Marlena says: Susan Lucci’s new autobiography “La Lucci” (Ballantine Books) is everywhere this week as she does a media blitz, launched with a cover story in this week’s People magazine. I will review the book here as soon as I receive my copy. But I just can’t wait until then to revisit one of my favorite subjects. I’ve been a staunch fan of … [Read more...]
Marlena’s Guide to Soaps’ Most Attractive Men
January 26, 2026 by 2 Comments
Last week I did a round-up of Soaps’ Most Beautiful women and I was disappointed by the lack of response. My dear old fan friend Vince figured it out immediately. “Marlena, what you have to do is a column about soap’s most attractive men. Can I send you a list?” Which he did. Between Vince and I we came up with so many. Since soaps have always … [Read more...]
Marlena Salutes Some of Soaps’ Most Beautiful Actresses
January 19, 2026 by 4 Comments
This winter has been so snowy and gloomy that I don’t want to go anywhere. As I have for decades, I’d rather stay in and watch my soaps in real time. On these yucky days, I am very much cheered by the incredible number of soap actresses who are just beautiful — even gorgeous. Marlena is an ardent feminist, and we all know that women shouldn’t be … [Read more...]
Loving “Y&R”‘s Kate Linder: Our Funny Valentine
January 13, 2026 by 4 Comments
In the classroom, Marlena has taught endlessly that you have to be objective if you are a journalist. Mes chers, that’s out the window this week. I interviewed Kate Linder, who has played the seriocomic supporting character Esther Valentine on “The Young and Restless” for 40 years. The character, who started out as the maid to Kay Chancellor (the … [Read more...]
These “Gates” Need More Rattling
January 4, 2026 by 8 Comments
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...]
