http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-fcFO9VQ4U

when is this podcast going to be up on itunes?

RE: Jamey's question about long-time GH viewers and the mob...I've been watching since 1980 and loved the original Luke/Laura storyline. For me it's all about whether the show still has a moral compass (and whether it has other non-mob storylines going on at the same time to balance it out). When Luke and Laura went on the run in 1980, they were running from the mob. They were stalked by Hutch the hitman (who in some ways reminds me of Jason), who posed as their friend but later genuinely became their friend, renouncing his violent ways. In that storyline mobsters weren't heroes, and the only way for mob characters to be redeemed was to renounce their criminal ways.

I also loved the early years of Sonny, when it was clear he wasn't supposed to be a hero--he was an antihero with all kinds of shades of gray, amid a cast of equally fascinating characters who never got short shrift. I like the new (or rather, classic) dynamic that Dante has brought to the show--he has given the show back its moral compass and the narrative tension that was missing during the long, repetitive period of "mobsters are heroes, cops are idiots."

Great podcast. Oh I really do hope that they bring Genie Francis back and give her a nice contract. What a dream would that be....!?

I hope the writers match the expectations fans, including me, have of Jonathan Jackson's return to the role as Lucky. A Jason/Liz/Lucky triangle with JJ back in the game would be great - just can't image Kelly Monaco with JJ though. But who knows...

Oh did anyone watch the interview Brain Frons give on ABC.com - answering fan questions with Laura Wright. Guess who his favorite lady for Sonny was... You know who was torturing us for months with this Sonny/Claudia mess. And if I understand him right he thinks that Claudia shooting Sonny's son was/is a great twist to their relationship... WTF!?!?!? LOL

As for the mob on the show. I'm not a fan, but I think it's balanced at the moment. With Sonny portrayed as a dad and other much needed stories besides the mob, I can life with it.

Great podcast guys. I'm a newer viewer of GH (I watch on and off) and I dislike the mod. Gwynnega's post about morality I completely agree with. While it's getting better, IMO the show doesn't really have a good strong moral center/compass.

I hope the show brings back Genie Francis and for long term. Show needs her.

For OLTL, I TOTALLY agree about what you said in regards to it's promotion. It just plain sucks. No other way to say it. The OLTL actors need to start going on shows like The View, Rachael Ray, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel. Do interviews in non-soap mags. It's a great show, but the ratings don't reflect it because people don't know how great it is. The soapblogs and gay press can't do it all.

While I hate personally hate Todd with a passion and would love nothing more for him to die and go away, I realize how popular the character is and how essential he is to the show. I agree with Jamey, love it or hate it, Roger is more popular in the role than TSJ and show needs him back. Perhaps the best way is to find a way to have both actors on the show.

Maybe the new Lucky should be a Private Investigator - perhaps working with Sam?

Thats what they should have done with Lucky, kept both actors. I could see TSJ's Todd turning out really be Lawrence Walker, paving the way for the return of RH's Todd. Maybe Mitch had the real deal and when LW wouldnt go along with it, he brainwashed him.

I also think what would be interesting is what Marty would think. It would mean the guy that she fell in love with WAS NOT in fact the guy that raped her in college.

Great podcast as always, guys. I think that you are all right that James Franco coming to GH could jump start the soap genre, and pave the way for other movie stars to come on if only for guest stints. On GH, they has been balance with the mob and the other storylines, lately, but we still need more Scrubs and with JJ coming back as Lucky, it would only make sense for GF to come back as well. On AMC, well I know I sound like a broken record, but they need to FIRE PRATT!!! or FIRE FRONS!!!!, I take either one at this point. How about Marcy Rylan as Laura? Luke, maybe you are on to something, BE could very well play Victoria on Y&R, but like Jamey said, I don't know if MTS will like that idea. That way AMC could bring back AH as Mia. Remember she and Frankie share a son together. Oh the possibilities. As for OLTL, they need to promote themselves, go on talk shows, interview with people from the USA Today, or bring back a JL, YB, RP, or a NF, if only for a few weeks. Bring back AE and give her a better storyline and Cord as well. Maybe bring back a RH, but I don't want TSJ to be let go, maybe they can be twins. I know they are going to fight like hell to stay on the air.

Great podcast.

What I am wondering about with this James Franco casting or any celebrity casting is: when the "star" is gone, and if new viewers tune in, will the viewers stay? Why should they stay? If the rest of the stories lack creativity, lack passion and spirit, the actors featured in the other stories fail to engage --why would the new viewer commit to stay watching the programs.

If there is no commitment to great story, top-notch talent, I do not believe Meryl Streep, Harry Potter or Miley Cyrus will keep viewers tuned into the shows.

By all means they should do what it takes to save this genre, promote the shows, stunt casting, --but it won't mean a thing without quality in story and acting. Do what it takes in the short-term, but repair the foundations.

I am really torn about Jonathan Jackson coming back. Last spring Jamey suggested bringing Amber Tamblyn back and I said then in no uncertain terms that her and JJ should stay away! It seems to me (and I only watch certain characters scenes on youtube, so I could be wrong) that things have improved a bit there. I love that they've turned Sonny into a patriarch. I love that they've got the Elizabeth, Nikolas, Lucky triangle (even though I know most people don't). I really think that it will bring JJ some great scenes because I loved him and Tyler Christopher hating on each other back in the day. I like the fact that this Dante-Dominic thing will be coming out. I even like all the Claudia stuff (mostly because I know it is coming to an end). I love the fact that James Franco is doing a small story arc on here even if it's mob related. So I'm having a real dilemma as to weather or not I will be tuning back into this show. Luckily I have about a month to completely decide. DC's podcasts will definitely help me with my decision. Thanks for the great podcasts guys!

Thats what they should have done with Lucky, kept both actors. I could see TSJ's Todd turning out really be Lawrence Walker, paving the way for the return of RH's Todd. Maybe Mitch had the real deal and when LW wouldnt go along with it, he brainwashed him.

The only problem with that is that it was already addressed that this Todd looks different.

I had to LOL about Luke asking if Beth Ehlers could play Victoria!!!! It seems like every podcast nowadays you guys are coming up with different people to play her. It cracks me up. What are they going to do...die her hair brown? Not that I would complain, I like all of you wouldn't care who they recast as long as they get rid of Amelia!

For all I care they can get a dog sitting there pretending to be Victoria. I don't care anymore. I just want Amelia Heinle gone. And a dog is cheaper than Beth Ehlers. These lovely animals only take $500 right!?

Two Quick comments

1- Bringing back COrd and Tina, and have them get back together would make me Happy as they are my ALL time favorite tv couple. THey belong together (like Vicki and CLint)
2- IF god Forbid one life to live got cancelled, what wouldeveryone thing about the ehad writer whose name escapes me taking over all my children, with the complaint about the head writer on AMC could this work?

Beth Ehlers Y&R's Victoria?! WTF, is Victoria gonna be SORASed to the point of menopause? Somebody kill me now!

Truth Hurts,

Ehlers is only 41. She only 5 years older than Amelia Heinle.

I'd love to have Jason Shane Scott back as Will. Jamey's idea to pair him up with Rachel is great, but I'd love him to pursue Jessica again even though I love her with Brody.

Ok I am a mob fan there I said it oh........
I started to watch in 04 ...
But the mob stories I agree got really bad in the past 2 years it got the mobster of the week thing , and that is why people seem to hate that
I love Jason and I kind of love Sonny I think this charters are really good , and this year
I think that they both improved them ..
This year Sonny and Jason or the MOB had good S/I the all Michael waking up was amazing it was family more than mob and it had great reference to Jason's changing .....
Also we see Sonny dealing with him the mobster and him as the father , and is great I love seeing that and I think MB is amazing in that roll .......
And Jason we see as the guy that is in love having him with a girl and happy makes him better - in my opinion - I am Jason fan

Now Lucky - I still am upset with Greg firing I don't think they gave him a real chance...
But if it will help Lucky character to improve I will go with that ........
I don't see KM and JJ as lovers Maybe I will be wrong , we will see
But a LnL2/JaSam S/L sounds good and I saw old clips on youtube were Lucky was Jason friend and it was good so maybe they will make that gain with Spienlli - I don't like the way Lucky is with him , so they need to change that ....

James Franco - I think it is great I saw lots of people talking about that So yeaa
And I don't know if he will be the mobster of the month - I have a feeling he will be something else..

Jamey don't laugh on my Steve - he is amazing guy LOL

I was watching GH when Laura came to PC & fell in love with Scotty. But as we all know GH was on the verge of being cancelled till Gloria Monty changed everything. She started by bringing in the mob. Luke came on as nurse Bobbie's brother with his friend Roy Deluca who were both in the mob. Luke worked for mob boss Frank Smith. The PC police were no different back then they are today. I don't think it's the mob that ruined GH. It was everyday the same 4-5 characters with the same story. But that's all changed. I like GH now & don't have a problem with the mob stuff & so does all my family that aren't online. Sonny & jason are IT for them ages ranging 12-49 For me I'm happy that it's getting more balanced. Love the kids & what's got me interested the most right now is the Dante/Dominic stuff. He's a great addition. PLUS..I'm getting, sorry guys, the real Lucky back. Nothing against GV but just like Todd Manning, JJ was the definite Lucky. He was uniquely created with the help of JJ's talent & only he can bring that guy back.

Which leads me to your suggestion for OLTL. TSJ would be fine as any leading man character. BUT, what made Todd OUTSTANDING was Roger. RH made frat boy 1 a legend. Todd Manning was never supposed to go on in OLTL history. If they could bring Mitch back from the dead after we saw him get killed onscreen, likewise Victor Lord, then they could easily say that the day Mitch put Todd in Victor's tomb was the last day we saw Todd. Mitch could have brainwashed his brother Walker to take over Todd's life so Mitch could be in control of Todd's money. But because TSJ has many fans & would only help the show if they kept him on too would be for Walker not to know who he really was & it was all Mitch's fault. Giving Walker HIS OWN relationships that he's made since being in Llanview.

BTW jamey, RH fans are watching him on ATWT. Do you watch? What character isn't horribly written on that show? Since being let out of the vortex of suck he's been fun, adorable, & I miss when he's not on, again. BUT, there's a lot, myself included who would rather he come back as Todd.

It's Todd who was the ultimate guilty pleasure & only Roger could bring THAT Todd back.

Only Roger Howarth and an explosive imposter SL can bring up the ratings and make people watch! The story is just way too soapy for the show to ignore!

Great podcast. Especially great is your excitement over some changes at GH. I will miss GV and even though I was first a JJ fan, these redos can always be a challenge. I hope GH can recapture its magic.

I too loved James Scott, this past week and of course at Grace's death.

I only started watching OLTL this year, so I am not familiar with Roger Howarth's portrayal of Todd; ironically, I was a longtime viewer of ATWT who gave up on that show due to the shoddy writing and, yes, RH's corny portrayal of Paul (who was only good when he was with Emily); I love Trevor St. John as Todd and especially his chemistry with Kassie DePaiva (Blair) and Florencia Lozano (Tea).

OLTL should be on the phone immediately with Ryan Phillippe's agents to get him to reprise, if only briefly, the role of Billy Douglas. In fact, I was thinking a perfect speculative story would be that Billy, now a lawyer, shows up to take Fish's case in a custody battle with Stacy (Tea, of course, being her lawyer); when it's revealed that Kyle helped Stacy alter the DNA results to reflect Rex as the daddy of Stacy's baby, Fish and Kyle break up (of course, they've gotten together after Nick leaves the scene); Billy and Fish grow closer as a result and, voila, we have another male-male-male triangle! A wonderful February sweeps storyline, complete with an A-list star to draw viewers!

I haven't even listened to the podcast, but I have to agree wholeheartedly with Jamey's idea about bringing back RH as Todd. THAT is the element that is missing, IMHO. I like TSJ a lot, and would want him to stay in another capacity, but RH is the one who made Todd a phenom and HE is the one I'd like to see play out a triangle between the two eternal woman in his life--Tea and Blair.

just listened to a whole podcast for the first time. Can someone please stop jamey from interrupting everyone (in particular the women on the podcast). there are other people with opinions

Loved the podcast, guys! I really think Jmaey's RH coming back on OLTL and having Trevour play Walker Lawrence or another character. I also would really love to see Ron C. writing ALL My Children. In a perfect world, he would write both soaps.

I actually like TSJ as todd. Besides, he has played Todd so well, as a overreactive parent.

I don't dislike Trevour Saint John's Todd, but I love people perfer Roger Howarth's version.