Soaplovers

I wouldn't have minded Reese/Bianca breaking up because Reese is conflicted over what she wants without acting on her conflicted emotions.. and then the show could have had both Reese/Bianca grow as individual and then find their way back to one another... but Bianca sleeping with Ryan????  Yeah... plot driven dreck that didn't fit Bianca's character at all.

I remember my mom was a die hard Jesse/Angie fan in the 80s.. and she did  like the character Laura B played and also loved Shannon K as his daughter.   She thought it was a waste to bring on Laura B for such a short stint since she thought she and Tad had chemistry and it would be interesting to see a brief pairing and what that would do to Jesse (would he be happy or a bit jealous)

RHONY

17 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Bibi was 4 years older than Jacquie. It could have worked. Was she off Somerset by then?

AW had psychics almost all the way through the last 12 years of the show, from Lisa to Remy. 

Anyway, here is Alice talking about the creation of Frankie:

ANOTHER WORLD: AUDITIONS (anotherworldhomepage.com)

"Another World Today" asked, "Do you remember your initial audition as Frankie?" Alice said, "I remember the screen-test. I really didn't know much about Frankie from the sides except that she was originally named Francesca. What I was told about the character was that she was going to be brought in to shake up Nicole and Cass, and give Nicole a run for her money."

"The scene for my screen-test was a pretty generic scene where Cass and Frankie were doing that quibbling thing they do and at one point I got the idea to inject something a little silly that might bring something else to the table. So I did a silly dance and allowed for a goofy moment. Then I had to wait because it took them forever to decide! Once I was tested, I signed a contract and was on hold for three weeks until finally I got the call. I found out that in those weeks while I was waiting they were tinkering with the character and made her a Frame so she would be related to someone on the canvas (Sharlene) and also made her intro storyline to the show that she comes to Bay City to avenge her uncle's death. Initially Frankie is convinced Felicia is involved and even got her arrested, which is how Frankie and Cass come together initially, at very extreme odds."

"Another World Today" then asked, "How much did you contribute to the character's evolution and direction?" Alice recalls, "Well, first my name was changed from Francesca to Mary Frances. Then I shortened it to Frankie because I liked her having a spunky nickname which I also had when I was on another [P&G] soap, "The Catlins," where I played a character named Jackie."

"Frankie took another unexpected turn when, in the scene where Frankie and Cass have their first kiss and recognize their attraction, they were at a hot dog stand, hiding from someone [Lucas] they were following and the scene called for me to eat a hot dog with sauerkraut and I told the director I don't eat meat but would make it work with a bun with sauerkraut and everyone felt that worked for Frankie so she becomes a vegetarian. The crystal Frankie wore around her neck was initially my crystal as it was something I wore and the producers took that and the non-meat and decided to take Frankie on a New Age bend. It was very flexible and creative that way. When Frankie went New Age she really took off."

Ah..no wonder her early weeks were so choppy...the writers hadn't fully formed her character yet.

I think the mistake later writers did with Cass/Frankie was make them too serious without the quirky/comedic elements that made them appealing.

You had baby Charlie with her health ailments, Cass' mental health issues, Cass' becoming gullible to believe Maggie was his daughter, Frankie feeling less than because she couldn't have a 2nd baby, etc.  It was no wonder focus groups in 1996 were not so keen on Frankie.

I read that Joe/Frankie were also written to be co detectives like Ryan/Frankie were...but I have a feeling that buddy pairing wasn't as successful...and instead of viewing Joe as the problem...Frankie got the blame.

The only actress I think could have played Donna and put her spin on it was the actress that had played Diane Ballard on GL.  She had the more controlled/upper class vibe that AS had.. but I think she could have put her own spin on Donna.

I've always thought Pilece should have played Nicole, but I thought Ms Howard did as well she could with an underwritten character like Nicole.

It would have been interesting had Nicole stayed on the show for the remaining year of her contract.. and co-existed with Cass/Frankie.  The awkward interactions at big events, but als in a separate orbit dealing with her family dramas.  In fact.. I could have seen Michael turning to her vs Stacy after the Mikey custody situation.   The show had hinted at something between Nicole/Michael when that brief recast played her.

So I've watching some early 1989 and I've come to Frankie's early episodes.  What a bitch..so unlikable.  I'm glad the writing and actress softened the character over time.

It did make me wonder why the show just didn't have her play Molly Ordway instead instead of creating a new character?  She had the same type of relationship with Emma that Molly did..and was kind of a troublemaker as well.  

You can't celebrate Lauralee's 40th anniversary and not have Nina back so I'm glad TPTB also realized that.

5 hours ago, Taoboi said:

@Cat @NothinButAttitude @Cheap21 @Chris B @DaytimeFan @Antoyne@Gray Bunny @Soaplovers theeeyyy're baaaack!!!

 

 

8 is too many.  6 is the magic number where we can get a nice balance of individual vignettes and group scenes.

Potomac needs to be deducting housewives, not adding to the stale numbers.

RHOSLC:

Monica is just pure trash... good for housewives, but certainly someone I wouldn't be friends in real life.  I certainly wouldn't trust her with anyone married or my significant other.  

Lisa is all about Lisa.. and tonight I was understood what Monica was saying and agreed with Monica.. though I do think Monica is projecting her insecurities onto Lisa.  Actually.. she and Lisa are more alike then either would like to admit.

Whitney... you may have gotten some coaching from Candiace.. but you're still in the reading people for beginners class.

Angie K... makes me wonder why Angie H isn't there instead LOL

Heather has the best talking heads especially during the team building scenes at the park LOL 

Wish Ron would be fired...maybe once he's back for a bit..he'll be let go.

After how the WGA was screwed in the 1985 writer strike, it makes sense they stuck to their guns on this one.   The reason for the 1985 strike was due to compensation for home video sales.. and the WGA agreed to a low ball deal because it was 'untested market'.   And with streaming being so popular and the go to for people now, it was harder for the Production companies to pull the 'untested' argument.

I think I only got season 1/2 and 3 on DVD... the best seasons and didn't opt to buy season 4 or 5 because of the sub-standard quality of the episodes.   Turning into a soap in season 4 was not a good mood when the best part of the show were the cases and how either David or Maddie would figure out that one element that helped them solve the case.

And I did love the Agnes Dipesto focused episodes

3 hours ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

No. I didn't realize he ever had any. 

When he was with Gillian..he did.  I think once she was written out of the show..people gradually grew disillusioned with him.

People were mad at the soap actors for working even though they were on a different contract, plus shows with completed scripts were picketed.....could u imagine what the union would say if the Daytime Emmy's attempted to happen?

21 hours ago, detroitpiston said:

GH should definitely dump their current head writers and keep the scab team. Pacing has been much improved and this is the first time in a decade I actually can sit through whole episodes without fast forwarding

I don't know if GH would get rid of their headwriters once the strike is officially over.  I could see GH probably keeping whoever was handling the breakdown writing and script writers because they're the ones that have a hand with pacing, etc.

Also.. maybe because the strike was going on.. maybe the network left the scab writers alone so anything they wrote/decided on didn't have to go through hoops to get approved.

I also had read that she was planning to go back to Dark Shadows but the show was canceled before the writers could figure out how to bring her back.

My theory would have been a PT story either in the past or in the present with the character.

It's always fun to see soap performers in earlier soap roles.. and Peggy is no exception.  Her take on Van is somewhat different then the following 2 actresses.. but I also remember her Van played most of the content pre-dating most of her marriage to Paul and Bruce (I think Bonnie Bartlett played Van when she/Paul were trying to adopt, his crazy ex wife Judith terriorizing them.. and the start of Van/Bruce).

RHONY:

Sai needs to be the comic relief... she's funny especially in her talking heads.

Jessel keeps a notebook on things people say to her and how she feels about it.  I will say if you're going to hold a grudge, I guess you need to keep things written down for reference.

Erin vs Ubah.. both were wrong.  Twitter seems to hate Erin.. but Twitter (X) usually is the place where the extremely emotional go to vent.

Jenna played the whole retreat and act all shy/innocent... I'm sure Andy and co paid top dollar for her and she needs to deliver or she's a one and done.

Brynn seems likable... but she needs to be herself instead of acting like a Samantha Jones carbon copy.   And I've heard many a people stumble with pre-med once they hit that Chemistry class so she isn't alone there.

From what I understood the actress that played Laura would only play that character... so I'm guessing that when the show wanted to use the actress for the 1897 story.. they had to make her character Laura instead of a different character is my theory.

I think that in the 1967 story, that Laura had been reborn every 100 years or so and that there had been women named Laura recorded in past history that had burned in a fire.. but none of them  had married into the Collins family before Roger.

I always remembered SOD included Sisters in the ratings round-up for primetime soaps of the 90s... but I do agree that SOD didn't cover any of the 90s prime time soaps like they did with the 80s ones.   They might have had a blurb about Sisters, and some of the other short lived shows.. but not to the extent of the 80s ones.

Melrose Place becoming successful did spur on a mini revival of the genre in the 90s.. but the majority of them didn't catch on because of either the timeslot, bad writing, etc.

I'm happy with her newest creation that dropped in the states on the 22nd

My personal fav from the new album

AI is not to be trusted.. and I see all loopholes being closed when it comes to that... from both the WGA and SAG unions before deals are finalized.

Though I think for SAG unions, I'm guessing they wouldn't mind AI being used as much if they're compensated anytime AI images of performers is used vs just a one time payout.

So it looks as though even though evil Ron C plotted out the holidays that perhaps the scab writers will be the ones to work on the scripts for those episodes.  To me, day to day is just as important as the actual storyline.

I remember in 1990/1 a San Francisco station dropped AW...and KRON picked it up.

SOD had a section at year end showing which affiliates dropped a soap...and I recall AW, SB, and Loving were usually listed as having affiliates dropping the show.  

In fact, GL was in danger of having the affiliate in SF drop them hence the show sending Nick/Mindy to SF in late 1991 and having their scenes filmed there as an attempt to not be dropped by the SF station airing the show.

On 1/27/2023 at 3:48 AM, victoria foxton said:

Even as a 12-year-old kid i knew Marlena would return down the line. I remember getting goose bumps. During the Jarlena reunion scenes at the docks. Marlena looked great for a dead woman. Even though she had been wearing the same outfit for weeks. But most importantly Jarlena still had it.

Thatt 2 or 3 week marlena back from the dead arc helped make Days #2 during those weeks in the ratings.  Had the show not insisted on bringing Wayne Northrop back and doing the 2 Roman's story...the rating increase might have stuck..imho

On 1/28/2023 at 1:21 PM, NothinButAttitude said:

I don't think it gets no better than Roger. As you pointed out, it rocked the entire canvas for years to come. Holly was greatly affected as she was conflicted for her love for Roger, yet feeling re-victimized and haunted by his return. Blake had her father back but still dealt with daddy issues, which trickled down into her chaotic relationships. Roger did tons of damage to the Spauldings (Alex, Alan, Alan Michael, Phillip, Nick), their surrogate family (Vanessa & Henry), and anyone else in their orbit (Fletcher & Beth). The man Ed hated the most was walking free, but Maureen (his beloved wife) didn't have the same venom for Roger. The Lewises would be sucked into the vortex of Roger with Mindy falling in bed with him. It would recur somewhat again when Roger's scion, Hart, bedded Dylan's girl, Julie. And poor Gilly would constantly be wedged in between the twisted games of Roger and Holly. 

Soap writers should literally have to study Roger's return if they are going to bring someone "back from the dead." The character needs to literally shake the canvas to the core and have a strong story arc too. 

What I loved about Roger's back from the dead story was that it proved that people behind the scenes could work together if motivated.

Pam long was figuring out what to do with Blake (introduced during the strike) plus rumor had itthe show was trying to get Zaslow to play a recast Alan.  Once it was pointed out he was known for playing Roger..Nancy Curlee gave the idea to Pam Long to bring Roger back from the dead.

Long and Calhoun did say they kept watching Rogers death scene to see if it was plausible and both concluded no one saw/heard Roger hit the ground nor saw him dead at the bottom.

I do know Curlee didn't like the Adam Malik arc nor the wedding arc so I'm guessing that was Long's idea...but it worked because Roger was a character that it made sense to do that with.

On 9/22/2023 at 7:22 PM, Neil Johnson said:

What's up with all the flash-backs?  Jeeze-Louise!. For the past couple of weeks, it seems there are four or five flash-backs per episode.  Typically there might be one a month.   I can say for sure, the audience does not need flashbacks to put current scenes into context.  We aren't children, and we don't need to be spoon-fed the story.  Does anyone know why this is happening?  It's ridiculous.  Maybe just lazy writing??  

Writer strike...usually happens when scab episodes first start...but maybe it's a new thing till the strike ends.

3 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

Thanks for sharing. Always found Wendy to be an underrated and warm actress however I feel like she essentially played the same variation of character on each of her biggest shows (A Year in the Life, Falcon Crest, Homefront, Promised Land). Of course the biggest issue on Falcon Crest wasn’t Wendy herself but the simple fact her character was basically a thankless Maggie clone at a time when we needed the real Maggie. 

She was in season 1 of Savannah as Peyton's mom.. and that was a departure from the usual character type (she became unhinged somewhat).

I will say Homefront was the best place to showcase that character variation... with good writing and character development.

Wear a mask if you want to or don't wear a mask if you choose not to.  Mandates really aren't necessary nowadays.