Paul Raven

AW brought back Steve Frame their first BFTD. It was a bust because it was a different actor playing against a different actress (Alice) in a story that downplayed the original romance Steve/Alice in favor of Steve/Rachel that alienated Mac/Rachel fans. And the whole thing played out in a completely different canvas to the original.

Different times,different standards. Women are having work done and are generally fitter,don't smoke etc. Permitted (expected) to dress 'younger' Susan Walters looks more her age and dresses more conservatively . It was confronting when Marla Adams returned as she looked like 70 plus women used to look. Nowadays even women of that age are expected to look at least 10 years younger.

`The Survivors' doesn't survive Replacement show to star holdover Hamilton; ABC -TV's clearance problem discussed The Survivors, billed in advance as "the most ambitious program" in ABC -TV's 1969 -70 schedule -a billing generally translated to mean the most expensive as well -has had it. ABC announced last week that the program (Mondays, 9 -10 p.m. EST) would not go beyond its Jan. 12 appearance. It will be succeeded by a new program starring George Hamilton - the last surviving key performer in Survivors-in the Thursday 10 -11 p.m. time period for which Survivors had been destined in mid-season shake -up plans disclosed a few weeks ago. The new program, described as an action -dramatic series played against the background of the American embassy in Paris, is called Paris 7000 and will start Jan. 22. It will be produced by Universal Television, producer of Survivors, and the executive producer will be Richard Caffey, currently working on the departing show in the same capacity. Survivors, based on a story idea by author Harold Robbins and reportedly budgeted at $250,000 an episode, has been plagued at every turn. It has had trouble in production, trouble in reviews, big trouble in the ratings. Trouble on the set, widely reported as stemming from personality clashes with star Lana Turner, led to three changes in producers. Critics for the most part gave the program low marks. In the latest National Nielsens (Nov. 17 -23) it was 85th in a field of 87 programs and the lowest -rated entertainment program of the lot. A few weeks ago, in a salvage effort, ABC planned to shift the program to Thursday nights at midseason and drop both Miss Turner and co-star Kevin McCarthy, retaining only co-star Hamilton. Now it's to be a whole new program. ABC lost a bundle along the way, including having to pay Universal to end the 26 week contract and agreeing to buy 4 2hr TV movies from that studio. The Survivors (ABC -TV, Monday, 9 p.m. EDT). . . cheesy hokum ..." Jack Gould. New York Times . . .abomination ..." Kay Gardella. New York Daily News . . . was introduced last night without the slightest apology ..." Bob Williams, New York Post . . star -packed hour of trashy troubles of the very rich." Lawrence Laurent, Washington Post . . .excessively talky." Bernie Harrison, Washington Star. Monday, Sept. 29 Survivors debut 7:30 -8 p.m. Rating Share ABC -Music Scene 9.1 15 CBS -Gunsmoke 17.1 28 NBC -My World And Welcome To It 22.4 37 8-8:30 p.m. ABC -Music Scene 9.8 15 CBS- Gunsmoke 17.7 27 NBC -Laugh In 30.9 46 8:30 -9 p.m. ABC -The New People 11.9 17 CBS -Lucy 16.4 23 NBC -Laugh In 35.8 50 9-9:30 p.m. ABC -The Survivors 20.5 29 CBS - Mayberry RFD 12.1 17 NBC- Monday Movie 25.0 35 9:30-10 p.m. ABC -The Survivors 22.7 31 CBS -Doris Day 14.3 20 NBC- Monday Movie 25.2 35 10 -10:30 p.m. ABC -Love, American Style 18.7 27 CBS -Carol Burnett 16.4 24 NBC -Monday Movie 25.4 37 10:30 -11 p.m. ABC -Love, American Style 16.1 24 CBS -Carol Burnett 15.0 23 NBC- Monday Movie 26.6 40

James Kiberd is 73. I think he's been dipping into the hair dye. Very hard to carry that off at that age.

Yes BFTD was used sparingly throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's as soaps were less'star' focused in those days. Once the 80's hit and soaps gained more popularity and focused on younger characters , those actors were more inclined to leave, less likely to be recast. Days went heavily on supercouples and really got the ball rolling, first with Roman, then Marlena, Hope, Steve etc One of the first where a character died onscreen and then returned years later was Paul Raven on Love of Life.He was Vanessa's first husband, presumed dead in a plane crash and returned over a decade later with a new identity.

June 67 CBS 8.9 NBC 7.1 ABC 4.2 Days of Our Lives 8.0 was close to Password 8.1 AW 9.1 To Tell the Truth 8.9 Bill Bell and Agnes Nixon working their magic!

So true, they should have adjusted the storytelling and approach to suit the budget. But by this stage those in charge thought soaps had to be a series of events and larger than life storytelling. It had worked for a while in the 80's and that mentality got locked in. That was their undoing IMO and it's still happening today. Trying to compete with primetime is useless when there is not the time or money, so why not double down and go for a more measured approach like soaps of old.

When was the last time Ally appeared? Has she been mentioned by Noah? Are they still together? Are we to believe Ally is still in town?

Really don't understand the need to be changing the theme music/graphics after a few years. They would have been better off concentrating on character and story. It just contributes to a lack of identity and loss of continuity. A little tweak is fine. Ironically things went full circle so by the time the last opening appeared it mirrored the original with just a globe and title. Having cast shots is a problem if they are not going to be updated.

No Judith Chapman. The women on the whole looked better dressed than on the show. Good to see Melissa Ordway in a one shouldered dress. Gotta keep that up. Beth Maitland always gets those mother of the bride/larger lady looks. They need to think out of the box in dressing her.

But that was a Bill Bell trademark. Anytime the show tried to be hip and current it came off as super lame and we loved it. I'm sure the only viewers who really loved it and took it seriously were Traci Abbott types who sat at home and watched all the CBS soaps every day of Summer, wishing they were in the cool group.

At least this episode gave us a break from the current stories. I wonder what the state of play is with the show and Doug? I don't think he would want to back as recurring again and hardly be used. Hopefully he might turn up during the 50th, but I think too many bridges may have been burned on both sides. Of course we had to have at least 2 of the women in one shoulder dressesto continue the tradition . Was that Crystal in the background at the Goopy Possum? Wasn't sure as the hairstyle was different.

So bizarre to make Fen gay. No build up to it and no consequence so what is the point? Just a random episode for Lauren. Nothing mentioned before about her getting an award. Michael arranging Fen to make a surprise visit. Some sort of build up. And now Lauren will be back to sitting at Society as a glorified extra. Josh Griffith has to go. Anyone would be better at this stage. The show is still salvageable.

OMG that was priceless. Deluded Danny thinking that clip is going to get my career moving -yea buddy, right down the toilet. And those vocals. I give Tracey a pass because she is not a professional singer but Michael Damian is awful. Ken was obviously high as a kite. Good old Traci...L'il Miss Sunshine -'I'm sure Patty loved it' Yea she left to throw up.

By October 69 following awful ratings,the NY and LA stations dropped it and it was moved from evening to afternoon timeslots in other markets Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit. It was announced that Robert Costello was taking over as exec producer. Krantz Productions head Steve Krantz stated that the pace would quicken and the show would be 'beefed up and generally be better' They took out a full page ad in Variety to announce Costello coming on board and pushed his Dark Shadows connection. Incidentally Steve Krantz was hubby of 80's mega author Judith Krantz -"Scruples' 'Princess Daisy' etc

Not sure who the director was but noticed some interesting choices. Firstly in Tuckers'suite' there were some angles not usually shown, which made it appear a little larger. Still think there should be a wall (with a cutout) leading into the bedroom area. That would immediately make that hotel room look more substantial. On that subject, do they even bother to redress that room in any way to pretend it is a different suite? Secondly, at both CL when Tucker encountered Victoria and at Society where Daniel and Phyll were chatting the cameras were kept in tighter shots so we didn't see the places were empty. Looked way better.

From what I have seen of him on Y&R, B&B and TD I would not place Jim Storm on my list of favorites. Something about his stern persona doesn't resonate with me. A good actor for sure, but... Joanna and Dina were cut from the same cloth. It would have been so nice to see Joanna there. I'm sure Susan would have been willing. So Fen is now gay? What? Zach must be wondering why he is the go to gay on Sony soaps. Is there any point to it? Very much doubt Y&R are interesting in bringing back gay Fen.

And they got a bedroom set! So it can be done. We never see Christian. Adam already has two kids, one of which he washed his hands of. So at this point Sally needs to lose the baby. giving everyone multiple children really limits story. Nick has 4 Sharon has 2 Adam has 2 Billy has 2 Victoria has 3 Lily has 2 Billy has 2 Chelsea has 2 Chloe has 2

With Texas, Santa Barbara, Sunset Beach and Passsions NBC had 4 attempts to launch a 60 min serial. They were the only network to attempt that. They were caught in an awkward situation of needing to fill that timeslot and launching at a time where 30 min shows were pretty much regarded as the poor relative. However ABC and CBS never had the challenge of launching a 60 min show. Maybe that was part of NBC's problem. It's a big commitment for a viewer to take on an hour show with a multitude of characters and stories. Very different than a 30/45 min show that you've been watching for years expanding to an hour. Maybe NBC should have expanded The Doctors in the 70's. It would have been worth a try and could have solved a lot of problems.

Liked Ron's house way better than a lot of soap stars homes that have been posted. Although i'd be taking some stuff out. Way too many pieces in every room for me.

Y&R Abby/Nate-they were once involved. I guess it is somewhat likely they wouldn't really cross paths. Abby seems to have little to do with Victoria/Adam/Nick.

I know Traci was planning a book on Dina-did that ever happen? But I also recall she spoke of a Jabot/Abbott book-did that ever eventuate? I'm getting the feeling Traci is a hack writer-using the family name to churn out cheapies. There was also that film noir type novel that was'dramatized' a few years back with Cane. Anyway the Jabot book would have been a good tie in with the 50th. Some characters who could/should return Murphy- to touch base with Jill/Esther and reminisce about Katherine Joanna- to see Lauren and her grandchildren Malcolm (Shemar) Lorie Any others you'd like to see?

I think you are right. VP of daytime is highest ranking with other positions reporting to them. Here's Lin's resume which clarifies this issue Linda Lou Bolen -vice president, daytime programs, NBC-TV; b. Benton, III., March 23, 1941 Miss Hickey's School, St. Louis, 1958 -60 City College of New York, 1963 -67 (nights) Fred Niles Communications, 1961- 62 executive assistant, Ziff Davis Publishing, 1962 -64 producer, Libra Productions, 1964- 68 free -lance producer- writer, 1968 -70 associate producer- writer, Metromedia Producers, Los Angeles,1970 -72 programing administrator, NBC , Burbank,May, 1972 director, daytime programs, NBC New York, September 1972 vice president, daytime programs, NBC -TV, October 1973.

I was going to make a note of that . I assumed Clare was a woman until an article established that was not the case. You have August 72 as Bolen's start date, which doesn't tally with my research. I have found it difficult to get clear dates for some of those appointments. One of Clare Simpson's projects was a daytime version of Ben Casey.

With so many pages and ratings posted i'm not sure these have been presented before, but here goes: Week ending Sept 29 1974 #1 ATWT 11.4 #2 Match Game 10.8 #3 AMC 9.4 #4 DOOL 9.2 #5 DRS 9.1 Week ending Feb 19th 1975 ATWT #2 11.2 AW #4 10.2 DOOL # 5 10.1 game shows filled the other top 5 slots.