The Royal Couple

Margie: Edna and I would like to offer our congratulations and best wishes to the newly wed William and Kate. What a lovely couple. We wish them many years of happiness.

Let's be serious, Wills, because you surely don't want your honeymoon wrecked by gawkers, photographers, and busybodies. Edna and I would like to offer you a quiet honeymoon getaway in our basement. Nobody will know you're here and Edna will be a fine maid. Please call and let us know when you'll be arriving.We accept cash or American credit cards.

Inspiring Margie

Jane:(Margie) I must say that Beth did a beautiful job with her post about what inspired her to create the character of Edna. My character of Margie was inspired by two people;one was real and one was fictional.

First, Margie was inspired by a real Margie who was my family's neighbor when I was growing up. She was extremely nosy and never tried to hide it. For example, if we had company, she'd sit in her rocking chair which she'd pull close to the front door and sit there until they left. Later, she'd ask me who they were, where they were from, etc.

She also copied most of my parent's purchases/home renovations. I remember when my dad had once painted the house exterior. Back then, he sat the empty paint cans out next to the road for the trash truck to haul off. Less than two days later, Margie had bought the exact same paint and painted her house. This also happened with other paint jobs. She'd find out that my mom had painted her kitchen yellow so Margie would paint her kitchen yellow. My mom did not like the copying of everything she did.

There were so many episodes I could tell you but I'll use just one more. This actually happened on numerous occasions. My mom would buy something like a rug or curtains or a small kitchen appliance and the empty boxes would go out on the side of the road. Margie would go buy the exact same item because we'd see the boxes out next to the road. One day, my mom was talking to Margie about some item she had purchased many years earlier and how she wished she could remember where she bought it. Margie told her, " Oh, you bought it at Sears."

Finally, there's the inspiration of actress Rue McClanahan who was the character of Blanche Devereaux on the TV series " The Golden Girls". The character of Blanche had lost her husband, the love of her life, so she was on the prowl for the next love of her life. Margie is looking for that as well. Some of Blanche's gentlemen friends were unsavory characters which is how Edna describes many of Margie's gentlemen friends.

Margie feels like she needs to look after Edna since Margie is the oldest. They clash because Edna doesn't think she needs to be looked after. This infuriates Margie who then issues veiled threats and insults. Like many sisters, however, they do love each other and would defend each other to the end.

Margie has a good heart and means well but doesn't always know how to handle what she feels is rejection. She's afraid that Edna might move out but acts as if that's what she'd like. Margie has a good sense of humor as does Edna so they do have some fun moments. I would certainly be remiss if I didn't mention that Beth also inspires me every day. Margie would be nothing without Edna.

We hope you enjoy Margie and Edna as much as we enjoy writing what they tell us to write.

Inspiration

Beth (aka "Edna"): This week, Jane (aka "Margie") and I would like to share some stories with you about our inspiration for the Margie and Edna characters. Personally, I have drawn heavily on the wonderful women I knew growing up: my grandmothers, my great-aunts, and my great-grandmother. They were smart, feisty, loving women who were not afraid to share what they felt about something. They also had an incredible capacity for kindness. Each time I write as Edna, I am paying tribute to these women who taught me so much about how to be the person I am today.

In my mind, at least, a lot of Margie and Edna’s dynamic as sisters comes from my maternal grandmother and her sisters. They were practical women, sometimes gruff with each other but always loving. I have a particular story in mind that I’d like to share, which always makes me laugh because it so much reminds me of Margie and Edna.

By the mid-1980s, my grandmother and great-Aunt Sylvie were living in South Florida with their mother, my 90-something-year-old great-grandmother. By that time, she was no longer ambulatory and required a lot of home care. Since both my grandmother and Aunt Sylvie were widowed, they did what dutiful daughters often did and moved in to help care for her. My great-grandmother could be demanding, and so Grandma and Aunt Sylvie would take a time-out on Saturday mornings; they would ask a neighbor to come sit with her while they went on a trip to the Hollywood Mall.

These trips usually consisted of the two of them piling into my Aunt Sylvie’s 1968 Cutlass Supreme, a boat of a car with my formidable Aunt Sylvie at the wheel. Once at the mall, Aunt Sylvie often tried in vain to find a comfortable, yet fashionable, pair of shoes to fit over her bunions. (A souvenir from her years working as a receptionist, according to my grandmother. Her sister had a tendency to force her feet into too-small, but stylish, high heels. Vanity, thy name was Aunt Sylvie.) While Aunt Sylvie looked for shoes, Grandma would check out the sales racks at Sears, and then they both would meet up afterwards for a nice lunch at Morrison’s Cafeteria. It was a calm, leisurely outing for the both of them, and they looked forward to it every week.

On this particular Saturday, things started out as normal, but when they got to the Hollywood Mall it was unusually crowded. Making their way through a packed mall was something neither of them expected or enjoyed, so they were crankier than usual as they went about their errands. After meeting up (Aunt Sylvie with yet another pair of Naturalizer low-heeled pumps, and Grandma having raided Sears for birthday gifts for the grandchildren), they proceeded towards Morrison’s—muttering between them the whole way about the crowds. (For some reason, Aunt Sylvie was worried that Morrison’s would be out of Jello by the time they got there. Don’t ask me why.) Halfway down the mall concourse, they ran into a garishly made-up older woman with bleached-blonde hair, wearing an evening dress. She was promoting a local performance by handing out pamphlets to the people gathered around her. Having figured out that she was the reason for the crowds, they took a pamphlet, smiled politely, then made their way to Morrison’s and back home.

Telling the story afterwards to my mother and I, they were fairly critical. “She was trying too hard not to look her age,” said my grandmother of the woman’s make-up. “Where did she think she was, a nightclub?” was Aunt Sylvie’s comment about the spangled dress inappropriately worn during the daytime. It turns out that both women were spectacularly unimpressed with the unexpected appearance of Ginger Rogers in the Hollywood Mall. “But, Grandma! She’s a movie star, weren’t you excited to see her?” “Pfft!” said my grandmother. “If she’s so wonderful, why was she handing out her own pamphlets?” It was hard to argue with that kind of logic. I guess it doesn’t matter that she was an Academy-award winning actress; by generating an unexpected crowd, she’d single-handedly ruined their trip to the mall as far as they were concerned. 

But luckily for Miss Rogers (and Aunt Sylvie), Morrison’s still had plenty of Jello left by the time they got in line for their lunch.

Happy Easter

Go, soap fans, go!

You know, we have a soft spot in our hearts for "save our show campaigns."  As some of you are aware, working to save the CBS show Jericho was how we met, and it's also how Margie and Edna were born. This week, we have very closely been following the fight of soap opera fans to save the suddenly-canceled All My Children and One Life to Live. In true fan form, they have organized and mobilized, and have launched some great campaigns.

Our personal favorite so far is the Soap 4 Soaps mail-in campaign (learn more here). The plan is to mail as much soap as possible to ABC on or by May 3rd. One thing we would like to suggest is that you include a note asking that ABC donate the soap to charity. In this economy, nothing should go to waste.

The other strategy that we particularly like is the planned protest nationwide on Tuesday, April 26th at various ABC and Disney studios (learn more here). If you are in any of the target areas, go out and show your support. There's power in numbers!

We are very impressed that you all are getting major media attention! The LA Times gave you some great coverage on Thursday.  

Finally, we love that after hearing from fans (among them his wife and mother) the vice-president of marketing at Hoover decided to pull their advertising from ABC until they bring back the soaps. Good for you, sir! 

Our advice to you, from two people who have been through this before? Keep it up. In a very short time, you have seen what kind of power the fans have when they band together. Stay focused, BE POLITE but persistent, and get your message out there. Time will tell, but based on what we've seen this week we have a very good feeling about the future of your shows.

Save the Soaps!

Margie: Edna, remember when we saved Jericho? I think these folks need our help.

Edna: I think so too, sister. I'm sure our readers have heard that ABC recently decided to cancel two very popular soap operas, All My Children and One Life to Live. You'd think these silly network executives would know by now that the fans don't take this kind of news lying down. Just like the Jericho fans, these soap opera fans have quickly mobilized to save their shows!

Margie: Mama would have our heads, sister, if we didn't help folks in need. Besides, there might be some young men who need me to go with them to a protest.

Hurry up, Edna, and tell everybody how they can help!

Edna: Good God a'mighty, woman, I'm getting there. There are some exciting fan-driven initiaves that have been created over the last few days. Our personal favorite is the plan to stage protests at ABC/Disney studios. There's a protest scheduled for tomorrow, and one for next Tuesday.

Created by: Rally for Amc and Oltl
Date/Time:  19 April · 09:00AM - 5:00PM (PST)
ABC TELEVISION CENTER STUDIOS 
(formerly Vitagraph Studios)
4151 Prospect Avenue, 
Hollywood, CA / (310) 557-7777
and 77 w 66th street NEW YORK NEW YORK

Protest ABC studios in LA
Created by:  PROTEST ABC ACROSS AMERICA, Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy
Date/Time:  26 April · 10:00AM - 12:00PM (PST)
Location:  Disney Studio 500 Buena Vist St., Burbank, CA 91506


Edna:  You all should make matching "Save our Soaps" shirts so the people know who they're dealing with!  And don't forget to call and write and email the ABC executives as often as you can. They need to hear your voices, and understand how unhappy you are.

This woman is head of ABC Entertainment, and we're sure she'd love to hear from you. Remember, be polite!

• Anne Sweeney, ABC Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521
• Anne Sweeney, ABC Television Group, 47 W. 66th St., NY, NY 10023
• By email:  anne.sweeney@ABC.COM OR by phone: 1-818-569-7700
• To contact ABC directly:  Go to ABC.com and to "Contact ABC" at the bottom of the page. Or you can send snail mail to ABC:  Audience Relations, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, Calif. 91521. Or call 1-818-460-7477 with comments.

Edna:  There are also various facebook groups you can join; there is strength in numbers.

• Rally For AMC and OLTL
• Save All My Children From Being Canceled 
• Save AMC

Margie:  We wish you all the best of luck.  Edna and I have been through this kind of thing before, and we know that the fans can achieve anything when they band together.  Don't give up the fight!


*Many thanks to our good blogging friend, Jo the Poetic Shutterbug, for the information above.  We hope ABC listens to you and the other fans and gives you your soaps back. 

Orange Crisp!

Margie: Edna, I have found the perfect drink for my summer and don't you touch it! It's called Orange Crisp and I think I'm going to be addicted. I love orange and I sure love a drink with a kick.


In these days when money is tight this looks like a good thing for me. I love a bargain. What will you be drinking this summer, sister?


Edna: We'd best be calling Cousin T to go down to the Save-a-Lot and buy some in bulk, because I love that stuff too! I don't want to be fighting you over the last bottle.


Margie: You best be calling him then and tell him to pick up a strong lock for me.

Bora Bora

Margie: Lookie here, Edna. This says that pretty Frenchman you like is on
vacation in Bora Bora. What kind of place is that? Couldn't they just call it
Bora? That's dumb to call it the same name twice.

Edna, I think you best pack and head to that Bora Bora before there's big
trouble. If that man goes out in that piece of cloth he calls swimming trunks then
I fear for his safety. Hurry up now. It's your duty to go head off a riot!

Edna:  You hush up and leave that boy alone.  If he wants to take his family to some tropical destination, that's his business and no one else's.  Just like it's his business if he wants to go around scantily clad.

I do like the idea of heading up his security team, though.  That young man probably doesn't even realize he needs protection from floozies like you.  I'd best drop him a line and let him know that I could offer him some valuable services.

Margie: You do that, nitwit, then I'll call and ask what services Sing Sing has for you!

National Greyhound Adoption Month

For the third year, The Greyhound Project will celebrate April’s National Greyhound Adoption Month with a national public relations campaign promoting greyhound adoption public service announcements. 

Why?

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?

Why are you IN a movie, but you are ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?

April Must See TV

Margie: Edna, I see some good TV programs this month. I'm watching every show that comes on about the Royal Wedding then I'm getting up early on April 29th to watch the wedding itself. That means I'll be cooking my breakfast about 3 a.m. so you can stay out of my way.

Here's another good one to watch called " Too Cute! Kittens." It's on the Animal Planet on April 30 at 8 P.M. EST. I remember my first boyfriend calling me Kitten. He said I was so soft and cuddly. Well, never you mind.

Edna:  You can just cook up some breakfast for me too, because I'll be watching right along with you.  My lands, I remember watching when that boy's parents got married.  I'm glad we didn't know then how it would all turn out.

I have to say, I'm really enjoying a new ABC show, "Body of Proof" with Dana Delaney.  She's been a favorite of mine since the 80s when she was on "China Beach."  I hope they keep this show around.

Margie: I like that Dana Delaney too. She's got spunk & she's almost as pretty as I am.

You go to the store and get all the breakfast fixings. Get jam and scones and tea plus some tarts and don't forget the bottle so we can have a few nips during the show.

Edna:  Yes, your Majesty.

Alive and kicking!

Edna: Margie, when poor Elizabeth Taylor died a couple of weeks ago, they said on the news that she was among the last of Hollywood's greatest stars. That got me to thinking, and I do believe they might be right. There just aren't that many folks left from Hollywood's golden age, are there?

Margie: There's sure not, sister. Why, just the other night, I watched a movie with Jean Harlow and Clark Gable. She was so elegant and he was so dashing. You sure didn't see them go out in public half-nekkid or wearing their bedclothes. People have lost all sense of what good taste means.

Edna: If by "people" you are referring to yourself, then you are surely correct.

You know, though, I bet you'd be surprised by which old-time Hollywood stars are still alive. Speaking of Clark Gable, guess which of his famous co-stars is still around? Miss Olivia de Haviland from Gone with the Wind, that's who! My lands, she's going to be 95 this year, can you imagine?

Margie: Lord a mercy, she's younger than you! You're still alive, aren't you? Edna, I bet there's folks who wonder if we're still alive. Well, maybe not. I think everybody who knew us is most likely dead now.

Edna: You hush up, Olivie de Haviland is not younger than me! I am trying to make a point here, sister. Just like us, there are plenty of celebrities who maybe you thought were dead but they aren't. People like Maureen O'Hara, who was so wonderful in Miracle on Thirty-Fourth Street. She's going to be 91 years old this year, bless her heart. Or Ernest Borgnine, who just got a Lifetime Achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild earlier this year. Or, my lands, Doris Day! She just had a birthday on Sunday, may she have many more.

Maureen O'Hara:  still alive.

Edna: Today's young stars can learn a thing or two from our living legends. Maybe they need to get off of their facebooks and 3G phones and Blackberries and go pay their elders a nice visit.

Margie: Edna, I agree with everything you said. Calling all handsome gentlemen to come visit this elder. I've still got plenty of life left in me and I want to enjoy it. Edna, is it okay if I post our phone number?

April Fools

There were three men on a hill with their watches.

The first man threw his watch down the hill and it broke.

The second man threw his watch down the hill and it broke.

The third man threw his watch down the hill, walked all the way to the bottom, and caught it.

The other two men were puzzled and asked the third man how he did it.

The third man said, "Easy. My watch is 5 minutes slow!"