redontop4

Can't say about Terry Lester, but I don't remember Lane Davies ever showing a lack of support or respect for daytime. He chose not to submit himself for the Emmy, which is prerogative. But I've never heard him trying to distance himself from SB, even if he voiced displeasure over some of the choices the writers made for Mason.

When the Dobsons were locked out of SB and especially when they returned in '91, Bridget Dobson complained repeatedly that SB had become "too violent." Truth is, it was always a violent show. Of course, it was also a genuinely funny show -- not cute or amusing but often funny -- especially when the Dobsons were away.

I disliked the revelation that Eden's doctor was her rapist as much as anyone. It sent a bad message to women who have trouble trusting gynecologists already and may forego important health care because of those fears. However, I don't see how this undercuts MW's message that rape victims should report their crimes. That is true no matter who the attacker is. Yes, the show was very Cruz & Eden-heavy at this point. Thankfully AM and MW had the talent to carry it. It would have been nice to see Eden's support system, specifically the Capwells, at work. But it was around this time that Mason had turned into Sonny and Kelly was being played by Kimberly MacArthur, who (mercifully) was given little to do while the producers tried to find a new new Kelly. So it may make some sense that we don't see much of those two.

Yes, the conclusion of Eden's rape storyline is one time I think the Dobsons would have reined in CP and steered him towards a resolution that was less sensational and over-the-top and more emotional and character-based. Then again, it was the Dobsons who, on their return in 1991, had Augusta out to seduce her sister's rapist, which was pretty repugnant in its own right and led to the loss of Louise Sorel.

Yep. SB had b@lls. This was not your mother's soap, which made it exhilarating to watch for awhile.

There was a bit of controversy, or at least disappointment, when SB submitted the rape episode for the Best Directing Emmy in 1989 and failed to get even a nomination. That was the year the show all but swept the awards (Best Drama, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Juvenile Male, Best Writing, plus a few technical awards), but nothing for the directors. They would, however, win in each of the next two years. And yes, it's riveting television, especially in the context of 1980s soap opera. JFP, Chuck Pratt & team had been at GH when Luke's rape of Laura was rebranded a "seduction" and set out to make it clear that there was nothing seductive or romantic about this rape. At one point, Eden even goes on TV to criticize shows "like 'General Clinic'" for their whitewashing of rape. Unfortunately the reveal of the rapist's identity brought its own controversy and undercut the import of the story a bit. But there's no denying the power of the episodes before, during, and immediately after the attack. Keep watching!

If the last year of the show is all you know of SB, then you've missed the real SB. Fans will argue about the show's heyday (most agree it was 1985 to '88 or '89), but I remember great stories more than years or eras. Personally I am partial to the Elena Nikolas/Utah story (1987), the Sonny/Mason/Julia/Gina mess (1988), Eden's rape (1988), the Cruz/Eden/Robert triangle (1989-'90), and the two brilliant Capwell dinner party episodes (1991). Most of these are on YouTube. Start with the "Eden's Attack" clips. Truly terrifying and moving.

I think a lot of credit for that has to go to JFP. Love her or hate her, she really knew and loved SB. By most accounts, she was a potent creative force on the show from the beginning, even before she ascended to exec producer, and provided a "constancy" (A Martinez' word), which is why SB maintained its superior quality (despite some shaky writing) until she was fired in 1990. John Conboy and Paul Rauch did not know SB and tried to make it into another show entirely.

The Dobsons stepped down as head writers in late 1986. Chuck Pratt was promoted to co-head writer along with newly hired Anne Howard Bailey. Jerry Dobson left SB entirely then to write a screenplay; Bridget Dobson stayed on as a non-writing executive producer. It was also around this time that the show's other executive producer, Mary-Ellis Bunim, left the show and Jill Farren Phelps was promoted from producer to supervising producer in charge of day-to-day production and post-production. Bridget Dobson was sole executive producer for much of 1987 but was ousted in her notorious fracas with NBC and New World (over wanting to fire Bailey) in September 1987. The show was without an exec producer briefly until JFP was tapped to fill the spot in December.