Paul Raven

Escapade CBS 5/19/78. 60 minutes. Quinn Martin Productions. Director: Jerry London. Executive Producer: Quinn Martin. Producer: Philip Saltzman. Writer/Creator: Brian Clemens. Music: Patrick Williams. This was an attempt to do an Americanized version of The Avengers, an outlandish, stylized spoof of spy movies, which was made in England and ran on ABC from 1966-1969, becoming a cult classic, starring Patrick Macnee as debonair spy John Steed and Diana Rigg as his sexy, and dangerous, partner Emma Peel (and later Linda Thorson as Tara King). Brian Clemens, who created, wrote, and produced The Avengers, penned this lighthearted pilot, about two San Francisco-based spies (Granville Van Dusen and Morgan Fairchild) who take their orders from an uppity computer named OZ. It was made shortly after Clemens finished producing twenty-six episodes of a European-produced revival called The New Avengers, which starred Macnee, Joanna Lumley, and Gareth Hunt, and aired late-night on CBS during the 1978-79 season. Cast: Granville Van Dusen (as Joshua Rand), Morgan Fairchild (Su- sie), Len Birman (Arnold Tulliver), Janice Lynde (Paula), Alex Henteloff (Wences), Gregory Walcott (Seaman), Dennis Rucker (Charlie Webster).

Marion Stokes recorded news programs only. Check Wikipedia for details of her life and motivation for recording countless hours of news programming.

If Leslie is so rich, why not buy her daughter a nicer apartment.? And the hotel room she's in is smaller than that apartment. If she wants to be closer to Ted, maybe a proper suite in the hotel?

Tomas has proven himself to quite the sleaze. Playing Mr Nice Guy and sweet talking Kat then hopping onto couch with Eva. He could actually be an interesting 'grey' character played by a better actor.

The Houston Post Houston, Texas • Sun, 21 Aug 1966

Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan • Sun, 31 Mar 1974

Interesting perspective. But I don't think it was as much as a deliberate vendetta than the misguided belief that something new is always better. Writers/producers thinking their stories and characters will be the solution. Of course, there is the underlying notion that change always equals improvement. How many times have we seen in business, new bigwigs coming in with big changes that they claim is the right course to take , only to be proved wrong. In soaps the situation is worse when a show is low rating. Hence the constant overhauls at AW. That Gillian Spencer/Le Soleil story was a plot that could have been impose on any characters on any show. There didn't seem to be an attempt to look at what the underlying problems were and what was in place when the show was successful eg the Nixon and Lamay eras.

Would like someone who is pro Andre/Ashley to detail their stance re why they are a good couple and should be together. I think all the differing opinions we have here are interesting and thought provoking.

@Cruising Soaps These are fun. Would AI be able to come up with something diferent for BTG? Would love to see what it produces for cancelled soaps like EON, SS, SFT etc

I had no idea Fieldon Farrington wrote for GH. I know him from his novel 'A Little Game' which became a TV movie. He died in 1977 aged 68. Thanks @depboy

The Post-Crescent Appleton Wisconsin Oct 23 1966

Cliff and Nina were married fairly quickly-within a year or so of appearing. That was the first misstep. Then the break up story with Steve Jacobi leading to divorce #1. But the rest of the time seemed to be ill conceived stories that put them in a cycle of make and break up. The Nina recasts were duds. They kept Cliff around for years. Maybe Cliff and Nina should have been written out when Taylor first left, with the option of bringing back Taylor or a recast, now widowed/divorced to move on with Nina. Cliff only existed as an extension of Nina.

Some might say-'but it's a soap'. Yes and we sometimes have to accept coincidences and other contrivances to move the story along. But when the writers do stuff that is not necessary to get from A to B then I think they should be taken to account. We already have to accept that Leslie is Barbara's daughter who happened to have a one night stand with Anita's son in law. The twist about the trust fund was interesting. Having Leslie suddenly have a windfall and her going on a spending spree is in character, but to have her seemingly be able to spend millions instantly stretches credibility. Quite possibly she will be brought back to Earth and discover the money is drying up. That should be addressed but like a few other plot points it may come along later than it should.

I may be wrong but didn't Lee Philip air on WBBM a CBS affiliate?

PX got a little dig in about shows having to support an 82 yr old actor/character-basically pointing out that the creativity is hampered by having to cater to veteran actors and characters that have no place being on the frontburner.

No need to apologize. Yep, always look at the positives! You must have been channelling some past posters who would be writing stuff like that on a daily basis.

I just watched the opening credits and immediately got a sense of the characters and that's not a good thing. Stereotypes 101.