soapfan770

One of Falcon Crest’s more famous Hollywood Golden Age stars has passed: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/16/movies/gina-lollobrigida-dead.amp.html

Personally I’ve always found Neil Patrick Harris to be so overrated over the years I never quite understood his hype over the years. That said I only watched one episode of Uncoupled and wasn’t impressed, felt there was so many stereotypes that I just didn’t feel any desire to finish. Like the movie “Bros” the potential and ideas are there, just horribly executed with lazy writing and bad casting IMO.

Pretty much. I know AH Victoria once mentioned Eve around the time Reed was born while AH Victoria and Nina briefly discussed Ryan and Cole in the 12000th episode but other than that nothing.

That’s a good one, the couple that caused Days to absolutely tank in the ratings lol. Throw in Brian & Ginger as well.

A few examples that come off the top of my head: ATWT: Caleb & Julie, Kirk & Sam (who both literally disappeared on the orders of James Stenbeck), and Will & Gwen. Days: Scott & Faith, Shane & Kimberly, Phillip & Kimberly, Mike & Carrie, Max and Chelsea B&B: Nick & Bridget, Owen & Jackie GL : I agree about Alan-Michael & Lucy, they dominated GL from 1993-96 but I think once Hearst left and A-M was recast with a lousy actor that pretty much was it for the pairing. Then later on there was Jesse & Drew and Danny & Michelle. Y&R: Andy & Faren, Tony & Megan, Tomas & Nina, and yes Bobby & Brittany.

@kalbirIndeed it’s struck me as odd in retrospect that Bell didn’t set up a teen scene around Victoria despite having a overall consistent teen/young adult scene throughout the 80’s. Instead we had a clearly underage Victoria get married. I suppose we did have Brandon Collins but he was never utilized properly. I think Cole was supposed to just be a couple years older than Victoria, but the show cast a mid-30 something J Eddie Peck. Making matters complicated later on is that both JM and SC are older than HT.

Ryan was always a such a selfish dolt to me, probably lasting on Reeves’ sexy body and charm at the time for him to last longer than he should have. Probably the only beat the show missed was him having a steamy shocking one night stand with Jill in early 1996 which the show seemed so poised to do but backed off. I don’t think of Ryan as apologetic, and I do believe his death at Tricia’s hands was obviously the ultimate karma for cheating on Nina with her. I think if Chase had lasted we’d probably gotten a more well rounded triangle between him, Nina, and Victoria would have occurred with Chase being more respectful of the two women when Ryan never was. I hadn’t even thought of Ryan filling a void for Phillip III though…I can imagine had Phillip III lived (and been recast) and ended up hooking up with Victoria in 1991-92 it would’ve caused quite some volatility between Victor, Nikki, Jill, and Katherine.

That sounds about right. There was something again in late 2019 when Zack came back again as Fen, fell off the wagon and was back in rehab again with Michael visiting him but it was some dumb plot point for Adam to have leverage over Michael. It was so obvious that the show had written that Fen story to service Max Ehrich, except that Ehrich turned down the stint because of time restraints. I have no idea what Ehrich has been up to since his bout of emotional instability that went viral following his disastrous breakup with Demi Lovato.

I honestly forgot her show was even on too lol. For years she ran on the local ABC station, but it looks like my local MyNet station airs her show.

Y&R: That final scene of Jill and Katherine with her going up the stairs and saying goodnight.

Wow, RIP indeed. Rex was such a fun character, right from the get go of setting up a man for Katherine. I absolutely loved the whole triangle between him, Jill, and Katherine I could easily see him as both their soul mate. However Rex’s tryst with Leanna was just as fun. I always thought Rex was killed off too soon but alas times were changing. I would’ve preferred Rex to hang out to Katharine’s end as opposed to Murphy. As for his Days run, wow I’ve always been impressed from what I’ve seen. A real highlight for me was seeing Alex and the late Lanna Saunders Marie on a date, the chemistry and history felt legit and warmth even though you knew that Alex was a shady scumbag lol. Wish there was more of his Nick Reed run. Redeker knew how to play it all and entertain us.

If I right Strike 1 was Fashions business failure in Hong Kong, strike 2 was the bizarre Lisa/John/Carly triangle complete with drunk Lisa trying to stop the wedding, and strike 3 was when Carly had to go work for Lisa as the ladies restroom cleaning attendant (!) following Parker’s paternity reveal. Worse is they pointlessly temp cast Carmen Duncan as Lisa to bash Carly in those scenes with Sarah Brown’s Julia. I don’t think Lisa and Carly ever interacted again after that for the rest of the show’s run.

Wow this was bad lol, really bad. I forgot how much I hated Blair Baker and Rita Madison. I know people are making the connection to JFP, but to add on to trademarks this was the era written right before Margaret DePriest with her two back to back serial killer storylines. Did DePriest ever write a soap after 1980 that didn’t include some type of serial killer storyline plot?

CBS was so uneven during the Tisch years. You had 2 or 3 sitcoms that were successful but everything else failed. Y&R had better ratings some of this prime time flops, and CBS didn’t always treat their primetime hits right. Dan Rather floundered big time, yet 60 Minutes remained well respected and highly watched. Interestingly in the mid-late 90’s I remember the old TNN network aired Dukes and Dallas reruns in a block. I find it amusing that the Hulk was also on that Friday night line up 1979-81 lol.

The Laurence Tisch years for CBS really were an era of incompetence and dismal results for the network weren’t they?

Thanks as always @kalbir! I didn’t remember Knots airing at 9 either. I dusted off my old prime time encyclopedia directory off the shelf lol and I see it lasted just two months lol. I have in my notes Knots was #31 for 87-88 and was actually technically still at #29 and #30 for 89-90 and 90-91 seasons but so many had tied up those seasons sometimes It ultimately fell off some lists.

I forgot L.A. started on Friday nights. In spite of it’s breakout success on Thursday nights it still faced some pretty healthy competition from a still Top #30 Knots Landing for just about all of its run, even as the rest of CBS Thursday night line-up withered and died. Neither show available for streaming and scare on DVD’s at the moment interestingly enough. At some point NBC shipped Night Court to Friday nights and later Dear John. I know the Jeff Freilich era of Falcon Crest is polarizing (I’ve seen a mix of people who loved it and hated it) but it became a fast-paced action driven show with Mark Snow’s electrifying scoring, obviously in response to Miami Vice, all the while the parade of Hollywood Golden Age stars came in and out lol. It worked for the 86-87 season; the 87-88 season was affected by Dallas’ dismal woes, loss of two original actors, wayyy too many guest stars, and that out of nowhere James Bond plot about a secret organization overthrowing the US government lol. As for future of CBS and Friday nights, well they had major critical success with Picket Fences, but not in ratings. So instead of advertising it better and moving it to a more watched time slot, they left there until they decided to move Picket Fences up an hour to go head to head with Fox’s X-Files in what would be its final season. Of course CBS this past 10 years now has had some top 30 hits air on Friday nights, just don’t ask them what those demos are lol.

The elegant and timeless Jabot lobby is the best looking set on the show these days. What the heck is that hideously crappy Glam Club supposed to be anymore? Did I hear right about Daniel and Abby dropping for lunch? Jeez so much for “upscale night club”. Sally’s storyline is in insulting. She really should be tantalizing Kyle or wooing Chance just to get the Chancellor name. Instead she’s saddled with an umpteenth Who’s the daddy involving Nick and Adam. Very offensive. I smiled at the Gina reference as well. She came back for Katherine’s funeral but before that hadn’t been on since 2009 when Jerry passed.

Not surprised at all if that’s the case as he would have known them from his Lorimar days and with the duo fresh off their USA/Playboy channel show it perfectly fit in with what CBS was trying to do to its entire network at the time. The following year the show made the same mistake again by the hiring 90210’s Jessica Klein, who was just as bad as Stern & Black. With a good EP (and an easing on micromanagement) Labine may have done well at ATWT. I hated what became of her GL tenure.

Bob Good is a disgusting massive homophobic Liberty University bred whack job that to me is scarier than some of the usual crackpots in the House.

Personally, I was hoping for Ian buchanan to return as James as her “prison psychiatrist”. The last time they actually interacted back in 2017 was overall very disappointing, so having James return would be fun. Plus Finn could meet a biological sibling in a returned Mary.

A few days late but thanks for the tag @DRW50! As far as the Tom and Margo scenes go this is the beginning of Margo’s PTSD which basically we would end up seeing Margo act crazy for the next two, three years or so. Cullinton had a strong 1995, I wonder why it fizzled and he was let go. What gets me is why P&G even hired Stern & Black. Having rewatched Falcon Crest sure their early work was alright, but their returned to write and produce the show’s Season 8 (1988-89) was an unmitigated disaster, and history would repeat itself in 1996 Might be a controversial opinion but at the time I actually preferred Sheffer’s ATWT at least 2000-2003 to what occurred in the FMB era and at least under Goutman/Laiman. 1997 started of promising but ended up almost as bad as 1996, and 1998-99 was sloppy. As much as I enjoyed Molly later on, those first couple years were rough as she was literally everywhere roaming the show aimlessly, even dating Andy at one point. The less said about Julia and Katie during these years the better. @Vee mentioned haircuts during the FMB era, I will have to say at one point West and KMH seemed to have the exact same hair cut as well at the height of the scheming as well I had to to a double take a couple of times. Maybe that was someone’s idolized idea of an vixen? At least in first couple of Sheffer years at least was highly entertained compared to Lethal Laiman’s tenure, it really wasn’t was until the rapes of Jack and Jessica I found myself feeling offended by Hogan.

I’d say NBC actually had a rough 1991-92 season overall that what they were use to. Except for Cheers, the rest of the Thursday line-up was out of the top 10, with Fox finding younger demo successes by counter programming The Simpsons and Beverly Hills 90210 against the Must See Thursday line-up. However the early 90’s there appeared to be more balance between the Big 3 at least until 1994 of course. ABC had a hot Tuesday night with Full House, Roseanne, Home Improvement and Coach while TGIF was more or less a demographic success. Old staples like Growing Pains and Who’s the Boss were left rotting in strange timeslots. I think Who’s the Boss final season aired on Saturday nights. Of course CBS owned Sunday and Monday nights in the early 90’s. They tried so hard to rebuild their Thursday and Friday nights but so many shows came and went as nothing worked.

Hotel’s rankings by season lol what a mess: 1983-84: #9 1984-85: #12 1985-86: #22 1986-87: #47 1987-88: #91 I never paid attention to it much growing up and wasn’t impressed by any reruns I saw especially when I tried watching it again on SoapNet years later.

From SoapOpera Spy, there’s some here on this list I can’t disagree with. However I think #1 (Diane) is completely wrong and just pandering to the old biddies on Facebook lol. 12. Esme Prince – GH The scheming Esme was on last year’s list of characters who needed to be written off, and it had looked like fans got their wish. During a huge argument with Ava in August, Esme fell over the parapet at Wyndemere and tumbled into the ocean. But had she bitten the dust? Fans couldn’t get so lucky. Alas, the demon spawn of Ryan recently returned to Port Charles, expecting with Nikolas’ child. Perhaps in 2023, someone can finish the job Ava started. 11. Paris Buckingham – B&B Paris is another character who was also on last year’s list of those who needed to be written off. Although she did get a decent storyline this year involving Carter, Zende and Quinn, since then she’s been completely sidelined. Paris occasionally appears modeling one of Zende’s designs, or to cause trouble spreading office gossip. But other than that, this character doesn’t contribute much to any of B&B’s storylines. This year, it’s time for her to finally go. 10. Zende Forrester – B&B Speaking of Zende, if he exited B&B in 2023, no one would notice. Kristen and Tony’s son is scarcely in any scenes. Plus, he was barely even featured during the recent Hope For The Future fashion preview, despite the fact that he designed many of the gowns. Let’s face it, this character deserves better and should move on. 9. Dr. Rolf – DOOL Dr. Rolf is a ridiculous character whose magical serum has brought just about everyone in Salem back to life at one time or another. He’s resurrected the likes of Will, Jack, EJ, Ava, Vivian and most recently, Stefan. DOOL’s resident mad scientist has run his course and it’s time for him to make his exit, stage left. 8. Noah Newman – Y&R Noah was brought back to the Y&R canvas in late 2021 and ever since, he’s been a complete snooze fest. He was recently paired with Jack’s granddaughter Allie, who is sweet, but unfortunately just as boring as Noah. Plus, there’s not much chemistry between the two characters. Even Noah’s troublemaker ex-girlfriend Audra’s sudden appearance in Genoa City hasn’t made him exciting. Writers need to send Noah back to London for good. 7. Rafe Hernandez – DOOL Speaking of snooze fests, many DOOL fans would agree this character is long past his due date. The keystone cop was recently thrown into a romance with Ava, which didn’t really work. In 2022, he married Nicole, who is in love with Eric. And why wouldn’t she be? Rafe is about as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s high past time for him to exit Salem. 6. Ryan Chamberlain – GH Like a bad penny, Ryan seems to keep popping back up in Port Charles. Just when viewers think they’re rid of him, there he is again. In 2022, it was revealed that he was faking a medical condition called locked-in syndrome. He had doctors convinced that he was completely immobile. But viewers found out that was not the case when he began communicating with his daughter. Both he and Esme need to go, tout suite. 5. Sharon Rosales – Y&R Unfortunately, ever since her husband Rey lost his life in a car accident, Sharon has done nothing but dole out coffee and advice. This character, who has been on the soap since 1994, has had no plotline whatsoever and is only ever seen at Crimson Lights. It’s a shameful way to treat a character who has been an integral part of Genoa City for nearly 30 years. Producers need to either give her a juicy storyline or just write her out. 4. Leo Stark – DOOL Salem troublemaker Leo seems to think he’s a master manipulator, but he’s anything but. He’s failed in each of his get-rich-quick schemes, including a harassment suit, extortion and marrying a rich guy. Plus, Leo has wronged so many people in town that he’s got more enemies than friends at this point. Let’s hope the con man will finally just admit defeat and leave for greener pastures. 3. Gladys Corbin – GH Now that Gladys’ son Brando has passed away, courtesy of “the hook”, what’s keeping her in Port Charles? There certainly doesn’t seem to be a good reason for her to stay. The resident busybody isn’t going to have anything to do in 2023, with the exception of interfering in her former daughter-in-law’s life. So, she may as well just pack her bags and leave. 2. Wyatt Spencer – B&B Wyatt was barely seen in 2022, besides the occasional lunch or dinner with Liam and Bill. More than a year ago he got engaged to Flo, a character who has completely disappeared from the canvas. Not to mention the fact that he’s now homeless, having sold his beach house to Taylor. Wyatt’s mother Quinn also recently exited the sudser. So, if he isn’t going to be given anything to do in 2023 besides chatting with and giving advice to his father and brother, Wyatt should just exit quietly. 1. Diane Jenkins – Y&R Diane Jenkins is a character you either love or hate, and it seems like the majority of viewers can’t stand her. This character bit the dust in 2011, via a rock to the head, courtesy of Nikki. But as it turned out, Deacon helped Ms. Jenkins fake her demise and she returned to Y&R just over a decade later. Since then, Nikki, Ashley and Phyllis have been determined to kick her out of Genoa City. However, Diane has been determined to stay. Will the unlikely allies succeed in getting rid of her in 2023? One can only hope.