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
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: 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...]
As the World Turns’ Men in Love: The Controversy Rages!
February 25, 2008 by 9 Comments
By Patrick Erwin A few months ago, I shared with our "Thinking Soap Fans" my thoughts on the Luke and Noah story on As the World Turns, and what it meant to me. In the last few weeks, buzz about the story has erupted into controversy, as many fans are up in arms about the show's reluctance to show the couple kissing or expressing affection. … [Read more...]
The “New” Guiding Light: Give It a Chance
February 19, 2008 by 15 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Guiding Light has gotten an awful lot of ink lately -- not over storylines or any actor or actress, but because of some substantial changes in the way the show is made and produced. Many mainstream press outlets have reported on these changes -- giving them another opportunity to poke fun at the soap genre -- or try to … [Read more...]
