GLEE's Lea Michele is on the list that features Lady GaGa, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, Conan O'Brien and Oprah Winfrey. Sandra Bullock's entry was written by Betty White.
Stuntman Michael Gene Adams has passed away
Adams, a former president of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, died at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Newhall, California on April 18. One of his many stunt jobs was on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
Why Mad Men Is More Than A Drama: The Correct Use Of SoapTerry Staunton argues that MAD MEN is as much a soap as a drama series: "For the last three years, critics have been falling over each other to heap praise on MAD MEN. Words like 'smart', 'cool', 'genius', 'brilliant', 'enthralling', 'innovative' and 'amazing' adorn box sets of the series, lifted from reams of positive press - but rarely, if at all, will you find any of these superlative-packed tributes employing the word 'soap'."
INTERVIEW: EASTENDERS actor Nitin Ganatra (Masood)"I never saw it as a homophobic attack. I just saw it as an angry dad venting his frustration. Qadim has a shady past, so I'm not surprised that he's a violent man. But what confused me was that he didn't beat up Syed - I'm still not sure why they didn't do that. We've been questioning why and I'm sure they had a good reason, but I think that's one for Dom [Treadwell-Collins] and the story team!"
Peggy Mitchell set for 'epic' exit from EASTENDERS
The soap’s story producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins insists fans will not be disappointed by the Walford matriarch’s departure later this year, following Barbara Windsor's decision to quit the BBC One series.
Thank you for that Staunton article. It expresses an opinion that I also hold: That the TRUE descendant/next generation of the soap is the primetime serial. While this is not a new form, I find it has become deeper/better written/better acted (than the old Peyton Place/Dallas ilk).
ReplyDeleteThe primetime serial has also evolved into so many forms (from Sci-Fi -- Lost -- to comedy -- the Office -- to vampire porn -- True Blood -- to so many forms). This seems like true evolution from the daytime/radio roots.
The other major evolution is the recognition that folks don't have 250 days a year to devote to their serials. Thus, the 13-22 week serial in primetime feels like a much more sustainable "portion", and it strengthens the product (with less filler/stretch/wild plots to fill the time).
I know you all champion "Indie Soaps", but I'm not modern enough to jump on board to these brief webisodes yet. (Even though I love independent films).
As daytime falters, and even my beloved Y&R struggles right now, I'm strangely buoyed by how good serial drama is right now.
This week -- alone -- I'm giddy after Doctor Who (not really a serial), Parenthood, Glee, Justified, Lost, Breaking Bad, The Office, and more. Every one of these is a show at the top of its game, and a proud serial.
The future is bright. Just the daytime detergent-selling variant is weak because the audience is gone and that level of content generation is no longer economically viable.