Oh, there have been some MOMS on soaps over the years, hasn’t there? From Helena Cassadine trying to poison her son Stephan (and watching while he was dying!!) to Ruth Martin wringing her hands over worry for each of her kids. Over the years, mothers have drifted to the background (especially on GH) –especially those mothers of older children. After the baby is born and WTD storyline complete, most moms seem to disappear (Bobbie, Flea, Laura) or they children leave for greener pastures (Tracy). Of course, if we even SEE the kids it’s a treat lately…sad, sad sad.
Long Long Ago, however Moms were the center of their kid’s lives. Mona and Erica,Leslie/Laura, Anna/Robin, Vicky and all the Kevinsand Joeys…Dorian and Cassie. Since I only watch ABC, I realize there are plenty of other soaps with kick-ass Moms as well. I’m hopeful (slightly) that GH will again showcase MOMs in something other than a MOBULAR capacity when the kids are SORA’d. We can hope, can’t we?
One of the most poignant storylines of GH was that of Barbara Jean and Maxie. The heart transplant from BJ to Maxie was heart wrenching to watch because of the mothers involved. Kudos still to JZ and KW for making that story so believable and timeless.
Another one of my fave GH stories was Monica accepting Jason as her own. She went through the gamete of emotions and finally understood that the little bundle wasn’t guilty of his father’s sins. Later on, Monica went on to adopt Emily after her mother died from cancer. The early scenes between Amber Tamblyn and Leslie were priceless. Shame that Monica is regulated to the sidelines, isn’t it? Ditto Felicia. I would have loved to see Maxie/Georgie growing up with their mother.
So, the question comes up..who’s your fave Soapy Mom? I’m going to choose someone that I watched as a kid and just fell in love with. She was kind, tough, loving and could sing a great Irish song. Maeve Ryan protected her kids but also kicked them in the butt when she had to! Currently, it’s very hard to pick a great Mom on soaps anymore. I’d have to say I’m loving Nora on OLTL because I find her honest and modern; trying to juggle work and motherhood while watching her son go through a horrific accident. I love how she went off on Marty and is clinging to Bo like a life-raft. Of course, it’s not at all “real-real”… they’d never show REAL motherhood on soaps, we’d revolt!
Robin’s PPD storyline was poorly handled, that’s for sure– but at least they tried to tackle a topic that effects so many new moms. Just wish they’d done a bit of research first.
Daytime Confidental has a fun podcast on the Top Five Soap Moms that’s worth a listen!
So, who’s your fave soap mom? Happy Day to all you Moms out there. Hope you are drinking your fave beverage and putting your feet up!
Happy Mothers Day to all !!!!!Give Mom a hug today .I loved and still love Lila Quartermaine her and Monica and also Audry Hardy were my role models
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! As for my favorite soap mom, it’s Clarissa McCandless from “Capitol”. Ok, so it’s an obscure pick from a canceled soap, but she was played by Connie Towers, the very same actress who plays Helena, and the two characters were as different as night and day.
I vote for Lila 100% as GH top mom. She was a velvet steamroller. Anna Lee is truly missed.
You missed out on all the OLTL moms!!
Viki has had her ups and downs through the years and yet her kids always forgive her and adore her (as do we Erika Slezak fans).
Then there is Dorian… the mother every Cramer woman got whether they wanted her or not! She’s fiercely loyal to her “girls” to the point of alienating a few (Cassie, Adrianna, Kelly). Somehow I think we all know in the end they would all come running should Dorian truely need them.
Carlotta loves her boys come good or bad. Christian died, Christian came back, Antonio has been back and forth though never dead. And she does all her worrying from behind the counter of her diner where she provides coffee and flan to any Llanview citizens who need a shoulder to cry on.
Last but not least we have Renee who is not Bo or Clint’s mother or blood related to any of the Buchanons and yet they still treat her as if she is. Through the years she has been a rock for them all in good times and bad. She also gave up her own son, Ben, then found him only to watch him die at a young age. (As a side note… Olympia is Bo and Clint’s biological mother. She was a crackpot that Asa kept locked away. He also told the boys that she was dead, when she wasn’t, and married other women though all the other marriages were illegal… gotta love it!)
I agree 100% with those who have said Lila Quatermaine.
Skye Chandler Quatermaine also comes to mind. We did not see her as a mother for very long before she left the show but her departure was all about doing what she had to to protect Lila II.
Also, Mary Mae Ward.
Loved Maeve Ryan
Loved Maeve Ryan, a good Irish mom of all soapdom. I loved when she would put Delia in her place along with her kiddos without breaking sweat. Gosh, I miss Ryan’s Hope, that was an excellent soap opera.
Also, loved AMC’s Mona Kane. Man, she had the tough job of raising (Erica) Kane. Loved Mrytle Fargate, she was tough as nails, as well as compassionate. They are so missed, the show needs a mother figure on it asap.
OLTL – I love Roxy as a mother, she doesn’t always get it right alot of the time. She is one fun and cool mom, loved when she tries to be smart with her far out quotes. Dorian loyal to a fault, she loves her “Cramer women” without question (most of the time).
ROFLMAO how could I forget Roxy? Jeeze… she is one of my favorite all time characters. I loved Ilene Kristen when she was on Ryan’s Hope too as the evil Delia!!
I loved Caroline Brady from DOOL. She made her mistakes but her kids were always her reasons and she loved them, kicked their booties when needed and protects them like a momma tiger. Just the kind of Mom I hope to be to my baby girl!
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