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List of "Billboard's" #1 Pop Singles


Max

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I thought it would be interesting to list all of the #1 singles that topped the weekly "Billboard" Magazine Pop Chart. Before I begin this list, there are some things that I need to mention:

*The source of this information is the 5th edition of "The 'Billboard' Book of Number One Hits" by Fred Bronson. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who likes pop music, since each #1 song gets a full page of detail devoted to it and its artist (along with a picture of the artist on each page).

*The list of #1 singles will begin in 1955 and end in 2003.

*Because this list is very long, it will take quite a while for me to complete it.

*After each song title and its artist is listed, a parentheses will appear that lists how many weeks the song spent at #1 and a corresponding date. Specifically, the format of the parentheses will look like this: (# of weeks the song spent at #1, corresponding date). First, keep in mind that the weeks a song spent at #1 may not necessarily be consecutive. And, by "corresponding date," I am referring to the date of the week that the single first peeked at #1. This date is always a Saturday, and it represents the week ENDED on that particular date.

To further ease the confusion about what the figures in the parentheses mean, look at the following examples:

Example #1:

1955:

(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock--Bill Haley & His Comets (8 weeks, July 9)

What the figures in the parentheses tell you is the following. First, this song spent 8 weeks at #1 (although all 8 weeks might not have necessarily been consecutive). Second, this single first peaked at #1 on the week ending Saturday, July 9 (1955).

Example #2:

1957:

Too Much--Elvis Presley (3 weeks, February 9)

What the figures in the parentheses tell you is the following. First, this song spent 3 weeks at #1 (although all 3 weeks might not have necessarily been consecutive). Second, this single first peaked at #1 on the week ending Saturday, February 9 (1957).

And now, here is the list:

1955:

1. (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock--Bill Haley & His Comets (8 weeks, July 9)*

2. The Yellow Rose of Texas--Mitch Miller (6 weeks, September 3)

3. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing--The Four Aces (2 weeks, October 8)

4. Autumn Leaves--Roger Williams (4 weeks, October 29)

5. Sixteen Tons--Tennessee Ernie Ford (7 weeks, November 26)

*(Note: The reason why this list starts with "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock," as opposed to starting at the very beginning of 1955, is because the author wanted to start with the very first rock 'n' roll song that peaked at #1. While "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock" is definately not the first rock 'n' roll record, it is the first rock 'n' roll song to peak at #1.)

1956:

6. Memories Are Made of This--Dean Martin (5 weeks, January 14)

7. Rock and Roll Waltz--Kay Starr (1 week, February 18)

8. Lisbon Antigua--Nelson Riddle (4 weeks, February 25)

9. Poor People of Paris--Les Baxter (4 weeks, March 24)

10. Heartbreak Hotel--Elvis Presley (8 weeks, April 21)

11. The Wayward Wind--Gogi Grant (6 weeks, June 16)

12. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You--Elvis Presley (1 week, July 28)

13. My Prayer--The Platters (2 weeks, August 4)

14. Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog--Elvis Presley (11 weeks, August 18)

15. Love Me Tender--Elvis Presley (5 weeks, November 3)

16. Singing the Blues--Guy Mitchell (9 weeks, December 8)

1957:

17. Too Much--Elvis Presley (3 weeks, February 9)

18. Young Love--Tab Hunter (4 weeks, March 2)

19. Party Doll--Buddy Knox (1 week, March 30)

20. Round and Round--Perry Como (1 week, April 6)

21. All Shook Up--Elvis Presley (8 weeks, April 13)

22. Love Letters in the Sand--Pat Boone (5 weeks, June 3)

23. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear--Elvis Presley (7 weeks, July 8)

24. Tammy--Debbie Reynolds (3 weeks, August 26)

25. Diana--Paul Anka (1 week, September 9)

26. That'll Be the Day--The Crickets (1 week, September 23)

27. Honeycomb--Jimmie Rodgers (2 weeks, September 30)

28. Wake Up Little Susie--The Everly Brothers (1 week, October 14)

29. Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice--Elvis Presley (7 weeks, October 21)

30. You Send Me--Sam Cooke (2 weeks, December 2)

31. April Love--Pat Boone (2 weeks, December 23)

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1958:

32. At the Hop--Danny & the Juniors (5 weeks, January 6)

33. Don't/I Beg of You--Elvis Presley (5 weeks, February 10)

34. Tequila--The Champs (5 weeks, March 17)

35. Twilight Time--The Platters (1 week, April 21)

36. Witch Doctor--David Seville (2 weeks, April 28)

37. All I Have to Do Is Dream--The Everly Brothers (4 weeks, May 12)

38. The Purple People Eater--Sheb Wooley (6 weeks, June 9)

39. Hard Headed Woman--Elvis Presley (2 weeks, July 21)

40. Poor Little Fool--Ricky Nelson (2 weeks, August 4)

41. Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)--Domenico Modugno (6 weeks, August 18)

42. Little Star--The Elegants (1 week, August 25)

43. It's All in the Game--Tommy Edwards (6 weeks, September 29)

44. It's Only Make Believe--Conway Twitty (2 weeks, November 10)

45. Tom Dooley--The Kingston Trio (1 week, November 17)

46. To Know Him Is to Love Him--The Teddy Bears (3 weeks, December 1)

47. The Chipmunk Song--The Chipmunks with David Seville (4 weeks, December 22)

1959:

48. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes--The Platters (3 weeks, January 19)

49. Stagger Lee--Lloyd Price (4 weeks, February 9)

50. Venus--Frankie Avalon (5 weeks, March 9)

51. Come Softly to Me--The Fleetwoods (4 weeks, April 13)

52. The Happy Organ--Dave "Baby" Cortez (1 week, May 11)

53. Kansas City--Wilbert Harrison (2 weeks, May 18)

54. The Battle of New Orleans--Johnny Horton (6 weeks, June 1)

55. Lonely Boy--Paul Anka (4 weeks, July 13)

56. A Big Hunk O' Love--Elvis Presley (2 weeks, August 10)

57. The Three Bells--The Browns (4 weeks, August 24)

58. Sleep Walk--Santo & Johnny (2 weeks, September 21)

59. Mack the Knife--Bobby Darin (9 weeks, October 5)

60. Mr. Blue--The Fleetwoods (1 week, November 16)

61. Heartaches by the Number--Guy Mitchell (2 weeks, December 14)

62. Why--Frankie Avalon (1 week, December 28)

1960:

63. El Paso--Marty Robbins (2 weeks, January 4)

64. Running Bear--Johnny Preston (3 weeks, January 18)

65. Teen Angel--Mark Dinning (2 weeks, February 8)

66. Theme from "A Summer Place"--Percy Faith (9 weeks, February 22)

67. Stuck on You--Elvis Presley (4 weeks, April 25)

68. Cathy's Clown--The Everly Brothers (5 weeks, May 23)

69. Everybody's Somebody's Fool--Connie Francis (2 weeks, June 27)

70. Alley-Oop--The Hollywood Argyles (1 week, July 11)

71. I'm Sorry--Brenda Lee (3 weeks, July 18)

72. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini--Brian Hyland (1 week, August 8)

73. It's Now or Never--Elvis Presley (5 weeks, August 15)

74. The Twist--Chubby Checker (1 week, September 19)

75. My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own--Connie Francis (2 weeks, September 26)

76. Mr. Custer--Larry Verne (1 week, October 10)

77. Save the Last Dance for Me--The Drifters (3 weeks, October 17)

78. I Want to Be Wanted--Brenda Lee (1 week, October 24)

79. Georgia on My Mind--Ray Charles (1 week, November 14)

80. Stay--Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs (1 week, November 21)

81. Are You Lonesome Tonight?--Elvis Presley (6 weeks, November 28)

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1961:

82. Wonderland by Night--Bert Kaempfert (3 weeks, January 9)

83. Will You Love Me Tomorrow--The Shirelles (2 weeks, January 30)

84. Calcutta--Lawrence Welk (2 weeks, February 13)

85. Pony Time--Chubby Checker (3 weeks, February 27)

86. Surrender--Elvis Presley (2 weeks, March 20)

87. Blue Moon--The Marcels (3 weeks, April 3)

88. Runaway--Del Shannon (4 weeks, April 24)

89. Mother-in-Law--Ernie K-Doe (1 week, May 22)

90. Travelin' Man--Ricky Nelson (2 weeks, May 29)

91. Running Scared--Roy Orbison (1 week, June 5)

92. Moody River--Pat Boone (1 week, June 19)

93. Quarter to Three--Gary U.S. Bonds (2 weeks, June 26)

94. Tossin' and Turnin'--Bobby Lewis (7 weeks, July 10)

95. Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn)--Joe Dowell (1 week, August 28)

96. Michael--The Highwaymen (2 weeks, September 4)

97. Take Good Care of My Baby--Bobby Vee (3 weeks, September 18)

98. Hit the Road Jack--Ray Charles (2 weeks, October 9)

99. Runaround Sue--Dion (2 weeks, October 23)

100. Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean (5 weeks, November 6)

101. Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes (1 week, December 11)

102. The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (3 weeks, December 18)

1962:

74. The Twist--Chubby Checker (2 weeks, January 13)*

103. Peppermint Twist-Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters (3 weeks, January 27)

104. Duke of Earl--Gene Chandler (3 weeks, February 17)

105. Hey! Baby--Bruce Channel (3 weeks, March 10)

106. Don't Break the Heart That Loves You--Connie Francis (1 week, March 31)

107. Johnny Angel--Shelley Fabares (2 weeks, April 7)

108. Good Luck Charm--Elvis Presley (2 weeks, April 21)

109. Soldier Boy--The Shirelles (3 weeks, May 5)

110. Stranger on the Shore--Mr. Acker Bilk (1 week, May 26)

111. I Can't Stop Loving You--Ray Charles (5 weeks, June 2)

112. The Stripper--David Rose & His Orchestra (1 week, July 7)

113. Roses Are Red (My Love)--Bobby Vinton (4 weeks, July 14)

114. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do--Neil Sedaka (2 weeks, August 11)

115. The Loco-Motion--Little Eva (1 week, August 25)

116. Sheila--Tommy Roe (2 weeks, September 1)

117. Sherry--The Four Seasons (5 weeks, September 15)

118. Monster Mash--Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers (2 weeks, October 20)

119. He's a Rebel--The Crystals (2 weeks, November 3)

120. Big Girls Don't Cry--The Four Seasons (5 weeks, November 17)

121. Telstar--The Tornadoes (3 weeks, December 22)

*(Note: After spending 1 week at #1 in 1960, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker--which is the 74th #1 single of the rock era--spent an additional 2 weeks at #1 in 1962. This marks the only time in the history of the rock era when a song initially peaked at #1, then fell off the chart, and--over a year later--re-entered the chart and peaked at #1 again.)

1963:

122. Go Away Little Girl--Steve Lawrence (2 weeks, January 12)

123. Walk Right In--The Rooftop Singers (2 weeks, January 26)

124. Hey Paula--Paul & Paula (3 weeks, February 9)

125. Walk Like a Man--The Four Seasons (3 weeks, March 2)

126. Our Day Will Come--Ruby & the Romantics (1 week, March 23)

127. He's So Fine--The Chiffons (4 weeks, March 30)

128. I Will Follow Him--Little Peggy March (3 weeks, April 27)

129. If You Wanna Be Happy--Jimmy Soul (2 weeks, May 18)

130. It's My Party--Lesley Gore (2 weeks, June 1)

131. Sukiyaki--Kyu Sakamoto (3 weeks, June 15)

132. Easier Said Than Done--The Essex (2 weeks, July 6)

133. Surf City--Jan & Dean (2 weeks, July 20)

134. So Much in Love--The Tymes (1 week, August 3)

135. Fingertips (Pt. II)--Little Stevie Wonder (3 weeks, August 10)

136. My Boyfriend's Back--The Angels (3 weeks, August 31)

137. Blue Velvet--Bobby Vinton (3 weeks, September 21)

138. Sugar Shack--Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs (5 weeks, October 12)

139. Deep Purple--Nino Tempo & April Stevens (1 week, November 16)

140. I'm Leaving It Up to You--Dale & Grace (2 weeks, November 23)

141. Dominique--The Singing Nun (4 weeks, December 7)

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1964:

142. There! I've Said It Again--Bobby Vinton (4 weeks, January 4)

143. I Want to Hold Your Hand--The Beatles (7 weeks, February 1)

144. She Loves You--The Beatles (2 weeks, March 21)

145. Can't Buy Me Love--The Beatles (5 weeks, April 4)

146. Hello, Dolly!--Louis Armstrong (1 week, May 9)

147. My Guy--Mary Wells (2 weeks, May 16)

148. Love Me Do--The Beatles (1 week, May 30)

149. Chapel of Love--The Dixie Cups (3 weeks, June 6)

150. A World Without Love--Peter & Gordon (1 week, June 27)

151. I Get Around--The Beach Boys (2 weeks, July 4)

152. Rag Doll--The Four Seasons (2 weeks, July 18)

153. A Hard Day's Night--The Beatles (2 weeks, August 1)

154. Everybody Loves Somebody--Dean Martin (1 week, August 15)

155. Where Did Our Love Go--The Supremes (2 weeks, August 22)

156. House of the Rising Sun--The Animals (3 weeks, September 5)

157. Oh, Pretty Woman--Roy Orbison (3 weeks, September 26)

158. Do Wah Diddy Diddy--Manfred Mann (2 weeks, October 17)

159. Baby Love--The Supremes (4 weeks, October 31)

160. Leader of the Pack--The Shangri-Las (1 week, November 28)

161. Ringo--Lorne Greene (1 week, December 5)

162. Mr. Lonely--Bobby Vinton (1 week, December 12)

163. Come See About Me--The Supremes (2 weeks, December 19)

164. I Feel Fine--The Beatles (3 weeks, December 26)

1965:

165. Downtown--Petula Clark (2 weeks, January 23)

166. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'--The Righteous Brothers (2 weeks, February 6)

167. This Diamond Ring--Gary Lewis & the Playboys (2 weeks, February 20)

168. My Girl--The Temptations (1 week, March 6)

169. Eight Days a Week--The Beatles (2 weeks, March 13)

170. Stop! In the Name of Love--The Supremes (2 weeks, March 27)

171. I'm Telling You Now--Freddie & the Dreamers (2 weeks, April 10)

172. Game of Love--Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders (1 week, April 24)

173. Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter--Herman's Hermits (3 weeks, May 1)

174. Ticket to Ride--The Beatles (1 week, May 22)

175. Help Me Rhonda--The Beach Boys (2 weeks, May 29)

176. Back in My Arms Again--The Supremes (1 week, June 12)

177. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)--The Four Tops (2 weeks, June 19)

178. Mr. Tambourine Man--The Byrds (1 week, June 26)

179. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction--The Rolling Stones (4 weeks, July 10)

180. I'm Henry VIII, I Am--Herman's Hermits (1 week, August 7)

181. I Got You Babe--Sonny & Cher (3 weeks, August 14)

182. Help!--The Beatles (3 weeks, September 4)

183. Eve of Destruction--Barry McGuire (1 week, September 25)

184. Hang on Sloopy--The McCoys (1 week, October 2)

185. Yesterday--The Beatles (4 weeks, October 9)

186. Get Off My Cloud--The Rolling Stones (2 weeks, November 6)

187. I Hear a Symphony--The Supremes (2 weeks, November 20)

188. Turn! Turn! Turn!--The Byrds (3 weeks, December 4)

189. Over and Over--The Dave Clark Five (1 week, December 25)

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1966:

190. The Sounds of Silence--Simon & Garfunkel (2 weeks, January 1)

191. We Can Work It Out--The Beatles (3 weeks, January 8)

192. My Love--Petula Clark (2 weeks, February 5)

193. Lightnin' Strikes--Lou Christie (1 week, February 19)

194. These Boots Are Made for Walkin'--Nancy Sinatra (1 week, February 26)

195. The Ballad of the Green Berets--S/Sgt. Barry Sadler (5 weeks, March 5)

196. (You're My) Soul and Inspiration--The Righteous Brothers (3 weeks, April 9)

197. Good Lovin'--The Young Rascals (1 week, April 30)

198. Monday, Monday--The Mamas & the Papas (3 weeks, May 7)

199. When a Man Loves a Woman--Percy Sledge (2 weeks, May 28)

200. Paint It Black--The Rolling Stones (2 weeks, June 11)

201. Paperback Writer--The Beatles (2 weeks, June 25)

202. Strangers in the Night--Frank Sinatra (1 week, July 2)

203. Hanky Panky--Tommy James & the Shondells (2 weeks, July 16)

204. Wild Thing--The Troggs (2 weeks, July 30)

205. Summer in the City--The Lovin' Spoonful (3 weeks, August 13)

206. Sunshine Superman--Donovan (1 week, September 3)

207. You Can't Hurry Love--The Supremes (2 weeks, September 10)

208. Cherish--The Association (3 weeks, September 24)

209. Reach Out, I'll Be There--The Four Tops (2 weeks, October 15)

210. 96 Tears--? (Question Mark) & the Mysterians (1 week, October 29)

211. Last Train to Clarksville--The Monkees (1 week, November 5)

212. Poor Side of Town--Johnny Rivers (1 week, November 12)

213. You Keep Me Hangin' On--The Supremes (2 weeks, November 19)

214. Winchester Cathedral--The New Vaudeville Band (3 weeks, December 3)

215. Good Vibrations--The Beach Boys (1 week, December 10)

216. I'm a Believer--The Monkees (7 weeks, December 31)

1967:

217. Kind of a Drag--The Buckinghams (2 weeks, February 18)

218. Ruby Tuesday--The Rolling Stones (1 week, March 4)

219. Love Is Here and Now You're Gone--The Supremes (1 week, March 11)

220. Penny Lane--The Beatles (1 week, March 18)

221. Happy Together--The Turtles (3 weeks, March 25)

222. Somethin' Stupid--Nancy & Frank Sinatra (4 weeks, April 15)

223. The Happening--The Supremes (1 week, May 13)

224. Groovin'--The Young Rascals (4 weeks, May 20)

225. Respect--Aretha Franklin (2 weeks, June 3)

226. Windy--The Association (4 weeks, July 1)

227. Light My Fire--The Doors (3 weeks, July 29)

228. All You Need Is Love--The Beatles (1 week, August 19)

229. Ode to Billie Joe--Bobbie Gentry (4 weeks, August 26)

230. The Letter--The Box Tops (4 weeks, September 23)

231. To Sir With Love--Lulu (5 weeks, October 21)

232. Incense and Peppermints--Strawberry Alarm Clock (1 week, November 25)

233. Daydream Believer--The Monkees (4 weeks, December 2)

234. Hello Goodbye--The Beatles (3 weeks, December 30)

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1968:

235. Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred & His Playboy Band (2 weeks, January 20)

236. Green Tambourine--The Lemon Pipers (1 week, February 3)

237. Love Is Blue--Paul Mauriat (5 weeks, February 10)

238. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay--Otis Redding (4 weeks, March 16)

239. Honey--Bobby Goldsboro (5 weeks, April 13)

240. Tighten Up--Archie Bell & the Drells (2 weeks, May 18)

241. Mrs. Robinson--Simon & Garfunkel (3 weeks, June 1)

242. This Guy's in Love with You--Herb Alpert (4 weeks, June 22)

243. Grazing in the Grass--Hugh Masekela (2 weeks, July 20)

244. Hello, I Love You--The Doors (2 weeks, August 3)

245. People Got to Be Free--The Rascals (5 weeks, August 17)

246. Harper Valley P.T.A.--Jeannie C. Riley (1 week, September 21)

247. Hey Jude--The Beatles (9 weeks, September 28)

248. Love Child--Diana Ross & the Supremes (2 weeks, November 30)

249. I Heard It Through the Grapevine--Marvin Gaye (7 weeks, December 14)

1969:

250. Crimson and Clover--Tommy James & the Shondells (2 weeks, February 1)

251. Everyday People--Sly & the Family Stone (4 weeks, February 15)

252. Dizzy--Tommy Roe (4 weeks, March 15)

253. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In--The Fifth Dimension (6 weeks, April 12)

254. Get Back--The Beatles with Billy Preston (5 weeks, May 24)

255. Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet"--Henry Mancini (2 weeks, June 28)

256. In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)--Zager & Evans (6 weeks, July 12)

257. Honky Tonk Women--The Rolling Stones (4 weeks, August 23)

258. Sugar, Sugar--The Archies (4 weeks, September 20)

259. I Can't Get Next to You--The Temptations (2 weeks, October 18)

260. Suspicious Minds--Elvis Presley (1 week, November 1)

261. Wedding Bell Blues--The Fifth Dimension (3 weeks, November 8)

262. Come Together/Something--The Beatles (1 week, November 29)

263. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye--Steam (2 weeks, December 6)

264. Leaving on a Jet Plane--Peter, Paul, & Mary (1 week, December 20)

265. Someday We'll Be Together--Diana Ross & the Supremes (1 week, December 27)

1970:

266. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head--B.J. Thomas (4 weeks, January 3)

267. I Want You Back--The Jackson Five (1 week, January 31)

268. Venus--Shocking Blue (1 week, February 7)

269. Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)/Everybody Is a Star--Sly & the Family Stone (2 weeks, February 14)

270. Bridge Over Troubled Water--Simon & Garfunkel (6 weeks, February 28)

271. Let It Be--The Beatles (2 weeks, April 11)

272. ABC--The Jackson Five (2 weeks, April 25)

273. American Woman/No Sugar Tonight--The Guess Who (3 weeks, May 9)

274. Everything Is Beautiful--Ray Stevens (2 weeks, May 30)

275. The Long and Winding Road/For You Blue--The Beatles (2 weeks, June 13)

276. The Love You Save--The Jackson Five (2 weeks, June 27)

277. Mama Told Me (Not to Come)--Three Dog Night (2 weeks, July 11)

278. (They Long to Be) Close to You--The Carpenters (4 weeks, July 25)

279. Make It with You--Bread (1 week, August 22)

280. War--Edwin Starr (3 weeks, August 29)

281. Ain't No Mountain High Enough--Diana Ross (3 weeks, September 19)

282. Cracklin' Rosie--Neil Diamond (1 week, October 10)

283. I'll Be There--The Jackson Five (5 weeks, October 17)

284. I Think I Love You--The Partridge Family (3 weeks, November 21)

285. The Tears of a Clown--Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (2 weeks, December 12)

286. My Sweet Lord/Isn't It a Pity--George Harrison (4 weeks, December 26)

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1971:

287. Knock Three Times--Dawn (3 weeks, January 23)

288. One Bad Apple--The Osmonds (5 weeks, February 13)

289. Me and Bobby McGee--Janis Joplin (2 weeks, March 20)

290. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)--The Temptations (2 weeks, April 3)

291. Joy to the World--Three Dog Night (6 weeks, April 17)

292. Brown Sugar--The Rolling Stones (2 weeks, May 29)

293. Want Ads--The Honey Cone (1 week, June 12)

294. It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move--Carole King (5 weeks, June 19)

295. Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)--The Raiders (1 week, July 24)

296. You've Got a Friend--James Taylor (1 week, July 31)

297. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?--The Bee Gees (4 weeks, August 7)

298. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey--Paul & Linda McCartney (1 week, September 4)

299. Go Away Little Girl--Donny Osmond (3 weeks, September 11)

300. Maggie May/Reason to Believe--Rod Stewart (5 weeks, October 2)

301. Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves--Cher (2 weeks, November 6)

302. Theme from "Shaft"--Isaac Hayes (2 weeks, November 20)

303. Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone (3 weeks, December 4)

304. Brand New Key--Melanie (3 weeks, December 25)

1972:

305. American Pie--Don McLean (4 weeks, January 15)

306. Let's Stay Together--Al Green (1 week, February 12)

307. Without You--Nilsson (4 weeks, February 19)

308. Heart of Gold--Neil Young (1 week, March 18)

309. A Horse with No Name--America (3 weeks, March 25)

310. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face--Roberta Flack (6 weeks, April 15)

311. Oh Girl--The Chi-Lites (1 week, May 27)

312. I'll Take You There--The Staple Singers (1 week, June 3)

313. Candy Man--Sammy Davis, Jr. (3 weeks, June 10)

314. Song Sung Blue--Neil Diamond (1 week, July 1)

315. Lean on Me--Bill Withers (3 weeks, July 8)

316. Alone Again (Naturally)--Gilbert O'Sullivan (6 weeks, July 29)

317. Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)--Looking Glass (1 week, August 26)

318. Black and White--Three Dog Night (1 week, September 16)

319. Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me--Mac Davis (3 weeks, September 23)

320. Ben--Michael Jackson (1 week, October 14)

321. My Ding-a-Ling--Chuck Berry (2 weeks, October 21)

322. I Can See Clearly Now--Johnny Nash (4 weeks, November 4)

323. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone--The Temptations (1 week, December 2)

324. I Am Woman--Helen Reddy (1 week, December 9)

325. Me and Mrs. Jones--Billy Paul (3 weeks, December 16)

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1973:

326. You're So Vain--Carly Simon (3 weeks, January 6)

327. Superstition--Stevie Wonder (1 week, January 27)

328. Crocodile Rock--Elton John (3 weeks, February 3)

329. Killing Me Softly with His Song--Roberta Flack (5 weeks, February 24)

330. Love Train--The O'Jays (1 week, March 24)

331. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia--Vicki Lawrence (2 weeks, April 7)

332. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree--Dawn (4 weeks, April 21)

333. You Are the Sunshine of My Life--Stevie Wonder (1 week, May 19)

334. Frankenstein--The Edgar Winter Group (1 week, May 26)

335. My Love--Paul McCartney & Wings (4 weeks, June 2)

336. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)--George Harrison (1 week, June 30)

337. Will It Go Round in Circles--Billy Preston (2 weeks, July 7)

338. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown--Jim Croce (2 weeks, July 21)

339. The Morning After--Maureen McGovern (2 weeks, August 4)

340. Touch Me in the Morning--Diana Ross (1 week, August 18)

341. Brother Louie--Stories (2 weeks, August 25)

342. Let's Get It On--Marvin Gaye (2 weeks, September 8)

343. Delta Dawn--Helen Reddy (1 week, September 15)

344. We're an American Band--Grand Funk (1 week, September 29)

345. Half-Breed--Cher (2 weeks, October 6)

346. Angie--The Rolling Stones (1 week, October 20)

347. Midnight Train to Georgia--Gladys Knight & the Pips (2 weeks, October 27)

348. Keep on Truckin'--Eddie Kendricks (2 weeks, November 10)

349. Photograph--Ringo Starr (1 week, November 24)

350. Top of the World--The Carpenters (2 weeks, December 1)

351. The Most Beautiful Girl--Charlie Rich (2 weeks, December 15)

352. Time in a Bottle--Jim Croce (2 weeks, December 29)

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1974:

353. The Joker--The Steve Miller Band (1 week, January 12)

354. Show and Tell--Al Wilson (1 week, January 19)

355. You're Sixteen--Ringo Starr (1 week, January 26)

356. The Way We Were--Barbra Streisand (3 weeks, February 2)

357. Love's Theme--The Love Unlimited Orchestra (1 week, February 9)

358. Seasons in the Sun--Terry Jacks (3 weeks, March 2)

359. Dark Lady--Cher (1 week, March 23)

360. Sunshine on My Shoulders--John Denver (1 week, March 30)

361. Hooked on a Feeling--Blue Swede (1 week, April 6)

362. Bennie and the Jets--Elton John (1 week, April 13)

363. TSOP--MFSB & the Three Degrees (2 weeks, April 20)

364. The Loco-Motion--Grand Funk (2 weeks, May 4)

365. The Streak--Ray Stevens (3 weeks, May 18)

366. Band on the Run--Paul McCartney & Wings (1 week, June 8)

367. Billy, Don't Be a Hero--Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods (2 weeks, June 15)

368. Sundown--Gordon Lightfoot (1 week, June 29)

369. Rock the Boat--The Hues Corporation (1 week, July 6)

370. Rock Your Baby--George McCrae (2 weeks, July 13)

371. Annie's Song--John Denver (2 weeks, July 27)

372. Feel Like Makin' Love--Roberta Flack (1 week, August 10)

373. The Night Chicago Died--Paper Lace (1 week, August 17)

374. (You're) Having My Baby--Paul Anka with Odia Coates (3 weeks, August 24)

375. I Shot the Sheriff--Eric Clapton (1 week, September 14)

376. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe--Barry White (1 week, September 21)

377. Rock Me Gently--Andy Kim (1 week, September 28)

378. I Honestly Love You--Olivia Newton-John (2 weeks, October 5)

379. Nothing from Nothing--Billy Preston (1 week, October 19)

380. Then Came You--Dionne Warwick & the Spinners (1 week, October 26)

381. You Haven't Done Nothin'--Stevie Wonder (1 week, November 2)

382. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet--Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1 week, November 9)

383. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night--John Lennon (1 week, November 16)

384. I Can Help--Billy Swan (2 weeks, November 23)

385. Kung Fu Fighting--Carl Douglas (2 weeks, December 7)

386. Cat's in the Cradle--Harry Chapin (1 week, December 21)

387. Angie Baby--Helen Reddy (1 week, December 28)

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1975:

388. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds--Elton John (2 weeks, January 4)

389. Mandy--Barry Manilow (1 week, January 18)

390. Please Mr. Postman--The Carpenters (1 week, January 25)

391. Laughter in the Rain--Neil Sedaka (1 week, February 1)

392. Fire--The Ohio Players (1 week, February 8)

393. You're No Good--Linda Ronstadt (1 week, February 15)

394. Pick Up the Pieces--The Average White Band (1 week, February 22)

395. Best of My Love--The Eagles (1 week, March 1)

396. Have You Never Been Mellow--Olivia Newton-John (1 week, March 8)

397. Black Water--The Doobie Brothers (1 week, March 15)

398. My Eyes Adored You--Frankie Valli (1 week, March 22)

399. Lady Marmalade--Labelle (1 week, March 29)

400. Lovin' You--Minnie Riperton (1 week, April 5)

401. Philadelphia Freedom--The Elton John Band (2 weeks, April 12)

402. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song--B.J. Thomas (1 week, April 26)

403. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)--Tony Orlando & Dawn (3 weeks, May 3)

404. Shining Star--Earth, Wind, & Fire (1 week, May 24)

405. Before the Next Teardrop Falls--Freddy Fender (1 week, May 31)

406. Thank God I'm a Country Boy--John Denver (1 week, June 7)

407. Sister Golden Hair--America (1 week, June 14)

408. Love Will Keep Us Together--The Captain & Tennille (4 weeks, June 21)

409. Listen to What the Man Said--Wings (1 week, July 19)

410. The Hustle--Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony (1 week, July 26)

411. One of These Nights--The Eagles (1 week, August 2)

412. Jive Talkin'--The Bee Gees (2 weeks, August 9)

413. Fallin' in Love--Hamilton, Joe Frank, & Reynolds (1 week, August 23)

414. Get Down Tonight--KC & the Sunshine Band (1 week, August 30)

415. Rhinestone Cowboy--Glen Campbell (2 weeks, September 6)

416. Fame--David Bowie (2 weeks, September 20)

417. I'm Sorry/Calypso--John Denver (1 week, September 27)

418. Bad Blood--Neil Sedaka (3 weeks, October 11)

419. Island Girl--Elton John (3 weeks, November 1)

420. That's the Way (I Like It)--KC & the Sunshine Band (2 weeks, November 22)

421. Fly, Robin, Fly--Silver Convention (3 weeks, November 29)

422. Let's Do It Again--The Staple Singers (1 week, December 27)

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1976:

423. Saturday Night--The Bay City Rollers (1 week, January 3)

424. Convoy--C.W. McCall (1 week, January 10)

425. I Write the Songs--Barry Manilow (1 week, January 17)

426. Theme from "Mahogany" (Do You Know Where You're Going To)--Diana Ross (1 week, January 24)

427. Love Rollercoaster--The Ohio Players (1 week, January 31)

428. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover--Paul Simon (3 weeks, February 7)

429. Theme from "S.W.A.T."--The Rhythm Heritage (1 week, February 28)

430. Love Machine (Part 1)--The Miracles (1 week, March 6)

431. December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)--The Four Seasons (3 weeks, March 13)

432. Disco Lady--Johnnie Taylor (4 weeks, April 3)

433. Let Your Love Flow--The Bellamy Brothers (1 week, May 1)

434. Welcome Back--John Sebastian (1 week, May 8)

435. Boogie Fever--The Sylvers (1 week, May 15)

436. Silly Love Songs--Wings (5 weeks, May 22)

437. Love Hangover--Diana Ross (2 weeks, May 29)

438. Afternoon Delight--The Starland Vocal Band (2 weeks, July 10)

439. Kiss and Say Goodbye--The Manhattans (2 weeks, July 24)

440. Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John & Kiki Dee (4 weeks, August 7)

441. You Should Be Dancing--The Bee Gees (1 week, September 4)

442. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty--KC & the Sunshine Band (1 week, September 11)

443. Play That Funky Music--Wild Cherry (3 weeks, September 18)

444. A Fifth of Beethoven--Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band (1 week, October 9)

445. Disco Duck (Part 1)--Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots (1 week, October 16)

446. If You Leave Me Now--Chicago (2 weeks, October 23)

447. Rock 'n Me--The Steve Miller Band (1 week, November 6)

448. Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)--Rod Stewart (8 weeks, November 13)

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1977:

449. You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)--Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. (1 week, January 8)

450. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing--Leo Sayer (1 week, January 15)

451. I Wish--Stevie Wonder (1 week, January 22)

452. Car Wash--Rose Royce (1 week, January 29)

453. Torn Between Two Lovers--Mary MacGregor (2 weeks, February 5)

454. Blinded by the Light--Manfred Mann's Earth Band (1 week, February 19)

455. New Kid in Town--The Eagles (1 week, February 26)

456. Love Theme from "A Star Is Born" (Evergreen)--Barbra Streisand (3 weeks, March 5)

457. Rich Girl--Daryl Hall & John Oates (2 weeks, March 26)

458. Dancing Queen--Abba (1 week, April 9)

459. Don't Give Up on Us--David Soul (1 week, April 16)

460. Don't Leave Me This Way--Thelma Houston (1 week, April 23)

461. Southern Nights--Glen Campbell (1 week, April 30)

462. Hotel California--The Eagles (1 week, May 7)

463. When I Need You--Leo Sayer (1 week, May 14)

464. Sir Duke--Stevie Wonder (3 weeks, May 21)

465. I'm Your Boogie Man--KC & the Sunshine Band (1 week, June 11)

466. Dreams--Fleetwood Mac (1 week, June 18)

467. Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1--Marvin Gaye (1 week, June 25)

468. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky")--Bill Conti (1 week, July 2)

469. Undercover Angel--Alan O'Day (1 week, July 9)

470. Da Doo Ron Ron--Shaun Cassidy (1 week, July 16)

471. Looks Like We Made It--Barry Manilow (1 week, July 23)

472. I Just Want to Be Your Everything--Andy Gibb (4 weeks, July 30)

473. Best of My Love--The Emotions (5 weeks, August 20)

474. "Star Wars" Theme/Cantina Band--Meco (2 weeks, October 1)

475. You Light Up My Life--Debby Boone (10 weeks, October 15)

476. How Deep Is Your Love--The Bee Gees (3 weeks, December 24)

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1978:

477. Baby Come Back--Player (3 weeks, January 14)

478. Stayin' Alive--The Bee Gees (4 weeks, February 4)

479. (Love Is) Thicker than Water--Andy Gibb (2 weeks, March 4)

480. Night Fever--The Bee Gees (8 weeks, March 18)

481. If I Can't Have You--Yvonne Elliman (1 week, May 13)

482. With a Little Luck--Wings (2 weeks, May 20)

483. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late--Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams (1 week, June 3)

484. You're the One That I Want--John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1 week, June 10)

485. Shadow Dancing--Andy Gibb (7 weeks, June 17)

486. Miss You--The Rolling Stones (1 week, August 5)

487. Three Times a Lady--The Commodores (2 weeks, August 12)

488. Grease--Frankie Valli (2 weeks, August 26)

489. Boogie Oogie Oogie--A Taste of Honey (3 weeks, September 9)

490. Kiss You All Over--Exile (4 weeks, September 30)

491. Hot Child in the City--Nick Gilder (1 week, October 28)

492. You Needed Me--Anne Murray (1 week, November 4)

493. MacArthur Park--Donna Summer (3 weeks, November 11)

494. You Don't Bring Me Flowers--Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond (2 weeks, December 2)

495. Le Freak--Chic (5 weeks, December 9)

1979:

496. Too Much Heaven--The Bee Gees (2 weeks, January 6)

497. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?--Rod Stewart (4 weeks, February 10)

498. I Will Survive--Gloria Gaynor (3 weeks, March 10)

499. Tragedy--The Bee Gees (2 weeks, March 24)

500. What a Fool Believes--The Doobie Brothers (1 week, April 14)

501. Knock on Wood--Amii Stewart (1 week, April 21)

502. Heart of Glass--Blondie (1 week, April 28)

503. Reunited--Peaches & Herb (4 weeks, May 5)

504. Hot Stuff--Donna Summer (3 weeks, June 2)

505. Love You Inside Out--The Bee Gees (1 week, June 9)

506. Ring My Bell--Anita Ward (2 weeks, June 30)

507. Bad Girls--Donna Summer (5 weeks, July 14)

508. Good Times--Chic (1 week, August 18)

509. My Sharona--The Knack (6 weeks, August 25)

510. Sad Eyes--Robert John (1 week, October 6)

511. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough--Michael Jackson (1 week, October 13)

512. Rise--Herb Alpert (2 weeks, October 20)

513. Pop Muzik--M (1 week, November 3)

514. Heartache Tonight--The Eagles (1 week, November 10)

515. Still--The Commodores (1 week, November 17)

516. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)--Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer (2 weeks, November 24)

517. Babe--Styx (2 weeks, December 8)

518. Escape (Pina Colada Song)--Rupert Holmes (3 weeks, December 22)

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1980:

519. Please Don't Go--KC & the Sunshine Band (1 week, January 5)

520. Rock with You--Michael Jackson (4 weeks, January 19)

521. Do That to Me One More Time--The Captain & Tennille (1 week, February 16)

522. Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen (4 weeks, February 23)

523. Another Brick in the Wall--Pink Floyd (4 weeks, March 22)

524. Call Me--Blondie (6 weeks, April 19)

525. Funkytown--Lipps, Inc. (4 weeks, May 31)

526. Coming Up (Live at Glasgow)--Paul McCartney (3 weeks, June 28)

527. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me--Billy Joel (2 weeks, July 19)

528. Magic--Olivia Newton-John (4 weeks, August 2)

529. Sailing--Christopher Cross (1 week, August 30)

530. Upside Down--Diana Ross (4 weeks, September 6)

531. Another One Bites the Dust--Queen (3 weeks, October 4)

532. Woman in Love--Barbra Streisand (3 weeks, October 25)

533. Lady--Kenny Rogers (6 weeks, November 15)

534. (Just Like) Starting Over--John Lennon (5 weeks, December 27)

1981:

535. The Tide Is High--Blondie (1 week, January 31)

536. Celebration--Kool & the Gang (2 weeks, February 7)

537. 9 to 5--Dolly Parton (2 weeks, February 21)

538. I Love a Rainy Night--Eddie Rabbitt (2 weeks, February 28)

539. Keep on Loving You--REO Speedwagon (1 week, March 21)

540. Rapture--Blondie (2 weeks, March 28)

541. Kiss on My List--Daryl Hall & John Oates (3 weeks, April 11)

542. Morning Train (Nine to Five)--Sheena Easton (2 weeks, May 2)

543. Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (9 weeks, May 16)

544. Medley: Intro Venus/Sugar Sugar/No Reply/I'll Be Back/Drive My Car/Do You Want to Know a Secret/We Can Work It Out/I Should Have Known Better/Nowhere Man/You're Going to Lose that Girl/Stars on 45--Stars on 45 (1 week, June 20)

545. The One That You Love--Air Supply (1 week, July 25)

546. Jessie's Girl--Rick Springfield (2 weeks, August 1)

547. Endless Love--Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (9 weeks, August 15)

548. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)--Christopher Cross (3 weeks, October 17)

549. Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates (2 weeks, November 7)

550. Physical--Olivia Newton-John (10 weeks, November 21)

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Max, thanks for all the hard work! I've always been interested in the pop charts and been an avid listener to the AMERICAN TOP 40 radio show since childhood. 1980 was the first year I actually got interested in Top 40 music - this is great stuff! :D:D

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    • Women Pioneers in Television: Biographies of Fifteen Industry Leaders by Cary O'Dell. McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. Jefferson, NC © 1997.  Irna Phillips pg. 181-193     In 1991 TV GUIDE published a special commemmorative magazine celebrating its 2,000th issue. Included in its pages was a special section on television visionaries, "The Creators." Of the twenty names there (among whom were Pat Weaver, Norman Lear, David Sarnoff, William Paley, and Leonard Goldenson), only one belonged to a woman.(1) That woman was almost single-handedly responsible for creating one of the most enduring and most profitable television genres in history. As Dan Wakefield wrote in 1976, she "is to soap opera what Edison is to the light bulb and Fulton to the steamboat."(2) She founded the industry of the television soap opera and for forty years was its single greatest writer, producer, guardian angel, and guiding light. The name? Irna Phillips.      Irna Phillips was born July 1, 1901, (some sources give 1903) in Chicago, Illinois, the tenth and last child of William S. and Betty Phillips (who was 42 years old when she gave birth to Irna). Few of her brothers and sisters survived to maturity. Her parents owned a small grocery store in Chicago and the family  lived above it. Her father died when Irna was eight, and her mother took on the task of caring for the family; years later, Phillips said of her mother, "{She} had the sturdiness befitting a pioneer."(3) By Phillips own account, he4r childhood was a sad and lonely one. In 65 she remembered herself as a "plain, sickly, silent child, with hand-me-down clothes and no friends," forced to sleep on a cot in the family's dining room because space was scarce. Phillips's only pleasure came from books and her own imagination, from which she fashioned cartons into stages and created make-believe families with large homes, wonderful clothes, and plenty of money.(4)      Irna's early school was uneven. She refused to go to school unless someoine came in to dress her. Sometimes, as she remembered, no one bothered.(5) Nevertheless, she went on to graduate from Seen High School in Chicago in three years. After a short spell at Northwestern, Phillipa transferred to the University of Illinois, where she indulged a love for acting. Though her professor thought her talented, she never landed a major role in a school production and was finally told she had neither "the looks nor the stature for professional success."(6)      Devastated by this news, Phillips, on her mother's advice, decided on a career in teaching. After graduation she taught for a year in a Fulton, Missouri, community college. Later she did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, taking courses in speech, drama, and psychology. She then taught for five years in Dayton, Ohio.(7)     How Irna Phillips got back to Chicago is open to debate. Some sources say she returned to visit a newly born niece; others say that a tiff with a boyfriend sent her packing.(8) Others say she was only on vacation.(9) What *is*  known is that she returned to the Windy City in 1930 and that she seldom left it again.(10) Exactly how Phillips got her first radio job is not known either. Two stories survive. In the first she was on a tour of WGN studios when someone mistook her for a radio actress applying for a job and handed her a script. Though they considered her voice too low for a woman, they were impressed enough with her reading of a poem by Eugene Field, "The Bowleg Boy," that they hired her.(11) The second story of Phillips's entrance into radio is that she walked into the station and asked point-blank for an audition. Either way, she ended up with a nonpaying job on WGN, broadcasting a daily trifle called THOUGHT FOR THE DAY, which consisted of Phillips reading poetry and adlibbing insprational commentary.(12)      After two weeks Phillips was promptly let go only to be almost immediately rehired in a different capacity after she allegedly protested to her ex-boss. In her new job she was asked to write an act daily (six days a week) "radio strip," or serialized story. WGN had already been running the continuing story of GASOLINE ALLEY, based on Frank King's comic strip about small-town America, and  now wanted another daily show; this one "about a family."(13)       Irna Phillips responded with what many consider the first "soap opera." It was titled PAINTED DREAMS and began on October 20, 1930, running in short, ten-minute installments.(14)     The show had six characters but only two actors. Phillips played the main character, Mother Monahan (a role based on Phillips's own mother), and the "mystery character," Kay. Actress Ireene Wicker (later "Kellogg'sSinging Lady") played all the other parts - including the family's barking dog, Mikey. The two women got by without male voices by only referring to the men in their lives, never by having them present.(15)     PAINTED DREAMS had run for two years o n WGN when Phillips tried to create radio network interest in it. WGN refused the idea, saying that it owned the show outright and that it could not be moved to another broadcaster. Phillips quit the station and began what was to become a long, bitter court battle with the station over ownership of the series. The case dragged on in the courts for ten years, finally being decided against Phillips. By then, though, she had moved on to other things. She had also learned a lesson: All future shows and scripts she worked on would be copyrighted in her name alone.(16)     In 1932 Phillips bounced back with her second soap, title TODAY'S CHILDREN. It ran on WGN's chief rival WMAQ (at first unsponsored and with Phillips footing all costs in order to retain ownership). It was a thinly disguised version of DREAMS: Mother Monahan was now Mother Moran, and the other characters of the show were similarly redesigned. For a time Phillips acted in the serial but eventually found the dual work of acting and writing too taxing. She resigned herself to writing only.(17) Soon after, "the Phillips impulse" for creating new sows began. She created a short-lived soap, MASQUERADE - the story of a painter involved with different glamorous women. Devised as a way to sell the sponsor's cosmetics, it lasted three months.(18)     TODAY'S CHILDREN ended in 1938, partly because the death of Phillips's mother made work on a mother-centered show too difficult for her emotionally, and partly because, as Phillips said, "I had exhausted all the problems of these people."(19)     These two failures and the demise of CHILDREN were balanced by two other Phillips creations that survived and prospered: THE GUIDING LIGHT (debuting in 1937) and THE ROAD OF LIFE (debuting in 1938).(20)     ROAD OF LIFE centered on the life of noble surgeon Dr. Jim Brent, who "mends broken legs and broken hearts with equal ease."(21) GUIDING LIGHT was the story of Dr. John Ruthledge, a small-town minister. The character was based on a friend of Phillips. Sometimes during the early years an entire fifteen-minute episode was devoted to a Ruthledge sermon. Collected into book form, the character's many sermons sold 290,000 copies nationwide.(22)      Irna Phillips also created another hospital-based drama around this time, WOMAN IN WHITE. And when a group of characters from GUIDING LIGHT, the Kransky family, developed enough, she spun them off into their own show, THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS, in 1939. It ran until 1960.(23)     Along the way, creating, writing, and controlling her series, Phillips pioneered many of the staples of soap operas today. She was the first to incorporate professional people into her stories: lawyers, ministers, and doctors replaced minimum-wage, blue-collar workers as heroes.(24) Phillips was the first to use such soap devices as organ music (provided by Bernice Yanocek) for dramatic effect, and cliff-hanger endings to keep audiences coming back.(25)      Phillips was the first to bring a higher social consciousness to the world of soaps. In 1945, after using THE GUIDING LIGHT to help sell war bonds and after realizing she had been "subconsciously" educating her listeners in various areas for years, Phillips decided to take a more uniform approach to the idea of "social significance." Phillips and staff sent letters to a variety of agencies around the country (the Red Cross, the American Legion), asking a simple question: "What is your problem and what can we do to help you with it on one of our programs?" From their responses, Phillips devised soap story lines intended to further those agencies' causes.(26)     Quite ingeniously, Irna Phillips also tailored her shows to her predominantly housewife audience. She slowed the pace so that women doing housework could answer the door, vacuum, or see to the baby and still not miss anything. She rationed ideas and story lines by doing the same thing.(27)     Phillips, herself, was a highly eccentric woman, possibly more than any of the thousands of characters she created during her career.She consulted fortune tellers from time to ti me and changed the spelling of her name from the original Erna to Irna when a numerologist said it would ease her life.(28)     She was also a hypochondriac. She visited doctors nearly every day of her life. A physician who lived in her apartment building in Chicago stopped by several times a day to listen to her complaints and take her temperature.(29) Her trips to New York City were often mixed in with trips to different hospitals and specialists in Manhattan. Once, while staying in her suite at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan, she insisted that storm windows be installed to end the drafts. The windows are still there.(30) Frequently, she asked to be pushed around in a wheelchair.(31)      Not surprisingly, Phillips's preoccupation with illness and disease became evident in her work. Doctors and nurse as characters, hospitals as settings, and illnesses as subjects for drama were vintage Phillips characteristics.(32) Phillips's treatment of actors who worked on her shows was rather odd as well. She seldom bothered to learn the names of the performers, knowing them only as the characters they portrayed.(33) Actress Helen Wagner, who has played Nancy Hughes (now McClowsky) on AS THE WORLD TURNS since it premiered in 1956, was a friend of Irna's and remembers just how typical that was, "I was always Nancy to her. Any reference to my husband always meant Chris, my on-screen husband, not my real-life husband. I never became 'Helen' until very late in her career, after knowing her many, many years."(34)     Similarly, Phillips did not like the off-screen lives of her actors to interfere with the on-screen lives of their characters. Helen Wagner, whose character of Nancy was in the early days something of a homebody, was for many years denied a vacation from the show because it would mean writing the character out for a few weeks. Phillips told Ms. Wagner, "Nancy is a housewife, Nancy does not travel." It was several years before Nancy was allowed to go visit a sister out of state so that actress Helen Wagner could have a few days off.(35)     Like her characters' lives and her plots, Phillips rigidly controlled her home life and went to great lengths to keep it simple. She lived far away from the network TV industry in her Chicago apartment. Until she was in her late thirties, Phillips shared a bedroom with her mother, and she never learned how to drive. Though her sponsor once gave her a 1940 Plymouth to celebrate ten years in radio (and Phillips named it Sheila), it is doubtful she ever drove it.(36) Even her weekly menus were preset: on Sunday there was leg of lamb; Monday, chicken; Tuesday, steak; Wednesday, meatloaf; Thursday, lamb chops; Friday, spaghetti; and Saturday, stew.(37)     Phillips seldom had anything to do with the press, which she believed (perhaps rightly) dismissed soap operas as second-class subculture, snickering at her success and her fans' loyalty. She permitted few interviews during her entire career.(38)     Also not surprising was Phillips's flair for melodrama. In 1960 interviewer Peter Wyden related the story of the day Phillips's son Tom arrived late to meet her: "She does not just become vaguely uneasy. Her concern is translated into imaginary but stark disaster - he's been run over, his body is lying at the curb, he is bleeding badly."(39) Irna Phillips labeled herself a compulsive worrier and believed she would never get an ulcer because she turned all her worries into scripts.(40) "I do quite a bit of projecting," ahe told an interviewer.(41)     To oversee her programs, Phillips moved in 1940 to New York City. After seeing the toll the war was influcting on the country in 1941, she fashioned the serial WOMEN ALONE to dramatize the plight of women left on the home front. Her experiences in New York also served as the model for yet another new drama, LONELY WOMEN, which had a short on-air lifespan beginning in 1942 before Phillips recycled an old title and the show became known as TODAY'S CHILDREN in 1943. After six  months, though, New York was not to Phillips's liking, and she soon returned to Chicago. A similar move to California in 1943 did not work out either, and she returned to Chicago after only nine months.(42)     With so many shows on the air at the same time, and wielding as much power as she did, Irna Phillips put forth a revolutionary idea for soap opera broadcasting in 1943. THE GENERAL MILLS HOUR, as she foresaw it, would consist of three ofher shows running back-to-back - each in different lengths, from fifteen to twenty minutes depending on the plot - with characters from each occasionally overlapping and interacting. A narrating voice-over would navigate proceedings. It endured for a few months until Phillips abandoned the concept.(43)     By 1943, only a little over ten years after she began, Phillips was single-handedly responsible for five different daily dramas. Her total income from them was $250,000, and her literary output was estimated at two million words per year, the equivalent of forty novels.(44) She had established such a factory by this time that she found it necessary to have a lawyer and two doctors on retainer just to act as consultants.(45)     It was only later that Phillips reached the need for support writers, or "dialoguers," who filled out the basic story lines she devised. Many young writers who began with Phillips went on to successes of their own. In 1946 she hired a young recently graduated writer named Agnes Eckhardt, who later married and changed her name to Agnes Nixon.(46) Nixon would go on to create ALL MY CHILDREN and LOVING. Phillips also had a longtime collaborator in writer William Bell. After cocreating ANOTHER WORLD with Phillips, he went on to found with his wife Lee Phillip Bell two of the most successful soaps of recent years, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and, later, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.     Also in 1943, at near the same age her mother was when she herself was born, Phillips, unmarried and a career woman, adopted a child, Thomas Dirk. A year and a half later, Phillips adopted Katherine Louise.(47)     Throughout the 1940s Irna Phillips reigned as the undisputed queen of the radio soap opera. By the end of the decade a new medium was on the horizon and it would be that medium that Phillips (somewhat reluctantly) would conquer next.      By all accounts Irna Phillips was not anxious to move her shows from radio to television. With television, a fog horn could no longer substitute for the deck of a ship, and actors could no longer be brought in and replaced so easily. So reluctant was she to give up radio that after THE GUIDING LIGHT debuted on television on July 30, 1952, the scripts were rebroadcast that same day on radio. The two GUIDING LIGHTS ran concurrently on the two media for several years until finally the incredible success of the television version made the radio outlet obsolete.(48)     Around this time Proctor and Gamble [sic: My Note: This book spelled Procter and Gamble wrong over & over.], the soap manufacturer and a longtime force in soap opera broadcasting, began its long association with Phillips. Phillips sold the ownership of her current TV dramas to Proctor and Gamble Productions. Between the two of them (Phillips and P&G) they formed the biggest, toughest alliance daytime television had ever seen.(49)     In 1956 Phillips, in association with Proctor and Gamble, stormed onto television with what was to become her most popular (and some say, personal favorite) creation, AS THE WORLD TURNS. The continuing story of the Hughes and Lowell clans of Oakdale, Illinois, began on April 2, 1956, as TV's first half-hour soap. It was produced live until 1975 when it was lengthened to a hour. The show revolutionized daytime drama by gaining more viewers than ever before in the history of the genre (sometimes as high as a fifty percent share of the audience), and it launched soapdom's first all-out lying, scheming villainess, Lisa Miller (later, after marriage/s, Lisa Hughes, then Coleman, then Mitchell, then others). She was played by actress Eileen Fulton, who continues on the show to this day. Fulton's and the show's fame were so intense in the mid-1960s that CBS created a nighttime spin-off titled OUR PRIVATE WORLD. It, however, would only last a few  months.(50)     Irna Phillips's actual writing for her series, radio and television, was rather unusual. Every day at  nine in the morning Phillips sat down at a rickety, brown card table - the same one she had used for years - and began to devise that day's scripts from projected story lines often set down months in advance. From there she would dictate dialogue to her secretary and close friend, Rose Cooperman. "I really don't think I write," she said "I act."(51) Occasionally sitting still and occasionally moving around the room, moving as the character would, Phillips assumed all the characters in the scene - male, female, adult, child - changing her voice to indicate a change in speaker.(52) This process worked so well for Phillips it was later adopted by many of her proteges, including William Bell.(53)     As Phillips would talk, "Rosie," her secretary, would take down every word, following the various characters by following changes in Irna's voice and gestures. Rosie filled in the punctuation along the way. Both women became so involved with the story line they were creating that they found themselves in tears.(54)     The average time for Irna Phillips to dictate a half-hour script was about an hour and forty-five minutes. It usually took longer to type the finished manuscript than it did for Phillips to dream it up.(55) During Phillips's "writing" she seldom lost her place or became confused.  If she did, she could always consult one of her various genealogical charts she created for each show. They consisted of squares containing characters' names with solid lines connecting relatives, dotted lines connecting in-laws, and "X"'s over names of dead or missing family members.(56)     After the writing was finished Phillips would sit down and watch not only her shows but those of her competitors as well. While viewing her own shows, if she found something she did not like in script, performance, or production, it was switched immediately. This often meant a phone call to New York and a list of demands. A few times actors found themselves jobless after a phone call from Phillips. Not surprisingly, many actors, writers, and crew members feared Phillips's wrath. Once, when an actor playing what many thought an indispensable character asked for a raise in salary, Phillips refused and solved the whole problem by simply killing off the character. The show went on without him.(57) Don Hastings, who has played Dr. Bob Hughes on AS THE WORLD TURNS since 1960 (and wrote for the show for many years under the name J.J. Mathews), remembers Phillips as a tough but fair mother lion, ferocious in protecting her creation: "She was very tough on her writers but would protect them if the network or the producers criticized them. She always said that if she okayed a script it was as good as her writing it herself."(58)     Though Irna Phillips could be difficult, and a great many lived in constant fear of her, nobody would deny her skill. Don Hastings remembers a time when AS THE WORLD TURNS ratings had slipped. Owners Proctor and Gamble asked Phillips - then at work on another Proctor and Gamble show - to return and help WORLD. "Can you bring us up to a thirty share by the end of the year?" they asked. Phillips delivered the thirty share in thirteen weeks.(59)     Additionally, Phillips was not as difficult on a personal level as she might first appear. Throughout her career she was instrumental in starting other writers in their careers. Agnes Nixon, Bill Bell, and many other names benefitted from her support and guidance. Phillips was also known to take many young actors under her wing, sheltering and encouraging them.     In her life in Chicago, Phillips had a small but tight-knit group of friends and a fiercely devoted household staff. They admired and respected her enough to overlook her dramatic nature and her many pseudo-illnesses. Producer Lee Bell, who with her husband Bill created THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, was a friend and coworker of Irna's for many years; she remembers an eccentric but likable person. "She was a genius," Bell said, "A brilliant, intelligent woman. You wanted to be around her. Whatever eccentricities [she had] didn't matter."(60)      In 1964 Phillips formulated a new series for NBC titled ANOTHER WORLD. The title referred to the separate "psychological worlds" of its characters and the two separate economic worlds of the show's two major families. Not accidently, it also drew comparison with the previous Phillips creation AS THE WORLD TURNS.(61)     ANOTHER WORLD was the first daytime soap to run one hour. It was also the first daytime show to address the topic of abortion.(62) Phillips invited controversy again in 1967 when she attempted to introduce an interracial story line into LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, a show she was also writing at the time. When the network bosses balked at the idea, Phillips walked out. She abandoned the show, and it was canceled in 1973.(63)     Despite Phillips forward thinking, however, she did not always approve of the direction daytime shows were taking. She said in 1972: "The daytime serial is destroying itself, eating itself up with rape, abortion, illegitimacy, men falling in love with other men's wives, all of which is often topped by a murder, followed by a long, drawn-out murder trial.(64)     In 1964 ABC-TV put Irna Phillips, at age 63, on the payroll as a special consultant for its primetime soaper PEYTON PLACE, the serialized twice-weekly program based on the book by Grace Metalious. By taking the PEYTON PLACE job, Phillips achieved a rare triple play: she now had her hand in, and was receiving paychecks from, shows running on all three major networks.(65)     In 1965 Phillips cocreated DAYS OF OUR LIVES and composed what has since become arguably the most famous opening line for any show in television's history: "Like sands through the hour glass ..."(66)     All did not always flow smoothly, however. The early years of ANOTHER WORLD were filled with complications: major characters were thrown out with little explanation, and actors were replacedal,ost weekly. Frustrated, Phillips left ANOTHER WORLD to concentrate on a show for ABC that she was cocreating with her daughter (and was based on Irna's own life). That show would only air for a few months when it premiered. Agnes Nixon was later brought into ANOTHER WORLD as head writer to whip the show into shape.(67)     Since Irna Phillips had almost single-handedly created soap operas as a dramatic form years ago in radio, they had begun to change. The incedible success of her own AS THE WORLD TURNS made daytime soap operas an important, highly profitable part of the network schedule. To gain viewers and therefore money, soaps became more and more sensational. Gradually they became more scandalous, sexual, and action-oriented; Irna Phillips's stories of women sitting around the breakfast table were becoming passe. Phillips found herself being left behind by the genre she had created. Allen Potter, who worked on ANOTHER WORLD with Phillips during its difficult years, summed up the problem: "She was from a different era. [She was] still writing kids going down to the malt shop."(68)     Phillips was asked to rejoin AS THE WORLD TURNS in 1972.(69) She simplified some of the plots but failed to turn the recent ratings dip around. Proctor and Gamble, the show's producer, fired Phillips in 1973. Back in Chicago she began work on an autobiography, but nothing was ever published.(70)     On December 23, 1973, Irna Phillips died in her sleep at her home in Chicago. She was seventy-two. In accordance with her wishes news of her death was kept from the press for several weeks.(71)     What made Phillips a success - the Queen of the Soaps, as she was often called - is somewhat difficult to answer. Helen Wagner recently explained it this way: "We [AS THE WORLD TURNS] premiered the same day as EDGE OF NIGHT [a now defunct mystery-based soap on ABC]. What was important on that show was the story. For AS THE WORLD TURNS what was important was the character.(72) Phillips realized early in her career that the success of serialized stories depended on her audience becoming involved and knowledgeable about the characters on the show. She told BROADCASTING in 1972: "Characters have to be multidimensional. The story has to come from the characters, to the point where your viewers will get to know a character so well they can predict his or her behavior in a given dramatic situation."(73)     Phillips believes there were several reasons for her success, not the least of which was her self-described limited vocabulary ("my greatest asset"), which, she believed, made her programs universal. She also attempted in her writing to appeal to the basic instincts of self-preservation, sex, and family.(74)     Perhaps Phillips's greatest personal achievement, however, was creating a world. fully and believably, that she did not really know herself. Though she never married; nor did she give birth; nor did she ever own a  home. But somehow Irna Phillips knew enough about all those qualities to entertain millions for generations - to spin endlessly involving tales of day-to-day life; tales about the simple joys and daily dramas of paying the bills, raising children, belonging to a family, and falling in love.      Irna Phillips wrote in McCALL'S magazine in 1965, "None of us is different, except in degree. None of us is a stranger to success and failure, life and death, the need to be lovedthe struggle to communicate..."(75)     Four of the programs Irna Phillips created - AS THE WORLD TURNS, GUIDING LIGHT, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, and ANOTHER WORLD - are still on the air today.  IRNA PHILLIPS July 1, 1901        Born in Chicago, Illinois 1922             Graduated with bachelor's degree in education. 1924             Graduated with master's degree in speech; began career teaching school in Missouri and, later, Ohio. May 1930        Returned to Chicago; joined WGN as actress and ad hoc writer.  October 20, 1930    PAINTED DREAMS, radio's first "soap opera" debuted;created by Irna Phillips.  June 16, 1932        TODAY'S CHILDREN, second Phillips creation, premiered; departed WGN. 1934            MASQUERADE premiered.  1935            MASQUERADE aired last broadcast. January 25, 1937     THE GUIDING LIGHT premiered.  1938            TODAY'S CHILDREN aired final broadcast; ROAD OF LIFE and WOMAN IN WHITE premiered. October 16, 1939    THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS premiered.  1940            Phillips moved briefly to New York City; would return to Chicago after six months.  1941            WOMEN ALONE premiered; settled court suit with WGN.  June 29, 1942        LONELY WOMEN (title later changed to TODAY'S CHILDREN) premiered.  1943            Resided briefly in Los Angeles; adopted son, Thomas Dirk. 1944            Adopted daughter, Katherine.  Summer 1948        WOMAN IN WHITE aired last broadcast. October 11, 1948    THE BRIGHTER DAY premiered on radio.  January 31, 1949    THESE ARE MY CHILDREN premiered. March 4, 1949        THESE ARE MY CHILDREN ended. 1950            Second incarnation of TODAY'S CHILDREN ended on radio. June 30, 1952        THE GUIDING LIGHT debuted on television. 1956            BRIGHTER DAY ended  on radio. January 4, 1954        THE BRIGHTER DAY premiered on television.  December 13, 1954    ROAD OF LIFE premiered on television; show ended broadcasts on radio. July 1, 1955        ROAD OF LIFE aired last broadcast on television. April 2, 1956        AS THE WORLD TURNS premiered. November 25, 1960    THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS ended on radio. May 4, 1964        ANOTHER WORLD premiered.  1964            Worked as consultant on primetime's PEYTON PLACE. May 5, 1965        OUR PRIVATE WORLD, AS THE WORLD TURNS spin-off, premiered in primetime. September 10, 1965    OUR PRIVATE WORLD aired last episode. September 28, 1965    THE BRIGHTER DAY aired last broadcast on TV. November 8, 1965    DAYS OF OUR LIVES premiered. September 18, 1967    LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, soap opera, premiered.  March 23, 1973        LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING aired last broadcast. Late 1973        Fired by Proctor and Gamble.  December 23, 1974    Passed away at home in Chicago.  NOTES 1.    "The Creators," TV GUIDE (Commemorative Edition) (July 1991), p.59. 2.    Dan Wakefield, ALL HER CHILDDREN (New York: Doubleday, 1976), p.27.  3.    CURRENT BIOGRAPHY (1943), p.590. 4.    Irna Phillips, "Every Woman's Life Is a Soap Opera," Mccall's (March 1965), p.116 5.    Ibid. 6.    Peter Wyden, "Madam Soap Opera," SATURDAY EVENING POST (25 June 1960), p.129. 7.    Barbara Sicherman and Carol Hurd Green, NOTABLE AMERICAN WOMEN: THE MODERN PERIOD (Cambridge: Belknap, 1980), p.542. 8.     "Script Queen," TIME (10 June 1940), p.66. 9.    Sicherman and Carol Hurd Green, p.542. 10.    "Writing On: Irna Phillips Mends With Tradition," BROADCASTING (6 November 1972), p.75 11.     Madeline Edmundson and David Rounds, THE SOAPS (New York: Stein & Day, 1973), p.43.     12.     CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, p.590 13.    Sicherman and Green, p.542. 14.    Robert C. Allen, SPEAKING OF SOAPS (CHapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina, 1985), p.111.  15.     "Writing On: Irna Phillips Mends With Tradition," p.75. 16.     Edmundson and Rounds, p.44. 17.     Allen, p.112. 18.     Wyden, p.130. 19.     Ibid. 20.     CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, p.590. 21.     "Queen of the Soaps," NEWSWEEK (11 May 1964), p.66. 22.    Sicherman and Green, p.543. 23.     Wyden, p.130. 24.    Sicherman and Green, p.259. 25.    CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, p.519. 26.     "With Significance," TIME (11 June 1945), p.46. 27.     CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, p.590. 28.    Wyden, p.129. 29.    Interview with Lee Bell (4 September 1991). All other information and quotes from Mrs. Bell in this chapter were taken from this interview. 30.    Interview with Don Hastings (5 December 1991). All other information and quotes from Mr. Hastings in this chapter were taken from this interview.  31.    Wyden, p.129. 32.    Robert LaGuardia, SOAP WORLD (New York: Arbor House, 1983), p.20. 33.    Wyden, p.129 34.    Interview with Helen Wagner (10 October 1991). All other information and quotes from Ms. Wagner in this chapter were taken from this interview. 35.     Ibid., p.130. 36.    "Script Queen," p.66. 37.    Wyden, p.127. 38.     Wagner interview. 39.    Wyden, p.127. 40.    Phillips, p.117. 41.    Wyden, p.127. 42.    Ibid., p.130. 43.    Ibid. 44.    CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, P.591. 45.    "Script Queen,"p.68. 46.    Wakefield, p.28. 47.    Sicherman and Green, p.543. 48.    Wyden, p.130.  49.    Ibid. 50.    Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY TO PRIME TIME NETWORK TV SHOWS(New York: Ballantine, 1981), p.571. 51.    Wyden, p.129. 52.    Phillips, p.168. 53.    Bell interview. 54.    Wyden, p.30. 55.    Ibid. 56.    Phillips, p.168. 57.    CURRENT BIOGRAPHY, p.591. 58.    Hastings interview. 59.    Ibid. 60.    Bell interview. 61.    LaGuardia, p.81. 62.    Ibid. 63.     Jean Rouverol, WRITING FOR THE SOAPS (Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books,1984), p.11. 64.    "Writing On: Irna Phillips Mends with Tradition," p.75. 65.    "Queen of the Soaps," NEWSWEEK (11 May 1964), p.66. 66.    Rouverol, p.11. 67.     La Guardia, p.81. 68.     Ibid. 69.    "Week's Headliners," BROADCASTING (17 January 1972), p.9. 70.    LaGuardia, p.81. 71.    Landry, p.71. 72.    Wagner interview. 73.    "Writing On: Irna Phillips Mends with Tradition," p.75. 74.    Sicherman and Green, p.542. 75.    Phillips, p.116.
    • So, Roman admitted that everything he did was to protect Johnny. I like that. It adds another dynamic to this storyline. And it’s also a much better use of the character of Roman. He’s been stuck in the Pub for too long lol I’m also really liking the way that Roman and Kate’s relationship has been written lately. As for Josh Taylor’s voice… no comment

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      And speaking of relationships, I’ve also been seeing improvements in the relationships between Johnny and Paulina as well. I enjoyed their scenes today. They really feel more like an actual mother in law and son in law. I’m cringing a little at the way that Paulina would’ve been written had Ron stayed on a little longer. This type of writing is the exact thing that the character of Paulina needed, especially for a storyline like this.  I am a little intrigued with the idea of EJ and Xander going head to head over buying the hospital too, mostly because of how it could drive other storylines, couples, etc.,like EJ and Belle. Him basically using Belle as his own personal fixer, both with Johnny and the hospital board could lead to something interesting happening in the future. And Philip, doing whatever he can in order to get back in Xander’s good graces is a good addition to this storyline as well.  Btw, I don’t dislike it at all but I still can’t believe that they’re 

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      And yeah, sorry, I know that Days means well but I think they’re making a little too much out of this Xander/Felicity thing. But Xander and Sarah were sweet today. I’m looking forward to seeing everything between them get blown to hell.  Seriously, one of the worst, if not the worst, team in soap history. 
    • Thanks for letting me know! I thought there was a preemption until CBS confused me by uploading Monday's episode on Friday.
    • Lucky Day is an awfully good Doctor-lite episode focused on Millie Gibson and Jemma Redgrave - I am glad the show brought in Varada Sethu who continues to give major Caroline John/Liz Shaw vibes, but Millie was always very good in what felt designed to be a single arc companion and she's very good here too. She deserves a bit more somewhere in the franchise. The depressingly relevant storyline aside, I was most impressed by the showcase for UNIT and Kate Stewart. Jemma is always good but she was amazing here, noting the Doctor would've stopped her from going all the way re: Think Tank if he were there. Yet it's the kind of brute force her father could and did resort to in extreme situations back in the day. I almost hoped she would allow Conrad to be killed right then and there, which is something I think the Brigadier also would've done when backed against a wall over operational control and the safety of the Earth. She came very close, and the steel Redgrave exhibited (as always) was amazing. Whatever spinoffs can still materialize given the current streaming climate and DW's uncertain future (I do think it will continue somewhere, but I would not be shocked if it's back to a run of holiday specials for awhile a la Tennant's and Whittaker's), aside from the upcoming odd Sea Devils miniseries that's in the can, I still hope UNIT and Kate can get a proper one sometime.
    • I think it was just him  And it gave good explanations as to why Alistair was the way that he was. By the time the series ended, he was just evil for evil’s sake 
    • To me, that made no difference. The point stands whether Eva wants to be a Dupree or not. Anita was 110% on top of things. Also it's a logical inference that Eva might be interested in having a place in her supposedly real family. Frankly though I wonder if Eva knows how to feel ... yet. She could really be confused. What I am thinking is if it were me I would be confused.
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