Buffalo Courier Express Sun Sept 18 1977
The Soap Report by Jon Michael Reed.
Its Time for Changes
HOLLYWOOD — Daytime television, like its nighttime counterpart, has its peak seasons. Although there are no major programming changes in the daytime schedule, as opposed to the evening schedules, September is considered one of the most maximum audience-drawing periods. Viewers, who have slacked off from summer watching of their favorite seials, return in increased numbers to the tube after Labor Day. Therefore, this month the soaps pull all the plugs out with superhyped story situations to grab and entice the audience. "General Hospital” is an excellent case example.
THIS COLUMN already has reported that the ABC show has been hitting the ratings pits and has hired new writers who will be adding new characters and eliminating a few old ones. Orders also were sent down from New York headquarters to replace some performers who will hopefully attract a new audience. Needless to say, the cast changes usually alienate segments of the old and faithful audience. But, that’s the gamble. And, the stakes, for example, are high whether viewers will respond positively when Valerie Starrett is replaced in the role of Diana Taylor. Valerie originated the role more than eight years ago. She was unavailable for comment, but her screen husband, Craig Huebing (Peter), stated: “Valerie was distressed by the news at first, but is now reconciled to the decision and has made plans to do other things. It’s very disturbing, but this is my fourth soap opera and I think we all understand that it’s the nature of the business. Of course I’ll miss her. because we’ve been an acting team for so many years and she’s a close friend. But, look at it this way, I’m also gaining a new wife. And. I know that ABC's decisions stem from a desire to make ‘GH’ a class-A show.”
THE NEW WIFE Craig will be gaining is Brooke Bundy who left "Days of Our Lives” as Rebecca LeClare two months ago. The change-over will take place during one of those “superhyped” story crises. Hurricane Ava struck “GH’s” town of Port Charles last week and this week. Its devastating affects will pave the way for the introduction of several new characters, including at least two emergency patients.
Jerry Ayres will portray David Hamilton, a professional golfer who returned to town at the height of the storm to find that his children and estranged wife were buried under the rubble of their home.
Dr. Jeff Webber will become intrigued with the beautiful and apparently amnesiac young girl known only as Lisa, played by Janice Heiden.
And. Angela Cheyne has been cast as Dorrie Fleming, a vacationing British nurse who takes charge during all the hullabaloo.
LESLIE CHARLESON (who played Iris Garrison on the defunct "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing”) has already inherited the role of Dr. Monica Webber from Patsy Rahn.
Mary O'Brien will make her first appearance as the new Heather Grant later in the month.
And Heather’s Manhattan landlady, described as a female Fagin, will be played by Lesley Wood. It was an ill wind that hit Port Charles when the hurricane struck. But, the new winds will either mean success or disaster for "General Hospital.” If the show’s ratings do not improve by winter, the show stands a very good chance, literally, of becoming "Gone with the Wind.”
By
Paul Raven ·
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