All My Children
On-Air On-Soaps Names The Best and Worst of 2013!

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Hmmm.. My comments are this. GH has been given much credit in past interviews. With as much as an “exodus” as noted in this piece. Also. the is the character of “Lulu” “boring” because of the actress?…Also because in past pieces the writer has held praise for both the actress as well as the character.
Imo…this Lulu might work better as a villan.
Disagree that Lulu is most boring character. Far more worthy candidates like Rafe & Kiki (GH) exist. Emme has been doing a great job in the nearly impossible situation of following the incredibly talented and popular JMB and being half of a super couple. Her scenes with Dante ( Dom Zamprogna) losing Connie were heart wrenching. The problem is Lulu is being written one note, obsessed with having a baby. She needs MORE story. She doesn’t need to be a villain, but a heroine. Lante could be next generation Luke & Laura. Lulu needs to get back to her spunky… Read more »
ER as Lulu was one of the worst casting decisions IMHO. This actress is incredibly boring and the characterization falls completely flat for me. I wish that GH would either do a “presumed dead” story for Lulu or recast the part with someone who could bring more dimension to the role.
I know that the baby story has been dragging on far too long. But this year has given Lulu the opportunity to be interesting since ER’s arrival. There were scenes and scenarios in the kidnapping/amnesia story which could have and should have captured our attention. And, certainly, the christening reveal had many moments which should have been interesting, pivotal ones for Lulu and the actress playing her. But these simply didn’t seem to work while, at the same time, the scenes were working for some of those around her. I see missed opportunities here. Hoping for better in 2014 and… Read more »
The role of being a legacy child of Luke and Laura, is too pivotal to have been cast with an actress whose ability is not up to the demands of the character. Writing is only part of the difficulty with this recast and sadly, from the point of her re-introduction with the amnesia story, there has been an unsettling lack of understanding of the core characteristics of L as they were assembled via her parents’ DNA. Now, as rendered by this young woman, L is unrecognizable and the gradual maturing of the persona that had been built up via Julie… Read more »
I hope Julie Berman returns to claim her role as Lulu in 2014! The sequence they filmed at the time of her departure when Maxie had a nightmare about how Lulu would react to finding out the truth about the baby’s paternity unbelievably riveting and gave us a glimpse of how much more poignant and unforgettable the conclusion to this storyline would have been with Berman in the role.
Matthew, I am with you on this post. That brief snippet into what could have been sums it all up. ER has managed to make this all rather “forgettable”. Though many want to just forget all things baby for a while now.
I love Emme Rylan! She has done an amazing job and should be given a break. She is talented.
A break? How many more “breaks” does one give an actress. ER inherited a “plum” role complete with a gorgeous leading man, legacy parents and a history beautifully crafted by JMB. On top of that an introductory story line supposedly tailored so that Ms. Rylan would have a clean slate to bring her interpretation of Lulu to the screen. Not to mention the opportunity to “redefine” all of Lulu’s relationships. Oh and said storyline was complete with vets RKK and CT. She has oodles of press and solid chunks of airtime with a frontburner story. So pieces of her storytelling… Read more »
@BethCP @Emmmgirl Perfect breakdown and summary of what went wrong… with nuLULU Emme Rylan… was perfect as Lizzie, GL… and Abby, Y&R. both little rich girls… spoiled… believe it… she was fiesty, fun, fabulous… in both those roles… and yes… she lacked a sense of maturity… but.. on those shows.. she contributed. on GH.. is it because she portrays a Married Woman… with a lone husband.. and had a child…. all the trappings a real woman would rise to the occasion I had to google her time on the show.. she debuted April, 2013.. so.. that has given her… Emme… Read more »
Well I disagree with the best new comer and supporting actress. Teresa Castillo should be mentioned in a category for sure….she was amazing playing the role of Sabrina and at the same time gained a fan base having been put in a very tough position. Robin and Patrick are old news…There even awkward to watch on screen now, there over and out. Jason Thompson should have received an emmy a long time ago and if he doesn’t receive one this year it will be very disappointing.
I agree, Sabrina should have won most boring character of all time. I do think Patrick fell asleep the first time they made love. The second time? I think he plucked nose hairs.
On what planet are you living?…Obviously not the one called reality, because we CANNOT be watching the same show! Sappy is, was and will always be the most poorly conceived and horrendously acted soap character of all time! She is worse than useless, and the ongoing lame attempts of the “Amazing Cartini” to magically convert this major annoyance into anything resembling a meaningful and important aspect of GH have failed big time!!!! All the fairy dust and Disney-based directives in the world aren’t enough to waft away the profound resentment that viewers feel for having this supremely idiotic storyline and… Read more »
I agree that if the baby fallout and custody fight had been played out with Julie, the story would have been so much more dynamic between all four characters. ER seems like a lovely person but all this stuff about giving her a break is a bit too much. She’s a vet, now on her third soap as a recast and the whole amnesia storyline to facilitate the switch and ease in a new Lulu was a fail. I think about her introduction to that of say Chad Duell who got dropped right into a major storyline and didn’t have… Read more »
You make a very good point, Meegs – and one that applies to any recast situation. I do think that viewers should expect more from any actor or actress who has the amount of experience that Emme Rylan brought to GH. Any actor or actress in their 30s with two soaps and two recasts in his or her resume should hit the deck running more in the way a much younger and less experienced Chad Duell did in 2010. And all the comments from ER’s fans about her past successes further reinforced, for me, that I was not seeing this… Read more »
Agree with most of your picks and here is praying in 2014 Sharon Case will be Most Improved Character! Happy New Year to all!
I’m glad everyone loved Days this year..This was hands-down my favorite year…but I’m an EJami fan so I’m totally biased lol. I think they were the best couple of 2013 but I appreciate that they were your runner-ups.
Brooklyn Rae Silzer as Emma is adorable. Don’t forget Lauren Boles on Days as Ciara. She’s fantastic and I think she’s going to keep Hope on her toes in 2014!
Hoping 2014 is as good as 2013 was and hoping for an EJami wedding!!
Lauren Boles as Ciara is quickly becoming one of my faves on the show. She’s a scene stealer!
That chick has serious issues! Im not sure why theyre writing her as such a disturbed whack job but little Lauren plays it to the hilt!
I love her too!! Ciara is like the mini Sami.
Sorry but there is rumor that E.J. and Abigail might have an affair…i think Hopes daughter is going to be a future Days heartbreaker and troublemaker…Days once again has become my favorite soap…and i wish they give Caroline a new love interest even if he’s younger…the man who keeps showing up and making Kate, Sami, and Gabi nervous because they think he might know what theyve done with Nick'(who is most likely not dead)…can you imagine the looks on the faces of Kate, Sami and Gabi as they sit at the Brady Pub and Caroline introduces her date and it… Read more »
“Everyone” did not love days this year as you put it Angela. There were many dissatisfied fans out there that think the show cross over several lines that never should have been crossed. I watch days because it has always been a reasonably family, faith, wholesome, goodhearted show, this year has been full of more sleaze than ever and days has become a HUGE disappointment!
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy Days this year. I’ve been watching for a very long time and Days hasn’t always been the “wholesome, good hearted show” that you recall. I’m not sure what show you were watching prior to 2013. I’m sure there’s a particular reason you didn’t like the show this year but didn’t mention it. Maybe it’s just time to change the station.
please..Days is one (if not the less) outrageous soaps ! It is totally ‘wholesome’ compare to the other soaps this year.
p.s: like Ej would like twice at someone like little Abby..lmao..maybe Days writers will be dumb enough to write an ‘affair’ but if so it will be a flop and totally out of character..not a good idea..
I agree with Lois. The story they did with Kristen and Eric was disgusting and I did not watch. Thankfully that story is over and I can watch again.
OK, Lois, I need 4 u 2 tell me what “goodhearted” show you’ve been watching. Bcuz, it is not, nor has it ever been Days of Our Lives. And this is coming from a 30+ year viewer here. The ONLY time of the year that Days is goodhearted is during Christmas time. The rest of the time is filled with rape, murder and Satan.
Okay I can agree with most of you that perhaps goodhearted was to strong of a term, but days surpassed it sleaze level this year more than any year I have watched since 1986 except for from 2008-2011, which I wouldn’t bother to watch. I just think days has been way better in the past with their writers & creativity in writing storylines. The use of characters history went completely out the wind. Where is the,adventure, REAL romance, TRUE supercouples, intrigue, HUMOR etc? There is nothing intriguing , mysterious. or praise worthy about relationship based on sex/revenge. Not to mention… Read more »
Seriously?? DAYS crossed the line just this year?? So, you didn’t mind Carly being buried alive? Marlena Satan? Jack raping Kayla? 2 dogs getting married? Marlena killing half the town off in gruesome ways? (She suffocated Alice Horton with a doughnut!!), EJ raping Sami? Sami shooting EJ in the head? Kate blackmailing Chloe into hooking? The wonder twins? Nicoles dad forcing her into porn? Lexie switching Bo And Hopes baby for hers? Chelsea running Zach over? Kate framing Sami for murder and having her almost executed? Sami selling her baby sister to a black market baby ring?? This is the… Read more »
There storyline & there is then there is sleaze gaTo, All of the storylines you mentioned I have watched with the exception of Kate blackmailing Chloe, Nicole’s dad forcing her into porn. None of them crossed the line into disgusting, which to my way of thinking Days did at least 3 X this year.Okay so Marlena satan was pretty wild for 1995-1996, A brother & a sister in love which I barely remember pushing limits at the time, Marlena “killing all those people, who were NEVER really dead, Lexie & the great baby switch. Now moving on to EJ raping… Read more »
Worst couple carly and franco
I thought it was going to be Patrick and Sabrina…
I thought it was going to be Dylan and Avery on Y&R
Franco and Carly for sure. Unwatchable.
It CERTAINLY should have been!
They both are/were horrible couples.
Dylan and Avery is worse than Carly & Franco…
I agree, Patrick and Sabrina REEKED!!
Carly and Franco are horrible….there is no white washing this coupling. In addition, Patrina are ill conceived as are Mikiki, etc….GH is TERRIBLE at romance.
Agree on all points.
Isn’t this the truth? Carly and Franco are so forced. The OLTL actors don’t fit well on the show, maybe Silas fits the best but the other two don’t at all. I was seriously hoping they’d go with AJ and Carly.
cutesy, cutesy, tease, tease, romp… Carly and Franco ARE filler – so.. now.. to give Carly something to do.. she’s going to amazon her glamazon and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… and she’ll try to best Ava well girl.. a queen has happened on the scene and it’s not you. as for Franco… what to do with his mixed up act… is all thats left.. is for Carly and franco to gaze in to each others eyes… and caress all the feelings.. no one else gets? Franco has no where to go? if they don’t flesh out… Read more »
A I loved having AMC and OLTL back and wish the dust would settle to get them back, but was not a fan at all of Miranda Montgomery. And I agree the benefactor story was a waste of time! I also agree about the reactions of Victor Lord Jr’s family. You would have thought he just came back from picking up a gallon of milk! He never did explain what he had been through, just like Robin on GH. But Tea and Victor together were hot! Loved GH’s Nurse’s Ball storyline, and the 50th anniversary surprises too!
Victors return was a big let down…no one even wonder who was in his grave or if it was empty!!!
Well they ve all seen it happen before,so they were a bit desensitized to it
with the exception of Danni
Steve Burton ..best welcome..hum? 0h well
Kimberly M….best return….I guess so(not a fan)
Jason Thompson…..yes I agree ..he’s a fine actor…..
F. Hughes…overall..all around good actress?…if they say so
B. Seitzer..best child star…I agree with that ..she’s good
the best villan award to Fasion….I guess so?
Orbrecht…(I forgot her name…I guess she good..but I can’t watch her EVERYDAY..Jmop!!
Ron and Frank did a good job bringing GH back!!! I must admit they did a wonderful job!!
Lets hope the show stay good eternally!!!
Kathleen G…Dr.O was GHs best newbie…id watch her everyday!!!
The BEST and most deserving award winner! Congratulations, Kathleen Gati!!!!
I can’t treasure her enough! Ms. Kathleen Gati! when that once in a lifetime.. character just happens on the screen… and we’re truly enchanted… case in point… how intelligent.. and disarming.. this delectable delight… rears for the love of… Serial… they simply must make her a force to be reckoned with.. a force of nature… all her own…. I liken her… so much.. because of what catapulted to the top of the heap… at GH.. and thats.. Britta and Nicholas… and for however long.. Britta gets to keep Ben… till he’s returned to Dante and Lulu… isn’t it going to… Read more »
Concur! Gati doesn’t just make what she is given fly. She makes the most nonsensical acts of her character completely believable. In one scene w/her daughter, Dr. O can be both mother hen & incredibly cruel – yet it all makes sense with her tone of voice or a gesture. She can have us laughing w/her comments to Duke, then cringing in fear a minute later when she confronts Anna w/such bald-faced hatred. It’s a great performance that gets better when placed opposite someone she doesn’t have scenes with, like Maurice Bernard. Dr. O & Sonny on Christmas Day –… Read more »
@kansasGuest.
“Right On!”
to me she’s over rated…jmop!!!
To campy..she’s good come down to earth!!
Dylan is getting his father….
Sam justvgotbher father….
Frank and Jill think alot..or what??????????????
wow
.. amazing, I agree with it all..
((I will circle this ‘agree day’ on my calendar, I would never want to forget the miracle lol )
LOL.
su….. share the kool-aid
I love your spoiler sceneries, anyway
Not looking to 2014 for Will and Sonny. Should’ve had the wedding with Chandler, not letting the new guy do it right off the bat
Biggest waste of talent/underused talent should go to RC &FV and there use, or lack there of, of ratings nabber Tristan Rogers as Robert Scorpio. Every time TR returns to GH so do the fans and every time the writers struggle with ways of incorporating the uber-popular Rogers. Thus he’s off to Genoa City again.
Thats one of their flaws…better use of some of their vets, especially Monica…otherwise they are the best thing to happen to GH in recent years! They have good ideas but it feels like careless writing…there needs to be more continuity, some romance, a little less violence,less camp, and more character and plot connections!!! The cast is a little too bloated and needs more balance! Otherwise this show could be just as great as it was in the early 1980s…its good and fun and entertaining but it could be better!!!
in total agreement
I think Genie Francis was way underused from the minute she came back!
I’ve read that GF wasn’t used as extensively as she could because family issues required her to be elsewhere sooner than expected.
I agree that TR is ratings gold. It was foolish to have him in a drug induced coma for so long. I realize TPTB did that until Kimberly McCullough was returning, but Robert could have had temporary memory loss. Wasted talent. I’ve always loved TR, but especially in Season 2 of Night Shift when Robert had colon cancer. He played that story line out fabulously.
Have to agree about Vargas. Great acting, great looking and lots of chemistry with Kristian aka Hope. Potential for a somewhat forbidden love story with redemption for ex criminal
Vargas. What a waste.
Totally agree with this one as well. Loved Vargus. What were TPTB thinking!
Also LOVED the doughnuts episode….. very funny, very bold, very creative.
Kayla was great in that scene. Another wasted character.
I agree!!!
I know, I thought Vargas would have been perfect for Hope. She always had a thing for bad boys and redeeming them— and I think they would have been great together– never understood why they let him go. As you said a real waste.
since when ? Bo was a ‘rebel’ good guy and Roman (Hope had a big crush on Roman BEFORE Bo…) was a good guy ‘cop’ she NEVER had a thing for ‘bad boys’ and wanting to redeem them..ugh..
@realitycheck— I was thinking of men like Larry, her first husband, that Franco guy and that guy Patrick she dated who were of questionable character. And you might call Bo a rebel– but to Hope’s friends and family he was a bad boy– also while as Gina she dated Stefano and the Pawn, so I guess I was thinking she had deep down a thing for dating men who had danger attached to them or mystery– and Vargas had that– maybe we just have different definition of what bad boy means— but thanks for the input.
Biggest waste…. !!!! couldn’t agree more… verbatim Vargas ooh la la’ed his time in Salem…. geez! dang TPTB for letting go a fine reason… FINE ultra stud in the making, had all that…. for Hope… with Nick… with Theresa…. he was just starting… simmering… and BAM… like a gut punch…. He was stellar for Hope! it’s quite tragic… to see Hope… without Bo… thank god… the relationship and chemistry with Ciara.. is what pulls her through… Vargas… as the redemptive bad man…. but… oh… wasn’t he FUN with Theresa…. and who knows where he coulda woulda shoulda went with Nick.… Read more »
on the flip side…. MF…. you should have included…
on the women’ side: Kelly Sullivan, ex Connnie, GH.
I still miss her… quality, intelligence, loved her acting choices… so natural… so, on fire… penetrated a mystique that reeled days of ole’. she made an impact on GH, that, to this day is still reeling from… the brink of bottoming out… Sonny Corinthos and his brood. add Carly, Olivia, and Kiki to this messed up… gotta vent my truth
she was a very talented actress but her skill was wasted in a terrible story and character on GH. I am hoping that we get to see her on much bigger and better things in the near future
YES!
Missing Kelly Sullivan along with you!! Amazing talent!! I know story lines rule, but I do sometimes question the choices re who is chosen to be let go from GH. I realize that others left by their own choice this year, but GH did lose some real talent in 2013 – Kelly being one departure over which “management” had control.
I so wanted Vargas for Nicole. Really liked his character and the actor. They wasted that one.
Gh making Sonny look like the worst wise guy in history. Rob has to watch some Sopranos episodes. Totally not believeable
They don’t want GH to be like THE SOPRANOS. In fact, many fans are glad RC is putting more emphasis on the hospital & other characters.
EJ and Sami are the best couple and the most tortured (as are their fans), IMO. This may be DAYS last chance before some of us change the channel and leave…for good. They better not blow it.
DAYS ratings are already starting to go down and the show hasn’t trended since this contrived, out of character plot with EJ and Sami. Nobody wants to tune into a show that depresses them (I know I don’t – and haven’t!). TV is suppose to be fun and exciting. I no longer feel that way about DAYS. Sad how fast things went downhill.
Umkay LMFAO
Um, where do u see the ratings starting to go down, honey? Ratings are up across the board compared to last year.
Ratings are up? Good news! Does that mean we can credit EJami then since they’ve been front and center? Or do they only get blamed when ratings go down? Hmm…#AgendaDrivenTrolls
U can credit good storytelling 4 the increased ratings.
So, Mr Fairman, do you have anything to say about the marvelous Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton! And their third coupling! Another resurgence of their impeccable chemistry, their impeccable acting partnership! They just keep pounding their magnificent rhythm into our brains! We want more and more!
No, we don’t. LOL
yes yes!!!
They are fabolous!!!
Here’s hoping for _a McCall-Clay baby….
Daniel should get a Baby sister!!!!!!!!!
Yes we do. Something more should be happening to this couple.
Shana Call Clay……..love it!!!!
Yes! I can then FF the couple without missing a beat.
For me, hands down, the best soap is Days or Our Lives. I had stopped watching years ago when it was on opposite OLTL, but after the latter’s demise, I returned to viewing and it shows what made soaps classic: intergenerational relationships and drama. It’s must see tv for me now. I skip GH when the former OLTL actors are on as I hate seeing their new characters forced to fit again with their same love interests from before. It’s an insult except to their fans. I was so excited for the OLTL reboot, but felt Melissa Archer and Natalie… Read more »
GH has been largely a miss for me. They have so many compartmentalized stories, we can go weeks without seeing a storyline instead of their being a good mix every week of various stories. Plus, they have regular continuity errors and largely boring stories. Doesn’t mean there haven’t been some great moments (i.e. Robin’s homecoming reunion with Emma).
agreed.
Couldn’t have stated it better. So tired of clifhangers that go nowhere for days, sometimes weeks. An overloaded cast with the focus on none. NuLulu has never worked for me. Perhaps because I didn’t like her as Abbey on Y&R either. The Nurses Ball was a vast disappointment compared to it’s glory days in the past. No fan of GH’s producer or head writer. Ditto for those on Y&R.
I agree — I think that the cast is too large to tell good integrated stories. Everything looks like a show within a show and some characters are simply used as props such as Elizabeth Webber.
Don’t get me started on the lack of story for Liz/RH one of the most gorgeous women on daytime and you can’t get a story for her. As my husband would say a dynamite figure her skin is like a porcelain doll what is wrong with you people plus she has major history with the show!!!
Nick and Gabi’s wedding better than Brady and Kristen’s wedding? No way! Marlena playing the wizard of Oz behind the curtain by playing the sex tape in the church, fist fights, crying, defrocked priest! It had everything = soapy goodness!
Nick and Gabi’s wedding, or I should say the episode, was way better that Bristen’s wedding. The whole Nabi episode was centered around the wedding, the fallout and how it affected connected to Nabi whereas the Bristen episode had the fallout but then cut to Jordan/Rafe, Cameron/Abby,Daniel, etc. WTF??!! Nobody wanted to see that.
I have read quite a few reviews of the online Hulu/PP/TOLN versions of All My Children and One Life to Live. Most attacked them and had little good to say. This article is thoughtful, and in my opinion correct about “General Hospital” as well as OLTL and AMC. Thank you, Michael.
You forgot the soap with the best behind the scene drama— my pick ABC and Prospect Park feud over characters from OLTL and the various lawsuits— and the close runner up Y&R for whatever is happening there the makes everyone want to jump ship or is forced to walk the plank (get booted off). Hoping the New Year will be bigger and better for all soaps– my wish— a brand new network or cable daytime soap to stir the pot— but it doesn’t look like that will be happening soon (sigh)
What is happening on Y&R that is making actors jump ship or get fired? Jill Faren Phelps – the kiss of death.
YAY, a shout out to EJami. Ali S and James S are amazing!
I love WilSon, but I have to disagree about them getting “Best Couple”. I am VERY disappointed about their SL. Will and Sonny have no life outside of that bore Gabi and the baby. All they do is obsess over her or Nick. The writers need to remove Gabi from their orbits ASAP! I am tired of EVERY story they have, involving her. Will is a Brady and a Horton. Sonny is a Kiriakis. Gabi should be supporting them, not the other way around!!!
As much as i like GH, Days has become far better at the moment…GH needs better use of vets otherwise whats the point of bringing some back…i like Lucy but shes a little too cartoonish…i want her to open up a spa…there is a mud bath room at the spa…both Carly and Ava end up together in the mud bath…they argue and a mud fight ensues…kinda like I Love Lucy’s fight in that grape episode…lol…let Heather finally be released from mental hospital…her constant escape has grown old fast…why isnt anyone looking for her? Micheal and Lauren are boring…i get more… Read more »
Interesting your comment about DAYS being better at the moment given what you say about GH needs to use there vets better, DAYS is the biggest offender in soaps concerning their vets, shipping them off like they were yesterdays trash when they have been big money makers for them in the past, it’s terrible how they treat them! DAYS should have planned for the few vets they had years ago, it’s not REALLY all about money, or if it is, it not just about that magically demographic age 18-49. The audience that watched for the last 20-30 years, should not… Read more »
Both GH and Days need to use their vets better…I currently call Days the best soap and it does show and use most of its vets in better ways than GH, and their plots are better connected and have continuity where GHs often isnt and even disappears for weeks!!! My biggest gripe with days is with them not using Abe, Roman, and Kayla more and keeping Bo in limbo…either recast or kill off the character. IMO Days is currently the best soap and its story most interesting…that could change eventually and usually does…next month i might like GH better…its all… Read more »
Pretty spot on, Michael! Here’s my own list:
Best Show: DAYS/GH (tie)
Worst Show: Y&R/B&B/OLTL/AMC (tie)
Actress: Eileen Davidson
Actor: Greg Vaughan
Supporting Actress: Kathleen Gati
Supporting Actor: Anders Hove
Story: Eric’s rape (DAYS)
Moment: Marlena showing the Eric/Kristen recording at Brady & Kristen’s wedding (DAYS) and Robin and Emma’s reunion on GH (tie)
Great post, Michael. I agree with most of your choices. However, Eilleen Davidson deserved best villain by far. I would rather have no one mention Jeff k. From PP. Kudos to cast and crew who persevered through chaos. Casey Deidrick received a great parting reel for 4 years of sleep walking on Days. That was more than he deserved. The issues there were not writing or continuity. Kristen and Brady’s wedding was awesome and will live in Soap infamy. I adore Blake Berris and revere his talent.But I have almost forgotten Gabi – Nick Wedding after the amazing year at… Read more »
I have never been more disappoint in your top picks for days EVER…the complete destruction of days most beloved couple is not great story telling. It was total garbage!Completely re- writing the characters so that they were unrecognizable by there fan base. Tomlin and Whitesell rewrote most of John & Marlena history to look as though they it were evil, not the loving commit couple we really know they are to make this storyline work. Vargas gets my thumbs down I am glad he is gone, and Ej and Sami know nothing about what real love is in spite of… Read more »
And the funniest moment had to be GH when Britt tossed Emma’s doll accidentally onto the BBQ– that was hilarious and made me instantly like Britt. Also best newcomer for me was Stitch on Y&R– he is the only newbie on that show that has real potential— he has great chemistry with Victoria and so when her relationship with Billie implodes I hope they become a couple.
And a close runner for the worst story line has to be that music box mystery on Y&R– it is just plain dumb and it is going nowhere fast.
Days as Best improved soap. Umkay LOL
Now that Kristen is gone.. I see Days losing its shine.
Love them or hate them… how bout just hate em Puke!
Kristen’s departure set up a few great storys, including Brady’s downward spiral with drugs and the new beginning between Eric and Nicole. Kristen is still an integral part of the Days of of our Lives!
I realize that it took a major league effort to get OLTL and AMC off the ground as quickly as Ginger Smith and Jennifer Pepperman did, but I can’t help but feel that if the shows had better writing from Day 1, by headwriters with past experience at AMC and OLTL, respectively, and if in AMC’s case, they’d had more veterans from the start, and less of a desire to Shock and Awe, and more of a desire to tell stories from the heart, both shows would have had more online clicks from viewers, and maybe they wouldn’t have been… Read more »
WORST DECISION TO WRITE OUT A CHARACTER: Young and the Restless, Adam Newman, played by Michael Muhney, being fired……big mistake
Absolutely. This one is going to hurt Y&R. The straw that broke the big camel’s back.
I TOTALLY AGREE
Totally agree. As he exits, so will I.
Also Worst PR ever picking the flesh off the bones of the guy for their own job security and bringing in the soap media to help spread the rumors! Excluding Mr. Fairman of course! Classy move CBS/Sony just could not let the guy leave.
Here’s an actor that elevated a horrible storyline that the fans hated, then they not only publicly fire him, but try to humiliate him. Those despicable cast members only damaged the show and themselves. Hello Melody Thomas Scott, Eric Breaden, and Doug Davidson. Karma is coming very soon for you. The fans won’t forget. I hope Michael Muhney returns to Primetime and features where he’ll be surrounded by a higher class of professional actors. Y&R is a huge loser on this one.
December 17th, was the big accouncement… MM let go!
well… 13 days later… 2 weeks have gone by… and no “real” announcement as to why?
we may never find out… but, then again… is behind the scenes our business?
it just smarts, and is so dissappointing… and some anger, because of the lack of quality, intelligent, actors left in Genoa City
I hope he ends up in Salem! DOOL – please adhere and relish the prospect he ensues
he’s that Good!
Since AMC has left, I have been searching for the best replacement. I have found it in The Bold & The Beautiful. Love the story lines, directing, acting…..it is a fun escape.
dont agree with the Nurses Ball being the best event of the year. I love the Nurses Ball and always looked forward to it but this year they should have just renamed it the Sabrina ball since it was all about her. And Sabrina/Patrick should have been in the most boring category. Atleast Micheal and Kiki have chemistry
Michael, you have once again given us a lot to think about . By revisiting all the soaps, you have given us a great over view of all that has occured this year so far. I do agree with your breakdown of most of the soaps and why they do or do not deserve to be recognized. This is a great job of reporting.!…….
Ditto!
Thank you: MF – for giving your fans… I mean this.. as it would seem, like fans are thanked, over and over.. for “watching the shows, by the network production … but … when it comes to cast and writing..are we ever really listened to? which is the issue… we’re left venting through this fun, blog
I agree with most of your choices for GH &Y&R. I don’t watch the others. Definitely the GH Nurses Ball was the best TV time for me! They MUST do something w/the LuLu character, she is too hard to watch since Berman left! When Steve burton went to Y&R, that was the first I ever started watching that soap. Have watched daily ever since! I like Adam & sorry he was fired :(. Hopefully they can do something w/the Sharon character. LOVE Nashville! Happy new year!
The Young & The Restless has been a horror show the past three years. Their best actors are leaving in droves, then Phelps brings in her pet chimp to take over as the show’s new star. Unbelievable garbage. CBS and Sony don’t know how to run a soap anymore. At least the Bell’s still control The Bold & The Beautiful. I don’t care if it’s rated #1. Their main audience is made up of elderly shut-ins and trailer park dwellers. Just look at their demos, it tells the story.
It’s so telling when you watch the show and half the people you don’t recognize! The casting department is an epic fail who have probably been told that they should hire solely based on looks. What we get are a bunch of newbies who have the range of a cardboard box. Phelp’s boy toy included. Let’s see if they are still lauding their #1 position next year.
– “Days of OUR Lives” – #1. Most Improved Soap #2. Best Overall Performance Female… “runner-up” Eieen Davidson, DAYS #3. Best Overall Performance Supporting Actor, Male… “runner-up” Blake Berris, DAYS #4. Best Newcomer Male… Casey Moss, JJ, DAYS #5. Best Wedding… (tie) Nick and Gabi – Brady and Kristen, both! DAYS #6. Best Storyline… Kristen’ Revenge!…. ta-da DAYS! #7. Best Writing… (tie w/GH) DAYS! #8. Worst decision to write out a character… Vargas! DAYS #9 Waste of Character – Casey Diedrick… ex-Chad, DAYS #10 Best Couple… DAYS! Will and Sonny… runner-up : DAYS! EJ and Sammi #11. Most boring couple…… Read more »
You clearly only watch a show so your list is biass n pointless!!
I don’t agree with your picks of Days for best storyline and best writing. The Kristen storyline had so much potential. Once again, Days showed how they love Rape. Seems like they can’t write anything unless it involves rape. I personally found the writing boring. Watch stuff from the early 1990’s from Days. Now that was fantastic writing! Also, where’s the payoff for the John and Marlena fans? We have stuck by our couple through thick and thin. Days destroyed our couple. 🙁 John Black should have been most ruined character. I want my John and Marlena back!!!
John is coming back.
I miss Jarlena too but I liked that they were broken up and had marital problems. They spend too long getting along and being too sugary for my taste. It was like they could do no wrong! I have enjoyed Marlena causing trouble and scheming with Victor. Showing that she is a human that can screw up instead of being the perfect Doc. However, I am more than ready for John’s return!! It’s been long enough.
John Black should have been the worst written character, I have to completely agree with Angie on that. He was written in such a way that no one even recognized him anymore, Heck I don’t think even Drake Hogestyn recognized him anymore LOL,but that not really even funny. What Tomlin & Whitesell did to the character of John Black this year was way over the top OOC writing, out & lies about John&Marlena affair, completely unbelieveable in the way John would have accepted, forgiven, & try to bed Kristen to save his son. The head writers made an entire fanbase… Read more »
Best Soap Couple Should be Todd and Blair.. Both Kassie and Roger gave Outstsnding Performances, Their sizzling Chemistry (for two decades) was still Strong, they had some great lovemaking and a secret wedding, along with their heartfelt, emotional goodbye scene.. The fans were overjoyed to see Todd and Blair back where they belong, in each others arms..very difficult to say goodbye.. Thanks Michael
I appreciate you taking the time to make a list each year Michael. I don’t watch all the Soaps so I can’t really pick and choose but of the two that I do watch GH and Y&R, I thought Liz Hendrickson was a better choice for Supporting Actress. She was just as phenomenal as Miller and not given all the incredible material that Miller was given throughout Delia’s death storyline. So, here’s hoping they both take home an Emmy in 2014!
AMC had good writing but there were too many new faces. David was everyone’s favorite villain. They were turning him into mush and we hardly got to see him. Erika never even surfaced. The five year time change was really more like ten. When you had Dixie, JR, and AJ together, you really couldn’t see any age difference. Soap watchers try very hard to not think too much about things but some things are just too ridiculous. Way too much cursing and sex scenes going way too far were very distracting. I am still watching the repeats of AMC on… Read more »
The soap characters have been busy! Yep to Best Return because Robin’s Return/Kimberly McCullough’s return was the only reason I returned as a GH viewer! My homegirl Robin, my Scrubs, my ScrubsEmma. my full of hugs Scorpio (Devane) family have me rushing to watch DVR recordings of GH. I hope the writers don’t mess it up!
Loved all the picks, but to me the biggest waste has to be Rebecca Herbst as Elizabeth on GH. Will she ever get a storyline?
DAYS rocked the house this year! Glad you recognized it! Much as I like Wilson, I have to admit Ejami was my pick for best couple this year. I personally, don’t find either of your picks for Most Boring Couple to be that boring. I also, don’t think Carly and Franko are anything close to being boring. Molly and TJ would be my choice as Most Boring. Awesome choice for Best Storyline and Biggest Tearjerker!
Wasted couple – Lily & Cane…perhaps because there is no spark, nothing interesting about them? For years I have hit FF when they appear on screen. Definitely agree about the Vargas character. Holding out hope that one day Theresa’s part in his arrest will come out and he can return. As far as best welcome…please…it is called self promotion. A gimmick to excite fans. Unfortunately, NOTHING they can do, including making Dylan Nikki’s son is going to bring my interest in Burton’s character. As a major OLTL fan I was thrilled with the show returning. Too bad they botched it… Read more »
Thank you for putting Sean Douglas on the list. I still don’t get why Days didn’t put him on contract. Not many newbies get that much of a positive reaction from fans. He had chemistry with everyone. Still shaking my head over that one.
I agree with Days being most improved and ratings are definetly up from 2010-2011 when it was a snooze Fezz. Soaps always have good and bad days. For Me Kristen was awesome as Ms villian Dimera, Miss the Chaos she caused. Love my Ejami and Wilson too. Hoping 2014 see’s them grow from strength to strength.
Too much to comment on. Agree that Hilary is worst new character. Write her off stat.
The pot donuts were so funny.
Also agree that Phyllis’ exit was such a waste of Michelle. Her last days were spent in a bed in a coma. Stupid!
Daniel and Jen are boring. So are Cane and Lily. I thought the wedding at Kay’s memorial was odd. Guess they thought, hey, everyone’s here, it’ll save us money. Why not? But it was insulting. My memorial better be all about me!!!!! 🙂
DOOL or GH. GH or DOOL. It looks like the soap fans agree that Days of our Lives AND General Hospital are at the top of their game! Where does that leave Y&R and B&B?
Days of our Lives has been great and continues being great and is set up for many great story’s in the future. These are OUR DAYS!!!
I love that the fans of General Hospital are loving their soap!
The Bold and the Beautiful is still a joke.
The Young and the Restless should have been buried with Bill Bell.
Best villian – Kristin on DOOL for sure. Hoping for a Sami & E.J. wedding in 2014 and a Chad D. return. A Chad/Gabi love match would spice things up a bit….and Eric & Nicole are meant to be. Sorry, priesthood.
Great article Michael–However I saw no mention of the Iconic–can’t take my eyes off of him– STEPHEN NICHOLS. Y&R, DOOL and GH have all been privileged to showcase Stephen’s talents thru the years–and although I understand he has been happily busy behind the camera, film directing–he is sorely missed in front of the camera. Stephen has that undeniable,”IT” factor, as an actor/artist that translates to any genre or medium. Stephen Nichols has shown his acting chops time and time again–reinventing himself and creating unforgettable, magnetic characters that are timeless, ageless and always leaves us wanting more. Give the man a… Read more »
All those soaps had Stephen Nichols, but only one soap had Patch Johnson whom we all accepted as Steve. There’s Days of our Lives or DOOL or DAYS. Choose one of the three!
Great post Airin! Stephen Nichols is so incredibly talented and I cannot wait for him to go to another soap, because that is the soap that I will definitely be watching! 🙂
Lulu is soooo boring and no it has nothing to do with the actress as even when Julie was playing Lulu her & Dante where a SNOOZE FEST!!! Just like now!!! Will from Days bugs and us not a good actor AT ALL not sure how he win awards (oh that’s right the Emmys are rigged) He constantly has this horrible laugh smile in EVERY SCENE sad or happy it’s ridiculous. Looks like he is just going to bust out in laughter WHEN IS NEW WILL FINALKY COMING BEEN WAITING & WAITING!! That OLTL reboot shouldn’t even be mentioned. IT… Read more »
Chandler Massey’s last episode is January 2nd. Guy Wilson’s first episode is January 6th.
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