j swift

I wonder, given her brother Aaron, if Cat was less attractive prior to the surgery? Remember the 1973 movie The Girl Most Likely to? My fanfic for the moment is Cat commenting on how people treat her differently now that she is gorgeous. One assumes that pre-surgery-Cat never had two men fighting over her for a date. So, it might be fun to see that side of the story.

It’s a recurring tension in Daytime: the willingness to take risks can fuel a show's longevity, but the actresses themselves often bear the long-term consequences of audience backlash.

@Paul Raven - thanks for reviewing the content for accuracy. You know, the nice thing about AI is that you can teach it things, so I am having it review the classic AMC Tumblr to increase its accuracy.

I did not recall how contentious the interview turned out to be until I re-read it. In retrospect, good on both of them for allowing it to be published, it is remarkable to read this type of honesty in a soap magazine. http://www.anotherworldhomepage.com/chat85.html

The soapy convention that amused me today was the amount of stuff that soap characters get done on their way to work. I drink a glass of iced coffee, take a handful of pills, read @AbcNbc247 morning summary, and I am out the door. Marlena got on a full beat of makeup, and her Monday blazer. Then she visited with Johnny at the Salem Inn, EJ at the mansion, and checked in with Cat, all before reading her emails. It is just remarkable how much people can do when they never have to go to the bathroom! Marlena's vibe with Cat was weird, considering she hired Cat as an assistant. She seemed a little suss today. Meanwhile, with all of these new interactions, I want a scene between Chad and Marlena when they discuss blazers. I think Chad's more unconstructed, knit jackets would suit Marlena (no pun intended). 🕴️

Big fan of today's writing. In particular, I like EJ complexity, crying over Johnny and conspiring at the same is tough to pull off in the same episode, but it goes very far in explaining EJ's motives. I don't hate the idea of Cat and EJ, and I especially appreciate everyone trying to warn her, but she is sticking to the plan. Boy oh boy, when Brandon Beemer wears a shirt that matches his eyes, I get lost in the screen!

I’ll take a pass on the lecture, because you've overestimated my concern with your feedback, but thanks for the enthusiasm. Your claims of not wanting to get into an argument over every post are unfortunately voided by your impulsive need to add into respectful discourse that is none of your concern. I'm never certain why you feel there is a consensus that allows you to refer to yourself in the first-person plural (we all). However, I appreciate someone who re-assesses their beliefs from time to time, and is willing to express new opinions. Rather than avoiding the type of reflection that many have said they would appreciate, among scriptwriters. Finally, you may wish to check the definition of coy, because you've used it incorrectly twice in reference to my writing. I promise that I do not intend to be coy with you. Or don't look it up, and just continue to be incorrect, as usual. I only ask that if you cannot control yourself, please stop tagging me.

Opal having siblings could add to the story. However, it raises questions about Tad's adoption. Why were the Martins allowed to adopt him if Tad had aunts or uncles who could have cared for him? Logic limited the number of possible Gardner's (and whatever Opal's maiden name was). Even though Linda Thorson would have been a hysterical choice given her British accent. Especially because SOD often published questions by readers who wondered why Tad and Jenny didn't speak like their mother. All of which is still not an excuse for Tad's evil doppelgänger Ted.

Well, they were both involved with Ray Gardner. Then, the actress left in 1980, only to return as a somewhat broader interpretation of the character after Dottie was SORASed. By that time, Opal had left in 1983. So, while they serve the same story function,(verbally abusive/neglectful mothers who make you feel sorry for their daughters), one could argue that Edna was the carbon copy.

Far be it from me to drive anyone crazy BUT, Genoa City has a coffee shop, with baristas, in 2025 where customers drink brewed coffee out of a mug? Where's the white cup with a cardboard sleeve? And you're telling me Lily wouldn't drink an Iced Matcha Latte?

Any fan of RuPaul would dispute calling any of these examples “drag”. A costume?, A disguise?, A lame attempt at humor? -- yes -- Drag? -- nope

Maybe I am misunderstanding you? Are you suggesting that her success at GL should have an asterisk next to it because she was smart enough to exploit a weakness in the marketplace to gain ratings? Note: Try not to take this personally—I’m not accusing anyone of being consciously misogynistic. I’m simply proposing that the origins of certain ideas about Ms. Phelps—such as claims that she was unprepared or a poor manager of her writing staff—may be rooted in misogyny. Perhaps, with the benefit of hindsight, it's worth reconsidering those opinions. At the very least, imagine being one of the few women in the room while a male network executive tries to decide what women want to watch during the day. That context has certainly led me to reassess many of my own long-held views.

Ms. Phelps holds a BFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon University, awarded in 1972. At a time when women were underrepresented in directing programs, she was one of the few women in her graduating class. To suggest that she possessed no further talents than completely changing the style of music used on soaps seems like a vast underestimate when one reads her online biography through an objective lens. I guess that I should be more clever than to constantly blame misogyny for these misguided interpretations of her management style. But, I'll never comprehend why fans unquestionably align their opinions even years after fact. Post-modernism, and the ability to reinterpret context through the study of history, seems to elude this conversation.

It is funny to think of how the character of Philip II, and the recasting of Jill, really changed the trajectory of Kay. One assumes she would've mellowed with time, naturally. But, as someone who started Y&R @ 1986 (when Brad married Traci), I rarely associate Kay with her more venomous past.

Sorry, just one more post on the Thorntons. How did Ruth and Edna feel about each other prior to Tad dating Dotty? -- I could just back to AI, but I thought you all might have more personal insights.

I also wonder if it was considered controversial at the time to show a morally corrupt doctor? From the P&G book, I recall, up until the early 1970s, prime-time would very rarely tell stories about the negative side of the private lives of doctors, because advertisers tended to shy away from such content. The Microsoft AI model got confused about the timeline of Ruth's marriages below, but it was useful in filling in the details for me. Lately, I've been using it to make podcasts for me retelling old soap plots to listen to during lunch. This is the outline it created, then it edited it into a script, added music and read it like a podcast. Dr. David Thornton is a fictional character from the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children, portrayed by Paul Gleason from 1976 to 1978. He was introduced as a respected physician in Pine Valley, presenting himself as a widower to his colleagues at the hospital. This facade, however, concealed a darker truth: his wife, Edna Thornton, was alive, and he was leading a double life. David’s character is defined by manipulation and secrecy, as he maintained a carefully curated public image while engaging in deceitful and criminal behavior in his personal life. His relationships were marked by control and betrayal, particularly in his marriage to Edna and his romantic entanglements with other women. David’s charm and professional status allowed him to navigate Pine Valley’s social circles, but his actions revealed a calculating and ruthless nature. Career David was a doctor at Pine Valley Hospital, where he was well-regarded by his peers for his medical expertise. His professional life provided him with a veneer of respectability, which he exploited to mask his personal misdeeds. However, his career was not a central focus of his storyline; instead, it served as a backdrop to his personal schemes. His position at the hospital gave him access to resources, such as the drug digitalis, which he later used in his attempt to murder his wife. David’s professional life unraveled as his criminal actions came to light, tarnishing his reputation in the medical community. Personal Relationships and Family David’s family and romantic relationships were fraught with tension and deception, shaping much of his narrative arc: Edna Thornton (Wife): David was married to Edna Thornton, with whom he had a daughter, Dottie. To his colleagues, he claimed Edna was deceased, allowing him to pursue other relationships without suspicion. In reality, David was plotting to kill Edna, motivated by his desire to be free of her and possibly to gain financial or personal freedom. He began poisoning her with digitalis, a heart medication, which caused her to experience heart pains. Edna was unaware of David’s true intentions until after his death, when the truth about his poisoning scheme was revealed. Dottie Thornton (Daughter): David and Edna’s daughter, Dottie Thornton, was a significant character in All My Children. Portrayed by Dawn Marie Boyle (1977–1980) and later Tasia Valenza (1982–1986), Dottie was raised primarily by Edna. David’s neglectful and manipulative behavior extended to his daughter, as he showed little genuine care for her well-being. Dottie’s life was impacted by her father’s actions, particularly after his death, when Edna became a wealthy widow. Dottie later married Thaddeus “Tad” Martin in 1985, though their marriage ended in divorce in 1986, and she suffered the loss of an unborn child with Tad. Ruth Parker (Fiancée, 1976): David was engaged to Ruth Parker in 1976, furthering his pattern of deceit since he was still married to Edna. His engagement to Ruth, who was also involved with Jeff Martin, highlighted David’s willingness to manipulate romantic partners for his own gain. The engagement did not lead to marriage, as David’s true intentions and double life began to surface. Christina “Chris” Karras (Lover, 1978): In 1978, David began a romantic relationship with Dr. Christina “Chris” Karras, a fellow physician. This affair added another layer of complexity to his web of lies, as Chris was unaware of his marriage to Edna and his poisoning scheme. After David’s death, Chris was initially accused of his murder due to their relationship and her access to medical resources. However, Jeff Martin’s investigation cleared her name by proving David’s death was caused by his own actions. Parents: David’s parents are unnamed in the source material, and both are noted as deceased. No further details are provided about their influence on his life or their role in his backstory. Death David Thornton’s death in 1978 was a dramatic and fitting conclusion to his villainous arc, brought about by his own treachery. Intent on killing Edna to escape their marriage, David had been secretly administering digitalis to her, causing her heart issues. In a twist of fate, their daughter, Dottie, innocently switched Edna’s drink with David’s during one of his poisoning attempts. Unaware that the drink was laced with a lethal dose of digitalis, David consumed it and suffered a fatal heart attack. His death was initially investigated as a possible murder, with Chris Karras as the prime suspect due to her relationship with David and her medical knowledge. However, Dr. Jeff Martin conducted a toxicology screen on David’s body, which revealed that the digitalis poisoning was the cause of both Edna’s heart pains and David’s death. This evidence exonerated Chris and exposed David’s plan to kill his wife, cementing his legacy as a tragic and self-destructive figure. Impact and Legacy David Thornton’s storyline, though relatively short-lived (1976–1978), was impactful due to its intensity and the ripple effects on other characters. His death left Edna a wealthy widow, altering her and Dottie’s circumstances and setting the stage for further drama, including Edna’s manipulation by conman Ray Gardner. David’s actions also strained relationships among other Pine Valley residents, particularly through his engagement to Ruth Parker and affair with Chris Karras, which intersected with Jeff Martin’s storyline. His character exemplified the classic soap opera archetype of a charming yet duplicitous villain whose downfall is precipitated by his own hubris. Additional Notes Portrayal: Paul Gleason’s performance as David Thornton brought a compelling intensity to the role, making the character memorable despite his brief tenure. Gleason’s ability to portray both charm and menace suited David’s dual nature as a respected doctor and a scheming husband. Storyline Context: David’s arc occurred during the early years of All My Children, a period when the show focused on intricate personal dramas and moral dilemmas. His poisoning plot and double life were emblematic of the show’s penchant for high-stakes interpersonal conflict. Lack of Additional Family Details: Beyond Edna and Dottie, no other family members (such as siblings or extended relatives) are mentioned in the source material, limiting the scope of his familial connections. Conclusion Dr. David Thornton was a multifaceted antagonist in All My Children, whose life was marked by professional success, personal deception, and a fatal miscalculation. As a doctor, he wielded authority and respect, but his secret plan to murder his wife, Edna, revealed a cold and calculating core. His relationships with Edna, Dottie, Ruth Parker, and Chris Karras were defined by manipulation, and his death by accidental self-poisoning was a poetic end to his schemes. David’s legacy in Pine Valley lived on through Edna’s newfound wealth and Dottie’s subsequent storylines, making him a pivotal figure in the show’s early narrative. His story remains a classic example of soap opera drama, blending betrayal, tragedy, and retribution.

What was Ruth Martin's association to the Thornton family? I only remember the daughter that dated Tad, and she had a buxom mother. But, did Ruth date David Thorton before Joe?

Why didn't Steve respect Monica and Jeff's decision? I understand that he's Jeff's father, and that's how the secret came out. But I don't like the ethics of a stranger getting to make life or death decisions against a wife's consent? I hope Monica secretly never forgave Steve's chauvinism. Given we all have personal beliefs about end-of-life care, however, this is an egregious case; in retrospect. Jeff tried to unalive himself. His wife felt that her husband wished with die, so she refused life-saving surgery, which is totally within her rights. Then, her boss, the chief of medicine, says that he is the patient's father, with no proof, and proceeds to conduct the surgery himself, without regard to his patient's concerns.

Question: Jon-Michael Reed's review of 1977 is up in the retro soap section. It includes a fleeting reference to comedic scenes between Jeanne Cooper and Julianna McCarthy regarding “Kay's would-be beau, Ralph the Plumber”. Could someone please fill me in will more details? I forgot that Kay and Liz were friendly before Jill stole Kay's husband. And the thought of Liz playing a comedic scene blows my mind, because I only recall her being dour both in demeanor and wardrobe.

Remember post-ATWT how Brooke Alexander was in eight million commercials and home improvement shows? She was the epitome of a millennial consumer surrogate. Meanwhile, Kelly Menighan worked the heck out of the short hairdo for years, and never got a beauty contract. TBH, her whole vibe gave Midwest suburbs, as interpreted through the eyes of a Manhattan costume department with a network budget for designer goods. She was definitely sophisticated given her limited access to shopping at Lisa's Boutique in Oakdale.

Jon-Michael Reed, a good writer, not a great prognosticator (although when did talent ever prohibit success on TV?)

New theory, EJ got shot by people looking for Doug3

It seems like a setup for failure to review a single episode of a soap, but Cleveland Amory was a foolish man. His taste was so predictable, that one wondered why bother reviewing a medium he so clearly disliked. (found on Facebook retro TV group) Another case in point of his misogyny from his review of Dark Shadows (Can you imagine the magazine with the widest circulation in the country insulting its customer in this way today?)

@AbcNbc247 maybe it is just that they've gone to that well too often, and I don't like when DAYS goes dark, but I'm OK with EJ abusing drugs, and just skipping the whole sobriety part. Side note: experiencing hallucinations of my son killing me would be enough for me to never want to take a pill again. 🤪

My current theory (based on no information other than what we've seen on screen). And maybe Meanwhile, if rumors then he seems to have conflicting feelings with regard to the risks of Sespsis.