By Patrick Erwin I confess I was glued to my TV last week for the soap opera that was The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer. The governor, once praised as a smart, brave man, was stripped of his title in a very public and humiliating way. And the reaction reminded me of "schadenfreude" -- a German word that describes when someone is joyous and … [Read more...]
The Young and the Restless: How Latham Tried But Failed to Reinvent the Wheel
March 20, 2008 by 9 Comments
As the World Turns: Good-bye to Martha Byrne, The Real Thing
March 17, 2008 by 12 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix It's hard to watch daytime soaps chip away piece by piece, and of course no one actor is daytime TV. But watching Martha Byrne leave As the World Turns (because of a contract disagreement with P&G) is really painful. If ATWT can be looked at as a truly American, heartland soap (as do my friend Sam Ford and his … [Read more...]
Marlena to One Life to Live: “I Hate Todd”
March 11, 2008 by 33 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix I never liked the character of Todd Manning on One Life to Live. I never understood him. After he was introduced in 1992 as one of three gang rapists of college coed Marty Saybrooke, the character skyrocketed to become one of most popular characters on OLTL, if not all of soaps, and has stayed that way until … [Read more...]
Guiding Light’s New Look: First Impressions
March 10, 2008 by 15 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Three weeks ago, before it even debuted, I recommended giving Guiding Light's new production style a chance. After a week or so of shows, here are some first impressions: THE GOOD: Some of the new sets read very nicely on screen. In particular, the outdoor sets and the larger sets look great. Many of the outdoor scenes do a … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Timeless Storylines, Timeless Talent
March 5, 2008 by 5 Comments
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin It's been fifteen years since Douglas Marland's death. That seems impossible to me, but then again, maybe that's because I still see aspects of his work and his characters on screen every day. Certainly, his body of work has had a big impact on me. I was eagerly watching his … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Highlights of a Great Career
March 4, 2008 by 1 Comment
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin As an actor: -- Doug appeared in a 1956 episode of Playhouse 90 called Forbidden Area (as Marland Messner, his real name). -- In 1973, he appeared on As The World Turns, playing Lisa's doctor, Eric Lonsberry, during the infamous "phantom fetus" storyline. -- Doug also appeared … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: A Week-long Celebration
March 3, 2008 by 12 Comments
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Marlena De Lacroix Can it really be 15 years since the light was turned off? Those were the words of my friend, soap historian Leona Barad when I wrote to her telling her we were planning a special week of articles here at marlenadelacroix.com to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Douglas … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Actors Recall Their Marland Moments, Part 1
March 3, 2008 by 2 Comments
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin As part of our celebration of Douglas Marland's work, we want to share the thoughts and memories of some of the actors and actresses who performed his work day in and day out. We're posting these remembrances here to share with you, along with a brief outline of their "Marland … [Read more...]
