Best and worst 1990
Soap Opera Digest, 1991	Home   Cette page en Français

Most graphic love scene : Kelly and Craig, Santa Barbara

There they were making out on a bed, above the covers, really getting into it. Craig's (John Callahan) eyes were closed. So what was he thinking when he grabbed Kelly's (Carrington Garland) breast ? It was during lunchtime, and we almost choked. Sure. Craig and Kelly were partially clothed, but Craig's slide into second base deserved at least a PG-13-rating. Luckily, Robert Barr unexpectedly interrupted them or who knows what would have happened.

We're no prudes, but love scenes left to the imagination are much more erotic than blatant groping. Just ask Cruz and Eden fans.

Best dual role : Robert and Quinn, Santa Barbara

Dual roles are becoming a soap stable, but the gimmick doesn't always work. Sometimes the actor isn't up to both roles; sometimes the storylines don't measure up to the performer's talent. In the case of Santa Barbara's Robert and Quinn, both actor and story were superb. Roscoe Born's characters were both sexy, dangerous men, but the actor (with the help of a very attractive British accent) made it clear who was who, even when the evil twin Quinn was impersonating Robert.

Clever twists milked the situation for all it was worth, thrusting cocky Quinn into situations that threw him for a loop. He thought his impersonation gig would be over in a week, as soon as he'd swiped Robert's fortune; instead, he discovered his brother was broke. Plan B meant marrying heiress Kelly Capwell; he doesn't count on caring for her. And all the while there was nasty Flame, hamming it up on the sidelines.

What a surprise that Born's wonderful portrayal of Quinn would be cut short by the murder of the character. As exhausting as a dual role may be to play, Roscoe Born's Robert and Quinn were never tiring to watch. Instead of another contrived evil twin take, we got a rich story with lasting repercussions.

Most overexposed heroine : Kelly Capwell, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara must believe that their audience can't get enough of Kelly. Well, enough already. Must she always be the center of everyone's attention ? Remember when she threw the major tantrum after Robert Barr dumped her and left town ? It was unlikely that Kelly would act so immature by drinking and acting sleazy.

Once she was a free agent again, the single men of Santa Barbara flocked to her like she was the only girl in town. She had her pick : Craig, Derek or Ric. She chose Craig, until Robert returned, wanting to resume the burning love he could feel only for Kelly. Since then, the youngest Capwell daughter has been shot at, poisoned, kidnapped, and duped into marrying an impostor.

But Santa Barbara really went overboard with Kelly's recent paralysis. It's like Eden has passed the heroine torch to her sister, Kelly, who wasn't quite ready for it. Hasn't Kelly already suffered enough ? We have.

Best comeback : The Lockridges, Santa Barbara

We asked for it, we got it - the return of the Lockridge family. Augusta breezed into town first, but only wreaked minor mischief without her ex-hubby. Lionel made his comeback later - as a dead man. Imagine Augusta's (and our) surprise to see that he was alive and well, planning a new scam to out-Capwell the Capwells. The long-standing rivalry between the Lockridges and the Capwells has been resurrected, and not a moment to soon.