Franko

A few observations on where we're currently at with the uploads and how it corresponds to the big picture. Forgive me if I screw up the spoiler tagging.

There's quite the tonal shift in the last promo.

How do you like that. I never knew Donna McKechnie was on Loving. And that church set!

Such a shame. The impression I'm getting is that LOVING had turned a corner. Wasn't it also getting some positive press in SOD? Talk about a bad time for a cast exodus. Oh well, at least we didn't get grim but gentle deaths for Trucker and/or Cooper ...

@dc11786, I know it's been said before, but we are so, so lucky to have your detailed descriptions of LOVING. Between those, the increasingly frequent new uploads and additional insight, I'm looking at the show with new eyes. Now I wish it wasn't the one ABC soap my grandma never cared for.

Janet standing up to herself to Wilma. One more, just because I love Janet giving it to Wilma.

The ending will always choke me up. Something I'd never considered until recently ... was having Steve/John proudly exit the hospital/studio by himself meant as a response to Santa Barbara's last moments, with Rauch putting out his cigar on the floor?

Last week marked the 30th anniversary of when the Casey the alien story began.

Semi-related: to the best of my knowledge, the first Bobbie and Lucy confrontation. And a couple more.

And so there are seven: Biden, Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Klobuchar, Sanders, Warren I have to imagine at least half of them are out of the race by Wednesday. (Also, if Steyer is genuine, he'd turn his attention to flipping the Senate/keeping the House.)

The Terms of Endearment theme over that Jeremy & Erica scene ... It's a bit of music that made the daytime rounds. CBS used it to promote the soaps during its 1984-85 affiliate reel. Anyway, I wonder if it was just for the promo or used in the actual episode.

There was material for the older and/or longer-running actors during JFP's run as executive producer. Justine's reign of terror. The Sharlene/John/Felicia triangle. Michael's return and how it affected Donna & Matthew. Cecile's return and the tease that Maggie was Cass' daughter. I'm just skeptical that any of these stories are well-regarded.

When rejected sitcom themes are used to advertise soaps ... Also, I know it wasn't directly affected, but not even a mention for ol' GL?

"Okay, fine, I admit it -- I was born a conjoined twin! My long-lost sibling is the former Milton Moorehead of Syosset, Long Island!"

Forgive the generalization, but there are way too many people in politics who want to be able to say 1+1=3 and get away with it.

Bernie would show up to the opening of a door. And the bros and gos would insist a door had never been open in such a way before.

The Tonight Show's talent booker just had the weirdest sensation all of a sudden ... (Never forget the Hairfluff Follies and how damn hard the MSM will work to legitimize anything.)

Oh, I know. I just would have liked a little more. On the other hand, there is something poignant about Val not having any big adventures during her time alone. It makes her time in California all the more special. I'd definitely have Val and Gary's long-lost son getting along in the end. Leading up to it, though, I'd have moments where he's confused and more than a little defensive about their budding friendship. Mommie Dearest, of course, is hella-jealous and unashamedly pouring on the guilt. It seems like the best place to introduce Aaron* and Eve** would be in 1987-88. Granted, they'd be coming off the long "Who is Paige, really?" storyline, so this time around, it'd be best not to drag things out. The ninth season also works because we'd be getting Jill just as she goes off the deep end and the show did have some money for new actors (sorry Constance and Julie). *After Aaron Southworth **After Russ Tamblyn's repressive mother in Peyton Place The first (and not at all best) casting ideas that just popped into my head were Peter Reckell (hey, he's joining the show anyway ...) and Miss "Welcome to My Home" herself, Brenda Dickson.

And suppose he just happened to like Jill better than Val? (Not knowing what Jill's capable of, of course.)

Val herself said it just before slapping Abby: "I see him the same way I've seen him since I was 15 years old." I'm a little surprised the show never tried to get more mileage out of Gary and Val's missing years. There was nearly two decades to play with.

A few years prior, Laura Webber was living in a commune (I think that was the story that introduced Genie?). And if memory serves, around this time or shortly after, Karen Wolek briefly had Marco stay at a commune when he was wigging out over the stress of his double life. Back to David Canary for a moment ... that's some caftan.

Couldn't stand her, or her boyfriend Cecil. I will concede that the writers were probably scrambling after Josh Ryan Evans' death and I'm sure there was a desire to keep the dynamic of Tabitha and a short/young companion. Ultimately, Kay ended up being Tabitha's best foil after Timmy.

I'm repeating myself, but I firmly believe there is a section of Americans who honest-to-God believe Hillary Clinton is somehow responsible for their problems. They have convinced themselves they need a boogeywoman.

Maybe Stefano was a masochist. Marlena "killed" him in 1985 and from there on out, he just couldn't help but wuv her. Granted, it was from afar until 1994, but ...

And if that doesn't work, an alley fight it is. (Sorry, I ended up seeing Harlem Nights over the weekend. It, uh, lives up to its reputation.)