Paul Raven

Watching a soap I don't expect a documentary type approach to depicting a profession. But I like to see some semblance of a realistic depiction. But BTG misses on that score. We never see Nicole or Ted with a patient, Shanice and Ashley just gossip at the nurses station, Smitty as a reporter is either donning a cap to meet Jacob at the brick wall or typing away at his computer (about what?) Martin is shown in a better light-at least there are references to clients and cases. But Martin as a politician is a fail- no office or staff and never really dealing with the issues of his constituency. Just talking about running for President!

Soaps have always killed off characters, sometimes unwisely and sometimes for great effect. But starting in the 80's deaths become more commonplace as soaps tried to amp up the drama. More young actors were cast and subsequently left so writers had to cater to that. That's when Back from the Dead , another soap trope became commonplace as the chance to bring back popular actors became common place. Smart writers, like Bill Bell rarely killed off major characters so when he did there was drama. Otherwise, characters were recast or just left town, leaving the possibility of a return of an actor open w/o having to jump through hoops to explain their return.

May 1990 Jackie Babbin takes over as EP. That's Felicia Minei Behr with her.They must have had high hopes that she would be the one to give Loving a boost after her success at AMC. But not so. How long did she last? What were some of her changes in story and cast? I'm pretty sure she instigated the 'Who Killed Rick Alden?' story as she liked a good murder mystery.

According to his papers housed at American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming David Davidson wrote TBD under the name Albert Sanders from March 20- Sept 14 1961. He wrote many primetime scripts under his own name.

Rita Lakin wrote a proposal for 'Diary of A Mad Housewife' based on the 1970 movie. It's story of a put open, frustrated woman so I imagine Lakin would have softened that angle (and maybe consider a change of title) if it was going to sell as a daytime soap. She was also the writer on 3 other proposed primetime soaps based on movies-Written on the Wind 1965 and An Affair to Remember 1975 and Diamond Head based on a movie 1972

Rita Lakin, who headwrote The Doctors in 67/68 and Peyton Place, Flamingo Road. Emerald Point. Executive Suite. Dynasty as well as other primetime shows and TV movies also created the Gladdy Gold Mystery seven-book series, including Getting Old Is Murder, Getting Old Is The Best Revenge, and Getting Old Can Kill You. I wonder if they would have made a good TV series?

David Birney Bridget Loves Bernie CBS 1972-73 Serpico NBC 1976-77 St Elsewhere 1982 NBC (first season) Glitter ABC 1984-85 Live Shot UPN 1995 Meredith Baxter Bridget Loves Bernie CBS 1972-73 Family 1976-80 ABC Family Ties 1982-89 NBC The Faculty ABC 1996

Holly came on in 1970. The Dobsons arrived in 75.

Like I mentioned before, the Parker family could have been expanded with more siblings and a parent(s). By 85 only Ed and Ross survived from the Dobson era. Don't really count Phillip as he was a child in their time. From Marland era I think only Vanessa, Henry and Maureen survived. Am I right in saying that at one stage there was only Maureen on screen until Bea returned and Chelsea was introduced? Had Ed not been married to Maureen, I think the Reardons may have been forgotten. Not good for the show that so few characters remained from 2 successful regimes.

@Liberty City Thanks for posting. BC came across well. More relaxed than Martin. I'd like to see more of that onscreen.

On the Soapy podcast, Brandon Clayborn referred to a Y&R role he got that was then dropped-something to do with Misheal Morgan. Maybe it was when she left so they rewrote?

A Paul mention today. Love how Patty's release is glossed over. Like Matt back from the dead. It is referenced but not explained. Second time Victor has brought Patty to town. he never gives up on mis manipulations-why would you when the consequences, if any, are shortlived. I wonder what changed with Lauralee. For quite a while over the years she was absent, but now pops up fairly regularly. Was she busy with other stuff? I recall reading that she wasn't happy about coming back as 'window dressing'? Phyllis laying into Patty-pot meet kettle.

And another Dobson character bites the dust.

TOM McGREEVY LOVE OF LIFE Thug that beat up Ray 1979 ALL MY CHILDREN 1979

At the risk of being laughed at I'll add my 2 cents. Giving Jacob/Naomi a bedroom was a choice and they had to later redress it as a living room. Which shows they can redress a set quite effectively. Then Nicole got an office off her living room which I don't think we have seen for quite a while. Whereas Vernon/Anita need an extra room more. Caffeine Fix seemed to start off as a thrown together space which came into play when they realized there weren't enough meeting places. It's been changed since then. Now they are mentioning The Atrium, which I think is the complex where Caffeine Fix is located. Remember in the first ep we saw the foyer of Bill/Hayley's house. Where did it go? And have we seen the reception area at Bill's office lately? Hayley/Tomas could have met there rather than the coffee shop. Yes, they needed to think/plan better at the start in terms of sets and occupations.

CBS replaced BLB with MASH which held onto the lead in. CBS decided to move MASH and introduced a new MTM comedy 'Friends and Lovers' which again didn't retain enough of the AITF lead in. So it was cancelled and The Jeffersons took over and was an instant hit.

Premiere Week Sept 10-16 1973 Mon ABC Rookies #38 Movie 'Lady in Cement' #38 CBS Gunsmoke #15 Lucy #20 Dick Van Dyke #25 Medical Center #35 NBC Lotsa Luck #32 Diana #29 (highest rated new show)Movie 'Shootout' #19 Tues ABC Furst Family of Washington #49 (pilot pre-empting Temperatures Rising) Movie Movie 'Deliver Us From Evil #38 Marcus Welby #26 CBS Maude #10 Hawaii Five 0 #4 TV Movie 'Coffee, Tea or Me'#6 NBC Chase #36 TV Movie 'Drive Hard, Drive Fast'# 51 (pre-empting The Magician/Police Story) Wed ABC Love Thy Neighbor #56 ( Summer sitcom, Bob/Carol/Ted/Alice debuts a few weeks later) TV Movie 'She Lives' #41 Owen Marshall #48 CBS Sonny & Cher #18 Cannon 2hr #10 (pre-empting Kojak @10) NBC Adam 12 #23 Movie 'In The Heat of the Night' #37 (pre-empting Wed Mystery Movie/Love Story) Thurs ABC Evil Knievel 2hr special #9 (pre-empting Toma/Kung Fu) Streets of San Francisco #24 CBS The Waltons #16 Movie 'The Hot Rock' #45 NBC Rowan & Martin special #43 (pre-empting Flip Wilson) Ironside #17 NBC Follies #34 Fri ABC Brady Bunch #42 Odd Couple #54 Room 222 #50 Adam's Rib #53 Love American Style #56 CBS Calucci's Department #52 Movie 'Planet of The Apes #1 (pre-empting Roll Out @8.30) NBC Sanford & Son #13 Girl with Something Extra #39 NFL Players Awards #55 (pre-empting Needle &Pins/Brian Keith) Dean Martin Roasts :Ronald Reagan #47 Sat ABC Partridge Family #44 Movie 'Irma La Douce' #27 (pre-empting ABC Suspense Tv Movies/Griff) CBS All in the Family #2 MASH #3 Mary Tyler Moore #5 Bob Newhart #7 Carol Burnett #12 NBC America Goes Public- Democratic Party Telethon #58 (pre-empting Emergency/Movie) Sun ABC The FBI #40 Movie 'The Detective' #14 CBS New Perry Mason # 31 Mannix #21 Barnaby Jones #8 NBC Disney'Barefoot ExecutivePt 1' #28 Glen Campbell Special #22 Steve& Eydie Special #46 (pre-empting Sunday Mystery Movie) There was a writer's strike over the Summer, so some series were delayed.

I think the problem was that although a success in ratings terms BLB was losing too many viewers from AITF. When NBC introduced Emergency in Jan 73 it's second half outrated BLB on several occasions. So the overall rating was because of stronger numbers in the first half of the season. And although supposedly 'controversial' BLB looked old fashioned in style and content compared to AITF- lead in and MTM lead out. From Broadcasting mag 'Bridget Loves Bernie, which CBS dropped this year on grounds that, though its shares were good, it still wasn't holding enough of its lead -in from All in the Family'.

So what is the point of Christine becoming DA? To facilitate an upcoming story? Or just to provide a day's story? Time will tell. It's not like they are ever on.

Lemay seemed negative about any actor who was not involved in the 'the-ater'

Thanks for the response. And I totally get that. But I am a bit of a set nerd ! And I agree there are other issues that are just as important - it all comes down to the writing. But it's a visual medium. They do a great job on the whole with costuming and to me that really adds to the enjoyment. I just don't think the sets are at the same level.

At least the Judge Judy GIF is getting a rest... Here's an idea. Maybe post a response if you disagree with another poster. So there maybe can be discussion and healthy debate. Or just ignore. I'd be genuinely interested to know why you think the idea of different/extra sets is laughable.

Needed/desired An outdoor area for Summer brunches at the Country club. A Dupree dining room A study for Vernon An office for Joey Banneker set Free clinic An office for Martin A mid scale eatery above Orphey/below CC Ditch The Atrium/Airport Coffee Shop Joey's back room. We've just seen the motel where Jacob is living. That was a decent size. So there is some space to incorporate some additional sets. Wish we understood how it all works. Set decoration is a separate issue and there need to be some fixes there as well.

Poor Lauren. On Friday she starts her empowering journey at Summers Conglomerates doing who knows what. A big step, a big decision. But she is going to do it and do it well. On Monday Michael tells her that SG is going down the tubes. At least she got some office sex out of it. In a show where people bounce from one job to another with ease, Lauren may have set a record. Looks like her new job will last a few days.

Guess it would have been too difficult to hide the pregnancy onscreen? And Rachel falling pregnant would probably not been allowed in those days. It woudn't have fitted the character either. Dorothy Malone was already not getting enough screen time so with Rachel leaving she might be on even less. Elliot got most of the airtime in the Rachel/Carson storyline.