REFLECTIONS BY JILL for January 1, 2007

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Barb writes: “I was an avid OLTL fan for a number of years and especially enjoyed the years Mark Derwin was on the show as the wonderful Ben Davidson. I must confess that I lost interest in the show several years ago, but happened to watch a show recently and actually revisited some old tapes I had kept from those years. Does anyone know where Mark Derwin is these days? Has he ever joined another soap? I did catch him occasionally on several of the hour drama shows, but they were few and far between. Sure would love to know what he is doing these days. He sure was a favorite of mine!”

Dear Barb: Hmmm, Mark Derwin. Somehow I seem to vaguely remember that name from somewhere in the past. You just happened to hit upon my very favorite soap subject. I also will admit to being drawn back to those old tapes sometimes when I need to remember the days when I loved the show best. You are right; Mark has done some guest spots on nighttime television but has not recently landed on anything permanent. When he left One Life to Live back in 2002, it was to take a role on the sitcom Life with Bonnie. He was on that show for the two seasons that it ran as Bonnie Hunt’s TV husband. Even though it wasn’t my favorite show by a long shot, I watched every single week just to get a glimpse of, as you so perfectly put it, the wonderful Ben Davidson. The show was cancelled and although Mark has done a couple of movies (none of which I thought were worthy of him), he has yet to “make it big” in Hollywood. He has not done another soap opera since leaving OLTL, but I know lots of people who would welcome him back to New York and OLTL with open arms. I’d be first in that line. I miss Ben every time I see Viki, which means ALL THE TIME! I wish him well in getting what he wants out in Hollywood, but I’d love to have him back.

Joan writes: “What? Zane is not a true blood Buchanan? What did I miss? And, I have to vent about Spencer's trial for a minute. If Evangeline is such a smart lawyer, then how come she doesn't know that the time to object to a question is before the witness answers it? I don't think I've ever heard a question asked in one of the OLTL criminal trials that was not objectionable on at least one ground. I suppose people in the medical field cringe at every hospital scene of the show in a similar way. Have the writers ever seen Law and Order? Or do they just think we haven't? Thanks -- that felt good!”

Dear Joan: You’re welcome. I’m happy to give you an opportunity to vent. I get to do it every week and it does feel good. As far as Zane’s bloodline goes, Kevin Buchanan is actually the biological son of Joe Reilly. He was adopted by Clint Buchanan when Clint married Viki. Therefore, Kevin, his son, Duke, and Duke’s son, Zane, are not blood Buchanans although for all intents and purposed they are true Buchanans. As far as Spencer’s trial goes, it was ridiculous for Nora to turn the whole trial over to Evangeline in the first place since she is a criminal defense attorney. Such a huge case should have been handled by a seasoned prosecutor. That’s not to say that Evangeline is not a great lawyer. And as far as soap trials go, Spencer’s was a total sham. I think you’re right that the writers probably should have watched a couple of seasons of Law and Order before they scripted that trial.

Lorraine writes: “Yippee! Yeaaaah! I'm so happy. Someone is finally thinking! Of course they couldn't let Tuc (David) go. He is too handsome, too funny and a wonderful actor! Keep whoever writes for him around too! Can you imagine what's going to happen when he finds out he is a Buchanan? What's Dorian going to do? Congrats to the writers to bring the more 'mature' actors back around. We need “Boring Nora” with “Naughty Lindsey” and “Can't keep a Woman Bo”. Wonderful! I can't wait. Let's really get the conniving and backstabbing going with those who know the ropes.”

Dear Lorraine: I couldn’t agree more. I’m thrilled that we’re going to get more action from our veteran actors. I love your descriptions of Nora, Lindsay and Bo. I’m hoping that this time around Bo winds up with a woman he can keep and I hope it’s not Lindsay. And as far as the conniving and backstabbing goes, hey, what’s a soap opera without a little shoving down stairs, injecting your enemy with memory erasing drugs, running them over with your car and tampering with their DNA results? As long as they mix it all up with some good romance, I’ll be a happy girl.

Floralbouquet5 writes: “What ever happened to Jen Rappaport? I heard she was killed off the show but I had missed the show for a few months and now am back watching every day? I can't find any information on the sad loss of this character.”

Dear Floralbouquet5: It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, Jen Rappaport, after her years as the bad girl daughter of Sam and Lindsay Rappaport, finally grew up, straightened out and fell in love with Rex Balsam. Prior to Rex, she was in love with Riley Coulson, the son of creepy D.A. Daniel Coulson. I may not have 100% recollection of the events, but Jen was killed by Daniel, who had more secrets than the CIA. Daniel married Nora even though he was secretly gay and he turned out to be a killer. Daniel cornered Jen in a garage when she realized what he really was and he killed her right there. I believe it was Rex who was too late getting to her and found her dead. It was awful, not to mention what it did to Lindsay. I couldn’t wait for Daniel to get tossed out of Llanview so I don’t think about him much. I’m sure if I’ve got any of that storyline wrong, someone will let me know.