DRW50

I don't think we have. Fran talked a bit about that here: TV InsiderFran Drescher: TV Land Rued ‘Happily Divorced’ CancellationDrescher’s sitcom, based on her and her ex-husband’s relationship, ended after two seasons in 2013.

I think the show did a good job of writing for Nicolette's range after her first season, which went a long way. I can see where people would dislike Paige or feel that she had ruined the vibes of earlier years. I probably should have as I'm sure Constance McCashin was let go in part for newer hires like Nicolette, but I thought she suited what the show had become more than many of the longstanding cast members, and I did not find her as draining as I found Karen, Val or Mac by that time. I do think Greg/Paige became too much of the will they/won't they, but at heart Greg was always an immature character (Laura knew this, she just loved him anyway). Beyond stretching that out too long, my main issue was the show refusing to let Greg be a bigger part of Meg's life.

I genuinely liked Buzz (not just because I thought he was cute, although it didn't hurt), but Sonja was not needed. The main thing I remember about Orleans was their incest story which got a lot of buzz (buzz did not = viewers) Recently, Fran Drescher said she'd told TV Land execs they would regret canceling Happily Divorced, and one later told her she was right. I didn't love that show, but I preferred it to Cleveland.

Those 911 fans really did seem to adore his character though - I assume he was salary dumped, so maybe they will follow him elsewhere. I hated his character on Six Feet Under but now I can appreciate his talents.

Unfortunately, the 1987 clips seem to be gone. If I can find my discs, I will cobble the AMC clips together and post them.

Thanks. I suppose she must have been glad to see the syndicated years where Dorothy was completely defanged and just had to play an idiot (one of several reasons I think the syndicated years were inferior to the network version - and no, Bubba's ass wasn't enough compensation, as we already got that with Buzz on the network version anyway). One of the problems with Fran was she was mousy but not in an interesting way. Iola, who was in some ways a Fran replacement, was mousy, but quirky. The only thing I remember of Fran is when she once confessed to a crime - she had ripped the tag off of her mattress.

I think Betty did perfectly fine at giving Ellen Harper layers. I think that was her best role. Sue Ann was always a caricature, so it would have been difficult to make a caricature come to life. Still, they could have tried. To me Hot in Cleveland was just a very false show - I could always see LAUGH NOW signs in the background. I don't think I ever laughed when I saw it, although my parents enjoyed it so I'm glad for that.

Kimberley is another, definitely, especially as she got to stand on her own with the Musketeers phasing out. Those are the responses I was most interested in seeing, but I didn't want to make a lot of rules because I am enjoying seeing the different suggestions, even for people who were replacing lesser-known performers.

Thanks @Paul Raven for all those details. I saw a post on Facebook reminding that the last major radio soaps ended in the US yesterday, 65 years ago. Still such a short-sighted loss...

A brief look at the show's 35th anniversary party. The most interesting part is Helen Wagner and her husband dancing to the music that would within a year and a half or so be the show's theme. BTS of As The World Turns 35th Anniversary Celebration - (1991)(Clip) - YouTube

Another to turn down your volume for. Regis Philbin's Lifestyles with Krista Tesreau (Guiding Light) (1986?)

Thanks again for these recaps @alwaysAMC there are still so many random moments I had forgotten, some hilarious (the show could be bonkers as hell in the late '90s). I loved Uncle Ken beating the hell out of Mick with his cane (offcamera). Roger Newman seemed to be having the time of his life in these appearances, all the more admirable because he'd been writing, not acting, for a long time. I did remember this as being a very unexpected appearance by Meta, who hadn't been on in a while and would not be on again for a while. Mary Stuart was battling cancer at this time. I'd like to say the obscene amounts of money she printed for P&G led them to stand by her, but shame/backlash over how they treated Michael Zaslow may have been another issue. I remember thinking that Meta was probably wondering why she was involved in this batshit woman rolling all around Springfield amidst her crime coverups, but then Blake was an honorary Bauer (and so was one of her sons, until the show forgot all about that storyline). I'd forgotten Dahlia was even on after Marcus left Springfield. I think Laura Wright was pregnant at this time. B&E tried to give storylines to black characters at all of their soaps. You could see the effort here too, with bringing in Vicky, bringing the Grants back, having a bit for Griffin. Sadly, I was not surprised that P&G or Paul Rauch shut that possibility down. (I also think Terrell Tilford, while likeable, was not the right choice for David - and it was a mistake to never bring Gilly back [by the time Amelia Marshall was written out of AMC in mid-1999 the story for the black characters was already pretty much knocked out anyway]).

Great to see your AMC reviews again @Maxim . I can definitely feel the been-there-done-that in the Skye and Adam scene, although David Canary is excellent as he often was, and it's always interesting seeing the raw charisma Robin Christopher had in those years. I hope sometime you might be able to watch the random 87-88 clips that were put up earlier this year.

I'd never heard that. Helps explain why the part was recast so much in a short span. And why Ashford was cast even though he'd only ever played good guys.

I get confused about the overlap as I think there may be a flashback of Sherry's Liza and Steve, but most of her run did happen after he was gone. And to many she is likely the definitive Liza.

Brenda was the first Ashley I ever saw, and I always liked her. It did seem, now that I've seen some of Eileen's first run, they did deemphasize Ashley somewhat (especially Brenda's last few years in the role), but I think viewers liked her. They certainly liked her much more than Shari Shattuck...

Thanks. I remember some of that now.

Rue also had a thankless role on Mama's Family for two seasons, which she did well with. I've sometimes wondered if there was any spite toward her for not returning when the show went into syndication, based on the way they killed Aunt Fran off.

What was the original story meant to be?

A few others I forgot, from Loving: Lisa Peluso seemed to be accepted quickly as Ava, even if it probably took some time to fully make the role her own. Elizabeth Savage as Gwyn, although I'm not sure if she is as heavy in story as Christine Tudor's Gwyn was (and the show brought Tudor back when she was ready to return). Dennis Parlato as Clay, helped by what a mess the show had made of Clay under Larkin Malloy.

I never knew how popular Catherine Mary Stewart was either (I guess at least Josh Taylor mentioned her in some of the anniversary stuff from 1995...). That makes sense about Kim. Anne Howard seemed to be in and out but never truly had the part. Hasselhoff did seem to get support fast (and didn't take long to start getting primetime work). He fit the direction Y&R was taking. Mallory had screen presence and seemed likeable, but probably never enough to truly stand out as other ladies on the show passed her by.

Carmen is a good choice. We won't ever get to see for ourselves, but Susan Sullivan (Lenore) and Beverly Penberthy (Pat) may be two others. I often wonder how long it took fans to accept Victoria Wyndham, as her Rachel seemed viperous for a time. I never can remember how long RKK was on before Bille started - I guess a year or two. As you said, Roman (he may be the definitive popular soap recast), and now that I think of it, Kayla too. Kim was the one where no recast ever seemed to stick.

I feel like they must have been setting up Alan taking over for Amanda as even under Marland's pen, Amanda was being pushed as overly focused on Mark, but a part of me does wonder if Marland was setting Alan up for the same permanent redemption he later gave John Dixon. Marland did often believe in healing (religious elements aside he would have been a good fit for Another Life). As I think you've said before, the biggest misstep in that period was his lack of interest in Philip. I suppose that was done to take the time to recast Philip, but it just makes those few years seem even more like Alan being placed into someone's fan fiction.

I remember some support for Drew that went on for a while but you're right, Chad did get a positive response. And RKK is a good choice. I guess it helped that even though Peter's Bo had started the love story with Carly, he was still identified with Hope.

A great choice. I'd be curious to know that too - I imagine there had to be some backlash (even Meg Ryan, who was huge in story very quickly in her run, said in an article at the time that she got a negative response initially due to how well-liked Suzanne Davidson was), but she seemed to settle in. I'd say the same with Gregg Marx but he had a buffer in poor Jason Kincaid. There was a three-year gap between Robin and Elaine, which probably helped. She seemed to be accepted, even if Dorian didn't really hit her stride until Gottlieb arrived. Then she was well-placed enough that viewers struggled to accept Strasser back in the role.