j swift

It is so f'ed up. After the Trump tapes, she wrote a book, publicized it on Today, and became one of the prime examples of Me Too, even getting the host of Access fired. Only to be subjected to further harassment and humiliation on her own set. Meanwhile, Billy Bush and the ex-prez are doing fine...

Eight hours later and I'm still shocked. It is such bad PR to have the person who was the object of the former president's sexual impropriety on those awful 2016 Access Hollywood tapes. Seven years later, was the subject of harassment, as reported widely in the mainstream press. To face retaliation on this level. I just feel awful for her, given that this issue has been an intrusive part of her career for so long. And that she has gotten nothing in return, but humiliation. To think that she was so disrespected, not just in terms of basic civil rights that should be afforded to any employee. But, also afterward to be offered no further negotiation on salary is unfathomable. In the past, I've never paid much attention to backstage drama, because it always felt like listening to a stranger's workplace gossip. But, I think anyone who has ever worked for a corporation can relate to how outrageous it is to offer a “take it or leave it” contract to an employee who has been this valuable to the production. While having to endure so much BS for so long.

It is bizarre to think that Nicole won't be around for the resolve of the baby switch story.

Isn't it interesting to get this context, because we've attributed the abrupt end of that plot to the scabs and Ron C, but this seems to be the actual issue at play (or at least another variable).

That news really makes me sad for the actress that after such a long tenure, she was still so undervalued. Story-wise, I also have tons of questions. Was last month's exit to Europe the last we'll see of Nicole? Is this why Tate and Holly's story was cut short? And what does it mean for the baby switch. It is one of those times as a viewer, if you were not clued into the backstage information, the way it affects on-screen stories would make very little sense.

My impression is that the show is not sexy enough given that it is on streaming. I'm not asking for nudity, and I recognize that last year's three-way with Alex, Chanel, and Allie would probably not have made it to air on NBC. However, last week's scene between Ava and Stefan was still pretty chaste. As I noted yesterday, Abe is having sex with his tee shirt on. And Alex and Theresa just smooch on the sofa. As single adults, it seems immature that Alex is this upset about Theresa just kissing Brady, rather than how uninhibited she really would have been, considering that she was rolling on molly. I wouldn't be opposed to slightly extended love scenes, a bit more adult language, and tinge more skin. I know that the backstage drama was not conducive to actors feeling safe while performing more risqué scenes, but we were promised more adult content when it moved to Peacock.

It is a hollow threat to yell at Clyde that he'll rot in jail, when he's already rotting in prison. One assumes a murder conviction is a longer sentence than drug dealing. Also, does Abe have sex in a t-shirt? And, Harris was awful with the female cop.

You're correct, I entirely forgot that entire part of the story. But, back to my original point, has Nikolas been arrested for Esme's kidnapping?

It is an excellent point. Because they could've written any drug dealer for the story, and it would still work. The fact that Clyde killed Abby is a minor issue in the plot, and without Ben or Jordan, Clyde is not very relevant. DAYS has overestimated the appeal that we want to see the same characters continuously recycled. Also, DAYS being DAYS, the introduction of new cops (while poor Sgt. Mustache flails in the background) indicates that we'll know the “dirty” cop by the end of the week.

Also, wouldn't Liz have to testify that she stole drugs for Esme. Her testimony would risk her career, and given how few people know that she was involved, I don't see how the prosecution would find out that she was an accomplice.

Okay, but as I mentioned, she can't testify, so the DA couldn't win a trial against him. And everyone else with knowledge of the Esme kidnapping only knows through hear-say. Also, I don't recall any threat of him being arrested before he was thought to be dead. So, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Remind me, why has Nikolas been arrested? He didn't kill Esme. Spencer willingly handed him his son. I don't think it is illegal to allow people to think you're dead, if you didn't fraudulently stage your own death. I know he kidnapped Esme while she was pregnant, but she can't testify now, so that's a moot point. So, is he going to jail for kidnapping Ace? Who is going to testify against him in that trial? Also, while I agree that the nickname is cool, Agent Jagger is a mouthful to say.

Apparently, in the DAYS universe, there's no proactive mind control treatment. She could cure The Pawn and Robo-John, but that's not insurance against future tarot card attacks. I think the writers are playing to the actor's strengths whenever they write John with a blank gaze. 😉

I think the best indictment of DAYS currently is that nothing sticks. They write themselves out of every death, marriage, and prison sentence. Meanwhile, the events of 30 years ago still resonate.

I read today that subsequent episodes with jump back and forth through time. For example, we'll get an episode on the Black and White Ball, which will showcase more of Demi Moore's Ann Woodward. And it becomes more fictionalized by conjuring up past stories about CZ Guest (which I'll have to wait and see if I appreciate that angle). It is fascinating how it became a PR war. It wasn't enough to shun him, Slim Keith talks about wanting everyone to know that Truman was persona non grata. Maybe the Swans won by having their revenge becoming the common narrative? Capote was well into his addiction in the early 1970s, so to say that he drank more because he couldn't talk to Babe Paley, rather than because he was in an abusive relationship, seems a little trite and reductive. In the movie Capote, there's an intriguing narrative about how he played up his lack of masculinity to be perceived as less of a threat, and then got the murderers and townsfolk to spill all of their stories. I identified with this because it is the same strategy that I use every time that I have to deal with a mechanic or a plumber. But, there's a moment when one of the murderers underestimates Truman's intellect and he snaps. I can't help but think that the same was true of the Swans. He talked with them about all of their gowns and jewels, but once he got the story, he was ready to move on to the next big thing, which was the new jet set disco scene. And the Swans felt as betrayed as the Clutters of In Cold Blood, but they just had more access to the media. Always a pleasure to read your willingness to critique a work of media that you've never consumed. 😉 There's also a Capote roman à clef, that runs through many of Dunne's books, and he gets a fun retribution in An Inconvenient Woman. I thought Diane Lane was a little too stilted, but Naomi Watts was engaging. I'm holding my final opinion until we get the Slim-focused episode.

Thanks, the lack of an 'E' for Brook, and the number of "N's always requires a Google search, just like the spelling of Nikolas (Nicklaus). At least Jagger preferring to be called John will make it easier... 😉

For me, Lois requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief. For example, last week, her main story was that she was over involved in Brook Lyn's (one L or 2?) wedding planning. Causing BLQ to complain about how Lois is so overbearing. Meanwhile, for the past few years we've seen Brook involved in a baby switch and numerous other big life events and Lois was nowhere to be found. So, they're telling us that she is a helicopter Mom, but we've never seen evidence of this until the past few months.

Did we ever find out who bought Spoon Island? I thought Nikolas told Ava that he didn't buy it, nor was he sending her the notes about Austin's death, but I could be incorrect.

The closest that I could find was when in August 2022 you said, "Sabato could've been a decent return to the main show once upon a time..." But, my point was that I appreciate that it is difficult to predict how this group will respond to the various twists and turns. I meant no harm, as I assumed you welcomed dissenting opinions.

Yep, he's twirling his mustache on two networks! BTW, are we to assume it is a Cricket/Christine situation where now he'll only be known as John, not Jagger.

The guy's IMDB is looking up because he's also the nefarious doctor on DAYS who switched Nicole's baby.

I still don't understand Adam's father's motive. It was as if someone in the writer's room had been watching Footloose too often, 'those kids and their crazy rock and roll, I'm going to put an end to it.' Dude needs to chill, it's just a guitar.

On another note, what a weird ending for Adam. Not one of my favorites, but the abrupt end to storytelling has become far too common on GH. Austin, Brennen, and now Adam had a big crescendo, and then they were rushed off-screen. The Adam plot is particularly remarkable, because he is still going to live in Port Charles, we're just not going to see him again. I mean, Austin's dead and Brennen is in jail, but Adam is still living down the hall in the dorm, he just won't talk to his friends anymore. I get that nobody is mourning the loss, I am simply remarking on the trend in storytelling that I hope will be fixed by the next set of writers.

That's fair. I always forget about Chase and the fact that he's a cop. Jordan has Mac's old job, and Dante has a federal enforcement past. Although none of them have solved Austin's murder. So, I guess I'm just happy that Carly has someone new (maybe?sort of? kind of?) Also, I assume that I am the only one lighting a candle for the return of Dr. Matt Hunter.

I think they were heavily suggesting that Jagger is a new romantic interest for Carly. And his past dislike of Sonny will create further story potential. Plus, as I've mentioned, they need a Mac, law enforcement replacement to solve all the mysteries. So, he ticks a lot of boxes that Jax would not provide. And, I'm happy to have Drew get someone as a target of his animosity. This group never fails to surprise. It seems like so many discussions are about bringing back past characters. Then, when they do, there is pushback. The surprising reactions keep me entertained in this discussion.