denzo30

Johnson had already been hired for the role. He knew he was playing a gay character. It was not scrapped after he was hired strictly on the actor himself. I forget either the network or P&G last minute backed out and thought it was going to be too damaging. From what I remember, I think the actor was disappointed as it was going to be a groundbreaking storyline. He lived in LA and they sought him out and moved him to NY to take over the role of Michael Randolph. But yes, he seems to have disappeared in the entertainment industry. I don't recall if he did anything further after AW.

Lemay I think started one month before Susan left in 1971. I can only imagine, that the character was already set up to exit. Possibly the actress's contract was up and she wanted to leave even before Lemay started writing.

Speaking of characters like Rachel & Olive, I wonder how much on screen interaction there was between the two characters? I seem to remember at this time, that many characters never interacted with each other from another storyline. I don't remember interaction with Olive & Iris even. There must have been paths that were crossed but its not like how soaps became in the later years with the whole cast almost mingling.

If i remember she filled in for a few months. I wonder what was wrong with Ford at the time. I did not think that Peg Murray was a very believable Ada but I have def. have seen worse. Wow, I just looked up the writing credits at this time. Harding Lemays son Stephen was writing with Anderson during her short stay. I do recall he wrote with his father when Lemay finally was writing in the fall of 88. I wonder if this was in preparation for the elder Lemay to step in as head writer??

Liz was the matriach of the family at this point so its not hard to believe that she would be living there. The Matthews home and she was part of the legacy to continue it Audra's Liz was a completely different character. Lemay wanted Virginia Dywer gone (Mary Matthews) which is how they bought Liz Matthews back as a kinder, nicer person than the previous actresses who portrayed Liz. Mixing in Irene Daily's version of Liz fit more into the fabric of the show at the time. I will admit though, Irene Daily and Audra Lindley really did express many of the same characteristics. Especially when I watch Threes Company and see Audra's dramatic reactions.

What former character returned? Both Pat and Alice and Liz where in BC when Jim died. I think i saw a picture honoring Jim and Linda Borgoson was playing Alice at this time? I think

Pat was not the middle child. She was the oldest of the Matthews siblings

In real life Beverlee Mckinsley was on sick leave in 1980. I think that is time you are probablly referencing. Carol Shelley temporarly played the role for Iris for about 3 months but had a commitment on Broadway and had to exit so they sent Iris on vacation until Bev was well enough to come back to the show.

Totally, When I look back at the episodes where I see Connie Ford and most especially Victoria Wyndham constantly looking down at the cues for their lines, I have to wonder why Lemay was so upset with Jackie Courtney doing the same thing? No disrespect to Hugh Marlow but I am sorry, he fumbled almost all his lines. The footage I have seen of Virginia Dwyer, she appears to be a fine actress and very much playing mother Mary Matthews. Lemay just wanted to change the landscape. He should have really just been honest instead of commenting on their acting abilities considering he excused the actors he praised for the same flaws. I think George Reinholts acting appealed to Lemay. He even created the Frame family after him but that was more of Paul Rauch issue where George was difficult on the set.

Pam Davis I think was talked about coming back in the 80's. Someone out here said they read they were looking to cast the role for Pammy to return to Bay City. Wasn't she in AW for a short time? Sam Lucas should have at least come back when Ada died. Not so much Missy Matthews but at least her son to live with Liz Matthews. Molly Ordway, to stir up trouble with her sister Frankie Frame. Michael Randolph with the role he was supposed to play in the 70's

I think the ratings declined even before the 90 minute episodes. I am using AWHP as my evidence. I could be wrong. I loved Lemay but I when I think the writing was on the wall and he saw the dip in the audience and yes writing 90 minute episodes is taxing but he was also an alpha and wanted to leave without his part in maybe the show was tanking. 78-79 another world was at #8. Just one year prior was #1 or about. So, Lemay can't blame the 90 minute error. Which made no sense if the show was not at the top anymore (in his defense but he does not state that in his book).

I always thought I read and heard she was the one who bought Y&R to the number 1 ratings. It never made sense to me after watching Generations for months and finding it so boring, poorly written and equal to taking a valium. Somehow, I can't see Y&R and the yawn Generations having the same writer

I only really remember Susan Harney as the real Alice. JC was already gone at that point. I always thought Wesley Ann Pfenning was such a weird re-cast of Alice and I guess I am not alone as she was let go 5 months later. i also understand the fans loyalty to JC as she immortalized the role for over 10 years and as one of the original characters/actress on the show. I think Lemay/Rauch regret firing her but it really did not effect the ratings on the show. Its show business and like any other job, everyone is replacable. Looking back at the actress's who played Alice I have to say Linda was the worst. I am happy in 1984 AW bought JC back as the "real Alice" . Wasted time on the show as they did nothing with her character and she did not even stay one year but she did come back for the legacy episodes of the anniversary show and Mac's funeral.

I agree. in 1989, the 25th anniversary Swajeski's writing was on point with the history of the Frames and Corys. I always remember Alice saying to Rachel in reference to Steve "and you gave him a son". There is an episode on YT you can find where Rachel says to Alice "I gave him something you never can, a son." i think like 1974. I also thought I read that Swajeski was so fascinated with the Frame family she wanted to create a spin off soap. The Frames were created by Harding Lemay (except Steve) and odd he wanted to the family as his main focus on the show in 88 working with her and she clashed with him.

The 80's had to be the worst AW time era. I wonder if they really made an effort to get back to the basics would have made a difference. I really did not watch the show much after 1989 other than a sick day at home maybe. I entered my adult working years at that time. Oddly, watching some of the 90's episodes on YT, I found them entertaining. Not the AW I loved as it moved away from characters and more into stories. A lot of it was surreal but that was the theme of the soaps at that time and there was no choice but to invent the stupidness in stories but back to my comment about characters. in the 90's there were long running actors who were still on the show portraying their original or recasted characters from much earlier years. AW's problem was they never held on to actors to sustain character in roles and just recasted one after the other. The 80's were a prime example and part of the big downfall. Although, even under Lemay 1979, AW had a severe rating dip. There are at least 10 actors in 1999 when the show ended that had been with the show for at least 10 years at that time. Bravo to the TPTB who possibly saw this could be the saving grace and hold on to actors that their fans love and want to see.

So true. Almost creepy. Even BC being a small town is no excuse for foes to become lovers but after all it is a soap serial. 7 Frame siblings that actually aired. Apparently 2 others named Henry and Norman (note, I think Lemay introduced only by mentioning Norman in the early 70's but never mentioned again). I loved the Frame family as I come from a big family but it got so sloppy over the years. New characters introduced while past characters almost never mentioned again.

I thought the rumor was when Lemay returned in 88, there was talks of bringing Beverly back? In fact, the 25th annniversary promo showed Pat,John and Sharlene as if she was going to stir up trouble in their relationship. Made no sense since Lemay had been gone many months before that and not one single bit of interaction with Pat and John and Sharlene during the anniversary episodes. Such sloppy promos

As much as I loved the Lemay Error on AW, he really had an ego that was insulting. I read the same article where Lemay states that those names were used after his characters. He really liked flapping gums..

I remember Molly's name was even mentioned when Vince & Jason were talking about Emma's children. That was during the strike as well.

True but if she knew that Molly never existed, then how would she know about Emma? They do have records, not that many writers abide to the bible and they reinvent stuff but Swajeski wanted to create her own characters. I think she did a decent job as kind of keeping the Frame name on the show for a few years with bringing Frankie on and Dean but she used the offspring from non legacy existing family members which made no sense. Seeing how close Dean and Frankie were, he really should have been an Ordway brother. Wade, Sterling and I believe another. We heard about them but never saw them.

100% agree. They did that with the Frame Family multiple times. Creating Jason Frame who was never mentioned prior to his appearance. Although, I did hear that they wanted him to play Willis but Chris Robinson would only agree to playing Jason unless it was a new character. Why not have Dean Frame play the son of an existing Frame brother instead of creating another sibling Henry who never existed till his name was mentioned? Possibly Vince or even one of the Ordway brothers we heard about but never saw. It took me some time when Frankie first showed up to figure which Frame brother was her father because of course her name was Frame and not Ordway (stupid really). I also think they did a spin on this. Most people with the name Molly, there real name is Mary. Frankie's name was Mary Frances. I agree she should have just been casted as Molly Ordway and true they used the same premise of mother/daughter feuding that Emma had with Molly in the 70's

Nancy really was Cecile. No offense to Susan. Its almost like Rachel's Robin vs Victoria. Same character different producer writer reinventing the same person. I thought Janice Lynde was great. Especially in 1980 the ratings and show tanked bad within one year and bringing someone other than acting talent like singing was a desperate and hopeful idea. She had a great voice and bought much character back to the show.

Wow, Barbara Rodell and Susan Keith. Definetely way back actors. I bet more original and old time actors will be there and less of the cast that was there for the last years. Wish I lived nearby.

It is online out there, but there is no interaction with the two actors together. As far as I know, the only available footage of Iris and Robert together that is out there is when he returned for the 25th anniversary and that is with Carmen Duncan as Iris.

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make that the audience in 99 may not have even know Bev. She had left the show 20 years earlier. For us long time fans, that would have been great to see her but ideally Carmen would have been the choice I think the network would have wanted.