Which Soap Opera Character Would You Change Places With?

Kelly Ripa as Hayley Vaughn Santos

Show:  All My Children

Character:  Hayley Vaughn Santos

I know, if you are going to be an All My Children fan, the most likely candidate for this assignment would be Erica Kane.  However, I chose Hayley Vaughn Santos.  Hayley is one of the very few soap opera characters who got out of Soapland alive and well.  She and her sexy, gorgeous husband Matteo, and their family literally ride off into the sunset to California to live happily ever after.  I just love the fact that Hayley not only survived the soap world in Pine Valley but against all odds wasn't killed, murdered, institutionalized, heartbroken, abandoned, or left in a coma doing it.  I want Hayley's life - happily ever after!

At What Age Did You Start Watching Soap Operas?

Show: Another World

Age: 14

Victoria Wyndham as Another World's Rachel Cory

There were never soap operas in my house growing up.  They were thought of and referred to as, "sob stories."  At age 14, I met a girl on the school bus, we became friends, and I began spending time at her house after school.  She and her older sister watched Another World when they got in the door from school.  On occasion when their mother was home in the afternoon, she watched too.  That amazed me!  I began watching with them.  Steve and Alice, Rachel and Mac, I was hooked!  It became a regular routine to stop at their house after school before going home so I could catch Another World.

Who Is/Was Your Favorite Soap Couple?

Soap:  One Life To Live

Couple: Cord and Tina

Okay, I am an All My Children fan.  I could have picked a long list of couples who had chemistry on All My Children.  But, the couple that immediately caught my attention and heart was the courtship and relationship between Cord Roberts and Tina Lord on One Life to Live.  They were so different - playful, loose, and exuded a special chemistry between them that made you want more, more more!

What Was Your Favorite Soap Opera Event?

All My Children Crystal Ball Keepsake

Show:  All My Children

Event:  The Crystal Ball

The Crystal Ball was a magical annual event in Pine Valley that always became the canvas for much foolishness and mayhem, something soap fans love!  All of Pine Valley attended the Crystal Ball.  The costumes, gowns and tuxedos, and the actors and actresses in them were always delectable eye candy for viewers.

Actress Jessica Tuck as Megan Performs at the Daisy Awards

Runner up would be the One Life to Live Daisy Awards.  What a glamorous hoot!!!

Who Is Your Favorite Soap Opera Child?

Leven Montgomery Portrayed Autistic Lily Montgomery

Show:  All My Children

Actress:  Leven Rambin

Role: Lily Montgomery Lavery

There have been so MANY fine young actors and actresses who have filled out soap canvases portraying children in our beloved soap towns.

I chose Lily Montgomery Lavery of All My Children played by Leven Rambin as my favorite.  Leven brought a special respect to the role of Lily, the autistic step-daughter of Jackson Montgomery.  Whenever she was onscreen she lit up the scene.  The character of Lily brought to light the challenges that face children suffering from autism as well as the adjustments families must make.  Her character also addressed the social challenges facing someone who has special needs.  Lily made it socially acceptable to be different, to have special needs.  The residents of Pine Valley rallied around her to ensure she was secure and comfortable.  In return they got a beautiful shining citizen who exuded innocence and sweetness while being wise far beyond her years.

What Was the Saddest Soap Opera Story?

Eileen Herlie - Myrtle Fargate

 

Show: All My Children

Story: Death of Myrtle Fargate

There have been many storylines over the years that have been sad beyond words.  Just in All My Children alone there have been so many! There are the breakups and the deaths of characters as art mirrors life.  The passing of Jenny, Mona Kane, Cindy Chandler, Phoebe Tyler, Baby Lenora Hayward, and Palmer Cortland were some of the storylines that pulled viewers' heartstrings out.

But, the greatest loss I felt was the passing of Eileen Herlie and the death of her character Myrtle Fargate.  Although Eileen was 90 at the time of her death in 2008, Myrtle had a fire in her right to the end.  For viewers, it was heart-wrenching to see the raw, visible pain fellow characters went through at the news of her passing.  Myrtle was such an integral part of the Pine Valley fabric there was a special tribute held in her honor in which Agnes Nixon made a rare appearance to pay her respects to Myrtle and Eileen.  Myrtle had a twinkle in her eyes and a wonderful approach to life, loving every moment.

WHEN we can once again visit Pine Valley, there will forever be a little empty corner in it that Myrtle should be filling.

Who Had the Best Soap Opera Wedding?

Dimitri and Erica Kane Marick

Soap: All My Children

Wedding: Dimitri and Erica

There have been some monumental weddings over the last five decades in soap operas.  Luke and Laura, Cliff and Nina, Clint and Vicki, Cord and Tina, Bo and Nora, and that is just ABC soaps - the list goes on and on!  Of all of them, I chose the wedding of Erica Kane and Dimitri Marick as my favorite.  The romance and ultimate fairy tale wedding was sophisticated, magical!, and a delight to watch!

What Is/Was Your Favorite Soap and Why?

Soap: All My Children

Why:  Pine Valley.  I LOVE Pine Valley and loved visiting it every week day!  Erica, Adam, Tad, Opal, and all the rest who brought life to Pine Valley will always have a special place in my heart.

Who is Your Favorite Soap Villain?

Soap: All My Children

Villain:  Dr David Hayward

Dr David Hayward (AKA Dr Death) is the quintessential villain with his lies, secrets, and drugs!  David Irizarry plays David Hayward spectacularly and he is the villain you love to hate.  Even though Dr Death was up to no good 95% of the time, David Irizarry played the character so well you always want to see him on screen doing something.

What Soap Opera Headline Would You Like to See?

Agnes Nixon with Her Queen SWAN!

I have just a few I would like to see..

AGNES NIXON GETS RIGHTS TO LEGACIES BACK!

AGNES NIXON NAMED KENNEDY CENTER HONOREE!

SWANS HELP SAVE SHOWS!

ALL MY CHILDREN AND ONE LIFE TO LIVE RETURNING TO THE AIRWAVES!

SOAP OPERAS GET THEIR OWN DEDICATED CHANNEL!

FRATERNITY ROW UNCANCELLED!!!

CANCELLED SOAPS RETURNING TO PRODUCTION!

OLD SOAP OPERAS RETURNING TO NEW SOAP NETWORK!

What Was Your Favorite Soap Opera Costume?

Michael E Knight in His Chicken Suit

Soap:  All My Children

Character:  Tad Martin

Costume:  The Chicken Suit

Tad's chicken suit played such an important part of the storyline at the time.  Tad proposed to Dixie in that chicken suit!  At the time, I thought it was so over-the-top goofy that it was endearing.

My second vote would be Erica's French maid costume, she made it look so easy...

Where Would You Like to See a Currently Shelved Soap Storyline Pick Up If It Returned to Production?

All My Children Cast

Soap:  All My Children

Storyline: JR Shooting through the secret passage

I would like to see JR grabbed from behind as he fires the gun into the Chandler living room from the secret passage.  The person who does it is a blast from Pine Valley's past and what first appears to be this person helping JR, turns out to be something very different and completely unexpected.

Thank you Silas Kain for suggesting this Assignment!  I hope everyone has as much fun with this one as I did!

What Is/Was Your Favorite Soap Set?

Soap: All My Children

Set: The Chandler Mansion

Chandler Mansion Living Room

I have always loved the intrigue of the Chandler mansion.  I loved the grand staircase in the middle of the set for years, with its dual stage left and right paths.  It made everyone who came down it majestic and oozed of over-the-top opulence.

The secret passages were a story in themselves.  I always enjoyed when they used them in storylines, especially when a character did not know about them.  I always thought there could have been more stories about them like they lead to a tunnel that lead to a mysterious ongoing storyline.

The patio off the living room and the Chandler estate grounds were another feature of the estate that I always loved seeing.  The patio was often used as the place to drop bombshells.

The one thing that always perplexed me about the Chandler mansion was how with its state-of-the-art security, anyone could show up there uninvited at anytime.

Introduction

Soap Assignments is a place to pay homage and honor our favorite shows, characters, actors and storylines. Each Soap Assignment challenges me to address different aspects of the soap genre and it is a way for you to share thoughts, perspectives and stories.

Please feel free to participate in the Soap Assignments and post your thoughts, responses, perspectives and stories. 

Thank you for stopping by!!! xoxoxo