As The World Turns Discussion Thread

[Mitch64]

So Dea's Tom does have some connection to the character's past. I always thought they should make more of Chris and Nancy (well especially Nancy) being a bit shocked at Deas Tom..but they had sidelined them so bad I have no idea if she ever had scenes with him.

[SoapDope]

I liked Tammi & Marx versions of Tom. Scott Holmes grated on my nerves. It would have been interesting if they had been able to get Peter Galman back as Tom when Lien was introduced. Galman played the first adult Tom back from Vietnam 1969-1974.

[Paul Raven]

C David Colson was popular as Tom in the 70's and played out the Tom/Carol/Natalie story.Judging by pics he came across as a little more 'alpha' than earlier Toms. Maybe that mix of masculinity and sensitivity that Don Hastings had.

The ages of the various actors who played Tom as an adult

Peter Galman 24 in 1969

C David Colson 33 in 1974

Tom Tammi 34 in 1979

Justin Deas 32 in 1980

Gregg Marx 29 in 1984

Scott Holmes 35 in 1987

Tom was born in 1961.

 

 

 

[Mitch64]

I remember as a little kid who could care less about Mom's "show" would pay attention when Colson was on..and I looked at pics and he was cute.

Speaking of Natalie...that terrible recast/version the Dobson's brought back, with that dumb movie being filmed in Oakdale by her "greek tycoon" movie producer husband was such a waste of a potential good character.

[SoapDope]

They pretty much kept Tom in his 30's for 2 decades. I would love to see some of Peter Galman and C. David Colson's ATWT run surface. Galman once stated he was looking for footage on his youtube page. 

[Mitch64]

Funny that Holmes was 35 when he started..he seemed about 48!

[Mona Kane Croft]

Both Tom Hughes and Dan Stewart were sorased way to quickly. I read a long time ago they were the two fastest sorased soap opera kids in the history of soaps.  But that may have changed since it was published.  As I recall, there was some pretty quick sorasing in the 1990s on a few soaps.  

[Reverend Ruthledge]

I think Michael and Marianne Randolph and Mike Horton could, at least, tie Tom and Dan in the SORAS department. 

[SoapDope]

The rapid aging thing reminds me of what they did on Family Ties. If I recall correctly baby Andrew aged from a newborn to a toddler in a single season. 

[Paul Raven]

Mike Bauer, Leah Bauer.

Nick Newman.

[DRW50]

I am not sure how viewers at the time felt about it, but beyond some of the spats between Barbara and Margo (which would continue through the rest of ATWT's run), I don't actually like the whole plot with Barbara scheming to get Tom and Margo believing that Tom had cheated on her. I know it was done to liven Barbara up after many wan years, but by the standards of most Marland material, the whole thing seems extremely plot-driven. Tom and Margo are never really the same as characters after this (or her miscarriage). I think the other schemes Barbara is thrown into afterward, like bringing Duncan to town to ruin the Shannon/Brian relationship, feel more natural. I know they had to get Barbara from the point of just being the put upon heroine to being a schemer, but I wish they'd found another way. 

[P.J.]

I don't remember what my reaction was, but I'm sure some didn't like it. I don't recall why Barbara focused on Margo and Tom. Other than some lingering friction with Margo over her affair with James.

I think it served Barbara better in the long run. Love usually sparks an about face, so I guess losing at love should too. 

[Soapsuds]

That's what Margo mentioned as a possible reason during her confrontation with Barbara.

Edited November 17, 2024 by Soapsuds

[SoapDope]

Too bad that Barbara and Tom never married back in the day. James and Margo could have schemed to break up the couple. 

I remember a SOD interview with Zenk where Margaret Colin happened to see her and say hello' Zenk commented to the interviewer " She was my Margo and Deas was my Tom". I think that is odd since most of her scenes where played with Tom Tammi. 

[P.J.]

It seems like Tom Tammi was only there a year or so. Deas was there longer. Maybe it's just the fact that Deas made a bigger impression on her that made him "her Tom". And no one's memory's infallible.