By Marlena De Lacroix Last week I had a nightmare that All My Children and One Life to Live were canceled. And then the bad dream came true. But before we wallow in our own grief, let's take a moment to remember all the jobs that are being lost -- and all the acting careers that are now ending. So many people out of work! They are the … [Read more...]
Watching Sadism For Thrills: Soaps Are Not Snuff Films!
By Marlena De Lacroix Recently I was asked by a fan why I am not posting much anymore. Here's why: Today on One Life to Live I watched a woman who had just delivered a baby graphically fall through ice and drown. Not three months ago I had watched a Does any TPTB on soaps, so desperate for ratings, actually have any moral sense at all, or even … [Read more...]
The Downward Soap Spiral Accelerates
By Marlena De Lacroix Bonjour, everyone. This November will mark 20th anniversary of my becoming Marlena De Lacroix, soap critic. Marlena's mission has always been to write the truth as I see it, no matter how impolitic. But now, for me -- I repeat, for me -- it's clear that we've reached the end stage of network daytime soap opera, a … [Read more...]
ABC’s Misguided “Sweeps” Tries to Feed Off of Guiding Light’s Death
By Marlena De Lacroix I usually don't read a lot of previews or spoilers. But what I've seen this week and what I've read for the rest of the month of September alarms me. The ABC soaps seem to think its sweeps month, staging stunts and attention-getting storylines that are de rigueur in crucial ratings-measuring months. September isn't one … [Read more...]
Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with All My Children’s Melissa Claire Egan
By Damon L. Jacobs When I interviewed Melissa Claire Egan (Annie Novak Lavery on All My Children) on SoapNet's "Rock the Soap Cruise," all I kept thinking was, "courage." This young woman has the courage to reach inside herself and expose the deepest parts of her soul every day in front of her audience and in front of her peers. She was … [Read more...]
Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with The Young and the Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson
By Damon L. Jacobs Combine the beauty of Jennifer Garner and the comic timing of Debra Messing and what do you get? The hysterically entertaining and insightful Elizabeth Hendrickson! During SoapNet's "Rock the Soap Cruise," we talked about her experiences and life lessons learned from mistakes on All My Children and her current run on The … [Read more...]