PART ONE OF TWO PARTS By Damon L. Jacobs If there is such a thing as a modern day cowboy in New York City, James DePaiva would be it. He is brutally honest, impossibly handsome, jarringly tough, yet surprisingly sensitive. And although you are more likely to find him driving his motorcycle around town instead of a riding a horse, you … [Read more...]
A Soap Shrink Interview: James DePaiva’s Ultra Candid Look Back at One Life to Live — and His Own Life
May 28, 2009 by 7 Comments
Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Kassie DePaiva
May 11, 2009 by 26 Comments
Thinking Fans on KDP: Matthew J. Cormier observes, "Kassie has clearly thought a lot about what makes Blair tick and has put her own life into perspective" ... OLTL no more scolds, "When you have an actress dedicated to giving wonderful performances and staying true to her character, she shouldn't be used as a prop in favor of 'romantic rapes' and … [Read more...]
Soaps March: When a House Is Not a Home
March 30, 2009 by 18 Comments
Thinking Fans Comment Update: Ann demands to know, "Why is Guza doing this to Robin? It kills me to see people on the GH boards calling wonderful brave Robin a slut and a cheat because this PPD is being used to destroy her character" ... while Elvira rejoices, "Guiding Light's creative resurgence (headed by the old-school Otalia story, which is … [Read more...]
Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Susan Haskell
March 25, 2009 by 10 Comments
Thinking Marty/Susan Fans Comment Update: John enthuses, "As for Susan Haskell, she is incredible. It's too bad it took such an ill-conceived story like the one Marty has had this year for me to realize what she can really do with powerful material" ... while MissD concurs, "(Marty/Susan) has been a fave of mine and is the reason I recently came … [Read more...]
One Life To Live Ups the Stakes, But Does It Dare Fire Superstar Slezak?
March 9, 2009 by 27 Comments
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...]
On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: One Life to Live’s Todd Manning
February 17, 2009 by 9 Comments
Thinking Fans on Todd: Marilyn Henry says, "I do not understand how some fans see him as sexy or hot. He is cruel. Sick. Unfeeling for others. As such, he is dangerous" ... while Dale agrues, "Just because I and others find something of worth in watching Todd does not make our opinions any less valid than yours, or Marlena's, or Joe Blow's" ... and … [Read more...]
On Soaps, Suicide Is Rarely Painless (Even for One Life To Live’s Todd)
January 9, 2009 by 30 Comments
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
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...]
The Soap Shrink Interview, Cont’d: Ilene Kirsten On Her Insightful Creations — Ryan’s Hope’s Delia and One Life to Live’s Roxy
December 9, 2008 by 6 Comments
Part 2: One Life to Live's Roxy By Damon L. Jacobs Yesterday, I interviewed the insightful Ilene Kristen on the creation of her iconic role of Delia on Ryan's Hope. Today she talks about Roxy, her current, vastly entertaining character, who debuted on One Life to Live in 2001. D: How did the events of 9/11/01 shape your creation of … [Read more...]
