It’s hard to find accurate information online but I believe not long after this is when Rachel Ames leaves the show for a bit. She apparently balked at a lowball contract or recurring offer, and like Beradino was pissed the show had sideline the OG’s. Much like Jackie Zeman’s 1982 break, online sources claim they didn’t leave until JFP bumped their contracts. But they did, Jackie was gone longer than her time filming a movie.
It remains remarkable to me that the show survived staying number one for the year in 1982 after so much turmoil. They took a huge hit, but still held on. Jeff Webber and Diana Taylor gone early in the year, and Steve and Audrey get more marginalized with Jeff gone. Laura disappears/killed off. Bobbie leaves. David Grey is a huge dud. Jackie and Laura Templeton are not a hit with the audience. The writing suffers. Monty was mostly out with an illness for the first quarter of 1982. It’s wild they hung on that year.
I loved Anna, stupid scar and all right away. Even with a weak story Monty knew how to cast key parts most of the time. Anna arrives with that stupid scar and coming between Robert/Holly, and still becomes a fan favorite and soon the lead of the show. Finola was perfectly cast. The loss of so much core foundation and questionable writing at times was really only saved by excellent casting and onscreen camaraderie and chemistry being so present with the main characters. And I think the Quartermaines became such a stalwart that it felt like they were there longer than they were. Plus Rick and Lesley and their family kind of became the main family, supplanting the Hardy’s.
In Gloria’s defense, the negotiations went south permanently when the network got involved more and was pissed that Denise wouldn’t just take handfuls of cash to break her strict three days a week contract, thinking her ungrateful because they were cutting vet contacts and offering her more. I blame ABC more for what went down there. Finola/Tristan in 1992 and Genie in 1982 were all Monty’s faults though, among others.
I can too! I see her fitting in right now quite easily.
By
titan1978 ·
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.