By Marlena De Lacroix a.k.a. Connie Passlacqua Hayman When I was a girl soap reporter, I called him "Mr. Bell" during interviews because of Bill Bell's exalted status in the soap industry. And Bill Bell (1927-2005) would just laugh and go ahead to speak about what one always talked to him about: the work. He was the only person I ever … [Read more...]
The Downward Soap Spiral Accelerates
October 10, 2009 by 20 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix Bonjour, everyone. This November will mark 20th anniversary of my becoming Marlena De Lacroix, soap critic. Marlena's mission has always been to write the truth as I see it, no matter how impolitic. But now, for me -- I repeat, for me -- it's clear that we've reached the end stage of network daytime soap opera, a … [Read more...]
Marlena’s “Only the Bests” List 2008
December 29, 2008 by 18 Comments
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...]
A Soap Shrink Special: The Valuable Lesson You Can Learn From The Bold and the Beautiful’s Stephanie Forrester
September 26, 2008 by 3 Comments
Thinking Fans Comment Update Sept. 30: Matthew Cormier wonders why Stephanie is so jealous of Brooke ... jefhamlin says it all started with Beth Logan ... and Cherry Ames says the marvelous Susan Flannery almost makes her want to watch B&B, but not quite. See Comments below. __________________________ By Damon L. Jacobs Soap operas … [Read more...]
Soap Surprises: Five Holy @#%! Moments
August 12, 2008 by 38 Comments
Thinking Fans Holy @#%! Update Aug. 14: Melanie picks Wayne Northrup's return as Roman on Days ... B3 loved Gwyneth as the killer on Loving ... Carl recalls five faves from Santa Barbara ... and more. See Comments below. ________________ By Patrick Erwin Soap plots have many twists and turns in them, but we rarely get to see a complete … [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...]
The Bold and the Beautiful: Sadism in the Afternoon
July 18, 2008 by 9 Comments
Thinking Fans Comment Update July 19: Purple Haze questions Bridget's sanity ... Levi says the whole story is unrealistic ... renee has a new definition of B&B ... and more. See Comments below. ____________ By Marlena De Lacroix In college or on DVD, did you seen the cult movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)? There's a … [Read more...]
Marlena’s Emmy Picks in 2008’s Humpty Dumpty Soap World
June 18, 2008 by 11 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix I'm not overly excited about this week's Daytime Emmys. I could be fluffy and say it's because they moved the ceremony to L.A. several years ago and I don't get to go and to buy a dress, and to me (I attended here in New York 23 years in a row) the Daytime Emmys was always about The Dress. But the truth is, daytime drama, … [Read more...]
10 Merry Mid-Month of May Questions
May 14, 2008 by 13 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix and Patrick Erwin 1. When you saw John-Paul Lavoisier as Rex in his recent pre-wedding scenes on One Life to Live, wandering around a bar drunk, shirtless, and disheveled with a wild head of hair, didn't he remind you just a little of Bamm-Bamm from The Flintstones? 2. Have you been lost in the maze of brunettes on As … [Read more...]
