Planet Soap

Not so much an episode but an event. I thought GH's fifty hour, 50th anniversary marathon on SOAPnet was well done. It showcased episodes from every decade of the series (though I wish more seventies especially pre Monty episodes were available). There was a decent amount of hype built in the press and it truly showcased how epic the soap was. Playlist:

Now that you mention it I really did like Jason & Brenda together. Their chemistry was really higighted during her 2002 & 2010 returns. Haven't consumed much of late 80s early 90s GH, but from the few clips of 1992 I saw I, liked their interactions in HS.

My mind was definately on Laurie aswell. I guess Kay was more the grand dame/matriarch than it girl.

I think there is a good concensus here that the latter Riche years (97-01...or did she leave in 00?), werent as good as the earlier years 1993-96. Obviously numerous factors lead to this feeing. Claire Labine and Bill Levinson's departures, growing mob focus, Sonny/Jason apologism, the destruction of Luke and Laura, etc.. Were there any bright spots that you enjoyed? For one the rape revisitation storyline. Despite destroying Luke and Laura, Liz's rape story was well done and emotional. I also like the way it bonded Lucky and Liz. I have yet to see another young couple romance on GH with so much gravity. It pales in comparison to anything on the show today. Michael's paternity fiasco destroyed so many characters in the process, but it kept the show going for a while. Sonny and Brenda. I know Brenda's breakdown isnt the most favored but I did like how much weight and emotion were put behind her and Sonny. Charachters today just go from romance to romance with no real impact. Sonny leaving Brenda at the altar felt major because so much weight, screen time and emotion were put behind them.

These are the easy ones: B&B Stephanie Forester, I would argue that she was the strongest female lead on any soap AMC: Erica Kane....the most famous soap actress in the genre, especially to layman audiences. Erica always got the biggest picture in the photo album opening credits lol. OLTL Viki: the clear center of the show until the 2000s GL: Reva from the 80s onwards Dynasty 1.0: Alexis Carrington Passions: Theresa More complicated: Y&R: Katherine was the lead female star in the 70s arguably...Brenda Dickson was the it girl in the 80s along with Cricket. I wouldn't say Nikki was ever the "it girl" but she was definately the top tier female lead in the show for a good portion of the 80s-2000s. On show posters you typically see Victor, Nikki, and Jack, and Nikki often went first or second in show opening credits. GH: Laura in the early 80s, Carly from 1996 onwards. DAYS: one could say Marlena was the first female lead for a while

Jill offeres to be Kay's paid companion Yeah, I also have a hard time staying interested in the Nina/Ryan/Cole/Victoria quadrangle. The fact that it dragged on for a decade is really what's crazy. I did find Tricia gettinng into the mix to be interesting though.

Its totally understandable. That's why anytime I see legends like Victor Newman or Monica Quartermaine on screen, i'm thankful because we still have those links to the Golden era of soaps with us. I hate that soaps often put older actors who are still able and in good health out to pasture when there's so many storyline possibilities that could be explored.

KABC confirms he died on the 11th. RIP Victor Kiriakis, another legend gone.

I know she was on the next year for that depression storyline, but thank you for clearing up why we didn't see her again.

Again, General Hospital has a problem where they wait too long to put a couple together, and either the magic fizzles out or there's a cast departure. Spencer & Trina have been delayed so long, now the original actress is gone and the chemistry has to be re-created with a new actress. They drug their feet with Jason and Britt for a poorly written faux romance with Carly, only for Steve Burton to get fired, and now Britt is leaving. Either put a couple together or dont, but the endless will they/wont they isnt working. To add to that, current storylines just seem so unfocused. They start up, fizzle out, then randomly pick back up. Case and point Cyrus. Stories on B&B (although repeditive and rushed) have a clear beginning, middle and ending.

Thank You!!! Wonder why we never got to see Lillie Belle again.

came here to mention Olivia from Y &R! Does that scene of Dru telling off her mother still exist?

Agreed! It would be crazy to wipe his slate clean. I didnt think she would give (or be allowed to give) such an honest answer. Sheila and her green leather jacket looked great today.

I knew there was something about a guy named Buzz. Fair to say that affairs is a broad term. Some were physical, some emotional and some were teased.

yes Ned! Jeez thats roughly 11 affairs between the both of them. Although the cheating stuff never really got old --partly because the Qs remained married -- did the writers ever think "maybe this is enough", lol! I remember, seeing a scene with Alan and Amy kissing sometime after the Monica/Dorman liason, but before or during the addiction storyline. I suppose a good question for this thread is Alan and Monica's affairs ranked best to worst?

Sounds like it. Almost forgot about Tammy. Aside from the big affairs: Rick Webber, Susan Moore, Phelipe, Sean Donnely, Lucy and Piers Dorman there were the ones with less notiriety. Charity, Tammy, Rhonda, Bobbie, Rick 2002 (a flirtation I believe). Were there any more I missed? I think Alan had something going with Amy around the time of his addiction.

This is a longshot, but I wonder if we'll ever see Dru again for the 50th? At least she came on for Kristoff's passing. Exactly what went down with Doug Davidson exiting the show?

Exactly. Jill with Phillip, Stuart, and John. Plus Phyliss and Danny was basically Scott and Sheila 2.0. Phycottic dark haired woman drugs man and claims to be prego destroying his current marriage. Piggybacking off of that, Dr Tim Reid and Phyllis mirriors his relationship with Morgan on B&B. Femme fatale manipulates vulnerable unconfident man using her sexuality.

Agreed. Y&R: Lauren Fenmore after her affair with Carmine in 2013. she hasn't been front burner in a story since. Little of Lauren's lead story hasnt involved Sheila since 1990. She faded from the canvas in the brief periods during the late 90s and early 2000s when she wasn't interacting with Sheila.

I'm notincing how much repitition there is on Y&R. Kay & Sheila both had puzzle schemes to reveal an affair. Lauren & Cricket constantly dealing with psycos. One just struck me. Danny and drugs three times in about 4 years. 1990- Danny on trial after being framed by David Kimball for cocaine posession. 1993- Danny (during Michael's hearing) drugged and framed for sleeping with Rebecca. 1994ish- Danny drugged by Phyliss and led to believe he'd impregnated her. He just couldn't catch a break lol.

Long story short, in the mid 90s Phyllis (a fan of Danny's) stalked him, drugged him, then falsely told him they'd slept together and concieved a child (Daniel). In reality, Phyliss was really pregnant by a man named Brian Hamilton. Danny divorced Christine and married Phyliss out of obligation, driving Cristine to marry Paul. Danny later divored Phyliss, eventually won custody of Daniel, and regaurds him as his son, despite finding out about his real paternity.

I want to say Bob and Kim, but they were backburnerd by the late 90s-ish. At least Alan and Monica (married in '78), had story till at least '02.

exactly how small is Liam & Hope's house.

The bell soaps aren't really good at keeping couples together long term. Yes it's a soap and there's rifts and cheating, but I like couples like Margo & Tom or Alan and Monica where you see them work through their issues over time. BEST: already mentioned but GH: Monica and Rick Webber (1979). Such history leading up to this, and to see Alan and Monica at their most toxic and intense was great television. close second: Alan and Susan Moore / Monica & Phelippe, not to mention the Susan Moore murder mystery.

In regards to Nathan and Keesha I wondered why they didn't let it play out onscreen. Why the hell would John marry Jill again especially since she'd slept with Jack twice, one of which cost him 25% of Jabot. Even worse, the marriage barely lasted a year. Jill has not had a long term romantic lead to my recollection since that second divorce. John really hadn't learned his lesson about these kinds of women when he married Gloria much later on, not to mention Dina.