AMC Tribute Thread

[Khan]

My issue with the doppelganger storyline - aside from the fact that Susan Lucci is not strong enough as an actor to play a double role (one viewing of "Double Edge" taught us all that lesson, lol) - was that Erica's doppelganger was someone we'd never met before and had no connection with Erica other than being some obsessed fan, or something.

And as for the "Phantom of the Erica" storyline: my issue there was and is the same issue I always have with this kind of story.  We know Erica is not going to be disfigured for the rest of her life, so what's the point?  It might've provided an opportunity for Erica to realize how she had taken her beauty for granted; to really "work on herself," as it were, and see how much more she had to offer the world besides her looks.  But I'd watch enough of this show to know better, lol.

Edited Monday at 06:07 AM by Khan

[Maxim]

I agree 100 percent. And I would use the same word to describe the pairing of Lanie and David and the writing for it -  it's not bad per se, but bland. I actually liked it at the beginning, but... now months into it and so far...  I haven't seen anything... that isn't done better in other shows I've watched. And overall they are so predictable and basic. 

 

I find the show to be sooo crowded right now. So many characters, so much talking and talking and talking. 1988 had entirely different vibe - especially the first 3-4 months. The scripts were better in my opinion. Right now they desperately need editing and cutting of the dialogue, because it's overwhelmingly busy and sloppy at times. I swear there are moments where Cecily doesn't stop talking and is bla-bla-bla-bla-bla for 4-5 minutes at a time. Maybe some people like that style of Woody Allen-movie non stop talking, but I have a point after I just... start tuning out of the constant unimportant babble. And maybe someone will say - that's the character, but I disagree - you can write someone being chatty without boring the viewers out of their mind. If you write it with wit and originality, you won't have such problems. But again, maybe I'm just tired of the youngsters and need a break from them. Who knows... the fact is I didn't have problem with the teen-storylines in 1988... but in 1989 - now I do. 

And Julie has been basically written out in 1989. I liked her in 1988, but in 1989 they just lost her and I preferred her written out than turning her into a basic housewife to Niko. It was kinda cringe for a moment.

 

Edited Monday at 08:34 AM by Maxim

[DRW50]

Lauren Holly went on a break to make a movie with Andrew Dice Clay. After all the buildup with Nico it must have been disappointing to them, but I don't think that story was ever very interesting. Julie was so tied to characters who were all on their last legs, although that didn't have to be the case with Ellen and Mark, with better handling and more patience.

I agree that the large cast seems much more wisely utilized in the 87/early 88 episodes.

Edited Monday at 08:53 AM by DRW50

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, to me, you have to factor in the back and forth created by going from Agnes or Agnes-like stories contrasted with the anti-Agnes stories. Megan McTavish I am looking at you. 

And then, too, you have the problems mentioned upthread of any very long-running star of any US soap.

[Efulton]

Interesting!  

[janea4old]

I admire your tenacity and patience to read more than 600 pages.

I have to confess that I've read this AMC thread only sporadically and moreso in recent months.
I joined SON  5 years ago and mostly followed the the threads for the current soaps, (even though I watched AMC and OLTL's early years).

As I am someone addicted to history, if I started reading all the threads here, I'd literally forget to eat and sleep. So I had to curtail myself.  My admiration goes out to anyone who can handle it better than I can.
 

[DemetriKane]

I certainly believe we got Matriarch Erica in the last few years. A very unconventional one! She dished out advice while still having her own adventures. 

They just never had a clear vision of what to do with her that's why anything good ever lasts. I.E. Her talk show.

I didn't mind her battling Greenlee In Business especially when Liza was involved with Fusion. Similar stories could have also been told with Julie Chandler, and caused all kinds of conflict with her dear brother Mark. 

There was untapped material with her meddling in Kendall's children's lives, I think people forgot Erica always wanted a son before having Bianca. 

I hate that the throughline of Erica becoming Phoebe was lost!

 

@Maxim I can't wait to read your reactions to the characters that are let go. It was a true bloodbath I personally didn't like it. Ross and Julie never should have left this canvas IMO.

And I agree with you about letting go of Silver Kane.

Edited Monday at 09:21 PM by DemetriKane

[Jonathan]

Oh my, I absolutely loved this storyline! It had some gothic tones, which I always enjoyed whenever All My Children incorporated them. I also appreciated that Erica's scars were never shown beneath the mask—whenever David dressed her wounds, the audience never got to see them. That added a great sense of mystery to the story.

Edited Monday at 11:04 PM by Jonathan

[Maxim]

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Ah, I'm excited by your comment... hearing that there is going to be a huge cleanse. The show is so crowded right now, I'm dying for room to breathe. I am on the other side when it comes to Ross and Julie - I think their time is up. But once again - I am a newbie and my impressions are not 100 percent correct. I haven't seen the history of these characters, so it's easy for me to let go of them. I also think Niko and Cecily's time is up too. They should go. And I also don't like Jeremy's ex wife at all. Like at all. She needs to go. As soon as she arrived, she needs to disappear. 

[Maxim]

Due to just... work and life happening - planning birthdays.... anniversaries, tralalalala, I haven't had time to binge-watch as much, but I am up to April 28th! 

The appalling duo of Barbara and Travis are attempting to take-over Erica's business. Jackson allowed them to do it just to SPITE Erica. I managed to finally get to the iconic - I wrote the book... comment... that I had only seen previously in a compilation clip on youtube.

I LOOOOVED IT. Susan Lucci has been BRINGING it these past few episodes. She is basically saving the show for me. Keeping it dynamic and interesting and recognizable. (Since to me 1989 has been a contrast to 1988 in terms of tone, atmosphere, writing... everything, and not a good contrast I may add). People who underestimate her talents and bash her... don't know what they are talking about. 

The other storylines (Boring Romeo and Juliet Vs Evil Uncle, Boring Ex-wife in danger action-thriller etc) are not working for me, with the exception of Dixie/Tad/Adam/Brooke, but even that storyline is becoming too repetitive right now. We'll see if they clean it up soon. I am just tired of seeing Dixie cry and talk about God. She should have thought about God before f-cking a married man and getting pregnant by him. 

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Edited yesterday at 07:50 AM by Maxim

[DRW50]

Barbara never had a good hair day...

@Maxim if you ever get to 1993 there's an Opal and Dixie scene you would love. 

Edited yesterday at 10:13 AM by DRW50

[chrisml]

It has always struck me that Susan Lucci and Erica Kane are a case of an actress and a character who are so beloved by the audience but the writers never really knew what to do with her. Lucci was rarely if ever challenged to do anything interesting. The writing for her character was very surface and shallow. I understand that was built into the character, but at a certain point, a character needs to grow. When you look at her emmy clips compared to other actresses, it's almost laughable at times. When they did give her meatier material, she could do it, but it was never sustained. 

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, Maxim, not everyone loves La Lucc. She is among the many of select daytime divas who while they get a ton of love, they also get some dislike all the way through to haters. Lucci, Deidre, KKL, I could go on. 

Oh, no, poor Dixie! She must not be singing "You Are My Sunshine" yet then. 

It's altogether 'kerect, proper & things are okay in the universe if Erica is the one bringing it right now for you!!

Also, enjoyed the fan review.