Paul Raven

Doug Travis Guiding Light ??? pre 75

Re Nick Benedict - he was on AMC till 79.

Dr. Michael Shea Roy Shuman 1967- Jan 70

Irna began the story in 1969 and as far as I can make out was responsible for Dan impregnating both women at the same time, even though I have seen claims that it was written in her absence and she found that twist distasteful. It has been written that when she returned Irna quickly killed off Elizabeth and Paul and sent Dan packing but Irna was back in Jan 72 and Paul didn't die until Nov of that year. I believe Liz died in early 73 and Dan left a few months later so Irna took her time in dismantling that story. The first Liz Jane House was replaced in June 72 by Judith McGilligan.

Seams to be two Ethel Everetts. One per NY Times died in 1973. Ethel Everett, an actress who started in radio in 1931, the year she graduated from Hunter College, died Monday at her, home, 180 West 58th Street. She was 63 years old.....and “As the World Turns,” in which she played Mrs. Brando Ethel Remey. who played Alma until 78, died in 79, seems to have used Everett also at one point , hence the confusion.

As The World Turns Jeff Baker Mark Rydell Dec 56- Aug 62 spoiled son of Dick and Grace Baker. Elopes with Penny .Chris and Nancy have the marriage annulled. Gets in a fight with al James who dies and Jeff is charged.Defended by Chris Jeff is cleared and joins the Army and Penny, alienated by Jeff's immaturity dates Tom Pope. Jeff joins family business to prove himself to Penny who is engaged to Tom. Tom frees Penny who remarries Jeff (1959). Jeff has difficulties in the family business and discovers his mother's lack of faith in his abilities causing him to drink and eventually run off, leaving a pregnant Penny who miscarries. Under the name Jack Bailey, Jeff works as a piano player in aclub and Meg Blaine falls for him and discovers his true identity. Eventually returns to Oakdale and Penny ,more mature and settled and develops his interest in music rather than work in the family business. Killed in a car accident August 62 Nurse Laura March Georgann Johnson 1960 Edith's replacement at Memorial. Claire was jealous of Laura, who worked closely with Doug.

By the time of the flood revamp the show had gone through so many transitions. What direction do you think they should have gone? Continue with the McCleary's as the main family? Try and rebuild the Kendalls? Build up Stu's family eg Gary, Janet, Danny? Bring on Patti's kids as teens? Or just use whatever characters would work at that time? Lots of options. What do you think?

Just for the record Nick played Phil into 1979 not 78 as reported.

Katherine Babecki is listed as headwriter in La Guardia's book and I'm pretty sure that was really Katherine Phillips. I think at most she was a co-writer like Boruff etc or a scriptwiter from Irna's outlines. It's a pity that Katherine wasn't more dedicated to preserving her mother's legacy in some way.

Ratings for the two weeks ended June 25, 1972. 11.8 ATWT 35% 10.4 DAYS 34% 9.9 GH 33% 9.5 Doctors 33% 9.1 AW 31% 8.7 Search 32% 8.5 GL 29% 8.2 LIAMST 28% 8.0 EON 28% 7.9 OLTL 27%

@Faulkner Spot on. Look at Ashland. The character had potential to be a long term antagonist. A troubled marriage to Victoria, business manipulations, grudge against Kyle/the Abbotts, troublesome ex wife who may have a few tricks up her sleeve etc Instead they rushed through his story and he was out the door and forgotten.

Mary Stuart mentions in her book that new writers suddenly decided that Marcy Vincente was not paralyzed and had been fooling Tony and Agnes- she was critical of the plot but said happily the new writers didn't last long. I think she might be referring to Lou Scofield because elsewhere she praised Ellis and Hunt. She also mentioned that the original plan was for Jo to marry Sam when he returned but Mary didn't feel any chemistry with George Gaynes or b/w Jo and Tony so she went to the producers and they came up with the story of Jo retreating into blindness as away of dealing with her no longer loving Sam. They then decided to turn Sam psycho and kidnap Jo etc.

Dr. Michael Shea scheming doctor from an impoverished background, took over Doug Cassen's practice and romanced the older Claire, his widow. Also began an affair with Lisa. Eloped with Claire Aug 67,impreganted Lisa who gave birth to Chuckie (early 68)Manipulated himself to Chief of Staff. Walked out on operation on Mrs Steiner who died Admitted paternity of Chuckie causing Claire to divorce. Attempted a reconciliation by admitting to his shady past which was short lived when Claire discovered his true intentions -she stabbed him. Used that incident to retain his position at the hospital. Revealed to Dan that he was Ellen's true son.Mentor to John Dixon. Caught Tom Hughes stealing drugs.Used that to force Lisa into marriage to get close to Chuckie. Tried to paint Lisa as an unfit mother, whilst involved with Karen Adams.Shot and killed.(Feb 70)Killed by Hester (Miss Thompson) Pearce, whose daughter had committed suicide after being rejected by Micheal. John Lasell 1966 Jay Lanin 1966-67 Roy Shuman 1967-70

I get the feeling that like so many others, Audra is not a fully fleshed out character. The actress was probably given little background to work with. Josh probably does this to give him flexibility moving forward but it comes across as a character with little substance. Do we know anything about Audra's past? Re the businesses-even with more insight into the gaming industry I don't think most viewers would be that interested compare to cosmetics. All these different businesses require sets so it would make more sense to focus on Jabot, have several characters and have a few sets dedicated to that business where various characters could interact. One other thing that bugs me is the lack of supporting characters. I get that the budget can't support them on an ongoing basis but surely they could introduce say a PA for Devon-a day player. He/she could appear once in a while and the rest of the time be mentioned . Same for staff-an U/5 at the Newman Ranch 'yes Mrs Newman' only needs to be seen a few times but established that they are there. An extra as a secretary at the desk at Jabot etc From time to time they have used a small space-two walls as a set and it has worked. An easy way to create an office space or bedroom when needed.

I recall Ava (as played by Patty Lotz) being introduced as a construction worker? How long was Patty in the role? Was she recast b/c the character was revamped?

Moving the show to 12.30 from 2pm was a risky move but coincided with NBC taking over the show. Maybe CP were resistant to that move? Maybe they hoped up against SFT and RH both 30 min shows that were not huge raters at that time they could be competitive. By the time they shifted to Noon it was all but over. I've never been certain who was daytime VP during that time. Lucy Johnson? If a new VP came in then that would explain some of the moves. Those execs have to justify their appointments by making changes, not always for the good.

I noticed Dan and Susan were hardly mentioned in these synopses. I think this may have been due to the fact that the role of Susan was being recast. Jada Rowland ,who had been playing Susan since Oct 67, departed and returned to her signature role of Amy on Secret Storm in May 68. It seems that there was some BTS maneuvers to move her back to SS. I think that Leslie Perkins may have been a temp Susan during this time until the successful recast with Marie Masters. Maybe we will see Susan mentioned more often to indicate Marie has taken over the role. We don't have definitive dates for Leslie and Marie. Kathleen Cody played sally,Tom's girlfriend.

I don't think so-I believe the story with Fred happened later. I realized Jo went through the same thing with her next husband when Stephanie arrived,claiming Wendy was her daughter with Tony Vincente.

Yes I thought the hotel backdrop and darkened street was quite effective-pity they couldn't stop it moving. Marian claimed Arthur had fathered her child in Puerto Rico and filed a paternity suit. Arthur was recovering from a heart attack so it was a stressful time. Marian admitted she lied. But she fell for Fred Metcalf and he for her, but he backed out of marrying her at the last minute and left town.

P&G started saving tapes in 79 I think so AW,ATWT,GL,SFT and EON were kept. Days and Y&R were always kept by Screen Gems/Sony. ABC soaps were kept from late 70's (RH from the beginning) as well. That left TD as the outlier. Once NBC bought it, they chose to wipe it.

Falcon Crest's last Fri ep was #66 with an 8.6/16 20/20 0n ABC was # 29 and Mancuso FBI on NBC was #62 When Dallas moved into the 10pm timeslot it ranked #39 12.7/23 so an immediate improvement.

As The World Turns Bill Abbott....Patrick O'Neal 1962 friend of Claire's brother, came to Oakdale to open an office of his construction company and began a relationship with Claire Cassen. After being caught together in a car accident, the affair was exposed and Bill realized he didn't want to break up a marriage,so left town. Bruce Elliot James Pritchett 1962 brother to Linda, shoe salesman, had affair with Lisa. They wnt public and planned to marry but Bruce became bored with Lisa and broke it off. James 'Jim' Norman James Broderick 1962 lawyer who became engaged to Ellen Cole not knowing she had a child. When Betty Stewart died, Ellen hoped she might gain custody of her son so she confessed all to Jim, secretly hoping that as a married woman her chances would be greater. Jim realized Ellen was using him and broke the engagement. Nick Conway Doug Travis April - October 1978 ex husband of Valerie. returns to reconcile, Signs away his rights to her farm to prove his honesty, remarries Valerie in July 78. Secretly involved with Tina Cornell and contemplating murdering Valerie. Dies in an accident at the farm hayloft. Dr. Steve Farrell ... Philip Peters Sept - Nov 1978 ex fiance Barbara who follows her to Oakdale and proposes again. Has a mysterious past and leaves town on the eve of their wedding.

Richard Thomas is listed as playing Tom 66-67. If cast lists are accurate, this Tom would have been Paul O'Keefe who played the brother in the Patty Duke Show. When Sandy returned in 75 she planned to have Jimmy join her but I think the story was he decided he preferred to be with his grandfather and Sandy reluctantly accepted that. You think Sandy having a young adult son would have been useful to the story at that time.

Looking at Martin Sheen on IMDB it seems he was NY based until 69 when he started getting primetime roles in LA. So it is possible that he appeared on ATWT beginning in 65 on an occasional basis. Maybe Irna used the same hospital staff when needed if the actor was available? Paul being in Vietnam must have been between Stephen Mines and Michael Hawkins playing the role. At this point Penny had only been gone a few weeks. Sandy had run off after Bob was blinded in a lab explosion. Penny had been married to Roy but got an annulment, Don't know what happened to Roy. Some context for the above episodes After Lisa recovers from her illness, she tells Claire that she has just had Michael's baby and that she should divorce him. Claire refuses. Michael also refuses to divorce Claire to marry Lisa. Michael would soon find himself in trouble at the hospital, and it would ironically be due to another medical case involving the Steiner family. Diane Steiner's grandmother becomes ill, and Michael is supposed to treat her, but he panics, believing Mother Steiner to be the "ghost" of his late, beloved grandmother, and he flees. Mother Steiner dies. Later that day, Michael is arrested for drunk driving. Following an inquest, Dr. Shea's medical license is suspended for six months, and he is ordered to sign an affidavit acknowledging that he is the father of Lisa's baby and promising to provide child support. Lisa shows the signed affidavit to Claire, who quickly divorces Michael. Michael tries to woo Claire again to improve his chances of being reinstated at the hospital once he gets his license back. Strangely, Claire actually agrees to remarry Michael, until she overhears a conversation in which Michael tells a lawyer that he only wants to marry Claire to get back his hospital position. Then he'll dump her and run off with Nurse Karen Adams, his new paramour. A furious Claire works herself into a drunken stupor and stabs Michael with a letter opener. Bob and Tom find Claire lying on top of Michael. As soon as Michael recovers, he goes to David and threatens to press criminal charges against Claire unless he is reinstated. David reluctantly agrees to Michael's demands to avoid public scandal. Sandy returns from the sanitarium and is upset to find out that Penny is the new mother figure in her son Jimmy's life. Sandy and Bob demand custody of Jimmy from Penny and Roy on the grounds that Jimmy should be with his real mother, Sandy. The whole custody battles resolves itself in a bizarre way. Bob, who is seeking reinstatement at the hospital, attends a lab demonstration and is blinded in an explosion. Sandy, distressed by the loss of Jimmy and the accident that has befallen Bob, runs away from home. The irony is that on that very day, Roy decides that he and Penny should return Jimmy to Sandy and Bob. Roy and Penny get their marriage annulled and Penny leaves Oakdale for New York in June. Bob, in the meantime, is disturbed that Sandy isn't there for him in his time of need and files for a divorce on the grounds of desertion. Tom, now a college student, becomes further estranged from his family. He is angered by Lisa's deceits involving her baby, whom she has named Charles, or Chuckie, and refuses to have anything more to do with her. Tom's college roommate, Hank Barton, gets him hooked on speed and other narcotics and puts him up to robbing pharmacy stores in order to feed their drug habit.

@FrenchFan Again many thanks for posting these. Just in a weeks worth of episodes we get a much greater sense of what was going on than general synopses. I'm assuming Dr Davis is Jack Davis played by Martin Sheen. He's listed as appearing from 65-70 which seems unlikely. Most probably 1968 for Bob's blindness story. Slick lists a Christine Reagen in ATWT cast list in 1973 played by Ingrid Helmke but it must be this character in 68. First mention of this character. Yes. Irna wrote the show till early 1970.