and December 1991. If anyone wants me to send them just drop me your e-mail address, if you don't mind me sending through Drive.

The most desperate power grab yet in North Carolina. I pity the people there who have spent the last 4-6 years protesting and fighting. That state has become a dictatorship. http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/roy-cooper-republican-power-grab-north-carolina-232682

Marland definitely had a more abrasive side that he generally didn't seem to show in interviews. Wasn't there some anecdote about a toilet seat at his house...

There are always these types of claims - it's unfortunate because it obscures how many times this truly does happen and is happening.

Thanks.

Article on some of those who, for political or personal reasons, actually did move to Canada (what a surprise there are no vain Hollywood celebrities on the list). https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/dec/14/im-moving-to-canada-the-cops-pop-stars-and-athletes-who-made-good-on-the-threat

Good for Sonequa. I guess her time on TWD must be winding down but then I'm amazed she lasted this long. She's a wonderful actress and I wish her the best.

I agree, but I don't think katie meant he was the new Roger. Just the closest. The character actually did reach some levels of complexity at times, like during his relationship with Cassie. His feelings for Richard were also complex. Even with much better writing he wouldn't have been what Roger was, but he could have been a rich character if the show had tried.

There was an item in SOD around 1986 or early 1987 suggesting a Hope return, possibly with Alan-Michael. I guess the show, heavy into the teen market and also full of a lot of women in her age range, decided to just age him and not bother bringing her back. As for the Santos and the Winslows, I liked them more than I should have (other than Pilar, who always bored and annoyed me), because of the casting and because for their flaws I thought B&E did a decent job with their material. I thought the Labines were very tone deaf about what worked for the characters - Edmund as some sort of dark prince with Beth as his dim bulb enabler was unwatchable, as was Danny as the Sonny Corinthos of Springfield. And then after that it never really worked - likely it wouldn't have anyway. I will say I liked Danny/Cassie - it's a shame the show caved to pressure from "Manny" fans. I do think it was a huge mistake to bring Bradley Cole back as Jeffrey. I know he had a lot of ardent fans but what charm and style he may have had as Richard was MIA in the truly disgusting Jeffrey (as was any chemistry he had with Laura Wright). David Andrew Macdonald was a much better lead in an antihero sense and continued to be a highlight of even the dumbest stories (like the "evil Will" tedium). He also had a great, great ass.

With all the focus on Russia, or with meandering articles attempting to blame the loss on John Oliver (a recurring theme...) and out of touch liberals, a timely article on the many, many mistakes made in Michigan. And it sounds like the Clinton dysfunction and miscommunication I thought had not popped up as much in this last campaign was still there. http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/michigan-hillary-clinton-trump-232547

She was on ATWT so I imagine she could have crossed over.

I'd tend to agree - the Infinity, Charlotte Wheaton, etc. stories I've seen parts of, and things I haven't seen and have no desire to see, like Kyle having sex in Alaska with amnesiac prostitute Roxy (????). I remember watching the Kurt/Mindy wedding and it's just gorgeously, stunningly filmed (the shot of Reva walking into the gardens is superior to anything I've seen of things like the Luke/Laura wedding, which I mostly remember for Lesley's brothel madam dress), but I just end up wondering why they blew that much money on material that just wasn't worth it and in many ways likely actively chased away viewers.

Depending on the writing I could have but the buildup was so odd - they had feelings for each other almost overnight. I think they try to give a lot of characters something to do, but outside of the main characters, it often feels like just filler stories to mark time. Even stories that I think could be or could have been interesting, like Megan/Frank or Finn/Kasim, are obviously just marking time. And I'm not really sure why some like Carly are so rarely shown.

By the time I really started watching it was just Reva, Sarah and Hawk so I didn't see the full group until Youtube. The Dingles have had a chokehold on Emmerdale for 20 years though - I think the Coopers may be closer to them.