13 hours ago, DRW50 said:

That's such a great tagline.

I do like Jay - as you said, he was cute, even if not the greatest actor. I understand why Marland wrote him out, even if it was only a half-exit (he was still living in Oakdale with that Speed woman [what was her actual name?] who must have escaped from Lujack's old gang), but I might have just had him in Kevin's role.

Marland didn't write Jay out, he kept him around to use as a red herring during the Doug Cummings storyline. He spent at least a year under Marland's regime as Head Writer, and left when his 3 year contract expired.

I know that Jay, Heather, Steve, Betsy weren't mentioned in full details in his story bible when he became head-writer.. but I think he kept them on in order to see if there was some inspiration that would hit him and/or if they clicked with any of the new characters he intended to create/introduce.

I do recall when Iva was first introduced.. she interacted a bit with Steve/Betsy while Jay was used as a red herring and talk to for the Frannie/Kevin/Doug/Marie story.. and I don't recall how Heather was used.. but I know that she lasted until 1986 as well before being written off.

13 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

I know that Jay, Heather, Steve, Betsy weren't mentioned in full details in his story bible when he became head-writer.. but I think he kept them on in order to see if there was some inspiration that would hit him and/or if they clicked with any of the new characters he intended to create/introduce.

I do recall when Iva was first introduced.. she interacted a bit with Steve/Betsy while Jay was used as a red herring and talk to for the Frannie/Kevin/Doug/Marie story.. and I don't recall how Heather was used.. but I know that she lasted until 1986 as well before being written off.

Heather was more or less a confidante of Frannie's and was strangled, but survived, during the Douglas Cummings storyline. I think she knew too much or something. She was romantically involved with Roy. 

16 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I do like Jay - as you said, he was cute, even if not the greatest actor. I understand why Marland wrote him out, even if it was only a half-exit (he was still living in Oakdale with that Speed woman [what was her actual name?] who must have escaped from Lujack's old gang)

Haha...too bad it wasn't a reformed Marcy from Lujack's gang..she deserved a nice cute guy and poor dim Jay needed a woman to wear the pants..which Marcy would have done with glee.."Look pal, if you aren't going to tip your not welcome back here..do I need to cut you???"

1 hour ago, Reverend Ruthledge said:

Heather was more or less a confidante of Frannie's and was strangled, but survived, during the Douglas Cummings storyline. I think she knew too much or something. She was romantically involved with Roy. 

I do wonder if Marland had plans for Heather. (however long Jay was there under his pen, I don't believe he had plans for him - I only remember seeing him fleetingly in what is available of that time) Heather had been more involved in a friendship with Betsy and was then moved toward Frannie at the same time Frannie was becoming heavier in story. Her relationship with Roy did get a steady build as a B or C plot, and we saw her conflicts with his sister Nella as his family was introduced. 

She very abruptly exited around summer 1986. IIRC, Tonya Pinkins mentioned some issue with Calhoun, but I may be wrong.

21 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

I know that Jay, Heather, Steve, Betsy weren't mentioned in full details in his story bible when he became head-writer.. but I think he kept them on in order to see if there was some inspiration that would hit him and/or if they clicked with any of the new characters he intended to create/introduce.

One of Douglas Marland's 10 rules was "Don't fire anyone for six months." He felt very deeply that you should look at the show's canvas before you do anything.

Which is why characters like Kevin, Jay, and Heather stuck around. Any other head writer would have swiftly removed them. However, Marland used Kevin and Jay as a red herring in the Doug Cummings story, while Heather developed into Frannie's confidant.

But behind the scenes, some actors were unhappy, particularly Tonya Pinkins, who played Heather. She likened what went on behind the scenes to a "clique." She asserted that a significant amount of backstabbing occurred. The final straw came when she went on vacation for two weeks and confirmed with the producers that she would be available to return afterward. Then, when she returned from vacation, she was told she had her last day and shouldn't bother coming back. Around the same time, Steven Weber (Kevin) and Breck Jamison (Jay) were written out as the Doug Cummings story concluded. So at least Marland gave these three characters a chance before getting rid of them.

The situation with Steve and Betsy was more complicated. Marland does not like super-couples dominating a show. He resigned from General Hospital over Luke & Laura and was now confronted with Steve & Betsy dominating the action. Unfortunately, Marland found himself enmeshed with them. Marland would never get rid of Betsy because of her deep roots with the Stewart clan. Furthermore, a character with connections to numerous other central characters presents a wealth of story. Marland did say he was frustrated with Betsy being stuck in the "loving wife" role opposite Steve. This is why he was determined to break them up. Marland emphasized Steve's "pride" and determination to be a success. At the same time, Marland portrayed Betsy as an enthusiastic businesswoman. This situation would add conflict to their relationship. Frank Runyeon's decision to leave the show likely relieved Marland, allowing him to steer the character of Betsy in a different direction.

Edited November 16Nov 16 by TheyStartedOnSoaps

Just now, TheyStartedOnSoaps said:

One of Douglas Marland's 10 rules was "Don't fire anyone for six months." He felt very deeply that you should look at the show's canvas before you do anything.

Which is why characters like Kevin, Jay, and Heather stuck around. Any other head writer would have swiftly removed them.

This is where I get confused.

Marcy, Stuart, Frank and Maggie all went early in his run as headwriter. Were they already being written out when he arrived? 

He never even mentioned Maggie during his whole run as headwriter, which always makes me wonder if something went on behind the scenes.

4 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

This is where I get confused.

Marcy, Stuart, Frank and Maggie all went early in his run as headwriter. Were they already being written out when he arrived? 

They were all in the process of being written out by Susan Bedsow-Horgan. By the time Douglas Marland became head writer, they were already practically out the door

I don't think Heather's exit has survived to YT. For weeks or months she was hiding the wooden first Nella's pregnancy secret then she was gone. I assume Roy found out and they busted up. She was a fairly consistent presence til then.

Edited November 16Nov 16 by Vee

1 minute ago, Vee said:

I don't think Heather's exit has survived to YT. For weeks or months she was hiding the wooden first Nella's pregnancy secret then she was gone. I assume Roy found out and they busted up. She was a fairly consistent presence til then.

I am trying to remember if she even has an oncamera exit or if she is just written out.

13 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I am trying to remember if she even has an oncamera exit or if she is just written out.

Since Tonya Pinkins said she was told she already had her last day after returning from vacation, it looks like someone on the show mentioned in passing that Heather had left town to think over her life

Heather Dalton arrived on the canvas around 1984, no?

I don't remember Heather being a confidante of Frannie Hughes until Julianne Moore was in the role in 1985. Before that, Heather was closer to Betsy and Steve since Heather and Tucker were dating and Tucker was Steve's friend and business partner. Then, when Betsy and Sierra became friends, it seemed as if they were going to be a trio of girlfriends but I guess, after Tucker left town (I don't even remember the circumstance, does anyone else? Strange), and as Marcy was leaving the canvas, Heather was shifted into the friend group with Frannie and Kevin.

Edited November 17Nov 17 by DramatistDreamer

I thought Tonya Pinkins and Julianne Moore had believable friend chemistry.

10 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

I thought Tonya Pinkins and Julianne Moore had believable friend chemistry.

For a short period in 1985/86, Marland positioned Heather, Frannie, Betsy, and Sierra as gal pals (same ages, most pursuing college degrees). It felt very natural and there was definite chemistry between all four.  I wish those relationships had strengthened, but each character had her own storyline which eventually drove them away from that core group.

7 hours ago, MarlandFan said:

For a short period in 1985/86, Marland positioned Heather, Frannie, Betsy, and Sierra as gal pals (same ages, most pursuing college degrees). It felt very natural and there was definite chemistry between all four.  I wish those relationships had strengthened, but each character had her own storyline which eventually drove them away from that core group.

Unfortunately, Heather's storyline drove that character right out of Oakdale.

I remember there was a scene with Frannie, Sierra and Roy (presumably in the lounge at Oakdale U.) where Roy was discussing what how things fell apart between he and Heather and wondering if Frannie had heard from her. There was a sweet moment between the two where Frannie was trying to comfort Roy with words of encouragement. It was an understated moment of grace. It's a shame because I thought they could have been a good friend group and I was sorry that Heather/Tonya was no longer on the canvas.