Khan

I thought Jennifer Ferrin was great as Jennifer. Even when the writing stunk, which it did more often than it didn't, she still managed to turn in some fantastic performances. I wonder what Harry Zittel is doing these days. Is he still in the business?

If Valene's novel, "Capricorn Crude," didn't threaten the Ewings' personal fortunes, then Sue Ellen's movie wouldn't have either.

I haven't seen this episode. Was it devoted totally to Marlena, or were other characters/stories featured? I think I would have written a simple celebration for just Marlena, John and whatever kids and grandkids are floating around Salem atm. No other characters or stories would be featured; just Doc and her loved ones maybe having a private party and providing opportunities for Marlena to reflect upon her many adventures via flashbacks (and yes, those flashbacks would have both Wayne Northrop and Josh Taylor as Roman, because, come on, we're not idiots, lol).

I really thought Cynthia Preston was going to set GH on fire as Faith. She was so bold and unpredictable, exactly the kind of character you'd need on a soap to keep things percolating. I wonder what happened BTS to cause her to be killed off so relatively soon.

Didn't he portray Adam as a child? Harry Zittel?

I agree!

Another strange storyline from the Bell days had to be the saga of Vanessa Prentiss and her veiled face. I'll bet that was something soap fans back then weren't used to seeing, lol. Unfortunately, I think Vanessa's choice of cover undercut the suspense a bit. The storyline called for a Hannibal Lecter-type mask. Instead, Y&R fans got a salute to "I Dream of Jeannie," lol.

Definitely Brad Carlton in a cage. Someone was thirsty as hell when they wrote that one, lol.

Actually, @j swift, I kind of agree with you. I can't recall the last time DAYS was relatable in any sense - and chances are, even if DAYS were to make an honest return to the kind of simple, character-driven storytelling it used to be known for, the writing just wouldn't be there. Therefore, I've learned to accept the show for what it is. Big, honking, offensive flaws and all, lol.

???

IOW, you'd fire Ron Carlivati, lol.

I'm sorry, but this is 2023, and unless Hope is suffering from a brain virus, having her fall for the guy who once terrorized her is socially and morally irresponsible.

I, myself, would have John afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. Naturally, the big twist here would be that, at first, everyone assumes that John's symptoms are signs that he's going back into "mercenary mode." It's only after Doc has him undergo a battery of tests that everyone learns the sad and painful truth.

Should I feel bad that I have no memory of this hookup whatsoever, lol?

Even if it all did take place in one room, with Kayla as the doctor, it still could be good, if the writing and acting are there. Corday, Sony and "The Cock" would just need to commit to telling a story that wasn't about resurrections, brainwashes, demonic possessions or drugged baked goods.

Thank you for mentioning that, @Vee. I thought I was misremembering, lol. Clearly, Ron loves the idea of running gags. However, his gags are hardly ever funny; and the more others seem to resist them, the harder he seems to push them, because he's convinced you're going to love 'em if it's the very last thing you do. It's torture.

I agree, on both counts, lol.

That's always the trouble with Sonny. His relationships - with Nina, with Connie/Kate, with Olivia, with Carly, with everyone except Lily (who died before she became really boring) and, of course, Brenda - start off great, but they devolve into nothing. As a matter of fact, I'm looking on soapcentral.com at the list of all his paramours and some of them I just plain don't remember. (Who da fuq was Hannah, lol?)

When I was a kid, I used to watch "National Lampoon's Class Reunion" all the time on HBO, which my old apartment complex carried for free. "Class Reunion" was a dreadful movie, but it was saved by a number of performances, including Jackie Zeman's.

I agree. It's been a few semesters, but I don't recall Jackee being so OTT on ANOTHER WORLD. On there, she was more like what Sondra Clark was on "227" before she became the black sitcom version of Mae West. Again, I agree. By now, it's obvious that that "'cock money" is nowhere to be found. Yet, they continue to write and produce DAYS as if it's still on the network - and bear in mind, even when it WAS still on the network, the threads were showing big time, lol. If it were up to me, I'd bring DAYS back down to earth, and back to basics. No more action/adventure, espionage or sci-fi crap. Again, there's no real money for it. I'd also take a long, hard look at the cast as is and decide who has potential going forward and who doesn't. Perhaps, it's time to accept that the Bradys, the DiMeras and even the Hortons have had their day? Who knows? But, I'd definitely invest in some new characters and families if I'd want DAYS to have a future in streaming (and I do).

Then, when Sonny inevitably tires of life with Nina and returns to Carly or Alexis or even Brenda, she and Ava can team up once more and pretend Nina is in danger from some mob figure and needs Sonny for protection. All of a sudden, it's starting to feel like SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, lol. I've got it! Willow secretly learns she was misdiagnosed at the same time Nina, complaining of symptoms, undergoes some tests at the hospital. Willow learns Nina is dying of cancer, so she switches her medical file with her mother's. People continue feeling sorry for Willow, who laps up all the attention, while Nina gets sicker and sicker (tm Blanche Devereaux). (Nina could think it's just Long COVID!). That way, Willow is eventually exposed as a fraud and banished from PC; and by the time Nina and everyone else learns she's the one who's dying, the cancer will be so advanced that there isn't anything that anyone can do to save her. Nina's dead, Willow's gone and democracy lives on.

I agree. Back in the day, Bill Bell and Kay Alden would write this kind of story to the hilt.

There was always going to be a point when the general public (who WEREN'T diehards but who were nevertheless curious) would get tired and begin experiencing what I would call "Trump fatigue." It's like watching MELROSE PLACE: you can take only so many Shocking Twists before the twists stop being shocking.

Both. Not EVERY cast member was wrong for the show. Ana-Alicia, David Selby, Susan Sullivan and, of course, Jane Wyman more than made up for what the rest of the main cast lacked; and although she was never a great actress, Lana Turner, as Jacqueline Perrault, lent the show a certain "old Hollywood" aura that pushed the rest of the show over the top in the glamour department. However, FC also featured plenty of actors who were either wrong for the show or the characters they were chosen for (Kristian Alfonso, Morgan Fairchild, Ken Olin) or who were just plain wrong (Gina Lollabrigida, both Vickies, all of Emma's husbands/love interests). Furthermore, stunt casting, in general, is never a good idea. It comes across as desperation; and FC, I'm afraid, indulged in stunt casting too frequently - to the point where I think it hurt the storytelling. Wow. It's not everyday when I find myself in agreement with the likes of Shannon Tweed, lol.