Marissa Gallant

I may have to switch over to old episodes of Another World before I get to Augusta admitting to an affair with CC. If I never see it, then it never happened. Lol

I still see even the Augusta CC affair as a slap in the face to original viewers. This is the problem with constantly trying to one up the previous stories. Eventually there is no place to go beyond ridiculous. Also, I see it as a problem with constantly changing showrunners. The show was NOT THAT old, there were far too many people who remembered the beginning. And I hate recounting. I know that is just me, but when something is seriously cemented, I don't like changing the past. Change the future is fine. This is part of my problem with Gina suddenly having a niece. How many times did we hear Summer was my only family. Now, that is not true? I could have bought distant cousin, or daughter of old friend. I roll with it because the rest of the stuff coming has me sold. But it bothers me.

42 minutes ago, pdm1974 said:

There were huge hints that they we're going to go the route of making Warren CC's son with Augusta as the show built up the Mason/Warren rivalry. I'm glad they ultimately never went there, and it felt like the whole thing was sort of swept under the rug and forgotten about by the end. 

That's best left on the "Do Not Do This" shelf with Lane Davies and Judith McConnell's idea of a Mason/Sophia pairing.

11 hours ago, Liberty City said:

While I love Judith McConnell, I do wonder how Rosemary Forsyth would've faired as Sophia out of the Dominic disguise.

We will never know. And to me JM is pure perfection in her chemistry with the whole cast. And of course, even better once they finally got CC right. 

4 hours ago, Wendy said:

Oh! You're right. (Can't sleep, hence the insanely-timed reply.) I must have blocked that out, but it's returning to me. Yeah. So, that sucked. (As did Warren treating Lionel like s-h-i-t to make it fly. Now I do remember, although I'm fuzzy as to whether Warren apologized for being such a turd to the only man that ever raised and loved him!)

I do know the rest I talked about before the cancellation was being hinted at, with CC/Augusta/Warren. (Sort of an inverse Lionel/Sophia/Channing [Brick]). But, yuck.

I'm also glad that they didn't have time for that. It would have thrown even more dirt at the viewers who were loyal from the start. Augusta and CC at the beginning clearly had no idea that Lionel and Sophia had an affair at the start of SB. And CC and Augusta barely spoke to each other. Augusta having an affair is something that I can buy. She had several and owned it. She knew Lionel had them. The problem was that Lionel loved Sophia. And whew boy howdy was that ever a problem. And such a delight to watch. 

BTW Hope you both eventually got sleep 

Kirk has now gone full on WHACKADOODLE!! Holy cow, Joseph Bottoms was downright terrifying!!! I didn't see much of this originally. How can CC be so stupid? Kirk is so NOT the right man for your daughter. 

Although, I had to laugh at Mason trying to set Augusta and CC up on a date. And the looks shooting between Augusta/Lionel/CC/Sophia at the casino were awesome! Also enjoy any screen time given Mason and Augusta. 

1 hour ago, Wendy said:

I respectfully disagree. Lane Davies wanted out. I LOVED his Mason most of all, but I really think, for the time, Gordon Thomson did a good job. (Terry Lester was...okay, but he was involved in a lot of wacky hijinx during his brief time, and he looked more like Sophia's son than Pamela's.)

I did really like how GT's Mason reacted to Eden's "death" after she fell from that cliff and went after the shrink (same shrink involved with the Julia/Dash mess) at The Oasis. And GT's Mason was all about Julia, which I loved. Even when with Cassie. Had Julia crooked her finger, Mason would have dropped Cassie like a hot potato - which is exactly what happened.

LD's Mason and Julia were SCORCHING. It was that version that got me so into them! But LD's Mason always seemed to have a foot in the past with Mary, so I liked that, with GT, Julia was his one and only.

 

And you are allowed to disagree. I honestly don't know as much about the recasts because by 88, I was in college and had no tv. (And FAR too many credits) And by the time summer of 89 rolled in, I didn't recognize anything.

But I will defend Judith McConnell against anyone.  

On 4/24/2019 at 10:54 PM, pdm1974 said:

Oh wow! I didn't know there was yet ANOTHER CC before the show even aired.

 

Out of all the SB recasts, who do you think was the MOST successful in their role?

To me, it's a tie between Jed Allan and Judith McConnell. If either of them had been different, it would have failed.

Worst SB was anyone except Lane Davies. Mason was Davies, the rest were posers.

All time Great recast- Victoria Wyndham as Rachel. Also LOVE Robert Hogan as Vince. And I liked all of the Vicky's and Marleys. 

And I stopped watching Days decades ago, but it still bothers me that Chris Kostichek is running around pretending to be Roman Brady and no one has said anything about it. 

I did think Drake Hogesten(spelling is wrong) as Roman was a great choice. But then he became John, so not sure if that counts as a recast or not? Days history gets very confusing.  Lol

2 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

I think the show made her stay longer because they knew it would be exposure for the show. 

It was a win win..the show ratings were slowly rising during this time partly due to the press of her, plus it was added exposure to her.

Ironically, the last months of her stint were rich in possibilities.  She and Jeffrey were well received, and she and Pamela had an interesting mom and daughter in law tension.

Was PB a hit at the theaters? I thought it was more of a sleeper?

Yeah, there's a lot to draw on with "My MIL is my half-brothers mother, my dad's first wife AND a total whack job". Lol

Today, I watched the Lionel/CC poker game. Gawd that was fantastic! And then Augusta and Mason under the table was the icing on my happy cake.

Also, I am noticing something new. CC is discouraging everyone he loves from following their hearts. Getting in the way and breaking them up. And it hit me that he's doing it to keep them from getting hurt like Sophia hurt him. Silly CC, that won't work.

These characters are so multi dimensional that the one note ones REALLY stick out.

5 hours ago, Lex S said:

So, about Robin Wright seemingly being ashamed about being on SB. From all the interviews with her I've heard it sounds like she couldn't get off that show fast enough. Yet, she re-signed her 2-year contract in 1986.

There is this stigma in the acting world that soap actors are second-class actors and they're really there because they cannot get onto major shows. 

It would be my guess that the kind of people Robin Wright became associated with later on (circa 1987 when she filmed the Princess Bride) kept trying to convince her that she needs to leave the soap world and do major movies which she eventually ended up doing. I think I read that she has stated in the past that she never tried out for any other soaps prior to SB nor had she ever watched any of the existing soaps at the time. SB was her only soap experience. At least, it is heartening to know that she acknowledges the grueling hours the soap actors put into their work.

Does anybody here know how the press at the time reacted to her marriage to Sean Penn? I know his marriage to Madonna was the butt of jokes especially since their movie Shanghai Surprise bombed 

I don't think she signed. I believe 2 extra years were added because of Princess Bride. So, between that and her feelings about Dane being fired, she was not happy with everything. There's a short interview with Robin where she talks about the contract extension. 

I don't remember hearing a lot from the Sean Penn marriage. But there was a lot of talk about the divorce.

7 hours ago, Lex S said:

Do we all agree that Joseph Bottoms is pretty well suited for the role of Kirk Cranston. I remember when he first appeared on the show as that surprise guest on Eden's plane on the trip to Hawaii. They kept tiptoeing around the fact that Jack Lee is not coming back. And that Eric character who was his assistant just didn't cut it for the role, I guess so they had to turn to Kirk Cranston as the new plot to get Eden and Cruz apart which worked out pretty well, I have to say

Also, Pearl doesn't seem like he would stay long-term at this point. I'm glad that they eventually found story lines for him that were tied to Kelly. Those were some  of my favorite memories

I don't mind Gallego. I have always hated Santana. She always needed something more than whining Brandon over and over.

I definitely like Bottoms as Kirk. He's a wormy jerk, but he's great at it. I wonder if they were hoping Jack Lee (blanking on the actor's name) would get better and be able to return. 

I like Pearl.

2 hours ago, mphs19952003 said:

A long time lurker, finally a poster.  My thoughts on Mary is that she is what Mason needed to be ready to be in a relationship with Julia.  Julia and Mason have flaws and warts, like most realistic couples.  He needed someone like Mary to show him what love was.  He did lose it, but now that he'd experienced it, he would be more open to it and the fulfillment it would bring him.  Julia showed him it was more than star crossed lovers but also maturity, children, and yes, sometimes struggles.  In the long run, Mary was needed to help Mason successfully move with Julia.

Welcome. You stated this perfectly. I adore Mason. He is such a complex character. So quick to hide his hurt behind sarcasm. 

6 hours ago, Lex S said:

I remember reading in some magazine a long time ago that there was a very wild rumor that they actually planned on killing off CC which would have been a very big deal. The reasoning was that they were tired of the three recasts in a matter of a year and the juicy story with the unplugging was going really well. This wouldn't have been out of character for SB at the time but shocking for one of the central characters. I don't know if this would have brought instant ratings success considering time of the year. Did soaps set at the time have high drama right before Christmas and during? If CC had died, they probably would have brought Mason to the forefront even more prominently. Ultimately, I'm glad it worked out the way it did, Jed Allen was different but was good! 

I had never seen that. I know from Jed Allan's autobiography that they were actively recasting the role They had turned him down at the start of the show. Then they were replacing Bateman. The producers were dragging their feet on him. (Because he blew the audition) But Judith McConnell knew at the audition. They made him audition twice to prove he could remember lines. (Because 13 years on Days didn't prove it to them). Producers can be idiots. I'm just grateful they never attempted recasting Augusta

I think Julia basically found out there is no basis, and she dropped it. Then a few episodes later, everything changes. But Santana stays very one note and whiny about BRRAAANNNNDON.

9 hours ago, Liberty City said:

Another reason I hate Gina Gallego in the role. Ava Lazar would've played this so differently, and I don't even think her Santana would've done what is being done.

I agree. When I was a young teen, Gina Gallego didn't bother me as much. I could take her or leave her. But now, I'm so different. I can't stand a second that she's on my screen. I don't like Gina DeMott, but Santana you signed pspers. Sometimes you have to live with the decisions that you make. And it hurts, but that's the reality!

I. HATE. SANTANA.  So, so, very much. I hate her. News flash woman- You gave him up!

Soaps really are just a college level course of "Wrong Decision Making- 101." But I really enjoy this time period. Everyone is with the wrong person. 

I refuse to be torn away until I get to CC and Sophia.

I'm pretty certain that if the show was still airing, CC would have been wearing a suit until he passed. And Mason would still be wearing a suit. But, yes, I think other characters would have been more casual. 

And I have to admit that I really love some of these outfits. 

Can we talk about the clothes? Some of these clothes could be put on people today and be as stunning as they were in 1986. Other clothes were very odd, even in 1986. I also adored when Julia raided Augusta's closet and asked Augusta, "Don't you ever just look in your closet and think that it's all so boring and dawdy?" And Augusta looks completely confused and says, "No." And I cracked up because Augusta was anything EXCEPT daudy or boring. Lol

2 hours ago, Lex S said:

Thanks! I wonder how many times that front door was closed and opened throughout the whole run? Pretty much every important character touched it at some point. It had some heft to it, wonder if it was real oak! Don't break my heart by telling me it was made of cardboard filled with 

I have read that the door was very heavy.

You asked Laken about the door, or some other question?

4 hours ago, Wendy said:

By the time Katrina showed up, it was clear the show was on a down swing. I don't recall much reaction about her either negatively or positively. The only memory I have of any visceral reaction was after the Dobsons' plans and a few letters stating how Mason/Julia had already been through enough, they 

I know that there was a soap opera digest article that talked about how they wanted to make Mason the bad guy again during their reign. But by that point, the audience didn't buy Mason the bad guy anymore. (Not that they EVER really did, probably due largely to Lane Davies). They seemed to want to go forward with their original ideas, but by then, it was too late. 

I mean really, as awesome as this show was, the untold back stage drama was probably even more fascinating. 

I grew up watching Days, so I was excited to see JA on a show. I was a little cautious. But I loved him right away. And,,like I have mentioned, I understand WHY CC was so angry.

12 minutes ago, Lex S said:

So I read a bit on this topic, and different sources diverge on the accepted usage. Some of it has to do with British English versus American English. So, to some, "a blond man, but a blonde woman"  is the way it's supposed to be written.  

 

This source https://www.dictionary.com/e/blond-vs-blonde/ has some interesting info on the current status of the issue, especially talking about the usage from the last few 

Having just recently seen the first 300 episodes, the first two CCs are still fresh in my mind. I was a little bit perturbed by CC #2 and Santana who was Ava Lazar at the time. Somehow I can see Charles Bateman and Margareta Michaels together. At least, they are interactions didn't disturb me

The "e" information is very interesting.  In Brotherhood of Satan, his hair is dark brown. So is Judith McConnell's.

I could see Bateman and Eva Lazar. But CC 2 REALLY set off my creepy meter. I don't know why.

You aren't at JA yet. But he will always reign in my heart. Yes, he is scarier. And he is also a lot more passionate. Whew! His wife was a lucky woman. I wish he had a few books on audible, because I could listen to that voice for a few hours. Lol. I just feel he was more complex. 

50 minutes ago, Lex S said:

 

Please don't shatter my childhood memories. When you are a child, you don't know blonde from graying, and that's how I remembered it. 

It's okay. He was old. And he was very much a WASP, so it's all good.

10 hours ago, FrenchBug82 said:

Was she really unusually expensive? I mean I know she had a movie career of sorts but this is interesting. I wonder why they invested in her if she was more expensive; it is not like she had a following that would boost the show or did I miss something?

I have no proof of this, but I imagine that it wasn't that Harley was that expensive. I think Jed definitely was and that Robin and possible Justin Deas were. So TPTB looked for ways to cut back. That put Harley in the bullseye. And then TPTB regretted the decision but it was too late. 

Speaking of Jed Allan, I  was reading through the YouTube comments from when he takes over the role and people say he's so much more evil than Bateman. I see CC differently. I see that when he came out of that coma, Lionel was leaching all over Sophia who wasn't fighting it very hard. Gina was bragging about the stuff she's pulled. And CC was a man betrayed and hurt to the depths of his soul. That's not a comfortable emotion, so he turned to rage and fury. And Jed Allan was perfect.

I like the thought of Mary and Michael. I like that a little more than maybe I should have. But how would they have broken Mason and Mary up so that we could have had that?

I will say, of all of the jarring things about this show, the temporary replacement of Lionel was one of the biggest. So glad THAT wasn't permanent.