Okay, I think I can name them all ...

Asa, Viki, Clint, Bo, Cord

Max, Gabrielle, Steve, Rob, Cassie

Wade, Mari Lynn, Melinda, Jon, Elizabeth, Renee, Herb, Brenda, Sarah

Rafe, Delilah, Larry, Leo (?), Wanda, Virgil (!), Tina

 

Pretty much full 1980 OLTL (and GH).  Interesting, Gordon Russell's name isn't in the OLTL credits--this is Oct 1980 and he died in early 1981.  Was he already off OLTL with the plans to move him to GH?  

 

1 hour ago, EricMontreal22 said:

Pretty much full 1980 OLTL (and GH).  Interesting, Gordon Russell's name isn't in the OLTL credits--this is Oct 1980 and he died in early 1981.  Was he already off OLTL with the plans to move him to GH?  

 

Wonderful!!! I love it!!!

 

6 hours ago, EricMontreal22 said:

Pretty much full 1980 OLTL (and GH).  Interesting, Gordon Russell's name isn't in the OLTL credits--this is Oct 1980 and he died in early 1981.  Was he already off OLTL with the plans to move him to GH?  

 

Thanks for the link! There's an Olympia scene!

Up to July 3rd, 1992.

🐦

"Lady in red."

🔷

Back to my regular 1-2 episodes a day schedule. ❤️

So what is going on right now?

🔷

Blair finally slept with Asa. He pressured her into it... and the whole thing was incredibly inappropriate. Now he has an even bigger agenda - 1 time a month is not enough... he wants something more - a baby! A true Buchanan heir who will be his dynasty successor. Then he promised he will "release" Blair from this "arrangement". Jesus Christ. This is becoming more and more disturbing each day. Asa treats Blair like she is a paid prostitute. A trophy wife he can use and dispose of when he wants. I pray to God she either poisons him or takes all his money. HE NEEDS TO FALL ON HIS ASS!

 🔷

Andrew did something astonishing and beautiful - he turned one man's memorial into a way to connect with all of Llanview society. He used this as an opportunity to open their eyes to something all of them are scared to look at. The elephant in the room. He started talking about the AIDS epidemic and the fact that the virus can touch anyone - no matter their gender or sexual preference. He wanted to de-stigmatize it. But... the effect was quite the opposite. Many people left disgusted... his own father Sloan went into a rage... and then Andrew was borderline attacked by Billy's parents who saw this as a sign that Marty told them the truth - that Andrew is seducing Billy. I can't repeat myself enough when I tell you that I HATE the "Marty" people of this world. What a despicable VILE LIAR. What this girl did is inexcusable. She basically destroyed Andrew's life. 

 🔷

Leanne did the unthinkable - she confessed to Kevin that little Duke is not his son... but Max's. But is he? I'm not so sure. Maybe karma has one last surprise for her. One thing I know is that Leanne is like a toxic leech that sucks the life out of anyone she touches. She is incredibly selfish, unstable and opportunistic. Now that Jason is her next fixation, I fear what he'll have to endure. I prefer him with Dorian. 

 🔷

The 4th of July party is beginning. In the center of attention are the two women in red - Blair and Dorian. Dorian Lord is red... not only in clothing, but in temper too. She is having a verbal altercation with anyone she meets. First it was Alex, then it was Blair - her current arch nemesis -  the two Alpha-females who despise each-other and yet have so much in common. You can even say... one is the younger version of the other. Blair, the other beauty in red... is wearing a dress that Asa gave her as a present, a dress she mocked and ridiculed before putting on. When they are alone... she is passive aggressive and cold. But when they are in front of other people... Blair puts on the mask and she suddenly becomes the perfect wife. Only one person sees through this - Max Holden.  

 🔷

In contrast to all of this toxicity, one surprising pair of characters is sharing more and more tender moments. Moments that bond. Victoria Buchanan can't stay away from Sloan Carpenter and I can see it coming. The affair that will rock her marriage. AND I'M HERE FOR IT. Maybe it's the fact that I've never seen her past with Clint... but I'm excited Viki is getting her own storyline that is not just a meddling mother. 

🔷

Overall - 10 out of 10! Michael Malone - I love you! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day!

Dorian Lord vs Alex Olanov - Rawr!

Edited October 31Oct 31 by Maxim

@Maxim Thanks for your reviews and clips. I did not realize the Carlo murder was still going on...

Mia Korf truly is a goddess.

That spat between Alex and Dorian was new to me and a lot of fun. You could tell the writer enjoyed the sparring match. This is a different look for Alex, one I wish she'd tried more often, with the perm and the spit curls, or whatever was going on. That gaudy A around her neck, and Dorian's digs, amused me. I'm surprised she didn't ask if Alex had one in scarlet. Alex's remark about just why Bulge was named Bulge also amused me - I always did wonder if that's why he had that name...

2 hours ago, DRW50 said:

That spat between Alex and Dorian was new to me and a lot of fun. You could tell the writer enjoyed the sparring match. This is a different look for Alex, one I wish she'd tried more often, with the perm and the spit curls, or whatever was going on. That gaudy A around her neck, and Dorian's digs, amused me. I'm surprised she didn't ask if Alex had one in scarlet. Alex's remark about just why Bulge was named Bulge also amused me - I always did wonder if that's why he had that name...

That was a pretty delicious scene, I enjoyed it too. Bulge! 👀 Hahaha...

10 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Mia Korf truly is a goddess.

 ❤️

 

7 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

That was a pretty delicious scene, I enjoyed it too. Bulge! 👀 Hahaha...

😂 I kinda like their tandem, even though it started with Alex strangling Bulge. 

Love your recaps Maxim.  This would have been just right around when I started watching.  Is Josh Griffith in the credits yet?

On 7/24/2025 at 7:12 PM, chrisml said:

 

I have no memory of Russ Anderson/Steve Holden. He must have been written off because I watched.

Steve was killed by the exploding wedding cake bomb set by Ursula Blackwell.

14 hours ago, EricMontreal22 said:

Love your recaps Maxim. 

Oh, this brings me joy. ❤️ 

14 hours ago, EricMontreal22 said:

 Is Josh Griffith in the credits yet?

 I've seen Josh Griffith's name in the credits... for months and months now. Maybe as early as November 1991. The recordings rarely have the credits left, so thankfully I remember some of the dates.

Screenshot taken from November 11 1991 episode.

Screenshot taken from December 24th 1991 episode.

Screenshot taken from the June 12th 1992 episode.  

Edited July 30Jul 30 by Maxim

Up to July 8th, 1992.

⭐

"The killer is finally... revealed."

🔷

It finally happened, people! The Carlo Hesser murder storyline is OVER. Should I open the champagne? ❤️

So what is going on right now?

🔷

Yes, it is over! The killer was revealed to be... little miss innocent Stephanie Hobart. Couple of weeks ago... I told my husband this version (Stephanie as the killer), because I was quite sure "Scarecrow" was someone related to Carlo - why would he tell him "You broke my heart." before killing him? But then they managed to manipulate me into thinking it was Julia. My bad is that I fell for it. What do I think about it - well, it checks out. Most importantly - Stephanie had the motive to do it - revenge for her uncle killing her darling father. And now... let us all forget that Stephanie even existed! Truly one of the most unbearable presences in this show. Good riddance. 

🔷

Moving on. A new storyline is beginning. Alex Olanov called Tina and Cain to her fancy apartment and presented them with a business proposition - together they should combine forces and steal the infamous "Cleaopatra" jewels which are going to be touring in the local museum. Hmm. I don't know how I feel about these former adversaries becoming co-conspirators... but there is logic to it. And of course Cain and Tina have nothing left to do. They are the rejects of this show... with the writers scrambling to find a purpose for them. So yeah, why not make them part of the Llanview mafia for a week. 

🔷

Max Holden now thinks he has a child with Leanne. But not so fast. Maybe Leanne is forgetting basic biology. When you let 2 men penetrate you on daily basis... you can't just tell who the daddy is based on the frequency. You could have sex 1 time and get pregnant. (The storyline of pretty much 99.9 percent of all soap operas). So... not so fast. I'm not that sure that Kevin is NOT the father. Asa thinks that too. A paternity test drama is in the future. One of the side effects of Leanne's pathological lying is how this turned Luna's life upside down - this poor woman can't get a break in love. Just as Max was opening up to her... her best friend ruined it. Leanne is un-rootable.

🔷

Talking about un-rootable. Marty Saybrooke. 🤢 This vile evil piece of sh-t will NEVER BE ROOTABLE. NEVER. Her lie about Andrew is now growing into something sinister and big. Something that will affect the entire town. Billie's conservative (or more like oppressive) parents went to Andrew's superior in the church. Billie was there and he heard his parents repeat what Marty said. But... confused and scared... about anyone finding out his sexuality... he could not deny or confirm anything. He just... completely froze. He didn't say anything against Andrew, but he didn't 100 percent deny it. God know what was going through his mind in that moment. I'm not blaming him. But all of this will now ricochet into Andrew.  This storyline is really pushing the boundaries. Even for 2025 it's fresh and daring. And something way way different to what soaps tell all the time.  

🔷

Last but not least... Victoria and Sloan bonded even more. Victoria brings this warmth and sense of forgiveness in Sloan's life... without that he is a very cold and stern man. Erika Slezak is a master in making you feel the character's emotions and inner tides without even uttering a word. I'm just watching her eyes and I know everything. Don't hate me... but I kind of want the affair to happen.

Overall - 10 out of 10!  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day!

Victoria and Sloan get closer.

 

Thanks @Maxim Erika Slezak looks stunning there. I don't think Viki was dressed in such a stylish way very often - the character always wanted to be more low-key. Nice she got to get such a great evening gown and earrings this time.

When you lay out the Leanne story it reminds me of how confused and seedy the whole thing was. The saving grace is or was Yasmine Bleeth's chemistry with Mark Brettschneider, but the rest I wish they had junked after Rauch left.

And yes, Cain and Tina will remain floaters, albeit sometimes charming floaters.

The writers didn't seem to know quite how to handle some of the characters during this period of time.   I always viewed Stephanie as a floater character after her Romeo and Juliet story with Kevin bombed so making her the killer was an effective way to write her off the show.

Tina was adrift for awhile after Cord's departure and having Cain as her partner in crime was a good idea on paper.. but the show didn't seem to think about Cain/Tina long term.

I remember having to tell my mom that Blair was originally Asian, and she thought I was making it up because why would a show be so stupid as to change a character's ethnicity from Asian to a blonde southern girl.  And I said 'soaps have always not dealt in reality so why would we expect them to maintain the ethnicity of a character.. especially in the early 90s'.

7 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks @Maxim Erika Slezak looks stunning there. I don't think Viki was dressed in such a stylish way very often - the character always wanted to be more low-key. Nice she got to get such a great evening gown and earrings this time.

When you lay out the Leanne story it reminds me of how confused and seedy the whole thing was. The saving grace is or was Yasmine Bleeth's chemistry with Mark Brettschneider, but the rest I wish they had junked after Rauch left.

And yes, Cain and Tina will remain floaters, albeit sometimes charming floaters.

Indeed, absolutely stunning. ❤️ That woman lights up the whole room (or rather, the entire building) with her smile. I crave more personal, intimate Viki content. Up until now (based on my semi-limited experience), she has primarily been defined by her children. Her relationship with Clint is endearing, yet there seems to be a vibe of monotony. I'm not big fan of couples staying too happy on these soaps for too long. As Tolstoy famously said - "All happy families are alike... each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." I want to see this specific unraveling. It would be very poignant to witness the most stable and family-oriented character on the show... actually lose control and give in to temptation. Still... I have no clue if this storyline will evolve into something greater. I'm doing my best to avoid spoilers. But I am thrilled where this is going for sure. Sloan and Viki sizzle next to each-other. I'm not ashamed to admit it. And yet... she still has small children with Clint. So... I'm torn. And I love when that happens.  

 

Edited July 30Jul 30 by Maxim