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...]
James Franco to General Hospital? Marlena’s Top 10!
October 1, 2009 by 16 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix James Franco to guest star for two months on General Hospital has to be the biggest bombshell news in the decades I've watched and written about soaps. I just heard, and it's fabulous! As much as I love soaps, my mind jumped to wise guy remarks, a la David Letterman's nightly Top 10. And I have no shame: here's my … [Read more...]
Guiding Light’s Last Fade-out: Only Love Can Save the Soap World
September 21, 2009 by 9 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix I thought Kim Zimmer looked absolutely gorgeous in her last scene on Guiding Light set a year after the action, when Reva and Josh pledged their love "always." Clad in a emerald gown, the top of her blond hair nicely swept back, she looked truly amazing. A goddess, indeed. Surprised I wrote this? Well, I m going to … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Glorious Life of Guiding Light: From 1992, Marlena’s Analysis of GL at its Peak
September 15, 2009 by 23 Comments
Don't miss Marlena's farewell to Guiding Light on blogtalkradio's Brandon's Buzz at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 or later on the network's archive. ____________________________________________________ By Marlena De Lacroix In March 1992, Guiding Light reached the apex of soap quality, that perfect blend of excellence in writing, acting … [Read more...]
ABC’s Misguided “Sweeps” Tries to Feed Off of Guiding Light’s Death
September 11, 2009 by 12 Comments
By Marlena De Lacroix I usually don't read a lot of previews or spoilers. But what I've seen this week and what I've read for the rest of the month of September alarms me. The ABC soaps seem to think its sweeps month, staging stunts and attention-getting storylines that are de rigueur in crucial ratings-measuring months. September isn't one … [Read more...]
One Life to Live Insults Women — Again!
August 4, 2009 by 27 Comments
Thinking Fans argue pros and cons of OLTL's Grey Gardens spoof: Marilyn Henry applauds, "It never occurred to me it was anti-woman at all. I was happy to see two of the show's vets get a big chunk of air time in an imaginative bit of spoofiness" ... while Steve says, "This spoof fell flat for me because it wasn't about Blair or Dorian at all. It … [Read more...]
Ten More Marlena Summer Questions
July 24, 2009 by 30 Comments
Thinking Fans' summer thoughts on this, that and the other: Esther is happy Holly is making an appearance on Guiding Light, and wishes Monti Sharp would come back, too ... Steve finds, "The acting from the new younger set on General Hospital is good, but I'm horrified by the misogyny and thug worship in their stories" ... while Roger Newcomb is … [Read more...]
