The Doctors Discussion Thread

[dc11786]

This is rather unfortunate. This would mean that a bulk of Alec Baldwin's run as Billy Aldrich would be gone, which seems strange as I could have sworn I have seen stuff pop up in those they started on soap programs where clips were played. I think Baldwin premiered in September 1980. 

With that said, I am excited to see what's available of 1980. There is a minor story involving a character name Jeff Burgess, a medical student who ends up not continuing his studies partially due to Matt Powers' belittling him. 

Disappointing. I was looking forward to seeing the messy writers strike, Lemay's run, and the final insanity of the Barbara Morgenroth run with the Aldrich crypt plague and Felicia's use of Jean Marc's "Dorian Gray"-esque elixir to keep her from aging. 

Part of me wonders if this is what prevented the show, which was rumored to have been bought by someone like Hallmark 20 years ago from airing the program. 

[robbwolff]

Baldwin actually shows up in August 1980. I watched his introductory scene a few hours ago. I can't wait to dive into these episodes.

[dc11786]

Thanks. Also, thanks for the kind comments in the "Types" threads. 

[althea-davis]

How is the quality of the eps on the site? I am trying to decide if I want to subscribe. 

[watson71]

The episodes look like they stop at the end of September 1980.  The entire month of August 1980 is Far Wind and his cult holding the hospital hostage.  Some of the dates of the episodes are not accurate.  The day Far Wind takes over the hospital is labeled August 2, 1980.  This is a Saturday.  This episode probably aired on Friday, August 1 as The Doctors would air in a new time slot starting Monday, August 4th. 
 

Also, there are some location sequences filmed at the beach regarding Ashley’s storyline.

[j swift]

I don't think it requires a subscription anymore. You can either watch it online, or there are apps for Roku, AppleTv etc..

https://watch.itsrealgoodtv.com/

[will81]

NBC bought the show at around the time of these last episodes. Aug/Sep 1980. That might explain it all. I am shocked they wiped episodes post 1980. Colgate would have nothing post Sep 1980 since they no longer owned the show.

NBC fired Doris Quinlan in Sep 1980, just after they bought the show and replaced her with James Baffico, as she and Colgate wanted Harding Lemay in as HW and NBC wanted the Ellis' to stay. The shows decline in ratings was blamed more on Quinlan. NBC even hired Joe Rothenberger as Line Producer as he had worked with them on ATWT. Though it was all for nothing as they gave Ralph and Eugenie the boot Dec of that year. 

Edited July 12, 2023 by will81

[Contessa Donatella]

In the 1990s I met Barbara Morgenroth online & we were good friends for several years. Then her life situation changed & she didn't come online daily anymore. She & Leonard Kantor (Is that right?) were the last HWs & they were desperate & they wrote incredible things. One was grave-robbing & a plague that got started from that. She was very interesting, very political, no longer interested in soaps, an observant Jew who kept kosher and one of the oddest people I've run across in my whole life. She had a quick temper. She held grudges. She could find offense to take in things where you'd just shake your head. You would never mistake her for a happy person. 

[althea-davis]

Wow, thanks!

[DRW50]

I still wish we knew whether NBC kept any of it.

[jam6242]

In addition to those previously named, we'll miss Jane Badler and Hillary Bailey Smith.

[Joseph]

I think we should just be grateful we have access to all those Episodes now and FOR FREE!!!! Maybe some day the rest will pop up! Until then let's just enjoy what we got, Is a hell of a lot more than we can say for most soaps! Days should really release some of the classic episodes! That would solve their money problems!

[DRW50]

There are several 1981-1982 episodes here, and a clip of Christmas Eve 1980. Might want to see them while they're still up.

https://www.dailymotion.com/carlton-eastport/videos

[Soaplovers]

I doubt NBC would wipe out episodes by 1980...the norm by then was not to do that.

Did NBC confirm those episodes are wiped out?  

[Contessa Donatella]

I have long known it to be said that P&G, for example, stopped wiping that very year, 1980. It's not like the appalling practice had been stopped for years or anything at that point.