All About The Soaps, Issue 7. V. 1.

[factsoflife]

Ladies and Gentelman of Sitcomsonline....

Here is the current issue of my soap opera column, "All About The Soaps" i wrote this myself (i write this article sporadically as i have time, it used to be weekly but i don't have the time to do that anymore.)

All About The Soaps
Issue 7, V. 1
“This and That”.




Instead of writing a whole new column I’m going to use this issue to simply relay some interesting news and gossip I’ve heard about the soap industry in the last few weeks or so. I’m going to do this by show.


“One Life To Live”-

With the music box murders in full swing in Lainview it is natural that much gossip would occur about the identity of the killer. Well here are a few of the more popular theories I’ve heard regarding that.

The first theory I’ve heard, and the one I tend to believe the most is that the killer is none other than Lainviews resident shrink, Dr. Rae Cummings. The reason I tend to believe this is because is because Linda Dano who returned to the role of Rea in 1999 after a Twenty year absence from the show is leaving the series, since her contract expired earlier this month, and she has opted not to resign, no doubt due to the obvious lack of storylines for her. I also believe this to be true because the pieces seem to make sense that Rea is the killer. For one you have the fact that Rea as a doctor has total access to the prisoners at Statesville Prison and could have EASILY gotten to Troy and gotten him the passes, she also could have killed the Statesville guard that was supposedly responsible for the passes that Troy used to get out of Statesville. There is also the connection she has to Jen, an almost victim of the killer (she escaped unharmed), as Rea once worked as Jens therapist. There is also the connection to Nora, Rea and her have been friends since Rea returned to town in 1999. The only connection that is unexplained is that of murder victim, Gabrielle Median, who Rea has had surprisingly little contact with since Gabrielle returned to town in 2001. The big questions here would be, 1) what motive would Rea have for committing these gruesome crimes and 2) what reason would Rea have for connecting the murders so closely to Nora? I guess that the answers to these questions will only be known if and when Rea is revealed to be the killer. All I know is that this is going to be one very interesting storyline.

Another theory I’ve heard that I believe holds some credence is that the killer is long-time recurring character Alex Olanov , who has been portrayed with brilliance on and off for the last two decades by the wonderful Tonja Walker-Davidson. The main question here would be what motive would Alex have for killing any of these people? The only victim who Alex has ever had any connection with is Gabrielle Medina, as it was Gabrielle who ended up marrying Alex’s ex-husband Asa back in 2001 when Asa lead Alex to believe that it would be her that he was marrying, instead he locked her in a broom closet. Also Gabrielle was lately involved with Bo Buchanan, a man that I believe Alex was once involved with, and is Asa’s son. But the main question is again, what motive would Alex have? I mean aside from being a psycho-bitch? Only time will tell.

In other “OLTL” news…

With the Todd/Blair rape story in full swing, it comes as no surprise that Todd’s past history with this type of crime is coming back to haunt him. In this case, not only in the fact that Blair is accusing him of rape, but this time also in the fact that Todd will literally come face-to-face with his past. As it was announced that Susan Haskell is returning to “OLTL” to reprise her Emmy-winning role of Todd’s last rape victim, Marty Saybrook. Haskell returns to the show Feb. 16.


Lastly in OLTL, John Loperian returns to his signature role of Cord Roberts in mid-febuary as his daughter Flash (Sarah) faces a dramatic life event (which many believe is her own death at the hands of the music box killer) but we'll see about that one... This is his first time back since leaving the show in the early 1990's.


“General Hospital”-

For once I have some exciting news to announce about “GH”. Hot off the presses is the return of “General Hospital” veteran, Kristina Wagner, as Felicia Jones-Scorpio, the mother of Maxie and Georgie Jones, both of whom have been front-and-center this year.

Wagner originated the role of Aztec-princess Felicia in 1984, and left the series in 2002. In her years at “GH” Felicia was a vital and important character, playing integral parts in many of the shows most memorable storylines, including the story of “Maxie’s Heart-transplant” and the “Robin/Stone Aids Saga”. However in the late 2000’s as the shows focus shifted from the hospital and the core citizens of Port Charles to the ridiculous and boring Mob drama, her role was visibly reduced to the point that the talented actress opted to leave the show. “General Hospital” executive producer Jill Farren-Phelps said this “The upcoming main storyline of the series afforded an opportunity to bring back the core character of Felicia – the mother of Georgie and Maxie Jones – to our show. As a result, we were able to cast the role with an industry veteran who portrayed the character so deliciously in the past.” The return of Felicia can only mean good things for the show as this is sure to also increase the visibility of other GH veterans, such as John J. York (Mac) and Jacklyn Zeamen (Bobbie) who respectively portray Felicia’s ex-husband and best friend.


In other “GH” news, long-time fan favorite Robyn Christopher (Skye) has announced that she and her husband, ex-Another World star Matt Crane are expecting their first child together sometime in July 2004.


“All My Children”-

Rebecca Budig (Greenlee) has been making headlines recently for something other than being a brilliant, Emmy-nominated actress. It is being reported by several reliable sources that she is currently dating former “Bachelor” star Bob Guiney, known to millions as simply “Bachelor Bob” .


“Days Of Our Lives”-

“DOOL” is currently confirming the exit of yet another series veteran, John Clarke who has played Mickey Horton on the show since day one. His exit is being blamed on failing health.

In other “DOOL” news rumor has it that Victor Kirikas could be the next victim of the Salem Serial Killer, as his portrayer, John Aniston is rumored to be on the “DOOL” chopping block. “DOOL” has offered no comment, using the popular line “We do not comment on contract status of actors”.


Has the Killer been revealed?


With rumors swirling that Marlanea is the killer, i can't help but wonder if she is truly the killer as JER claims, of if this is simply a ploy by NBC and Sony to keep the true identity of the killer under wraps. Here are a few popular theories i've heard on who the killer could be-

Some believe that the killer is indeed Marlanea and that she has been reposessed. Some others beleive that it is someone posing as Marlanea and yet others beleive that it is someone all together different with no connection to Marlanea at all.

“The Bold and The Beautiful”-

Brian Gaskill who plays Oscar on the show (best known for his roles on AMC as Bobby Warner and Port Charles as Angel Rafe Kovich). Got married on December 20th. Congratulations to the talented actor.

"B&B" has signed former "Falcoln Crest" star Lorenzo Lamas to a contract role as a hunky fire-fighter. He debuts in Febuary sweeps. Lamas was last seen as host of ABC's ill-fated (and ill concived) reality series "Are You Hot: The Search for america's sexiest person". The series tanked in the ratings and was a critical flop.

"The Young and The Restless"-

Former "Port Charles" star Julie Pinson (Ex-Eve) has signed a contract role on Daytimes number one rated soap opera. She'll play a recording industry persona with ties to a key character on the show. I could not find word on her first airdate.

That’s all for now…

Keep Watching the soaps.

Factsoflife (Matt).

[Dr. Jazz]

Why bring John Loprieno back for just one episode. I can see two episodes, but one? If you're going to bring back a veteran player you should have them on at least two episodes, JMO. However I'm glad to see OLTL bringing back so many veterans, Jessica Tuck, Susan Haskell, John Loprieno, now if only they would bring back Ellen Holly, Judith Light & put Dr. Larry back on in a full-time capacity they would have a somewhat decent show; but I have a feeling this Music Box Killer storyline is going to drive the show into the ground for a while.

[factsoflife]

I have to agree with you. I felt the same way earlier this year when Clint Richie came back for 1 episode... why bother? I would like to see Tonja-Walker Davidson, Susan Haskell, Kristen Tresua, Judith Light, John Loperion, Laura Koffman, Clint Richie and others return FULL-TIME... also i'd like to see James De Pavia return, Fiona Hutchison get hired back and have Gabrielle alive and well, ALSO i'd like to see Andie (Antonio's ex-wife) return.

[Cliff Barnes]

It was sad to never see Larry and Clint Ritchie again ever after 04. I also missed Asa of course after they lost him.