Planet Soap

Y&R is especially bad at using history. For them it's here and now, no looking back. Was Dina ever discussed between Mamie and Jack in 2023? Did Mamie mention Dru's name at all? Did Abby or Ashley ever bring up spermgate which would add some layer and foundation for the current drama with Devon? Using history sometimes gives basis as to why characters might act or react the way they do when the certain situations arise. History even adds context for why a certain story even is significant. For example when Nikki shot JT, it would've been interesting for her to deal with him being the 4th person she killed (JT and Diane later revealed to be alive). Little details like that go a long way.

Love that scene too lol!

Smh. Frank did a good job for the 50th, he better donthe same for the 60th! It is very poetic that anniversary week episodes get interrupted by Special Reports. I will say though the occasion does warrant programming interruption...I just wish it were during The View.

Claire as Dorian, 1977

Can't argue with this list

Don't get me wrong Spencer and Trina are good match but the story supporting their relationship is weak and slow moving. Esme adds some drama but we need a more solid and evenly paced story for the couple.

The Epiphany tribute was great. I liked how they let the news trickle in instead of outright saying her cause of death, (until the funeral). Elizabeth as the lead was great. In some ways this was the 25th anniversary special episode she didn't get. This gives me hope that the 60th Anniversary show will be well done. Why Y&R is still #1, I have no clue. It's just been let down after let down on that show with the only good episodes being the actor anniversary specials. Their 50th was just was as underwhelming as DAYS'.

Have the actors portaits in the style of the 70s/early 80s sketch, transform into the cast shots mimicking the 90s style.

Is there a subsection of time where quality (writing, production, acting, etc) slumped during what was otherwise a show's strong period. For example, The Wendy Riche era on GH (1993-2001) was especially strong. However there is a decline in quality after 1996 because of increased mob focus and the eventual departures of Brenda, Robin and Johnathan Jackson's Lucky. Some charachters like Tony, Bobby, and Felicia becan slipping into backburner status toward the end of the era. Overall though that entire period is some of the best soap in history. Y&R was strong from about 1989-2001. There was however an inbetween period of 1994-97 where there felt like some drops in storytelling and production value. The camera work became more ornate after 1995 but the glamour factor especially in wardrobe was lost after 93.

I will say the first 7 years are gold especially in terms of production value. Much like Y&R there was a slight quality slump between 1994-97. (In fact all CBS soaps minus Guiding Light maybe faced a alump after 93). Much like Y&R, 1998-2002 was pretty good IMO. I'd call it Bold's silver era. Brooke/Thorne/Macy, Brooke/Taylor/Ridge, Brooke/Deacon/Bridget and Sheila's '02 return are some good storylines from that period. From what I've watched on YT, more trashy, cartoonish and camp than the earlier days of B&B but it's silver compared to today's show. I still need to get into the Rick/Amber/Kimberly/Deacon mess to guve it a solid judgement.

Definately Celeste on DOOL!

Crockett Marcell from Chicago Med was a doctor on GH! RIP Sonya Eddy.

I don't mind the Alexis Carrington version of Jill. It's just her acting needed work to keep up with that. Jess Walton is solid in the role, just not as entertaining as over the top BD. I wish diva Jill had more interactions with Lauren and Victor! Noticing many Y&R actreses added some camp in their second runs. Michelle Stafford and Victoria Rowell (Victoria not as extreme as the other two).

Yes. Sometimes Laura cross the line into overly forgiving. Certain people like Ava and Esme do not deserve her grace. Good charachters can be firm and have a line. Viki on OLTL had some of Laura's qualities too.

I knew Eileen's abortion comments and Peter's Emmy comments were gonna cause some traction. I missed the last 25 minutes so hopefully the episode turns up online. As soap buffs we will never be fully satisfied by mainstream specials or documentaries because they often miss the mark and focus on overly sensational moments, or scenes replayed at nauseum. Such specials are typically aimed at layman audiences, more recent viewers, or surface level knowledge soap watchers. Again, an old school 60 Minutes level of pacing and explanation would work well for a soap special which has to tackle long and complex history. One section about memorable storylines, another about show logistics, another about the actos, maybe even break the discussion up into decades to keep the narrative linear.

The Special Pros: the clips are in good quality unlike that Story of Soaps special on ABC. They have interview clips from across the decades. We got a Terry Lester mention. CONS: It needed to slow down. They switch between segments and topics within segments too rapidly to where it feels unfocused. We need a 60 Minutes paced special. Its okay to play scenes for more than a soundbyte.

Mo Rocca you mean? And Totally agree. Victor was with Nikki who was a stripper, Katherine drank and Victor vs Jack, and Cricket was Bell's daughter. That is all. There's so many different notes to hit like Sheila, Matt Clark, Nina & David, Tricia, Lori Brooks, etc. In all fairness GH's Luke & Laura saved the show gets repeated in EVERY special. Even if the show won't back old talnet, I wish some talk show-- most likely The Talk -- would take the time time to explore so many of those other moments in a special. Let's see how ET does.

Blaming OJ (and shift in viewing habits) as the sole reasons for the genere's decline is a way for the higher ups and actors to avoid taking accountabilty for poor story telling, visuals and budget.

YES! He was the best. Especially because OLTL had humor infused to the writing back then.

Carly owns this list. That role is a prime example of different actresses bringing something distinct and memorable to the role. I'm sure the modern average soap viewer could readily identify the 3 different Carlys before they knew that Dorian or another long time roll had been recasted. As much as I act like the Jennifer Bransford era didn't exist it would have been cool to have her back in 2014 during the 3 Carlys scene or at least for the 60th.

Yes to the person who said Kevin & Joey on OLTL. There were countless recasts. The Kevin who was a senator and going to marry Kelly is the one that I enjoyed the most. Nathan Fillon and the Joey during the Sloan affair were the best!

Name a role that was negativity impacted after being recasted 3 or more times. Basically the opposite to my other thread Billy Y&R. I see why they went back to OG actor David Tom after Billy Miller left the role. He should have been given more of a chance. Burgess Jenkins and Jason Thompson did not fit.

Going to sound dramatic but the current intro has to be in the top 10 worst since 2000. This is what I imagine the intro would look like if Restless went to streaming only. skyline in the back is too General Hospital.

Name a some soap role that had three OR MORE actors who did a good job in the role. Dorian OLTL- Nancy Pinkerton, Claire Malis, Elaine Princi and of course Robin Strasser were all good. It was refreshing to see the sex pot femme fatale version of Dorian that Claire played in the 1977 episode on YT. Adam Y&R- All four Adams have been good so far, with Michael Muhney having been the best. I'm not sure whether Grossman or Hartley was the superior Adam.

CBS Sunday Morning. Hopefully this wasnt posted already. Lol the report days they never tweaked the theme which they did from 99-03...but in all fairness it had elements of the OG.