Efulton

Was Jason mentioned before his arrival in 1987? I thought that the show wanted Chris Robinson to play one of the Frame brothers who had already appeared by Chris wanted to play a new character so they created Jason.

Why weren’t you the head writer!?? 😀

I also liked Olivia. She had so much potential.

While I enjoyed Donna Swajeski’s four year run as head writer it was not amazing. It was a relief to have one vision long enough for storylines to actually play out. 1989 and 1991 were two of my favourite years in the 23 years I watched Another World. I loved that she kept Rachel and her children / stepchildren front and centre. She built a new generation of Frames. Donna, Felicia, Jake and Cass had storylines. She created some great characters - Frankie, Lucas, Lorna, Paulina, Ryan, Grant - and couples - Felicia & Lucas, Jenna & Dean, Ryan and Vicky, John & Sharlene. I thought she wrote incredible returns for Kathleen, Carl and Cecile. I’ve watched the episodes from the 25th anniversary and Mac’s death multiple times and they hold up well. On the flip side the show could be quite boring under her pen. She botched the opportunity to rebuild the Matthews family with the return of Russ, the introduction of Olivia and the revelation that Josie was his daughter. Why were the Matthews doomed!!?? Sigh.

I could not agree more!

There is no question that Harding Lemay is a very talented writer and he told some brilliant stories in his 8 years as head writer. He created several great characters - Iris, Dennis, Mac, Louise, Olive, Willis, Gwen, Janice, Vivien, Clarice, Larry and Blaine. However, his arrogance did so much damage to Another World in the long run that the show was never able to completely recover from it. He gutted the show by firing 5 actors - Val Dufour (Walter Curtin), Virginia Dwyer (Mary Matthews), George Reinholt (Steven Frame), Jacqueline Courtney) and Michael Ryan (John Randolph). He preferred creating new characters instead of bringing back ones with ties to Bay City like Sam, Susannah & Lahoma Lucas and Bill, Ricky & Melissa Matthews. He also failed to create a new generation of Matthews who could have generated stories for years to come.

I have been rewatching episodes from 1983 and they are even better than I remembered. Felicia / Cass / Cecile. The introduction of the Love family. The Alma Rudder murder. Nasty Jeanne Ewing. Faith Ford and Mary Page Keller as recasts for Julia Shearer and Sally Frame. 2 characters that never should have been killed off. Mac and Rachel reunited. Liz, Brian, Vivien, Larry, Clarice and Ada silll being featured. Maisie, Lily, Quinn and Gil. So entertaining and fun!

He did then I think she was on her own for a bit. There was such a revolving door it was difficult to keep up with who was writing.

Dorothy Ann Purser then Richard Culliton / Gary Tomlin. The core families were front and centre - Corys, Matthews and Ewings. The Loves and the McKinnons were being fleshed out. There was diversity with Quinn, Lily and more. Great young characters and actors that were tied to the older characters - Nancy, Perry, Ben, Marley, Thomasina and Carter. The vets were used effectively - Mac, Rachel, Ada, Liz, Clarice and Larry. Exciting new and newish characters were mixed in - Catlin, Cass, Cecile, Sandy, Felicia, Wallingford, Donna, etc. If Allen Potter and Richard Culliton / Gary Tomlin could have remained for a few years I believe the show would have been ratings hit again.

The fall of 1983 through the end of 1984 is one of my favourite periods of Another World.

I enjoyed the Edward Black / Steve Frame story with David Canary in the role and with return of Alice and Sally as written by L. Virginia Browne. The problem was the casting of Alice and then the horrible writing by Corrine Jacker.

Man I love this thread!

I am loving this discussion. Please keep it going!!

Then again many characters should never have been killed off - Mary Matthews, Steve Frame (twice!), John Randolph, Julia Shearer, Sally Frame, Quinn Harding, Ryan Harrison, Bridget Connell, Frankie Frame....

Killing off Lee Randolph and Bill Matthews was very short sighted. They should have been very important long term characters.

Cathy Greene was the first Sally and was a good child actor. I really liked Jennifer Runyon in the role. You can see her work as Sally on Youtube. Mary Page Keller was beautiful and talented. By far my favourite. Taylor Miller could have worked out as Sally but the writing was terrible at that time. She also admitted that she has some issues behind the scenes that did not help. The character never should have been killed off. It was a very bad move.

Hey everyone. I noticed that several people have questioned why Chris Robinson was not a recast of Willis or Vince Frame. I remember reading an interview with him and he said the show originally wanted him to be a recast of one of the Frame brothers from the 70s. However, he wanted them to create a new character for him so he became the never mentioned before Jason Frame.