GL on DVD!

[DRW50]

Given what happened to Barbara Berjer and the guy who played Roger's father I'm surprised she was expecting anything but the axe. Then again it seems like Kobe went on a firing spree, so maybe Alexander was the first.

[RogerNewcomb]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the Charita stuff. I really wanted her to be included in a significant way but only had five years of shows to work with and having them fit into the categories.

Agree about Bernau. Some actors are just incredibly dynamic and multi-dimensional. I don't know if it can be taught in acting school but most don't have those levels.

[saynotoursoap]

I enjoyed it, too, Roger. I believe that we all understand the limitations with which you worked, especially as Charita was given very little do in her last years, other than the amputation storyline.

If future DVDs of GL are forthcoming, would you please consider the January 19, 1981, broadcast? This episode was the climax of Jennifer Richards' trial for the murder of Lucille Wexler. It was also the day the Iranian hostage crisis ended. Most of the episode was preempted for special CBS news coverage in the Eastern and Central time zones. I recall CBS being positively innundated with complaints from viewers and requests that the episode be rebroadcast in its entirety, but CBS refused. To this day, many of us diehard GL fans have never seen the conclusion to this riveting plotline.

[saynotoursoap]

I concur regarding Alan Michael. For most of his adulthood, a casual viewer or one new to the series would not have known he was a Bauer relation. Considering the animosity between Ed and Alan, dividing Alan Michael's loyalty between the two could have generated years of natural, character driven conflict. I always wondered why that was not explored in the same way we saw Phillip's war between his Spaulding and Marler roots.

I do disagree about Maureen and Ed, however. I think many people forget that when matriarchs like Charita Bauer and Mary Stuart began, they were young. They became matriarchs by growing into the role. Ellen Parker was the perfect age (late 30s/early 40s) to assume that position. Also, there were actually many parallels between Ed and Mo and Bert and Bill. Ed, like his father, was an adulterous alcoholic. Both Maureen and Bert were strong women who attempted to hold their marriages together. I thought the characters segued quite easily into those roles once Ellen Parker was cast. Personally, I could not have envisioned Ellen Dolan's Maureen as the matriarch of the series. Ellen Parker was wonderful, though. She had the acting chops as well as that everywoman persona. Had JFP not wrecked it, I feel that Ed and Maureen could have lasted until the end of the series.

Allen Potter did not like it either. He and Doug clashed constantly over this. For all of his strengths as a headwriter, in my opinion, Doug was not very adept at creating strong male characters. He was all about the women. His men were usually hunky and stupid, so the problem was not really with Greg Beecroft's acting. For me, he was more enjoyable under later writers.

[KMan101]

In regards to Mo being the new matriarch it was before I had seen the car crash episode. Ellen Parker was amazing as Mo. Her as the new matriarch? Yes. Ellen Dolan? Noooooo lol. But I did like her take on Mo

[Soapsuds]

As I said Ellen Dolan was a better Mo than Margo. I found her Margo rather boring and silly at times.

[RogerNewcomb]

I was hoping to work that one into the first set. One thing I have thought about is exactly what you said--episodes that were pre-empted in part of the country that have scenes some people may have never seen. If anyone has such a list or partial list would love to watch those again and figure out where they might fit in the future.

[DRW50]

Another one was Reva's funeral (the 1990 funeral) - this was preempted and they showed a clip of HB's eulogy in the 1992 primetime special.

[silascrocker]

Man I would Love to see that Episode again! They were very powerful scenes, Jennifer revealed That Amanda was Her and Alan's child. Amanda stood up and Had a miscarriage. I would also like to see the Episode where Lucille Wexler tries to stab Jennifer w/Letter Opener. Then Lucille Falls on it herself. Then as she is dying , says Jennifer Killed her. Great Stuff !!!

I was a kid Then, But another Episode I would Love to see again, Is when Dr Renee Dubois Runs From Roger Thorpe and Falls down a flight of stairs.I think Mike Bauer Finds her body .There are so many episodes That I would love to see again. Christmas 1981 when Bert Bauer Looks at The Camera and Wishes The Audience "Merry Christmas", The Roger Rapes Holly Episode, Hollys Rape Trial, and Bert Bauers Final Episodes. Which I think is Hillary Bauer's Funeral. Also the First GL episode That I watched(I was Nine) was when a pregnant Jackie Marler attempts to put a star on top of the Christmas tree and Falls Down. Great Memories

[MichaelGL]

My dvd just arrived today. So excited. I've got to remind myself to pace myself in watching these episodes!

[Chris B]

Based on the clip posted on the website, I didn't expect to like the Morgan/Kelly wedding, but I did. I generally hate wedding episodes because the vows are so boring and I'm not so much a couple person. Still, it was very interesting and the Nola/Floyd scenes were a big highlight. I peeked at the Gus/Harley and Double Wedding episodes (which I saw originally) and will have to save those for last lol. I couldn't believe how poor the Peapack production values were. It's all flooding back. Again, not the cameras or idea, but the horrible execution and sets and the Wal-Mart wardrobe is just too much for me.

[KMan101]

I didn't really like the Morgan that Josh was hitting on. Though Morgan and Kelly getting back together in another episode was sooo cheesy lol and the actors were terrible.

I find myself liking Hillary in all of the episodes I've seen her in. She's a very different actress and I like the character's jaded/bitter-esque edge. Also didn't mind Hillary and Tony but Vanessa all crazy eyed at them and acting like that drove me crazy.

I enjoyed Alexandra humiliating Roger. Great stuff. Beverlee McKinsey brought something so wonderful and it was great seeing the room full of familiar faces. However, the Bridget/Dylan awkwardness after interrupting Mo lashing out at Ed was just baaaad (not to mention I am getting sick of Peter Simon's emotionless stare whenever Mo reams him out. Just terrible). Morgan Englund was terrible LOL. And yes, Melissa Hayden's Bridget felt so much like Nola 2.0 lol.

I'm skipping around a bit in my thoughts but that blonde Blake? UGH. Wow. Terrible casting. Blake looked older than Holly! I've never understood SUCH rapid aging on a soap.

[DRW50]

Jennifer Cooke was so bland and boring as Morgan.

I like everything I've seen of Hillary. She's so true to life, something soaps are now ashamed of and have been for a long time.

[Chris B]

I'm glad you feel the same! I think it's just shocking, but understandable now that I know she wasn't intended to be Roger and Holly's daughter. Very interesting to think that a writers strike and a twist of fate brought us Blake, considering she became an important character for so many years. Same for the stupid idea of Michael Zaslow as Alan getting Roger back on the show.

I noticed that Christopher Berneau seemed very weak in the 50th anniversary episode. Was that shortly before he left? I wasn't expecting to see any decline on screen. It was very sad. At first I thought it was part of the story.

This is so true and I can't believe they didn't make her Nola's daughter. Even if originally they were going to make her another Readon's child, when they found an actress who looked that much like Lisa Brown you have to change plans. I also think it's sad she didn't return other than the brief return at the end. Very good actress. She's somebody I always wanted to see from GL and knew I'd enjoy. I also loved Melissa Hayden on Y&R and wish they had given her a real character.

[DRW50]

I think Pam Long did plan to bring Christina in. She just wasn't able to be involved in casting for Blake/Christina, which is why they ended up getting Elizabeth Denehy, who didn't suit the role.

Bernau left in spring 1988, I think.