Here I am again, apologizing for being so late. The best laid plans... blah blah blah. But after being on vacation, then losing Boris, I just didn't have it in me. And while I'm still not up to snuff, there is SO much going on that needs to be discussed that I'm sucking it up, for now, and diving in to discuss the McTravisty that our show has become. My tunes today are Stiff Little Fingers, Inflammable Material; Beck, Odelay; Social Distortion, Sex, Love and Rock-n-Roll; Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk; and a cd I made myself, with the oh so original title of More Punk Tunes. This Editorial reflects the shows that aired from August 7 - August 11.
Where does one begin when just about everything going on right now is either 1) dull, b) stupid or 3) a disgusting display of horrid storytelling and production. I know many of you are not pleased with the new way AMC is being filmed. Personally, it doesn't bother me so much. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. To me, AMC has far bigger issues than some new film and some occasional shakiness. But for those of you who are bothered by it, you want to direct your angst to AMC's Executive Producer, Julie.Carruthers@abc.com
What is bothering me? Let's start with the influx of newbies at the cost of important veterans. There are six, count em, six new contract players in the past few months. Jeff Martin (John James), Jamal Cudahy (Marcus Patrick), Sean Montgomery (Brent Weber), Colby Chandler (Amber Childers), Sydney whoever (Taylor Gildersleeve) and Annie McDermott (Melissa Claire Egan).
Of these characters, I count one that is necessary, and that is Jeff Martin. Then again, if they had never even approached this insanity that Josh is the Walking Talking Fetus, he wouldn't have been necessary either. But since they did, he is necessary. I hate the whole idea of this storyline. It's not even close to grounded in any kind of reality and it just smacks of an agenda to me. Ms. McTavish succeeded in undoing one of the most important and groundbreaking storylines in AMC history, Erica's abortion. She also continued her decimation of that history by changing Erica's reasons from pure vanity and self involvement (Erica was embarking on a modeling career, she didn't have time to be a mother, nor did she want to be... she wanted a career) to making her torn and confused, tossing in that her rape at a young age played a role in her decision, even though at that time she didn't even remember being raped. Ms. McTavish, of all people, should know that soap fans have memories... very long memories. To completely abandon history is not the way to keep your old fans around. But, in this instance, I was able to get past all that crap because I have been enjoying the performances so much. So, while I give Ms. McTavish no credit and continue to fault her for the ruination of such an important part of AMC history, the actors involved... John James (Jeff), Susan Lucci (Erica) and Colin Egglesfield (Josh) have risen above the crap they were given to perform and made me care about all of them and their situation. That is a testament to some fine acting. Whoever said actors are only as good as what is written for them was dead wrong. A good actor can rise above the drivel and still pull out some amazing performances.
On to the next one. Annie is temporarily necessary, but could easily have been recurring like her gross husband Terry (played by Matthew R. Walton). While still speculative, it seems clear to me that her daughter Emma will end up being Kate Martin. There is also speculation that she will be Ryan's next love interest. So the jury is still out on whether or not she is needed as a contract player. But if anyone needed a new love interest cast it's Simone, not Ryan.
Jamal Cudahy. True, the show needed more color. And true, he's the hottest thing to enter the playing field since MyJosh. But how is it that the minute Jamal is brought back to town, his adoptive mother Livia (played by the fabulous Tonya Pinkins) is bumped to recurring and we have yet to see his adoptive father Tom? I will give AMC credit for one thing, they have brought him back slowly and haven't shoved Jamal down our throats. Although I have to admit, I wouldn't mind him shoved down mine.
Sean Montgomery. I don't have much to say about this character since he hasn't really aired yet other than to sneak into Jack and Erica's house. But I'll go out on a limb and say, unnecessary.
And that brings us to the horror that is Sydney and Colby.
First of all, when Liza and Colby left town 2 years ago, Colby was 5
years old. She 
is
now about to turn 16. Fine, SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome)
is a fact of life on soaps. But Colby has returned without her mother
for one thing, and is a total skankola brat for another. So are we to
believe that Liza, who raised this child alone and on the run, spoiled
her on the finer things in life as much as Adam would have if they stayed
with him? Are we to believe that Liza, who raised this child alone and
on the run, taught her how to be a manipulative little wench who throws
temper tantrums? I guess we are supposed to believe that because that
is exactly how she is portrayed, with this enormous sense of entitlement
and a nasty streak. TPTB like to spin this as she is the perfect combination
of both Liza and Adam, and maybe if she had grown up in Chandler Mansion,
I would understand her more. But instead of coming to Pine Valley, that
little wench needs to go to one of those boot camps for teenagers, learn
some manners and how to act her own age. I don't find her the least
bit interesting to watch. I don't find her funny or cutesy in the least.
I find her annoying and when paired with Winifred's sudden niece, Sydney,
I want to gouge my eyes out instead of having to sit through such inane
drivel. How many times can one person utter the word "biotch"
anyway!? In the latest ABC Soaps in Depth magazine, Brian Frons,
President of Daytime for Disney-ABC Television Group declared Amber
Childers, who plays Colby, AMC's next star. Bold claim, especially
given what we have seen so far. I mean no offense to Amber,
she may be a hell of an actress who hasn't yet learned how to rise above
the horror of the writing. So here's some unasked for advice to ABC
Daytime... get this girl some better writing, some interesting storyline,
some interaction with her Grandmother Marian, who hello, is still in
Pine Valley and has yet to see her or even be mentioned, and lose the
Paris/Nicole act! Let's see her in situations that are Liza-esque if
that's what you're going for, not this inane crap with birthday parties,
and wanting a car, and picking on the maids niece because she's not
as rich as you. OMG... I hadn't even thought of this, but are they trying
to make Sydney into the next Jenny!? Oh now I'm sick to my stomach.
So... there you have it. The parade of mostly meaningless newbies while veterans like Palmer, Myrtle, Brooke, and David flounder on the back burner. While amazing talents like Opal, Marian and Livia are bumped to recurring status. While fan favorites like Reggie, Danielle, and Simone get nothing to do. Take a bow Mr. Frons, under your guidance, this one great soap has become 5 hours a week of meaningless drivel.
Well, now I'll attempt to talk storylines. Zach and Dixie have been arrested for Greg Madden's murder and suddenly Pine Valley jail has adjoining cells where they keep men and women together. You know why? So Tad and Kendall could walk in on Zach and Dixie canoodling. That's it. That's the only reason. Next time someone gets arrested, I'd be willing to bet that the adjoining cells are gone and they are back to being across from each other.
The interesting thing about this case is that there are many people who look and act guilty, but all have denied killing Greg. And that my friends, is the rub. Because technically, the earthquake killed Greg. So if you want to argue semantics, no one did kill Greg, nature did. So, when Babe asked JR if he killed Greg and he said no... if he and Jamie did bury Greg, it's not a lie. Because the question was "did you kill Greg Madden?" And it's the same with Kendall asking Zach if he killed Greg. I don't know who did it, I'm just saying people are not asking the right questions!
Anywho... Tad is walking around with this colossal chip on
his shoulder because, while he can boink Krystal for no reason, Dixie
isn't allowed to plant a kiss on Zach. Yep that is the reason. Tad logic
dictates that seeing Zach and Dixie kiss means they are having an affair.
One question Tad, what's it to you? Why do you care so much that you
can be surly and annoying and rude to everyone? That was two questions.
But I don't get it. He sleeps with Krystal, is seen doing the deed by
Dixie but all he sees is a kiss and suddenly he's so pissy no one can
stand being around him? And he's evasive about it. Kendall grills and
grills him about what he knows and he won't come out and say it. Instead
he tells her that if she keeps digging she's going to find out something
she may not want to know. So far is the stick up Tad's ass that even
Derek wants to know what his issue is. Tad finally says out loud that
Dixie and Zach are having an affair, of course, in earshot of Kendall.
She's shocked and calls Tad a liar. Zach gives Tad his best glare and
then he and Kendall go into the courtroom to talk. Zach tells Kendall
he 
has
never slept with Dixie, but he does cop to the kiss. I did like how
he told Kendall that Dixie was just some desperate skank looking for
some comfort. OK, he didn't say the skank part. But he thought it! Kendall
is not pleased and, falling back into her old Kendall patterns, insists
that Zach cut all ties with Dixie. And because ultimatums have worked
so well for her in the past, Zach, of course, will do no such thing
and Kendall will have to deal.
Meanwhile Tad and Dixie are having a confrontation. Tad delivers this weeks LINE OF THE WEEK when he says, "I look at you now, I see somebody who's heartless, a selfish woman who obviously gets off on sleeping with married men." Oh Tad, that was a thing of beauty. And so true, but not exactly new. She's always loved sleeping with married men. Just as Brooke. So, while she has not slept with Zach (yet), the words are still very true. And Dixie responds with, "Well, then you've been sadly misinformed, because I happen to respect marriage..." So laughable are these words coming from (as we call her on my message boards, thanks to Monica) The Faithless Whore that I'm shocked lightning didn't come down and strike her dead right then and there! My deep wish is that it was JR and Dixie who did Madden in and that they can both leave and be out of my misery once and for all.
Elsewhere we have JR, Jamie and Julia on board a yacht... is it the Fidelity? Is it the At Last? Is it the Regeneration (wasn't that Madden's yacht's name?) or is it someone else's. Who knows, who cares. JR is acting as though finding Babe alive is the most important thing in the world to him. So concerned is he that he jumps right into the ocean, that's the Pine Valley ocean you know, when he sees a piece of driftwood, thinking it's Babe. My my, how far we have come from premeditated murder plots. Now he's actually trying to save Babe's life. Do we detect my sarcasm and skepticism? I hope so. Jamie jumps in after him, and unfortunately saves JR. Damn him!
Oh did I mention that MyJosh kidnapped Babe in his dad's private jet that he knows how to fly, but never thought to look and see if he had gas? Yep... that's what happened. Josh is not only a medical marvel, a whiz on Wall Street, a doctor, a TV producer, but he can also fly a plane and later he'll be an executive at a cosmetics company. He's Josh of all trades. So of course, they crash into the ocean when the plane runs out of gas. And of course, they survive and wash up on a deserted island because, well... Pine Valley Ocean is full of uninhabited islands. Then Josh professes his love for Babe, who shoots him down because she's in love with the man who tried to kill her, several times. Josh isn't thrilled but what can he do? Well, he can snuggle with Babe while she's asleep so that when JR finds them he can see them intertwined. Good Lord, who writes this trash!? That would be Megan.McTavish@abc.com. Blah blah blah, Babe jumps into JR's arms. JR and Josh trade barbs. Everyone goes home.
At the Yacht Club, Erica is waiting to hear if Josh has been found and has breakfast with none other than Myrtle. Yep you read that right. Myrtle was on this week. I know, I'll wait until you can pick yourself up off the floor after fainting from the shock. OK? OK. I have to say, one thing I am enjoying is Erica. I love her concern for Josh, her desire to have a real relationship with him. So it was nice to see the relief on her face when Jeff showed up at the yacht club and told her that Josh had been found and was ok. But when Josh arrives, he's not all that interested in talking to Jeff and Erica. It's Babe to the rescue again. She convinces Josh that he should hear Erica and Jeff out. They head to the At Last, so the three of them can try and make sense of this extremely ludicrous situation they find themselves in.
Josh informs Erica and Jeff that he wants nothing from them and he just wants to live his life, although he appreciates their effort. Erica really wants to tell Josh everything and informs him that the termination was all her decision and that Jeff never even knew she was pregnant. She wants to make sure that if Josh is going to hold it against them, that he knows it was only she who decided to do it. That is the most mature thing I have ever seen Erica do, and I have to say, I'm proud of her. Our SCENE OF THE WEEK continues as Erica continues with this new trend of being completely honest. So when Josh asks her if she has any regrets, Erica tells him that she doesn't. She doesn't regret the decision she made, and she doesn't regret that he is here now. She tells him that she made the best choice for herself at the time and pulls out that emotional past that played a part in her decision (but it really didn't). She tells him she wasn't ready to be a mother and she cannot apologize for her choice. But she cares about him and wants him in her life. This is all too much for MyJosh to absorb at the moment so he leaves.
Random comments:
