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...]
An Open Letter to Anne Sweeney, Co-chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group
November 20, 2008 by 17 Comments
Norn on One Life to Live’s Starr and Blair: Victims of Todd’s World of Hurt
November 19, 2008 by 5 Comments
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
November 17, 2008 by 13 Comments
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”
November 7, 2008 by 55 Comments
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!
September 19, 2008 by 26 Comments
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 Lacroix Paul Rauch. That name may send you screaming … [Read more...]
From Bad to Good or Good To Bad: Seven Soap Characters Who Changed Before Our Eyes
September 8, 2008 by 15 Comments
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 Erwin It'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?
September 3, 2008 by 13 Comments
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. Jacobs You've got to hand it to Blair Cramer. She may have grown up in foster homes, she may have a nasty … [Read more...]
Do You Love or Hate it When Soaps Repeat Their Histories?
July 30, 2008 by 13 Comments
Thinking Fans Comment Update July 31: How to repeat soap histories? Melanie counts the ways ... James cheers the Reva/Josh movie wedding ... while esther is generally unimpressed by retreads ... and more. See Comments below. ____________ By Patrick Erwin Each of the eight daytime soaps on American network TV these days has a … [Read more...]
