Mitch

Oh good God, thank you, I remember, "Stephen," (never Steve) and "Linda Ann," (always, always both names....) Iva needed someone like Kirk, who was one of the ATWT who was unapologetic about his drive and ambition. She also needed someone to kick her in the ass and likewise with him. I can't remember, but how was Brown's chemistry with Deas on GL when they were briefly paired. Always thought on paper that they would work well, Nola would be the one woman who wouldnt cow tow to Buzz's arm flapping and yelling. Jason Benedict..yes, would love to have seen the story where sad sack Iva found out she was a beard for Benedict...hell Nancy Hughes and Ellen Stewart would turn to each other and say, "Who is that QUEEN??"

I'd say that was the one thing missing from Marland's ATWT, "passion," either real sexual passion, family passion, or just plain angry passion. Everyone is so damn polite all the damn time. Kim is the only one who gets to loose her temper, or if a character does loose their temper, its always directed towards a "bad," person (i.e. James, Lucinda, Tonio,) and never at a "good," person. I always thought it was annoying that all the "good," characters liked each other, always thought Long's and the Curlee, Demorest GL was more realistic and had more heart, people would say funny snarkey things about other characters, be they good or bad.

Love that promo..so funny..as Marland's ATWT was far from "wild," (which I liked about it!) I actually like Kirk and Iva too..hated Ellie and Kirk (and what were Kirk's generic kids and their generic names Timmy and Sally or something???) They should have done a story where Iva finds out she has a depression problem and seeks help! They could have then done a story where Iva was looped up on pills and goes out on the town giving blow jobs down at the dock...okay, so that would have been the storyline I would have written but Marland would have had us go through more "therapy," sessions and give us detailed descriptions about depression, its symptoms , it causes, its treatments. The only redemption story they gave Iva was when she went on that cruise and had a "Now Voyager," makeover and fell in love with one of the most unattractive and gayest acting straight men on a soap. Typical Iva, when she gets a man he is gay and ugly!!! Remember the Kirk actor on GL when they briefly paired him with MG's Holly. He was actually kind of hot as the cowboy and he and MG had chemistry out the ass, but of course, it was just a set up for the next "Cassie," storyline!!!

She was terrible playing Nola again. I know the writing sucked, and McTavish made her come back depressed, but Lisa was playing Nola like she was sad sack Iva and Nola was never a sad sack, she got up and fought. They really missed a great opportunity to really bring the Reardons (and by extension the Bauers ) back and reinvigorate. Instead of being sad about being back in the boarding house they should have made Nola happy to be home and being able to get back into everyone business and "fix," it. I am thinking like an AW Aunt Liz type of character, fun and oddball butting into your business but actually being right about things most of the time. I do love that McTavish brought back the love/hate of Nola and Van, and Lisa was best in her scenes with MK. Would have loved if they had followed up with Nola and Ed, but PS for some reason raised a fit about it, and was left without a storyline (PS always seems to be a bit of a pain in the ass.) It would have been nice for the Bauers and the Reardons to have a matriach that could bring it all together again.

Hell, by that time they could have been pulling a Moniz and Grillo and screwing in the dressing room right next door and HW wouldnt have heard anything! Would love to see HW give Columbino a nice Nancy Hughes dressing down, "Now dear you seem to be involved with that, what do the kids call it today, "Himbo," While I am sure he has nice pecs dear, he doesnt seem to be, shall we say the brightest pupil in the class, and really, your just an actress who is working now, and he call himself an actor...do you think your home will be big enough to contain two massive self centered egos and how long can a marriage last between two amoral models turned actors. Now dear go home and repair your marriage and hope to the dear lord they dont cancel this show as you could be just another bad actress with blond hair, divorced and unemployed. You may pass the teacups now."

That reminds me of some things I have read in the past that, because of the huge amounts of vets that ATWT (compared to other shows) that the cast really was like a family and that the long termers kind of acted out their roles on the show behind the scenes. I.E. Helen Wagner took Colleen to task for breaking up two families, and Zenk was mortified that HW was displeased, and an interview with the Katie actress when she explains how they keep the younger actors in line "Well first they send in Don, who will talk with you and joke and let you know that there is a problem, and if it doesnt end, then they send in Kathy, who will tell you exactley what the problem is and how you should fix it. But if you see Helen coming down the hall to your dressing room you know your in BIG trouble!"

Ahh, sorry. When Carl said one of the less awful stories I thought you ment the India thing, which took place when GL was going through a rough transitional period. The Alex/Cyrus story could have been good, with someone other then Marina as the third. Plus, if they would have shown that Alex liked Cyrus edge, his wit, his charm, his fun and that Cyrus liked Alex's wit, charm, fun, smarts, power and money....but he just couldnt naturally resist a woman his age. It just came off as more this weird old asexual lady lusting after a Chippendale's dancer and him using her for her money and access to her rich friends but we were still supposed to like him and root for him and Marina..its just kind of sucked. I guess if they had made him something different then a soap cliche jewel thief, maybe a rough and tumble business guy who comes in with some great management and business ideas and saves the Spauldings a fortune..t

Well, it got sidelined when Alexander left and they recast with Bolger. I remember that scene and wasnt it the also the night that Josh and Reva made love (though she was married to H.B.??) Whatever happened to that Murry Bartlet guy? Hated that storyline, (Alex as a pathetic old sexless woman desperate for affection and actually threatned by Minnie Mouse Marina??) but for the "hawwwt," guys on soaps he actually had some charm and personality on screen.

No, but you gotta admit, DF's Hogan was one hot piece of ass!!!

That Gavin was hot!! The show was a bit top heavy with corporate types at this time, especially since corporate to Marland always equaled at least morally corrupt. Lucinda was being kind of a prude about Jane...what is up with that. Why did they get rid of Jane and Ambrose (I know Ambrose died in real life)?I loved them and I love Jane rolling her eyes at Lucinda. I remember thinking this Lily was unattractive, but she wanst. I guess she was so cold..and as annoying as MB's Lily was she wasnt cold. I love that everyone is still talking about being worried about Lily, though now she is 7 foot tall and could go bear hunting with a switch as they say. Was this the start of drab drepressing Angel and her rapist dad?? God I hated that crap! Add in Seth Snyder and you have a boring depressing snooze fest.

Good God that looks just like a spoof ad on Saturday Night Live!

True, MKA as much as I love her..did not have a lot of sexual chemistry with men...the Simon character was such a dud so that didnt count. I did like her "friendship," chemistry with guys, from Lujack to Rick to GA's Phillip their second time around. I think this is the reason that the Ross and India relationship didnt last and that Rauch didnt know what to do with her, and termed her a "dog. I have no idea why the PTB loved RR so much but a good storyline would have been for them to have India marry Alan on his death bed (they could retro write it later that Alan once again faked his death to escape prosecution.) and battle it out with Alex from then on in. Loved that India was the only one in town to give both Beth and Reva [!@#$%^&*], and with a smile on her face. The Beth love from everyone in town at that time made Marland's Lily look like a wallflower. Yea, as I said, always dislike RR in the role, he was toothless even when the writing was good. I remember the time the clip above played, and it seemed that GL was getting back on its feet after the disaster of the clone. Marj was actually good at this time..loved her confrontation with Annie in the attic ""Let me tell you, each time Alan and I have battled I won!" and "Ya got quite a bark on you don't ya sister!" Marj could be good when the wrote Alex with a backbone..not good in a Bev way, but a more down and dirty, midwestern Alex. Have no idea why the dropped the ball on that...and instead we got the Santos family and the fairy princes of San Crud. Hated what they turned Nola into with the Nola aerobics and then just running out of town after Quinton. Of course, I would have killed Quinton off to give her more story so the original couple fanatics would have hated me!

Actually, Bev seems pretty shrill here, far different from her later, cool as ice Alex.She seems much more Marj/Alex here. I remember India appearing on the Spaulding door, telling Alex's assistant (wahtever happened to her anyway) "Please tell the Baroness her loving daughter is here!" Friday cliffhanger....great. India was originally going to be Beth's cousin, a down and dirty tramp but MKA read and Pam Long rewrote India and her backstory. I wish they would have had India return in 1995 instead of the deaged Amanda. India always knew how to get under Alex's skin, and I don't think we had any scenes between her and Marj/Alex, which was typical Rauch/EB stupidity. Forgot that Irizzarry was so cute when younger

That Fulton story is hilarious. Seems to be a good old publicity stunt, I love her crying on the phone as one goofy town "banned," her song. Isn't that the Fortunato who took off with a good deal of Fultons' money? The lyrics are hilarious "My grandma says he wont be found cause he drowned!" Eww, Babs and Bob????I am glad they never referenced that and left it as a father/daughter relationship.

I know people go on and on....about this location shoot, and it is shot nicely, however, it kind of is dumb. I love all the extras dressed up like local yokels, and I remember the scene of Reva on the front porch yelling, "Hiya cousin Andy, Marybelle its been so long, ah, Bevis you go on with your self," to invicible people! Plus, when Reva came to SF her name was mud, as she was just a social climbiing, brother screwing white trash floozy, who everyone was annoyed with, now all the citizens are in love with her? Also, it would have been nice to see the citizens of SF there for the wedding too. Well, I guess I can compare this to Wheeler/Peakpack, where the boys for Billy and Vans wedding are fishing....in a storm drainage sewer!!!

I remember her kind of being the spokesperson for the Enquirer at that time, while they don't say it, they definitaley are making her Bert Bauerish, and who else but Bert Bauer could convince America to read a gossip rag. I just wish they would have tied that into GL with Bert saying,m "Now Rita dear, your catting around all over town can cause what is called apparently an STD. I read in the enquirer that syphillas is very painful but even a bad case of clamydia will have you sidelined for quite a while. Would you like to read it dear, it is right after the story about how much Liberace loves his mother and how Farrah and Lee are splitting up!"

Why the hell did they kill Beacroft off??? I think it was just too much "sexy," for Marland. Usually he would have a hot guy with a kind of plain girl, (Holden/Lily) or a hot chick with a bleh guy (Emily and Paul) but he had two actors that were smoking it up on screen. Way, way too much for Marland' s refined tastes I think!!!

Too friggen funny. They should have ended the show on, what else, Lily's birthday, with MB as Rose crashing it, "Do I look dead???" Don't forget during the Margo rape storyline (sorry, I know it was realistic but hated it, too damn dark for ATWT) when character's were constantly worried about Margo's "HIV status," No one ever said, "Gee I hope Margo didnt catch something," they all were so politely politically correct. But my favorite ATWT/Marland cliche was the end of show/Friday cliffhanger which turned out to be nothing on Monday. Example, Lisa opens the door, looks shocked, and says, "Its YOU!!!" only to have it be Earl/Nancy/Kim/Shannon saying something like "Yea, I stopped by for that magazine I lent you last week!" My sister and I are big ATWT dorks and will still answer the door with a shocked, "Oh, its YOU," and a dramatic soap opera expression. I told you we are dorks.

Or, "Honesty is the most important part of a relationship." Said countless times by someone whose partner (as the camera zooms into their uncomfortable expression) is hiding the paternity of a baby, holding a relative hostage, buying up Stocks in Walsh, or covering up a one night stand.

Except Carol would not have been a character they could have used as a third, or interloper. She was one of the few characters who remained "above it all, " without seeming selfrighteous or saccharine. Would have been funny to have her as a secretary in Lucinda's office, (she used to work for Lisa so she would know how to deal with historonic divas) sympathetically listening to her without backing up her every move.

This clip gives a good contrast between "sweet," grandmother Ellen and a still more iron fisted Nancy, ( I love how Wagner gives a disapproving look on her face talking to Ellen) in their discussions about Emily and James and the truth. The dialogue is a bit clunky "Are you talking about Emily or something else?" how would Ellen know? But its good for Marland to show a matriach that actually has feelings misgivings and regrets, instead of just doling out support, advice and encouragement, but never seem to have an inner life of their own.

I love this picture, can you imagine a soap having a cast of middle aged, normal looking people??? And that woman does look just like Gladys Kravits and why does MS look like she is totally pissed off in this picture (she looks like, "Why the [!@#$%^&*] are these people constantly in my damn kitchen!")

Why the hell did RM have those HUGE shades on inside. Was she stoned or hung over???(I am joking RM was a born again Christian.) I never understood why they got rid of Carol (well, I think they did to try to make everyone forget that Steve was married to her before he met Betsy.) I think she would have made a great recurring character, married to the town minister. It would be kind of interesting to see a Christian character talking about faith and dealing with life's temptations and challenges. Obviously couldnt carry storyline but she could add a different flavor. I don't know why she want brought back for Chris and Nancy's anniversary or Chris' funeral. Maybe she was retired from acting. Who was this Tom, he was kinda sexy.

Yea, I can see why they chose the Dobson's as they did a great job with "modernizing," GL...but they really stuck to the core and used the Bauers as a spring board to expand the canvas. The Dobson's really seemed to have it out for the Hughes family and I can't figure out why. Would love to read an interview with them talking about their time there. I think that Nancy would have been harder to write for then Bert, who, while being able to kick ass, was more warm and forgiving then Nancy. Its interesting that this enduring character that Irna created was kind of a hard ass, but had a loving forgiving side (i.e. take Lisa, who really did more to her family then any of the more suitable spouses for Bob, but Nancy stuck by her and even looked down her nose at more convential candidates for Bob) so much so that other matriarchs with more obvious negative sides were paterned on her, Lemay admits he wrote Aunt Liz to showcase some of the more negative aspects of Irna's matriachs, and I really think Phoebe had more in common with Nancy then sweet loving Grandma Martin did.) I always wonder if the Dobson's had a negative impression of ATWT from her parents, who created GH. I think that a lot of the producers and writers of other shows were always kind of jealous of ATWT, the conservative show, was always number 1. Never liked the AK as Paul. He looked like a squeeky little midget and when they had him in love scenes with the Va Va Voom of Emily, it seemed ridiculous (plus I hate mullets.) I am not one who wants "models," for all the actors on soaps, but some kids who are fine as kids, dont have what it takes to carry a soap storyline as young adults. Take RM, who was great as kid Michelle, and is a very good actress, though she is a character actress, not a romantic lead ( I can't stand watching that movie "Bully," with her playing a white trash kid planning and covering up a murder, screwing pot smoking..first time I watched I had to turn my head and said something stupid like, "Michelle Bauer, put a blouse on already," my partner was like, "Who IS Michelle Bauer??" )

This part of the Dobson's run seems so harsh and unpleasant. Steve is an unmitigated !@#$%^&*] to both Nick and Kim..then this wife and child burning to death is really, really harsh, even if its not "real." I don't think Steve really left her to die, but he was screwing her. Other things, like Nancy telling the kid what she thought Joyce did (old school Nancy would think that, but I dont think say it to a kid) Mary yelling at and slapping Joyce, then both Don and Mary abruptly being angry with each other, Brad is an !@#$%^&*] for cheating Chris and Nancy and then laughing in Lisa's face...and he was supposed to be a romantic hero??? Collin's Margo is angry and yells at everyone (she never really relaxes into her role until the end of her run after she marries Tom) etc. David is just as controlling of Dee as John is, and his yelling at John at every turn. Their second run things loosen up and get lighter, almost too light, it got a little too campy, and silly for ATWT but during the time, they really knew how to have a story that has a start middle and definite end and payoff (loved the "Who shot John," storyline, this was preinternet and you really thought they had fired LB and John WAS dead.) Well that is kind of assholish of FR to say it that way, how bout, "Dont we all just love this new Betsy???" He always came off as an !@#$%^&*] in interviews and I think that translated on the screen, never liked him even with his "hero," days. Davidson grew up on the show, but I am not one of those viewers who like a kid just cause I saw them grow up. I know I am in the minority, but I never like Scot D, and while I thought they were bad recasts, I never missed Rachel M or the kid who played Bill Lewis as a kid when they left. Davidson was never going to play out a love story with Steve, LOL but its funny to think it.