Help! Call the Soap Police! I’ve been Carjacked (again!)

I normally can keep my shipper feelings in check, I know how the whole shipping a couple works: They sneak you in by the chemistry, you love the love-hate relationship they first have, you squee when they share their first kiss, and you double squee, when they have their first love scene. Fast-forward to a couple months (or years!)later, they are married. Meanwhile, TPTB notices that people are tuning in; a fanbase is growing, and poof! contrived plot devices start happening to keep your couple apart. You say to yourself, “It’s cool, I watch soaps, and I know they are going to be together in the end.” But after ten or more years, a couple of children later, your super couple becomes boring. You start welcoming love interests into the storyline. This happened to me with Carly and Jack. I am huge fan of Maura West/Carly, so in my mind, I always subscribe to the “If Carly’s happy with whoever, then I am happy with whoever.” Twelve years later, and I’m so back on the Carjack train. So where did it come from? When did my girl decide to make adult decisions? Like going to A&A, when she felt that being around Jack was just as painful as an addiction? Or, that she wasn’t going to be sloppy seconds in Jack’s life anymore? Carly is the type of character that needs to have all or nothing, and I don’t blame her! I cheered when she decided that she was going to be #1 in somebody’s life. Go Carly go! My girl is finally growing up.

I have had my fair share of problems with Jack, mainly his hero complex, but damn it, if Jack/Michael doesn’t kill me with those puppy dog eyes every time Carly shoots him down. Don’t even get me started on Maura’s ability to make me feel Carly’s pain. She absolutely kills me with her trademarked move: The water in the eyes, but not quite tears. Sigh. As frustrating as this love story has been, and seeing how they are dragging this current one out, it’s going to be a long ride, but guess what? CarJack? I’m back on the train. Even better news? I don’t wanna get off! Seriously, how many of y’all yelled at the TV today? “Just do it already!?! No one? Just me? Alrighty then. ;)

RIP Frances Reid

Days of our lives was the very first soap that I started watching, so it's with a heavy heart, that I must acknowledge the passing of Ms Frances Reid. Alice was the true definition of a soap opera staple. The heart and soul of the Horton family. As a soap viewer, I would always look forward to scenes with Alice giving advice to everyone from Hope, Jennifer, Bo, John, and her great-grandchildren. Alice provided the warmth that would sometimes be lacking in some of the plot driven story lines. I remember at times, I would roll my eyes in the back of my head, but Alice’s advice would bring me back to reality.

Christmas time was the best, because even if the plots were getting on my nerves, I would always look forward to the tradition of hanging the Horton ornaments. I can't forget the baking of some good old fashion Horton donuts.

The cast and crew always spoke highly about Ms Reid, about her wicked sense of humor, and in the YouTube link posted below, you can just see what type of fun, extraordinary woman she was. Rest in Peace, Frances Reid, truly a daytime icon.
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-cY4A30FZw

GH Goes Gangbusters

As of Friday’s GH, I’ve officially drunk the Kool-Aid. I never though it would happen, but my former favorite show, the show that I turned away from in 2007 following the ridiculous murders of three legacy characters, has briefly restored its former glory and riveted me. It started early in the week with a drunken/high Lucky confronting his fiancée and brother about their torrid affair. Jonathan Jackson’s shocking and vicious portrayal of a betrayed and defeated Lucky had me on the edge of my seat. I could not believe my ears as Lucky called holier than thou Elizabeth a slut, skank, and tramp and called Nikolas out on being what he’d always tried to escape: a Cassadine, through and through. I never thought that Lucky – my sweet, gentle, amazing Lucky, my FIRST CRUSH EVER – would call Elizabeth those names. Granted, this is Guza’s GH and misogyny reins supreme, but in this case I really didn’t feel bad for Elizabeth. Since sleeping with Jason she went completely off course and her affair with Nikolas has cemented her as the town hypocrite.

The show followed up Lucky’s confrontation (written beautifully and powerfully by the lovely Karen Harris) with Lulu’s public humiliation of Elizabeth at the hospital. As Elizabeth stood there and didn’t try to defend herself from the unleashed Lulu, I ALMOST felt sorry for her… almost. It’s going to take a lot for me to feel sorry for Elizabeth after this story.

Onto the main event, Guza showed us that violence is his specialty (in a good way, in this case) on Friday at Carly and Jax’s daughter’s christening. As the town gathered at the church for the big event, Sonny pompously lured and cornered Dante, exposing him as a spy. The tides turned when Dante pulled out his badge and told Sonny: “I don’t respect you. I despise you.” BOOM! Sonny pulled the trigger, showing the audience what an ugly monster he really is, just as Olivia burst in the door: “My God, Sonny! You just shot your own son!”

Now, there are a few things that went wrong during this Godfather-inspired stunt, such as Dante’s lack of weapon. The scenes were also VERY influenced by the Coppola masterpiece, but that is par for the course on GH. I am very excited to see what happens next. I will be hella pissed, though, if Dante either forgives his father or realizes that his father’s way of life is the life he wants to lead.

Can GH follow up the gangbusters of last week with the fallout this week? I’ll tell you one thing – unlike the past two years, I’ll definitely be watching.

This Sunday: Interview with Tina Sloan!

Hey soap fans! Just a reminder that this Sunday at 6pm EST/3pm PST Lauren and I will be interviewing the fabulous Tina Sloan (Lilian, GUIDING LIGHT)! Make sure to tune in to www.blogtalkradio.com/dayplayerdish and call in with your questions, Ms. Sloan will be with us for the entire hour! Feel free to email us at dayplayerdish@yahoo.com with any questions or comments!

See you all Sunday!

The REAL First Episode of Gotham: The Series

Thank you, Martha Byrne. After weeks and weeks of ponderous and virtually plotless "episodes," Gotham: The Series has finally given us an episode that nobody can call a "teaser." In the six-minute Episode Five, we got two (TWO!) different locations, a plethora of new characters introduced, and the simultaneous introductions of several intriguing stories. This week's episode of Gotham should really be billed as the true first episode of the now-promising series.

In this week's episode, Catherine and Richard return to home to New York and deal with their respective personal lives. We got to see the easy, sarcastic dynamic between Catherine and ex-husband Jon (Kin Shriner), meet Catherine's daughter Ava, and see Catherine's troubled personal life unfold. Richard, meanwhile, was greeted by Samantha (Brianne Moncrief), a mysterious younger woman with whom Richard is having a torrid affair. Interrupted mid-romp, Richard orders Samantha to hide while he answers the door to his mother Elizabeth and her gentleman friend Liam. I won't divulge plot details, but there's clearly some soapy fun brewing for the characters of Gotham now and I am really glad to see that the show is finally starting to grow into something worth watching.

The show wasn't perfect; the production values are still rough and Brianne Moncrief is a strange and failed casting choice as the mysterious Samantha. But all in all, I would like to thank Martha Byrne for finally kicking the show into proper high gear. I can't wait for episode six!

Appealing Soap Stars- #1 Guiding Light'sTina Sloan

Every once in a while, we will blog about soap stars who just stick out amongst the many in the daytime world. You know the type, it could be your favorite, the one you love to hate, but most importantly, this actor always make you wonder why they are so damn appealing on screen and off. In honor of our first interview guest, we will start with Ms. Tina Sloan.

Appealing Star #1 Tina Sloan:
While Guiding Light is no longer shining on CBS, do not count Tina Sloan dimming her light anytime soon. Currently she is a guest communist at the popular blog, The Huffington Post. She is also starring in her one woman show, Changing Shoes. Did I mention the fact that she is also on the hit web series Venice, and she has an upcoming role on the web series Empire. Still trying to keep up ? She is also writing a book due out later this year. I also can't forget about the couple of movies she is currently working on. Whew! So what makes Ms. Sloan so damn appealing? Easy, her charisma on screen and off.

Since 1983, Sloan has portrayed nurse Lillian Raines, a character that could often been a second thought in viewer’s minds, but Sloan brought vulnerability, a special allure that made viewers hope that one day, she would get married(she did!). The first time, Sloan really stood out for me was in 1991-1992; when Lillian found out she had breast cancer. Through Sloan’s acting choices, non verbal communication, you felt Lillian’s pain as she struggled with her breast cancer. The mirror examination scene was powerful because of the range of emotions that Sloan expressed without words. Eventually the breast cancer storyline lead up to the affair with Ed Bauer.

In 1993,(in what will go down in soap opera history as one of the moments that changed daytime forever), Maureen’s death, allowed Sloan to showcase her acting talents. To be blunt, Ms Sloan acted her ass off in one of daytime’s greatest triangles and saddest television moments. As the years went on, Lillian remained as the emotional compass of the show, whether she was giving advice to her daughter, granddaughter, Phillip, or even Olivia, you could always count on Lillian’s eternal optimism.In the final week of Guiding Light, Sloan proved once again, why she has been in the daytime industry for over 25 years. Before her wedding to Buzz Cooper, Lillian went to Maureen's grave. A tearful Lillian admitted that Maureen’s death changed the town forever and expressed regret at her part in causing it. Lillian admitted that for many years, guilt kept her from moving on with her life and in that brief moment, Sloan allowed Lillian as well as viewers have permanent closure with that storyline.

I had the privilege of talking to Ms. Sloan at the Guiding Light Paley Event, and trust me when I say; she is definitely one of the nicest people in Daytime. She has a rich knowledge of history, and she is quite the storyteller. While we only engaged in a ten minute conversation max, at the end, I felt like I made a friend for a lifetime. Looking forward to interviewing Ms. Sloan. Truly an appealing actress. -Lauren

Dayplayerdish episode 2

Join us this week as we ring in the new year with more soap talk! Hear Lee's thoughts on the groundbreaking "Kish" moment on OLTL and Lauren's latest thumbs up on DAYS! Callers are always welcome! Only at www.blogtalkradio.com/dayplayerdish.

Sundays 6PM EST/3PM PST Call in number 347-215-7590