Just now, DRW50 said:

 

There is something indescribably magical about this early 80s Erica. It's that girl that everyone talks about in every small town. That girl that makes people crazy with everything she does. It's almost like you know her. Ah. Thanks for sharing. 

We need to get lucky and have the early 80s in full available years... These people with VHS-tapes out there... MUST have them. I am going to put this in my next prayer when I go to church. 

10 minutes ago, Maxim said:

There is something indescribably magical about this early 80s Erica. It's that girl that everyone talks about in every small town. That girl that makes people crazy with everything she does. It's almost like you know her. Ah. Thanks for sharing. 

We need to get lucky and have the early 80s in full available years... These people with VHS-tapes out there... MUST have them. I am going to put this in my next prayer when I go to church. 

I think it's because they have the balance just right between Erica's sincerity and her drive and her camp - we are still seeing her grow, still seeing her as the little girl finding the big world. The show being brave enough to keep her out of Pine Valley for years was also important for the character. And Susan Lucci just had such a spark, before the inevitable ossification/"legend" status that tends to stunt character and actor.

Another April 1993 episode.

I see the channel put up a July 1993 episode four months ago.

5 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Another April 1993 episode.

I see the channel put up a July 1993 episode four months ago.

Thanks!  And some local Santa Barbara news as an add-on!   The quality of these episodes is so good.

There was nuNatalie, I see.  Man, I haven't seen an episode with her in so many years.

While I was always team Tad/Dixie and really loved Tad's return, I remember still liking Brian Bodine because of the Hayley/Brian pairing with the first actor.  This second actor was good too, but some of Brian's bad boy persona got lost.

Edited April 9Apr 9 by alwaysAMC

10 minutes ago, alwaysAMC said:

Thanks!  And some local Santa Barbara news as an add-on!   The quality of these episodes is so good.

There was nuNatalie, I see.  Man, I haven't seen an episode with her in so many years.

While I was always team Tad/Dixie and really loved Tad's return, I remember still liking Brian Bodine because of the Hayley/Brian pairing with the first actor.  This second actor was good too, but some of Brian's bad boy persona got lost.

Brian is one of those characters where the previous actor (and I know he wasn't the first either) embodied the character enough to where without him the character just seems like a stranger. (and didn't he magically become a singer, as also happened when this guy played Sam Fowler on AW?)

Melody Anderson is OK, I remember her doing good work in a short stint on St. Elsewhere, but you can't replace Kate Collins. They seem to be trying to style her like old Natalie with the hair, a bit in the clothes...it works if you are not in closeup. In closeup she reminds me of Christopher Norris. 

I think I dislike Dixie's hairdo here more than her short cuts. It's much too...mall-ish.

Edited April 9Apr 9 by DRW50

13 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I think it's because they have the balance just right between Erica's sincerity and her drive and her camp - we are still seeing her grow, still seeing her as the little girl finding the big world. The show being brave enough to keep her out of Pine Valley for years was also important for the character. And Susan Lucci just had such a spark, before the inevitable ossification/"legend" status that tends to stunt character and actor.

Nicely put. 

I watched a few episodes with the New Nat once the Carter story and blindness story were over.. in order to see how she would do with Nat when not in peril.   She wasn't too bad as Nat at all.  

She had a warmer and less neurotic demeanor.. and did well the few times the show bothered to write Nat with a bit of wit/sarcasm during her stint.  She was a good actress, but playing the wrong character.

@MaximErica in 1983, from what my mom told me, was her in peak form.  She had obtained her life and career in NYC during that time and would come back to visit Pine Valley for events where her observations were so out of sync with the rest of Pine Valley.. it was almost comical.

 

3 hours ago, Maxim said:

Nicely put. 

ICAM!

May I ask anyone to either confirm or deny this memory of Cliff & Nina's (first) wedding?

I recall that Phoebe did not attend because Palmer, following Nina's wishes, invited Dr. Tyler, who would be bringing Mona (seen center-left, daring to wear white to a wedding 😉👰).  Dr. Tyler worked with Cliff, and he was part of Nina's treatment team, so it seemed like a natural request.  But, Phoebe lived next door to Palmer, so she would be invited, despite the fact that she did not want to be in the space as the new bride of her ex-husband.  However, I can never remember if Erica went to the wedding or stayed in the city?

I always thought of there being a rift between Erica and Phoebe (given their various interactions throughout the 70s). Despite the idea that later writers tried to sell them as respected ol'pals.  Which I track as starting at that anniversary episode when everyone gathered at the Martins (including Erica), to look at old family picture albums.  One could hardly image Ruth Martin inviting Erica Kane over for tea and memories.  But, it shows what a gracious hostess Ruth, and Mona, could be.

Edited April 9Apr 9 by j swift

5 hours ago, chrisml said:

I guess he should have given Erica and Dimitri more time   They turned out to be an outstanding couple!  I wonder if he ever admits it later on...

4 hours ago, chrisml said:

I love her so much! ❤️

On 4/9/2025 at 10:53 PM, alwaysAMC said:

I guess he should have given Erica and Dimitri more time   They turned out to be an outstanding couple!  I wonder if he ever admits it later on...

He let them have it! 😅🤣

On 4/9/2025 at 11:56 AM, j swift said:

May I ask anyone to either confirm or deny this memory of Cliff & Nina's (first) wedding?

I recall that Phoebe did not attend because Palmer, following Nina's wishes, invited Dr. Tyler, who would be bringing Mona (seen center-left, daring to wear white to a wedding 😉👰).  Dr. Tyler worked with Cliff, and he was part of Nina's treatment team, so it seemed like a natural request.  But, Phoebe lived next door to Palmer, so she would be invited, despite the fact that she did not want to be in the space as the new bride of her ex-husband.  However, I can never remember if Erica went to the wedding or stayed in the city?

I always thought of there being a rift between Erica and Phoebe (given their various interactions throughout the 70s). Despite the idea that later writers tried to sell them as respected ol'pals.  Which I track as starting at that anniversary episode when everyone gathered at the Martins (including Erica), to look at old family picture albums.  One could hardly image Ruth Martin inviting Erica Kane over for tea and memories.  But, it shows what a gracious hostess Ruth, and Mona, could be.

I don't recall any scenes with Erica at Nina's wedding. She was probably in NYC at the time.