DramatistDreamer

Tomas is such a hottie!

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Yikes! The Wedding Is Off (Woz)!

http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/21/rory-mcilroy-wedding-is-off-break-up-caroline-woznicacki

When Woz posted that photo of a drooling Macilroy while he slept several months back, I kind of figured that relationship may not be long for this world.

I splurged on some '87 episodes myself this weekend and I also have a question for you ATWT experts:

Being a Craig & Sierra fan, I should know this but I'm confused about something-- I thought that Sierra knew about Tonio & Barbara's affair when she went to Foxwood Lodge and ended up sleeping with Craig but apparently she just found out in '87, not '86 when the affair happened.

I know she suspected something going on between Lucinda and Tonio but what were the circumstances that somehow (mistakenly) convinced Sierra that her husband and her mother were somehow having an affair leading to her retreat to Foxwood Lodge? Is this the reason she ran up to Foxwood Lodge or was there another reason? These episodes are missing and haven't been posted anywhere on the 'Net, so I'm unclear about this.

Does anyone know the story on this?

@NothinButÁttitude-- I really appreciate how good and consistent the core characters were back then. And the conversations between characters are refreshingly frank and heartfelt:

• One episode in which Lisa talks about the realization that Kim is truly the love of Bob's life and how far back that love was and how awkward she felt about confiding these feeling to her relatively new husband, Earl.
• Nancy telling Sabrina that she did have issues with Bob and Kim's actions back then yet expressing how glad she is that Sabrina is on the planet regardless of how that existence came about.
• Even Casey, Lyla and Craigs interactions are equal parts hilarious and poignant. Lyla at once, demanding that Craig treat her as an adult yet refusing to cut the apron strings, Craig struggling to accept Lyla's relationshp with Casey and almost embarrassed to admit that he was a bit jealous in a boyish way. Even Casey teasing "Craigey" that he would make him pancakes for breakfast in the morning.
• The conversations between Dusty and John always managed to show a human, vulnerable side of John. I loved what a stand up guy Dusty was, and he still remained an interesting character.

I'm truly enjoying all your stories, TimWil!

Boy, I wish that the soaps, especially P&G had done a better job of preserving their classic episodes because the Chucky Shea era was before my time, although I remember reading something, maybe an interview with Eileen Fulton a few years ago. I'm really learning a lot about ATWT history on these blogs and this messageboard!

I could only imagine what you have to say about Goutman. I'm intrigued but the mere mention of that man's name makes me feel sad. Just hearing what he did to the show and how he treated some of the veteran actors.

Ok, so like what kind of shady stuff?

For one, thing, Walters appears to resort (whether as a device or a fallback) to playing both ends against the middle. At one point, she will proudly assert her power as Co-Executive Producer and all that it entails but when sh*t hits the fan, she'll gladly push Bill Gedde to the fore and claim that he and/or ABC came up with the idea as if she doesn't have a say and is just one of the Talent.

Take the Rosie/Starr debacle. Starr acted out yes, but had Barbara been more forthcoming about her decision (not just Bill Geddes' or ABC's) to bring on Rosie O'Donnell, perhaps Starr might not have felt that she had to fire parting shots on her way out with no notice. Barbara knew the tension between between the two women ever since the Pilates/Lap Band surgery incident and instead of just telling Starr upfront that she made an Executive Decision, along with Gedde & ABC and they wanted to spice up the show and probably felt that the show would benefit because of that tension (because hey, that's 'show business'), they sprung it on her and Barbara didn't want to 'dirty' her hands, leaving it in Bill Gedde's and the network's hands.

Starr wasn't buying it and put Barbara on blast. Was it a classy move on Starr's part? No. Do I blame Starr? No. Unlike the selection of Elizabeth Hasselbeck where all of the cast felt like they were in on the selection process and it was out in the open, the Rosie thing was done behind the scenes. I wouldn't be surprised if Starr was informed just before the news hit the trades.

The other incident, ironically, involved the split screen argument between Rosie and Elizabeth. After that episode, Rosie called Barbara a hypocrite because she felt as though she'd been 'set up'. I think Rosie, having had her own TV show, knows when things are planned out for the ratings. Barbara acted the innocent as if the topics are not discussed beforehand and which ones are picked knowing they'd be the incendiary ones, guaranteed to inspire the most 'heat' in discussion. Had Barbara just told Rosie 'Look kid, it's nothing personal, it's just good ratings', Rosie wouldn't have liked it but she probably would've calmed down quicker. But again, Barbara acted as if she was powerless and the decision was totally out of her hands.

Just kind of duplicitous, IMO.

As a Journalist/personality, I can respect what she's achieved but I actually might admire her if she wasn't always orchestrating opportunities to laud her own personal achievements. I wouldn't be surprised if she had some part in planning They Year of Barbara. Not every detail but just enough to make sure that the proper adoration is paid. Meanwhile she acts coy and pretends it was all a surprise.

As much as I love Craig, he was acting like a selfish brat there for awhile (tears? Really, Craig?!) but he seemed to be coming around and he did reveal his concern that Casey would eventually dump Lyla for a younger woman, although I've got news for Craig, an older man could just as easily left Lyla for someone younger.

Speaking of which, I thought John was totally out of line, 'voicing his concerns' for Lyla's personal business. He should talk after last year ('86) when he was panting after Sierra. At least Lyla's feelings for Casey were returned, Sierra never felt the same way for John.

I guess we're leading up to when Johnny wed Lucy in the aftermath of Emma dumping John.

I don't have a name for Iva's haircut. I guess that was her hospital administrative assistant 'do(n't)?

You could make a case for calling Meg a twit at times, but you could never call her boring back then. Boy, the character was never the same after Jennifer Ashe left.

I'm more convinced than ever that Hunt Block should've reprised the role of Barbara's brother, down to the shaking her down for money. He was basically playing Rick Ryan by another name. And his dysfunctional relationship with Barbara and Paul...it would've been perfect! Although Jon Lindstrom would have made Rick a more nuanced version than Block.

1987 was still a great year for ATWT with a lot of explosive secrets being revealed and a lot of threads being connected but what was unfortunate was the loss of some actors like Gregg Marx and later Scott Bryce temporarily left and although I felt that Marland did the best he could to paper over it, I just had the feeling that certain things that really worked well were coming to an end.

Hey DRW50,

Thanks for letting us know that astheworldstillturns is uploading again! I had stopped checking some time ago but I'm glad to know that there are new episodes.

Man, I've forgotten how many times Victoria has actually been married!

...And Sherri Shepherd breathes a sigh of relief. Whew!

To hell with that Dollar Store series The Haves & The Have Nots, THIS is the soap opera I want to see!

Just a guess but I'm thinking alcohol may have something to do with it. I'm going to spare you the Drunk in Not Love jokes (almost)

This is what I get for going on social media on a Monday afternoon, thinking I'd take just a short break.

David Ferrer must be saying "You're welcome, Rafa" this evening because clearly his match gave Rafa an assist. Not just the physical energy but the emotional energy of having to play against him as well as the Spanish crowd sure wore down Kei a bit.

Uncle Tony pulls no punches and Rafa looked relieved when Kei called for the end of the match. I think he sympathized with Kei but Kei pulling up lame meant that Rafa wouldn't have to face losing another clay court tournament and the second one in his home country. It is too bad for Kei, though because had he continued at the level he was playing, this would've been his biggest breakthrough yet and I doubt he'd have looked back from that point.

Kei has come a long way with his game as well as his fitness but he still has a ways to go in terms of being able to play big back to back matches in that late rounds. It would be great to see him make it to the later rounds @ RG.

That's horrible. Gotta read more.

As far as Giraldo defeating Tsonga, that really doesn't say much, unfortunately. Serena could beat Tsonga. Hell, even Sharapova would give him a good run.

Yeah was going to say that...lol..Tsonga hasnt played worth a hell of beans lately...he is dropping in the ratings and if he isn't careful he could drop out of the top 20 soon.

Yeah, I realized what I wrote after I wrote it, I miss Gael Monfils--he could actually play on the terre batue.

I feel like Giraldo gave other better players a run but I haven't had the time (nor inclination) to look it up. I could be confusing him with another player (could it have been Ferrer?). Still Giraldo does appear quite effective on the clay.

James Blake's Florida home burned to the ground, 3 dead bodies found inside (none were Blake):

http://www.tmz.com/2014/05/07/tennis-star-james-blake-house-fire-dead-bodies/

Unfortunately the death toll has gone up to four. Two of the victims were teenage children.

Murray ousted by Santiago Giraldo. I've never heard of this guy, but I love him!

Yay!

Giraldo is a Colombian player who has been on the rise on clay, anyways. He took out Tsonga in this tournament so he's no joke.

LOL@ at that OZ screengrab with the Federer kids.

In terms of the twins thing, I read that Roger's sister also has twins, so either they're all frequenting the same clinic or twins run in the Federer family.

Do we know about Y&R's current taping schedule?

Are they shooting multiple episodes or different parts to allow the show to go dark for periods of time and save money?

Whatever the case I'm sure there is way less time for rehearsals, retaping and notes from the director. Thus the lackluster performances we often see.

The lack of continuity issues that occasionally surface makes me inclined to think that scenes are taped out of sequence to save time and money.

It's funny, but I've seen a little bit of Janice Lynde as Leslie, and a little bit of Victoria Mallory as Leslie, and I think both were okay. Then again, Y&R's earliest characters were so fascinating and layered to me regardless of the actor.

This makes me believe that this may be because Bell insisted back then on writing to suit the character, rather than writing to suit the actor playing the role as it has morphed into.

If only those viewers could have seen into the future to see what viewers today often have to put up with, they probably wouldn't have been complaining as much. Then again, soap fans are notorious for for having a 'I want what I want' mentality.

Ellen was interesting when put in the right stories. Her meddling in Susan's and Emily's life was fun to watch.

And I loved how consistent the show used to be in regards to Ellen and Lisa's sparring. Man, they kept sniping at each other for what...like decades??

I always thought Leanna Love running Restless Style would've been the only thing that made sense. Otherwise, it should never have happened.

Great photo! All look good and Patricia Bruder has been aging very nicely. I think ATWT has the collective of Seniors with the greatest vitality from the world of daytime drama. And they can move their faces

Trailer for Finding Carter with Cynthia Watros (YR. GL)

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/1036601/finding-carter-first-look.jhtml

For MTV, that's surprisingly deep subject matter.

At some point will we get a VO announcement that says "...the Voice Over wll now be done by Lyndsey Frost..."?

Interestingly enough, I had the opportunity to see Lea Salonga's final Broadway performance of Miss Saigon. I used my money from my summer internship stipend (meager though it was, was more than the $0 most internships offered) to treat me and my cousin to the show.

I am speechless with how much I disagree with that sentence. Hunt Block put the suck in sucktastic.

Thank you!

I was trying to be diplomatic but sometimes you just have to call it what it was. I actually would've had Jon Lindstrom portray Barbara's otherwise long forgotten brother. They could've imbued the character with the exact same qualities as Lindstrom's characterization had and it would have still worked. Barbara could've used another Ryan besides Paul and her brother could have mixed it up with a lot of characters and still ended up with Roseanna Cabot in the end.

There was no good reason to drag a character out of the archives only to destroy all the character build from the past decades and then after it has been butchered by poor writing and hammy acting, change it around again with a new actor.

If you're going to dig out a character from the archives, it would've been smarter to go with a little known character that could've provided an almost clean slate with which to create on.

ATWT made many odd and self defeating writing choices in its final decade.

You're right, Mitch...I'm not going to agree with you on the Hunt Block comment, who I thought had zero sex appeal. In fact, I would have just left the character of Craig stay gone and make Block and/or Jon Lindstrom (whom I preferred to Block) a totally different character, like Barbara's brother, who was basically a blank slate in those '86 episodes. It even looks as though he was intrigued by Emily so I would have brought him on to get in between Paul and Emily and irritate Barbara to no end.

Steve was over the top but the director should have reeled him in. You can tell the difference between the Steve in turmoil in '84 and the Steve in turmoil in '86--he is very OTT in terms of his mannerisms and his tics. The story itself was truly a Greek (soap) tragedy.

Thanks for posting, DRW50. Thoroughly enjoyable!

I'd love to see that confrontation between Steve and Tonio--that must have been a doozie!

Speaking of music, the music is much subtler in the '86 scenes while, although poignant & effective, in the '84 scenes, the music is competing with the dialogue between some characters and nearly threatens to overtake it.

In some ways, those scenes with Steve would have had more resonance today after the '07-'11 global financial and housing crisis, even though it might have initially made Steve look extreme back then. But during the housing crisis, I've read stories of people, threatened with foreclosure, barricaded themselves in their houses. Was Steve going to burn down Ruxton Hills? Well, Steve wait a year and someone else will do it for you...

LOL@ Lucinda griping that one cannot eat in any decent restaurant without putting $ in Lisa's hands. Even the mighty Lucinda has to (grudgingly) admire Lisa's entrepreneurial wherewithal.

As much as Craig and Sierra were my favorite couple, I kinda like the way she's putting both Craig, as well as Tonio, at a distance in these scenes, asserting her independence. Had Finn Carter stayed, I think Sierra would've been a thoroughly modern heroine. Loving and vulnerable yet fiery and even somewhat combative.

Oh Steve :/

I'm sorry, I always found Iva such a drip! Actually, I had no use for any of the Snyders, especially when they became TEAM LILY!!

Iva could have grown as a character into a stronger, more lively woman as she dropped her baggage...(I don't even want to think about the endless "therapy," sessions with Dr. Michaels, uh,Iva, just tell us your in therapy, we will believe you.) When they put her with Kirk she was kind of fun, and she had some zingers back and forth. But they broke them up to put him with the wretched Ellie (whom everyone had to tell the audience how "funny," she was though she wasnt) and the depressing abortion storyline. What was with Marland taking a kind of funny couple like them and John and Lucy and break them up for a depressing couple like John and Emma and Kirk and Ellie.

I definitely think that Kirk was Iva's most organic and best romantic pairing and looking back on it now, it really was a mistake to break them up and then later put Kirk and Ellie together. I guess someone assumed Kirk and Ellie would be more sexy but they certainly weren't more interesting or intriguing.

Even though John and Emma didn't work for the long term (just my guess, but I don't believe John was ever meant to be paired with Emma longterm, just as an 'in the meantime' pairing paving the way to Lucinda and John whom I always thought would be eventually paired (you can even see it in their scenes years prior to their marriage) so it didn't bother me, really. Also, so many other interesting things were going on at that time that John and Emma were not my focus (lol).