Vee

The topline quoted for Biden was actually 1.8 to 2.3, which you'd know if you weren't deliberately cherrypicking, and which is about where this bill was always going to end up anyway - probably between 2 and 2.5. But I can always count on you to show up and drag a Democratic victory and insist it doesn't count because the number went down at all. I did tell you you would do exactly this when it got close to passing, didn't I? Shall I quote my post?

I believe it was Peter Miner, a very longtime soap director, who said in the OLTL oral history that Marisa Tomei left ATWT of her own accord because she couldn't handle the workload and feel she was still doing good work. I have no clue who the others are, but my pre-Marland ATWT knowledge is extremely spotty at best. I'm curious to know who exactly he wrote out and how. As for Jay and Spree, characters are mentioning Spree onscreen as late as May 1986 - Lisa brings her up around the time of Brian and Shannon's wedding as being part of some function, I can't recall which. Jay appeared in the climax of the Doug Cummings story around February. I remember someone else saying Jay turns up again later on after Frannie is rescued to talk with her, but I've yet to see him and the YT episodes from February through to May are largely pretty consecutive.

They were on, what, Brian #4 at that point? I can't blame them for cutting him and the McColls loose; that whole pre-Marland era of story just seems turgid to me when I try to watch it, up to and possibly including Nancy Pinkerton's big murder confession. Mark Pinter, personal dramas aside, was a sexy and charismatic actor on multiple soaps but when you're up to four Brians or whatever that's the way the cookie crumbles. You can see how much Reed sparks at least as well with Michael Swan on his second day or whatever I'm up to here in May '86. (And the eps available get a bit less consistent soon; it is a crime these years are not readily available on streaming.)

Impressive.

There's never a good way to transition from more softcore stroke posts, so I might as well just segue the best I can: Does anyone know if Marland always intended to break up Brian McColl (#4?) and Shannon for Duncan? He did write long story, and I'm curious. Did Pinter want to leave and they knew it, perhaps? She had solid chemistry with both men.

In case you were wondering, this morning's TV hit predictably made all the dead-enders online who used to glorify her piss blood.

She deleted and apologized for this tweet which she later (following this OP) at least acknowledged as insensitive, but ugh. This is, of course, the cemetery where Biden's family is buried. It's also factually untrue, which is what is making the Beltway crazy - that Biden has sided against the moderate holdouts and is still going to pass these bills.

The talent working on the show (Nick Antosca) is better than the franchise tbh. But the first script is good at least. It closely follows the continuity of all the original franchise films including the recent ones with Brad Dourif's daughter (also very talented in character parts like her father), not all of which I've seen, so I guess I should catch up.

Horton what?

If you mean Manchin and Sinema are the ones who are going to have to save face, you're absolutely correct. Biden's already named his topline, last night, and it is well above Manchin's 1.5. This article presupposes, as so many Beltway pundits do even after the last week, that the centrist/conservative Dem word is law and Manchin will be obeyed - but he wasn't this week, and the bill is not going to be 1.5. Meanwhile:

I think Malone and co. actually did a very admirable job channeling the classic Tina in an evolved form with Karen Witter in the role, especially with Luna, Cain, etc. I felt like it was Tina but updated for the times. I think Andrea could've played all that if given the chance. Unfortunately most of what she was given when she did return was camp, with the exception of some stuff in her final stint that was touching. That's the big reason Witter is still 'my' Tina in some ways, though I know AE is irreplaceable and would be the standard-bearer if the show were still on. I wish we could've seen her do more resonant work.

She died. They discussed it on GH when Scott crossed over to berate Sonny about her and how he'd wrecked her youth.

Good luck!

Lynn Lowry straddled both worlds for a long time. She also became a horror/B-movie queen.

Irving Allen Lee, too - Calvin - died of AIDS, and was also gay and partnered. I didn't know that til just now. Calvin was beautiful and I always got the vibe off him so I'm glad to know my gaydar is working. Does Edge have the most gay hunks in one cast at one time? (And the most tragedy)

Gay actors in daytime are a dime a dozen, especially back then. Porn stars, not so much!

I've read the pilot. It is good and it's from the excellent creators of Channel Zero. IIRC, the teen lead character is gay. Most of the franchise stars are in this show just like they've been in the recent films, including 90210's own Christine Elise and the grown-up Alex Vincent (both are in the trailer). I wonder if Catherine Hicks will finally show up.

I can understand PB finding the execution of the Keemo story dumb and silly as hell, bc a lot of it certainly reads silly. But whining about it for decades and keeping the character off the show is a bad look and not necessary. You can always build a good character from a lousy foundation, especially after so long gone. That being said, people also claimed for years that he kiboshed the pairing with Debbi Morgan on AMC, and by all accounts upon research that is untrue. The Keemo stuff is a matter of record though.

Mike DiBonis, who notably stepped in it the other day as a reporter passively defending Manchin's POV, has this readout:

If the House is largely unified, and it seems to be, then I think the leaks are accurate (and leaks come from everywhere in Congress, it doesn't need to be Jayapal showing her ass like she has so often done). Pelosi certainly doesn't seem bothered, and it's notable that none of the usual troublemakers have taken a single shot at her doing this process - they've said she's their leader, they support her current plans and have reserved their ire for Sinema and Manchin. No matter how the Beltway likes to frame it, bc they defer to centrists and conservatives, it's not a progressive revolt. The progressives seem to be in array with the WH; these bills are going to get done and they're furthering the President's agenda. If Gottheimer, Sinema and Manchin have a problem with the debate and the public opinion not going their way it's their problem. Old Dick Durbin doesn't go on television and take direct aim at Sinemanchin like he did the other day without a nod from the WH, either. This is coordinated. I don't have to be in love with all these people to find common cause.