COMMENTARY: Dr. Devious

Just a warning, I will be talking about things that happened in today's, Thursday July 21, show.  I'm perplexed as to how everything is going to tie back to David.  We found out today that Dixie is on the other side of the wall where Erica is being held.  Which seems to mean that David would have to know where Erica is, since he is the one keeping Dixie alive.  Yet when he first met Jane he seemed concerned as to where Erica was and how she was being cared for.  I tell ya what though, Jane can give him a few pointers on how to keep someone captive.  Erica is in the lap of luxury while Dixie is basically in a dungeon.  Erica is fed nice meals, Dixie has an IV drip.   Erica has beautiful clothes, shoes and make up to put on every day.  Dixie... well not so much.  And frankly she should have some serious odors and muscle atrophy going on.  She doesn't seem to have either.  She may not have pretty clothes but she still manages to look fresh.  Quite a feat for someone who has presumably been in bed since 2007.  

Die?  None dies on my watch!

So just what is going on here?  How involved is David in Erica's kidnapping really?  And while I'm at it who else is he "helping" with his Project Orpheus?  Is Leo really alive?  Is Babe?  I wouldn't doubt it at this point.  And another thing?  Just how far is Oak Haven from the park?  Dixie managed to pull out her IV, pick the lock on her door with the IV needle and walk around like FrankenDixie in the park today.  I kind of always thought Oak Haven was a little off the beaten path from Pine Valley but now it seems like it's right in the heart of it all (which is where the park is) and that Erica literally is right under everyone's nose!

It's all very perplexing yet intriguing.   And I owe that all to Vincent Irizarry (David) who never ever disappoints.  He manipulates.  He lies.  He breaks the rules.  And he saves lives dammit!

Interesting Commentary on the Demise of Soaps

Jim Romanovich, who pretty much saved the Daytime Emmy's a few years ago, blogs, and he put out a doozy this week!   Click HERE to read.  It's long, but well worth it.  Thanks Jim!

COMMENTARY: And Then There Were Four

In the back of my mind I knew it was coming, but I tried to deny it.  We all did didn't we?  It can't happen to us.  All My Children is the most beloved show on daytime.  Erica Kane is an icon, a household word.  They wouldn't do it, they can't do it.  Well, they did it.   They put another nail in the coffin of soaps.  A dying genre.  It's been dying a slow death, but it is dying.  Suddenly I feel like a betamax, a vinyl record, hell even a VCR.  Obsolete.  

Right now I'm a combination of the first four stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression) with just a smidge of the fifth (resignation).  I don't want to be resigned to losing AMC, but hope is very very slim.  As fans try anything to save these shows I keep thinking about the fans of Another World, Passions, Guiding Light, Port Charles, As the World Turns... and other soaps that met with a similar fate.  The fans of those shows campaigned, petitioned and fought to no avail.  I'm not saying AMC fans shouldn't do these things, but the likelihood of a save at this point is slim.  Extremely slim.  Why do I think so?   Several reasons.   First, an official cancellation has been issued with replacement shows announced.  That is a done deal.  There is no "we're thinking about canceling" talk, it's canceled.  Second, a few weeks ago when the rumors started (again) about the cancellation the stars came out in droves urging fans to support the show, write the show, sign petitions, etc.  Now?  Nothing but stars resigned to the end of the show.  None of them have urged support.  None.  That tells me a lot.

And now that I've mentioned a few weeks ago, let's go there.  Because for me, this is where a lot of my anger at the whole situation is centered.  It was less than a month ago that the news broke that AMC would be canceled.  And yet, we were told all was well.   We were told AMC was in good shape and not going anywhere.  The stars tweeted, gave statements, and poor Susan Lucci was on talk show after talk show and appearance after appearance, talking about how great everything is.  We were all lied to.  All of us.  It was certainly known then that this was going to happen.  But TPTB chose to lie to everyone, fans and stars alike.  From what I've been hearing when the news broke yesterday, the media announced it before the cast/crew was told.  Nice work Mr. Frons.  Why not just be upfront and tell us.  So it was a few weeks before you planned on breaking so many hearts.  What's a few weeks.  Why the lies?  Why the pretense.  Oh that makes me SO mad!!!

Yes, I put a lot of this on Frons.  I put a big part of this on him.  And another part of it on.... you know who I'm going to say don't you?  Yes, I do put part of the blame on Pratt.  He destroyed AMC.  His storylines were ludicrous and poorly written and it was because of him that the ratings tanked worse than they ever have and have yet to truly recover.  Does that mean that if he had never been a writer for AMC the show wouldn't be canceled?  No, it probably still would have happened.  I don't watch OLTL but from what I understand their storylines have been stellar for quite some time now and they still got the ax.  But I can't help but put part of that blame on Pratt.  He should go down in history as the man who destroyed AMC and Frons as the man who destroyed ABC Daytime.  Is that unfair?  I don't think it is.

And so we have a little more than five months left after 41 years on the air.  Five months.  What will happen?  How will it all end?   Will iconic characters make a final appearance, like Brooke and Adam, Joe and Ruth.  Is Zach alive?  Will he come back and give Zach and Kendall a happily ever after?  Will Jack and Erica have theirs?   Will Dixie be raised from the dead and reunite with Tad?   Will all the wrongs be righted?  Will the show go out with a bang or with a whimper?   So many questions.   I have hope for a strong ending now that Lorraine Broderick is back at the helm of the all but sunken ship.  Another lie by the way, Lorraine Broderick has been rehired has head writer, and for a long term contract this time, they told us.   Long term?  Really?  5 months constitutes long term?  There is nothing I hate more than lies.  Nothing.  And it shows what little respect Mr. Frons and co. have for the people that have supported his shows for so very long.  

So what can fans do at this point?  Well get involved.  Write, call, email, sign petitions, support campaigns.  It can't hurt!

COMMENTARY: Let's Talk Couples

New ones, old ones, potential ones... let's dish!  Up first, a new couple who can potentially end up my fave couple... Scott and Madison.  

The closer they get, the more I love them.  Having Daniel Cosgrove back as Scott has been a revelation!  He's gone from fast forward material to the one I want to watch.  I love this chemistry with, well, with everyone!   But I am truly loving the Scott/Madison dynamic.  But is it destined for failure?  It was Greenlee who pushed Scott towards Madison to keep her and the baby she is carrying away from Ryan.  Scott agreed to it and Greenlee helped him get out of prison.  Ever since, Scott's been trying to be a more stand up guy.  But what he really needs to do is come clean with Madison before it's too late.  Hell it might already be too late.  The two are falling for each other.  But when Ryan and Madison find out all the deception going on behind their backs, might it just push Ryan and Madison back together?

Which brings us to Ryan and Greenlee.  

To hear some fans talk, you'd think that everyone on planet earth hated these two as a couple.  Well that is just not true.  They aren't my favorite couple together, although I like them both apart.  And I don't hate them as a couple, but I really did like Ryan with Madison and Greenlee with David before David went from just being devious to the devil incarnate.  Greens though, she went into her latest marriage to Ryan carrying the huge secret that Madison is having his baby.  Things are eventually going to blow up.  And really, let's face it, it's pretty much a no brainer that they aren't even married.  The Rev. Ricky has proven to be anything but what he says he is.  So they won't even have to get divorced when Ryan finds out Greens knew about his latest progeny.  And really, does Ryan need another kid?   For that matter did Tad?  

As of today, Tad is engaged to Cara to throw off INS.  This opens up a whole interesting can of worms.  Clearly they are going to end up getting married.   How is Jake going to feel about that, Cara being his ex-wife and all?  I'm reserving judgment for now on Cara and Tad as a couple because I'm just thrilled Tad has a storyline.  And I kind of like Cara anyway.   So we'll see how that one plays out.

 

Jake and Amanda are the quintessential couple.  They've got it all and that, as you all know, is the kiss of death on soaps.  So here comes the conflict!  It was Amanda who called INS on Cara in the first place.  She didn't know it could potentially put Cara in a lot of danger, she just wanted the saucy wench away from her man.   This is going to blow up and it's not going to be good.   Amanda needs to trust their love and her husband.  Just because Cara is back doesn't mean a damn thing.  Jake is true blue and she knows it.  

JR and Marissa are done.  I can't see her ever taking him back again.... then again, he did way worse to Babe and she kept going back for more, so who knows!   But I keep hearing little rumblings about a deep friendship that Marissa and Bianca are going to form.  Bianca hired Marissa to handle her divorce from Reese, an unfortunate development IMO.  So Tamara Braun didn't want to come back as Reese, why not recast?  I really hate when TPTB undo things that broke ground on the show.   So now not only the first legal abortion on television was undone, but now the first gay marriage on soaps is being dissolved.  It's a shame.  But that frees up Bianca and Marissa already is single... might there be something developing between these two?   I'm hoping!

And the rest we shall save for another time.  Then again what is there left to say?  Colby and Asher?   Snore.  Caleb/Erica/Jack?  Meh.  Put Caleb with Opal and leave Jack and Erica alone, they can self destruct all on their own, without outside help.  As always, I adore Angie and Jesse.  I am interested in seeing something develop between David and Liza.  I might be down with Kendall and Griffin eventually.  I'm liking how it's going slow and let's face it, he is not hard to look at!  I'd definitely like to see Krystal get a story and some lovin!  And JR?  Dude needs to be single for a while.  So who did I miss?  Frankie and Randi?   Really... did I actually miss them?  Is there anything to say?

COMMENTARY: Who's Zoomin Who Here?

Just a warning for you spoiler free folks out there.  I am going to be discussing a rather big spoiler for next week here, so if you don't want to know or don't want to play the speculation game, stop reading now.

Now, with that out of the way, spoilers reveal someone major dies this week on AMC.  Probably in the last few minutes on Friday, typically.  There aren't many guesses really, and just one glaring choice.  David.   But how can this be!?   David can't die!!    He's too important!  He's got his hand in too many pots!   He's just so deliciously evil and fun to watch.  And there's your answer.  David can't die.  If he does, that ends his hold on Greenlee, the problems with the Hubbard's, his hatred of Jake, his interesting new budding friendship (or more??) with Liza, his non existent relationship with Marissa, Caleb and Tad's plans to bring him down.  It ends major parts of many stories.  So no, David can't die.  If he is not only really dead, but really most sincerely dead, dare I say the show ends. 

I've never been one to believe that the fate of any show rests on the shoulders of one person.  But we have some extenuating circumstances here.  Other than David, does AMC have an antagonistic that can have their hand in so many pots and continue to stir?   No one since Adam, and he's already gone.  You may hate David (although I can't imagine it myself!) but he is necessary to the fabric of Pine Valley.

So what's really happening then?  Well I don't know but I'll happy to guess.  David this week spots Greenlee and Ryan together, plotting against him.  He sees them laughing and that is when he starts to spiral.  They're all laughing at him, mocking him... Ryan, Greenlee, Jake, Angie, Jesse, Amanda, Tad ... everyone.   And then, it becomes apparent that many in town don't just hate him but want him dead.  Maybe someone tries, but David is ready, armed with one of his crazy potions or elixirs and a few buy offs of just the right people.  David is dead.   And just when Pine Valley starts to relax and breathe that collective sigh of relief, he'll be back with an even bigger vengeance than ever imagined!    


So.. ya with me?   Seems kind of a given right now that Liza will help him in this endeavor, but who else?  Madison perhaps?  Hmmm... the possibilities seem rather exciting!

COMMENTARY: Are Soaps a Dying Art?

It's a question that's been asked a million times.  I've asked,  you've asked it, everyone has asked it.  How can we not?   We see the demise of long running soaps like Guiding Light and As the World Turns, and not as long running soaps like Passions, and we wonder...who's next?  Are we next?  Will the network really take my beloved AMC away from me and replace it with God forbid, an infomercial?  Or worse, another tired reality show or talk show?   Can this happen?  Really?   It can.  

I was just reading a very interesting article on the subject on Advertising Age's website.  CBS is adding a new talk show to take the place of ATWT.  What's to stop ABC from doing the same? Already there are more talk shows than soaps... The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, Dr. Oz, Oprah, Ellen, Rachael Ray... that's six right there off the top of my head and I'm sure there are more.... Jerry Springer, Maury, Bonnie Hunt, Martha  AHH!!!!  

AMC was dead in the water, so it's said, without the move to LA.  OLTL is constantly rumored to be the chopping block.  NBC has one soap left.  Are soap viewers like me, like you, clinging to something that we will ultimately lose?  What can be done to stop it?  I wish I had the answers.  Next month CBS will air the final episode of ATWT and replace it with a blatant View rip off called "The Talk."  Is that progress?   Tell me what you think?   Is it time for soaps to pack it in or should they fight harder to gain more viewers and keep the old ones?   On the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland, Wendie Malick plays an aging soap star, desperately clinging to her glory days.  Is she metaphor for the genre as a whole?  What are you thoughts on this subject?

COMMENTARY: If I Had a Nickel...

I'm changing my name to Nan O. Tech

For every time Scott Chandler said the word "nanotech" I would have about $9.35 by now.  Scott, shut up about the damn nanotech!!  It's like his own little version of The Telltale Heart.  He hears the word nan-o-tech, with each step he takes.  He hears it in his sleep.  He hears it as he chews.  And when he's having sex with Annie, he hears her scream out NANOTECH, instead of his name.  Hmm... actually, that part might be true.   At any rate, Scott... either relieve your guilty conscience by confessing to stealing the idea, or shut the shut up!!!

COMMENTARY: It's All David's Fault

David, David, David.  He is getting himself into a heap of trouble these days, some his own doing, some not so much.  But the bottom line is, if TPTB keep pinning every single thing that goes wrong in Pine Valley on David, he will end up being written into that proverbial corner that is very hard to get out of.  

Paybacks a bitch David, and so am I!

Let's break it down shall we?  David DID hire someone to sabotage Erica's plane so she couldn't get back to Pine Valley and Greenlee could take control of FUSION.  He did this.  We know he did this.  There is no justification for David on this one.  Did he mean to almost kill Erica?  No, of course not.  He wanted the plane grounded.  He didn't want her to get on it and crash!  Remember, he saves lives dammit, he doesn't take them, even though he's not a doctor anymore.  Still, he did hire someone to mess with the plane.   It was sloppy, especially for David.  He thinks of every scenario usually but he didn't think that Erica would insist on getting on the plane with no maintenance check.  Is it is his fault that Erica demanded to fly home?  No.  But it is his fault that the plane was not fully functional.   But in the end, there is an actual crime here.

Then there is Angie.  A young boy came into the ER after falling off his bike.  Angie just happens to be an infectious disease specialist.  Remember how she came back to Pine Valley? It was because Greenlee and Frankie (then known as Quenton) had a disease that no one could figure out.  Her expertise was needed so Joe called her for help.   So for Angie to see the signs that something else was wrong with this boy, other than his fall works for me.  

Angie Angie Angie... oh nothing, I just like saying that

What doesn't work for me is that she would try to treat him without taking proper precautions (such as mask and gloves).  Time was a factor, but no amount of budget cuts (David's fault) should hinder a doctor from protecting themselves from possible infections.  

I save lives dammit!

Angie treated the boy, and then did not immediately wash and sterilize her hands, and ended up touching her eye and giving herself the infection the boy was carrying.  David's fault?  Come on!  That's a bit of a stretch.  Sure he cut the budget but are they really trying to tell me that nowhere in the hospital was there one rubber glove?   Hey, go next door to Walgreen's people!  They sell them there.  I have to make this very clear, I love Angie and Jesse.  But Angie's insistence that Jesse will be furious because of David's involvement in her illness is probably the most ridiculous thing since Marissa, JR, Scott and Annie all living under the same roof.  Don't get me started!  But I'm sure somehow, some way the fact that Adam divorced Annie, that JR slept with her, that Scott is in love with her, and that Marissa is a mealy mouthed waste of space are all David's fault.

If you give me fake drugs, I'll help you in court, or may be do you on a poker table, your choice.

And what Liza? She's getting placebos from David that she can slip to Damon instead of his ADHD meds.  Not the smartest move for David, but a typical one.  David and drugs go hand in hand.  And when Liza ultimately confesses to what she's been doing, who do you think Tad and Jesse will immediately blame.  David, of course!  David the mad scientist behind the Libidozone fiasco.  Hmmm come to think of it, maybe he's been slipping it to Annie and that would explain why she's such a Chandler whore.   David?  Is this a new crime to add to you growing laundry list?   Oh shoot, maybe I should shut up.  I wouldn't want to give TPTB any more ideas on how to destroy one of the most complex and interesting characters they've ever had.   

And last but certainly not least, we have Ryan. 

Ryan, you're such a douchebag.  Takes one to know one Davey boy.

An argument in the park.  David is pissed because Ryan made arrangements with Greenlee to meet in the park.  Sure it had to do with Emma losing her Cinderella dress and Greenlee replacing it, but David's paranoia where Ryan concerned put all kinds of meaning on this get together.  Ryan is not interested in another go round with David.  David pulls the patented PV male move and grabs Ryan's arm.  Dang, I thought they only arm grabbed women on this show!  David's set a new precedent!   Anyway, Ryan is all, "get your hands off me Dave" and the argument escalates.  But then Ryan starts to clutch his head.  

Why do I bother?

David, still a doctor at heart, can see something is very wrong and asks him, albeit in a rather snotty tone, what is wrong with him.   And before we know it, Ryan is down on the ground.  David has that brief few seconds of "should I help him" and then kneels down to do just that.   This is when Greenlee

It's a long road for David.  And now that Greenlee is on the outs with him, that leaves no one in his corner.  David's eventual downfall with no chance to come back will be that no one is in his corner.  That he has no one to love, and no one loves him. Don't destroy David!  Pine Valley needs him!  Don't forget David's vulnerabilities.  It's those things... his desire to be loved and have a family, children, that make David the complex and interesting character he is.  Once those factors are gone, he's nothing but a one note baddie and that usually ends with being buried alive in a park or hanging on a hook, frozen in a meat locker.

In the words of Tim Gunn, let's make it work!

COMMENTARY: The Daytime Emmys

I'm thrilled that the Daytime Emmys found a home on network television this year. And I think it's really fun that the show was held in Las Vegas. But this years telecast suffered from the same problem as last years. While last years show was on the CW network, it was, in essence, a two hour commercial for CW. This years show was more like a two hour commercial for Las Vegas. The acts that still perform there came out to pay tribute to Dick Clark. Not that he doesn't deserve a tribute, but still it was Vegasy. Cirque de Soleil was there to help present an award. The Vegas production of The Lion King was also on hand. Heck even David Copperfield made an appearance lest you forget it's Vegas baby!

This is where the Emmys falters. They work so hard at trying to make an entertaining show that they forget what they are actually there for and WHO should be doing that entertaining. I cannot be alone in my desire to see our daytime stars being the ones who entertain. Every year, ABC Daytime puts on a big show in NYC for Broadway Cares where the stars come out and sing, perform, dance, do all kinds of things. THIS is what the Daytime Emmys should showcase. Highlight our daytime stars. Isn't that what the Daytime Emmys should be about? And I'm not just talking about the soaps. Regis sings. Whoopie is a comedian, as is Ellen. If they have to have performances, get the people of daytime to perform!

And isn't this what Soapnet should have been concentrating on all along? Featuring Daytime performers? Now Soapnet is on it's last legs, having all but forgotten what it was created for in the first place (wouldn't Soapnet be the ideal home for the Daytime Emmys???). Last year, while the Daytime Emmys hung in the balance of no broadcast, Soapnet did not step to the plate to show it. That still boggles my mind. If the Emmys get a telecast next year, I'll be very surprised.

But there were highlights. Some very lovely highlights in fact. Maura West winning Outstanding Lead Actress for As the World Turns was one of my favorite moments of the night. True, I've never seen her act. I only know her name from seeing it in the soap mags and at awards shows. I don't even know her character name. But when she won and the camera panned to her daughter crying with joy for her mother, and then Maura herself calling daughter Catherine up to the stage to be with her... well I'm a sap. I openly admit that. And I cried right along with them. It was such a sweet moment and a precious moment as Maura ended mentioning all her children by name and saying, "Catherine and I will curtsy for them" and she and daughter both bowed down into a beautiful curtsy. Lovely moment.

Of course, the tribute to Agnes Nixon was the biggest highlight of the night for me. How she had gone this long without receiving a lifetime achievement award is something I cannot fathom. But she has it now and the tribute paid to her was beautiful and heartfelt. Susan Lucci (Erica) was chosen to give the award and it was the perfect choice. I love when Susan said, "I would not be who I am today, I would not be here today if Agnes Nixon had not created the feisty Erica Kane." So many people were filmed thanking Agnes for all her contributions to daytime. It was so lovely, so in case you missed it, here it is again:




By contrast, the tribute to As the World Turns, going off the air on September 17, 2010 after 54 years, was an shameful embarrassment. If it lasted all of two minutes I'd be surprised. How about cutting out The Lion King segment and remembering what the Daytime Emmys are for!

COMMENTARY: Diva Blackwell Returns!!!

If you're a long time PVB reader, you may remember columns I had done when I donned my Diva Blackwell cute little strapless number and rated the gowns. Usually it was after a Crystal Ball or big function. Since we don't have Crystal Ball's anymore, I decided to go for it with Jake and Amanda's rewedding fashions!

Let's start with the bridesmaids. Odd choices, no doubt. But Amanda was determined to share the love so she chose Liza to be paired with Tad and Greenlee to be paired with Ryan. Liza's dress was nice enough. It was sleek and fit her beautifully. But I don't know, it was just... off. Maybe it was the sour puss she had plastered on her face the whole time. And how about a nice up do? On a whole, I wasn't crazy about it. It was nothing special and kind of 80's, not in a good way.

Greenlee, also in black, wore a rather unusual dress. Ruffles on top, ruffles on the skirt. But the ruffles remained in the front. They didn't go all the way around the skirt. So if you looked at her from the front, it looked like a completely different dress than if you were looking at her from the back. I liked it from the front. I liked it from the back. But I didn't like it as a whole. And the hair? Lovely from the front but a bit too much bulk in the back. Great earrings!

I couldn't find a picture of Madison, who's dress and hair I loved. But I found an alright photo of Randi. This dress I did not like. The color was drab. The design was not very flattering. I wasn't crazy about the way Randi's hair was styled. And yet, Randi managed to look beautiful anyway. It's a testament to just how gorgeous Denise Vasi is. Great shoes and great earrings though!

Then we have Colby. Her hair was adorable. The dress was age appropriate, but honestly I wasn't crazy about it. Like her dress for the rehearsal, I found it too short. But I guess an 18 or 19 year old girl, whatever she is these days, would wear a dress that short. Great color though.

Opal and Ruth looked so beautiful! I missed having Joe there, but it was wonderful to have Ruth and even more wonderful that she didn't have to wear that awful wig anymore! Lee Meriweather is a stunning woman. She looked every bit the mother of the groom. A lovely full length gown of the lightest blush. Just enough detail on the bodice and jacket to look elegant but not flashy. As with everyone else, the jewelry is spot on.

Opal had on a lovely gold halter dress with a jewel encrusted collar. Very pretty. Loved her hair up. The skirt of the gown flowed and looked like it would be very comfortable. And while it was elegant and beautiful, it had enough of an Opal edge that she still looked like herself.

Best dressed guest though, hands down goes to Krystal. She was perfection, head to toe. The dress, the hair, the jewelry... the whole package. Her hair was swept up in a romantic style that had tendrils falling down around her face. The dress was a lovely sort of mauve or pink. The bodice hugged her curves perfectly and the neckline plunged just enough to look sexy but not trashy. The small amount of ruffle on one shoulder was perfect. How is she dateless?

Angie had a stunning knee length, one shoulder silver dress that looked like it was absolutely made for Debbi Morgan. It had a jeweled pin on the shoulder that added just the right amount of pizazz. And while I generally prefer her hair straight these days, the curls look beautiful on her.

And then there was Amanda. Truly one of the most stunning brides I have ever seen on AMC and I've seen LOTS of stunning brides. Her hair was impeccable. Pulled back and up, with curls and a beautiful jeweled headpiece. No veil necessary. Beautiful understated jewelry. Lovely flowers. And the dress... omg the dress!! Absolutely amazing. Full length that flared out into a modest train. The bodice looked kind of like embroidered lace that crisscrossed over the bust. And then the back crisscrossed. There were buttons at the waist. For those out there who are thinking "I want that dress!!" it was designed by Amy Michelson. I have a feeling, if you are thinking "I want that dress!" when you look at her website you may be torn. There are so many gorgeous gowns! I can see why, when choosing a gown, this was Chrishell's first choice. Absolutely stunning.

Oh and the guys looked good too.

COMMENTARY: I Am Seriously About to Lose My Lunch!

Yeah yeah, I know so many of you are loving the heat between JR and Annie. Love it if you must, but those two make me want to hurl! First Annie sleeps with JR, and now she's setting up a date for fleshy fun time with Scott. Whore much Annie? I mean one day they are picnicking and the next day she's booking them a hotel room? Then when JR shows up instead, she's clearly thrilled by it. And JR? What is up with him!? Don't answer that, I think we all know what's "up" with JR. He claims to love his wife. If he doesn't, then cut her loose and be done with it. This dance he and Annie have going on is not just sickening, it's kind of gross and works my gag reflex to it's limit.



This is just some of their dialog from yesterday (omg, I can't believe I'm about to relive this horror!):

JR: You're rubbing Scott in my face.
Annie: You insisted you don't give a damn about me, so what do you care?
JR: It tortures Marissa.
Annie: It tortures Marissa?
JR: Yeah, the way you walk around the house, the way that you look at me.
Annie: What about the way that you look at me?
JR: And yet it is so clear. You want me to take you on that bed and make love to you.
Annie: Um, I think that's what you want to do, actually.

Had enough? Wait there's more:

JR: One loving, devoted partner with my father. Didn't work then and it still won't. Because love and devotion aren't your thing.
Annie: But lust is, right? And you know firsthand. I mean, that's why you're here taunting me, isn't it?
JR: I've tried to get you to be honest about Scott.
Annie: You be honest. Because as much as you claim to love that perfect wife of yours, I know you don't want her the way that you want me.
JR: Oh, don't flatter yourself.
Annie: Actually, knowing you, you probably want both of us. Marissa as the perfect wife and me as the perfect lover. Too bad it's not gonna happen.
JR: OK, then prove it. Kiss me. Kiss me again and tell me you don't want me.



I wonder who's ego is bigger, Annie or JR. It's definitely a tough call.

The best thing that could come out of this is Marissa showing some backbone. There's no way on this earth that she should be sharing a house with the woman her husband slept with. No way, absolutely not. Marissa has the right to stay there, Annie does not. Get a spine Marissa and kick the manipulative murdering skank to the curb! Hasn't having Krystal and David for parents taught you anything at all? Damn, how did those two end up with such a mealy-mouthed wuss of a daughter? You can bet your ass that Babe would never have stood for such nonsense.

COMMENTARY: Rate the Plane Crash

Last Friday's show had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the letter Erica received from Palmer and the beautiful flashbacks we were treated too. I love that AMC is still finding ways to honor James Mitchell.

But when Erica had to rush home and disregarded the pilot's order to have the plane inspected, I as a little annoyed. Then that plane started to shake and Erica's panic set in and so did mine! Even though I knew she was going to live, I found myself getting a little teary eyed as she tried to call Bianca, and then yelled out for Jack after the pilot told her to brace for impact.

And that is where my interest in the story died.

What happened after that has been an exercise in the ridiculous. Mountain man Caleb came into the wreckage and pulled the pilot to safety. All the while Erica is asking him questions and trying to get information to no avail. The man is utterly silent. When he comes back for her, he carries her out of the wreckage and then starts to sift through the debris. He finally let's her know that he had borrowed an ATV and took the pilot to a nearby hospital. But what we don't know is why did not do the same for Erica and he's not telling us.

And then, ridiculousness piles on even higher as he seems to blame her for the plane crash. Just how is the plane crashing Erica's fault? OK, we can say that her rush to get home and not have the plane inspected could make her somewhat at fault, but douchey mountain man doesn't know that! For that matter, we could blame the pilot for listening to her and we could blame David for paying to have the plane tampered with! All that is besides the point. Caleb doesn't know any of it.

Here is a woman who has just survived a plane crash, could be in shock or could be hurt and Caleb treats her like a absolute crap. He won't help her, he will hardly talk to her, he's just a grouchy old coot (which makes me even more suspicious that he may be a long lost Cortlandt!). And then he tosses her luggage over a cliff ala Jack Colton. But this is no Romancing the Stone!

I'm all for the thin line between love and hate start to a romance. I've loved it when AMC has done it with Erica before. And I have no problem with the attempt to make that kind of magic again (remember how much Erica hated Dimitri when they first met?). But Caleb is doing nothing to endear himself. Erica should hate this man for the way he's treating her. And I don't mean just because he doesn't know who she is and expects her to chop wood or whatever else.


It's early on and my opinion of this is certainly subject to change. But if that's to happen we better find out a damn good reason why Caleb saved the pilot and not Erica. Why he blamed her for the loss of his cabin and his dog (um, yeah.. named Dog?). And why he is a better match for Erica than Jack!

What do you think?

Rate the plane crash

• Great
• Good
• It's OK
• Has potential
• Needs more time
• Sucks, I hate it!

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

I'm Doling Out the Slaps This Week!!

Two individuals in particular need a slap this week and a loud, "snap out of it!" Let's start with JR. Admittedly I've never been a big fan of this particular incarnation of JR. But after the death of Babe, the devotion to Little A, the cancer, the kinder and gentler JR emerging, I was coming around. That ended abruptly a few weeks ago. And even though I am also, admittedly not an Annie fan, for JR to continue to plot against her when she did indeed save his life makes me sick. She didn't do it for the right reasons, but she did it and he lived because of it. He doesn't have to like her, but he should at least be a little grateful. But he continued to play her, and then what happens? He gets glimpses of Annie in rare moments of honesty and vulnerability. And that just makes him plot even harder!

Conveniently JR's wife Marissa comes down with a case of swine flu and it all falls into place for him. She can't come to Washington with him so he will pay off a member of Congress to get Annie an invitation to speak about bone marrow donation, and while in Washington, he will try to seduce her. Lucky for him Brooke was in a car accident and Adam couldn't come. I can't slap JR hard enough for this plot. A bone marrow donation saved his sorry excuse for a life and he uses it to advance his own agenda?? What a mockery of a very important cause. And worse, it works! JR sets up a spy cam in his briefcase and before you know it, he and Annie are horizontal. They two of them are absolutely disgusting. All Annie ever spouts off about is how much she loves Adam and because of his health he can't have sex with her for what, a few days? A few weeks? And suddenly she's so freakin horny that she'll sleep with someone she supposedly hates? And what did JR think he was going to prove by sleeping with this step mother? Sure he may succeed in getting her out of Adam's life, but he may also succeed in getting Adam out of his own life. Smooth JR. And your guilt over it all? Too little too late. SLAP

Then we have Greenlee. Greenlee with the giant chip on her shoulder. I'd love to be sympathetic to her because she is one of my faves. But sorry Greens, you need to get a grip. This betrayal she keeps spouting off about doesn't exist. Everyone thought she was dead. Everyone yes, moved on because YOU WERE GONE A WHOLE YEAR!!! What does she expect, that everyone should just cry, grieve, gnash their teeth, beat their chests in horror and scream out that their lives are now over because Greenlee is dead? Get over yourself honey.

But that isn't even the part I'm slapping her for this week! The slap is being given because as she confronted Kendall about sleeping with Ryan, she finds out that Kendall was driving the car that ran her off the road. First of all, why is she even remotely shocked that Kendall and Ryan slept together? Um Greenlee, Kendall is your BFF, you know how she loves grief sex. Remember the last time you "died" in the bomb shelter and she grief sexed up Aidan, your fiance!? Anyway, Greenlee immediately jumps to the conclusion that Kendall deliberately tried to kill her because she wanted Ryan for herself. Say huh??? What kind of weird ass conclusion is that to come to? For all Kendall knew Greenlee was dead and she and Ryan were not together, so how does that equate to Kendall wanting Ryan for herself? Kendall is with Zach trying to repair their marriage. I'm so perplexed by this Greenlee. The mind continually boggles at her newest accusations or conclusions. And she doesn't seem to get that David kept her from her family, her fiance, her friends. Yes, he saved her life, because that's what he does dammit! But her buying his line of BS about how he didn't want them to have to grieve her twice is kind of insulting the intelligence of Greenlee. She was alive when he found her, therefore they would not have thought she was dead the first time. But this slap is for Greenlee. Greenlee, snap the hell out of it! SLAP

Who would you like to slap?

• JR
• Annie
• Greenlee
• David
• Erica
• Kendall
• Someone else

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

COMMENTARY: The Pratt Aftermath

He's gone. Finally, mercifully gone. His name is no longer in the credits. May we never speak of him again. Amen.

Now... on to better things. Brooke returns today. TODAY! It's not a long term return, but it's a return nonetheless. It's a sign to me that if one return is possible then there can be more. Julia Barr has been sorely missed. Her easy chemistry with David Canary (Adam) and Michael E. Knight (Tad). Her pillar of the community strength. Her sparring with Erica (Susan Lucci). I can't decide what I'm looking forward to most about her return. All those things I mentioned are going to be fun to watch, but maybe the most fun will watching Annie squirm when she sees how much Adam has missed having Brooke around.

While I'm talking about Annie, I can't help but wonder what the dang deal is with Scott. He keeps defending Annie to anyone who doubts her, proclaiming how in love with his Uncle Adam she is. But then, whenever the mood strikes, they are kissing each other like there is no tomorrow. That in and of itself shows how little she really loves Adam. And when Colby messes with her, trying to get her to act crazy (which she inevitably does every time), Scott is there yet again to swoop in and save the day. He finds new ways to defend and justify her strange behavior blaming Colby for pushing Annie but never blaming Annie for actually taking the bait and acting like the nutball so many know she still is. Basically what I'm saying here is, if Scott loves his Uncle as much as he claims to, wouldn't he try to protect him? From where I'm sitting, he's throwing Adam to the wolves by defending someone who is clearly unstable. Colby was right. After Scott taunted her by saying why didn't she leave a loaded gun in every room (to mess with Annie), Colby said, "You're making my point for me Scott. If that woman's unstable enough to be dangerous around guns, she doesn't belong in this house." Scott covered his idiocy by saying that it was Colby who was making her unstable. Seriously Scott? Chick's been in Oak Haven, which in and of itself doesn't make her crazy but she is in fact crazy! For old times sake, Scott gets this weeks I NEED TO BE SLAPPED award for being so wishy washy!

So why is it never Annie's fault? Richie made her crazy. Greenlee made her crazy. Ryan made her crazy. Dr. Sinclair made her crazy. Now Colby's making her crazy Bottom line, Annie made Annie crazy. She's joined the ranks of Janet from Another Planet and Loony Leslie. She needs a nickname! Unhinged Annie? Erratic Annie? How about Apeshit Annie? Yeah... I like it! Apeshit Annie it is!

Let's talk Damon. Now, as far as I know I'm not giving anything away here, it's purely speculation that I've heard being talked about on my board. Some think that Damon will turn out to be Max Santos. It's certainly possible. When Hayley was in town to shoot the Pine Valley documentary, she did tell Adam that she and Mateo were having problems with Max, that he was getting into a lot of trouble. He certainly could have changed his name and run off, knocking up his girlfriend and committing crimes along the way. Seriously can you blame the kid? If I had to live with the Digit of Death, I'd act out too! The only thing I can say about this is that the show has kept Finn Wittrock and put him on contract for a reason. I have yet to discover that reason, whether he is Max or not.

So what do you think, are David and Greenlee a match made in heaven, hell or a little of both? Yeah, a little of both I think. Personally I've always liked the chemistry between David and Greenlee. Not necessarily as a couple, but as whatever they were before. It isn't beyond the realm of possibility that David could fall in love with Greenlee. The man craves love. But he certainly goes about getting it in all the wrong ways.

Who could ever forget the way he blackmailed Gillian into his bed? (In case you did forget, Gillian needed money to bail Ryan out of prison on a rape charge. He was accused of raping Kit Fisher, Jack's sister, but it ended up being his brother Braden). And later, still resorting to trickery, he blackmailed Amanda into his bed. David, David, David. Wait let's not forget how he manipulated Dixie into his bed. And how he drugged Krystal into his bed. Oh my! David! When it's all out there it's pretty skeevy. He also drugged the whole town. He blackmailed Allie but I can't remember if he blackmailed her into bed or not. I don't think he did.

Wow. And through it all, I just can't help but love the guy! There is something so fun and dangerous about David. His snarky comebacks when he's around Tad or Jake. The way he calls JR, Junior in that condescending David way. Poor David, he's just a misunderstood madman! Can Greenlee be his match? His manipulative equal? I don't know but the possibilities intrigue me.



Don't expect Ryan to just give up though. With Greenlee's admission that she still loves him, Ryan isn't going to bow out and let David win his lady love. Sure he said he'd back off, but will he really, especially if they really do end up married!? My guess is no.

All in all, in the "you know who" aftermath of things, I'd give AMC a B-. It's moving up, it's improving more and more, and I even occasionally watch in real time now because I'm excited to see the show again. What do you think?

How is AMC now?

• Great
• Good
• Average
• Improving
• Still has a long way to go
• Sucks

View Results
Create a Blog Poll