Deep Soap: Bad Ideas

The D(aytime) List

The Wrap reports that The Young & The Restless is considering hiring some “name” actors who are approximately Eric Braeden’s age. (The article also discusses Eric Braeden’s non-attendence at Sony President Steve Mosko’s meeting with the cast like it’s news.  At the risk of sounding like Nikki Finke, I wrote about that months ago!)  Actors allegedly under consideration include William Devane, Paul Michael Glaser and Peter Strauss. No word on whether the show plans to recast Victor or introduce a new patriarch.  I have to question the appeal of these actors to the daytime audience.  Devane has a following from Knots Landing.  He still works all the time, playing a memorable role on 24.  Glaser and Strauss starred in shows that most people under 45 don’t remember.  I had to look Strauss up on IMDB because I had never heard of him.  Both may well be very talented but as far as stuntcasting goes, they are not going to give James Franco a run for his money.  In my opinion, an actor with daytime credits, like Ron Raines, Stuart Damon, or Justin Deas would be a better choice.   I hope Y&R will think about the relative popularity of Elizabeth Hendricksen (Chloe) and Clementine Ford (Mac) and remember that primetime actors are not inherently better.

Lucky Strike Out

How do you promote the return of a beloved actor when the character is currently being played by another actor?   ABC struck out before when it advertised Rebecca Budig’s return to All My Children with the infamous “real Greenlee” campaign.  Even viewers who hated Sabine Singh’s take on the character were offended on her behalf.   With Jonathan Jackson set to take over the role of General Hospital’s Lucky Spencer from Greg Vaughn starting next Tuesday, ABC tried a kinder gentler approach.   The result is kind of awkward.

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ABC’s announcer claims that, “Elizabeth’s first love is back.”  Given that the character of Lucky has been onscreen for the past decade, and that Lucky and Elizabeth are currently engaged, this is at best confusing.   Was Elizabeth in love with Jackson or Lucky?  Will her current loveless engagement of obligation suddenly turn into true romance?   Does this mean that Lucky will suddenly be written as the smart  ”cowboy” who was the apple of Luke’s eye rather than the sweet but bland cop who Luke can barely tolerate?  I hope that the show will transition the writing gradually instead of suddenly writing the Lucky of 1999 — who was a teenage virgin not a guy who has experienced marriage, divorce, drug addiction, and becoming a father to other people’s children.  The promo , with its focus on Liz and Lucky’s teen romance does not inspire confidence.

There has to be a better way to announce his return.  Maybe a promotion that focuses solely on Jonathan Jackson’s numerous Emmy awards and accolades for the role while sidestepping the Lucky changing of the guard issue.  ABC could be bold and level with the audience. Imagine an announcer soberly intoning, “50% of you think this is the best thing to happen in Port Charles this year.  50% are mad as hell.   We hope you will come around after you see Jonathan Jackson in action.  Tune in and pick a side.”

Melrose Replaced

Sometimes it seems like a grown up aborted fetus just cannot catch a break.   I happen to be a big fan of the new Melrose Place.  I think it’s a great guilty pleasure that has managed to maintain a connection to the original series while developing its own sensibility.  Unfortunately, the ratings have been abysmal.  The CW is using the impending arrival of Heather Locklear’s Amanda Woodward as an opportunity to revamp the show.  Instead of writing off the terminally boring Riley and Jonah, Ashlee Simpson Wentz’s psycho Violet and Colin Egglesfield’s sexy alcoholic chef are out.   While Simpson Wentz is definitely a limited actress, I actually thought her weird line readings worked for her nutbar character.  Still, I understand why many found her to be like nails on a chalkboard.  But Auggie is charismatic and interesting.  He has chemistry with all the women on MP. This is the second time the likable Egglesfield has been out of a job because the writers could not make his character work.  Unlike AMC, where his retconned character Josh was doomed from the start, Auggie was viable and likable.   According to the producers,the goal is to “lighten up” the show — in other words make it more about sun and fun.  That’s a shame.  I’ve enjoyed MP because of its willingness to delve into the dark side.  I do not understand why Auggie who is far “lighter” than brooding cat thief David or med school student/prostitute Lauren would not fit into the new vision for the show.  I assume Auggie’s departure will have something to do with the resolution of the Sydney murder mystery.  I hope that Egglesfield will soon be cast in another role and the third time will be the charm.   I also hope that the new and improved Melrose Place doesn’t ruin everything that is working about the show.

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