General Hospital at 51: A Nifty Anniversary Episode

By Marlena De Lacroix a.k.a. Connie Passalacqua Hayman Soaps rarely celebrate anniversaries on camera.  But General Hospital had such a boffo 50th year, the 51st anniversary show just begged to be done. The resulting episode, which aired on April 1st, was a winner from start to finish. As it should, it was introduced by pictures of Steve … [Read more...]

Sunday Reflections 20: General Hospital’s Farewell to Edward Quartermaine … The Pleasures and Pains of Soap Reruns

By Marlena De Lacroix a.k.a. Connie Passalacqua Hayman General Hospital:  Wasn’t the death of Edward Quartermaine nicely handled?  As visiting grandson Ned said in a toast:  “There will never be another Edward Quartermaine.” This  was also a tribute to the late John Ingle, the great actor who long played the role (originated by David Lewis.)  … [Read more...]

Daytime Emmys 2009: The Beginning of the End?

By Ed Martin  Watching the 36th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on The CW during the dog days of August confirmed what I already knew: These are dark days indeed for the daypart overall and for soap operas in particular. It's not that the telecast was all bad: I actually prefer smaller venues for the Daytime Emmy celebration (the Orpheum Theater … [Read more...]

The “New” All My Children, Part 1 — Lifting the Fog of Stupidity

Thinking Fans Comment Update: EricMontreal22, once horrified by Pratt's arrival, is now "pleasantly thrilled" ... likewise Donna L. Bridges, though still wary of Pratt, yells "Yippeee!" ... but Cate disdains the suggestion of a  Reese bisexual romance storyline. See Comments below.  _________________________  By Marlena De Lacroix      A … [Read more...]

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: Days of Our Lives’ Marlena Evans and John Black

Thinking Fans Comment Update July 30:  Kim wants Marlena and John to fall in love ... Casey thinks John is having a middle-age crisis ... but Angela thinks Carrie can help. See Comments below. ________________________  By Damon L. Jacobs  OK, Thinking Fans, Pop Quiz: Which couple's problems are most like the kind the Soap Shrink would … [Read more...]