Contest: Win a Pair of Tickets To See Peter Bartlett in What’s That Smell?

By  Marlena De LacroixIn honor of our first anniversary, Marlenadelacroix.com is delighted to have two tickets to the hit off-Broadway show What's That Smell? The Music of Jacob Sterling to give away to some lucky Thinking Fan, compliments of the show's producers,  The Atlantic Theater Company.The hilarious satire on musical theater, … [Read more...]

An Open Letter to Anne Sweeney, Co-chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group

Dear Ms. Sweeney:I am writing to strongly protest the current Todd and Marty storyline on One Life to Live. It's in effect the long delayed second chapter of a story that began in 1993, when Todd was the leader of three college students who gang raped Marty. The two chapters couldn't be more shockingly different in intent. The 1993 chapter, … [Read more...]

Norn on One Life to Live’s Starr and Blair: Victims of Todd’s World of Hurt

 Illustrator/Thinking Fan Norn Cutson wrote me that he was so sad for One Life to Live's Starr and Blair after they found out Todd had planned to kidnap Starr's baby and had gotten involved with Marty, he had to "do something." So he drew this illustration. Here's Norn's  heart-wringing interpretation of the sad  mother and daughter. I think … [Read more...]

One Life To Live’s “Tarty” Controversy: It’s Not Over Until It’s Over

Thinking Fans Comment Update:  Melanie isn't buying the "poor Todd" routine ... Jenn misses the days when "soaps relied on love and chemistry" ... and more. See Comments below.________________________ My friend, television journalist Ed Martin called me last week to congratulate me on my Todd and Marty: Way Beyond Merely Disgusting column, … [Read more...]

One Life To Live’s Todd and Marty: Way Beyond Merely “Disgusting”

  Susan Haskell as Marty, Trevor St. John as Todd -- ABC Photo by Heidi Gutman _________________________Thinking Fans Comment Update Nov. 9:  Miajere laments the misogyny in daytime ... Christian in Boston is disgusted by Todd's elevation to "redeemed and tortured anti-hero" status ... Steve protests Todd-Marty story exists "for no other … [Read more...]

He’s Back: Paul Rauch for Real!

Thinking Fans Comment Update Sept. 20:  Christian in Boston loved Rauch's OLTL except for the lighting (bring sunglasses!) ... James expresses respect ... but Cherry Ames lists Rauch's soap sins, chapter and verse ... and more. See Comments below. ____________________ By Marlena De LacroixPaul Rauch. That name may send you screaming … [Read more...]

Theater Review: One Life To Live’s Peter Bartlett in What’s That Smell? The Music of Jacob Sterling

By Marlena De LacroixWednesday night I LMAO and in addition laughed so often I had tears and mascara running down my face. I attended a preview of  What's That Smell? The Music of Jacob  Sterling, a "comedy with vocal selections" starring David Pittu (Tony nominated for Is He Dead?)  and our own beloved Peter Bartlett (Nigel, One Life to … [Read more...]

From Bad to Good or Good To Bad: Seven Soap Characters Who Changed Before Our Eyes

Thinking Fans Comment Update Sept. 9:  Sina nominates Maxie Jones ... Greg would include Vanessa Chamberlain ...  Aaron misses Annie Dutton ... and more. See Comments below. ________________________ By Patrick ErwinIt's been interesting to watch recent scenes with Melissa Claire Egan as Annie on All My Children. Once a good girl, Annie … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink: Is One Life to Live’s Blair Cramer a Tramp or an Icon of Female Empowerment?

Thinking Fans Comment Update Sept. 4:  Matthew Cormier suggests a no sex vow might help Blair heal ... Johnny, however, can't fathom the randy Blair in therapy ... and more. See Comments below. _________________________By Damon L. JacobsYou've got to hand it to Blair Cramer.  She may have grown up in foster homes, she may have a nasty … [Read more...]

Why One Life To Live’s Back to the Future Story Was a Bomb

Thinking Fans Comment Update Aug. 28: Aaron enjoyed "1968" for its fun, escapism and heart ... while Christian in Boston found the acting embarrassing ... our own Soap Shrink discovered a compelling psychological adventure beneath the silliness ... and more. See Comments below. _________________________ By Marlena De LacroixWhat did I … [Read more...]