KMan101

So thanks to YouTube (and right now, bandstandmike) I've been watching different bits here and there. Makes me miss GL a ton. It's always been my second favorite, after DAYS. Anyway ... watched the 5th Street fire (when Vanessa and Matt saw each other weren't dead in the fire/explosion and made out for like six thousand hours in front of everyone). Lots of Justin Deas literally yelling from a rooftop. Seriously? Ugh. lol. Melina Kanakaredes was so endearing as Eleni. The recast's accent was so overdone. I also watched December 1995, centering around Reva and Hart both back in Springfield. Wendy Moniz, no offense Gina Tognoni, is reminding me why she's the only adult Dinah for me. Marshall Hilliard wasn't that bad as Hart, he was dumped for Frank Grillo right? Yuck. Why? There was still so much there with the show and the cast and it's now even more sad that in 10 years the show would be near the pits until the final year (well, the last few weeks when many people returned). I don't think 1995 comes off that strong to me. I know I've watched mostly McTavish stuff I believe, and it's clear they had little interest in characters such as Gilly by this point. It is great seeing Nola, too bad she's pretty wasted. Reva's return seems like it was ultimately handled badly, even though the fallout has been great to watch, it comes off a bit ugly and Reva seems so overly villified by everyone like she chose to take a 5 year vacation away from everyone. I get she was around/in town and didn't say anything but still ... And Cynthia Watros has been amazing. She's so good. Oh and I have to LOL at the apparent Tangie proppping (I believe I'm jumping timeframes back to the fire). I love me some Marcy Walker and she clearly wasn't the problem. The writing was basically "Tangie was soooo wonderful." or at least that's how it comes across at times. I loved how they had Vanessa and Holly both rip her but of course they come off looking like complete bitches. I haven't really minded Holly vs. Tangie though. I feel like they tried too hard to make her work when they honestly didn't have to. I also feel like when really thinking about it, 1997-1998 was the point where GL ultimately never recovered, IMO (many characters exit, etc). And then the San Cristobel garbage helped kill it even quicker, IMO. I never minded the Santos as much as they seemed to be hated, but I could take or leave Danny. Carmen was fun. Anyway, I'm rambling. Just wanted to post some thoughts to maybe spark some discussion. And it's been nice to watch a GL with a budget. I almost forgot what it looked like when they had actual sets.

I wanted to get back into watching, but haven't yet. Is there a good starting off point due to the transition? Maybe I'll just jump in with December. I was thinking of starting in September (I can get through them fast if they're interesting enough) because I notice that's when things began to change, in terms of casting, etc.

Thanks John for posting the link! Sorry to those I hadn't sent a PM, just checked back in here ... The first Frank was so bad. I always preferred Daniel Hugh Kelly's Frank. I'm not sure what I feel of the last Frank. I can't remember his name this second and don't really feel like looking it up, lol. How many Frank's? 4? 3? I always felt RH downgraded most of the time when they recast. Sometimes they hit a bright spot (Randall Edwards, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Karen Morris Gowdy) but man, I was often never impressed. Even the Patrick recasts. The second one grew on me the more I rewatched but I always preferred Malcom Groome. And Nancy Addison Altman is just so terrific. The cast had some really great actors. Not that I didn't already know that but watching the episodes again after such a long lapse from watching the reruns on SoapNet makes me remember why I really enjoy RH. I'm so glad I saw the first several years and now I can see the last several years.

Will do.

I'm sure this isn't news to many but I've noticed on YouTube two users (that I've found so far) have uploaded a crap-ton of Ryan's Hope episodes. One has the earlier years, while the other has the years SoapNet never aired straight from 1983 all the way until the very last episode. I'm not sure it's EVERY episode, I haven't even begun to start watching. I don't want to link or name but I'm noticing more and more soaps popping up on YouTube and they're staying up so for that I'm very grateful.

Oh and because they deserve it: Carmel/Jim <3 though I've heard she's had more interesting/better pairings. I like them both and they constantly make me laugh. Jim's reaction after he realized Doug had 'gotten some' the night before (when he slept with JP) was absolutely hilarious. I loved the twist of him as Dr. Browning's stalker, I knew it wasn't Myra but I just LOVE the shade this woman can throw. I'm so sad the actress left and I have to watch Myra exit. Also, Trevor's a pretty good baddie to watch. The actor just can't seem to make me hate Trevor even though that man has his hands in EVERYTHING, lol. I see he's in the opening now so I guess he's around for the time being? And I really like the opening, sure it's green screens but I think they do a good job and it seems frequently updated, likely due to the constant turnover. I see mass exits are pretty normal (for all the UK soaps) especially in production changovers.

Added my thoughts in your quote

Yeah, I'm getting that, and seeing that, and it's .... ugh. But there's a lot about the show that's actually entertaining. It's an easy 23 minutes, lol, but the ugliness ... and yes, people do just disappear. I thought GH was bad but HollyOaks seems to follow that "story rotation" but IMO it's probably budget and how much they can use people.

Can't believe I haven't given HollyOaks much of a chance before but I'm watching it and really enjoying it. I started with the April 29th episode the other day and am already into the end of July. I'll be caught up likely this week. I like that it's quick and there's cliffhangers constantly. The acting is alright, the plots were easy to get into, as were the characters. Very easy, without doing much research. I am aware of who's gone by now, from when I was watching. I had to start with the first week of May/end of April because I saw a video of Texas falling slow-mo out of a window on her wedding day. I knew I had to watch this show. I do kind of like/dislike at the same time, how there seems to be all of these crazies around. Sienna (I sort of love her, but they were writing Nancy really pathetically at the time) is definitely crazy. Mostly love her. Patrick is creepy, and I sort of hate seeing what he's doing to Maxine, although I'm not totally spoiled to them, though I did read she and Dodger hook up? I think Patrick's gone too? And I'm SO tired come July of hearing about damn Texas and her murder. Girl was STUPID. Bye. I'm sorry to see Ash is going to bite it soon, along with Doug and Leanne. I liked all of them. At least slimy Will is getting off my screen soon too. Wish he'd take his pretty but awful actor brother Dodger with him. All he does is cry and get angry and drink. Yawn. He is pretty tho. I really like what I've seen of John Paul and have already looked up videos of his past story with Craig. Meh to the Danny romance but he turns out married? And Ste's father? LOL. I love how outlandish this show is. I love Gillian Taylforth joining the show as Sandy. Makes me wish they never killed Kathy on EE. She belongs on EE as their matriarch but I'll gladly have her on HollyOaks. I'm blah to her boys though. They're alright but not particularly interesting. The younger one, Jason, seems to be the most likable. I've read Joe cheats on Lindsey? Blah, I ike her. You could see where the show is going with them right from the start. I'm enjoying Paul's over the top breakdown over the dead Lynsey. LOVE LOVE Mercedes. I'm aware he's done for soon. The McQueens are hilarious. They don't seem to know what to do with Theresa at all. Also sorry to see Myra's exit coming soon as well Phoebe/George/Vincent took me a little by surprise but I should have seen the George/Vincent angle coming. I like Phoebe a lot but she can be a little annoying at times. If I hear Sinead and her accent shout KATY one more time ... I like her though and it was interesting they put her with Ste (I've read all up on his history), who they seem to write differently on a regular basis. One day he's angry and beating someone, the next day he's cleaning the house for Sinead ... then he's coming on to Doug, but wait he's yelling at Doug. Oy. I'm SO glad Tony finally told Diane (at this point remember I'm at the end of July) about the cancer. I like Diane a lot, except when she's nasty, it does her no favors, and Tony is alright but the cancer thing seems like they don't know what else to do with him. I do like Cindy being there for him, love her too, and her bitch of a daughter. What happened to Callum? He was shot by Robbie and in the hospital and he's been off my screen for weeks along with Martha? I know they both exit (such a shame the Kanes were axed, IMO, wasted potential with all of them), and Callum exits on that Later show? Anyway, some rambled thoughts from watching episodes from May, June and July 2013. Sort of not looking forward to the John Paul/Finn story. I just can't buy that this kid I just saw fishing with Tony will end up doing what he will do. I guess I'll have to see what's currently happening to judge, but I'm sure it will be a heck of a story. I feel like this show punishes the good characters beyond belief (is there REALLY a need to see John Paul gay bashed and assaulted?) and if they do something wrong they're punished. Like Maxine's abuse by Patrick. It seems like just a lot of ugliness, but I also like that the UK soaps are generally more gritty and not afraid to pretty much do anything.

Haven't watched the show in quite a while. But all the changes sound interesting and DTC seems determined to restore the show so I'll gladly start watching again.

Ooh. Such a good example, lol. Totally agree. I'm trying to catch up watching online. This show is so painful to sit through but at the same time I can't stop watching.

Yeah, not surprising at all. BYE! Jenny McCarthy and Brooke Shields would be great additions.

Yeah. Season 7 was so much better than Season 6 and I never gave it huge credit before but it was solid, and felt like a mature Melrose, but Lexie/Eve were great. The show was also hugely expensive to produce which played a big part. I don't think ratings were THAT bad but I really don't know. I'd have to go look, but one doesn't go without the other, really. Not to mention Locklear's reported salary at the time was insane.

In that 1998 episode in just the first 15 SECONDS you see what a different and better show it was. I don't ever claim to know the 'glory years' and I would LOVE to watch Classic Y&R. I started watching in 1997/1998. I wish TVGN would air weekend blocks of classic episodes. Y&R has always fascinated me and I know I would just love it (1973-1998). I've read all about it, seen clips and some episodes but it's not the same.

Yeah, MTB did have a lot of 'special episodes' too, when I actually really think back on some of the episodes. The kids were pretty annoying, honestly. LOL

Thanks for typing up those articles for us Eric! They were great reads.

Yeah. To me, HOP was confusing because I always thought it was supposed to be a sitcom but it suddenly became this 'special episode of the week' show. It wasn't awful, I liked a lot of it, but it was like, what does TP want this show to be?

THIS! LOL. And isn't the actor the same one in that threeway 'Snake The Drain' commercial? Where the two hot plumbers and that woman are hovering over her toilet as 'sexy' music plays like it's some porno? Yeah, that probably suits him better.

HoP was sometimes so bad, the earlier episodes were much better, apart from TP's typical wooden actors. I much preferred Meet The Browns. It at least tried to stay a sitcom.

Sigh. So behind. LOL

Pretty much all this. I like the show just fine and actually do want to watch it every week, but it's far from great, gripping television.

Man, the 'Ghost Reva' story sounds horrendous. I thought San Cristobal, the clone and walking through a painting were bad. Boy Reva had some stinkers. The show tried way too hard to keep Reva as the main focus and it shows with so many awful storylines. I agree with everyone who said it became more balanced with her in the last year or so. It felt like it was more of an ensemble again, even if nothing really happened.

Skipped the latest episode comments to talk about the first two episodes (though my memory is fuzzy because it's been a week and I watch a good amount of television). I enjoyed them. It's definitely a Tyler Perry show though LOL. The stiff actors (though very nice to look at). Thankfully Jim, Hanna and Candace made up for the rest. It has a lot of potential though, I think they did an OK job at setting things up (the severely messed up kids, the non-existent Jim/Kathryn marriage, Hanna/Candace). Hope to see more of Benny, he wasn't given much. Does feel very 90s/Passions-esque, agreed with everyone there. I'll keep watching. There's also a website out there that has links to episodes of hundreds of shows/episodes. I can PM the link/name if anyone's interested.

Oh. My. Well, it's kinda what I would have expected. I'm still going to watch it, try it out.

Peter Beale finally returning: http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/p29971/