DRW50

Not sure if it's true or not but someone on Digital Spy's soap board said one of the newspapers had a story that

Were you surprised by the ratings? As I've heard some starting to say they are bored by the story or that it's "unrealistic," I thought there might be less interest, so I'm glad they still got 9 million. That's big for this time of year, and from what I've read, there has been very little promotion of this storyline. I think it sends a very important message if stories with the Foxes or the Masoods can get as strong of ratings as a story with the Mitchells might get (outside of special episodes like the live episode). It also shows what an important character Denise is when she gets the chance. I think what makes this story work is that it is about a woman's life being destroyed and you see her try to piece the fragments together. Kirkwood did something like this on Hollyoaks with Jake and Nancy but I think it has worked better here (I'm not comparing the shows in terms of ratings, I mean the story itself) because Nancy was just so unpleasant and Jake's insanity seemed to pop up out of the blue, whereas Lucas has been increasingly unstable for a long time now and Denise has usually only ever tried to support him.

The scenes with Max were hilarious -- I've heard some say this is beneath Jake Wood, but I'd much rather see this than puppy dog eyes over "Tan." It's nice to see Max with comedy. I also think that they're doing a good job of showing Abi's crush on Darren, in a way which kind of makes sense, even if there wasn't a lot of buildup. There also wasn't any real buildup to what happened with Pat and Bianca but I don't care, as I was very glad to see Pat finally have enough of being treated as an unpaid servant. The scenes of her being ordered around weeks after almost dying of a heart attack are still in my head. I wish they could have Bianca grow up a bit, she could still have stories if she grew up, she did in the old days, 98-99. The Bible stuff can be overdone at times but I'm glad they had Mercy questioning Lucas, as I think it's important that they show not everyone who is a devout Christian is crazy. Great stuff with Lucas and Denise, as she kept lashing out at him and yet desperately needed his company. The scenes were a bit repetitive but Diane and Don were both incredibly good, especially when she said she couldn't believe she had once loved him, and he paused for a moment, with such a haunted expression on his face. They are a wonderful acting partnership and have never had enough credit for this. The red button/cellar scenes, or some of them at least, have been posted on Youtube.

Thanks for posting that. I'm glad James will finally be getting more of a storyline. While he does go out of his way to say not having one was OK, all the talk about how he wants Ryan to blow Nathan away suggests he is desperate for some big stuff. I'd actually love to see Nathan and Ryan as both dark but sometimes good men, working together...they could both go against Cain or something. Although that is unlikely. I do wonder where Ryan will be after this story ends. The show has several men who used to be "nice" but then became very emotionally dead and cold (Carl, Andy). Ryan could be like that but I'd rather see a bit more life.

I don't see Riley and Seth as Max and OB. While they are a big step up from the Goonies castoff Duncan and the comatose Ricky, I think Max and OB just had something special that transcended the bickering and the drooling over hot babes. I don't think Seth is very good at dialogue yet, and Riley, he's OK, but he looks too old for the role. I was surprised to learn that Riley is supposed to be 17. I like Mitzeee more than I did on Friday but I look forward to when they can move on from the story about her wanting Carl. That just adds to the whole late night porn channel vibe which their other scenes are already getting. Did anyone else kind of get a strange vibe from the Costello family scenes? It's not so much that I am shocked by Riley and Seth panting after their cousin, because they didn't even know she was their cousin until today's episode, but why did the show even make her their cousin, why not just a friend of Heidi's from their modeling days? Was there any reason she needed to be a cousin? And what was going on with those Carl/Jem scenes? The music, lighting, and the body language in them suggested she was his old love, not his estranged daughter. Everything with Kris and Michaela and Zak seemed like filler, like ticking down the clock. The dividing line between "old" and "new" Hollyoaks. Was anyone else impressed by the lighting in most of this episode? I thought it was especially effective in the scenes with Nancy/Jake/Loretta, the blue drabness and strange dreamlike quality. I'm glad we got to see Adam one last time. He's very cute yet he's not a traditional "hunk." I'd love to see him more often. How about pairing him with Nancy? The best thing for me about the new promo was that Darren was at the center of the group photo, the position of power, as he should be.

How stupid is this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1297740/Emmerdale-causes-outrage-crude-offensive-shopping-list-Dingles-kitchen.html Anyway, I finally finished the week's episodes and overall I thought they were pretty good. I wish that they had spent more time on Shadrach's last days and I think they missed a dramatic opportunity in not letting anyone know (I also wonder why Aaron was nowhere to be found -- funny how some said not long ago that the show was all about him...). But I do think that Andy Devine did a heartbreaking job in those last days, especially in Shadrach's fear over being sober in front of the Dingles. That last scene with Laurel was touching. I'm glad that the show remembered their friendship and how important he was to her life at one time. I thought his death was harrowing but not overly graphic, and while I know a lot of people have issues with Mark Charnock's overacting, I felt like his reaction fit the moment. Poor Diane. She was very gullible, but the show went to some lengths to show just how skillfully Charlie had manipulated her. The scene where she talked to Val about how he'd fooled her was sad. I'm glad that Val talked tough with her, and that they have used Rodney and Val, who both know Diane so well, in these last few episodes, and not so much Doug, who claims to be sad and not smug yet had a big smirk on his face when he found that Charlie's "office" was long vacant. Did anyone else think Jai and Amber (Nikhil's weird ex) had some chemistry? That would be good drama if they got together. After how important she was in Nikhil's life I don't think she should just show up for a day or two as a plot device. The scenes where Nikhil told Maisie the truth and then where they went to have sex (if there was ever a call for a Late Night Emmerdale ) were good but there is still so much to tell with the Sharma brothers, I hope they won't be forgotten. Poor Declan's back and forth with Natasha, she's driving him crazy. I'm glad to see him again. The best thing about Declan is his deadpan. I loved when Maisie asked if she could borrow his car, and he said, very seriously, "Of course," meaning, "Hell no."

Suddenly Last Summer

Until You Come Back to Me - Aretha Franklin

One of my very favorite Pointer Sisters songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtIwNL5s648

Quartet

Shame - Evelyn Champagne King

Terry Hartford - Falcon Crest

Thank you so much for answering those questions. I know someone who watched The Doctors at the time of the original story with Karen's pregnancy (didn't Althea or someone figure out the pregnancy because she spoke German?) and had wondered what happened. Erich was later played by Ian Ziering wasn't he?

Here's the SOD recap from their December 1978 issue. Greta's baby, LeeAnn, is doing well but Greta is not. She has contracted an infection of the uterus and has a very high fever. As usual, Matt and Maggie are blaming Carolee, saying she did not use sterile equipment at the cabin when Greta's baby was being born. Matt and Maggie feel that, had Greta been attended by a physician instead of a midwife, she never would have been ill in the first place. Also par for the course, is Matt and Maggie's not bothering to tell Billy how ill Greta is. When he shows up at the hospital with flowers for Greta and a teddy bear for the baby, he learns of the seriousness of her condition. He is furious. How dare Matt and Maggie continue to try and exclude him? Billy also wonders where his mother Carolee is and is astounded to learn from his father Steve that he asked Carolee not to be present. Steve explains Matt and Maggie's feelings about Carolee and intimates that on some level he agrees with them. DOREEN DOES IT AGAIN Doreen continues to go after her ex-husband Jason Aldrich. She feels that because she is dying of leukemia, she has a right to do whatever she wants with whomever she wants and damn who gets hurt. In this case, Doreen has decided that since Jason's new wife Nola is young and reasonably attractive, she can find another man, whereas Doreen believes her time on this earth is limited. The death of Colin's patient will not soon be forgotten. Colin will not forgive Mike Powers for fighting with him and causing a hand injury; thus making it impossible for Colin to operate. Colin tells his nurse and would-be-lover M.J. that he plains to bring Mike up on charges before the hospital board and ask that his license be revoked. M.J. pleads with Colin to let bygones be bygones but Colin says he must do what he must do. Later that evening Colin stops by M.J.'s apartment for dinner...but would much rather make love first. M.J. confesses that she, too, would like to make love, but just doesn't feel right. Colin leaves in an angry huff, not understanding that M.J. is still mourning the loss of her husband Tom. Doreen wants Jason to accompany her to New York for the weekend to buy some kitchen equipment for the restaurant they jointly own, The Medicine Man. Jason refuses to go until Doreen suggests that his wife Nola join then. Doreen tells Nola that she has no designs on Jason whatsoever and to prove it would like very much for Nola to join them this weekend. Nola agrees and Doreen begins to carry out her plot. She tells Jason to go on ahead and tells Nola the two of them should meet at the airport at 5 P.M.. Then Doreen goes to the airport at 3 P.M.. When Nola arrives at 5, the plane is booked and Doreen is gone! Nola is in a dither. She tries to buy a ticket but the 5 P.M. flight is all booked. She calls the hotel in New York Doreen was to have made reservations at, only to find they have no information. Nola is furious, she feels she has been had. She believes Jason and Doreen planned to go to New York without her and she leaves the airport in a huff. She decides to bury her problems in liquor at The Medicine Man. BAD MOVE, NOLA While Nola is on her way to The Medicine Man, Colin is too. After being told by M.J. that she is not prepared to have a sexual relationship with him, Colin decides to drown his anger in drink at The Medicine Man also. So...the two pride-damaged people wind up at the same table and Nola winds up becoming quite drunk. Colin invites her to his hotel room and she goes. When they arrive there, he invites her to his bed and she goes. M.J. is in her apartment telling Carolee about what happened with Colin. Carolee suggests that M.J. not give up on Colin and try to patch things up. While they are talking, Carolee finds out just how serious Greta's illness is and becomes quite upset. She doesn't understand why no one told her; she doesn't understand why she had to hear the news from M.J. There is a new nurses' aide at Hope Memorial, Missy Palmer. She has met Luke and there seems to be a mutual attraction. When Jason, in New York, realized that his wife was not there, he became very concerned. Doreen tried to make him believe that Nola had stopped off at a bar somewhere and was probably drunk. Doreen tried to seduce Jason into forgetting about his wife but he wasn't interested in Doreen. He took the next plane out of New York City, much to Doreen's upset. When Steve Aldrich, Jason's brother hearts about the New York fiasco, he suspects Doreen. He later has an opportunity to speak with Doreen and he warns her not to interfere with Jason's life. Doreen ignores his advice. Colin has made true his threat. He has filed his complaint with every member of the hospital board calling for the immediate removal of Dr. Mike Powers. CAUGHT! Nola makes a second mistake. After sleeping with Dr. Wakefield once, she decides she wants to do it again...despite the fact that her husband is home and despite the fact that he has reassured her of his fidelity. Nola calls Colin and arranges to meet with him later promising to call and confirm. Colin is a wee bit hesitant but Nola insists. Once her plans are finalized, she leaves word for Colin at the hotel desk. Mistake Number Three. (Colin Wakefield and Doreen Aldrich both have suites at the Madison Arms Hotel.) It just so happens that when Doreen leaves the hotel, the desk clerk mentions that Dr. Wakefield has not yet picked up her note. Her note? She has no idea what the clerk is talking about. He reads her the message...the message that says Mrs. Aldrich will meet with Dr. Wakefield in his suite at 7 P.M." It is a bright day for the devious Doreen. She can't wait to tell Jason the news of his wife's activities. She hurries to The Medicine Man and tells Jason of Nola's whereabouts. Jason defends his wife and remarks about Doreen's malicious ways. She goads him further. "Well then why don't you come with me to Colin's suite and see for yourself?" Jason agrees to do so saying he only wants to prove to himself how mean and nasty she is. They arrive at Colin's suite and Doreen feigns illness outside Colin's door, yelling "Doctor, doctor. Is there a doctor in the house?" Instinctively, Colin removes himself from Nola's warm arms and opens the door...Doreen smugly pushes her way in, with an angry and hurt Jason following behind. Nola is shocked...embarrassed...and thoroughly bewildered. Jason is through. He tells Nola how wrong she's been about his affections for Doreen and how he has spent his every waking moment looking for ways to please her. Jason is leaving...Nola and Madison. He goes home to pack his bags and return to Dallas...for good. The news of Jason's departure send reverbrations throughout Madison. Jason's mother Mona is heartbroken, sister-in-law Carolee is stunned. Jason resigns his post as the hospital attorney and the hospital personnel are all shocked by his decision. Nola pleads, begs, cries, cajoles...She offers love, sex, children, undying devotion, anything...Jason says no. He packs and he leaves. The marriage is ended and his life in Madison is ended. Before leaving Madison, Jason paid Doreen a visit. She donned a black negligee, poured some of her most expensive wine and waited for the arrival of her (she thought) lover-to-be) But Jason had another thing in mind all together. When he arrived, Doreen was all prepared for a long night of loving. Jason surprised her. He told her exactly what he thought of her; of all her lying and treachery. He wondered about kind of "thing" she had become and then he left. Doreen is not used to being treated that way. She will not have it. She decides to punish Jason; to punish all those who are not dying as she believes she is. Doreen's next move will be towards Steve. She will punish Jason by having an affair with Steve! Mona has taken the departure of her eldest son, her first born, harder than anyone imagined. She begins to wonder why everyone leaves her, and what good her life is now that she is alone. She wonders if she should even bother to continue her life. As if by osmosis, her despair seems transferred to her bodily functions. She experiences shortness of breath and severe pains...As she falls to the floor, she is able to call Steve for help. STEVE AND DOREEN Steve is doing his level best to nip Doreen's intentions in the bud. He politely tells her he has more important things to do than to be available for her and her every whim. TO Doreen, though, Steve's rebuff is merely his way of hiding his true feelings. She vows to show everyone that she can get a man; despite her age and despite her health. Will Steve be able to survive the onslaught? When Nola's father hears that his daughter's marriage is ended, he is heartbroken. He visits with Nola in an effort to cheer her up. To Nola, it is not just a broken marriage she faces, but a broken life. She wonders whether she should return to drinking...Her father gives her a good piece of advice. He tells her his interest is not in how low she can fall, but in how tall she stands. To date, Nola hasn't told anyone Jason found her half dressed in Colin Wakefield's apartment. What will happen if the news gets out?

Thanks. I know ATWT's ratings were slipping at this time but it was obviously still a powerhouse. That's a good insight into why the ratings for the NBC soaps fell. Schemering's book just seemed to blame it on the writing being under par or on people tiring of medical stories. I guess in some ways it's easier to believe a show falters for a drop in quality, you don't want to believe a good show just starts losing viewers. So Marland created Luke, Nola, Sarah, but the others were created by DePriest? Joan was the one Matt was accused of killing through negligence? Was it DePriest who started the story with Paul? I'd never heard of Tom Carroll. That story with the club and several people dying reminds me of what Hollyoaks did with their pub fire in 2006.

Marian is straight with two gay guys there and yet his pose looks the most gay Is Vanessa back on a more permanent basis? Otherwise I don't know if she'd be in the photo.

I guess De Priest was seen as successful at the time but I wonder why Cenedella was hired, from Lemay's book it seemed like he was just coasting during his AW run. What were the ratings during the year Marland wrote the show?

Shelley Taylor Morgan? I can't picture that at all. Then again I've never seen her on anything aside from Pure Soap. I know she also played Monica's cousin Lorena on GH. Strange that all three of those women went from GH to DAYS.

Schemering's book says Elizabeth Lawrence played Virginia from 76-78. I guess this must be Marland, it does sound like his work. I'm a bit surprised he brought all the Dancys in so quickly -- counting the girl who died, that makes five siblings in a matter of months. Perhaps the show was seen as needing fresh blood very quickly. I'd never heard of Lew, but I guess that was short for Luke Dancy. Strange that Jason lasted from 76-77 and then was randomly brought back in 1981 with Terry O'Quinn.

This is the recap from the March 1977 SOD. Paul's evil castle of intrigue that has been built on the sorrows of others, is about to come crashing down around his ears. His secret marriage to Stacy Wells, stepdaughter of Jason Aldrich, and granddaughter of Mona Croft, is about to be made public. Stacy is pregnant by Paul and in her joy wants to tell everyone the good news. Good news for some can be disastrous news for others, and for Paul, Stacy's news forebodes nothing but doom. He only married Stacy to keep her quiet about their duplicity in the Joan Dancy murder. Paul felt that if Stacy were his wife, she would never tell anyone that she pulled the plug on Joan Dancy at Paul's prodding, to help him weave a web of doubt around Dr. Matt Powers. Paul is so close to his goal of taking over Matt's position as Chief of Staff, as well as having Matt indicted for Joan Dancy's murder, he is afraid that Stacy's pregnancy may ruin it all. JASON PICKS UP THE SCENT Little does Paul realize that Stacy's pregnancy is only the beginning of his troubles. Jason Aldrich has begun to suspect that something more than a friendship exists between Stacy and Paul. When Jason stops by Paul's apartment and finds Stacy there, his suspicions are heightened. Later, when Jason talks to Althea and Hank Iverson, they mention how kind and supportive Paul has been of Matt, and how remarkable this is in view of the past difference they've harbored. With this unexpected news, Jason's sense of intrigue has been activated. When he finds out that Matt refused to allow Paul's hopelessly ill son to die many years ago, and that subsequent to the decision Paul's wife died, Jason will see that Paul has a very strong motive for doing Matt harm. Dr. Hank Iverson has decided to take a post in a hospital out of town. The staff of Hope Memorial will miss him a great deal, and all wish him well in this new endeavor. Matt's son Mike has left Boston to join his wife Toni. Jason hopes that when Mike returns, he will have renewed faith in his father's innocence. Despite all the sad things that are going on, there is one note of joy. Penny and Jerry are planning their wedding! Penny's mother, Althea, is pleased to be included in the preparations. Mona's concern over Steve's involvement with M.J. has been well founded. Steve, his children, and M.J. spent the day together,and when nighttime came, and Steve drove M.J. home, he almost popped the question! M.J., sensing what was about to be said, and knowing that she could never refuse Steve's proposal of marriage, and knowing also that Steve viewed her as a reincarnation of his missing wife Carolee, rushed out of the car before Steve had a chance to say anything. Will Steve muster up the courage to ask M.J., or will Ann Larimer manage to change his mind? Lew Dancy continues to romance Eleanor Conrad. Even though she is old enough to be his mother (or perhaps because of it), she is falling prey to his charms. She offers to finance art school for him, but he declines. He is probably waiting for her to offer more than a one time loan of money, before he reels her in. Matt continues to feel sorry for himself and again goes to a bar for the express purpose of drinking himself into a stupor. Life weaves a strange spell around its inhabitants, for sitting beside Matt, ubeknownst to him, is Barney Dancy, father of the girl he is accused of killing. They share a few words and Matt leaves to return home. When Matt again goes to the bar, and again sees the same man sitting there, Matt can see that he is cold and ill. Matt offers him his overcoat. As the stranger prepares to leave the bar, he collapses. Matt acts quickly and has him rushed to Hope Memorial. Dr. Paul Stammers is on hand and congratulates Matt on having the courage to bring the stranger into the hospital. STEVE PROPOSES MARRIAGE Steve finds the courage once more, to broach the subject of marriage to M.J., and she finds the courage to refuse his proposal. She tells Steve that she knows she is but a mirror image of his missing wife and that she cannot marry him, knowing that it is the part of her that reminds him of Carolee that makes him love her. Steve vehemently denies M.J.'s accusations, but when he is alone with his thoughts, he realizes M.J. is right. He continually confuses his memories of Carolee with the reality of M.J. Steve may soon find that his memories of Carolee will become a reality. Carolee's doctor has called Dr. McIntyre at Hope Memorial to see if he knows anything about the catatonic patient registered under the name of MaryEllen Smithfield. Since psychiatrist, Dr. McIntyre is no longer on the staff at Hope, the call is referred to none other than Dr. Summers. He is understandably rattled to learn that Carolee/MaryEllen has been traced to the vicinity of Hope. Dr. Summers makes a bee-line to Ann Larimer to warn her that she is in danger of being exposed. If Carolee ever regains her normal state, she may be able to tell Steve that it was Ann who, masquerading as the sister of MaryEllen, had her committed! MaryEllen's doctor is so determined to find out more about Mary's past, and so convinced that her past is in Madison, that he takes her picture and sends it to Dr. Summers. He has agreed to help in any way he can, including contacting the local press. As Carolee/Mary Ellen's picture speeds its way to the hands of Dr. Summers, Carolee's husband Steve has finally been convinced by his brother Jason that Carolee is dead. Steve instructs their housekeeper Virginia to remove all the reminders of Carolee from the room. Dr. Ann Larimer is very pleased when she sees all the pictures of Carolee have been removed. Ann does not realize that Steve continues to pursue the prospects of marriage with M.J. Since Paul has made his wife Stacy realize that he does not want her to carry their child full term, Stacy has determined to go through her pregnancy alone. She seems very happy and vibrant these days with the exception of a few noticeable fainting spells. Everyone is extremely concerned about Stacy's health. It will soon become apparent that Stacy is pregnant. Virginia Dancy has been giving a lot of thought to her estranged husband lately. It's almost as if she were capable of ESP, for at this very minute her husband is lying in a hospital bed at Hope Memorial. Barney's condition has been diagnosed as hepatitis. As Maggie has run into many cases such as Barney's in her work at the clinic, she has been called in on the case. When the picture of MaryEllen arrives at Hope Memorial Hospital, Paul Summers wastes little time in showing it to Ann Larimer. In exchange for the picture, Paul wants Ann to give him the letter Stacy wrote implicating them in the Joan Dancy murder. Ann reluctantly agrees. She gives Paul the letter and he destroys it immediately. Now all he has to worry about (he thinks) is Stacy. But Stacy is a little more determined than Paul suspected. This pregnancy seems to have given her a strength she never had. At a party Mona has given, Stacy makes a decision. In Paul's presence she tells Jason that there is something very important she must tell him. Paul realizes that he has to act quickly...very quickly. He takes the floor and announces his marriage to Stacy; Stacy announces her pregnancy. There is a murmur of surprise and dismay among the crowd of guests. THE DANCY FAMILY INCREASES Sarah Dancy arrives at Hope Memorial for her work with Eleanor Conrad and is shocked to see her father! The father she hasn't seen in years is now within five feet of her! When Sarah recovers form the shock of seeing him, they talk a bit and he pleads with her not to tell anyone else in the family that she's seen him. Sarah realizes that she can't keep the knowledge to herself, and calls her brother Jerry. Jerry and Sarah decide that their brother and sister, Lew and Nola should know that Barney is in the hospital. Together they will decide if they should tell their mother that Barney is back in town. Carolee's doctor has decided to use hypnosis on her. He hopes to chip away at the real truth about his patient. He hopes to find out about Steve and Stephie and Erich. The names...the only names that elicit any response from his mysterious patient. The Dancy children decide to tell their mother Virginia that her husband is back in town and seriously ill at Hope Memorial Hospital. Lew Dancy, however, is very bitter about his father's return, and would prefer that he stay out of their lives. When Sarah, Nola, and Jerry return home to tell their mother the news, Lew refuses to join them - he refuses to have anything to do with Barney Dancy. How will the news of Barney's arrival affect the members of the Dancy and Powers family? Will it affect Matt's case - and if so...how?

Thanks for posting this. The story with Scott being accused of "mothering" his child seems ahead of its time in some ways. That must have been very harrowing for viewers, that Steve Kaslzo's sister died, giving him a possible chance at life, then he also goes on to die. It sounds like Ellie genuinely cared about Stu. Wasn't her exit (running off with the cook and leaving Stu a note) seen as very stupid? This clip is from when Eunice got the letter:

Thanks. So I guess she was still running the restaurant when she was almost cast as Julia. Oh that's right, I forgot she was Angelica on DAYS. I guess I should have remembered that because one of the other first times I saw her was in a SPW thing for DAYS 30th anniversary and she was one of many who had quotes on the anniversary, and the quote was very memorable something like, she'd enjoyed playing Ginny, but "God gave [me] a good one," with Angelica.

I'd thought that Judith wasn't in soaps for a long time by her own choice because wasn't there a big gap between her last soap stint (Sandra somebody on OLTL for a while in 1986) and her playing Gloria on Y&R? I even remember seeing her in the very entertaining soap snippets of the Sandra Bullock rehab movie, 21 Days (the DVD included a bunch of different soap scenes they'd filmed), and not really knowing who she was.

Way to go Nico Mallagro, he's already found good acting work. He's going to be in the revival of Upstairs Downstairs. Another former soap name is Anne Reid, superb as Val Barlow on Corrie about 40 years ago. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1297362/Upstairs-Downstairs-new-cast.html

Quinn Harding - Another World