Bad boys vs Good guys on Soaps. Soapland vs Reality!

ABC

Love ‘em, hate ‘em, we all have our favorites…

Soaps.com writers got together to bring you our readers some of the candidates for all nine of our favorite soaps! While some have created quite a track record for themselves, good or bad, over the years, others quickly fell into their role as being a soap saint or Satan!

All My Children

Bad boys of Pine Valley vs Good boys of Pine Valley

Adam & JR Chandler

Things don’t get any worse that the father/son combo of Adam and JR Chandler. Adam’s villainy was never worse than Spring of 2007 when he left Krystal – alone and without a phone – to give birth to her baby girl. When Krystal delivered Jenny Adam then plotted to steal – and sell! – the kiddo. It appeared that JR was beginning to follow right in Adam’s footsteps but at the last minute he bailed on his father and turned to step-dad Tad for some fatherly advice. Does that make JR a good guy now? Not by a long shot!

JR’s list of crimes is too long to ever let him fall into the “good guy” category. From stealing a car from his father to stealing drugs from Dr. David Hayward, JR’s tried just about everything to get what he wants. He blackmailed Babe with a doctored video tape, and then nearly killed Kendall when he was trying to kill Babe, etc. In real life most women would go running the other direction but Babe just continues to be drawn to him, especially now when (it appears) he is trying to change his image for the sake of his son, Little Adam. We’ll have to wait and see if true redemption comes to turn JR into a good guy. Which brings me to the good guy segment, and we can’t choose any better men than the Martin family.

Joe & Aidan

Starting with Joe, Martin men have been there for the town of Pine Valley since the very beginning. Sure Tad, Joe’s son, flirts with bad boy tendencies like womanizing but we all know he’s a good guy at heart. He’s never given up on either of his sons, the search for daughter Kate and even entered into a marriage of convenience with Krystal! And don’t forget his undying love for Dixie.

Tad’s business partner, Aidan Devane, is another good guy that we all drool over. The British ex-spy has had a few shady dealings like stealing Michael Cambias’ body from the morgue and taking it to the garbage dump, but we all know why he did that: to protect the people of Pine Valley. Most recently Aidan refused to give up on the search for Greenlee and Zach and once they were found he practically willed Greenlee to go on living. It doesn’t get any better than that, fans! In real life, Aidan might be too “good” for most women but then he’d unbutton his shirt and his lady-love would buy another ticket for the good-guy train.

As the World Turns

Bad Boys of Oakdale vs. Good Guys of Oakdale

Holden & Aaron

In Oakdale, things don’t come any more polished and shined than the Snyder family. Any woman would be lining up to get to the Snyder boys. At Emma’s farm, those boys must get a shot of good-guy-itosis with their morning orange juice! Take Holden Snyder for example. Since he was a teenager he’s been in love with and trying to rescue Lily Walsh. He forced David Stenbeck to sign a confession of his crimes, getting him out of Oakdale for good – or at least for now! But then Holden went the other direction and shot Stenbeck, but is that really a crime after all the horrible things Stenbeck did? And let’s not forget about his son Aaron.

Though Aaron Snyder only spent a portion of his childhood in Oakdale with the Snyder clan, it is clear that those good-guy Snyder genes fit him well. He has accepted Alison’s past as a meth-user and prostitute, has managed to save Sofie from bad-boy boyfriend Cole Norbeck and is still working his way back to Alison. Will these two have a happily ever after? We’ll have to wait and see, but it’s certain their happily ever after – even if they’re apart! – will be better than anything the future might hold for ultimate bad boy Craig Montgomery.

Craig Montgomery

Though his image is refined and polished, we all know that underneath that smooth exterior, Craig is just waiting to pounce on his next victim. Women in reality would do best to stay away from guys like this! Over the years he has wrested control of Lucinda Walsh’s company, kidnapped Jennifer’s child and driven Rosanna off the road and into a two year coma. In 2007, though, it appeared that Craig was changing his image for real when he fell in love with Meg Snyder. He knew Meg was working him over, trying to gain custody of Worldwide/Montgomery Enterprises so she could return the company to Lucinda but Craig didn’t care. When Paul fell over the cliff and was assumed dead, Craig stood by Meg and helped her through her grief. It appeared Meg was falling for Craig, too, until Paul returned from the dead! Meg’s tune quickly changed and though she and Craig were trying to make a baby, she slept with Paul and became pregnant. Craig was over the moon when a DNA test revealed he was the father but when he realized Rosanna had switched those results, Bad-Craig returned – and he tried to kill Meg’s baby! At the last minute Craig realized he couldn’t do that to Meg and didn’t go through with his plan but that didn’t stop Meg from trying to return to Paul. Will this push Craig back over the bad-boy boundary into the evil man he’s been in the past? It very well could – and we’ll all be right here watching his every move!

The Bold and the Beautiful

Bad boys of Los Angeles vs Good boys of Los Angeles

Clarke & Deacon

Interestingly written bad boys such as designer Clarke Garrison can be fun. While Clarke is no mustachioed villain, his list of mischievous acts leaves no doubt as to which list he belongs on. Clarke has a boyish charm, but is also known as a playboy and an adulterer. In his professional life, he has crossed the line numerous times such as when he helped Spectra steal designs from Forrester Creations, took bribes to help destroy Spectra, worked for Spectra as “Beau Rivage”, and also when he used blackmail to land a position at Forrester Creations. In spite of his indiscretions, Clarke is very well-liked by female viewers for his roguish manner, great sense of humor and his matinee-idol looks. In reality, Clarke would likely have just as many admirers due to his looks, personality and high-profile job. Another B&B bad boy that comes to mind is Deacon Sharpe. No longer in L.A., Deacon certainly hasn’t been forgotten, as his daughter Hope, whom he has given up rights to, still resides there with her mother, Brooke Logan. This child was conceived during an adulterous affair, as Deacon was married at the time to Bridget! Among his other misdeeds are blackmailing the Forresters, drugging Jackie Marone, and stealing from casinos! While Deacon has a great following of fans who can’t get enough of this wrong-side-of-the-tracks hunk, in reality, Deacon would likely have far fewer admirers.

Thorne & Eric

Thorne Forrester, the perennial second-best son is definitely a lover, not a fighter. With blond good looks, a place in the family business and a terrible track record with relationships, Thorne has hordes of female fans that would gladly mend his broken heart and warm his bed! In reality, Thorne would be just as much of a catch, although females that prefer very strong men may not be interested!

Eric Forrester has committed adultery many times, but aside from that, the man is a saint! He has put up with wife Stephanie’s manipulations and crimes for decades, has remarried her more than once to make his children happy, and has put in a good, honest living at Forrester Creations. A romantic, he went out of his way to make Donna and his family happy at Christmas and stands by his sex-addicted woman, Donna! While female fans run lukewarm on Eric because of his philandering past, in reality, Eric would be one hot property. There are plenty of women that would love to be with a debonair, handsome, wealthy, talented and romantic man like Eric Forrester!

Days of Our Lives

Bad boys of Salem vs Good boys of Salem

The name DiMera is synonymous with the words 'bad boys'. Let's take this father and son duo, Stefano & EJ!

Stefano DiMera is the mad man of Salem and has wreaked havoc on the good and decent Brady family for ages. I can't even list off the wrongdoings of this evil one. With what EJ recently called, his "cracked friend", Dr. Rolf to back him up, Stefano can do just about anything to get what he wants. Including fake his death 500 times and steal a dead body (John Black) in order to bring him back from the dead so he can help Stefano seek revenge upon his adversaries.Tsk Tsk Tsk. Even though we know all this about Stefano, there are some women out there who may turn a blind eye to his transgressions, but we think Stefano may be better off with a sheltered mail order bride - just to be on the safe side!

EJ Wells (DiMera) follows in his father's (Stefano DiMera) footsteps and although it appears as though the show is writing his character a little less 'evil' these days, we still remember that it was only last year that he was involved in the Black Glove Crimes - in fact, he was 'The Black Glove'. He raped Sami in exchange for helping her remove a beam off of her beau Lucas' leg, amongst other misdeeds. Still, since he's handsome, many of our viewers adore him and look beyond his crimes. In reality? He'd likely have a few hangers on but the majority of women would see him as scum - a real scoundrel and turn their back on him for a 'good man'… course, we're seeing a side of EJ that may change our minds on him. Keep watching! This brings me to the second section - "The Good Men Of Salem!"

Bo & Nick

Bo Brady, a noble officer of the law, is good to the bone. His wife is first-class (she slipped up with the whole gossiping about Belle deal but we'll forgive that) and she sees the good in others. But this is about Bo. Bo "bends the rules" in order to get what he wants. Unlike Stefano, he does so out of decency. He's a rebel with a good heart. Any woman would be proud to be with this guy.

Nick Fallon is a Horton, so you know right away that means 'good and pure'. Nevermind Jeremy Horton's storyline! Nick's a class act. Lab tech turned professor; Nick fell for the brat girl of Salem, Chelsea Brady. She keeps this fine, honest specimen on his toes. Nick abides the law, has scruples and is trustworthy. He's a man in your court and a friend indeed. He's also friends with Max Brady, a sweet guy with commitment issues. In the real world, I think the smart woman would take one look at him and… swoon!

So good guys vs bad guys… what's your pick, and why and does your attraction for the bad guys differ in real life? Do you prefer bad or good?!

General Hospital

Bad boys of Port Charles vs Good boys of Port Charles

Sonny & Jason

2007 brought even more lovable scoundrels in that very crowded category but the discussion has to start with Sonny Corinthos - mob kingpin! He came to town to run a strip club and even helped to get Scotty's daughter (Karen Wexler) hooked in drugs. He married his first wife because of her mob connections. Granted, he's become a "kinder, gentler" mobster now that he's a family man, but we can never forget that power is his aphrodisiac and his chosen profession is what gives it to him. Most would be attracted to his power and gentler side.

Jason Morgan doesn't fall far from the tree. Although he's not technically related to Sonny, when he first came out of his head injury Sonny became the only family he knew. So, he kills when he is told to. Like Sonny, he's lovable as well as lethal so the thought of him being on a "Bad Boy" list is likely to make most GH fans squirm. He may be a bad guy according to his police record, but to us he's our handsome hero. Nothing is black and white in Port Charles! When other bad guys have blown through town over the years (Manny Ruiz, Faith Rosco, Luis Alcazar), Jason was just bad enough to be the one most people counted on to go head-to-head with them.

Jasper & Damien

But alas! Where there's bad, there has to be good, right? Well, sadly, GH is in short supply on that front! Sure, we have good guys like Mac Scorpio, but story lines don’t exactly pan out too often to feature guys like that. Our heroes tend to be "less bad" than the bad guy! Take charismatic Jasper Jacks, for example. He's the romantic - the guy who wooed many of PC ladies and ultimately won Carly Corinthos away from Sonny! Along the way we've seen romantic private jet "mile high" action, Rome's Trivi Fountain and the glamorous casino life in Monte Carlo. But even Jax isn't lily white. He's a corporate raider who can be as ruthless as the next guy when it comes to business.

Port Charles has plenty of guys who, at first glance, fall under the category of good guy but one who stands out. The best example of a good guy of all is the geeky, yet lovable Damien Spinelli. He doesn't exactly make anyone's heart go pitter patter (yet!), but he's the most loyal and devoted friend a person could ask for. In the end, that's pretty darn good, right? This is what a woman wants!

Guiding Light

Bad boys of Springfield vs Good boys of Springfield

Bad boy Jonathan Randall became one of the show's most popular sex symbols, rather surprisingly. Arriving on the show, the drug dealing and perverted vengeful ex-prince creeped out much of the audience but still managed to become the seductive partner in crime to the equally unhinged Dinah Marler. His charm grew and the creep factor fell away... briefly, only be replaced by a new ick factor for many viewers. His involvement with goody-two shoes Tammy and mentally unbalanced party girl Lizzie, both women who inherited a pathological level of bad taste in men from their mothers, brought out other facets in his personality. While many people found this charming and touching, the cousin loving, baby snatching, arson and attempted murder, as well as the strained Oedipal relationship with his mother, darkly romantic though those things can be, would be enough to scare most women away.

Josh Lewis

Josh Lewis has been the golden boy of Springfield for a long time. At least, he's tried harder than anyone else to be. Even though he's not always been successful at it, the crimes he's committed have been largely well-intentioned ventures to save his loved ones. The problem with Josh is
that he tries to hard to be good in a town where all of the "good" people are actually criminals, including all of the women in his life. Maybe that's why he picks them— opposites attract. Who else could forgive Reva for her endless stream of crimes and deceptions and abandonments? He's also managed to be one of the best fathers in town and, in a gesture of trying to be super-good, has become a man of the cloth to bring hope and healing to the misery that surrounds him. Even if this makes him frequently boring, he still manages to have a woman by his side at all times. Handsome, wealthy, committed, level-headed and forgiving, he has enough saving graces to be a great catch for most women.

One Life to Live

Bad boys of Llanview vs Good boys of Llanview

Todd Manning

When we hear the name Manning, we wonder what the heck Todd Manning (Trevor St. John) is up to next – and how he plans to get exactly what he wants! Although Todd has grown up from his college days, and truly feels remorse for raping Marty Saybrooke, when crossed… Watch out! Todd doesn’t think twice about making someone’s life a living nightmare and even gave his own son, Jack, up at birth, as well as telling Blair he died, just because Todd believed Max Holden to be the father! Still, we can’t take away Todd’s sexy appeal, how he fights for those he loves, especially his family, or the effect of the scars the father figures in his life left on him! However, in the real world… Todd would have surely met his match both in and out of prison, as the Manning fortune would be peanuts compared to some of the billionaire mob bosses who would likely be the ones tempting his fate! Having Peter Manning and Victor Lord as examples… even the best of men would have most likely turned out the same!

John & Michael

Speaking of which… Who are "The Good Men Of Llanview?" Though every man is bound to ‘slip up’ from time to time, a pair of brothers jumps out when thinking of faithful do-gooders! The McBain boys! John and Michael McBain… While Michael is able to ‘let himself go – and be loved’ more than John, both brothers are always there when the other, or those they love, needs them. John has spent many grueling hours trying to solve cases for the FBI and Llanview PD in order to make the town a safer place. However, in the process, he’s lost a bit of himself – one that only a good woman can give him back! As for Michael, the ever so caring doctor, he’s filled with so much love that sometimes, as in the storyline involving his adoptive son Tommy, his caring nature can get him into trouble. However, in the end, sanity always prevails and Michael pushes for ‘the right thing’!

A cop and a doctor, hmmm, as long as they have professional ethics like the McBains, there’s no one else in Llanview you’d want on your side! On the other hand, Todd’s ‘not following the book’ ways may get you what you want quicker! In the end, do morals outweigh satisfaction? You be the judge!

Passions

Bad boys of Harmony vs Good boys of Harmony

In any competition for evil, Alistair Crane could compete with the best of them. He's a billionaire who enjoys destroying rival companies while seducing nubile assistants only a third of his age. He's also a serial rapist, tried to blow up his daughter, had his granddaughter repeatedly raped, killed his own son in cold blood and is responsible for the deaths of many others. He even tried to steal the holy grail so that he could take over the world, which essentially makes him the Anti-Christ. Like his son Julian, who has slept with almost all of the women on the show, save the Bennetts and, of course, the nun-like Pilar, he prides himself on his unyielding virility. But in reality, would he be a hit with the ladies? He can certainly turn on the charm when he wants to, and, despite his regal manner, he still can manage to be brutally macho and sardonically hilarious. Combined with oodles of money and ample infamy, that makes him far more attractive than the holier-than-thou women on the show would ever admit (well, except for Rebecca).

Ethan Winthrop

Ethan Winthrop is the ultimate good boy. He'd have to be, considering he was raised by the nefarious Cranes and acts like he graduated from a prep
school run by a self-confidence infomercial. Although he has proven to be unflaggingly committed to Theresa and Gwen, despite all of their continual betrayals and deceptions, including Theresa drugging, raping and almost
killing him, he has only managed to do so simultaneously— which isn't much better than not at all. Although he frequently comes across as the
dimmest lawyer on the Eastern seaboard, he still manages to be suave and, well, handsome, good-natured and well intentioned; all of which would get him a girl, whether he's rich or poor.

The Young and the Restless

Bad boys of Genoa City vs Good boys of Genoa City

Jack & Victor

Creating corporate havoc, headaches for their families, and attacking one another whenever possible - Jack Abbott and Victor Newman are both loveable guys underneath it all, but they are very good at being bad! These two are no strangers to blackmail and deceit - they'll stop at almost nothing to get their way! Why Victor's biography is even titled "Ruthless"! Both have female viewers swooning, and in reality, it would likely be no different. These men are confident, powerful, wealthy and good-looking as well. Most women would find it hard to resist such a lethal combination of attractive qualities. Of course, we can't move on without mentioning the current owner of Crimson Lights, Kevin Fisher. Young, clean-cut Kevin probably has the most problematic past of any 'boy' on Y&R right now! His 'bad list' includes sleeping with an underage Lily, ransacking J.T.'s apartment, terrorizing Colleen, etc. Currently, sneaky Kevin has settled down - some, and has enough appeal that he was 'redeemed'! But in the real world, Kevin would still be a loner after all of his crimes - women would be steering clear of this guy!

Paul & J.T.

Aside from his poor track record with parenting his children, Paul Williams is there to help anyone, anytime. He is a sweet suitor, and has rescued ex-flame Lauren from certain death countless times. Paul rarely raises his voice, and has endless patience with meddling mother, Mary! In reality, true blue Paul would have no problem attracting nice, smart girls.

J.T. Hellstrom started out as a bad boy, partying a little too hard, bullying other teens, but he has evolved into a real sweetheart; devoted to both Victoria and their infant son, Reed. Many viewers love Vicki's great-looking white knight, and in the real world, J.T. would be as popular as can be. Blond, blue-eyed, thoughtful, and intelligent enough to be a successful Private Investigator - what else could a girl ask for?!

Soaps.com hopes you’ve enjoyed taking a walk on the wild side with our Bad Boys of soaps, while benefiting from a little bit of reality with some of the nicer boys out there. We urge you to comment with your thoughts – along with your own personal picks!

- Christine Fix, Amy Mistretta, Julie Robinson, Candace Young, Matt Purvis, Kristi Knight