"I adore William's chemistry with everyone. He and Jerry ver Dorn as a pseudo father/son-in-law were gold"

Yep, same with the father/mentor relationship he had with Alex.  And with Jenna.  BTW...and I know you're not a Jenna fan....you may want to watch some scenes between Roerick and Huchison circa early January 1993.  Great there, too.  I believe it's the same episode during which Maureen dies.  Most viewers have forgotten Henry/Jenna as they watch only the Maureen dies YT clips.

What I found maddening during Fall 1993 was that there was little to no connection portrayed between Henry and Bess (Brandon's secretary).  If Curlee/DeMorrest had been around, I'm sure they would have found a way to capitalize on that.

I'm not convinced that Tesreau could play a toughened Mindy circa 1993.  I found her 'acting tough" scenes unconvincing throughout the 1980s.  That said, people do change and grow.  Including actors.

It's too bad "Alex" didn't have more screen time with a broader spread of younger characters, like hosting big informal dinners where she's sharing stories and wisdom.

You know who else was great with younger actors?  Maureen Garrett.  Not only did she have great rapport with Miner (Michelle) but also with Burke (Flether's son Ben).  As with McKinsey, I found the on-screen chemistry between Garrett and Burke to be appealing as well.

 

 

2 hours ago, P.J. said:

I can understand it being hard to recast Alex. Look at how divisive Marj Dusay in the role is, and she is by no means a slouch. Any actress is going to suffer by comparison. Yes, that's JFP's job. But there were so many qualities that Beverlee brought to the role, that it must've seemed impossible. I

That's fair. I think sometimes it can be a very difficult job. And, clearly being HW can be exhausting. Burnout is likely an automatic possibility. 

1 hour ago, Speed Racer said:

"I adore William's chemistry with everyone. He and Jerry ver Dorn as a pseudo father/son-in-law were gold"

Yep, same with the father/mentor relationship he had with Alex.  And with Jenna.  BTW...and I know you're not a Jenna fan....you may want to watch some scenes between Roerick and Huchison circa early January 1993.  Great there, too.  I believe it's the same episode during which Maureen dies.  Most viewers have forgotten Henry/Jenna as they watch only the Maureen dies YT clips.

What I found maddening during Fall 1993 was that there was little to no connection portrayed between Henry and Bess (Brandon's secretary).  If Curlee/DeMorrest had been around, I'm sure they would have found a way to capitalize on that.

I'm not convinced that Tesreau could play a toughened Mindy circa 1993.  I found her 'acting tough" scenes unconvincing throughout the 1980s.  That said, people do change and grow.  Including actors.

It's too bad "Alex" didn't have more screen time with a broader spread of younger characters, like hosting big informal dinners where she's sharing stories and wisdom.

You know who else was great with younger actors?  Maureen Garrett.  Not only did she have great rapport with Miner (Michelle) but also with Burke (Flether's son Ben).  As with McKinsey, I found the on-screen chemistry between Garrett and Burke to be appealing as well.

I do occasionally watch some Henry/Jenna. He "mentors" her after she's won the lawsuit, encouraging her to run the business and not just let Roger play puppetmaster. It really is hard for me to watch Jenna, especially during this period. She and Roger are so odious together.

I haven't watched into the fall, but just from William's appearance at Billy and Vanessa's wedding, I have to wonder if his health wasn't declining.

2 hours ago, TheyStartedOnSoaps said:

Susan Seaforth Hayes also auditioned for the role of Alexandra. 

Now, she could have done justice to that role IF they'd tweaked it just a little. I know some people think she is very one note but I think that's because she played one role for so long. I believe she has really great range. She  just rarely has any chance to take it out & roll it around.

Tomorrow is Guiding Light's TV anniversary.  Debuting June 30, 1952.

Edited June 29Jun 29 by Spoon

12 minutes ago, Spoon said:

Tomorrow is Guiding Light's TV anniversary.  Debuting June 30, 1952.

I'm surprised Locher isn't doing some kind of GL interview.

I should go watch those anniversary shows interviews.

Locher uploaded some photos on the posts tab of his youtube page in honor of GL's anniversary. I emailed the linked to my mother as they have both Charles Jay Hammer and Larkin Malloy in them so she'll be happy. It's the small things.

I think most of the actresses we've talked about could do anything if the writing were there. However, the writing for Alexandra was terrible. I couldn't get over what they did to Alexandra during JFP's tenure. Of course, that looks like a walk in the park compared to later years. Every time I think I should watch more of post-Maureen's death GL, I watch some of the show and I can't get over how bad a lot of the writing is. Not just the plotting, but the terrible dialogue. I don't know who got it worse: Alexandra or the character of Mindy.

 

"However, the writing for Alexandra was terrible. I couldn't get over what they did to Alexandra during JFP's tenure."

I'm not sure what your time frame here is on this chrisml, but I'm going to disagree with you if you're thinking the McKinsey era.  I also disagree with McKinsey's own assessment of how Alexandra was being written at the time.  Alexandra should have been pissed and ready to steamroll the scene based on everything that happened to her from late 1990 to early 1992.  It made perfect sense to me.  Had Alex retained her restraint, that would have been unrealistic.

McKinsey may not have liked what was going on with Alex (fair enough) and both she and some viewers may have been quite irritated by it (also fair enough), but to say it signifies character assassination is nonsense, imo.  Who in the hell wouldn't act like Alex did in response?  The lady had been though a hell of a lot.  Had all that happened to me, I'd have been out for blood.  With a machete. 

(Incidentally, Alex was never adept at having relationships with seemingly any man in her life - Brandon, Alan, Loch, Eric, Fletcher, Roger, Alan-Michael - so why would she with Nick?  Because he's her son?  Her track record sucks, with the exception of Lujack and Phillip.  For her to go somewhat bat crazy over Nick/Mindy doesn't seem way out of character to me.  And Alex wasn't bat crazy over Nick/Mindy for that long of a stretch, either - November 1991 to June 1992.  That's 8 months tops.  That's nothing in the land of soaps).  

It's easy to understand McKinsey's frustration and exhaustion.  She was in heavy rotation for nearly three years straight and a lot was demanded of her.  And she delivered.

Now, if you are referring to the subpar Alex/Mindy (Dusay/Crampton) storyline/dialogue/characterization, you and I definitely agree.  But that doesn't take place until late 1993/early 1994.  McKinsey left the show in August 1992.  JFP was around for much of both go 'rounds.

BTW, maybe 300 pages ago on this site, someone mentioned the great acting of McKinsey upon finding out that Hart was Roger's son (the third Earth-shattering bit of news that Alex learned in one day)!  Alex just starts laughing in an incredulous way - it's so damn appropriate and so damn good!  I wish I knew the date of that episode.  Must be late 1991 or early 1992.

There's another episode from Spring/early Summer of 1992 where McKinsey has a maybe two-minute monologue in the Spaulding study.  It's great!  Bandstand Mike had posted it, but YT yanked it.  I haven't seen in since.  Bummer.  Maybe someone here has seen it?

 

 

28 minutes ago, Speed Racer said:

"However, the writing for Alexandra was terrible. I couldn't get over what they did to Alexandra during JFP's tenure."

I'm not sure what your time frame here is on this chrisml, but I'm going to disagree with you if you're thinking the McKinsey era.  I also disagree with McKinsey's own assessment of how Alexandra was being written at the time.  Alexandra should have been pissed and ready to steamroll the scene based on everything that happened to her from late 1990 to early 1992.  It made perfect sense to me.  Had Alex retained her restraint, that would have been unrealistic.

McKinsey may not have liked what was going on with Alex (fair enough) and both she and some viewers may have been quite irritated by it (also fair enough), but to say it signifies character assassination is nonsense, imo.  Who in the hell wouldn't act like Alex did in response?  The lady had been though a hell of a lot.  Had all that happened to me, I'd have been out for blood.  With a machete. 

(Incidentally, Alex was never adept at having relationships with seemingly any man in her life - Brandon, Alan, Loch, Eric, Fletcher, Roger, Alan-Michael - so why would she with Nick?  Because he's her son?  Her track record sucks, with the exception of Lujack and Phillip.  For her to go somewhat bat crazy over Nick/Mindy doesn't seem way out of character to me.  And Alex wasn't bat crazy over Nick/Mindy for that long of a stretch, either - November 1991 to June 1992.  That's 8 months tops.  That's nothing in the land of soaps).  

It's easy to understand McKinsey's frustration and exhaustion.  She was in heavy rotation 91for nearly three years straight and a lot was demanded of her.  And she delivered.

Now, if you are referring to the subpar Alex/Mindy (Dusay/Crampton) storyline/dialogue/characterization, you and I definitely agree.  But that doesn't take place until late 1993/early 1994.  McKinsey left the show in August 1992.  JFP was around for much of both go 'rounds.

BTW, maybe 300 pages ago on this site, someone mentioned the great acting of McKinsey upon finding out that Hart was Roger's son (the third Earth-shattering bit of news that Alex learned in one day)!  Alex just starts laughing in an incredulous way - it's so damn appropriate and so damn good!  I wish I knew the date of that episode.  Must be late 1991 or early 1992.

There's another episode from Spring/early Summer of 1992 where McKinsey has a maybe two-minute monologue in the Spaulding study.  It's great!  Bandstand Mike had posted it, but YT yanked it.  I haven't seen in since.  Bummer.  Maybe someone here has seen it?

I think this is the clip you're thinking of, it's from May '91, when Mindy's miscarrying. Alex had learned that Mindy was pregnant with Roger's child, that Hart was Roger's and that Roger was embezzling from Spaulding. 

 

As for the writing for Alex, there are things she's doing that I don't think Alex would've done. After getting him out and divorcing him, she turns around and uses Roger to get the dirt on Mindy to stop the wedding to Nick. I also don't like the way she punishes Mindy by telling Billy. (Although on rewatch, she and Billy have a more antagonistic relationship than I'd remembered.) Then again, the ripple effect from that is fantastic. 

Edited June 29Jun 29 by P.J.

48 minutes ago, Speed Racer said:

"However, the writing for Alexandra was terrible. I couldn't get over what they did to Alexandra during JFP's tenure."

I'm not sure what your time frame here is on this chrisml, but I'm going to disagree with you if you're thinking the McKinsey era.  I also disagree with McKinsey's own assessment of how Alexandra was being written at the time.  Alexandra should have been pissed and ready to steamroll the scene based on everything that happened to her from late 1990 to early 1992.  It made perfect sense to me.  Had Alex retained her restraint, that would have been unrealistic.

The failing was the framing of the story. The story was no longer about Alexandra being hurt and lashing out - it was about Nick, and two women degrading themselves for Nick, a sanctimonious, cold figure.

5 hours ago, P.J. said:

No on Krista. Krista said about six months after she left, Pam Long called and tried talking her into a return. Is she on OLTL at this point?

Krista didn't join OLTL until 1994. She made her return to soaps in a crazy lady part in Santa Barbara's last months.

5 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

Catherine Hickland wouldn't have been the right pick for Mindy either... it's the one thing JFP was correct about.

Unpopular opinion:  I would have kept Mindy off the canvas after she left in 1992 and only bring her back if Simms or Krista T were available to reprise the role.

Characters like Reva and Mindy fit in better during the 80s.. and we saw how much they didn't fit into GL in the 90s and beyond.  In fact, the show went OTT in order to fit Reva onto the show.

Some characters are best left in the past.

I think Mindy had shifted to a '90s GL believably enough. The show failed Mindy for the reason JFP failed so many characters and actors - she just wasn't very good at writing for women, and she wasn't very good at casting either. 

Reva is a more complicated story, but I think the Reva of the mid/late '80s could have fit in. The much more generic heroine Reva we got for a lot of her second run was what felt off.

5 hours ago, Speed Racer said:

Various comments to follow:

Hickland as Hope Bauer?  A very definite yes on that.  Hickland as Mindy?  No way.  And I am thankful that TPTB didn't bring Tesreau back to play Mindy following Simms' departure.  Tesreau's perky, chirpy, dumb blonde, cheerleader Mindy was fine during the 1980s, but after Simms, that ship had long sailed.  GL didn't need two Nadines.

I think that Krista had already modulated her performance as Mindy by her last few years in the role. Mindy had lost a husband and had emotional scars. With proper material she could have kept on, as it was always Krista's easy chemistry with her screen partners at GL that helped her.

With that said, I do agree with those who feel she never could have played the Mindy/Roger affair.

Still, she would have been fine to return in the '90s, as she fit right back in during her '00s cameos. But the show was a wasteland for women in many parts of the '90s so I'm not sure who could have fit as Mindy.

I like Cat Hickland as a performer and she definitely could have played up the melodrama...I know she also played a heroine (two heroines) on Capitol. The only thing I fear is how they would have handled the Southern accent, and I also can't see her working well with Vincent.

I wish they had just kept Mindy off canvas at that time. The mistakes made with her really left a mark - most of all what left a mark was how clear it was the show didn't give a damn about her, well before Barbara Crampton quit.

Something else that I think hurt Mindy during that Crampton period was the absence of Jordan Clarke. Clarke's Billy was the core of the Lewis family.

Edited June 30Jun 30 by DRW50

40 minutes ago, Speed Racer said:

There's another episode from Spring/early Summer of 1992 where McKinsey has a maybe two-minute monologue in the Spaulding study.  It's great!  Bandstand Mike had posted it, but YT yanked it.  I haven't seen in since.  Bummer.  Maybe someone here has seen it?

Who else was present?

@Speed RacerI was referring to the Alexandra that happened after BM quit. The dialogue was so awful. I posted many weeks back about a confrontation Alex had with Vanessa over  Nick and Mindy's engagement party (might have been a wedding attempt don't remember). This is what Alex was reduced to under JFP and the writers at the time. The character deserved better and Dusay deserved better. I don't think JFP understood the character of Alexandra so she lost massive amounts of brain cells during her time as EP. 

As @DRW50points out, it was all about the framing of the story. Even before McKinsey left, it was Alex obsessing over Nick and Roger.  It was this sexist way of telling the story. Alex and Mindy were both acting like desperate women who had nothing else going on in their lives. When Simms left, they couldn't even come up with anything to do with Mindy because JFP and the writers simply saw her as an extension of Nick's storyline. They recast Mindy and what was the story? Eve/Mindy/Nick. Eve became loony over Nick.

53 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

and I also can't see her (Catherine Hickland) working well with Vincent.

 

Actually it was Vincent that was pushing JFP to hire Catherine as Mindy, as Vincent & Cat are old friends and wanted to work together. 

Just now, TheyStartedOnSoaps said:

Actually it was Vincent that was pushing JFP to hire Catherine as Mindy, as Vincent & Cat are old friends and wanted to work together. 

Friends or lovers often don't quite click onscreen, but maybe they could have. I am glad she got Loving though.

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

 

Something else that I think hurt Mindy during that Crampton period was the absence of Jordan Clarke. Clarke's Billy was the core of the Lewis family.

Yep. AFAIC, Billy is the heart and soul of the Lewis family. Josh is it's conscience. I'm not sure I would've accepted Crampton more, but the Billy/Mindy dynamic had always been important for both characters.

Edited June 30Jun 30 by P.J.