DramatistDreamer

It's official.

I remember when I used to read about Tibetans who self-immolated in public places. It was described as the act of desperation and hopelessness.

Someone was tweeting about Debbie Allen a few days ago and posted a GIF of the Fame TV opening credits sequence and I was trying to discern whether it was Stephanie E. Williams that features in the last frame with Jasmine Guy so I started to do an online search and came across this TV Guide cover. Has this been posted previously? This is from 1985.

Interesting thread.

I agree. I stopped reading anything that she's written some time ago. I guess I just assumed others have done the same. I still maintain that the best part of the NYTimes remains their Metro NYC section. Their Arts section can still be good as well, if you skip most of the reviews. Hate to risk ruining what's left of everyone's holiday weekend but what I'm seeing is that Trump's lies don't take time off, even if we do. I thought this piece was interesting, especially given that it's Memorial Day.

This was a great example of the type of dialogue that I was talking about. I guess the show often used Nadine as a talking point to show that she was open to concepts that might be considered "out there" to other characters. I don't see characters on any of today's daytime soaps even broaching concepts of these sorts. Actually, even back then, this type of discussion was pretty rare on most soaps of the day. IMO, it was presented in a way that was not meant to mock but explore those topics and go beyond the usual soap chatter. The scene starts at 6:16. https://youtu.be/bqCOIvCHv0g?t=376

Anything even remotely connected to Trump is infinitely messy.

Yeah, I know how they use snap but I just think it's an overused term like "tea". From the time I spent living in London, I've noticed that for all their many (many) faults, the Brits seem more resistant to the idea of being caught up in a cult of personality than Americans. Perhaps because they spent hundreds of years being ruled by monarchy but many seem. Brits are also more honest about the fact that class has been a major factor in social mobility than Americans.

He didn't snap. He calmly but passionately hit the nail on the head on every point.

They've already started in on Elizabeth Warren. They're determined to agitate for the candidates that they want.

Which is why, even after I returned from the polls where I had cast my vote, about an hour later, I began to have a sinking feeling. I mentioned it to no one, I tried to brush away the thoughts that were creeping into my thoughts but as the day went on and I saw news reports about HRC campaign headquarters' itinerary shifting, I felt a genuine sense of unease. I'm glad I cast my vote because, honestly had I not...I'm the type of person who would've been haunted by this for decades. My state went for HRC but, as they say, no man is an island and I'm not shielded from the anger I feel as I read about each child migrant death in custody or every religious building being shot up, set fire to or sprayed with racist graffitti or women having to demonstrate for rights that should be ours and enshrined in law since before I was born! Even though I try to avoid thinking about it all the time, on some level I knew that with Trump in the WH, the U.S. would transform into an ungovernable hellscape. Unlike Susan Sarandon, I bore no illusions about the people rising up to fight this new menace. Being black in America has taught me not to make such assumptions. Also, I don't care what happens to Julian Assange. Don't know why I felt the need to write that.

The dialogue during this period was particularly standout. Some of the philosophical discussions that occurred between characters--I appreciate the fact that during this period, the writers didn't "dumb down" topics for the audience, the writers put it out there and trusted that the viewers would 'get it'. Watching the whole Ross running for Senate storyline, I'm amazed when I see a PSA urging viewers to "Get Out and Vote" or Ross basically embracing what is universal healthcare. I could not imagine any characters discussing politics on today's soaps. I have had many debates (pun intended) with soap fans who claim that soaps should not engage in real world challenges or breach the politic but I disagree--I think, if written well, engaging in real world concerns keeps soaps relevant. I think the problem with most soaps over the past 15 years or so is that many are no longer relevant for most viewers, which is why the ratings continue to dip, year over year. During this period, GL managed to mix the deeply intimate with the global, even metaphysical and dealing with cosmology (I remember one stunning bit of dialogue between Nadine and another character about whether there was intelligent life outside of Earth in the universe). The use of characters across all age groups was pretty good and even-handed (it wasn't perfect but it towers over what soaps do now). I would say Alexandra's and BM's absence from the canvas is still deeply felt in the storylines that I am currently watching. The scandal afflicting Spaulding mainly due to Alan-Michael's schemes, Nick McHenry still reeling from his broken engagement/non-wedding to Mindy. Fletcher reeling after being 'stood up' at the altar by Vanessa, even Ross' election scandal and the reaction from Springfield's elite--it just seems like there are empty pockets where Alexandra's presence should be. But yeah, this is a great period for the show in terms of the writing talent, the acting talent, the production quality and unlike her work on Y&R, JFP and her use of exterior shots were actually done well on GL. The killing off of Maureen though...well done in the short term, definitely came back to bite in the long term. Turned out Peter Simon wasn't the easiest to find chemistry with, so there goes your tentpole matriarchal and patriarchal figures-- wiped away in a car crash.

I haven't checked but might it be on the ABC website?

Too bad this has gotten the bare minimum of promotion but Yaya DaCosta (Cassandra Foster, AMC) is co-starring as the wife of jazz musician Buddy Bolden, in the biopic Bolden.

Probably the most serious charge against Mario Batali yet.

We know that Trump has no real interest in governing but it's (almost) interesting to hear him whine about how he can't be productive and work with Democrats while they are investigating him. My first thought was "Wait, didn't Bill Clinton get things done while he was facing impeachment?" I came across this tweet which basically confirmed that.

Jamie doesn't surprise me that he could manage given his experience performing onstage as a musician. I just can't imagine Sykes as Louise. Louise had a slightly haughty air, in addition to putting people in their place (namely George) and Sykes doesn't give me any of that, from what I've seen of her.

That's not surprising. Tomei is the only actor who has any type of theatrical experience. Jean Stapleton, Carroll O'Connor, Isabelle Sanford and Sherman Hemsley all had extensive experience in the theater. Tomei also has an impressive stage resume. I haven't watched either of these new live versions but that was my concern all along. Doing theater for all actors, Hollywood included, used to be a prerequisite. They performed onstage regularly while most of today's actors don't.

Seems like Daou is in favor of moving the needle on impeachment, if I'm reading his subtweets correctly.

True. Infrastructure week has been a never-ending joke (without the humor) since his days in the WH. It's just the irony of a self-professed developer failing to build one piece of infrastructure. Speaking of things we all could see coming-