16 minutes ago, Vee said:

I knew something about some bit part but I didn't know it was some multi-year recurring character. I have no idea what the character was about.

I believe Nancy's character of Beverly worked at the Health Club that Brad Vernon operated. Those were the days when those type of characters were incorporated. I guess viewers would see Beverly on and off as a staff member and it gave a sense of realism.

Nancy talks of 4 years at OLTL. The health club opened in June77 and Ganngter Chronichles went to air Feb 81 so maybe NLG's timeline was a little off.

Nowadays if there was this type of business we would be lucky to see any patrons or staff.

1 hour ago, Vee said:

We don't need to spoiler tag 30+ year old stories AFAIC. I'm not going to and I don't expect anyone to do it for me just because I am exploring '91/'92, which is shortly before I began watching. I know plenty of broad strokes.

There's also  another poster who did not know what was coming up and this person was actively trying to avoid information. The poster is doing extensive reviews and I thought it was only considerate not to spoil it considering how much the poster brings to the thread.  However, I don't want to get into a debate about spoilers, so if there are no rules against it it's all good. 

2 hours ago, chrisml said:

There's also  another poster who did not know what was coming up and this person was actively trying to avoid information. The poster is doing extensive reviews and I thought it was only considerate not to spoil it considering how much the poster brings to the thread.  However, I don't want to get into a debate about spoilers, so if there are no rules against it it's all good. 

+1    

If you were to read through all the posts, I think most people would agree, it just wasn't the time to spill.    

Up to September 16th, 1992.

⭐

"A deal with the Devil."

🔷

Hello again soap lovers and friends... let's dive into that wicked small town of Llanview and see what our favorite troublemakers are up to now. ❤️

🔷

Dorian Lord's words that "there would come a day when Leanne would desperately need her help" has officially come to pass. Disheveled and distraught, Leanne showed up at the Devil's door, begging for mercy. Now, she's faced with the almost impossible decision of choosing between Jason and her own child. I just love it when soap operas drop these almost prophetic lines and then actually make them happen months later. It really gives me the vibe that the writers had a master plan all along. This scene felt like a perfect full circle moment. It's honestly one of my all-time favorites till now, and I can't wait to clip it for you all.

  🔷

Sloan Carpenter is on the verge of taking on a new responsibility - that of mentor and a  father figure to Billy Douglas. Just as Andrew prepared to depart from Llanview, he entrusted Billy to his father. This presents Sloan with an opportunity to... in a sense... revisit one of the most painful moments of his life - his battle to accept his son William's sexuality. And as we all know, Billy is short for William, which means he can recreate the past and be the father figure that this boy needs. Do I need to mention that I found myself tearing up again? Malone, LEAVE ME ALONE, please. Stop making me cry. 

🔷

Luna Moody found herself in a terrifying predicament... one that nearly left me gasping for air  myself. By the way, it's nice to see you again, Luna! I can't say I've missed you... but I've gradually come to accept you. So, Luna ended up trapped in the sauna room at the spa center. This is one of my greatest fears - being locked in a room like that. I couldn't even bear to watch those scenes... I had to close my eyes... it was so scary to me. For the first time, I realized that... I genuinely care for Luna and would be sad if she is gone. Fortunately... Max came to her rescue. Luna is finally starting to feel like she belongs in this community. It was a loooong journey, but they succeeded in making her part of the show. Hats off, Malone!

🔷

At Jason's hearing... Leanne was seen hiding in the background. I couldn't help but laugh out loud... only in soap operas will the prime suspect of something as horrific as kidnapping... be seen going around wearing a hat... just inches away from the people looking for her. It was a bit too cartoonish, but they so rarely go there... that I didn't mind it. About Jason - he was denied bail. Not the only person that can save him... is Leanne. Dorian Lord is waiting in the corner... smirking.

🔷

Last, but not least - Mortimer's transformation into Carlo has begun. It's surprisingly not THAT irritating and I even smiled at some parts... but they for sure NEED to tone Alex down EVEN more. Her eyes are popping and she just appears absolutely manic for no reason. Maybe that's what Alex is at this point. I fear this.

🔷

P.S. I got a PM a few hours ago warning me about a spoiler in this topic. I want to clarify that everyone can post what they like. I'm not an authority on this. I appreciate those who haven't spoiled it for me. I've noticed a pattern in classic soap topics... of people being cautious with spoilers for those watching in real time. But it is not a requirement. I can only say "Thank you" to that group of people. After the PM warning, I was careful and avoided the spoiler, so I'm glad. It was kind of you to warn me, and I appreciate it. That said, I don't want to put the burden of warning me on anyone, so don't feel obligated in any way. Still - you have a cup of hot cocoa or anything you like to drink... from me! ❤️

  Overall - 10/10 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

Leanne begs Dorian for help.

Edited September 19Sep 19 by Maxim

Happy to hear it, @Maxim!

I saw this on an AMC Facebook group - and thought I'd share it here. In case there is any dispute about the library of episodes as this would also apply to One Life To Live episodes

9 minutes ago, TheyStartedOnSoaps said:

I saw this on an AMC Facebook group - and thought I'd share it here. In case there is any dispute about the library of episodes as this would also apply to One Life To Live episodes

 If this is true... 

38 minutes ago, alwaysAMC said:

Happy to hear it, @Maxim!

❤️

Thanks again @Maxim 

That's a very good scene between Lee Ann and Dorian. Elaine Princi plays it just right. You can tell what a low opinion Dorian has of Lee Ann, but she still feels some sympathy for her, as a mother or as a person. Lee Ann is generally just such a user and always makes life worse for herself, but you know it's not even that intentional on her part.

The whole steam room near-death experience is best left to horror films. Last year, Neighbours had a story where a young pregnant woman was locked in the sauna by a rival, and she had a stillbirth as a result. A very harrowing, unpleasant moment that wasn't handled well and took you out of the fantasy of a "soapy" storyline.

Edited September 20Sep 20 by DRW50

2 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks again @Maxim 

That's a very good scene between Lee Ann and Dorian. Elaine Princi plays it just right. You can tell what a low opinion Dorian has of Lee Ann, but she still feels some sympathy for her, as a mother or as a person. Lee Ann is generally just such a user and always makes life worse for herself, but you know it's not even that intentional on her part.

The whole steam room near-death experience is best left to horror films. Last year, Neighbours had a story where a young pregnant woman was locked in the sauna by a rival, and she had a stillbirth as a result. A very harrowing, unpleasant moment that wasn't handled well and took you out of the fantasy of a "soapy" storyline.

I still can't believe I have only months left with Princi in the role. I can't process it.  They gave her SO MUCH powerful material... (that in a way defined the first half of 1992 for me) it's shocking they are letting her go in 1993. I guess the appeal of returning to the more emblematic Dorian... was overwhelming. I don't know what happened exactly... I would love to read an interview or anything from Elaine from that period... but sadly can't find anything. 

 

Skipping ahead a bit, we might as well move this discussion from the GL thread into here. We were talking about a bit about legendary GL HW Pam Long's brief stint under JFP in 1998. Long has indicated it was troubled, and James DePaiva and I think others said Jill ran Long off. IIRC JFP then spent most of '99 without a HW until ABC forced her to hire Megan McTavish.

I do think Long could've done well at GL, but she inherited a pretty messy situation with Jill's stamp all over it from the start and various sacred cows Jill made more than one HW push heavily (first and foremost Kale Browne's Sam Rappaport, who McTavish later said she was required in to write in 3 days a week).

2 hours ago, Vee said:

Skipping ahead a bit, we might as well move this discussion from the GL thread into here. We were talking about a bit about legendary GL HW Pam Long's brief stint under JFP in 1998. Long has indicated it was troubled, and James DePaiva and I think others said Jill ran Long off. IIRC JFP then spent most of '99 without a HW until ABC forced her to hire Megan McTavish.

I do think Long could've done well at GL, but she inherited a pretty messy situation with Jill's stamp all over it from the start and various sacred cows Jill made more than one HW push heavily (first and foremost Kale Browne's Sam Rappaport, who McTavish later said she was required in to write in 3 days a week).

You were talking about what Blair did in 1998. For part of the year she had a romance with Sam (complete with guitar) until he dumped her for being a bad person (that was where I knew I'd never like him - sanctimonious ass). Blair was then shackled to Max for years. 

2 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

You were talking about what Blair did in 1998. For part of the year she had a romance with Sam (complete with guitar) until he dumped her for being a bad person (that was where I knew I'd never like him - sanctimonious ass). Blair was then shackled to Max for years. 

I'd forgotten about Sam and Blair, oy. I do remember her tangling with Max both early in the year and late. It just was a bad time for her period. You'd think Long would cotton to Blair and Kassie, but who knows. I think she was there when they broomed the unpopular Chelsea out on GL.

Up to September 22nd, 1992.

⭐

"The chickens are coming home to roost."

Happy Sunday my dear soap lovers and friends... we have so much to unpack.

So bear with me. 

🔷

Finally, Leanne got what she deserved. The payback was brutal. I gasped when Kevin masterfully manipulated her into thinking he had forgiven her... only to call the cops on her the moment he got his child back. That's how it's done, ladies and gentlemen! As much as it seemed cold and inhumane, it would have been a total joke if Kevin forgave her so easily. This little guy has become one of my favorites. The previous actor was charming, but such a baby. This is the first time I'm rooting for Kevin. I would love to see him and Rachel Gannon build a future together! 

🔷

Jason is now stuck with all the chaos Leanne caused, and it looks like he is making a sad yet selfless decision - he is ready to sacrifice himself so that Leanne can be with her child in the outside world. The scene with Dorian gave me goosebumps... I even called my husband to watch the ending. It felt like a full circle moment again... and Dorian showed a side of herself she rarely does - she was honest, raw, and completely a WOMAN. The final line "I envy her." was perfection.

🔷

Billy Douglas's family is going through all the stages of dealing with his sexuality. The latest madness is his father's plan to send him to military school. Naturally, they linked this to William Carpenter. Sloan spoke with Billy's dad, urging him not to do this to Billy. He even showed him a letter his son Will left him years ago. Similar to how Victoria manipulates with a velvet glove, Sloan tried to change his mind in a respectful and calm manner. In the end... it seemed he was successful.  

🔷

Suede and Marty has a repeat of their last bedroom cat and mouse games. This time Marty went a step too far and opened Suede's private diary full of clippings. This triggered him so much... he threatened her with a knife and then tried to kick her out. LITERALLY - KICKED her Butt out. Surprise, surprise... Marty wanted to stay EVEN AFTER getting threatened with a knife. Girls and boys... never act like Marty. When someone points a weapon at you... you need to RUN. This girl is such a bad, bad example. She is playing with fire. UGH. This is not my type of romance novel. 

🔷

Alex and her mob team finally have some success with turning the boring cringe Mortimer into a legendary mafia boss. He is now even talking like Carlo... the only thing left is the horrifying haircut, and he's good to go. We also saw Mortimer's iconic mother... I don't know who played her, but the actress is such a gem. I couldn't stop smiling. Norman Bates is alive and well in Llanview, y'all and his mommy has come to get him. 

🔷

I can honestly say that the last month of episodes has been the show's best material yet. Every single episode... there is at least a line, an image, something... that I will forever treasure in my mind. That's how I know it's good. I did the same with classic Bold 1987-1993 while I was watching. I need to say something about the production values too. The show has never looked better. I swear at times the shots are so perfect, it's giving old Hollywood blockbuster quality of Filmmaking. The camera operator knows exactly what he is doing with these amazing picturesque shots. The dept of the image, the colors... the pristine sets... everything shines... even on a bad VHS-rip.

Overall - 10/10

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

"I envy her."

Edited September 21Sep 21 by Maxim

14 hours ago, Vee said:

Kale Browne's Sam Rappaport, who McTavish later said she was required in to write in 3 days a week

 

11 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I knew I'd never like him - sanctimonious ass

I watched very little OLTL during that time period, but of what I did see, I loathed Sam.  Interesting what McT said.

Edited September 21Sep 21 by janea4old

I'm not sure Pamela K. Long would have been a great fit for the show. Until JFP, the show usually had a lightness and a sense of humor that I don't think Long would have been capable of achieving that lightness/humor under JFP or on her own. In terms of family dynamics, she would have been quite good but she had JFP as a barrier. Clint Richie was complimentary of Pamela Long and her take on the show. 

As for Kale Browne,  I like him as an actor and a personality. I don't blame him for what happened on OLTL. I blame JFP. He could have made it work. Catharine Hickland was fantastic under somewhat similar material, but the writers did Browne and Sam no favors. It also didn't help that they had to lobotomize Nora to prop up Sam and the damage was long lasting as happened with most of JFP's decisions.