vetsoapfan

Help! I am a SERIOUSLY addicted newbie, having just found EMMERDALE on youtube this month. Following a friend's advice, I started watching the highlights of the Aaron story, and have gotten through hundred of clips from 2009 to 2015. I adore Aaron, Paddy, Chas, and so many of the characters, and want to start watching full episodes from as far back as I can find them, not just the Aaron clips. (I must say, however, that the Aaron and Jackson story and its aftermath was responsible for getting me hooked, and had me crying my eyes out for weeks. I understand why people want to both throttle and protect Aaron; watching him screw up his life through bad choices is infuriating, but watching him suffer is just agonizing. I love, love, love his relationship with Paddy, and when Aaron called him "Dad," I lost it.) Anyway, I also want to find detailed storyline and character background information, so I can figure out how those darned Dingles are related (LOL), and understand the past relationships of all the characters better. Does anyone know of good websites where I can find in-depth character biographies and explanations of how the families are related? Synopses of past storylines? Full episodes going back as far as possible? I don't know much about the show's current state in 2015, but the writing and acting from the Aaron and Jackson era was great, and I hope that I won't be disappointed in EMMERDALE's present storylines. If anyone can direct this neurotically-obsessed new fan to EMMERDA:E websites, I would appreciate it.

Another myth is that as a teenager, Pat Matthews stabbed her lover Tom Baxter to death with a knife. She didn't. She shot him with a handgun.

You are blessed. For the show to veer so far from its roots, giving us Rev. Ruthledge at its inception, and a mob "priest" towards its end, was revolting. Although, I must say, the moment I knew the show was really dead was when they had a shoot-out in the Bauer kitchen.

Audra Lindley is amazing as Aunt Liz in all these audio episodes. She really was terrifying, and listening to her scream and scream at people was quite the experience! When she was replaced by Nancy Wickwire, the character was toned down to the point that she was no longer the fire-breathing shrew she had previously been, alas.

I agree. He was sort of charming in a goofy kind of way, as a SUPPORTING player on AMC. As a leading man, however, taking over an important legacy character, he was totally miscast on ATWT. How he ever got hired is a mystery. Someone in charge had to approve of him. Yikes!

With MADD and other idiots in charge, the show kept making the same cringeworthy mistakes over and over again. Reva the Ghost! Reva the Amish Amnesiac! Reva the San Cristotapian Queen! Reva the Clone! Reva the Illegal Immigrant Savior! Reva the Blind! Reva the Time Traveler! Reva the Portly Object of Every Man's Lust! UGH! Along with decimating the Bauer family and hacking away at the show's legacy characters and core, the overemphasis on Reva, the Santos, and San Cristocrap really put too many bullets into TGL for the old gal ever to recover. I'm surprised the show lasted as long as it did.

Because she was an incompetent and clueless boob who did not have the slightest idea of what she was doing.

Way back then, the soaps were character-driven dramas, often featuring just a few people in each scene, so I had no problems identifying who each voice belonged to, even before they identified each other by name. Die-hard fans should not be turned off by the idea that these golden scenes are only available on audio, because they are still mesmerizing entertainment. Posters on youtube have uploaded audio-only eps of OLTL, Y&R, and other vintage soaps, and those are worth a listen-to, as well.

These are CDs/compact discs, not DVDs or videotapes, so yes, they are audio only, but still great fun, because you can experience them as if they were vintage radio dramas (which I, personally, adore, but which some other people may not care for).

I know he does have the following discs available to the public, because I received them from him. They are all excellent, and loads of fun for vintage AW fans! AW CD 56:26 RACHEL'S BOMBSHELL Various scenes from 1969, mainly centering on the story of Rachel's pregnancy. Highlights: -At home, Sam remembers reuniting with Lee upon his release from prison. -After hearing that Susan and Fred Douglas are romantically involved, Aunt Liz throws a major hissy fit and promises to speak to Susan alone after Fred leaves. Fred refuses to be bullied. -At a farewell party in their honor, Bill and Missy say goodbye to their family and friends in Bay City. -During Steve and Alice's engagement party, Rachel corners Alice in the bedroom and takes vicious pleasure in telling Alice that she's pregnant with Steve's baby (Robin Strasser spits venom like no one else). -Over his protests, Alice proclaims her disappointment in Steve, and breaks up with him. -Susan marries Fred; Aunt Liz attends, but makes her displeasure known by giving them a tacky wedding gift (a check). -After waiting for a time when he and Mary can be alone in the house, Jim tells Mary the shocking news: Rachel is cuckholding Russ, may be pregnant with Steve's baby, and Alice broke up with Steve because of it. Mary goes beserk, in a well-written and brilliantly-acted scene. -A thrilled Pat, after believing for years that she was sterile, announces she is going to have a baby. -At the hospital, Russ tells Ada and Ernie that Rachel has just given birth to a healthy, "premature" baby boy. -Rachel tries to force Steve to give her money "for the baby's sake". She's furious when Steve shows her nothing but disdain, and kicks her out. -Wayne Addison proposes to Aunt Liz. -Sam and Lahoma reunite when he professes his love for her. -Russ tells Rachel some news she doesn't want to hear: his parents are not going to endow the baby with a large cash trust fund as they had originally discussed; instead, they are going to set Russ up in his own medical career, and buy his office equipment. Rachel is aghast at this and says she wants the MONEY instead. They have a heated argument in which Russ finally lays down the law and puts her in her place. -To prevent Russ from being suspicious about the baby's parentage, Jim and Mary feel cornered into setting up a trust fund for Jamie after all. Alice is bitter when she hears the news, and procliams that manipulative Rachel was won yet again. AW CD 56:22 AUNT LIZ UNPLUGGED/LEE RANDOLPH'S DEMISE Various scenes from 1969, mainly centering on Liz' atrocious behavior and the circumstances of Lee's death. Highlights: -Aunt Liz visits Steve in his office and makes it clear she thinks his luncheon date with Rachel was suspicious. Steve doesn't care, doesn't let her manipulate him, and ushers her out. -In John's office, Liz enjoys spreading nasty gossip about Rachel and Steve, until John reprimands her and reminds her that Bill's near-fatal car accident was a direct result of her gossiping. -On the day Sam and Lahoma are to be married, Sam, Lahoma and Lee all awaken to thoughts about what the marriage will mean to their lives. -Sam and Lahoma's marriage and reception. -At Bill and Missy's new home, Bill offers a straighforward (and unpleasant) opinion of his mother's character. Liz reacts badly and screams at him on her way out the door. -At home, Liz is further annoyed by Susan's negative opinion of their mother/daughter relationship. Aunt Liz screams (and screams and screams) at her too. -While driving, Lee has hallucinations and crashes her car. -Sam hovers over Lee in the hospital, and hears her confession of love before she dies. -John phones Pat and tells her about Lee's death. -Lee's funeral. AW CD 50:21 RACHEL ON WHEELS Various short scenes, starting in December 1968, and focusing mainly on Rachel's attempts at manipulation and social-climbing. Highlights: -In their bedroom at the Matthews home, Russ and Rachel argue about her selfish behavior. Russ tells her he cannot allow her to remain a scared child forever because it will negatively affect their marriage -In the car outside the Randolph home, Sam reassures Lahoma that Lee is in his past, and that it's Lahoma he really wants -Rachel, on the phone with Ernie, tries to avoid accepting an invitation to a party for Ada -Sam comes to the Matthews house and lambasts Rachel for not wanting to attend Ada's party. He orders her to go, period -Lee and Lahoma discuss Lahoma's upcoming wedding -Rachel tries her hand at social climbing by showing up unannounced at Aunt Liz' house and volunteering to help with Liz' fund-raising work. Aunt Liz makes it clear Rachel wasn't born for that kind of activity -Rachel visits Steve in his office, pretending to be an important part of Liz' society circle. Steve sees right through her, and lets her know it -Russ informs Rachel about an appointment he made for her with Dr. Clater. He wants the doctor to assure Rachel she can go ahead and have more children. Rachel refuses to go, but Russ gives her no choice -In Dr. Clater's office, Rachel tries to manipulate him into agreeing that she shouldn't become pregnant again, but the doctor assures her that she has no health problems preventing future pregnancies -At the hospital, Russ overhears Alice talking to Lee on the phone, and he realizes that Alice is avoiding spending time at the Matthewses' house. He asks her if she doesn't want to go home because Rachel is there -While Mary is preparing dinner in the kitchen, Russ quietly asks her oif he and Rachel can be excused from eating with the rest of the family. He feels it's best if they take a tray up to their room. A somber Mary understands there's trouble in her son's marriage, and agrees to his request -Jim and Mary visit Pat and John for a game of cards -After yet another fight with Russ, Rachel storms out of the Matthews house. Russ wants to chase after her, but Uncle Dru steps in and advices Russ to let Rachel go AW CD 42:05 The End Of Walter Curtin Various clips, mainly surrounding Walter Curtin's exit (1972), including: -Jim, Mary and Steven discuss John's heavy workload -Walter confesses his crimes to a shocked Lenore, then runs out of the house when she rebukes him -Lenore receives a package with the incriminating scarf -Walter realizes the kind of man he has become, and crashes his car -Russ finds a distraught Lenore and tries to help her and Wally -Pat tells Lenore of Walter's death -Walter's funeral (brief clip) -Mary finds Alice, who has fallen from a stepladder, and is unconscious. She phones Jim and asks him to track down Steven through John COMPACT DISC 43:53 December 24, 1971: A Matthews Christmas In their kitchen, Jim and Mary Matthews prepare for the holidays. While Jim marvels at how how Mary is able to organize everything for large family parties, she reminds him that she has had 30 years' experience doing so. They discuss how much it means to them to have their family over for Christmas Eve. Later, when the guests have arrived, Jim advises John not to let his growing work responsibilities take priority over Pat and the twins. Russ' date, Dr. Paula McCray, tells everyone that she grew up in boarding schools and always missed out on family gatherings like this one. Steven and Alice discuss her pregnancy, their relationship, and Steve's seeing Jamie...and Rachel. Everyone gathers to sing Christmas carols.

Pamela Long could be a very capable writer, but she was still a novice during her initial stint at TGL, and she made many grave errors. Her second term on the show, and her primetime series Second Noah, were much better. If she had stuck to family drama, romance, and interpersonal relationships in 1983 and 84, she would be much more favorably remembered. The problems were not with her human drama, but with the lowbrow fantasy and "adventure" nonsense.

There were soooo many terrible stories being told at the time. Perhaps some of them might have been slightly easier to swallow, if we had had more beloved tentpole characters still around, but to be asked to endure asinine plots centered around actors who were new to the show...who cared?

Yes, with the saga of the Four Musketeers, and with Bert's storyline, there were plusses to the 1983/4 season, certainly. But very soon, I'd say after Charita Bauer could no longer appear, the core of the show was lost, and the negative effect of having axed so many pivotal, beloved characters became apparent. Even Gail Kobe later confessed that the audience loathed the cast purge, particularly losing Mike and Hope Bauer, and commented that we should be surprised if the Bauers were written back into the story in the future. Alas, they never were.

You are right about the new musical theme, which was lovely. The construction of the Four Musketeers was also a success. But axing a huge number of the cast and dumbing down the plots was not the way to rejuvenate a soap that had had a short-term problem with writing. Once so many of the core characters were eliminated, the show was left with terrible writing and a bunch of newbies, many of whom never caught on. Soap fans will remain loyal to their shows even through periods of upheaval, if at least their beloved veteran characters are there. With a destruction of the show's core AND lame-o plots like Jonathan Brooks' Talking Computer, The Dreaming Death, The Ghost in the Attic, etc., the show was ASKING for longtime viewers to flee, LOL. For the record, even Pamela Long later admitted in an interview that her "fantasy" plots were not necessarily the best way for TGL to go. She said that she had learned that between writing fantasy and writing realistic storylines, it was better to get real. Her second stint as the show's headwriter was much better. You are right about the new musical theme, which was lovely. The construction of the Four Musketeers was also a success. But axing a huge number of the cast and dumbing down the plots was not the way to rejuvenate a soap that had had a short-term problem with writing. Once so many of the core characters were eliminated, the show was left with terrible writing and a bunch of newbies, many of whom never caught on. Soap fans will remain loyal to their shows even through periods of upheaval, if at least their beloved veteran characters are there. With a destruction of the show's core AND lame-o plots like Jonathan Brooks' Talking Computer, The Dreaming Death, The Ghost in the Attic, etc., the show was ASKING for longtime viewers to flee, LOL. For the record, even Pamela Long later admitted in an interview that her "fantasy" plots were not necessarily the best way for TGL to go. She said that she had learned that between writing fantasy and writing realistic storylines, it was better to get real. Her second stint as the show's headwriter was much better.

For longtime devotees of TGL, the 1983/4 season was a nightmare, in the sense that Gail Kobe and Pamela Long were allowed (or encouraged) by TPTB to overhaul the show and hack away at its history and roots. We lost Bill Bauer, Bert Bauer, Hillary Bauer, Mike Bauer, and Hope Bauer, and were left only with a recently recast Ed and Rick, which crippled the show's identity. It was like doing THE WALTONS without John, Olivia, John-Boy, Mary-Ellen, Erin, and Ben, and only featuring a recast Elizabeth and Jason. We lost long-running characters like Sarah McIntyre, and popular ones like Amanda Spaulding and Nola Reardon. Not only was the cast decimated, but very soon the quality of the writing bottomed out, and we were forced to endure crappy, low-brow camp and a host of newer characters, many of whom never caught on with the audience. The show sucked from about 1984 to 1989, when Roger and Holly made a triumphant return and helped bring a renewed sense of continuity and history to Springfield. The bizarre thing is, even against GH, which was very strong at the time, TGL was doing very well, and was a critical and popular success upon Kobe's and Long's arrival. Why they were allowed to hack away at such a fine, solid show remains a mystery to this day. The series never really recovered from their destructive decisions.

Yes, PFS was the headwriter during this time. It's a shame that the production of the show was so sluggish. PFS was a great writer, but even she could not save any show alone.

I wonder if Eddie Drueding has it on one of his wonderful AW DVDs. Has anyone ever checked with him? I can send him an email, to see what he says. Sadly, I no longer have the equipment to make copies of material from one format to another.

ANOTHER WORLD: May 3, 1974 Prologue: --Janice Frame and Lenore Curtin assist Alice Matthews as she prepares for her wedding to Steven Frame --Steven Frame and Robert Delaney discusses John Randolph's sorry state Act One: --Pat and John Randolph argue over John's refusal to attend the remarriage of Alice Matthews and Steven Frame. Later Mary Matthews arrives to comfort Pat Act Two: --A bitter Rachel Davis condemns Steven Frame and his actions towards her, but confesses to her mother how devastated she is to lose him --As the guests mingle before the wedding, Mary Matthews fibs to excuse John's absence, while Aunt Liz Matthews introduces Robert Delaney around Act Three: --Sam Lucas reprimands a drunken John Randolph --Alice and Steven Frame remarry on the patio of their country house, while across town, a miserable Rachel Davis flashes back to her own wedding to Steven Act Four: --Rachel Davis barges into John Randolph's house, to egg him on and encourage his anger at Steven Frame. She is rude to Pat Randolph, when Pat telephones home Act Five: --As the post-wedding party is in full swing, Mary Matthews and Alice Frame discuss family outcast John Randolph Act Six: --Tim McGowen proposes to Janice Frame --John Randolph crashes the wedding party and verbally assaults Steven Frame during Robert Delaney's toast --Alice Frame gives John a scolding Epilogue: --After the drama has subsided, Lenore Curtin encourages the band to resume playing music, so the guests can return to partying

Although I no longer have the ability to copy from one format to another, one of my friends has told me that he has seen the AW 10th anniversary advertised on another site, from another soap opera collector. I'll find out the specifics from my friend, and get back to you.

I would be surprised if any kinescopes did remain after all these decades, and even if they did, who knows what condition they might be in, or even if Courtney's daughter had the interest in copying them or making them available to die-hard fans. Certainly she doesn't owe the public anything, but it would at least be nice if some vintage AW episodes were still out there, even in the attics of former stars' family members.

Were you able to ask Courtney's daughter if the family has the kinescopes of early AW episodes, which Courtney once said in a magazine article that she had had made? If the magazine report was accurate, those kinescopes would be like the holy grail to AW fans.

On tape, I have AW's tenth anniversary episode, centering on the remarriage of Alice and Steven Frame, and that does not seem to be on the internet anywhere. Also on tape, I have a couple of episodes from Y&R dealing with Jennifer Brooks' death, including her daughters finding out about her passing, and her husband reading a farewell letter from her. That hasn't shown up anywhere else, either. Most of my material is now widely circulated, however.

Yes, although because I had tape-traded for so many years, almost all of my vintage material has been in general circulation among other fans for years now, and the most technology-savvy among the fans have uploaded "my" episodes to youtube.

Most people I knew back then did not buy a VCR right away because the machines were so expensive. My first Sony Beta, if I recall correctly, cost $1,600.00 Blank tapes were $27.00 each. The only reason I splurged on this extravagance was because I was fiercely addicted to my soaps, and hated missing them. When I first heard about the advent of home VCRs, however, I immediately started saving up every extra dollar I could, in order to afford one. Audiotaping the shows was good enough when only audiotape recorders were available, but once I knew I could SEE and HEAR the soaps on a Betamax machine, I could not resist the thought. Of course, back then, the shows were in their glory days and worth watching and preserving. Nowadays, I would never spend $1,600.00 on a machine to videotape Chuck Pratt's Y&R, Dena Higley's DAYS, or Ron's GH.

Well, I got my first Betamax in 1976, and my first VHS a few years later, so some die-hard soap addicts did have the ability to timeshift way back then. Before buying my first VCRs, I used to set up audiotape recorders to record the sound of my favorite soaps, so I could listen to them later, as if they were radio plays. I still have several audiotapes of material from the 1960s and '70s. I generally managed to keep up with all my shows, but it was REALLY annoying when the networks shifted timeslots around, putting two favorites on different networks in competition with each other.