kalbir

@beebs Bo/Hope wedding was May. John Aniston (RIP) debuted in July. Did Stephen Nichols debut in that same time frame? The next big Days action/adventure storyline that I think will impact the ratings is the Miami Vice homage in November.

That's right, SOD was every two weeks in the 1980s, so there are gaps. Seeing those As the World Turns January-August 1985 ratings, Douglas Marland cannot get there fast enough. When the Fall 1985 ratings are posted, it will be interesting to see the ratings impact of his writing. 1986 and 1987 were the years that show really thrived even though it had strong competition from All My Children, supercouple-era Days, and One Life to Live.

Billy Miller Dead: Young & Restless, GH Actor Cause of Death Unknown – TVLine

@MichaelGL From the annual ratings, GL drops each year from 1985 to 1991 but has a bit of an increase in 1992. I was surprised to see the drop in the annual ratings during the Calhoun years so it will be interesting to see that era on a weekly basis.

Wow, this is shocking. RIP.

Fall 1985, Y&R explodes and everything culminates in the first half of 1986. We'll see Y&R move past All My Children for 2nd in 1986. Supercouple-era Days now in the Top 5.

Is Michael Damian return timed for Lauralee Bell 40th anniversary episode?

Looking at CBS soaps that had runs of three or more years, I divide them into three tiers based on their CBS runs. Top tier (30+ years): Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Y&R, B&B, Search for Tomorrow Second tier (10-29 years): Love of Life, The Secret Storm, The Edge of Night Third tier (3-9 years): The Brighter Day, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Capitol, Valiant Lady, Where the Heart Is

Going through this thread, I compiled a list of short-lived (as in one or two seasons) primetime soaps that were on the big three broadcast networks in the 1980s. CBS: Secrets of Midland Heights (December 6, 1980-January 24, 1981), Emerald Point N.A.S. (September 26, 1983-March 12, 1984) ABC: Kings Crossing (January 16-February 27, 1982), The Hamptons (July 27-August 24, 1983), Paper Dolls (September 23-December 25, 1984), The Colbys (November 20, 1985-March 26, 1987) NBC: Flamingo Road (January 6, 1981-May 4, 1982), Bare Essence (February 15-June 13, 1983), The Yellow Rose (October 2, 1983-May 12, 1984), Berrenger's (January 5-March 9, 1985) If any are missing, please feel free to add.

@yrfan1983 What are your thoughts on Taylor the Desert Princess storyline? It was not one of Bradley's finest half hours. It was cheesy and offensive, and clearly could not be told today.

July 5, 1985 Y&R Terry Lester departs but returns in the fall. As the World Turns slipped before Douglas Marland became HW. At this time they were head-to-head with second half of supercouple Days, second half of All My Children, and first half of One Life to Live which had a comeback. Guiding Light slipping too. From the GL thread, many have said the Gail Kobe/Pamela Long era falls apart in 1985.

One Life to Live making a comeback. Was this around the time Andrea Evans returned? Capitol slipping. I think their clearance starts dropping around this time. We know from earlier in this thread Capitol started w/ 97% clearance and ended w/ 93% clearance.

@j swift @Soapsuds I can't believe you're so thirsty for Gary. The Gary/Val/Abby triangle was pivotal in ushering in Knots Landing's peak era and drove storylines for years. I never thought Gary was a prize though. When the triangle was beginning I was like "why are these grown women fighting over this weak mama's boy?". The triangle worked not because of the triangle itself, but for the character arcs: Gary manned up, Val moved on with her life after losing her first love, and Abby got the come up that she was all about.

May 16, 1985 Y&R Don Diamont debut. Bo/Hope wedding got Days a 3rd place tie w/ Y&R. Douglas Marland becomes HW in September and we'll see improvement.

@Soapsuds Thank you for posting Julianne Moore first As the World Turns episode. A Lucinda/Craig scene from that episode was in this promo.

Going back to Miami Vice being the new hotness, I compiled how the episodes of 1985/86 compared in the ratings vs. the primetime soaps, sophomore slaughterer, sophomore surprise, and rookie breakout. September 27, 1985: Prodigal Son (season 2 premiere; 2 hours), rating 23.2, 8th for the week. Finished ahead of Knots Landing (September 26: The Longest Day (season 7 premiere), rating 21.9 (season high), 13th) and The Golden Girls (September 28: Rose the Prude (episode 3), rating 19.0, 20th). The Cosby Show (September 26: First Day of School (season 2 premiere), rating 31.6) was #1, Dynasty (September 25: The Aftermath (season 5 premiere), rating 28.1 (series high)) was 3rd; Murder, She Wrote (September 29: Widow, Weep for Me (season 2 premiere), rating 24.4) was 6th, and Dallas (September 27: The Family Ewing (Part 1 of season 9 premiere)/Rock Bottom (Part 2 of season 9 premiere), rating 23.9) was 7th. No Falcon Crest on September 27. October 4, 1985: Whatever Works, rating 21.0, 16th for the week. Finished ahead of Falcon Crest (October 4: The Phoenix (season 5 premiere), rating 19.3, 21st). The Cosby Show (October 3: The Juicer, rating 30.9) was #1, Dallas (October 4: Those Eyes, rating 23.8) was 3rd; Murder, She Wrote (October 6: Joshua Peabody Died Here…Possibly, rating 23.5) was 4th, Dynasty (October 2: The Homecoming, rating 23.4) was 5th, The Golden Girls (October 5: Transplant (episode 4), rating 21.8) was 12th, and Knots Landing (October 3: Here in My Arms, rating 21.7) was 13th. October 11, 1985: Pre-empted for American League Championship Series. October 18, 1985: Out Where the Buses Don’t Run, rating 19.9, 18th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (October 19: The Triangle (episode 5), rating 18.6, 25th) and Falcon Crest (October 20: Blood Brothers, rating 17.8, 28th). The Cosby Show (October 17: Cliff in Love, rating 31.1) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (October 20: School for Scandal, rating 23.8) was 3rd, Dallas (October 18: Saving Grace, rating 22.3) was 9th, Dynasty (October 16: The Man, rating 20.6) was 15th, and Knots Landing (October 17: The Christening, rating 20.2) was 17th. October 25, 1985: The Dutch Oven, rating 19.8, 15th for the week. Finished ahead of Knots Landing (October 24: A Little Assistance, rating 18.9, 18th), The Golden Girls (October 26: On Golden Girls (episode 6), rating 18.6, 20th), and Falcon Crest (October 25: Echoes, rating 17.9, 23rd). The Cosby Show (October 24: Theo and the Older Woman, rating 29.0) was 2nd, Dallas (October 25: Mothers, rating 22.7) was 8th, and Murder, She Wrote (October 27: Sing a Song of Murder, rating 21.1) was 10th. No Dynasty on October 23. November 1, 1985: Buddies, rating 20.6, 11th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (November 2: The Competition (episode 7), rating 19.6, 15th), Falcon Crest (November 1: Ingress and Egress, rating 19.2, 18th), and Knots Landing (October 31: A Question of Trust, rating 18.5, 21st). The Cosby Show (October 31: Halloween, rating 30.1) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (November 3: Reflections of the Mind, rating 26.2) was 3rd, Dallas (November 1: The Wind of Change, rating 23.5) was 7th, and Dynasty (October 30: The Gown, rating 22.0) was 9th. November 8, 1985: Junk Love, rating 22.0, 12th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (November 9: Break-In (episode 8), rating 19.0, 20th), Falcon Crest (November 8: Sharps and Flats, rating 17.8, 23rd), and Knots Landing (November 7: Awakenings, rating 16.0, 30th). The Cosby Show (November 7: Rudy Suits Up, rating 31.9) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (November 10: A Lady in the Lake, rating 26.9) was 5th, and Dallas (November 8: Quandary, rating 22.7) was 11th. No Dynasty on November 6. November 15, 1985: Tale of the Goat, rating 22.1, 10th for the week. Finished ahead of Knots Landing (November 14: Pictures at a Wedding, rating 21.3, 13th) and Falcon Crest (November 15: Changing Partners, rating 18.9, 23rd). The Cosby Show (November 14: Denise Drives, rating 31.7) was #1, Dynasty (November 13: The Titans, rating 24.2) was 5th, The Golden Girls (November 16: Blanche and the Younger Man (episode 9), rating 23.2) was 7th, and Dallas (November 15: Close Encounters, rating 23.1) was 9th. No Murder, She Wrote on November 17. November 22, 1985: Bushido, rating 23.7, 5th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (November 23: Heart Attack (episode 10), rating 23.6, 6th), Dynasty (November 20: The Decision, rating 22.4, 8th), Dallas (November 22: Suffer the Little Children, rating 22.0, 10th), Knots Landing (November 21: Until Parted by Death, rating 19.9, 18th), and Falcon Crest (November 22: Storm Warning, rating 19.5, 19th). The Cosby Show (November 21: Clair’s Sister, rating 35.3) was #1 and Murder, She Wrote (November 24: Dead Heat, rating 25.0) was 3rd. This episode was the only new episode this season to finish in the Top 5. November 29, 1985: Bought and Paid For, rating 24.3 (series high), 6th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (November 30: The Return of Dorothy’s Ex (episode 11), rating 23.2, 7th), Dallas (November 29: The Prize, rating 21.4, 11th), Dynasty (November 27: The Proposal, rating 20.6, 13th), and Falcon Crest (November 29: The Naked Truth, rating 17.4, 26th). Murder, She Wrote (December 1: Jessica Behind Bars, rating 26.4) was 4th. The Cosby Show was a repeat on November 28. No Knots Landing on November 28. December 6, 1985: Back in the World, rating 23.2, 6th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (December 6: En Passant, rating 22.0, 7th), Dynasty (December 4: The Close Call, rating 21.8, 8th), The Golden Girls (December 7: The Custody Battle (episode 12), rating 20.3, 13th), Knots Landing (December 5: Rise and Fall, rating 19.3, 15th), and Falcon Crest (December 6: Inconceivable Affairs, rating 18.6, 17th). The Cosby Show (December 5: Clair’s Toe, rating 36.2) was #1. No Murder, She Wrote on December 8. December 13, 1985: Phil the Shill, rating 23.9, 7th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (December 13: Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen; rating 22.6, 9th), The Golden Girls (December 14: A Little Romance (episode 13), rating 21.9, 10th), Dynasty (December 11: The Quarrels, rating 21.4, 12th), Knots Landing (December 12: To Sing His Praise, rating 20.4, 15th), and Falcon Crest (December 13: Strange Bedfellows, rating 19.7 (season high), 16th). The Cosby Show (December 12: Denise’s Friend, rating 35.4) was #1 and Murder, She Wrote (December 15: Sticks & Stones, rating 26.5) was 3rd. December 20, 1985: Repeat of Milk Run (episode 12, original broadcast January 4, 1985). December 27, 1985: Repeat of Evan (episode 21, original broadcast May 3, 1985). January 3, 1986: Repeat of Out Where the Buses Don't Run. January 10, 1986: Definitely Miami, rating 24.0, 8th for the week. Tied with The Golden Girls (January 11: In a Bed of Rose’s (episode 15), rating 24.0). Finished ahead of Dallas (January 10: Twenty Four Hours, rating 22.1, 12th), Knots Landing (January 9: Web of Lies, rating 21.5, 16th), Dynasty (January 8: Suspicions, rating 21.1, 18th), and Falcon Crest (January 10: Conundrum, rating 18.3, 21st). The Cosby Show (January 9: The Auction, rating 35.9) was #1 and Murder, She Wrote (January 12: Trial by Error, rating 28.5 (season high) ) was 3rd. January 17, 1986: Yankee Dollar, rating 22.2, 10th for the week. Finished ahead of Knots Landing (January 16: The Confession, rating 20.7, 16th), Dynasty (January 15: The Alarm, rating 20.4, 17th), and Falcon Crest (January 17: Checkmate, rating 19.1, 21st). The Cosby Show (January 16: Vanessa’s Bad Grade, rating 38.5) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (January 19: Keep the Home Fries Burning, rating 28.1) was 3rd, The Golden Girls (January 18: The Truth Will Out (episode 16), rating 24.2) was 7th, and Dallas (January 17: The Deadly Game, rating 23.2) was 8th. January 24, 1986: One-Way Ticket, rating 24.1, 6th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (January 24: Blame it on Bogota, rating 22.0, 11th), Knots Landing (January 23: Altercations, rating 20.6, 20th), and Falcon Crest (January 24: Collison Course, rating 18.5, 24th). Dynasty (January 22: The Vigil, rating 24.2) was 5th. The Cosby Show was a repeat on January 23. The Golden Girls was a repeat on January 25. Murder, She Wrote was a repeat on January 26. January 31, 1986: Little Miss Dangerous, rating 21.4, 11th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (January 31: Shadow Games, rating 20.9, 13th), Knots Landing (January 30: Friendly Enemies, rating 19.4, 18th), and Falcon Crest (January 31: Shattered Dreams, rating 18.0, 26th). The Cosby Show (January 30: Theo and Cockroach, rating 36.0) was #1, The Cosby Show special episode (February 2: The Dentist, rating 27.6) was 3rd, Dynasty (January 29: The Accident, rating 23.9) was 4th, and The Golden Girls (February 1: Nice and Easy (episode 17), rating 22.8) was 10th. No Murder, She Wrote on February 2. February 7, 1986: Repeat of Buddies. February 14, 1986: Florence Italy, rating 21.8, 9th for the week. Finished ahead of The Golden Girls (February 15: Second Motherhood (episode 19), rating 21.7, 10th), Dallas (February 14: Dire Straits, rating 21.0, 12th), Knots Landing (February 13: A Very Special Gift, rating 20.3, 15th), and Falcon Crest (February 14: Finders and Losers, rating 17.4, 26th). The Cosby Show (February 13: Play it Again, Russell; rating 35.2) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (February 16: Murder in the Electric Cathedral, rating 26.5) was 3rd, and Dynasty (February 12: The Divorce, rating 22.5) was 6th. February 21, 1986: French Twist, rating 23.3, 7th for the week. Finished ahead of Dynasty (February 19: The Dismissal, rating 22.6, 9th), Dallas (February 21: Overture, rating 20.8, 15th), Knots Landing (February 20: Irrevocably Yours, rating 18.6, 21st), and Falcon Crest (February 21: Flesh and Blood, rating 16.8, 33rd). The Cosby Show (February 20: A Touch of Wonder, rating 36.4) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (February 23: One Good Bid Deserves a Murder, rating 26.4) was 3rd, and The Golden Girls (February 22: Adult Education (episode 20), rating 25.2 (season high)) was 5th. February 28, 1986: Repeat of Bushido. March 7, 1986: The Fix, rating 21.1, 10th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (March 7: Masquerade, rating 20.9, 13th), Knots Landing (March 6: High School Confidential, rating 18.4, 23rd), and Falcon Crest (March 7: Hidden Meanings, rating 16.8, 28th). Murder, She Wrote (March 9: If a Body Meet a Body, rating 26.4) was 3rd, The Golden Girls (March 8: Job Hunting (episode 22), rating 22.3) was 6th, and Dynasty (March 5: Masquerade, rating 22.0) was 7th. The Cosby Show was a repeat on March 6. March 14, 1986: Payback, rating 21.2, 10th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (March 14: Just Deserts, rating 19.9, 14th), Knots Landing (March 13: Distant Rumblings, rating 17.8, 21st), and Falcon Crest (March 14: In Absentia, rating 16.5, 27th). The Cosby Show (March 13: Close to Home, rating 34.8) was #1 and Dynasty (March 12: The Subpoenas, rating 22.6) was 6th. The Golden Girls was a repeat on March 15. No Murder, She Wrote on March 16. March 21, 1986: Repeat of The Dutch Oven. March 28, 1986: Pre-empted for The Sound of Music. April 4, 1986: Free Verse, rating 21.0, 13th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (April 4: J.R.’s Rising, rating 19.8, 16th), Knots Landing (April 3: The Legacy, rating 18.5, 18th), and Falcon Crest (April 4: Unholy Alliance, rating 17.2, 24th). The Cosby Show (April 3: Theo’s Holiday, rating 34.3) was #1; Murder, She Wrote (April 6: Menace, Anyone?; rating 25.7) was 3rd, and Dynasty (April 2: The Vote, rating 21.1) was 11th. The Golden Girls was a repeat on April 5. April 11, 1986: Repeat of Bought and Paid For. April 18, 1986: Repeat of Back in the World. April 25, 1986: Repeat of Tale of the Goat. May 2, 1986: Trust Fund Pirates, rating 19.2, 13th for the week. Finished ahead of Knots Landing (May 1: His Brother’s Keeper, rating 18.6, 17th) and Falcon Crest (May 2: Cease and Desist, rating 16.9, 23rd). The Golden Girls (May 3: Big Daddy (episode 24), rating 21.7) was 5th, Dallas (May 2: Thrice in a Lifetime, rating 19.7) was 11th, and Dynasty (April 30: The Rescue, rating 19.5) was 12th. The Cosby Show was a repeat on May 1. Murder, She Wrote was a repeat on May 4. May 9, 1986: Sons and Lovers (season 2 finale), rating 18.8, 14th for the week. Finished ahead of Dallas (May 9: Hello-Goodbye-Hello, rating 18.6, 15th), Falcon Crest (May 9: Consumed, rating 16.5, 20th), and Knots Landing (May 8: Thicker than Water, rating 14.0, 27th). The Cosby Show (May 8: Off to the Races, rating 28.3) was #1 and The Golden Girls (May 10: The Way We Met (season 1 finale), rating 19.9) was 11th. No Dynasty on May 7. Murder, She Wrote was a repeat on May 11. On a win-loss basis, Miami Vice new episode results vs. each show were Falcon Crest 21-0 Knots Landing 19-2 Dallas 13-9 The Golden Girls new episodes 10-8, plus 1 tie Dynasty 7-12 Murder, She Wrote new episodes 0-15 The Cosby Show new episodes 0-19 The final ratings were 1. The Cosby Show; 3. Murder, She Wrote; 6. Dallas, 7. Dynasty, 7. The Golden Girls, 9. Miami Vice, 17. Knots Landing, 24. Falcon Crest Although Miami Vice finished behind Dallas in the final ratings, I think NBC took notice of the win-loss result and that could have been a factor in the move to Friday 9 pm the following season.

Also that week was Julianne Moore debut. Some sources say April 1 was her first episode, others say April 2.

It's so funny that November 1985 Miami Vice blew up in the primetime ratings and that same month Days cashes in on the Miami Vice hype.

Thank you for answering @Donna L. Bridges and @JAS0N47

Thanks for the answer @soapfave06 Another Days question, did Joseph Mascolo depart in 1985 and was John Aniston brought on that year to be the new villain? I know they were both on during the Reilly years.

@soapfave06 Did Days have a storyline in 1985 where they tried to cash in on the Miami Vice hype?

@Soapsuds Also Julianne Moore arrival that same month.

March 1, 1985 Y&R Brent Davis tells Ashley he's her biological father.

The episodes in the ad @Soapsuds posted are from January 8, 1982.

Spring 1985 some good stuff is coming up on Y&R: Ashley parentage reveal, the beginning of the eternal quadrangle. Also we'll start seeing Brenda Dickson becoming way too extra.