As The World Turns Discussion Thread

[OzFrog]

Early 1991 is an interesting period. The culmination of the Angel storyline (one that started back in 1988), Hal’s finding out about Jennifer’s true paternity, the Tonio/Sabrina storyline, Bob and Kim’s ongoing saga.

The Classic ATWT SOD Tumblr has also been a good backup source of info for any missing episodes - https://classicsodatwt.tumblr.com/?amp_see_more=1

There was a question a few years ago on this thread about what happened to Colin Crowley, Sabrina’s ex. According to the Tumblr, he was indeed killed off by Richard Tyrell in late 1990 via a heroin overdose on the orders of Tonio.

 

Another thing about early 1991 - the whole Darryl/Carolyn Crawford storyline! And it took me a while to realise that Carolyn Crawford = Maeve Stoddard!

[Mona Kane Croft]

Colin was an interesting character, but not really permanently connected to anyone.  Wasn't he introduced during the Frannie/Sabrina discovery storyline in 1986? And played by three different actors?   I didn't remember he stayed on the show for four years!  And didn't Tonio leave the show for a fairly long time before returning near the end of Marland's run?

Oh, and that Carolyn Crawford murder mystery!  Must have been the worst storyline Marland ever wrote!  Marland always said, he never wrote a plot without knowing the ending.  But I think he broke his own rule during Carolyn's murder mystery.  That plot went on and on for months, and meandered all over the place. Plus, it featured mostly fairly minor characters in whom the fans were not really invested. This plot took place so late in Marland's run as head-writers, I've often wondered if he was ill at the time, and not really writing at his best.  Clearly something unusual was going on with the writing, because that plot was very un-Marland in my opinion.   

[SoapDope]

I have been going back and revisiting ATWT 1979 & 1980. Does anyone know why Tom Tammi was let go ? I mentioned him in the Classic Y&R thread as someone who could been a recast Greg Foster. I like his version of Tom paired with Barbara.

One thing I thought was odd.....I remember back in the 90's reading a SOD interview with Zenk and Margaret Colin happened to stop by the table as she was interviewed. She told the reporter " She was my Margo and Deas was my Tom".....Hello ? What about Tammi ? I wonder if he and Zenk got along ?

 

[Reverend Ruthledge]

If I remember correctly, Colin was VERY in and out (mostly out) during those four years. 

[DRW50]

You're right. I think he just pops up again for a few months before Julianne's Sabrina leaves, then for even briefer periods.

She may not have remembered him as he wasn't on the show as long, but Colleen wasn't averse to a few feuds in that era (allegedly). 

I imagine he was let go because he didn't fit the Dobsons' idea of dynamic younger leading men. He was more along the lines of the men who were cast on the show in the '70s. 

[SoapDope]

Thanks for the reply. He played Tom for about a year and I thought he was good in the role. Too bad the Dobson's didn't give him a chance. I guess they saw him as a too Princeton ( ivy league conservative). I never really warmed to Deas in the role or as an actor in general. Gregg Marx was my favorite paired with HBS's Margo. Scott Holmes was Zzzzzzzzz to me. Never cared too much for Ellen Dolan as Margo either. 

The Dobson's really shook things up in 1980 and many of the veterans (Chris & Nancy etc...) were given the shaft storyline wise. A lot of their ATWT stunk (Brad Hollister anyone ?), but they were incredible on late 70's GL. 

[DRW50]

Anything I've seen of their ATWT run bores me to tears, although I appreciate them giving Ellen and David more prominence and I think the Montgomerys were hugely important to fresh blood and dynamics for the '80s. I am not a huge James Stenbeck fan but I do appreciate Anthony's suaveness and good looks and he did manage to make the whole international/lavish era work for the show better than some soaps managed. 

Some aspects of their era work better on paper than onscreen, although nothing about Brad works on paper or onscreen.

If the show had not been in such a malaise, it might have managed their style and personality better. I don't know.

Edited July 28, 2024 by DRW50

[MarlandFan]

The Crawford murder mystery was indeed a stinker for all of the reasons you listed -- but it might have been slightly redeemed if Marland had gone with his original killer.... Daryl.  Years ago I purchased a copy of Marland's 1992 storyline projection on eBay.  In it, Marland very clearly tags Daryl as the murderer.  But something must have happened to change his mind as they got closer to the climax, because Marland switched gears.  Which was a shame because having Daryl turn out to be Carolyn's murderer would have made the entire story worthwhile.  Clearly, Marland was using this story to focus on Frannie's penchant for falling in love with bad guys (ex: Douglas Cummings) but for some reason he spun the story in a different direction in its final act.  Which doesn't make sense -- why?  Why redeem Daryl since both he and Frannie were being written off within a month of the story wrap up?  Why not keep Frannie on canvas and truly explore why she makes such bad choices with men (Larry was a dick in Boston, Seth left her for Sabrina, and Sean was a liar and (I think?) a previous abuser.)  But suddenly the story ended with a whimper leaving us all wondering -- what the hell was that?

[Mona Kane Croft]

And to top it off, I believe every single character involved in that plot (with the exception of Barbara) was written off at the end.  Including Frannie!  If all the characters were that unimportant, why even write it in the first place??

[SoapDope]

It's like turning on a completely different show after seeing those wonderful 1979 episodes. Marland really revitalized the show. He knew how to mine the show's history for incredible storylines and to introduce characters.

That Brad Hollister actor (Peter Brouwer) looked straight out of 70's porn. I always remember him in the first Friday The 13th movie. He came across as an oddball in that as well. They filmed that in 1979 and released it in 1980. I say he just came off that set straight into ATWT. 

[OzFrog]

Kim every time she walks in on Bob and Susan after the affair during 1990 and 1991…

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Almost every time Lyla sang at Mona Lisa during the late 80s…

Edited July 29, 2024 by OzFrog

[adrnyc]

Agreed. Cassandra Creech does excellent work on the show. She can even keep her monologue going when the baby she's holding shoves its finger up her nose. LOL  I think I'd rather see her with Ben though because poor Ben just never had any luck with the ladies. 

Edited July 29, 2024 by adrnyc

[P.J.]

Mind blown Part Deux---Tom Tammi played Jack Kiley on GL who nearly rapes Vanessa in '92. 

[Mona Kane Croft]

I liked this storyline a lot -- especially the reveal that Andy was the father of Denise's baby.  Does anyone else remember nearly the entire plot took place in Bob and Kim's kitchen?  It was crazy.  This was after they had stopped using Bob and Kim's living room and foyer set, thinking the Hughes house would no longer be needed.  But suddenly scenes in Bob and Kim's home were necessary again, so they just used the kitchen.  During that entire lengthy storyline, the only part of the Hughes house we saw was the kitchen. LOL.  And of course after that, we never again saw the interior of Bob and Kim's house.  What a crazy decision.  

[SoapDope]

This may have been posted before, but I will post it anyway. Hilarious ! I wish the confrontations from the 1970's could be found.

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