The Doctors

[Paul Raven]

Variety May 30th 1979

Fred Silverman,then programming chief at NBC announced plans to have soaps running 11.30 am till 4 pm each day, with gameshows from 10.00 till 11.30 am.

As a part of that plan The Doctors would expand to 60 mins and move to the 11.30 timeslot.

[DRW50]

I'm surprised they were still considering it that late in the show's life.

[robbwolff]

How curious. NBC was considering expanding Days of our Lives to 90 minutes at that time, so I imagine Days would have aired from from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. I wonder what would have aired from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.

[Soaplovers]

Do you think that might have been why the show had all those new characters coming in from that other hospital, in the event that the show would expand to 60 minutes?

[Khan]

Might an expansion to 60 minutes have saved THE DOCTORS, or would it have only made everything worse?

[DRW50]

Thanks to saynotoursoap.

no video

Edited October 19, 2014 by DRW50

[slick jones]

B4 I was able to post, I read most of this thread and I jotted down several questions I had about the show so I could ask them. I'm hoping some of you posters that watched the show can help with answers.

1. Was Billy Aldrich the son of Dan Allison and Carolee Simpson Allison Aldrich? I read elsewhere that Carolee wasn't his mother.

2.Who was the character Kim Langsworth? I see the name in cast lists, but I don' know who she is in the story.

3. I know that Albert Stratton played Mr. Sebastian, but who played Robin his step daughter, and Martin, his assistant?

4. Who were Ricky Match's parents? How long did he stay with MJ? Who played him? What was his storyline?

5.Did we ever see James and Marilyn Langley's daughter Gail, or did the show go off the air b4 she could arrive?

6. finally, does anyone know who played Evan Fleming, Doreen Aldrich's father?

Thanks for any input!

[Paul Raven]

Most of these questions have been asked or answered in earlier postings.Take the time to read through the whole thtead if you can as there is some fascinating stuff.

1. Billy is the son of Dr Dan Allison and his first wife.Carolee married Dan and became his stepmother. After Dan's death Carolle married Steve.He became known as Billy Aldrich.I don't know if Steve legally adopted Billy nor do I know the name of his bio mom.Maybe other posters can help.

2. Kim was played by Jane Fliess and was around in 78/79.She was bad girl who was a rival for Greta over Billy.

3.Can't answer that one, would like to know myself.

4. Ricky was the son of MJ's sister Betsy (Carol Potter) who died with her husband in a car crash, leaving a newly married MJ and Tom to care for him.Not sure who played him. Tom was abusive towards the boy and eventually Tom died and Ricky was shipped off to another sister.

5. Gail never made it to air.

6. Don't know who played Evan.

Hope this helps a little.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Paul Raven

[slick jones]

Thanks PR. Your info was a big help

[DRW50]

October 1977 Soap Opera Serials.

[Paul Raven]

Bob Anton was a favorite of Doug Marland.He worked on GH and GL when Marland was there.

[DRW50]

That's interesting. I wonder why he wasn't at ATWT.

I can't say I was bowled over by the wardrobe on GL in those years, although Vanessa's outfits amused me.

Edited February 8, 2014 by DRW50

[dc11786]

Robert Anton's comments were interesting. In particular, I found his discussion of Maggie's intentions regarding her date with Kyle interesting. I also thought it was very interesting that he loved dressing Mrs. Dancy as much as Doreen Aldrich.

Great article. Thanks again for all that you post.

[DRW50]

Thanks for reading. I put some small articles recently in the Edge, DAYS, Y&R, and radio soap threads too. I will try to put some more when I have a chance.

[DRW50]

March/April 1982 Daytime Digest.