Wilsoky

Can you elaborate? I sense some inside knowledge there...

Here is an example of the sets. Look at the attention to detail around 1:57 when Vanessa is on the porch of Erica's house.

Agreed! JDB used the vets and newbies well. Judy Wilson has credited her for helping with casting. She got Finola Hughes and Marj Dusay - among others... But, she suffered from poor writers. Frons WAS coming onto the scene at that time, good point!

Yep, I think it was a writing problem. There was a lot of turnover around that period.

Listen to this background music. It was awesome!

I always enjoyed when Jean D. Burke was EP. The sets were great, the cast amazing, and the background music was the best! I'm not sure why she was replaced. She probably spent too much money vs. ratings...

They were in the Valley before even the pines! Haha

It was definitely more like Time or a news magazine when Brooke became the editor.

It must have been sometime in the early 80's. VI said he first heard about Marj Dusay's talent from CH. Hickland worked with her on Capitol.

Vincent Irizarry throws in a quick mention that he was dating Catherine Hickland when he first heard about Marj. I wonder when this was..? She was married to David Hasselhoff for a good bit of the 80's. And then MEK for most of the 90's. Fun fact... David Hasselhoff played Michael Knight on Knight Rider. Then she married an actor named the same as her first husband's character.

https://www.wbez.org/making/2025/05/06/tv-wouldnt-be-tv-without-soap-operas Agnes Nixon is the thumbnail pic 😃 @Errol You should listen to this. She's amazing.

I figured out why I recognized him, he also played Barry Shire - Adam Chandler's attorney. He was in several episodes in that role.

Thank you! It was driving me crazy, I was even watching the closing credits from 94/95 on YouTube. He was never credited! How do you find your info?

@slick jones

Does anyone remember who played Congressman Matthew Callaway? I've tried to look it up, but there is no info anywhere. He was Edmund's opponent in the US House election and backed by Adam. Callaway even tried to kill Edmund once with a car bomb.

If vintage episodes of any soap did somehow show up on streaming, would the actors/writers have to be paid residuals? I'm thinking that is a big reason we haven't seen it..

^ I need to find some of these cards! Never knew they existed. SL is prominently represented.. the guy opening them is a little annoying though. He didn't watch the show.

Haha! What were your questions?

I think the one thing AI misses is the intensity of Fandom. That's hard to quantify. Yep, the largest incorrect answer from Grok was DOL being critically acclaimed- that is not mostly true.

*footnote - this was copied and pasted from Grok after asking the question...

I wish there was a way to get the streaming numbers. I see GH ranked highly in the top 10 TV shows on HULU almost every day.

Quantifying the "best" soap opera of all time is inherently subjective, as it depends on individual preferences, cultural impact, longevity, viewership, and critical acclaim. However, by examining various criteria, we can attempt to rank them: Longevity and Episode Count: Guiding Light holds the record for being the longest-running soap opera, with 72 years on the air, including radio, ending in 2009 with 15,762 episodes. Its ability to adapt and evolve over time is notable. Viewership and Ratings: General Hospital has been a top-rated soap for decades, especially known for moments like Luke and Laura's wedding, which remains one of the most watched soap episodes ever. It has been on air since 1963, showing consistent popularity. Critical Acclaim and Awards: Days of Our Lives has been celebrated for its storytelling and character development, particularly noted for its iconic supercouples and dramatic plots. It has also received numerous Daytime Emmy nominations and wins. All My Children is often highlighted for its influence on daytime drama through its portrayal of social issues and the iconic character Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci, who became synonymous with soap operas. Cultural Impact and Memorable Storylines: Dark Shadows stands out for its unique blend of supernatural elements with traditional soap opera storytelling, influencing later shows and even spawning film adaptations. Dallas and Dynasty are iconic for their primetime success, with "Who Shot J.R.?" from Dallas being one of the most famous cliffhangers in TV history. However, these are primetime soaps, not daytime. Fan and Viewer Votes: Community rankings like those on Ranker often place General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, and The Young and the Restless at the top, reflecting fan appreciation over time. Given these considerations, here's a speculative ranking based on these quantifiable measures: General Hospital - For its enduring popularity, significant cultural moments like Luke and Laura, and numerous awards. Days of Our Lives - For its long run, vast number of episodes, and influence on soap opera storytelling. The Young and the Restless - For its consistent high ratings, longevity, and impact on daytime television. All My Children - For its pioneering approach to social issues and the iconic Erica Kane character. Guiding Light - For its unmatched longevity, though its influence has waned since its conclusion. Please note, this is a speculative ranking based on available data and does not definitively claim one soap opera as the "best" over others, as preferences can vary widely among viewers. Guiding Light history Primetime soap operas Include viewer polls

Makes you wonder. They went all in on OLTL characters for a bit, now it's shifted to AMC actors/characters. I'm sure they have some data behind the scenes for the reasoning. I can tell you that I (as an old AMC viewer) haven't watched a soap since 2013. That was the online version by Prospect Park. But, I am watching GH now. I like Alexa Havins a lot. Also, why does almost every female on GH have the same hair color? The blonde with roots showing...

Haha. Thanks! It is good to see a lot of old AMC-ers. Michael Knight (but I guess he's gone now?) Alexa, Cameron, Finola, even Genie and Maurice were on AMC for a bit. I was never a fan of Ryan on AMC, but CM seems to show some range with Drew. Oh and JPS (Valentin) was on AMC too. Also, forgot Eva 🙂