Soaplovers

I do remember Sussman had tried to showcase some of these elements with Lauren's department store struggles..and joining in with Jabot as a way to save the company..with Phyllis helping with social media/web page updates for Fenmores. As always..story was dropped.

The slut of Springfield speech episode seemed over rated...but it pinpointed the toxicity of their relationship to me. When I watched the full episode, the b scenes between Jim Reardon and Hilary Bauer kept my interest (perhaps because we all know she was killed off weeks later). But I felt their scenes were a nice contrast to Josh/Reva in terms of communication and trying to meet one another halfway

Early years of soaps (50s, 60s) took place in the living rooms or kitchens of the main characters residences...with maybe one restaurant set, one hospital and police station set. Difference was that the writing was probably better in those earlier years.

When Reva drove off the bridge, they did play up Josh's intense grief over It...locking himself in his room, etc. And he didn't deal with the grief, he did transference of his feelings to Harley. And he up and left with the kids because of a possible sighting of Reva on an Italian travel show. No one in their right mind would have done that. And he cloned Reva in 1998 after she was presumed dead because he couldn't bear to be without Reva..original and clone versions. Difference in that scenario is that the writing tried to make him sympathetic and Reva unreasonable for being upset with Josh for cloning her.

My theory why the killing pool story was so good was because Reilly probably helped her pace the story. Sussman seemed to have good ideas, just was lousy at pacing the stories.

I do recall Sally's initial story at Days was the Killing pool story...which was an interesting story. However, after that concluded...she struggled at Days (except for the story where Sami was framed for killing Franco on their wedding day...where she was blamed for a crime she didn't commit.) Generations didn't really start to gel until the last 6 or so months of the show...and I have a feeling she might have had help behind the scenes.

It'll take time to find its footing. OG night court took 2 seasons or so before it hit its stride.

It was interesting to me that Reva did well on the show sans Josh...while the writers kind of struggled with Josh (other than the rebound Harley relationship in late 1990, and hitting pay dirt with Annie in late 1994). I wonder why it was easier to write for Reva as a character apart from Josh...but not Josh?

From watching the Steven/Ashley marriage episodes, they were a realistic married couple. They had arguments like a couple did, and neither coddled the other. Blade/Ashley.. was an odd choice for a marriage because it seemed to come out of nowhere. However, the only explanation I could buy was that she married Blade to show Traci that she was out of the running for Brad (they were estranged at the time). Only positive that came out of that random marriage was the introduction of Mari Jo.. but the character could have come on with Blade/Ashley as a couple without a marriage. Cole/Ashley thing never made sense except he was the only one to generate chemistry with Shari's Ashley.

I could see Beverlee opting to do that as Iris...because Iris was a daddy girls and always wanted center stage..and talked just for the sake of talking. It made sense for her and Jerry to do Bobbie's show since she was a Dallas local and good promotion for Texas

The original concept of AW was basically a more psychological study of the traditional soap opera format/tropes... or that's what I got from the bible I read awhile ago. Sadly, Irna was the not right person to bring that aspect to life.. which is why the show floundered for the first couple of years until Agnes Nixon was able to right the ship. Harding Lemay in the 70s fashion AW like a Masterpiece Theatre for daytime tv.. and I think the sudden rise of GH due to action/adventure threw all of daytime in a panic.. and AW suffered. The 90 minute expansion, moving the timeslot, and removing Iris also eroded the show, as well as not having a headwriter that could successfully continue the Masterpiece Theatre identity. Corrine J was an attempt to maintain that element, but she gutted the show instead of enhancing the show. Lemay used elements already in place and just expanded upon them (he also learned the rules of soap opera writing from Iran so he understood what rules he could break and what rules he needed to maintain). I truly think by the late 80s/early 90s, the show had managed to find a happy medium between glitz, action, and character... but a show that's a balance can sometimes blend in instead of becoming popular. In JFP's defense, when she entered in the mid 90s, the show had no clear identity anymore (Swajeski was long gone by then).. so she figured changing the show might entice new viewers to come... but it ended up driving away the loyal viewers that had been attracted by the version of AW that had been the constant since 1988/9. I do think the final months of AW did show that there was still a bit of life on the show (though by then, everyone was isolated in their own story bubbles with little to no overlap in interaction.) during the Mac and Mitch triangle. I remember during Leah Laiman's stint in the final years that they smartly played up the reformed bad girl seeing through the tricks of the newest social climber with Lila putting on the southern girl act even calling Rachel 'Mother Hutchins'.. and Rachel just stands there with an expression that said 'oh you're good, but I was way better then you when I pulled this routine' LOL

I think GL was due for an update by 1983, and I think the 1st 18 months of Pam Long's 1st tenure was pretty good. A nice balance of Bauers, Reaedons, Spauldings, and Lewis'. Fall of 1984 the structure started changing and by the end of 1985, it was a new show. An interesting show, but not the GL of before. The 2nd tenure in 1988 to 1990 was much stronger (and even used some of the history to boot).

Problem was most of the NY housewives either had nothing going on outside the show (Sonja), didn't want to share it ( Ramona), or amped up the dramatics to compensate for Covid protocols (Leah, Luann). Eboni came in at the wrong time, focused more on lecturing/preaching then actual going with the flow. There were moments Eboni was fun and warm (with Sonja)...and she/Ramona had the most interesting of dynamics where they kind of liked each other..but were on totally different communication approaches (and Eboni was trying to bait Ramona too much probably with Leah's blessing...and Ramona would put her foot in her mouth as well lol). Now that NYC is somewhat back to activity....would be nice to see a post 2020 NYC and how the women are navigating it.

Salt Lake City: Barbie scissor kicks...that's a new term I've never heard about lol. Angie K submitting a new catch phrase is admirable..but not Gone with the Wind Fabulous level. Danna's moment is cut..but Angie H groveling to the Shah's wasn't? Jen Shah killed season 3 by not quitting the show after her arrest in season 2. Heather has no ethics...her 3 daughters are more mature than her.

Missy Reeve's Jennifer had good chemistry with both Mark Valley and Matthew Ashford. In fact, right when she quit suddenly, the triangle was moving into a new chapter with Jennifer marrying Peter after finding out about Jack/Laura when she hesitated marrying Peter. Then Stephanie Cameron came in and looked like Missy, but didn't have Missy's spark nor energy.. and it made the next couple of years drag in that story (though Cameron and Valley had some degree of chemistry.. Cameron and Davidson didn't have the friendship chemistry that Davidson/Reeves did). Jill/Frank on RH actually survived with Frank # 3 and # 5 having great chemistry with Jill... while Frank #4 had more chemistry with Jill's half sister Maggie (and the performs are married in real life). Also, I agree with Ed/Maureen surviving the chemistry test with Peter Simon/Ellen Dolan.. and Peter Simon/Ellen Parker having different, yet effective chemistry. While I think Ed/Holly's chemistry was there with both Mart H and Maureen G.. and Peter Simon and Maureen G just in a different way (longing/romantic with Mart/Maureen, and warmth/friendship with Peter/Maureen).

From what I have read at the time, his stint was highly regarded..and there were some strong crime stories during that time as well.

Cary from Dallas said she would totally do the girls trip show...but she thinks Dallas is basically dust in Bravos eyes so she doubted anyone from Dallas would be asked. I don't know why the show didn't think to ask Eileen Davidson, Kim Richards, or even Jeana Kreough to go? I want to see how Alex interacts with Brandi and Vicki lol

I do agree that Sadie and Carla had the salt of the earth long suffering mom and the striving for more daughter with a twist. I know Agnes Nixon also head wrote GL and don't think she used that template there. She did a reverse variation with Peggy Scott (Fletcher) as the put upon daughter of a striving for more mother (Maggie Scott) on GL She employed the put upon daughter and social climbing mom on AMC (Ann & Phoebe, Edna & Dottie, Opal & Jenny) and I believe she set up the Steffi Brewster/Deborah element on Loving

Cendella had a strong focus on the hospital...but it was kind of boring other than the Carolee/Karen/Steve story. I had heard the actor playing Alan quit...hence the hasty resolution. I liked Depriests reign better because stuff actually happened (some of which was actually based in character)

She did head-write All my Children for almost a year in 1989.. and there wasn't a serial killer story. In fact, she helped streamline the canvas... and actually created some interesting couples (Jack/Erica, Tad/Dixie,)

Between August/September 1975 to fall 1976...you'll have 3 headwriters....Cendella, Depriest, and Marland... very different writers and styles.

Laura was the voice of the audience. I always contend that the Lathams wrote in specific tropes (Karen the moral one, Val the long suffering victim, and Abby the villianess) and Laura was not a character you could fit into a trope. Donna Mills did say in an interview on either Arnesio or Joan Rivers that she felt Abby ran her course. I think it was a nice way of saying she was struggling to keep Abby human and redeemable with the Latham writing making Abby act bad for the sake of acting bad. In the later seasons, Paige was the only next generation character to take off so the show had no choice but focus on her (show dropped the ball with Olivia, Jill, and Linda..imho). And I did like the show did create a semi believable friendship between Kate and Paige... but Kate only worked in connection to the core characters (whenever she had her story like her relationship with the environmentalist or with the hot drifter Alex..it fell flat).

And agnes Nixon employed that template to AMC with the wise all knowing elder (Kate Martin), the hospital, homes, and courtrooms... though she did take advantage of Pine Valley being not too far from NYC by having the boutique...that led to buying trips to NYC for Erica, etc. I noticed OLTL had that same type of opening in the later 90s like AW. However, on OLTL, it fit because of it's history as a more urban edgy show (pre 1984's Rauch era)...while AW was never that type of show (it always read as a more Masterpiece theater type of show in the 60s,70s, and 80s.).

I think it was an environmental issue that resulted from Gary blowing up Empire Valley. Lotus Point was a family resort with environmental friendly elements.

It should have been 10 years minimum. I have heard the show is starting to plan season 4. And with Mary, Jen S, and jennie not on the show..they need to cast someone dramatic to play opposite Lisa Barlow