Paul Raven

From TV Guide July 20 1985. An article about actor's input into scripts and stories, ... Not so Donna Mills, who's been known to go to the mat for her sexy, conniving Abby Ewing character on Knots Landing. "I will fight very hard for what I believe in for Abby," Mills says. As an example, she names a scene in which Galveston (Howard Duff), in typical chauvinistic style, advised Abby to keep her nose out of business matters and to stay home in the kitchen where she belongs. "The way it was originally written, they had Abby sort of meekly taking it all," Mills recalls. "I read that, and Isaid, 'Wait a minute. Abby wouldn't do that'." So Mills called the producers and stated her case. "Ireally believe that the women out there who like and admire Abby or her guts would be offended by that scene. So I went in, and they totally changed it." Mills says that the Knots producers are almost always receptive to her suggestions—but that doesn't mean clashes don't still occur. Just last season, it was proposed that Abby be the one who steals Val Ewing's babies, but Mills would have none of it. "I fought іt," she says, "because as bad as Abby can be, | didn't think she could be that bad. That's an unforgivable act." In the end, a compromise was reached: Abby had no compunctions about concealing information about the kidnapers until it became advantageous for her to reveal it.

Joanna Johnson as Karen on B&B. Viewers loved JJ as Caroline. So the reasoning behind making her a totally different character and not playing a Ridge/Karen romance made the whole thing pointless. They should have either 1. Sent Caroline out of town, either dying or not, leaving the door open for a return or 2. Killed her off and stand by that decision. The return was a fizzle, so really no point.

Ah... Chancellor Park. Now when I go to a park you usually see dog owners, mom's with babies or pre schoolers,people exercising, maybe some older folk reading on a bench or just relaxing... But I GC it's where business people randomly meet up during the work day in the same cramped spot. On Friday Nikki is at the ranch and then somehow ends up at the park. Just ridiculous.

To bring back Julie without Doug and have some throwaway talk about this iconic couple divorcing was madness.

Yes, yet another example of deciding to kill off a character then trying to backtrack by resorting to the lookalike plot. See - Hilary on Y&R. Despite some wobbly writing Hilary was the only new character in years that took off. So they kill her off and then bring back Mishael as Amanda, which didn't work.

What were some publicized/ anticipated returns of an actor to soaps or resurrection of a character that didn't pan out? For example After a controversial departure from Another World almost a decade earlier, Jacquie Courtney returned to the role she originated, Alice Matthews. Viewers anticipated seeing their beloved heroine, now more mature and experienced involved with new characters and romance. It was even more significant as the show was struggling and the original Matthews family had been sidelined. But it all came to nothing. Jacquie/Alice was given little to do and quietly departed a year later. On Y&R Lauren's son Scott finally returned in 2017 as a major character. But audiences were pretty much not interested in Daniel Hall's portrayal and Scott was also shipped out after a year or so. What are some you remember?

I was fortunate enough to see the Kay/Jill battles following Phillip's death on Y&R and Pat Falken Smith's return to Day in 81-the Salem Strangler and introduction of the DiMeras.

I think the problem with Noah goes way back to when the character was fist SORASED was it 07 or 08? Nick and Sharon were still young frontburner characters now the parents of a teen and competing for story. Also doubly compounded by Nick being drastically SORASED earlier. There were too many generations represented. Noah should have been kept younger for several more years. And then Noah never really got a major story and went through recasts till we Adamson as Noah, who looked way too old. It was a mess for years.

There is literally nothing for Sharon to do.

Not in any way to excuse Josh, but the lack of budget for sets and cast is a big factor along with an insistence that the vets must be featured (even though most are played out, especially as lead characters) But his choice to focus on poorly written business stories and dull romances as well as stuff happening off-screen is unacceptable.

I get your point. But she was having sex with her young chauffeur when she arrived. I think the intent was there originally but the writing changed probably due to LD's persona. There was a Jackie Collin's influence also. And Jane Elliot was wanted for that role I think. Felicia would have been quite different with Jane in the role.

No doubt Allie and Noah will have parted ways. Josh brought back Noah with Gibson and then did dropped him, so there's that in the mix. The upside is Club Glam might reopen!!

Dina had all the elements in place but didn't hang around long enough to become a real force in GC-sleeping with various men, getting involved in business deals etc. Bill Bell seemed to lose interest. Not sure why as Marla/Dina had the potential to become a long term player in GC. What was the story for Dina's first exit?

Thanks @YRfan23 No Abby this month. Camryn must be recurring and Bryton either recurring or 1 a week guarantee.

Looks like most contract players are on 3 a week guarantee.

Resurrecting this topic. In the 80's pretty much as a result of Dynasty(Alexis) we saw the focus on wealthy more mature business women who could be quite demanding in business and the bedroom. Felicia AW, Lucinda ATWT, Alex GL, Gwyneth LOV, Rae RH-although she was already there before Alexis took off. Established characters on other shows were remoulded into that archetype eg Dorian OLTL, Stephanie SFT. AMC had Erica who didn't really fit that slot but I think they were reluctant to introduce any sort of character that might outshine her. Days, GH, didn't really go there. Later in the 80's Jill took that spot on Y&R. Any other examples?

I liked Gina but was disappointed she was cast as Phyllis. When Summer left in 2016 ,I think that was a good time to rest the character. Phyllis' marriage to Jack was over (again) the Billy romance was yuck and the ship had sailed with Nick. A good time for Phyllis to leave town-no children on the canvas and no viable romances. But Y&R insists on keeping everyone around.

OK Thanks for that -must have missed that ep.

Billy got a new set that actually was attractive. We've not seen it in months. Something very odd about the budget decisions for this show. As for the Mariah 'storyline' ,just repeated scenes of Mariah being weepy and shutting everyone out and then...nothing.

Harsh but true. She seems to make every post, ostensibly about someone else, all about her. And she should be embarrassed about some of her 'acting' choices.

Thursday cliffhanger Nikki thinks her husband's dislike of Kyle had more to do with Jack. Victor admits he’ll always despise the Abbott. Nikki fumes that this feud has to end. Stubborn as ever, Victor declares the war will never come to an end!!!! I was riveted by this revelation. Meanwhile Kyle decides to propose to Claire-the love of his life. Not to be confused with Summer and Lola 2 previous loves of his life. This will be Kyle's 4th marriage in 6 years.

Good point.

I recall Ellen Wheeler saying that she would bring back characters for the final weeks that viewers really wanted to see and I'm thinking if that was the case why did she wait until the end? Wouldn't it make sense to bring them back before that? Maybe when the show is struggling and could use the boost? Never understand some of the dumb decisions made...

On paper the Chelsea/Allison/Madison story had legs but casting, pacing and writing choices have sabotaged it.

As stated Wed, Thurs and Fri @10 slots were taken. That left Tuesday where NBC scheduled Flamingo Road for 2 seasons with middling success.. In 83 Hart to Hart was still prospering for ABC in that slot and CBS had a movie. As for NBC once The A Team and Riptide took off, Yellow Rose might have worked 10pm as Hart to Hart was dropping but they didn't take that opportunity. Monday-CBS tried with Emerald Point but that didn't work. One strategy might have been to move Falcon Crest to Monday and place Emerald Point on Fri after Dallas but CBS were reluctant to tamper with a hit lineup and possibly weaken Friday. ABC had football and NBC a movie so no room there for a soap. Mid season ABC went with a movie. They did premiere Dynasty Mon @9 before the move to Wed. Saturday-There was the opportunity for a soap to survive there but Midland Heights, Yellow Rose and Berrengers all failed. But both CBS and NBC didn't have strong lineups to support a 10pm soap. Sunday. Early on Dallas had some success Sunday @10. Both NBC and ABC ran movies and dropping the movie for series was too risky. Of all those scenarios I think NBC had the best chance by placing Yellow Rose or later Berrengers Tues@10.