TheyStartedOnSoaps

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.

For all the talk on Guiding Light threads about how many Santa Barbara people 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.

This is an article from 10 years ago (my apologizes if it has already been posted) - but interview with Jordan Clarke - who was working as handyman once Guiding Light went off the air https://www.buzzfeed.com/davidkushner/my-handyman-my-soap-star

Because she is Reva!

Colleen Zenk & Hillary B. Smith together again after 35 years

Then who would you pair Reva up with, once she broke it off with Alan?

It is possible that McTavish is taking credit for a firing she had nothing to do with. At the time Jean Carol was not happy with her storyline, she had been on the backburner for 18 months. And she missed LA. Being backburner that long, I think the show felt there was nowhere to go with the character. While it was a mistake to kill off Nadine, I don't think it was McTavish who fired Jean Carol. Her leaving was a long time coming, and I think it was the higher-ups that decided to write out the character.

Clint Richie's illness in real-life changed the storyline. Originally Sloan was to die and Clint & Viki get back together again. However because Clint Richie was in an accident and on sick leave, the writers had to scramble to keep the story afloat until Richie came back So they convinced Roy Thinnes to sign a long-term contract, just to keep things going until Richie came back. Which is why he made a miraculous recovery. Irony is that they did wind up killing off Sloan, cutting short Roy Thinnes contract. Despite Richie returning (and a recast Jerry Ver Dorn), Clint & Viki remained apart for almost 20 years!

He was not up for the part of Johnny Bauer - he already cast as Johnny's brother, Todd Bauer. As Sheri Anderson made plans to expand the Bauer family with a new head of the family, Lainie & Jack Bauer, along with Lacey Bauer in an attempt to duplicate the four musketeers. But the ink was barely dry on Frank D. contract before Sheri Anderson was fired and Pam Long was re-hired. She immediately ditched the Tood Bauer character, and instead created a brand new character of Frank. She dropped the Lacey Bauer character, and created Harley Cooper to replace Lacey in the new four musketeers. She marginalized Lainie & Jack Bauer, and instead had Hawk & Sarah Shayne run "Company"

Fun fact - Gail & Pam wanted to cast Jerry Lanning as Billy Lewis. However it seems the network & P&G felt there were too many ex-Texas actors on the show, and told Gail Kobe & Pam Long to put a halt on hiring anymore former Texas actors

I just read the transcript and the ONLY time Justin Deas is mentioned is when Tina Sloan talks about how great it was to work with him. NEVER did Ellen Parker ever mention Justin Deas in that interview

When did she say this?

I don't think Ellen Parker was fired to pay for him. Remember around the same time Beverlee McKinsey quit, so they already had the money to pay for Justin Deas

Though JFP boosted AW as the top P&G soap among women - I've always wondered if it ws becaise of her, or because AW followed Days of our Lives on most NBC stations At that time, Days was the number one show for women 18 - 49. This was not only among all soap operas, but all daytime shows (talk shows, games shows etc)