j swift

I would have to say Grace and Charity. I have always given any new soap a watch for at least the first year. However, I remember that when I checked back in for the introduction of Paloma and the return of Martin that neither Grace nor Charity was on the show. This was odd given that first year centered on those two characters. I have a hypothesis that as a writer it would be difficult to have both good and bad witches on the same show. Once either Charity or Grace knew about their powers, which was inevitable, there wouldn't be soap plot that they couldn't immediately solve. If murder mysteries, long lost children, and unrequited lovers could all be magically resolved there would be no dramatic tension. So, that's my theory why all of the good witched were written out in the first few years and no other magical forces of good were ever introduced. It does not explain the build up for the return of Martin that wound up not having any impact on the story. Or the continuing references to Allister sexually abusing Theresa that turned me off Passions for good.

Men on soaps are dopes. I was just reading the history of Pat Ashley. She comes to town with a nine-year-old son and tells everyone that her presumed dead husband is the father. Tony Lord had an affair with Pat ten years ago and grows close to Pat's son by playing chess. Cathy Craig, who was never particularly bright or insightful, was dating Tony and instantly guesses that he is the father of Pat's son. Now, are to believe that Tony Lord didn't know math or basic facts about conception? Was Tony too busy playing chess to ask the boy's age? The only explanation is that Tony was a dope. By the way, don't think I didn't notice that Pat had a sister that was never mentioned when we met Pat's mother. Maggie the sister was clearly created later, maybe even by another writer, because it seems odd that Pat's mother lived in a small apartment in New York while funding Maggie's life in London? I love an evil twin but that one appeared out of thin air. It was as if OLTL was testing the waters with an outrageous story of twins (like Samantha & Marlena from Days) before they went really gothic with the Ralstons and Bo's long lost Mother.

I follow a vintage soap magazine Tumblr and just this weekend there was a story from one of the magazine about Lee's death and Rodell's exit. In the story, they mention that Ms Rodell had recently gotten married and this was the reason given for her leaving the show. However, the article was about how mad audiences get when a favorite character is killed off. It is a reminder of what a different time it must have been to watch the soaps when there were no spoilers and every character's death was a surprise.

I disagree that Malone rehabed the characters, instead he turned them into Yuppie-Kevin&Kelly. As I recall, Kevin's motivation during the baby switch was his sycophantic loyalty to Asa and wanting to provide an heir. As a result he turned his head while Kelly had her baby "out of town" and didn't ask many questions about Paul or his helicopter. However, this was not Joe Riley-investigative-reporter's son nor was it already rich from Victoria Lord's son; who already had a son. So, it didn't hold together; for me. And Kelly's desperation to save her marriage also came out of left field for a character that knew Kevin was not the love of her life. I could understand a Kevin-as-modern-Joe in relation with Skye because Joe liberated both Victoria and Cathy from being defined by their fathers and express themselves; Skye needed that. I was reminded of Joe and Victoria when I watched The Post and I always thought it was a shame that Clint gave up working for The Banner. After he went back in time, nobody remembered that Clint was once a writer. By the way, if Malone didn't write the baby switch then I am going to borrow from Emily Lattellla/Gilda Radner and say "never mind."

4. Bill Bell - modernized the genre, played with the form by using music, the first "showrunner" producer/writer, amazing story pacing (so slow and yet the stories progressed and twisted) 3. Agnes Nixon - the use of social class as a motivator for storyline defined why soap towns were so important to each soap. Rich families were often the least happy and yet there was always someone who wanted to be a part of the power center of town. 2. Ron Carlivati - not a classic writer but he introduced the notion that characters should remember and be effected by their history. My favorite was when OLTL's Todd returned from the dead and was mad at his family for believing his brother's story and they reminded him that they bought it because of all of the other people they knew who had returned from the dead. 1. Henry Sleasar - the run from Margo's murder through the Clown Puppet Murders and into Sky Whitney is an amazing feat in retrospect. Edge stories had a distinct beginning, middle and end. However, Sleasar's transitions from one story to the next is genius. Draper is on the run from being convicted of Margo's murder, he meets Emily, gets exonerated, Emily gets jealous, her mother becomes a serial killer, she tries to hang on to Draper by getting pregnant by a guy who worked at the clinic where Nancy Karr was being held and Jeff became Sky; it all pieced together into one long tale. Also, even though there were trials, Edge never relied on long exposition to explain a story. Fans got clues along the way and at the finale of the story all of the parts made sense.

Agreed but, I have issues with killing off Lucas too soon. The later attempt to revisit with the other character played by the same actor was also a bomb. Lucas was interesting character and allowed Felicia to head her own insta-family. He would have been a good Mac replacement as an older guy in town who was still a catch for single gals. Although his mob involvement may have been an annoyance to me as a fan because I never enjoyed mob stories, there were plenty of other avenues to explore. He was also a good foil for the Harrison's and would have provided an interesting alternative power base. Lucas could have had other kids, ex-wives, or other family members. So, I really feel like his story potential was ruined by killing him soon.

Isn't the problem with Lisa being at the trial that people would expect her to use her psychic powers to deduce the murderer? Or, people would question why she couldn't have predicted the murder at the party?

There has been a lot of discussion about all of the Alice's but can we talk about the Matthew and Amanda's through the later years? According to wiki we have Sandra Ferguson (1987–93, 1998–99); Christine Tucci (1993–95); Anne Torseglieri (1993); Laura Moss (1996–98). Sandra was classic Amanda but her characterization wasn't always clear. She was introduced as a spoiled socialite but Sam (and a baby) shamed her into being more grounded. Then, Christine Tucci comes along and she looks more like Rachel's daughter but once again Amanda was a little wishy-washy. It didn't help that she got caught up in the Harrison drama but didn't contrast well against Vicky. Once Vicky had kids she became a heroine/damsel-in-distress. Amanda played exactly the same purpose so she became the odd man out in the Harrison family story. Then, there's Laura Moss. It annoys me to this day that she played Amanda during Rachel's anniversary special. I feel like this time they got the character right, Amanda was scheming and sexy, but the actress was wrong and poorly cast. For Matthew we have; Matt Crane (1988–97, 1998–99); Brian Krause (1997–98); Jeff Phillips (1998). Matt Crane's part of the intro fascinated me for years. I couldn't figure out if he was air drumming or, playing with a yo-yo or, practicing nun-chucks? His Matthew was charming and reflected all of Mac's best qualities. Krause and Phillips were too gritty. They both tried to imbue Matthew with an ennui that didn't fit with the character's upbringing. Unlike, Dennis or Jamie this generation of Cory's had no need for a chip on their shoulder. Matthew and Amanda got plenty of attention growing up. Their time in boarding school was just enough to SORAS the role. However, neither had iconic stories due to a lack of consistent characterization. Don't get me started on all of the Sam's

Its odd that I don't recall any of the other Nina's but I can remember each of her wedding dresses. The black and white ensemble at Tavern on the Green and the original one stick out in my memory. Also, I am remembering correctly that Erica was not invited to Nina's first wedding because of her tiff with Phoebe over Mona marrying Dr. Tyler? Also, why did Mona stay in the same house after her marriage? I know Phoebe's side of the family had the big bucks but Dr. Tyler must have made a good living. Does anyone recall if there were issues with Dr Tyler's will?

Did Alice adopt Sally before or after Steve's death? Was she adopted or was it a Batman/Robin ward situation because Alice was single?

I'm guessing this was after his Steve Blizzard re-naming? What were the details of the name change? Did it have anything to do with Charles Grant/Flohe's re-naming? Or the Deborah Morehart/Hunter Tylo re-naming? Were ABC actors in some name change betting ring in the 80's?

I have a vague memory from reading Eight Years in Another World that there was some financial reason that they went to St Croix. Maybe it was the producer's vacation home? Does anyone remember that detail?

I wonder why a character like Chuck Tyler got paired with multiple partners but Cliff Nelson never had a successful pairing after Nina?

Would Perry Hutchins have been older than Ryan Harrison? I'm trying to figure out the Hutchins progeny chronology.

I re-read the GL anniversary book today. The change from the 70's to the 80's on that show was extreme; suddenly everyone was from Tulsa rather than Europe. 1. Dr Sara McIntyre (sp?) is totally one of those female characters that they don't write anymore. A mature women who other female characters look to for advice but with a totally f'ed up private life. AW's Pat, AMC's Anne, and ever Jesse Brewer come to mind; women who were bright and competent but kept impulsively falling for bad guys. Sara married two different guys while on vacation (both tried to kill her) but everyone in town still went to her for marital advice. 2. Justin Marler - cad or victim? Today I learned that Justin had dated Sara (before Phillip was born) but jilted her for Jackie who was better for his career; which makes him a bit of cad. Then, when I considered how often he played second fiddle to Mike and Alan I felt bad for him. I wonder if his character changed to suit different writers? 3. I liked the liberation of Elizabeth Spaulding, Jackie Marler and Trish Lewis. However, Elizabeth and Hope both had (70's term) "drinking problems" that turned into full hysteria and required hospitalization? 4. The wealth of the 70's seemed both more attainable and at the same time more exclusive. Alan and Elizabeth are as rich doctors like Justin or Ed. Their homes seem suburban not mansions. They have household staff but it doesn't seems as stuffy as the Chamberlains. At same time, Elizabeth never interacts with poor characters which is convenient for the plot because they can conspire about her in her absence. 5. Hindsight is 20/20 but I don't see how a fan from 1977 who loved stories about Mike and Sara stayed with the show once they were completely sidelined. Both had firmly established roots but they just left once they got an out of town job offer and were spoken of again, (OK I'm sure someone talked about Mike but Sara disappeared completely).

I read the KZ book when it was published. I recall she acknowledged that the clone story was criticized but she appreciated the screen time; as being on screen seems the most important thing to her throughout the book. She was also very sweet when discussing her marriage. The oddest part, for me, is that she bookends the memoir with her DUI arrest. She is honest about drinking and eating more toward the end of the series because she was very unhappy but then she goes to great pains to deny that she was an addict. I thought it would end with a revelation about her drinking but she seems incapable of that degree of insight. So, it is this odd mix of honesty without insight which makes for a subpar book.

It's interesting that you mention that because I trying to recall if Erica ever mentioned being close to Opal's daughter Jenny? Opal is the kind of friend who will dress up to go shopping in Manhattan with you and your kidnapped baby; and that's what Erica needed. Let's face it, her cat fights with Barbara, Brooke and even Tara were much more fun to watch.

Two types of soap history stories that I adore: short-term or multiply recast roles and writer's strike stories. Both issues test the strength of the genre and it is so fun to hear how they resolved.

At this point Justine and DOOL's Princess Gina storylines get conflated but, didn't they get facelifts to look like their younger doppelgängers? How anyone pays for a facelift, or a new mansion, after being locked in an asylum in Europe for a couple of decades I'll never figure out. On another note; I was wondering if Rhonda Lewin ever played Marley or if she only played Vicky during her short tenure? I enjoyed Ellen Wheeler's Marley but I was always annoyed by Anne Heche's take on the character. Heche's Marley was mostly about the wig and speaking in a higher register; there was never any depth given to her. Also, her Vicky-as-Marley tricks never fooled me.

I disliked Travis/Erica because of how it differed from Sky/Raven. Sky and Raven were a team. Two scallywags who stuck together through mystery and mayhem. Other women or men never had a chance to try to seduce them because there were in love with each other. It was an Agnes Nixon trope that selfish people change through the love of a good partner; but I think it is poppycock. Erica needed someone who loved her for her strengths, not someone who tried to strengthen her. Jack, Nick, and Adam loved the ideal of Erica more that the real thing. Travis, Phil, Jeff and Tom tried to remodel her after their own ex-loves. Mike and Jeremy were just adventurous flings. I don't think any of them were "end game" lovers. Erica's relationships with women changed over time. After years of bitchy cat fights from Tara to Brooke, Erica found friends like Opel and was very loyal. I never understood why they played Phoebe's forgiveness of Erica off stage once Mona died. Suddenly, Phoebe allowed Erica into the country club without a fuss after years of excluding her. However, I can't think of a single guy who really had a lasting effect on Erica's personality. BTW the Erica kidnapping story reminded my of a SOW article about a remote in NYC of Erica shopping for the baby. As I recall, even the charm of baby shopping in spring in NYC did not change their negative opinion about the story. You have to hand it to SOW that they never held back their critiques.

I have a question about Dana/Adam. Their wedding generated press, they had a big build up, and then Dana left without much hoo-ha. What happened? Was there a change at the top?

Dallas was a family show at the time, given its time slot of 9:00 on Fridays, it was watched by all members of the family. At the time it was my father's dream to own a compound where his kids and spouses lived together throughout their lives. However, looking back, it didn't seem very practical. Did Momma, JR, Lucy and Bobby all have en suite bedrooms? What about closet space for Pam and Sue Ellen? In the pilot, they all seem to have their own spaces that are connected to the main house but by the series everyone lived in the same main house. BTW, I also like the original characterization of Miss Ellie as a bit of a Lady McBeth. She was hassling Sue Ellen to get pregnant in order to solidify her marriage to JR and she was not always kind and sunny. But my favorite was Marylee (sp?) the widowed member of the cartel who was always trying to seduce men by the pool. Does anyone remember what happened to her after the Casey Denault stuff?

There's a lot of discussion about producers or writers ruining shows but, for a network executive to approve a story and then fire the team responsible for producing that story can only undermine the whole show. My point about Donna leaving the Love siblings in the 70's for Carl stands. Vicky always had abandonment issues with Donna but Marley never had feelings about being left alone with Peter and Nicole for her teen years? At least Vicky had Bridget. Thanks for the specificity on the Harrison mansions; I adore remembrances of the sets and all of the times that a new production team thought that a new gathering place would completely revamp the show. I didn't recall the Harrison's being from Boston because I confused it with Dack Rambo's Grant who was running for office when he was introduced so I just assumed that Grant had longer familial ties to Bay City. BTW, in hindsight it would have been great if Rachel's half sister or Steve's Aussie daughter had been Ryan's mother. Given all the recasts, those were well conceived characters who were hampered by the inadequacy of the actors and would have served the story well in the 90's.

Justine gets my award for the worst ret-con of all time; on any soap. No amount of exposition could ever solve all of the logical problems with the story; so they just never explained the loopholes. Carl had an affair with Justine Harrison which produced Ryan. Ryan was the same age as Vicky Love who was 18 was she and Carl were introduced in 1983/1984; which means she was born in 1965. For 27 years nobody mentioned Rachel's similarity to Justine? Rachel was famous in town from her murder trial to her huge weddings; wouldn't one person mention that her doppelgänger lived next door at the Harrison mansion? Historically, long lost twins on soaps grew up in separate towns; not next door to each other. Did Mac Cory, Reg Love, or Michael Hudson know Spencer and Justine when they lived next door? Were they all invited to Lenore Moore's society wedding that Rachel was so desperate to attend when she was married to Russ? Also, doesn't the affair with Justine mean that Carl was in Bay City in the 1960's? If Carl was around in 1965 why didn't recognize him was in 1983? Weren't Justine and Donna pregnant at the same time? Why did Carl wait 20 years to get revenge on Mac? Why was Carl so focused on Mac if Spencer was really his rival? Which leads to one more bit of timeline exposition that never made sense. Donna Love married to Carl in Europe from approximately 1979-1982 and was a loving stepmom to his son Perry. During that period did Nicole, Peter and Marley Love live in the Love mansion by themselves? If the twins were so important to Donna why did she leave when Marley was a teen? Carl must have been very special to Donna but later writers seems to have forgotten that they were involved. It's that weird thing that soap people have pictures of their families but nobody seems to look at them until people return from the dead.

I found a new YT source. Search Santa Bárbara for the first 100 ep in English with Spanish subs : at least its something