TheyStartedOnSoaps

HBS loves Gregg Marx, and often tells the story about how difficult it was filming bed scenes with Marx, while she was six month pregnant. At the time the show chose to hide her pregancy, but HBS was big. She used to joke that it was three in that bed (her, Marx and her stomach) and since Marx didn't much experience with pregnant women, he didn't know how to coordinate his body over hers to hide her stomach. Which HBS found hilarious everytime they had to do a bed scene.

Since Tonya Pinkins said she was told she already had her last day after returning from vacation, it looks like someone on the show mentioned in passing that Heather had left town to think over her life

They were all in the process of being written out by Susan Bedsow-Horgan. By the time Douglas Marland became head writer, they were already practically out the door

One of Douglas Marland's 10 rules was "Don't fire anyone for six months." He felt very deeply that you should look at the show's canvas before you do anything. Which is why characters like Kevin, Jay, and Heather stuck around. Any other head writer would have swiftly removed them. However, Marland used Kevin and Jay as a red herring in the Doug Cummings story, while Heather developed into Frannie's confidant. But behind the scenes, some actors were unhappy, particularly Tonya Pinkins, who played Heather. She likened what went on behind the scenes to a "clique." She asserted that a significant amount of backstabbing occurred. The final straw came when she went on vacation for two weeks and confirmed with the producers that she would be available to return afterward. Then, when she returned from vacation, she was told she had her last day and shouldn't bother coming back. Around the same time, Steven Weber (Kevin) and Breck Jamison (Jay) were written out as the Doug Cummings story concluded. So at least Marland gave these three characters a chance before getting rid of them. The situation with Steve and Betsy was more complicated. Marland does not like super-couples dominating a show. He resigned from General Hospital over Luke & Laura and was now confronted with Steve & Betsy dominating the action. Unfortunately, Marland found himself enmeshed with them. Marland would never get rid of Betsy because of her deep roots with the Stewart clan. Furthermore, a character with connections to numerous other central characters presents a wealth of story. Marland did say he was frustrated with Betsy being stuck in the "loving wife" role opposite Steve. This is why he was determined to break them up. Marland emphasized Steve's "pride" and determination to be a success. At the same time, Marland portrayed Betsy as an enthusiastic businesswoman. This situation would add conflict to their relationship. Frank Runyeon's decision to leave the show likely relieved Marland, allowing him to steer the character of Betsy in a different direction.

Marland didn't write Jay out, he kept him around to use as a red herring during the Doug Cummings storyline. He spent at least a year under Marland's regime as Head Writer, and left when his 3 year contract expired.

Emergenecy recast - in the middle of a scene! From Allyson Rice to Susan Batten (Connor Walsh)

I think they had story mapped out for Sam to facilate the exit of Evan, as Charles Grant made it clear he was not going to renew his contract. Problem was Robert Kelker-Kelly abruptly left, and his temporary replacement, Thomas Gibson, would only give them a month as he didn't want to be tied down to a contract. So they needed a new Sam When Daniel Markel started as Sam, they story picked up at where it was originally suppose to go with RKK. Then it seemed they were going down the road of a Amanda/Sam/Olivia triangle, but for some reason TPTB decided they wanted a new Sam. Which I don't understand, as Daniel Markel seemed to be doing fine. No offense to Brian Green, but his characterization of Sam wasn't Sam at all. It was like he was playing a different character.

Does anyone know why Daniel Markel was fired as Sam Fowler? Below is his final episode, and it was a regular show. Sam and Olivia are enjoying dinner at Tops, which is a routine event. Then Markel is fired, and exactly two weeks later, Olivia gives Amanda a letter from Sam saying he has decided to stay in Italy. (When did he head off to Italy?). Personally, I thought Markel was doing fine in the role of Sam, so it is puzzling that he was abruptly fired after 8 months. Does anyone have any insight as to what happened?

Pat Falken Smith wanted Roger (played by Ron Hale) to rape Maggie (played by Cali Timmins) on Ryan's Hope. As PFS turned Maggie from a schemer to a heroine. Ron Hale put his foot down and threated to quit, as there was no reason or justification to turn Roger into a rapist. PFS backed down, slightly. Instead it was an "Attempted Rape" and Maggie is saved by Dave. Then two Head Writers later, they have Roger and Maggie fall in love and get married! Despite Roger attempting to rape Maggie just 2 years earlier!

Her role on AW as non-contract. OLTL offered her a contract which she took. At AW they recast the role. Although it was non-contract, story was written for that character, and it still needed to be played out.

Three-time Emmy Winner Bradley Whitford (West Wing) talks about his time working on AMC and has some nice things to say about David Canary - video below https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/bradley-whitford-new-season-diplomat-126473879

Pat Falken Smith is notorious for penning sensational and lurid rape storylines. With the exception of Guiding Light, every single soap she wrote for, she featured a sensational rape storyline that would live on in soap opera history. The most famous being "Luke & Laura"

This opening from Guiding Light Would win the Emmy for Outstanding Title Design - BEATING One Life To Live's new title design and Loving's new title design Did you agree with Emmy voters awarding Guiding Light outstanding title design? Or would you have voted for OLTL or Loving's new title design?

Both those redone opening by OLTL & Loving would get Emmys nominations for outstanding title design But both LOST to this title design by Guiding Light (below)

For all the talk on Guiding Light threads about how many people from the soap Santa Barbara wound up on GL No one talks about how many Santa Barbara people would up on All My Children John Callahan, Eva La Rue, Marj Dusay, Vincent Irrizary, Marcy Walker, Sydney Penny, Robin Mattson, Roscoe Born - I'm probably forgetting more people but that is just off the top of my head.