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Michael Logan Rates Daytime's Big Returns
Debbi Morgan by Steve Fenn/ABC
Over the past couple of months, many daytime greats have returned to the suds — some in old roles, some in new ones. So how are these prodigal kids doing? Michael Logan shares his take.
Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams (All My Children)
It's been worth a gazillion plot contrivances to see Angie back with her "dead" Jesse after 20 long years. Oh, how we've longed for her blazing soul and Earth Mother passion! How much we've missed his sass and cool and cut-to-the-chase honesty! And aren't they still incomprehensibly beautiful together? Watching these legends reunite in that terrific train-station scene made me realize how starved we soap fans are for true, epic love. Clearly, you can go home again.
RATING: 5 out of 5 stars
Tamara Braun (Days of our Lives)
She was the best and most electrifying of the four gals who have played Carly on General Hospital — save your irate letters, you can't change my mind! Now she's opened up a big can o' whoop-ass on Salem as Ava, a bodacious banana with a jones for Patch (Stephen Nichols). Braun is an elegant, campy, scary smash. She can stalk me anytime!
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
Drake Hogestyn (Days of our Lives)
Who knew? This actor was often criticized for his robotic performance as white-knight hero John Black, but his character has returned from the grave as a hilariously snarky programmed killer with no emotional innards ("I love you," says his saintly wife, Marlena. "Good to know," snaps nuJohn). Weird idea, but guess what? Hogestyn is now robo-tastic!
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
Rebecca Budig (All My Children)
Can she sue for promo overkill? ABC's shameless "real Greenlee" blitz set Budig up for a fall, and the show did her no favors by bringing her back in a snoozy story that had her character incapacitated by a toxic root. But Budig will triumph! It's taken weeks, but the loopy, ballsy, hot-to-trot Greens we love is slowly coming round.
RATING: 3 out of 5 stars
Sarah Brown (General Hospital)
The original Carly is back, only this time she's playing Claudia Zacchara, a dark, bitchy barfly and wannabe mob boss. It's a totally brill idea, so how come we're so damn bored? Somehow there's just no fun or funk to Brown's work. Given her superstar status — and those three Daytime Emmys — this is not just a disappointment. It's a shock.
RATING: 2 out of 5 stars
Tom Pelphrey (Guiding Light)
What the hell? I'm this guy's biggest fan, but his recent quickie comeback left me wishing he'd stayed away. Where was the Jonathan we knew — the town pariah who was all rage, tears and exploding testosterone? Instead, we got Mr. Mom. Writers! Something's wrong when an actor this fierce is easily upstaged by a freaky little kid from The Omen.
RATING: 2 out of 5 stars
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Mar 18, 2008 12:52 PM
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I have to say I sooooooooo disagree with you on all things Sarah Brown related below.
#1. She is and always will be Carly #1 in every way. Current Carly is a close #2 and Tamara is a distant 3 in my book.
#2. She is so hot on GH. With Sonny, with Jason, with her own brother! I think maybe she needs to be paired with Jax. Not sure how they'd pull that off, but heck she'd sizzle with anyone and everyone.
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Mar 18, 2008 1:53 PM
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Maybe Michael Logan doesn't correspond with his fans/readers?
I agree with this 110%!
Especially about Drake Hogestyn. I am loving this *sshole John story!
Tamara Braun as Stalker Ava is good too!
Sarah Brown/Claudia is a plot device not a character I'm sorry.
I was also disappointed with Tom Pelphrey's return. When is Hollywood going to scoop this kid up like he deserves to be?
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Mar 18, 2008 2:18 PM
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MY take on the shows I watch?
Angie/Jesse - Magic! After 20 yrs the chemistry is STILL blazing on the screen. The actor playing their son is a wonderful addition to this pair.
If it's a day without A&J, its a day I don't watch.
Tamara Braun - This girl is steamin hot not matter the role. Days has needed a new "crazy woman" for a while now and Tamara is gold!
Drake - I was sooooo glad when they killed the character of John off. He and Marlena's story had long run its course and Marlena became a hell of a lot more interesting without John. NuJohn? Wonderfully fun to watch! Who knew Drake had this much originality in him!
Sarah Brown - She is electric on screen. The problem is not with her character but with GH is general right now. There is little "light" on this show. It is all dark, depressing stories. Too much mob. Viewers have been saying this for months but no one at ABC seems to be listening. Sarah's performance? Outstanding. Welcome back!!
To GH in general? It is in desperate need of a creative overhaul. Desperately.
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Mar 18, 2008 10:37 PM
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I would have to agree with Mr. Logan's assessment of Tamara Braun as Carly on GH. With Tamara, Carly was human, classy and a step up from her 'originator'. Sarah Brown relied too much on histrionics to get her by. Tamara relied on talent and her gut feeling. Jennifer Bransford was given a bum rap and I really feel bad for her. I put Jennifer into the Sabine Singh category of despicable acts committed by Brian Frons' micromanaging at ABC. Laura Wright is just too annoying as 'Malibu Carly'.
As for Ava, I'm loving Tamara in this part. I'd love it if Stephen Nichols updated his PLog to tell us more about Tamara and working with her.
***NOTE TO TVGUIDE: Please make Stephen write another PLog. I want more. ***
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Mar 18, 2008 10:53 PM
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I didn't wanna mention this but since it has been brought up...
I liked Laura Wright on 'Loving' and 'The City', have never watched 'Guiding Light' but her portrayal of Carly is far too shrill and annoying. There is no joy in the character anymore. She isn't fun, she isn't cute, she is just spoiled brat annoying. I can't see what the hell the character of Jax would find endearing about this woman.
Again, nothing against the actress at all, just the way this character is now being written.
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Mar 18, 2008 11:35 PM
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Tamara "stands like a chicken" Braun was the worst of the four Carlys -- and that includes the woefully miscast Jennifer Bransford. She was such a weak actress they had to dull the characters' edges to get her any kind of fan base at all. Days and it's cadre of crappy actors can keep her as far as I'm concerned.
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Mar 18, 2008 11:41 PM
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Tamara Braun was the best Carly.
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Mar 19, 2008 1:52 AM
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What about Jerry Douglas on Y&R??? After John was killed off (!!!!!!!) he appeared from time to time as ghost John, but now Jerry Douglas is back as "Alastair" - a hack actor (with a scottish accent) hired to gaslight Gloria! I love seeing "John" do some comedic work - and back on the screen. Although I wonder if this storyline is akin to the "Rex" storyline with Catherine years ago - will Alastair find love and stay on the show once the plot is outed?
(And I cast my vote for best Carly being the original, with the second best - close second mind you - being the actress currently playing the role).
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Mar 19, 2008 2:20 AM
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I totally disagree with you about the Claudia Zacchara character. She started out a little one note, but they quickly showed her soft side as soon as Johnny was mentioned. And I am really looking forward to the story behind the hints that she was molested. (by Trevors? Daddy? Both?) And Sarah Brown is an incredible actress. Great to have her back.
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Mar 19, 2008 8:21 AM
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I agree with many of your assessments except the review of Sarah Brown.
I really love Sarah Brown back on GH!!! Her scenes have been great. I loved the scene when she told Kate Howard about her little tryst with Sonny. Sarah Brown was cold, calculated and a little terrifying! She is, and has always been, an electrifying actress!
I am also a big fan of Laura Wright in the role of Carly. She brings a lot of vulnerability to the role!
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Mar 19, 2008 9:11 AM
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I agree with you 100% on Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams (All My Children)
but not on Tamara Braun (Days of our Lives). she was not the best Carly. She was number four to me. Sarah being #1, Jennifer #2, Laura #3 and Tamara last and certianly least of all the carlys. As for her part as Ava, it hasn't left me with much that i like.
As for Drake Hogestyn (Days of our Lives) RATING: 4 out of 5 stars. I agree with you his return is great!
I think Rebecca Budig (All My Children) Unless she suddently amazes me, doesn't deserve 3 out of 5 stars, 2 but that's just me. Sabine was doing a great job with the horriable writing and Rebecca hasn't done it any better.
Now Sarah Brown (General Hospital) deserves way more than 2 stars, 5 or 4. her character is great and the more we see the more depth we're getting to this character and it's making me love her. her chemistry with everyone is so clear and it's making me remember why i love her and will always love her.
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Mar 20, 2008 2:25 AM
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I HATE the new Sarah Brown character on GH! She can NOT leave soon enough for me!! And her brother, WHO CARES!!! What a waste of air space!
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Mar 25, 2008 10:53 AM
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I totally agree about Angie & Jesse. However, even though the train scene was uber-satisfying and nearly brought me to tears, I was upset that they rushed the reunion. I wanted it to play out more but I am loving them still. And now it looks like Frankie is going to hook up with Adam Chandler and Liza Colby's daughter?! Hot!! Those two have great chemistry and I love Colby!!
Agree on Greens' return. She needs a great storyline where she can unleash her inner bitch, she and Kendall need to stop verbally making love to each other, it's nauseating. Those two are best when they are bffs one minute and at each other's throat the next. Mostly, she needs to get rid of that dead Scottish/whatever weight that is Aidan. Who is this guy blowing to keep himself employed? It was tolerable when he was paired with Sabine because she wasn't a good actress but now that Rebecca is back, watching the two of them together is painfully embarrassing. He just can't keep up.
And finally, I hate to say it but I so agree about Sarah Brown. Frankly, I'd give her return a 1 out of 5 just because the expectations were so high. Sarah Brown created one of the most dynamic characters on daytime and left an indelible mark on GH. They have not done her justice in any way shape or form with her return. She should have been brought back as a Cassadine, lord knows that family needs some resuscitation and the mob storylines weaken by the day. Maurice Bernard phones it in daily, Steve Brown always looks like he'd rather be somewhere else, it's pathetic to watch.
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Mar 27, 2008 12:56 PM
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What about Arianne Zuker's return to Days of our Lives. Was that not fierce!
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Apr 4, 2008 11:51 AM
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