Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[Mitch64]

She was co headwriter during this debacle (and I actually like Hurst, she has been one of the few writers who cops to not doing something well i.e. MaryAnne Currathers) but why didn't she or someone in the room say, not only was Alan and Beth hooking up but having a kid was just..gross.(I still would have wrote it that it was on of Beth's splits and Alan as usual was using her to smoke out Phillip and just f*ck with everyone.0 

[VelekaCarruthers]

I believe so and Phelps' was at her worst at OLTL with her interference and control. She arrived at OLTL in Jan 98 (and stayed three full calendar years) with the Labines having been HWs for 9 months. They were gone 3 months later at the end of 1 year. Then, ABC brought in Pam Long and she lasted under JFP for nine months after which Phelps was head writer and brought in McTavish, Tom King, Michael Conforti and Harding Lemay without naming anyone head writer. I recall reading a Lemay interview where he bragged about Phelps coming into the writers' room each week and tearing apart the breakdowns. Finally, McTavish was named HW and that lasted 18 months before ABC switched both to GH.  

[DeeVee]

I thought about that, too. He was living a very loose and unsupervised life before Alex found him. There would have been nothing odd about it. One of his gang girlfriends looking to get a boost up in life through her kid being a Spaulding? Story would have practically written itself.

This is SO interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[chrisml]

 Michael must have known JFP was heavily involved with the writing so I'm shocked he didn't bring that up while writing about GL being unwatchable. The woman acted as if the problems had nothing to do with any of her decisions. I am still amazed that Logan actively called for her to be fired. Did the soap press ever call for Rauch or Conboy to be fired from GL? Or had the soap press become glorified PR machines by that point? Did they call for MADD's removal after the ZAslow debacle as well? 

 

[DRW50]

It was extremely rare for the soap press to ever call for a producer's firing. Marlena de La Croix did have some criticisms of shows in her SPW column but I don't think she ever went that far either.

[alwaysAMC]

This is a very fun and powerful montage someone put together of the Brent/Marian storyline.  I recently saw the episode where Rick said "You're also a guy" to Marian and it was LOL.  I loved the backbone Susan had to Marian too.  I was happy that finally, months later, this storyline merged with other storylines to become an umbrella.

Please register in order to view this content

 

Edited yesterday at 04:43 AM by alwaysAMC

[Contessa Donatella]

Mimi Torchin was both specific & outspoken. Connie Passalaqua somewhat, too. But I don't think anyone ever called for anyone's ouster. But, I also would not say that the soap press were glorified PR machines. I would say that the structure was far too much the different sides n bed with each other!!!! Possibly you remember that when Torchin regularly made serious critique, Corday tried to get all the soaps in joining him in freezing her out of interviews & he supposed info.  I am sure that was part of why she was fired. 

[Contessa Donatella]

Okay, I have to disagree with you here. As far as her actions go, she was worse at AW. As far as her length of tenure, definitely GH where she went completely against her own type & history & stayed 12 years. Plus, are you saying JFP was credited as a writer? Did she join the WGA? If not, why would they have allowed a Producer to be credited as a writer during non-strike time? I don't think they would have. Now if you're saying she was credited as a Producer but behind the scenes she was interfering with the writing, then, sure that is situation normal for her when she is in a position of power. 

BTW, there is nothing notable about the Labines being at OLTL for a year. When they left GH, all they owed ABC was a single year. 

[DeeVee]

I'm curious to have that clarified, too. 

It's not impossible that she was a member of WGA and able to take a writing credit. The Bells have been both executive producers/writers on their shows. But I would think in this case that would have been notable and talked about at the time. 

Edited 17 hours ago by DeeVee

[Contessa Donatella]

Sure, there are many instances but as far as I am aware they all were cases when the person was a credited writer & WGA member first & the EP credit was extended to them: Bill Bell, Bob Guza, Michele Val Jean, Josh Griffith & Bradley Bell all fit that example. Has there ever been a credited Producer who had a writing credit extended to them? Interested to be sure I understand.