Like many, I'm hooked on the SoapNet re-runs of this canceled soap. At its peak, it was perhaps that most realistic and gritty American soap to be produced. It had an exceptional core cast, add to that the fantastic writing from Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer during its golden years and you have a gem.

So, any other RH fans out there?

 

 

@slick jonesAwesome find Eric. Most of what pops up is just the same episodes. From the latter years.

Sorry if this was already posted. I missed it if it was in the political thread or in any of the other soap operas he was on threads...Richard Backus (Barry) ran for the New Hampshire House this past election--

 

https://indepthnh.org/2022/10/26/from-hollywood-to-holy-weird-from-broadway-to-oddway-actor-writer-and-nh-icon-richard-dick-backus-takes-his-shot-at-public-office/

 

Results

https://www.redding.com/elections/results/race/2022-11-08-state_house-NH-31911/

7 hours ago, safe said:

Sorry if this was already posted. I missed it if it was in the political thread or in any of the other soap operas he was on threads...Richard Backus (Barry) ran for the New Hampshire House this past election--

 

https://indepthnh.org/2022/10/26/from-hollywood-to-holy-weird-from-broadway-to-oddway-actor-writer-and-nh-icon-richard-dick-backus-takes-his-shot-at-public-office/

 

Results

https://www.redding.com/elections/results/race/2022-11-08-state_house-NH-31911/

Awww

As long as we're on the subject, I must concede my brain always goes to RH for a split second when I'm reminded there is now a congressman from NY (state) named Pat(rick) Ryan, who mounted a hard-fought campaign, and then had to do it all again three months later.  It would make complete sense that the fictional Pat Ryan would have run for elected office in recent years (as a political outsider with scientist creds).  And I can only imagine big brother Frank would be pissed at him for stealing his thunder, while simultaneously being the biggest threat to Pat's campaign because of his political baggage.

16 minutes ago, DeliaIrisFan said:

Awww

As long as we're on the subject, I must concede my brain always goes to RH for a split second when I'm reminded there is now a congressman from NY (state) named Pat(rick) Ryan, who mounted a hard-fought campaign, and then had to do it all again three months later.  It would make complete sense that the fictional Pat Ryan would have run for elected office in recent years (as a political outsider with scientist creds).  And I can only imagine big brother Frank would be pissed at him for stealing his thunder, while simultaneously being the biggest threat to Pat's campaign because of his political baggage.

I had the same thought when he first ran. Glad I'm not the only one who is that much of a weirdo. 

I was feeling nostalgic recently and ordered a used CD of Soap Opera's Greatest Love/Wedding ??? (I don't remember which one in the series it was.  I immediately downloaded it to iTunes, which thinks it's the Fifty Shades of Gray soundtrack, and I can't even find the physical CD now).  One of the songs was called Dreams Today, which was apparently Joe and Siobhan's love theme.

Does anyone remember this song, or when/for which Joe and Siobhan it was used?  The composer credited was Earl Rose, who apparently joined RH in 1981 and stayed until the end.  It was an instrumental piece, that didn't sound at all familiar to me. 

My best guess is this music was used for Marg and Roscoe during the 1982 SoapNet --> YouTube black hole (like I said, the song was instrumental, but based on the lore about SoapNet having to stop at '82 because of music rights, I was half expecting a full-on '80s power ballad).  Unless Walt Wiley and Carrell Myers had a love theme?

PS: If the record producer was going to include a Joe and Siobhan love theme, my vote would have been for Tichina Arnold covering Send in the Clowns. 😜  Or, one of Carey Gold's compositions from the show's peak.

Edited November 19, 20223 yr by DeliaIrisFan

I think that Ed Evanko as Dr. Alex McLean was the worst character in Ryan's Hope's history who did not fit in with the show.  

 

 

I am so sorry to learn of this death.  He played Jack so well, although I suspected that the actor was older than the character was.

 

one of the greatest:

https://www.welovesoaps.net/2010/04/50-greatest-soap-actors-24-michael.html

Jack was such a real character - funny, stern, warm, cold, tough, vulnerable. The softness under the bluster, with those Jack cared about, is what I will remember most fondly. Even as RH began to spin out of control around 1979-1981, I still never stopped caring about Jack the way I did some others. Michael brought all of his heart to the role. A truly unique character in a genre that increasingly became divided between generic heroes and "sexy" rapists.

I will never forget how much the chemistry between Michael Levin and Sarah Felder blew me away - so raw, so exquisite that it almost hurt to watch. Jack and Siobhan will always, always be one of my "what might have been" pairings.

 

I finally found this one again - the fight between Siobhan and Jack at the end of this (with Mary slowly realizing what has been happening between her husband and sister) is one of my favorite soap scenes.

 

Edited January 14, 20232 yr by DRW50

Very sad.  Michael Levin was such a good actor, and his portrayal of Jack was one of the best actor-character combos in soap history.