On 7/11/2026 at 7:49 PM, soapfan770 said:

I count Sisters 😊 as I also do with Providence. I don’t think 80’s NBC didn’t give the patience for its primetime soaps to grow.

While NBC never succeeded with a traditional prime time soap, they pretty much revolutionized the procedural with serialized/soapy elements - ie Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere and La Law. So I guess you could say they got their soap fix from those.

I remember Providence, the show that stupidly killed off a main character in the first episode that tested so well in test screenings that the network basically said that they had to be a cast member.. hence the dream sequences throughout most of the run of the show.

5 Forgotten 1980s Soap Operas You Can't Watch Today

From CBS late-night experiments to Showtime originals and ambitious syndicated dramas, these forgotten serials pushed the boundaries of television—and then seemingly vanished.

I am really appreciating the return of We Love Soaps. While there wasn't much new information from what I have researched, it may be some new info for others. The video playlist attached to the article is also a nice additional as there was more material I hadn't seen.

Behind the Screen looks poorly put together, which is not what I expected. I am still facinated by it. I think the later stage episodes had potential once they introduced the show's answer to Alexis, Claudette Nevins' Angela Aries. Angela was a modelling agent who was the first wife of Gerry Holmby, the mother of Brian Holmby, and a business rival / romantic interest for Evan Hammer. Add in the murder of actress Joyce Daniels and there is some stronger stuff playing out.

I think there are some scripts for Behind the Screen in Joyce Perry's script collection in University of Wyoming. I am just not sure if they are all scripts that aired as one is dated 1979 which might have been for the show when it was intended to be a nightly show.

I've been watching St Elsewhere and damn. People say NBC never had a prime time soap, well... this is it.

Anyone remember this short-lived primetime soap? I was a pre-teen but remember being obsessed by the vibe and storylines. This had no business being cancelled so early that they couldn't even air the last few episodes. You even had an actress named Tuesday Knight, which is so LOL to me.

1 hour ago, alwaysAMC said:

This had no business being cancelled so early that they couldn't even air the last few episodes.

CBS aired all episodes, it's just that it was just that it only had six episodes. They seemingly wanted to make a dent in Beverly Hills 90210's surging ratings by scheduling this against newly launched Melrose Place and Freshman Dorm against 90210. The latter flopped, but 2000 Malibu Road actually did well. Part of the issue might've been that the sets had been damaged in the 1992 earthquake (I've seen it bandied around, but I suspect people are confusing this and Second Chances), though I think they just never had any real interest in it and let all cast contracts run out.

TBH, I would've ordered additional episodes and aired it in the Knots time slot since it was in the last season and they had only 19 episodes.

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by te.