July 14, 2008
So, I was playing a computer game late last night (Sunday, of course, NEVER at work) and had LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT on in the background. It was a new episode airing on USA. (There are so many L&Os going all the time, it's hard to keep track. But I love them all.) Anyway, I heard a familiar voice. Kept trying to place it. Finally, had to look at the screen. It was ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Kathy Brier (Marcie). She played the friend of someone in one scene, probably during the first 15 minutes of the show if you want to catch it on a rerun this week. She was great. I love it when I catch soap people on L&O. No doubt, there will be a few reruns of this episode.

As some of you may know, I am a new METS fan and they are doing great at the moment. So that's exciting. The only thing I dread is when the winning streak ends, because at some point it will and then I will be sad. Sad for the team.

Well, the excitement is building for the 40th anniversary episodes of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. I'm excited and I know pretty much what's going on.

July 7, 2008
As always, I'm loving ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The Mendorra stuff is probably my least favorite, because I just find faux royals so tedious, but it's still very entertaining. Thom Christopher is also so a great commanding presence. He could read the phone book, as they say, and I would still sit and listen. I'm also wanting to slap Todd for being so selfish, mean, cruel, etc. I don't like him. And I will rant, rant and rant some more if there is any attempt to put him back with Blair. Enough already. Too much baggage there. How could either one of them get past the cruel things they have done to each other? Put her with John. Stir things up. Put her with Bo? (No wait, Bo really needs someone sweet and kind and nice after that Lindsay debacle. Let me ponder this.)

Yesterday's scenes between Bo and Rex were so great to watch. Bo was hurting, and Robert S. Woods showed his stuff. I always enjoy scenes between him and John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex). So you can just imagine how I am looking forward to Rex and Bo's trip to 1968. (Have I said too much? No, you all know that's coming up.)

In other news, MAD MEN — MAD MEN! — is coming back. There's a July 20 marathon (I write about it in the July 22 issue of Soap Opera Weekly) that I implore, beg you all to watch. Give it a try. Even if you weren't alive in 1960 (or cognizant of being alive) watch this show. This is great television.

Have a great rest of the week!

June 30, 2008
Bree Williamson continues to shine as Jessica — now Tess — on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. Those scenes at Nash's funeral where she ripped into Jared and Natalie were terrific. And I have to give a shout-out to Melissa Archer, who has been compelling as the sister who knows (and she really KNOWS) that it will take a very long time, if ever, until Jessica accepts her back into her life. Today's episode (June 30), viewers were treated to the return of Tess, in all her over-the-top glory. One remembers how full of life Tess was, right? We can only imagine how full of revenge she'll be in the weeks ahead.

I've never been one for the psychics, but I did love seeing Delphina at La Boulaie, being right on the money with all her predictions and observations. Some were wacky, some sweet, but all entertaining and a wonderful counter to the drama at the cemetery.

June 24, 2008
What a week last week was. AllI can say thank goodness for cable television and all those channels. I must add that I rarely say that — I often long for the days of rotary telephones and no cell phones or answering machines. (I will say now: I NEVER WANT A BLACKBERRY.) But I digress. Of course, last week we had the Daytime Emmys. Right now there are lots of photos to request from our top notch photo department, lots of things to coordinate. I watched the shows (and blogged about it Saturday morning) so I've commented on that. But be sure to pick up the Soap Opera Weekly that goes on sale July 2 because there will be so many fun pics of all the stars.

However, last week I also watched a lot of shows on MSNBC and SNY. First, I watched all the tributes to Tim Russert. I didn't know a lot about him, other than the fact that he was the MEET THE PRESS guy and his dad was Big Russ. But boy, what a great guy he must have been. I felt very sad for his wife and son, and hope they are still surrounded by all the love and caring tthey need when the going gets tough. Having lost both parents, I know that once all the services and events are over, it's just you and your grief. And that's when it gets really real. So, I think of Maureen and Luke a little bit each day and hope they are okay.

Meanwhile, The New York Mets had a very soapy week last week. In fact, it's official in my mind: sports and soaps are very similar. The firing of Willie Randolph, the Mets manager, was all over the sports channels, especially SNY, which is the station that broadcasts most of the Mets games and does all the post-show and pre-show programming. They were all over his firing like white on rice. (I think that's the first time I've actually written that rice phrase.) Every press conference was analyzed. Who was to blame? Why was the firing done in California? Is there a mole in the front office? And, from me, why does this Omar Minaya person still have a job? His press conference was basically his repeating the same three phrases. BORING.

Hope your week is less soapy. Keep it on the little screen.

June 21, 2008
So, the 35TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMYS are now a thing of the past. They went so fast, didn't they? So I will now humbly offer up a few observations.

First, the pre-show. Well, in the first three minutes I got the message that it was very hot on that red carpet and had that confirmed about every three minutes by the various actors and hosts. Get over it, I felt like saying to the television — stop complaining. The hosts did an adequate job greeting the actors — most of them personal friends, which was a nice touch, but everyone seemed so rushed. There seemed to be some technical difficulty on the part of the production of the pre-show, which meant I occasionally couldn't hear what was said.

I spent the pre-show with a pad in hand, taking notes (although I don't know why, as I was taping on TWO televisions) of dresses I planned to include in this week's Dressed For Success in Soap Opera Weekly. And there were many many beautiful gowns, and some clunkers. I have no idea why Tyra Banks was awarded the Dove Chocolate Award for best dressed. That color did nothing for her, in my opinion. In between the constant mentions of the Dove Chocolate Award and the Dr. Scholl's for Women Shoe Cam, it occasionally seemed like one big promo, but I understand the need for advertisers, so I'll hold those comments. The shoe cam is a cute touch and I loved the fact that Judge Judy stated, "I can't stand on one foot for long. Can I put my foot down?"

Because three of the four hosts were soap actors — Ricky Paull Goldin, Rebecca Budig and Finola Hughes — the red carpet was actually a lovefest. Everyone looked beautiful. Everyone looked handsome. Everyone gushed at everyone else. And of course, complained about the heat.

On with the show... the intro, which showed hosts Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd running back and forth through each other's studios, was adorable. (THE VIEW and ALL MY CHILDREN studios are in the same building.) There were many cute little inside jokes: Joy Behar giving advice to Dr. Phil. The cast of AMC not knowing who Cameron was because they were in character. Barbara Walters' book everywhere. I was hoping for some more surprises with the winners. It seemed a repeat of last year's and I always like some surprises in the winners. I'm always rooting for the surprise winner, the underdog. So in that respect, I was disappointed until the divine Jeanne Cooper won. She seemed genuinely surprised and the audience just delighted for her. Her speech was adorable as she jokingly said they had the worst writers, directors, wardrobe people (most had been nominated, none won) yet she said, "We're still No.1." She's a great lady and deserved this win big time. That made the evening for me.

There were no big gaffes in the evening; Sherri and Cameron did a fine job as hosts. Both have a lot of enthusiasm for the genre and that's always nice. Visiting the various tables and hobnobbing with the actors was cute, and fortunately there were no embarrassing moments there. (Actors and wine bottles can be risky. Note the Golden Globe Awards.) Although it, like the pre-show, seemed so rushed. The winners got maybe two seconds to say something. I don't know why we had to see a tape of the SESAME STREET people winning; that seemed like a waste of precious minutes.

I often find it odd that a show could win the Directing and Writing awards, yet not Best Show. ONE LIFE TO LIVE won the first two, and GENERAL HOSPITAL won best show. But I'm not a voter and I have my personal favorites. The voters probably prefered big explosions to singing teenagers.

So, there you have it. A few observations... now go enjoy your weekend and be sure to pick up issues of Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest to see photos and reports on the Emmys, and the pre- and post-show parties.

June 17, 2008
With all the talk about Michael's father Lowell on Young and Restless of late, it looks like the show might be looking to cast Gloria's drunken, hippy ex in the not-too-distant future. Here's a thought about who the casting department should seriously consider: Ben Masters (ex-Julian Crane, Passions). Masters work was 80 percent comedy on Passions, which would serve him well as a member of the wacky Baldwin gang. Yet, he always shined during his rare dramatic moments on the NBC soap, too. Masters is a formidable actor who would hold his own in confrontations with Christian LeBlanc's Michael, and his chemistry with Judith Chapman (Gloria) would no doubt be amazing.

June 16, 2008
I attended the Creative Crafts part of the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 13. (The winners are listed in the news section of this Web site, as is my attempt to be the roving reporter with the video camera.) As I cover ONE LIFE TO LIVE, I silently hope they win everything. They did pretty well, I am happy to report. They got four wins, but technically five Emmys because they tied with themselves for Outstanding Song. But what was even nicer was that all the soaps (except PASSIONS) got at least one award. I left with a warm, fair feeling about the whole evening.

I didn't watch much television over the weekend, so I can't report on that...but I would like to talk about SOAPnet's MVP. This show, which apparently was a big hit in Canada last year, debuts on SOAPnet this Thursday at 11 p.m. ET. It's about professional ice hockey players and their lives off the ice and, of course, the women they are involved with. I was greatly entertained. MAD MEN, it's not, but it was fun to watch, and I wish MVP great success because the more continuing dramas on television, the better.

Speaking of MAD MEN, Season 2 begins July 27 on American Movie Classics (AMC).

June 10, 2008
So, I'm still talking (to anyone who will listen) about how great Bree Williamson (Jessica) was in last week's ONE LIFE TO LIVE episodes. I was thrilled to notice that she was being praised all over the 'Net. As well she should be — she was terrific.

I'm tiptoeing into my colleague Joe's department, but I have to say how much I enjoyed the brand new LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAEL INTENT that aired on USA last Sunday. (That would be June 8, if anyone was wondering.) I'm a big fan of the L&O franchise. I could watch endless repeats of those — I love a weekend marathon — as well as looped repeats of FAMILY GUY. (Such diverse tastes, I know.) L&O:CI is my favorite because I really enjoy the Vincent D'Onofrio character, the wacky, intense Bobby Goren. Though L&O episodes are self-contained, which is a welcome change for me, I must admit, there is a continuing story with Bobby. We've met his mom and brother on camera — played by Rita Moreno and Tony Goldwyn, no less — so we know about his dysfunctional childhood and a little about his motivation. We've also watched his weight go up. (Was that a nasty observation? Yes, maybe a little.) I find him intriguing because he is so flawed.