DRW50

Other than the Labine era, possibly, I think GH would have always avoided those issues.

It's a shame Mary was never on any soaps again after her primetime career ended. I first saw her on Duet. I really liked her, even though Chris Lemmon and Alison LaPlaca were viewer favorites (and took over the show).

You're right. This is down to ageism, sexism, and also the midlife crises of producers. Viki became much weaker as a character in the mid/late '90s and never recovered. Erica at least I could say was meant to never grow up, but it still felt increasingly contrived seeing the show come up with the thinnest of reasons to destroy her life. They learned the wrong lessons from aging characters up too much in the '60s and '70s. Of the current soaps Y&R is probably the most badly affected as there are no Katherine type characters or Liz Foster type characters. And some, like Nick, Sharon and Phyllis are deeply, deeply sad.

This is one of the biggest failings of soaps in the last 20-30 years. There are no true generations, no matriarchs, etc. Instead, characters keep getting married again and again or having more children up to 70 or 80 years old. I remember Victoria Wyndham complaining in AW's last years about the lack of servants. This hurt the Corys because having characters like Louise and Vivien around added more layers and class dynamics. I don't think it hurts as much on soaps now but that's not a great thing - it just means the characters lack difference. It shouldn't be the case that the Quartermaines are generic enough now to not need servants. UK soaps are hit even worse with this than US soaps as they used to have packed pubs, and Emmerdale has Home Farm, which used to have servants and extensive location footage but is now just a very cheap set.

Thanks @Vee I tried to reply to this and got an error page. I remember that era of Neighbours but not the character. I'm glad they are naming a character after Tristan Rogers, but I wish they were casting lesser-known actors instead of Geyer or Jonathan Bennett who just aren't getting work in primetime anymore. Not that that's new. I also enjoyed the 16K video. Nice to see Kristina and Lynn together. And a (somewhat) deep ABBA cut.

Thanks @Vee I remember that era of Neighbours but not a great deal about his character. Classy of them to name his character after Tristan Rogers. I do think the show should be trying to find some lesser-known talent instead of trying to find guys who just can't get work in primetime anymore. I appreciate the ABBA deep cut (sort of deep cut) for their 16K video. And seeing Lynn and Kristina together.

GENERAL HOSPITAL January 26 1983 W/ original ABC commercials.

Thanks @slick jones so I guess Ellen's father was on for six years? Was he last seen in 1983 then? There was always something odd to me about Dr. Clader. He'd have a big grin on his face while delivering bad medical news.

@P.J. Thanks for reminding us about Maeve's birthday. Forever one of the best and most beautiful on soaps. I'm glad she still seemed to be doing well in her last Locher Room appearance.

Good for Helen for sticking to her guns. They were lucky that she was still able to return and was willing to return in 1985. (not counting that odd one-off where she had about two scenes)

Thanks for the extra info.

I'm not sure if he has been credited at GH of late but Maxwell Caulfield mentioned seeing him during his recent appearance. Maxwell Caulfield Joins 'General Hospital' in Surprise Soap Return — Details on His Character (Exclusive)

Tony Geary on MERV 1GRIFFIN SHOW 1980

I didn't realize she'd been fired from AMC. From the bits I've seen Cynthia seemed to be a very one-note character. A shame they didn't do more with her, but this period had such high turnover.

This was uploaded for Tony Geary's birthday. The first 20 minutes are a Soapnet repeat but the rest is from a Betamax tape.

'Real Housewives Of New York City' Adds Devyn Simone To Season 16 Cast

I'm still not sure why the show decided the Dimeras are meant to be a core family. They were intended as antagonists. I could understand it more if Eileen was still around as Kristen but even then that was never the role.

I think I've read that too. I can see why they didn't go for him. He is someone who had more strength as he aged. He benefited from just how much his quirks fit Magnum PI. I don't know if it would have worked on a soap.

Nadine's mistakes with her kids were always there, while Buzz mostly got away with it. Another reason I disliked Buzz for a number of years. I think Jean also played the heartbreak of what she had done more than Deas ever did with Buzz. On soaps, especially back then, I would often feel I needed to choose a side, but I never did with Vanessa and Nadine. I suppose it helps that we were clearly never meant to root for Billy/Nadine and Nadine was clearly going to pay. That whole situation was very sad when you think of what would become of Billy soon after marrying Vanessa. I'm glad that the show did let Billy be contrite for his mistakes and not judge Vanessa for moving on, as you mentioned. This is, sadly, not common on soaps.

I'd posted about this in the spoiler thread but may as well post the photo here. Chris McKenna (Maxwell Caulfield mentioned an actor in an interview but didn't say a name) thrilled to meet his Empire Records favorite. I do love how much Chris is enjoying the whole GH experience. Chris L. McKenna on X: "I was so excited I nearly assaulted him and then texted this to all my high school friends. @maxcaulfield #CoolRider #Grease2 #EmpireRecords #RexManningDay #GH https://t.co/IxiCVXCnmL" / X

This Lexie story seems so rushed - why did they even bring her back?

Nadine/Buzz had never really been treated as a proper pairing so I don't think the show saw her as in the way. If anything, Nadine could have just returned to scheming against Buzz and his latest true love as she did with Jenna. Nadine had barely had any story of her own for two years before being killed off. At the time Jean Carol spoke about how little she'd had to do and that she was going to leave if she didn't get a storyline. Regarding Nadine being brought in as the new Reva - I can't see that, mostly because Pam Long, I believe, brought her in, and to Pam Long, there was only one Reva. Reva was heavy on the canvas from very early on with extensive backstory and motivation, whereas I think Nadine was mostly carried by Jean Carol and served the plot.

Thanks @vote4llama !

Chris McKenna said on Twitter he was the one who wanted to meet Maxwell. Chris L. McKenna on X: "The true story is- I was in the makeup chair and saw Ava, Alexis, and some guy I didn’t know doing a scene on the monitor. I heard the guy say one line and I stopped, turned around, curious, (because it was clear that was an experienced actor from just a few words) and said" / X The true story is- I was in the makeup chair and saw Ava, Alexis, and some guy I didn’t know doing a scene on the monitor. I heard the guy say one line and I stopped, turned around, curious, (because it was clear that was an experienced actor from just a few words) and said “Who’s playing the maitre’d? He’s a good actor.” Some one said, “You ever see Empire Records?” And I jumped out of my chair- “That’s Maxwell Caulfield?!” And I ran to go meet him.