The Return of The TV Junkie…

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Memo to: BRIAN FRONS & ABC...The return of the “TV Junkie” is in direct proportion to the stupidity shown by both Brian Frons (head of ABC Daytime – or what’s left of it!) and the powers that be at ABC who were cold and heartless enough to cancel, not one, but two of daytime’s finest dramas, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” The TVJ grew up with “The Secret Storm,” “Search for Tomorrow,” “Young Dr. Malone” and “Edge of Night,” watching the latter with my mother, on the first day it was broadcast. The TVJ scheduled college classes around “All My Children” and “One Life to Life,” both as an undergrad in the late ‘60s, a grad student in the ‘70s and yes, even as a college professor who refused to teach ANYTHING between the hours of 1-3pm.

The fact that ABC thinks that daytime fans will watch some ridiculous, blithering, self-help, talk show, after they have had their collective hearts ripped out by suits who prefer the cheaply paid amateurish reality show “stars” to the people we have welcomed into our homes for over 75 years, is ludicrous. Fans will simply gravitate to “The Young & the Restless,” “The Bold & the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives,” leaving ABC with only “General Hospital,” and we’ll see how long THAT lasts! You’re an idiot Brian Frons and you don’t really know your audience.

What you also don’t know is how many people have been helped by these story-lines. Whether dealing with abortion, rape, homosexuality, peer pressure, drug addiction, mental illness, AIDS or bullying, daytime has addressed them all. The current bullying storyline on “One Life to Live,” has reached so many children who are victims of cruelty. Young girls faced with unwanted pregnancies were helped by storylines on “General Hospital” and “All My Children.” Because of the way these topics were handled and presented to audiences, we learned that it’s ok to be Gay; there’s no shame in being bi-polar; you can’t catch AIDS by hugging someone; bullies can be stopped. All this, told within a family framework by the Chandlers, Frames, Buchanans, Spencers and Abbotts.

If you know nothing of daytime; if you have never watched what our grandmothers called their “stories,” if you have never been transported to the magic that is Pine Valley, Springfield, Llanview, Genoa City or Port Charles, you still know the names “Erica Kane” and “Luke & Laura.” They are part of our culture; part of our lives; in our homes five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Nice going ABC. You sure know how to terminate a genre and a way of life.

The TV Land Awards:

 This year, the TVJ was privileged to be part of the TV Land Awards. That being said, here’s how the night started. 

The TVJ, who has spent met Cloris Leachman many, many times, was seated next to her at “The Facts of Life,” table along with Geri Jewell, Charlotte Rae and her granddaughter, and Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon with their respective husbands. Knowing that Cloris and her sister (singer Claiborne Carey) had made their peace, the TVJ remarked, “I don’t know if I ever mentioned this to you, but your sister was a dear friend of mine.” To which Cloris responded, “Oh, Claiborne. She’s dead you know?” And thus began the TV Land Awards.

First, out comes Liza to sing yet another chorus of “New York, New York,” to the screams of all in attendance. No comment. Then came the man who would present the first award to the cast of “The Cosby Show,” Stevie Wonder. This started the TVJ’s night off with a bang, especially when he began to sing. Then came Mr. Cosby, who managed to take over, leaving his entire cast just standing there, awards in hand, looking terrified that if they spoke one word, Mr. Cosby would be not be happy. As a matter of fact, the entire cast looked rather unhappy. As they left, the show runner made sure to tell the casts of “Facts,” “Family Ties” and “Welcome Back, Kotter,” that the point was for each of them to speak. The TVJ can only assume that Mr. Cosby either didn’t receive that memo, or chose to ignore it.

For the remainder of the evening, as each cast went on stage to receive their awards, the audience could see the obvious affection they had for one another. Whether it was “Family Ties” in support of Meredith Baxter and Michael J. Fox, John Travolta channeling Vinnie Barbarino with his classic “what? where? I AM SO CONFUSED,” or the obvious love and affection the “Facts” girls (who have grown into lovely, wonderful women) have for Charlotte Rae and the inspirational words of Geri Jewell that “for the first time children weren’t afraid of her,” because of her role on the show, the night proved to be the feel-good awards show of the year.

Soapbox Moment of the Day:

Cast of Army Wives

Kudos to Lifetime’s “Army Wives” for continuously reminding us how important it is for us to support our troops and the families who stand by them. Each week, this show, which focuses on the lives of our servicemen & women, reminds us of the sacrifices made by, not only our troops, but their husbands, wives, children and parents. Last night's episode, which focused on the return of the troops to the Camp, was so moving, as the always magnificent Catherine Bell greeted the returning comrades of her late son. If Vietnam taught us one thing, it was to respect and support our military, whether or not we support their war. The events of the past week, and the bravery of our soldiers, especially the Navy SEALS, only reinforces these beliefs.

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