Yes, Greg was a "suspect" (from the audience's perspective) during the stalker storyline. We were supposed to chalk it up to his bizarre headaches. Even as a kid, I immediately ruled him out. lol.

That last Greg recast was a dud. Don't know what they were thinking. Greg could have stayed around as Jill's sounding board/conscience and lawyer about town, along with being the go to for light romances with various females eg Gina, Nina etc

Wings Hauser was badly miscast as Greg. He was just sleazy/bizarre and so far from the look of James Houghton. Of course, Brian Kerwin came before Hauser. There were a lot of actors that would have been better as a recast.

1 hour ago, Paul Raven said:

That last Greg recast was a dud. Don't know what they were thinking. Greg could have stayed around as Jill's sounding board/conscience and lawyer about town, along with being the go to for light romances with various females eg Gina, Nina etc

Yet the actor in question still had a far more successful career than Wings Hauser ever did 🤣

Idk, I think the problem with Greg was between the inconsistent casting the character wasn’t too far different that any other male characters on Y&R. I feel Greg’s place was quickly taken by Brock, followed by Steven Williams and then by the time Greg left we had Andy. Maybe if Greg had been a more nefarious conniving figure it might had worked out.

13 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

Yet the actor in question still had a far more successful career than Wings Hauser ever did 🤣

True, lol!

Anybody would have been better than Wing's Hauser.

Any suggestions who would have worked in the role after Houghton's departure that would have made the Greg character stand out ?

5 hours ago, SoapDope78 said:

Any suggestions who would have worked in the role after Houghton's departure that would have made the Greg character stand out ?

That's...a tough one, lol.

In a way, I think that the role of Greg Foster was tailor-made for James Houghton, or vice-versa; and that Houghton never should've left Y&R, as I don't believe anything he did as an actor afterward was as successful (and yes, that includes playing Kenny Ward, lol).

I also think Howard McGillin would've worked out fine as Greg, but I think he came along at a time when Y&R was in a sort of tailspin after the expansion to 60 minutes and subsequent cast defections/overhauls and ratings drop. So much of the show was in flux; and unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to figure out how McGillin's Greg could fit in with the overhauled cast.

1 hour ago, Khan said:

That's...a tough one, lol.

In a way, I think that the role of Greg Foster was tailor-made for James Houghton, or vice-versa; and that Houghton never should've left Y&R, as I don't believe anything he did as an actor afterward was as successful (and yes, that includes playing Kenny Ward, lol).

I also think Howard McGillin would've worked out fine as Greg, but I think he came along at a time when Y&R was in a sort of tailspin after the expansion to 60 minutes and subsequent cast defections/overhauls and ratings drop. So much of the show was in flux; and unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to figure out how McGillin's Greg could fit in with the overhauled cast.

Bell was pretty much over the Foster/Brooks with the recasts and the final nail in the coffin was Jaime Lyn Bauer's exit. I don't think Hasselhoff was all that great as Snapper. By 1980 he was ready to bolt and there were long stretches where he was off the canvas chasing after TV pilots.

It would have been interesting see how Houghton's Greg would have paired with MTS Nikki. They would have made an attractive couple onscreen and on magazines. They may have been Y&R version of GH's Laura & Scotty circa 1979.

As for recasts, I could see someone like Gregory Harrison in the role if he hadn't gone to primetime. Harrison and Richard Shoberg (AMC) had a similar look.

Olympic Swimmer Mark Spitz was trying to become an actor in the 70's, maybe they should have offered him the role of Greg. Even though he had no acting talent, he would have been better than Wings Hauser.......LOL

2 minutes ago, SoapDope78 said:

Olympic Swimmer Mark Spitz was trying to become an actor in the 70's, maybe they should have offered him the role of Greg. Even though he had no acting talent, he would have been better than Wings Hauser.......LOL

I'm surprised John Conboy didn't snap him up, lol!

Gregory Harrison would've been an interesting choice for a Greg recast. I think he would've fit in well, both with the Y&R of the '70's, and with the '80's, too.

And for sure, if James Houghton had stuck around, he might've looked fantastic next to MTS, although I think a big problem with him, both on Y&R and away from it, was an inability to connect with most of his female co-stars.

Howard McGillan might have worked as Greg if given the chance, but as we said Bill was losing interest .

Greg could have shown an interest in Ashley. That would have been interesting as Jack would be against his sis involved with Jill's brother. Or Greg could have been involved with Traci in a more friendly type mentor relationship a la Brock and Nikki. Again Jack would have been wary.

And Greg might have still been apart of Nikki's life in some way.

There was mileage there and Liz of course should have stayed on. Her being a friend of Mary would have been viable.

25 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

Greg could have shown an interest in Ashley. That would have been interesting as Jack would be against his sis involved with Jill's brother. Or Greg could have been involved with Traci in a more friendly type mentor relationship a la Brock and Nikki. Again Jack would have been wary.

And Greg might have still been apart of Nikki's life in some way.

That all would've been fantastic to watch. I also could see McGillin's Greg becoming involved down the road with Gina.

Greg Foster paved the way for Lucas Prentiss, Matt Miller, Thorne Forrester. The second son that wanted the first son's girl.

4 minutes ago, kalbir said:

Greg Foster paved the way for Lucas Prentiss, Matt Miller, Thorne Forrester. The second son that wanted the first son's girl.

I guess you could say he walked so all those guys (and others) could run, lol.

@Khan Hahaha true, but then again Bill Bell loved writing brothers fighting over a girl. See also Mickey/Bill on Days, and later on Y&R Jazz/Tyrone and Neil/Malcolm.