One Life To Live Ups the Stakes, But Does It Dare Fire Superstar Slezak?

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Cherry Ames declares, "OLTL is so good in some ways, but in other ways it's just sick and sordid and as bad as reality (global recession, wars, mass killings in Darfur and Sudan, Octo-mom).  I want something more uplifting and positive" ... while Beth predicts, "Forcing Erika Slezak from OLTL, in my view, is something … [Read more...]

Soap February: Blame Executive Malfeasance!

Thinking Fans Comment Update: BL avers, "I have to say the line (on AMC) about how lesbians don't kiss men was perfect, because why would they?" ... Carl posits, "GL has been so much about nasty thugs over the past few years, Phillip's return is a way to bring a more heroic character back into the spotlight" ... while Melanie warns that GH "is on … [Read more...]

Ask Marlena: Whatever Happened to the Marlena Awards?

By Marlena De Lacroix Hi everyone! I'm ecstatic to be snowed under with the many, many Ask Marlena questions submitted by all of you in the past week.  They are all intelligent and thoughtful and I am so flattered to hear from so many Thinking Fans I've gotten to know over the past year. I'm starting with just one great question today, and will … [Read more...]

Asa, Ace of Characters: Phil Carey Remembered

  Thinking Fans pay their respects to Mr. Carey: Dale says, "There's a big hole in Llanview these days named Asa Buchanan. His presence is still very much felt, but it's never going to be the same" ... and Steve recalls, "What made Asa so real was that he truly did love his family, even if he showed that love in the wrong way" ... while James … [Read more...]

Clint Ritchie and The Buchanan Years Remembered

Thinking Fans salute Mr. Ritchie: Steve misses "the easy chemistry between Erika Slezak and Clint Ritchie" ... Dale says he "brought a fresh masculine sensibility to Llanview when the town was filled with bluebloods" ... and more. See Comments below. _________________________  By  Marlena De Lacroix How sad it is for One Life to Live … [Read more...]

Soap January: Bombs Away!

Thinking Fans Comment Update: Steve's take on AMC's "January stunts" is "I don't know if I can think of a more blatant example of the type of heartless sickness that has wounded soaps" ... and S. Woods adds: "The crud on offer from these soaps is giving tastelessness a bad name" ... while Twb6y optimistically doesn't believe John and Marlena are … [Read more...]

Spinning As The World Turns’ Luke and Noah — Again!

Thinking Fans weigh in on the Nuke "surprise": Aprioriguy avers "This is about ATWT deliberately not promoting this couple" ...  while keie loved the surprise so much, he "literally jumped out of my chair and screamed!" ... and Michael thinks "The show is trying to have it both ways -- being progressive while trying to appease conservatives." See … [Read more...]

On Soaps, Suicide Is Rarely Painless (Even for One Life To Live’s Todd)

Thinking Fans on the roof with Marty and Todd:  John isn't convinced Todd jumped out of remorse ... Steve cringes at soaps' attempted suicide for pity stunt ... while Damon L. Jacobs (our Soap Shrink), on the serious side of the subject, points out the greater risk of suicide among gay teens ... and more. See Comments … [Read more...]

Marlena’s “Only the Bests” List 2008

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...]

Merry Christmas, Cher Thinking Fans!

This our second Christmas here in our home on the Web. By now, we feel we know most of you by name, and are more pleased than words can express to welcome your regular visits. So many of you Thinking Fans have been frequent correspondents, and have enriched our site with your thoughtful, heartfelt commentary.  Thank you, thank you, for investing so … [Read more...]