I was thinking about all the times I laughed out loud watching soaps, and I was very rarely amused by the characters written as broad, yuk-yuk-waka-waka-waka types. The very best actors—the Beverlee McKinseys, the Susan Flannerys, the Robin Mattsons, the Victoria Rowells—could make me double over with laughter with just a cutting line reading in an otherwise dramatic scene. 
 

But I admit to having enjoyed obviously “comical” characters like Vivian/Ivan or early Susan (at times) on DAYS. 

 

What are some scenes/characters/shows that (intentionally) made you LOL?Dorothy Lyman’s Opal on AMC was a kick...I only knew Jill Larson’s version growing up:
 

 

"Hog jowls...ugh!"

 

This scene always cracks me up everytime I've see it.  Lucinda invites Sierra to have a swanky dinner with her and Lily, which Sierra declines due to an invitation she already has for dinner at Lyla's.  When Sierra tells Lucinda what's on the menu, Lucinda is repulsed. I think this was an ode to Finn Carter (God bless her!) and her Southern upbringing.

 

 

 

Once upon a time, Coronation Street was known for cleverly working in comedy and had great comedy characters. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case.

 

Always loved Blanche’s bitter old lady act.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 9, 20196 yr by BetterForgotten

This just a bad recording from youtube but the scene where Ashlee Wolfe, Doris's daughter sang at her and Alan's wedding - "There is Love", and the look on all the wedding guests faces...and the 2nd verse when she does the extra vibrato and jaw shaking and head bobbing...they over camped it but we've all been there - those weddings where you have to keep yourself from laughing because someone is so bad, and then inevitably later at the reception, the family will say how beautifully he/she sang.

 

 

Found a better one of it:

 

Beth pretends to try and trip Doris when she's coming down the aisle...and people half heartedly clap when he introduces her....

 

 

 

Edited November 9, 20196 yr by Fevuh

4 hours ago, Faulkner said:

Dorothy Lyman’s Opal on AMC was a kick [...]:

 

AMC in the '80's was just an absolute blast to watch, on all fronts.

It became a little too pronounced over the years, but the Quartermaines' sparring was usually pretty fun.

 

Now here's when it's a little too cute/self-conscious ...

 

51 minutes ago, Khan said:

 

AMC in the '80's was just an absolute blast to watch, on all fronts.

I enjoyed it in the early ‘90s, but when I watch ‘80s AMC, I realize it became a shadow of itself. It was *so* much fun.

 

Vivian's debut on Days in 1992.

 

 

 

Absolute classics: 

 

 

I think it is a true testament to Darlene Conley's talent and acting ability that she go from the terrifying and menacing Rose DeVille to the larger than life Sally Spectra. I wonder if Bell had originally intended for Sally to more of a formidable foe but dropped it as Sally was a lot more sympathetic.  

Edited November 10, 20196 yr by soapfan770

30 minutes ago, soapfan770 said:

Absolute classics: 

 

 

 

I think it is a true testament to Darlene Conley's talent and acting ability that she go from the terrifying and menacing Rose DeVille to the larger than life Sally Spectra. I wonder if Bell had originally intended for Sally to more of a formidable foe but dropped it as Sally was a lot more sympathetic.  

 

Darlene could do anything. A serious talent. I imagine Bill had to decide at a point whether he took Sally down a true villainess path and decided to play against that, but even from the start, Sally's initial introduction was a woman with a heart who wanted better for her daughter. 

34 minutes ago, DaytimeFan said:

 

Darlene could do anything. A serious talent. I imagine Bill had to decide at a point whether he took Sally down a true villainess path and decided to play against that, but even from the start, Sally's initial introduction was a woman with a heart who wanted better for her daughter. 

 

Great point. Sally Spectra was one of his greatest creations, and a character very unique to B&B as unlike other early B&B characters there was no Y&R counterpart at all. It's interesting Bell had originally planned for Leanna to be dark and creepy but while writing the Lisa Mansfield story at the same time he decided to have Leanna go crazy the opposite direction. I believe Bell made the same decision with Sally who was also initially involved in the strange Deveney Dixon story. Smart move. 

 

Edited November 10, 20196 yr by soapfan770

2 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

 

Great point. Sally Spectra was one of his greatest creations, and a character very unique to B&B as unlike other early B&B characters there was no Y&R counterpart at all. It's interesting Bell had originally planned for Leanna to be dark and creepy but while writing the Lisa Mansfield story at the same time he decided to have Leanna go crazy the opposite direction. I believe Bell made the same decision with Sally who was also initially involved in the strange Deveney Dixon story. Smart move. 

 

Speaking of Sally, her singing "Happy Birthday" is hysterical in this scene! Also one of the few times I've seen her and Brooke in a scene.

Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing on Dallas would spew some hilarious lines. In one episode he was confronting Val. She asked him how he found her and he said " When I found out you were back in town, I had my people check out some of the cheaper motels. Figuring you were living the life your accustomed to. Sure enough here you are. He would also refer to Pam as " That Barnes Girl" and told Sue Ellen " Nothing is uglier than a woman who can't handle her liquor". Calling her slut, tramp etc a lot of times when she was passed out... He also was annoyed about Bobby's friend Guzzler showing up and talking non stop. He went upstairs to bed to get away from him and muttered under his breath " That actress Farrah Fawcett Majors could become Farrah Fawcett Guzzler.......LOL

13 hours ago, Faulkner said:

I was thinking about all the times I laughed out loud watching soaps, and I was very rarely amused by the characters written as broad, yuk-yuk-waka-waka-waka types. The very best actors—the Beverlee McKinseys, the Susan Flannerys, the Robin Mattsons, the Victoria Rowells—could make me double over with laughter with just a cutting line reading in an otherwise dramatic scene. 
 

But I admit to having enjoyed obviously “comical” characters like Vivian/Ivan or early Susan (at times) on DAYS. 

 

What are some scenes/characters/shows that (intentionally) made you LOL?Dorothy Lyman’s Opal on AMC was a kick...I only knew Jill Larson’s version growing up:
 

 

 

"I just thought that you wouldn't want something that would rub off on the pillowcase. That could be very embarrassing on the first date." 😎😎😎

 

 

@DRW50 brought this other gem from Opal to my attention.

 

 

Edited November 10, 20196 yr by SFK

I'm still a little surprised they got away with that last one even in the early '80s. 

 

I think Laura and Abby on Knots gave some of my favorite soap comedy.