Whether they’re yearly, monthly, or sporadic and random, soap operas have spent decades perfecting the art of the callback. These recurring bits on soaps can serve as fun winks to the audience and comforting traditions… or, on occasion, things which drive us crazy!
“Cricket.” “The Duchess.” “The Mustache.” Nicknames are great fun and often a source of comfort on Young & Restless, like when Victor calls Victoria’s ex “Billy Boy”, Ashley calls her brother “Jackie,” Nick calls Summer his “Supergirl,” or Jack calls Phyllis “Red.” It’s little things like this fans often appreciate most.
The first ornaments were hung on Days of Our Lives in 1971 and the tradition remains to this day. Fans look forward to decorating the Horton family tree each year, with one ornament honoring each family member — new and old. It’s an honor for the characters, and often a bone of contention among fans, when their name is hung next to Hope, Alice, Tom, Bill, Jennifer, and many other beloved Hortons.
It all started when Annabelle the dog ate the Quartermaine’s Thanksgiving dinner on General Hospital in 1994. There’s been a call to the local pizza place every year since after something blows up their holiday dinner. You’d think they’d just start planning for pizza by now, instead of having Cook Two make an actual meal, but what fun would that be?
Nicknames aren’t so much endearment as they are well-crafted digs on Bold & Beautiful. Unless of course you’re “Dollar Bill” Spencer, a.k.a. “the stallion.” More often, they tend to be insults such as Bill’s moniker for fashion designer Ridge, “the dressmaker.” Who can forget that for years, the late Stephanie would blast Brooke as “the Slut From the Valley”… an “honor” Brooke seemed to pass along when she dubbed rival Shauna “the Slut From the Desert!”
Sharp-eyed viewers began noticing that uring scenes taking place at Young & Restless’ hot spot The Grand Phoenix, the same background player began popping up. Dubbed “the lady in the green dress,” we now know her name is Crystal and she’s played by Krystal Mosley.
If General Hospital fans have heard it once, they’ve heard it a million times — the Quartermaine mansion is Monica’s house because — say it with us — “Alan gave it to me.”
Every year, the Forresters hold an epic Thanksgiving dinner on Bold & Beautiful, bringing together family, friends… and usually an enemy or two. It’s a magical day on which feuds are put aside and enemies break bread side by side. It’s great fun for viewers as guests are forced to say something they’re thankful for about the person seated next to them… even if its their rival.
Bold & Beautiful’s Pam always seems to have a plate of lemon bars on hand, whether she’s arriving at a dinner party or greeting clients at Forrester Creations. Although given her history, characters might want to consider hiring a taste tester, as one never knows if she’s poisoned them or not.
General Hospital’s computer hacker extraordinaire, Damian Spinelli, burst onto the scene calling himself The Jackal. As is now a right of passage in Port Charles, Spinelli has given almost everyone in town an equally descriptive moniker, including Maximista (Maxie), Mr. Sir (Sonny), Fair Samantha (Sam), and, of course, Stone Cold (Jason).
Shawn and Caroline opened Brady’s Pub on Days of Our Lives in 1992. Ever since, Salemites have been able to count on a warm bowl of their famous clam chowder to feed their colds, as well as their souls. So popular is the dish that Susan recently ordered some first thing in the morning. “It’s made with milk,” she rationalized, “so that makes it a breakfast food!”
Some couples go out for dinner, drinks and a little dancing, but Young & Restless’ Nick and Phyllis find doing battle to be their preferred form of foreplay. Give them a video game, some smack talk and watch the sparks fly!
Pictured here? The hardest working woman in Genoa City. No, we’re not talking about Summer. Look beyond her and you’ll see Young & Restless’ infamous woman in green. Phyllis may own the Grand Phoenix, the Ms. Green, as we’ve come to think of her, clearly runs the joint. Heck, she’s gotten more screentime over the past few months than Michael, Lauren, Paul and Esther combined!
When the kitchen in which General Hospital’s Corinthos clan spends so much time got a makeover in 2019, viewers noticed an adorable little white bowl with a totally normal bit of green moss. It was a lovely accent piece which quickly grew… and grew… and soon became as comment-worthy as any of the drama unfolding around it!
A picture may say a thousand words, but a portrait hanging above the Forrester mantle says “This is the current ruler of this roost.” Like Brooke, it still annoys us on some level that Eric replaced Stephanie’s iconic portrait with that of current-wife Quinn. But not nearly as much as it irks Finn to be greeted by that photo of Liam and Steffy every time he enters her home! The girl needs to learn a lesson from grandpa Eric and rotate in the current holder of her heart’s portrait!
Going for a run in the middle of winter on Days of Our Lives? A light hoodie will do. Chatting in the middle of Horton Square at Christmas time? No coat or gloves or even sleeves required. Fans have come to accept, yet point out every year, that seasons do not seem to exist in the magical midwestern town of Salem. Unless, of course, a blizzard is called upon to trap together former lovers and longtime rivals!
Every year, we know to expect three things from the General Hospital Nurses Ball: Awkward red carpet interviews, amazing performances… and Lucy winding up in her underwear. Few things may be reliable in this world, but like the Quartermaine’s having Thanksgiving for turkey, this is one of them.
If there’s a wedding happening on The Bold and the Beautiful, it’s almost guaranteed it will happen at the Forrester mansion. An even bigger assurance? Carter will be the one to marry the happy (for the moment) couple. Good thing his recent plans to wed Zoe fell through, or he’d have had to pull double duty as both the officiant and the groom!
Advertisement
