I've been enjoying OLTL for months now, but last week was just...wow. WOW. I haven't enjoyed a soap like that in a long, long time, and this came about just at the right time for me, as I've finally given up on GH completely.

The David Vickers recap on Friday was hilarious, surreal, and totally original. Snoop Dogg I thought did a fabulous job. He looked like he was enjoying himself completely, and the Bo/Snoop interaction rocked. Langston is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters as I watch her stand up for herself with Dorian and Todd. I love how the show recognizes that spending a little money to go on location, as opposed to saving a few bucks for crappy green screen (*cough*GH*cough*), makes all the difference in enjoying the show. I'm completely and totally wrapped up in the Rex/Gigi/Bitchy Bangs story, and the preview for that this week looks completely soapy. I'm glad to see Antonio and Talia back together in such a sexy way. I've even been enjoying Cole and Starr, even though to me they've been the least enjoyable story as of late.

In short, OLTL has been reminding me why I loved soaps in the first place. I'm sincerely hoping that the ratings will go up and people will start to discover this gem again.

David Vickers being back is MUST SEE TV! LOVING him back on OLTL

I've been lovin OLTL so much lately that its almost noon here in Houston but I am anxiously waiting for 1:00 to roll around.

I know that this is the wrong place to post this but I had to somewhere. On today's episode of OLTL, Adriana used the term yall coined "bitchy bangs" to describe the correlation between her new haircut and her embracing her inner Dorian. I think Ron was shouting you guys out!

I am back to loving OLTL once again, after many years. Carlivati has been doing almost transcendent work since his return and now my DVR is working overtime to catch OLTL and ATWT. But I HAVE to speak on this issue in his report (keeping in mind this is another venue, not his column...lol);

Regarding Nelson's statement in his always entertaining ""The Nelson Ratings" that Wayne Fitzgerald's OLTL opening is the "greatest" credit sequence in soaps of all-time" is.....what frak is he smoking? Soap themes are dear to my heart and I maintain that a great one can either be listened to in a way that not only reminds one of the soap the theme represents but can be listened to, appreciated on its own right and timeless.

Easily, the top 10 openings of all-time are:

10. As the World Turns/1993-1997: The first strains of a beautiful piano melody begin as massive gold letters begin to slowly encircle the turning world as seasons change within. Nope, no cast credits but Barry DeVorzon's score is one of me most beautiful melodies ever written for daytime television.

9. Days of Our Lives/2004 -The classic Days theme has remained unchanged for decades for better or for worse, but this orchestration elevated it to a whole new level. Bolder, grander and more magisterial, this version of the theme elevated a classic theme to a great work of music.

8. The Bold & The Beautiful/1987-2004 and current- Although they practically ripped off the visual style of the Edge of Night, B&B two major themes & credits sequences successfully married their concept to that of the show's in ways that few others have ever matched.

7. One Life to Live/1975-84 - Jack Urbont's theme was the epitome of emotional romance and high drama. Though it did not have cast credits, it was still an arresting piece of work. Wayne Fitzgerald's opening (including the Peabo Bryson version) might tie here, but no higher.

6. Texas/1982 - Perhaps no soap had a more ambitious theme, one that matched its unique character and unique characters (!) other than the #1 listing. So great was this theme that a major investment or insurance company used it in their advertising campaign.

5. General Hospital/1983-2004 - Dave Koz's cool saxophone could have easily become dated over time. But the composition was so smooth and the title sequence of contract players so vibrant that it ranks as one of the all-time best.

4. Young & the Restless/Original & Current -The older visuals were beautiful; the current opening visuals are simply stunning. "Nadia's Theme" alone elevates these credits to legendary status. Play those first 5 chords and few people associate it with Nadia Comaneci. Everybody knows it is Y&R.

3. Another World - The 1996-1997 theme was visually arresting, despite that it aped ER. And there are many fans who love that dreadful Crystal Gayle "You Take Me Away to Another World" nonsense. But one of the crowning jewels of the soap theme age was the Charles Paul version during the "interlocking rings" period. Though the opening version is only ten seconds long, the full orchestral version that played over the end credits really could take one away to another world.

2. Guiding Light/1982 or '83 - It all begins with Nick & Mindy on a white horse galloping on a beach. And the music - as sweeping and majestic as Gone with the Wind - building and building to an emotional crescendo with great clips of the cast, including that enigmatic shot of Beverlee McKinsey as Alexandra sweeping her hands through her hair, until the titles come up. This is the theme that has come closest to the soundtrack of an actual romance novel and it is glorious.

1. The Edge of Night/1980-83: Before any other show save Y&R introduced an extended montage sequence feature, before any other show introduced an uptempo music sequence, Edge broke out with a fast paced, brilliant, wholly original, and vibrant theme that to this day remains an utterly unique experience. Every cast member is in perfect character, every shot supportive of the series location and themes. Even the title design, rising dramatically into the "Monticello" skyline remains undated to this day, some twenty-odd years after the series has been long gone. This was the title sequence that I and I know a few other Edge of Night fans literally ran home from school in time to catch. This is what we mean by the word brilliant.

There are so many other worthy contenders: AMC from the 70's and early 80's, Guiding Light's mid-80's "lighthouse" credits, Santa Barbara, and Port Charles' telenovela era credits. And everyone has their favorites ( hated Sunset Beach, but the opening credits were beautiful). But these are what think are the greatest based on musicality, theme, and timelessness.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.

GUIDING LIGHT 2008 OPENING: Yesterday is Today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oLxCBv_QO0

THE EDGE OF NIGHT: 2008 - Hi-Octane Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA5DbWdX8IA

OLTL is so good these days that I often find myself wanting to fake an illness just to stay home and watch it live instead of waiting until 9 ! God do I love Ron !

All hail OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***///Living In The World Of Soaps Since 1985\\\***

I am enjoying OLTL more than I have in years. Except the teen stuff must end.

DS... Agree to disagree, but I respect your opinion highly. You're one of the smartest fans/posters out there.

Nelson, agree to disagree we shall. LOL

Man, not only do I respect your opinion and columns, but what I most admire about you (and indeed the rest of the Daytime Confidential crew as well as Marlena Delacroix, and my hero Mimi Torchin) is that you are at the forefront of leading the charge for respect for the art of daytime.

As a fan going back to the mid 70's (and maybe a tad before), that means a great deal.

GUIDING LIGHT 2008 OPENING: Yesterday is Today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oLxCBv_QO0

THE EDGE OF NIGHT: 2008 - Hi-Octane Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA5DbWdX8IA

I'm loving OLTL so much lately too!!! David had me laughng so hard I cried on Friday!! I'm so glad he's back!! Can't wait for Tina's return too!!