Santa Barbara Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

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As someone in the comments says, was Sophia even around when Ted went to college? Was that just bad continuity? How do you mess that up given how important her absence was to the backstory? 

The gesture of Ted passing the torch (or his car keys) to Greg is funny when you remember Greg wouldn't last much longer and would never be mentioned after he left. I'm still half-surprised they remembered Ted after this.

[j swift]

Well, Ted was still in high school when Sofia returned in 1984, but to be honest, I don't recall him ever going to college on screen.

[DRW50]

Oh for some reason I thought he was in college. Maybe just mixing up as Todd McKee was older than the character. Thanks.

[Ryan Mason]

He was in college in 1986, at least. They didn't show him in classes that I recall, but there was that storyline about him being on the college radio station KUSB with Jane and Hayley.

[MarcyWalkerFan]

See there is no right or wrong in this...just a matter of perspective. Fans felt let down as for years she was rubbishing not just her role or the lack of acting skills during the time but Soap operas as a genre (Which was also kinda disrespectful towards her colleagues as they were brilliant in it). But all the reasons you mentioned above are true too and she has a right to be anguished about it.

All I wanna say is, she could have been more diplomatic or understanding of fan emotions associated with the show/genre. she has softened up her stance recently, calling it her training ground (which should have been her line from the start IMO

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). 

[Vee]

I am glad Wright has softened on the show and I understood her feelings and her youth in the past. But I think if she'd turned up at this it would've become all about her and overshadowed a lot of the longtimers or long-lost performers like Marcy Walker. If she wants to be involved in a future event or retrospective she could be.

[Jdee43]

Fall 1984 through spring 1985 showed Ted and Laken in the same classroom. They were supposed to be in high school, their senior year. In the fall, Mr. Bottoms played by Ray Walston was their teacher. Perhaps the show was trying to pay homage to the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High by getting Ray Walston? In the spring, their teacher was the pointless character Jackie Parks, friend of Amy Perkins. The initial idea seemed to be that Ted and Jackie might eventually hook up somehow, but that never happened and she was dropped, disappearing.

[te.]

I can't fault Wright for feeling negatively about the show to be honest - it must be frustrating to get a shot at doing movies only to have that momentum taken out because of a restrictive contract. It was also hard to transition from television to doing movies back in the day and I'm sure she got a lot of frowned noses when the subject of coming from a soap come up. 

I agree with @Vee that it would've been inappropriate for her to show up at the reunion since it would become all about Robin Wright re-visiting her soap days. There's a time and place for her to talk about Santa Barbara but a cosy event like this is probably not one of them. 

[Carlos Abad]

Totally agree with your point of view.

I know some people here defend those soap opera contracts and say that Robin Wright had to accept everything she was thrown because she had contract obligations.

But those contracts seem so unfair according to John Allen Nelson. In 1987 John Allen Nelson said: “I was hired for Santa Barbara in June 1984. I signed a two year and a half contract. But that does not have a lot of sense for the actor, who must respect the terms of it, whereas the producer can put an end to it when he wishes it. In fact, this contract is a protection for the producer, since the actor cannot retract.”

Also, I understand all her frustrations especially because she was a 18-20 years old girl beginning her career. She had to turned down the leading roles in ‘Weird Science’, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and she almost lose ‘The Princess bride’ because of her Santa Barbara obligations.

I cannot blame her.

If I was a director or a writer, and I’m offered to write or direct a big movie, and I cannot do it because I have to be on a soap opera (which is the lowest point of an actor according to the industry, not my opinion but that's what they think), I will be also very disappointed.

Think of Zendaya or Jacob Elordi. The third season of ‘Euphoria’ is not being made because they have many bigger offers in bigger projects.

Of course, some soap opera fans will always defend the soap opera instead on putting on the actors shoes.

[MarcyWalkerFan]

Absolutely spot on.....glad she did not attend, it was a cosy reunion for the actors/ fans and would have been difficult anyways for her to attend (considering stars have their own entourage).. Love her as an actress though, really talented and beautiful. As mentioned here, there is a time and place for everything and this was not it.

Also, loved how the reunion was about all the old timers on the show and of course (Ahem!) especially Marcy. She was obviously the toast of everyone's eyes (deservedly) since she has been out of the limelight for so long.

Don't know what pushed her to come (I know she did not go for the AMC one), but sure am glad we got to see her there.

Edited August 14, 2024 by MarcyWalkerFan

[Vee]

It is, allegedly, actually being made after all last I checked, but given the BTS drama I'll believe it when I see it. I wouldn't be shocked if it turns into some late-stage Three's Company situation with Suzanne Somers filming alone without some of the key crew/showrunner, lol. But that's way OT.

[Liberty City]

She stated reconnecting / reuniting with A Martinez was the big pull.

[MarcyWalkerFan]

Yes ....thanks.

The only person she was ever really going to come out for was A, glad she did.

[Paul Raven]

Saying that Robin was disadvantaged due to her Santa Barbara commitments is disingenuous.

She agreed to the contract and it's provisions.

If she was interested in pursuing other roles, then agreeing to a soap was not the wisest choice.

That's why many young actors didn't go that route.

I think back to Tom Selleck for example, who was recurring on Y&R because he wouldn't sign a contract, knowing it would be restrictive and he really wanted a primetime career.

[Liberty City]

Robin Wright has been very honest about why she took the work: she had quit the industry, due to failed auditions, and moved to Hawaii and once she landed, she was offered the two-year deal of Kelly Capwell and immediately flew back. Clearly, she saw it as an "in" to put something on a résumé besides modeling gigs. I can't blame her for that.