ranger1rg

1 hour ago, Darn said:

All you "wah wah where are the flashbacks" people are real quiet right now. Are you not embarazzed?

Uh...I think I already addressed how tough I was on the first 3 days of the memorial and how good day 4 was.

Embarrassed? As I just stated, I don't take back anything I said. Our complaints were valid, and an exceptional episode doesn't erase those problems.

2 hours ago, titan1978 said:

Also, can we keep Ryan Carnes please? And that Champ scene at the end really got me.

Would love to see Ryan Carnes back. His presence during these episodes meant so much. Carnes is such an understated actor, and one who exudes empathy and authenticity. That Champ scene doesn't work without him.

Kudos also to Brighton Hertford. Bringing her back for these episodes was genius, but let's not forget that she's also an incredibly strong actress, and that's what made the gamble work.

I was very hard on the first 3 days of this memorial, and I don't back away from what I said, but this 4th day was very special. I did cringe at the quick-as-anything trip to and from Amsterdam where they found Bobbie's contacts in a day -- that line from Maxie that it took place over days didn't work for me -- but that's minor compared to all else that went on.

18 hours ago, janea4old said:

March 2023

Edward Quartermaine, Steve Hardy, Lila Quartermaine

Rick Webber, Tony Jones, Alan Quartermaine, Gail Baldwin, Britt Westborne

Jessie Brewer, Lucille March, Amy Vining, Epiphany Johnson

 

Is there a reason Edward And Lila's photos are 3x the size of everyone else's?

I understand why Steve Hardy's pic is bigger, but the Quartermaines? Were their money machinations at the hospital so huge to merit that attention?

And this might sound macabre, but what happens when someone not hospital-related at all dies? If something happens to Maurice Benard, does his photo go up on the wall because he walked the halls of General Hospital all the time?

5 minutes ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

As we all know GH was in production throughout the entirety of both strikes. Only the writers were not as they were picketing. All of the rest of the employees crossed the picket line. And I just bet that Frank began thinking about this within days of her death. Besides the major point of contention is flashbacks, expensive? or not? If something like flashbacks isn't in the budget, I think that's a fiscal problem! Frank's supposed to be great with the danged budget. Now it was Nathan Varni who said they weren't affordable but I'm not convinced he knows daytime! (Not entirely sure what he does know. Ruling out social media, communication, budgeting, ...) 

And if flashbacks are that expensive, why do we get so many of them on Y&R? No one can tell me that the budget there is any greater than GH's.

11 minutes ago, janea4old said:

The writers strike began May 2.
Jackie died May 9.
The actors strike began July 14.

The actors strike had nothing to do with soap actors. The writers strike didn't eliminate the countless other GH employees who could have worked on this memorial.

23 minutes ago, Darn said:

@ranger1rg really bold to tell someone why they feel the way they do. And this is a soap opera, a continuing story, the lifeblood of the damn thing is have one moment influence the next so yeah Bobbie's death is creating new story for the people left behind.

Really bold to tell someone what the definition of a soap opera is.

Look, I have no problem with Bobbie's death creating new story. I do have a problem with her memorial being secondary to that new story. GH could have honored Zeman properly while also introducing new story, and that didn't happen.

I had such high hopes that GH would do this right, especially since the Sonya Eddy/Epiphany tribute was so powerful and emotional. This is so far below acceptable that I don't know what to say.

15 hours ago, wonderwoman1951 said:

that must be one steep curve. while hal’s memorial might have been ‘somewhat distasteful,’ blowing through nancy’s (and helen’s) in a single episode — no on-screen funeral, no returning family members — and only a couple of weeks before the show's final episode…

sorry — while gh’s effort may seem inadequate to some fans, it’s eons better than the insult ‘world turns fans had thrown in our faces. 

With all due respect, none of this is about ATWT or the Helen Wagner tribute. If that was so terrible, why use it as a bar that the JZ tribute needed to clear?

The fact is that GH has blown this Bobbie tribute. They had 8 months to prepare for this, and it feels like they did nothing for 7 of those months.

42 minutes ago, janea4old said:

I cried so much yesterday.  I don't know how I'll get through today's episode.

You cried because you miss Jaclyn Zeman -- not because of what was on the screen.

6 minutes ago, Darn said:

Didn't expect to come here and find 90% of the comments bitching about flashbacks. Good lord. Go to youtube if you need flashbacks that bad. It's free.

Jane and Lynn's grief felt palpable, I felt like they were going to break a few times. And Laura's eulogy was beautiful and after a certain point it was clear that Genie was no longer talking about Bobbie but Jackie.

We should go to You Tube if we want clips of Bobbie? Huh??? Sorry, I have a completely different idea of what a tribute/memorial should be than you do. It's not "Create a new storyline for the dead woman's daughter."

Yes, the grief from Genie, Jane, and Lynn felt palpable. I mentioned that before: we felt the sadness of REAL people who loved a REAL human being. The writing didn't do it.

I hope tomorrow is better, because that was not good.

Yes, the funeral and speeches were touching, but as others have said, it was over before it started. We got to see a lot of cast members and feel their grief, but then they disappeared in the entire last half of the hour. Ryan Carnes was a strong presence, but given too little to do.

Flashbacks? We got two of them -- and Bobbie spoke in only one. They totaled under one minute of screen time.

And this whole trafficking story? Others may think it's a great way to honor Bobbie/Jaclyn Zeman, but it just pisses me off, because they'd never give JZ a story like this if she were still around. GH and Frank Valentini ignored her for years, so pretending this honors her is a crock.

I did tear up, but only because I imagined the sadness of the real actors (Genie, Kin, Laura, Kristina) who knew and miss Jaclyn Zeman, not because of the memorial writers have given her.

Eric in his hospital bed to EJ: "Hang on to Luna."

Seriously? LOL What sad writing.

32 minutes ago, Beachstorm said:

I mean, how many times has she retired? It was ridiculous the last time she retired because everyone knew she would be back. Just like everyone knows she'll be gone again whenever the mood strikes her.

I don't think Eileen Davidson ever announced her "retirement." Does she call some shots on her contract? Yeah, and I'm fine with it. That's what superstars are able to do. Y&R knows how valuable she is.

7 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

I don't think Eileen Davidson ever announced her "retirement." Does she call some shots on her contract? Yeah, and I'm fine with it. That's what superstars are able to do. Y&R knows how valuable she is.

 

Also, I'm enjoying all the whining on X about Victor calling Nikki "my baby" over and over. I've got to think Eric Braeden knows exactly how many people he's irritating and is having fun with it.

14 minutes ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

LOL. Okay. We're saying different things but the same. 

I see something good but it needs to be fixed

You see something bad because they didn't fix it. 

You're right, of course. But the thing is, they can't fix it once it's done and over.

If we get those clips in the next couple episodes, I'll revise my criticism. Even if they do, though, I think 2 days of just talking about Bobbie is excessive.

11 minutes ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

I don't agree. I think this is an interesting way to pay heed to an important player. And, I think I am feeling the experience more. But, I do think they aren't using enough clips. There should be flashbacks galore. On UglyX someone posted that NV had said they aren't doing flashbacks because they're too expensive. Well, basically that's because a royalty, no a residual may have to be paid. And, if that is really their reason then they need to reprioritize to be able TO afford them. Because they are that important. 

OK, Donna, but you just made my point that this isn't working as is.

The clips are essential. Without them, we're left with people visiting Carly. They tell her they're sorry, they start to walk away, and she calls them back. Why? To TALK. It's not working.

Jaclyn Zeman died 8 MONTHS AGO. You mean in all that time GH couldn't reprioritize enough to afford clips of Bobbie Spencer?

10 minutes ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

Meanwhile I thought Brian Gaskill did an excellent job. Above average.

Completely agree about Brian Gaskill. I've only seen his day one appearance, but I thought he was excellent. It felt like he really knew Nikki and that he was really comfortable onscreen.

I imagined the script he was given -- and how he turned that dialogue into something special of his own. Really good stuff.

2 minutes ago, Khan said:

 I just don't believe Josh Griffith took enough steps to get us (or at least me) to a place where I could buy Chance and Sharon as a couple even temporarily.

If Ashley's current storyline ain't working, it ain't because of Eileen.

I can't disagree with your point about Josh Griffith. The steps weren't taken, the beats weren't played. Still -- and it pains me to say it because I love Sharon Case so much -- I don't think Sharon gave anything to that storyline.

Consider what you said about Eileen in her current story. No one can accuse her of not giving her all in every scene, regardless of the problems with the writing, the storyline direction, or TSJ.

These episodes with characters talking about Bobbie -- the complete opposite of "Show, Don't Tell" -- could not be more annoying and infuriating.

Talking about Bobbie for a week instead of during a 2-day memorial does NOT make it a better celebration and remembrance of Jaclyn Zeman. This is just a reminder that FOR YEARS this effing show has ignored Bobbie and kept her off canvas.

8 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

I don’t think she’s capable of phoning it in.

She's not. Eileen Davidson is present in every scene she's in, even if she's there only as a talk-to. She elevates every other actor in her scenes.

And no, she never phones it in. Instead, if she doesn't like Ashley's direction or needs a break, she leaves the show. She doesn't float through scenes, thinking of pizza.

12 hours ago, Antoyne said:

Yikes. Eileen hasn’t even been back that much and you want her gone? We will have to completely agree to disagree from this point forward.

I'm with you. I never get enough Eileen Davidson. She brings something to EVERY scene she's in and is one of daytime's greatest actors.

18 hours ago, AMCHistory said:

The Sharon episode fell flat for me. So it was a fever dream to prove that Nick is her one and only, again? I bet both actors are dreading the idea of getting re-paired up.

Honestly, I do not care if Josh Morrow and Sharon Case dread a renewal of their relationship. Have their storylines been that good WITHOUT each other? Nick's multiple pairings have all been meh or failures. I'd say the same about Sharon's. Let's not pretend her marriage to Rey was a barn burner.

I still say the dream episode was a way to extricate Sharon from Chance without "hurting" any character. Chance and Summer don't cheat on Sharon and get called bad guys. Sharon isn't seen as the aggrieved older woman who can't keep a guy. One episode and it's all over.

I'll repeat:  I love Sharon Case to death, but she was NOT invested in the Chance pairing. She never gave it her all -- and that came across on the screen.

9 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

I mean, Zende’s not wrong for feeling the way that he does but jeez, he’s such a whiner

Yeah, I'm tired of it, too. It was fine the first couple times, but now it's absurd. Why does RJ even listen to this? Why not just leave the room? And don't get me started on the absurdity of EITHER of these two being responsible for the entire damn collection.

Did GH ever hear of "Show, Don't Tell"?

If we're getting Bobbie/Jaclyn Zeman clips later this week, I won't be as pressed about this, but hearing people talk about Bobbie endlessly while not seeing her in clips is...a choice.

And when Felicia and Maxie visited Barbara Jean's grave, why did the 30-year old grave marker look like it was just 3 days old?

35 minutes ago, Beachstorm said:

That doors scene harkened me back to the finale of a Gordon Ramsey Hell's Kitchen episode where the winning chef steps through an unlocked door. It was cheesy, but I liked it.

Like the doors scene or not, its placement in the special was problematic.

You're celebrating 60 years of GH and THIS is what you leave your audience with??? As if Jesus is returning??? The Genie Francis toast should have ended the special.

14 hours ago, Beachstorm said:

What was with Stamos talking so fast it was hard to keep up? That business about his favorite time on GH when Sammy D. Jr. was on and they had some sort of jam session with Blackie on the drums. Why didn't they show that clip, I wonder? Stamos told everyone to go look it up on Youtube. Wow, really? Does he have some sort of rights to the scenes? (I highly doubt it). Can't figure that one out.

I like John Stamos, but that whole thing was a mess. They let him riff, which is why they ended up with fast-talking nonsense, and then kept it in. Even worse, they gave him MORE to do. The Blackie clip was ridiculous and gave us nothing about why the character became popular. There was no way to look at that clip and say "Oh, THAT'S why they brought back Stamos for the special!"

20 hours ago, j swift said:

Forgive my repetition because I just had the same thought about Steve Burton on another thread about his return to GH.  However, I am struck by the contrast of his age versus the stories that are written for him.  When John Clarke (aka Mickey) and Bill Hayes were his age, they were being written off as too old.   IRL if he was a Navy SEAL, he would retire in five years. But, we saw Harris have his first kiss with his girlfriend and buy her a pathetic gold chain for Christmas as if he was a teenager experiencing first love. 

At the risk of sounding ageist, it feels ridiculous. 

It is ridiculous. And has anyone seen Steve Burton in HD?

It is insanity to believe there's no story for Sharon and Nick if they're married. If they get together and there's no story, that's strictly the fault of writers.

I do not believe that ANYONE at Y&R -- including Eric Braeden -- any longer has veto power over story. Can actors give interviews and say what they'd like? Of course. That doesn't mean they can go to Josh Griffith and say "Don't put me with Sharon."

Josh Morrow left social media a good while ago, pretty much because of the negativity. Anything he said was constantly distorted and stretched -- and still is. He NEVER criticized Sharon Case, but you'd never know that from people's comments. He said something about working with other actors a dozen years ago, so today people write "JM wants all hot babes and doesn't want to get back with SC."

Josh Morrow is 49. Sharon Case is 52. If they're endgame -- and almost everyone believes they are -- it's time to get there. I don't want a Nick and Sharon reunion during the last month before the show is canceled.

While I still believe Sharon's dream episode was written solely to quickly break up Sharon and Chance without sullying ANY character (Chance, Summer, or Sharon), I'll be dumbfounded if the Nick/Sharon relationship mentions mean nothing going forward.

14 hours ago, Errol said:

I personally am sick of revisiting the 60s, 70s and especially the 80s of GH in terms of anniversaries. At this point, we're getting one every five years, and I don't know how much I can take of only seeing stuff about Luke and Laura, AIDS, and the like. While I have yet to watch the special myself, I'm glad they focused on more current content as the older stuff won't be bringing in any new sets of eyeballs. While you can embrace your history, you can't just sit on what happened in the past.

I respect what you say here, Errol, but when you watch the special, you'll see that there's really not a focus on current story that can bring in new viewers -- or even lapsed viewers.

I feel the concentration was on the production, on the look of the special. For ex., the entrances and exits of actors were expertly filmed on various sets...and we did get to see they were actually sets. Emphasis was also on spreading the joy so some lead actors (Laura Wright) were treated especially well with dialogue while other leads were also treated well.

Genie Francis? We didn't see much of her during the hour, but she was given the final lines, the toast to GH, the cast, and the fans. I was pleased that Becky Herbst was given so much to do.

So for me, the special was style over substance. I don't think anything about it pulls in relapsed viewers beyond the "Jason is my everything" crowd.