What happens in Texas doesn’t stay in Texas.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:45 PM| By Scotty Gore
(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — A look at the Bon Jour Cafe hostage crisis.
Happy 2008 everyone, and welcome to my first column of the New Year. I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday season. I don’t know about you, but I am glad the holidays are finally over. It was nice while it lasted, but it such a relief when things got back to normal once more. After a couple of busy evening of burning the 9 pm oil (haha), I have finally gotten caught up on my “One Life
to Live” viewing for the month. I have been so busy lately since starting student teaching on January 3rd. Until the end of the school year, I have working with about 112 sixth grade social studies students. So far it has been a mostly rewarding experience, however I am still a little nervous about taking over the teacher’s classes and doing my own thing for a couple of months. So we’ll see how it goes. Well, enough about my ‘new’ life. Now let’s talk about another life…”One Life to Live.”
I know that certain people occasionally like to think that since I am a “OLTL” fan that I’m just going to gush and praise the soap whether it deserves it or not. It’s true that I am somewhat biased about the soap I have grown up watching, however, that doesn’t mean that I cannot or will not complain about it when I see something I don’t like. After all, this is column reflects only my opinion of “OLTL.” I recognize that not everyone has the same views on the show as I do, although it would be awesome if they did. Just kidding. We all like different things, and that’s okay. Just imagine how boring and dull the world would be if we were all liked exactly the same things. Six billion people with identical personalities walking around unsupervised is scary to even think about. So it’s good to be different, it helps make the world a better place. Much like “OLTL” these days. It is different from the other ABC soaps right now, in my opinion, because it is good. And just because the ratings are low doesn’t necessarily mean the quality of the show has deteriorated.
One thing that makes “OLTL” good right now is the variety. There is something for virtually everyone. It’s hard to praise the show here without sounding like a Public Service Announcement, but I will give it the old college try. Older and/or longtime viewers can enjoy seeing the veteran characters and actors they recognize and have followed for years. Young adults can follow the exploits of Llanview’s under thirty crowd. And teen viewers can find entertainment by watching the high school crowd. These are only a few examples of the entertaining things to see right now on “OLTL.” Hmmm…..maybe I only gave this the old middle school try. Upon reading what I just wrote, it sounds more like an infomercial where I am trying to sell a product to the five people watching at three o’clock in the morning. Yikes! Anyway, here’s the gist of what I am trying to say. “OLTL”
is pretty damn good right now period.
What makes it so good? I think the number one and two reasons the sudser has been at the top of its game the last few weeks has been in large part due to the powerful
performances of Erika Slezak and Kathy Brier. One could just feel the emotion in the Cafe hostage scenes. Although I have to admit that the storyline has drug on for much, much too long, it left me speechless nonetheless as Marcie finally realized that she had reached the end of the line. Say what you will about Marcie Walsh McBain, but above all else she loves baby Tommy. And what mother in her right mind would not fight for her child. I know what you’re thinking. Technically, he’s not her son…he’s Todd and Margaret’s son. However, she and Michael have raised him since he was only a few months old. They adopted him, thinking he was an orphan. He was the center of their world. And it was even harder for Marice, knowing that she couldn’t have kids of her own. She only wanted what she thought was best for ‘her’ baby. And with all the deadbeat parents out there today, you have to at least admire her for that. My heart goes out to her and Michael. I only pray that they will have a miracle, and somehow Marcie will end up pregnant. Again, I realize that some of you have grown tired of seeing Marcie on you television screens, but have a heart and try putting yourself in her shoes. Wouldn’t you have done the same thing, or at least something similar? I’m not trying to excuse what she did, but I have trying to explain it. Sometimes letting go is the hardest thing you can do to someone or something you love.
Speaking of the McBain family, has Chris Stack not made an impressive debut as Michael? Wow. At first I was skeptical, however I am quickly warmed up to his portrayal of Michael, and am left thinking “Nathaniel who?” Stack has the made the role is own, and has great chemistry with Kathy Brier and most others he comes into contact with, except for Michael Easton, but then again, who does? While I miss Nathaniel Marston and his roles of Al and then Michael, I am really digging Chris Stack’s version of the better McBain brother.
After nearly thirty-seven years and six Emmy’s, Erika Slezak can still deliver when the occasion warrants. I was on the edge of my seat as she tried to talk Marcie out of doing something she would regret. You could tell that her words were really beginning to have an impact on Marcie. And when she started having heart problems from all the stress and not having her medicine, I felt like calling 911 myself. Watching her expressions and movements in those scenes, it looked as if she were truly having a heart attack. I was spellbound by her flawless performance.
Call me crazy, but I am starting to like the thought of Clint and Nora dating. I’m glad they’re taking things slow with them, and not having them jump into bed after the first kiss. I think it’s sweet how they’re worried how others will react to their budding relationship. Who says romance is dead? I think if Clint can’t be paired with Viki, then Nora is the next best thing. And I’m also glad to see that hell has thawed back out after it froze over when Clint was dating Dorian. I still can’t believe he even had the gall to ask her out considering all the pain and suffering she has put him, his family, and Viki through over the years. As for Nora, keep her away from Bo. They were a fun couple back in the day. To quote a popular rock and roll song whose name escapes me at the moment, “But that was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone.” Meaning they [i]were[/i] great ten or twelve years ago when they were married, but times have changed. They have both moved on; so it really makes no sense to go back and try and recreate something that hasn’t been there for more than a decade.
And now for some thought from the peanut gallery. First, although Jared is not actually a Buchanan, it is still creepy to see the unhealthy relationship between him and Natalie. In many ways, it reminds me of the creepy vibes I got from watching Cole and Marty share scenes together. Second, it is great to see Dorian involved in so many different storylines. And it’s also a pleasure to see Addie. Third, since we have been seeing more of the veterans lately, where has Bo been? His only function these days seems to be in police station scenes and as Lindsay’s babysitter. Fourth, I pray that they don’t pair Langston with Cole. That boy sucks the life out of anyone and everyone he shares scenes with. Just look what he has done to Starr. However, while I don’t like the potential Langston/Cole match-up, the thought of a Starr/Markko relationship intrigues me. I like Markko; he’s a good kid. In fact I like all the teens except Cole, and sometime Starr (depending on what type of mood I’m in). Fifth, Gigi is my favorite newbie, followed by Charlie and Shane. Young Austin Williams is a cute little boy and a good actor for someone his age. I hope we see more of Shane and Gigi soon. And sixth, Jessica needs the stupid ness slapped out of her. She should have been ashamed of how selfishly she acted as her mother was being held hostage.
Well, that’s all for this edition of the column. It’s not a masterpiece, but I don’t think it’s half bad for something I wrote in about twenty minutes. haha. But there’s just so much to do for school. I have lesson plans to write, names to learn, and homework of my own to do. I’ll try to write a more in-depth column for January 30th. In the meantime, keep enjoying “OLTL” and take care of one another. Have a great week and stay warm.
And until next time remember, we only have “One Life to Live” …..
