Jumpin for Joie ... August 24, 1999

Normally when reading Rating the Replacements section, I agree with your assessments. In Vol. 10 Issue 31, I did not. Assistant News Editor Mark McGarry, whom I also tend to agree with a lot, rated Joie Lenz (Michelle, Guiding Light) in comparison to Rebecca Budig, and ended with the conclusion that she tends to "overemote," that she had been given "campy material," and that "less is definitely more."

I loved Budig as Michelle, and I was indeed skeptical of Lenz taking over the role, since she was clone Reva. But I have found Lenz to be a breath of fresh air and a wonderful actress. She has definitely improved her acting during the past year, and that is not only due to her wonderful on-screen partner (Paul Anthony Stewart) but also to the fact that GL has written a wonderful story for Danny and Michelle, giving Lenz an array of drama to work with. She has handled the material superbly, especially considering she is only 18 years old. Quite an achievement for Lenz to hold her own witht he wonderful Kim Zimmer, the talented Stewart and the captivating Saundra Santiago (Reva, Danny and Carmen).

My final grade for Joie Lenz? Without a doubt: A+.

Springfield Supercouple ... June 29, 1999

I'm a longtime Guiding Light viewer. By longtime, I mean since the days when The Guiding Light was a 15-minute, black and white show! I have watched other soaps, but GL has always been my favorite.

There are great things going on right now at GL. I am especially fond of Danny and Michelle. The Santos family is a great addition. As I watched the Reva/Josh wedding, I wondered if Danny and Michelle will be around for the long term. I really hope so. I know things cannot go smoothly for any interesting soap couple, but I would like to see Danny and Michelle remain together. I believe they have as much, maybe more, appeal as other great GL couples through the years (Morgan and Kelly, Phillip and Beth, Lujack and Beth, Harley and Mallet).

Back to Basics ... June 15, 1999

Over the past few months, I have noticed a change in Guiding Light. The show has focused more on character development and is taking time to explore character motivation more frequently. As a result, I have enjoyed the stories more and have once again become a daily viewer.

I'm enthralled by the Danny/Michelle story, and I am a huge fan of Saundra Santiago's Carmen ...

Love in the Afternoon ... June 8, 1999

... [Mimi] Torchin is absolutely correct when she says that romance, romance, romance is what's on soap viewer's minds ... I happen to be totally hooked on Guiding Light's Danny and Michelle -- can't get enough of those two!

More Russian Roulette ... May 25, 1999

... [Joie] Lenz brought out the rebellious side of Michelle Bauer. The old Michelle was really wimpy. But when Lenz and Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) paired up, it was sooo romantic and such powerful acting with everyone involved ...

Do's and Don't's ... May 18, 1999

.... Please do let Michelle and Danny get back together. They are hot together. I love Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) ....

My Favorite Soaps ... April 27, 1999

My favorite soap opera is Guiding Light because of Danny and Michelle -- the Luke and Laura of the '90s. All of my friends and co-workers, women of all ages, love Paul Anthony Stewart's Emmy-worthy performance!

Danny: Oh, Boy! ... April 6, 1999

How encouraging to read Mimi Torchin's positive editorial about soaps, particularly the reversal of her opinions about Guiding Light's "youthful Married to the Mob gambit" .... After defecting from GL during the clone storyline, I recently reprogrammed my VCR upon reading that Harley's daughter would arrive in Springfield. Then I saw a scene with him -- Danny Santos. I instantly became hooked on the mob storyline with Paul Anthony Stewart's multi-layered portrayal of Danny and the inspired recasting choice of Joie Lenz as Michelle. I haven't been this mesmerized by a potential soap couple involved in a mob-related storyline since Ryan's Hope. Michelle's realization of her growing feelings for her new husband has been sublimely juxtaposed with her ill-timed act of betrayal, which not only threatens Danny's feelings of love for her but her life as well.

This storyline is pure, classic soap opera, and I for one, am loving every electrically charged moment. Kudos to the powers that be for showcasing this serendipitious mix of perfect casting. I'm hoping this marriage of convenience will evolve into an engaging love story in reverse; first comes marriage, then comes love ...

What a Week! ... March 23, 1999

After watching Guiding Light the week of Feb. 15, all I can say is: Wow! Two stories took center stage, and both were eminently watchable.

First, Danny and Michelle's wedding upped the stakes for the younger characters. Instead of the lackluster, standard problems previously faced by Jesse and Michelle, an exciting, unpredictable story involving two dynamic new characters is evolving. Paul Anthony Stewart and Saundra Santiago (Danny and Carmen) are among the best additions to any soap cast in recent years. Seeing the Bauers mix with the Santoses is a real treat. And, of course, Jesse and Drew still figure to play heavily into the outcome of this story, which could spin off in any number of directions.

Note: Holly kidnapping the kids was the other story.

Happy New Year ... February 9, 1999

"GL has started off the new year with a bang.... The most exciting development is the Michelle/Danny marriage. Danny is a fabulous character; I'm already rooting for him to end the tiresome Michelle/Jesse pairing. Michelle and Jesse never had much chemistry, even with the recent recast of Michelle. Jesse and Drew are much more fun together, and Michelle and Danny rock."