Khan

From your lips to God's and Sony's ears.

What exactly was the Lana/Lisa story all about, lol? I remember reading somewhere that Douglas Marland didn't like the Steven Lars plot and that the only way he could get out of it was just to have Heather go full villainess - hence, the LSD stratagem.

I'm glad you brought this up, @Paul Raven. For all that went wrong during Fred Silverman's tenure at NBC, he never gets credit for commissioning "Hill Street Blues," a critical success that, along with "The Cosby Show," would help to revive the network's fortunes in years to come. (And I say that as someone who admires his successor, Grant Tinker). But, yeah, my idea for a darker, edgier "Supertrain" never would have gotten off the ground in the era of "Pink Lady and Jeff," lol.

I agree. TBH, Nadine was a character I could take or leave on GL, but her keeping Bridget in that attic and then trying to pass off Bridget's baby as her and Billy's was pretty much when I was done with her. In fact, I was actually surprised that she didn't wind up in prison for that or get thrown out of Springfield afterwards, because that was how I had expected the story to end. Also, you'll never convince me that that story wasn't in some way JER's "baby," so to speak. The whole premise of a greedy, grasping housewife keeping an unwed, pregnant teenager in her attic for months on end just so she can take her baby and claim it as her own - all while fooling everyone in town into thinking she's pregnant by wearing pillows and [!@#$%^&*] - has his fingerprints all over it.

It's always such a treat to see vintage Y&R from when the show was still written and produced with care. God I miss that show.

At this point, I'll settle for Alan "OMG, that's so kray-zee!" Locher.

If he looks that bad producing such a shitty-ass show every week, imagine how he'd look if he worked so hard to produce a show that's actually watchable, lol? You might not be too far from the truth, lol. That's always been my number-one issue with Frank's work as EP on GH and OLTL: what is his style as a producer beyond bloated casts, sluggish storylines and obnoxious child "actors"? What has he done for both shows that's been good yet uniquely him?

I still say a nice, long, sit-down chat with PM would clear up a lot of the confusion.

It's like Ron just gets these one-sentence inspirations for storylines and figures he'll work out the logistics later.

I'm thrilled as well! DVD is a national treasure in my book. He might need a little more assistance getting around these days, but there's still that twinkle in his eye and spring in his step. AFAIC, he's one of the last of the breed of entertainers who exude talent, warmth and class. (And no, it's not lost on me that even 98-year-old DVD looked to be in better health onstage than 61-year-old Frank Valentini.)

Yup!

Except there are writers who also do/did that and did a better job of it! Even if JG were working from a meticulously written two-year bible, I guarantee the stories on this show still would suck, because the s.o.b. just can't write.

And does it ever, lol!

I think "Supertrain" would have had a chance if it had been set in a post-apocalyptic America; one where the country essentially was the Wild West again. Or, they could have gone in another, more steampunk direction and have the concept of a futuristic-looking train during the great age of railroad expansion. In either case, there could be some comic relief in every episode, but stories would be edgier and more allegorical.

Bill Corbett (a.k.a. Brain Guy/Crow T. Robot #2) has said he was surprised by how awful the script was, given Jacker's reputation as a playwright. By the way, someone should start a MST3k thread, lol.

Yes! Definitely a 180 in terms of casting! I also feel like Laurel's storyline was changed with the recast. No way could I see Jensen's Laurel being a con artist with an autistic child, lol.

Yep. I don't remember Frank Valentini always being so...muted? Between his appearance at last year's Emmys and this year's, I definitely think there's something wrong with Frank and that the show and network are keeping it quiet for whatever reason.

IOW, "Growing Pains" was for those who thought the Huxtables were too uppity, lol.

I think they were attempting to emphasize the sci-fi elements that were inherent in the show's premise, since it was clear the goofy sitcommery that had informed the first opening wasn't landing with folks at home, lol. Conversely, Gavin McLeod might not have been a big star when "The Love Boat" premiered, but he had enough cache from working for seven years on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to be, in certain respects, a household name.

At this point, I'll be happy to see Bob Guza at DAYS, lol! Friendship only goes so far.

Thanks, @JAS0N47!

Good. He should fit right in with Ron and Jamey. I agree. Look at what happened to AMC: one of the most grounded soaps on the air suddenly had a story about voodoo.

I agree.

I'd go even further -- to when Bob Guza left the first time to help launch SuBe. Between that, Richard Culliton (and later, Janet Iacobuzio/Christopher Whitesell) coming in and making a mess of things and Wendy Riche stretching herself thin between running GH and launching PC, I feel like the delicate balance that Riche and Claire Labine helped create for the show was ruined, saved only by GH's stable of excellent breakdown and script writers at that time.

According to wikipedia, the train also boasted a swimming pool, shopping centers, a library and a medical center. But, no Starbucks, lol! ICAM!