Days Of Our Lives
On-Air On-Soaps Names The Best and Worst In Soaps 2015!

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Just wanted to say – biggest waste of talent = losing KASSIE DEPAIVA from #DAYS….and what they did with her while there.
I 100 percent agree you get a talent and put her with teens sleeping with Jennifer son all for nothing her past should been explored not angst for jj and Paige
Her Paige death scene awesome but then damage was done. She should never been let go. She should been used better. Her and Eddie would been magical. Her scenes are Emmy worthy even when given. I never understand why they wasted her talent.
I agree. Days truly missed the mark with Kassie DePaiva and Melissa Archer. Both are excellent actors who could have made terrific contributions to Days for years to come.
amen!
totally big mistake letting Kassie Deprive go from DAYS. She is total gem, and I hope someday soon DAYS will bring Kassie back as Eve. There’s been some great scenes with Justin and Eve, I want to see where that goes, but now DAYS let Kassie go, REALLY? bad move.
Kassie DePaiva was totally miscast as Eve Donovan from the beginning. Although, that was almost (almost) nothing compared to the abominable casting that her former partner Roger Horwath was given at General Hospital….
I agree, Days made 2 big mistakes. Killing Will and firing their best actress Kassie.
here, here
I’m glad you are front and center with this; no matter how any one spins the resurgeance of DAYS; and i’m truly ecstatic
what always surfaces… and will not let up
how could they fire this smorgasbord of TALENT ? ! ? !
LOL i’ve already used ever superlative … of this megaSTAR
Days could bring her back as a new character… and we’d never even flinch, knowing she was recently REELED as Eve
Justin, Eduardo, and Rafe… are waiting in the wings
as is the audience favorite
Ken Corday : you had to have known… what a serious error
YES, Kim–I totally concur.
I agree! Kassie is magnificent! Eve’s grieving for Paige tore my heart out. I think DAYS is throwing away a goldmine.
I agree, Kim. And I am disappointed that this year-end wrap-up didn’t even mention this terrific actress…
No, they did not, did they, James? Kassie’s pain and sorrow was so real, I felt my own heart ache. Instead, Amelie Heinle was given the honors. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate this actress, but the accolades were not as deserving as demonstrated. I, personally, think Kassie blew me away; and, Kate Mansi was also sensational. I thought that Kelly Sullivan, and to a degree, Sharon Case outdid Amelia….by far. So, I don’t get it. Moreover, a repetition of femme fatale seducing another teen is in the works. TPTB ruined Kassie with that repulsive storyline; wansn’t once enough?… Read more »
@ CeeCee
You are absolutely correct, Friend! With all you’ve written. For instance, I’ve never understood why Heinle gets all the accolades, at the detriment of other terrific actresses, such as Sharon Case.
The DePaiva was mesmerizing throughout. It was a huge mistake to let her go.
Have a Wonderful and Happy New Year!
Agree big time
the Kassie part
yep. Days dropped the ball with her
I agree. She is terrific, and I would have liked to see her in a different role. Very talented actor.
I 100 percent believe James Reed as Clyde was a huge reason to watch Days every day. With Stefano weakened to a wheelchair and Victors softening. Andre is not enough. Especially after Clydes well rounded villain performance. Bring him back along with Ben could easily win any court case do to insanity. I hope we see the Weston men back on days before end of the year. Great review. Thanks
Agree so much about Laura Wright (Carly) she’s the best daytime offers and also Robert Palmer W. (Dillon) is also totally awesome!! Some of the choices made were unbelievable (some in my opinion are a waste of airtime and some I think are the greatest!!) I too love Ava-glad Denise is history along with the wig!! Some of the choices I have no opinion since I usually just watch GH. Thanks for all your hard work and respected insights into my daytime dream world. You’re the best!!
Yes! Laura Wright was the best leading actress out of the four soaps in 2015 and MF selecting her as the top female performer was the right call. She is the MVP of General Hospital and brings everything together in the pivotal scenes like nobody else in daytime. GH has far and away the best leading actresses in daytime and that will be proven again when the emmy noms come out. Finola Hughes and Maura West will be nominated with Laura Wright so GH will have 3/5 in the category.
I disagree with a lot of this. Will being killed of DAYS was the best move of the year, and he died after September 1st, so he won’t be back. I couldn’t care less if Sonny was seated on the second row at the funeral. I despise both. Good riddance. Rob Wilson and James Read had the best performances on Days this year. Billy is good too, but theirs far surpassed his. James, Rob and Daniel Cosgrove should still be on that show. Karla Mosely gave the best performance by an actress all year, and she was named. What a… Read more »
Some people are saying Maya ruins…whatever that means. LOL!
I don’t think she’ll be strangled though. She’ll just crossover to Y&R…she has experience in crossing over.
Some people are just prejudiced against blacks, and don’t want Rick married to one. Some people don’t think a black woman is good enough to be a Forrester, and hope Maya is sent to Y&R to mix with the Winters. Lol Maya hasn’t ruined a thing on this show. No more than white Caroline, Brooke, Ivy and Steffy. If anything Maya has brought awesome high ratings to what had become a tiresome show.
I wish DAYS would have a larger African American representation and I’m hopeful for Theo and Lani to have big stories.
Beautiful Lani let it be known to Rafe that she’s interested in dating him, and he told her it couldn’t happen because they can’t mix business with pleasure, yet he’s all in Hope’s face every day hoping she’ll notice him. Now what is that all about? I guarantee you, the producers on that show don’t want Rafe involved with a black woman because as a prominent character dating Lani, they would become popular, and that’s saved for the white couples like Chabby, Ejami etc. It’s a shame that in this day and age the entertainment industry continues to be one… Read more »
I’ve wondered for years why they don’t bring back more of Abe’s family… like his brother Jonah. I’m sure Jonah should have a teen son or daughter by now. Darnell Williams from AMC could also make a good Marcus recast since the original actor is deceased.
I think Rafe is just hung up on Hope and there’s still a chance for “Rani.”
Hi, Lia, I am soooo with you about Rafe and Hope. I think Lani is perfect for him. Hope has now turned into something to ridicule worse than our Miss Jenny. Before being called an ageist for the umpteenth time….why, oh, why can Hope be given a mature storyline, befitting her persona, if not age. Aiden and she made sense, albeit her emotions fluctuated left and right. Understandable when one settles. I hope and pray, Lia, that a Rafe-Hope connection does not happen. This woman saddens me. She really makes me miserable watching her. Bring the real Hope back sans… Read more »
@Timmm. Hi, Timmm, I support your statement about T. Geary, through and through, Timmm. I never hid the fact that he was not a favorite of mine. I did not like him, as Fluke; and, I suppose, sometimes that rubs off on the actor. But, as I said, I always respected his outstanding acting and professionalism. I am sure TPTB had good reason to accommodate him. THEY needed him….and, even though Tony was probably still not feeling up to par, he did what was asked of him. By the time his departure came around, I, too, came around…..he completely won… Read more »
James Read is a good actor. Too bad the writing was so inconsistent with him. Rob Wilson OTOH is a terrible and very limited actor. No chemistry with Kate Mansi. Kate was kind enough to stay an extra year and they wasted her on a 4th rate actor. Ben had nothing going for him. Billy Flynn, however, was exceptional along with Kate Mansi. That is what they should have focused on instead of a crappy triangle. The serial killer storyline was terrible except for the fact Ben is no longer on canvas. That’s its only bright spot. It’s terrible that… Read more »
I don’t agree with you about Rob Wilson. He has grown tremendously as an actor. His work as Ben will hopefully get him an Emmy nom, and win. I don’t have anything against Billy. He’s wonderful as Chad, so I’m happy he staying for awhile, but Rob was great as the serial killer, and especially with Kate as Abi. She has become downright boring since Ben was sent to prison.
I completely agree that Jason Thompson’s talent was wasted this year on GH! He has all the talent and ability to be a leading man! With Tony Geary gone, I would have liked to see another strong make lead besides Maurice Bernard. So heartbroken that he is leaving GH. With Patrick Drake marrying Robin Scorpio and then having Emma, they are an important legacy to GH history and should they be carrying the torch! To me Robin and Patrick are the Supercouple of the 2000s, right up there with Luke and Laura and Frisco and Felicia!
I really think that the Patrick character just ran his course on GH and there is a sliver lining to JT deciding to leave and that means it will open up a contract spot to bring back Wally Kurth as Ned and Greg Vaughn as Lucky. You can do more storyline wise with Ned and Lucky, given they are way more connected in PC than Patrick, and frankly they are needed more right now. JT is a great actor and a classy man but with KM deciding to leave daytime there wasn’t much for JT that ever clicked on GH.… Read more »
The decision to kill off Duke Lavery and make Anna mourn him for the 3rd time was far more disappointing than the one to lose Silas, imo.
YES!!!!!! Thank you!!! My thoughts too when I read that!
I think so too.
Rebecca Herbst was phenomenal on GH this year! Her story line with the return of Jason had incredible highs and lows and she took viewers with her on the journey. She’s an incredibly talented actress who deserves recognition for her work. GH has had it’s difficulties with writers and producers, but the actors always deliver!
I agree! Rebecca was amazing this year with the Jake/Jason storyline
Agree. Rebecca always does great with what they give her, whether it is amazing or amazingly sh*tty. 🙂
the most ruined male character should have been franco from gh.
Franco is a fabulous character..
He is true soap charter, a character that brings it home every time..
Rogers version of his Franco, created for Roger is phenomenal.
Nobody but Roger could play Franco, that role was made for Roger, he owns it!
A Franco fan!!!
Obviously not someone who watched GH during the tenure of the original Franco. This recast is wrong from so many perspectives it is unfathomable.
Wait, I think you’re a bit mixed up, Carol. ( I am not talking to Su00 who seems to be always living in state of delusion). How can Francohave been ruined when he was presented to us as a sociopathic serial killer and played AND invented by James Franco, who was merely having fun with soap opera viewers? This character was a whim of James Franco’s and his creation was not meant to last and was certainly not meant for a recast. I suspect Carol meant to say that Roger Howarth was the most wasted actor in being forced to… Read more »
i meant exactly what i stated, franco was ruined when reinvented by rc having rh portray him. robert franco is/was and always will be the one and only franco. rh’s protrayal is a joke and an embarrassment for us long time viewers (no way did heather give birth while helping susan deliver jason nor was she involved with scott at that time). currently franco is only worthy the ff button.
james franco not robert franco — lol senior moment
Happy New Year, Harry. The whole point of Franco having had a tumor extracted from his brain, Harry, was to create a completely different entity. Subsequently, new, improved Franco. At least, that’s what I think. The role may have been initiated by James Franco, and obviously the name remains….other than changing the name, not much else can be done about that. However, I thought the personality change was purposely done. I truly believe the comparison to Franco, as portrayed by James Franco is not fair. It’s a NEW character, with the same name. That’s how I look at it. Perhaps… Read more »
Franco was actually one of the more improved characters and in one of the most improved couples of 2015. Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford are great together onscreen. Very well acted scenes and a very strong chemistry between them.
Neil Winters is by far the most ruined male of 2015.
only improvements that could be made to rh’s franco is by having james franco come back to kill the imposter or have franco and nina (another useless character now that silas is dead) marry and move far away from pc and then i’ll have no reason to ff thru anything more than commercials.
The more airtime Franco gets the less I am interested in watching the show… or even keeping up with it. I liked Todd Manning on GH, I despise Franco. Period.
it’s definitely true, carole. Franco was original and definitely not a mainstream romantic lead.
I really believe that Roger’s Franco is Franco in name only. Am I making any sense? LOL. It is a new creation?
I think overall female performance should be Finola Hughes. I have never seen an actress give more emotion to every storyline that they are in. While I don’t doubt that Laura was amazing-I just feel like Finola is the clear runaway winner.
I think they both should be nominated for emmys and there should be a tie in the lead actress category so they both can win.
Great to see Lucas made the Best Declaration. Unfortunately this story almost stops here . Now Engaged and deeply in love will 2016 bring happier times for the pair
I felt 2015 was a down year creatively for the soaps. Killing off Will was terrible. Justin Hartley deserves to win the emmy for lead actor at next years daytime emmy,what he has done with the role has been phenomenal. I don’t blame Jason Thompson for leaving GH,boy was he wasted this year. At Y&R he will play a leading character and will get a chance to showcase his acting abilities. I’m looking forward to seeing him with Bergman and Heinle. B&B was good earlier this year,now it’s bad. Days has gotten better. GH was the worst soap of the… Read more »
AGREE!!!!!
Good luck to Jason Thompson. I feel like he’s gonna be the miscast of the decade in the role of Billy Abbot and won’t have a happy ending with Y&R. It doesn’t matter how good an actor is if the role is not right for them. Eden Riegel and Maura West have lots of emmy wins between them but they were fired by Y&R after a year cause they were badly miscast in the roles of Heather and Diane. This is the fourth different Billy Abbott in two years and some fans won’t accept anyone but Billy Miller so I… Read more »
I AGREE 100%,,,GOOD ACTOR BUT A HUGE MISTAKE FOR BILLY ABBOT….LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO MAURA WEST…
Well, here it is 2017, and your prediction has been proven wrong, as far as I am concerned. I am loving Jason Thompson in the role of Billy Abbott. As someone else said about Franco, it is a different character, with the same name. I think J.T was wasted as Patrick, especially after seeing what he can do as Billy.
Tony Geary delivered the best acting performances of the year. He sold a tough storyline and proved himself worthy of another Emmy for Lead Actor. I think Jacob Young’s Rick Forrester was also great acting in a complex storyline. As for Justin Hartley, all he did was take his shirt off. I never saw any depth at all.
I do agree, Melissa. I detested Fluke, but I admired the acting. For Geary to draw that much venom from me, and I’m sure most viewers, only proves his greatness, as an actor. His personal life or his behavior should not matter when strictly speaking of his craft. I cannot deny this guy’s talent. Justin Hartley is definitely not en par with Geary. However, comparing them is apples and oranges. Geary has decades of acting experience in his corner. He is seasoned. I think Justin connects with the audience on a one-to-one basis. His face is very expressive, even when… Read more »
Tony should get the Emmy. He is a legend who was still relevant in 2015. He was ill and did not write the Fluke story. Yes, he did have a heavy say so in his character! [Covering my azz here!] But I thought his black and white performance was amazing! And speaking of that, how is that young actor who played young Luke not on a soap right now! He was so good. EVERYONE was so good!
On target Michael. Jason Thompson Kimberly McCullough Billy Miller and Brooklyn so right on. Losing Will Horton (Guy) heart breaking poor writing. Love your interviews and takes on the soap world. Thank you!
Well done Michael. Agree with you completely on Melissa Archer and Michael Easton. Terrible roles for both of them. Miss their magic and would love to see them together again!
Αmen to this! LOVE Easton and Archer. I would watch faithfully if they were reunited.
Amelia Heinle? Really? Where is Melissa Claire Egan?
Melissa Claire Egan/Chelsea ‘buries’ Amelia Heinle/Victoria, every scene, every time.
I would take Melissa Claire Egan over Amelia Heinle but imo the best three supporting actresses on soaps in 2015 were Rebecca Herbst, Linsey Godfrey, and Kassie D.
@Newmanwins
beautiful!
I’d still add Amelia Heinle
throw in MCE; Rebecca Herst, Linsey Godfrey; and My love… Kassie DePaiva
argh! pains me… when the category is so… tough it out
I’d almost have to go with most consistent… and I don’t even watch the show
Linsey Godfrey ? no? ok?
on equal footing; Liz, gh – Eve, Dool
darkhorse : Amelia Heinle, Y&R
and throw in… she’s so lauded? can never figure this out moreso than AE
Amen Marie!
I can’t stand to watch AH. The ONLY time she was tolerable was with Billy Miller. Once he left, AH was unwatchable once again.
I feel bad for Jason Thompson having to work with her, but maybe “Billy” will finally move on from “Victoria” and he’ll sizzle with someone else.
I can’t imagine Jason Jackson as BillyAbbott. He should have been written as a new character. Its going to weird seeing Ex-Patrick not wearing scrubs. I wish him well.
You were right, Jason has sizzled with and still is with Gina Tognanni as Phyllis.
General Hospital: These fine actors deserve an emmy…Rebecca Herbst Emme Rylan, Kelly Monaco, the girl who played young Patricia, Maurice Benard, Bryan Craig, Dom Z. and Nancy Lee Grahn. I agree GH 52nd Anniversary Show was the best and T. Geary, Laura Wright & Joey Luthman deserve an Emmy. I am wishing that Geary doesn’t win. My heart breaks for Ron Carlivanti. It’s obvious that Ron bent over backwards to please Geary at the expense of the cast and show. For almost 2 years GH was a one man show that revolved around Fluke. Of the 2 years there were… Read more »
I hope that Tony doesn’t win again either but I remember him saying he plans to submit so it’s probably gonna happen. Maurice deserves the leading actor nomination from GH. Sonny was written more like the 90’s Sonny in 2015 and Maurice had one amazing year.
I agree 10000%
There is a lot of politics involved in Emmy awards. Hard to envision Tony Gearylwinning anything given the vitriolic interviews that he was giving in his last days. Talk about biting the hand that fed him. If he won again after all that I would have to wonder if anyone in this industry has any respect for the genre.
Agree on Laura Wright. Always enjoy her acting. Have really enjoyed Days with the exception of the murders. Very sad to say goodbye to Bo. Love Melissa Archer our fiery redhead and LOVE her with Michael Easton. Can we see these two reunited in 2016. They are sooooo missed.
Seeing Michael and Melissa reunited would be great. They can work it and work it well.
Any soap that reunites Melissa and Michael will automatically have my viewership! 😀
Mine too! I would watch them on any medium.
Rock on, maddie. Natalie and John forever!! I mean Melissa and Michael. Lol.
Hell yes they are so missed. They were involved in awful storylines and not given opportunities to shine. I would LOVE to see Michael and Melissa paired again and working their magic. TPTB need to make this happen.
Very meh to your choices.. Where is alison sweeney’s praise for her work when sami finally breaks down on her son’s murder, outstanding and subtle scene all by herself on will’s flat. ps : all in all these soaps sucked this year, they are tired.. Always the same story, except for the Maya story, the only bright spot in term of originality.
I agree with the vast majority of them.My biggest disagreement is that Kristian Alfonso should be on Best Actress and Becky Herbst for Best Supporting. Alfonso did the best work of her career as Hope in the last few months. Herbst had to literally rise above the destruction of her character and turn s%#@ into gold. I’d also make B&B the soap that took a huge turn for the worse. The show was fabulous during the Maya/Avant story and the Caridge love story. It’s now a mess with the weeks of this Liam/Steffy/Wyatt/Ivy mess. It’s vapid and they have written… Read more »
Rebecca Herbst is a Leading Actress not Supporting. She truly deserves the Emmy, but Laura Wright and Finona (Anna) may win. All 3 are deserving
Victoria #YR didn’t have any memorable performances in 2015.
Disagree on two points. I enjoyed the Jason reveal more than the Adam reveal. The various character’s reactions were as if they had been given a disappointing weather report, while the fallout from Jason is ongoing. In another category I think cuteness is being confused with talent. Emma Drake is as cute as they come but there are times her acting is awful. I think the little girl on YnR is more talented.
IA with so much of what you said about DOOL this past year (both the good and the bad). Thank you for also having the guts to acknowledge that B&B had a good 8 months, and not a solid year, in large part due to the transgender story and the care given by both the writers and the actors to telling it right during those first 8 months. Since the last 4 months of the year were filled with triangles which we’d already seen before and 2 pregnancies which have slowed the storytelling pace to a crawl, that show has… Read more »
I do agree with all of these choices. Good work!!!
Little Jake,could have stayed gone, .didn’t need for him to come back.
I,agree about Mr.Avant that,was powerful g
I hate the children driving story
Agree about the little robot!
I do agree, Ces, albeit I love kids, period….but, I think Jake was brought back as a device to keep Jason tied to Liz. Does that make sense? Otherwise, Jason’s choice would have been much easier. He’s tied to both women…Leachy Liz and Sobby Sam. What a dilemma!! Who to pick? LOL.
Scary that DAYS is most improved. I started watching it in 2015 and it the most depressing, plot driven soap I have ever watched. Most of the characters are sooo boring, with stupid story-lines. And why is that every new male character has to be related to Kate or sleeping with her?
If it’s most improved I’m glad I wasn’t watching it previously.
IMO GH was a total waste most of the year and the Christmas and New Year’s episode even left us feeling cheated. I am very disappointed in this show and what was supposed to be an improvement in writing. This whole Jason’s return could have been handled so much better and so differently. As for Days, I just really don’t know why in the world they would kill off so many characters. I would have rather Bo stayed locked up than been killed off, Aiden, never liked him still think he’s responsible for the wife. Ciara and Chase, ugg! Hope… Read more »
your right on about GH. It has to be the most disappointing soap of the year. the quality really went down. A majority of the year was filler. I hate GH only advances story during sweeps months. every month you should be putting on engaging tv. All that college football playoff stuff on the New Year’s show was stupid. GH could take a big ratings hit after Patrick and Robin leaves,because their is nothing else engaging
There isn’t a normal progression and evolution in stories and couplings on GH. Are viewers’ attention spans that limited?
Soap with the most interlopers who have overstayed their welcome imo: GH-Sabrina, Rosalee-glad she hasnt been on, Jordan, Franco, Valerie, Nina, Alexis, Julian and Ava…best improvement-well, somewhat-the Corinthos family and only because there is less mob story and more focus on family-the whole family still can be annoying at times especially Carly who is too obsessed with Jason…Micheal seems to forget Sonny killed his real father AJ and Morgan acts more like a cry baby than someone with bipolor disorder which i have so i can comment on that…glad they showed more Monica-Leslie C. should wear her hair up more… Read more »
Love this comment, Jim–as usual, you’re spot on.
Well done, mate.
Besides having more Monica and Tracy, it would also be nice to see Monica with the Judge once in a while…like at the Nutcracker Gala.
I actually forgot about him…and i agree!
Exactly, jimh….you’ve done the heavy lifting here….so I don’t have to!!!! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too…and it would be if we got our wish and GH at least dumped half those i had mentioned!!!
@jimh….Oh, I hear what you’re saying! A happy new year that would make for indeed! My only conundrum would be which one should be the first to go, okay, second, if the truth be told! I’m sure you already know who would be my “sap-orific” top pick, but believe you me, it would be a mighty difficult task to separate the second over my third choice, as they rate a virtual tie on my major annoyance scale—again, no huge surprises regarding which two characters would vie for that “distinction!” Let’s just say it would be a battle royale between a… Read more »
I love Roger H. “Franco but no love for the cartoonish Nina character. Nina acts like a 14 year old..Come on TPTB she went into a comma in her 30’s stop the “virginal act” insult to the fans.
One thing I do enjoy is Crimson is back and Maxie and Dillon are perfect in their roles! I have to give a shout out to Kristen (Maxie) can’t be easy playing a ditzy blonde and make it believable for 10+ years but Kristen is a natural hope her peers will someday appreciate
her skills and reward her with Emmy nom.
Days is the most improved soap but too much gloominess is a bad thing…balance that out with some romance and adventure with some light comedy thrown in but not too much campiness…sorry but the teen scene needs an overhaul…some of the worse i have ever seen…so far Claire and Theo are ok but that isnt saying much…any chance they can reverse the ages and bring the kids back?…The British soap Coronation Street is a good realistic soap about working middle class people with close to real life stories…Children age more realistically and the dead stay dead…the show is known for… Read more »
Congrats B&B!!!
Yes, congrats to B&B for the first 8 months of the year. It’s such a shame it went down the toilet and now DAYS has been on the throne for 4 months!
you are way to insecure about B&B & the fact that it was good for almost 3 quarters of the year & days only managed to get it together in the last four months says something. I also didn’t buy the comment you already made that B&B was getting cancelled
B&B has gone from sugar to garbage
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN IN THE TOLIET All year…no longer tune in….
A shot out to the actress who played Abbey.. She did a great job in her role this year. Very believable…
Jonathan Jackson and Anthony Geary are dynamite together. Best acting duo ever on any medium. The last scenes with them before Tony left were gut wrenching and awesome at the same time. For Jonathan to come back to a character he hadn’t played for several years and put that level of emotion into his portrayal well what is there to say! He is phenomenal . I also applaud Peter Reckell for stepping back into his role as Bo as if he had never left. Great performances from Peter. And there’s no better couple in the soaps than Sonny and Carly.… Read more »
You said it!
Sonny and Carly were the best couple of 2015. The chemistry and scenes between MB and LW has never been better. This was also the best reunion of the couple that’s ever been done by a mile.
Days part 2: Sorry Kristen fans but that character has run its course…her last visit proves the character has run out of steam…maybe had Kristen been pregnant by Erik and had passed the child off as Bradys might have kept the story of Kristen somewhat fresh and exciting…Brady wouldve won custody while Kristen went to prison…after about a year Brady learns his son is Eriks and there is a battle between the two men over custody…oh well, instead we get a quickie wrap up on Theresa’s stolen baby that stagnate Kristen and made her stale…making Will Sammyish was a ploy… Read more »
Chad plus Belle=Bhad!…lol
Good one, Jimmy. How clever and how true!! As Mo said, Chad is her nephew’s (Will) age. Anything goes? I hope Abby gets recast….I have finally come to accept Abby and Chad….took me a long while, but I surely prefer those two together than Bhad!!!!l. Lol. Later.
Character in bad need of a makeover goes to Days Patch…drop the patch and Fonzie jacket stat…the 1980s are gone forever.
THANK YOU!
And NEVER have Patch wear a handkerchief around his neck like a dog.
Billy Flynn is a keeper. Paul Telfer was a keeper but they let him go, Eileen Davidson…wonderful actress and James Scott (EJ) all good …bring back the last three and sign Billy Flynn for more…worth watching when the acting is good !
Not agreeing with summations about Tony G. Watching him exit GH had the equivalent feeling of him giving me the one finger salute. The storyline was horrible. He was phoning it in, which made it worse. And, it was clear it was his way, or the highway, and he really couldn’t wait to hit the highway. So, I tuned out. His comments about RC, after the fact, just solidified for me the arrogance he chooses to rub in the faces of those that provided him the exact fame that provides him with the status to behave this way. I have… Read more »
Agree with your comments here. The whole TG affair totally turned me off GH and haven’t watched since.
I agree.
I hope he never returns. His arrogance ruined his exit.
I agree 100000% about TG arrogance. I was a loyal fan for years!! He needs to get over himself and remember it was Luke & Luara that made his career successful. Seven Emmies and not one offer for prime-time gig should have been a hint (one trick pony). Whose brilliant idea was it to give him the right to edit the writer’s work (GH History) and letting Ron & Emma take the blame?? My sympathy to the cast and crew who had to put up with this diva. Keep him in Amsterdam!!
Well said.
Interesting review Michael. I especially agree with your assessment of former OLTL characters Melissa Archer and Michael Easton. They were completely misused as Serena and Silas. Ugh! Terrible waste of talent and chemistry. I would love to see them work together again in 2016.
Couldn’t agree more. Melissa Archer as Serena and Michael Easton as Silas were awful. Nothing felt right about those characters onscreen. It is a damn shame. They should be reunited on either television or online. They are missed.
Hi, Jenn,
The subject of Archer and Easton was discussed by those of us who truly appreciated them as a couple.
Furthermore, their outstanding talent was used and abused without any given thought. How right you are. I am still bewildered by the pulverization of these two…..and others. Still talking about them and Kassie only proves how misdirected TPTB are by creating such ill-conceived roles for actors with finesse and colorful acting history. ‘They’ could have created such succulent roles for them……right there; ripe for the picking, but, the ‘Lords of Soapshire’ blew it. Egads!!
Still holding out and hoping to see them again in some forum. Miss those two terribly. LOVE THEM.
Agreed! Michael and Melissa work so well together.
I agree with most of it. But I like Vivian Jovanni. She works for the character.
She is a spitting image of a younger KA, it is scary! She COULD be her daughter. Her acting, however, is still VERY green and leaves A LOT to be desired. But then, I remember when Abby (KM) first came on and I could not take the grating, high pitched, LA inflection speak she subjected us to. Time will tell….
I think the recasting of Ciara was one of the biggest mistakes of the year. Horrible decision.
You bet, Paul.
Thank you for agreeing with a lot of us about GH letting Michael Easton go. And also Days letting Kassie DePaiva go. Both Crazy moves
Is Dr. Simon Neville named after Dr. Robert Neville from ‘ I am Legend?’…the actor who played young Luke on GH shouldve been cast as Chase on Days or as Joey but the young actor playing a sullen Joey is ok-just not given good enough material to work with at the moment!
Anthony Geary and Jonathan Jackson in what seems to be yet again…. award winning performances, as Father & Son. Not too be left out is Laura Wright, her portrayal of Luke’s Mother was PERFECTION. Sadly besides the black & white episode and those excellent scenes… Fluke was a Flop, and Luke’s final goodbye was a HUGE letdown. As good as RC could be and you have to give the devil his due, when he was on point he was great !!! But when he wasn’t he gave us NO Hospital or Dr.’s to speak of.. Lost was the great talent… Read more »
Kudos!! Couldn’t have said it better!!
The “trashing of Aiden”. Did not think it was the worst. To me the trashing of Hope to make him viable was much worse. He was gray all along and honestly Hope just looked stupid when she put faith and trust into a guy whose first wife died under mysterious circumstances, into a guy who needed money to pay off loan sharks, and a guy for whom others (neighbors of deceased wife) warned Hope. At the same time, Hope totally trashed the man she had known and loved since childhood, never investigated his sudden desire to be away from family.… Read more »
Great list Michael Fairman…no question that killing off Michael Easton on GH has been very disappointing. I still can’t believe it!!
Yes, it was, Lisa. But, the worst move in soap history, as far as I can see, was the killing of Will Horton. This senseless action will go down as legendary. Seriously.
Funny how the Adam reveal has no mention of the integral part and amazing performance of Melissa Claire Egan. -__-
Also agree with Kim above. KDP was royally wasted!! I was actually interested in Eve and Justin but she’s probably leaving soon so that won’t go anywhere.
Melissa Claire Egan was the best part about the Adam reveal,why no mention
Exactly, robert! I am still trying to figure out how Amelia Heinle is even a competitor. I like her, but, I don’t feel she’s so out-of-the-ordinary-good to out-run many of the other actresses.
She really was!! If it weren’t for the chemistry of Justin and Melissa and their work, the story would not have been as successful as it was. But so it goes. Melissa is often over looked 🙁 Hope she does get a much deserved Emmy nom.
I agree 00%. What did Amelia H do to get the award as compared to the other actresses mentioned?? Strange.
100%
She cried a bucket of tears. God help us she’s been crying all week.
I just don’t get it Victoria and Summer get 2 Emmy for crying.
#makeitstop
I can’t even remember what she did last year. Didley squat as far as I’m concerned. But I guess better Amelia than the abysmal, shoved down our throats, Kelly Sullivan.
I completely agree with the unwise decision to let Michael Easton go. Now that there is going to be no Patrick Drake it would be nice to have him at the hospital. Maybe getting close to Liz or Anna they had chemistry when he was John. Kiki could use a strong father protecting her from Morgan and Ava. It is a loss he is a talented, sexy actor. I am still watching old clips of he and Melissa Archer when I am missing my ME.
Terri,
Archer and Easton rocked it! They were and are golden. Miss them tremendously.
Hell yes! Melissa and Michael are awesome. Love them both!
I don’t agree with the Robert Palmer pick. In my opinion Dillon is one of the most boring characters of the year.
Yes, the new Dillon is about as exciting as mayo sandwich on Wonder Bread.
Thank you, Harry. Dillon who?
Yes. I loved Scott Clifton as Dillon way back when, but Robert Palmer is terrible in the role. Clifton had warmth, charm, and an energetic vibe on camera. Robert is cold, far from charming, and distinctly flat and even uncomfortable in his scenes. I don’t believe that his Dillon could ever have been involved with Lulu. Billy Miller also has warmth and charm that is at odds with the character of Jason, who is so “cool” that he’s called “Stone cold.” I think that’s a big part of why Miller just isn’t working as Jason, but I think Miller would… Read more »
No question about it, Billy Miller would have been light years better as a recast Lucky Spencer.
Elizabeth,
That would have worked, too.
TPTB have to let Billy Miller finally figure out what kind of “Jason” he’s going to be so he can finally OWN the role. I personally am hoping he’ll be more Q than mobster so that the actor’s natural warmth can shine through the role.
Melissa,
That would work for me. I think Billy Miller needs to be Jason 3.0, a little Quartermaine, a little Jason Morgan, and a whole lot of Jake Doe who definitely has more warmth and charm than Jason Morgan.
Just wanted to say–how entertaining your picks are, Michael. However, you left out some categories category: MOST DISRESPECTED CHARACTER: Laura Spencer and MOST DISRESPECTED ACTOR: Genie Francis MOST DISAPPOINTING SWAN SONG: Tony Geary–left a bitter taste in this viewer’s mouth I DO agree with you re THE MOST FRUSTRATING EXIT–Yes, Tony Geary’s. And I CAN agree with you about the 52nd anniv. episode–best production values–BUT the episode totally dismantled the character/legacy of Luke Spencer and did a great disservice by making the Spencer siblings VICTIMS of their childhood and their father’s viiolence–and, ultimately, a disservice to the viewers/populace who believe… Read more »
Well said, Nancy!
Completely agree. Great analysis.
Most of this should be blamed on Tony Geary himself. The man has an ego the size of the USA. Good riddance. Now let’s see a proper story for Genie.
Love every word! Thank you!
I always appreciate your thoughtful opinion pieces, and this one was a great way to review the year in soaps. I like all your choices, although for me the most ruined female character would probably have been a toss-up between Avery and GH’s Elizabeth, primarily because her writers took the very long time character down such a dramatically different road from the one she had travelled for so many years previously. It may have given Becky Herbst an opportunity to shine (and shine she did), but it was really tough to watch Elizabeth make decisions that were so ridiculously out… Read more »
Agree with your comment, Tracy. Another great actress who, in my opinion, was soooo disrespected as an accomplished thespian was Cady McClain. That entire storyline made me so miserable, I could barely watch….seeing what was done to her was unbearable. Poor Dixie. Lol.
PS.
I say, ‘Dixie’ because that’s how I want to remember Cady….I loved Dixie!!!!!! In my humble opinion, Cady did not deserve how crazy ‘they’ turned the Kelly character (Y&R) into. Pathetic. Shame on TPTB. Everyone forgot all about her.
Totally agree with you about Cady. She was always Dixie to me, too. She even had her spark when she started Y&R. Terrible what they turned her into. And shame on Jack.
theres too many categories, it just seem pointless, jonathan jackson arc guest appearance was pointless since it basically ruined his character more for obvious reasons, i.e the actor couldn’t stick around so yeah, he finds little jake and bails, yeah that made sense. and i love becky herbts as liz but her character was the most ruined character and it proves that soap are still stuck in having to viliafie one character Liz to make another look good , sam. i would of been more impress if liz and sam wouldn’t both look so desperate to be “the chosen one”… Read more »
I am tired lf seeing Elizabeth trashed all the times as well to prop up another storyline. . What they did to Liz character by writing the lie was awful. All the while they are writing Sam as victim these days and newly sainted, and her dirty dealings from in the past erased. Becky can shine in any storyline she is given though and in any pairing. This year she finally got to show her acting chops because she was not on the back burner like usual
I’m with you. I don’t care who Jason is with, never really did (although I’ll admit I lean Elizabeth), but what I DON’T want to see is these women fighting over him. And him waffling back and forth. I’d rather see the man chasing the woman! Like Jake, pursuing Elizabeth, now THAT was romantic! He wanted her so much, and had eyes for no one but her. And that was BEFORE the lie happened. So this whole thing is very contrived, and now the writing is on the wall, Jason’s gonna start remembering Sam and a whole year of Liason/Lake… Read more »
I completely agree! Rebecca Herbst is a great actress who shines with anyone they put her with! Her and billy lit up the screen! You felt how much he adored her everytime they had a scene! To use this amazing actress to prop up the lame jasam is so sad! Please gh wake up and realize this! !!
@Denise: Rebecca Herbst. “…This year she finally got to show her acting chops ” I know, right? and the same goes, for… Tyler Christopher, Nicholas, GH their range and layers of acting… has to be better than “out of character” why should they continue to be Mr. Nice guy and sweet Liz ? these two actors… for me… have climbed the upper echelon and tiered themselves “at, or near the top of their game” I mean seriously… “Liz” simply fine tune your person… and lie in wait… take no guff .. take no prisoners.. when it comes to Carly and… Read more »
Hi, Denise, I sooo agree with you, Denise. Rebecca outshone everyone. I loved the character when I first started watching, last year. But, she performed such a credible lying, little B that I despised Liz. That is the crux of the matter. I am not so naive that I cannot separate actress from character. I love Rebecca, regardless of the fact she is portrayed as the ‘bitch in the manger’. I have criticized the character and this very fact ad nauseam, so I will relent. Why is she not in the running? Someone listed those thespians ( if most could… Read more »
This is the first year, Michael, that you and I have the most to agree about. Yes, we differed on some of the categories, but overall, I am in agreement of your assessments.
Me too, I agree with about 80% of this.
I agree with a lot on this list. I know Days isn’t perfect but it is the best soap out of all four. I think Robert Wilson (Ben) should be best supporting actor though, he was amazing and mesmerizing as a psycho killer. It took the actor to a whole other level as an actor. Hell, I would say it took him to MANY other levels. Definitely agree that they should not have recast the role of Ciara. I will always be mad about that. It wouldn’t be so bad if the recast was a good actor but we got… Read more »
Blake, you are so on it with Robert Wilson as Ben, at least he’s sure to be nominated for Best Supporting or Younger Actor come spring for the Daytime Emmy awards. He was AMAZING on DAYS. He didn’t work for me when he resumed the role of Ben, however, when he was given great material, Robert took command of the role and did an amazing job, I’m so glad he actually resumed the role of Ben, he was very specific in his tone, movement, and delivery of his lines, he shocked me, he demanded us to watch him, I was… Read more »
Hi, Jeremy,
Robert, as Ben was incomparable, as far as I’m concerned. I am assuming he will not be in the ‘lead actor’ category….out of the ordinary? But, he should be, albeit I know it is inconceivable at this stage. I honestly cannot think of any of his cohorts, at this time, en par with Robert’s display of talent. Where did it come from? Straight out of left field!! He came to us as such a shy, subdued guy. WOW and double WOW!! I was so overwhelmed and taken aback, I am rendered speechless…..impressive.
Happy New Year, Jeremy.
@ CeeCee,
Happy New Year, to you and your family, too.
btw- Rob will make Supporting or Younger Actor, the show and the actor must think practically what category is best for him to submit, to make a wise decision, because the category is so important in him securing a well-deserving win. We may see Days and Billy (Chad) submit him for Supporting, then if that’s the case, it may be wise for Rob (Ben) to submit for Younger Actor, it also depends on his age, too.
Looking forward to catching up your posts this new year! 🙂
I hope that Tony Geary NEVER comes back to GH after the damage he single handedly did to the show in 2015…. refusing to allow any goodbye scenes with Genie Francis, insisting on no montages or anything real in his own last scenes (not even montages between him and Jackie Zeman), not cooperating with anything around his storyline even though Frank Valentini and given him what he wanted for his entire last year (that of playing a completely dark Luke). Now, I just hope in 2016 that we can see a COMPELLING story for Laura, as well as learning what… Read more »
I am glad that Tony is gone. I grew tired of him eating up screen time and his egotistical attitude and thinking he was the star of the show.His interviews putting down Genie and other actors was so far over the line, not wanting to film with Genie was a big screw you to Luke and Laura fans ( which is what made him popular to begin with) . I hope they never invite him back to the show. At the end he was a total jerk and storys have moved on without him with barely anyone noticing he is… Read more »
Agreed, Denise. I started warming up toward Luke after he ‘removed’ the Fluke mask. I only knew Geary as Fluke. I do not know much about the actor nor Luke. So I could not give a true synopsis of my thoughts on him. But, Fluke made me want to vomit. Geary’s rheumy eyes were scary to me. But, he had been very ill and it is also possible that the ramifications of the illness were still upon him. I know that Laura can stand on her own. Genie is so talented. I adore the actress and the character. Given the… Read more »
Happy New Year, Elizabeth–I echo your sentiments re a compelling storyline for Laura–and cheer your comments on Tony Geary. Way to go!
Absolutely!
Great choices. Couldn’t agree more. Would love to see you do these categories for each soap.
Eric Braeden a best actor runner up, no way. The guy is barely watchable.
Ichy and yucky, mike. Agreed. He walks with Maurice Benard (sp) in mine eyes! Yessir.
Best Actress should have gone to Maura West or Karla Mosley. Laura Wright is a good actress but sadly her role consists of nothing more than her endlessly running around Port Charles shrieking about Jason. Or Sonny. Or Morgan. Or Michael. (Basically anyone but Jocelyn.) She deserves better material and a new non-Sonny storyline. Best Show should’ve been B&B’s alone. DOOL has become a depressing mess of murder and death under Higley and Griffith. Worst Reveal: GH’s Jake is Jason. Everyone complained about Ron Carlivati’s slow build-up to the reveal but allowing Billy Miller’s Jason to build relationships with the… Read more »
Great assessment of GH’ Carly
it’s so overbearing to watch her mow over every one in Port Charles… at the end of the DAY… what does she really have left?
Sonny must be toying with her
her sons are sick of her
??? uninteresting
TRUTHFULLY: Most underutilized character… Rick Hearst’ (Ric Lansing ) GH
for the millionth billionth trillionth time… the only character… outside of Jax… (Ingo Rademacher) is the character of Ric Lansing… who can give Laura a personality
let’s see more talent on that canvas… shine… share the spotlight
Why would Maura West get best actress when all she does is scene chew and act over the top? Don’t get me wrong, the actress is capable of so much more but she has been handed down the worst friggen script and she cannot rise above it.
All I know is that when Ava is on the screen, I am fast forwarding.
The same holds true for Nina, Franco. Kiki, Valerie, Morgan Sabrina and Jordan.
@Harry….We are obviously watching the same show, since all of your observations hold true for me, as well. In addition to the other aforementioned, I never welcomed Ava to Port Charles, but after she delivered Avery under such harrowing circumstances and fought illness to within an inch of her life, she did at least convey a few human emotions that gave her some depth. Alas, since her ludicrous cover as the deplorably ditzy Denise was blown, she’s reverted to her rotten, revolting routine, and so painted herself into yet another corrupt corner, that I again want nothing to do with… Read more »
Agreed!
Laura Wright was the most deserving choice for best actress. MF got this one right on the money. Maura West had some amazing moments in the beginning and ending of the year, but was offscreen all spring and wasted all summer, so I can’t give it to her. Karla Mosley is good but not even in the same league as Wright and West and frankly I’d go with Linsey Godfrey over her from B&B for 2015.
You first paragraph, Alan, sent me into spontaneous giggles. Too funny and sooo true!
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