One Life to Live Insults Women — Again!

Thinking Fans argue pros and cons of OLTL's Grey Gardens spoof: Marilyn Henry applauds, "It never occurred to me it was anti-woman at all. I was happy to see two of the show's vets get a big chunk of air time in an imaginative bit of spoofiness" ... while Steve says, "This spoof fell flat for me because it wasn't about Blair or Dorian at all. It … [Read more...]

One Life to Live: Defending Dorian

Thinking Fans defend Dorian, too:  Rebecca demands, "Dorian has always been a great soap villainess. I have a big problem thinking that she actually was in her cups at the party she hosted for Markko -- as we all know, soap villains do not lose control. I want the indomitable, formidable woman that Dorian is back on screen, giving no quarter to her … [Read more...]

Marlena’s Summer Plans

By Marlena De Lacroix Bonjour, everyone!  I'm sorry I haven't posted in many weeks.  As you know, my mother passed away.  It happened amid the frenzy of the end of spring semester, at the end of a long academic year.  I need the summer to recharge, so I'm going on relaxed summer mode until the Daytime Emmys at the end of August. However, … [Read more...]

A Soap Shrink Interview: James DePaiva’s Ultra Candid Look Back at One Life to Live — and His Own Life

PART TWO OF TWO PARTS In Part Two, James DePaiva talks about being Max, then not being Max; about the joys of family life; about being angry for a long time, and about dealing with those destructive "shoulds."  By Damon L. Jacobs D:  Now, you mentioned being terribly shy.  But I remember when Max came back One Life in 1992, the promotional ads … [Read more...]

A Soap Shrink Interview: James DePaiva’s Ultra Candid Look Back at One Life to Live — and His Own Life

 PART ONE OF TWO PARTS By Damon L. Jacobs If there is such a thing as a modern day cowboy in New York City, James DePaiva would be it. He is brutally honest, impossibly handsome, jarringly tough, yet surprisingly sensitive.  And although you are more likely to find him driving his motorcycle around town instead of a riding a horse, you … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Kassie DePaiva

Thinking Fans on KDP: Matthew J. Cormier observes, "Kassie has clearly thought a lot about what makes Blair tick and has put her own life into perspective" ... OLTL no more scolds, "When you have an actress dedicated to giving wonderful performances and staying true to her character, she shouldn't be used as a prop in favor of 'romantic rapes' and … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Kathy Brier

Thinking Fans salute Ms. Brier: John says, "It's sort of depressing thinking how daytime has actually gone downhill in the time since Kathy Brier came on to OLTL, when at the time she was a breath of fresh air in a medium that was already pretty moribund" ... while Jake says, "Brier's acting chops stand out on a show that is showcasing some really … [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 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...]

One Life To Live Ups the Stakes, But Does It Dare Fire Superstar Slezak?

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Cherry Ames declares, "OLTL is so good in some ways, but in other ways it's just sick and sordid and as bad as reality (global recession, wars, mass killings in Darfur and Sudan, Octo-mom).  I want something more uplifting and positive" ... while Beth predicts, "Forcing Erika Slezak from OLTL, in my view, is something … [Read more...]