As The World Turns Discussion Thread

[vetsoapfan]

I somehow missed your tagging me in the ATWT ep, @DRW50.

Thank you, as always. I'd miss so much without kind folks tagging me!

[Reverend Ruthledge]

Does anybody know what happened to Bill Shanks? He seems to have disappeared completely from public eye. 

[P.J.]

This is Shawn Christian as Mike. He's on ATWT until early '97.  Mark Collier takes over the role in 2002. Jon Prescott comes on in 2008.

I can't think of another character named Mike/Michael on the show. Of course, Michael Park later comes on to play Carly's love interest Jack Snyder.

I believe Mark Kasnoff (the Kasnoff screwing Connor) was played by Alexander Walters.

Oh, and the "other" Betsy is Lindsay Frost. She was totally miscast as Betsy, but went on to have other good roles after ATWT. She's also the daughter of Warren Frost who played the original Jarrod Carpenter (Iva's natural father) and then Lara Flynn Boyle's father on Twin Peaks. Lindsay's son is a major league pitcher now.

Edited December 7, 2024 by P.J.

[Liberty City]

Collier [briefly] reprised the role 2009, as well. Honestly, Jon Prescott was wasted in the role.. so much potential not even tapped into.

[Contessa Donatella]

Thanks, makes perfect sense. My fault. I was thinking Mark Collier was a new Mike, not a recast.

Lindsay Frost, yes, I knew her name. It was just on the tip of my tongue. Not good as Betsy? I thought she did okay. Of course, "okay" may be a low bar. 

Edited December 7, 2024 by Contessa Donatella
more

[P.J.]

Other than being too young for the role, ICAM about Prescott. Oy..I did forget about Collier's appearance in the Redemption storyline. 

Edited December 7, 2024 by P.J.

[Liberty City]

From Katie to Lily. They tried to make it work but it's clear: there was no viable plan in-place for Mike.

YUP! That blink-and-miss reprisal.

[P.J.]

Well, blink and miss was really the only way I wanted to see Collier back.

Please register in order to view this content

  The actress who played his wife was actually a lot better than him.

I think they also tried Prescott with Meg for some reason. 

[Liberty City]

I thought they had, and I was praying that was a figment of my imagination. Ugh. Meg... another return tossed from partner to partner. Ryan, Craig, Mike.... whew.

[P.J.]

don't forget Dusty. *shiver*

[Liberty City]

"This man is not with someone... put him with Meg." 

Please register in order to view this content

[P.J.]

Following Meg Ryan was a big ask for anyone. And Frost's introduction didn't do her a lot of favors in the role. Betsy had amnesia after a car crash, and some kind of romance with her doctor, I think. And after Ryan's quirky warm-heartedness, Frost seemed ...cold in the role.

[Contessa Donatella]

When I saw on the calendar that tomorrow is the dubious anniversary of that dread day when CBS told ATWT to take a hike, I jotted down some of the episodes or clips in my Rumble acct. The account is listed as shallotpeel.

In the vintage soaps channel there are episodes from 57 (2), 58, 60, 61 (3), 62 & 63. Then 76 and for '79, 18 episodes. 

Clips include: Lyla Sings Live, The Dusty Who Moment, Lily & Holden in the Bell Tower, Iva Runs in with Pitchfork and in Stunts, Recast Reveals there is 2 Scott Eldridges. 

There are others you can find by searching on "ATWT". 

If you want a link, PM me. 

[Mitch64]

I liked Frost much better then Ryan. Ryan's Betsy was jittery then even Fulton's Lisa at that time....and she seemed, uh, special needs. Plus Frost had no chemistry with Runyon so we were rid of him.

 

Really? Collier was one of the few soap "hunks" that I thought was really good (and actually very good looking of course) he wasnt the greatest actor, but he managed to make Mike seem like a nice guy who really, really didn't know that he was hot.  Plus, the first Mike was played by that orangey guy..I think he was on Days right?

 

[Reverend Ruthledge]

Interesting. When compared to Suzanne Davidson's portrayal of Betsy, who played the role the longest, I found Meg's portrayal to be somewhat of an anomaly for the character. Lindsay Frost's portrayal seemed more like the real Betsy to me. I didn't dislike Meg Ryan's portrayal, I just found Lindsay Frost's portrayal more true to character.