Another World Discussion Thread

[mphs19952003]

I've always felt that most Head Writers are always suited to certain shows over another. MD did seem more suited to AW in the 80s than others.  Of course, there are just plain crappy HWs as well, i.e. Dena Higley.

 

 

[Contessa Donatella]

 

Margaret DePriest wrote the murder of Frankie Frame. She also refused to watch the show. When asked, she refused to change anything about Frankie's murder. 

[Maxim]

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[Mona Kane Croft]

Who is HE?  

I believe not discussing spoilers for any television show that has been off the air for five-years or more is silly.  It only serves to kill conversation.  Can you imagine trying to have an intelligent conversation about Dark Shadows while avoiding spoilers?  It would be ludicrous.   How about discussing Edge of Night in 2024, but avoiding spoilers?? That would be a dead conversation.

How could we possibly have a thorough conversation about Agnes Nixon's work on Another World without divulging spoilers?  Or how about discussing Harding Lemay's time at AW without divulging spoilers. It would not be a discussion at all.  And 90 percent of the people on this message board would have left years ago for lack of interest.  

Avoiding spoilers should be the responsibility of the reader, not the posters.    

[Maxim]

I have not said that I forbid people posting spoilers LOL... I only said that I myself post without spoilers here lately and I thanked another person for it... In a context that he was teasing something was going to happen and not telling me exactly what. Thats it. Nowhere have I forbidden people.

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People are free to posts as much spoilers they want of course. 

P.S I dont understand why I see my name quoted with something I have not written? I have not written that message about the spoilers that I'm being quoted like I've said it. Is this some kind of bug? Hmmmm.... The message you quoted @Mona Kane Croft was not written by me, but by @Contessa Donatella

I have no idea why my name stands over it.

[Maxim]

Something I noticed just earlier when I decided to check out the July 1987 episodes... I love the Soapnet little boxes of commentary that help the viewer understand what is going on. They are so funny... And give an occasional sass. They described a character like... She just got exposed for hooking on her wedding day! 

I burst out laughing. I love how cute soapnet is acting. I may have to start watching these episodes just to laugh with the commentary.

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[Efulton]

From point of view Margaret DePriest was the most destructive head writer in Another World's history.  By the time she left her first stint it was a completely different show than when she started and not in a good way.

[Contessa Donatella]

First of all something got messed up with your quoting. I said that, not Maxim. Now, I know that I likeis to know how someone I'm talking to is about spoilers. And, last, who he is, my friend, is another friend. I think in general you have misunderstood. 

Wow! What strong words! Let me just say Bravo!

[Contessa Donatella]

On Peacock, immediately after DAYS HLOTS comes on. Tonight in the 1st scene a TV was on & Jake was in a scene with some female. Odd but interesting. 

 

[Maxim]

I watched episode 5856 or July 6th 1987. Anne Heche's first episode. I previously commented on the very helpful SOAPnet info-boxes... that are quite marvelous for new viewers and If I knew that they were available... I would have started with these episodes and not 1989 probably. They really are sooo helpful. I am not sure if I should not dip into 1987 and start from there now. I'm once again debating myself. 1989 is not gonna run away... in the end. I'll see what the mood inspires me tonight.

But what I think about the episode. I've decided to start writing my thoughts here, since I want to remember my impressions some day after years have passed. I've done this with watching Classic Bold too. I actually have a diary in my phone where I have 1 sentence to describe every single episode I've watched... and they are thousands. 

So... we are here, back to 1987... to Anne Heche's debut on the show.

1. It's the first or second of the nearly 1000 episodes batch that SOAPnet aired. It starts with the feeling of storylines coming to an end... and probably new ones emerging. I think they've picked the right place to begin airing. We have the shamed ex-prostitute, who has tried to start her life anew... being terrorized by a VHS porn tape from her past. Hate when that happens. 

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2. We have the charming Felicia talking about love... and then we are introduced to her show and her restaurant. I adore Felicia Gallant.  

3. We have Vicky on the go and her family looking for her... only to reveal the beautiful Anne Heche in her first shot on Another World - dressed in bubbles... in a Las Vegas hotel. With no money to pay the bill. Hate when that happens.

4. We also have John, very much drawn to Donna Love, who is maybe... maybe beginning to see? Classic soap opera tricks.

5. We finish the episode with a cute cliffhanger - what a nice occasion... before your wedding day to see a porno, featuring your wife! Hate when that happens. 

 

Overall the episode feels a bit... mundane and less entertaining... compared to 1988 and 1989 (from what I've seen so far), but it flowed nicely and I'm going to keep watching probably. And since it's just a connecting episode... not some huge culmination (except maybe the porn at the end) it's understandable. I am not going to judge that period till I see a couple of more episodes at least.

1989 was giving me fireworks the moment I started watching, but I very well know that in soap operas it's the build up that is sweeter most of the time. And I have no idea how good of a writer Margaret DePriest is. I'm going to be looking with unbiased and innocent eyes. So far... I'm not wowed, but I'm not disappointed either. I will be watching episode 5857 tonight. 

And here are some of the funny comments from SOAPnet that made me laugh. 

 

 

 

[Maxim]

Episode 5857 - M.J.' s past exposed! 

My second episode from the 1987 era. Since it's raining outside... I said why not continue the July 1987 episodes?

Well... Since I want to be 100 percent honest... I will be. This episode was not written at the level of the other material I've watched so far (October - Dec 1988 and Jan 1989). Maybe it's just 1 episode thing... We'll see. It's not a definitive commentary on the head writer (DePriest), of course, since I will persevere and continue watching these episodes. Who knows... I may love it even more than the 1989 episodes...?!

The M.J prostitution reveal underwhelmed me. Some of the dialogue was very naive. I would not say it was a bad bad episode... But definitely mediocre. I'm looking forward to watching the next ones.

But yes... Compared to late 1988-1989... For now... It's not at that same level. Maybe I got used to Donna Swajeski dialogue a little too much. 

P.S LOL at SoapNet roasting M.J.

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Edited November 13, 2024 by Maxim

[Mitch64]

I wonder if these pop ups would have helped the shows when they were on the air? Instead of exposition...which really, only Marland did well at..it was always disguised as "gossip" or as much gossip as Marland would allow the uptight overly polite Oakdalians...I know it would take a creative team and more time and money to come up with them.

[Maxim]

It's very helpful to me... since I am still a new viewer and these 1987 episodes on SoapNet are actually filling some gaps of information for me. I doubt it will continue for more than a few episodes, I think they are just helping the viewers since the show has started so late in the game on the channel. 

[Xanthe]

There is a section very deep on the AWHP under spinoffs/crossovers called Mentions in Other Media that also lists little tidbits like this. I don't see Homicide: Life on the Street mentioned so that would be a nice addition. Do you know what episode it was? 

 

 

 

Just to give some background on Chad and MJ, because I feel like the show whitewashes him while dumping on her. In the retcon version where MJ did not finish college (originally she had a psych degree and Larry was kind of dismissive about her being an educated "lady cop"), she was away from home and trying to make it as a singer and got involved with Chad. He then manoeuvred her into prostitution. They always tried to present that with an angle that made Chad a viable romantic prospect for MJ and glossed over whether she was his first prostitute or if he was already practised at luring his "girlfriends" into working for him. Certainly by the time he showed up he was pimping multiple girls.  

[Maxim]

Thank you! It's beneficial for me to know this... so I can see the bigger picture. What I didn't like about the scene of the confrontation after the porn VHS reveal... was the dialogue itself. It was naive and not as strong as it could have been. I expected something of more dept, since I'm subconsciously basing my expectation on the amazing late 1988-early 1989 episodes that I've seen. But it's just 2 episodes for now... that's all. Tonight I may continue, since I'm addicted to the text-boxes from SoapNet. I really am. I even write some things down to not forget. So yes... still not decided on DePriest - what is your opinion of her as head writer? It will take me at least 1-2 months worth of episodes to finally know if it's working for me or not. Donna Swajeski is definitely MY cup of tea... I'll see if this is the case too.