TheyStartedOnSoaps

From Michael Zaslow book Head writer Claire Labine was very excited about the prspect of returning me to One Life To Live in my former role. A few days later, however, things began to fall to pieces. One Life To Live wanted me, but they weren't sure for how many shows. Unfortunately my former employer placed a RESTRICTION on me, which would have affected my arbitration against them. My lawyers have forbidden me to discuss this in any detail, but I can say Proctor & Gamble has not honored our contract, forcing us to seek legal redress. AGAIN Zaslow says "my former employer (P&G) placed a RESTRICTION on me" - which means P&G stopped him from appearing on OLTL, as he was still contract. That led Zaslow with no choice but to file suit to get out of that contract.

Guiding Light really missed the boat - the storylines possiblities were endless. Think of all the great PR Guiding Light could have gotten by incorporating an ALS storyline on the show Holly being torn between an ailing Roger and her husband Fletcher with a new baby, Roger using his illness to manipulate those around him, exploring Blake being caught in the "sandwhich" generation, maybe throwing Lillian in the mix as Roger's new care-giver and clashing with Holly or Blake, and Roger sitting back stirring the pot. They threw that all out the window.

In Michael's book he makes it very clear P&G used every legal means to STOP him from appearing on OLTL. In the book the family writes that it wasn't Zas that pulled the plug on him appearing on OLTL, it was P&G who held him to his contract.

Actually Zaslow's agents did NOT kill the deal. Guiding Light refused to let him out of his contract. Dwyer-Dobbin basically lied when she said "We're not going to stop him if he wants to do this." P&G refused to let him out of his contract while litigation was going on. At the same time it was Robin Strasser who was working with Zaslow & the ABC brass to get him back on OLTL. She was outraged by what happened and lobbied to get the ALS story on OLTL. It was only when Zaslow reached an out of court settlement with P&G did they release him from his contract. By that time Jill Farren Phelps had replaced Maxine Levinson as EP of OLTL, since JFP & Zas had a great working relationship at GL, JFP was eager to get him on the show and pursue the ALS story.

Dennis Parlato had worked with Paul Rauch on One Life To Live and was an emergency recast. They had no time to audition or think who would be right as a replacement. GL was pressed for time and Rauch called up Parlato to ask for this favor. It should be said that Dennis Parlato was extremely classy through this whole thing. The first thing he did before even stepping one foot in the GL studio was to write a letter to Michael Zaslow. Stressing to him, he is not after his job. This is only temporary, and has no interest in the job of playing Roger Thorpe. Once his health issues clear itself up, he (Dennis) will bow out and be cheering on his return, along with the rest of the cast of GL. Zaslow and his family were very moved by the letter. After Zaslow died, Dennis Parlato went to many Zas Angels benefits to perform (as he is a musical theatre actor) and raise money for the charity.

The original trailer for "Falcon Crest" from 1981 - afterwards the entire pilot was trashed and they started all over again

But I think Cali could see where this storyline was heading - that Paulina and Jake would eventually fall in love and be a couple (which is what happened when Judi Evans took over) - Probably in Cali's mind, falling in love with your abuser (someone you shot!) is being a victim with no self-esteem. It is like an abused wife, who keeps coming back for more abuse.

All I know is that Cali felt Paulina was written as a "victim" (she did say in the Ryan's Hope book that there was no fight in Paulina) - she was getting more and more unhappy, as the writers were steering her character being forced to do Jake's bidding (even marrying him!). That is not a strong character, when the character is constantly being abused and manipulated by a man. For Judi Evans, after playing a doormat on two different shows, it was refreshing to do a character like Paulina, because in her mind Paulina gave as good as she got when it came to Jake.

That is not what happened at all. Judi only moved to NY to be with her then husband, who was NY based. If it wasn't for her marriage, she would have never left "Days." Judi went to NY unemployed, and went on the audition circuit for various soaps. She originally auditioned for Marley/Vicky after Anne Heche left. She didn't get it, but at the same time TPTB were dealing with an increasingly unhappy Cali Timmins, who felt Paulina was victim. The solution was staring them in the face, as Judi Evans was available and would take the part of Paulina if offered. That is what happened, TPTB solved the problem with Cali being unhappy, and getting a popular Emmy Award winning actress on their cast to boot. It seems like a win-win all around,.

Michael Laibson (AW Executive Producer at the time) said there was nothing he or the writers could do to satisfy Cali unhapiness. So they felt it was best to let her go, if she was so unhappy.

Actually it was Vincent that was pushing JFP to hire Catherine as Mindy, as Vincent & Cat are old friends and wanted to work together.

Susan Seaforth Hayes also auditioned for the role of Alexandra.

I don't see any difference between Barbara Crampton & Catherine Hickland on how they looked age wise back in 1994. Yet it was Crampton who was hand-picked to play Mindy who was in her late 30s, playing someone who is suppose to be in their late 20s.

The point is JFP DID NOT want to cast Hickland for anything on GL. What is ironic is that JFP later cast Hickland for Lindsay Rappaport on OLTL - and her on-screen son (Jason Shane Scott) was exactly 20 years younger than her.

Only by two years - for soaps that is nothing. Plus JFP hand-picked Barbara Crampton for the role, even way before Ann Hamilton was cast. No audition was required. But Crampton got cold feet and passed. Then after Ann Hamilton was cast, Crampton had a change of heart and called JFP. No problem JFP said and within 24 hours Hamilton was out and Crampton was in.

Catherine Hickland campaigned HARD for the role of Mindy after Kimberly Sims left. But Jill Farren Phelps wouldn't give her the time of day. Wouldn't even see her for an audition or reading on any kind. Instead Ann Hamilton, then Barbara Crampton was cast.

Brent Barrett (Tony Barclay - All My Children) and his husband Bernie Blanks - they have been together for over 20 years - but have been married since 2018

What Rauch said was that Amanda Spaulding and Alexandra Spaulding were too similiar - so one had to go. He felt Amanda had more opportunity for story and romance, so he let Marj go. Later when Rauch decided to send recast-Roger off in the sunset, he decided Amanda should go with him as they were a couple, and it made sense. With a hole in the Spaulding family, that is when Rauch decided to bring back Marj. In Rauch's mind, you can have Amanda or Alex, but you can't have both at the same time.

Joe Marinelli who played Pauly Hardman has passed away at age 68 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/joe-marinelli-dead-bunny-tagliatti-santa-barbara-1236298496/

The great Lynn Hamilton who played the Matriarch of the Marshall family (Vivian) has passed away in her sleep at age 95. RIP Below is probably her best scene she ever did on the show

Newly posted partial OLTL episode from 1980

On the Locher Room Signy Coleman said Kim Zimmer was an absolutely bitch towards her. and that Signy has nothing but feelings of hate towards Zimmer for the lousy treatment she endured that one year she worked with Kim Zimmer.

Tina Sloan tied Jerry VerDorn record when Guiding Light was cancelled - 26 years uninterrupted

And Susan did find something to hawk when All My Children was cancelled. Susan was right in the middle of a book tour to promote her autobiography. So she was facing questions from interviewers about AMC cancellation, while trying to sell her book at the same time Kim Zimmer must be clairvoyant - explains why TPTB at Guiding Light made the character Reva a psychic!

Someone has been posted episodes from 1994 and Jill Powell (Marcy Lafferty) has a hot storyline right now. Just googled her and in real-life she is now openly out as a Lesbian with a transgender son. Jill talks about life as a Lesbian Mom raising a transgender son - on The Locher Room below