Tom Eplin: (Jake, ATWT)
(Week Ending May 3, 2002)

ATWT's Tom Eplin gave his final performance as AW's Jake this week, obviously any moment this actor was on screen is worthy of mention even when his run is ending in a very wrong way. When it was announced that ATWT would be bringing on some old AW cast members fans were ecstatic that at least a little bit of Bay City would live on, of course then our beloved Vicky was killed and now apparently for nothing more than to give Molly a grand dramatic showcase we lose Jake one of the most dynamic characters in soap history, thanks a lot, AW fans were paid off for their viewership by getting salt rubbed into their gaping wounds. For any ATWT fans who don't understand this complaint let's put it this way, imagine Lily and Holden move to Springfield (GL) they get murdered by one of those anonymous soap serial killers and the people you see mourning them didn't know about his eight hundred million children or her eight hundred million husbands. Here's the ending that wouldn't have left such a bad taste, Jake discovers that in fact his true Lassiter love Vicky is still very much alive he takes Bridget and Michelle (named for Vicky's loved ones, not Molly's) to reunite with their mom. ATWT could still have given Molly enormous heartache and the AW fans their due all in one go. Years ago Jake's death was staged on AW, and there was a scene on that perfect history filled swingset where once sworn enemies Paulina and Vicky commiserated over the loss of their lover and friend as a Billy Joel song played in the background, that's the kind of impact Tom's character should have had, that one still remembers long after, scenes that were merely about him. This may have been one in a long line of examples as to why crossovers are impractical (history is awfully hard to duplicate by those who haven't witnessed it) but whether you're merely someone who met Jake through Oakdale or you watched from the moment he rode into our hearts on that motorcycle, you know that Tom Eplin created something special here, for anyone who remembers, you can count on Jake.

Tom Eplin & Jensen Buchanan: (Jake & Vicky, ATWT)
(Week Ending January 05, 2001)

The old magic returned instantaneously and should be enough to make Molly and Jake fans rethink their forced chemistry. Even in death, Jensen Buchanan radiated life as Vicky, from the ratty old sneakers to the shoes. There has not been a more romantic scene on soaps in eons since Tom Eplin's Jake reached out to touch Vicky and was unable to feel her. Vicky and Jake are prime example of a supercouple, however temporary, it's a shame this story has to be mixed in with the Lily/Simon mess, oh, but then it would actually be on Another World instead.

Anna Stuart:  (Donna, ATWT)
(Week Ending August 25, 2000)

It is terribly bittersweet to watch these occasional Another World reunions on ATWT. On the one hand it is such a thrill to see the likes of Donna and Cass again, and on the other hand it is just another painful reminder of the greatness that was lost with that show. Anna Stuart gave another of her impeccable performances caught somewhere between hope and sadness, exactly as you'd expect a grieving mom to be. Anna's Donna is such a spitfire it would be incredible to watch her interact with the likes of Lucinda and John, not to mention be a constant reminder of Vicky to Jake. If only ATWT would cut their losses on some of the new younger characters who aren't working and consider keeping on a talent like Anna Stuart.

Ellen Wheeler:  (Marley, ATWT)
(Week Ending March 17, 2000)

She breaks my heart. Long before Calista Flockhart came on the scene Ellen Wheeler was playing ethereal waif to absolute perfection. Her performance is engulfed with compassion and beauty that would make even the most hardened of hearts reduce to tears. It's rare that a character of such goodness (minus one psychotic lapse) can hold onto an audiences fascination the Wheeler's Marley can. It's a shame she was only on for a day, being as she never mentioned her Bay City love Tyrone, she might be available for Jake instead of some colorless creature that they'll no doubt pair him with.

Jensen Buchanen: (Vicky, ATWT)
(Week Ending Sept 24, 1999)

It was the best feeling of been there, done that, that AW fans have ever had. Not only did we get one last glimpse inside the cottage that Bridget picked out for our favorite feisty blonde, we were also treated to some very heartfelt, very Bay City moments. For all those ATWT fans who never watched Another World, Wednesday and Thursday were prime examples of the brilliance that you missed out on. Jensen is a gifted actress making it clear to everyone from longtime fans to casual channel surfers, that she truly cared about her mom's health, from the worry that crept over her formerly smiling face as she got the mysterious call from the doctor, to the tears the welled up instananeously as Donna (Get Anna Stuart a full time job pronto!) came in. It was like watching a master at work, and it was also a double-edged sword, reminding us all of what we've lost.

The Entire Cast & Crew From Another World from the last 35 years
(May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999)
(Week Ending June 25, 1999)

I spent the afternoon sipping hot chocolate in hopes of removing the bitter taste from my mouth; it didn't work. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why I had to watch the final episode of Another World today when Sunset Beach just hit an alltime ratings low. I cannot remember a time in my life where Another World wasn't a part of it, some may see that as pathetic, I see it as testiment to a show that kept it's heart and integrity intact even when it was forced to do some foolish things in attempts at staying on the air. I was disappointed that they couldn't find time enough to air flashbacks of the old days, even a lame show like Home Improvement was given an hour and a half send off, though I suppose it was in keeping with NBC's treatment of their unsung crown jewel. When Joe remarked that he could still remember the first day he laid eyes on Paulina, it struck me that so could I. I remember the longing stare between Ryan and Vicky when she pulled up in the sleigh just before marrying Grant. I remember Carl's hanging by a thread confession that he was Ryan's father. I remember Cass dressing up as Crystal Lake and tangling with Tony the tuna. My point is that Another World gave the fans so many outstanding memories that they will keep with them forever, whether it be that no soap family will ever have as spectacular a Christmas tree as the Cory's or that no diva will ever wear a boa quite like Felicia, or believably munch on junk food like Vicky. I'm sure we'll see the immensely talented cast in other venues though all the devoted fans know it will never be the same. Keep AW's cancellation as a warning to all fans currently feeling disgruntled by your favorite soap, even if you don't like what's happening on it now, keep the t.v. glued to that channel even if you have to put on the mute button; do not give the demo obsessed executives an easy excuse to demolish your show. As for the fans who will be grabbing for the kleenex on Monday when you don't see the continuing adventures of your favorite characters, my only suggestion is to treasure your favorite end of the episode freeze frame cliffhanger moment that Another World so skillfully provided you with for the last thirty-five years.

Charles Keating & Alice Barret: (Carl & Anne, AW)
(Week Ending June 18, 1999)

The sole silver lining to the cancellation of AW has been that the imbecilic powers that be have seen fit to rectify certain mistakes that they made in the past that greatly contributed to the downfall of the soap, namely rehiring the marvelous Alice Barret and the irreplacable Charles Keating. Though Alice repised her role as Frankie only briefly as a ghost, that combined with her new character Anne at least helped to give a little closure to what was easily one of the most violent uncalled for demises in daytime history. Charles Keating meanwhile brought back his shakespeare-like presence that dazzles in even the smallest of scenes such as when he was trying to recall why the name Ryan meant so much to him or even when he held Rachel's hands in his for the first time in years. Charles is capable as both villian and leading man, who should be a welcome addition to any cast; and if the dogpaddling Port Charles is smart, they would make a move to recast him in the role of D.V., truly making the character as menacing as he is appealing.

Taylor Stanley: (Remy, AW)
(Week Ending June 11, 1999)

Taylor Stanley is one of the brightest young actress to arrive in Daytime in years, one who was not hired because of her look but because of her talent. This week Remy's fondest dream became a reality and she discovered that Paulina is her mother. She shared a truly heartfelt scene with Judi Evans Luciano that made it totally believable that the two characters were indeed related. Taylor Stanley can cry with the best of them but she can also raise the exhuberance level in almost any scene, in the short time she has been with the show she has never glided through a performance, she clearly puts every ounce of herself into it. Remy would have made a great addition to the teen scene in ATWT, it's too bad nobody noticed.

Kim Rhodes: (Cindy, AW)
(Week Ending June 4, 1999)

Kim Rhodes in her few years in the role of Cindy has done the rarest of things by making a psychopath so endearing to the audience that we continually root for her to win despite the fact that we know she never will. Somewhere along the way Kim started ignoring the writers and infused the character with an actual irrisistable personality equal parts humor and deceit. This week she not only displayed her gift for dramatic confrontation in her scenes with Vicky, but also her deft abilities in the comedy arena when she was attempting to flirt with David,while simultaneously mocking Donna. Kim Rhodes is a great scene stealing actress, the kind of presence that would work wonders on a soap like General Hospital that is currently lacking in female characters with any sort of a backbone.

Eric Morgan Stuart: (Chris, AW)
(Week Ending May 28, 1999)

Every quality drama knows that some of the best scenes are made even more lifelike by filling them with secondary characters. This week Eric Morgan Stuart's Chris did the seemingly impossible by not allowing his humorous prescence to be buried in one of Jake and Vicky's arguments. It takes a strong actor to have created a character with very little story options along the way, yet still manages to resonate deeply with his audience. Chris and Jake's friendship has been one of the most enjoyable aspect of AW in recent years, which makes it all the more of a travesty that in the waning months the show is bringing on new actors rather than rewarding long time workhorses like Eric with a script that would finally allow him to showcase all of his talent.

Lisa Peluso: (Lila, AW)
(Week Ending May 21, 1999)

I started sensing that Lila would be a lasting, indelible character the night she was preparing for her first date with one of the faux Matthews, and she did that wonderfully Scarlet thing of sewing her own dress, it was a signal that the lady had spark. That spark that Lisa has skillfully filled Lila with has carried her above the often lame (Shane) and certainly convoluted (Lumina) plots that she has so often been thrust into. Lisa has carefully allowed Lila to mature without losing any of her original southern charm that endeared her to Cass and the viewers. Now, things are only getting better, since there seems to be this growing fondness for Matthew in her heart, whether she is willing to admit it or not, this change is making the story all the more involving since suddenly this relationship has stopped being about the superficial things. Sadly, what could be one of the great quadrangles, will most likely end quickly with a rushed 'happy ending' for Cass and Lila, leaving Matt and Anne in the dust, all for precious demographics.

Linda Dano & Jonathan Sharp: (Felicia & Sergei, AW)
(Week Ending May 14, 1999)

With the pairing of Felicia and Sergei their was the dreadful potential for them to be in the high ick-factor (e.g. Viki/Ben, Adam,Liza) range of the current I'm old enough to be your parent relationships smothering daytime. However, AW, has slowly and skillfully nurtured a warm friendship between the two extremely different charcters. Newcomer Jonathan Sharpe exudes charisma as the english challenged musician, bringing together a melodic combination of humor and sad vulnerability. As always Linda Dano's Felicia shines best when she's torn between exasperation and her natural caring spirit, that forces her to fight for Sergei hospital care, his citizenship, and his rights as a human being. Linda has expressed an interest to be Ally McBeal's eccentric mom, and one can only imagine the magic she could pull off with David E. Kelley's writing, though it would be a blow for daytime to lose her.

Judi Evans Luciano: (Paulina, AW)
(Week Ending May 7, 1999)

It is incomprehensable to me that the Meryl Streep of Daytime will soon be unemployed. As Paulina, Judi Evans Luciano, has nurtured a character with the sort of naturalness that isn't often explored in Soap Opera, such dramatic excellence is often eschewed for big hair and breast implants. It has been a pleasure to watch Judi through the years from the fun moments like maquerading as Madonna to the emotional turmoil that she has had to play out for the last few years. One of the most memorable scenes to me in AW history was in the park in Lassitor when both Paulina and Vicky were mourning Jake and they finally put their differences aside. If a borderline talent such as ex-Gl star Melina Kanakaredes can find success in prime time surely one of the few thinking producers out their will hire Judi.

Victoria Wyndham: (Rachel, AW)
(Week Ending April 30, 1999)

Victoria Wyndham thankfully in the last remaining months is finally being given the opportunity to infuse Rachel with some of her old feisty spirit. Her former gutsy attitude reappeared with a vengeance this week as she fought with all her might to protect her family from the evil powers of Jordan Starke. Sadly in recent years we've seen little of Victoria other than as Rachel's evil doppelganger Justine and in those magnificently memorable scenes at the beginning of her romance with Carl in New York. I hope when Carl returns they give them the great send off that they deserve, perhaps something worthy of an Elizabeth Barrett Browning sonnet.

Ellen Wheeler & Henry Simmons: (Marley & Tyrone, AW)
(Week Ending April 23, 1999)

It's always enjoyable to watch a new romance blossom, especially on a serial as capable of great storytelling as Another World. The relationship between Marley and Tyrone has been slow to develop, unlike other shows who expect us to believe that their is this instant unbreakable connection between two people who have barely known each other for five minutes. What started out as an anonymous friendship evolved into a lawyer fighting for his troubled client and now in a most seemingly natural development their are generous amounts of sparks flying in their every scene. Most commendably rather than playing the race card, AW is allowing the main conflict in this relationship to be about Marley's mental recovery and the distrust she has within herself, especially when it comes to men like Tyrone who wish to rescue her. This is a slow building believable romance and it is a shame that we will be unable to follow it for an extended period of time.

Joe Barbara: (Joe, AW)
(Week Ending April 16, 1999)

Joe Carlino has always been a hero, from the moment he arrived as the private investigator working to figure out whether Jake was still alive or not, and of course when he fell for his beloved Blue Eyes. Ever since Joe has been totally guided by his high sense of morals, so now, since Grant's murder it's been interesting watching this new edge develop to the character. Barbara is masterfully guiding Joe into a descent from grace, blurring the lines between what's right and wrong, especially when it comes down to protecting your family. It's a shame now that Joe is officially the fully fleshed out character with flaws that we'll no longer have the pleasure of inviting him or any of these other brilliant characters into our homes.

Judi Evans Luciano:(Paulina, AW)
(Week Ending February 12, 1999)

Judi once again displayed what a brilliant performer she is full to the brim with emotional termoil. She tearfully told husband Joe that she had a baby when she herself was a child, it was an amazing don't take your eyes off the screen moment, both husband and wife were mesmirizing in their despair. At a time when we are to be people like GH's Carly as mothers it is refreshing to watch a mother so vehemently defend her child, even if he isn't really hers, I can't wait for the time when Paulina learns the truth about Remy.

Ellen Wheeler:(Marley, AW)
(Week Ending January 8, 1999)

A fascinating study in madness. Ellen Wheeler has somehow managed to translate sweet, innocent Marley into the most shattered woman since Blanche Dubois with such ease that one can only marvel at her tremendous talents. Though her frail looks are a definite asset to the part, it is much more than that which makes Ellen portrayal of Marley so potent. You can tell, in scene after scene that her mind is running at a hundred miles a minute, totally channeling every twisted thought that Marley is having, she is a privilidge to watch in a genre where a lot of actors appear disinterested in every action. Special honorable mentions go out to Tom Eplin, Jensen Buchanen and the AW writers, for being extremely valuable supporting players in Marley's gut-wrenching decent into madness.

Kim Rhodes: (Cindy, AW)
(Week Ending November 27, 1998)

Neurotic,deranged,out of her mind; that's pretty much Cindy in nutshell. From the moment she arrived in Bay City she had been teetering on the brink of madness and more than a few times has gone over the edge. With a less skilled actress than Kim the character could seem rather cartoonish and would have worn out her welcome long ago, instead Cindy is an unpredictable bundle of nerves, never certain whether she should be angry or sad. This mass confusion is what has led her to her currant disasterous trust in Marley and her subsequant involvement in shooting the man she loves. Kim Rhodes has made Cindy's journey a fascinating one to watch, forever keeping the viewer on their toes.

Nadine Stenovitch: (Josie, AW)
(Week Ending October 9, 1998)

One of the smoothest recasts in memory, Nadine instantly made Josie her own, not an easy task on a show infamous for fast, swinging doors. Literally overwhelmed by guilt over an affair with her brother in law, Josie has been sweating and visibly shaken for weeks. Then came her worst fear, she's pregnant! While contemplating an abortion, Nadine, in an emmy worthy tour de force allowed Josie's history (which she never played) such as her days as a prostitute and her miscarriage, to fully impact the strong emotions involved in her scenes. A consistantly smart actress who will be probably be overlooked for the forgettable fact that two other actresses ever played the role.

Ellen Wheeler & Jensen Buchanen: (Marley & Vicky, AW)
(Week Ending June 19, 1998)

I was skeptical at first when I heard the news that Ellen would be coming back to play Marley, I thought, how could they possibly seem like twins anymore? Marley would be tall and willowy while Vicky would be short and athletic looking, it seemed beyond disbelief. I am happy to say how wrong I was, because each actress gets to play to her greatest strengths, Vicky and Marley seem more deeply connected than ever before. Ellen brings the fragility to Marley that was always lacking whenever Jensen played her and Jensen plays the wild abandon of Vicky with tremendous spirit. Neither sister really hates the other which makes their feud over Jake all the more interesting, since there is no clear victim or villan. Another World lost a lot of viewers when the wonderful Charles Keating was let go, but Ellen Wheeler and Jensen Buchanen provide every reason for fans to return in droves and keep this still great soap on the air.

Judi Evans-Luciano:  (Paulina, AW)
(Week Ending March 6,1998)

Next year there should be a new Soap Opera award for best crier and Judi would easily walk away the winner. Judi has had lots of practice playing the naive Beth on Gl, abuse victim Adrienne on Days, and now, probably her finest moments ever are being played out as normal everyday mom like Paulina Carlino. Instead of shoving her into the background when she gained some weight, AW was actually brave and confronted the issue that so many of their viewers deal with on a daily basis. Judi has been superb as she has been trying to convince Joe that she didn't burn down the house. Of course now that she's done all of this very moving and important drama, wouldn't we all love to see her do something funny again. Remember when she dressed up as Madonna, maybe Dante should meet Lourdes?

Anna Stuart:  (Donna, AW)
(Week Ending February 20,1998)

Never having been much of a fan of Michael Hudson, I was a bit taken by surprise by what a great impact his death would have on this show. Sadly the loss of the love of her life is allowing the character of Donna to flourish like she hasn't done in years. Anna Stuart has been absolutely terrific all week, especially in her conversations with Vicky, when she lectured her on making the same mistakes she herself had made with just about every man in her life. The most heartbreaking scene happened when she place Michael's ring on her finger, it really seemed as though she too was lost for a moment. This tragedy is allowing AW to shine again like it used to, Donna has vowed to again meddle in her daughter's life and it looks like even Vicky is ready to leave behind her "I wanna be Marley" phase.