TimWil

On 3/18/2017 at 11:42 PM, amybrickwallace said:

Yes. David Elliott, the "current" Billy, joined the show in the summer of 1972 and stayed until 1977. Then he relocated to Hollywood, where he landed a role in Jaws 2. 

That's not quite correct, amybrickwallace. David Elliott was on The Doctors only until sometime later in 1973. The reason I know this is because we played brothers in the PBS miniseries The Adams Chronicles! We shot that episode in June 1975 and I remember he said he had no idea why he had been let go from The Doctors a few years earlier. We then both auditioned for Jaws 2 here in NYC in 1978. He got the role of the Mayor's son and I was spared a massive sunburn. He moved out to LA after the film opened, studied writing at UCLA and became a film/TV set builder. We're FB friends but he rarely posts and if he does it's usually about his novel Shining Target and Jaws 2.

Catching up on these 1972/1973 episodes has been a huge sentimental journey for me. Not only had I worked with David Elliott I was also, as I have noted here before, very close friends with Geraldine Court. Watching her first appearances as Ann Larimer has been quite extraordinary. I first met Geri when we did a play together in Seattle in November/December 1977, a few months after she'd left the show. By happenstance I'd begun watching it when Ann had placed a catatonic Carolee in a psych ward. That storyline got me hooked on it. When I ended up working with her (she played my character's nasty, materialistic mother) I was thrilled. I now remember her saying she wasn't too thrilled playing against her first love interest, Gerald Gordon. She said he "came on too strong" for her taste. She adored both David O'Brien and Glenn Corbett, though, and became life long friends with Anna Stuart and Lauren White. She told me, after the play we were in had folded, that she'd been asked to go back to TD but she wasn't at all fond of Mel and Ethel "Methel" Brez' writing. I miss Geri very, very much. I'll miss laughing with her the most. I would often ask her to repeat two stories about TD-one involving the Obonda Fever storyline and the other concerning most of the cast trying not to lose their s**t over "Stephie" lying on a pre-surgery gurney in an observation room scene!

One  particularly wonderful surprise was seeing another of my dearly departed friends Angela Thornton in two 1972 episodes. She played Lisa Kincaid, Dr. John Morrison's weekend paramour who he committed adultery with while Althea resisted the urge to do so with Nick. Angela had a few phone scenes with Patrick Horgan as well as a few in Lisa's lair and that was it. I thought Lisa would eventually reappear but I don't think she ever did, did she? Anyway I'd never known how she'd become lifelong friends with Elizabeth Hubbard and now I do! Angela was a beautiful British lady who married a very powerful TV producer named Bill Storke and had two lovely children, Victoria and Adam. Her son Adam Storke starred in the film Mystic Pizza opposite fellow newcomer Julia Roberts and also played Ryder on Search For Tomorrow. And he was briefly engaged to be married to Mariska Hargitay!

Both Angela and Geri died in 2010-that was one rough year. But I feel so fortunate to have known them both.

I agree. It certainly plays to Luisa Bradshaw-White's strengths as an actress.

OK, so what is Nathan's ultimate goal with Bethany. Is he a sex trafficker? They made a big deal that she was a virgin and he deflowered her himself? I thought he'd sell off her virginity to the highest bidder in Dubai or wherever.

I know it's not cool to be mean to child actors but the one who plays Liam is the worst.

"Trexit"? Nice one, Tracey.

On 3/14/2017 at 4:10 AM, InLoveWithSoaps said:

I had the same reaction as Laurel when Maggie appeared. And when Faith showed up, with Debbie no less, whom I think didn't appear last week. I just think bringing on Faith is overkill, she chews up the scenery so she's not exactly a subtle addition to the show. I may end up liking her who knows.
Wasn't Georgia supposed to return too? I'd be more interested in that, the poor Sharma's have to put up with that parrot lady to have some comedy.
The sextape business is ridiculous. Rhona to Vanessa: YOU WENT LOOKING! Seriously? So Vanessa would just stand there shocked with hands over her mouth if all she wanted was a sneak peek of Rhona's sextape, in front of her? The actresses obviously know that's dumb and they're playing it over the top.
Is Liv secretly in love with Gabi? Would they go there?

I do think they'll go there.

What on earth was with Lisa and Zak having a poo fight and then Lisa saying she loved Zak farting in front of the TV and leaving pee all over the bathroom? And then her final line to him was "You stink of pee!" and then she kissed him approvingly. Huh?

Robert and Rebecca? Uh oh. They went there.

2 hours ago, DRW50 said:

 

 

The acting mostly keeps the Rhona/Pierce story going for me, although that won't be enough once Paddy swoops in to save the day (zzzzzz.......). I wonder if he's going to kill Vanessa or if they will avoid the same path they took with Katie and Gennie. 

 

I couldn't watch the episode with Aaron in prison, although I'm impressed they were willing to go as far as they did, especially pre-watershed. I've heard people who are objective (eg, don't watch with loathing of Aaron and Danny Miller) say it was well done, although some Aaron fans see it as torture porn and too much and trivializing abuse. I tend to wonder where they were over the years, especially the very tackily done sexual abuse story last year, but I think they are now uncomfortable because stories that were always about awards bait are now even more blatantly about awards bait. I imagine they also get upset because this story, unlike the abuse one, isn't about Robron making kissy kissy and Robert being a hero. 

 

I think what could happen is that once Pierce is disposed of then Rhona and Vanessa might make a go of it together. 

Ever since she arrived she reminds me constantly of Tracy-Ann Oberman-the face and especially the voice! The accent is identical. She'd make a fabulous baby sister for, ironically, Chrissie on EastEnders.

This Rhona-Pierce-Vanessa storyline is turning into 88 shades of tiresome. I did like it when Vanessa sniped "No wonder Tess left you to be with Paddy." It would explain why Tess would have been so unhappy with a hunk o' spunk like Pierce to end up in bed with...Paddy.

Britbox has arrived at last...

https://www.britbox.com/

Britbox has arrived at last...

https://www.britbox.com/

Wasn't it a tad ludicrous for Rebecca to have to keep Chrissie hidden in the B&B? I have a feeling Chrissie could afford a night or two at accomodation in Hotten or Leeds.

Am I an awful person to want Maggie dead...like, real soon?

The naughty Gustav novel is cute but is this a case of Sharon Marshall saying during a story conference "Well, this went down a treat on Neighbours a few years back!"? Having Dr. Karl write a steamy book was a whole lot more amusing than Tracy and Pearl, though.

Interesting response to criticism of Tuesday's "This is the Britain we live in" episode from writer Leo Richardson:

http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/14954556

He does neglect to mention that he moved to LA last spring, though.

It finally dawned on me who Preston reminds me of physically: a cross between Matt Borlenghi (he used to be on AMC) and the boy who played the delinquent in the Jude Law movie Breaking and Entering. His accent really isn't all that bad but of course he tripped up on the word "talk," saying it like "tahk." That usually trips them Brits up. Talk. Office. Coffee. Dog. Heh.

"Pauline Fower" tweeted this today: 

Think what'll be on that telly. @BumBoyMitchell streaming 'ard-core Bel Ami & little Jay fillin' it with kiddie porn. 

Ai yi yi.

Speaking of Pauline on Ch. 21/WLIW last night we got to see the official beginning of her pathetic final act before getting whacked by you-know-who. In a scene in the Vic she got snotty with Sonia and Martin responded with "Sometimes mum has the charm of cold rice pudding." It was Karaoke Night in the Vic and Peggy sang "My Way," which she claimed was her favorite. How ironic considering how her life ended. Was it played at her funeral?

I take your points, Carl. I'm not exactly a fan of this storyline, either, but I just don't think it's all that surprising knowing who Michelle was before. She was easily bored. She was miserable in Walford. She needed some form of "excitement" even if it meant conjuring up a fake Italian boyfriend-remember Dario?

Hah, watching Preston again it struck me that he's doing more of a Newsies accent than Bugsy Malone!

The actor playing Preston sure is pretty but the Bugsy Malone accent is a tad much. OK, at least he's TRYING to do some sort of American accent. I think a wiser choice might have been a Southern accent ( ie Georgia, Mississippi or Alabama). It could have been established that he was a new student at the school, felt isolated, Michelle crossed the line by befriending him and then REALLY crossed the line.

Carl, I'm surprised that you have such a strong resistance to Michelle as she is now. I'm putting aside your opinion about the performance itself. Yes, Michelle was "the sensible one" but she also had a willful streak. She was willing to drastically alter her life by running off with Clyde! I think the Michelle who's in Walford now tracks with who Michelle was then.

I have to admit I liked Glynis Barber quite a bit during her last stint. I've never much rated her as an actress before (and one would think I'd be biased since I have a sister named Glynis) but she got me this time.

OK, I might as well print my theory here since I've already done so in two other forums:

I really do think Denise will end up being revealed as Claudette (do we know her maiden name?) and Tony Carpenter (one of EE's original characters)'s biological daughter.

This makes sense, especially because Tony's son Kelvin has recently been mentioned and will probably put in an appearance soon. Tony always did have a roving eye-didn't he even have a ding dong with Sharon's mum, Angie? And having it transpire that a teenage Claudette was forced to carry the baby to term but then dumped it somewhere would finally be a viable explanation for why such a nasty piece of work like her would end up fostering: guilt. 

So if this actually came to pass Denise would not only be Kelvin (and Cassie Carpenter)'s half sister she'd also be Vincent's. And she'd still be Pearl's aunt via blood.

On the other forums there have been the typical reactions of derision-the most dumb being why do we have to link black characters with other black characters. In this case it's because...uhhh...I doubt that either of Denise's biological parents are white. Asian (as in Indian/Pakistani) MAYBE but certainly not white. 

I can see SOC, via Michelle, reaching right back to its original cast of characters to inform a current storyline. I don't think it's just an anniversary tip of the hat by bringing Kelvin back. We shall see.

Let me put it this way, then-bringing Mark on, having him speak a Surrey accent despite spending his entire life in Florida and giving the "British school" lie as a reason was an "alternative fact"! It was a terrible insult to the viewers' intelligence.

It was just such an incredibly stupid thing of them to do. I suspect the casting was rushed because DTC was headed out the door and was determined to have Mark in on his watch. If they'd given it a bit more time of course they could have found a young Brit who could do a credible American accent. After all, quite a few young British actors come over here and manage to impersonate Yanks quite effectively. Mark is AMERICAN through and through. That "British" school excuse was such a howler.

Just binged on here going back to posts just before Christmas and, as always, Carl's views impressed and you others ain't too shabby, either.

I agree with a lot of your comments but, as Carl knows, I've just never been a fan of DBH or Lee. This dragging out of his inevitable exit has been agony. Maybe I'm biased because I adored Jenna Russell in both Merrily We Roll Along and Grey Gardens in London but I think she's a terrific NuMichelle. Yeah, SOC earmarked her for this because she'd worked for him on another project but so what? She's not so different looking from Sue Tully that it's jarring (I'll always hate how they recast Emily on ATWT with Kelly Menighan) and she can ACT. As for Roxy and Ronnie I was shocked that they both reached the end of their lives at the same time but it was beautifully done. Is it possible that the truth behind Ronnie's multitude of crimes will resurface any time soon? I'm surprised nobody at least mentioned the K word re her making the baby switch. Perhaps stuff like her being named as being complicit in Fatboy's death could be used for Jack's exit storyline. Before he goes, however, I wouldn't mind a quasi Kramer Vs Kramer story arc with Sam returning to take Ricky back. But, as much as I loved Daniella Westbrook, I can only see Kim Medcalf playing this out. It would be interesting to see if Medcalf and Maslen had any chemistry since they've never worked together as Sam and Jack. I suspect they would have quite a bit. Except for JW's ass I've never cared a thing about Max but I do like this revenge storyline. In a way it seems like this is the original Gavin storyline rejiggered for Max. We shall see.

Phil: If I stay here I'll die. 

That Phil. Such a drama queen. WTF? Steve McFadden should have requested to have that line changed but I guess his mind was already half in Milton Keynes or Norwich or wherever he was off to do panto so he didn't care.

Denise reading Kim to filth on Thursday's episode was a beautiful thing. I hope they stay estranged for many months.

Jay and Ben being flat mates? Maybe they can have grief sex if the Queen dies.

Back to Michelle-if they do bring back Mark I think it would be perfectly fine for SOC to bring in a new actor with an American accent for him. Floridian Mark having a full blown Surrey accent was one of the all-time dumbest things ever on a soap and correcting this would not exactly be smashing canon, would it?

9 hours ago, DRW50 said:

 

Ah. Well neither of those would surprise me...

 

Are you enjoying the show these last few months or do you think it's overrated? 

I'm enjoying it in general. I think SOC has greatly improved the overall tone of it. As I think you're aware I've really never been a fan of Lee/DBH but I thought the call center scenes were a good departure from Albert Square-I wish we could see more of these. Christmas/New Year's episodes will be the big test, though. Do you think that both Mitchell sisters will be killed off? That sounds a tad over the top from SOC to me.

23 hours ago, DRW50 said:

 

What did they say? I saw the jokes Donna and Roxy were making on Thursday (well Donna mostly). These types of moments always seem so forced in recent years because characters who have horrible histories are thrown together to fill up numbers. It worked best in the early years with Kathy and Angie. 

I forget what they said but Honey motioned with her hands that Billy was a big boy. I remember at Bianca's hen night back in the 90s she whispered something to somebody (Lenny, I think) which made it clear that Ricky was well endowed.

Then you missed the part where the gals were discussing the size of Billy and Jack's members? Comedy gold, that was.

Thanks for the link, Carl.

Daran Little is a very good writer but on Friday's episode there was a prime example of his coming up with a jokey line that was extremely unlikely for a particular character. That would be Roxy saying to Jack re Honey "She's throwing darts, not speaking to the UN." Has Roxy even ever heard of the UN? I don't think so.

23 hours ago, All My Shadows said:

She did lunge at him once when he made a particularly hurtful remark about her not being able to have any children, but it was the classic "Oh, what have I done??" type of thing.

 

I read that Jane Danson wasn't too crazy about the story "at first" because she, too, thought Leanne was too strong to let a goddamn preteen terrorize her. I don't advocate hitting kids, but the second he raised his hand to her, she should've slapped the hell out of him.

The problem with that would be that the "reason" for Simon's violent behavior was because he was traumatized by his dad no longer being around, Kal's death and then Deirdre's death. Having Leanne lash back at him wouldn't have worked within the framework of how they perceived the story. I'm assuming Simon's over his anger issues now and is simply a horny teenager.

I wish Phelan would just f**k off, already. The problem with him now is that the writers are attempting to make him into a complex villain and he's not-he's simply a despicable, vindictive piece of s**t. The actor who plays him is capable of playing a complex villain but Phelan ain't it.

Kathy getting all giddy at the prospect of seeing Nigel Havers in panto certainly explains her attraction to both James Willmot-Brown and Gavin, doesn't it?