Thinking Fans Comment Update October 9: James says Aunt Liz was often the voice of the audience ... while Dave Feldman recalls her vicious streak ... and more. See Comments below. _________________________ By Marlena De Lacroix As you know, Tony and Daytime Emmy winning actress Irene Dailey died of colon cancer September 24 in Santa … [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...]
One Life To Live at 40: How Has One Life Changed Your Life?
July 8, 2008 by 26 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix One Life to Live's 40th anniversary is next week. I've watched the show for 39 of those forty years, so it's been a big part of my life! And it has meant a tremendous amount to me. Thinking Fans, I'm interested in how OLTL has affected your life, what it has meant to you, your evaluations and memories of the storylines … [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...]
General Hospital’s Monstrous Lies, All My Children’s Truthful Memories
May 22, 2008 by 45 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix Yesterday, I was trying to write my long promised column against the most perversely inhuman, possibly most disturbing soap storyline of all time, but the words just would not come out. I'm talking about the General Hospital storyline written by Bob Guza that began with 12-year-old Michael getting shot in the head and … [Read more...]
Beverlee McKinsey: Singularly Magnificent
May 5, 2008 by 25 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix I feel sorry for younger soap fans who never got to see Beverlee McKinsey on soaps prior to her retirement from major roles in daytime in 1992. McKinsey, who died last week in California at 72 of complications from a kidney transplant, was singularly magnificent! When she came to Another World in 1972 as rich, rich Iris … [Read more...]
Guiding Light and All Soaps: Don’t Change the Quirky Characters We Love!
April 25, 2008 by 5 Comments
By Patrick Erwin Being a Guiding Light fan hasn't been an easy road over the last few years. But one consistent bright spot for me has been the mother-daughter duo of Doris and Ashlee Wolfe. Ashlee, in particular, is always a joy to watch. She's a full-figured ball of energy, quirky and often funny, even when she doesn't intend to be. I think my … [Read more...]
General Hospital’s Stephen Macht: Can Character Actors Save Soaps?
March 26, 2008 by 14 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix Every week for months, there have been rumors that Stephen Macht's tough mob lawyer character, Trevor Lansing, is about to be whacked on General Hospital. So, while there's still time, I'd like to say that I'm really enjoying Macht's performances in the role this season. Yes, Macht, the 60ish actor with the pock markets, … [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...]
