1985 writers' strike

[DRW50]

I was reading a Soap Opera Digest from May 1985, and they briefly mention story plans for a soap (Search for Tomorrow) but also briefly mention that the writers' strike is still in full swing.

I've read about and/or seen some of the results of strikes in the 1971 or 1972, 1981, and 1988, but I don't know a lot about any strike in 1984 or 1985. How long did this last, and did it affect any soap storylines?

[soapfan770]

The 1985 strike didn't last long if I recall I think it lasted a few weeks. It wasn't as big as either the the '81 strike or the '88 strike. Interestingly I remember on the old WOST site it was mentioned that with ATWT, Bob and Kim's wedding in '85 was written by scabs. Marland came in after the strike was over.

[~bl~]

This video clip is said to be about the writers strike of 1985 http://tvnews.vander...am.pl?ID=542757 It is with Tom Brokaw reporting. It ended up lasting less than a month (March), so it most likely didn't really effect much of anything. http://tvtropes.org/.../Main/TVStrikes (I did read something when googling about it effecting the Oscars that year.)

Basically the 1985 was about videotape rights for writers and until the last strike those formulas determined residuals. This article gives a history of writers' strikes, but not the length of the one in 1985 http://www.cbsnews.c...in3528835.shtml

[DRW50]

Thanks. That's interesting. I thought Bob and Kim had some incredible wedding episodes.

[yr9190]

How did the 1988 strike effect soaps? I mostly curious about Y&R/B&B

[DRW50]

There was an article in SOD after the strike ended, interviewing the headwriters of DAYS, Santa Barbara, GL, but no real mention of Y&R or B&B. I do wonder what was affected on those shows.

[EricMontreal22]

Didn't they make the OLTL time travel which could have been seen as a dream/fantasy into full on reality? And kill off Jesse on AMC?

[DRW50]

Yes they did. Most of the 1988 soaps were somewhat to very severely affected. I'm not sure with the Bell soaps though.

[Chris B]

Long term, Another World was clearly hurt more than anyone. IIRC, Harding Lemay had just returned and I don't think he ended up coming back after the strike. Having him write a soap at that time would've been amazng for any show, particularly AW where he had such success. That show had such trouble in the 90s and it's sad to think he never had a chance to truly put his stamp on it. I imagine he would've stayed many years and the show would've been more successful (if only since it would finally be stable).

[sheilaforever]

The credits were blank.

I think that was the only difference; both shows were really tight groups back then so even if some of the writers went on strike there was no difference noticeable on-screen.

Bill Bell always had story projections for 9-12 months penned, writing staffs of both shows consisted of Jack Smith, Kay Alden and his own son - so they alone were enough to keep the boat afloat.