DRW50

From the June 1972 Afternoon TV. (Roband Publications Inc)

From the July 1976 Soaps and Serials (Magazine Management Co).

Here is the recap from the 10/14/82 Digest. Hope Memorial is on the brink of disaster! Patients are mysteriously dying as hysteria grows among the staff. Faced with this crisis, Althea deems it necessary to quarantine the Fifth floor! In doing so, Jeff is trapped by mistake, and Adrienne, livid, vents her fury on Althea. "What a perfect way for you to keep me and Jeff apart! You still want him for yourself!" "Don't flatter yourself!" Althea retorts. An angry Jeff, meanwhile, attacks Mike for "taking over fast" in the crisis. Mike asks Jeff to put aside their personal differences, for now, as they're going to be here for a while. Lt. Reed tells Carolee to get him Mona Croft's necklace, the Faberge, convinced there's a connection between it, the grave robberies and the epidemic! At the same time, Billy informs a wary Luke he's concerned about a hospitalized Natalie's health. "I know we've had our differences, but I wouldn't want the poor girl to suffer," says Billy. Luke thinks Billy's concern is strange, but admits that he's acted more human than Luke's ever seen him. Billy then goes to Frankie, wanting the name of a good narcotic. Frank suggests Demerol. "Good," Billy says, "now all I have to do is get myself checked into Hope Memorial!" When Billy enters Hope, claiming that he's "feeling sick," a skeptical Althea takes his temperature, only to find it's 102! Billy does have "the fever," a shocked Althea believes. Meanwhile, Philip finds Matt's disappearance from the hospital quite strange, "What's all the mystery behind Matt's sudden absence?" he asks Althea. She refuses to answer. It's no secret Philip's out to get Matt, Althea accuses him. As Steve nears death, Carolee sadly recalls the treasures times and how much they loved each other. Meanwhile, Jeff realizes he loves Adrienne, and phones her. She doesn't answer, as she's in bed with Jean-Marc! Later, Jean-Marc tells her not to forget who and what she is, as he injects her with an unknown formula. Murray returns to help Maggie find the fever cure. "I hope it wasn't only my brains you wanted," he admits. "No," says Maggie, "I'm not allergic to your company." Murray is pleased - maybe he has a chance with her after all. Seeking a Cure A damaging story on Matt and Hope Memorial is leaked to the paper. Livid, Althea tricks the reporter into revealing that the source was Philip, finally caught at his own game. Althea then pressures Maggie to find a cure for the epidemic. "Your research is the only hope left for any of us!" says Althea. Hiding a secret, Kit tells Mike "the problem" between them is that she doesn't happen to dig him. Mike is hurt and angry. Finally, she tells Mike the truth. "I'm not ready for you, or any man. Find yourself a nice girl who doesn't have problems." What "problems"? Mike asks. kit runs away in tears, unable to answer! Out to get the world, Billy, from his sickbed at Hope, uses Frankie to get a key to the drug supply closet. He is determined to make Natalie pay for all his troubles with Philip. Meanwhile, Althea has trouble coping with unbearable hospital pressures in Matt's absence. She calls Matt in Boston and he assures her she'll handle everything "just fine." Althea feels better until Murray announces he's back in Maggie's life again, and means to stay. After agreeing to do business with Jean-Marc, Philip's first project is to market his astronomically-priced cosmetics. Thanking Philip for his help, Adrienne is shocked when he makes a move on her! She finds him hard to resist, but does for the moment. Philip reminds her, "I always get what I want." As Adrienne moves into her beach house, Philip promises to give her a housewarming gift she'll never forget! She reminds him that it's Jeff she loves. Philip says that's alright, as long as "love" stays in the family. Luke learns Natalie will be well and home from the hospital soon, not knowing Billy is closer to getting the drugs needed to keep Natalie under his thumb! Carolee is alarmed since Steve's condition has deteriorated faster than anybody's. Her entire family is falling apart with Billy sick and Mona, now having periodic convulsions. Meanwhile, Maggie and Murray have moved closer to finding a cure for the plague - and each other! Numerous tests show that the "bug" is a mutation of the dreaded Legionnaires' Disease. Elated with his find, Murray tells Maggie he's "got the hots" for her. To her own surprise, Maggie admits a strong attraction for him! Denying interest in Mike, Kit tells him she has no intention of getting romantically involved - ever again! That's good enough for him, Mike retaliates, he'll find satisfaction elsewhere. After being rejected by Kit, Mike takes Hollis, another nurse, up on her offer to meet "in the elevator, between floors, for some fun." Kit is aware of the exchange and fears she's lost Mike for good, as the rumor of Mike and Hollis' sleeping together spreads through the hospital. Natalie is happy when Luke tells her she's going home soon, but worries she won't be able to sleep without pills. She asks her doctor to prescribe some strong ones, and in doing so, confesses that she was once a junkie! Later, a feverish Billy enters Natalie's room and tries to seduce her. He collapses before he can touch her. The plague spreads among the staff. Nurse Rodriguez is stricken and another nurse dies. Panic grows as Murray and Maggie feel they've found the answer. Confident the last test will prove successful, Murray tells Maggie that once this is over, he'll "put the light back in our eyes." Maggie is unsure and goes to check test results - no good. It's back to square one!

Of all the various big names and guest stars on the show who do you think was utilized the best, and the worst? I also wanted to ask if the early episodes are as bad to you as they are made out to be. I've watched the first 4 or 5 and I enjoyed them, although they were a little dull at times and I was kind of insulted by the token migrant worker who was there to convince Chase to stay around (whatever happened to him anyway?). I wish they had kept Angela's ex, Julia and Emma's father, alive instead of killing him off.

That sounds great. It's a shame that all that is known of Diana Walker's soap work is her one day stint on Dark Shadows. From her interviews she seems very interesting.

Even more repetitive than JR? That's interesting about Susan Sullivan. Did she have any involvement in some of her stories? So did you agree with the changes the show made in it's last year? What did you think of Jamie Rose on St. Elsewhere (did you watch that)? It was hard for me to take her seriously because of her hair and big glasses - with the white jacket she looked more like a stripper playing doctor. She did have a fantastic exit scene.

I can see what you mean about Vicky - she never should have been put into a Diana Fairgate personality. Jamie Rose did not suit it and she seemed very ill at ease. A banter relationship might have worked better. I think Susan Sullivan was one of the best parts of the show so I'm not sure what it would have been like without her. I don't know if the show initially planned for Julia to be a killer, but there's something very weird about her from the start. I wonder if they might have been better off casting Abby Dalton as Emma. I did like Emma though, although I can see why you didn't.

He looks very good for his mid-80s. I see what you mean, Kahn, although I think that the show had its moments. To me the biggest obstacle was Chase, I thought he was a bit too self-righteous and earnest to be the male lead. I mostly enjoyed seeing Angela's schemes, and then later when Melissa came along.

Oh. I thought he was dead.

I love Doctor Who too, have for a long time. Not so much all the pseudo-intellectual stuff from some fans, or from the behind the scenes people who ran the show into the ground in the 80s, but I love a lot of eras, especially Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee, early/mid-Baker. I like Matt Smith a lot too, not all that crazy about Amy though. If you want more Who music you should try to find some of the Doctor Who Proms stuff if it's on Youtube or wherever.

Thanks for sharing your memories. I have a few other articles from around this time, interviews with cast members like Diana Walker. I will share soon when I get my scanner going again.

Poor Emma That is not a good look at all. Susan Sullivan looks fine it's just the hair and dress mostly, and she looks nervous for some reason. Is that Jaime Rose sitting above Abby Dalton? Jaime looks OK. Who is that between Selby and Lamas?

Thanks. The evil twin stuff sounds ahead of its time for soaps. I mostly have 70s stuff but will post what I can. Thanks again for sharing your memories. When you saw Diane Ladd at the time did you think she might become a star? There are also some mentions around this time, 71-72, of Marjorie Gateson thanking fans for sending her cards and letters and such after her stroke and talking about how she hoped to be able to work again at some point. I guess she never did.

He was in one of those dramas which sort of is a bit steamy but also purports to be a serious drama about relationships and marriages. I think it was called Between the Sheets. UK TV seems to be better at marrying sexuality and serious drama than a lot of US TV -- I guess HBO tried with Tell Me You Love Me. I enjoy DS too, especially because there's a more balanced view there now whereas a few years ago it was mostly just about how terrible the Dingles were. Emmerdale fans seem to stay out of the soap wars too and less of the "how awesome is my show compared to yours." I think I'd be happier if Emmerdale gave more stories to the vets and also if a few stories were a little less aimless and miserable. Unfortunately Emmerdale might be wary of having comedy because people associate Emmerdale comedy with Marlon.

Thanks. So how was that story? It sounds very scary.

I don't think Moira or Adam are that bad of actors but I do agree that Moira is a very unpleasant character. Affair stories can be tired but in this case it would work, if the buildup is there. The guy who plays John Barton is very hot (he even did graphic sex scenes in TV shows before Emmerdale so he'd probably be willing to go along with a fairly risque story) and also a good actor. I hope you post more about the show. I've kind of lost some enjoyment so don't have much to say.

Ana Alicia looks like she hates that outfit.

Why was the cast photo only five people (and that awful Vicki and her even worse hairstyle)?

Thank you for sharing more of your memories with us. Your posts are one of the reasons I started trying to find more on this show. The descriptions of the stunts sound great. I wish we could see them. It shows that you don't need a big budget to make an impact. That's great you got to talk to Rigsby. Do you remember the other actor who played Northcate? I have some other stuff and when I'm able to scan more I'll post.

Thanks, saynotoursoap. I really appreciate the detailed descriptions. You've probably already answered these questions before, but do you think they should have killed Billy off, and do you think the stories they were telling at the end of the show had potential? Which new characters had potential? I know Hillary Bailey had just started as Kit (who was Mike at that time, I keep forgetting). I'm glad to know that Mona's maid was actually a fairly known character.

Thanks. It's interesting to learn that James Douglas played such a nefarious role, since James and Eliot were straight arrow. So how long were Natalie and Alec's Billy around? I guess Luke and Natalie didn't end up together since the show at the end hinted he'd be with Ivie. It turns out I have the next one of the Sept/Oct 82 so if you don't have it I'll type it up.

Who played Philip? Was he sort of replacing Billy on the show? How gradual was Billy's turn to being a heel anyway?

I really like that song too. I tend to associate it with the "Just Be Thankful for What You Got" song. Diggin the scene with the gangsta lean...