James Franco to General Hospital? Marlena’s Top 10!

By Marlena De Lacroix James Franco to guest star for two months on General Hospital has to be the biggest bombshell news in the decades I've watched and written about soaps.  I just heard, and it's fabulous!  As much as I love soaps, my mind jumped to wise guy remarks, a la David Letterman's nightly Top 10. And I have no shame: here's my … [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...]

How Helena Cassadine Can Save General Hospital

Thinking Fans Comment Update: James speculates, "My own preference for bringing back the vets would be a storyline where it is revealed that they all joined a witness protection program and are brought back to testify against Sonny" ... while Melanie declares, "The good think about the outrageousness of soaps (and characters like Helena) is that … [Read more...]

Soaps March: When a House Is Not a Home

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Ann demands to know, "Why is Guza doing this to Robin? It kills me to see people on the GH boards calling wonderful brave Robin a slut and a cheat because this PPD is being used to destroy her character" ... while Elvira rejoices, "Guiding Light's creative resurgence (headed by the old-school Otalia story, which is … [Read more...]

Soap February: Blame Executive Malfeasance!

Thinking Fans Comment Update: BL avers, "I have to say the line (on AMC) about how lesbians don't kiss men was perfect, because why would they?" ... Carl posits, "GL has been so much about nasty thugs over the past few years, Phillip's return is a way to bring a more heroic character back into the spotlight" ... while Melanie warns that GH "is on … [Read more...]

Soap January: Bombs Away!

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Steve's take on AMC's "January stunts" is "I don't know if I can think of a more blatant example of the type of heartless sickness that has wounded soaps" ... and S. Woods adds: "The crud on offer from these soaps is giving tastelessness a bad name" ... while Twb6y optimistically doesn't believe John and Marlena are … [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...]

Marlena’s “Only the Bests” List 2008

Thinking Fans' picks and pans for 2008: Cherry Ames pans Todd/Marty as "the foulest story ever" ... DSO816 picks the Angie/Jesse reunion ... while Marlene agrees GHNS2 set the bar higher for all soaps ... and more. See Comments below.  ________________________  By Marlena De Lacroix Last year I decided I will no longer do "Best" and … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink: From Savvy to Reckless, How General Hospital’s Alexis Davis’ Behavior Makes Perfect Sense

Thinking Fans fret over Alexis:  Purple Haze is puzzled by her treatment of her children ... esther says give up a bit of mob air time and tell us what happened to Sam's father ... while Marilyn Henry wants to see her learn from her mistakes ... and more. See Comments below.  ________________________  By Damon L. Jacobs If you've been … [Read more...]

Night Shift 2 Served Up that Old General Hospital Magic as its Sublime Second Season Came to an End

Thinking Fans Comment Update October 26:  Dianne says NS2 was a gift to long-time GH fans ... Suzette applauds the celebration of GH history, though she missed Genie Francis ... Mike agrees, mostly, but wonders, where was Holly? ... and more. See Comments below.  ________________________  By Ed Martin  Sri Rao and Lisa De Cazotte are my … [Read more...]