General Hospital Shines a Light

Ever since Kristina's boyfriend Kiefer picked a fight with Michael at Jake's I have wondered what his presence would mean for the show. This week it became clear that he would become Kristina's abusive boyfriend. While this is certainly a disturbing subject that I am sure many are not looking forward to viewing, it is a subject that needs to have more light shed on it because it is all too common for teenagers to find themselves in abusive relationships. And even though this storyline has just started and it is too soon to predict how it will unfold, GH needs to be commended for tackling this subject, particularly during the summer when teenage viewership is likely to be up. Teenagers need to know where they can go for help if they find themselves in an abusive relationship and they also need to know the warning signs, subtle as they may be. I like the fact that Kristina is so intelligent and seems to have a lot going for her. This illustrates the fact that anyone can become a victim of abuse and it just may make a few teenage viewers stop and think about their own relationships. It should also be noted that GH seems to be trying to handle this material responsibly by broadcasting a public service announcement on the subject of abuse to inform others on how to get help. I only wish that every soap would take their responsibility to their viewers as seriously.

Head Over Heels: GH

A funny thing happened as I was walking around in my stripper shoes in my hunky ex-boyfriend's apartment. I started up the stairs and fell backwards after I twisted my ankle. Fortunately he was there to catch me and offer first aid. Wait a minute, that wasn't me, that was Sam on GH. I remember now I did twist my ankle about a week ago but I am sure my experience was not nearly as easy to get through as Sam's was, nor was I walking around in stripper shoes, more like tennis shoes that were untied. Get the picture? I guess that's why people love watching soaps. They offer us an escape from the little fumbles in our own lives, even if it is just for a moment.

By the way, that particular scene I just described between Sam and her ex-boyfriend Jason is no doubt a prelude to their long awaited reunion. It was pretty obvious during that entire scene, particularly when Maxie and Spinelli showed up following their memorable evening at Jake's, that they were still drawn to each other. I just hope the show actually lets them reunite because fans of the Jason and Elizabeth pairing never got to see that relationship come into fruition. Viewers have speculated for months that this was due to the inevitable reunion of Jason and Sam, but only time will tell.

Spixie Swoons: GH

On Tuesday's GH, viewers finally got to see Spinelli serenade Maxie in what can only be described as one of the sweetest, most sincere moments in daytime supercouple history. After having received a special microphone from Patrick that would enhance his voice, Spinelli was ready to sing his heart out at Jake's in the name of courtly love. Upon arriving at Jake's, Spinelli accidentally dropped the mic in a pitcher of beer causing it to malfunction. Fearing that he would embarrass Maxie as well as himself, Spinelli put off performing as long as possible, but in the end his fears proved to be unfounded as he belted out the ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is," by Foreigner.

Shortly before Spinelli's performance it was obvious he was nervous, almost to the point of being ill. This sight did not escape anyone's attention, least of all Nicholas and Lucky's, who were holding back laughter and throwing up their hands in confusion. Quite frankly, I felt like smacking both of them for their rudeness. Neither one of them were brave enough to sing karaoke. Furthermore isn't Nicholas supposed to be a prince? And if anyone should be ridiculed it should be Nicholas for allowing himself to be conned by Emily's look alike, but I digress. In the end Spinelli silenced his critics and won Jake's karaoke contest as well as the heart of his fair Maximista.


This link leads to a clip of Spinelli's performance at Jake's and additional Maxie and Spinelli scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWQcbPY5PSM

[No copyright infringement intended.]

A Family Affair: GH

I cannot say enough positive things about the last two episodes of GH. I think the Karoke night at Jake's was just what this show needed to liven things up a little bit while they are trying to build up their storylines, which seem to be picking up some momentum. With the introduction of the Dante character and his persistence in infiltrating Sonny's organization I am anxious to see how the show reveals that he is Sonny's son. I have been wondering if it is possible that Dante already knows that Sonny is his father, but just hasn't told his mother he knows. That may be why he is so desperate to get inside Sonny's inner circle. I have to say though that I was somewhat taken aback by the kiss that Sonny and Olivia shared on Monday's episode. Obviously Olivia has had Sonny on her mind for a while now, but I just have not seen Sonny being pulled in her direction the same way. I think there probably should have been a little more build up to this reunion of sorts. There is one thing that I am certain of, Claudia is not going to be happy when she finds out that Olivia kissed Sonny behind Johnny's back.

Quality Casting

In recent weeks I have stressed the importance of quality writing in soaps, what works and what does not. In this post I want to discuss the importance of quality casting. It sounds simple enough to say that every show needs talented actors in order to stay afloat, but many shows seem to struggle with this, even with the thousands and thousands of out-of-work actors looking for work.

Y&R is certainly a show that I would say struggles with finding talented actors to fill their roles. The only truly great find that Y&R has had in recent months has been Billy Miller (Billy), but technically they did not find him because he was on All My Children first. I would say that Y&R got lucky in casting Billy. He has the right look and is a gifted actor who is believable as an Abbott. Y&R has not been so lucky in finding other talent. Neither of the actresses they have hired to play Eden have been suitable for that role. The first actress (Erin Sanders) seemed too inexperienced to take on that sort of material and the new Eden (Vanessa Marano) just does not fit somehow. However, it is entirely possible that the fault lies within the makeup of the character, a writing flaw. Y&R's casting problems continued when they hired Clementine Ford to play Mac, a role that is just not right for her. First of all she looks too old to have been Billy's high school sweetheart. This was obvious from day one. And even though Y&R has apparently given her hair extensions to try to make her look younger, it is just not working. She has no chemistry with Billy and does not seem to connect with any of the other actors on an emotional level. Then of course, there is Michael Muhney who replaced Chris Engen as Adam a few weeks ago. I know that Y&R had little notice of Engen's departure, but I am sure they auditioned other actors for the Adam role before hiring Engen, so I am surprised that they could not find someone other than Muhney to fill that role. I must reiterate, however, that Y&R's problems are more complex than just poor casting, so I am going to move on to GH, a show that is excelling in finding great talent.


GH is in the middle of aging their younger actors by replacing them with older talent. This is a pitfall for many shows, a task that can either be beneficial or harmful to a show's storylines and overall quality, depending on the actors that are hired. Fortunately for GH they seem to have a brilliant casting department because lately they have hired young actors that not only fit in their roles but seem to be thriving in them. For close to a year fans of the show waited to see if the Michael character would wake up from his coma, a more mature version of his former self. Everyone hated to see Dylan Cash exit the role of Michael, uncertain if another actor would be able to fill his shoes. And while the new Michael, aka Drew Garrett, is completely unlike Cash's Michael, Garrett shines in this role and takes the character to a whole new level. Another great find has been the actress who plays the older Kristina, Lexi Ainsworth. She not only looks every bit like her fictional mother's daughter, and Sam's half-sister, but fits the role so well it is hard to imagine anyone else playing this part. The part of Kristina was soon followed by the casting of her other half sister Molly, played by Haley Alexis Pullos. And while it is too soon to tell what if anything the aging of Molly will bring to GH, Pullos seems capable of holding her own as a young actress and certainly looks the part of Molly. Another recent great find for GH has been the introduction of Olivia and Sonny's son Dante, played by Dominic Zamprogna. Fans have waited for a long time to see who would play Olivia and Sonny's secret love child and so far Zamprogna has not disappointed. He seems to have chemistry with every actor he has shared a scene with and looks exactly like how one would expect Sonny's son to look. He even shares some of Sonny's mannerisms.

These are just recent examples of GH's good fortune in finding the right actors to fill their roles. And unlike other soaps, I have been unable to detect any casting errors on this show for a long time. GH seems to be taking their time with both writing and casting to make sure all of the pieces fit just right before presenting them to the viewers. They seem to realize that quality is more important than quantity of storylines or actors. And in the end this type of patience will pay off for both the viewers and the show.

Getting It Right

Whoever said chivalry is dead never met Damian Spinelli. Leave it to GH's lovable computer nerd to inject a little romance back into the soap genre with his offers to woo his fair Maximista with courtly love and turn dive bar Jake's into a place where romance reigns. In a time where many soap characters like Y&R's Sharon are turning bed-hopping into an art form, the need for romance in soaps has never been greater. What a breath of fresh air it is to see one of soaps most beloved characters laying a jacket over a puddle for his lady, wooing her with poems, and serenading her with songs. And while this may be not be considered trendy or on the cutting edge it is nice to see soaps incorporate romantic love into their storylines, something viewers rarely ever see on soaps these days.

Yesterday's episode of GH was full of romance. Spinelli even managed to inspire Maxie to copy a poem from a book for him as she awaited his much anticipated performance at Jake's, another act of courtly love. And even though viewers did not get to see Spinelli sing yesterday, Robin and Patrick provided more than enough entertainment and romance as they recreated a legendary scene from Dirty Dancing and sung "I've Had the Time of My Life." They even managed to work in some of those famous dance moves.

After watching Y&R the past few months I have to say that yesterday's episode of GH was refreshing. They managed to somehow blend their darker storylines with their significantly more light-hearted ones in a cohesive manner. The dialogue was intelligent and flowed easily between the actors. I was also impressed with their ability to provide humor in almost every scene without it seeming over the top or forced. The scene where Diane insulted the Assistant District Attorney's clothes was priceless. I thought it was especially funny when she started complaining to Alexis about how hideous the ADA's shoes were. Then there was the moment when Carly was sitting on the bed eating a carrot and spit it out as soon as Jax left the room then started eating out of a bag of chips she had stashed. This is quality writing. There may not be a lot going on in Port Charles at the moment, but at least GH is taking the time to build up their storylines without creating pointless drama that seems to go nowhere. Soap operas have to have lulls. These lulls support the drama that follows, and as long as the writing stays intelligent and creative during these lulls viewers will stick around for the drama. Y&R should take their cue from that.




Robin and Patrick-Karaoke Night at Jake's[no copyright infringement intended]

Y&R's Writing

For weeks I have been complaining about the storylines on Y&R and the overall poor quality of the show, but I will soon be moving away from that topic because I am moving away from viewing Y&R. I simply cannot continue watching it because it is not the same show I grew to love years ago and the only word I can think of to describe its current state is smutty. Rather than posting yet another paragraph about what I think should be done to improve the show's quality, I have decided to post a link where people can voice their concerns to CBS. Afterall, I can blog on here until I am blue in the face about Y&R's faulty storylines, but it will not make a difference unless the appropriate people hear these concerns. So if anyone is interested in voicing their concerns about the quality of the show here is the link where those concerns can be addressed.

http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

Letting Go: Y&R

I think it might be time for Neil to find a girlfriend that can actually hold his attention so he will stop policing his daughter's love life. Lily has been married twice now, which officially makes her an adult no matter how old she is. I understand the parental need to protect your children even when they are adults, but Neil carries his concern too far. Lily should not have to pretend to take sleeping pills to trick her father into thinking she is sleeping so she can sneak out and have a conversation with her husband. Neil acted like his prisoner escaped when he realized that Lily had left the house to see Cane and immediately ran over to Cane's to force his daughter into going back home. Enough is enough, if Lily cannot handle a broken heart better than that by now she is too immature to be getting married to anyone. Moreover, Neil really has no place judging Cane considering what he did to poor Karen.

The Ties That Bind: Y&R

I need to backtrack on something I touched on in an earlier post about the paternity test for Chloe's baby. I thought that it was completely unrealistic that Cane would use Phillip's blood for that test, primarily because I thought Cane was the type of guy who would take responsibility for his own child. I guess Cane was more scared of the prospect of being the father of Chloe's baby than I thought because Monday's Y&R explained that Cane used Phillip's blood to exclude him from being the father of Chloe's baby. This is without a doubt the first explanation I have heard on Y&R in months that actually makes sense. After hearing this explanation I re-read my post titled Raising Cane and it is clear that all of the DNA tests had me somewhat confused. I guess I should probably let myself off the hook for that considering that it seems like almost all of the storylines on Y&R have included multiple DNA tests with varying results. Let's hope this reveal that the real Phillip faked his own death will put an end to all the DNA testing for a while and that the next big reveal will not be that Mac and Billy are actually related.

Lead the Way: Y&R

"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." Apparently Y&R's Assistant DA Heather Stevens lives by these words because no matter how many times she fails she continues to try to build successful cases out of thin air. I guess almost destroying her career when she thought Victor murdered Ji Min did not teach her anything about not jumping to conclusions since she had Phyllis arrested for giving Summer peanuts, with no evidence other than a statement from Mary Jane.

I am assuming that at the hospital Heather told Paul who had made her suspicious of Phyllis in the first place because he went to Mary Jane's room to question her. I am not sure why he bothered considering that he had to leave seconds after arriving, even after she told him that she would answer his questions at that moment. I guess informing Nina that there was something wrong with Cane's blood was more important, but one would think since Phillip has been off canvas for years now Nina could have waited five minutes to hear that piece of information.

Raising Cane: Y&R

One of the most important rules of good soap opera writing is that you cannot re-write recent history, not if you want viewers to invest in the storylines. For years Y&R has set the standard for quality soap writing but lately it is as if they have forgotten the basics. It was one thing for the show to introduce us to Cane as the real Phillip Chancellor. Most viewers can suspend the reality of disbelief with a revelation like that because enough time has passed since the supposed baby switch happened that most people cannot say with absolute certainty that it did not happen. Soaps cannot, however, expect viewers to believe this type of story then completely change everything we know about it in a way that makes other stories seem less credible. This is what happened when Y&R decided that the real Phillip was actually alive and Cane was an imposter. This might have made sense if Cane had not recently taken that paternity test that did not exclude him as the father of Chloe's baby, results that would have been impossible if he were not Billy's half brother. And even if Cane were willing to risk losing Lily by using the real Phillip's blood in this test to throw off suspicion, there was absolutely no reason for him to think of doing this at the time. He had no idea that Chloe and Billy knew each other before they met in Genoa City, let alone that they had a relationship. Furthermore there would have been absolutely no plausible reason that would require him to use Phillip's blood for this test in the first place seeing as how no one could prove that he actually slept with Chloe, which he did not. I really hope that someone brings up this test at some point on the show because I cannot wait to see how they explain why Cane was presented as a possible DNA match for Chloe's baby if he is not Phillip.

Dancing With Mary Jane: Y&R

Unlike the villain Y&R has in Adam, they seem to have somehow managed to create a believable soap villain in Mary Jane Benson, aka Paul's sister Patty. Mary Jane embodies everything a soap villain should be. She is manipulative, calculating, and diabolical, but most importantly she holds the potential for future redemption. What makes Mary Jane different from Adam is the fact that she has an excuse for behaving the way she does. She had a nervous breakdown years ago and continues to suffer from mental instability, so it is not entirely beyond the realm of possibilities that she could one day receive help and be completely cured of her psychosis. It also does not hurt that her brother is perhaps the only resident of Genoa City without skeletons in his closet, making it easy to believe that there must be some good in Mary Jane as well. Moreover Victor is using Mary Jane's own weaknesses against her in order to get to Jack, which sort of makes her a victim. In fact one could almost sympathize with her if she had not crossed the line this week.

There has always been sort of an unwritten rule about soap villains, children are off limits. I am not referring to baby switch stories or kidnappings, or even children caught in the crossfire of a mob war like Michael on GH. I am referring to soap villains deliberately hurting someone's child in order to satisfy some sinister plot. No one watches daytime television to see an innocent child suffer at the hands of a soap villain because the truth is we love our villains, but we would have a difficult time even accepting them as part of the show if they all went around targeting defenseless children. That is why it was such a shock when Mary Jane intentionally caused Summer to have an allergic reaction after overhearing Phyllis refer to Summer's peanut allergy, a serious affliction that affects many people. All it took to send Summer into anaphylactic shock from her allergy was Mary Jane eating one peanut butter cookie before kissing her. I had hoped that Y&R would use this storyline to educate the public about how dangerous peanut allergies are because people can have serious reactions to them even if they do not actually eat them. I am not sure this is something that could be considered common knowledge, so I think it would have been helpful if the show had directed the public on where to find useful information about this type of allergy at the end of the show. I think this would have made Summer's reaction seem more authentic because there may be people watching these episodes thinking that it would be impossible for such a severe reaction to occur unless she had eaten the cookie herself.

Dirty Deeds: Y&R

I know that it has been a while since my last post but I have been busy trying to wrap my mind around the sinking ship that has become known as Y&R. Granted they are still at the top of the ratings, but there are gaping holes in almost every single storyline at the moment, and that's saying a lot for a soap opera. In my opinion Chris Engen (ex-Adam) left just in time. For months I have watched Adam turn into this dark and twisted individual, completely unlike someone that was raised by Hope. The only tolerable part about watching this transformation was the way that Engen sold this character. We wanted to believe that he was capable of changing at some point, despite all evidence to the contrary because on some level Adam was still likeable. However, since Engen's replacement first showed up last week it has become much more obvious just how poorly written this storyline is. I'll admit I have never seen Michael Muhney in any other role. He may be a terrific actor, but as Adam he comes across as a poor immitation of the original, something that often happens when one actor steps into the shoes of any main soap character. This has a tendency to make the characters less believable and exposes problems that exist in their storyline, problems that were perhaps overlooked before because a gifted actor has been able to find some way of making them less noticeable. I believe this is what is currently happening on Y&R. I always thought Adam was becoming too dark and twisted, but it was not until Muhney took over the part that I started noticing just how ridiculous this storyline really is. I'm sorry but are we really supposed to believe that Adam thought the only way to avoid getting caught was to sleep with Rafe? Adam has been talking his way out of getting caught for months now. His girlfriend is the Assistant District Attorney and if she has not figured it out after all of the times she has been in his bedroom, why would Rafe? He doesn't exactly strike me as the brightest bulb. First of all, he is a lawyer so one would assume he knows the law. So wouldn't someone who was familiar with the law know that any evidence found in Adam's room would be inadmissable in court if gathered without a search warrant? And yet there he was rifling through Adam's belongings looking for some sort of clue that he had framed his aunt. Second of all why would he believe Adam's advances toward him were genuine if he was already suspicious enough of him to search his room in the first place and is aware that Adam has a girlfriend? Are the viewers really supposed to buy into the idea that Adam's only option in this situation was to sleep with him? This is such an insult to the intelligence of the loyal viewers of Y&R.