Another World Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

That would have made sense. Did all these characters get dropped when DePriest left or had they already been dropped?

[Xanthe]

DePriest left in January 1988. According to the AWHP, Rose last appeared nearly a year before in February 1987 while both Sara and Peggy appeared as late as October 1987.

[denzo30]

Cheryl was gone before Lemay came back but I agree with your thinking that he would rather a character from a family he introduced to the show than a family he did not originate.  I remember reading somewhere in the early 90's probably after DS left as writer, their was an either a writer or a producer who made a comment that their intent was bring the McKinnon family back to AW.  Would have made sense for the newer viewers from the 80's.  Much like Lemay's attempt to bring the Frames back from his writing in the 70's in his 1988 return

[DRW50]

Thanks. I do wonder if Rose was meant to be more given the caliber of actress they hired.

I remembered Sara and Peggy staying longer as they were still on when Soapnet started their repeats.

I wonder if that was part of the reason they brought Jake's brother in. 

[Xanthe]

That's a bit murky since that happened during a writers' strike. Assuming Kristen Marie had a 2-year contract she left about when her contract would have expired and Sharlene and Josie showed up right before that. Lemay was officially credited as HW from September 1988 but it seems very probable that his anticipated tenure influenced events that happened during the strike which started in April. 

[chrisml]

I have not gone back to watch much of 1987, but from what I've seen lately, it doesn't feel like the writers or producers had any sort of plan. The show feels as if it's constantly in flux.  I will give it credit for this. It's watchable for the most part minus Lisa/Jamie which I find nearly unwatchable now.  

I don't find Cheryl mousy. I think she has a lot of quiet strength, but she was saddled with the Scott romance which the writers did not invest in. She had a good friendship with Julie (also criminally underused), and her interactions with Ada were enjoyable as well. I also like Layman, but Spencer was extremely talented and when Cass returns, Schnetzer and Spencer have some wonderful scenes. Spencer also fits in with Alexander, Hogan, and Marie. 

I'd forgotten just how much I missed seeing Wallingford. IT was so good to see him again. Even when they didn't have a major plot, Felicia/Cass/Wallingford/Mitch always brings a smile to my face.

 

[Contessa Donatella]

Always, in every way, Cass/Wally/Felicia foundational to my viewing.

And, I think if we look at the aftermath of the disastrous 90 minute show that we find too many pockets of some kind of lost time at the show plus way too much of change-ups in exec & writing leadership and of course we also reach the first time it becomes notable that NBC wants to get rid of the show so they can put a new soap they own in the timeslot.

[denzo30]

I would agree.  Does anyone ever notice in Jan 1988/even Dec 1987, the show started to refer to characters from the past and mainly the Frame family?   It sounded like Lemay talk.  Jason Frame mentioned his sister Sharlene in early 88 but the ending credits still listed MD has head writer and I think Lemay was about to take over at that point.  The show hired Lemay back I believe to prepare for the 25th anniversary and try to recapture the audience that was lost by bringing the past back up.  Then the writers strike happened and all of a sudden the writing changed except when Sharlene Frame came back and we heard more family chatter again.  Maybe at this time they knew the strike was coming near to an end the producer forced the scab writing team to introduce Sharlene. I suspect even though Lemay was not writing at the time, the intent was he is coming back and the show consulted with him on his future storylines.

[AbcNbc247]

Shari Anderson was also head writer for a few months before the strike began.