Retro SOD Article: Bomb’s Away! Soaps’ Biggest Story Mistakes

[soapfan770]

From January 1999, these where SOD’s choices for what they called most cringe-worthy and biggest story mistakes for each soap on the air at the time. Let me know if anyone wants specific write-ups!

GH: Sword of Malkuth mystery, 1982

Y&R: Death of Phillip III, 1989

Days: The Salem Slasher, 1983

GL: The death of Maureen, 1993

AMC: Erica kidnaps Maddie, 1997

B&B: Enter Karen Spencer, 1992

AW: Bobby Reno/Shane Roberts story, 1996-1998

ATWT: The downfall of Steve Andropoulos, 1986-87

Beach: The pairing of Casey & Rae, 1997

OLTL: Larry vs. Ivan, 1982

PC: Serena is blinded, 1998

[AbcNbc247]

The Days choice is news to me. I thought everybody loved the Salem Slasher story lol 

[Bright Eyes]

Killing Renee? As if.

The Y&R choice is dead wrong.

[soapfan770]

Believe it or not there biggest complaint was about the whole Roman/Andre/Tony face mask stuff as whoever wrote the article said the story became ridiculous.

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[AbcNbc247]

And yet we're still dealing with masks 

[Paul Raven]

Which shows the mindset of TPTB. 

It worked in 1983 ! Let's keep doing it!

[j swift]

Is this the David Gray story with the introduction of Laura and Jackie Templeton?

I recently googled Paul Rossilli who play David and either they were very lucky with casting or the plot point about people being memorized by his eyes was inspired by the actors own peepers.  Unfortunately his acting was not as memorable as his facial features.

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The sword is a classic Macguffin, when it was finally revealed it looked so cheap, like a Halloween prop.  And, in the end, it really didn't give an explanation for Laura Webber Spencer's disappearance. 

Edited February 12, 2022 by j swift

[soapfan770]

LOL. Here's what the write-up says:

WHY WE HATED IT: 

True blue Roman, the most honest, good-hearted cop in Salem, a serial killer? Enough said. It was the first of many (and we mean many) evil DiMera plots designed to bring down the Brady clan. The real killer was Andre, Tony's look-alike cousin who donned a "Roman" mask every time he went in for the kill.  Roman faked his death (but clued in Marlena) to nab the fiend. The story went from dumb to utterly ridiculous with Andre assuming Tony's identity. It ended when Andre drowned in quicksand on one of the DiMeras' many hideaway islands. Adding insult to injury, Roman "died" there from a gunshot wound as well. 

 

Here is also the write-up for the Death of Phillip III on Y&R: 

 

WHY WE HATED IT: 

Though the story was well told, and the subject matter was (and remains) topical), Phillip was a popular, pivotal character from a key (but small) family; his death left a significant void. Phillip had always been a pawn in Jill and Kay's feud, and despite duking it out over his guardianship, they were united in their love for the shy, sensitive heir, so that dynamic was lost. We'd also like to point out that Phillip's deathbed scene was played out not with his moms or his wife, but with former girlfriend Cricket. Katherine had to run her company solo. It would have been exciting to watch her brining her protégé along --- to Jill's chargin. And, of course, Phillip would have thrown a monkey wrench into Kay and Jill's battle over the Chancellor estate. As for Nina, well, she's moved on from one failed relationship to another. But right now, no one misses Phillip III more than Phillip IV, who hasn't been able to cope since stepdad Ryan left home.  

[j swift]

Also, I disagree with this choice because it inspired stories for Nina and others for the next decade (or more if you include Cain) - however obviously they couldn't predict that in 1999

Edited February 12, 2022 by j swift

[Paul Raven]

They would have had to recast. Wasn't it Thom's choice to leave?

Had Phillip stayed on would he and Nina re-united? Would he marry Cricket?

A lot of Nina's stories could have been played even with Phillip around.

[te.]

I really wonder what that poor writer made of the Salem Stalker storyline...

[carolineg]

I think the Days thing is fair.  Wasn't Jed Allan running around wearing a faux Roman mask to help Doc too?  I think there is a case for John being Roman as well, but I think everyone liked that story.

[Khan]

Trust me, the solution they came up with wasn't any better, lol.

[Khan]

I know they tried to justify her taking the child by saying Erica feared that Maddie would grow up feeling unworthy like she (Erica) did, but...it just wasn't something you could see Erica doing under any circumstances.

[AbcNbc247]

Nah... Roman wore a Don mask in order to get to Marlena after he "died" 

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