4 hours ago, Tisy-Lish said:

Comparing Nixon's writing for Liz with her writing for Phoebe -- Phoebe was like Liz on steroids. Everything about Phoebe was bigger and more over the top than Liz. Often to the point of being unbelievable. Liz was more grounded in reality, but I do see many similarities and parallels. Even similar plots. Not to mention, Phoebe was an alcoholic (Liz was not), which added a clear difference between the two characters.

Amazing post

3 hours ago, Xanthe said:

I wonder if that had anything to do with timing -- would Liz also have become an alcoholic if Agnes Nixon had known a specific alcoholic when she was writing the storyline?

I found this (obviously more about OLTL and AMC):

“I did recognize a few things,” says Nixon’s daughter Mary Hiltbrand, today an artist in Gladwyne. “I got sober, and when I got sober, a lot of the characters started getting sober. Erica went to rehab after I did.” “My brother had an illness that she gave to one of her characters,” adds Cathy Chicos, Nixon’s eldest daughter, who also lives in Gladwyne. “I’m sure there were others.”

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2007/06/08/legends-the-original-desperate-housewife/

Amazing find!