Soaplovers

That Alice/Rachel scene at Steve's house..would have been better with Mary instead of Liz. Lemay hated everything that symbolized soaps..hence his attempt at moving focus away from the Matthew's (a symbol of traditional soap) to the Cory's (his creation). And his love of theatre actors worked in the short term..but long term it hurt with cast changeovers.

I actually didn't like Sky and Raven...too much airtime...and everyone was dumbed down to make them look smart.

Did Arlene and Ben interact after the bigamist plot was exposed? By the final episode in 1980..you wouldn't have known they had been involved in the past

I forgot about the Julie/Frank/Eleni story...it had a slow build and potential...but was quickly dropped (due to writer changes probably). GL had several strong years (1975 to 1984, and 1989 to 1993...1988 was an interesting year..the rebuilding year) that I think we all took for granted. And it looked like 1997 and 2002 were going to be the start of another strong series of years...but alas no.

Well a November 1964 episode had scenes of Alice talking about a party she was going to host, a beer keg, and stringing 2 guys along. I always assumed Alice changed witnessing the drama of Pat, etc. As you'll see...Alice had a little Rachel in her back in 1964.

Carmen vs Vanessa was promising..but didn't amount to much. Carmen was the coyote and Michelle was the road runner....and it was rinse, lather, and repeat.

Oddly, Ashley seems to go crazy and mental when Eileen plays her. Brenda's Ashley never would have gone over the edge nor would Shari's Ashley either. Plus, Ashley wasn't so pathetic with Victor when Brenda played Ashley. I wonder why the show only plays the Ashley is crazy game when Eileen plays the part.

Normally I'd roll my eyes at their ridiculous outfits, but after being on WFH for almost 8 weeks...I'd probably put on my best outfit as well. Nene needs to go, the show will go on without her. In fact, it might have a new lease on life without her (like NY without Bethenny).

I recall during the clone story when Vicky was an assistant..who seemed nice at first but became ruthless. They were building up an Alan vs Vicky with Vanessa back as president. The show recast Vicky and all she did was smile all the time...was paired with David..than in a boring triangle with David and another woman. All dropped quickly.

I'm wondering if julianne Moore would be willing to do one? She came back for an episode near the end..so I could see her being up for this..and since she's still friends with Marisa Tomei..bring her along Jennifer Ferrin...I liked her

Yeah, I liked Bill Sr's interactions with Donna and Stephanie. It.was a shame dropping the Donna and Bill connection for Thorne/Donna..which didn't go anywhere

If anyone deserves credit for making Maureen beloved..it wouldn't be Jill. It was a combination of Ellen Parker, Pam Long (who I thought wrote Maureen as wise, funny, warm, flawed, and wisely made her the matriarch), and Nancy Curlee (who continued what Long started...and crafted the lead up to the story). If anything, I would have written Maureen as leaving town instead of dying. I also think it odd that viewers blamed Lillian..when Ed was as much t blame...and in some ways took advantage of Lilloan during a vulnerable time.

I think it's a fear of investing in new writers and wanting to kill the other genre slowly..so both. And only reason Texas improved at the end was due to Pam Long.. not Kobe. Long worked well with Calhoun as EP... and also when she had a good co handwrite (Cullitons in 83 to 84, and Curlee on 88 to 90).

What stories were left to tell with Sara? All I could have seen her contribute in 1983 and thereafter was as the resident therapist. She probably would have counseled Beth after the rape, and Reva plus roxie...but what else was left to tell of Sara?

The 1st Alice recast in 1981 was pretty good but was replaced by someone insipid later that year.

I recall Leanna wasn't meant to be long term..but how Barbara C played Leanna made Bill Bell shift plans for the character. She did poison Ashley on her honeymoon and was obsessed with her hubby..so I do think she was probably going to shoot him...but probably by accident...is my theory. I think she stopped appearing in early 1992...but I do wonder if Leanna could have fit in during the mid 90s period..or if her character had run it's course by 1992.

There were times with Heather Rattray that she sounded like Martha.. especially when her Lily was frustrated by Lucinda. It was a great recast. She combined some of the characteristics of Martha's Lily.. along with the more subdued ones of the brief 1st Lily Lucy Deakins.

I do recall when red headed Amanda was on..that she worked at the paper with Jake. I.even recall once Sandra F came back as Amanda that she had a scene with Jake where she resigned from the paper to return to Brava. I'm not sure if it was the writing or an acting choice...but Amanda was kind of ditzy in 1998/9. And that was vastly different from how Sandra f played her in the late 80s/early 90s.

His dialogue needed some punching up..so I tip my hat off to Liz for making his writing pop. He may have been good at plot, but his micro managing his script writers made the dialogue stilted

Great chat..I think maybe these are reunions should be with 2 or 3 guests in the future

I do think 1993 had some good material...holly/Michelle bonding, roger/ed/holly at the cliff house, Jenna taking over Spaulding, Eve's breakdown and slow rebuild of her life, Julie/Dylan's wedding being crashed by Bridget with Eve as her only ally, plus Nadine's baby scheme being exposed. I would say 1994 is when it started to decline for me.

I thought BE fit into AMC..and her character got better once she was paired with other characters outside of RPG's Jake. Ellen Wheeler seems a sweet person and was decent as Marley/Vicki...but she should have stayed as director..not been a EP.

Sadly..Denise is kind of the same way...so her and Aaron are a good match.

I think 3 panelists is best. Amy seems to have the best connection so far

I think she was burned out..and I think her jumping to AMC was her thinking she needed a change. Only to find out, it wasn't the shows that burnt her out..but the profession. She seems happier. I've noticed those not acting as much anymore (MG, BC, etc) seem happier and more content. Outside of Emme Rylan, who is still a delight.