Paul Raven

Jon Michael only seemed to be voicing what everyone was thinking. Why couldn't Rauch/P&G/NBC see it?

Corinne Jacker should have been paired with a more experienced soap writer.

Austin American-Statesman Oct 3 1982

The soapy decline of 'Another World' By JON-MICHAEL REED Special to the American-Statesman NEW YORK

The decline in eminence of "Another World" during the past eight years could provide a classic study of how not to run a soap opera. The most recent fiasco involves the abandonment of an admittedly horrible storyline of a "movie-within-a-soap." All of the performers connected with the filming of Jamie Frame's "Peyton-Place'like novel have been axed, including Ben Masters (Vic) and Tracy Brooks Swope (Chris), two of the more interesting and accomplished performers to surface on soaps in quite a while.

Other "AW" cast members given the boot include Linda Borgeson (Alice), Ann Rose Brooks (Diana), and Chris Marcantel (Pete). But "AW's" problems go deeper than the axing of performers. The show doesnt seem to have a sense of what it' about. The frequent addition and deletion of characters and plots over recent years is a symptom of badly-focused and desperate story emphasis.

Frequent turnovers in writers haven't helped consolidate a coherent interesting and attractive theme. "Another World" has generally enjoyed superior dialogue. Under current headwriter Corinne Jacker, individual scenes frequently have a pungent reality. The words that spew forth from characters' mouths are often dry, witty, clever. But these are isolated from the whole script which tends to meander.

Obviously, the main problem is that Jacker is a superb playwright accustomed to telling one prime story at a time. But in soaps, a writer must be versatile enough to keep interest high on a multitude of story fronts. And there hasn't been a major story on "AW" in a long time that gets "the juices boiling," that makes a viewer shake his head in disbelief or annoyance or any emotional response that will goad the viewer into talking about the story situation with friends as though they were gossiping about the awful events in a neighbor's life..

On 1/1/2024 at 8:24 PM, YRfan23 said:

35.) Sharon Case (Sharon Rosales) : 1

That Cameron story really worked well for Sharon.

As soon as I read that anyone was a 'prankster' on the set...

2 hours ago, Broderick said:

He really does appear to be playing a "pre-Floyd" version of Floyd.  Maybe Mark Arnold will elaborate on what happened.  

Floyd was already there. Marland could have done a quick rewrite that Floyd already knew Nola. he had hardly been frontburner under the Dobsons so stuff could have been happening that we didn't see.

And Kelly could have been Billy Fletcher,Peggy's son. An immediate and legit connection to the Bauers and he was Roger's stepson.

The week Y&R went to #1

When Jody told Tom she's pregnant, he advised her to get an abortion or place the child up for adoption. Chris received a court order for Karen's custody case and suspected Ron's actions towards Nancy. Liz told Jill to face the fact that Jill likes Derek, not David. Lorie was miffed that Lance refused to consider Vanessa's decision to move out.

AMC  at #1

Nick terminated his relationship with Erica after she told Mark about being Mark's half-sister. Erica retaliated by deciding to keep her affair with Nick a secret. Brooke was jealous after Devon changed her mind about Pine Valley after meeting Danny. Kitty's condition deteriorated. Frank assured Caroline he loved her although Nancy accepted a job in town. Little Phil turned to Chuck after Phil argued with the child. Chuck proposed to Donna. Phoebe threatened Charles with a countersuit naming Mona as co-respondent.

Re Days.

So Ann Marcus did bring up the ratings over Summer with Days at #4 and #3. Interesting to see how that goes in the second half of the year.

GH slumping.

We had a recast thread for many years but the focus here is recasts who in appearance and characterization seemed like a different character.

Sometimes it was deliberate when  many years had passed so the change could be explained away by things that happened in that period.

But for others it was just a change that happened with the recast.

Exhibit A Amanda Guiding Light Came back years younger and went from neurotic uptight to ex Madam.

Re Mark Arnold as Buck... first of all -why that name?

Was he planned as a short term character? 

For a character like that did Betty Rea's assistant make the decision-how thorough was the casting process ?

So Arnold is cast-was there talk of expanding the role or was it put down to a missed opportunity and then he was suggested for EON.

Just occurred to me that Peter and Kristen were Blakes. Was their adoption and connection to Stefano ever properly explained?

And earlier Jessica had been a Blake and she was also adopted.

I think the Blake mom and pop need to be investigated...

Thanks @DRW50 I wonder if ANDIE tapes still exist?

The other matter to consider  is that Marland had actor guarantees to fill and put Charita into the scene to take care of that. That set was available etc. 

But of course the dialogue could have  been handled better.

3 hours ago, danfling said:

Today (January 2) is the anniversary of the premiere of Password on CBS.

Which show had left the schedule?    Was it the Hollywood serial Full Circle or had some other show come in between Full Circle (if, indeed, Full Circle had been broadcast in that timeslot) and Password?

I do know that Love Is a Many Splendored Thing took the place of Password in 1967.

Password replaced another game show 'Face the Facts' which debuted March 13 1961 replacng the short lived Full Circle all at 2pm.

However, everything I have read has Password debuting Oct 2 1961.

CBS tried a number of shows there with little success, considering that As The World Turns was a huge success and would have provided a good lead in. It was until Password that they found a hit.

The opposition at that time were Jan Murray Show on NBC and Day in Court on ABC.

As The World Turns

Ralph Mitchell   March - May 77  ?  - Dec 79  199?  Keith Charles    businessman/real estate agent .Old friend of Val who arrived when she was making a play for Bob. Left with wife Sally to reconcile  but returned months later alone. Went to work for Natalie and bought her agency, interested in Mary but John interferes and he takes up with Joyce Hughes again resulting in a pregnancy. Planned to tell Don the truth so Joyce planned to shoot him but shot Don instead. Involved with Mary but realizes she and Don are better suited and left town. Dated Lisa and Ellen  when he returned years later.

Sandy Wilson McGuire Hughes Kane Garrison Thompson

 Barbara Rucker  ? 1975- July 79

Joyce  _____ Colman Hughes      Barbara Rodell      April 74 - July 79; Dec 79 - 81 ex-wife of Grant Colman, Lisa's many-time rival

Amy Lin Hughes   adopted by Penny and Anton; real grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Parsons    Irene Yaah-Ling Sun      April 73- ? 73                                                                              Una Kim             1986;1988

This has been discussed before but with 800 pages to wade through...

Marland at ATWT seems to be a short term caretaking position. There was no big official announcement, unlike when he joined GL and in his stint there he kept everything in place. There were no major changes in story direction or new characters. 

11 minutes ago, j swift said:

I feel like regardless of backstage drama, Carrie was not long for Springfield.  I mean, Ross couldn't settle down that early, she didn't have many professional or personal attachments, and we already knew her backstory.  There weren't many other places to go with her that weren't redundant to those already on canvas.

Jane and Doug wanted another year, Carrie would have had treatment but (according to Marland) would her new integrated persona still be in love with Ross? Looks like at the end of year 2 Carrie would leave Springfield unable to fully commit to Ross.

Wow! in just over 3 months Y&R moves from 6th to 1 st. Any theories ?

ATWT dethroned from #1 after how long?

Rose's first appearance was part of a teen runaway story in  involving Chris Brooks. Somehow she escaped that rap and resurfaced for the Nikki story.

40 minutes ago, Donna L. Bridges said:

: Y&R expanded to an hour on Feb. 15, 1980.

It was Feb 4 1980...

In the March 1980 episode posted on the GL thread we have Roger disguised as an elderly professor and hiding out at the Reardon boarding house.

As a disguise it looks quite good. The only problem is that with a flowing beard and long grey hair Roger looks quite distinctive, which kinda defeats the purpose of trying to lay low and go unnoticed.

 Show/Number of markets/rating/share/ coverage as %

November 86

1. Wheel of Fortune 199 19.3 33 99.6

2. Jeopardy 189 12.3 26 98.4

3. PM Magazine 45 9.7 18 36.6

4. New Newlywed Game 181 8.9 17 96.5

5. M`A`S`H 159 8.7 19 90.6 #1 in late night in 65 markets

6. People's Court 181 8.2 21 95.3

7. Three's Company 143 7.9 18 84.7

8. Oprah Winfrey Show 131 7.7 31 89.3 #1 daytime talk show

9. Southwest Conference Football ... . 19 7.7 25 7.4

10. Phil Donahue Show 181 7.6 29 97.9

11. National Geographic 47 7.6 15 27.4

12. Entertainment Tonight 140 7.5 15 87.6

13. Best of National Geographic 59 7.5 14 44.7

14. Hollywood Squares 134 7.2 17 86.1

15. ACC Football 18 7.1 24 10.0

16. Hee Haw 165 7.1 18 77.8

17. Big Spin 9 6.9 12 10.7

18. Card Sharks 35 6.6 16 35.0

19. Facts of Life 104 6.5 13 76.4 #1 off network sitcom new to syndication

20. Magnum PI 116 6.4 16 77.5 #1 off network drama

21. Gimme a Break 103 6.2 13 81.0

22. Small Wonder 111 6.2 13 82.7 #1 first run sitcom

23. Benson 108 6.0 13 71.0

24. Diff'rent Strokes 127 6.0 14 83.2

25. Divorce Court 137 5.9 18 85.7

26. Jeffersons 96 5.6 13 63.7

27. God's Good News 5 5.4 17 2.2

28. Silver Spoons 29 5.4 11 29.4

29. Ellery Queen 6 5.3 14 9.1

30. $100,000 Pyramid 40 5.2 11 40.4

31. Too Close for Comfort 84 5.2 11 55.5

32. Fight Back 27 5.1 13 38.6

33. Dating Game 142 5.1 15 84.1

34. 9 to 5 63 5.0 10 60.9

35. Hour Magazine 126 4.8 18 82.1

36. WKRP in Cincinnati 102 4.8 12 63.2

37. Barney Miller 92 4.7 14 56.4

38. Mama's Family 138 4.6 10 85.2

39. Superior Court 109 4.6 15 73

40. Throb 133 4.6 9 88.4

And...

Superior Court  109 markets 4.6/15 

The Judge 67 markets 3.9/15

Siskel and Ebert 138 markets 2.6/10

At the Movies 88 markets 2.0/7

Cross Wits 29 markets 2.1/9

Strike It Rich 57 markets 1.8/8

Nightlife w/ David Brenner 96 markets 1.9/11

First run sitcoms 

What's Happening Now 85 markets 4.2/10

Ted Knight Show 98 markets 4.1/9

It's a Living 138 markets 3.9/9

What A Country 85 markets 3.8/8

That's My Mama 12 markets 3.6/8

One Big Family 135 markets 3.4/7

Gidget 113 markets 2.6/7

Check It Out 86 markets 1.7/6

New to syndication 60 min

Fall Guy 67 markets 3.1/8

Falcon Crest 110 markets 1.1/5

53 minutes ago, Khan said:

I wonder if they would have been better off starting the story all over again and calling it, simply, PEYTON PLACE.

Would viewers have been happy to watch a story unfold that they had already seen?

46 minutes ago, SoapDope said:

I know very little about this shows ratings and wonder what reaction it got from fans of the original series. It appears many of the roles were recast quickly during it's short run. 

I have only seen one small promo for it surface on youtube. I wonder f the entire run exist somewhere ? More than likely it has been trashed or was wiped by the network to reuse the tape. 

I think Rodney was replaced within a few weeks as the actor must have been poor.,

Then Bettye Ackerman was replaced as Constance, Kathy Glass left and Lynn Loring was brought in as Betty.

So really not much more than any new soap.

As for whether that show exists there is a possibility that as a 20th Century Fox production it might be sitting in a warehouse somewhere.

The question always remains as to what happened to overseas copies ? RTTPP played in Australia. Were the tapes destroyed or returned?

9 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

@JAS0N47

Do you happen to have ratings for the syndicated shows from the 80s?

 

Will add more if you like from what I can locate

This is Nov 85.

The four numbers represent 1.Show 2. rating 3. share 4.coverage 5.number of markets

So as you can see, something like Fight Back, a consumer rights show, ranks 9th but is only shown in 27 markets. 

This is before the boom in talk shows.I'll try and find something from later in the decade when Oprah, Sally, Geraldo etc take hold.

1.Wheel of Fortune 18.5 32 99.1 192

2. Jeopardy 11.2 24 94.5 169

3. M'A'S'H . . 9.2 20 91.6 165

4. New Newlywed Game 8.9 19 90.7 156

5. PM Magazine 8.8 15 56.0 53

6. Southwest Conference Football 8.7 28 7.5 20

7. Three's Company 8.6 19 85.9 154

8. Entertainment Tonight 8.4 17 89.9 141

9. Fight Back 8.0 17 34.3 27

10. People's Court 7.8 20 94.1 162

11. Price is Right 7.8 15 67.0 112

12. Honeymooners Season 7.5 14 25.2 36

13. Small Wonder 7.4 15 67.6 60

14. Diff'rent Strokes 7.3 16 84.0 126

15. Hee Haw 7.2 18 79.8 170

16. Barbara Mandrell 7.1 19 1.4 6

17. Benson 7.0 15 71.6 108

18. Serendipity Singers 7.0 27 1.4 5

19. Too Close for Comfort 6.9 14 74.0 85

20. Country Comes Alive 6.8 12 2.0 5

21. Gimme a Break 6.6 13 48.4 55

22. Jeffersons 6.5 15 76.1 118

23. Fame 6.3 13 89.7 141

24. ACC Football 6.2 24 10.3 17

25. Phil Donahue Show 6.2 28 97.5 178

26. Sale of the Century 6.2 16 20.9 13

27. $100,000 Pyramid 6.2 11 34.5 42

28. Forrest Gregg 6.0 18 2.0 6

29. Archie Bunkers Place 5.7 11 19.9 13

30. What's Happening 5.6 13 44.1 37

31. WKRP in Cincinnati 5.6 14 66.2 119

32. Barney Miller 5.4 14 66.8 99

33. Big Ten Football 5.2 18 18.1 25

34. Smurf-Magic Flute 5.2 8 5.3 6

35. Taxi 5.2 12 56.8 83

36. What's Happening Now 5.1 11 74.1 82

37. Agronski and Company 5.0 14 6.6 6

38. Dance Fever 5.0 12 79.7 104

39. Hour Magazine 4.9 21 78.4 114

40. SFM Holiday Entertainment 4.9 13 17.9 28

41. Star Search 4.9 12 90.7 159

42. Happy Days 4.8 14 51.4 94

Lower in the rankings 

Hour Magazine 4.9 21 74 110

Comedy Break with Mack and Jamie 1.7 6 48.1 40

Comedy Tonight 1.0 6 59.7 71

Dick Clark Nitetime 2.3 10 72.8 83

Dallas 3.4 10 51.7 92

Dynasty 3.4 10 48.7 47 

Knots Landing 3.3 10 12.5 20 

6 hours ago, Khan said:

I swear I heard my mom tell me when I was younger that Glenn Ford was racist.

My memory is that GF refused to sit next to Gail Fisher (Mannix) at an Australian TV awards ceremony where they were special guests. There may have been other instances.

Came across this list of possibilities for the role of Hutch played by Joseph Campanella. Looks like an initial wish list.

Chuck Connors

Ben Johnson

James Whitmore

Cameron Mitchell

Leif Erickson

Cameron Mitchell

George Kennedy

Glenn Ford

James Arness note said he was very tall

Stewart Granger 

Rod Taylor note stated he was younger

Rip Torn note stated that he was younger

Richard Widmark

Joel McCrea (A note said he was absolutely not interested)

Randolph Scott

SFT

Janet-both Dan Walton and Wade Collins died. I think her first husband Bud Gardner died also or did he just run off?

Y&R

Ashley - Steven Lassiter and Blade Bladeson.

7 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

The fact that JG couldn’t even write enough material to extend this storyline beyond a, what six week or so stretch? SMH. He needs to go back to the basics of writing out a storyline projection.

Totally agree but wonder if Josh isn't under some directive from a bonehead at CBS or Sony to do these quick arc stories under the misguided belief that a short stint, hyped up stories might grab more eyeballs than a longer term version.

There seems to be a belief that soaps have to do short scenes and stories because today's viewers demand it and if a scene is perceived to be too long or not punchy enough viewers will switch over.

No doubt things move faster today but the soaps USP of being able to dig deeper and keep viewers hooked by slowly unravelling a story seems to have been lost.

Another reason for the truncated story telling might be down to budget-keeping CZ around too long would eat up too much money. Instead she does her stint and then another short term character can be brought in for another story.

SFT at this time was being written by Irving Ellman and there didn't seem to be anything particularly compelling going at that time to account for the rating.