Franko

Looks like Eure began as Mike in June 1974, with the character reappearing after a six-month absence. Guthrie began as David in May 1975, with the character reappearing after a two-year absence.

Sexually confused, followed by mental anguish from "Dad" and eventually Mom, then a dying wife. If there's anyone entitled to a pity party in '70s Salem, it's Mike.

I should mention Mike and Margo had other, more normal looking wedding photos ... ... but the one I posted first was the one I first saw for them. I initially thought she was blind. Now, onto the recap: -- In case you didn't know, @beebs, Suzanne Rogers won a Daytime Emmy for her work in 1978-79. Things musta improved dramatically (pun intended). DOOL's other acting nominees were John Clarke, Jed Allan, Susan Seaforth Hayes and Frances Reid. Not only that, but the show, its direction and its writing (!) were all nominated. -- Donna's story will never stop sounding gross. -- "I Know My First Name Is Timmy: The Scotty Banning Story." -- Well, I guess Frances earned that Emmy nod with Alice counseling Margo.

My god, it sounds like an extended game of "Can you top this?" I'm waiting for Marlena to be kidnapped, then hit by a bus when fleeing. And the writers really needed to make up their minds about Donna, who's coming across as bipolar. Nah, Trish is making a sword-and-sandal movie, I think. Mike and Margo's wedding, of course, resulted in an unintentionally hilarious photo. If I was Rosemary Forsyth, I'd feel resentful that my formerly front-burner character is doing very little at the moment. At least Edward Malloy has hospital scenes.

Fascinating stuff as always, @beebs, even if the stories themselves range from tune in tomorrow (the Andersons, plus Neil and Chris) to Dear God, make it stop already! (Trish). We've said it before, but not properly utilizing Steve Olson/SS has to be one of DOOL's biggest missed opportunities. "When I'm done with her."? "When I'm done with her."! Jeez Louise, Mickey and Maggie could hardly be blamed for worrying about little Janice.

It sounds like she did. From the AWHP: Courtney left June 12, 1970 for a year's leave of absence, but she returned to pre-tape scenes that were spaced out over that time period. These appearances include: September 24 and 28, October 9, and November 2, 1970. She returned full time on July 7, 1971.

Thank you for getting that up, @Vee. I watched, and it was magical. Wolf was furious. "With all due respect, and we've known each other a long time -- you don't know what you're talking about." She also called Wolf out for repeating Andrew Yang's talking points. Her: "Thank you. Your sensitivity to our constituents ..." Him: "I am sensitive."

Shoot, I might have to reclaim this story for if/when I ever write a soap myself.

Thanks. I see it as a slow burner. Maggie has an extra drink or two at Christmas and New Year's, then other parties, then with dinner, then without dinner. It doesn't have to be a cliché if it's told honestly and relatably.

It's a stretch, but Judith Light was on the Dallas revival.

I spent my afternoon trying to come up with alternative story path for Maggie. Suppose she became an alcoholic because of her fish out of water situation. Here she is, feeling like she's coming up short as a wife, potential mother, member of Salem society, etc. A story about anxiety and low self-esteem tells itself in 2020, but it could have worked in the late '70s, too. Maggie could end up befriending every young woman in town (Trish, Margo, Donna, Melissa) with maybe a little jealousy about the liberation she was just a little too old for/isolated from, but also genuine friendship for her mentees. Maggie will still make mistakes (yes to the idea of a fling with Jay), but she's also learning to appreciate herself (and Mickey) along the way.

With a heartwarming visit from Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for the Christmas episodes.

Which run are we talking about, Bev's or Carmen's? If it's the former, I've heard it said that the Iris and Alex Wheeler storyline wasn't that great (wasn't it intended as TEXAS' initial marquee storyline?). If it's the latter, @j swift was talking not too long ago about the oddity of Iris falling for everyday kinda guy Hank Kent (which I think was her last story before the mess with Carl).

Ha, so she's become Johnny Carson?

Ha, that's brilliant! Also, I know Biden's too much of a gentleman to do so, but in response to the "clown" question and if he gets blowback for not agreeing to do another debate, but he has the right to say, "M**********r tried to kill me!"

I've been in such an EVITA mood these past few days, but I'd argue we're actually in the last 10 minutes or so. (And, yes, I know, he'll never say any of this out loud, but ...)

Meanwhile, at the White House ...

When I first heard the name Monticello, I assumed it was somehow related to Jefferson's place and thus in Virginia. Kinda fitting, since EDGE and CAPITOL frequently come up in discussions of soaps that could/should be revived.

One more schadenfreude clip:

Theme song for this evening. If it wasn't evident already, this feels like Toto pulling back the curtain on Professor Marvel.

Wow, Pete & Diana had a courtship on steroids! Especially when there weren't mitigating circumstances (pregnancy, greed) involved. Were P&D the flagship young couple for their time? Looking at late 1981-early 1982, I see Kit and Joey, then Rick and Marianne, left a few months apart. Then there was Sally and Denny (didn't last long), Jamie and eventually Christine (also short-lived), Cecile and Sandy (ditto, with Cass eventually coming a few months later) and Blaine apparently between men.

I see that one of Poyner's AW storylines as Dennis was having an affair with Cecile's mother, Elena (one of Iris' friends). Perhaps his interest in older woman could have continued on TEXAS?

Thank you. For some reason, I got really concerned about Cass' happiness.

Donna's misfortune extended into ATWT. She had skin cancer, then Vicky died and her ghost needed to be put to rest, then Jake remarried and ultimately died, too. According to the AWHP, Donna and Marley co-raised twins Michelle and Bridget with Jake's widow, Molly, but I'm willing to bet the ladies Love have spent most of the last 18 years with those girls (which, depending on how you look at it, may be a happy ending). Slightly off topic, but did Cass and Lila eventually breakup, or was she just off-screen whenever he'd make his later appearances on ATWT and GL?

SPOILER (Watch at your own risk. It seems to serve as a shallow but evocative coda.)