Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[anthonymolchan]

Mike worked with John Randolph and flirted with John’s wife, Pat. 

[SoapDope]

I love seeing more of Cindy Pickett and Lezlie Dalton, especially in scenes together. I remember Pickett saying when she first came on the show (1976) that Jackie was written as a rich bitch. She said that since she didn't have a mean bone in her body it didn't last long and the Dobsons started really writing for her and makde Jackie multi dimensional (with Phillip etc...). I remember reading old 1976 synopsis where Sara questioned Justin how he could marry a woman like Jacqueline etc...

[DRW50]

Having Jackie as sympathetic was a much better idea, as it adds so much more of an ache to the story - attaching herself to Alan for the sake of her son, a secret no one else knew, and yet losing Philip all over again anyway. The moments where she offers support to Elizabeth in spite of Elizabeth having all she ever wanted for herself are achingly beautiful.

Adam always feeling guilty about making Roger who he was does make some sense for the blindness, until he just couldn't anymore (and unlike many others, never forgave Roger).

That would explain why he wrote Philip out. 

The poor recasting of Jackie, writing out Elizabeth, etc. took so much out of a story that should have been at a peak. 

 

[DRW50]

Sorry if this was already put up (I searched but that isn't always enough) - this Italian channel interviewed a number of alum. I think the Frank Beaty interview may have been posted here before, but there are some others, including a few who don't get as much attention, like Carolyn Ann Clark (Lesley Ann) and Katell Pleven (Dana). I do see that Clark was on Locher Room, but I don't think Pleven ever was.

I skimmed through both a little. Clark gets some dates wrong but that's understandable given how many years have passed. She also mentioned that they killed Lesley Ann to make viewers feel sorry for Warren. Whatever attempts at making him sympathetic the show had clearly didn't last long as that character was probably one of the biggest haters on GL.

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Edited February 21 by DRW50

[Soaplovers]

I always viewed Jackie as a gold digger to be a result of being spoiled by her dad and wanting to be a Mrs MD.  Plus, she was still angry/resentful at Justin for cheating on her.

In a weird way, I think Marland killing Jackie off was the ultimate cherry on top of this tragic tale.  She died never ever getting to claim Philip as her son and Philip would never get to love his real mother.

It was karma because her actions were to blame for this whole mess.  This was a moral tale showing how emotion and spite in the moment can have far reaching fall out.

The Dobsons kick started a story in the 1970s, that had long term effects were felt all the way to the final episode of the show 30+ years later.

[Soapsuds]

Thanks for posting these interviews.

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, if given the chance, who wouldn't flirt with BeverlyP?!!!

[Mona Kane Croft]

If I 'm not mistaken, Mike dated John Randolph's daughter, Lee.  And he nearly had an affair with Pat (Lee's step-mother).  

[Contessa Donatella]

Now, Lee, she was really a "troublesome daughter." But, why are you & I discussing AW here in the GL topic?! Which reminds me ... 

[Mona Kane Croft]

Because Mike Bauer was a GL character. 

[anthonymolchan]

You’re right about Lee. But the flirtation with Pat stands out to me more. 
 

If Don Stewart had played Mike on AW, it would’ve been his first pairing with Barbara Rodell, Lee. 

[Mona Kane Croft]

I agree.  I think Mike's "almost affair" with Pat was the major storyline, and his dating Lee was just used to keep him in Pat's orbit.   

[Khan]

Years ago, I read an old article where Douglas Marland discussed GH, which he had just joined after writing THE DOCTORS.  Among other things, he complained about the PJ/Steven Lars storyline, saying it was too coincidental that Peter and Diana Taylor would adopt Jeff and Heather Webber's baby, even though the adoption had occurred outside Port Charles.

I wonder whether he felt the same about the storyline surrounding Philip's origins.  IIRC, the Marlers and Spauldings all were living in Chicago at the time of Philip's birth and "adoption." Yet, it just so happened that Elizabeth and Jackie shared the same obstetrician (Dr. LaCrosse, maybe the best last name I've ever heard on any soap, lol); that Jackie's baby would be available (in Switzerland!) right at the same time that Alan and Elizabeth's own baby was stillborn (also in Switzerland!) and that all four would end up living in the same town again years later.

[Mona Kane Croft]

Wow, Phillip's birth, adoption, etc. really seems like a HUGE coincidence.  Both couples were in three different locations concurrently and coincidentally -- Chicago, then Switzerland, then Springfield.  How likely would that be?

[Contessa Donatella]

Mona, rhetorical!