The Problem with General Hospital- It’s the Women, Stupid!!

I saw the ratings for GH today and all I can say is “Nice work, Nimnuts”. 

You’re tanking this show.  I suppose it’s not their fault.  They were handed a sinking ship and all they’ve done is throw out life preservers to those who are trying desperately to be saved, only to find that they are riddled with leaks.  They can’t hold air and everyone’s going down……….and not in the good way.

I thought it would be amusing to me, but it’s not. As with the other losers left on this pathetic “network”, GH is sinking fast and shouldn’t be around much longer.  I thought my bitterness would override my empathy, and, surprisingly, it did!  But, I find I’m more depressed than ever.  Again, what was it all about?  Why did it happen?  I just feel as if it’s all some cruel joke- an artform wiped out by commerce.  That’s nothing new.  Yet this time, it’s so much more painful.

I know my “schpiel” is to rant and rave and swear.  But I can’t do that today. I’m overwhelmed by thoughts of Viki speaking on the importance of the soap opera.  And how that’s all over now.  GH doesn’t count as a soap opera anymore, IMO.  It’s not about family and love and reconciliation and remorse and pain and grief, and most importantly, redemption and forgiveness. It’s not about complex relationships based on years of working through issues and devotion to making it work, even when it seems hopeless.  It’s about darkness and violence.  Hell, "The Sopranos" had more heart than GH.  And it was more amusing, as well. And lighter. 

OLTL, and even AMC until its recent years, were traditional soap operas.  GH was once, but they lost their way in a morass of egos and contrived plotlines that strayed from the formula.  As many have been saying, they are a show about men when soaps are all about women, and the men they love.  

Look at AMC- the face of the show was Erica.  I was not a fan of the character, but it was a show about women. There was the Brooke/Erica rivalry, the focus on the Kane women, and the dismal- but female- Greenlee.  Angie Hubbard was strong, brave, intelligent, and very, very female.  The show lost its way, IMO, when they focused on Ryan.  What they didn’t realize is that he was only palatable with his love for Gillian- again, a woman. He was more endearing in her last thirty second cameo than he’d been in a decade.

Adam and David were always motivated by their love for women and their devotion to them.  Two of the greatest male characters ever, IMO, and they were often dark and complex, but they were about seeking love and understanding, in their own way, of course! Focusing on the pathetic and weak JR and the more pathetic and weak Carey broads was the death knell.  They were one dimensional and vapid and took the once great Martins down with them- with only Jake standing with- whodathunkit- Crazy Janet’s baby girl, Amanda.  Another bright female light.

OLTL was always Viki’s show.  She and Dorian anchored the show and their relationship gave it depth and a history.  Jess and Natalie, the Kramer women, even Carlotta, all gave the show its focus on family and the relevance of the matriarchal order in this form.  And how can we forget Nora, the often strong yet flawed woman who could stand up to the strong Buchanan men- any of them.  On OLTL, men were only important in what they brought out in the women.  There was an attempt to shift this with the addition of McBain, but even he was often part of a woman-centered story.  I thought Marty and Natalie’s relationship was always more interesting than anything that happened with John!  

As I’ve said endlessly, Todd is only viable due to his relationships with the women in his life.  They are the true champions of his story.  In reality, I see him much as prop to them.  His life only made Blair, Starr, and Viki more interesting and sympathetic.  Tea, well, not so much.  Although I liked how she shunned him at the end, realizing he had done nothing but abuse her.  That was a nice touch.  She finally came into her own in that way, finding her strength in separating from her victim mentality- when it came to that Todd, anyway.

GH has none of that as I can see.  The women are mostly disgusting, weak, or marginalized. Carly has sickened me since she slept with the wonderful Tony and ruined him in my eyes.  I see she hasn’t improved since.  Truly a despicable character with no redeeming qualities.  I see there’s Alexis, who might have some potential if she weren’t so dull.  Sam? Well, no, just no.  Strength is not what I’m seeing.  She’s an aging sex kitten who better do her centerfold soon, as the clock’s a ticking.  If she hasn’t done it already….

The other women are crazy or annoying with bad accents and no substance. I hear this Elizabeth may be interesting but she sounds like Marty without the backbone.  Thanks, but no thanks.  I’ve had my fill of rape victim stories.  OLTL did it best.

There is no more Laura or Bobbie or Felicia or Tiffany or the wonderful Leslie to play foil to Monica.  The Quartermaines are gutted and the only hope for the light that once was this show is gone with them.  Expecting Twiddle Dee and Tweedle Dum to resurrect them is ridiculous.  They’ll probably have Todd buy the mansion and move in that goddamn parrot instead of his wife and family and have some screeching harpy railing at him all the time.  Ah yes, OLTL resurrected as its worst self. That sounds like these idiots.

The once great Tracey seems fine but is marginalized into the “older woman” role that makes her almost a joke.  This happened at the end of Dorian’s run on OLTL and I resented it then and resent it now as Tracey is one of the only faces I recognize from the old days.  But, maybe that’s the problem.  Besides Anna, who I hear comes in and out, and Robin, who is now “dead”, the old female faces are gone- replaced by the surly Sonny, the bland Jason, and the once interesting now pathetic Luke.  I’ve never seen so many people standing around looking old and bored and uninterested in what they’re doing.  And I teach college. I know uninterested faces when I see them. How nice.  A dark show about dull, dark men.  That’s not a soap opera. It’s a bad action film with no action.

Unlike Todd, David, and Adam, these three are not complex or motivated by love, no matter how twisted that may be.  Yes, those three sought power and control, but they did so, misguidedly, for love.  These GH guys, well, I don’t know what guides them, but I don’t care.  I know I don’t see love. I don’t see vulnerability.  I see nothing, really.  They, like many of the women I’ve seen, are vapid and one dimensional, played by mediocre actors.  I know Geary was great once, but I don’t see it now.  Maybe he stopped trying. Maybe he’s as bored and depressed as the show seems to be.  I know watching it made me bored and depressed.

It’s sad.  Too sad to even continue. Why this show?  Why is it the last “man” standing ? It seems to be  the one who will bring down the form on ABC?  Why?  Maybe because men are running it.  But, I think, they always were.  It’s a shame, really, as there’s so much left to mine from what’s been left behind.  

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “Build it and they will come”.  That’s from a movie about men, but, really it’s a chick flick in the important ways. It’s about love and family and hope and forgiveness and a second chance.  Too bad we won’t get one.  There was still so much to be saved.  But, alas, no one to build it. So many of us are left with nowhere to go.

God, I miss Viki today.

Frank Valentini Meets Joseph Welch- "Have You No Sense of Decency?"

I thought I was done. Really, I did.  I even had a title for my new entry-  “Matthew Weiner,  Master of Time, Space, and Dimension”.  However, my longwinded love sonnet to the best writer and producer on television will have to wait.  Much to my shock, and embarrassment, really, people are reading my ramblings here.  Really, they are.  I was doing this to amuse myself and give everyone at TWOP a break from my tirades.  But, damn, there’s a lot of you! How funny is that?  I’ve seen the link banded about on DD, where I lurk often, but, damn, there’s a lot of you!  And one of them sent me the wonderful news through TWOP today from that stellar publication SID.  And, of course, I couldn’t resist! So, here we go with an unprofessional rant by a professional communicator hiding in anonymity!  Like Michael Corleone in the not classic but just bad Godfather III (really, was that necessary, Mr. Coppola?), “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in”.

Frank Valentini is the gift that keeps on giving!! So, I can’t help myself, I have to let it rip on what must be one the of the dumbest moves in show business.  Here’s to you, Dude, another stellar day in daytime entertainment!!

One of my personal and professional heroes is Edward R. Murrow.  I know, you couldn’t tell from the crap spewing out of my mouth right now, but it’s true.  You see Murrow could speak truth to power, so there you have it!  (Yeah, good spin, or should I say save?) At any rate, courtesy of Mr. Murrow, we have a classic quote that is fitting here. It was Murrow who highlighted the classic statement from the Army/McCarthy hearings, said by Joseph Welch.  “Have you no sense of decency, Sir?  At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”

In case you all don’t know, they got Alderson to LIE in the rags and say that DePaiva didn’t want a contract due to her life in Manhattan and that’s why she’s not back. No kidding, because it seems that it’s all over the internet, from her own mouth, that she was not asked!! That’s the fact, Jack, and we know you’re on the internet as you have that Twitter account which I hear is very active lately. And you’re not getting Matthew Weiner comments, I hasten to say.

Valentini, have you no sense of decency?  My God, just admit you made a mistake and take it back and apologize.  You’re acting like a weasel!!! I thought the way they handled Kassie DePaiva was, well, skeevy, to say the least. Sexist, ageist, and duplicitous is more like it, to be honest.  But the way they're handling the backlash is nothing short of moronic. What the hell are you doing?  Did your PR people go to that “special” school that sells diplomas on the internet?  Ya know, the one that gave Ronnie  his law degree.  Or is it one of the interns who’s still in school?  This is a ploy that one of my students would pull.  I actually had one say to me the other day, “ I can’t remember if I handed in my paper.  Did I?”  Yeah, he didn’t. And he knew it.  Or the other classic, “I handed in my paper to your office.  Didn’t you get it?” Yeah, no, I didn’t. Because they’re LYING!! And, Frankie, so are you!!!

Having the kid lie for you?  Really?  Now, that’s low.  Really low.  And you knew you’d be found out by those pesky internet fans, right?  And, really, Honey, even seniors are online.  Well, besides my retired siding salesman father.  He has me email for him.  And his best friend, the builder.  He has his secretary do it for him.  Did you think you’d fool anyone?  Come on, now that’s dumb, even for YOU!! Shit, my father and his best friend, the builder, could catch you. I'd tell him or that secretary for sure!

And the article was the biggest tease on the planet.  So, I see how this may be going.  Are you telling us you made a mistake, Big Guy?  Are you trying to tell us that you didn’t mean to skewer our nice ending for our show?  Are you telling us, in not so many words, that you’ll bring her back and not make Todd the Town Whore?  Is that it because that article sure said that to me.  But it won’t make me stop writing this.  And it won't appease the others you need to keep the Titanic there from sinking.  We don’t believe you and until we see it, I guess we’ll just keep ranting.  I can't help it.  It's fun for me now.  Nothing personal.

And it’s pretty obvious that we’re having an impact.  Hey, Frankie, maybe you’re one of my thousand new friends. As I see that someone is tweeting you this blog- too funny, BTW- here’s more advice from my father, the siding salesman in Chicago.  If you’re going to screw a customer, you better never try to sell them another job, unless you’ve got a check in your pocket.  Or you’d better send another salesman using the name of another company.  If the customer sees you, you better run.  But, better yet, have the big check for them.

Is that what Alderson was?  The salesman from the “other” siding company?  Hopefully, you took my father’s better advice and you have the big check in your pocket.  And give it to DePaiva.  She might forgive you, as many of my father’s disgruntled clients did.  We’ll forgive you, too.  Well, at least I will.  I have a feeling many may not.  But, hey, Buddy, it’s a start.

Oh, and by the way, if anyone needs siding in Chicago, let me know.  My father always had the big check.  Maybe that’s why Valentini’s rich and he’s not!  And thanks for reading this. I’d love to see who you are, even if you hate me. I’m decimated on a semi yearly basis by 18 year olds.  Don’t even ask me about ratemyprofessor.com!!  I’ve heard it all!

Is Todd Manning the New Luke Spencer? Bad Roger!! No Show for You!!

Okay, so this is blog #3 in my seemingly never ending series called "I Hate Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati for Ruining My Fun" or "How I Learned to Be A Hateful Bitch to Complete Strangers for No Money or Profit". Either way, works for me! But I may have to take a break soon as Mad Men is starting and I'll be far too interested in that to be bothered with harassing these people for something they may not have even done yet. Still, I'm sure I'll have time to get to it later.

I have certain truths in my life that I hold to be self evident. Yes, I went to law school and made it through seventh grade civics class (although I skipped the trip to Springfield, Ill, as I thought I was far too cool to stay in that gross hotel with the losers in my class) so I can spout off the Constitution. I believe that all men- and women- are created equal. I believe that Peter Townshend was not now, nor has he ever been, interested in child pornography. He was simply a victim of a stupid mistake. I believe that George W. Bush is truly an idiot. As true idiots are rare, he should be studied for further research in this area. But, for these purposes, I will end with this one truth:

I believe that Todd Manning should not now, nor should he ever be, King of the Studs on any program for any purpose. To do so would be an offense to not only viewers everywhere, women in general, past creative people who worked to create this very complex figure, the soap opera genre in general, and, mostly, to ME!!!

 I’ve devoted a lot of time attempting to explain to people in my field how I can be a fan of a gang/serial raping baby selling bastard. I am supposed to be a Feminist, after all, and this would seem to fly in the face of that designation.   I’ve had to explain to classes why I’m showing them clips of this character (and cackling like an idiot as I find him so fucking amusing) as he seems to be thoroughly reprehensible. I’ve had to argue with people who have power over me in academia that this topic, and soap operas in general, is still relevant and not some piece of crap not worthy of university time, money, or resources.   In other words, I have no intention of having my efforts to prove this character worthy of serious academic thought destroyed by a bunch of talentless hacks who have no understanding of the meaning of respect.  That is to say, in the words of Joan Crawford as portrayed by Faye Dunaway in the classically bad film “Mommy Dearest”, “DON’T FUCK WITH ME FELLAS.  THIS AIN’T MY FIRST TIME AT THE RODEO.”

Okay, I feel better already.  Now, let me be clear.  I am a Feminist who works in a seriously leftist discipline.  I consider myself a “Post-Feminist”, but I don’t feel the need to explain myself here as this is not about me…well, not really.  At any rate, I do truly feel that this issue matters  more than Mr. Valentini’s bottom line or stupid ass ideas to pull in some ratings.  Oh, and by the way, Buddy, IT’S NOT WORKING!!!

This issue, the portrayal of a complex character with serious offenses against women on his rather lengthy rapsheet, actually has been used as a tool to promote understanding and show the power of television as not an educational tool but rather an ideological state apparatus as it perpetuates ideas about gender, sex, sexual politics, forgiveness, and adds to the dialogue about what it means to be truly “redeemed” in this society- if that’s even possible.  This form is truly unique as it speaks to and for women, and gay men, two under-represented classes in the discourse of mass media, and addresses issues that would not otherwise be discussed.  It can do so because it functions in this secondary realm, that of the unnoticed, and therefore can speak truths to its audience that no other form can dare say.  The daytime drama can speak plainly about the ugly things that are often only whispered about in “good society” as only those with little power are watching- or creating it. It is in this arena that true discussions can take place and ideology can really be negotiated. 

In other, nonacademic words, no one gives a crap what a bunch of old broads and gay guys are watching so they can really let it rip!  See my point?

Again, for the 856^th time, I love the character of Todd Manning. However, that is not an absolute.  I love Roger Howarth’s Todd Manning.  I found the replacement actor, one Trevor St John, to be inadequate in the role. This is not because of Mr. St John, who I’m sure is a lovely man and a caring human being, although I know nothing about him personally.  However, I found the portrayal to be offensive, obnoxious, one dimensional, and any other bad word I can think of to call it.  Thankfully, my former hero, Mr. Valentini, not only dismissed Mr. St John, but “De-Todded” him on his way out.  It was basically a “Whoops, he’s not Todd after all. He’s the slow brother” and with that stroke of a pen and I’d imagine a heavy bonus check to the former actor and originator of the character, one Roger Howarth, the travesty was gone and all was right with the world of Llanview, for me anyway- and several million other viewers, I would say as the ratings went comfortably up.  That was a good day.

Now, it’s another one.  And it may not be so good, although I hold out hope that this whole ranting campaign will be for naught.  I would like to address Mr. Howarth, who I have enjoyed in the role for years and although I’ve never met him, nor do I ever plan to, am sure he, too, is a lovely man and a caring human being.  But, I’ll be honest, I really don’t care!! Mr. Howarth, or I’ll call you Roger as you are a year or so younger than me and calling you “Mr.” seems ridiculous. Okay, so, Roger, Dude, DON’T LET THEM DO THIS TO TODD!!!! 

Maybe I should be more clear.  STOP THIS NOW BEFORE IT HAPPENS.  REALLY. STOP THIS. Now, I function in the real world, not that of entertainment. I know that in a workplace, no matter if it’s real, imaginary, or somewhere inbetween- meaning in the world of media- that some people have power and some people don’t.  Some people have more power than others, and some people have no power, and some people have ALL the power. 

From what I’ve heard from very unreliable sources, Buddy, you have a lot of power in this nice little world in which you live. In fact, it’s been stated that you are the reason that Todd Manning has remained as he has- truly filled with remorse and regret and always trying to be a better man but never making it because, well, he just isn’t.  It would seem, then, that you are the reason that Todd Manning remained viable and not a disgusting pig as we saw with Mr. St John.  Your Todd, then, was a truly fucked up soul who could never get out from under the magnitude of his crimes or his attempts to control his fate.  Your Todd, the one who truly matters, is the one who counts because never, in daytime as I’ve seen, has there been a character who truly evolved but did not devolve at the same time.  Todd, unlike Luke or other rapists who remained viable characters, was not made out to be a “good man who made a mistake”.  Todd is a truly sick person who can feel remorse but is not worthy of complete redemption and forgiveness as some crimes cannot ever be truly forgiven.  Todd did receive some level of forgiveness but true happiness will always elude him as he knows that he does not deserve it. And, Dude, if that was your doing, bravo to you because finally, someone got it right!!  And thank you, as it was a pleasure to watch.

But, the niceties stop here.  Your job is not done.  If, in fact, it was your insistence that Todd remain true for all those years, don’t stop now.  Don’t give in to the big paycheck or being tired of the fights.  You were right.  You ended your run perfectly in Llanview and it was really terrific.  It was sweet and warm to see Todd and Blair happy, but fitting to see it all blow up in his face, as it should.  But to let him go off to that cesspool and become Joe Stud around town….are you kidding me?  What was that all for?  For that?  Is that what you allegedly fought for as we all cheered you on?  To end up mediocre and average?  Remember, you may be in field that many will deride and degrade but when it’s all over, look at who gets the respect truly.  Brad Pitt may have a lot of money and Tom Hanks a lot of awards and respect, but, Dude, they ain’t Todd Manning.  They wouldn’t have the guts for it. 

Now, get to work.  You have professors watching and lawyers and doctors and teachers and, hell, I even know a big ass Federal Judge who thinks your Todd is the shit!!! Go do it for us but, also, do it for yourself.  Don’t let them “Luke Spencer-fy” Todd Manning.  Don’t let them whitewash him and make him a hip dude with a rap sheet.  He’s Todd Fucking Manning!! He’s yours.  You may not want him, but you made him and you’re stuck with him.  Take him out as you brought him.  Kicking ass and taking no prisoners…and trying to get his goddamn wife back at the same time.

You’re all we got left, Buddy, it’s all up to you.  Todd Manning taught a lot of people what it means to be truly sorry for what you’ve done but that you can never really escape it.  You brought soap opera into the realm of Shakespearian tragedy.  Now, don’t let it be ruined.  That, Dude, would be the real tragedy.  And one that YOU’LL never be forgiven for.  This crime will be on you, Roger, not Todd. This challenge is all yours and there’s a lot of us depending on you.  We all made this happen together.  You created this guy and we all watched and supported your ideas.  Now, it’s all up to you.  Don’t let us down. 

And by the way, can you get DePaiva back for even a minute? Or Slezak?  Man, I miss her.

Todd Manning- Sex Machine of Port Charles

Let me make one thing clear as I begin this soliloquy. I love the character of Todd Manning.  But any attempt to turn him into a run of the mill soap stud is not only offensive to me as a viewer, but also as a critic, a woman and a feeling member of a society .  Anyone who partook in this twenty year journey with this character knows that this cannot and must not happen.  So,  I've decided to make it my own personal mission to stop the destruction of one of the most interesting and complex characters ever created in American Daytime Melodrama. 

Strange that people who have worked with this character so long seem to know nothing about him.  So, let's remind them, shall we?  Before the weaselfucks at General Hospital destroy what was once a fascinating character study into the twisted mind of an abused, neglected child who grows up to be a convicted sex offender with really twisted ideas on trust yet very traditional ideas on fidelity and family, I thought I'd throw in my two cents.  You see, there's Todd Manning, tortured soul, loving father, and faithful husband.  And there's Todd Manning, serial/gang rapist, kidnapper, stalker, liar, well, just all around felon.  Then, there's what those Douchebags may be creating, that would be Todd Manning, Sex Machine of Port Charles. 

Let's look back and see what you all think.

Here's how we met Todd Manning in 1993.  He was a charming young football star at Llanview University.  He had a friend named Marty.  She made him mad.  She had sex with him and didn't choose to take him up on a repeat performance.  Here's how he handled the rejection.  I introduce to you, Todd Manning, future Sex Machine:

That Todd.  He's a man on a mission, huh?  That's hot. That's the guy you all want sexing up those ladies in Port Charles.  Yeah.  This guy should have been nailing anything that moves for years.  They wasted him in interesting stories of guilt and remorse.  Bring on the babes!  He just wanted to share his hotness with Marty...and a few friends.  That generous guy.  He just needed to share his hotness with the world. He can't help it.   But, let's not stop there.  There's so much more to Todd Manning, Sex Machine.

He goes on trial.  His lawyer, Nora,  realizes that he's lied to her and, in fact, he is guilty and she throws the case.  Todd doesn't like that.  So, he's a man on a mission. He wants to show Nora how manly and in control he is of every situation.  So, here's how he handles the betrayal:

That Todd.  What a scamp.  He's playing games with Nora because she could feel how hot he was and she deserved it, right?  He's not stalking and torturing her when she's blind.  No, this is hot.  That's because, as we all know, this is Todd Manning.  He's not just a sex machine, but he's a playful scallywag, just funning with Nora.  She's not terrified.  She wants it.  And she deserves it.  Too bad she didn't get what she really wanted, huh?  After all, he is Todd Manning, Sex Machine.  But, the hotness only gets better.

Todd realizes that Marty didn't get enough of his hot man meat, so she needs more.  She wanted it.  He knows it.  So, he decides to once again express himself physically to her. She, of course, can't resist his burgeoning sensuality.  You remember how she loved it the last time he let her have it.  This time, she brought friends.  Notice how Luna can't deny the draw to Todd Manning, Sex Machine.

Now that's hot!  Luna was so into it.  She scarred him for life and he was so hot, he blew out his eardrum and will be half deaf forever.  Now that's some good lovin', huh?  This time, Todd blew his own mind, it seems, because he is Todd Manning, Sex Machine.

Then there was Rebecca.  She wasn't hot because she was into Jesus and love and flowers and there's no hotness there.  So, we don't care about Rebecca, right, even though she cared for Todd and tried to help set him on a twenty year journey of redemption.  Nah, we don't need that because we now have Todd Manning, master of his own "sessuality"- or sexuality to those who don't understand the reference.  He's not interested in truth and honesty and caring.  NO!! Bring on the babes in Port Charles.  We want some more hotness.

Oh, then there's Blair.  That was a mistake.  Right, Ronnie and Frankie Boy?  That Blair.  She ruined Todd because she wasn't there for his hotness.  She was his friend, his ally, his partner in crime- so to speak.  But, hey, we don't want that, do we?  We don't want stories about friendship and understanding, and loneliness and pain and grief and, eventually, unconditional love and fidelity and trust and security and redemption through hope for the future.  No, we don't want that.

Sure, Blair was hot herself.  But Todd's too hot to be tied down to one skanky broad, right? I mean, she has to go because he, like, loves her and likes her, too!! She's like his soulmate and gave him true love and children and the only moments of real peace and joy he ever had in his rotten life.  Nah, we don't need that.  He needs to spread around his hotness and share it with all the deserving women of the world.  Little did we know, Todd needs to spread his man love with everyone.  He was tied down by that fidelity thing for too long.  What a waste.  Someone better call Delgado!

That's how Todd expressed his love for Tea.  There's nothing hotter than sexual degradation and humiliation.  Now, sure, it may look cruel and inhuman,  but it's all about the hotness, remember?  He's Todd Manning, Sex Machine.  Did you see that look of love as he threw her out of the house, naked, rejected, mortified, and stunned?  He wanted to make her wait.  It's all about the waiting for him.  After all, he's not just Todd Manning, Sex Machine, but he's Todd Manning, sexual provocateur.  He likes to keep the ladies on the edge............

Okay, so I'll stop here.  I won't get to the point where Todd punches Tea in the face.  I can't even stomach looking at that again, even to mock it. It turns my stomach.  The fun is over and let's get real.  Anyone who watched those scenes knows that any attempt to turn this character into a hot man about town is not possible.  It's beyond the pale, even with for these douchebags. It's taking what was once a moment of responsible story telling on daytime television and throwing it away in favor of titillation.  It's taking a fascinating character study and turning it into a peep show.

Todd's story is about redemption and understanding. It's about working through the pain of the past to rectify the mistakes. It's about a character who doesn't want to forget what he's done or who he's been because it can't be forgotten- and it shouldn't. Anyone who watched those scenes and the years that followed knows that Todd can't forget what he was because he knows that could go back there so easily.  His story is about his fear for his potential for evil.  It's about his fear of  how he could once again lash out and cause real pain and destruction. And, lastly, it's about realizing that with one small moment he could turn into who he was- a monster who preys on the weak as a form of release of an ever present anger that hides within him.

Todd Manning's story was only possible because it played out over time. It was built on relationships with people who cared for him, despite of what he'd done, because they, themselves were damaged. He found genuine kindness in the sweet but rather dull Rebecca.  He found solace in the friendship and love of the his fellow misfit, Blair, who like him, had been abandoned and neglected, only to lash out at a world that hadn't treated her kindly since birth.  And, finally, he found real understanding and unconditional love in the other abused child, his sister, Viki. 

Without these long, highly complex relationships, Todd Manning would not exist. He couldn't.  In a medium made specifically for women, a man such as this cannot be viable, unless he is redeemed.  And, to some extent, Todd Manning was redeemed.  But only to some extent!! He will always be the man who raped Marty.  Yet he has also shown his potential for kindness, love, gratitude, and understanding.  But he's still the man who raped Marty!!! You see Todd can't forget that.  And neither can we.  As we watched it and, unlike other shows that minimized or ignored brutal acts against women, OLTL didn't forget it either.  But, in true form, GH might.

Todd Manning's story was the one thing this damn genre did right!!  It showed us a cruel, angry, vengeful man who truly attempts to redeem himself without becoming a martyr or a patented "nice guy". It's a story about an abused, neglected boy who lashes out in anger and hate at the world around him, only to find that it leaves more empty than he was before.  It shows us the inner workings of a man who is so angry with his feelings of inadequacy, that he lashes out at those who cause him any discomfort at all. 

You can't just take that and set the reset button.  You can't just ignore who a character is to make him who you'd like him to be.  Because we remember, you see.  And, unlike other moments in this genre that are whitewashed or forgotten, Todd's history is not. It's right there- on his face.  And the face of his portrayer.

Tune in next time when we'll discuss that issue.  It's tentatively called "Shame On You, Roger Howarth" or "Todd Manning Gets the Luke Spencer Treatment?  Bad Roger!  No Show for You!"

A Final "Fuck You" to the "Special" Boys

Excuse me while I digress.

When those morons at AMC made Adam Chandler sleep with Dixie Cooney to get an "heir", I was horrified. I knew it would end my favorite couple. And it did. I spent years watching my favorite character ever- Adam- go from drab one dimensional relationship to drab one dimensional relationship. I think it was like twenty years of me rolling my eyes at it. Nauseating, truly nauseating. I'd watch Brooke with (gasp) TAD and say "WTH" or (yuck)Jackson and SMH. "Go back to ADAM, damnit!!!" I'd say to no one aloud. Finally, they rectified that travesty and it almost made it worth the wait. It was truly wonderful as a fan and those two actors sell it with the chemistry they had two decades before. That was the ONE thing AMC got right.

Now, let's look at the news that Todd Manning is "moving on alone"....................no Blair even on the show. She's with..............Tomas. Excuse me, I just threw up on my keyboard. I had to take a moment to clean it up.

REALLY, NIMNUTS, THIS IS YOUR FUCKING PLAN TO SAVE SOAPS???? Todd loses all his touchstones, save Starr who will be as crazy as him, and Blair ends up a Delgado??? Really, you are the biggest group of morons I've ever seen. And I spend my life with college students!!! TRUST ME, I know a fucking idiot when I see one!!You, Valentini, are an idiot!!! And I now get why Carlivati made SNV "S"- it's something he knows about. Carlivati's creating him in his own fucking image!!!You're "special", Ron, you fucktard.

I'm pissed I was manipulated into urging these idiots on last week. Like DePaiva, I was hosed. I am not a militant Blair fan nor am I anything more than someone who respects her performance on the show, but screwing her in this way is so distasteful, as a HUMAN, I sympathize with her greatly. But, as we've seen, this is how they work in corporate America. Smile wide at your victim as you stick the knife in their back.

Let me be clear for a moment before I continue my rant. There are characters who can function well outside of their home environment. Those characters are the ones that have few vital ties on the canvas and without complex histories that are based on intimate relationships with others. McBain, for example, I think can function on his own even though it's tacky to take him away from his kid. But, he's pretty vapid as a character, so he can move back and forth on his own.

Know who can't? Let's think. I'll play nice professor as I do with my other "special" students, Ronnie C. I won't leave you out, Little Frank. Know who can't, boys? Who's character was defined by a hideously bad act, then spent years dealing with it and got only some semblance of redemption due to his relationship with his sister, wife, and kid? Who's character is defined by that bad act and needs to be reminded of it by those who hate him for it still, like his former attorney or her husband or his rape victim? Who's character is fascinating due to his being unusual in this genre? He's dedicated to his wife and, even though there's been issues, the feeling is mutual. I'll tell you who- TODD FUCKING MANNING!!! Have you lost all touch with reality or are you truly stupid???

Don't answer. I wouldn't believe you anyway. Here's a comment for you, Nimnuts, I don't want to see one of the last great soap characters decimated by your need to prop Sonny Corinthos and have sexually explicit scenes for Howarth. I love Howarth but he SUCKED on ATWT and he'll suck even more as "Hot Todd About Town". THIS Todd isn't Victor. He's Todd and he's a rapist and I'm not interested in watching him fuck around. It's disgusting.

Yeah, I said it. I know, Ron, this show isn't for me. And I agree. Now, I'll hold back judgment as I know this show will be cancelled, maybe before your new romantic lead heads back to the set. Good luck finding him hot, everlasting love in three months. Or will it be four? I don't know. And I don't care. The less the better.

You suck. That's all I'll say. You don't want DePaiva, that's your option. But must you destroy the one good, decent attribute Todd has in him because of it? Must you take away what made him viable for all these years- his potential to remember and regret and seek out love for all his failings and find it with Blair? Want to make him allout psycho crazy? Well, don't like it but it wouldn't make me pop a coronary. And, it would be in character. But if you think having Todd "test" with other women is a good idea, you're truly insane. AND SICK!!! I won't forgive you if you do that. Unlike poor Tim Gunn, you knew better.

I know you don't care, but I do. And so do a shockingly large number of people. Good luck bringing in the numbers if a hardcore Todd fan like me won't join in. It's not any Todd I want to see. And you'll deserve your cancellation. I know it's coming and maybe it will save you from your fatal mistake. Todd's heart and soul made him viable. He got some of it from Starr, but now she'll be as bad as him. Without Viki, it would be tough. But without Blair, he's got nothing. He's a one dimensional soap lead or an evil son of a bitch. Either way, they both SUCK!!!

Enjoy your descent into obscurity, Boys. Maybe Ronnie can go back to court. I went to law school with a lot of fucking idiots who are very successful attorneys. I don't see any of them writing quality melodrama, though. Including you!

Oh, and not only can you bite me, but just a plain old "FUCK YOU"!

Is It True That The Revolution Is Over Before It Really Began?

So, the dismal "Revolution", ABC's biggest failure to date is possibly being cancelled already.  What a shock...only not.

I don't know if this is true, but if it is,  what I am shocked about is that I'm not dancing in the streets. Instead, I'm filled with a sense of sadness for the pointless nature of it all. What was it all for? A show that had at it's highest point this year almost 3 million viewers- according to the bullshit Neilsons and not counting those who watched the repeats and online- and employed a huge number of people is snuffed out due to corporate greed and incompetence?

Then, to add insult to injury, the cheapass replacement can't even make it three months without being pulled? What was the point here? To punish those who were succeeding when those who fail remain employed and probably get bonuses? Is that the way it works on the corporate level? It seems it does. I know I'm not a part of corporate America and it's my job to expose those injustices to the minds of people just coming into the "real world", but when I see it so blatantly affect so many, it makes me sick.

I know I'm getting on a soapbox and forgive me, but it just seems so wrong. There are so many ramifications for this debacle- real world ones. We lost a form of entertainment that we valued and enjoyed, yes, and that's a shame. I do believe this form of discourse adds to our culture and has helped create it. No matter how derided and degraded it is for it's excesses and contrivances, Soap Opera added to the public conversation and did so in not only a financially beneficial way to those in control, but in the way we identify ourselves and how we address issues. That may not seem important to those who only look at the bottom line, but it is the most important thing. They're just too one dimensional and ill equipped to notice it. Or care.

So we, as a culture, lose an important voice in the discourse, snuffed out by incompetence and greed. But let's look at the real world ramifications in terms of every day life. The people who are now unemployed and will probably remain that way for the foreseeable future. Some will never be able to recover and others will never be able to realize their potential. What about those great Broadway actors who used daytime work to pay the bills between shows? What about those young people who get their first jobs and moved on to be "great" in other arenas? What about those talented people who made daytime their home and career who now will fade into obscurity as their resumes aren't "varied" enough? Let's not get into the union workers and the staff and all those ancillary small business people who depended on this genre being shot in Manhattan. That's too nauseating to even start on here.

It makes me sick, really, and maybe I'm overreacting. But it's so sad. We would have never had a Slezak or Canary without this forum. Who knows what would have become of them but they shined brightly in the world that existed and I'm grateful I got to see it. For all the criticism, daytime supported prime time for many decades and it brought enjoyment to all involved- the actors, the crew, the creative staff, and the viewers. Now, it's being killed for cheap crap that even make it 60 days???? Disgusting!!

Nice job, you asswipes at ABC!!! Good work. Now everyone's a loser. Except you, I'll bet. Live long and prosper in your incompetence. It seems to be in your job description.

But, maybe, just maybe, this is all for the best. Learn a lesson, you Douchebags, from a lowly professor in a "fly-over state" who doesn't make as much in a year as you do in a month. I'll even quote a line from a cheesy movie that is sentimental and sappy and probably makes you cry as it's about men and fathers and baseball. "Build it and they will come".

Now, Valentini, get to work. You better rebuild something as it seems you may be the only hope for a lot of people. Betcha never thought you had all that on your head, did you? It may have been about a paycheck for you, but when you think about, there's a lot more riding on this than just a TV show.

It's never just about a TV show. Is this how success is rewarded? Is that the message you're sending? Is broadcasting NOT responsible for the messages it sends out? I think it is and how you act as an entity should reflect that same responsibility. And, hopefully, you'll be rewarded. "Build it and they will come", Frank. Now take over GH and make it work and find some place for it because there's no way ABC will keep it, IMO. They're too stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Personally, I prefer you just make it OLTL, but beggars can't be choosers.

BTW, I only forgive Tim Gunn- as he's still fabulous and must have been put into a trance with all those dollar signs. I forgive you, Tim, this time you couldn't "make it work", it seems. But, really, maybe you did by failing. As a fellow educator, you know that we tell students that failing is really only part of the learning process. Now, get back to PR where you belong!!!!