Sapounopera

I always thought that Diana looked like the perfect Betsy recast.

I can't imagine what the Dobson's writing would have been in 1993. Would they try to turn Another World into Santa Barbara 2.0? This poor show was in desperate need for stability for more than ten years by that time and the Dobsons could not provide it to their own show.

I have to admit that I liked Brenda more than Eileen. Without the sourness Ashley was open to more story potential.

Kit was the resident Rauch blonde of that era. I found it weird that there was another girl who looked exactly like her and was part of the Arena crowd . But with a more interesting actress, the couple would have much more potential. But I also liked Amy more. She was part of the Cory Publishing crowd, friends with Cecile and more sophisticated.

I don't mind Kit and Joey. I find Russ and Tracy so boring, same for brooding Mitch, John McBain's long lost father. Margo Crove was meant to be some Opal Gardener type, but she felt more like a Rachel substitute. I like Kevin Conroy but Jerry added nothing to the show. Blaine's Arena drama would be more interesting if she was still married to Jamie or involved with a legacy character like Mike Randolph. Watching these episodes I keep wondering if Cecile was meant to be Mac or Iris's daughter. Also, way too much Racheĺ reminding us that she is the star of the show.

I think the writing was fine. The real problem was the directing, way too old-school for 1980 fans. (I don't mind it at all now that I am watching again. The first time a few years ago, I thought it was shockingly dull.) Another problem was that there was no big new character in the younger crowd. They didn't really invest in a new charismatic character or couple. I agree eith everything you said. No crazy stories, quirky characters etc. The Cory Publishing crowd was charming and sophisticated, not oil barons and cowboys. I really liked Willis. He seemed like a sleazy guy from a primetime soap. Ron Harper was not very interesting as Taylor, but his family was not a bad addition. They were not loud or sleazy like most of the new 80s families on soaps. At the same time the show had all these normal people and families with lovely older people. Losing the iconic intro and music and replacing it with something cheap looking and generic was another foul. Cecile lost her charm with the recast, all these big and loud characters took over and then those "action stories"... All the show needed was some tightening, and a boost of excitement and it would be just fine. (In another world, Douglas Marland would so have paired Joey Perrini and Sally Frame.)

I have been watching some 1980 episodes and it is not as bad as I remembered from watching a few years back. (I can't watch 1981 because of the new intro, which I hate) All that poor show needed was some stability. I adore the Cory Publishing crowd and love the scenes at Miranda Bishop's home. Young Sally could be their Laura. Ada's kitchen and Jim with Aunt Liz, give the show such a warm feeling. There was no need for a revamp in 1981, 1982, 1983 and so on.

We all understood it was a typo Tonks. No worries. 🙂

I want the ambulance opening back and Y&R to get rid of actors names in the intro.

I always thought that Melanie Smith would make a great Macy on B&B.

KDP would make a great Karen Spencer on B&B.

Why did they do these things to her? Out of the blue? I am so sorry for her bad experiences, but these incidents sound so random. Has she ever given a backstory?

This sounds great. The 90s primetime soap fan in me also wanted Jamie Luner as GH Carly and GL Blake in the 00s.

Because she has returned to the show about fifty times?

Are the ATWT McCalls considered successful or unsuccessful? Nobody hated them (except perhaps the father), but they were gone within a few years. Y&R really tried it with the new families in the early 80s, but only the Abbotts sticked around. Was the Williams family a success? Steve left really soon, Patty stayed for a few years, Todd never showed up and Carl vanished. B&B also tried it with the Marrones, but I wouldn't call them a success. Then there was a time where Lorenzo Lamas and Sydney Penny showed up as a new family unit. Linda Gray was part of the mix.

I always expect to read that Chloe is returning, whenever I am opening such a DAYS thread. Happy for Louise Sorel.

Any idea why Brad never brought Amber back? He was fascinated with her for years. By the end of her tenure he had no idea what to do with her, but when has this stopped him before? I think it is sad that he didn't manage to keep Rick and Bridget as core characters. They were probably ruined by lots of crazy story and endless marriages, but who hasn't on the show?

And whoever ages before they hit 70, is no longer needed on the show. The show gives new characters and younger people no room to breath when a group of 50-60 year olds gets to play stories meant for people in their 20s and 30s.

You are so right. GH meets DAYS with a touch of DYNASTY.

I loved the 70s epic intro. I will always have a soft spot for the 80s opening, because that's the ATWT I got to know and love. The 90s intro was just fine. It was old school and I can understand why they felt the need to move on from the dynamic 80s one. I hated all the 00s intros with people looking at the camera. So generic. Every soap did it at the time. 2007 seemed so fresh, dramatic and different. And with a great music theme. The last one was sad, but I didn't hate it.

Ain't that the truth. I can't believe they are the same people who wrote Guiding Light. BTW, I can't remember Robin Strand at all.

I loved the 1975-1981 opening. Haunting and sophisticated. The disco theme was weird, I couldn't stand the 80s opening. 1983 was better looking and the music was dramatic, but watching it meant that the good old days were gone. Later 80s intros looked cheap and uninspired. Hold on to Love: I could never make sense of the graphics, but the music was fine. Shockingly, I liked the 1997 intro. It was short, it didn't need to be renewed and the music was dramatic. I could see a more modern and sophisticated version of this lasting years and years. 2002: @vetsoapfan is so right; these were definitely boob implants. 2003 was kind of sad. Actually this was just fine. It was vibrant, the images were soapy and it would have looked much better if everyone was less blue. The hands-opening: another crazy Wheeler idea. And after that... things got really weird and sad.

The Greek episodes also started with early January 1986.

He appeared at least once in 1986. I knew the actor from B&B -which started first in Greece- and I was happy to see another familiar face. I definitely remember him on the phone with Lauren. Telling her that he is leaving for a business trip or something.

SSM's stint was the last time I enjoyed the show. I am sure Kay Alden also had something to do with it. Cane and Juliet was not a bad story, they brought Dina back, they tried to humanize the Newmans, they cared for Hilary. Gossip queen Hilary was not the best use of the actress. I can't blame them for finding the Devon Chancellor story stupid and his sudden wealth made him even more boring. The BLM story with a black billionaire as victim could be something. We know his love life has never been.