Marlena says: In all my decades in the daytime industry, there’s never been a soap as controversial as the almost year-old “Beyond the Gates.” A landmark in daytime television, it appeared at a crucial time when it looked like soaps were about to become extinct. Many viewers adore “Gates,” but there are others who have reservations about it. … [Read more...]
A Joyful Look Back at “Passions”
December 29, 2025 by 13 Comments
Hope all my readers had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Moose and I are moving yet again and craziness rules. However, I made sure that Santa knew I was still here because I badly wanted one present: a nifty new book called “Passions: Sins, Spells Secrets. The Unauthorized Story of the Cult-Favorite Soap Opera” by J.T. Cornell. I just loved the … [Read more...]
“GH”‘s Anthony Geary, 1947-2025: He Changed Our Soap World
December 21, 2025 by 10 Comments
I started watching “General Hospital” in 1978, at the beginning of my career as a soap journalist. That was the year that Anthony Geary made his debut on “GH” as Luke Spencer. I liked Luke immediately. He was charming, funny, and true. And Geary was a terrific actor who won over his already approving audience with his character’s warmth and … [Read more...]
John McCook of “The Bold and the Beautiful”: An Appreciation
December 16, 2025 by 2 Comments
A note from Marlena: As you know the soap world lost its most important alumnus Monday morning when Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer, “General Hospital”) passed away at 78, two days after an operation in Amsterdam, where he lived with his husband, Claudio Gama. Mon readers, a major piece on Tony’s life and achievements is more than merited and to … [Read more...]
On Soaps, You’ve Got to Have Friends
December 7, 2025 by 6 Comments
When I started writing for the newish publication USA Today in 1988, I was sent to cover the premiere of Bette Midler’s new movie “Beaches” at the Museum of Modern Art. Over-the-top Marlena getting to interview the divine Miss M? OMG, was I thrilled! A decade earlier, I had heard her in concert at the Continental Baths with her accompanist Barry … [Read more...]
The Joys of Soap Swag
December 1, 2025 by 4 Comments
Marlena and Moose are on the move again and I’m digging out a lot of things I forgot I had. What I’ll never forget or part with is an amazing collection of soap souvenirs I as a soap opera journalist received from the networks and Procter and Gamble during the eighties and early nineties. Those were the days when the profits from daytime soaps (and … [Read more...]
“Dynasty” Fondly Remembered
November 21, 2025 by 10 Comments
Marlena’s been a little blue lately. Whenever trouble strikes, I tend to turn to my two favorite pastimes, soaps and journalism. So how did the CW network know something was up with me? I adore their new Monday night nostalgia show “TV We Love” which featured in its first two weeks “I Love Lucy” and “Happy Days.” This week--how did they know—CW … [Read more...]
Outback the Beagle on “General Hospital” — The Story of a Star
November 13, 2025 by 13 Comments
Have you ever noticed that “General Hospital” has a track record of performers who became soap superstars not long after their debuts? Think Tony Geary as Luke, Tristan Rogers as Robert, Rick Springfield as Noah, Ingo Rademacher as Jax, and even a pre-“Full House” John Stamos as Blackie. Fast forward to now. On “GH” we currently have a beautiful … [Read more...]
Thank You “General Hospital” for the Gift of Erika Slezak
November 2, 2025 by 11 Comments
I was very excited when it was announced that Erika Slezak, the six-time winner of a Best Actress Emmy for her 41 years on “One Life to Live” as Victoria Lord Riley Burke Buchanan, was joining “General Hospital” for a guest stint as Veronica (Ronnie) Bard, the sister of the late Monica Quartermaine (played the late Leslie Charleson.) I watched … [Read more...]
Remembering “Santa Barbara,” a Quirky Soap of the 80s
October 26, 2025 by 8 Comments
Marlena says: “Santa Barbara” debuted in 1984, a smartly written – some would say wacky --and engagingly cast product of its time, that flourishing era when soap operas were awash in money and brave ideas. Compared to established soap fare, it had a different sense of itself. Proudly sophisticated and droll, it chronicled the complex interactions … [Read more...]
