PaaV Podcast #6

CrazedOtaliaFan on Mon, 25th May 2009 10:47 am 

Great podcast this week, keep up the good work.

Better luck next time on the no cursing

riot on Mon, 25th May 2009 2:27 pm 

Not that I’m even remotely in a position to say this, but hell, I’m so fucking proud of you guys.

Gonna be back with more once I’ve listened to it all.

ridiculously enloved with you,
a.

The Hoff on Mon, 25th May 2009 3:06 pm 

*so proud, flashes his manly chestage in celebration of integrity, then uncontrollably taps his foot to the rhythm of smooth operator*

Lynda on Mon, 25th May 2009 4:58 pm 

Fr. Ray is played by George Alvarez and according to imdb.com he’s down 3% in popularity this week. Must be due to him advocating for morning drunkenness and not Otalia!

Dani on Mon, 25th May 2009 5:25 pm 

CrazedOtaliaFan – Thanks! But there won’t be a next time. I’m going to embrace my inner Julia Roberts.

riot –

The Hoff – Uhm. Thank you for that. We’re blinded, er, blessed to have commenters like you!

Lynda – See, I totally resisted looking it up to see who would post it first. You win at life (for that and for many other things).

WannaB on Mon, 25th May 2009 6:17 pm 

another funny pod girls! i almost fell off of the elliptical at least twice while listening!

liz-seriously-shtupped? are you channeling an 80 year old man or what?

word for the week – love

riot on Mon, 25th May 2009 6:22 pm 

1. reunion hug: Lizz, your commentary on this made each and every cell of my wonderland awww and agree.

2. smooth operator: *tapping with the hoff* oh, and Dani, thanks for causing Lizz to involuntarily sing both “smooth” and “operator” (yes, I totally caught that)

3. couch exchange of unbearable cuteness: definitely 100% kiss body language, I grabbed my face in despair at the:

4. headlock.

5. Dani, I could listen to you fanflossing Jill all day long.

6. “That’s a really big hole”. That’s what sh… Lizz said.

7. Lizz’s laugh at 30:21 (a slice of Beavis!)

8. wealth of eyebrow talent: oh Dani.

9. catholics: no angry letters from this former altar girl

10. Jeffreyhug: made me die a lot inside

11. spreadsheet: oh croop me already, that scene kills.

12. laptop in bed: well, Lizz, no comment

13. Bench scoot: I’ve made Olivia scoot the paint off of that bench.

14. word of the week: so what

egolf63 on Mon, 25th May 2009 10:01 pm 

You guys are great. By the way a Priest are allowed to drink & smoke. One at my Church did, they have to have some kinds of vice since no sex.

Liz on Mon, 25th May 2009 10:50 pm 

A- I love you. That is all.
Lynda- EJ better watch out! Wouldn’t want his rating going down because he anti Otalia!
WannaB- Maybe you should choose a less dangerous machine to listen to us on? Like a stationary bike, but the ones really close to the ground (Liz doesnt work out). And yes, Im an 80 yr old man. You called it! If I was though, I’d be the coolest 80 yr old man, ever.
egolf63- Thanks for the info! Im surprised they are allowed to smoke. Generally addiction is a no no I thought.
XO

Kishiyaya on Tue, 26th May 2009 12:02 am 

Hey Liz/Dani,
I just want you to know that it is completely impossible to “surreptitiously” and “subtly” listen to your podcast, while appearing to do something else, like appearing to be paying attention to what’s playing on the tube…the gut busting, laugh explosion, totally gave me away, more than once…cover completely blown!! Oh well, it was worth it. I adore you guys.
Dani, too many quotable moments that I think the listeners are just going to have to stumble upon on their own (like guided missiles of ROFL, are you licensed for that? those zingers are lethal weapons)- and how many ways do you have to describe Olivia lips?

And Liz, I live for your laugh, and I’m not embarrassed to say it. Nope not at all. And I’m so, so happy that you spent real time with the Natalia/Father Ray scene (that exchange was so significant, not just for the character, but really for the audience at large, and JL only further deepened my appreciation for her delivering each and every moment of it), the words were so critical, and I’m grateful for your insight.
In all seriousness, no Otalia week can now be complete without you two.

invioeguru on Tue, 26th May 2009 1:27 am 

Hey, you two! Another AWESOME podcast! You guys are the best. I usually can not sit through a podcast, but you guys just keep me laughing the entire time!

bookviper on Tue, 26th May 2009 2:53 am 

Just wanted to spread some love as a new listener. You gals rock my headphones, seriously.

Liz on Tue, 26th May 2009 9:10 am 

Kishi- We heart you. That exchange with Fthr Eyebrow was HUGE, and had we had a calmer week I probably could have spent an hour on it. Jessica did an AMAZING job with it, and it absolutely deepened my respect / adoration / complete love for her. George Alvarez also did a great job, which is big for me because its often hard for me to take him seriously. lol Every word was important, every body language choice was significant. It felt a lot like the school scenes to me. Afraid to blink or I’ll miss something. And my favorite email ever was someone telling me they took us to the grocery store and everyone was staring at them laughing while they shopped. rofl
Hey there guru- I’m so glad you liked it. I tend to laugh the whole time, but mostly at myself when I sound stupid. So theres that…
Bookviper- yay for new listeners! Keep chiming in! We’re geeks and we lurve it.
XO

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Tue, 26th May 2009 9:11 am 

Between jotting down notes to formulate ridiculously lengthy responses to your podcasts, and signing up for Twitter just because Chappell has done so, I’m thinking there’s got to be a 12 step program for me. But it’s like coffee – hell, yeah, I’m an addict….is that a problem with anyone?

Need to stay away from Skype….

Dani on Tue, 26th May 2009 5:46 pm 

Kish – guided missiles of ROFL – I love that, ha ha. There an infinite number of ways to describe Olivia’s lips – I plan to hit on them all at some point or another.

invioe – that’s high praise, as I know many people who don’t do the podcast thing. thanks bunches.

bookviper – ooh, we love fresh meat. welcome to the party and thanks for commenting.

Lana – you know we love your lengthy treatises! and yes, it seems CC has exploded the twitterverse…not surprising in the least. as for 12 step programs…those are only if you *want* to go into recovery.

JCF on Tue, 26th May 2009 8:10 pm 

[Lookout, here comes critique]

I wish you two would either post the link to the clip of “McRapist’s” said crime (so I can hate him as much as you do), or else let up on Jeffrey already. A new viewer CAN’T SEE why he’s so loathesome and as it is, it looks like condemnation of Olivia (like she’s not allowed to choose her friends—one whom she shares a kid with, for cr*p’s sake?).

[Note, this isn't a critique specifically of you, it's just as much directed at Purple PBP crowd]

***

Re Fr Ray: one of the things that was SO AWESOME about that scene (where Natalia takes him down), was that he wasn’t presented as some stereotypical ogre). His request for a beer (and it really wasn’t clear to me it was morning, though I’ll take your word for it) was clearly a *joke* (expressing his understandable stress from hurting parishioners—as one of those unemployed people myself, you should talk to MY priest! ;-/)

Though Fr Ray failed to rise above the dogma his Church has saddled him with, I really hope he’ll come around, in some way [I have visions of him giving N&O a private blessing before a civil marriage---but that's for Fan Fiction Land, eh? ]

***

I’m still keeping mum on Volia-ay Isiting-vay a Ex-say Oy-tay Ore-stay . . . but I can’t keep my lip sealed forever. Is that going back up sometime, or should we regard it as It Never Happened? ;-/

***

But seriously: another great podcast! I’ve been touting y’all here&there: like Olivia re Towers, hope I’m tossing some business your way? ;-D

Liz on Tue, 26th May 2009 9:01 pm 

OK JCF. You know I love you, because I loathe this storyline and hate watching clips of it. The rape storyline is ridiculous on many levels. Heres Olivia telling Buzz about the rape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXvhHcYw6Tg
Olivia confronts Jeffrey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV-2Rr5fR-U&feature=related
Then, TPTB made an awesome decision to have not really be rape, apparently? Anyway, heres part one of Jeffrey and Olivia in San Cristobel, when they have Olivia apologize for the rape. Yay. Its an ‘In the Light’ episode, so its all Olivia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Fcfwjj0dM
Blahblahblah, shit happens. Olivia kisses Jeffrey right before her wedding to Buzz. Ends up calling off the wedding. It was all gross. Eventually they stop saying the word ‘rape’ and start saying ‘when he hurt me’ ‘when we were kids’ etc.
Plus it has a heaping dose of screwed up adoption story, so I hate it more. Thats a whooole other rant for another day.

WannaB on Tue, 26th May 2009 9:39 pm 

I feel such betrayal that u posted mcrapist clips! Just saying’ – uh – gross

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Tue, 26th May 2009 10:26 pm 

I kind of love McRapist. He’s so team “Otalia? So what?”

JCF on Wed, 27th May 2009 1:41 am 

Wow, Liz. You really do love me! Not sure I’ll inflict these on my dial-up tonight, but sometime.

Maybe I’m just glad Olivia still has someone to play town-cryer with (and when she’s hemming and hawwing about what a “couple” is, I’m glad that person is NOT Natalia, who doesn’t need to overthink things more than she already does!). So what if her sounding-board is Jeffrey? Eh. (I think you’re probably right, anyway, that they’ll split Jeffrey and Reva up, to get her back w/ Josh for the CBS finale . . . ooh, and how much do I HATE that I know all these non-Otalia storylines now? It’s not bad enough that Otalia has entirely taken over my life, that I gotta have the rest of GL bouncing ’round my brainpan too? ;-p)

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Wed, 27th May 2009 6:18 am 

Embrace it, JCF – Dinah is all kinds of wonderful. Gina T. kicks all kinds of ass.

Liz on Wed, 27th May 2009 8:49 am 

Heres the thing about Jeffrey and the rape thing.
A- “Bad” characters are redeemed all the time on soaps. I mean, Olivia hired a hitman to kill Ava. I certainly don’t hate her (even though I obviously would in real life). I still enjoy Phillip even though he went nuts. I love Alan even though he has some deaths and other sins under his belt.
B- Aside from the rape thing, I actually do like the man Jeffrey is right NOW. I really saw him stress and worry over Ava after Max, now with Colin, even with Reva (even though most of the time it churns my stomach). I refuse to take his reaction about Otalia into account. IMO, him being fine with Otalia makes him as good a guy as him feeding Colin when he’s hungry. Its nice, but he should do it, so no points.
C- I really love Bradley Cole. I think he’s a great actor, I love everything I’ve seen of Prince Richard.

But its just. Rape should never be a plot device. In a world where too many rapes go unreported, a rape victim should never apologize for her rape on TV. So much shame is carried by rape victims for their assault, to see a story like this is damaging. Olivia called off her wedding to Buzz because she felt she was a bad person, in large part because of the shame and guilt and backwards thinking that resulted in her being raped (which, is actually something that is very realistic in this ridiculous storyline). No amount of love and worry now, for a child you created by rape, should be redemption for a rapist. In a world where 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted- to have Olivia marry her rapist is sick and wrong. My only solice is that this storyline was not written by Ellen, and is pre Jill (at least as head writer). Much of it was written by a man, as I understand. Crystal asked for it to be wrapped up.
So no. There will never be any redemption for Jeffrey past ‘he’s a nasty rapist who assaulted a 16 yr old girl 20+ years ago’ for me. One of the things I love about Otalia, and gush about all the time, is how this storyline is changing lives. How it affects everyone who watches, how it blesses gay people and straight people and everyone in between. The rape storyline, also affected many people who watched it. Only this storyline was regressive and negative, whereas Otalia is progressive and positive.

And Gina T is amazing. This foursome with Mallet and Marina is already shaping up to be super interesting.

Aisha on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:31 am 

First off: great, great, great podcast! So glad I finally found it. And I still have five more to listen to on Notalia days. Yay!!!
Secondly, yes, the McRapist story just makes my head explode, it is so messed up. When I first started watching, I really enjoyed the Jeffrey character, in part because I liked and vaguely remembered the actor (must have been from way back when Prince Richard times), partly because he obviously was a good friend to Olivia (in a non-angst-inducing way, since contrary to Olivia – Josh, there were no sparks flying there). Then my growing obsession made me catch up on their history and everything changed.
I am totally with Liz here, this storyline is just inexcusable. Alien abductions, baby kidnappings, Australian hitmen – fine, those are all over the top soap antics, but the good old “It was all her fault/she never said anything/she was drunk/she’s a slut anyways” defense…really, really not. And if that wasn’t bad enough already, to have Olivia fall for her rapist? Makes me want to puke every time I think about it. Way to go to destroy a strong female character. So, now my brain hurts every time Jeffrey is on screen, because seriously, we all now that the real Olivia would just kick his ass… Well, hopefully he’ll go on a supersecret black ops trip to North Korea sometime soon…

Dani on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:36 am 

JCF – First, I love that you spoke your opinion, “critique” or not.

I will say “ditto” to what Liz said – and honestly, our disdain for the character is a direct result of our love for Liv. When you watch those post-rape scenes, your heart will break for her. They set that up so that rape essentially changed Liv’s entire life – it made her the relationship trainwreck she became, it gave her issues, it made her a different person. And it’s really hard to reconcile the presto change-o re-writes they did after seeing that stuff. Even CC was disgusted by it. Plus, I just really hate the romantic rapist storylines on soaps. Sorry.

I totally agree with you about Liv having a confidante, though. I’d just rather it wasn’t Jeffrey. I’d take Josh or anyone else over him. Dinah would be a dream come true for me. I personally try and watch this Jeffrey as a different, new Jeffrey…but I still sometimes get a little bit bitter about it. Which is not to say I have any problem with Bradley Cole, because he’s totally fine. I’m not really sure how they’d “fix” things per se, but having Liv apologizing to Jeffrey is an image and a moment I’ll never forget…it really chaps me.

Also, the rest of GL has been really fantastic lately. I’m a whore for Jeff Branson right now. Not afraid to admit it. Gina T, well, I could fangirl for awhile about her..

Liz on Wed, 27th May 2009 6:53 pm 

Oh- and that thing you are pretending didnt happen? All will be sewn up soon. Nooo worries. I dont think that actual thing will be back, but more those girls are way too cool not to do something with in the future!
XO

PS- OMG Jeff Branson these last two weeks!! Incredible. He brought me to tears when he told Marina.

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Wed, 27th May 2009 6:59 pm 

Hey, I’m not saying that rape is an ok thing. And, no, it’s not realistic for Olivia to be friendly with Jeffery after what he’s done to her. But, if I can suspend disbelief enough to love Philip, Buzz, Billy and yes, even Olivia despite some pretty horrendous things they’ve done as *adults* (abducting children, abandoning wife and kids, attempting to murder people, hiring a hitman…and what about the time Oliva came this close to being Edmund’s accomplice in the plan to kill Reva, only to flip sides at the last minute???), I can do the same for Jeffery who was, after all, not much more than a kid, himself, when he committed rape. (I’m thinking he was about 18, right?) Of course you’re right that having Olivia actually apologize to Jeffery was plain awful – and it didn’t even make sense. It seems to me that the whole rape story line was handled in such a way that the current writers would rather just forget it and put it to rest – it’s not salvageable in any way, so I choose to just accept Jeffery for the character he is *now*, which I find very likable.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know who wrote the Jeffery/Olivia rape story line? I ask because I knew a NY-based writer who’d written for several soaps, but mostly AMC. This guy had a family history that was eerily similar to the Jeffery/Olivia plot, and he told me that it loomed heavily over his own writing for television. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he’d done some writing for GL.

JCF on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:09 pm 

if I can suspend disbelief enough to love Philip, Buzz, Billy and yes, even Olivia despite some pretty horrendous things they’ve done as *adults* … I can do the same for Jeffery who was, after all, not much more than a kid, himself, when he committed rape.

Bingo, Lana(Etc!).

Something I feel one must do in ANY kind of fiction (not just soap operas), is take its moral universe on its own terms.

For example: I’ve spent almost 15 years now obsessing over one of THE WORST characters, morally, ever to be the “Destroyer of Nations” on TV (one Warrior Princess, as is you couldn’t guess). IRL? There isn’t a deep enough pit of solitary confinement for her crimes (heck, that’s just for the Gab-Drag!). But in the moral universe of the show, it’s a different kettle of fish.

The same with rape and a rapist. In my own personal ethics, there are CRIMES for which—if they aren’t unforgiveable—condemnation, penitence, amendment-of-life and heavy-duty RESTITUTION are required (translation: 20 to life, minimum!).

But this is Springfield. Here, if Olivia wants to forgive Jeffrey (w/ no jail & no “bail”), that’s her choice, and I don’t think we, the viewers, get to second-guess her (UNLESS we see her choice-to-forgive as somehow hurting someone else, and I see Zero evidence of that). I respect too much where Olivia is at NOW, to want to second-guess her about what she did/didn’t do, 3 years ago (much less, 23!). If Jeffrey *now* is someone Olivia chooses to be friends with *now*, then so be it.

Eh, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m more about, let’s get through this latest Rafe-induced drama, and onto more squee-inducing scenes!

Liz on Wed, 27th May 2009 11:48 pm 

David Kreizman wrote the storyline.

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Thu, 28th May 2009 12:38 am 

Nope…Dave Kreizman isn’t the dude I knew in NYC.

Dani on Thu, 28th May 2009 2:07 pm 

JCF – Okay, I love you for the Xena reference. The one thing I’ll say about Xena, though, is that she rightfully received hatred and scorn from her victims. [nerd alert] – just like Xena forever altered Callisto’s life for the worse, and Callisto could never forgive Xena for it…that’s the train of thinking I have for Olivia/Jeffrey. The forgivness was contrived, unrealistic, and honestly…I just feel differently about rape. I think our culture has a pretty good handle on the fact that murder = bad. Rape, however, can still be gray-lined and treated like it’s something a person can deserve/ask for through certain behaviors. There’s still a question of what constitutes rape, and I think this storyline fed into that negatively.

I don’t think there’s been any question when Phillip is being BAD, or Alan is being BAD, or Olivia, or any of the other characters. We know their behavior is despicable. Whether or not we choose to forgive them and move on is up to us. But Jeffrey’s behavior wasn’t kept as BAD. He was let off the hook about it when it became about miscommunication and regrets about it. Alan and Phillip and Olivia still walk with their sins on their shoulders, Jeffrey was absolved of Olivia’s rape.

Beyond that, we can just agree to disagree about it. No bigs.

I just had to follow up because of the Xena reference. It was like a geek batman signal.

Anne on Sat, 30th May 2009 7:48 pm 

I listen to anything and everything I can on Otalia and really think you both are terrific! …Please keep them coming. Re Father Ray ….. lots and lots of priests are alcoholics …There’s loneliness,heavy responsibilities and a great deal of self medicating to get through it. I don’t believe he was kidding when he asked for the beer… likely more storyline opening up for him and a true to life one at that.

Ali on Sat, 30th May 2009 10:56 pm 

I listened to podcasts #2-#6 throughout the entire day while going about my day. Had comments as I listened but unfortunately didn’t take notes like Liz. Wondering if Liz does lists too? I love lists.

Overall love each of your perspectives. Love how detailed and analytical Liz is while Dani sort of comes naturally from the gut. Two great styles that work together. I was tempted to go spoiler free but think I would just go the way of Dani so not going to even try it.

Great stuff and will definitely come back for more… but next time I’ll keep a list of my comments.

Liz on Sat, 30th May 2009 11:17 pm 

Anne- Thanks so much! Maybe you’re right, maybe Father Eyebrow will get a storyline out of this. They are bringing back Danny.

Ali- Im glad you liked them. I love how you say Dani is more of a natural from the gut kinda girl. lol Her notes are craaazy detailed, while mine are like bullet points. Haha! Anyway. We’ll see you back soon. We love notes on our notes.

XO

ashleelynn7 on Sun, 31st May 2009 1:08 am 

So yet another amazing podcast! I already told you guys via twitter that this made my day, but I feel like this should be said twice: You guys are made of tons and tons of awesomeness!

Dani’s letter to Jill had me on the floor laughing. Too, too funny. Wealth of eyebrow talent, another great oneliner. I live for Dani’s zingers.

Liz, I have to agree with someone else who commented that I totally live for your laugh. I think it may be the best and dare I say cutest? laugh ever. Love it. And your comments about Father Eyebrow(LMAO) were amazing. Such a great scene and I agree with everything you said about it. JL delivered it all perfectly and just when I thought I couldn’t love her more, alas she gives the greatest performance ever.

I also wanna say a huge thanks for linking the Gaychristian article. What a great read and so interesting. I learned so much about something I really don’t know a lot about, so kudos for that

So in conclusion, you guys rock my socks and can’t wait for the next pod!

girlboston on Mon, 1st Jun 2009 7:53 am 

Addicted to your podcasts but this one was scary..it was like you took all my thoughts out of my head!

Loved your breakdown of the conversation with Fr Eyebrow!!!! Also he is definately a poster boy for Just-say-no-to-collagen-lip-injections

Liz on Mon, 1st Jun 2009 9:27 am 

Ashlee, you are so sweet. Comments like that totally make our day. You rock my socks off. Hehe.
And I cannot sing GCN’s praises enough. They are fantastic. I really should get back in to posting there.

Girlboston, Maybe we are now merging with our listeners brains? That would be fine with me, because we have the most rad listeners of all time.

XO

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