I know people will hate me for even suggesting this... but what about Kim Zimmer as Hope?

Try to keep the Reva madness out of your mind while thinking about it. Zimmer played Nola Dancy Aldrich on THE DOCTORS. I could see 1983 Hope being more like Nola during her divorce. Nola was also an alcoholic.

KZ's Hope in a nasty divorce with CB's Alan and having Alex be her Mona Aldrich Croft.

When I think of KZ of think of horrible 80s hair, crazy, sleazy stories and GL's downfall. I found her far more interesting on THE DOCTORS.

Just an idea from someone who thought that Reva and the 80s madness ruined the show.

2 hours ago, Sapounopera said:

I know people will hate me for even suggesting this... but what about Kim Zimmer as Hope?

Try to keep the Reva madness out of your mind while thinking about it. Zimmer played Nola Dancy Aldrich on THE DOCTORS. I could see 1983 Hope being more like Nola during her divorce. Nola was also an alcoholic.

KZ's Hope in a nasty divorce with CB's Alan and having Alex be her Mona Aldrich Croft.

When I think of KZ of think of horrible 80s hair, crazy, sleazy stories and GL's downfall. I found her far more interesting on THE DOCTORS.

Just an idea from someone who thought that Reva and the 80s madness ruined the show.

I honestly can't see her as Hope. If she were to have replaced Elvera (possible, since she came in right after Elvera exited the show) I just don't see it working. She had an innate and obvious sex appeal back then. That was important for Nola and Reva, not so much for Hope.

Another issue is that I don't believe she ever had any real chemistry with Chris. Mainly because I think she needed to dominate scenes. They really clashed. (I don't mean personally, though she's hinted that they did a little in her memoir and in interviews). That's why RN was a such good screen partner for her--he's way more laid back.

It wasn't so bad when Alan was playing the spoiler in her romance with Josh (O.K., I"m lying, I couldn't stand the two of them together, LOL)--but the two of them playing a real romantic couple with a long history? Even after they had broken up? No, I don't see it working.

Once Chis exited in 1984--who would they have paired her with? Without the history between the characters like what Reva and Josh shared, I just don't see a Josh and Hope pairing working. Ross? Who knows, I wouldn't have thought to put Sherry Stringfield with him, but Sherry was playing a manipulative character and that was part of why they were an interesting pairing, at least in the beginning,

Here's an idea--if they were to bring her in as someone else, maybe Rita? In that case, KZ's obvious sex appeal would have worked far better for the character. But then, the lack of chemistry with Chris would have been a problem there, too.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by DeeVee

53 minutes ago, DeeVee said:

I honestly can't see her as Hope. If she were to have replaced Elvera (possible, since she came in right after Elvera exited the show) I just don't see it working. She had an innate and obvious sex appeal back then. That was important for Nola and Reva, not so much for Hope.

Another issue is that I don't believe she ever had any real chemistry with Chris. Mainly because I think she needed to dominate scenes. They really clashed. (I don't mean personally, though she's hinted that they did a little in her memoir and in interviews). That's why RN was a such good screen partner for her--he's way more laid back.

It wasn't so bad when Alan was playing the spoiler in her romance with Josh (O.K., I"m lying, I couldn't stand the two of them together, LOL)--but the two of them playing a real romantic couple with a long history? Even after they had broken up? No, I don't see it working.

Once Chis exited in 1984--who would they have paired her with? Without the history between the characters like what Reva and Josh shared, I just don't see a Josh and Hope pairing working. Ross? Who knows, I wouldn't have thought to put Sherry Stringfield with him, but Sherry was playing a manipulative character and that was part of why they were an interesting pairing, at least in the beginning,

Here's an idea--if they were to bring her in as someone else, maybe Rita? In that case, KZ's obvious sex appeal would have worked far better for the character. But then, the lack of chemistry with Chris would have been a problem there, too.

Agree on all of those, but again, GL missed the boat as they could have brought Hope back with an actress with a bit more intensity...Hope was a recovering alcoholic who got screwed over by what she though was her dream prince. She should have been more cynical, intense and stronger. I wish they had brought her back when CB came back and see her love/hate with Alan, and a strong Hope going toe to toe with Alex, (there is no way Hope would ever allowed a Spaulding to co opt her son like they let Alex be a mother figue with Hope no where in sight.)

Rita is more sophisticated and quietly seductive so I dont see Kimmer doing that. But I did love Kimmer as Nola, and she was a quieter vixen so maybe.

6 minutes ago, Mitch64 said:

I wish they had brought her back when CB came back and see her love/hate with Alan, and a strong Hope going toe to toe with Alex, (there is no way Hope would ever allowed a Spaulding to co opt her son like they let Alex be a mother figue with Hope no where in sight.)

Yes, the perfect timing to bring back Hope (and Rita, too) was when CB returned in 1986.

1986, the year of the head writers revolving door. ☹️

I think people have mentioned that around that time it was being planned. There's even a scene early in his 1986 return between Alan and Ed where Alan randomly brings up Rita,

Once they SORASed Alan Michael, they made it difficult (though not impossible) to bring Hope back.

12 minutes ago, Mitch64 said:

Rita is more sophisticated and quietly seductive so I dont see Kimmer doing that. But I did love Kimmer as Nola, and she was a quieter vixen so maybe.

True, Rita was not a brash sex kitten.

Everything I've seen KZ in, she tended to play everything rather large. Not a whole lot of subtlety. Which worked for Reva.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by DeeVee

15 minutes ago, DeeVee said:

Yes, the perfect timing to bring back Hope (and Rita, too) was when CB returned in 1986.

1986, the year of the head writers revolving door. ☹️

I think people have mentioned that around that time it was being planned. There's even a scene early in his 1986 return between Alan and Ed where Alan randomly brings up Rita,

Once they SORASed Alan Michael, they made it difficult (though not impossible) to bring Hope back.

True, Rita was not a brash sex kitten.

Everything I've seen KZ in, she tended to play everything rather large. Not a whole lot of subtlety. Which worked for Reva.

During CB's return it would have been interesting to bring back Rita and Hope..Hope first, successful, harder, attracted to Alan but knowing his tricks fighting his influence on AM, while India is Alan's partner in crime, and then comes in Rita with Alan's baby (in any timeline I would have Rita lying that the baby is Alan's and its really Ed's a reverse of the Ed/Roger story.) With Alex, Alan would have his hands full with divas and maybe, he could have stayed away from Reva!

Just watching some scenes of Alan and Ed when PS first came back...he made Ed have a backbone in defending Mo, and he had some really good scenes with Mo and his family..what happened? Why did PS become such a sourpuss and Ed became so lethargic and passive (Ed comes off as such a dick from the Holly affair on..or he is completely passive as if he in uninterested in anything.) I would say its the writing and direction, as PS has some strong scenes when he returns during Taggert, who woudl thought Ed Bauer would threaten Mob Mama Carmen, and have a Reva scene where she shuts up and listens to him?

1 hour ago, DeeVee said:

I honestly can't see her as Hope. If she were to have replaced Elvera (possible, since she came in right after Elvera exited the show) I just don't see it working. She had an innate and obvious sex appeal back then. That was important for Nola and Reva, not so much for Hope.

Another issue is that I don't believe she ever had any real chemistry with Chris. Mainly because I think she needed to dominate scenes. They really clashed. (I don't mean personally, though she's hinted that they did a little in her memoir and in interviews). That's why RN was a such good screen partner for her--he's way more laid back.

It wasn't so bad when Alan was playing the spoiler in her romance with Josh (O.K., I"m lying, I couldn't stand the two of them together, LOL)--but the two of them playing a real romantic couple with a long history? Even after they had broken up? No, I don't see it working.

Once Chis exited in 1984--who would they have paired her with? Without the history between the characters like what Reva and Josh shared, I just don't see a Josh and Hope pairing working. Ross? Who knows, I wouldn't have thought to put Sherry Stringfield with him, but Sherry was playing a manipulative character and that was part of why they were an interesting pairing, at least in the beginning,

Here's an idea--if they were to bring her in as someone else, maybe Rita? In that case, KZ's obvious sex appeal would have worked far better for the character. But then, the lack of chemistry with Chris would have been a problem there, too.

You are right about KZ's sex appeal. Hope was never meant to be sexy. Bad idea lol.

How about Marj Dusay as Rita? A difficult part to recast.

1 hour ago, Sapounopera said:

You are right about KZ's sex appeal. Hope was never meant to be sexy. Bad idea lol.

How about Marj Dusay as Rita? A difficult part to recast.

Lord...Rita all of a sudden is huffing and puffing and shrieking!

What about Judith Chapman, who was sex pot Natalie on ATWT and I think was on YR...though she might be a little too cold for Rita?

8 minutes ago, Mitch64 said:

During CB's return it would have been interesting to bring back Rita and Hope..Hope first, successful, harder, attracted to Alan but knowing his tricks fighting his influence on AM, while India is Alan's partner in crime, and then comes in Rita with Alan's baby (in any timeline I would have Rita lying that the baby is Alan's and its really Ed's a reverse of the Ed/Roger story.) With Alex, Alan would have his hands full with divas and maybe, he could have stayed away from Reva!

I agree about Rita lying her kid is Alan's and that it really is Ed's. It was implied that Rita's endgame was to become the next Mrs. Alan Spaulding.

And think of poor Mo, who would eventually find out Ed had ANOTHER kid that wasn't hers.

Jeez, so much great potential drama. Get two really good actresses to play Hope and Rita, some intense drama, and maybe PS wouldn't have seemed so bored. Instead we got that stupid summer camp story.

I believe the reason they paired Reva with Alan was because he took Kyle's place in the Josh/Reva story. If Malloy had stayed, it never would have happened, IMO.

I don't see why Malloy couldn't have been replaced. Oh, well.

Self-made millionaire attracted to Reva? Sure. But patrician Alan? Maybe as a hidden mistress, but as the love of his life?

Please.

The early scenes between Alan and Reva showed it perfectly. That was when he hired her to break up Billy and Vanessa. She tried desperately to vamp him and his attitude was, "Are you for real?" It's kind of funny, actually.

6 minutes ago, Sapounopera said:

How about Marj Dusay as Rita? A difficult part to recast.

She was not the right age.

I think Sharon Gabet could have been a good replacement for Lenore. She had the sexy thing without being too obvious about it. When EON ended, she went to AW because she was still on contract with P&G. Too bad they didn't think to bring her to GL as Rita.

18 minutes ago, Mitch64 said:

What about Judith Chapman, who was sex pot Natalie on ATWT and I think was on YR...though she might be a little too cold for Rita?

I also thought of Judith, but yeah, she's a cooler type sexy than Rita was supposed to be.

Speaking of Gabet, I just thought of another good possibility for Hope: Terry Davis, who played April, Gabet's good-girl opposite on EON. She briefly did Santa Barbara early in 1986, but after that would have been available.