Last week was a great week for Oakdale on the screen and for those who attended ATWT Fan Club gathering in New York this past weekend.
Emily
Emily Munson Ryan has become a great character to watch. I am so enjoying Kelly Hensley's performances of late. She is making Emily into the character you love to hate. You want to kill in one breath then you feel so sorry for her because of her desperation to hold on to this man that who does not love her anymore. She has Henry in her clutches by constantly dangling his money under his nose until he agrees to help. She hates Meg because she knows that Paul has feelings for Meg now. Poor Dusty can't seem to get a break here. This is such a good story right now because you don't know what Emily is going to do next.
Oakdale Confidential
This may be a work of fiction created by Katie but it is causing quite a stir in Oakdale: lies, skeletons and Mike worried about his past coming out. The best part this week was Lisa going after Nancy because Nancy is covering for Katie as the author. These scenes were so great to watch as their past as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was brought to the forefront. The scene where Nancy told Lisa that she was worthy of being a Hughes - this brought back her insecurity of years ago when she was Lisa Miller marrying into the Hughes family: a great moment.
FAN CLUB GATHERING
This was quite the event. I have never attended one of these gatherings so I had no idea what to expect. I was in for a wonderful afternoon in New York. The event started about 11am at the Marriott Marquis. Well, I was on the wrong floor looking for the party but what I found was three unexpected things: the ballroom where they would hold the Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Awards later that evening and two fans of ATWT and Soap Central who also were on the wrong floor: sisters, Renee McCartney and Pamela Privitera. We stood and talked about how we were first timers to this event and how much we have loved ATWT for years. I was so glad to run into these two very nice ladies because they set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
We realized that the event was one floor below. There were 750 fans of ATWT in attendance - it was phenomenal. There were tables set up with memorabilia to purchase and raffles to enter. I was so upset because I didn't win a thing. After a good lunch and a hilarious blooper clip video then they brought out Martha Byrne (Lily) and Michael Park (Jack) to introduce all the cast members (old and new) in attendance. It was great to see people like Rosemary Prinze (Penny Hughes), Dagne Crane (Sandy Hughes), Brooke Alexander (Samantha Markham #1), Patricia Bruder (Ellen Stewart), John James (Dr. Rick Decker) and of course, Anthony Herrera (James Stenbeck).
There were some no shows that a lot of people were asking for like: Grayson McCouch (Dusty), Roger Howarth (Paul), Kelly Hensley (Emily), Jon Hensley (Holden) and Scott Holmes (Tom).
Then it was time to meet the cast up close and personal by taking pictures with them and getting autographs - what a treat! These actors were so incredibly nice while this room of 750 fans descended upon them and there were long lines in front of some tables like Mark Collier and Terri Columbine (Mike and Katie); Michael Park and Maura West (Jack and Carly), Martha Byrne and Elizabeth Hubbard (Lily and Lucinda), Trent Dawson and Jordan Woolley (Henry and Nick) for the whole time. I started with Eileen Fulton (Lisa) who was very gracious. I could not get near the table with Helen Wagner and Don Hastings (Nancy and Dr. Bob). Ms. Wagner had to leave early and she was such a trooper - she arrived with her face bruised after a fall she had at home.
I got a chance to meet Tamara Tunie (Jessica) and Marie Wilson (Meg) before they had to run out. One of the great moments for me was meeting Colleen Zenk Pinter (Barbara), Ellen Dolan (Margo) and Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda).
This was such a well done event that I know took many hours of planning and hard work. I don't know if I will attend another one though I can say the fans of ATWT are extremely loyal and did show up big time here. I saw how creative the fans were; they know the history of the show as well or better than the actors and these fans have been watching for a lot of years. The one thing I heard over and over throughout the afternoon was - the show needs to show the veterans and give them some real story; if TPTB were to really follow that, this show could give Y&R a run for the number one spot.
Finally, I have to say thanks to all the fans of Soap Central and my Two Scoops column that attended and that I met personally - it was truly a fun time for me.
That's all I have for now.
Reggie Jackson
