j swift

I'll nominate an old favorite, Days of Our Lives Stephanie Woodruff and Mary Anderson. Stephanie insinuated herself into Mary’s life, only to try to steal her boyfriend and her father! Because she was secretly the presumed dead Brooke Hamilton, the illegitimate daughter of town magnate Bob Anderson. The poor wretch died in a car crash (twice).

Looking back, isn't wild that 60 Minutes did a story on the end of Guiding Light in 2009? It's not like 60 Minutes does a lot of CBS cross promotion. I mean, I don't think they ever did an interview with the cast of The Jeffersons. 😉 Also, a quick check reveals that they never interviewed Larry Hagman, arguably one of the biggest CBS stars ever. CBS had other promotional opportunities, such as their morning show and other news magazines. And I know there were also stories in the New York Times, and mainstream entertainment media. But, it is just unfathomable that one of the traditionally highest rated shows on the network did a story centered on the idea that a soap opera was cancelled. Even composing this note, I imagine there will be someone who will try to argue that it was not that wild. But, you'll never convince me otherwise. Because that was objectively wild. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKyYmdz_PsQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGB1Tg5U7zM

I am always up for a spicy Kayla scene. MBE has gotten too much sweet and supportive dialogue for a while. But, we know she is capable of playing a tough cookie, so I hope they start to write to her strengths. And, I'm always happy when DAYS mixes up scene partners for some new interactions. Also, a shirtless Alex scene is usually appreciated. Even though sex scenes are still so oddly choreographed. They're stuck in these small rooms. They always throw each on the bed. And men take off their tops, but never loosen their trousers. Frankly, it looks more painful than provocative. I do not like where this Everett stuff is going. I hoped he had more longevity. But, they seem to be writing him into a corner, now that everyone, including Chad, remembers their animosity toward him. Although, I guess there's hope that Kayla will try to knock him into shape for the sake of Stephanie.

Back to today's episode, The Spectator is tracking Clyde, but completely ignoring that the mayor is radioactive and stuck in a snow storm? So, proud of Marlena for keeping some degree of confidentiality and not blabbing to John or Stephanie that Everett stopped treatment. But, I don't like that look Everett gave after signing the divorce papers (I guess they don't need a notary). Then, we find out that Chanel and Johnny are fine, even though we saw Paulina hug Chanel? And my hopes of lil' Thomas trying to control John with the card were burst. Finally, are the Dimeras the last men in America dressing in suits and ties every day; even when they just hang around the living room? I bought three blazers during lockdown that have yet to ever make it out of my closet.

Given that I don't value awards in general, I certainly agree that I hope she wins her lawsuit, more than I hoped she would win an Emmy. In fact, I really wish that she doesn't sign any settlement that wouldn't let her publicize her triumph in the case.

Perhaps we can humorously commemorate her by establishing the “Ari Zucker Rule” that Best Actress really means Best Actress (amongst-those-willing-to-play-the-patriarchal-game-of-competition-within-a-subjective-field-of-expertise).

And as casual readers of DL we know that nuance is rarely valued in those discussions. 😉

I think the forum where we can only communicate through writing rather than speaking often leads to semantic disagreements. However, to clarify, I'm suggesting that for any actor not to submit because of reasons unrelated to their talent, makes the award illegitimate. Because how can one say that Xyz actor gave the best performance, if some people were unwilling to engage in the process for reasons other than their own perceived quality of their acting? The same would be true for any award from the Daytime Emmy to the Oscar.

I was inspired to read it because of DL, and it was a bit more nuanced. He questioned his sexuality because of his experiences during his adolescence and the times, which didn't allow for any discussion of the impact. Then he fell for a fellow actor. But he realized that drugs and alcohol, as well as dissatisfaction in his marriage, affected his decision. So, he never sought male companionship afterward. However, he credited Boys in the Band with helping understand the difference between men in a consensual relationship and the grooming he experienced in his youth, thus there was no “blame” implied or inferred. He regrets how he made Robin Strasser feel by leaving their marriage. But, it was very volatile, and he often felt neglected by her commitment to her career advancement. Which is an interesting insight into some of the characters that she played.

Whether or not she submitted herself for the award, the fact is that she was the most talented actress on her show. So, to me, that makes the process meaningless.

The detail that still sticks with me as preposterous is Shane and the ISA recover Victor's briefcase, and then just drop it off with Theresa because nobody else was around. (A) We still haven't learned the circumstances of Victor's trip. And (B) how does a spy agent just give an asset to his daughter and trust her to get it into the correct hands? I get your point. But, to be fair, aren't most soap plots made up as they go along? Sure, the writer pitches a story. And, yes, some mysteries feel better constructed than others. But, no plot line is completely written in advance. Production issues, casting details, and shooting schedules all affect the pace of story, as much as the writing.

I'm not a fan of the Daytime Emmys because I think they're silly, but I looked over DAYS 11 nominations. Of the nearly a bunch, I applaud Wally Kurth's nomination, I think he did some great work during the funeral and the Alex reveal. I also agree with the casting nomination, from Holly, Tate, and nu-Tate, to last year's Sloan, I think DAYS has done a better job than most at finding new talent (Talia and Colin aside, and since Jada's forgotten about them; so shall I). However, the potentially politically motivated snub of Ari Zucker invalidates the entire process in my mind. She tore up those scenes as Nicole after the loss of her baby. Given that there are more nominees in this category than any other, nobody could convince me otherwise that she was snubbed (or did not submit) as a result of her lawsuit. The award is literally meaningless, but her omission signifies the illegitimacy of the process.

Speaking of the Luckinbill family and AW. Thad's uncle Laurence Luckinbill (Where the Heart Is and The Secret Storm) recently published a juicy memoir where he admitted to cheating on Robin Strasser (OG Rachel) during their marriage with both men and women.

This comment made me ROFL I adore the idea that DAYS is the Nostradamus of Daytime TV (I'm certain some nerd will correct us that technically they aren't ahead of us anymore since the time jump, because their days move slower than ours, but I like your interpretation best.)

That's very clever! Although, wasn't it portrayed as a coincidence that Konstantin ran into John in Salem? Because at first he was saying how John sounded familiar, and then he recognized his eyes, until finally he put it together that John was the pawn. Either way, I agree once he figured out who was John turned out to be, he should've dropped flaky Theresa and gone after the prime meat. John already felt guilty, and he'll do whatever he says under hypnosis. So, just take a short trip over to Salem Saving and Loan, get a cashier's check and hightail it back to Athens to open a beach club with Lindsay Lohan.

I can't predict if the actress will be in flashbacks (to solve the shooting), or present day (if she didn't really die), because in present day she'd be 40 years older than her photo. Again, why Konstantin waited 40 years to avenge his daughter is unknown, but the guy sure holds a grudge. Also, although we're back to square one with Stefan, EJ, and The Dimera CEO position, you can't really argue that nothing is happening. Kristen is going to try to find Li's killer. And it looks like nobody forgot about Gabi. Holly and Tate are on track for young romance. The Pawn retread is showing progress. Marlena's going to have a fifth client now that Wendy is suffering from panic attacks. They've set up Eric to work at The Spectator, and it looks like Nicole will follow, after her wistful memories of being a reporter. Nobody's treading water in Salem, any more than usual. Except Tripp, Wendy, Chanel, and Johnny. But, I would argue that it is nice to have some romantic B story. If conflict arises, it looks like it will be from their respective families, and they'll deal with it together. Which I prefer over conflicts about babies or romantic rivals. My quibble of the week was Paulina shading EJ's press conference. She's responsible for making the former head of a megalomaniacal company into the lead law enforcement officer for her city. So, if she's got a problem with him, then she has the power to solve it (radioactive or not).

I think she'd have to be older because they wouldn't write Victor being with someone under the age of consent.

This list inspired three thoughts: I wonder if CBS was reticent to get into the miniseries game because their Sunday lineup was so strong for years? Whereas ABC had openings in the spring schedule, once the football season was over, to be able to disrupt their weekly shows for a multi-episode series. There is a remarkable number of miniseries that are really soap operas masquerading as prestige historical dramas. Winds of War, Pearl, and North & South, were much more about romantic relationships with bits of historical facts mixed in the background. But, I recall that they were marketed to families as an opportunity to discuss American history. It feels like ABC was especially guilty of trying to recreate the cultural impact of Roots but using much lighter weight material. Now that every streaming series is 6-8 hours, it often feels like a tighter story could've been told in one 2-hour movie. And I wonder how many of these series suffer from the same over bloated story telling? Certainly, many of the Krantz and Taylor-Bradford stories could've edited down to a one night event.

Julia Duffy continues to be the standout character. Of course, she was funny on Newhart and Designing Women, but she really shines on Palm Royale. I adore that she always has a tiny glass of champagne in her hand. Her character's husband's name was David Davidsoul. And her devotion to the Fibs. The show is very silly, but it also has a lot of heart. And the visuals are beautiful. Last week, when Maxine was looking up at the stars and saw the astronauts go by, it was like a lovely painting. And the sets are so amazing that it honestly surprises me every week that they are on a set and not in the actual homes on Palm Beach. I feel so old because I just realized that Mitzi is played by Kaia Gerber and not Rachel Bilson. They look and sound so similar, but they are 20 years apart in age (looked it up). I hope Rachel Bilson gets a Leslie Bibb-like role soon, I miss her. Also, I prefer the original title Mr. and Mrs. American Pie

Also noted, a side benefit of a small budget is that we were sparred the visual of Paulina on an actual snowplow in that hat. You know back in the 1980s she'd have been screaming yeehaw on the back of a prop snowplow against a greenscreen.

Especially because Konstantin's daughter died, so Victor could've given Xander to someone else to raise. Either way, it is just a harmless prediction based on the idea that they keep showing an actress's face in the photo. So, chances are that she'll show up on screen at some point because we can assume it is not a stock picture that comes when you buy a frame. 😉

That's why I think she's going to set him up with the maid to get a green card. I assume they didn't cast that role for a single episode.

Finally watched today's episode. Do we predict that Maggie will propose that Konstantin marries her maid? BTW, I'm amused that Maggie encourages her staff to wear uniforms. She's adapted to the manor better than most.

The only newsworthy thing about this press release is that unlike previous years, The Talk is not a part of the nomination announcements this year. Suggested new tagline for the final season: The Talk - never remembered, never missed 😉

The only hope for Maggie that I've seen is that she mentioned discussing the marriage with her lawyers. So, maybe they'll object, or at least write a good prenuptial agreement. However, we can't forget that Theresa represents the other prong in the plan and if she gets to marry Alex that will give Konstantin a temporary win (until Xander is revealed as the true heir), which is how I predict this story will go down. Konnie will experience a minor setback with the card and Maggie. He'll force Theresa to marry Alex (possibly by faking a pregnancy, aka the oldest trick in the book). Konstantin will seem like he has triumphed. Then, John and Steve will save the day. And baby Victoria will finally be able to move out of that tiny apartment.