Jump to content

The Doctors


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 5k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Members

Sorry about the scan - I know the second one in particular is not good. I hope it was readable.

I'm surprised that no one at SOD interviewed the writers at this time but you're right, I don't think they did.

It's funny that not too long after The Doctors, NBC had Nancy on another medical show with not too great ratings. I wonder if that was a coincidence.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

My personal knowledge of THE DOCTORS is limited. In fact, I have no memories of any soap before 1981/1982. So, as far as THE DOCTORS are concerned, that amounts to bits and pieces of Alec Baldwin, Lydia Bruce, Elizabeth Hubbard, Meg Mundy, David O'Brien, Jada Rowland, and Kim Zimmer. Based on what I do know from before that time period, though, from reading various story synopses and what-not, I think NBC gave up on this one too soon. Granted, it wasn't in the best of shape when it ended, but I feel like enough was there at the core - with Matt, Maggie, Mike and Kit; with Althea and Penny (it wouldn't be the first time a character came back from the dead); with Steve and Carolee and a sprinkling of new and returning Dancys and Aldriches (would Billy, Mona and Nola have even been written off for good if not for the quick ratings?); and maybe a new family headed by an African-American patriarch who comes to work at the hospital - to keep trying. A hospital can be a great community setting for a soap, I think, allowing characters from various walks of life to interact on all levels.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I definitely think the Doctors could have continued and lasted for much longer than it did. Like you said, a lot of it's core was still intact and there were characters to bring back and new families to develop.

I'm sure it's been established in 28 pages, but why did NBC axe The Doctors? Were the ratings terrible?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

OHHH yea. They were getting a 1.6 in their last season and being pre-empted by so many stations (it was airing at 12PM Eastern at the time), it wasn't worth keeping AT ALL from a business perspective. NO soap had ever finished a season with ratings that low before. Unfortunately, I think it had way more to do with a terrible timeslot than anything to do with story.

Edited by beebs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

In terms of the show's quality, more than one actor has spoken that in the last years the backstage atmosphere was unhappy and that they felt they were a B or C list show. But onscreen, although I have only seen a few episodes, I am struck just about every time (the exception being an early 1982 episode which didn't do a lot for me) at the strength of the cast and the energy in the scenes. Lydia Bruce, Jim Pritchett, Jada Rowland, David O'Brien, Liz Hubbard, Meg Mundy, these are not only strong actors, but also very unique. In an era where everyone seems the same, and even on soaps of the early 80's when everyone began seeming the same, they stand out. They could have carried a show for a long time. The younger cast also has some standouts, and the writing, when it is good, is fun, flip, yet also down-to-earth, and always remembers the characters are human beings.

In the proper hands this would be a top-rated show today.

Edited by CarlD2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

That is just trifling. NBC could have pressured affiliates to switch THE DOCTORS to a late-afternoon timeslot. If it had aired at 3:30 or 4:00 PM EST, it would have been a hit with younger audiences. Guaranteed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • Tbf it's not unusual for a family when they are dealing with some bad news that changes a life to use song to give out hope.Especially black families. I personally had to deal with that very thing this weekend. Partly off putting, but at the same time, I did get the point and it gave me a bit of hope in the moment.      MM is definitely acting. But Smitty is just so passive. It could turn into quiet strength at some point, but for now...passive IMO. 
    • Am I remembering correctly that the Madison's lived in a Spanish revival-style house? I have a vague recollection of the fireplace looking especially Spanish in style. It is unusual that Montecello had so many architectural styles.  Obviously, that might occur IRL.  But, look at other east coast soaps and there is a definitive style that is throughout (because it was styled by a set decorator) regardless of the income of the occupants.
    • @kalbir MSW was a powerhouse for CBS. Angela Lansbury was a superb actress. In 1985, TV viewers were tiring of the primetime soaps and the like. People wanted storytelling and MSW was great at that and had great guest stars. Storytelling -- an amazing and novel concept. CBS Daytime by 1985 was beating ABC so CBS was on the upswing.
    • I'd say just the opposite - conflict means they will find out and then be at odds. For the limited amount of time people on this show have conflict (if they aren't named Nina or Ric, I guess).
    • Totes mcgoats (aka I agree). But, now the character needs to move forward.  Clyde's exit was 12/11/24.  It is May.  She and Chad have been on one date. I don't think they've slept together. And she was only planning on sticking around for a year.
    • That is one of the best insults I've heard in a long time.  I burst out laughing when Kat called Eva that.  LOL Their scenes, of course, were really good.  Colby and Ambyr have so much chemistry.  The only thing I'd change is Kat saying "you're dead to me."  That's a phrase usually said about someone you care about.  I would've preferred something like "You will never be my sister," or something similar to that.  Nice contrast at the end with both mothers/daughters:  Kat comforting/consoling her mother, and Eva being locked out by her mother.  Yeah, I wasn't a big of fan of the singing either, especially after your daughter's life has been destroyed.  What?  LOL And I also agree with those that thought Dana/Leslie's scenes with the Dupree's didn't feel right since Eva is not a Dupree....unless she is.  But as of right now, she's not. 
    • Trisha Mann-Grant, Ambyr Michelle, Sean Freeman are destined for bigger and better things. They need to move on as soon as their initial contracts are done.
    • Daphnée Duplaix and Trisha Mann-Grant on Instagram live, 5/5/2025 just concluded, saved here https://www.instagram.com/p/DJSsYb7PDv8/                
    • I really need to see Anita in a scene that isn't with a family member. In fact, I would have preferred that she would have gotten rid of the mob and had a one on one with Leslie to lay down the law with her.  I'm going to say it, Mike Manning has been completely lifeless on this show. Other than people's superficial fondness for him, I don't get what they see in him as an actor. I never saw him on DAYS though. The show had another really strange cut right before the opening credits where it looked like they almost cut off Nicole mid-sentence.  Kat/Eva are carrying this show on their backs. Lock them in for lifetime contracts, I beg.
    • There's a 1980 scene of Victor and Katherine in the Chancellor Estate living room where they went over a contract that would put Victor in charge of Chancellor Industries, but it was rewritten that Katherine brought Victor to Genoa City so he could run Chancellor Industries.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy