DC #342: ABC Full Monty

Jamie I disagree with you about Bianca and Reese.I'm fine with bisexuality but if AMC wants to do a bisexual love triangle I think it would be better to make it clear that Reese is bisexual from the beginning instead of leaving us wondering if she is really straight. The thing I liked about Bianca's story with Lena is that the source of conflict was not about Lena's sexual orientation. But now it seems like AMC thinks that the only story for lesbian couples is about whether or not one of them is really into women.

I ado agree about the state of AMC though. The show is just awful. It doesn't seem to matter who's writing it just keeps on getting worse and worse. I think the execs should try promoting from within like OLTL did with Ron C instead of continuing to recycle mediocre writers like B&E and Pratt. It might not work but at this point it would be hard for things to turn out worse off than they are now so they may as well try something different.

I'm torn about the whole Josh thing. On the one hand I hated the unabortion and thought that was a ridiculous and pointless violation of AMC's history. But I did really grow to like Josh and his relationships with Bianca, Kendall and Erica. So I'm not sure if I really want AMC to get rid of him and pretend he never existed, especially if they can't find a way to undo the unabortion.

with bisexuality but if AMC wants to do a bisexual love triangle I think it would be better to make it clear that Reese is bisexual from the beginning instead of leaving us wondering if she is really straight.
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But how is this reflective or real life? I just finished reading one of the best gay teen novels of all time, called Rainbow Boys and the main love story is between a jock who doesn't come to terms with being bisexual until the end of the book. I am okay with this storyline because of the inherit soapyness. Bianca loves Zach and she loves Reese. Plus this is all to common in the media. Melissa Etheridge's ex girlfriend left her and decided she was straight again, as did Anne Heche.

Jamie at Bianca's age there should be plently of people who are already aware of their sexual identity whether that be bisexual or gay. Maybe someone who just fell in love with a women for the first time might not immediately identify as bisexual but I think thats one of the reasons it would have been better for Reese to have a history with both women and men.

As for the Anne Heche angle. Thats a very different type of story than bisexuality. And much less interesting and original to me. I don't want to see Binks fall for a women just for her to decide she's straight. Thats just ugly to me not soapy.

It would be much better and more compelling for her to be bisexual and really in love with Bianca. Especially after so many people have waited to long for Bianca to get a real romance. And didn't those stories you are referring to happen over ten years ago? Those are hardly hot media stories right now. Gay marriage between people who are actually gay(or bisexual) have been the hot media stories lately.
But unfortunately, soaps being as black and white and behind the times as they are, I think they will go with the Anne Heche angle. Which, imho, would deflate the power of the story and render it pretty pointless.

If Reese is truly bisexual they could still at least do something soapy but still postive for same-sex couples and marriage. But if they go where I think there going it would not amount to anything more than cheap ugly tabloid crap.

I also think TPTB expecting us to care about Reese and Bianca when one of them might be straight is as ridiculous as it would be if ATWT expected us to be invested in Brian and Lucinda as a couple or take their "romance" seriously.

I think the show needs a exec producer to spice up the show and get make it more soapy. I am digging the Bianca/Reese/Zach triangle and Kendall coming out of her coma and the Adam/Erica dynamic and JR and Amanda. I hope that they get Julia Barr and Cady McClain back. I still giving Pratt a chance, but if he is not doing anything good, I want him gone. But they could be Frons interfering with the show. He is good with that, though.

siomonstuart2003

See, I definitely see it as Reese being in love with Binks, I just think she is also attracted to Zach.

Jamey, about the Vanessa Marcil's holdback, I am with you that an actor shouldn't hold the show hostage, but on the other hand, GH is awful when it comes to returns and how women are betrayed on here. So I don't blame VM for not coming back unless the show right her character a good return if the ratings goes up for her and not the mob sympathizer like other women on GH. I hope that she comes back and Guza write her good this time.

siomonstuart2003

i'm *REALLY EXCITED* about the OLTL podcast!!!
thank you for doing that!

www.nornsisland.com

Good show!

I can understand people's frustrations with how the Reese/Bianca story is playing out. I think most of us figured Reese was going to turn out to be bisexual. Obviously TPTB are nervous enough having one "purebred lesbian" let alone having two - or three, if they went with the lesbian triangle Luke suggested. Making Reese Bi allows TPTB more flexibility with the character when/if Bianca leaves.

I think there are *a lot* of problems with this story, but Reese's sexual preference mystery is the least of them... The whole "love story" happened off camera, so I'm not invested in it. They're having discussions now that most normal people have in their first month of dating, not right before they get married. So they're both coming across as irresponsible - who has a child with and plans to marry someone who they don't really know all that well?? And as much as I love TB, Reese comes off as a flake a lot of times. IMO, there's this odd vagueness about her (part of it having to do with her sexuality) making it hard to get a grasp on the character. And there have been way too many unintentially funny moments (Zach mauling Reese's cheek, Reese's slow mo with porno music stuff the other day...) JMO

Someone joked about Alla Karot coming onto AMC for Ricky Paull Goldin. You know, she actually was on AMC and I think her character was involved with Jake, so they really *could* do that, LOL.

And with the whole Kirsten Storms/Jason Cook thing. I can understand why people hate/resent when TPTB think they can recapture the magic two actors had on another show. I think there are other factors involved (writing, character personalities) as Jamey mentioned. And I think TPTB really have an uphill battle when they decide to do that. But that said, I'm open to it.

I think KS/JC do have chemistry on GH and I think the characters could be interesting together. However, to GH's credit (can't believe I'm saying that), they've chosen not to go there. They've continued building the Spixie relationship (not rushing a romance, but instead concentrating on their friendship, which is a good thing). I know DC named Matt/Maxie one of the worst couples of 2008, but they weren't a couple. GH didn't go there and I think they should be applauded for that. Same with the whole She-Spin they've got on there - she's just a temporary obstacle for Spixie, not a legitimate threat to them.

As soon as Bianca showed up pregnant w/ her sister's husband's baby I was completely removed from caring about anything that happens w/ these people or in this story. If the s/l doesn't start out plausible than why should the middle or ending be any different?!

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Pushing Daisies - You will always be in my heart!

Oh yes, Season - how can I forget that!?! The story started out on a *big* WTF note!! Not a good sign, LOL

you are taking a ****HUGE*** leap of faith thinkin' that *this* show is gonna deal with bisexuality in any kind of mature or responsible way.

www.nornsisland.com

I need Spixie I want spixie. next to Nadine they are the only thing keeping me watching.
yes I loved shelle. All versions of shelle BUT I DONT WANT M&M!!!!

And Jr and Amanda are the only thing I like on amc BUT I only watch them on Youtube. I want Dixie back. Thats all i want back!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hated Josh thank goodness he is soon to be gone for god.

Yea oltl is amazing. Especially TARTY!!!! Todd and Marty own the show!!! Marty still loves Todd. She hates him but she still loves him. Want my Tarty back so bad!!!!
I still hate John.

I agree that ONE LIFE TO LIVE IS ROCKIN!!!! It is awesome. I could careless that the summer wasnt so hot cause this show has paid up-- and is on FIRE!!! I love that Dorian, Viki, Blair, Nora and Bo are older vets-- but are still in central storylines. Ron C gets it! We (the fans) wanna see vets involved in storylines-- not thrown to the back burner!

Again- I agree with the podcast on another topic-- and that is Vanessa M holding GH hostage. I must admit I didnt think she was THAT great... to have that kinda control over the show. There was talk a few years ago that Rebecca Budig was being considered as a Brenda recast- and I would have been fine with that! What I find hysterical about this is KELLY RIPA is one of the biggest household names to come off of an ABC daytime show-- and AMC has not brought her back for a wedding or funeral yet! She said it often on LIVE that she would go back if asked! HELLO-- wanna see a spike in ratings-- that may be your girl!!!!

This brings me to AMC. First off let me say I was heart broken to hear that it faced cancelation. Secondly- I think a new Exec Producer is needed ASAP! In the past few years I feel Julie C has lost touch with the fans and she is allowing the writers to do their thing with NO cares about the audience. I think this change is EP should have happened a year ago if not longer!!!! I think Pratt is taking AMC down the right path. Erica is back as the center character-- which I love. I enjoyed the Mrtyle tribute. I am uncertain about the Reese/Binks thing right now. I am not buying into it that much-- cause I never saw the Binks and Reese courtship. It was a love made off camera. I almost feel like Tamara B was brought on as a way to get Alicia M to resign---- cause Tamara B is the only other actress I could see as a Kendell recast! So once Alicia resigned- I feel like they made the character of Reese (which could have been played by a newbie) into a much bigger role! I must admit I am looking forward to Binks,Reese and the girls moving back to Paris once their 4 month contract is up! I love Bianca but I am not into their whole storyline. At this point I would rather Bianca pop in for cameos.

Here is what I would like to see in 2009 for AMC....

1. ROMANCE- I think we need to see some budding love.Let's see new love stories blossom for Ryan and Tad. Also, I think JR & Amanda could be the romance to explore..because there is a rocky past!

2. RIVALRY- I think this is coming down the pike between Tad and David-and I am excited. But I think we need a rivalry between some women. I wanna see a duo like Vikki & Dorian on AMC.

3. FUN COUPLES- every couple on AMC is tortured! I wanna see at least one or two light fun couples. I loved Gillian and Ryan back in the day cause they were fun and funny!! Maybe Ryan and Carmen would work-- cause Cameron Math can do comedy-and SUPER RYAN is grating people's nerves!

4. COUGAR- I wanna see Liza Colby come back as a recast and have her be a cougar-going after the much younger boy! A repeat of history in a way-Liza bedding Colby's love interest Petey!!!! Plus this show lacks women in their 40's!

5. RETURN OF THE MEGA BITCH- I love Kendall when she has an agenda!

6. ERICA HAS A HEALTH CRISIS- let’s see Erica have a serious health scare. I love when Susan Lucci does drama.

7. TIE IN FOR TAYLOR- give Taylor roots to a core or legacy family. Perhaps a daughter of Stuart or a long lost daughter of Donna and Chuck! Taylor works as a PI with Tad- making the two good friends...so close that people assume they are an item which interferes in their relationships!

8. BIG NAME CROSSOVERS & CASTING- Why not have Dorian Lord or Tracey Quartermain try to take over Fusion and deal with Kendall and Erica! Jake's wife played by Martha Byrne of ATWT.

~ If AMC wont cast Marth B then I say OLTL should grab her. I think she would be an awesome CASSIE-- and her and Robin S would be amazing! Martha would come with her own fan base-- and lets face it all ABC's show could use a spike in their viewership!!!

mrsa1107 said...
"I almost feel like Tamara B was brought on as a way to get Alicia M to resign---- cause Tamara B is the only other actress I could see as a Kendell recast!"

i think you are more correct than you know!

www.nornsisland.com

Mr. Giddens, once again you are my one of my heroes! Thank you for the comments about actors holding shows hostage! I've been wanting to to hear someone say that for a long, long time! LOL

Everything that was mentioned about OLTL - DITTO. Great soap opera, best it has been since the new millenium.
But I would challenge you to watch AMC with a set of fresh eyes. Yes it has been horrid for the past 2 or 3 years. Charles Pratt has done a genuis job of laying the foundation for some great stories. The aftermath of Babes death, the Myrtle tribute and Pyscho Annie were great moments. The show has such a primetime feel to it that I'm actually loving CP's direction. Anyone who can make me feel some compassion for Laura Koffman deserves an EMMY for that alone!
The Binks/Reese/Zach story is the most sophisticated story on daytime right now. Get ready for some powerhouse scenes between Tamara B. and Alicia M.!

I totally agree with OLTL, I gave up on GH about 2 years ago. I had watched since I was a small, gay child and could stand no more. No more mob, no more Sam, no more Sonny (who USED to be the best thing on the show), and no more plot driven stories (as opposed to character driven).

I think Scott Clifton will be the spolier between Gigi and Rex. He is an excellent actor, and was underused on GH. Glad to see he will finally get some decent material from Ron C. and Co.

As for Marty it looks like she is finally going to start acting out. She was originally a bitch, who softened when raped by Todd. The plot device of rape to transform a "bad girl" to "good girl" became all the rage (after Marty and Todd 1993) on soaps. This same type of transformation was used with Liz on GH years later.

Another reason not to watch GH, Liz and Jason are not allowed to be together. Jason and Liz are the original Luke and Noah:)

Yeah eightiesaddict, using rape to transform a bad girl into a girl girl has been done a bunch of times. Natalie on AMC is another example. Some people interpret it differently though: that going through something as traumatic and awful as rape doesn't have to destroy you, that you can not only survive it but become a stronger, better person. But personally, I've never been comfortable with the whole Rape as Redemption story.

Jamey, I could kiss you on the forehead. Why is GH trying to shove another recycled couple down our throats? I completely agree with you on everything. God, it fustrates the crap out of me to see this couple with so much potential being tossed aside for recycled Shelle. GH be smart put Spinelli and Maxie together. And OLTL is great right now as well.

Jamey, thank you for putting my frustrations into words about Spinelli and Maxie. This is the reason I watch this horrid show.

I wasn't a Shelle fan, on DAYS, I watch GH and I sure as hell don't want my beloved Spixie messed up. Spixie do hit it on all cylinders and I realize this is a soap and there should be angst, but I don't want all this build up blown apart so we can relive a DAYS pairing.

Jamie, you are my new hero after hearing your comments about Spixie!! I love this couple and I absolutely refuse to watch TIIC turn Spinelli( my favorite character in daytime) into podSpinelli to push the M&M agenda! Throwing this stereotypical Winnie in as the bone that is going to be thrown to Spinelli is INSULTING to his fans!

I don't think GH knows who they are playing with here! So many of us identify with Spinelli! Anyone who has ever felt "different" or "not normal" in their lives can idenify with Spinelli and the great way Bradford Anderson portrays him!

Throwing him the Winnie bone is so condescending I am appalled! But this is GH and apparently TIIC want Shelle redux! So go for it! I always have the option of voting with my TV dial! Dr Phil is looking good right now!