- Soap Opera Digest _ July 11, 1989 -
SANTA BARBARA is unquestionably the biggest cult soap since DARK SHADOWS. Its ratings never make headlines, but one would never
know that by the way the show’s followers talk about it. This is a loyal, vocal
group that literally salivates over all the day-to-day action. 3ddly enough,
many of these viewers are the same folks who have watched ALL MY CHILDREN or AS THE
WORLD TURNS for years, but they discuss the happenings on these shows in
more reserved tones.
Of course, there is a fundamental difference between DARK SHADOWS and SANTA BARBARA. While DARK
SHADOWS was obvious camp (a Gothic horror poof with werewolves, vampires
and time warps), SB doesn't fit neatly into any one category. Through most of
its five years on the air, it has been an unlikely blend of Hamlet, MARY
HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN, SOAP, WHEEL OF FORTUNE and Waiting for Mr. Goodbar.
Sure there have been serious moments. Cruz and Eden Castillo (A
Martinez and Marcy Walker) dealt with Eden’s rape
with new level of dignity and maturity for daytime television — no soapy
histrionics here. either Michael (Frank
Runyeon) struggled convincingly as he questioned his commitment to the
cloth (this was not a “guilt” storyline).
Nonetheless, SANTA BARBARA became known mostly for its raunchier, funnier
elements. Gina (Robin Mattson) wasn't
just a vamp, she was an exhibitionist. Mason
Capwell (Lane Davies) put away an average of a fifth of scotch per
episode, yet was never too tongue-tied to deliver an erudite dig. And who could
forget the much missed Lionel and Augusta Lockridge (Nicolas Coster and Louise
Sorel), who proved that sex was not only alive after forty, but could
be more fun than ever?
In the past year, the show got even nuttier. Gina became entangled with
a crossdresser named Bunny (Joe
Marinelli). Mason was felled with amnesia and took on the alter-ego of
redneck Sonny Sprocket. It was a
hoot, but one began to wonder how much farther SB would go just to get laughs.
We half expected Gina to become a nun, or Redd Foxx to show up as a long lost
brother to millionaire C.C. Capwell (Jed
Allan). Also, for far too long, the Capwells were the only family in
town, and the writers seemed capable of writing for only one couple — Cruz and
Eden.
But then, SB shifted gear and turned into a good old-fashioned romance,
reinstating a classic soap ingredient — the love triangle. In their search for
infant daughter Adriana, Cruz and Eden crossed paths with psychic Sandra Mills (Miranda Wilson), who is
obsessed with Cruz. Feisty Sophia (Judith
McConnell) is rethinking her independence from C.C. with the advent of
romance novelist Megan Richardson (Meg
Bennett). Mason, recently married to Julia (Nancy Grahn), has been facing his drinking problem with the
very interested support of Lisa DiNapoli
(Tawny
Kitaen). Dr. Scott Clark (Vincent
Irizarry) is caught between Heather
(Jane
Rogers), who is pregnant with his child, and a rekindled high school
romance with Lisa's ex-hooker sis, Celeste
(Signy
Coleman). Michael — minus the collar — is reminded of his past with Laura Asher (Christopher Norris), wife
of suspender-clad DA Ethan Asher (Leigh
McCloskey).
For SANTA BARBARA, this is
pretty conservative stuff. Now that affairs of the heart have taken over,
characters once again are allowed to sit and philosophize occasionally to
examine their relationships without flippancy or risk of interruption. At the
same time, the show never gets dreary. Mason and Julia enjoy sexual romps at
the office; Gina still hurls her barbs; it is still great fun, but no longer
absurd.
Charles Pratt jr. |
These are examples of the wonderful “gray areas” that have made SB's
characters so fascinating. Also better than ever is the overall caliber of the
acting ensemble. Until recently, the cast was a combination of hits and misses.
No more. The newcomers appear to be as strong as the veterans. Signy
Coleman is absolutely endearing. Tawny Kitaen is one smashing lady —
commanding in a self-assuredly feminine (never brash) way. Marcy Walker, Nancy
Grahn and Judith McConnell also make for this brand of heroine.
SB's male actors are equally strong. A Martinez proves that TV
cops can be vulnerable and believable. Todd McKee (Ted Capwell) is an appealing young actor who deserves more
challenging material than the cutesy stuff he is often given. Frank
Runyeon and Vincent Irizarry seem far more focused and comfortable with
their characters than they were on their previous soaps (ex-Steve, ATWT; ex-Lujack, GL, respectively), and they have proven they can be super male
leads. Lane Davies? This is a master. He is the pathetic clown, the
sardonic Greek chorus, the idealistic lawyer, the mischievous lover. Give this
guy an Emmy.
SANTA BARBARA has given its audience many moments of fun in what some consider to be
a dour medium. And it’s still fun. The show is simply growing.
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