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Michael Fairman TV Names The Best and Worst In Soaps 2018

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The best you can give to Roger Howarth & the story of repressed memories is an honorable mention? That was the best story I have ever seen on any soap in the last 40 years.
The Alzheimer’s story was ruined by inserting the dead body and useless DA when there was no suspense of Sonny ever facing consequences. He doesn’t. He never will. It’s also offensive that Sonny & Carly do not respect Yvonne or her husband enough to reinforce proper boundaries to Mike. Sexual assault is a problem in long term care facilities.
Oh please….there was no sexual assault happening and the nursing homes or seniors residences take precautionary measures to make sure the residents are safe. What needed to happen is for Yvonne’s husband to get some help in understanding Alzheimer’s. What is important is to honour the person with Alzheimer’s and where the disease takes them. Sadly the memory goes but the need for affection hangs on and more often than not it is received from another person in the nursing home. The spouse just has to find a way to deal with it. The Notebook and Away From Her are… Read more »
I ASSURE you that sexual assault occurs in nursing homes. Portraying Mike trying to kiss Yvonne was not cute. Presenting Marcus as unreasonable for wanting to protect his wife was irresponsible. If Mike kisses Yvonne, who is clueless, he might want to do more later and she is NOT competent to give consent. He’s not competent either, but he’s no less of a danger to Yvonne. This was a really poor choice to take in writing this story. I’m quite familiar with how Alzheimer’s affects people. My mother has it. Two grandparents had it. And with all the time I… Read more »
I agree, Yvonne’s husband is dense!
Totally agree Amy. That childhood abuse story was so powerful and wonderfully written and acted. Should have gotten much more attention.
Sonny’s mobiness ruined the Alzheimer’s story.
Excellent commentary, Amy!
As a whole, I enjoyed this column and these choices by Mr. Fairman, EXCEPT for one category: Most Polarizing Character. Fairman chose GH’s Peter August. Everyone knows that the most polarizing character in all of daytime is GH’s Sonny. Geez… Talk about an elephant in the room!
Actually Michael was kind using the term “polarizing” when it comes to Peter August. No doubt, the focus on Sonny does bother many people, but just the existence of Peter’s character rubs so many the wrong way. The changed the backstory of a beloved vet (Anna) with a preposterous storyline that turned away many long time viewers.
Great points, Steve! Thank you for your input!
Jason returns was fabulous .
I’m glad Steve is back
I agree!
Great job, Michael. I always look forward to your year-end review. As a fan of “Days of our Lives” since the 1970s, it has been a long time since the show has been “can’t miss.” This year, the storylines have been good, if not great. First, Rob Scott Wilson is doing an amazing job making the audience fall in love with Ciara/Ben, although we were watching him as a serial killer less than three years ago. Next, Marci Miller was captivating as Abigail, but Kate Mansi has not missed a beat in taking back the role less than two months… Read more »
No there isn’t too much storyline for him to return. Maybe Kayla can go join him or they can bring on a new love interest for Kayla.
There is always story for core characters if the writers will write it. Look at John and Julie. They have both THRIVED this past year.
YEs, to bringing back Stephen Nichols! Kayla needs her Patch!
Oh definitely bring back Steve to Salem! They destroy families and poor Kayla left to doctor duty. There is so much they could do with him and BlackPatch which is dissolved. He is sorely missed and now with Jack back it would be perfect for him to help solve this mystery along w a John and Marlena’s help.
Yes, oh yes!
I agree! I’m also hoping that they bring Patch back. But more importantly, I want to see Thaoo brought back too!
I no longer watch DOOL but I have always loved Kayla and Patch…Back in the Heyday when I loved DAYS, when Patch and Kayla just met and dancing to Lady in Red, to me those were the Days of our Lives along with Justin and Adrienne, Only in my heart and Bo and Hope with Marty Davich background music playing in the background…Yes folks, to me with our daytime dramas IMO the background music makes the world of difference…And in the 70’s the love story of Doug and Julie, Don and Marlena, Maggie and Mickey…in the 80’s Neal and Liz… Read more »
Agree with Marci Miller! Outstanding actress. If there was a tie with her definitely should have been Amelia Heinle and her scenes with Thad Luckinbill. Outstanding I was on the edge of my seat while watching them on #YR.
How about best scene stealer which would be GH’s Kathleen Gatti or best newcomer Josh Swickard. How about best use of a veteran, Day’s Susan Seaforth Hayes. Or most promising newcomer, GH’s William Lipton.
NICE CHOICES – i’d add in – best return Linsey Graham as Sarah Horton, @DAYS. SHe’s dynamic… and I hadn’t even seen her work @B&B ; she was nominated for 3 emmies their… so what’s to say… Maggie has her very own child… and it looks like fire w/Eric. AND with Rex. she dances
Not only is Nate BEYOND ANNOYING, he is also EVEN MORE UNWATCHABLE!!!!! An idea for 2019: Either recast the role with a WAY BETTER ACTOR…or write the character out ALTOGETHER!!!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY 2019 EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaybird 369
I totally agree. As good looking as this guy is, I’ve never found a character more annoying, and people have the nerve to criticize Peter August!
What exasperates the vexing Nate Ken doll issue (parts and accessories affiliated with Kung Fu and doctoring sold separately) is that he was suddenly taking on the role of the Winters patriarch–that’s Neils’ role. And while someone finally mumbled that Neil moved away to go live near the prison where Lily is imprisoned, no one has mentioned where the hell Paul is. They go on and on about JT being murdered but there is no body to be found when the real person who was murdered was Paul and not only is there no body, no one talks about it–not… Read more »
He makes Ryan Peavy look like Shakespeare!
Timmm…Just in case you’ve missed Ryan he seems to be on a lot of Hallmark tv films. :))) Full disclosure, I caught a few of their shows over the holidays because I just wanted time- out, happy stories that had good endings.
I saw one as I was channel surfing. Ryan has gotten better at his craft and seems like a kind soul.
YES – Most annoying ; Nate AND DEvon @Y&R
YES – Most annoying ; Michael @GH
I do watch all four soaps. skim sometimes. AGREE with (character names) maxie and nina from general hospital and of course nathan’s funeral episode. some shows i am behind. only watch Nashville at night, love Deacon!! YOU ROCK, MICHAEL!! Happy New Year!!
I definitely agree about Nate,he’s beyond annoying. he needs to take a hike. Willand Sonny as best couple?i find them boring. Days is easily best soap
Robert
Agree with you here. Will and Sonny are beyond boring, but they are here to stay I guess.
To be fair Michael, the GH audience is not polarized about Peter’s character. While some like him, in most polls, about 85% want him dead. Not just gone, but dead. Never to return from the dead dead.
of course ; how can any ONE get past; the destruction of ANNA. I would add to your list @Lucy . JUST WANT DEAD… no where, go away . Dr. Finn, Micheal Easton… to this day his bumbling altho quite the shame for taking her to bed at a whim… AND watching him interact with the rest of the cast… theirs just no adding him in. I ‘ve given up on @Frank Valentini agenda and his choice pets… Wes Ramsey has no talent skill or presence. the destruction of asking Finola Hughes to prop two of the dimlight character is… Read more »
I love Finola.
And I’m actually OK with Finn–don’t love it, don’t hate it–at least she’s getting action. I still think she has mad chem with Valentin.
But nothing is as bad as Peter. The character sucks. The actor is horrible.
“Reconnecting with Victoria in her time of need.
In her time of need, exactly.
Jason Thompson is one of the best actors in daytime, this show really needs to stop wasting him on propping the character of Victoria. This pairing has been done to death, no chemistry, nothing left. It doesn’t benefit Billy as a character and Jason as an actor.
Let the dead horse be dead.
Yes, let this pairing just stay coparenting and give up on trying to get them back! Love Jason though I do wish GH could borrow him when Robin and Emma show up. There is plenty of show sharing going on so why not let us see Patrick?
Y&R certainly does not need to pair him back up with Phyllis either… she wore the pants in that relationship.. with her pursed lips and nary a smile… what fun could they have had out of bed ? perhaps Y&R could hire Jade Harlow , this vixen runs the gamut for comedy to drama to familial to femme fatale… just saying… Please no retread on Gina Tognoni, either she’s getting up their in age… Jason Thompson needs Victoria or just move on with NEW
No one was talking about Phyllis but let’s do it.
PHYLLIS was the one supporting Billy in the relationship. With his gambling, with his Jabot issues …
VICTORIA is the one emasculating every man she’s in a relationship with so thinking Jason Thompson needs Victoria while thinking Phyllis wore the pants in Philly is … something.
What Jason Thompson needs is material to act and fit his talent.
It will never happen with the character of Victoria. He is just wasted in propping her.
I’ll add Victoria is the opposite of someone new.
The climax of Franco’s child abuse story was hands down the best acting by a male actor in 2018. It was so emotionally devastating & Howarth was brilliant. The Alzheimer’s story jumped the shark the second they added the Croton garbage. And I really don’t know what GH you were getting in 2018 but the actor who plays Oscar is the worst. What a bland chem-free sleepwalking failure. Plus, I don’t care if he lives or dies because he’s a newbie. If they wanted me to be invested the sick child should’ve been Cameron or Molly. Kids we’re invested in… Read more »
that sexual abuse story line.. went nowhere… there wasn’t even any flashback… counseling… residual affects as it were… would this not affect Roger and all his relationships… SPEAKING OF children… I am so disappointed in the writing, as usual, shelly and Chris stink up another plight. THE audience KNEW and we bought it… how close Franco and Kiki, were… THIS WAS @Shelly and Chris opportune TIME .. to dig in and GIVE ROGER’ Franco some meaty material.. instead of him taking over Liz kids. this was a wasted time for the audience to see just how much Franco loved kiki..… Read more »
There was counseling. But then almost every other character got thrown aside so Peter could be on like every day over the summer. They wanted to make the audience like Peter and it backfired because Twitter was flooded with viewers who were rooting for the rattlesnake! And then Oscar has been chewing the scenery the rest of the year. They’ve focused on Griffin’s “overwhelming” grief over losing his girlfriend of about two weeks. And he’s been awful. Franco & Elizabeth have been barely on for months.
My thoughts on Best and Worst…Add Best Female Villians category with tie between…Chloe/Nell, Mary Pat, Dr. O/Kathleen Gatt. “Love” them all. And again, why do they have to kill off good actors like Mary Pat? Haven’t writers learned from RJ? Sure don’t like the character, but why isn’t Jon Lindstrtom in leading actor category instead of supporting? How can you neglect Marla Adams/Nina’s performance in Y& R’s alzheimer’s story? Should be a tie with Mike on GH. Add Cameron actor on GH along with Garren for best younger actor. They play off each other very well in their duo role… Read more »
You are so right about the Rey Rosales and family on Y and R. So very tired of Rey and Mia. Please send them back to Miami and bring Paul home from wherever he is. Time for Neil and Lily to return home with good storylines. Need more of Lauren and Michael Baldwin also.
Michael, this list is the absolute best you’ve put together in years and I don’t disagree with much of it! TYSM and cannot wait to see what 2019 has in store for soaps!
You didn’t name any soap “worst soap of the year”
Hi Carl:
We have not named any show “Worst Soap: for the past several years.
Happy New Year,
Michael
Michael
I can see how hard it would be to name the worst soap, without a lot of fans coming down on you. As far as the others, they are your opinions, and I respect all of them, whether I agree or not. Happy New Year
Too bad…
It’s not to hard to figure out the worst soap of the year. The Nielsen Ratings pretty much tell the story as Y&R has bled out viewers by the hundreds of thousands, the CBS & Sony finally intervene and fire the Executive Producer & Head Writer. The worst soap in 2018 was The Young & The Restless by a mile.
YIKES ! and from where did you come ?
LOL – “… as Y&R has bled out viewers by the hundreds of thousands, the CBS & Sony finally intervene”
oy what was the last count ? #1 for 31 years…
if I have to hear that one more time… I will always say… turn your Telee on in the A.m…. out of habit… no ones seriously watching… Y&R gets counted all the time
i’m excited for the Genoa City fan’
WHY OH WHY couldn’t this be happening in Port Charles
FUN’ny read
Jason Thompson was fine on General Hospital, but the incessant pimping of his character, almost as humorless and even more arrogant than Nate Hastings has been a disaster for Y&R – as has his partner in bad acting, Gina Tognoni. Here’s hoping that both actors and characters are deeply backburnered now that Mal Young has left the building. The show has suffered from trying to stuff those two down our throats at every turn. JT is the worst recast in recent soap history, and Gina Tognoni, while she started out well, is suffering from serious over exposure. Send ’em both… Read more »
boes,
I beg to differ.Jason Thompson is the best we’ve had since Billy Miller.I actually think he has more chemistry with Ameila/Victoria than Billy did. He was underused on GH, just playing Robin’s husband, and a once in while brain surgeon. I agree about Gina/Phyllis, stick a fork in her, she’s done! JT is not a recast. As far as I can remember, he’s always been played by one actor, Thad Luckinbill.
I agree – YES YES YES… on the lack of .. waned interest with Gina Tognoni , as Phyllis. she’s been on ??? August 11, 2014; already, her tryst with both Billy and Jack… have run it’s course.. is she interesting enough… not in the same league as Michelle Stafford did. time for @Y&R to back burner her till a new man is available… AND certainly NOT Michael Muhney, should he return. this show will forever be .. till it’s last ember.. what coulda woulda shoulda Michael Muhney and Sharon Case.Adam and Sharon
I totally agree w/you. I had stopped watching Days sort of, but this Season has been excellent! GH needs to up their game. It’s gotten a little slow.
A little slow? 😉 I’ve watched religiously since 1990 – many ups and downs – but I can barely hang on these days. Overrun with characters no one cares about at the expense of core Port Charles characters & families. This has become a show for Frank Valentini to showcase his OLTL buddies while longtime GH faves are only used to prop the storylines of former OLTL-ers. I prefer (and miss) the mid-2000s GH with the Quartermaines, Scorpios, Spencers, Hardy/Webbers….the Liz/Jason/Sam/Lucky/Maxie drama, Robin/Patrick, Metro Court hostage crisis, girls’ night out @ Jakes, Spencer/Cassadine wars,…over this crap any day. What was… Read more »
Ava seeing her daughter in a body bag? No, just no! Gratuitous and chewing of scenery by Maura West–no, just no!
Well, Nancy you know I agree with you. And it vexes me to no end that they didn’t use the Ryan return storyline as a vehicle for Felicia and Mac. That would have been riveting and character driven and would have given these beloved vets a front burning storyline. The Ryan I know and fear would still be harboring a huge, burning obsession for Felicia. He’d have no use for Ava as she is too much like his mother. Ryan hated his mother and sought the polarized opposite. Ryan was always seeking the maternal light to get away from the… Read more »
Well, Harry I agree with YOU re Felicia and Mac. And you’re SO right about Ryan. No Ava! No, just no! 🙂
Happy New Year to you!
I have to agree with everything you said. I just love Max Gail. He has been amazing in the role and you can see the love and respect between Max and Maurice. When they did that Summer Wind performance at the Nurses Ball I cried. So touching. Max deserves an Emmy this year!
Ron Carlivati –
In this era of soap writers, RC is the King.
He posses what the others are void of; humor.
Ron delivers drama, suspense, thrills, mystery, surprises, intrigue, interesting couples, and honors vets and brings back the long gone for appearances.
Ron Carlivati can make you wonder, make you cry and make you laugh.
He is a modern writer a Brave writer, he colors outside the lines.
The day GH let Ron Carlivati go GH has gone downhill and will not rise, again.
Days may well have been gone if it hadn’t brought Ron Carlivati in.
“suOOO” hello and “Thank you” for the great year end salute to DAYS. NICE! for the millionth billionth time… @GH is not still bleeding out from Ron Carlivati… he has been gone from GH for ALMOST 4 YEARS… GH death is from Shelly, CHris, and Frank Valentini… of the 3 prominent shows… GH / Y&R / DAYS at least @DAYS AND Y&R continue to rock the boat… switch gears, turn up the heat, daresay challenge with new writing… and even executive decisions. @GH : Shelly and Chris the writing is so ho hum.. strung along writing, with no intrigue .… Read more »
forgot to add : yeah, without doubt
“…Days may well have been gone if it hadn’t brought Ron Carlivati in ”
WOW bottom dwellers get to see sunlight.. at the end of the tunnel !!!! @DAYS , 2019 prediction.. will be the best of the best… and i’ll say best out of 4 … to keep it open ended
what a way to ride this out… DAYS
Salemite’ “CHEERS”
For anyone who thinks Ron Carlivati is “brilliant”, just look at what he’s doing to Jack Deveraux right now. It’s the same exact thing he did to Will Horton when he was brought back from the dead. Not to mention the “dramatic New Years Evil party entrance” was a 666% complete clone of the Vivian/Stefan appearance from just last year, right down to the stupid hooded cape. Never mind this horrible fraud still pretending to be “Eve Donovan” (she never will be worthy of that name… there’s only one Eve and long time Days viewers know the difference) Back from… Read more »
Great year end review! Agreed on most picks! Eileen went out as Ashley with a bang! A cpl of obvious omissions were Greg Vaughan as Eric Brady heartbroken when he finally reunited with his true love Nicole only to have her die in an a fire and the anger he portrayed to his bro Brady. The man is megatalented ..Deena on y n r continues to shine and steal the spotlight as the matriach of the Abbott clan. Heres hoping more of her in 2019! On a bad note best show Days although writing is better than ever can Sony… Read more »
Speaking of sets, what about that blue apartment with the arch architrave that is continually re-uesd. It could have been the same Salem apartment except it also doubled for Nicole’s Nashville residence. Then it was Paul and Wills new place, now Erics and it looks a lot like the apartment Eric used to live in. What new writers may not know is that Kate had the archway built for Austin when he was in a wheelchair back in the 90s. When he lived down the hall from Sammy. So having that archway in every new apartment is a dead giveaway… Read more »
Most underused character-Monica on GH…most forgotten character-Mac on GH…character most underused in a story-Felicia on Gh who played a major part in the original Ryan story…most overused plot device is amnesia on Days-Will had it forever…Julie had it briefly…now Jack has it!!!…MIke’s alzheimer started out promising but he never forgets who Yvonne is doesnt ring true and falling in love with her without build leaves little to invest one’s emotions in…best use of a vet was Susan Seaforth’s Julie in her scenes with Gabi…bestnew couple is Ciara with Ben-no ties her(pun intended)…most overly used characters are Ava and Nina on… Read more »
Most obvious pairing is Peter and Maxi…hope Maxi becomes Ryans next target but Peter is killed instead protecting her…Peter is the most needless character ever…may as well just brought back Levi
(Smile!)
Soap with only one cop-GHs Chase…why is the Commish at every crime scene…cops and and an investigator usually at crime scenes here where i live
Speaking of police commissioners, I think that was one of the best recasts, ever. Can’t think of either ones names, but I am liking this new one the best.Also Margaux is an improvement over the last one, even being the biggest and most annoying pain in the butt.
Just like Kayla is the only Doctor at University Hospital. Chief of staff, only surgeon, only OB, ER doctor etc……..
Ryan with out Felicia is like the reindeer without Rudolph!
Felicia not being involved in this story doesn’t make any sense
(Double smile!)
So agree re Laura. You’re right; Laura should be front and center with Ryan EVERY day, not Carly and Ava thrown in to dilute what could be a very taut, tense, and nail-biter of a story. As it stands, we’ve seen Laura in very few face-to-face scenes with Kevin since Genie was put under contract and “given” a story line. So insulting to the incredible talent of Genie, who could really dig into any scenes she were given. Kevin is her HUSBAND, for heaven’s sake! How silly that she and Jon aren’t given the lion’s share of scenes together. What… Read more »
Only watch one program: Young and the Restless
BEST STORYLINE —
I agree with your pics….I would however like to throw The Bold & The Beautiful in their with one of the worst storylines. “Bill and Steffy sleeping together.” Oh and if you had a category of overplayed storyline, it should be “The Steffy/Liam/Hope love triangle.” Enough already! Can B&B please bring on a new man for Steffy so we can move past this storyline that’s been going on for far too long??
Although I think daytime was fairly mediocre this year, I agree with some of the choices you made for outstanding performances. Y&R didn’t have many well-crafted arcs this year, so it’s a real testament to the abilities of Mishael Morgan, Eileen Davidson, Beth Maitland, Camryn Grimes, Thad Luckinbill, Jason Thompson, etc. that they were able to rise above the material given to them. Your list really emphasizes the importance of daytime actors and the role they play in keeping an audience engaged even when other aspects of the production flounder. The number of daytime giants we lost this year reinforces… Read more »
this is neither here nor their.. because one post.. vs.. even mine.. in the scheme of things… do not miss a beat I was personally invested when I read Stacy Haiduk story in SOD ( soap opera digest ) when she was ready to drive UBER for employment. this .. after working @Y&R , in making Patty , her own… PLUS an emmy nomination… that yeah, being an actor in this profession .. well I wouldn’t make it… yet she gets a phone call from, Ron Carlivati or whomever is casting director @DAYS. and it was all guns ablaze. she… Read more »
Only watch one program: Young and the Restless RE: BEST STORYLINE For me, the “Abbott Family Drama” exceeded any dialog written over my years of watching. The visual movement from childhood to present was interesting, but the dialog had to come from one who had felt the real pain of sibling struggles. That writer should be recognized, It is the writing that made this storyline, not necessarily the visual travels. The difficult ending, with Ashley leaving for Paris was drama, but in real life it might be between the west end and the east end of a city. It was… Read more »
from the moment, the camera REELED in to “their” morning breakfast(s)… The Abbott Clan , portrait as a family and sibling turned that show… had the one STRONG Foundation; ONE strong foothold; that one bond , as the daughter of, son of, John Abbott Sr. let alone the differences between Jack/Ashley/Tracy;striking a chord all their own.. AND backboning with your sibling start your day ^^^ “…For me, the “Abbott Family Drama” exceeded any dialog written over my years of watching. The visual movement from childhood to present was interesting, but the dialog had to come from one who had felt… Read more »
The picture has present day Jack, Ashley and Dina with past John, Dina, Jack, Ashley and Tracy–used in flashback scenes of the Abbott family growing up– I don’t know the name of actors who portrayed these earlier versions of the Abbott family, but that is who they are in the above photo
oughta the gate : PROP PROP PROP … LEAD TO EMMY Nomination ! BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LONG-RUNNING VETERAN, FEMALE @Y&R Beth Maitland, Tracy Abbott Love and Adore this woman to pieces & bits , would move heaven and earth to keep her BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LONG-RUNNING VETERAN, MALE @DAYS Drake Hogestyn, John Black What a man what a STUD – STILL …. right … above and beyond just what John Black is… AM having a blast watching Drake work with Ron Carlivati… watching “John” playing husband, father, AND all around keeper of Salem. watching him play out his… Read more »
there was so many categories, I thought one for best actor chewing gum would pop up. lol, overall I realize how much I’ve grown up because I don’t get mad or crazy anymore if gh doesn’t get all the best accolades , I’m just happy with them having an impressive cast. there’s no reason. why GH can’t be better, they just need someone who knows how to package gh into a cohesive hour of tv. they also need to appreciate who they have, its wonderful that Genie is now getting the treatment of having a storyline and airtime that she… Read more »
“…because I don’t get mad or crazy anymore if gh doesn’t get all the best” ^^^ had to throw that in… Loving it because you’re still posting… need it “thanking you” for the appreciation and mention of : Rebecca herbst, as Liz Webber IF she never marries Franco.. would be fine by me you’d think they were his kids.. as Liz waits in the wings All the propping Liz does @the hosp… excuses and constant mention of Franco she’s propped , just as much as Finola Hughes, just as much as Jane Elliott. etc which is a valid point… no… Read more »
I BEG to differ: Best overall OVERreacting actress: Maura West! Jason Thompson as best actor? Really? Peter Bergman should have run away with it! Beth Maitland is solid as a rock! Max Gail wins everything! He is so good! Boy was Jon Lindstrom handcuffed all these years or what. Go Ryan go! Camryn Grimes is one of the FEW bright spots on a horrible soap right now! Chloe Lanier is going places, for sure! Garren Stitt – Oscar Nero – General Hospital: Remember when Oscar was trapped in a cooler and almost froze to death? That was his ONLY good… Read more »
good point about Greg Rikaart. Y&R absolutely wasted him
I think SB return was good and dramatic when dropped through the ceiling and rescued Sam
Gave me chills
Especially how cheap these sets are on soaps now.
MAJOR kudos to you on that last one, Timmm!!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself…enough of this obnoxious, condescending character and her gobby ways! I swear all she has is mouthing off on her pet “issues” when there is no one to warm her bed…and I suppose that singularly-blessed aspect to her storyline can’t go on much longer, as her rabid fanbase is still demanding a sex-laced reunion with Julian. God help us when that happens….it will be a totally tasteless smutfest!
Michael, I always enjoy reading your material…I agree with you 100%, most disappointing return is Jaime Lyn Bauer and Janice Lynde, what a waste of their time to do the 2 scenes that probably wasn’t 5 min’s of their time on screen…What a waste of their time and with the commute to the studios and gas money, lol…I also agree regarding Michael Mealor being the best recast, Michael is wonderful as Kyle…
As someone who has returned to Days and Y&R after 20+ year absences, I’ve been pleased to see many of my old favourites still on screen. I would add the reaction to the departure of Stephen Nichols from Days as another social media firestorm. I’m glad that I tuned in prior to Nichols’ departure to see a bit of Steve and Kayla magic! As for new actors, I’ve really enjoyed Michael Mealor as Y&R’s Kyle. He seems to really be coming into form and his scenes, especially with Sasha Calle’s Lola are a delight to watch.
I only watch Days so I cannot comment on the rest of the choices. I agreed with pretty much everything else other than the praising of Will and Sonny and Marci Miller. I once upon a time liked WilSon together but, for whatever reason, the chemistry that once was no longer exists. Nor did those two get much written for in 2018 (in general Will has been surprisingly backburnered considering Ron’s team decided and wanted to bring the character back to the show). In no way did WilSon deserve a ‘best couple’ mention. I would’ve replaced WilSon with Jarlena. Simply… Read more »
Love your writing Michael!! Bang on with your pics! Being that Days is my fav soap (and I know it’s yours too) I’m so glad that you included so many of their great story lines and characters in your choices.
Thanks for your never ending, great input of the soaps!’ They are so under rated, but some of the best story lines and actors are on soaps! Bravo!’
I agree with everything you said about Days except the Kristen recast. First of all, trying to replace Eileen is a mistake. Secondly, FauxKristen & FauxSusan grated on my nerves badly, especially the former. I found her smarmy & annoying.
Please don’t forget the Rosado family on Young and the restless being shoved down our throat for the last six months. All I do now is fast forward every scene there on.
The Rosales clan are the most overexposed characters of the year
MOST BOTCHED TRIANGLE Jason, Sam, Drew – General Hospital I”m saying it again… WHEW thank the soap god… Billy Miller has been salvaged from this debacle.. of biblical (worst scripts) proportion… the overload overzealous overdrive… O – V – E – R it’s an in your face – SLAP – some SENSE in to Shelly AND Chris.. or do they have a choice to build on the worst show. may as well say it.. the stranglehold.. Frank Valentini MUST be ? it’s just strange now… ODD that a show of this caliber REELS… what ? NOTHING OF NOTE of all… Read more »
IF – you want and NEED to flesh our more character interaction
Valerie WITH Aunt Bobbi… AND to further this.. why not give Laura a part in this… Pat is afterall… Tony sister. which means Valerie, like Bobbie AUNTS. just saying @GH … this may be that much more appealing to watch from your desired 18-49 demographic. Women would be interested in watching this grow.. as it could very well happen to any of the women in this demographic.
I would almost suggest Jon Lindstrom submit in the LEAD actor category this year. Yes, he is recurring, but has driven more story this year than Burton. He captivates in every scene.
Not sure if Max Gail qualifies in the guest performance category or as supporting. As Mike is not a new character and he’s appeared in a significant amount of episodes, it looks like he and JL will fight it out in Supporting.
GREAT POST – @this years emmy wouldn’t this be thee drop the mike; drop the house Partay should Jon Lindstrom take LEAD ACTING GOLD. he’s been that good honest to goodness…HELLO Shelly and Chris i’m fairly certain that Max Gail’ who is another drop… just celebratory stand up thunderous applause. who doesn’t love him. any way… depending on what category, JL submits I’m fairly certain he’d be in the same category as @GH Stella Vernee Watson . “She won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series for the role in 2018” so here’s hoping… Read more »
I only watch Days of Our Lives & I totally agree with you on every point!
Very great and very fair decisions on this list! So glad to see Days get Best Soap and Ron C. getting Best Soapmaker of 2018, well deserved!
I agree with so many of your awards. Greg is delicious as Leo, Judi Evans is fantastic as Bonnie and Adrienne. Days is fabulous.
As someone who has lived with Alzheimer’s with my mother, I think Y and R did a much better job of showing the affects not only on the person with Alzheimer’s but the family. How hard it is when they don’t remember you. Do you go along with what they believe is happening? One day I was attempting to take my mom out of the facility for ice cream but we couldn’t find her coat. She told me she had sent it out to be cleaned. 20 minutes later the nurse and I found it hanging in the shower, thankfully… Read more »
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