Daytime Diva: The View From the Recliner's Edge By Belinda Ache

August 11, 2007

All My Children: My, my, my; is that a chem test I see between JR and Ava? I think that may be exactly what that was. Uhm, So, Jacob Young is 27/28 years old. How old is JR supposed to be since he was SORAS'd? Not chronologically, because we all know those numbers don’t mean squat. I ask because I read that Jonathan/Lilly was not well accepted and that Jonathan/Ava hasn’t exactly set the world on fire and I was wondering how much of that is age related? I hate to be unpopular (ha! As if it isn’t the story of my misspent youth!), but I rather liked the JR/Ava (Java) by-play. If they “went there,” would that mean a replay for Jonathan/Amanda (Jomanda)?  I know that Chrishell Straus, in my interview with her last April for TV Fan Online, said that there had been too much happen between them for a pairing to work for them right now, in her opinion. So, what happened?

I received some advice after my first column to “watch myself” and what I say about Levin Rambin, that she is loved very much and that the actress’s tender age should be considered before anything is said. Duly Noted. I think the girl must be very talented indeed to create such an innocent character as Lilly who is so well loved and then to turn around and create the dual role of Ava, who is the kind of character I can not stand. I really enjoyed JR and Ava in the beach cabin and I liked the way they ganged up on the drug dealer to take him down, but when she sassed off to the press afterwards, it just left me cold. Good acting, though, because I dislike Ava as much as I like Lilly.

For the record, I try very hard not to ever be deliberately mean to the performers. They are real people doing a very difficult job and doing it well if the fans strong attachments are any indication. I do not confuse my like or dislike of the characters with the actors and most of the time will contain my opinions to the characters and storylines.

Now, moving on to Ian, Spike and their assorted parents.  It didn’t take long for my personal experience with a dangerously premature infant to diverge from the portrayal. In real life, the child’s entire incubator was wrapped in Saranwrap* and under the ultra violet lights.  Visitors (restricted to parents and grandparents for the first three months) were allowed in to the room only 15 minutes out of two hours. Now I realize that that would put a crimp in the shows ability to show us the drama at Ian’s bedside, but the farther they stray from real life the less invested I become with the story.

It is also difficult for me to invest in Ryan’s incessant "Woe is me!" whining about his son's new disability. It isn’t about YOUR SON being deaf and how that affects you, dad. It is about a child who can no longer hear. I know that things like this are a huge struggle for families. One of our sons received the diagnosis that he would never be able to speak and just when we were all in classes to learn sign language to communicate with him, he started speaking in full sentences. Doctors always have to tell you the worse case scenario and I wish someone would remind these distraught parents of that.  Not that I don’t think it would be riveting to see the drama played out. Raising a special child has so many facets and so many trials and joys that done responsibly, it could be compelling and socially relevant programming. I’m just not sure that ABC could do such a real life trauma the justice it would deserve. I would hate to see this turned into a "magic orange juice healed my baby" story!

One Life to Live: I just fell in love with Vincent, standing up to Todd, who then got around the rules and got his own way anyway (which is one of the things I hate about Todd and Sonny, they both always get whatever they want).  Of course, then we got those red hot love scenes for Layla and Vincent. Sigh!  Now this is a pairing I’ve been rooting for all along.

Oh, see now? That’s how one handles characters brought on the show as villains, criminals and reprobates.  Way to go! Buh Bye, Hunter. You came on, did your dirty deeds and were dispatched by the good guys. That’s what I’m talking about! Don’t bother to twist things around a gazillion ways to keep them on screen as new leads. If the actor was a hit, then bring him back as someone else. It’s not like it hasn’t been done. (Katie Stuart, General Hospital, Ned’s accuser and Sage Alcazar)

So, what else? Sarah and Cristian? Just say no!

Setside sources are swearing to high heaven to me that Melissa Gallo (Adrianna) is not out of there. I’m new to this whole "setside sources" thing, so this may just be the political spin until the big announcement, but her people certainly do not seem to be concerned and or acting as if this is true. What I am hearing is that Antonio and Talia may be slated for a try out but not before Talia gets some up close and personal time with a different onscreen hottie.

I also hear that the OLTL luncheon was awesome. Seems like the campaign to get Dan Gauthier back on the show is still very strong...they were out in full force over the fan club weekend and I am hearing rumors that Valentini is receptive. A number of the fan club presidents campaigned and spread flyers...it is truly a joint effort from all of them to get him back on screen...all the actors want him back as much as we fans do. Make sure you send a letter or make a call or get in touch with the fan clubs to see what campaigns are going on. Or write Dan Gauthier c/o One Life to Live. In my opinion Dan was the best Kevin we had had in YEARS. Bring him back!

From what I hear, I’m going to bet that Renee killed Spencer Truman. That would explain the persistent rumor that it is a woman who has been on screen for a long time and coincide nicely with the previously, widely spoiled “demise” of Asa. That would sure get rid of two vets wouldn’t it? I hate that One Life to Live is going this route. It's bad enough Tuc Watkins is out, whether it be by his own choice or not, but then we have to lose patriarch Asa, too. SOB.

Wow. I just had an epiphany! I’ve been running my mouth about good guys and how bad I feel that there are none left on daytime. I even discussed it on TV Fan Online’s podcast of Daytime Confidential: ABC Unplugged...