DramatistDreamer

What’s missing is a storyline with an actual purpose. What’s showing up onscreen doesn’t make much sense. Phyllis, a character once portrayed as usually so cunning that she was generally steps ahead of everyone else, didn’t think beyond a revenge plot against Diane to consider that she would jeopardize her own freedom and future by colluding with a known criminal and partaking in criminal activities?

I really tried to get re-engaged in this show but it is proving to be a tough slog and the entertainment level is very low.

In Jacklyn Zeman’s obituary in the New York Times, one of Zeman’s daughters mentioned how poignant it was to see some of the nurses who cared for her mother in her final days saying how much Bobbie Spencer had inspired them to become nurses. So many soap stalwarts who made these stories compelling passing away in the last few years, it feels so very sad.

Mine too. I have always had a special place for her as she was really integral to the time when I gained a great appreciation for the theatricality of daytime drama, namely ATWT. I hope she can weather this loss as she tries to navigate her own recovery. It seems as if her father had been dealing with health problems over the last few years.

The NYT obituary for Hodding Carter III, who has ties to the world of daytime drama, via his daughter Finn. Hodding Carter III, Crusading Editor and Jimmy Carter Aide, Dies at 88

Hodding Carter III, journalist, former Assistant Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter and father to Finn Carter (O.G. Sierra Esteban Montgomery) has passed away.

You’re welcome. I thought you might find that interesting.

Not sure where else to place this but see if you can spot the “blink and you’ll miss it” moment with Jerry verDorn in this ABC News piece with Stephanie Mills, where she talks about how the buzz around The Wiz escalated once the promotion began in earnest as a result of the church groups attending performances in large numbers.

Maurice Dubois nearly flubbed the name but at least there was some genuine sentiment in this all too brief segment.

At this time, I have been mourning the loss of a loved one, in addition to juggling a number of other matters (not ready to come back regularly) but after just hearing this news, I had to visit this site at least once to pay my regards Ms. Hubbard. This post says nothing but the truth.

A very timely read, delivered by Professor Henry Louis Gates.

Depends on the era. The tone of these shows could shift and change depending on who is at the helm. I don’t think the tone was ever consistently the same for any of my favorite shows

You have to look closely because she’s in the background. I really don’t know how my eyes caught her when she’s nearly out of frame.

From the moment I saw that those backup dancers were working extra hard and Rihanna’s feet were planted, I knew what was up, lol. Congratulations to her!

Sometimes dreams really do come true.

3 ft and Rising was a seminal work.Years ago, in a fit of pique De La Soul made their entire discography available for download for free. A gift. R.I.P Plug 2.

Some time ago, I noticed that Heather Rattray appeared on a Season 5 episode of Frasier, called “Life Of The Party”. It was an uncredited role from what I could gather. I saw the episode awhile ago and kept forgetting to post about it. I don’t know if anyone else noticed it.

Served absolutely no purpose, afaic. Lily, despite spending precious formative years away from Neil, is more like Neil in personality and temperament than she is to either Dru or Malcolm (especially as portrayed by CK).

This article caught my eye. I haven’t read it yet so I am kind of bookmarking it.

Didn’t TV Guide used to do a brief weekly synoptic of the soaps too or am I mistaken? I remember there used to be these intriguing ads for some soaps with photos of different characters from their respective shows. I can’t really imagine any of today’s daytime soaps getting that type of ad space in mainstream media (then again, TV Guide itself is no longer the ubiquitous periodical it used to be) on a regular basis, without the story being a cancellation or an anniversary or an appraisal of a specific actor. Do people remember Clarence and his radio commentary on soaps like Y&R? I think I first saw him doing promos for CBS Daytime, then I went away to college and realized he had an entire radio show (before the big conglomerates swooped in, carved up and ultimately wrecked terrestrial radio)

Hester Sue from Little House on the Prairie! I need to check this interview out sometime soon.

Was it Syria that also had a catastrophic earthquake years ago? Turkey has notoriously awful construction of buildings, very low standards for how and where construction is allowed to take place. From what I’ve read, the government allowed construction on actual fault lines. This disregard for safety has comes as a tragic cost for the people.

Speaking only for myself but as a kid in the 80s, I got into it seeing my mom watch sometimes. She worked outside the home and when her shift changed, I wanted to record her soaps for her and taught myself how to program a VCR and soon found myself wanting to get home early at least to catch the end of what soon became my favorite soap. It’s the feeling of anticipation, really wanting to get home to see what happens next. And if there was a lineup of soaps that you watched, it felt like there was always a storyline to grab your attention and hook you. It’s the agony and ecstasy of wanting a story to unfold (will the villain’s dubious deeds finally be revealed? Will the long suffering characters finally feel relief and resolution? Will torn apart lovers finally be reunited?), even as you enjoy the story and performances all the way. It’s the absolute certainty that, even as one story ends, another story is unfolding and will be just as compelling. It’s the feeling of everything be laid out in front of your eyes and not seeing the limits even when there was executive and/or network interference, etc. Just artists being innovative and creative. Not being obsessed with behind the scenes, just enjoying what’s in front of you onscreen.

Speaking of Frenchies, by birth anyway. Franco-American.

The Frenchies have a bunch of up and comer cute guys in their ranks.