Khan

I still say a nice, long, sit-down chat with PM would clear up a lot of the confusion.

It's like Ron just gets these one-sentence inspirations for storylines and figures he'll work out the logistics later.

I'm thrilled as well! DVD is a national treasure in my book. He might need a little more assistance getting around these days, but there's still that twinkle in his eye and spring in his step. AFAIC, he's one of the last of the breed of entertainers who exude talent, warmth and class. (And no, it's not lost on me that even 98-year-old DVD looked to be in better health onstage than 61-year-old Frank Valentini.)

Yup!

Except there are writers who also do/did that and did a better job of it! Even if JG were working from a meticulously written two-year bible, I guarantee the stories on this show still would suck, because the s.o.b. just can't write.

And does it ever, lol!

I think "Supertrain" would have had a chance if it had been set in a post-apocalyptic America; one where the country essentially was the Wild West again. Or, they could have gone in another, more steampunk direction and have the concept of a futuristic-looking train during the great age of railroad expansion. In either case, there could be some comic relief in every episode, but stories would be edgier and more allegorical.

Bill Corbett (a.k.a. Brain Guy/Crow T. Robot #2) has said he was surprised by how awful the script was, given Jacker's reputation as a playwright. By the way, someone should start a MST3k thread, lol.

Yes! Definitely a 180 in terms of casting! I also feel like Laurel's storyline was changed with the recast. No way could I see Jensen's Laurel being a con artist with an autistic child, lol.

Yep. I don't remember Frank Valentini always being so...muted? Between his appearance at last year's Emmys and this year's, I definitely think there's something wrong with Frank and that the show and network are keeping it quiet for whatever reason.

IOW, "Growing Pains" was for those who thought the Huxtables were too uppity, lol.

I think they were attempting to emphasize the sci-fi elements that were inherent in the show's premise, since it was clear the goofy sitcommery that had informed the first opening wasn't landing with folks at home, lol. Conversely, Gavin McLeod might not have been a big star when "The Love Boat" premiered, but he had enough cache from working for seven years on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to be, in certain respects, a household name.

At this point, I'll be happy to see Bob Guza at DAYS, lol! Friendship only goes so far.

Thanks, @JAS0N47!

Good. He should fit right in with Ron and Jamey. I agree. Look at what happened to AMC: one of the most grounded soaps on the air suddenly had a story about voodoo.

I agree.

I'd go even further -- to when Bob Guza left the first time to help launch SuBe. Between that, Richard Culliton (and later, Janet Iacobuzio/Christopher Whitesell) coming in and making a mess of things and Wendy Riche stretching herself thin between running GH and launching PC, I feel like the delicate balance that Riche and Claire Labine helped create for the show was ruined, saved only by GH's stable of excellent breakdown and script writers at that time.

According to wikipedia, the train also boasted a swimming pool, shopping centers, a library and a medical center. But, no Starbucks, lol! ICAM!

It seems like when MW/Tangie didn't spark right away with RN/Josh, the show abandoned whatever big plans they had for both actor and character. Personally, though, I feel like GL should have cut their losses much sooner than they did and released MW from her contract rather than waste her.

Something tells me Frank is more of a Lowe's man, but ok.

I don't think they needed to make MW's character a recast of anyone who'd been on the show before. Bringing her on as a brand-new character was fine. They just needed to do more with her beforehand beyond giving her a stripper name.

I refuse to believe you're 76, @Soapsuds.

I agree!! I still haven't decided whether Frank has no tastes or just bland and inoffensive ones.

At the very least, I'm hoping for a key that leads to a door that leads to a parallel dimension where Salem is a normal town filled with normal people who die and stay dead.

For God's sake, would somebody PLEASE fire Josh Griffith and then stipulate to Steven Kent that he can never be hired again under any circumstances whatsoever? Please?? Thanks, @janea4old. I think, lol.