On 9/2/2025 at 11:52 AM, DRW50 said:

I think most of MKA's '90s soap stints were short-term by her choice. I do wonder what happened with her '98-'99 stint as it seemed like that was more open-ended. Maybe Rauch decided she wasn't hot enough. I don't know.

They should have brought Samantha back. With Dylan long gone, I think her having no real identity beyond being Ross' niece and Philip's sister meant they didn't care, or most of the later teams had never heard of her. 

 

Actually, I heard that Rauch called her a "dog," They totally didn't get India at that time..really working at Spaulding was not her thing (she loved a title, and power, and people kissing her ass, and then taking long lunches...) and I remember a scene where India and Beth and Vicky were taking a break from being bossed by Alex at Spaudling (though we did not see Alex, and again, she was certainly not the middle manager type to clock people in) all dressed in pastel business suits and all taking a dump on Van and supporting Beth wooing after Matt...for...reasons? I can see India stirring the pot to cause some trouble and to watch St. Beth make a fool of herself but..other then that...

They should have brought Sam back during Wheeler's time. Instead of a recast for Marina (we had enough Coopers thank you) with that cutesy actress(Wheeler lover her some cutesy pie actresses, Marina, Lizzie, Christina) bring back Sam.  I would have centered the show on Ross and Blake moving into the Bauer house (moving Rick off to the caretakers cottage for the lighthouse) with their kids and then Dinah has to live with them by court order when she returns, and Sam comes back. Right there you have a new core family with a lot of angst (Blake vs. Dinah, Dinah being jealous of Sam who is the successful non neurtic daughter Ross never had) and the Marler kids ready to be aged up. It was so simple you really see how dumb Wheeler and Co. were. 

5 minutes ago, Mitch64 said:

Actually, I heard that Rauch called her a "dog," They totally didn't get India at that time..really working at Spaulding was not her thing (she loved a title, and power, and people kissing her ass, and then taking long lunches...) and I remember a scene where India and Beth and Vicky were taking a break from being bossed by Alex at Spaudling (though we did not see Alex, and again, she was certainly not the middle manager type to clock people in) all dressed in pastel business suits and all taking a dump on Van and supporting Beth wooing after Matt...for...reasons? I can see India stirring the pot to cause some trouble and to watch St. Beth make a fool of herself but..other then that...

They should have brought Sam back during Wheeler's time. Instead of a recast for Marina (we had enough Coopers thank you) with that cutesy actress(Wheeler lover her some cutesy pie actresses, Marina, Lizzie, Christina) bring back Sam.  I would have centered the show on Ross and Blake moving into the Bauer house (moving Rick off to the caretakers cottage for the lighthouse) with their kids and then Dinah has to live with them by court order when she returns, and Sam comes back. Right there you have a new core family with a lot of angst (Blake vs. Dinah, Dinah being jealous of Sam who is the successful non neurtic daughter Ross never had) and the Marler kids ready to be aged up. It was so simple you really see how dumb Wheeler and Co. were. 

That would have been interesting. Anything to keep Ross on the show and properly use him. 

I'd forgotten about that moment with India, but everything about the story with Vanessa and Beth and Matt was horrible, completely spite-based. As if Vanessa would consider plastic surgery just to keep a man. 

Not surprised about Rauch's alleged misogyny and nastiness either. MKA aged well, whatever he says. I'm glad she at least came back a time or two after he was gone.

1 hour ago, Mitch64 said:

Actually, I heard that Rauch called her a "dog," They totally didn't get India at that time..really working at Spaulding was not her thing (she loved a title, and power, and people kissing her ass, and then taking long lunches...) and I remember a scene where India and Beth and Vicky were taking a break from being bossed by Alex at Spaudling (though we did not see Alex, and again, she was certainly not the middle manager type to clock people in) all dressed in pastel business suits and all taking a dump on Van and supporting Beth wooing after Matt...for...reasons? I can see India stirring the pot to cause some trouble and to watch St. Beth make a fool of herself but..other then that...

 

Good Lord, India never would've been friendly with Beth. 

6 minutes ago, P.J. said:

 

Good Lord, India never would've been friendly with Beth. 

I remember when she was leaving the show during the Christmas 1990 episodes, and Beth was being all sentimental and hugging India good bye.  India turned to Phillip and said that was why she had to leave Springfield.. because of Beth being all friendly with her LOL

I could see India tolerating Beth for Philips sake.. but never being girlfriends/buddies with Beth.

Of course, the show by the late 90s didn't seem to know how to write a character like India so she was watered down.. just like her 90s counterpart Jenna was.

1 hour ago, Mitch64 said:

Actually, I heard that Rauch called her a "dog,"

I was going to say how can anyone think that about MKA, but he should not have said that about any woman. Such a relentless creep.

12 minutes ago, P.J. said:

Good Lord, India never would've been friendly with Beth. 

Let's face it, Beth was one character who was done dirty in MANY ways during the show's later years. It's fine that she grew out of being an idealized ingenue, that she became more complex and imperfect, but she was unrecognizable after a while. That goes for relationships she had with other characters, too.

15 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

I remember when she was leaving the show during the Christmas 1990 episodes, and Beth was being all sentimental and hugging India good bye.  India turned to Phillip and said that was why she had to leave Springfield.. because of Beth being all friendly with her LOL

I could see India tolerating Beth for Philips sake.. but never being girlfriends/buddies with Beth.

Of course, the show by the late 90s didn't seem to know how to write a character like India so she was watered down.. just like her 90s counterpart Jenna was.

This is that weird period where India was trying to start something with Ross...I guess...so I guess there could've been friction between her and Van over that.  Then again, maybe India just saw **** as Beth's ideally dull mate.

16 minutes ago, DeeVee said:

I was going to say how can anyone think that about MKA, but he should not have said that about any woman. Such a relentless creep.

Let's face it, Beth was one character who was done dirty in MANY ways during the show's later years. It's fine that she grew out of being an idealized ingenue, that she became more complex and imperfect, but she was unrecognizable after a while. That goes for relationships she had with other characters, too.

Beth is unrecognizable as a character to me in her late '90's return. I know people love Beth Chamberlain, but I can't stand the Beth who's mentally unstable and so desperate she ends up screwing Alan. And really anything in pants. The least she could've done is screw Matt and free Vanessa from that drip.

Edited September 5Sep 5 by P.J.

10 hours ago, P.J. said:

I know people love Beth Chamberlain, but I can't stand the Beth who's mentally unstable and so desperate she ends up screwing Alan. And really anything in pants.

It says a lot that the least cringy thing she did during the later GL era was get involved with Edmund.

I watch older episodes of Alan and Beth when they were played by Chris and Judi  and can't help thinking, "Ew, these two end up married and having a baby."

38 minutes ago, DeeVee said:

It says a lot that the least cringy thing she did during the later GL era was get involved with Edmund.

I watch older episodes of Alan and Beth when they were played by Chris and Judi  and can't help thinking, "Ew, these two end up married and having a baby."

Right? I think Beth even miscarried a child of Alan's.  YUCK.

13 hours ago, Mitch64 said:

Actually, I heard that Rauch called her a "dog," They totally didn't get India at that time..really working at Spaulding was not her thing (she loved a title, and power, and people kissing her ass, and then taking long lunches...) and I remember a scene where India and Beth and Vicky were taking a break from being bossed by Alex at Spaudling (though we did not see Alex, and again, she was certainly not the middle manager type to clock people in) all dressed in pastel business suits and all taking a dump on Van and supporting Beth wooing after Matt...for...reasons? I can see India stirring the pot to cause some trouble and to watch St. Beth make a fool of herself but..other then that...

They should have brought Sam back during Wheeler's time. Instead of a recast for Marina (we had enough Coopers thank you) with that cutesy actress(Wheeler lover her some cutesy pie actresses, Marina, Lizzie, Christina) bring back Sam.  I would have centered the show on Ross and Blake moving into the Bauer house (moving Rick off to the caretakers cottage for the lighthouse) with their kids and then Dinah has to live with them by court order when she returns, and Sam comes back. Right there you have a new core family with a lot of angst (Blake vs. Dinah, Dinah being jealous of Sam who is the successful non neurtic daughter Ross never had) and the Marler kids ready to be aged up. It was so simple you really see how dumb Wheeler and Co. were. 

Yes, the writers at that time didn't impress me at all!  Your scenario makes way better sense and sounds interesting!

However, Blake was not a good character to me to be a replacement for Maureen.  No way would I take any advice from her. Couldn't stand her.  

@P.J.  I didn't even get to that part.  The return of Phillip and Beth was horribly done to me.  

Edited September 5Sep 5 by MLH

1 hour ago, MLH said:

However, Blake was not a good character to me to be a replacement for Maureen.  No way would I take any advice from her. Couldn't stand her.  

LOL..I was working with what was on canvas at that time...I think LK gave off a warm vibe..which didn't suit Blake, but I can see a grown up Blake, wanting to create the kind of home for her kids she wanted...stepping up a bit and moving into the Bauer House (that she spent her childhood in) and being an..offbeat matriarch. 

I would actually rather have Ross and Van be the core. I know people love Billy and I do too, but Van stying with that lout is as weird as her staying with boring pretty boy Matt. Ross is her true match.  If I was an exec with all power who didn't hav e to listen to the Bloss and Mattresses, I would have had Blake just get sick of being a mom, and run off with her latest screw. (going back to McTrash I would have had Blake screw Matt instead of Rick and have the kids..throwing Ross and Van together. That would have lit up the CBS switchboards with Mattes and Blossies all pissed off!

Beth and Alan's daughter was named Peyton.  Beth was with Rick at the same time, but the child ended up being Alan's. 

33 minutes ago, Spoon said:

Beth and Alan's daughter was named Peyton.  Beth was with Rick at the same time, but the child ended up being Alan's

I never saw the episode where they named the kid. Does anyone know where they came up with the name Peyton? I think I heard that when they thought it was Rick's they AGAIN made a failed attempt to name someone after Bert, and came up with Bernadette. (Which I'm guessing is why they made her Alan's kid, so they could change the name).

1 hour ago, Spoon said:

Beth and Alan's daughter was named Peyton.  Beth was with Rick at the same time, but the child ended up being Alan's. 

That was so stupid..and of course gross..I remember RR's Alan leering at Beth! Having Rick and a normal Beth who found stability with Rick (though not exactly excitement, sexual or otherwise) who has a kid with him, was much better drama (Phillip coming back, finding Rick and Beth married during his fake death again, but this time really together) would have been good.

I could see Beth marrying Alan to have his Spaulding power, while he is in the nuthouse/jail, which is how the storyline started, and Alan manipulating her from his cell to do his bidding and turning her dark (not that she wasn't already) but in LOVE and screwing?????Ugggghhhh!

I've said this before, but I think Beth should have stayed died and not been bought back from the dead in 1989.

To me, Beth served as Phillips salvation and conscience... so having her be dead ensured Phillip would gravitate toward the dark side... and the ghost of Beth would have haunted any, and all relationships he would have.

I know the show tried to have Chelsea be a Beth replacement, but the show wisely ended that relationship during the writers strike and paired Phillip with mysterious Blake.

Did any of you think that Phillip had chemistry with either Blake (Elizabeth Dennehy or Sherry)?