denzo30

So they really were going to have Bev come back as Iris in 99? I am surprised they just did not ask Carmen to come back since at this time the newer audience would have been more receving. I would expect Beverlee to be much older at this time too and would have seemed odd as Iris would look much older the VW and especially her siblings, Amanda and Paulina but that would have been magical.

Wow, did not know he passed. If I recall, he and Bev did not get along well due to their acting scenes together. This is just an amazing scene as it portrays so real life

is the Helen Moore in the back? I wonder why Rita and Paul Connelly are not in this picture? Eileen's aunt and uncle

Truthfully, Even during Harding Lemay's years he wrote them out as fast as he wrote them in except for a few. I am also referring to recasting too. Some characters stuck around for a bit but after being recasted, a whole different person. AW really always had bad management decisions. I think for years P&G and NBC just saw it as dumpy show and just hoped for the best and never invested in making a robust change/renewal. The show had a enough fans and even though poor ratings, a decent history that they kept it around but almost like they were waiting to drop the show. Eventually, that happened and it was too late and it finally collapsed

I agree. If there is an issue with using Wikipedia, then let it be known. I also dont understand why Wikipedia is a problem on this site. Most of what you read on Wiki is accurate and I pretty sure the ratings Donna posted are accurate. Not trying to disagree with people but lets be a bit more rational and kinder with comments that admin or people think is not appropriate.

Yes and the baffling part of AW in 1979 is was one of top rated soaps and then suddenly within a few months it is rankings at #8. What could possibly have happened? Lemay was still writing at this time and the 90 minute debacle came months later. I mentioned before that other soaps became more intriguing with mystery and sexy character so many people turned the channel but I would think that would take a year if not longer for fans to go to another network or show. Lemay knew even though he wont admit it that is writing style was not set for the younger 80 generation and left. Im sure the 90 minute extension was also the smoking gun.. Totally, I feel like AW never really attracted very attractive actors either. Not trying to sound disrespectful but the other networks and shows bought on very handsome actors and smoking actress's. Hey, sex sells even back in the day when sex was still hidden. AW cast in the 80's were kind of drabby. One would think that I don't like the show cuz I critisize it but I loved mainly what I saw in the 70's and the attempts to try and relive that type of writing and cast.

Very true. It is odd that AW once it dipped in the ratings in 79 it could never climb its way back. So many soaps like GH were even on the verge of being cancelled in around this time and they climbed and raped the ratings due to the great Gloria Monty. DOOL ratings were not even as good as AW in the 70's and they managed to skyrocket. AW just never got that pizzaz again for many years stories just were not good. They tried the GH antics and even the DOOL crap in the 90's but it was never a success. I don't understand how it even lasted as long as it did and most likely younger viewers knew the reputation as the show not being popular and did not tune in. In 1988 when Lemay returned and the show seemed to have some decent quality again and i thought that the ratings would change but that did not happen. Frankly from 1981-1987, I thought the show was awful. I watched it still not faithfully because I had watched all my life. In 1988, I watched it because I became interested again but but the end of 25th anniversary it just moved in the direction again away from the main families. Its odd the P&G would not let anyone buy the rights of the show. I cant imagine ABC wanting to pick it up on their network. ABC soaps were at the top of the pack but who knows maybe they could have done some magic that NBC and P&G could not.

Thanks, I never saw these spots. Most of the ones I have seen almost did not pan out to the actual events that happen at the anniversary celebration. I also mentioned before, there was so much emphasis on the entire Frame family invited and coming to the celebration and none were really there. Steve and Janice in ghosts and Gwen is only a Frame by marriage. For such a large family, it was silly that kept talking about the entire family that was not present except for the current Frame family that were currently on the show at the time. I don't also classify Alice either as the Frame family. It was great how the Matthews family was more or less reunited

I wouldn't say 100% wrong. I could be wrong but AW's ratings were already declining before they decided to expand to 90 minutes and in 1979, many soaps took a different direction appealing to younger audiences and hip storylines that Lemay had no interest in writing for. He even admits he has on interest writing for younger characters.. The Lemay period was a masterpiece but I think he even knew it was time to go. I am sure because he knew the show was not popular anymore and he had an ego and did not want to show possible defeat. He was not going to go out looking like he was tanking. Also, other comments about King writing off Lemay's characters was much like what Lemay did even through his years. He introduced many characters and wrote them out not even 6 months later. Most he never kept around. Longevity was almost complete gone even when Lemay was still writing. However, I have always been fascinated with his writing of the Frame family and got intrigued anytime the characters or offspring were mentioned or reintroduced into the canvas. AW was really a very sleepy show that I LOVED. I mentioned before, I watched because of the characters and not so much the storyline. At 3pm I turned the channel to GH to get the excitement. AW also tried at one point to be a show like GH but it was not a success. Awful writers and themes in the early 80's.

Yes it would make no sense to bring Barcroft back if she had no interaction with Costner. The idea was really to bring back Susan Sullivan as Lenore, as Nick had agreed to come back as Robert but she declined due to other obligations. It would have been interesting to see how things would have gone had she did and the interaction between Iris and Robert but I suspect this was also prior to Doug Watson passing away. I am also thinking maybe they possibly did intend on bringing Clarice back (makes sense since she was one of the longest running characters on the show and big part of the history) but they decided to use her in the coming weeks to come back for Macs funeral. Gail Brown and Richard Porter (Larry and Clarice) came back to the show in June for the services. Bev Penberthy did reprise her role in the anniversary but very little dialogue and not much interaction with the other characters. I would have even thought since George Reinholt came back as Steve Frame they would have done some ghost like scene with Jacquline Courtney (Alice) but they made it all about Rachel. Again, makes sense these characters are just guests and the shows focus was just on the current day to day actors.

No, not that I would think they would pair conversation with Olivia and Robert but why didn't they show conversations with Robert and the Matthews? All the actors (they acted together with Robert) returned. There is even a scene where Gwen Frame (Dorothy Lyman) approaches Rachel to talk to her and Russ Matthews is there and no interaction between Russ and Gwen. They were engaged to be married for crying out loud.. Poor history knowledge or writers not really thinking it was even important???? Guessing the latter as it is limited time for scenes and the storylines, Jason Frames murder, Vicky and Jamie & and Evan and Rachel were more important than the reunion. I was glad to see Dorothy Lyman did play a big part in the anniversary episodes.. Showcasing the return of characters was just a prop to celebrate the anniversary for us viewers who remembered and knew the former

I always thought that Irene Daily and Audra Lindlay has so much in character. They may have not looked alike but their voice was similiar and Irene was a great recast. I know there was another actress between them. I often think people cant change but seeing it in my own life. Lindleys Liz was definetely not nice and did not like Mary & Jims children but maybe Liz really did care for them and after Mary Matthews passing away she stepped up to the plate

I think you are right. If I remember correctly, I read that Anna Stuart auditioned for the Role of Jessica on the newly created Soap Generations that turned into a complete flop. She did not get the role and prob a blessing in disguise as she made her way back to NY and I think even contacted AW and requested to come back. Philece Sampler (RIP) was playing the role of Donna at that time and I dont think the fans were as favorable to her as they were to Anna. I am sure the producers thought the same thing. I thought I did hear too that Philece did want to move on so not sure if they fired her or it just worked out she wanted out and Anna wanted back in

AW was infamous for recasting but were they much different than a lot of other Soaps? One thing I remember during the 80's was GH or DOOL almost never re-casted roles for years. When Gloria Monty was writing and producing, you never saw a recast on GH. DOOL was that way as well until the late 80's. I remember Angelica Deveraux re-casted and the first time I saw that on DOOL in years. From 1988- 1990 except for Anna Stuart coming back as Donna Love on AW, I don't recall any other recasts. I

Well MD's last months as early head writer in 1988 were different than her previous years. The dialogue changed and it because all about the families again but not sure if that was due to Michael Liabson coming in as new EP. The show was gearing up for its 25th anniversary one year away and his intent was to bring the focus back on the Frames and the Cory's and that is what MD started to lay out. Introducing Jason Frame and whispers from the past about the former characters who would soon come back to Bay City or part of the family structure. I thought she did a relatively good job at it as well. Then the writers strike hit and Lemay was supposed to step in so much of the premise got shelved again until the strike was over and Lemay started up in the fall of 88 and then of course we know the clash between he and Swajeski..

It was my understanding from what I read with ratings in 1979 that AW's ratings already began to tank before Lemay left. AW gone from like #2 to like #7 or 8 in just a few short months. Expanding it 90 minutes even caused the ratings to drop even more. I often wondered if Harding Lemay quit because he was exhausted or because the decline in ratings under his current writing. As much as loved his work he was very critical and really liked to toot his own horn. I think he wanted to bail so his legacy would not show the ratings failed under his writing

Was this thread ever on the forum?

Ted I believe was gone but Janice was still on when AW went to one hour. Didn't she leave around the fall of 1974? AW went to one hour in May of 1974 for 10th anniversary or am I wrong?

I always said that. When I think about my two favorite soaps. AW & GH. I watched GH for the intrigue, storylines and mystery. I watched AW for the characters. Not that GH didn't have some great characters but it was a very plot driven show where AW was just about characters and their emotions. When you really think about it, AW was a yawn fest and it remained that way even after Lemay. There were a few years where they did try the GH type writing and storylines but they were terrible & began to work better again in the late 80's when the show focused on the families again. Frames, Corys & Matthews. Probably by this point most viewers were not that interested in on character intrigue but more about the storylines and AW never regained success again but it does make you wonder how it was so successful in the 70's when there were no real plot driven stories..

I was about to respond to this as what you are stating as well. David Bailey assumed the role of Russ in 1973. Victoria Wyndham was re-casted as Rachel in 1972 when Strasser left the role. Robin never played the role of Rachel during David Bailey's role as Russ. Maybe a picture of the two of them crossing paths considering they all worked in the same industry?

I always said and even thought when in real time when Mac died that Rachel and Russ should get back together since he was back in BC but I think DB only had a six month contract with AW and his only reason the show bought him back was the 25th anniversary. The intent was not to keep the character around and if he and Rachel really did get back together then I am not sure what storyline would that mean for Rachel. When they marry people on soaps some sorrdid live details come out and Russ already lived through this with Rachel. I would have loved to seen Alice come back and a ghost following her and it turns out that Sally is alive. The typical stupid crazy soap stuff. LOL

Very unlikely. RS typically plays roles as like an Iris type. VW Rachel was a completely different Rachel. Very stupid storyline with Mac and Sylvie being ex lovers. Harding Lemay was the one who recouped this storyline so maybe it really was something he planned out in the late 70's when Iris learned she was adopted but very unlikely.

Yes now after watching Robin as Rachel, Liz (Nancy) and I saw Susan Sullivan too as Lenore. Also the character was her name Vera Moore?

Wow. where did this footage come from? Here is who I can Identify, Ada, Bernice, Russ, Cindy, Susan?, Pat, Ernie? Alice. Most of this recollation only photos I have seen of them.

Thinking the same thing. I don't understand what that comment meant. We know they are completley different soaps. Costner thinks SB is better than AW in his experience. I am thinking there was a lot less drama and control also on SB than AW during his time he spent in Brooklyn. I heard it was not easy working for P&G and AW during the 70'.s.