2010 Best/Worst Soap Opera Characters
Diane for best. (Soaps.com)
Soaps.com writers dished on the Best and Worst Storylines of 2010 and now they’ll give you the scoop on their best and worst characters of the year. After you read, we’d love to hear your own thoughts on which characters get two thumbs up or two thumbs down.
Most Underused: Bianca returned to Pine Valley a few months ago after spending some time in Paris with Reese. Since she blew back into town though, all she’s been used for is a sounding board for other people’s problems. She is a beloved character and the daughter of Erica Kane for heaven’s sake. She deserves better than that. Sure, a new actress is playing her, but Christina Bennett Lind has made a seamless transition into the role. It’s high time Bianca got a storyline of her own, not to mention a love life.
Most Likeable: Jake is a guy’s guy who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable with the woman he loves. He’s smart, funny, self deprecating and not too sappy. Jake is the perfect male character, who is also one of the most relatable people in Pine Valley and someone you’d want to actually go to Krystal’s with for a beer.
Best character: Reid Oliver. He may have been a “House” rip-off but Eric Scheffer Stevens still managed to make him complex, grumpy and likable all at once. And he helped create the sexiest gay couple since Vincent and Chad.
Worst character: Holden. He was so dull it hurt.
Best Character: I think we have to give Stephanie Forrester her props here. She got her man back from Donna this year, and we’ve all marveled at her strength as she’s faced her own mortality and made an effort to become a better person in the face of adversity. Not only that, but she’s doled out some great slaps and sarcasm in her scenes with Brooke!
Worst Character: Dr. Taylor Hayes Jones has been a letdown to those of us who wish to see her depicted as a strong, levelheaded, female character to be admired and respected. For months she was basically an ineffective character in her scenes, and now has become an over-the-top hypocritical mess. Disappointing.
Best Character: Best all around character, is Nicole DiMera. She’s entertaining, she has depth of character, and loads of humor to spare. Even when she’s down, she’s certainly not out. She has an unlimited reserve of strength and that vulnerability that makes your heart break for even when acknowledging the poor choices she sometimes makes. – Chrissi
Best character: Vivian. She’s the only person to lead caroling in Salem. Plus she has almost as many good lines as Victor and her own manservant. What’s not to like? – Matt
Worst Character: Flaky Sami Brady is annoying. The consistent jobless shows a lack of motivation, her mothering is questionable, she flits from Rafe to EJ and back, she whines, mopes, pouts and sobs. It’s difficult to respect her or look up to her when her only saving grace is the bit of strength she carries. She’s in the Willow Stark category this year for me which is a far cry from how I used to feel about her. – Chrissi
Worst character: I was going to say Nathan because any character who can love Stephanie and Melanie has serious problems (at least Philly tried to escape from that by having an affair). But I think the vote goes for Beauregard Aurelius “Babs” Brady. He’s what Rafe would be if he was doing undercover work as a lobster fisherman with a case of crabs. – Matt
Worst Return: Skye’s return was welcome news, until she came back to Port Charles with nothing to do. Sure she made Tracy jealous, befriended Kristina and got Alcazar’s money, but what was the point? She came and left with hardly any interaction with the Quartermaines and no substantial reason for being there.
Most Entertaining: Diane is truly a breath of fresh air every time she comes on the screen because she tells it like it is no matter who she is speaking to. She’s tough, funny, smart, a great friend to Alexis, loves her man Max and the best part is, she’s immune to Sonny’s dimples.
Best Character: James brought drama to Llanview, which in turn created a huge storyline for James and Starr that stemmed off into many different facets that involved a variety of characters on so many different levels. I enjoyed watching James evolve while fighting his past demons and his scenes never came across as forced. He gave me something else to look forward to in 2011… What's to come for Starr, who, due to James, I've found to really enjoy for the first time in years as one of Llanview's veteran characters.
Worst Character: Marty Saybrooke had plenty to be unhappy about in 2010. She regained and lost John, their baby and frankly any respect as a physician. Cole going to jail was the last straw for this once strong character. Watching her tirades were unbearable and made her look as loony as the looniest character in St. Ann's. If one didn't know what year it was you'd think this was the Marty of 1992, back when she first arrived in Llanview on a mission to destroy everyone around her. Big thumbs down for Marty.
Best Character: Luckily for Y&R viewers, there are plenty of characters that qualify in this category. I'm giving Billy Abbott my vote as best character this year based on watching him undergo such a metamorphosis since Victoria Newman picked him up out of the gutter last Christmas. Billy's been a little starchy lately, but he always can be counted on to make scenes interesting, funny, or emotional.
Worst Character: Heather Stevens rapidly became the least popular character on the canvas after being recast. Although a talented Daytime actress took on the role, viewers have consistently reported feeling zero chemistry between Heather and other characters she shares scenes with, and have even complained that she doesn't seem like Paul's daughter.
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