DRW50

I think the rights went back to ABC/Disney, which is why they were able to have Jack appear on GH.

There was never any reason for Abby to exist.

I think he hits his stride when Ellen Dolan is brought in as Margo and they have a few good years (89-92 or so) as a married couple juggling work, kids and crises. He has no real chemistry with HBS though, which makes his first few years in the role awkward (not even getting into the relationship with Shannon which was just there to stall out time for both characters). Marland did a lot for the show over a much longer period of time, but I do miss how much looser the show felt in the six months or so before his arrival, while still being strong in quality. And Margo and Tom are just never the same after he arrives.

I know Ray Wise was ill a while back. Glad he is still working.

There have been multiple revival attempts. That's the main reason some are still talking about the possibility. I do think a revival would likely be AMC in name only, although there are some unsung writers out there who might do an OK job. IIRC the revival got better in its final months.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/nov/13/timothy-west-star-of-stage-screen-and-television-dies-aged-90?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

One of the judges who was planning to retire has already changed his mind. https://www.reuters.com/default/after-trump-win-ohio-federal-judge-backtracks-leaving-active-service-2024-11-11/

You could tell whatever may have been wanted with Gio and Trina was dumped by Frank or whoever immediately as Gio was mooning over Joss (no idea if that is still a thing). The worst part is I remain convinced we will hear of a Spencer recast about a week after Trina leaves.

While watching a special I saw a few promos that I'd never seen on Youtube before (I may have missed it) so I clipped them:

As you never know how long a Youtube channel will last, I thought I'd post these clips Byrne Offutt uploaded from his soap bit parts (I think these are already in @slick jones extensive credits).

Even more depressing to remember the main reason that change happened. If viewers are meant to commit to Drew being a sleaze and a user, then his using what minimal sadness he felt over Sam's death to get into Willow's designer drawers would make sense. But I'm not sure he is meant to be seen that way, and it doesn't do much for Willow that she went along. I'm reminded of when JFP used a story about a dead Vietnamese child to justify John committing adultery with Felicia on AW. Regarding Kristina, I do wonder how far Mulcahey may have intended for her feud with Joss to go. Joss is barely active now (not that I'm too sorry). Weren't some assuming Kristina or Molly would bed Dex? And did he have plans for Gio or was that always just some Frank jerkoff moment? Are we still waiting to learn Gio is Dante and Brooklyn's son? Hell, maybe he's Robert and Holly's son too...

I still think they are going to reveal at some point that Sasha and Cody aren't actually related. Having them break up over something that was in no way their fault and both spiral downward is interesting or would be on a better show. I agree Cody/Tracy doesn't seem likely, although I hope the show at least keeps the relationship ambiguous and doesn't try to paint her as pathetic and obsessive. They do seem to be winding down most of his stories, although some, like the Heather flop, I am still not sure who to blame as didn't Alley Mills brag that CvE was responsible? And isn't she supposed to be coming back (yet again)? I'm still surprised they even decided to go for Drew/Willow, although clearly they would only do so if Nina was not involved. I'd be surprised if she had that much say but it would help explain why no one wants Lucky there.

I would assume JJ's return was an ABC mandate, helped with the salaries of Howarth and Easton (and Monaco). This way they can just keep half-using Jackson to the very limited fanbase he even has these days until he leaves again.

Boyd returning only for short stints with such life-changing events was a bad idea. Very disappointing. If they couldn't afford to have him back more often they shouldn't have given him such dark material. They didn't even show the conversation where Drew confronted him over knowing about the affair. Meanwhile we got the same miserable and depressing scenes with Nicole, Harper, Drew, etc. all year. Nicole's story has been hard for me to get through, but the twist of Louisa being the one who came up with the group chat was brilliant...unfortunately, they kind of ruined it by having her return before the reveal. As soon as she was back I knew it was her. Good idea about Harry. Monique/Nazar are such a good couple, in spite of some writing issues. Nazar is one of the best new characters in years.

I'm so sorry to hear about your father.

The miscarriage story did seem to turn the tide further, but I don't think she was ever in a good place. I would be curious what Mulcahey might have done with her if he'd had more say.

Finola looks incredibly good for her age. It seems like Anna is still in some hold until they get Valentin back, as I assume they plan to do. It's a credit to her that she has managed to be as prominent as she is when you consider Robin is long gone and Anna's strongest ties are all fading into the past. There's no such excuse for Jason. It's a recency bias. People are used to Jason and Sonny being around for years without any purpose. Lucky returning to also not have any purpose, after well over a decade, probably gets more notice.

I'm not sure what plans Mulcahey had for her, but I think that period is what led to the current failures. From the start the whole story seemed bound for disaster - putting a brand-new actress in a surrogacy plotline that annoyed viewers and the whole Blaze closeting saga, on top of having her wring her hands over Sonny (and any moment where she was going to see the light about him would be short-lived given that it's Sonny). I think Frank assumed that all they had to do was bring in a "star" from another soap and they could throw anything at her.

Thanks as always @slick jones

They should have had Eddie keep the mustache.

The episode concluding the Lee Gantry story was also around at one time, in the archives, although I don't know if it is anymore. CBS put this up when GL was canceled. (reading his Soapcentral profile makes me see that story was dragged out longer than I realized) I prefer this lighthouse to the leaves - it looks a bit like a nuclear holocaust but that adds to the slightly off-kilter feel GL had at its heart.

Feels like a melodramatic title for the content, unless Rosie O'Donnell sponsored the video. I don't understand who decided a great moment to promote would be Susan Walters stumbling out of a room.

They don't have the episode, apparently, but had this 1974 full closing on an old file.