Best and Worst Recast: Alicia Minshew and Antony Addabbo

The August 12th issue of Soap Opera Digest named Anthony Addabbo (ex-Dimitri Marick) as All My Children's biggest mis-cast. I think they had it all wrong, Addabbo was not only "pinch-hitting" for troubled actor Michael Nader, he had long term prospects. When it was clear Nader was never going to b rehired, I like many fans were behind keeping Addabbo. Frankly, I think he had more chemistry with on-screen wife Finola Hughes (ex-Dr. Alex Marick) than Nader ever did.

Addabbo was not relegated to the back burner. He was part of the most tragic storylines in Pine Valley, the untimely death of Gillian Andrassy (Esta Terblanche). Given what was arguably the best written material of the Jean Passanante era, Addabbo infused the role Dimitri with the a stoic warmth, a portrayal that would make even Nader proud.

The best recast named accordingly was Alicia Minshew (Kendall Slater), who took over the role of Erica Kane's (Susan Lucci) wayward daughter from Emmy Winner Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2002. Now six years into the role, Minshew has many people asking Sarah who?

The Stork Visits Two Pine Valley Stars... Sort Of

Soap Opera Digest reports Jacob Young (JR Chandler) and wife Christen Young announced they are expecting a son, Luke Wayne Young, in New York. An ironic twist to the story is that Young's son will share the same name as the character he played on General Hospital, where he starred until 2003.

Susan Lucci (Erica Kane) also reports she is expecting a second grandchild. Daughter Liza Huber (Passion's Gwen) and husband Alex Hesterberg are expecting their second child. They had a son last year named Royce.

A Light At the End of the Tunnel

As critical as I am of Pratt's early plans for Pine Valley, I will give the man credit for pointing out the obvious: Adam (David Canary) and Erica (Susan Lucci) should be front and center.

These Emmy Award Winners have carried the show through some of the darkest times (I think a shout out should go to John Callahan (ex-Edmund) who made the drivel of the late '90s bearable with his natural charisma). Also, they are the head of two of Pine Valley's most complex and well liked families.

Maybe this refocus will give some other actors a time to shine. I would love to see some of the extended Chandler family return full time to the canvas, like Marian or Scotty. In terms of the Kanes, they have the talented Colin Egglesfield (Josh Madden) sitting on the the sidelines when he can easily become Pine Valley's next heroic lead.

So thanks Charlie for this little gift. Don't let us down.

Flashback: Pine Valley in 1999

SOD Online's latest feature is a Flashback Quiz to 1999, a year when Ryan Lavery (Cameron Mathison) was on the run for raping Kit Montgomery (Paige Rowland) and Opal (Jill Larson) learned about another long lost son.

Our favorite leading lady Susan Lucci had to play out a hilariously cheesy storyline where Erica Kane's face was disfigured in a car accident forcing her to wear a Phantom of the Enchantment Office-like half mask. Luckily for her, and for viewers, it sparked the beginning of one of her most memorable romances... that with Dr. David Hayward (Vincent Irizarry).

For the full feature, go HERE

Another Sick Reminder of What Should Have Been

Noah & Julia's 1996 Wedding Guest (L to R): Eileen Herlie, Michael Nader, Susan Lucci, Socorro Santiago, Raul Davila, Darlena Tejeiro and Catherine Gardner

This week's Soap Opera Digest featured a look back at some of Daytime's classic weddings. Representing the citizens of Pine Valley was Noah Keefer (Keith Hamilton Cobb) and Julia Santos' (Sydney Penny) 1996 nuptials at Wildwind.

Oh Esensten and Brown, you sure knew how to ruin a good thing. Wasting Penny's talent is just another thing on your long list of sins.

A Goldfish Never Forgets

Adam (David Canary, l.) and Erica's (Susan Lucci, r.) relationship is like no other pair of ex's in Pine Valley.

Kudos to the writers today for Adam Chandler (David Canary) and Erica Kane's (Susan Lucci) little interlude in prison. Esensten and Brown had given these two veterans some great material together with this insider trading storyline, but it is great to see them together talking about something other than business.

Today's scenes especially played homage to the history of the characters. It wasn't clear if Adam was looking for absolution or if misery really likes company, but he was quick to bring up the fact that Erica could not criticize him for keeping Tad Martin away from his daughter because she did the same thing.

In 1997, Erica intended to raise Maddie Grey as her own daughter after kidnapping her from Maria (Eva LaRue, l.) and Edmund Grey (John Callahan, r.). Both did it in the name of love, Adam's for Krystal Martin and Erica's for Dimitri Marick; but, it was not divine intervention that would set Erica straight. Erica's own guilt forced her to admit to her crimes.

Just like a decade earlier, Erica has found herself in prison. Isn't it funny how history has a propensity to repeat itself? Especially in the Valley.

The AMCHistory Top 5 May 2008

1) Tad Martin (121)
2) Nina Cortlandt Warner (116)
3) Erica Kane (110)
4) Billy Clyde Tuggle (108)
5) Kendall Hart Slater (106)

Michael E. Knight continues to dominate the Top 5. The Hubbard Wedding and Rob Gardner's machinations definitely worked off Tad's complex history in Pine Valley. Maybe fans needed a quick update on his trials and tribulations.

Two surprising high numbers are Billy Clyde Tuggle and Nina Warner. Neither have really been mentioned onscreen. Taylor Miller (pictured) was featured in an article in Soap Opera Digest, but that was almost two months ago.

For more on Matthew Cowles (ex-Billy Clyde) and Miller behind the scenes at All My Children, check out next week's featured interview in the Where are They Now? section.

I Wish I Had Friends in High Place

Watch CNBC's behind the scenes video of Warren Buffett's appearance on All My Children. The video features some great banter between the Omaha billionaire and our Daytime's greatest writer, Ms. Agnes Nixon.

(Pictured from L to R: Jill Larson, Susan Lucci, Buffett, Nixon)

Susan Lucci: Youthful Essence

Susan Lucci's (Erica Kane) many looks throughout the years are featured in this week's issue of Soap Opera Digest. Check out the news stands today.

The AMCHistory Top 5 April 2008

This new feature will spotlight the five Quick Guide Biographies that received the most hits in the last month.

1) Tad Gardner Martin (42)
2) Erica Kane (41)
3) Kendall Hart Slater (36)
4) Greeenlee duPres (35)
5) Dr. Angie Baxter Hubbard (33)
Jesse Hubbard (33)

Talk about the major players! All of these characters had major screentime this month. It is surpring to see that despite the general complaints of the FUSION dominance of airtime, Kendall and Greenlee seem to be of high interest on the web.

No surprise that Tad, Angie and Jesse are on the list. Ironic that Jesse and Angie tied for the number of hits this month.

Probably the most comprehensive biography, Erica's, also saw its share of hits. I think it is probably the best of the Quick Guide Biographies on the site.

Poetic Justice

With Greenlee duPres' (Rebecca Budig) wedding to Aidan Devane (Aiden Turner) on the horizon, I can not help but think back to one of Greenlee's most memorable wedding moment: revealing Jackson Montgomery (Walt Willey) was her father at his wedding to Erica Kane (Susan Lucci).

Never have I actually seen as much fear in Erica's eyes than when she realized all her plotting to keep Greenlee from the truth had failed. Michael Knight (Tad Martin) contributed further to the drama after Jackson realized his best friend had been lying to him too.

How ironic would it be if Erica crashed Greenlee's wedding with the truth about Kendall and Aidan's affair. Erica and Greenlee's rivalry, especially with Budig back in the role, is always great to watch onscreen.

Budig would hit those scenes out of the park. She has been an Emmy contender in the past (and frankly was robbed of a nomination in 2004), but scenes like this would most surely garner her a win.

As if People in Pine Valley Could be Any Richer

Warren Buffett makes an appearance on All My Children on May 9. Opal Cortlandt (Jill Larson) accompanies Buffett to visit Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) in prison.

This is Buffett's second appearance on All My Children. He first met Erica on screen when he interrupted her meeting with then ABC CEO Tom Murphy in 1991. He would make a second cameo in 1992.

Creator Agnes Nixon allegedly first invited Buffett because she was a fan of his witty annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

UPDATE: Buffet played a reel of his appearence this weekend at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting. Not that's what we call synergy.

Let's Party Like its 1997!

SOD Online's feature this week is a quiz about All My Children in 1997. My favorite memory from that year has to be the feud at Wildwind between waring ladies of the manor Dr. Maria Grey (Eva LaRue then-Callahan) and Erica Kane-Marick (then and always-Susan Lucci).

It makes me sad to think Wildwind can become a thing of the past now that Sydney Penny (Julia Santos Keefer) is rumored to be on the chopping block. Those halls many memories of love, life and death.

Sidenote: Can the SOD Online editors be more lazy? Did anyone do the rearch and realize the picture they used in the feature of Lucci and Michael Nader (Dimtiri Marick) was actually from their remote shoot in Hungary in 1992. I am sure there are many lovely, and more timely photos in their vast photo collection.

I won't even begin to talk about the number of emails I have sent the online editor pointing errors in their stories.

Heck, if they're hiring, I'm looking.