But I'm not defending the story?

YOU'RE the one that first implied it could be "brilliant."

Oh, but my "brilliant" comment wasn't referring to this particular story - I meant no matter how brilliantly any story is written, if in the end it doesn't draw viewers, it is a flop (which is a horrible criterion, but a criterion). I'm sure it wasn't all fireworks and splendour, given that Bill Bell didn't, so to say, feel this story. He wasn't passionate about it. And he regretted turning Kay into a lesbian his whole life.

Edited June 16, 200817 yr by Sylph

...Bill didn't regret it.

Really? I actually never got to read your post with a direct, precise opinion on Kay Alden. But something tells me you're not much of a fan.

I'm not sure I know enough to have a precise, direct opinion.

I will say that when Bill Bell retired, and she was announced to take over, I was comfortable with that. Especially since he was staying on as "Senior Executive Producer" (I knew nothing about the Alzheimers), that was reassuring.

I was further reassured during Kay's inaugural story. She jettisoned the nonsensical marriage between Nikki and Dr. Joshua Landers (her gynecologist!), and killed of Joshua's crazy ex-wife Veronia Landers too.

On her deathbed, Victor remarried Nikki. Of course, that brought her magically to life. Hokey as it sounds, I remember it as energetic, suspenseful, and well written.

I also LOVED the "sperm thief" story...I found it campy, based in history, with lots of twists and turns. [The existence of that story makes the apparent ignoring of Victor's two previous vasectomies today all the more glaring].

I was enjoying Y&R, even as the Dennison girls were introduced and the show lost some focus. I was surprised when Jack Smith suddenly came on...and I didn't really notice much change.

Later, after Smith started overdosing me with Brittany Hodges and writing crazy things (like Nikki working in Bobby Marsino's club...which suddenly became a refurbished Bayou)...I realized how much more I preferred Alden's less energetic, more history-based Y&R.

I really have nothing bad to say about Kay Alden. She was behind some stories I loved.

I will say, and I think I did say this directly, I have been less enthused at B&B. I go from not feeling her influence at ALL, to feeling her influence in stories I hate. When she wore the solo hat during the WGA strike, I found the show as awful as I have ever found it to be. Totally superficial, ridiculous romances, not even campy-funny.

I find she has not helped B&B at all (none of the Y&R writers have...and I'm not counting the short term stunt of Storm's suicide, or the well produced 1-2 Emmy shows that resulted). This either means that Brad Bell wields an IRON fist (even while on strike), or that she really doesn't put much of a stamp on a show. I'm not sure what it is.

Personally, I'd like her back at Y&R as a consultant or a producer. The current Victor vasectomy thing, for example, EVEN IF IT WILL BE ADDRESSED, just feels like bad set up.

Woah (and pardon me for lurking this thread but I couldn't resist watching the claws being unsheafed!) and since when is the touching of hands = mean that Kay was a lesbian? Bill Bell could have easily rationalized that Kay was curious, unsettled by these new feelings for a female friend but, at the end of the day, a straight woman at heart.

Edited June 16, 200817 yr by Cat

since when is the touching of hands = lesbianism?

Welcome to Lesbianism 101. lol

Welcome to Lesbianism 101. lol

Daytime Stylee!

Like when Melrose Place had Matt and his soldier love hugging in a really awkward way. Hugging = gay sex back in the 90s!

:lol:

Woah (and pardon me for lurking this thread but I couldn't resist watching the claws being unsheafed!) and since when is the touching of hands = mean that Kay was a lesbian? Bill Bell could have easily rationalized that Kay was curious, unsettled by these new feelings for a female friend but, at the end of the day, a straight woman at heart.

That is why it is subtle to me (I was a scant 12 years old).

But my mom knew EXACTLY what was going on. So it must have been in the dialogue...the unspoken words...Kay's penetrating stares...

I wish for Youtube of that era, but I'm betting they burned the tapes :-)

But my mom knew EXACTLY what was going on. So it must have been in the dialogue...the unspoken words...Kay's penetrating stares...

Does your mom still watch the show?

That is why it is subtle to me (I was a scant 12 years old).

But my mom knew EXACTLY what was going on. So it must have been in the dialogue...the unspoken words...Kay's penetrating stares...

I wish for Youtube of that era, but I'm betting they burned the tapes :-)

LOL! In a way, I like that Daytime was required to leave it to the imagination. Especially with the unspoken part. That seems more "real" in a way than the fluff they spout nowadays on soaps a la "I know you want me. I know you love me!"

Have you ever seen "Mad Men," Mark? It's a show on AMC set in the New York advertising world of 1960. They had one of those near "unspoken" scenes between two men and it worked perfectly.

Edited June 16, 200817 yr by Cat

When she wore the solo hat during the WGA strike, I found the show as awful as I have ever found it to be.

"Solo hat"?! Despite Brad's very public "support" of the WGA strike, he continued to work (scab) throughout.

Does your mom still watch the show?

Nope! She's down to just AMC/OLTL now. Interestingly, neither of those shows ever got "too young" for her. I guess Erica and Victoria/Dorian were enough to keep her feeling tied.

"Solo hat"?! Despite Brad's very public "support" of the WGA strike, he continued to work (scab) throughout.

I figured as much...but of course....I can only speculate.

I wonder what would have happened if he'd left Kay alone to do some repair?

"Solo hat"?! Despite Brad's very public "support" of the WGA strike, he continued to work (scab) throughout.

Can't say I'm surprised. I also heard Brad was trying to make a deal (ala those movie production companies) with the WGA.

B&B during the strike wasn't that different.

And the thought of someone else writing B&B didn't make any sense at all.

"Solo hat"?! Despite Brad's very public "support" of the WGA strike, he continued to work (scab) throughout.

Thank You! I'd mentioned that several times and never got a reply from anyone. Glad to see I wasn't wrong

Not that I blame Brad mind you, B&B and all of daytime is in a precarious state. The WGA strike was a mess, the shows needed protecting. But then, that's my unpopular opinion on the strike. At least those who went Fi Core admitted it.