Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Susan Haskell

Thinking Marty/Susan Fans Comment Update: John enthuses, "As for Susan Haskell, she is incredible. It's too bad it took such an ill-conceived story like the one Marty has had this year for me to realize what she can really do with powerful material" ... while MissD concurs, "(Marty/Susan) has been a fave of mine and is the reason I recently came … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: Newly Bereaved Father Buzz Cooper on Guiding Light

By Damon L. Jacobs Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences you will ever have to go through.  If you have ever cared about someone who has died, then you know the palpable heartache that brings pain throughout your entire body.  But if you have ever lost a child, then you will understand the overwhelming anguish and paralyzing … [Read more...]

Our Soap Shrink Wonders: Why So Many Bloody Brides?

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Jason laments, "I think the problem with soaps these days is they try to distance themselves from what they should be centered upon, which is love and romance, and turn to violence" ... while Deep Dish,  favoring balance, suggests, "I think there's room enough on soaps for both the traditional romantic weddings as well … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: One Life to Live’s Todd Manning

Thinking Fans on Todd: Marilyn Henry says, "I do not understand how some fans see him as sexy or hot. He is cruel. Sick. Unfeeling for others. As such, he is dangerous" ... while Dale agrues, "Just because I and others find something of worth in watching Todd does not make our opinions any less valid than yours, or Marlena's, or Joe Blow's" ... and … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: All My Children’s Annie Lavery

Thinking Fans Comment update: antmuoz doubts AMC will "actually tell a reality-based story with Annie. But if they did, it might be a daytime first in that it doesn't involve cloning or demonic possession" ... while Matthew objects to AMC's "fear-based portrayal of Bedlam with outdated methods and near criminal activity" ... and more. See Comments … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: General Hospital’s Spinelli

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Karen likes Spinelli just as he is, thank you very much ... antmunoz thinks "different" characters reflect the real viewing audience more than the "ultra-gorgeous" do ... while S. Woods feels Spinelli "is one of the few redeeming characters on bloody bullet-riddled General Hospital" ... and more. See Comments … [Read more...]

A Review of Our Soap Shrink’s New Book, Absolutely Shouldless: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve

By Marlena and Moose Midway through January, any New Year's resolutions you made are more than two weeks old by now.  How's that going for you? Has that ceremonially consumed Final Cinnabon of 2008 and Forever More turned out to be the Next to Final Cinnabon, or the Next to Next to Final Cinnabon?  Is your new health club membership still … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: The Young and the Restless’ Katherine Chancellor, Daytime’s Greatest (Though Most Self-Destructive) Dame

By Damon L. Jacobs When you think of The Young and the Restless' Katherine "Kay" Chancellor, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Is it her fiery take-no-prisoners passion?  Is it her unsinkable resilience?  Could it be her sharp tongue or trademark short blonde locks?  I think we can agree she embraces all of these qualities.  But at … [Read more...]

Merry Christmas, Cher Thinking Fans!

This our second Christmas here in our home on the Web. By now, we feel we know most of you by name, and are more pleased than words can express to welcome your regular visits. So many of you Thinking Fans have been frequent correspondents, and have enriched our site with your thoughtful, heartfelt commentary.  Thank you, thank you, for investing so … [Read more...]

The Soap Shrink Interview, Cont’d: Ilene Kirsten On Her Insightful Creations — Ryan’s Hope’s Delia and One Life to Live’s Roxy

Part 2: One Life to Live's Roxy By Damon L. Jacobs Yesterday, I interviewed the insightful  Ilene Kristen on the creation of her iconic role of Delia on Ryan's Hope.  Today she talks about Roxy, her current, vastly entertaining character, who debuted on One Life to Live in 2001. D: How did the events of 9/11/01 shape your creation of … [Read more...]