Chris B

I just screened the flash forward episode and it was terrible. I can't believe they've locked themselves in until May with such an uninspired episode. I feel like more should've happened, it was underwhelming. I do think I could've enjoyed something like the church bombing by Niall and then going back and seeing him insinuate his way into the McQueen's lives. The stakes here just don't seem big. Calvin got shot. So what?

I'll have to check your YouTube page. I do recall seeing two episodes of the show. One with Donna Mills and a kidnapped baby and one where Leslie Charleston is in a car accident. I also recall seeing Beverlee McKinsey and John Karlen, not sure if it were a third episode or in one of the previous two I saw. Another short lived show that seems good is The Young Marrieds. I have maybe two episodes of it and it seemed ahead of it's time. I really need to watch your Secret Storm episode. I've only seen that show from the 50s and it seems so interesting. Marla Adams character sounds legendary. I have to ask a quick question about the Valley of the Dolls remake. Was it more like a daytime soap or primetime one? And was there really nudity? Was it any good? I'm surprised the original series didn't do more for Barbara Parkins career. She is truly a goddess. I'm so glad you've been posting on this board. It's nice to have another lover of classic soaps here. Since WoST died it's been hard to talk with people about classic soaps. I wish there were still a portal to just focus on classic soaps.

I wonder this about these soaps too. Why not just Manufacture On Demand? They do it for lots of little primetime shows, why not at least try the existing daytime soaps? You can't lose money if you make it after someone purchases it! Or put the episodes online either for free with ads or via a price. Some money is better than nothing. It's really silly. Like when SOAPnet wanted Santa Barbara, but couldn't negotiate a good price because of the music. How much money did they end up with now? Not a damn dime. Not sure if they'd view it the same way, but they got after him for uploading an episode of the original series, so they'd probably complain. I've been a PP fan since before I was a soap fan. I thought I'd never see the original series and now I have the entire series. I'm hopeful that one day I'll eventually see at least one episode of RTPP. The tide will turn for soaps someday. Connie had a child out of wedlock. They had two choices: punish Connie and turn her into a vixen or quickly marry her off to Alison's father so their heroine isn't illegitimate. You know how it worked back then Eric!

On one hand, it was smart of Shout! to start buying series only partially in case it's a flop, but in the case of Peyton Place it kinda backfired on them because Fox isn't happy with the sales. I think a place like Shout! is the way to go for soaps, but nobody really cares enough about soaps to pursue it. The Manufacture On Demand idea is good too. I was looking at the UCLA archive and they seemed to have years of GH and that was the 60s. I think there are more episodes of all the soaps but since no one cares, how would we know? I'd always hoped Love Is A Many SPlendored Thing, Where the Heart Is and Return to Peyton Place were around in some form. Those are three classic soaps (besides Y&R) that I dream of seeing. The 70s in particular is the most fasinating period for soaps, IMO. I was sort of proved right after watching Ryan's Hope. I figured this would happen. I didn't know dead characters returned, but I figured people like Martin Peyton, Connie & Elliot and Hannah Cord would be brought back with no explanation. And I think they ignored Mike Rossi's new wife and family and pretty much anything going on at the end of the series. The only way they somewhat acknowledged the continuation aspect is by having Alison return to town. I totally agree. Knots and Peyton Place were such a step above the other primetime soaps. Both took their time and focused on the characters. I love that something like Val's babies really was a major focus for almost three seasons. Networks wouldn't have that patience today. The entire story would happen in half a season. I never expected RTPP to be as strong as the primetime series which was a hard act to follow. Just from pictures I could tell they had problems casting Alison. The girl from the 85 movie was pretty spot on though. Dead ringer and even had the same hairstyle. Shocked that she could actually act as well. Now with Connie I do wish the original show did something more with her. I hate how due to ethics standards they instantly dropped the romance with Rossi due to Elliot's arrival. Why not at least play a love triangle? She had good chemistry with Rossi. Interesting what you say about Betty. I knew that would be a hard act to follow. Alison and Betty are such multi-faceted characters and actually very unique as well. Norman and Hannah should be difficult to recast too.

I'm shocked! Reading an article about TNG and it says that they never attempted contacting Mia Farrow or Ryan O'Neal. Michael Filerman said that even if they were interested they would cost too much so they didn't bother. Kinda disappointed in that. I do think it would've been possible to get Ryan O'Neal back which could've helped get a new series up and running. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=191&dat=19850205&id=DLUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=li4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6673,3244318 Regardless of Alison and Rod, it was a very satisfying reunion. Most of these pictures are missing something. Either a random assortment of characters returning or the wrong tone or simply an awful story. With this I felt it was an update that stayed true to the series and the story was actually interesting as if it were more episodes of the series. The characters were well written and the final act was pretty amazing. I just wish certain actors (Ruth Warrick, Patricia Morrow and Chris Connelly in particular) did more.

So you do have episodes from the daytime series? I didn't know any existed! How were the recasts on the series? How was the show overall? Did it stack up well as a continuation of the original series? So strange that they'd get upset about one episode, as if they give a damn about Peyton Place or any other soap sitting in their vault. They're not even the ones releasing it to DVD, Shout Factory is! And they're being difficult now that Shout wants to license more episodes. I do hope when it comes to the DVD releases, if the series ever was released in it's entirety, I hope they follow up with episodes of the daytime series. Maybe it'll be one of those lucky soaps sitting in a vault complete, or hell I'll settle for one or two episodes as bonus features with the two movies. Would be great to see the first week or month of that show to see how they relaunched it.

Oh I didn't know about that! In addition to the regular Return To Peyton Place, I'm curious about the primetime episode that show did, the first for any soap. I wonder since that show had just went off the air if the original cast mentioned it on Revisited. Patricia Morrow did both so she could've given first hand knowledge.

David Canary was really sexy and full of muscles. I wasn't expecting all that, but dayum. The man still has such charisma and dominates any scene he's in. His story was good so you have something to look forward to. Murder is an absolute nightmare and I can't believe it was written by anyone involved with the original series. The entire film was centered around a very memorable character from the original series, but poorly recast. The actor was so important to the role that it fell flat. Of course you have no Alison or Rod, but Betty and Steven were recast and Rita was MIA and they didn't even mention her name when describing where she was. The only people that came back were Connie, Elliot and Norman. Because Rita wasn't around they brought on a random later years character to marry Norman off to which made no sense. It felt hollow and was your typical mystery movie of the week. Didn't feel like Peyton Place at all. I decided to go ahead and watch TNG and it is really good. Even the things that were re-written don't bother me because it's well executed and I see why they did it now. Barbara Parkins is an absolute goddess. Why didn't another soap pick her up? Watching her she's aged so well and could stand next to Linda Gray (who starred in Murder In PP btw) and Donna Mills and just kill it. I was worried about color, but the show is so beautiful it didn't bother me. Initially it was very bright and they highlighted color in every way possible. Everyone was wearing bright pastels and the sets really popped. Then I guess something changed and the colors became more neutral and things looked more real, but still very nice.

I always thought The Girl From Peyton Place was meant to air after the show was canceled. I don't know if it would've worked having PP on air and a similar spin-off. Might be too much burn out. Now I do wish they had tried to launch another primetime soap in those days. I know in 1969 Lana Turner headlined a soap called The Survivors, but info is limited and episodes are not available at all. Other than Return To Peyton Place, I'd love to know more about the 1979 pilot starring Elain Princi as Betty Anderson and Adam West was cast as well.

From the credits he was the headwriter for most of Peyton Place. I totally agree with this. This is the format that the British soaps picked up. Better production values and a faster pace, but also very character driven and constantly flowing and evolving. Another great wonder of Peyton Place is how they can introduce a new character. No real spoilers, but the show constantly would add one or two new characters and almost center the show around them with the other characters being weaved into their umbrella story. With all these new characters so far I believed that they were truly living in Peyton Place off screen and heaven help those poor outsiders who dare to enter those city limits! One thing you two need to wait for is Ruth Warrick as Hannah Cord. She is a page turner. Every single episode another layer is peeled off and she is just god like. It makes me want to see Warrick on As the World Turns (an oriignal cast member!) and All My Children. Since I never saw much classic AMC, she was new to me and boy did she make an impression. I know AMC let her do the reunion film, The Next Generation, but what would've happened if it was picked up to series? You guys probably don't know, but Michael Filerman (the EP of Knots Landing, Dallas and Falcon Crest) was hired to revamp the show as a new primetime serial. I haven't watch TNG in it's entirety, but from what I saw he updated it well. The writing is what annoys me. Like these modern remakes they completely rewrote history in several cases. Still, I look forward to watching it. Murder In Peyton Place is pure trash (pivitol roles are poorly recast including Betty, story sucks, etc.), but TNG got a ton of cast members back and seemed to be more choherent. I just can't decide if I should watch it now or save it to air after the final episode. Again no spoilers, but I totally agree! People like to say the show went to crap when it went to color, but I totally disagree. The scripts are just as good and there are some of the most powerful stories the show ever had. What I love most is that in many ways this show is more daring than modern soaps, yet they don't actually spell it out for you. Sex was dealt with in such a powerful and graphic way, but only from the emotional aspect. They never say the word sex or rape, but the actors and writers are so vivid that you totally understand. Today I don't think a soap could get around with a young heroine talking about how much she enjoyed sex and not be considering some evil whore or the show being hailed as immoral. It's all about how you choose to deal with issues and PP knew that. They milked human situations for all they were worth which made every episode a page turner. In the books Betty was never a major character and she was meant to be killed off early in the tv series. Honestly, most of the changes worked for me. I liked what they did with the Harrington/Peyton family and making Michael Rossi was perfect. You then got to use Matthew Swain as the newspaper head and a father figure for Allison. I am a little surprised as the series took off that they didn't look back to the book for stories or characters to bring on. As for those poor characters from the wrong side o the track, just wait. I can think of several that come and shake things up in a big way. Class conflict is a major issue very soon. You see some of that with Betty, but it gets bigger until it just explodes around where I am. He's absolutely one of the best characters on the show. I loved just how tragic that Anderson family was. By modern standards they're good people, but back then and especially in this nosey town people could drive you mad. They were all victims of the time. I also loved Julie's relationship with Leslie. I'd love to see a new soap set in the 60s and written like Peyton Place. WOuld just make fabulous viewing.

I haven't seen that sweet lady Sally in a while. I hope she returns soon. My homegirl Charity has gotten herself in a world of trouble. I can't wait to see how things develop for her character. She's the most fabulous schemer in the soap land. She's like the second coming of Jill Foster. My heart is breaking for her, Cain and Debbie. The acting and writing is on point with this story. I love how violent he was with her. It's all very explosive and they're milking it for all it's worth. Love that about a soap. Great build up, great confrontations and it keeps going and going! The Wylde family is becoming more familiar to me. They are straight out of a US soap. In fact, Emmerdale as a whole feels very American. Loving Mark and his bitchy wife Natasha. Maisie and the evil son are great. Can't wait to see more of this family, especially whats coming with Faye and Ryan. Another character I'm enjoying is Moira. She was in the first episodes I watched and continues to delight me. She has a tough quality, but is very sexy as well. Just a no [!@#$%^&*]-taking woman. I wonder if she'll go through with this affair. Now some spoiler questions (not too much detail please!) I just completeled November btw: 1. Does Moira have an affair with the cook? I think his name is Marlon. 2. Do either of the Sharma brothers get love interests? 3. Do Cain and Charity stay in town? Get back together maybe?

This is how I feel about Loving stealing Ryan's Hope's timeslot, thus killing the show. But Bill Bell also did that to Capitol in order to get B&B on the air. Right now I have episodes through October 1997, but I've just finished June 30th. Debbi's character is a total bitch, but the role seems very supporting so far. I wonder how they'll tie the older characters in with the interns. It works because both sides are strong, but I'd like more integration. In the June 30th episode Ellen (Morgan) had a drink with Mark, the paralyzed hunk so I guess they'll be pursuing that. From what I read in this thread and elsewhere, she left because they began softening the role and I know when the recast took over the character was recurring and didn't do much of anything. Well I don't have enough to do that, but right now the Culliton's are writing. Richard and Carolyn, as HWs. I know LML and Scott Hamner came next, then Hamner took over sometime in 1999 and Karen Harris in 2000, then B&E after that. Wendy Riche is the EP right now. One thing I really need to say is how much I love Lucy. I know her only as a vampire slayer, but she is absolutely delightful in these early episodes. She also wasn't as tanned as she was on ATWT, which is a good thing. The character of Scott is another that absolutely works on this new show. It's a shame he left this for GH and they wrote him so poorly.

It was Where the Heart Is. Has to be. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing had so many cast and writing changes, I can't see Alden falling for it. Unless it was during the Leslie Charleston/Beverlee McKinsey/Donna Mills heart attack era. I'd love to see that show.

Yeah I hope he doesn't get too carried away as well. I don't want him to fire half the cast, I like the fantasy/music montage scene that opens the show. And I do like a lot of these characters. I just feel they haven't been given anything interesting to do. They're also poorly paired and this writer can't commit to anything. I wonder how he's going to handle the flash forward. With Calvin murdered in May, he can't make too many plans. Since they have to revisit that, at least the characters featured should be safe until then. Then again, those were mostly strong characters so I'm hoping he wouldn't cut any McQueen's or Zak. I can't wait for his first interview!

I've resumed my Peyton Place viewing so I thought I'd copy and paste my thoughts from another board in this thread.

Been watching more and just order some more that should take me through October I believe. Loving the show. The Serena kidnapping has wrapped up, but introduced a Wayne Northrop character and a connection to Danielle. Right now we're still getting to know everyone and testing out these romantic pairings. Everything is working so far. One person I had to comment on is Mark. Love him. One thing that confuses me is the wheelchair. I understand it's true to life, but I had no idea. He's your typical soap hunk that they give this type of story to, then quickly give a miracle cure. The actor is great and it really isn't an issue for the character. I hope he stick around for a while (don't tell me! no spoilers!). One episode he was laying down on a couch taking a nap and his legs moved. Maybe I'm just totally dumb with this subject and maybe he moved his legs out of camera focus, but he seemed so casual and I totally forgot about his wheelchair. One thing I'd love to see is them integrate the interns better with Scott, Lucy and Kevin. Those characters seem a little segregated and we don't need three perspectives of this city (GH, PC: Interns & PC: Kevin, Lucy & Scott). Maybe Ellen could become involved in their story. Continuing to love her btw. Debbi Morgan is great at differentiating her soap roles. Only one I haven't seen is Chantal on Generations. Only seen one or two episodes of Angie on The City as well.

Carl, the older man I like is Eric Pollard. I believe involved with Val and he runs a B&B. I figured it out because he was in the same scene as Laurel's dad and I got all confused.

I do like Chas whenever she does anything (which is rare so far), but that voice! Oh and funny I said Sally was up to something, but I didn't expect it so soon. In the second part of the episode I was watching she set the church on fire with Laurel in it!

I'm still in November. I try to watch an entire week in one sitting, but it's still tough catching up. I'm on November 13th right now. Of the young characters, I'm really taking to Layla and the rich guy whose taking advantage of her (whats his name?). This woman Sally seems a little crazy. She sat Lauren (is that her name??) on fire at the bonfire which was nice. Still not sure why there was such a lack of follow up with that. You'd think she fell or stubbed her toe. Shouldn't she have burns on her body? Also, is she pregnant on the show or in real life? HATE most of the old people on this show. It seems all the women are rude and stroll around town making smart remarks to everyone. Do they ever do anything? Have storylines? Lives? One, Edna, really annoys me. The only older character I like is the old man who works with Layla. He reminds me of John Clarke from DAYS. Not an old woman, but I believe she's Aaron's mother and has dark hair....that woman has a painful voice to listen to. Not a cute accent on her. Reminds me of a witch. Cain and Charity still rock my world, but it seems clear she's using him now that I see he has lots of money. Other than that I wish the Sharma brothers would actually DO something.

Oh the men on Emmerdale are cute, but not too many that drive me wild. I'd say Maxwell Caufield has gotten better with age. He pulls off the aging hunk thing well, but his toupee's are troubling. I like the actor who plays Cain and the two asian brothers. John Barton is of course very cute. Hollyoaks has the sexiest men, IMO.

Del Reisman was credited as the Executive Story Consultant on Peyton Place, so he was the HW I'm assuming. There's one of those long interviews with him on YouTube, but the part where he talks about PP was missing last I checked.

I have that one episode of Our Private World and it was the most disappointing piece of television I've ever seen. So cheap and it moved far too slow to be a primetime serial. The characters seemed dull and the writing was flat. It's hard to believe Irna had anything to do with it considering she did many many of the changes they got Peyton Place on the air. She also did great work on ATWT in the half hour format. Not sure how they could've expected such a show to compete with Peyton Place.

Eric, I'm actually watching Peyton Place right now. I'm around episode 280. We're now in beautiful color, Alison is missing, characters like Rita, Norman and Connie finally have story. The mysterious Rachel Welles has arrived and Lee's murder trial continues. The show shows no sign of decline at this point. It's an absolute classic. Because of when it was made I always forget it when discussing primetime soaps, but it's one of the best. I'd also love o see The Survivors, a 70s primetime soap starring Lana Turner. They were so rare in the 60s and 70s so it was interesting to find out about that one. I hear there is a Peyton Place pilot from the late 70s starring Elaine Princi as Betty and Adam West as someone or another. I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to find that or an episode of Return To Peyton Place.

I'd love to see some of the quickly canceled primetime soaps. I've nevcer seen Models Inc, CPW, Titans, Malibu Road 2000, Malibu Shores, etc. This one has always interested me. I've read that it was #1 when it premiered and did well, but was considered too expensive so they didn't renew it. I'd love to see it as the cast sounds great. It's such a shame Lisa Hartman stopped acting. She was GREAT on Knots Landing and still to this day looks amazing. My absolute favorite classic primetime soap is Knots Landing. From beginning to end it was fantastic. Great writing, great casts and most of their risks paid off. Dallas would be my next favorite. The first 7 or 8 seasons were near perfection and I do enjoy the later seasons which some fans strongly dislike. Some of the new characters were good and the stories remained interesting. I think some fans just can't let go of their favorites who left. Now in the later seasons I don't think they told the big umbrella stories that spanned entire seasons as well, but it was still good. After that I'd say I loved The Colbys. Dynasty was pure brilliance the first two seasons and it's final seasons, otherwise it was a mess. I'd like to re-watch it and see how it holds up. Those middle years are just too ridiculous and poorly written for me to understand. The Colbys is a clone, but it had some strong actors and the story was basically Blake and Alexis still married with Krystal as the homewrecker. I liked that dynamic. Throw away the alien abduction and you have a good show. Falcon Crest was entertaining popcorn TV, but very plot driven. So many great characters were introduced (always a long lost relative!!) then they'd be forgotten in no time and a new one would be introduced. Just ridiculous. But everyone looked great and they had a good cast.Melrose Place I'm finding much better than I remembered as I re-watch it.

Firing Karen Harris does seem odd if they show was actually good when she was writing. I'm not looking forward to her stint because I know it'll be over quick and them I'm back with the arcs. I've watched three episodes so far and it's a cute little show. Chris is sexier than I remember. I don't recall him every doing anything so this is a shock. Very surprised to read that early Eve is a bitch. I only knew her as a heroine. Hell, I barely knew her since she died in Secrets. So far Ellen seems a bit of a bitch. Nothing like Angie. Not loving the wig, but overall it's a nice outing for Miss Morgan. Anyone know why she left the show after a year? Was it a Beverlee McKinsey one-year contract deal to help with the launch and then she said "Peace!"?