VIVIAN IS STILL IN THE COFFIN

..so I'm not really watching DAYS OF OUR LIVES right now, sorry! I love Louise Sorel (pictured) but this story should have lasted 2 days tops! This is the kind of crap that sunk PASSIONS.

I have been watching more of ONE LIFE TO LIVE, thanks to the casting of Kim Zimmer and Jessica Leccia from GUIDING LIGHT and Terri Columbino from AS THE WORLD TURNS. However, the hand of ex-ATWT writer Jean Passanante can be felt now that she writes for OLTL. This woman's credo? When in doubt on how to use a character, turn 'em psycho and get them out of town! Sigh.

That being said, I am really enjoying the Psycho Lisa storyline on GENERAL HOSPITAL. It is fascinating that Lisa wasn't killed off or sent to an asylum, as she continues to work at the hospital and everyone just has to deal with it. Today, when Sonny asked Robin if she wanted him to kill Lisa -- how many of us were screaming at the TV "SAY YES!!!" But it is in keeping with Robin's character that she wouldn't do that. Also good viewing was any scene with Adrienne Barbeau and/or Spinelli. I still want Suzanne to mix it up with more people, but her dumbfounded "Is that a kind of code?" response to Spinelli's babblings was very funny. I'm still hoping for Spinelli to get back with Maxie. They just don't sparkle with anyone else the same way.

THE BRUISED, BROKEN BEAUTY OF TOM PELPHREY

Regular readers of this blog will be aware of the DVR issues surrounding our AS THE WORLD TURNS viewing -- namely, I'm still catching up on episodes from November of last year! Tonight we got back in the game with the 11/17 and 18 episodes, featuring Tom Pelphrey (pictured left) with a tremendous nosebleed, the return of Lesli Kay's fabulous Molly, and the erection killer of Luke's parents adopting his boyfriend Noah, thus making them brothers. Yuck! (Yuck not directed at the aforementioned Lesli Kay!)

JET LAGGED DAYTIME EMMYS

Hey, I've been in London so I wasn't able to watch the Daytime Emmys until tonight. Very glad I successfully avoided all spoilers and even happier that AS THE WORLD TURN's Maura West, Julie Pinson and, most especially, Michael Park were all deservedly awarded. The show itself was a mess but I'll forgive it anything for giving my soap some love! (West and Park are pictured left.)

JUDI, DREW AND A CRAPPY SHOW OR TWO

I only saw a bit of DAYS OF OUR LIVES today but was pleased to see Judi Evans back as Adrienne Kiriakis. I loved her recent stint as Maeve on AS THE WORLD TURNS and thought they could have done more with her and Holden.

GENERAL HOSPITAL was excellent today, even as I fear the dark storylines might be driving viewers away, judging by the low ratings. I don't know what has led to the recasting of Michael. Drew Garrett (pictured) is a powerhouse; if for some reason he can't do the show anymore I say throw Michael in jail and don't let him out until Drew can play him again. Aside from that, the scenes where Ethan and Luke talk about Luke's rape of Laura were powerful and well-written. I'm glad GH doesn't just sweep that under the carpet.

Because my DVR is full and I must tape CAPRICA tomorrow, I watched last week's GOSSIP GIRL, which was lukewarm. Who cares about Chuck's mother (even if she is played by MULHOLLAND DRIVE's Laura Harring) or Serena's father? This show should exist in a parentless vacuum. Let's hope the last episode is (was?) better.

WHY AS THE WORLD TURNS WILL NEVER DIE FOR ME

Because we have episodes going back to November 11 2009 clogging up our DVR, that's why! Tonight we watched Tom Pelphrey's first episode, where he brought a theatrical intensity to even this loopy story of youth serums, James Stenbeck and ingenue grabbing on stairwells.

NO GAY LIVES TO LIVE

TV GUIDE's website has broke the news that ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Kyle and Fish (Scott Evans, pictured) are out of the show. This is just appalling; OLTL should not get rid of a story generating, front burner couple with a fanbase, regardless of sexual orientation. I have never appreciated AS THE WORLD TURNS more for Luke, Noah, Doctor Reid and a host of other gay supporting characters.

So ATWT, OLTL and DOOL all air at the same time in Los Angeles. I will be taping ATWT, watching DOOL and ignoring OLTL unless they get their shit together. DOOL is very good right now. I used to be the biggest EJ/Sami supporter until recently, as EJ has gone past the point of no return with his babyknapping activities. Is the only person who can be paired with EJ now the equally dastardly Nicole?

GENERAL HOSPITAL was great today, with special mention having to be made of the way minor characters like Bernie's secretary and Alexis' receptionist are written and performed. They are given just enough twists of personality to make them interesting and fun so there is no filler in the show. Hooray for good writing and acting!

TEEN ACTORS, NAUSEA AND ALAN DALE

I watched some of yesterday's DAYS OF OUR LIVES with breakfast today, just enough to see that I do not like the new Will at all. The old Will was a bit of tasty jailbait, but he was also naturalistic and fit in well with the other actors, unlike the current Will, who is a big slice of drama school ham.

I also watched a little bit of ALL MY CHILDREN while unwinding after work. I haven't been following the show that much recently, but it looks like Ryan and Erica are together. According to the Ghetto Fabulous Retired Mom, "This storyline makes me SICK! Every time I see Ryan and Erica together I want to VOMIT!" Therefore I will vehemently oppose this pairing since it is causing my mother internal distress.

While not a soap, tonight's superb episode of LOST did have a cliffhanging appearance by ex-soaper Alan Dale, up to no good as usual. Or is he? If he's out to kill Ben, isn't that a good thing? Or has Ben earned our sympathy now thanks to tonight's episode? Man, I love me some thought-provoking LOST!