ALL: They Almost Became

[bboy875]

I'm not sure about Will but I think Anderson/Mandettti created Sonni. This is 1987 so forgive me for not remembering details, but while they were still there, I remember Josh having a nightmare of a woman falling, possibly off of a cliff. I knew Long was returning so paid attention to see when she would be credited. I think Anderson/Mandetti's last episode was Reva finding out Josh was married in Venezuela and Long's name first appeared in the next one, in which Reva confronted Josh about his marriage and ended with Reva putting on her red dress and red lipstick to go out, as Sarah told her to tend to crying Mariah. When Sonni did appear, Michelle Forbes looked like the woman in Josh's nightmare falling, but I don't remember. I also remember reading at some point that the show bought the Sonni story from the previous writers. If true, Long most likely made changes to fit the story she wanted to tell. In that case, I don't know who created Will, but he appeared before Sonni. The writers strike hurt the show, but given what the show gave us in previous years, the Sonni story was my favorite story in years, especially because other stories came from it, like Reva/Alan, and Alex and Phillip's takeover of Spaulding. No matter whose idea it was, the stupidest part of it all was Marah's paternity. When Reva first became pregnant, she reminded Josh that if Kyle was her father, they would've found out she was pregnant when she got hit by a car after leaving Kyle at the altar. How they now believed he was the father was preposterous.

Sorry. I forgot what thread i was in lol 

I just read the Frank article. Does anyone remember when Will was introduced vs Frank, because it feels like there was a gap for Frank to get created because he lost out on Will. I've always heard of the Todd Bauer story

[Franko]

I wonder if the AW and OLTL tests were for specific roles (Diana Frame? Cassie?), or if they just wanted to keep her in the pool of potential actresses.

[DRW50]

I wish someone could ask her, if she still remembers.

[dc11786]

Funny, I was also thinking she might have been up for Diana Frame, which would have put her and Chris Marcantel together as a couple a few years earlier. If that had happened, I'm curious if the "Loving" powers that be would have been more, or less. tempted to try repairing them as Curtis and Stacey, which was the original plan when Lily Slater was still in the picture. 

[BetterForgotten]

Not sure if this was posted already, but Michelle Stanford said before landing the role of Phyllis on Y&R, she lost out on a role at OLTL - the feedback was she wasn’t “pretty.” I wonder what the OLTL role was. 

Michelle Stafford Reveals How Losing ‘OLTL’ Role Brought Her ‘Y&R’ and the Secret to Phyllis’ Longevity

 

Edited October 17, 2024 by BetterForgotten

[Vee]

It depends on exactly when she auditioned. If we're talking about super close to Y&R it could've been either the Tina recast in summer '94 or (this is my personal suspicion) Angela Holliday in summer '93.

I'm sure there's other time intervals or even potential characters from that era but those are the first that come to mind. I suppose she could've also been up for the now infamous Blair racewashing recast (late '93).

Edited October 17, 2024 by Vee

[robbwolff]

Will Jeffries, indeed, was created by Anderson and Manetta. He showed up around June 1987. Sonni first showed up around that October during Pamela Long's stint. Harley also arrived in October.

[Liberty City]

If I had to guess... I would assume it was the same year, considering how she felt about her Restless audition after.

[John]

On Daily Drama Podcast, John J York stated he tested for Bo Brady on Days in 1983. 

[Paul Raven]

Daren Kelly tested for Pat on Ryan's Hope and Jeff on AMC before landing the role of Dan Kennicott on AMC.

[DRW50]

A few bits from AWHP:

ANOTHER WORLD: AUDITIONS

Mitch Longley (Byron Pierce) was originally cast as David Campbell, Olivia's physical therapist. 

Beverley Owen was originally cast as the recast Lenore Moore but then they hired Susan Sullivan when she was available. Beverly was then given the role of Paula McCrea.

[P.J.]

In a Locher room interview, Robert Newman said he and Scott Bryce auditioned for the role of Josh. He got Josh and Scott ended up at ATWT. I gotta admit, the idea of Scott and Jordan Clarke playing brothers leaves me intrigued.

[Contessa Donatella]

Jordan Clarke is a wonder, amazing player, and in a pinch he will come through for anyone, anywhere, whatever role he is given. I firmly believe that he is one of the best GL has to offer. Of course RN is no slouch either. He put up with being second fiddle for all those years. It's a wonder he could even breathe. Kim won all the awards. He was always there, keeping her place warm. Those people, the scene partners to the winners have a thankless job. But, at least they have a job, right?

[P.J.]

I didn't mean it to sound like a criticism of Robert. It's just a situation that makes you go "what if?" Josh and Craig initially are very similar, with Trish/Josh having the same kind of brother/sister dynamic as Margo/Craig. I can see Scott fitting into the Lewises, but I can't see him having chemistry with Zimmer. It's harder for me to see Robert on ATWT, but I can't put my finger on why.

I truly consider Billy and Josh the best set of brothers I watched on soaps. And yes, being the "calm" one is often the harder and less lauded role in any kind of pairing.

[Contessa Donatella]

I didn't take it as one either. 

I really feel like Robt & Scott both ended up where they were best suited to be. I wonder who was the Casting Director at that time. Do you think perhaps it was Betty Rea? She did such a good job when she was doing the work of 2 people, doing the job for both shows. 

They were great brothers, truly. Other great brothers I would mention include DAYS OG Brady brothers, Bo & RealRoman.

This is very true, also.