Belle @ soapcentral.com

They're the three words that strike fear into so many soap fans- Storyline Dictated Exit

Days is very lucky to have some of the best acting talent on daytime.  So, I can imagine that with all that awesomeness running around, TPTB might get a little spoiled and not realize what a good thing they have and let some people go.  But, there are those rare cases where a character's exit seems inappropriate at best. It leaves viewers baffled as to why the characters left at that time because there was so much storyline going on around them.  

(Note, these aren't people who left because their contract was up or people who's characters just never really panned out.  These are people who were shown the door and it just didn't make any sense.)




1.  Martha Madison and Brandon Beemer (Belle Black and Shawn Brady)

When it happened: February 2008
How it happened:  Belle and Shawn decided to take Claire and start their life over as a family by leaving Salem to sail around the world on the Fancy face IV.
Why is was so dang confusing: Where do I start?  Belle and Shawn had just decided to start a life together.  Belle had just enrolled in nursing school.  Shawn had just been accepted to the police academy.  Bo, Shawn's dad, was still in the hospital recovering from his life saving pancreas transplant.  Chelsea, Shawn's half-sister, was still in the hospital recovering from being Bo's donor.  Oh yeah, and John, Belle's dad, had just come back from the dead and given control over the entire DiMera Empire, despite not having any memory of his life before he "died".
 

2.  Alina Foley as Claire Brady

When it happened: February 2008
How it happened: Claire left town with her parents to live the normal life of a toddler- traveling the world in a boat. 
Why it was so dang confusing: Well, there's the boat aspect.  Claire's been on two boats in her on-screen life.  The first, Belle held her and jumped over board with her.  The second, a huge storm hit it and Claire was washed right into the arms of a kidnapper.  Right.  Boats are totally Claire's thing!  Above all that, Claire was the only character that could touch a soft spot in her robo-Grandpa's rough, pre-programmed heart. 


3.  Julie Pinson and Billie Reed

When it happened: February 2008
How it happened: Billie took a job in London, working for Victor Kiriakis's Titan office. 
Why it was so dang confusing: Billie had just hit her stride as one of the most confident and competent women in Salem.  She helped her brother Philip find his son Tyler.  She helped her daughter Chelsea and her sorority sisters stand up to campus rapist, Ford Decker.  And, she had just made peace with Bo and Hope and was looking forward to a (love) life of her own. 

4. Kristen Renton as Morgan Hollingsworth

When it happened: October 2008
How it happened: Morgan took a two year internship in Chicago. 
Why it was so dang confusing: Morgan just found out that the man she's in love with  (who happens to be Philip K- aka the heir to the Kiriakis empire) threatened to kill her father.  She also just accepted a job with Salem's resident Head Diva, Kate Roberts.  So, what is this junior diva on the cusp of supercoupledom bound to do?  Why, take a two year internship in Chicago of course!  Forget that most college internships NEVER last two years (that's why it's called an internship, kids!) but, Morgan's by-the-way exit was a 5 minute conversation with Philip about how he broke her heart (she caught him with his lips on Chloe)  quickly followed by her declaration that he's really a good guy and he should take care. 

 




Want some actual factual proof that Days is very avid in letting their stars go too soon?  Head over to Tony's Blog.  He's got some hard stats on how many soaps Days has canceled in comparison to the other networks.  His findings are astounding!

Cheers,
Laurisa

As part of your ever faithful Two Scoops duo, Tony and I are always ready to share our thoughts on our favorite guilty obsession with you.  We hope you'll do the same with us!  We appreciate all the feedback that we can get! 
 

Happy Valentine's Day '08 everyone!  Or, as I like to call it "Day-Before-Laurisa's-Birthday-Day".  That's right, much to my husband's misfortune, I happened to celebrate my birthday on February 15th.  (I'll wait for all you guys out there to have a collective groan)  So, I have grown to like the holiday (for other reasons than flowers and candy) and thus, I thought it would be fun to mark this moment in time with a breakdown of current Days couples.

  Sami and Lucas-  I'm not Lucas's biggest fan, but I do have to say that no one flatters Sami like Lucas does.  A few weeks ago he told her that if he were to make her a DVD he would say, "Good morning"  "You look beautiful today" and "I love you".  I shed a little tear for Sami.  She may have chased after her fair share of men, but Lucas is her grand prize.  When this couple is good, they are great.  Unfortunately, those moments are too far between. 
Couple grade= C

  Sami and EJ- Of course there is the white hot chemistry between the two actors; the juicy background story between the two characters who have done so much to please their families; and an adorable son.  But, as long as the writers refuse to deal with the rape, these two can't become a legitimate "supercouple" It's a shame too because these two actors are mesmerizing when they are on screen together, even if they are just reading the phone book. 
Couple grade= B

  Marlena and John- Not only are they both alive but, new John's "devil may care attitude" makes me stand up and cheer for this couple.  Not only is John great comic relief, but Marlena is forced to step up and become a strong woman to deal with smarmy John.  Together, they make for great TV even if it isn't the TV we're used to see from these two.
Couple grade= A-

  Belle and Shawn- These two will soon be leaving our fair Salem, but in the mean time, fans who cheered for Shelle have an excuse to party.  The couple finally started their "happily ever after".  If they do have to leave, I'm glad that Brandon Beemer and Martha Madison have done justice to the characters that Kirsten Storms and Jason Cook originated, taking them from eager teens into matured adults. 
Couple grade= B

  Steve and Kayla- Who doesn't love Patch and Sweetness?  You have to appreciate a woman who wouldn't give up on her husband even after he's presumed dead...for over a decade.  The couple's balance between stoicisms and compassion is what makes them great.  My only complaint is that they can get a little boring when they are not presented with a juicy story line.  Unlike Sami and EJ, I couldn't watch these two read a phone book.
Couple Grade= A-

Chelsea and Nick- These two definitely got it right.  Neither of them need to change at all to make them a great couple.  Their problems come into play when Nick tries to act self righteous or Chelsea tries to act like she doesn't need Nick.  All it all, these two are a good young love story.  Time will tell if they can keep it together.
Couple Grade= B+

   Max and Stephanie- It should be noted that I am including them in the list as a couple- a big step for me.  Yes, they are related.  And, viewers do not want to forget that.  But, Darin and Shelley look great and act great together.  At this point, it's going to take a great (and I mean super-above-all-others-love-fest-for-the-ages) story line to get these two into supercouple status- especially when most viewers can list a plethora of other pairs for each party.  Update: I found a picture of them together.
Couple Grade= C-

  Bo and Hope- They were my pick for favorite couple of 2007 and they still remain my favorite couple today.  One of the main reasons is that I like both characters individually.  They can go out, separate from each other, and hold their own story line without having to be around the other all the time.  Isn't that what makes a successful relationship in real life? 
Couple Grade= A+

  Tony and Anna- I adore this couple.  They manage to mingle upper crust sophistication with downright slapstick comedy.  They get left over story lines, side bar lines, and minor roles- yet these two still keep me entertained every time they are on screen.
Couple Grade= A+

  Philip and Chloe (Version 2.0)- I like the second reincarnation much better that the trial run.  Phillip is older and grown into his delicious Kiriakis genes.  Chloe is getting better.  Problem is, she's still married and still kinda boring.  If this couple is going to make if off the ground, Chloe needs to change her marital status and get a little more "punch" in her step.
Couple Grade= C



As part of your ever faithful Two Scoops duo, Tony and I are always ready to share our thoughts on our favorite guilty obsession with you.  We hope you'll do the same with us!  We appreciate all the feedback that we can get! 

Cheers!
Laurisa

  AMC -

   I hate how mean everyone is to Ava. Ava is mostly only guilty of trying to hard. Lily could be Fusion's new daytime and Ava could be the night. The campaign would be much better to show the 'same' face with both looks.

  Kendall stood by every scheme JR pulled no matter whom got hurt until she was the one put in jeopardy by him. I understand her anger but how does she think everyone else felt when he had caused them pain?

 Days -

  I haven't been a regular Days viewer since the "presumed dead island" storyline but I am now catching it from time to time.

  The last information I had was that Belle's father John was wealthy owned his own company called "Basic Black". Although now she and Shawn (I know he is Claire's bio. dad) are living with Phillip, considered moving in with Bo & Hope, Phillip had to set-up a job interview for Shawn, Phillip acted as if Belle would be uncomfortable at the country club, etc. Couldn't John give Shawn &/or Belle a job?

  I like Sami with Lucas but I also like her with EJ. I know he forced her to have sex with him but I think he truly regrets it and cares for her. I enjoy how EJ refers to her as "Samantha" & a lady, as Brandon did, instead of  "Sami"  & the town screw-up as most of the Salem residents have.

(Days USA Episode 4/24/07)
The highlight of any Days episode for me is when Lauren Koslow (Kate) and Alison Sweeny (Sami) are on the screen together! These two women are the best at bickering with each other on-screen - probably because they've been doing it for years!! I loved how Sami coolly walked into the room in her white robe and the look Kate's face was priceless. Kate also blocking the door while Lucas was trying to kick her out was awesome also.

So Belle left castaway island to head back to Salem and even though she'll have to deal with Philip, I say good for her. Shawn is being dumber than a box of rocks and Gabby is truly up to no good. And what is it with Gabby and hiding people's letters!?

I'm a little tired of the Steve Interrupted hospital scenes... he's been in there for how long now?

(Days USA Episode 4/19/07)
Well Sami knocked Lucas out - with a kiss. With Celeste's help she was able to barely make it over to the cabin to meet up with EJ. EJ, using his Di Mera sixth sense, sniffed out that something wasn't right with Sami and gave her neck a good gripping. Meanwhile, Kate and Phillip were discussing his plans involving EJ. Love her or hate her Kate does come through as a mother from time to time, from her worry over Lucas (a valid worry this time) and her concern of Phillips dealings withEJ. She even noted that Shawn was still family and did not deserve to be found by EJ.

Willow may be shallow at times but her street smarts keep her up to snuff. Too bad that it was really her who torched the Brady home or might actually feel sorry that her get out of jail free card is in Nick's backpack. I loved the banter between Nick, Chelsea and Willow in the hospital - but what was up with Nick getting all fresh with Willow after Chelsea left?? That boy doesn't know what he's getting into!!

Belle went a little psycho on Gabby today didn't she? "Shawn and I are a COUPLE!" I just laughed - who does Belle think she's fooling? She brushes Shawn off and yet is ready to pounce anytime Gabby looks in Shawn's direction.

I can't wait till when Kate finds Lucas passed out - will she freak? Will EJ truly burn?