How to save an ailing awards show.

I don't expect that this year's Emmy's will have greatly improved my view of the awards. I secretly hold out hope that it will, but my powers of reason and logic predict otherwise. Regardless of how they turn out this year, I want to make a case for the daytime actors who - while professing to not take the Emmy's seriously anyway - deserve a better process by which to represent their hard work. I don't want to get into the Best Show, Direction, and Writing categories, but I do want to advocate for the acting categories. There are two massively important changes that need to be made. First, the pre-nomination process needs to be eliminated. It has turned out to be a most egregious change to the system. Secondly, the submission guidelines for actors needs to change.

The pre-nomination process sucks. Not only does it encourage backstage politics and campaigning, at the peril of some actors (what does being popular at work have to do with brilliant acting?), but it wrongly suggests that each show has the same level and amount of talent per year in each acting category. That is absurd! In any given year, a show (depending on its storylines and talent roster) may have anywhere from zero to five or so eligible and deserving actors in any category. It's quite likely, for instance, that at least one show would have no one in the Younger Actor/Actress categories that deserved a nomination. Younger actors don't always get major storylines. Why should every show HAVE to submit two actors in each Younger category if there was no one truly deserving of it? I think the Younger Categories may be entirely unnecessary, but that's another battle for another day.  I don't think too many veteran actors who've been pushed into the Supporting Categories due to ageism would appreciate going up against twelve year olds. All I'm saying is why do twelve year olds have to be eligible for acting awards unless they are good enough to compete with the adults?  It seems to me that the Younger Categories are silly. 

But back to the pre-noms.  One need go no further than One Life to Live's pre-nominations this year in the Leading Actor category to see that the process is flawed, if not corrupt. Bob Woods, who is a stellar actor when being anecdotal or embroiled in storyline, was the first of this year's Leading Actor pre-noms despite the fact that he had no leading man storyline in 2008. He didn't even have a supporting actor storyline unless you count the 1968 time travel debacle. He did not deserve a nomination (or pre-nomination, as it were) since he could not possibly have put together a competitive reel. Then we have Michael Easton. Easton's storyline was John's loooooong, sloooooow, drawn-out realization that Marty was still alive and that Todd was holding her captive. Then he crashed through a window. I mean, seriously. The notion that Easton could have been nominated for Leading Actor against people like Tony Geary and Christian LeBlanc is absurd. Strike that, it's laughable. No... it's outrageous!  But OLTL had to pre-nominate two leading actors, so Woods and Easton were the best they could come up with to represent the show in 2008. Right?

WRONG.  Excuse me, but Trevor St. John deserved an Emmy nomination this year.  Everyone with a brain and two eyes knows that. There is no doubt in my mind that had St. John been pre-nominated by his cast and crew, he would have received a nomination. I'm not sure he would have won because of the one-episode submission rule which I will dissect momentarily. But he surely could have competed. Easton and Woods could NOT have competed this year. So why wasn't St. John given the pre-nomination when Haskell was? Their work in 2008 was irrevocably connected.  Haskell and St. John were THE stars of OLTL in 2008. Whether you loved or hated the Rapemance, there is no doubting the brilliant - no, genius - acting that spewed forth from both Haskell and St. John.  For whatever reason, the other actors and crew at OLTL decided as a group that they did not want St. John to get nominated.  Either that, or people were just voting for their friends and St. John doesn't appear on their "close friend" list.  Truly, there is no other explanation.  The people at OLTL, including the cast, responsible for the pre-nominations should be ashamed of themselves for denying St. John the Emmy nomination he so obviously deserved.  And the Emmy process is to blame for instituting such an unfair, Lord of the Flies pre-nomination scenario.  Shame on all.   

Then again, if we give the OLTL cast and crew the benefit of the doubt, it's entirely possible to imagine that they simply don't have time to watch the very show they earn a living wage working on. We know many actors don't watch it for various reasons (so they claim!). If an actor does not even watch the show on a regular basis, why exactly are they being allowed to have a vote in the pre-nomination process? Isn't that turning a supposedly prestigious award into Prom King and Queen? Even if the actors who are voting do watch their show religiously, how on earth are they expected to be unbiased when they voice their opinion on which of their peers should be recognized? How many actors do you think take this responsibility seriously and do so unselfishly? Why should they? Simply put, actors have no business voting en masse in the Emmy process. Period, end of story.

One solution: Every actor should be allowed to submit himself or herself for an Emmy each and every year they feel proud of their work. I'm well aware this open-door policy would undoubtedly result in some actors trying every year for a nomination even if they don't have the material to compete. But they should have the right. A panel of experts would then watch the submission reels and go through a nominating process. That process could be a process of elimination, a widespread vote, or a voucher system (each judge watches 'x' amounts of acting reels and vouches for the ones he/she thinks should move forward to compete as nominees).  Whatever that system consisted of, it would result in the nominations. It would have nothing to do with rationed nominations per show. If one show had a particularly amazing year, then they could and should dominate the nominations. If the strongest five Leading Actress tapes were all from one show, then so be it. 

As for the reels themselves, it is time to overturn this absurd one-episode rule.  Right now the actors can only submit one episode from the whole year. This does a few bad things. First, it severely limits the actors. Take Susan Haskell. She submitted her strongest episode, which was when John crashed through the window and she found out she had a son and Todd was her rapist. Probably a wise choice.  But imagine how much stronger her chance of winning would be if she could have submitted a second episode (two episodes was the standard submission for years), perhaps when she took the abortion pill on the floor at the hospital, or perhaps the episode when she made love to Todd. As an Emmy judge, watching Marty's horror at finding out Todd raped her would be much more powerful had I already seen Todd and Marty making love. One tape is not enough to represent oneself. 

But two tapes isn't great either. The actors need to be allowed to create an acting reel of their best moments from the entire year. There should be a minimum and maximum length to the reel. The actor will have to choose what to include.  Someone like Ilene Kristen could put together Roxy's funniest moments with her most dramatic, tear-jerking scenes. Bree Williamson could have showcased all of her character's alter personalities, and included some of those scenes inside of her brain where Tess was kept in a cage. Someone like Robin Strasser would be an Emmy contender every year, even when Dorian's storyline is non-existent. Since she gets so much screen time and does so much with her screen time, she'd have a fighting chance every year. That is of course, IF she chose to submit herself.  Hopefully the actors would use discretion and judgment when deciding whether or not to submit themselves.  Making a reel would be time consuming and something for them to be proud of. 

The judging panel is another story all together. The soap press is the most logical choice for who should be judging the Emmy nominees. However, there is no reason acting experts from outside the industry could not sit on the judging panels.  Especially if the actors are submitting reels, there is no need for judges to be from within the soap industry. With only one disembodied episode on hand, how is any acting judge supposed to follow the storyline and experience the full impact of the acting? Soap storylines are so outrageous that most one-episode acting submissions will not be impressive. If an actor submits a story arc rather than just one moment of storyline, their work can be experienced more fully and judged more effectively.  In the meantime, we are seeing Bob Guza write stand-alone episodes for Tony Geary where he can play ten characters in a non-storyline dependent hour just to ensure a nomination. And think of the pressure on TPTB then in a storyline beat such as Viki tricking Jessica to come out and remember her baby died. The writers had to make sure all the best moments fell within just one episode so that Erika Slezak and Bree Williamson have better chances at getting nominated next year (which they both deserve). The negative and degrading influence of the current Emmy pre-nomination and submission process needs to be replaced. 

Last-minute Emmy review...

The Emmy telecast was atrocious. As per usual, the first two or three acting categories are allowed acting clips, while the most important (Lead) categories were censored. It's not the actors' faults the networks can't time out their corny routines properly.  Actor clips should not be an elective;  they should be the highlight of the night, next to acceptance speeches. Shame, shame, shame! Who cares that Susan Haskell won? Someone who doesn't watch our show needs a highlight clip to become introduced to the actor/actress, while those of us who know their work want to see the clip representing them. No clips = bad show!
 

Other Emmy thoughts: Susan Lucci looked HOT. As if she lost ten years rather than ten pounds. The OLTL cast was shoved back into a corner. How insulting.  Kristen Alderson looks 35 years old. What have they done to her? Also it was cruel to have Brandon Buddy present the Younger Actor category when he should have been nominated (if the Emmy used my submission outline, Buddy would have gotten a nod this year). Allowing Vanessa Williams to sing like ten songs when acting clips weren't shown for the leading actors is simply inexcusable. 

The ONLY good part of the telecast was the Guiding Light tribute. The emotion there is just devastating. I couldn't help but think, when the entire cast filled the stage, that most of their careers are now over.

Bree Williamson - Congrats to Susan Haskell - surprised she didn't thank Trevor St. John, but the awards were so rushed I'm surprised she was even able to thank her husband. 

Late-breaking as column goes to press...

Dan Gauthier and Kathy Brier are returning for brief stints this fall. Brier's return will most likely be anecdotal, to check in with Gigi or something. But Gauthier's return is big news. One can only assume that the announcement of this return signals the coming announcement of Gina Tognoni's return as Kelly Cramer Buchanan. But Gauthier's return being "brief" hints at a Kevin-Kelly break up. Regardless, it's time to start writing NOW that you want Gauthier to stick around as Kevin. That is, if you feel that way. I know I do. Gauthier can play into many stories as Kevin has history with Blair, Tea, Marty, Rachel, and pretty much all core characters. Kevin is a big part of OLTL and should remain on canvas - period!

Monday, August 24:  "Everybody Loves Rayburn"

-  That was Todd's one and only therapy session with Marty? Talk about a wasted concept. Todd/Marty in therapy together should have been its own storyline, not some convenient way to try to tie up their unfinished story from last year.

-  Oh my goodness! Brian Kerwin has something to do and say other than just functioning as Viki's echo! 

-  Schuyler is turning into a drama queen. I like him, but he keeps being so upfront and honest in ways that are bound to cause complications in Gigi's life. I think it's admirable that a character is this honest, especially in the Gigi/Rex/Stacy circle of liars.

-  Schuyler is so clearly testing Gigi's feelings by insisting he should leave town. I am starting to like this guy more and more. He's kind of going against the soap grain right now, which is good. 

-  Wow... I was just getting impressed by him and then wham!  Schuyler tells Gigi the complete truth about his feelings for her. Seriously, how often are soap characters this upfront and honest with their feelings? I dig it.

-  Stacy and Kim are so unattractive. It's almost blinding.

-  Todd to Marty, regarding her head-shrinking skills: "That's very good - but is this my therapy session or yours?" Hah.

-  I do not understand Charlie's enthusiasm about his new wife taking on a full-time job and campaign war. That seems like the type of situation Charlie would rather do without.

-  Lovely work by Trevor St. John when Todd told Marty he wants her to move on and be happy. Although part of me will always remain a diehard Tarty fan who is bitter about the way the writers abandoned their storyline under pressure, I will admit that the end of the therapy session left me more prepared to invest in Todd/Tea and to hopefully feel less annoyed by Marty's flip-flopping attitude where Todd is concerned.  It's the closest I've felt to any closure here. 

-  Why would Rex have to go to Tahiti with Blair? What is she paying him, a million dollars? I don't like the Blair/Rex scenes. They're both annoying right now and it seems like they're annoying one another, too.

-  Excooose me, but can you imagine a woman with Viki's past running for mayor of your city? A woman with several long-term bouts of D.I.D.,Todd Manning for a brother, the Buchanan's as her family, an alcoholic husband, a batshit crazy daughter, and the list goes on? A woman who once burned down her own home? A woman who kept a prisoner in her basement for months? A woman who attempted to murder her own son? I'm not saying I can't overcome these far-fetched circumstances for the sake of giving Erika Slezak a storyline, but it is funny to think about!

-  Get that Pirates of the Caribbean lunch box out of my sight! 

-  Don't you love how Blair up and flies to Tahiti to go visit a man she has criminal charges pending against, just as her daughter is about to start her senior year of school while leaving her baby at home to be cared for by... whom, exactly? Addie?  Sven? Where is Sven, anyway? 

Tuesday, 8/25:  "The Thin Line Between Love and Rage"

-  Isn't it frustrating that Tea isn't telling Todd the truth about her secret(s) now?  I know this is typical soap formula (unlikely couple finds happiness only to be blown apart by a secret), but it would be so refreshing for once to see a smart woman like Tea realize the inevitability of her secret coming to light and taking control of the situation. I don't like the way Tea is being portrayed as a victim here, though thankfully Florencia Lozano is so damn good that I'll take whatever they dish out because she makes it real.

-  Props to Dorian for getting angry with Blair for... well, for being an emotionally stunted woman and a shitty mother.  Dorian is right.

-  I'm liking Schuyler more and more with each passing day. He reminds me of a more mature Rex before Rex became horribly stupid.

-  Dang!  Rex and Gigi's fight today was pretty brutal. I wonder how much of the realness of that is due to their real-life relationship? That fight was more real-life than soapy, which is a good thing. I am on Team Gigi all the way on this one.

-  I was amazed that Layla found out the truth about Fish while preparing for a yoga class at the gym. I liked the Layla/Nick scenes. They were probably the best scenes ever filmed on that horrible gym set. But what a weird, slightly anticlimactic way for her to find out.

-  You know what a great story would be? If Dorian had Blair committed to St. Anne's to keep her away from Todd and Tea. Seriously. Then while Blair is in St. Anne's, she could start to really lose her mind. Addie would try to help her and that could lead into the long-neglected story about Blair's childhood and Addie's past. It would be way better than what we are watching now.

-  Speaking of Blair, I hope Tea does something really awful to her after this. Like, REALLY awful. I have never hated Blair this much before. 

-  SHOCKED by Todd's "I love you" to Tea. Shocked. In a good way, but shocked nonetheless. 

-  Every time Cris and Kyle are on screen together, it seems like true love. 

-  When Gigi and Rex had make up sex after that fight, I got the distinct impression that Gigi is going to wind up pregnant soon.

-  Todd and Tea blew me away today with the romance factor. That is not really my cup of tea, but they brought it today. Maybe this is true love?

-  How can Schuyler not realize he's been drugged? He can barely move and he's hallucinating. Hello?

 

Wednesday, 8/26:  "Fish in a Barrel"

-  Kim and Stacy are on the show WAY TOO MUCH. I can't stand it.

-  This episode sucks. It really, really sucks. Langston looking for Markko.... zzzzzzzz. David and his stupid reality crew..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Rex and Gigi being "romantic"...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. John and Fish talking about the mayor for an hour....... zzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Kim and Stacy......... (holds hair back from toilet rim). I don't care about anything happening today. No Todd/Tea, no Viki, no Nora/Bo, no Dorian. Zzzzzzzzzz.

-  The reality show gimmick is OVER. It was funny for a day but now it's lame.

-  I question the writers' decisions on how Layla found out the truth. First the yoga scenes, now Layla and Cris outside while he's painting...  it's all very anticlimactic.  There is a soapy, dramatic edge missing from this reveal.

-  There have been so many scenes at the mansion lately without Nigel, and certainly without Renee. I think that's just wrong.

-  Umm... what the hell were those atrocious scenes with Rachel and Greg playing video games and trying to dance? Those were just embarrassing to watch! What the hell were the writers and directors thinking? This couple was going along just fine but this was so forced and cheesy that it took away all of their momentum. Rachel is a bland, boring character. Always has been, and still is. Dumb stunts trying to make her look exciting only highlight the fact that she's boring.

-  STOP THE PRESSES. Okay, one good thing happened on this episode, and that is David Gregory's scorching hot scenes as Ford today. All I have to say is, A STAR IS BORN. This came out of nowhere but it sure did come. This guy is a keeper. And by the look on Langston's face - which she's never had with Markko - I'd say her boyfriend better be worried.

-   Why do people say they LIKE Kim? She is horrendous. What kind of friend encourages their BFF to keep having unprotected sex with strangers in hopes of covering up a miscarriage? Any friend worth her salt would be trying to build up Stacy's self-esteem and trying to get her to see that she should not be begging a man to love her. It's just pathetic, and downright disturbing. People like Stacy and Kim should not exist.

-  David: "Rachel - on the floor with your lover's brother!? Are you pulling a Nora?"

-  Aside from the nearly pornographic (in a good way) scenes with Ford and Langston, this episode was the worst episode of OLTL in months. I would say it was a disaster.

Thursday, 8/27:  "Leave the Bottle"

-  How delightful to get a whole episode of scenes with Viki and Charlie reading and going through papers and such in their bed. Whenever Viki and Charlie have scenes like this, I feel like I'm watching a slice of real life, with real people. There's something comforting about seeing Viki happy and active. 

-  Okay, so the big Fish/Layla scenes. Sigh. I'm trying to be positive because frankly, Tika Sumpter KILLED it today. She has proven herself before but this went above and beyond. This is a perfect example of why every actor/actress should be able to submit themselves for an Emmy. There's no way Sumpter will be given a pre-nomination next year (at least, it's doubtful). But she could have a shot at an Emmy nomination with this episode. 

-  So that's the good news. The bad news is that I'm just not feeling Scott Evans' performance. It lacks emotional impact. There aren't enough levels or choices being made in his acting. This is perhaps the biggest moment in Fish's life, and I feel like Evans is not communicating that. There is something passive and kind of flat about him, even in the face of exposure and being ousted. Then, toward the end of the scenes, he did the fake crying thing which is my biggest acting pet peeve. "Crying" without tears is unacceptable. If Fish doesn't feel like crying, he shouldn't cry.  Considering that through most of these scenes he was merely pouting, the fake crying came off as VERY fake. Sumpter, on the other hand, blew it out of the box even with a mediocre scene partner, which is twice as difficult. Brava, Tika! But I'm sorry, I have no sympathy for Fish. If a stronger actor were playing him, I'm sure I would.

-  Oh my LORD were those Cole/John scenes BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING. Like watching two cardboard boxes sitting next to a dumpster.

-  By the way, why is it okay for Cole and John to talk for an hour outside where anyone can see them, yet Cole isn't allowed to even talk to Marty on the phone?

-  Ooh I loved Gigi being such a nasty bitch to those skanks, Kim and Stacy. If Gigi keeps this up, she's going to be my second favorite bitch in town - next to Natalie of course. I can't count how many times Gigi used the term "hookers" whilst describing Stacy and Kim, who she only just met. She's right, too - Kim and Stacy ARE hookers, and they dress and make themselves to look like hookers.

-  Props for showing Viki taking her heart medications! See what I mean about Viki and Charlie being real people?

-  I don't think Viki running for mayor right now makes ANY sense. But I'll get over it because it means screen time for Viki, and a new chapter in the Viki/Dorian saga. I can suspend disbelief for that. But seriously, look at Viki's family and her own past and tell me she should be running for mayor! I'd say Bo would be the wiser option.

-  How can Layla be screaming "You're gay!" at her own boyfriend without a) at least asking if he's bisexual or b) bringing up sex with him? If Layla believes Fish is gay just because he was lying about Kyle, then surely she would have something to say about how sex was with him? If she was satisfied with their sex and he seemed to be as well, then she should at least be voicing more confusion here rather than self-righteous anger. Clearly, Fish is a liar, but once again we see a storyline obsessed with labeling people. "You're gay!" being screamed is not exactly what I would call progressive. The saving grace of this storyline is Tika Sumpter.

-  Can someone please wake Michael Easton and Brandon Buddy the f*$# up? They are SLEEPING in their scenes!!!

-  When Charlie calls Viki the "queen of Llanview," she brushes it off and shakes her head. When Lowell calls Dorian the same thing, she says "Thank you" so matter-of-factly, that it's clear she expect to be recognized as such. This really epitomizes Viki and Dorian. Great writing and fabulous little acting colors from Slezak and Strasser. 

-  YES to Dorian becoming Lowell's campaign manager instead of going back to the hospital. This makes more sense and is vintage Dorian. In fact, I smell a vintage Dorian/Viki story coming on and I'm really looking forward to it!

-  No one has ever explained why Stacy hasn't gone to a sperm bank. Just sayin'.

-  Did Langston just sexually refer to herself as "the bucket?" Ewww.

-  So Carlivati IS going to steal my idea to have Stacy give the gays a baby?  Hmmm. 

Friday, 8/28:  "Who Am I Anyway?"

-  So, Fish sleeps with a girl AGAIN, AFTER being outed? But oh no, he's not bisexual - he's "gay." Whatever. 

-  Why isn't Tea digging into Elijah's past? You have to fight fire with fire - Tea should know that.

-  Thank goodness Viki is finally being told about the stalker situation. Jeez.

-  Can Kyle please stop yelling at Fish in public about his gayness? I really like Brett Claywell, but whenever he is on screen with Scott Evans, he screams at him. Can we have some acting levels, please? Enough with the hoarse shouting.

-  Here's what it is: When Claywell is on screen talking ABOUT Fish to Roxy or Cristian or Nick, Kyle is a believable, sensitive guy. Then when Claywell is on screen just with Evans, Kyle turns into someone talking AT someone rather than WITH someone. There is no chemistry. Zilch. I hate to say this, but you can tell Claywell is not attracted to men. He's trying to hard. Kyle is coming at Fish in a very macho way - a way in which a straight guy would approach another guy. Maybe Claywell can pretend Evans is a girl? I don't know, but something has to happen. Why haven't the directors helped these guys out? They need help. The story would be working if there was sizzle between Fish and Kyle. But there is no sizzle. I see a straight guy shouting at a gay guy who is just kind of passively sitting there like a lump.  Seriously, that's what I see. I guess I don't believe Kyle is gay. I don't believe Claywell is attracted to men. I believe that his feelings are hurt but there is something too forced and not real in this story. It could be fixed with some direction and if Evans brought something more to the table.

-  Starr bitching Dorian out about the mayor is the most interesting thing Starr has done in years.

-  Hmmmm.  I'm trying to be nice and patient but instead I'll be honest, okay? I was NOT feeling Michael Lowry as Ross today. I think it is a total and utter miscast. I remember Ross very well, and the character I saw on screen today was not Ross.  Lowry is way too clean-cut and "nice guy" to be Ross. I also do not buy him at all as a surfer dude. As for chemistry between Lowry and DePaivia? Nope, didn't see any. Maybe they can develop some, but I have to question this casting choice.

-  Isn't it funny that Brody has no idea who Dorian is? Funny because I distinctly remember him dealing with her during the Adriana storyline. She tried to pay him off, remember?

-  I wish Todd and Tea would move back into the penthouse! I miss the penthouse set. And why would either one of them want to live where Todd and Marty had their rapemance?

-  How great was it to see Viki and Charlie dropping by Dorian's just to put her on notice?  And we know who's side Starr will be on. See, this is the kind of storyline Viki and Dorian have been waiting for. 

-  So why can't Tea divorce Ross? 

**MAIL REPORT**

"It's kind of funny that you did not like Kim saying (she) hated people in recovery, but then later in your column you noted how boring people in recovery can be when you wished that Schuyler and Rachel would fall of the wagon.  Jeremy, I think this is just an example of how realistic OLTL really is. You must really surround yourself with some geniuses in your life, because most of the people I've come in contact with are kind of stupid, tend to follow the same bad patterns/habits--especially in their love relationships, and are much sleazier than Stacy and Kim."  - Mariliyn

I do know a few "geniuses," or individuals with genius IQ's, including my own father. However, I've known some really dumb people too. I've even known a few dumb people who I liked just fine because they were caring and good-natured. But most dumb people are also ignorant. Many smart people are ignorant as well, but dumb people almost always are. In Stacy and Kim's cases, they are incredibly stupid and ignorant. Though they can be entertaining for that very reason, it wears thin quickly. They have no business being characters on OLTL. The show is getting painful to watch, and they are a huge reason for that. I am too smart to be entertained by imbeciles for minutes on end. 

"Can we, I don't know, rewind to when Todd was on death row and Starr had, what's that word? Ummmm... personality? What happened to her? I was disgusted when I heard her say she wasn't going back to school. In my mind I kept thinking Langston's going to mention tutors, right? She's going to bring up the idea of tutors and getting her GED, right? I understand Starr wants to stay with her baby and not miss a moment but she wants to stay with Hope because she feels close to Cole? What? Excuse me? Can Langston please push her in the pool, after she's taken Hope out of Starr's arms of course, and then start yelling at her?... I don't want to talk about Blair, there was moment I was hopeful they'd mature her and then no. I've lost hope for her.  Jessica, I stopped having hope a long time ago.  As for the stripper sisters, 'scuse while I vomit. They are just loathsome, vacuous, trash."  - Nic

Loathsome, vacuous trash. I love that. If Stacy and Kim are on the show much longer, TPTB should consider changing the name of the show to Loathsome, Vacuous Trash.   

"Thank you for your passionate and insightful column. Have you noticed the strong physical resemblance between the actor who plays drug dealer Asher and Trevor St. John? What would you think of a storyline making Asher the offspring of Todd and Tea?"  - Louis

I haven't noticed it, truthfully, but I think your idea is great! However, I believe the child is a daughter and I don't think Asher will be around for much longer...

"I read your column from this past week, and I was totally on board with you about the "Kish" storyline. I didn't get it. I didn't really care about it. There were some interesting moments, but I don't know Kyle or Fish, or even Layla for that matter.  None of them have been a significant part of the show or a significant part of a core family. Even when Evangeline was on, Layla always seemed to be in the shadows, not really making an impact on anyone or anything going on in Llanview.  So, just accepting this as a great contemporary story just wasn't happening...until the 8/27 episode when Layla confronted Fish. Tika Sumpter finally made me care about Layla. She was able to portray Layla's hurt, anger, and confusion through her line delivery and her facial expressions. The tears were real. The emotion was real.  Scott Evans also delivered one of his better performances as he pleaded with Layla to give him a chance to prove he can be the man she wants, that she thought he was, and that HE wants to be. His confusion was evident. I have to agree with your assessment that Fish is actually bi-sexual, and the scenes when he was trying to get it through to Layla that he was in love with her, I thought, proved that. I do think Fish is in love with Layla. But, if the writers aren't going to go that route, then I will just have to accept that Fish is a scared closet case trying to convince himself that he's straight. Kudos to both for finally making me see that this just might turn out to be that awesome story that everyone's been gushing about!"  - Leslie

I agree about Sumpter. Evans left me kind of cold. I think Fish is in love with the idea of Layla, but it's not real. I just don't really care because I don't care about Fish. Never have. He is a perfunctory character. Layla has always been so as well;  only through her slowly building friendship with Cristian has she come to the forefront. Her relationship blunder with Fish was more of a showcase for the actress than the character.  After all, if you think about how Layla was sleeping with her co-worker and roommate who just happened to like men, it doesn't exactly speak highly of her intuition. Layla's relationship with Cristian has been the saving grace for herself and for Cris. Now the story will shift to Fish/Kyle, and they better make it work because so far it's not working. 

"Your comment about Fish being attracted to Cris just because he is gay, is not true. Does that mean all heterosexual people are attracted to persons of the opposite sex, all the time? No, it is not. Every man I see, I do not want to jump his bones. Nor, does every woman a man sees, he wants to have a sexual relation with. Sure you can appreciate a good looking person, but that those not mean you want to have sex with them."-  Karen

Well, men are a little different. They pretty much do want to have a sexual relation with everyone they see. I'm exaggerating, of course, but not by much. Humor aside, I wasn't trying to imply that a gay man (like Fish apparently is now) is attracted to every guy in the world. But Cris/David Fumero? I think at the least, there would be a sideways glance from time to time, especially since they live together and Cris only wears a shirt like 20% of the time. If you lived with a Calvin Klein model, wouldn't you at least admire their body from time to time if they were a member of a gender you're attracted to? I'm just saying that in real life, Cris would be able to tell Fish is gay just by living with him. 

That's it for this week.  Please send your OLTL thoughts, complaints, suggestions, and desperate pleas to:

Robert Iger, President of Disney (ABC Parent Company)
robert.a.iger@disney.com

Anne Sweeney, President of Disney-ABC
anne.x.sweeney@abc.com

Brian Frons, ABC Daytime President
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-4551
Brian.Frons@abc.com

Frank Valentini (Executive Producer)
C/O One Life to Live ABC Daytime
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
frank.valentini@abc.com

Ron Carlivati (Head Writer)
C/O One Life to Live ABC Daytime
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
rcarlivati@yahoo.com

ABC Comment Line: 323-671-4583

OLTL Viewer Comment Line: 212-456-3338

ABC Daytime Feedback Line: 212-456-7777

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