As The World Turns Discussion Thread

[MarlandFan]

Yes, it's brand new on Mitch's channel.  (Thank you, Mitch!)

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[DRW50]

There definitely is a notable difference for me in ATWT 1985 before and after Marland took over - the show was in a strong place (still not perfect by any means) - most of those he wrote out were not a big loss, but there was also a certain freshness, individuality and spunk which just never would have gone with his style.

You can see the biggest changes with characters like Nancy, Tom and Margo (and for some reason, Betsy and Kim seem to become less close), a heavier air he plasters with a bit of a rictus grin via campery and fantasy and hijinks (Meg, Shannon, and of course Lucinda at her most deliciously out of control). You still have some edges and outsiders too, but I never get the sense it's where his heart was and it is an odd fit for what surrounds the rest of the show (and indeed many of these elements become noticeably toned down after a year or so - beyond Meg and Shannon, see John going from a pariah to Lucinda's exasperated partner, Holden going from a dangerous stable boy to a perpetually sour business whiz, etc).

I don't really think Bedsow Horgan's ATWT could have been sustained, whereas, even with a few dips, I do think Marland managed to sustain his ATWT run (admittedly I'm one of those fans who genuinely connects with the increasingly darker strains of his final years), but there are moments of pre Marland '85 ATWT where I do wish we'd gotten more of that element carried over.

Thanks so much @Mona Kane Croft I wouldn't have even known a "new" ATWT episode was up if not for your post. We need what ATWT stood for and meant to us more than ever in today's world.

Edited April 1 by DRW50

[Soapsuds]

Looking forward to seeing the uploaded episode on my TV later today.

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[Mitch64]

This totally encapsulates Marland's ATWT. The exec producer at the time was really responsible for pulling the Hughes family out of obscurity and making them the core the rest of the show spins around...(noticebly that wanes as the drab Snyders and their incestuous dramas unfold...) and the characters were still fun and distinct..Nancy is more of a hard ass and less the boring sweet grandma,  Lisa is eccentric and wild but now has money and social standing so gives no excuses...Bob is showing an impish sense of humor (which he looses totally under Marland) John is a major pain in the ass still flicking the noses of the Hughes and Stewart's (and totally in on Lucindas schemes) Margo is still headstrong and loving and she and Tom don't spend an episode talking about how honesty is the most important thing in a relationship. I really appreciate THIS ATWT over Marland, though as you said, he has the plotting and pace down.

I wonder if SBH could have moved over to GL, as her style was more...GLish. 

[Reverend Ruthledge]

Thank you, MarlandFan.

[Reverend Ruthledge]

That was a great episode and I don't think I'd ever seen it before. I didn't start watching ATWT until the Fall of 1985 and, for some reason, there is a real lack of 1985 episodes available on YouTube. This episode definitely had a back-to-the-basics feel and it's interesting that it was pre-Marland. All these years, I had wrongly credited Marland for bringing Chris and Nancy back. It's great to see Chris in that short gap in between his comeback and his physical and mental decline (which is evident just a matter of months after this episode). I would love to see more episodes from this time period. Especially Chris and Nancy's actual return. Based on dialogue, it must have happened not too long before this episode. 

So, I'm wondering if the return to the core of the show should be more credited to the producer at the time than Marland or Bedsow Horgan. 

Does anyone know who the woman in the red dress was talking to Frannie at the Hughes BBQ? I didn't recognize her and, unless I missed it, she didn't have any lines and wasn't referred to. It's kind of hard to see her as she's usually blocked by the other actors. She could have been an extra but it would be weird to just have one extra in that scene. 

I love this episode as well as it has my favorite Frannie (JM), my favorite Margo (HBS) and my favorite Betsy (LF). 

It's funny that Lucinda was so against Lily seeing Dusty since when Holden came into the picture, Lucinda was trying to push Lily and Dusty together. 

That song at the end was sooooo mid-80s. It reminded me of "We are the World". 

[Franko]

It's "Tears Are Not Enough," the Canadian answer to "We Are the World."

https://justinmcelroy.com/2015/02/10/bring-back-the-tears-celebrating-30-years-of-canadas-forgotten-supergroup/

[Soaplovers]

Calhoun, from what I understand, was an excellent Executive producer.  

ATWT changes in tone once he jumps over to GL and Caso takes over as EP.

[VelekaCarruthers]

Susan Horgan had been an ATWT producer with no official daytime writing experience when she took over. I believe I read that Calhoun was searching for a head writer for the entire year he employed her. I wonder if P&G was always planning to bring back Marland to the fold once his two year Loving contract was up. Calhoun allowed or caused a huge merry go round of writers during Horgan's year.  Her first co-head was Cynthia Benjamin who had no head writing experience; she lasted a few months, then was moved to outlines then fired. Then, Klein/Wasserman were co head with Horgan, then demoted back to outline writers. After the two week April 84 writers' strike, ATWT producers Michael Laibson and Bonnie Bogard were listed as co-heads for about two weeks (I think because they had been the strike writers). Then, Calhoun brought in Jack Sowards and Janet Stampfl as co heads (for weeks). In addition, Calhoun turned over a few story consultants including Robert Soderberg, George Lefferts and finally Harding Lemay (who was there at least from right after the 2 week strike ended through summer).  Not to mention that the show kept adding and subtracting script and outline writers.  Calhoun obviously had no confidence in Horgan and/or she was a placeholder until Marland was no longer under contract with Nixon. I thought Taggart/King's tenure was working well. Horgan's was messy but she had such a strong cast, huge budget and Calhoun knew how to produce. They paired Marland with Horgan when they brought her back as one of his outline writers (Dec 86 through May 87). I don't think it worked out well for her working with him.

Edited April 1 by VelekaCarruthers

[P.J.]

It's Don Hastings' 91st birthday!!

[DRW50]

Happy birthday to one of the best - where would many of our childhoods have been without Dr. Bob.

[NothinButAttitude]

Happy birthday, Don! I wish him nothing but the best. I miss my Dr. Bob Hughes. 

That aside, Happy birthday of ATWT, too. 

I miss Oakdale so much. 

[adrnyc]

Thanks! Good to know. I hadn't realized that he'd stepped away from the industry.

[Contessa Donatella]

I don't know if you know but after the show ended, there were a number of divorces. Those people were really put through the wringer those last few years. He & "Emily" divorced.

Goutman & Marcia McCabe divorced.

ON GL Michael O'Leary & his high profile entertainment industry honcho wife, they divorced also.

[Mitch64]

Bob, Nancy and Lisa's voices were very soothing..from childhood through high school, college, young adulthood and not so young adulthood! I remember when Hastings gave a 9/11 speech after the show, immediately a friend called me up and said, "Everything is going to be all right because Bob said so!"