Beyond the Gates

I know there aren't a lot of daytime fans here, but I thought the first new daytime drama in over a decade was worth a look. I like the fact that this new daytime drama is centered around a black family, but sadly, the writing is dreadful and most of the acting is worse. Tamara Tunie, who spent over 20 years playing medical examiner Melinda Warner on Law & Order SVU, but began her career playing Jessica Griffin on As The World Turns is wasted as the family matriarch as is the gracefully aging Clifton Davis as her husband, but the rest of the cast were complete unknowns in the world of daytime and that's really going to hurt it. The final scene made me laugh out loud even though it wasn't supposed to. I'll watch the rest of the week, but I give it six months tops.

I mentioned that, with the exception of Tamara Tunie and Clifton Davis, I didn't recognize any actors I know from daytime but that changed on Friday with addition of Cady McClain to the show. McClain won three daytime Emmys for roles on Days of our Lives, As the World Turns and All My Children.

I was surprised that anybody tried to bring the soap opera back.

Yeah, it took me by surprise too. For over a decade, there have only been four soaps remaining on the air, so I thought the death of daytime drama was imminent, but maybe not. Though this new one is off to a rough and unimpressive start.

Anybody watched this yet?

Don't really watch US soaps anymore but General Hospital was my favourite.

I'm from the UK and our soaps are now having a touch time. EastEnders my personal favourite soap and TV show too at times. When its good, it's the best thing on television. Acting on another level. Makes Oscar winning films amateur theatre at times.

Another familiar face has joined the cast. Jon Lindstrom, who played the dual role of Kevin Collins and Ryan Chamberlain on GH has joined the cast playing some kind of mob boss.

As I was watching this show yesterday, I realized another problem I'm having with it. I', really having trouble keeping track of who is related to who and the primary reason is that most of the actors on the show are right around the same age. Except for Clifton Davis and Tamara Tunie, I don't think there is a single actor on this show over the age of 40. It's odd seeing women who look 35 calling women who look 25 their daughter. I understanding capturing the youth demographic, but it can be done in a realistic way. DAYS and Y&R have been doing it for 50-60 years and there are actors over the age of 40 on those shows.