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I've always been curious as to how long Nell's story would have continued ---and what it would have been ---if the show didn't have to shorten the story because Diana van der Vlis' health forced her to quit. A Nell/Seneca/Jill triangle? So few women doctors back then ---could Nell have become a mentor to Faith? How would she have reacted to Bucky and Reenie?

No, he was not in the book. A few actors do comment they should have done more with his character.

Yes

This was from a 1979 Michael Levin magazine interview ---he talked about the Mary recasts. Sorry the text is blurry

It was a brief paragraph ---after saying she hated this role and her role on One Life to Live ---all she said was she doesn't like soap operas.

Another issue the Mary recasts had to deal with was that Claire Labine said she didn't know how to write for a married couple. I expected to hear John Blazo something about the the viewer reaction of the Pat/Nancy interfaith relationship. All those reasons, I suspect. It looks like the show was more willing to put up with poor behavior from the men (Michael Hawkins, Michael Levin, Roscoe Born) than the women. I can't picture those men being taken by the hand and led off the set like they did with Ann.

I often wondered if Faith's odd behavior and body language was meant to be seen as endearing ---which I did find it at times---but most other times not. Faith Catlin's Faith certainly received plenty of male attention ----Bucky and Kenneth fell for her at first sight, and Pat. When she was missing, they said there was a hospital delivery guy who had a crush on her. This was was different instead of having her be ignored or treated like an outcast because of her peculiarities. Faith Catlin's Faith wasn't timid about loathing Roger and also quite vocal about her dislike of Nell and Delia. She stood up for herself.

From the new book Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap Roscoe Born said his Santa Barbara character, Robert Barr, was the most prototypical soap character he ever played and it was most prototypical soap triangle he was in. He said he did excellent work and earned an Emmy nomination. He also thought he was nominated because it was high profile--- he did more soap press than he had ever done before during Santa Barbara. The soap may have pushed for the nomination to get him to re-sign.

From the new book Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap Cali Timmins received an offer she couldn't refuse from Another World. She thought the character Paulina was going to be different from Maggie but in some ways she felt she was playing the same character--- only with less guts. Although there were great people like Victoria Wyndham ---there was a lot of backstabbing and competiveness. She did not enjoy playing the role.

From the new book --- Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap Ilene Kristen described her time on Loving as Norman Gilpin as lovely, creative, and fun---she loved what Millee Taggart and Tom King had her do. She and Walter Bobbie stood out. She said it was stupid that she turned down a contract but stayed a year as recurring. Louise Shaffer wrote for Loving. She called it a bad show ---it never had anything good. Was told to write less dialogue for actors who couldn't speak English very well. Described it as a nightmare but she needed the money.

From the book Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap Helen Gallagher hated her role as Dr. Maud Boylan on One Life to Live. Roscoe Born called Mitch Laurence on One Life to Live his favorite soap character. The two summer of 1985 & 1986 was the most fun he ever had a soap. They also treated him well and paid him well. More people watched OLTL than RH.

From the new book Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap ---Helen Gallagher hated her brief role on All My Children as Nurse Harris.

After Ryan's Hope--- Helen Gallagher hated her roles on All My Children as Nurse Harris and One Life to Live as Dr. Maud Boylan. She doesn't like soap operas--- Ryan's Hope was more a play than a soap. Ilene Kristen described her time on Loving as Norman Gilpin as lovely, creative, and fun---she loved what Millee Taggart and Tom King had her do. She turned down a contract but was on the show one year. Louise Shaffer wrote for Loving. She called it a bad show ---it never had anything good. Was told to write less dialogue for actors who couldn't speak English very well. Described it as a nightmare but she needed the money. Cali Timmins received an offer she couldn't refuse from Another World. She thought the character Paulina was going to be different from Maggie (Ryan's Hope) but in some ways she felt she was playing the same character--- only with less guts. Although great people like Victoria Wyndham ---there was a lot of backstabbing and competiveness. She didn't enjoy playing the role. Roscoe Born called Mitch Laurence on One Life to Live his favorite character. The two summer of 1985 & 1986 was the most fun he ever had a soap. They also treated him well and paid him well. More people watched OLTL than RH. His Santa Barbara character, Robert Barr, was the most prototypical soap character he ever played and it was most prototypical soap triangle he was in. He said he did excellent work and earned an Emmy nomination. He also thought he was nominated because it was high profile--- he did more soap press than he ever did before. A the soap may have pushed for the nomination to get him to resign. Ash Adams was offered a contract to go to any ABC soap he wanted after RH. He turned down the offer to move home to California to pursue work there. He didn't want soaps to be his career. Michael Levin said he missed the money the most.

I haven't talked about Dakota ---leave that to DeliaIrisFan or anyone else. The cast and crew's relationship with Joe Hardy was much improved as time went on. The newer actors seem to love him instantly. Even Ilene Kristen admitted that Joe wound up being qualified to be a producer. Claire Labine was brought back because they knew the show's days were numbered. There was shock, sadness, and devastation when told the show was cancelled. While Ilene loved her final and favorite stint on the show, we knew that Nancy Addison and Malcolm Groome felt frustrated in their roles and they left. But Ron Hale had also been very unhappy those last 3-4 years. The reason he stayed was he had step-children he needed to help support. He said if the show had still been on once the last kid left home ---he would have left in a shot. Maria Patillo was leaving before the cancellation. James Wlcek said there was outside interest in her. The return of Seneca, Kevin, Bob, Mendenhall, Faith, Jill, Pat, Concetta, Maggie and Rae. There are lots of wonderful memories of that final emotional day. Cali Timmins didn't like how Maggie was written mean and bitter for the wrap up.

The Charlotte Greer storyline penned to bring back viewers. Judith Chapman auditioned and was offered the role before she even left the building---to begin shooting the next day. Roy Poole was in a wheelchair most of the time when he was off-camera. Judith and Geoff had filmed a fully clothed love scene that was very erotic---ABC was refusing to air it. Joe Hardy fought for it and ABC ran it. She was disappointed how the story wrapped up. They gave Christine Ebersole ---who was in only 11 episodes-- a farewell party. Christopher Durham said the Tiffany gift boxes ended when Capital Cities bought ABC. Paul Mayer was the one who told people they were fired because Claire Labine wanted to be liked. Joe Hardy had not wanted Pat Falken Smith as head writer. Karen Morris-Gowdy thought that ---while viewers may have liked Faith Catlin and Nancy Barrett---they weren't embedded with them because they weren't on the show that long. Unlike Randall Edwards having to take over after Ilene left the show.

There were a lot of statements in book ---made by cast and crew--- but no clear answers. It was the same with the 1981 writers strike. Some in the cast and production said Claire, Paul, and other writers worked on and edited scripts during the strike. Others said they didn't. Paul's daughter didn't think he did but even she couldn't say that for certain.

Louise Shaffer said she had a "type" she usually played---aristocratic, rich bitch, emotional under ice exterior. It's what she did. She was not part of the core characters and was not one of the "in " crowd. Enter Kelli Maroney ---the show needed a nymphet--- and this allowed Louise to keep her job. Although she does say after Kimberly's arrival she stopped being Rae Woodard and became Kimberly's mother. She thought Michael Corbett was let go for political reasons and egos. Louise and Kelli practiced willful suspension of belief regarding Kim's incredible short pregnancy.She didn't think the Charlotte Greer story worked. Repeated a lot that she was just trying to pay off her mortgage. I already wrote about her being fired. Jason "Ash" Adams ---he disliked the character being called "John Reid" and was happy when they settled on just calling him John. Ash and Catherine Larson did not like each other. He said he really didn't know her. He didn't care for their storyline and thought Lizzie didn't really want to be with John. He was not showcased in the sex symbol mode like Brian McGovern and James Wleck were. He was hardly ever shown with his shirt off. He heard from reliable sources that he wasn't Claire Labine's choice for the role.

Perhaps their decision to then go with 3 unknown actresses as the recast Mary's was, partly, a financial decision.

Richard Backus thinks he read for Barry and for Ken George Jones ----Barry was the better part. The writers didn't know what to do with his character. He had a lot to do when he first joined the show ---and then was frustrated being more like furniture. He thought they should have reunited Barry and Delia. He resented Roscoe Born because Joe was getting close to Delia. He was then written out. Trent Jones composed most of the songs he sang on the show. Network's Jackie Smith didn't want him hired for the part ---wanted someone who looked more like a rock star. Trent thought she gave in because it was going to be a short-term role. Rose Alaio taught speech and the RH sound department loved the sound of her voice. Michael Levin would throw fits and yell during dress rehearsals and Rose would simply laugh. She was told Michael Levin was much calmer working with her. Ellen Barrett told her she needed therapy. After she was fired, the show still wanted to use Tom Aldredge. He didn't want to do it without her ---Rose told him to go back and do it.

There was another new tidbit with Malcolm Groome that I forget to put in my MG paragraph ---he said he dated Kathleen Tolan (Mary #3). He had Helen introduce him after Helen and Kathleen were in a play together. He was very complimentary of Kathleen. He knew her theater work ---and said Kathleen was a compelling and charismatic actress. I was surprised there weren't more dating and behind-the-scenes flings revealed in the book.

Right ---Pauline Flanagan was almost Maeve and later came on as Maeve's sister Annie. Pauline also was one of the many Sister Mary Joel actresses. Michael Levin was popular and he received 3 Emmy nominations. Paul Mayer's daughter said he was a fan of Michael's. I have never been in favor of killing off of core family members---so I would have liked Mary leave town with possibility of being recast down the road. That's a good one--- she might have made a good Siobhan recast too. When I wrote that Michael Levin said Helen's suggestion (Kathleen Tolan) was bad and he then said his suggestion was also bad--- I couldn't figure who he meant. I recalled that Nicolette Goulet was another one recommended by the cast ---so I figured that was who he was talking about. Now, I recall that it was John Gabriel who brought Nicolette in for Mary. Back to having no idea what Michael meant with his suggestion was bad, too, comment.

The show received hate mail about Frank and Diana's interracial romance---so ABC killed it. Some thought the story might have stood a better chance to pair Diana with Pat or some other lesser character rather than leading man Frank. There was not as much from Michael Levin as I expected---Jack and Mary was probably his favorite story. He said soap operas are female-driven and written with them in mind. He said none of the Mary recasts were right. He said Helen Gallagher's suggestion (Kathleen Tolan) was bad. His suggestion (Nicolette Goulet) was bad. Karen Morris-Gowdy said Michael was very grumpy during this time because he was frustrated --- he let everyone know how unhappy he was. Times he says he didn't have anything to do. He pushed for Tichina Arnold to be hired ---it was fun ---but not much came from that. He didn't like the storyline with Jack's parents ---thought it was silly ----although it gave him certain dramatic scenes and he was flattered by the attention it gave him. He liked the return of Leigh. Helen Gallagher never auditioned with Bernard Barrow ---and she didn't like him a first. Ryan's Hope is the children. Prince Albert was a fiasco and her least favorite story --- she liked Randall. Deceased Mary visiting her was one of her favorite stories. Helen said Ryan's Hope was the most welcoming show (which it wasn't , though, for a lot of actors)

The show went to France for a location shoot in the mid-1980's. Someone said they didn't know how Joe Hardy got ABC approve this. There was also a comment that Joe and Jackie Smith were doing this to try and save the show. This was part of the Dubujax storyline and some cast members were envious but Marg Helgenberger was one who made the trip---so a Ryan went. Daniel Pillon had trouble remembering lines and blocking. Walt Wiley had been an extra in scenes and made friends with everybody and got cast as Joe ---but blonde, tall Walt was not believable as Joe. Gerit Quealy thought Carrell Myers was too young and gentle to be Siobhan. Someone mentioned that she was tall, too ---and wouldn't have worked with Roscoe. When Claire Labine returned in 1987 --- and cut the story short sending Siobhan,Joe, and their son out of town. Lois Robbins told of being fired from the CBN soap opera, Another Life, a day after she told the make-up man she was a Jewish-American. The make-up man asked if she was Italian. She said she was in the middle of a story when fired and called it brutal and eye-opening. She related the story of Ash Adams sticking his tongue in her mouth during a kissing scene and Joe Hardy scolding him. She was written out when Malcolm Groome left the show. She tried to talk him into staying.

In the new book, Ryan's Hope: An Oral History of Daytime's Groundbreaking Soap, Lois Robbins (Mandy Bolan on Another Life/Concetta D'Angelo on Ryan's Hope) told of being fired from Another Life a day after she told the make-up man she was a Jewish-American. The make-up man asked her if she was Italian. She said she was in the middle of a storyline when fired and called it brutal and eye-opening.