Khan

I WOULD!!

IIRC, when KMH was cast as Emily, someone at the show or P&G said, "Now we have an Emily who's classy," or words to that effect - which I thought was a real slap in the face for Melanie Smith.

It also didn't help that Laurie Caso had cast an actor (Rex Smith) who was about as interesting as a colonoscopy.

In a way, Dian's farewell from TPiR marked the end of a truly classic era. On its' face, "Barker's Beauties" is a hella sexist concept; yet, IMO, the trio of Dian, Holly and Janice represent the show's pinnacle.

I wouldn't have minded her coming aboard as a recast for Dottie Thornton or Emily Ann Sago. Heck, even Bonnie McFadden, lol.

Miss Martha never would've cheated on H.B.

Meredith Baxter (Birney)'s Betty telling the D.A. she didn't shoot herself because "there weren't any bullets left!" is a moment that will live in made-for-TV movie infamy.

If I were doing FC today, I would bring it back to Earl Hamner's original conception of a family drama set against the Northern California wine industry. There'd be some tweaks - Melissa, for instance, would be introduced right away; Maggie would be Cole and Vickie's stepmom; and Emma and Julia would be combined into one character - but it would be what it was in the beginning: a soapier versions of "The Waltons."

I agree. We needed to see in Charley what Emma saw in him. As for the final 2-3 episodes, it's almost as if they were ghostwritten by former writer/producers who knew better how to wrap up everything.

How do these audio dramas work anyway? Is it still "have each actor record their lines via telephone," or do they try and put the actors together in the same room?

I'll say! Now, if someone would be kind enough to revive WTHI or LIAMST, lol.

I agree. When it came to EP's, no one knew how to get the best out of their writers more than Robert Calhoun.

Another one of my faves - part of my "dream writing staff" - gone.

Oooh! Now if anyone could've played Roger Thorpe after MZ....!

As I understand it, Lorraine Broderick, whom Ken Corday had hired after they met at the Daytime Emmys (I think?), clashed with then-Co-EP Tom Langan over story. Among other things, she wanted to SORAS the "Last Blast" teens gradually, while Langan wanted them aged up to high school seniors right away. IMO, the best gay character I've ever seen on any soap was ATWT's Dr. Reid Oliver, and that was because he was allowed to be a prickly s.o.b. (I think several even called him the "gay John Dixon," lol). So, of course, TPTB had to kill him off.

I agree. AMC appeared to be so keen on not making Michael effeminate (which I, as someone who's never been attracted to effeminate men, appreciated) that they forgot to make him interesting, lol.

I do, too. Whenever I watch late '70's OLTL, it always feels very adult to me. You could tell that the writers respected the audience's intelligence.

It was Elizabeth Page - the same writer who complained how being on strike meant she couldn't afford $400 haircuts - and she bopped Agnes over the head with a rolled-up script after Agnes pitched a bad idea in a story conference. (Jean Passanante was in the room when it happened and she couldn't believe it, lol).

Was that an old GL theme playing during Peggy's scenes?

"[...] but his other loves are kept in the closet!" Oh, Rona, you bitch, lol.

Linda Ronstadt's tribute in particular is hitting me hard tonight, because I know it's only a matter of time before I'll have to say goodbye to her as well.

Like the song says, you only get what you give; and Dolly Parton gave the world nothing but her purest, truest, most loving self. She was that rare celebrity or public figure whose appeal crossed so many lines - which is definitely important to keep in mind in these turbulent, polarizing times of ours. I almost think this world was too good for a soul like hers, and I pray that each of us try and be a little more like Dolly.

If ever a soap felt like it was conceived on prom night in the backseat of somebody's car....

No soap would've wanted to work with him. The minute he complained to the media about the African-American or other non-Caucasian actors not getting enough airtime, his ass would've been gone, lol.