The Doctors Discussion Thread

[amybrickwallace]

They could watch but they still wouldn't get it. Thank goodness these episodes still exist - not only do they whip anything on daytime now, but it's better than most primetime shows, too.

[Dave_01]

Thanks for the welcome.

Reading earlier posts about how Lydia Bruce originally received hate mail for her apparent crime of not being Bethel Leslie is an annoying reminder that online social media may make it easier and more common, but classless behavior among some "fans" has always existed. I will never understand that mentality and don't particularly want to. Hopefully she also received some positive feedback from viewers early on to balance out the bad.

As I'm starting to watch the Lydia-as-Maggie episodes, it is a little bit of an adjustment, as watching most recasts of major roles can be. I really enjoyed Bethel's Maggie and will miss her version, but I also like what I've seen so far of Lydia's Maggie and look forward to seeing more of her take on the character over time.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Dave_01

[amybrickwallace]

She did a great job jumping into heavy story and making the character of Maggie her own. They are two actresses who looked nothing alike (and with high heels on, LB was nearly as tall as James Pritchett), but like Ann Williams before them, each put her own definitive stamp on the role.

[Susan Hunter]

I really liked Steve and Karen today. She has a very modern outlook for 1968 and for classic soap opera. This show is really progressive and stands out from what I've heard and read about other soaps during this time period. All the characters are very well drawn and three dimensional. There are no mustache twirling villains or good girls versus bad girls. Look at Maggie... I feel badly for her, but her marriage mess is her own fault.

Rita Lakin was an excellent writer. I really wish that I could see fan mail from that time period, just to get an idea of how the audience was reacting to the show and her stories.

[amybrickwallace]

I can see what you're saying, but Maggie isn't alone in causing problems in her marriage. Matt has been so insensitive to her feelings and suspicions about Karen for months that he can't be called blameless. But then, that also goes back to how good the writing was. Matt may be the Chief of Staff and respected by his colleagues, but he's no saint. He's a man who has his flaws as well as his strengths, and James Pritchett was excellent at tapping into both sides of Dr. Powers' persona.

[safe]

Yes, Dave, I remember reading you on the SN Ryan's Hope forum!

Edited February 3, 2015 by safe

[amybrickwallace]

Maybe I'm nuts, but does anyone else see a strong facial resemblance between David O'Brien and...Jimmy Fallon? The eyes, the jaw. I know it is pure coincidence, but I do see a lot of resemblance. Ironically, both taped their respective shows at 30 Rock!!!

[jam6242]

I organized clippings I found on newspapers.com regarding The Doctors early years (mainly 1963-1965). The format changed from an anthology to a once-a-week, 5-part, format on July 22, 1965. It appears that the format changed to a continuing story around March 1964.

[robbwolff]

OMG!!! What an amazing treasure trove of information. Fascinating! Thanks for posting this. You rock!!!

[slick jones]

Amazing work! I just glanced at this briefly, but I look forward to reading this in depth later!

[Dave_01]

jam6242, thanks for compiling all of those summaries and posting them. That's an amazing amount of information. I look forward to setting aside some extra time to just sit and go thru all of it.

[jam6242]

Glad you like the summary. Forgive the typos, I see I should have had someone proofread it for me!

There is probably more out there. I noticed some of the papers from which I found the clippings had months and even years not yet archived.

[slick jones]

I noticed the scene sealer candy striper again! She reminds me of Maryanne from Gilligan's Island(probably the Pig Tails!)

[safe]

 

Thank you for all the work you put into that - - it is greatly appreciated!

[Susan Hunter]

Great job putting all of those summaries together. I wonder if Retro will go back and show those episodes, eventually.

The scenes in the Powers bedroom were great. Excellent writing and performances.

I had a weird moment watching the shows today. Watching this show growing up, I just assumed that Matt, Maggie, Steve, and Carolee were all the same age. I guess Steve is considerably younger than Matt and Maggie. Interns are what? Mid 20s?