Everything posted by j swift
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GH: Classic Thread
Thank you, I'm always impressed by the depth of your soap knowledge. I recall dialogue when Celia first moved to Port Charles that they specified she was a second cousin. I guess writers were setting the groundwork to pardon Celia and Jimmy Lee of any inappropriate familial intimacy. BTW, even if I had a mansion I don't think I would want my second cousin to move in for more than a year.
- GH: Classic Thread
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
It may have been what turned CC from Paul Burke to Jed Allen as well...
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
The tunnel withstood two earthquakes and fires in both homes. I think the Capridge spring (which rejuvenated Minx from Dame Judith Anderson to Janis Wells) was at ground level above the tunnel, on the dividing line between the two estates.
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
I was trying to count the number of stories that used the Capwell-Lockridge tunnel as a plot device. I think of: (1) Channing's Murder, (2) the 4 orphans used it, (3&4) the forged art in the tunnel was used twice in stories (once when JAN left as Warren, and later when Gina tries to con CC). It's remarkable that different writers all used the same device.
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Texas! Discussion Thread
After 37 years, does anyone recall why Ashley's baby was considered such a miracle? I think this was Pam Long's character, and I seem to recall that she took an on-screen break prior to the finale, and then there was some other kid who foretold her return at Christmas. But it would be great if someone could fill in the blanks. Also, what happens to Dennis's girlfriend Paige after Dennis and Elliott leave town? I'm spotty remembering the story post-Iris.
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
I was watching episodes on Youtube. It was co-hosted by Michael Logan and his insane mullet. Here's a crazy piece of trivia, it was E!'s first live show because it was produced before the concept of screeners, so they were actually watching the shows and reporting on them the same day.
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
My recollection is that Cassie and her four musketeers was a classic example of a solid idea that was poorly executed. The story of Mary/Mason had already established that there was an orphanage that CC patronized because the sisters had a side business as nannies for the Capwell kids. So, an umbrella story about the other children who grew up in the orphanage seems like a good idea. Stephen was tied to Sophia because he was directing her life story. Derek and Craig were in a triangle with Kelly. And Ethan was the new district attorney which put him at odds with Julia and Mason. There was even an intriguing mystery when the story started that the audience didn't know why these men were connected or who the lady was that they were all protecting. John Conboy was producing and Sheri Anderson quit as the writer just as the story was starting. First mistake, one of the musketeers was cast with Leigh McCloskey who had just played Eden's rapist Zach. Then, Richard Hatch who played Stephen had to be recast. Then, right before the culmination of the plot Terry Lester left as Mason and was recast with Gordon Thompson because someone "forgot" to renew his contract. Finally, the Dobsons win their lawsuit and return to the show. By the 18th trip back to the Capwell tunnel, when the show finally got to the exposition of why the men were avenging Cassie's honor, most of the characters had been recast. There were no opportunities for the show to use flashbacks to explain the plot because everyone had a new face. So, one week Stephen is accusing Cassie of burning his film about the Capwells, then they both disappear... The Dobson's wanted nothing to do with the current plots so they were dropped. Concurrently, Gloria Monty was returning to GH and although there were multiple firings, every character got an exit. Cassie was simply never discussed again by anyone in her family. Much like her nephew Brick.
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GH: Classic Thread
Valerie Starrett was Nurse Diana Taylor #1 I found this great source: https://sixtiescinema.com/2013/05/28/valerie-starrett-responds/ Starrett left the role in 1977 at the time when Tom Donovan took over as executive producer, brought in new directors and wanted to take the show in a different direction. This included the Diana Taylor character who would go from the show’s popular heroine to a more grasping desperate woman. Starrett left (Brooke Bundy took over as Diana) and her fans were outraged. Shortly after Donovan was replaced by Gloria Monty. With Luke and Laura now the soap’s main focus, Diana was pushed to the backburner and became more grasping than ever trying to keep her adoptive son from the birth mother. To put the character and the audience out of their misery, Diana was found murdered lying in a pool of blood in her kitchen with the name Ann Logan spelled out in blood. Valerie’s response to them: “Hi! It’s Valerie Starrett. I just saw this! The fans meant everything to me! and you are all right! I did not like the direction Diana was going and I ‘m happy I got out before it went downhill. You have no Idea how much I enjoyed being Diana and will forever thank you for watching me! As a funny side note, I am still best friends with Rachel Ames, Audrey! We see movies and plays together often!” (this published was in 2013) FYI, since I looked up the others, Don Chastain played Tom Baldwin (who I'm not sure if he was Scotty's uncle because I thought he was Lee's brother, but it is not referenced in the GH wikibio) he raped Audrey and sired Tom Hardy (which is interesting to think of all the ties Tom Jr would have to the current canvas). Lee Warrick played Mary-Ellen Dante the psychotic ex-wife of Dr. Mark Dante (I recall Mark always being a backburnered doctor in the 80s with great hair, but I may be confusing him with Derek Barrington). And Karen Purcil(l) (70s soap mags are always misspelling actor's names) played Jill Streeter who I can't find anything more on than what is in the soap hopper thread.
- GH: Classic Thread
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Y&R: Old Articles
I guess we'll never know if it is acolyte writers trying to honor another generation or network executive demanding vintage names, but I agree with the conclusion that I while enjoyed Maura West, I found her to be nothing like the Diane that I recalled. Jack, Victor, and even characters that are Nick's age are also open to stories about long lost college sweethearts who have children of questionable heritage. Perhaps this casting will put the proverbial nail in the coffin of casting a veteran actor and then randomly assigning them a veteran character's name, even though their characterization of the part is completely different, because it is just a setup for critics and fans to dislike the newer version. .
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Edge of Night (EON) (No spoilers please)
Soap fans never change... https://vintagesoaparchives.tumblr.com/ BTW, the answer refers to the fact that Donald May was fired which I had never read before.
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
I stand equally corrected and entertained, thanks for each of those videos, I never appreciated their relationship as much as I have now that I've watched these. But, I can't resist saying (a) Kelly really seemed to enjoy whipping Eden around in that wheelchair (it threatens to fall into Baby Jane camp), (b) she changed her tune later when she went after Cruz for herself, and (c) it amuses me as an odd overlooked detail when soaps put people with paralysis in outfits that would be impossible for them to wear in a wheelchair.
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Dallas Discussion Thread
Ellie changes so much in the early seasons. In S1 she's of a bit Lady Macbeth, whispering in Sue Ellen's ear to have a baby before Pam. She was a bit more calculating before Jock died (sorry for the spoiler), then she's docile while dating Clayton until she makes a big comeback in the final season in the fight against Carter Mckay, including that legendary visual when she drives over to confront Carter in her little white convertible.
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Texas! Discussion Thread
Through the magic of YouTube I was able to watch Just Men and Fantasy(!). I understand why 37 years later there are stlll boards dedicated to Texas(!) and not its the replacements. Fantasy! hosted by Peter Marshall & Leslie Uggams (one could not get a more C-rate celeb duo in 1982) gave out minuscule amounts of cash to fulfill wishes. It could be described as the 80s version of when Kathie Lee would sing for dying kids and their family on Today a few years ago. One family got $2,700 to publish a kid's newspaper which covered "the bare minimum to keep the presses going." It should have been called Fantasy (as long as it's under five grand). Just Men tries to be provocative but is just sexist in retrospect. Betty White asks seven male celebrities a question about a social topic and the contestants have to guess their answers in order to try to win a Ford Mustang convertible. In an audience filled with women, didn't anyone take offense that four out of seven hunks would refuse care from a female physician? BTW, there was a maximum of two hunky guys per week, the other men were uninspiring. Then, if the contestant doesn't win the key to open the Mustang they don't get anything, except the requisite Turtle Wax and cleaning products! These were the cheapest game shows in history! I would not be surprised if Betty White's hair budget cost more than the prizes.
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Dallas Discussion Thread
I apologize that I don't have the specific episodes, but all of my favorite Cliff moments were when he was able to experience a small victory over JR (even though the rug would inevitably be pulled from underneath him the following week). In S3 (the Who Shot JR? season) there is an episode where Cliff is on some governmental board and JR needs some sort of drilling variance and Cliff is able to reject it; which I think is the first time that Cliff was able to flex his power Then, in the S5 finale ep, Cliff and the cartel think they are able to buy Ewing Oil because JR defaults on a loan, but Cliff becomes the cliffhanger when JR double crosses him.
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Knots Landing
I also totally agree on the appeal of Jason and Linda. Knots had a knack for finding younger talent that played well with the core cast.
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Bravo's The Real Housewives of....
Being a straight semi-successful guy on the Upper East Side seems like a dream for Mario. You can humiliate your ex-wife in the press for years, and then be called a prince for gifting her alcoholic friends some free wine charms that you found at the bottom of your desk. And if one lady says she won't sleep with you, turn your back and find another one. A man with hair, a credit card, and a black leather jacket could probably score a home cooked meal twice a week, a month in the Hamptons, and the Restilyn-filled gal of his choice. They seemed happier than the "artist" with a million birds who has lost the concept of time. Things either happened ten years ago or ten minutes ago, he doesn't seem to recall. Did you see his paintings in Sonja's testimonial background? Bethanny's point of how that experience validated Tinsley and Sonja's history made zero sense to me. Bethanny is a long time scholar of the New York Post, certainly, she read about them both in their prime. While Barbara is on her apology tour, I feel like nobody is nice to Tinsley. She seems like a girl who is game for a good time, but they are treating her like an idiot. And did she tell Dorinda they broke up at the circus and again at the spa, or did she say it on spa day for the first time? Also, I smiled that for all of the talk about wrap dresses, they only had two shots of Barbara in a wrap dress. Meanwhile, Bethanny bought out the entire fall season of Gucci, with all those stripes and bows, and nobody calls her out. Look at Ramona tonight and in her flashbacks, she has been engineered not to droop. It reminds me of a play I saw with Jane Fonda and in one dramatic scene, she had to take off her blouse. She was a woman over 70 with a chest that stood straight forward on its own. Every other part had aged: her hands, her neck, her walk, but her bazongas were still hard as rocks. The future of NYC won't be like The 5th Element, it will look like Dorinda's real estate agent; zombies who can still support a strapless dress and the men they crave.
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MTV: RuPaul's Drag Race
I am mixed on this season's finale song. While I appreciate that the videos in later season include more of the ladies performances, the variable levels of ability seemed like more of an issue in this song. I totally disagree with the critique of Brook Lynn, but Miss Vangie was visibly not lip syncing. Read U, Wrote U and Kitty Girl are still the two songs that I replay, and I don't this one is going on my playlist.
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Bravo's The Real Housewives of....
BH had a couple of other highlights. We got to catch up with the Work of Art: The Next Great Artist's China Chow (an old Bravo favorite of mine). She's dating Billy Idol who is not aging gracefully but still may look better than John Mellencamp these days. I was interested to see backstage at The Greek. They've redecorated the green rooms and they are nice. Also, I am always happy to see Gladys Night. BH never admits that they're drunk (cue the champagne and tequila with no food and screaming baby) when they fight. I am sure if Kyle were sober than she would have jabbed PK right back.
- MTV: RuPaul's Drag Race
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Recasts on shows: good, bad, in between
Amusingly, Owen Beckman has his Y&R publicity photo on IMDB, but not the credit https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2124304/ I had forgotten ATWT had so many Lucy Montgomerys ( Amanda Seyfried (1999–2001), Peyton List (2001–05), Spencer Grammer (2006), Sarah Glendening (2008–10) and Jennifer Munsons ( Michelle Ann Nemeh (1990–91), Sara Garney (1992–93), Brianne Sassone (1993–95), Alexandra Herzog (1995–99), Kim Onasch (1999–2002), Jennifer Ferrin (2003–06)) - dates from wiki unverified
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B&B: Old/Classic Discussion & Articles
My first impression of S1 is that they had a huge robe budget, everyday Ridge and Thorne are lounging around in new robes, perfectly opened. I'm seeing the inspiration for Brooke's bedroom line, the Forresters only wore office suits or swimsuits. Every episode seems to be directed by a fan of Alfred Hitchcock, breakfast scenes are shot from above, intimate discussions are framed by shadows. We are always looking up Stephanie's nose or down Brooke's chest. Also, the Caroline/Ridge foray seemed similar to Nick/Grace on Y&R where it only makes sense if they did "it" from behind. Those Bell Blondes were freaky.
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Santa Barbara Discussion Thread
She could have designed jeans for Gina or worked with her mother at Armonti, but the only job I recall was when she was Adrianna's overqualified fake nanny in Paris. She also miscarried Robert Barr's baby right before Flame shot him. I just find it remarkable that there are no memorable scenes between the two sisters. When Kelly is at the asylum and then in Europe, does Eden ever ask about her or try to reach her?
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Recasts on shows: good, bad, in between
I feel like Dan Gauthier's Kevin is in a similar boat with Laurence Lau's Jamie (AW). They both played a completely new iteration of the part, but their charm made their characters appealing. Stephen Yate's Jamie (and those cutoff shorts that are forever burned in my memory) was my favorite because he was the most like male-version of Rachel; a little neurotic, a little artsy, driven by jealousy. So, when Larry Lau came on as Dr. Jamie it seemed like a totally different character. Yes, Rhonda Lewin, September 23, 1986 - December 29, 1986, the Vicky who almost slept with her uncle