Serial Drama

2014 Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced Amid Zero Fanfare!

Y'all! I forgot this was even happening today. Mostly because I haven't been able to really watch much daytime TV lately and because I figured my beloved and twice-dead favorite show would be shut out completely. But that's not how this played out! (Not that there were many other surprises.)

So what does everyone think?

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives

One Life to Live

The Young and the Restless

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Eileen Davidson, Days of our Lives

Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful

Heather Tom, The Bold and the Beautiful

Arianne Zucker,  Days of our Lives

 

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Peter Bergman, The Young and the Restless

Doug Davidson, The Young and the Restless

Christian LeBlanc, The Young and the Restless

Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless

Jason Thompson, General Hospital

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Melissa Claire Egan, The Young and the Restless

Jane Elliot, General Hospital

Amelia Heinle, The Young and the Restless

Elizabeth Hendrickson, The Young and the Restless

Kelly Sullivan, General Hospital

 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Bradford Anderson, General Hospital

Steve Burton, The Young and the Restless

Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful

Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives

Dominic Zamprogna, General Hospital

 

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Kristen Alderson, General Hospital

Linsey Godfrey, The Bold and the Beautiful

Hunter King, The Young and the Restless

Kim Matula, The Bold and the Beautiful

Kelley Missal, One Life to Live

 

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Bryan Craig, General Hospital

Chad Duell, General Hospital

Max Ehrich, The Young and the Restless

Chandler Massey, Days of our Lives

Daniel Polo, The Young and the Restless

 

OUTSTANING WRITING TEAM IN A DRAMA SERIES

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives 

The Young and the Restless

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM IN A DRAMA SERIES

The Bold and the Beautiful

One Life to Live

The Young and the Restless

Our Latest Soap Opera Digest Column

Our thoughts on General Hospital and The Bold & the Beautiful were featured in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, currently on newsstands.

My Take
by Mallory Harlen

Yes, it’s true that the season of eating, drinking and merry-being is winding down and the weather isn’t getting any warmer, but the upcoming weeks have their own special charm. Think about what the next month affords us: a new year, a fresh start and the opportunity to dream big. Anything can happen—even in Port Charles! And in case the writing staff needed a few prompts to get their creativity flowing, I’ve come prepared. You’re welcome, GENERAL HOSPITAL. It’s the least I could do.

Has anything brought the GH audience more soapy glee than the assorted adventures of the Scorpio family? The return of Robin has been quite nearly perfect: her search for a polonium poisoning cure (I love when they show her being smart), her bonding with Nikolas and getting the Cliff’s Notes version of what’s gone on in Port Charles since she “died”) (I love that the show remembered that they were friends), her reunion with her parents (do I even need to specify that I loved it? Robin’s “Daddy” to Robert and Finola Hughes’s wordless reaction shot to glimpsing her were both so amazing that I still get goosebumps thinking about it. And I think about it often, as I plan my own campaign for a Daytime Emmy nod for Hughes. The way she played Obrecht playing Anna was so genius that an Emmy might not even be enough recognition). It has all been so great and so old school soapy that I hope the show makes the Scorpios a centerpiece of the show in the coming year. And not just Robin; don’t get me wrong, I am so looking forward to her return upending Patrick and Sabrina’s great romance (those two words were supposed to be dripping with sarcasm. I don’t get “love” from Patrick as much as I do “You’re kind of okay. I don’t dislike spending time with you”) and perhaps spurring Sabrina into having an actual personality outside of being a shiny happy babysitter. But I want meaningful and frontburner stories for Anna, too.  Surely that’s not too much to ask?

My hopes for the Franco…issue (that was diplomatic, right? “Issue”?) are more of a pipe dream. Look, I get that behind-the-scenes tussling necessitated a recast for Roger Howarth and I also get that Howarth works astonishingly well with Laura Wright and that his new character would need to be paired up with Carly so as not to waste their chemistry. But it still perplexes me that Franco was what the writers landed on, especially since they could have brought Howarth back as any character in the world (ANY ONE! A recast Steve Webber. Tom Hardy, the fictional doctor. Tom Hardy, a fictionalized version of the British actor) who didn’t have a sordid history filled with crimes against the people Carly loves most. I can’t watch their scenes together without wondering how Carly, who holds a grudge more seriously than anybody, could stomach even being in the same room as the person who so badly hurt Jason and Michael, no matter how brilliant an artist he is or how sad he is about his parentage (and honestly, would it kill the show to give Scott a child who’s not a psychopath? You could make this up to him by bringing Serena into town, writer. I’m just saying). So please, for the sake of your audience—keep them apart. Or else 2014 is going to be a long, gross year for us all. 

 

My Take, Too
by Louise Schwarz

Confession time: I haven’t watched a soap since August. Throughout the summer, I’d only been keeping an eye on OLTL until that flew sadly out of our lives once again. By that point it had been over three months since I’d seen any other shows and I was a little too emotionally exhausted to jump back in and figure out what I’d missed. Now I’ve done a bit of an experiment and recently watched two episodes each of GENERAL HOSPITAL and THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL just to see what they were looking like these days (and to see if I even recognized half the characters!).

Our Latest Soap Opera Digest Column & A Blogger's (Temporary?) Goodbye

Our thoughts on General Hospital and One Life to Live were featured in the September 30th issue of Soap Opera Digest.

My Take
by Louise Schwarz

As of this moment, we still have no idea when (and if?) ONE LIFE TO LIVE will be returning to our computer screens. While I dab the corners of my eyes with tissues about that uneasy status, it seems like the perfect time to pick out a few superlatives for The Season That Was!

Let’s go back to the very beginning, when the return of Victor Lord, Jr. was The Most Anti-Climactic Back From The Dead Story In History. While the reveal of Victor tied to a bed by Alison Perkins was a fantastic last moment for the original run of OLTL, his return to town barely even raised an eyebrow. A couple of characters half-gasped, while some others just mildly annoyed by his undead status. Dani was the only one who had a big reaction, but even she accepted it and moved on quickly. While it’s perfectly understandable that to the citizens of Llanview, a once-dead man just sauntering into the room isn’t actually that rare, it really undermines the dramatic stakes when everyone essentially shrugs it off. And nobody ever even pressed the issue! “I’m alive because REASONS and I can’t tell you,” was pretty much the end of that. Really?

The revival’s Best New Character (And Actor) was definitely Jeffrey King, played with charisma and depth by the excellent Corbin Bleu. Admittedly I was on the fence when they announced his casting because I’d been so nervous the show would be far too youth-centered for my aging tastes, but this was no empty-headed pretty boy. Jeffrey had many terrific scenes absolutely holding his own with none other than Queen Victoria and, of course, was eventually revealed to have some nefarious purposes of his own.

The Pairing I’d Most Like To Scrub From My Memory was, of course, Jack and his teacher. I’m sure his teacher had a name, but as she had no discerning personality it seemed a waste of brain space to learn it. Here was an adult woman so taken by Jack Manning on sight that without a word, she scooped him up and had sex with him only to learn she’s his professor. But did that stop her from continuing that extremely inappropriate and incredibly squicky “relationship?” It did not. I never had any idea what I was supposed to be watching because the whole storyline felt like an idea someone jotted down without bothering to fill in any of the details. The gross, gross details.

My pick for Best Recast is definitely Rob Gorrie as Matthew Buchanan, while Matthew’s parents Bo and Nora scored for Best Stable Couple Keeping Everything Else Grounded. Jerry verDorn locked up the I’ll Scream If He’s Not Nominated For An Emmy category, and Dorian continues to win for Best Wigs and Millinery.

Did we think I could finish this column without mentioning Todd and Blair’s Most Scorching Love Scene? And how about a Hottest Lady In Lingerie for Natalie!

Here’s hoping this is not a final list and that there will be many more lists to come in future seasons!

My Take, Too
by Mallory Harlen 

Oh, baby: the baby storylines on GENERAL HOSPITAL are suddenly firing on all cylinders (I’m sorry. It took everything in me to resist that lame joke, but I am just not strong enough. I feel badly about it, though, so I won’t refer to sitting through the beginnings of these stories as a “labor” of love or anything like that. I have some standards). While much of Maxie’s surrogacy left me cold and Britt’s pregnancy was mostly boring, scenes featuring the amazing comic relief of Dr. Obrecht notwithstanding, they’ve fallen into place pretty dramatically and have become absolute must-watches.

One Life to Live: Episode 49

I have been the worst soap blogger ever, I know. And while it's literally been months since I've caught any of GH or B&B, I'm still doing my best to keep up with One Life to Live. I'm just lagging behind! (I'd lie and say I'm too busy to ever watch any television, but those of y'all who are my Twitter buddies know damn well I've watched Orange is The New Black about three times through already, so you're onto me...)

So since everything that can be said about the latest episode has probably been discussed, let's just keep things safe by doing a straight recap while I finally get caught up to speed! Join me, and forgive me?

Llanview Hospital. Destiny and Matthew are there for Drew, who has had a seizure, they are informed by a cute doctor lady. Not only is OLTL the only soap (is it still?) to actually have regular South Asian-American characters, but they really love to fill their dayplayer roles that way as well, and I love it. Soaps are notoriously bad at diversity, so this always makes me happy that things are at least in motion to improve!

But I digress. Doc tells the worried 'rents that these seizures may recur and that he has a 105 degree fever. Laura Harrier delivers this scene in a manner which reminds me: boy is she pretty.

So pretty, and I'm sure very, very nice. Horrible Michelle lurks in the background looking concerned or grossed out or pissed, I can't quite tell which.

La Boulaie. David's TV producer visits Dorian and tells her about how she's going to the award gala with David as her date. Dorian tells her to scram.

The Banner. Jeffrey is letting Viki know that Drunken Clint's photo is on the cover of the paper and they are going to need to address it, both at The Banner and at the gala.

Coffeeshop. David is taunting Clint about his public drunken escapades. Clint suggests that David ought to go straight to hell.

Opening credits.

Hospital. Destiny calls Shaun to fill him in, and Shaun tells her he loves her and will be there as soon as possible (and will call Nora since she needs "real family" and Matthew doesn't count). Michelle tries to give them coffee and Destiny does not want any niceties. Michelle tells Matthew she can tell what a good father he is, which is hilarious because today is the first she's heard of his THREE-YEAR-OLD SON. Michelle asks about Drew's conception and refers to him as a "mistake," which Matthew does not appreciate.

Coffeeshop. Rama wants to know if she still gets to be on David's reality show. Shenaz Treasury gets cuter with every passing scene.

La Boulaie. Producer Lady tells Dorian about the new angle for the reality show ("Anatomy of a Divorce"). This does not please Dr. Dorian Lord.

The Banner. Viki promotes Jeffrey to Director of Online Content. He tries to get a quote from Clint and Clint finds the whole thing beneath him. Clint yells at Viki for her brother's tabloid (aka Todd's paper The Sun). He insists she better print his publicist's statement.

The Thing About OLTL Episode 40

SO MUCH LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON, Y'ALL. So much. Or evening or morning, depending on when you watch.

I spent much of tonight trying to get me and my dog away from the large congregation of skunks that have set up house right outside our building (this is Manhattan, people, what is GOING ON) so I really figured I either wouldn't ever make it back in to watch the episode or that my dog and I would spend most of the evening in a vat of tomato juice. (Which is totally OLTL-related because didn't Bo have to soak in tomato juice before his wedding to Nora?) Luckily, we made it through unscathed.

I do not think that Matthew Buchanan is going to make it through unscathed. Matty got laid and popped his internet girly's cherry, but damn! Young lady, nobody believes you that your first time was "incredible" and, quick tip, don't cry afterwards and then creepily watch the dude as he sleeps.

Stalker in the making!

Everybody's favorite tentpole pairing got in a little nookie themselves.

But really. No on the tie-dye, Red!

Another redhead finally got some horizontal action. At last, at last!

Now they better give us a little more than a tease of this scene. Our girl Nat hasn't gotten any play since January of 2012, really! And I hope they give this potential couple some real airtime to develop. So much about it reminds me of early Jared and Natalie, which was my favorite pairing for her by far (okay, I'll always have a soft spot for Cris and Nat, what can I say). She's allowed to let her bad-girl streak out around him without getting lectured! I like.

Well, that about wraps it up.

Oh wait! Was there another sexytime scene? Huh. I guess it wasn't anybody important.

Still Alive!

I didn't die, y'all. And I've finally caught up on OLTL, so I'm going to jump right back in by recapping the most recent episode (#37).

I like this new "TOLN presents" graphic at the beginning of the show. I'm not crazy, that's new, isn't it?

Ugh. Destiny and Natalie are getting ready for their "double date that isn't a date." I am not a fan of this friendship, it's too weird. Not that I don't have close friends where there's an even bigger age difference, but I just don't like it. It feels forced. Anyway they're talking about how Jeffrey is a "buffer," which... okay, sure, y'all.

Blair shows up at Todd's to chew him out about whatever his plan is to save ALL OF THE LOVED ONES.

Jack is at the coffee shop with his totally disgusting teacher. I still have post-traumatic stress from their impromptu sexathon so I can't even deal. Oh yeah, and Shaun is there as Jack's bodyguard. Shaun!

Jeffrey shows up at Llanfair at VIki's behest. She wants him to do some digging about the Pellegrino fund investors because Clint is super-sketchy because Viki is not brain-dead. I for serious love Viki/Jeffrey scenes, you guys. 

David is excited that he gets to pitch his new reality show to some network and wants Dorian to come to Shelter to celebrate. Dr. Dorian Lord, however, has "important" things to do and David just sort of awkwardly emits an "Oh," and exits. Dorian is in a terrible blazer and calling the investment dude Frank and is trying to figure out how Viki didn't go belly-up with the bad investment, and Frank insists that she actually did.

Dance credits!

Peach Pit After Dark. Rama and David are flirting. Like hard. Dani is filling in on having helped Arturo clean out DeadBriana's belongings. But Michelle shows up and now has to confess some other lie to Matthew.

Coffee Shop. Jack's teacher isn't comfortable with a bodyguard around so she gets the hell out of Dodge. I guess because maybe it's frowned upon to bed strange students before meeting them? Anyway, Jack calls Blair to have Blair tell Todd to call off his goons. It's like a game of telephone! Except it's the actual telephone.

Casa Banks. Natalie answers the door to Jeffrey, who brought a bottle of wine. Classy and all, but really? These 21-year-olds are really old! When I was 21, the best case scenario was maybe a handle of well vodka and the worst case scenario was maybe a little Mad Dog 20/20. Destiny is wearing very little, like all frazzled and overworked young single mothers!

Cutter shows up with a nice bottle of fancytime liquor and is sad-faced to see that it's not just going to be him and Natalie. Because duh. 

In The Worst Way

It's frustrating that I'm too insanely busy to pay attention to soaps much these days because, really, OLTL is on freakin' fire. In all honesty, it's the only show I've gotten a chance to watch in weeks. As upset as I was about the reduction to two episodes per week instead of four? Now I'm super-relieved. Because I get to watch all of it. And it's all adorable.

Unfortunately I wish I had more time to just screencap the whole darn thing and find new ways to describe my general happiness with the show, but I don't. So let's just check in real quick.

My favorite non-romantic-but-I-bet-there's-totally-fanfiction pairing hung out today and got all worried about each other. 

Blea, working together to save each other and their families! Looking super-hot while doing it!

Have we discussed how much I want them to be crime-fighting sidekicks like they were in Roxy's Fraternity Row dream? Because I do.

The 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards Live Blogging Extravaganza

It's "everybody's" "favorite" night: the night that the "world" "honors" the "best" in daytime televion while a "massive" audience watches at home. Yes, it's time once again for the Daytime Emmy Awards, which almost always turns into two hours of us making cartoonishly over-the-top confused faces at our televisions while former popstars and sitcom child actors perform in skits and thinly disguised commercials for tourist destinations. Also, the best actors and actresses on soaps sometimes walk away with awards and when they don't, we say angry things and swear a lot. Aren't you excited to spend the evening with us?

Red Letter Day, In Brief

A couple of very, very important things happened today.

First of all, Cutter loves him some Natalie. For real! He doesn't just want a piece of her anymore, he got all manner of concerned and jealous about her today! I dig it, y'all. I really do. Just a couple little glances told us everything we needed to know:

He's got a real crush on her! A real one!

Oh yeah, and she also finally found out that John thinks she took out a restraining order against him and won't allow him to see Liam, so she's a couple steps closer to finding out about Clint's machinations. This bums me out, naturally, because I love Clint and Natalie's relationship -- they seem to understand one another more than anyone else in their family does. That said, soaps are about the journey and I'm sure after things blow up they'll find a way of putting themselves back together! What is this, optimism? What's happening to me?

And then you knew I just could resist screencapping the crap out of Todd leaping to cover Blair after a gunman took a shot at her.

 

Let the Conspiracy Theories Begin!

And no, not about the latest offscreen drama. I'm just trying to train myself to remember that they're in uncharted waters here and there are going to be plenty of speed bumps before things get smooth and going by rote. Plenty.

So Todd got this note today:

Okay, first of all: FUN. It's clearly a list to threaten all of his loved ones!

Second of all: as much as I love her (and especially the esteem with which she's treated in OLTL2), I did get a bit of a chuckle that Natalie was on the list. Sure, she's his niece, but does the threatener know about the time Todd cared about her so much that he kidnapped her and dyed her hair blonde to sub her in so Mitch could murder her instead of Blair and Jessica (the niece he does love) (oh wait, he loves his niece Sarah, too, dammit!)?

Third of all: theories? What are everyone's thoughts on what's going on? (NO SPOILERS. If you have heard spoilers and rumors, shhhhh!!!!)