Soaplovers

Been watching some episodes on youtube from late 1977. I love Faith especially played by Catherine Hicks. I did find out the exact episode # that her replacement took over, and even though the script was written as if Catherine Hicks was playing the character, the new actress had a different way of delivering the lines. While CH seemed to have spirit, confidence, and a fun element... her replacement seemed a little whiny, a little unsure of herself, and more passive. It makes me wonder if Faith would have had all the perils of the 2nd half of 1978 through 1979 with Tom, if CH had stayed in the part. Or if CH would have played Faith as less of a victim.

I think the actress that played Katie opted to leave, but I think the reason that a Hilary/Jim/Katie triangle didn't happen was probably because someone backstage probably pointed out to Pam Long that Katie wasn't the type to fight for a guy, she would be the nice girl who would step aside. That said, I'm surprised Pam Long didn't write for Katie more... she seemed like the type of character Long would have enjoyed writing. Also, I noticed that Pam Long tried to recreate magic on her 2nd time especially in 1987 and 1988. I viewed the Dinah/Alan Michael/Cam/Harley story as an attempt at the 4 Muskateers part 2. While both sets were different, I still think she was attempting to have lightening strike twice.. and it didn't. Though anyone who created Nadine was a genius and I think Pam Long created her. It's a shame that Buzz's reintroduction isolated Nadine's character down the line.

For me, the trouble for GL started in fall 1984 with the pointless death of Hilary. It seemed like the show was hinting at a Tony/Annabelle/Jim/Hilary quadangle when Hilary was killed off. I think she could have been of great use in the late 80s especially when Roger/Holly came back onto the scene. Oh well. Plus, I did see a few 1983 episodes with Hope and she seemed more interesting to me. It seemed like the show was gearing up for a War of the ROses types of story between Alan/Hope when she suddenly was written off. I could have imagined Alexandra siding with Hope in her divorce due to anger with Alan over losing her son Lujack.

This is probably unpopular, but I actually was kind of bored with Marland's GL. I actually liked Pam Long's GL much better, though I do admit Infinity was not a great story nor was the mysterious Cain character (though I think Pam Long was gone by the time that story played out).

Oh dear... Brandi will appear on RHONY. Guess the witch isn't satisfied with hijaking one housewife series, she has to try to hijack another one. Smart that she isn't appearing on Atlanta cause Kandi, Nene, and Kenya would slaughter her. LOL That said, NY looks interesting from the previews. We have some fights, some fun moments, and family scenes.

I did read somewhere that one of the original plans for the final episode was to have Jo and Stu married but that Pam Long nixed it because she thought that the characters would never think of each other in a romantic light and had the idea to have the final scene between them as they looked at the Christmas lights. I can't judge Pam Long's tenue at the show since she was only there for a few months, but judging by the fact that the final scene between Jo/Stu was her idea, I think she might have been a good fit long-term.

Do you think had the show continued on, that L. Gideon might have put more of her own mark on the character of Liza? Afterall, she had only played the part for like only a year or so.

I wish there would be at least one episode without fights and just have each housewife shown in their day to day life without any interaction between the women. My fav scenes of the last episode were scenes with Yolanda and Kim with their daughters. Heck, I even liked the scenes of Brandi doing her photo shoot for her book and I think her editor is the sort of person that Brandi needs in her life. Someone who would steer her in the right direction, not coddle or mother her like Lisa and Yolanda do. I liked the party scenes until Carleton had to muck it up by starting trouble with Kyle. I kept wondering what set off Carleton and you could tell that Kyle was thinking the same thing.

Do you guys think that the lower ratings during season 5 was one of the reasons the show was hesitant to revamp Jersey? I think the producers could have added one new housewife to Jersey, in order to keeps things somewhat fresh.. like how they added Lydia during season 8 of RHOC.

We saw Kim's kids in season 1, but not in season 2 nor 3. I still remember Kim and Kyle's trip to the grocery store where Kyle was making fun of Kim buying I can't Believe It's not Butter while Lisa in a TH was questioning what it was LOL Then it turned out that Kyle's favorite dish that Kim made had I can't Believe It's Not butter.. and her face was priceless LOL I'm glad that Kim's private life is being shown, though too much of the dog was shown. I know Kim used to go to Disney functions, perhaps the show can't film when she goes to Disney get togethers or something. That could be why we've seen little of Kim's adventures in autograph and Disney land.

I think the Kyle and Kim scenes are what the show should be about. Kim is a former child star, basically a has-been and that authograph showcase showcased a different part of Hollywood while I'm happy to see Kyle's guest stint on DAYS was filmed. Carlton totally doesn't belong on the show, and she was totally talking about Kyle behind her back.. Pot meet kettle.

Were there any characters created by Marland on ATWT that would be considered campy, or zany? I know Shannon, Lucinda, and Barbara had their moments.. but he didn't create those characters. Perhaps Julie?

For me, Jax is the type of man that you'd have to shower after checking out, alone sleeping with him. He's good eye candy, but I'd certainly not touch that with a ten foot pole. I don't get the gay vibe from Flat Iron Tom, but Tom Swartz gives me the vibe a bit. Especially with him throwing girls underwear on stage when ever FI Tom is performing in his band. Stassi is such a bitch, but she owns it and is entertaining. Kristen and Katie=no words and Scheana is so funny pretending to be 'above' the drama LOL

This looks like the start of the Dobson's with Nick, the bookstore burndown, and Barbara making mysterious visits. When do the Dobson's start to dismantle the structure? Interesting that Annie and Barbara are roommates and friends. It would have been interesting to have seen Annie's reaction to Barbara and Emily's feud. Though I agree that the character was played out by the time she left in 1984, though I think Dee could have survived long-term if this Dee had stayed on instead of being recast by a more boring actress.

At first, I figured that it was because Marland was just starting out in 1980, but the Dobson's were just starting out in 1980 at ATWT and 1980 is being shown for that.

I don't think the Dobson's were horrible, just probably not a great fit for the show. At the same time, it all depends on what type of tone one enjoys. For me, I found good stuff with Marland, but I think he was also over-rated at the same time. Plus, the Dobson's were known for quirky characters and off the wall stories.. which seemed to fit GL and SB.. just not ATWT.

So on RHOBH, we are subjected to scenes of Kim with her dog or Carleton during some pole dancing and picking up girls for a 'sexy' pool party while on RH of Atlanta, we have some great scenes of gossip and cattiness. Though I don't think the fighting on next weeks Atlanta episode is a good thing because I like a show where put downs and slightly raunchy words are the way to go.

I agree with the previous poster who mentioned that the recurring housewives are adding some extra drama to Atlanta. I like that the housewives have basically slaughtered Mynique and Natalie, while being unable to slaughter Marlo. I think if Marlo can go another round with the housewives then she certainly deserves a spot as a cast member in season 7. Given all the crap Brandi has been spouting off in real life, I can't believe one slip up that Marlo said back in season 4 can still be unforgiven. I do agree that the lack of recurring housewives in BH this season is one of the many issues this year. In previous seasons, you had Faye, DeeDee, Dana, and Marisa to add some variety and cattiness. I understand why Faye opted to sit out this year, but certainly you could have had Marissa or even Brandi's friend Etrisa on more often. I also think the OC has done well with the recurring housewife starting with season 6 with Jeana/Lynne, season 7 with drunk Sarah, and season 8 with Lauri. I wonder if there will be a recurring housewife for season 9? I've heard that the new housewives have caused some waves during filming in a good way, so exited to see how season 9 fares once filming and editing are completed.

What Atlanta seems to have, that BH is lacking this season, is a perfect balance of the women together but also having interesting scenes by themselves with their family and friends.

Do you think the show was short-sighted turning Jill into a psycho? She was a pretty decent gray character that had friendships with Mack and Karen, a decent snark partner with Abby, and a built in rival in Paige given what happened to Peter. I think the Jill going psycho and trying to kill Val seemed out of left field for me, imho. Plus, with the departure of key characters, I think she would have been a strong player in the later seasons.

The Reardon's had the boarding house and Company while the Cooper's had the diner. Stupidly, the show burned down the diner. I love that set and I think the show gave the Cooper's Company since all the Reardon's were off the canvas by that time. Didn't Pam Long created the Cooper's as a replacement for the Reardon's? I remember Long stating that she loved writing for Tony and Nola, and would have continued writing for them but that the actors left the show.

OC never really needed a shake up since a new housewife was added every season and one or two would depart on their own. I think the problem was that Gretchen and Alexis stayed much longer then they should have and I think the producers realized that hence why they were axed. I also think that the producers realized how stale the show was going to be in season 8 hence why Lydia was added during filming.

Why do you think Atlanta has had a rebirth in season 6? I've noticed that New York and BH have struggled with cast changes, yet Atlanta seems to have evened out after a shaky season 5. Let's not mention Orange County that is known for its revolving door of housewives. Why do you think Atlanta, and to lesser case, Orange County have continued to thrive and maintain?

I think Brandi, Kim, and Carleton need to go and for different reasons. Brandi is trashy, tacky, and needs to be moved to the OC. Vicki and Tamra would have her for an appetizer before the main course LOL Kim is still too fragile and needs to be treated off screen for her many emotional and physical issues. Carleton, as I've said before, just doesn't fit and I think she knows this. I'd keep Joyce, Yolanda, Brandi, and Kyle and try to get Camille back with a couple of other new housewives. What I would do is hire three or four women with the understanding that they will be filmed like the other housewives, and which ever housewife potential is interesting enough can be made a full time cast member before the season starts.

I think the decline started with the season 2 reunion. I think what made the dinner party from hell work was that it was balanced out by fun, nice houses, great clothes, and ladies jetting off to fun places for the weekend I still remember Camille going to New Yorkk to see Kelsey in his play, and how dismissive he was of her backstage. Plus, the awkwardness of the limo ride they took and then coming out of the limo all smiles on the red carpet. That's the BH I want to see. The infighting in the vehicles to the events, then the switching to smiling faces and gabbing. Fighting at parties should be reserved for shows like OC and Jersey, but BH should be about parties, great clothes, fun gossip, jokes, and a few subtle digs masked by a smile in public.. and fighting in 'private' I've watched a few episodes of Atlanta, and while they are fighting in public.. there is enough good natured humor and fun to balance it out. Plus, there seems to be real friendships with some of the women.