@Reverend Ruthledge , I can't argue why you liked Gentry in the role. Gentry's Ed was always intense, which absolutely worked with what they were writing from 1966 to 1969. Gentry was a great contrast to both Bill and an evolving Bert. I don't remember Gentry much as Ed, so thank goodness there is some of his work out there (though I have always wanted to see his work as Ed during his final months in 1968/1969). But as @vetsoapfan mentioned, MH was the one that, IMHO, brought into Ed some warmth along with the intensity. And Stewart definitely didn't have that Papa Bauer warmth, either.

@Mitch64 - that's interesting that they tried to get Hulswit back. Do you happen to know when this was?

2 hours ago, Mitch64 said:

Agree, but since MH was the Ed I saw until high school, he is kind of "my Ed." The 70th anniversary show, where they brought back Don Stewart would have been the perfect time to bring him back, and try to keep him there. With the fallout about Rick's paternity of one of Blake's kids, with Ed being stuck in the middle of Rick and Ross, (and his "step daughter" ) and references to Ed finding out Blake was Rogers, the storyline would have more depth to it then the "shock" value it was played. Of course, if we are dreaming, having him in place if they went through with a " Roger has ALS" would have really been interesting.

By that point, I wish Rauch had brought back both Hulswit and Stewart as Ed and Mike on contract. Hulswit for exactly the reasons you stated. For Stewart as Mike, I was amazed during the 60th Anniversary event at how many people Mike interacted with before he left for DC in 1984 that were still on the show. Plus (as I think we previously discussed), having Michelle's law-and-order uncle on the show when she was involved with the Danny and the mafia storyline would have lent more weight to it.

If they were going for a Marcy Walker/Robert Newman romance, it would've made more sense for Marcy to play a recast Morgan.

As that that was Marcy Walker biggest complaint, her character was not tied to anyone. Nor did it have any backstory. If she was Morgan, that character had a history with Josh and was connected to both the Bauer and Spaulding families.

3 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

RVV was appealing as Chuck Tyler on AMC, but just...all wrong on TGL.

IMO, it was Candace Earley (Donna) who made him appealing on AMC.

I'm with @Reverend Ruthledge : nothing against Mart Hulswit or even Peter Simon, but based on what I know about Ed, as well as having watched Robert Gentry on other shows throughout the years, I think Gentry was the most appropriate actor for that role. Even during his all-too-brief return in the Rauch era, I thought he did a better job embodying Ed, despite not being featured much or given much to do.

29 minutes ago, TheyStartedOnSoaps said:

If they were going for a Marcy Walker/Robert Newman romance, it would've made more sense for Marcy to play a recast Morgan.

As that that was Marcy Walker biggest complaint, her character was not tied to anyone. Nor did it have any backstory. If she was Morgan, that character had a history with Josh and was connected to both the Bauer and Spaulding families.

I've said this before, I think, but if I had had my druthers, Marcy Walker would've joined GL as Emily Mason Norris, Ken's daughter, Holly's niece and Blake's cousin; and although I would've been tempted to put her in a triangle with Phillip and Rick, I think she would've ended up marrying the latter and becoming, in essence, the newest Bauer family matriarch.

Fascinating discussions here. Thank @Reverend Ruthledge for detailing the Helene/Marie relationship.

As for Gentry, do you think that it would have been a good idea to bring him on in 82 as Ed?

I have always thought Marland was OK with Hulswit but it was production that wanted him replaced because of backstage issues and wanting a more youthful Ed. Hulswit was balding and had gained weight at that point.

They dropped Barbara, Steve and Adam which Marland expressed displeasure about, although that may have been just to make himself look good with the fans.

Honestly, I always thought Mike should have been the main Bauer family line that carried on... and it seemed as though that was the original intent with him and Leslie until Lynne Adams opted to leave the role.

Based on what I've seen of Mike with other contenders, I always assumed that Mike and Elizabeth would have probably made a go of it as a married couple had the Dobson's remained... but given how emotionally detached she was and in her own world.. I think the marriage would have been doomed.

Which of Mike's love interests would have served as his partner as tentpole character after Leslie? I'm curious what others think.

Mart's Ed was going through the ringer with Holly and Rita, but it did seem as though Marland was slanting it where Ed and Holly were going to be end game until MG quit in late 1980. He had chemistry with both Rita and Holly that was romantic... while I thought Simon's had good chemistry with Dolan and Parker and had great friendship chemistry with Holly (though I have to admit I did enjoy him and Eve as a couple though).

Also, the hunky Ed (Chuck Tyler of AMC fame) wasn't Ed at all... and I have a feeling that if Simon had remained as Ed that the whole Ed/Claire thing wouldn't have happened.

Edited 52 minutes ago52 min by Soaplovers

5 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

They dropped Barbara, Steve and Adam which Marland expressed displeasure about, although that may have been just to make himself look good with the fans.

I'm not sure whether he was doing that, given how much he wrote for the older characters on his other shows (GH, LOVING, ATWT, even THE DOCTORS). Say what you will about him, but I do think Marland valued having a multi-generational cast to write for, with characters whom the audience had a deep appreciation for.

I think bringing back Gentry as Ed in '82 would've been fine, although Ed probably wouldn't have married Ellen Dolan's Maureen if he had returned.

Edited 56 minutes ago56 min by Khan

16 minutes ago, Khan said:

I'm not sure whether he was doing that, given how much he wrote for the older characters on his other shows (GH, LOVING, ATWT, even THE DOCTORS). Say what you will about him, but I do think Marland valued having a multi-generational cast to write for, with characters whom the audience had a deep appreciation for.

I think bringing back Gentry as Ed in '82 would've been fine, although Ed probably wouldn't have married Ellen Dolan's Maureen if he had returned.

You're probably right re Marland.

I think there was a problem with those older characters on GL as they were no longer connected to anyone. Barbara's whole family was written out, Steve was just a doctor at the hospital and Adam had lost Roger.

So newer viewers wouldn't have had much of a connection to those characters, not knowing their histories.

And of course, being vets, they would have been on good money that could be spent elsewhere.

It would have been nice if they stayed on recurring so they were seen from time to time, just to keep continuity.

Barbara Berger had to wait till 85 to get another gig, but it was a good one-10 years on AW as Bridget.

Robert Milli got Lars Bogard on AMC and Stephan Schnabel got a short gig on EON.

7 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

You're probably right re Marland.

I think there was a problem with those older characters on GL as they were no longer connected to anyone. Barbara's whole family was written out, Steve was just a doctor at the hospital and Adam had lost Roger.

So newer viewers wouldn't have had much of a connection to those characters, not knowing their histories.

And of course, being vets, they would have been on good money that could be spent elsewhere.

It would have been nice if they stayed on recurring so they were seen from time to time, just to keep continuity.

Barbara Berger had to wait till 85 to get another gig, but it was a good one-10 years on AW as Bridget.

Robert Milli got Lars Bogard on AMC and Stephan Schnabel got a short gig on EON.

There really wasn't much to Barbara either - she was mostly just an exasperated and clueless mother figure. I wish they'd kept using her in the mid '90s when Holly and Blake needed her.

I think the biggest loss of that group was Sara, although Marland did manage to keep her around.

17 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

There really wasn't much to Barbara either - she was mostly just an exasperated and clueless mother figure. I wish they'd kept using her in the mid '90s when Holly and Blake needed her.

I think the biggest loss of that group was Sara, although Marland did manage to keep her around.

To me, the biggest loss would have to have been Stefan Schnabel/Stephen Jackson. IMO, there wasn't much for either Adam or Barbara to do once Roger, Holly and Christina/Blake all were off the canvas, but the Bauers were still around, even if Leslie had long since died. Plus, little Freddie would be SORASed into Rick in a couple years; if nothing else, Stephen, like Bert, would've provided a good talk-to for their grandson.