DRW50

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

I didn't see a thread for this on its own. This was the soap which was said to have changed daytime drama forever, with the emphasis on "youth." Of course it started out as something which would, sadly, not change daytime, a tale of a mixed-race woman and her interracial relationships. Then moving towards making daytime superstars out of David Birney, Leslie Charleson, and Donna Mills, this show also helped launch the careers of Paul Michael Glaser, Michael Zaslow, Beverlee McKinsey, Andrea Marcovicci, and Bibi Besch, among others. It's too bad the show didn't go on longer. At least, unlike some other soaps of that era, we have some episodes available. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZQ1uxKl6NY

Who was Carol's first story with? Characters, I mean.

So she brought Carol back then? I do wonder if she created her - when did Carol first start? I wish I could see Carol, she seems like she was such an important part of carrying ATWT in the 70s, and she must have been popular, as two or three of the soap magazines I got have her in them being interviewed (one had been ripped out before I got it - something about her new hairstyle).

Thanks for typing that out. It's more insight into what was going on at that time. Honestly they should have recast Frank as soon as they decided to keep Frank around, but then, I guess it didn't hurt ratings or anything, so perhaps I'm wrong. I just think he killed a lot of what the Frank/Jill/Delia story was supposed to be.

A follow-up to my Diane Ladd question, from June 1972 Afternoon TV. Diane Ladd has been written out. We spoke with Diane and she was not too glum but would like to get on another show. Diane was recuperating from a very bad flu which forced her to bed for many days. They also say that SS and LIAMST got "warning lights" on their ratings - pick up or be canceled.

I didn't know that two other women had played Barbara. Barbara Stranger went on to quite a long career didn't she? I don't know a lot about Judi Rollins. I think that the magazines at this time did put some stories out and by the time they were published the stories were done or had been changed, since there was a several month gap. How long was Carol gone? I never realized Irna (?) had fired her until I read that in one of these magazines. This is from the January 1972 TV Dawn to Dusk. Jerry, who instantly became one of daytime's biggest heartthrobs as Simon Gilbey on As the World Turns, has been written off the show. (then they talk some about the movie version of Play It Again Sam) Also gone from the cast of As the World Turns are Nina Hart (Meredith), Rita McLaughlin (Carol Demming) and Phoebe Dorin (Penny).

Some feel that November (I have a hard time not calling him Frost) was overrated. Others would say that he was great at Emmerdale. Stylistically he was not that different than Blyth in certain areas. He created the King family, who were basically the Wyldes, only older and more male-dominated. He also wrote quite a bit for Charity and Cain, which has not been the case over the last year -- the use of Charity has often baffled me, and if the UK were not having such economic problems I wonder if Emma Atkins would still be there. He created the Daggerts, one of the very few black families created on Emmerdale or Corrie. They weren't popular, although Danny Daggert stayed around for about 5 years. During his time was, I believe, Zoe's schizophrenia, and her sex with Scott Windsor, leading to the conception of her baby Jean and a long controversy as Zoe thought she had been raped. He also did the big storm of early 2004 which killed Tricia Dingle. He also did Andy/Katie/Robert, and Andy shooting Jack. That was when Val arrived too. I just hope that the veteran characters will be properly used because most of them have been slowly pushed off the show over the last few years and I'm sorry but I don't believe that weepy Aaron, soulless Carl, Paddy/Marlon and Cain/Charity and confused Chas, the underused Sharmas, the Bartons and _____ rich family of the year are enough to make up for the strength, spirit and the history which some of the older characters bring to the village.

Yes, this was the first Barbara, she was on for about a year or two and then Barbara was not seen until Colleen arrived in 1978. My first soap that I sought more information about was Dark Shadows, so I knew the names of most of the cast. I will never forget reading the ATWT history book and being shocked that there was another Barbara, and that she had played Roxanne Drew. What I can never remember is if this was the Barbara/Tom story or if Colleen's Barbara was also with Tom (I don't mean when she went after him in late 85, I mean the wedding story). Did they do this twice? For some reason I thought she jilted him for James.

Thanks again for sharing all this with us. I read the above post several times to take everything in. I have to love Jennifer Leak for asking to wear hot pants And all the great story information. It's amazing to me that you have found so much about the show. I didn't realize there were so many other soap history books. I had no idea his daughter was Penelope Ann Miller.

It's so awful. This type of thing has almost never happened with a soap -- I'm not sure it ever has with a UK soap. I guess they will have to pick someone close who can implement planned stories. I feel so terrible for his loved ones, and for the cast and crew, especially since they lost Clive Hornsby only a few years ago. I had my share of complaints about some of Blyth's decisions but there's no question that he brought acclaim and relevance and increased viewing figures to Emmerdale, after a time when many had written the show off. It's not easy for a soap to return after being dismissed as irrelevant or as played out. It's a big loss, and just shocking, and I hope he is at peace.

If you needed any confirmation of what Corrie women truly once were, and what they are today, the Radio Times does it for you. Why am I not surprised that Kym Marsh is on a cover even though Michelle has had no actual stories to speak of for some time. The same goes for Tina -- this character became nothing more than a mattress for the Platt friends and family a long time ago. And Becky's stories have basically wrecked the character. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1333429/Coronation-Street-castmembers-old-new-grace-cover-Radio-Times-anniversary-issue.html

It looks like there might be a very sad announcement coming from ITV later today. There isn't a lot being said but...I'll just link to the Twitter and you can read. I hope that this isn't as grim as it reads http://twitter.com/Llewscribe

Yes, they're all from the same issue. You're right, that is odd. I wonder if she had just come on the show? You're right that they don't mention much about Woods or Eastham. I'd like to know more about Woods, as I have only seen her on B&B as Grandma Logan, and I know her soap career spanned many decades. Sorry I don't have more info -- if I get more of these and they have any other details I'll post them. I know Schemering wrote about the show too but I don't remember him going into a lot of detail.

He was on LOL for a fairly long time by soap standards wasn't he? 5 or 6 years? He was one of a number of actors, especially in the 70s, who managed to transition out of soaps, even with all the hype that you can only be on a soap for a short time if you want a career.

This is from the same issue, the Daytime Lowdown section.

Also from this issue:

I remember how surprised I was to learn that Donna Wandrey, famous mostly for her wooden but striking performances as Roxanne Drew on Dark Shadows, was Barbara Ryan on ATWT. I just could not picture her as Barbara, even if this was more of an ingenue Barbara. Anyway, even if I am unlikely to ever see her onscreen, this is closer than I expected. She had an interview and a cover of June 1972 Afternoon TV (Roband Publications, Inc). She looks a little Diane Keaton-ish, don't you think? She had flaming red hair on DS.

dc thanks for all the extra information. Your articles and background information on the early 70s soaps have been most of what we've had so I'm glad you have again helped more with this show's information. These sound like great stories, soapy, character-driven stories. I wonder why NBC gave up on the show? Were they just trigger-happy? And for a new/updated version of a show which had just went off the air after a long run. I wonder if Regina Gleason is the blonde woman. Does she remind anyone else of Bev Callard/Liz on Corrie? I didn't know Pamela Murphy's son played Romeo on GL. I liked him a lot, I felt like GL wasted him in the Tony/Marah mess. Who was directly in charge of Bright Promise? I mean the creative choices. I have an interview with Mark Miller from this issue. It's not a big insight into the show, but I'll post anyway, in case someone wants to read it. I know what you mean about the GH actors. I think Susan suits short hair much more.