I wonder how the Dobsons worked...if Potter felt he could approach one of them better than the other when he wasn't happy.

THE JOURNAL-NEWS, SUNDAY, JULY 11, 19

Guiding Light'—Another side to story by Lynda Hirsch

Allen Potter, the urbane, triple-Emmy-winning producer of Guiding Light,” has been reading all the press concerning the imminent departure of that program's Jane Elliot, who plays Carrie. Potter does not wish to do battle with Jane, with whom he has made peace, but merely set viewers' minds at ease by telling the other side of the story On the issue of Jane’s departure: “Jane was not axed.When we went into negotiations it was for a year's contract only. As the end of that year drew closer it was obvious from the way the Carrie storyline was being written that the character was being terminated.

I spoke with Doug Marland, the show's head writer, a few months earlier, and he said he had an alternative story which would have Carrie develop a third personality, still be troublesome to Ross but not as evil as the wicked Carrie we’ve been presenting "I felt that the story had been done. At no time was Carrie's storyline about her per se, but it was really about her effect on those around her and those who loved her. To me, seeing Carrie’s evolvement would not have been a great storyline, although it would have been feasible and I know as a writer Doug Marland could have handled it.

"Jane felt that as her contract time ran short she should have been called into the office by me and told. Maybe so, but I felt she knew when her contract was coming to a close — she negotiated it — and seeing how the story was going, didn’t need to be notified. At that point I felt it would have been stating the obvious. Perhaps I should have spoken with her and said, 'By the way, your contract's up in a month.’ I didn’t. It was not meant as a slight in any way. Other actors have had their contracts come to a close and have not been called into the office.”

In a previous column we mentioned the possibility that the cut of Elliot may have been due to budget. Potter says not true. “Procter & Gamble is not pinch-pennying on Guiding Light.’ I was just told last week by the powers that be that any money needed for storyline or location will be given to the show.” Potter also spoke to the possibility of castcutting. “We have just begun a 13-week cycle, and none of our stars has been let go. Janet Grey, who plays Eve, has just signed a new contract. Every cast member who is part of the show will remain with the show through this cycle and the foreseeable future.”

Potter’s main concern is that neither cast nor viewer feels that “Guiding Light” will be sending tons of characters to the hinterlands. One rumor that Potter is trying hard to squelch through the press and by sending memos to the cast concerns Doug Marland’s leaving the show. According to Potter, “Doug is still doing breakdowns for the show, he is under contract and will continue to remain the ‘Guiding Light’ head writer in the foreseeable future.” “However, Procter & Gamble and Doug have decided to explore the expansion of Doug's considerable talents in the area of consultant to other P & G soaps while he continues as head writer of ‘Guiding Light.’” This is not an uncommon practice, since Agnes Nixon often toiled as consultant to ABC’s soaps while exercising control over “All My Children."

As for Jane Elliot, she considered staying in New York since her husband Luis was working as a cameraman for “All My Children,” but the duo have decided to pack their bags and head home to LA And in the future for “Guiding Light,” Potter promises — and will certainly deliver if last year is an indication — exciting storylines, sleek production and a socko cast.

2 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

THE JOURNAL-NEWS, SUNDAY, JULY 11, 19

Guiding Light'—Another side to story by Lynda Hirsch

Allen Potter, the urbane, triple-Emmy-winning producer of Guiding Light,” has been reading all the press concerning the imminent departure of that program's Jane Elliot, who plays Carrie. Potter does not wish to do battle with Jane, with whom he has made peace, but merely set viewers' minds at ease by telling the other side of the story On the issue of Jane’s departure: “Jane was not axed.When we went into negotiations it was for a year's contract only. As the end of that year drew closer it was obvious from the way the Carrie storyline was being written that the character was being terminated.

I spoke with Doug Marland, the show's head writer, a few months earlier, and he said he had an alternative story which would have Carrie develop a third personality, still be troublesome to Ross but not as evil as the wicked Carrie we’ve been presenting "I felt that the story had been done. At no time was Carrie's storyline about her per se, but it was really about her effect on those around her and those who loved her. To me, seeing Carrie’s evolvement would not have been a great storyline, although it would have been feasible and I know as a writer Doug Marland could have handled it.

"Jane felt that as her contract time ran short she should have been called into the office by me and told. Maybe so, but I felt she knew when her contract was coming to a close — she negotiated it — and seeing how the story was going, didn’t need to be notified. At that point I felt it would have been stating the obvious. Perhaps I should have spoken with her and said, 'By the way, your contract's up in a month.’ I didn’t. It was not meant as a slight in any way. Other actors have had their contracts come to a close and have not been called into the office.”

In a previous column we mentioned the possibility that the cut of Elliot may have been due to budget. Potter says not true. “Procter & Gamble is not pinch-pennying on Guiding Light.’ I was just told last week by the powers that be that any money needed for storyline or location will be given to the show.” Potter also spoke to the possibility of castcutting. “We have just begun a 13-week cycle, and none of our stars has been let go. Janet Grey, who plays Eve, has just signed a new contract. Every cast member who is part of the show will remain with the show through this cycle and the foreseeable future.”

Potter’s main concern is that neither cast nor viewer feels that “Guiding Light” will be sending tons of characters to the hinterlands. One rumor that Potter is trying hard to squelch through the press and by sending memos to the cast concerns Doug Marland’s leaving the show. According to Potter, “Doug is still doing breakdowns for the show, he is under contract and will continue to remain the ‘Guiding Light’ head writer in the foreseeable future.” “However, Procter & Gamble and Doug have decided to explore the expansion of Doug's considerable talents in the area of consultant to other P & G soaps while he continues as head writer of ‘Guiding Light.’” This is not an uncommon practice, since Agnes Nixon often toiled as consultant to ABC’s soaps while exercising control over “All My Children."

As for Jane Elliot, she considered staying in New York since her husband Luis was working as a cameraman for “All My Children,” but the duo have decided to pack their bags and head home to LA And in the future for “Guiding Light,” Potter promises — and will certainly deliver if last year is an indication — exciting storylines, sleek production and a socko cast.

The ranch hand in 1999, would that be "Sam the Cowboy"? I recall the actor was Kirk on ATWT. It was nice to see Holly have a man again.

The ranch hand in 1999, would that be "Sam the Cowboy"? I recall the actor was Kirk on ATWT. It was nice to see Holly have a man again.

2 minutes ago, Spoon said:

The ranch hand in 1999, would that be "Sam the Cowboy"? I recall the actor was Kirk on ATWT. It was nice to see Holly have a man again.

I believe that's who @alwaysAMC was referencing. His name is Tom Wiggin. Ironically, he was heavily involved with Lisa Brown's Iva for a while. And he showed up toward the end of GL again, as a businessman who I think swindled either Olivia or Natalia.

And yeah....Potter seemed to be doing damage control. But while I've said "WTF fires Jane Elliot?", maybe I understand his view a little more----Carrie had already killed two people. She was happily married to Ross, but had cheated on him as Carrie2. I'm not sure she could've really remained viable in Springfield, even with Marland writing her.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by P.J.

19 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

I feel that... when the Santos clan came to town, I immediately felt a shift... in the wrong direction. What I do like is how they've built the Santos family into the San Cristobal story from the start, so umbrella stories draw me in... but on the flip side, they did that with a new family, so now you have new and new within 8 months... leaving the old GL crew to only 10-20% of the show. I mean, I still want to know what happens next... but it's not the same. Barely seeing Vanessa or Matt in 4 months is criminal.

The one big pleasant surprise for me during this whole time is Drew - Tammy Blanchard really became a star in my eyes.

You may already know this, but Blanchard would later win a Primetime EMMY for portraying Judy Garland in a TV movie.

19 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

I feel that... when the Santos clan came to town, I immediately felt a shift... in the wrong direction. What I do like is how they've built the Santos family into the San Cristobal story from the start, so umbrella stories draw me in... but on the flip side, they did that with a new family, so now you have new and new within 8 months... leaving the old GL crew to only 10-20% of the show. I mean, I still want to know what happens next... but it's not the same. Barely seeing Vanessa or Matt in 4 months is criminal.

The one big pleasant surprise for me during this whole time is Drew - Tammy Blanchard really became a star in my eyes.

You may already know this, but Blanchard would later win a Primetime EMMY for portraying Judy Garland in a TV movie.

1 minute ago, P.J. said:

I believe that's who @alwaysAMC was referencing. His name is Tom Wiggin. Ironically, he was heavily involved with Lisa Brown's Iva for a while. And he showed up toward the end of GL again, as a businessman who I think swindled either Olivia or Natalia.

I forgot about him returning.

I really liked Tom on ATWT. As time passed he seemed to get some of the blame for the mess the show made with Kirk, but I thought he always did his best, and had a unique style on an increasingly generic program.

I liked him on GL too. A shame they didn't keep the character.

3 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

I forgot about him returning.

I really liked Tom on ATWT. As time passed he seemed to get some of the blame for the mess the show made with Kirk, but I thought he always did his best, and had a unique style on an increasingly generic program.

I liked him on GL too. A shame they didn't keep the character.

Kirk was a devilish addition to the canvas. But as DM tended to do, Kirk lost his edge in the uber serious marriage to Ellie. I didn't really like his romance with Samantha, but he always managed to bring humor to the table.

I think he may have also been involved with Bill and Lizzie, but that's a bit foggy.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by P.J.

8 minutes ago, P.J. said:

And yeah....Potter seemed to be doing damage control. But while I've said "WTF fires Jane Elliot?", maybe I understand his view a little more----Carrie had already killed two people. She was happily married to Ross, but had cheated on him as Carrie2. I'm not sure she could've really remained viable in Springfield, even with Marland writing her.

Shame he had to do that when the character wasn't a fit, Jane Elliott was just not a good fit onto GL, and Marland was just pissy because he was over-ruled. His idea for the Carrie character sucked and it was time for the character to leave.

Unpopular opinion, Marland coasted on the Dobson's work for the first several months.. but his 1981/1982 output was lackluster. He just wasn't a fit on Guiding Light, ATWT was his soul mate in terms of his talents.

Quickly off topic, re: Tom Wiggin. His exit with Sam on ATWT seemed so abrupt. Sam reunited with her daughter Georgia like for a few months. They left it vague if they just fleed the law or (my head canon) that Stenbeck had them killed. IIRC it was after the Yaucht Club blew up.

2 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

Shame he had to do that when the character wasn't a fit, Jane Elliott was just not a good fit onto GL, and Marland was just pissy because he was over-ruled. His idea for the Carrie character sucked and it was time for the character to leave.

Unpopular opinion, Marland coasted on the Dobson's work for the first several months.. but his 1981/1982 output was lackluster. He just wasn't a fit on Guiding Light, ATWT was his soul mate in terms of his talents.

Maybe Marland's GL wasn't as iconic as we fondly remember it to be. But he set the bar high, and "lackluster" seems a little harsh.

1 minute ago, P.J. said:

Maybe Marland's GL wasn't as iconic as we fondly remember it to be. But he set the bar high, and "lackluster" seems a little harsh.

It was boring compared to the 1979 episodes of the Dobson's and the high energy Long era of the mid 80s.

4 minutes ago, Spoon said:

Quickly off topic, re: Tom Wiggin. His exit with Sam on ATWT seemed so abrupt. Sam reunited with her daughter Georgia like for a few months. They left it vague if they just fleed the law or (my head canon) that Stenbeck had them killed. IIRC it was after the Yaucht Club blew up.

I'm not sure when the Yacht Club blew up---but yeah, Sam and Kirk just disappeared off a dock, never to be heard from again.