Paul Raven

The People Mag article There's Hardly a Fig Leaf Left in Eden, and It's Paradise for Cable Soap Fans By Hollis Evans The scenario sounds as if it were written for a Roman orgy, or perhaps a tale from the Decameron. Most of the principal male characters are having illicit affairs and looking lasciviously over their partners' shoulders at other women. One lady is raped in the course of the story, another is deflowered in a barn, another roughed up in a shower, and yet another takes vengeance on her unfaithful lover by seducing his new love in a lesbian scene. There is, moreover, a madman abroad on the local college campus who is raping, maiming and murdering coeds. If all this makes A New Day in Eden seem racier than any network TV soap opera in history, there is a good reason. The program airs mostly late at night on Showtime, Oak Media and Prism systems, which together have four and a half million subscribers. And as the first long-running soap produced especially for cable, Eden has leeway that makes its broadcast cousins green with envy: Because it doesn't use public airwaves, it isn't regulated by the FCC—so anything goes. The surprising fact about Eden is that it seems almost prim in a medium that is steamy with X-rated "midnight films" and stag shows familiar to travelers from the closed-circuit fare at many hotels. Eden features nudity, to be sure, but it is discreet nakedness. There are no frontal shots below the waist, and the nude scenes are brief, dimly lit and filmed in profile for the most part. "We don't have a model to turn to," says executive producer Michael Jaffe, 38, "so all you can do is follow some rules for yourself. First, the story has to be good and the actors have to be good. Second, less is more. If the audience wants to see more, we're safe. If you leave everything out in the open, the audience becomes jaded." Without the odd moment of titillation, cable viewers might not be interested, even though Eden's plot line compares favorably with daytime soaps. Set in a once slumbering Midwestern ghost town named (natch) Eden, the show portrays the changes wrought by the giant electronics empire of Bryan Lewis (played by Jim McMullan). Lewis' enterprises revived Eden's economy and attracted the interest of the arrogant, abrasive Josh Collier (Steve Carlson), a troubleshooter evaluating the village's urban renewal. As this drama unfolds, Bryan Lewis' sons, Greg and Biff, along with a half-dozen other local studs, are attempting to bed every woman in the community. "We wanted to compete at every level with network quality, despite the fact that we operate with 50 to 60 percent of network budgets," says producer Jaffe. On the level of plot, Jaffe certainly has fulfilled his wish. The creative force behind Eden is Douglas Marland, 48, a two-time Emmy winner who wrote for CBS' Guiding Light and ABC's General Hospital. Most of the cast has also been in network soaps and prime-time shows—but none had any prior experience in the buff. Maggie Sullivan, 34, a General Hospital veteran who plays Eden's top femme fatale, found the first undress rehearsals an ordeal. "In the beginning it took a lot of guts and trust. You don't get that intimacy in a network situation, because you don't get that close." Producer Jaffe has a track record of serious network TV shows, often about high-minded subjects. (Example: A Woman Called Moses, the story of Harriet Tubman, the former slave who helped run the Underground Railroad.) Just how well his newest venture is doing is hard to assess. He has wrapped 33 episodes, but only 10 have aired, and he is uncertain whether the show will be renewed. Meanwhile Marland is determined to use every trick in the book to attract and hold an audience, including a Dallas-like season-ender in which the identity of that mad rapist is left undisclosed. By season's end, in fact, only patriarch Bryan Lewis will have kept his clothes on in every episode, a fact that disgruntles the actor who plays him. "I just wish he would get out of the office," grumbles McMullan. "I'm tired of sitting behind that desk and staring at that green carpet. When I finally do get into bed, it'll probably be with my tie on."

That is the same Michael Fox who played Saul on B&B.

Liz Keifer auditioned foe Eve on GL before getting the part of Blake. Rudolf Martin auditioned for Alec on AMC.The part of Anton was then created for him. According to Ann Hamilton,when she auditioned for Mindy on GL,she was up against Kate Collins ex Natalie AMC

Phillip Brown (Steve Kendall) spoke about Search in a SOD interview March 94 In response to the question"Did he ever want to kill his agent for talking him into something?" He replied."that would have to be SFT.I was there in 83 and didn't much care for their approach to the actors. Before we'd tape a scene,they's come out and announce,'You's better get it word for word in two takes,because we don't have the money to spend on you'. It was my first experience in daytime and it wasn't a real good experience."

Eric,you are referring to Lone Star Bar and Grill.Carl posted an article about it ,NDIE and others further down in the thread.

In early 93,Christopher Cass(ex Jack Loving) played Scott on ATWT over a 3 week period when Joseph Breen took a leave of absence.

Don't know if this has been mentioned-Marj Dusay,who subbed for Louise Sorel as Vivian on Days,had originally auditioned for that role.

On his facebook page,Eric James says that he beat out Desi arnaz Jr for the role of Jim on Bright Promise.

The Brooks sisters re-unite at Victor and Nikki's wedding in 84.Also pictured is Maestro Fauch.

Does anyone know who these performers are>

I will try and locate any SOD articles re The Doctors and writers.Those constant writer changes played havoc with the show's stability.i wonder if NBC were after that elusive ratings fix and thought this was the way to achieve it. For the record the cast photo shows Barney,Maggie,Erich,Luke,Sara,Colin.Mike,Greta (back row) Matt,Nola,Jason,Mona,MJ(Lauren White)Billy,Doreen,Carolee,Steve(front row)

An April 75 press clipping lists Jean Arley as producer and Margaret DePriest as headwriter with associates Nancy Ford and Clarice Blackburn, The cast list is Van Meg Bruce Ben Cal Rick Charles Diana Felicia Sarah Betsy Jamie Arlene Hank David Johnny All familiar performers The following characters were new to me Linda Crawford played by Romola Robb Allrud Prof James Crawford played by Kenneth MacMillan Dr Paul Bryson played by Earle Hyman Hyman played Bill Cosby's dad on The Cosby Show. I guess Linda and James were Betsy's sister and father? Here's a pic of Bonnie Bartlett as Van from 56

From SOD March 14th 1995 Loving scribes share their secrets Loving's new headwriters,James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten, have journeyed to Corinth on a mission:"We're going to paint the barn and put on a show,"declare the ex Guiding Light scribes. Brown and Esensten took control of Loving at a tough time. Robert Tyler (Trucker) recently exited, and Michael Weatherly (Cooper) will leave in March.Still, these writers are not discouraged."We are very optimistic,particularly about Darnell (Williams-Jacob)",confides Brown. Do the new writers have any tricks up their sleeves? They reveal that Dinah Lee will be very involved in the lives of Buck and Stacey, and that Cooper's exit will be heroic. The writers,however,will keep the door open for Weatherly's return."We are hoping that he gets homesick and misses (real life girlfriend) Amelia Heinle",cracks Esensten. The writers also plan to introduce a new,younger leading man. "He'll be unlike any other character you've seen on daytime",hints Brown. It's hard not to feel optimistic when you hear the excitement in the voices of Brown and Esensten.They promise viewers that the new Loving will be a lot less plot driven,with more humor,surprises and romance."After all the show is called Loving",Brown adds."Let's not forget that".

Interesting about the black writer. At this time they really integrated the black characters into the show,but of course it didn't last. I wish Malone and Gottlieb had have been more interested in the history of the show rather than just selected bits and pieces. They introduced too many new characters.

Katy ended up going crazy(er) and kidnapping LeeAnn (Greta's daughter) I think Theo left town to take care of her and later when Greta left,it was to re-unite with Theo.

The one and only Lorie Brooks

This is great,thank you. It deals- albeit briefly with the shows earlier years and answers some questions for me eg The characters and stories of Nora,Steve and Judy. I think Nora should have returned at some point. Rita lLakin wrote for Dallas,but never did daytime again. Surely she would be in demand,so she obviously didn't want to return-a pity. She is still going strong,recently releasing a mystery novel. Regarding the synopsis you posted earlier Carl,was this at a time of a writer change? I ask this as characters like Lacey,Robin are leaving and Theo and Katy arrive. There seem to be a lot of abused,neglected kids eg Tara,Mark. Do we know who played Lacey and Robin?

This is the only article I could find - mostly face shots but at least one shot of the set.

Veleka Grey did double duty on Y&R as Dr Sharon Reaves and chatty manicurist Ruby.