Texas! Discussion Thread

[Soaplovers]

Apparently it briefly was rerun on TBS in the 80s.  I think they reran it as a way to get viewers to sample their own short lived soap opera...so they were paired together.

Not sure if it was successful or not.

[j swift]

The interesting tidbit here for those always asking about the “P&G vault”, and desire for reruns is that those actors had to sign contracts with residual payment restrictions.  Which brings up an intriguing ethical issue: would you want to see soap reruns if you knew the actors and writers were not being fairly compensated?

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Edited January 31 by j swift

[j swift]

Also for those sticklers for historical accuracy, obviously the headline about a “daytime first” was hyperbolic, because they mention the syndication of Dark Shadows within the text.

[Mona Kane Croft]

So they knew they were lying.  LOL.   In a way, that's almost worse.  

But truthfully, I think we may as well give up on historical accuracy regarding soap opera history online.  Have you seen any of the AI generated soap historical posts on Facebook?  They are filled with obvious errors -- so many it is laughable.  But I assume they can't be stopped.  Right?

[te.]

By your logic a lot of old shows wouldn't be reran at all since residuals (or rather lack of them) have been an age-old story. Ultimately, they knowingly signed contracts at the time that limited their residuals - they didn't sign contracts stating that they would get that and end up not getting it. Should all old shows just conform to the latest deals SAG makes or not be shown at all? 

At the end of the day, the option is to let it rot in the vaults.

Edited January 31 by te.

[Contessa Donatella]

Texas syndicated & matched up with episodes of The Catlins?

Back then there was an idea floated of a soap opera channel. Along with The History channel, which did make, while the soaps one, did not. Ted Turner.

And, as to residuals, it should be what it will be, which is whatever the regs, the laws, the contracts said at the time. That about residuals changed so much over time. 

Edited January 31 by Contessa Donatella
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[chrisml]

It's so hard to sift through misinformation in soap history especially for someone like me who doesn't have the background knowledge on soap history to always know when something is inaccurate. A lot of this misinformation is repeated in multiple sources, so I always try to come to this board for verification/clarification because there are people here so much more knowledgeable than I am.

[j swift]

yes, but my ethics are based on the idea that fair compensation for creative workers is more important than my individual desire for consumption - I don't expect that we all share the same values, nor do I judge those who do not - which is why I wrote it as an ethical dilemma

And, I would dismiss the validity of the argument that actors signed a contract that included lower residuals, at a time when soaps weren't being rerun as part of the reason that unions are necessary.  Collective bargaining agreements ensure that those desperate for work are not exploited. 

Edited January 31 by j swift

[Soaplovers]

Apparently someone several years ago researched and compiled the TBS schedule from 1980 and beyond

It looks as though it was edited into 30 minute episodes aired in the morning for a few months in 1983.  Looks as though it wasn't paired in the schedule with The Caitlins.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/TBSLog1980-Present.txt

 

[Maxim]

I recently tried to watch the first 3 episodes... probably for the second time... and just couldn't push through it. My eyes were closing off time after time again. Hearing you say this... it makes me think I should give it a 3rd chance and push through more than 3 episodes. 

[AbcNbc247]

May I suggest reading the episodes summaries from Another World-July 1980. 

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That made it easier for me to follow Texas when I started watching.

[Maxim]

You MAY suggest... and not only suggest, but DEMAND... and I'll do it! Hahhahah. Thank you as always. I would be lost if you guys are not here. 

[AbcNbc247]

It helps 

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We still don't know why they set up so much of Texas on AW but maybe we'll get an answer someday lol

I, myself remember thinking that maybe it would have been better if the set up on AW had only lasted like a week or so, instead of the whole month.

[Maxim]

Again, thank you. I'll do as I am told. And I'll probably need to write some things down to help myself. That's how I got into AMC for example just recently... writing character by character in a notebook with description who they are and in 2 days I pretty much knew everyone. I'm a good student. 

[Xanthe]

I wonder what data they had about how frequently viewers typically watched in those pre-VCR days. Maybe they thought they had to spread over the longer period so that most viewers would pick up the breadcrumbs. But that said I don't know whether they set up the right kind of cliffhangers to make viewers want to follow the story into Texas to find out what would happen.