If you are an ardent soap person like me, you probably own many books on soaps. I’ve been very lucky over the years to have contributed to some and am pleased to have made the acquaintance of many of the authors. I use these books often as references when I write this column. Alina Adams’ new book “Super Soap Scenes: A Time Capsule of Daytime’s … [Read more...]
“General Hospital” Stages a Remarkable Funeral for Monica Quartermaine
September 29, 2025 by 4 Comments
Every once in a while, a daytime soap stages an event or storyline so memorable it moves its fans to tears. “General Hospital” accomplished this welcome feat with recent gripping episodes portraying the funeral of a much beloved long-term character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, played by Leslie Charleson who passed away earlier this year at 79. These … [Read more...]
“Beyond the Gates”: Time for Reappraisal
September 7, 2025 by 16 Comments
I’ve purposely put off a review of “Beyond the Gates” until the show’s six-month mark. Why? So many viewers really like this show, but I have some serious reservations about it. Before I get to them, I’d like to recognize that“The Gates,” which premiered in February, has changed and probably saved a medium we all said was dying. It has attracted … [Read more...]
Bitch-Slap, Catfight, Oh No!
August 22, 2025 by 6 Comments
I was watching “Beyond the Gates” yesterday and I am horrified by what I saw. Sparkplug Leslie Thomas (Tricia Mann-Grant) came to visit the otherwise elegant Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) and the two got into a bitch-slap fight. Oh no! Bitch-slap fights, and the catfights they frequently degenerate into, have long been a feature of daytime soaps. … [Read more...]
“GH” Casting Director Mark Teschner: He Never Misses!
August 19, 2025 by 2 Comments
“General Hospital” is having its best summer in years. Sonny Corinthos has a clever and tireless enemy in Sidwell. Super stressed Willow, who left Drew standing at the altar, is having a nervous breakdown because her ex-husband Michael won’t let her see their kids. The action at the Metro Court pool is refreshingly seasonal and entertaining. On … [Read more...]
Tristan Rogers, 1946 – 2025
August 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Tristan Rogers, a star of “General Hospital” for 45 years, passed away Aug. 15 at 79. A spokesman said he suffered from lung cancer. What a loss. He was so beloved in our soap world. Rogers, who was from Australia, played charming and jovial superspy Robert Scorpio, the best friend of Anthony Geary’s Luke. According to what is now soap opera … [Read more...]
Everyone’s Still a Soap Critic
July 30, 2025 by 2 Comments
Today, soap journalism is largely a digital affair, replacing our cherished paper magazines of yore. Happily, for the soap world, the websites are booming and today’s scribes -– some newbies and others who’ve been around the track a time or two -- are no less zealous than ever. Everyone’s still a soap critic. Which inspired moi to take a fresh look … [Read more...]
Marlena’s Summer Soiree, Part Two: Daytime Emmys and More
July 22, 2025 by 4 Comments
Bonjour again, mes amies. Are you enjoying the Martimmys I made for you last week, for the first half of our celebration of a sizzling soap summer? Let’s move on to the second half of our look at what’s happening right now, in the middle of the season that is historically prime time for soaps. Normally, we would have had the Daytime Emmys in June. … [Read more...]
Marlena’s Summer Soiree, Part One
July 13, 2025 by 4 Comments
Bonjour, mes amies. It’s summer, primetime for soaps, when our favorite shows put out their best to catch the attention of the lucrative young demographic on school vacation. In the 80’s and early 90’s, it was the season for bare-chested hunks and hunkettes engaged in great love stories. Now, well, let’s have a look. To celebrate summer 2025, … [Read more...]
A Q&A with Soap Opera Expert John K. Read
July 4, 2025 by 11 Comments
Marlena says: Welcome to Marlena’s Soap Opera Hall of Fame, our new occasional series of profiles and Q&A interviews with celebrated soap opera professionals. Our first honoree is veteran soap reporter/critic John K. Read, a.k.a. John Kelly Genovese. In the glory years of soap opera magazines, his weekly insider reports and thoughtful … [Read more...]
