Jump to content

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


Recommended Posts

  • Members

Y & R

I thought Phillip's death was a good story decision.  History repeating itself with the car accident, Kay/Jill reunited in grief and also disdain for Nina...Jill trying to do to Nina what Kay had done to her, etc.  And it left Nina vulnerable to the likes of David.

B & B

I actually think Karen was a good idea, and at first, Joanna Johnson made her different than Caroline...she was more a fish out of water.   What went wrong was making her too polished too quickly...and not finding a proper story for Karen.  There were times she was not an ingenue and even had an edge....but her stories didn't get followed up on (she was paired with Thorne...and had good rival chemistry with Macy...but I don't recall any element calling into question if Thorne was with her because she looked like Caroline, etc).

Sunset Beach

Rae was dropped a mere few months into the show's run..and I recall people were pissed because she was likable..and she/Casey had chemistry.  What was SOD's write up on this story?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 31
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

  • Members

I have heard Marlena mention DJ here and there over the years but never Don lol.  I am drifting the thread, but I wonder how much staying power Don would have had if DJ had lived.  Probably more, but we did spend the 90's pretending Carrie was John/Marlena's kid so it didn't help Anna much.

Anyway, I don't think that was anywhere near Days worst story.  Outside from obvious clunkers with weird sci-fi stuff I think I would point to the Tale of 2 Romans.  Not only was the story bad, it changed Days irreversibly in a bad way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

@Soaplovers Here is what they had to say about Rae and Casey on Beach:

After months of a slow build, BEACH axed this popular romance for no good reason, alienating the viewers they were struggling to attract. Casey and Rae were a charismatic couple and one of the few daytime love stories to feature an Asian-American. Since Rae's exit, lonely Casey has become the shoulder that everyone leans on. Yeah, he's been paired with Sara, but that relationship is based on the fact he helped her during the Melinda scandal and Shockwave. Kelly Hu (ex-Rae) is now starring on MARTIAL LAW, where she kicks bad-guy butt every Saturday night. Back at the beach, poor Casey's still waiting for a story. 

 

And here's what they said about Bobby/Shane @j swift

First of all, if AW wanted to rehire Robert Kelker-Kelly, they should've brought back him back as Sam Fowler, the popular character he played from 1987-1990. Second, switching horses, er, careers, mid-stream made no sense. Remember when Vicky suffered head trauma in a bomb blast while she and Bobby were out in the woods? He didn't know what to do, panicked, and raced her to a doctor. Then later, we find out that this guy is a top brain surgeon? Yeah, right, whatever. Bobby turned into Saint Shane. He performed life-saving surgery on Kirkland, discovered a cure for his own "terminal" disease and then died in a car wreck last winter. Shane and Bobby are now just Bay City history. The only good to come from it was Shane's secret ex-spouse, Lila, who arrived looking for him, stayed on after his demise and has livened things up considerably for Cass. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

This was six months later and a different storyline, the Prisms. That storyline was ridiculous as all hell, making serial killer Roman to be quite grounded in comparison.

(Additionally, Slasher had one of my favorite scenes ever, when Roman convinces Abe that he's not the murderer.)

Edited by Titus Andronicus
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

As Vee said just yesterday or the day before in another thread, it almost NEVER works when a show brings back an actor as a different character (that two of the entries are such story is a good illustration).
So RKK's return was weird and ill-fated from the get-go.

BUT RKK does the charming blue-collar thing pretty well and I am not going to lie, I was softer on Bobby that I expected to be. He was charming and he and Vicky had good chemistry. The story was a bit paint-by-the-number but I was sort of buying them falling in love which was a hard task after Ryan.
BUT it really really REALLY went pear-shaped when they completely switched the character, who he was, what his backstory was, etc. mid-way through.
It made no sense, removed every minor investment we might have had in what they had taken months to carefully establish and turned the character into something that is less in RKK's wheelhouse. All that because a new headwriter wanted to tell a story they had previous pitched or written in a book and decided to shoehorn it onto this existing character.
Only to kill him off less than a year later despite having had Ryan The Ghost give his blessing to what was supposed to be Vicky's new great love. 
I think the initial bad idea would have been salvageable because RKK, whatever his real-life faults, is a great screen presence and a good actor. It is the twist that made it go down as a huge mistake imho.

To me the worst mistakes are the ones that are both obviously a mistake from the minute they came up in someone's mind, are unnecessary (meaning no actor-leaving etc) and are unsalvageable.
The only one of the stories I am familiar with on this list (roughly two-thirds) that qualifies is Erica's stealing Maria's baby. This should have been shut down as soon as it came out the HW's lips (same with the unabortion later).
Others, at least, can be defended in theory (I hate lookalikes but how could B&B not jump at a chance of having JJ back) or have aged well (like killing Philip)
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

AW: I enjoyed RKK initially as Sam when he and Amanda met and fell in love. Up until they saddled Amanda with a pregnancy. 

Bobby/Shane never worked for me. I know AW wanted RKK back and he balked at playing Sam again. They probably came up with Bobby too quickly without much thought.

A bigger mistake for AW was killing off Frankie to use her money for that mess!

DAYS: I couldn't stand the slasher story because I loved Renee! I was devastated when she was killed off! I stopped watching for many years. That was the first real story that upset me (and I was 10!)

The Texas cancellation the year before also bothered me but not as much. 

 

 

Edited by Melroser
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • What kind of work would Johnny do? He looks very inexperienced at everything.

      Please register in order to view this content

      He's never worked a day in his life.
    • GENERAL HOSPITAL April 2025 Episode Count 22 Episodes 1. Laura Wright (Carly Spencer) - 17 2. Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) - 15 3. Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) - 14 *Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) - 14 5. Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos-Davis) - 11 *Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain) - 11 *Donnell Turner (Curtis Ashford) - 11 8. Adrian Anchondo (Marco Rios) - 10 *Tanisha Harper (Jordan Ashford) - 10 *Brook Kerr (Dr. Portia Robinson) - 10 *Eden McCoy (Josslyn Jacks) - 10 *Carlo Rota (Jenz Sidwell) - 10 *Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn Quartermaine) - 10 14. Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson) - 9 *Jens Austin Astrup (Kai Taylor) - 9 *Alexa Havins Bruening (Lulu Spencer) - 9 *Genie Francis (Laura Collins) - 9 *Van Hansis (Dr. Lucas Jones) - 9 *Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) - 9 20. Braedyn Bruner (Emma Drake) - 8 *Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe) - 8 *Chris L. McKenna (Jack Brennan) - 8 *Kristen Vaganos (Molly Lansing-Davis) - 8 *Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves) - 8 *Maura West (Ava Jerome) - 8 26. Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine) - 7 *Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing) - 7 *Carolyn Hennesy (Diane Miller) - 7 *Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Corinthos) - 7 *Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) - 7 31. Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer) - 6 *Josh Kelly (Cody Bell) - 6 *Eva LaRue (Natalia Ramirez) - 6 *Sofia Mattsson (Sasha Corbin) - 6 *Giovanni Mazza (Giovanni Palmieri) - 6 *Kristina Wagner (Felicia Scorpio) - 6 37. Bryce Durfee (Vaughn) - 5 *Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber) - 5 *Rena Sofer (Lois Cerullo) - 5 *Scarlett Spears (Donna Corinthos) - 5 *Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) - 5 42. Daniel Goddard (Henry Dalton) - 4 *Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase) - 4 *Sawandi Wilson (Dr. Isaiah Gannon) - 4 45. Asher Antonyzyn (Danny Morgan) - 3 *Finn Carr (Rocco Falconeri) - 3 *Dioni Michelle Collins (Deanna Sirtis) - 3 *Daniel Cosgrove (Ezra Boyle) - 3 *Risa Dorken (Amy Driscoll) - 3 *Lisa LoCicero (Olivia Quartermaine)  - 3 *Parry Shen (Brad Cooper) - 3 *Stephen A. Smith (Brick) - 3 53. Wally Kurth (Ned Quartermaine) - 2 54. Colin Cassidy (Aiden Webber) - 1 *Max Gail (Mike Corbin) - 1 *Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri) - 1 *Cassandra James (Dr. Terry Randolph) - 1 *Vernee Watson (Stella Henry) - 1 *Viron Weaver (Wiley Corinthos) - 1 *John York (Mac Scorpio) - 1 Identified Non-Recurring Guest Stars/Underfives: Jeff Bragg (Mechanic) Shannon Chappell (Nurse) Aaron Coleman (Worker) Nazneen Contractor (ADA Justine Turner) Francisco DeCun (Reporter #1) Stephen Ellis (Josh) Daniel Gallai (Waiter) Paige Herschell (Jacinda) Jason Jia (Bartender) Matt Kaminsky (Attorney) Adam Kann (Mover #1) Brianna Kellum (Assassin) Megan Le (Woman) Arlondriah Lenyéa (Bartender N’neka) Chauntal Lewis (Nurse Jamie) Trish Ramish (Trish) Jen Ray (Suzanne) David Saenz (Bailiff) GENERAL HOSPITAL 2025 Year-to-Date Episode Count 83 Episodes 1. Laura Wright (Carly Spencer) - 59 2. Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) - 55 3. Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) - 51 4. Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain) - 48 5. Alexa Havins Bruening (Lulu Spencer) - 47 6. Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) - 42 *Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) - 42 8. Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Corinthos) - 41 *Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn Quartermaine) - 41 10. Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) - 38 11. Sofia Mattsson (Sasha Corbin) - 37 12. Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine) - 36 *Brook Kerr (Dr. Portia Robinson) - 36 *Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos-Davis) - 36 15. Donnell Turner (Curtis Ashford) - 35 16. Eden McCoy (Josslyn Jacks) - 34 17. Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson) - 33 *Van Hansis (Dr. Lucas Jones) - 33 *Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber) - 33 20. Tanisha Harper (Jordan Ashford) - 31 *Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves) - 31 *Maura West (Ava Jerome) - 31 23. Genie Francis (Laura Collins) - 30 *Sawandi Wilson (Dr. Isaiah Gannon) - 30 25. Giovanni Mazza (Giovanni Palmieri) - 29 *Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase) - 29 27. Jens Austin Astrup (Kai Taylor) - 28 *Chris L. McKenna (Jack Brennan) - 28 29. Josh Kelly (Cody Bell) - 27 *Carlo Rota (Jenz Sidwell) - 27 *Kristina Wagner (Felicia Scorpio) - 27 32. Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing) - 26 33. Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer) - 25 *Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) - 25 35. Braedyn Bruner (Emma Drake) - 24 36. Michael Knight (Martin Grey) - 23 37. Rena Sofer (Lois Cerullo) - 22 38. Kristen Vaganos (Molly Lansing-Davis) - 20 39. Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe) - 18 40. Eva LaRue (Natalia Ramirez) - 15 *Parry Shen (Brad Cooper) - 15 42. Carolyn Hennesy (Diane Miller) - 14 43. Jeff Kober (Cyrus Renault) - 13 44. Adrian Anchondo (Marco Rios) - 12 *James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine) - 12 *Vernee Watson (Stella Henry) - 12 47. Charles Mesure (Jack Brennan) - 11 48. Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos) - 10 49. Asher Antonyzyn (Danny Morgan) - 8 *Scarlett Spears (Donna Corinthos) - 8 51. Finn Carr (Rocco Falconeri) - 7 *Scarlett Fernandez (Charlotte Cassadine) - 7 *Wally Kurth (Ned Quartermaine) - 7 *Lisa LoCicero (Olivia Quartermaine) - 7 *Mercedes López Renard (Agent Colette Moreau) - 7 56. Stephen A. Smith (Brick) - 6 57. Colin Cassidy (Aiden Webber) - 5 *John York (Mac Scorpio) - 5 59. Dioni Michelle Collins (Deanna Sirtis) - 4 *Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri) - 4 *Lydia Look (Selina Wu) - 4 62. Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli) - 3 *Risa Dorken (Amy Driscoll) - 3 *Viron Weaver (Wiley Corinthos) - 3 *Guy Wilson (Lucky Spencer) - 3 66. Evan Hofer (Dex Heller) - 2 *Ava & Grace Scarola (Avery Corinthos) - 2 *Ellen Travolta (Gloria Cerullo) - 2 69. Gary James Fuller (James West) - 1 *Max Gail (Mike Corbin) - 1 *Cassandra James (Dr. Terry Randolph) - 1 *Sequoia & Serenity Mork Macko (Amelia Corinthos) - 1 *Riley & Miley Plonski (Bailey Louise Jones) - 1 74. Tajh Bellow (Dr. TJ Ashford) - 0   CONTRACT ARRIVALS (0) First credit is the final new episode of debut week, unless otherwise noted CONTRACT DEPARTURES (4) Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos) - 1/21 Charles Mesure (Jack Brennan) - 1/30 Tajh Bellow (Dr. TJ Ashford) - 12/23/24 (credited until 2/14) Evan Hofer (Dex Heller) - 2/19 Last credit is the final new episode of the final week, unless otherwise noted PREEMPTIONS (3) January 1 - New Year’s Day (encore of 9/23/2024) January 7 - News Coverage of President Carter’s Casket Arrival in Washington D.C. (encore of 5/17/2022) January 20 - Presidential Inauguration MONTHLY LEADERS January - Maurice Benard (Sonny) [1] February - Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) [1] March - Alexa Havins Bruening (Lulu) [1] April - Laura Wright (Carly) [1] Recurring Actors Are Italicized  Thanks to alexisfan07 for checking the data!
    • What consequences are there to suffer? He didnt commit any crime and everyone already hates him. If anything this will set back the progress he's made with Naomi
    • Yes and I also loved how she focused on Chelsea and Naomi when she spilled Bill's involvement in all of this.
    • Danny: Don't drink it. Just hold it. Rocco drinks three laced cups.

      Please register in order to view this content

    • OH, I AM.   And it looks like it's a pretty good episode so I might watch later on this weekend after work cuz I see a lot of scenes with people I actually like. Very happy to see Rocco/Danny appear to be getting story, too. 
    • I do agree that a revival of EON would work, if it doesn't fall into doing all of the typical soap opera tropes... which it became guilty of in the final few years of the show with the over abundance of Raven/Sky at the expense of the actual detectives, police, etc. And I know it was mentioned earlier that Raven had lost any true connections on the show with the death of her on screen mother, and the loss of April/Draper/Deborah.. and I do agree with that. I actually thought the show would have done something with the Shelley character that could have connected her to the Raven character.  There were a few scenes where the two would have scenes and size one another up before they would go their separate ways.. so I assumed perhaps they would have been revealed as half-siblings and/or perhaps cousins.  Alas.. not to be.
    • It definitely flowed beautifully. So much that I was annoyed when Vanessa/Doug because I wanted to get back to the party. I know it was intentional to build up tension and suspense. It worked. lol. I'm glad it was there in hingsight because it gave us that great conversation between Doug and Vanessa. Foreshadowing? And yesss!!! This episode was sooo old school soap giving beat after beat after beat leading up to the unveiling of Eva as Ted's daughter. And we still have plenty of fallout/aftereffects to work through.   Speaking of...Bill, Bill, Bill lol. Good to have confirmation HE was the scary lawyer.   I'm sure I will have a busy Monday, but I can't wait for it. I don't know what I'm looking forward to more. Probably Anita vs Silk Press Sheila tbh. And yes, I feel they will be matching each other 'blow for blow.' 
    • And if they go there, it could also be tied to Johnny completely cutting him off, possibly going to work for Titan, etc.
    • @AbcNbc247 maybe it is just that they've gone to that well too often, and I don't like when DAYS goes dark, but I'm OK with EJ abusing drugs, and just skipping the whole sobriety part. Side note: experiencing hallucinations of my son killing me would be enough for me to never want to take a pill again.

      Please register in order to view this content

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy