Soaplovers

GL always had more emotion, and you're all right that in 1975..P & G probably let the Dobson's work their magic and were more patient since ATWT & AW were flying high while SFT were on rebirth of ratings at that time. They also didn't drop Cendella's plots or characters when they took over..just updated things over time. I've watched a few episodes of their 1980 stint on ATWT..and it wasn't bad..but I think P & G needed to let the Dobson's work to update things without demanding instant results. ATWT needed a lot more work in 1980 than GL did in 1975.

Carjack..over rated and too much focus. Carly was one of those characters that worked best on her own vs in a coupling.

I guess Joey was in a triangle with Tammy and Lizzie. I guess he pre dated Sandy and Jonathan for Tammy.

I liked the music of Gottleib's opening, but not the graphics

I recall a rumor that Cat from DC had been asked to be on NY..and I know she verbally smacked Luann on WWHL...to the point where Luann was almost speechless... but she was living in Europe. Was that a rumor or fact about her being asked to be on NY?

Why would Susan come out of retirement? Soaps are in bad shape and offer little to no challenge.

The only actress on Texas that was southern with reddish hair was the actress who played Lurlene.

I will say the stalker story with Chelsea was well written and involved quite a few characters. It made sense Dana was thought to be the stalker since she had pretended to be Beth months earlier..though I'd forgotten Holly was briefly a suspect. Shame the show didn't at least do a Frank and Holly hook up..they had chemistry

I'd rather have the fluff and warmth of late 80s GL over the coldness of ATWT of the late 80s. But everyone has their likes and dislikes

I did think Pam Long left the show in an interesting place when she left in January 1986 with Reva trying to kill herself, Lujack dying a hero, Alexandra declaring war on Billy/Kyle, and seeing how Beth would cope with the death of Lujack. While the show wasn't at it's heights... Long did leave some interesting story threads for Ryder to pick up and run with... sadly, P & G went through numerous writers between January 1986 and July/August 1987 before rehiring Pam Long. If you look at the episodes during the 50th anniversary week in July 1987 (before Long returned) and the Christmas episodes in 1987.. it was like a different show (an improved show)

Also the nursery rhyme stalker story with Holly in the lead climaxed that same week of Manny's 1st wedding in 1999

Trish was the logical and level headed peacemaker of the Lewis family. I've heard rumors she opted to leave on her own..but who knows for sure. Oddly I thought Long/Kobe used her effectively.

Courtney had low self esteem so being around Tess and Julie made her feel inferior. I do think once she'd had therapy, she felt less inferior around more confident and sexual women. Her and Tess did become friends later on.

Alan wasn't there for the pam long nor Nancy Curlee years so naturally he doesn't know where to reach them..so he ends up with this bunch from the declining years of the show

To be honest, I don't find the housewives to be a positive images of women. It actually reinforces negative stereotypes of women as petty, overly emotional, and lacking in conflict resolution.

Rita and Ed had chemistry, and it was nice to see them in a happier time. Shame the actress opted not to return in 1989 cause I imagine Long/Curlee would have done Rita justice. If Maureen was jealous of Holly, imagine what she would have felt about Rita lol Elizabeth with short hair...who knew. Another character forgotten that could have been bought back for story and visits in the 80s and beyond. I assume Dean was another bad news hubby for Sara?

I think Joyce left during the 1981 writer strike..after her scheme was exposed by Lisa. I do think Joyce/Lisa could have carried into the 80s even if they were in separate stories. From what I saw of the Dobson's 1st stint at ATWT, they had a good handle on Joyce...she's the type of character the Dobson's could write with their eyes closed.

Oh hell no...she's a hot mess in real life...

Nene was gone for 2 seasons..and Atlanta had 2 strong seasons...so Nene should have kept that in mind when she returned that the show could go on without her..but alas..she didn't recall this.

I would way the last year or so of AH's stint, Marley was given her own voice and pov again. At first, Jensen had an easier time playing Marley than Vicky..and than by 1992, that changed..and Marley became a background character by 1993.

Problem is too much interference..so we wouldn't be able to see what her true vision would be.

Iva of 1985 had long hair and wore very trendy clothes..the longer she was in the show..the more subdued her look became.

I did like where Brad admitted Traci was the one to get away and that he blew it just before he died..and he admitted it to Traci..who seemed happy and content with her life by than. Speaking of which, I loved when Traci put her finger in Victor's face when he wouldn't listen to her about Ashley's fragile state. I liked as adults, Traci seemed to become more confident while Ashley became less so.

The problem with the final few years of SFT was the constant regime changes. One cant fully invest if the tone and stories change so much. Who knows what Pam Long/Addie Walsh would have done with the show had it not gotten canceled a few months into their stint. It seemed like they were tying up previous stories and the best part was Jo/Stu had a lot of focus in those final months.

And a hiatus for housewives will not be good..already the franchise has taken a dip in ratings and quality. I think the franchise will need to change in some fashion