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Soap Stars Are 'Hot in Cleveland'

I've been a fan of "Hot in Cleveland" since before it started airing on TVLand last year. I mean Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, and Betty White, what's not to love? Then to find out that Wendie Malick's character was a former soap star, well, that was just icing on the cake. I assumed that this would be the extent of the soap opera references though. I thought there would probably be running jokes about Victoria Chase's glory days as a soap actress and that would be it. I certainly never anticipated a crossover event that would bring AMC's Susan Lucci, Michael E. Knight, and Darnell Williams to this show and would bring Wendie Malick to AMC.

The beginning of this crossover happened last Wednesday when Malick's Victoria Chase went to L.A. to tape a guest spot for AMC alongside her longtime rival Susan Lucci. Obviously the purpose of this event is to boost ratings since soaps are relevant to the character, but it also proves that soaps are still relevant to television. In fact many of the jokes that were included in Wednesday's broadcast never could have been written if it weren't for soaps, particularly the one about the evil twin. However it never felt as if the show was having a laugh at the expense of the soap genre or its viewers, instead there was an undertone of respect. Perhaps this was mostly about respect for the background of a principle character, but I like to think it had more to do with the fact that 'Cleveland' airs on a network that showcases classic television. Whatever the case I have become a fan of this show all over again.

Catch part 2 of "Hot in Cleveland's" "I Love Lucci" episode Wednesday, Feb. 23rd at 10/9c. Then watch Wendie Malick on AMC on Feb. 24th! And if you missed part 1 of "I Love Lucci" or just want to see it again go to tvland.com where you can watch full episodes of the hit show!
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Comments

  1. ta1231February 21, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Hot In Cleveland is a great show with a great cast. I enjoyed the AMC crossover episode and am glad they showed respect for soaps.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paula's SoapboxFebruary 21, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Me too! Can't wait for part 2! :)

    ReplyDelete

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