Mona Kane Croft

Thanks for the information. That's great. I'm not on X at all, and I seldom look at FB these days. I guess I was thinking he would address it on one of his youtube videos.

I stand corrected. You are right, i guess the three millionaire men did have some history of knowing one another previously. I had forgotten about all that. So maybe this plot might have been believable to me, if only HB, Henry, and Brandon had been involved. I still don't buy that the working-class Reardon father (was his name Tom?) would have been hanging around with three millionaires, unless he had been working for them. Maybe as a fishing guide or something. But as friends who would travel together, I just don't buy that. And there is no way Bill Bauer would have fit into this group, for several reasons -- location being the most obvious. Ultimately when discussing the Eli Simms plot or the Maryanne Curruthers plot, fans tend to decide whether or not they want to accept the historical inaccuracies, and then they look for reasons/evidence to either accept or not accept the storyline(s). I fall on the side of not accepting it, so I find reasons the plot(s) doesn't work. Those who want to accept it, look for reasons to do so. That's totally okay with me. Putting all that aside, I did think the Eli Simms storyline was well conceived and well written. And it was a very interesting plot. Who ever thought of it (Pam Long?) was a very talented writer. But I simply can't get beyond the rewrites of history it took to bring it to the air. If other are able to get beyond that, then that's totally cool with me. Just differences of opinion and perspective.

HB was from Tulsa, and there had been no indication in Josh's history that his father had ever set foot in Springfield. And yes, the Bauers were in Selby Flats, California until around 1966. Plus, it's ludicrous to suggest that middle-class Bill Bauer was hanging around with three millionaires (HB, Henry, and Brandon) in the 1950s, regardless of their respective locations. Additionally, it had already been established that none of those families had been acquainted until they all ended up in Springfield by the early 1980s. If you want to grasp for straws in order to believe that storyline, go ahead. But I choose not to do that. But that is not storyline related. Hiring a well known actress, even if she is a friend, does not over-ride the canon of the show. And if it does, the entire show is booed, screwed, tattooed, and barbecued.

But the Eli Simms story did not work! Aside from the fact that it was well crafted (but full of historical inaccuracies). The Eli Simms plot implied that all five of those old men had been in or near Springfield 25 years earlier -- which the history of Bill Bauer and HB Lewis (at least) told us was not true. The Maryanne plot was basically a re-tread of Eli Simms. A story which implied that four or five middle-aged men (current characters on the show) had all been in Springfield 25 years earlier, which the audience knew was impossible. Every single one of those men had moved to Springfield at different times, over the former 25 years. It was a decent plot, but it conflicted with the history of the show. Square peg in a round hole, so to speak.

I'd be interested to hear of Linda Dano's experience at the reunion. But something tells me Linda is too classy to criticize the event publicly -- even if she may have found it troublesome at the time. We shall see . . . And something seems a bit too convenient regarding the video. The one thing people paid money $$$ for -- unfortunately not going to be delivered because of a lawsuit. Couldn't she have just said the videographer died? LOL. One more thing -- nobody (other than me) has mentioned the radio-silence from Alan Locher. After promoting the event on his podcast, and even attending -- not one word from Alan about his experience at the reunion, after the fact. Does anyone else find that strange?? Having said that, I'm aware Alan Locher avoids controversy at all costs. So if Alan thought the reunion was neet-o, super-cool, and groovy, he would have shared his positive opinion loud and clear. But if he was disappointed or embarrassed by the event, Alan would stay silent. So far, I believe Alan has been silent.

Any speculation from either of you about what caused the problem? I am in communication with two of the older actors who were present, and they have not had good things to say about their experience at the event. And I recall reading online that Linda Dano was a real cheer-leader at the beginning of the reunion festivities, but later became offended by something and left the event early. If any of this is accurate, then what the heck went wrong?

I've heard about that before, so I'm sure you're correct. But I just don't remember them for some reason. If I can get their names, I'll google them for a photo. Perhaps seeing their faces will jog my memory.

Who were the other actors who played Channing? Larry Pine is the only one I remember, and I was watching daily from 1985 until around 1995. Really strange that I don't even recall another actor in the role.

Did anyone receive their videos from the AW Reunion that was held in 2024? I did not order the video, but last I heard, people who did order had not yet received theirs. But that was several months ago, so maybe everything is fine now. Just curious about it. And I'm surprised no one has posted the video on Youtube. Was there a problem with the video? Also, did anyone else think Alan Locher's lack of reaction after the reunion was a little odd? I understand he attended the reunion (or at least planned to), hoping to get some interviews and possibly even shoot some of his own video. But after the reunion, I don't think Alan even publicly mentioned the event at all. Makes me wonder if he was disappointed in the event, or perhaps if he had some reason for his lack of reaction. Considering he promoted the reunion a bit before it happened, it seemed odd to me that he never released any type of report or even a comment about it, after the fact. Of course it's possible he did post some type of reaction or report, and I just missed it. But I don't think that is the case.

Yes, it seemed the Dobsons used the Stewarts as the core family, and the Hughes were pushed to the side. The Hughes seemed to become less of a family, and more just individual characters.

I had noticed for a while, her interviewing skills seemed to be diminished. She often focused the conversation on herself, rather than on her guest. And of course she always had a host of technical problems. Still, her podcast was always worth a listen.

Has Linda Dano stopped her podcast? The final episode on my Spotify is dated April 16, 2024.

I just watched part of a Tom/Margo/Mr Bigg episode of ATWT. Although that storyline was in no way a good fit for ATWT -- probably the show's stupidest plot ever -- it did seem like something that "might" have worked on Guiding Light, if it had been played more gothic, with less comedy, and without Brent Collins as Mr Bigg. And I don't know why I feel that way. I don't have a problem with casting a little person on a soap opera. But why must it be in such a bizarro storyline? Why not cast Mr Collins as a doctor or a lawyer, or somebody's next-door neighbor? The scenes featuring Patricia Bruder as Ellen were very enjoyable, and especially Ellen's confrontation with Johnny-boy Dixon. It was nice seeing Pat Bruder playing some meaty scenes that allowed her to truly act, rather than just react to the troubles of Ellen's adult children. But since my internet connection wouldn't take me far enough to view the closing credits, I have no idea who wrote this episode. Can someone please share who the head-writers were at this time? And why did anyone think Mr Bigg was a good idea for ATWT?

This is in no reference to you, my sister Contessa, but: Dear God in heaven, Mr Lemay -- you killed off Mary Matthews, Steven Frame, and John Goddamned Randolph!! All three were at least as important as Maureen Bauer, and more important than Frankie Frame. I love love love you, Mr Lemay, but YES, you did kill off characters like that. Just goes to show that very very smart and talented men can make absolutely ludicrous statements. LOL.

Thank you, but that's not it. She used a European term that I had never heard before, or since. When I hear it, I'll remember it. LOL.

Does anyone remember the term Vivian Alamain called her young male assistant (henchman) when she returned to Salem about 10-12 years ago, and buried Maggie alive in a sarcophagus? She used a particular term to refer to his position with her. I think it was a European term. Does anyone remember it?

Lots of talk about Jill Farren Phelps in the specific SON soap chats, so I thought I'd ask a few general questions about her here: 1. Does anyone think that JFP might have had some long-term success and longer tenure, if she had been the original executive producer of a new soap opera (rather than taking-on long-running soaps, some of which were already in trouble)?? 2. Or what if JFP had created her own soap opera and got in on a network? Could she have been a successful executive producer on a soap she had created (rather than attempting to fit long-running soaps into her mold)?? 3. Well known soap scribe, Harding Lemay, once said in an interview, "Jill is the most talented executive producer I have ever worked with." Why do you think he said that? Was he off his rocker, or did he have good reason for feeling that way? 4. Do you think JFP was all bad? And if not, what were her strengths?

That's interesting. I remember watching occasionally at the time, and was surprised that Bruce suddenly had a background in law. When he was first introduced, I believe he had been a teacher or college professor, but wasn't he a journalist for most of his run on LOL?

Many of us feel that Douglas Marland was very good at mining the past for storylines while he was writing ATWT. The Frannie/Sabrina plot and the Lisa/Scott Eldridge plot are two examples. Most of us have also heard that he had some interest in the return of Chuckie Shea, but decided Scott Eldridge would be a more believable route to take. But Marland must have considered other characters or plots from the past to use in the 1980s and early-90s on ATWT. Have any of you heard stories or rumors of old plots he considered reviving, but decided not to pursue? Or plots he wanted to write, but was forbidden by the network or P&G? Marland had such a creative mind and he certainly loved the genre (as opposed to some head-writers who held the genre in distain). So I'm confident he must have considered other details and characters from ATWT's past. For example -- did he ever consider Joyce Colman for a return? Or perhaps Lord Cushing (wasn't he Paul Stewart's son?)? Or how about Natalie (one of Tom Hughes' former wives)? Marland did seem to have a particular interest in Penny Hughes, as he brought back Rosemary Prinz for short visits several times for different reasons. So back to my original question -- have any of you heard stories or rumors of old plots or characters Marland considered reviving on ATWT, but decided not to pursue?

I've always believed having Jo and Stu sell the inn (was it called the Hartford House?) was a big mistake. Owning the inn gave both Jo and Stu plenty of screen time without necessarily giving them their own storylines (which would have been difficult to do with characters of that age in the early 1980s). And owning the inn sort of kept Jo at the "center" of the show in a natural way, again without shoe-horning her into plots. After selling the inn, it was more difficult to use Jo in a believable way. Since she had very little family, it seemed the writers had to manufacture ways (or reasons) to have Jo appear on the show. And without the inn, Jo's appearances seemed a little forced or intentional, rather than her natural scenes at the inn. And I feel sure the writers found it more difficult to use Jo, without the inn as her backdrop. Stu, although of similar age, was an easier character because he had more family to interact with. Plus the inn was the perfect soap opera set. Not only was it Jo's home, it was also a hotel (where characters could mingle), a restaurant, a bar, a meeting place, an event center. Almost any character on the show could drop by the inn, and end up in an unplanned conversation with Jo. Something that became awkward and unlikely, after the setting was gone. The inn was a great public space that most soap operas in 2025 would LOVE to have.

Sounds like Malloy may have been the George Reinholt of the 90s. Who'd have guessed??

Are you saying we no longer accept actor replacements on soap operas? Or maybe I missed your point.

Wow, I was watching at this time, but I don't remember this replacement at all. Did this transition occur within one episode, as it appears in the video? Or do these clips come from two different episodes?

Why was Bruce suddenly a lawyer? Was it just a budget concern, so they didn't need to hire another actor to play the lawyer?

Who was the emergency recast for Scott when Breen was suddenly fired? I was watching every day at that time, and I don't remember at all. I do remember the later recast (Doug Wert), when Scott returned to Oakdale after a couple of years away.