Rick was furious with Mindy regarding her decision to turn down GQ's offer for joint custody of Hudson.
And, even though Vanessa assured her stepdaughter she did the right thing (Billy was less certain), Mindy feared her marriage was irrevocably ruined.
Beth tried to reassure Mindy that Rick was just scared - he'd lost so many families already. And then, Beth dropped a bombshell about her own relationship with Phillip.
Do you remember this story? What do you think? Does it warrant inclusion in our time capsule?
Please share your recollections with us by either e-mailing me at AlinaAdams@gmail.com or writing them in the Comments below.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
GLEE Q'S
A couple of questions to Tuesday's episode of Glee, "Born This Way" (yes, I realize I'm adressing an inatimate object - let's just go with it):
1) If it's not okay for Rachel to get a nose job, Tina to wear blue contacts, or Quinn to lose weight because it constitutes messing with how they were born and God makes no mistakes, according to Lady Gaga, why is it alright for Mercedes to straighten her hair? (And then magically un-straighten it for the next scenes?)
By this logic, is it not permissible to wear deodorant, get your teeth aligned, your cleft-palate fixed, your birth-mark reduced, or your hair cut into a more flattering style? (Don't even get me started on whether the former Stefania Gabriella Germanotta looks exactly the way God meant her to look, or whether a few enhancements may have contributed to her current appearance.) Where is the line supposed to be drawn and, more importantly, who gets to be in charge of drawing it?
2) If it's okay for Finn to sing, "Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong/ Whether I find a place in this world or never belong/I gotta be me, I've gotta be me/ What else can I be but what I am?" why is it not okay for Dave to be a closeted bully? It's who he is. It's how God made him.
When I worked the Daytime Emmys in 1997, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Fred Rogers. In the tribute profile (watch below) Mr. Rogers' core message is described as being "accept everyone for who they are."
But, if that's the case, does that mean we should never seek improvement? In ourselves or others? Should people be left exactly as they came out of the womb? (Take a moment, would you, to imagine a world of fully grown adults who've never evolved past the infant - or, better yet, toddler - stage.)
Should no one ever try to change their behavior? Should that change be left up to a vote? Finn should just be himself because he's super-awesome according to popular opinion. Dave should change because other people believe he should.
Again, where does that line get drawn? And who gets to draw it?
Do we really want to live in a Glee/GaGa inspired society where everyone gets to be exactly who they feel like being? Conversely, do we want to live in a society where majority rule gets to gang up and beat down anyone whose choices, be it a nose-job or a sexual preference, they happen to disagree with?
In the words of my personal favorite musical theater iconoclast, Stephen Sondheim, "Is it always or, is it never and?"
ANOTHER WORLD TODAY EPISODE #103-2
"I don't get it," GQ paced back and forth as Grant watched sympathetically. "What did I do that was so wrong that I... that I'm being forced to give up my kid?"
"No one is forcing you to do anything. You have options. I spoke to Ms. Boudreau. She believes you are on target to win your case. Honestly, you were immensely generous to even consider — "
"No matter what I do, no matter how far backwards I bend, I'm still the bad guy who wants to wrench a happy little kid out of his home," GQ seethed.
"Don't fall for that trap, son. Opponents will label you as they see fit in order to get the outcome they want. If you truly believe you are doing what's best for Hudson, then you are, in fact, the hero, not the villain."
"I can't deny that Rick and Mindy love him. But, they want to make it so I have no say in my son's upbringing whatsoever." GQ refused to give in to the angry tears welling in his eyes. "I made a mistake. I led a girl on when I shouldn't have... a mistake practically every guy makes at least once in his life."
"My primary mistake with Kirkland's mother was that I wasn't the man she loved. Which was unfortunate, since we were married and I was Kirkland's father."
"So because things didn't work out like they wanted, they get to screw around with our lives? With our kids' lives? How is that fair?"
***
GQ turns to Grant (!) for parenting advice, Lorna continues to wear down Marley, who makes a stunning request in return. Kirkland surprises Jamie with what he really wants for his birthday, Carl teaches Elizabeth a disturbing lesson, and Jeanne pushes Matt to take a stand against Donna.
Mrs. Giggles, a contributor to one of the most popular romance sites on the web, has reviewed Jonathan's Story, concluding:
Like all the soap operas that I followed at various points in my life, though, I end up thinking that I'd cheerfully strangle the main characters (in this case, Jonathan) while cheering on the bad guys. Alan is quite cool here, I must say, and I find his relationship with Jonathan's mother Reva Shayne pretty amusing. Doesn't this soap opera has any kind of Alexis Carrington type of character? Now that would be a story worth reading. At any rate, Jonathan here is quite annoying as his sole reaction to everything is to run away. By the end, he is called on it and he owns up to his cowardice, but come on, I'm not forgiving him that easily because I have to sit through his woe-is-me nonsense in this book.
As for me, I am just deeply amused by the image of our Jonathan Randall, he of the perpetual scowl, so much as occupying the same universe as a person who calls herself Mrs. Giggles.
Jonathan's Story is currently available as an e-book, hardback and paperback via Amazon.com.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
When I interviewed Linda Dano (Felicia, AW; Rae, OLTL, Cynthia, ATWT) a few weeks ago for Soap Opera 451: A Time Capsule of Daytime Drama's Greatest Moments, she generously shared so many wonderful stories with me that I promised readers of this blog some excerpts, in addition to what will appear in the book.
Below, Linda talks about her first days in Bay City, and... what was that other place?
I came from prime-time, where you rehearsed a lot and you did two pages a day – daytime scared the pants off me. I just shook like a leaf for probably the first six months. I did a scene where I had to hand someone a cup of coffee, and I literally had my hand over the cup because it was shaking so hard, and I didn’t want to shake it off the plate. I was not used to that kind of quickness, and then, as the years went on, I got more and more familiar with that one shot/let’s blow it out with one shot, and I loved it.
When I went to Llanview after leaving Another World, one of the scenes in the first week I’m there, I have to say, “Llanview.”
I can’t say it.
I’d call it Llanfair, Llanwood, Llansomething.
I couldn’t remember Llanview.I don’t know why.
Well, probably because I was terrified, being on a new show.“Oh, my god, they hate me, they don’t want me to be here!”
And finally I said, “Bay City?”
After that, all the cameramen put a sign up – Llanview. So I did it the next time.
Luke and Laura's November 17, 1981 wedding on General Hospital set the record for most soap opera viewers in a single hour of daytime television - 30 million.
I was twelve years old when it aired. I got to stay home from school and watch. (And now, this is what I do for a living. Cause/Effect? Nah...)
What are your memories of that day? What did Luke and Laura's wedding mean to you? What would you say made it one of Daytime Drama's Greatest moments? What could the story of Luke and Laura teach the shows currently on the air?
Write to me at AlinaAdams@gmail.com for potential inclusion in our time capsule!
ANOTHER WORLD TODAY EPISODE #103-1 "Let me explain something to you, Marley," Lorna took a deep breath. "And you'd better listen closely because I'm not going to repeat myself. A year ago, if this exact same thing had happened, I wouldn't have hesitated a minute before marching down to the police station and pressing charges. Because a year ago, you wouldn't have meant anything to me. Sure, you were very nice and helpful and supportive when I was raped years ago. I appreciated it then. I appreciate it now. But, not to the point where I'd be willing to overlook you almost killing me and my baby. But, the problem is, you're not nothing to me anymore. You're Jamie's sons' aunt. For better or for worse, you're family. I don't want Steven and Kirkland — or Bridget and Michele, for that matter — to have to deal with finding out about what you've done. With going to school, knowing all their friends have heard about their aunt being a hit-and-run driver. No matter how badly I may want to see you pay, I'm willing to suck it up, for those kids' sakes."
"What — what does that mean?" Marley asked, trying to sound as if her curiosity were merely intellectual, like it didn't apply practically to her at all.
"It means, Marley, that I'm feeling magnanimous. And that you've got one chance to avoid a prison term for what you've done."
***
Lorna confronts Marley about the hit and run, Mindy explains herself to GQ, Lila questions Chase's motives, Steven challenges Jen's conclusions, while Lucas and Frankie keep secrets from Felicia and Cass.
After dodging the bullet in Marina asking if she knew anything about Shayne and Dinah, Mindy was faced with Jeffrey demanding to know what Reva had told her earlier - was Reva in love with Josh, or Jeffrey?
Rick was in the process of telling Mindy that convincing Harley to bring Jude back to Springfield wouldn't make up for their losing Hudson, when the Bauers got a call from Mel, saying GQ wanted to meet with them, ASAP.
GQ offered joint custody, but all assembled were stunned by Mindy's response.
What did Mindy say? How did Rick react? What will she do next?
"Don't insult my intelligence," Rachel warned Carl, struggling to keep her voice from becoming shrill, struggling to keep this civil and productive. "We've been married for a long time. And I knew you well, even before then. The fact that you can sit there, calm and absurdly confident, tells me you feel you don't need to investigate Marley's situation. Which means you've already determined it poses no threat to us. All I want to know is: How can you be so sure? And please do respect me enough not to lie to my face."
"Previously," Carl reminded. "You deliberately asked to be kept in the dark when it came to the minutia of our perilous situation."
"And you took advantage of that loophole to strike out against Donna by terrorizing Marley." Again, not a question. When Carl merely stared at Rachel in response, his expression utterly unreadable, she challenged, "Tell me that I'm wrong. Tell me you had nothing to do with nearly killing Marley. That you weren't blatantly abusing my trust in order to send Donna a message."
***
Rachel pleads with Carl not to go off the rails with his plans, Frankie and Cass receive insight into Grant even as they overlook Charlie's issues, Jeanne is surprised by Matt's open-mindedness, Lorna makes a decision about Marley, and Mindy shocks GQ.
This review from Lit Chit Chat of The Man From Oakdale:
Once you acknowledge and embrace the fact that this is not going to be award winning writing, it is easy to get wrapped up in this missing persons mystery.... In this around-the-world caper, the authors manage to integrate multiple plots and a nice (if not highly predictable) little love story. Given that warm weather and beach season is just around the corner, I would recommend “The Man From Oakdale” as a delightfully lightweight beach read.
Anyone with a little lamb's blood handy might want to smear some on the doors of All My Children and One Life to Live.
Let's see if we can get the Angel of Death (and I think we all know who I mean by that) to pass them over in favor of oh, say... dealer's choice of The Real Housewives shows?
Author Alina Adams is very excited these days. The woman behind soap-themed tomes such as The Man From Oakdale, Jonathan's Story and Oakdale Confidential has decided to tackle a subject near and dear to all fans of daytime: The greatest soap moments ever. The choices are being made by industry professionals as well as the viewers themselves. "I really want to hear, what is the moment that if you were going to put it into a time capsule and show someone, 'This is soaps at the top of their game,' what would it be?" Adams explains, "I've gotten a lot of great suggestions so far! People also seem to appreciate the smaller family moments as well. And of course the first response I get is, 'Just one?' I don't want to limit people to just one moment, I'm sure we could do a thousand. The idea is to think of something that is almost representational in a way and it can be specific to one show and also speak to how good all shows can be."
She also suggested some of her own, including: Jeff and Penny's car accident on ATWT, Mike at the Vietnam Wall on Loving, Storm's suicide on B&B and the final shot of Capitol.
Don't forget to send me yours, ASAP, at: AlinaAdams@gmail.com! (For those who wrote to ask if there's a deadline, I'd like to have all the fans' input in by Memorial Day, so I can get to work following up with the actors, writers and directors. Thank you!)
ANOTHER WORLD TODAY EPISODE #102-1
"Marley was driving the car that hit you and Morgan," Donna informed Lorna bluntly, unable and uninterested in dancing around or easing into the truth.
Lorna allowed one lip to twitch cynically. "And I should believe anything you say regarding anything because...."
"Why would I lie about something like this?" Donna demanded.
"Why do you do anything? To protect yourself and screw over someone else. Not always necessarily in that order."
"I am trying to protect my daughter."
"Same way you protected Jenna?" Lorna's eyes blazed, the initial fury she'd managed to swallow in response to Donna's opening statement flaring now unchecked.
"I don't care to discuss that with you," Donna's voice faltered.
"Really? Because that's about the only thing I have any interest in discussing with you, ever."
"Marley needs help. I don't know if you heard. She — she tried to commit suicide."
Lorna's eyes narrowed. "Kirkland said it was an accident."
"That's what she claims. It's what Grant would like to believe. I know better. The day before her accident, I told Marley I knew that she was your hit-and-run driver."
"And how would you know that? The cops have been working on the case for months. They said there was no forensic evidence, thanks to Lila's sterling clean-up job."
"I know she was the one," Donna said simply. "Let's just leave it at that."
*** Donna lays out her version of justice to Lorna, Felicia finds a sympathetic ear in Carl, Grant finally gets something right with Kirkland, Morgan and Amanda find vaguely twisted common ground, Sarah gets an inkling about Steven's new interest, and Jen gives GQ her answer to his proposition.
I won't lie. I'm still not quite sure of what I want to say about ABC's All My ChildrenandOne Life to Live cancellation news yesterday. (Well, actually, I know what I want to say, I'm just not sure how to say it without resorting to a long series of punctuation and emoticons.)
Please, if you haven't heard about it yet, read the description here, and send me your nominations for which moments epitomize soaps at the very top of their game.
Because, like it says up top, we're remembering.
Even (especially) when they don't want us to.
GUIDING LIGHT SYNOPSIS FOR WEEK OF APRIL 11-15, 2011
"Why would Marley try to commit suicide?" Cass wondered to Frankie.
"Goodness, no one ever knows the answer to a question like that. We have no idea what's going on in her mind or her life. Look at what she just went through with Donna. For starters, children of parents who've tried to commit suicide have a much higher rate themselves. And then there's Grant..."
"That's precisely who I was thinking of," Cass said. "Grant."
"Look, he isn't my favorite person, either, but I'm of the opinion that it's easier to break up with a man — even a possessive one like Grant — then to try to end it all. Marley is a big girl. I'd think she'd tell him to take a hike, first."
"What if she did? And Grant didn't take it well?"
"You think Grant tried to kill her for dumping him?"
"How many times did he try to kill Vicky?"
"Good point."
*** Frankie and Cass resolve to get to the bottom of Marley's accident, while Marley struggles to convince Donna and Grant that she was attacked. Felicia takes grim pleasure in an enemy's heartache, as Jeanne urges Matt to use the situation to their advantage. Jen ponders GQ's proposition and Lorna faces a shocking visitor.
WHY SOAPS ARE THE GREATEST THING IN THE HISTORY OF EVER
Regardless of what you think about GH's recent... uh... homage organ transplant storyline (I guess I've sort of given away my feelings on the matter), the scene where, after being chewed out by Lucky, Luke tries to absorb what he's done in killing Jake, demonstrates one of the things that soaps can do like no other genre
Luke recalls a conversation he had with a pre-teen Lucky about fatherhood. And we are treated to a flashback scene of Luke (with a great deal more hair) and pre-teen Lucky (impossibly adorable with his own long 'do).
Not a recreated flashback where new actors are playing the characters, not a cheesy flashback with the same actors in bad young-people make-up, but a real clip in real time with Anthony Geary and Jonathan Jackson, Luke and Lucky Spenser the way we remember them in younger days.
Who else can do that? (Once upon a time, when primetime series like Gunsmoke or Little House on the Prairie ran for over two decades they came close, but that just doesn't happen anymore. The nearest we have is The Simpsons. But earlier, rougher animated Barts and Homers aren't quite the same thing.)
Donna grabbed Marley by the shoulders, shaking furiously, hoping to jolt her back into consciousness, but all of Donna's efforts were rewarded with nary a moan or any other sign of life.
"Breathe!" Donna ordered — no, willed — her child.
Her cell-phone was in the car. Donna realized she should be calling 911, the police, anyone for help. But, she refused to take so much as a step away as long as Marley continued lying so still and unresponsive.
"Breathe!" Donna leaned down to press an ear against Marley's chest. She could hear her heart beating, weakly, but definitely still beating, against Donna's cheek. At the same time, there appeared to be no air coming either in or out of Marley's lungs. Slipping a hand under Marley's neck, Donna exhaled directly into Marley's mouth, desperately trying to revive her before it was too late.
"Help me, Michael," Donna mentally commanded Marley's father as firmly as she had Marley earlier. "Victoria, help me. Help her."
***
Donna and Grant fight for Marley - and against each other, Felicia and Lorna make a touching discovery, Steven is forced to ask Sarah for help, and GQ offers Jen a proposition destined to affect several lives.
Mindy confronted Reva about her true feelings for Josh and Jeffrey - and got a surprising answer in return.
Later, faced with the possibility of losing Hudson to the united front of his biological parents, Mindy channeled her helplessness into calling Harley in Greece, and demanding that she send Zach and Jude home to their fathers.
What did Reva tell Mindy? And how will Harley react to her unexpected ultimatum? Find out at: http://twitter.com/MindyLewisBauer, five days a week!
And we're still taking nominations for Moments, so make sure to call in and list your favorites, as well as the reasons why they meant so much to you!
The number is: 866-472-5788 (toll free)
TTYS!
ANOTHER WORLD TODAY EPISODE #100-2
"Don't tell me you did it for Allie or for Steven," Jamie warned Rachel. "Honestly, I don't want to hear anything from you on the subject. I only came by to say that I knew, because I'm trying to cut down on my secret-keeping. We all saw how well that went with Lorna and Morgan."
"Amanda told you?" Rachel guessed and, when he nodded briskly, added, "I wish she hadn't done that."
"I wish she hadn't either," Jamie confessed. "But, that's Amanda for you. And it saves Alice the trouble of lying to me, so at least I'm grateful for that."
"She was willing to let your son go to prison!" Despite Jamie's warning, Rachel couldn't stop herself from reminding him.
"So you helpfully took matters into your own hands?"
"Yes! Yes, Jamie. Yes, I did."
"I'm going to go now, Mom."
"When do you think you might stop punishing me?" Rachel blocked Jamie's exit.
"For what?" he asked, exhausted.
"For anything. For everything. Steve, Russ, Ted, Carl, Blaine, Cecile... take your pick. God knows I've given you enough material over the years; you've made that point crystal clear. You've done everything you can to distance yourself from me. I don't even know what drove you to your breakdown!"
"And Alice does," Jamie noted evenly. "Is that what's really bothering you?"
***
Rachel pleads for answers from Jamie, Felicia makes a confession to Cass, Jeanne lays out her game-plan to Donna, Grant raises Lila's suspicions, Allie tells GQ what she really thinks of him, and Marley lives out her worst nightmare.
One of the most exciting presentations at the New York International Film and Video Festival at Madison Square Garden was the new feature "Helene" produced by MacMillan Films, the company known for its commitment to highly original, innovative programming with a cultural or historical slant. This year with the release of "Helene" the filmmakers are breaking new ground with a modern spy thriller, which is quickly gaining audience acclaim.
"Helene" is brought to life by a brilliant ensemble cast. Starring Jody Kelly and Trent Dawson," the film is what Festival Director Jessica Beshir calls "one of the best features we're premiering this year." Trent Dawson, plays Victor, a non-suspecting ex-boyfriend you is soon embroiled in abduction and art theft schemes.
The compelling story follows a young French woman who comes to New York in search of her sister Helene, who disappeared under very strange circumstances. The investigation that Janette undertakes unravels deepening mysteries, which lead to the truth behind her father's death. Can Janette alter a destiny that hangs over her with the certainty of an ancient myth?
Festival Director Beshir explains, "We're extremely excited about Helene. It's a great story, unusually constructed and with a great ending. It's an ambitious project, exactly the kind of work we try to showcase at our festival."
Watch a clip of Trent in action, below:
Monday, April 04, 2011
THE WRITERS' LIFE
Harding Lemay, who wrote for Another World for many years (under Executive Producer Paul Rauch), published a rather no-holds barred book on the subject of creating soap operas, titled Eight Years inAnother World.
The tome was so hard to track down in recent years, that copies of it are selling on e-Bay for close to $100!
Fortunately, the book has just been released electronically and is available for a much more reasonable price on Amazon.com. Check it out below!
In his book, Lemay discusses his contentious relationship with Irna Phillips (to be fair, many people talk about their contentious relationship with Irna Phillips).
Most of what we know about Irna's life comes from her unpublished autobiography, excerpted generously in the book Guiding Light: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Now, however, blogger Lynn Liccardo argues that a great deal of the information is erroneous. Read her intriguing essay claiming to set the record straight, here.
Meanwhile, on a lighter note, Barbara Morgenroth, who once wrote for The Doctors, has a novel out: Sweeps, high-lighting, what else? behind the scenes life at a soap opera!
Enjoy!
ANOTHER WORLD TODAY EPISODE #100-1: IT'S OUR 100TH EPISODE!
"I meant what I said earlier," Rachel reiterated. "It is wonderful seeing you doing so well. We were all desperately worried these past few months. Yes, even me," she informed Lorna's cynical expression. "My son loves you. You are my granddaughter's mother. That makes you a part of my family now."
"Whether you like it or not?"
"I believe that goes both ways," Rachel challenged. "Once you and Jamie are married, Carl and I will be your — "
"Please don't say it. It's my birthday, I'm pregnant, and I have a sensitive stomach these days. I'd hate to ruin your shoes."
"It's been a very long time since I've seen my son so happy. If I were completely honest, I'd admit I've never seen him this happy. And I realize that's solely due to you."
"I'm sorry, either I'm finally having that stroke they were all so afraid of, or — "
"You're fine. And you heard me correctly."
"This is because I almost died, isn't it?"
"Your accident did help put things into perspective for me. How much Jamie loves you. How big a part of his life and future you are. I accept that now."
"Even after everything that came out when I was hurt?" Rachel nodded categorically, but Lorna couldn't quite let it go that easily. "Why? Obviously I'm a glutton for punishment, begging you to ream me out at my own birthday party, but I'd honestly rather know why you're giving me this free pass."
***
Rachel lays some truths on Lorna - and accepts an olive branch from Felicia, GQ offers Allie a deal she's scared to refuse, Amanda enlightens Jamie, Kirkland goes all out, and Marley turns on Sarah.
Rick's testimony in Hudson's custody case seemed only to aggravate Mel, who reminded that no matter how great Rick and Mindy were as parents, GQ never signed away his rights. Case closed.
During a break in proceedings, Mindy finally got in touch with Peter Reardon about how he felt when Bridget and Vanessa decided to share custody of him.
His answer most certainly didn't put Mindy's mind at ease.
Neither did the sight of Reva - newly back from Europe and sitting in the Bauer kitchen, wanting to know who Mindy thought she was, spreading details about Reva's personal business, namely the situation with Josh and Jeffrey, all over the Internet?
GUIDING LIGHT SYNOPSIS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 18-22, 2011
