Web Series Never Fade Away Pilot Review!

What if your whole existence had been wiped away from the memories of those you loved and cared about? What if you still remembered those relationships? Never Fade Away a brand new web series by writer Jordan Ross and producers Jo and Matt Fahey examines just that.

Why General Hospital's Prison Rape Storyline Hasn't Gone Far Enough!

Could this post be the highest debated topic that Denial Island has ever seen? Well we will just have to see won't we?

First off I want to state that I am not "PRO Prison rape" or "Pro rape" period. I think this is a serious topic, and as such it should be treated with the respect that every other type of storyline deserves. Now with that said I have been let down by the on-going prison rape storyline on ABC's General Hospital.

The story so far has not challenged the convention of daytime television. It has stayed within its cushy boundaries to tell a storyline they may or may not be happening, leaving the 'true' details up to the viewers imagination. This is a MAJOR cop-out for what is potentially the most controversial and realistic storyline that Daytime has handled in the last 10-15 years.

This has absolutely nothing to do with Drew Garret vs. Chad Duell, I think they are both talented actors, one was much beloved by fans, while the other was tossed into the role during the climatic point of the storyline. So it is in no way about who is better. I think if this storyline is done right (which I have no faith in it being) then Chad could completely make us forget about that 'Drew' character. But the way things are going I think this will be another blimpish on Genearl Hospital's record for taking storylines to the deeper level.

Now one might argue that it is because it is a soap, and it shouldn't really challange the ideals behind soap opera storytelling. But I think that is complete and utter bull. Soap Opera's around the world are constantly pushing buttons, going to places that NO other type of programming is willing to go. As a result they are constantly in the news as being fined or going under review by regulators. When was the last time a regulator even glanced at a soap opera for anything more then to say that them gay boys and girls kissing isn't what middle America want's to see? Oh wait that was just CBS and ABC not any form of regulatory authority.

I have high hopes and expectations from soaps, probably to high for my own good, but when a soap wants to tackle a 'real' issue that is on-going in our everyday lives then I expect them to come out and flat out say it. No I don't need to 'see' the rape taking place, but I need to see a lot more then a "Your going to pay" and a blood test. They could have the rapist the day after 'allude' to it by saying "See you in the showers, hope you don't drop the soap again" and constantly make us 'feel' as if the rape had happened, leaving not a bit of doubt in the viewers mind that 'this is what happened to Micheal'.

Am I going to far? Did General Hospital do what it needed to do for you as a fan? Or was this yet another let down for a soap that keeps letting its viewers down? Let me know what you guys think in the comments below.

My Thoughts On Chad Duell and the Recasting of Micheal on General Hospital

So Chad Duell has been in the role of Michael Corinthos III for a little bit now, and I feel like I have given it enough time that I can actually comment on the subject without being completely bias, or jumping on the poor guy during his first few days.

Chad came into the role with a very controversial ousting of Drew Garrett, for whatever behind the scenes reasons it may or may not be. So I do not hold that against Chad, but with that said the acting ability between the two actors is night and day, and unfortunately for Chad he is not the better actor.

Chad is by no stretch of the imagination a horrible actor, he does an okay job with the material he is being given, but the problem is that Drew was able to do such a wonderful job with every scene he was given that any recast that was not phenomenal would always just fall flat.

IF Chad had come into the role from the start I really don't think I would mind him, he is like i said, an alright actor. But the comparison to Drew will never stop, just like the comparison to Jonathan Jackson's portrayal of Lucky Spencer was always held up high when people compared to that of those Greg Vaughan and Jacob Young.

Does that mean it is right? No, it doesn't, but in a day when the industry is dying and very few actors can inspire viewers to tune in every day, Chad does not make a fair compromise for the ousting of Drew, especially when there has never been (and probably will never be) an official statement by ABC about the "REAL" reason Drew was fired.

Do you agree with my thoughts on Chad? Am I being to hard on the guy? Or is he what Micheal C should have been from the start? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments below.