Mitch

No, but you gotta admit, DF's Hogan was one hot piece of ass!!!

That Gavin was hot!! The show was a bit top heavy with corporate types at this time, especially since corporate to Marland always equaled at least morally corrupt. Lucinda was being kind of a prude about Jane...what is up with that. Why did they get rid of Jane and Ambrose (I know Ambrose died in real life)?I loved them and I love Jane rolling her eyes at Lucinda. I remember thinking this Lily was unattractive, but she wanst. I guess she was so cold..and as annoying as MB's Lily was she wasnt cold. I love that everyone is still talking about being worried about Lily, though now she is 7 foot tall and could go bear hunting with a switch as they say. Was this the start of drab drepressing Angel and her rapist dad?? God I hated that crap! Add in Seth Snyder and you have a boring depressing snooze fest.

Good God that looks just like a spoof ad on Saturday Night Live!

True, MKA as much as I love her..did not have a lot of sexual chemistry with men...the Simon character was such a dud so that didnt count. I did like her "friendship," chemistry with guys, from Lujack to Rick to GA's Phillip their second time around. I think this is the reason that the Ross and India relationship didnt last and that Rauch didnt know what to do with her, and termed her a "dog. I have no idea why the PTB loved RR so much but a good storyline would have been for them to have India marry Alan on his death bed (they could retro write it later that Alan once again faked his death to escape prosecution.) and battle it out with Alex from then on in. Loved that India was the only one in town to give both Beth and Reva [!@#$%^&*], and with a smile on her face. The Beth love from everyone in town at that time made Marland's Lily look like a wallflower. Yea, as I said, always dislike RR in the role, he was toothless even when the writing was good. I remember the time the clip above played, and it seemed that GL was getting back on its feet after the disaster of the clone. Marj was actually good at this time..loved her confrontation with Annie in the attic ""Let me tell you, each time Alan and I have battled I won!" and "Ya got quite a bark on you don't ya sister!" Marj could be good when the wrote Alex with a backbone..not good in a Bev way, but a more down and dirty, midwestern Alex. Have no idea why the dropped the ball on that...and instead we got the Santos family and the fairy princes of San Crud. Hated what they turned Nola into with the Nola aerobics and then just running out of town after Quinton. Of course, I would have killed Quinton off to give her more story so the original couple fanatics would have hated me!

Actually, Bev seems pretty shrill here, far different from her later, cool as ice Alex.She seems much more Marj/Alex here. I remember India appearing on the Spaulding door, telling Alex's assistant (wahtever happened to her anyway) "Please tell the Baroness her loving daughter is here!" Friday cliffhanger....great. India was originally going to be Beth's cousin, a down and dirty tramp but MKA read and Pam Long rewrote India and her backstory. I wish they would have had India return in 1995 instead of the deaged Amanda. India always knew how to get under Alex's skin, and I don't think we had any scenes between her and Marj/Alex, which was typical Rauch/EB stupidity. Forgot that Irizzarry was so cute when younger

That Fulton story is hilarious. Seems to be a good old publicity stunt, I love her crying on the phone as one goofy town "banned," her song. Isn't that the Fortunato who took off with a good deal of Fultons' money? The lyrics are hilarious "My grandma says he wont be found cause he drowned!" Eww, Babs and Bob????I am glad they never referenced that and left it as a father/daughter relationship.

I know people go on and on....about this location shoot, and it is shot nicely, however, it kind of is dumb. I love all the extras dressed up like local yokels, and I remember the scene of Reva on the front porch yelling, "Hiya cousin Andy, Marybelle its been so long, ah, Bevis you go on with your self," to invicible people! Plus, when Reva came to SF her name was mud, as she was just a social climbiing, brother screwing white trash floozy, who everyone was annoyed with, now all the citizens are in love with her? Also, it would have been nice to see the citizens of SF there for the wedding too. Well, I guess I can compare this to Wheeler/Peakpack, where the boys for Billy and Vans wedding are fishing....in a storm drainage sewer!!!

I remember her kind of being the spokesperson for the Enquirer at that time, while they don't say it, they definitaley are making her Bert Bauerish, and who else but Bert Bauer could convince America to read a gossip rag. I just wish they would have tied that into GL with Bert saying,m "Now Rita dear, your catting around all over town can cause what is called apparently an STD. I read in the enquirer that syphillas is very painful but even a bad case of clamydia will have you sidelined for quite a while. Would you like to read it dear, it is right after the story about how much Liberace loves his mother and how Farrah and Lee are splitting up!"

Why the hell did they kill Beacroft off??? I think it was just too much "sexy," for Marland. Usually he would have a hot guy with a kind of plain girl, (Holden/Lily) or a hot chick with a bleh guy (Emily and Paul) but he had two actors that were smoking it up on screen. Way, way too much for Marland' s refined tastes I think!!!

Too friggen funny. They should have ended the show on, what else, Lily's birthday, with MB as Rose crashing it, "Do I look dead???" Don't forget during the Margo rape storyline (sorry, I know it was realistic but hated it, too damn dark for ATWT) when character's were constantly worried about Margo's "HIV status," No one ever said, "Gee I hope Margo didnt catch something," they all were so politely politically correct. But my favorite ATWT/Marland cliche was the end of show/Friday cliffhanger which turned out to be nothing on Monday. Example, Lisa opens the door, looks shocked, and says, "Its YOU!!!" only to have it be Earl/Nancy/Kim/Shannon saying something like "Yea, I stopped by for that magazine I lent you last week!" My sister and I are big ATWT dorks and will still answer the door with a shocked, "Oh, its YOU," and a dramatic soap opera expression. I told you we are dorks.

Or, "Honesty is the most important part of a relationship." Said countless times by someone whose partner (as the camera zooms into their uncomfortable expression) is hiding the paternity of a baby, holding a relative hostage, buying up Stocks in Walsh, or covering up a one night stand.

Except Carol would not have been a character they could have used as a third, or interloper. She was one of the few characters who remained "above it all, " without seeming selfrighteous or saccharine. Would have been funny to have her as a secretary in Lucinda's office, (she used to work for Lisa so she would know how to deal with historonic divas) sympathetically listening to her without backing up her every move.

This clip gives a good contrast between "sweet," grandmother Ellen and a still more iron fisted Nancy, ( I love how Wagner gives a disapproving look on her face talking to Ellen) in their discussions about Emily and James and the truth. The dialogue is a bit clunky "Are you talking about Emily or something else?" how would Ellen know? But its good for Marland to show a matriach that actually has feelings misgivings and regrets, instead of just doling out support, advice and encouragement, but never seem to have an inner life of their own.

I love this picture, can you imagine a soap having a cast of middle aged, normal looking people??? And that woman does look just like Gladys Kravits and why does MS look like she is totally pissed off in this picture (she looks like, "Why the [!@#$%^&*] are these people constantly in my damn kitchen!")

Why the hell did RM have those HUGE shades on inside. Was she stoned or hung over???(I am joking RM was a born again Christian.) I never understood why they got rid of Carol (well, I think they did to try to make everyone forget that Steve was married to her before he met Betsy.) I think she would have made a great recurring character, married to the town minister. It would be kind of interesting to see a Christian character talking about faith and dealing with life's temptations and challenges. Obviously couldnt carry storyline but she could add a different flavor. I don't know why she want brought back for Chris and Nancy's anniversary or Chris' funeral. Maybe she was retired from acting. Who was this Tom, he was kinda sexy.

Yea, I can see why they chose the Dobson's as they did a great job with "modernizing," GL...but they really stuck to the core and used the Bauers as a spring board to expand the canvas. The Dobson's really seemed to have it out for the Hughes family and I can't figure out why. Would love to read an interview with them talking about their time there. I think that Nancy would have been harder to write for then Bert, who, while being able to kick ass, was more warm and forgiving then Nancy. Its interesting that this enduring character that Irna created was kind of a hard ass, but had a loving forgiving side (i.e. take Lisa, who really did more to her family then any of the more suitable spouses for Bob, but Nancy stuck by her and even looked down her nose at more convential candidates for Bob) so much so that other matriarchs with more obvious negative sides were paterned on her, Lemay admits he wrote Aunt Liz to showcase some of the more negative aspects of Irna's matriachs, and I really think Phoebe had more in common with Nancy then sweet loving Grandma Martin did.) I always wonder if the Dobson's had a negative impression of ATWT from her parents, who created GH. I think that a lot of the producers and writers of other shows were always kind of jealous of ATWT, the conservative show, was always number 1. Never liked the AK as Paul. He looked like a squeeky little midget and when they had him in love scenes with the Va Va Voom of Emily, it seemed ridiculous (plus I hate mullets.) I am not one who wants "models," for all the actors on soaps, but some kids who are fine as kids, dont have what it takes to carry a soap storyline as young adults. Take RM, who was great as kid Michelle, and is a very good actress, though she is a character actress, not a romantic lead ( I can't stand watching that movie "Bully," with her playing a white trash kid planning and covering up a murder, screwing pot smoking..first time I watched I had to turn my head and said something stupid like, "Michelle Bauer, put a blouse on already," my partner was like, "Who IS Michelle Bauer??" )

This part of the Dobson's run seems so harsh and unpleasant. Steve is an unmitigated !@#$%^&*] to both Nick and Kim..then this wife and child burning to death is really, really harsh, even if its not "real." I don't think Steve really left her to die, but he was screwing her. Other things, like Nancy telling the kid what she thought Joyce did (old school Nancy would think that, but I dont think say it to a kid) Mary yelling at and slapping Joyce, then both Don and Mary abruptly being angry with each other, Brad is an !@#$%^&*] for cheating Chris and Nancy and then laughing in Lisa's face...and he was supposed to be a romantic hero??? Collin's Margo is angry and yells at everyone (she never really relaxes into her role until the end of her run after she marries Tom) etc. David is just as controlling of Dee as John is, and his yelling at John at every turn. Their second run things loosen up and get lighter, almost too light, it got a little too campy, and silly for ATWT but during the time, they really knew how to have a story that has a start middle and definite end and payoff (loved the "Who shot John," storyline, this was preinternet and you really thought they had fired LB and John WAS dead.) Well that is kind of assholish of FR to say it that way, how bout, "Dont we all just love this new Betsy???" He always came off as an !@#$%^&*] in interviews and I think that translated on the screen, never liked him even with his "hero," days. Davidson grew up on the show, but I am not one of those viewers who like a kid just cause I saw them grow up. I know I am in the minority, but I never like Scot D, and while I thought they were bad recasts, I never missed Rachel M or the kid who played Bill Lewis as a kid when they left. Davidson was never going to play out a love story with Steve, LOL but its funny to think it.

No, he doesnt appear until the Dobson's are well into their second tenure. He did work with this Dee, trying to peddle a perfume that has something in it that makes the wearer impossible to resist.. (I kid you not.) As if this Dee needed it...she had John, Brad, Tom and James after her and everyone in between commenting on how wonderful she was. She was the Dobson's Lily! They ended that story quickly too. I remember how harsh and kind of annoying Colin was as Margo. I grew to like her but she was just always pissed off and shouting at people (hence she was John's daughter.) I liked HBS's kinder, gentler Margo who meshed much better with the Hughes family. (I can't imagine Colin's Margo calling Nancy "Gram!") I think Davidson left in December of that year to go away to college. A relief as she was always stilted and kind of goofy as Betsy. She was recast with some model looking chick who never had a storyline and just faded away until Ryan came. Once again I am a complete dork for remembering this stuff.

I think they obviously ment James to be bad..its just that after he married Barbara he became the controlling villian, which was abrupt. The past life stuff was during the Dobson's second tenure. It WAS truly stupid and not ATWT at all..(cause like, who cares of they were all tied together in their past lives..) I think their inspiration was Anya Seyton's Green Darkness, which I am embarrased to admit, is a good book (yea, its a chick book, but a very dark one, and the history is great) so I don't know why I didnt like it. Would have been fun to see more then just the four of them back in time, Lisa as the madame in town, Nancy (if she was still on) as the controlling matron, Bob as the kindly but hapless doc, variations of their characters but allowing the actors to expand and be BIGGER. But it was just on the four of them, and I have no idea how Schultz was popular as she was such a wet rag as Dee. That ended quickly and it became a game of James gasslighting Barbara, which WAS fun. I think Schultz might have hated it as she and Zenk didnt get along and Barbara was the one "right," in this storyline and Dee was once again her hapless self, falling for the town villian though everyone tells her to stay away. However, Shultz was much better then her recast.

Started really "watching," (as opposed to my mom having it on in the background so I knew who the people were) that summer, right around July of 1980 (that is why it seems these synopsis are a bit late, the August ones seem to be aired in June.) I think I actually started watching during Brad's party of all things, my first memories are of Melinda falling in the lake and dumb ass Brad being pushed aside by a little drunk girl, him falling on his head and being knocked out!. I remember Babs being chased through the museum by "Hans," I think and the Masqurade Ball, which I think was the first time that ATWT put on a big glamarous event. Obviously James was popular..though I think it was more of Herrara's (whom my little high school fag self was seriously hot for) and Zenk's chemistry. He went from dream prince to villian in no time at all and it didnt make much sense. The Joyce/Grant/Lisa thing was fun, as it gave Lisa a chance to be a bitch again (this time for a reason) but made Grant look like a tool. It seems the Dobson were trying to turn Don into a villain, which would have made for good drama for the Hughes and kept Chris and Nancy in the game, and was actually a good move as Bob was the "good," brother. I dont know if it was a mandate from above to make the show younger and sexier, or if it was because the actor playing him just kind of came off as a douche, but that ended abruptly. They should have recast Don with someone sexier to give the show an older villian (remember James was supposed to be in his early 30s at the most, a practical teenager for ATWT at the time.) Would have been funny to pair him up with Nick's "back from the dead," evil wife Andrea when she comes to town later. Odd that they sent Tom out of town at this time, I know it was to usher in the Deas recast, but JD was totally miscast (but popular) as Tom. I could seem him being a combo of staid Bob and live wire Lisa, but it just didnt jive with Tom's earlier portrayal..I just cant see him having a scene with Wagner in the Hughes kitchen (probably never did.) I remember my mom stopped watching at this time, she didnt like the way they pushed Nancy and Chris aside and some of the "new," people. I think it would have worked except for the fact of pushing the two tent poles out the way they did.

Interesting reading these synopsis. You can see its an uneasy transition to the Dobson material and things seem a bit rushed...(people are "falling in love," and agreeing to marry quickly.) You can see the Dobson's repeating some themes (i.e. both Dee and Amanda being "frigid," ) and you can see the early hostility towards the Hughes family (Tom is brushed aside and leaves town, Nancy tells a little boy is "Aunt," pushed him mom down the stairs, and in what could have been interesting, Don shows an interest in going to the dark side..) Some of it could have been interesting, the Dee and John relationship, Don going to the dark side, but most of it didnt translate well. This is also an early example of misogony, as Lisa, Annie, Melinda and Dee are enthralled with the lumpy Brad, Brad is not interested in owing money to a "woman," (uh, you took it easy enough) and Lisa of all people falls for Brad's act and then apologizes for not trusting him later, even when it is proven that he was not being above board. The Dobson's material really wouldnt work until their second go around with Bunim as EP, but it still wasnt really ATWT until Marland comes aboard.

I liked her as the original Lyla. Much stronger and "pushier," then Sward, who I thought was as interesting as watching paint dry (never understood how they kept her around that long.) Harder to believe that she would be pushed around by John, but also easier to believe as a former good time girl floozy, then Sward. That era interests me, still can't figure out how Dee went from screwing this Ian guy, he dies, John helps/manipulates her, and in that same amount of time Brad and she somehow fall in love??? Would love to see the digests running up to that time.

I think they were handling it well, two troupers who had a very good career for a very long time (at least World Turns ended with them firmly installed as the patriarch and matriarch of Oakdale.) They really do interact and seem so very Bob and Kimish don't they??? Damn Hayes NEVER ages!!!

Bad way to die, especially since it was just a set up to get Annie and Brad together the dull adjiunct to the Dee/John storyline, which was good on its own and could have caused tons of story and drama for the Stewarts without the dumbass Dee being in love with Brad and the rape storyline, which was just a rip off of the Dobson's previous Rita/Ed/Holly/Roger storyline. It is funny to read the other characters calling Brad a ladies man and womanizer when he looks like such a schlep. They couldnt have found a hotter guy? I think they got rid of Melinda to focus on their own new "vixen," the under written and totally under acted Cricket. As you said, Melinda had ties to the all core, Babs, Bob, Kim and Lisa...imagine Melinda going after Tom after Babs dumped him, causing angst for both Lisa and Kim (and this was before the "kiddo," days but would have loved to seen the start of Kim taking kicking ass and taking names.) Reading this you could see what the Dobson were going for but the really dull "teen," triangle of that particularly dull Betsy, Eric and Cricket, was supposed to get the demos going?

JVD always said that he was saved during the Long era as they just "forgot," he was there. Those clips from above were so good. I LOVED early Reva and Reva and H.B. He was still a wiley "old coot," back then, before the became the grandfatherly voice of wisdom. I loved that he blackmailed Reva into marriage and that he and she came to love each other! I do hate that they totally pussed out Vanessa after she married Billy. She totally broke off ties with her father, saying she was a"Lewis," now, and her brittle relationship with Nola was shoved aside for her to sigh over Billy and be a pill popping housefrau.