danfling

I think that the last great storyline on this show was the one concerning Vargas.

In my opinion, Mr. Casey (Rodney #1) added nothing to the show. His replacement, Yale Summers, was better in the role. Ron Russum, as Norman, was excellent - as, of course, Patricia Morrow and Evelyn Scott (Rita and Ada in both versions) were also!

The quality of Ryan' Hope really dropped when Robert Costello (who had replaced George Lefferts) departed as the producer and Eileen Barrett replaced him. She also brought down the quality of Search for Tomorrow after she was hired to produce that show!

I am not sure that the writers ever decided upon who her actual parents were. Alexandra Moltke departed the show, and the two replacements (Betsy Durkin and Carolyn Groves) were hired to wrap up the more immediate storylines (such as her relationship with Peter Bradford).

There was later a writer named "Liz Coe." She wrote for Ryan's Hope, and I understand that the network liked her work a whole lot. I have also heard speculation that the character of Lucy Coe on the serial General Hospital was named for her. Who was the head writer.? Elizabeth Levin? She is the wife of Michael Levin (Jack Fennelli on Ryan's Hope), and Ms. Levin briefly had written for Ryan's Hope prior to being the head writer of The Doctors.

Ms. Byron was terrible in the role of Skye. Ironically, she initially came to Pine Valley as a profession singer (who was going to look for her natural father) who was hired by Tom to sing at the Goal Post. And, she was a terrible singer as well as actress!

Was she hired when Doris Quinlan was the producer? She and Ms. Quinlan had worked together on One Life to Live. Kathy Glass had also been a favorite of writer James Lipton. He hired her for both his The Best of Everythings and, then a little later, the serial Return to Peyton Place. I had long wondered why she left the role of Jenny on One Life to Live. (I definitely preferred her over Brynn Thayer.)

Why was Arch Johnson replaced on Edge of Night as Jim Earle?

Carl Frank was mistakenly credited above as Mike Karr. This should have read Bill Marceau.

Another performer who appeared as an extra is Katherine Kalmi. She was shortly after her departure from All My Children.

Also, shall we not forget Douglas Marland (The Brighter Day, As the World Turns) who began writing in the 1970s. And Bethel Leslie (The Doctors) who wrote The Secret Storm in the 1960s. As far as the first to appear in a show and to write the same show, I recall Ellen Holly (although she did not receive on-screen credit).

James Lipton appeared on The Guiding Light as well as writing for it. I am not sure if this was during the same time or not. David Lesan and John Bourff also were writers for The Guiding Light and appeared on the show. Richard Holland (after having appeared on The Guiding Light) played Don Hughes on As the World Turns. At some point, he became a wrtier (I think for As the World Turns) I do not know if these times on the show overlapped. These would certainly been prior to Lois Kibbee. Ralph Ellis was an actor and later a writer (but not on the same shows). I know very little about Meg Bennett, so it is hard for me to say who came first. But, some writers/performers who may have pre-dated her are Gillian Spenser, Ellen Holly, Kenneth Harvey, Millee Taggart, Clarice Blackburn, and possibly Stephanie Braxton. Also, Ian Martin was involved with the Canadian serial Strange Paradise (possibly as the show's creator) then wrote Somerset with the late Henry Slesar. Mr. Martin played the butler in the Moore/Matson household during this same period.

Wasn't Katherine Meskill on Where the Heart Is? requested: Joe Silver and Trish van Devere (You may have already listed Ms. van Devere.)

I think that Maggie's last name was Lorimer. (Robin Groves played her.) Wallace Shawn definitely appeared on the show. Correction: Deborah was NOT an alcholic! She originally was seen as a fun-loving girl who enjoyed smoking marijuana. She was also briefly involved with Danny Micilli and (undercover) with Rainey Cooper. Eve Morris DID try to kill Cookie, but she actually killed Malcolm You have listed both Russ Weatherford and Russ Weatherhead. I would bet that they are the same.

I had thought that the Warren/Suzy/Brian/Kristen had been written by either C. David Colson and Wendy or by Gary Tomlin. I loved this, along with Jenny Deacon, Keith and also Ringo and Rhonda Sue. Regardless, I thought that the show was headed to some good things with Stephanie, Rhonda Sue, and the little girl. Then, either the producer or the writer changed and they were all gone except Stephanie.

During which murder trial was Al Freeman, Jr. playing the assistant district attorney? I had been thinking that it was Cookie's trial. Yet, I sometimes see his time listed on the show as later, so I think that maybe it was Martha's trial. Which is correct (if either?)?

Oft times, a writer would be announced to write a new show (for that writer). Writer(s) who had successfully written well for other shows. Then, on the now show, the results are terrible. That is the way I felt when it was announced that that Pamela Long Hammer would be coming to One Life to Live. It sounded as if it were a match made in Heaven. However, I was so disappointed with her work on One Life to Live.

It certainly is.

I'd hardly call Gabrielle a legendary character. I was dismayed when when she was brought back to the show and very glad to see her leave.

I cannot remember if Michael Malone has been mentioned here or not. However, so much of his work (when he was first writing One Life to Live) was better than excellent! When he began on the show, I am not sure if Paul Rauch was producing the show during his last days or if Linda Gottlieb had already begun producing. I understand that she demanded the best from everyone. His first work (which he wrote without a collaborator) was not very good at all. Shortly later, he was paired with his collaborator, and the writing was astonishing! I do not know if he had a collaborator on Another World. The Another World Homepage lists the fellow writers as Tom King, Craig Carlson, Peter Brash, Shelly Altman, Mimi Leahey, Lewis Arlt, Joanna Kosloff, Michael Slade, Gillian Spencer, Sofia Landon Geier, Juliet Law Packer, Mary Sue Price, Richard J. Allen, Richard Backus, Tom O'Connell, Thomas Babe, Chris Ceraso, and Jane Murphy. Later, he returned to One Life to Life. I do not think that he had a collaborator and Ms. Gottlieb had departed the show. His work, again, was terrible.

I am glad to see this photograph. They were New Orleans-based writers, and I returned from New Orleans yesterday. (The Tennessee Williams Festival is this coming Saturday, and I have enjoyed this for many years.)

It seemed that Dark Shadows paired actor David Selby (Quentin/Grant) with every actress on the show other than Joan Bennett at one time or another. Are there any actresses with whom you think that he did not have any chemistry? Who was your favorite actress paired with him? I think that he and Donna McKechnie (Amanda/Octavia) were the best of all his pairings!

Mr. Espel passed away in December 2015.

Actor Jed Allen, who created the role of Professor Paul Britton on The Secret Storm, has died at the age of 94

On The Secret Storm, I think that the murder of Willifred Hollister by his wife is a huge mistake. Wilifred died, but it was of natural causes ON SCREEN during an argument with Laurie. The character of Nola (his wife) continued on the show. Mary K Wells later replaced Rosemary Murphy in the role.