Here’s a rundown of the best and worst soap moments that The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless had to offer in 2019!
Best New Couple: Gabi and Stefan (Days of our Lives)
Gabi (Camila Banus) and Stefan sizzled when Brandon Barash stepped into the role earlier this year. Sure, the returns from the dead are beyond played out on Days of our Lives, but we’re definitely hoping that Stefan O. DiMera is on his way back to the land of the living in 2020 to rejoin his bride.
Worst Couple: Kyle and Lola (The Young and the Restless)
Meanwhile over in Genoa City, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Lola (Sasha Calle) were putting us to sleep. Not sure what the plan was with the cooking hijinks and an over-sized tree. Where’s the drama?
Best Tribute: The Young and the Restless Honours Kristoff St. John and Neil Winters
We were heartbroken when Kristoff St. John passed away earlier this year. The Young and the Restless managed to put together a beautiful tribute to the veteran actor and his character with both the memorial service for Neil Winters and then the retrospective which included Victoria Rowell (Dru), Shemar Moore (Malcolm), Christel Khalil (Lily) and Mishael Morgan (Hilary).
Best Secret: Wiley is Nelle and Michael’s Son (General Hospital)
Last year’s “Best Baby Switch” is far from over and while we could care less of the implications the story may have on Michael (Chad Duel) and Nelle (Chloe Lanier), what’s got us hooked is the drama it has provided for Julian (William deVry), Brad (Parry Shen) and Lucas (Ryan Carnes).
Worst Secret: What Kyle and Theo Did in New York (The Young and the Restless)
LOL they dropped off a girl at the ER. Seriously. This show is so afraid to take any risks. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Now that they’ve gone out of their way to tie Theo (Tyler Johnson) to the canvas as a Mergeron and Brooks, let’s hope they give him something to do outside of Kyle and Lola.
Best Risks: The Time Jump & Digital (Days of our Lives)
Whereas, we applaud Days of our Lives for taking a huge risk and flash forwarding a year this past November. We’ve got Princess Gina (Kristian Alfonso) running around Salem and Steve (Stephen Nichols) thinking he’s Stefano. Is it perfect? No – but it’s fun to watch.
DAYS also gets points with its digital initiatives by launching two chapters of Chad & Abby in Paris and the Last Blast Reunion.
Most Disappointing Show: The Young and the Restless
After assuming the head writing position, Josh Griffith reverted Y&R back to what it was in 2013 with the immediate return of Adam (now played by Mark Grossman; a solid recast). While we welcomed the returns of Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson) and Kevin (Greg Rikaart) – it’s Melissa Claire Egan’s Chelsea that’s been dominating the front burner. BTW, there’s no way the Chelsea who we saw mourn Adam would be torn between him and Nick (Joshua Morrow).
While the show got rid of half of the Rosales’ – we would have much rather have had a scheming Mia (Noemi Gonzalez) stay in Genoa City.
Then there’s new Chance (Donny Boaz) who is already saddled to Abby (Melissa Ordway). It’s her third love interest this year while they couldn’t even write for Ana (Loren Lott). Ana could have been paired with Fen (Zach Tinker), who had his drug addiction storyline happen offscreen.
Back to Chance since they’ll be writing for him – why not have him interact with Chloe? God forbid some characters get some conflict… And no, Chewing Gum Billy doesn’t count. Jason Thompson and the viewers deserved so much better.
What’s outrageous is that the show took away Devon (Bryton James) inheritance from Katherine Chancellor and he hardly played a role in his own storyline. At least it rid us of Cane (Daniel Goddard).
The show also managed to bring back Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis; from General Hospital) and Mishael Morgan (as a new character named Amanda) but clearly didn’t develop any long-term plans for either actress.
Could we get whoever wrote Peter Bergman‘s 30th-anniversary special to helm the rest of the series?
Best: Psycho Thomas and the Baby Switch (The Bold and the Beautiful)
Baby switches are played out but The Bold and the Beautiful managed to add some excitement to this soap trope. An unhinged Thomas (Matthew Atkinson) lusting after an unhinged Hope (Annika Noelle) was definitely the shot in the arm B&B needed if it’s going to continue the Hope, Liam (Scott Clifton) and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) merry-go-round. That little scene-stealer Douglas (Henry Joseph Samiri) is precious – may they hold off on the SORAS.
B&B only appears once on our list this year. This is what happens when the entire show just has one story.
Best Comeback: Traci on The Young and the Restless
Sure, Beth Maitland’s Traci has been back on the canvas on and off, but this year her character was much more than a “talk to.” Here’s hoping that Traci finds some real romance in 2020.
Best Trend: British Soaps
While the American soaps are becoming as tame as the movies on Hallmark, most of us have had the fortunate option to check out soaps from the other side of the pond. Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks aren’t afraid to take risks and are rating hits in the UK.
If you haven’t had the chance to pick one up yet, you can definitely check them out online. CBC continues to air Coronation Street in Canada each weeknight (with the marathon on Sunday mornings). VisionTV broadcasts EastEnders, however, they’ve fallen about six months or so behind. BritBox in Canada offers Emmerdale. No streamer or broadcaster has secured the rights to Hollyoaks in Canada. In the U.S., viewers can watch Hollyoaks on Hulu. BritBox in the U.S. offers Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale.
Most Improved Show: General Hospital
General Hospital has vastly improved in recent months following Dan O’Connor’s promotion to co-head writer (with Chris Van Etten) following Shelly Altman‘s retirement. Nikolas (now played by Marcus Coloma) is back, Ava’s (Maura West) is as delicious as ever, Franco (Roger Howarth) came back to Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and the kids, plus and there’s even a renewed focus on the Quartermaine’s – complete with a new Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton), a visiting Tracy (Jane Eliot) and new set!
We’re hoping the new year can make memory mapping a distant memory, free Maxie (Kirsten Storms) from Peter (Wes Ramsey) and finally bring back some Lucky and Dante – even if it means recasting.
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Relive the Best & Worst Soap Moments from Previous Years:
Y&R was awful,tired of the Chelsea hour