MarlandFan

Alan tried to have Lisa Brown on several times, but she declined. While she had been very content to be behind-the-scenes for the past decade or so, both he and Martha Byrne were hoping to convince her eventually. But then she became ill and I'm certain all her energies were spent trying to get healthy.

I remember reading an interview with Fulton in 1992 after the Scott reveal. She mentioned that Marland had asked her about Chuckie's death and if it had happened offscreen. She told him "no", that the child's body and Lisa's grieving over the body had been portrayed onscreen. So clearly Marland had considered bringing Chuckie back, but realized it would be a betrayal to the show's history. I agree about Scott being dull. When I first learned that Joe Breen had been cast as Scott, I was excited because of his great work on GL. But Scott (as written) was a wimpy sad sack who (obviously) had mother issues. Even back in 1992 it seemed very problematic that he should get sexually involved with his boss (Lucinda) and after that relationship ended, he moved right into a relationship with the doomed Neal. Then the actor began to physically change from his health issues -- and then he was replaced. And then Marland died. Scott as a character (and as a long-lost brother to a core character) never caused the fireworks that he should have. And before any major correction could be made, Marland and the character were gone. I liked the direction the new Scott took (as an unpredictable troublemaker portrayed by Doug Wert) but by then I had basically stopped watching the show.

The rapid aging of Ellen (from single gal to great-grandmother in 20 years!) meant that actress Patricia Bruder became a peripheral character by the early 1980s. Eileen Fulton was very smart to insist on a "no-Grandmother" clause in her contract throughout the 1970s.

Regarding the August 1986 episodes where Tom found out he had NOT slept with Barbara: I love that Marland had Margo forgive Tom and decide to return to him prior to she and Tom realizing the truth. It was love that brought them back together, not the revelation that he had not cheated.

The late-May 1986 classic episode where Frannie remembers Marsha killing Doug Cummings is the Holy Grail of YouTube. That episode and Chris's Labor Day birth are the two that have never been posted. Hopefully, one day someone will discover an old video tape in their attic...

This episode not only showcases Eileen Fulton's "on-target" performance during the menopause storyline -- it's also an example of how perfect the 1986/87 years were for ATWT. I'm so grateful to those many fans who kept their VCRs running so that we can still watch this amazing show today.

In the late 90s, I attended an ATWT discussion panel at the Paley Center in NYC. Of the nine cast members present, Fulton, Byrne, and Zenk were the most effusive and enthusiastic. All three ladies connected with the audience and were 100% happy to be there. I look forward to Eileen's interview.

I've written only one fan letter in my life and it was to Eileen Fulton during the menopause storyline. I thought she did a great job.

I appreciate Alan for A.) coming up with the idea of these amazing soap reunions, B.) setting them up, C.) keeping them going. I'm sure it's time-consuming and sometimes stressful. So, thanks to Alan!

I've downloaded every 1986 - 1993 episode available on YouTube to my Dropbox account. If ever they are pulled from YouTube (hopefully never), I wanted to ensure that I'd still have them.

Regarding the Frannie/Sabrina casting: I remember Don Hastings discussing how time consuming it was to halt taping in order to re-dress/hairstyle Julianne Moore as the other character. That was probably a major factor in the decision to cast two separate actresses in 1991.

I know I'm the minority here, but I did not appreciate Jon Hensley's acting abilities. He seemed to struggle with lines and his range ran from A to B. He was a gorgeous man (especially in the 80s) and lucked out by landing in a super-couple that lasted for decades, but if there was any lack of chemistry with the various Lilys, it was due to him.

I believe Rattray was there for a full three years, from very end of 1989 to the very end of 1992.

Heather Rattray definitely made Lily her own. She helped move Lily to adulthood and made us feel Lily's anguish during the miscarriage/ Holden's amnesia/ the Aaron deception storylines.

Regarding the "hair and makeup" times/lengths: I don't think the actors were in the chairs the entire time. Some may have taken 10 or 15 minutes, others perhaps longer. But I'm sure there was some buffer time between the hair/makeup time and the on-set call.

I believe Susan's contention that Marland received royalties for characters he created. He was a major, Emmy-winning soap writer when he joined ATWT and I expect his contract called for several perks that most head writers did not receive at that time (or since). He had already created two soaps ("Loving" and "A New Day in Eden") and was at the Bill Bell/Agnes Nixon level. I'm sure that part of the reason he agreed to take on the 30-year old ATWT was that he would retain rights to characters he created.

While I appreciate Alan coordinating all of these soap actor reunions, he can be a very frustrating interviewer. He interrupts a great deal - and at inopportune times. Suzenne was going to expand on several topics but at her slightest pause, he jumps in and cuts her off. I'm sure we could have learned a lot more about Louden and Morrison and the post-Marland era if he would just let her speak. She was game to talk about everything. And it sounds like she had a friendship with Marland -- we could have learned about that as well. Again - I'm glad these interviews are taking place - but there are so many missed opportunities.

It's very frustrating to watch these interviews with the ATWT producers and learn so little about the origin/inspiration/details behind the storyline decisions. He has Vivian on and never once asks what it was like to work on the show during its 80/90s Renaissance and the shock of Marland's sudden death or the P&G EP musical chairs period. I mean, this woman is a walking encyclopedia of soap opera history - and yet Alan ignores it.

John and Lucinda eloped off-camera. The first time the audience learned of it was when Emma first learned of it - at John's penthouse when Lucinda came bounding down the spiral staircase announcing to Emma that she was "the honorable Mrs. John Dixon."