What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O’Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 – August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 – May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 – November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 – April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 – July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 – December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 – July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 – September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 – April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 – June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 – March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 – October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 – July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 – December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Edited November 23, 201510 yr by Soapsuds

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

 

She infamously killed off Maureen Bauer (allegedly to free up money to hire Justin Deas as the grating Buzz Cooper), but I believe that her tenure at TGL was JFP's most successful reign on daytime TV. A large part of it had to do with the writing, and for me personally, I was grateful that Springfield was Reva-free in the early 1990s. Phelps actually produced good shows while she was at TGL, which is hard to believe for people who have only seen her work elsewhere. After she left, Laibson and subsequent producers until the end of the series did not impress me. I hated Reva's return and all the campy, STOOPID stories they foisted on her for YEARS. Reva the Ghost. Reva the Amish Amnesiac. Reva the San Cristobelian Queen. Reva the Clone. Reva the Time Traveler. Reva the Illegal-Immigrant Savoir. Reva the Blind. Reva the Portly Sex-Goddess Who Enraptured Every Man in Springfield. Vomit.

 

I think Phelps did well with the great writing team that was Demorest/Reilly/Curlee/Broderick but once it seemed both Reilly and Curlee left the show just faltered especially once Douglas Anderson took over the reins as HW. Of course P&G went into transition as whole there in 1994 when Edward Trach retired and was replaced by longtime ATWT supervising producer Kennenth Fitts as the head honcho which proved highly disastrous in the long run, so much so by 1996 everyone in charge of a P&G soap was fired including Fitts himself. Reva was an albatross for GL whether you liked her or not and even at GL's peak success during the above mentioned writing quad viewers were wondering when Reva was coming back. So much of an albatross that once the show was floundering and lost direction there was no choice but to bring Reva back. Certainly Phelps has been an excellent producer on the aesthetics whether it be Santa Barbara, GL, AW, or Y&R but works best with good writing involved. I hadn't minded Phelps at Y&R at all really until Pratt got involved. 

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

Phelps had her moments but I also think she was blessed with a superb cast and a talented writing team. For me, starting with Beverlee and Sherry Stringfield leaving in summer '92, the overly stylized nature of Phelps' work becomes more and more difficult to tolerate. 

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Edited November 23, 201510 yr by Soapsuds

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

Edited November 23, 201510 yr by Khan

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Do you think that SFT not getting promoted well on their move to NBC played pivotal part in the ratings drop?

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

By deficiencies you mean....? Specifically.

Specifically, I mean inconsistent writing (Peggy O'Shea and Henry Slesar were great, but everyone else...?) and poor acting from many of the show's younger, less experienced actors.  Cat Hickland was pretty good, I thought (although, I tend to agree with the opinion that she was better as Jenny Diamond than as Julie Clegg McCandless); Jess Walton, too.  But, my God, some of those others....  

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Do you think that SFT not getting promoted well on their move to NBC played pivotal part in the ratings drop?

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

By deficiencies you mean....? Specifically.

The problem with the move with SFT is that it was put in its old timeslot where P&G had requested CBS to put it but they refused. So SFT was up against then powerful Ryan's Hope and The Young and The Restless so the ratings suffered. When CBS expanded Y&R to an hour they moved SFT to 1:30 pm time slot after ATWT and before GL. I didnt think IMO that the ratings were that bad for SFT at that time slot ….but apparently P&G thought so….CBS didnt budge and took it off its lineup and P&G went looking for a new home…..interesting that when it was last in the ratings P&G decided to pull the plug on the show but NBC didnt want to cancel it…..reminds me of the ATWT and GL mess.

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Do you think that SFT not getting promoted well on their move to NBC played pivotal part in the ratings drop?

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

By deficiencies you mean....? Specifically.

The problem with the move with SFT is that it was put in its old timeslot where P&G had requested CBS to put it but they refused. So SFT was up against then powerful Ryan's Hope and The Young and The Restless so the ratings suffered. When CBS expanded Y&R to an hour they moved SFT to 1:30 pm time slot after ATWT and before GL. I didnt think IMO that the ratings were that bad for SFT at that time slot ….but apparently P&G thought so….CBS didnt budge and took it off its lineup and P&G went looking for a new home…..interesting that when it was last in the ratings P&G decided to pull the plug on the show but NBC didnt want to cancel it…..reminds me of the ATWT and GL mess.

That's why I wish P&G would've just sold the rights to their whole catalogue and washed their hands cleans. But of course they didn't wanna do that! Whoever they sold it too would've most likely fixed the issue and made them profitable, and P&G wouldn't reap the benefits. I utterly hate Procter & Gamble....

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Do you think that SFT not getting promoted well on their move to NBC played pivotal part in the ratings drop?

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

By deficiencies you mean....? Specifically.

The problem with the move with SFT is that it was put in its old timeslot where P&G had requested CBS to put it but they refused. So SFT was up against then powerful Ryan's Hope and The Young and The Restless so the ratings suffered. When CBS expanded Y&R to an hour they moved SFT to 1:30 pm time slot after ATWT and before GL. I didnt think IMO that the ratings were that bad for SFT at that time slot ….but apparently P&G thought so….CBS didnt budge and took it off its lineup and P&G went looking for a new home…..interesting that when it was last in the ratings P&G decided to pull the plug on the show but NBC didnt want to cancel it…..reminds me of the ATWT and GL mess.

That's why I wish P&G would've just sold the rights to their whole catalogue and washed their hands cleans. But of course they didn't wanna do that! Whoever they sold it too would've most likely fixed the issue and made them profitable, and P&G wouldn't reap the benefits. I utterly hate Procter & Gamble....

Do you think if P&G did that their soaps might still be airing?

 

What year did Bunim and Lemay work together on SFT? I loved SFT but lost total interest in it when it moved to NBC. I am assuming CBS got rid of it because of it attracting older viewers. And as to Marland…I noticed during the transition between Bunim and Calhoun/Marland the ratings deep for ATWT for the first year and then went back up after Marland had a whole year to make changes.

A poster named FrenchFan posted this comprehensive list of SFT writers, in the cancelled Soaps forum here on SON, indicating that lemay wrote the show in 1981:

 

Agnes Nixon (1951)

Irving Vendig (1951-1956)

Charles Gussman (1956-1957)

Frank & Doris Hursley (1957-1963)

Julian Funt & David Lesan (1963-1965)

Leonard Kantor & Doris Frankel (1965-1968)

Lou Scofield (1968)

Robert Soderberg & Edith Sommer (1968-1969)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (1969-1973)

Theodore Apstein (1973-1974)

Gabrielle Upton (1974)

Ann Marcus (1974-1975)

Peggy O�Shea (1975-1976)

Irving & Tex Elman (1976-1977)

Robert J. Shaw (1977- April 1978)

Henry Slesar (April 1978 � August 1978)

Joyce & John William Corrington (August 1978 � May 1980)

Linda Gorver & John Porterfield (May 1980 � November 1980)

Gabrielle Upton (November 1980 � April 1981)

Harding Lemay (April 1981 � July 1981)

Don Chastain (July 1981 � December 1981)

Ralph Ellis & Eugenie Hunt (December 1981 � July 1982)

C. David Colson (July 1982 � September 1982)

Gary Tomlin (September 1982 � April 1984)

Jeanne Glynn & Madeline David (April 1984 � June 1984)

Caroline Franz & Jeanne Glynn (June 1984 � March 1985)

Paul Avila Mayer & Stephanie Braxton (March 1985 � October 1985)

Gary Tomlin (October 1985 � July 1986)

Pamela K. Long & Addie Walsh (July 1986 � December 1986)

There were some gems among the writers, and some real duds. Don Chastain, who took over the show after Lemay, once complained that TPTB never cared about what was best for SFT's own individual style, tone, history, and characters. The mandate was to copy what GENERAL HOSPITAL was doing, in hopes of cashing in on that show's success. Typical stupidity from TPTB.

 

Marland quickly repaired much of the damage that had been done to ATWT, upon his return, but I think it took longtime viewers a while to be lured back to the show, after being burned by its previous mediocrity. He really revitalized that show the way he had GH.

Whoa! I didn't realize that SFT had so many regime changes throughout the 80s. No wonder why it floundered the last 6 years it was on-air. From what little I've seen, the tone does change a lot in the 80s episodes. On portion of the 80s, when the McClearly clan came on, seemed like a Ryan's Hope knockoff. The height of the Liza/Travis did seem like GH. So did the last year of the show. This is why I always feel like the identity of shows need to be sustained on these shows. Once they are lost, the audience tunes out.

The ratings for SFT were still good…but they replaced with it Capitol…who had the same or if not lower ratings…..CBS should have stuck with SFT…instead NBC got it and it was doomed.

Wasn't their reason for getting rid of Search was b/c its target audience was older and Capitol was aimed to be a younger, sexier soap?

Yes….but it failed miserably….I remember watching the soaps with my mom…we were CBS soap viewers…and we'd watch Y&R, ATWT, SFT and TGL. Once CBS got rid of SFT and put Capitol in its spot it was turn off tv for an hour till TGL…..LOL ….We both loathed Capitol….LOL

So have you gone back and watched any episodes listed on YouTube? Has your opinion changed? 

I have seen some of the episodes…but Capitol still is not my cup of tea. SFT was a much better soap opera than Capitol..IMO.

 

 

8. Search for Tomorrow (CBS) 6.8

9. Capitol 5.8

 

14. Search for Tomorrow (NBC) 3.4

SFT went from #8 in the ratings to last when it went to NBC. Capitol's numbers for the first year are much lower than SFT CBS version.

Do you think that SFT not getting promoted well on their move to NBC played pivotal part in the ratings drop?

IMO, CAPITOL's saving grace was its roster of "old school" actors, which included Rory Calhoun, Richard Egan, Carolyn Jones, Ed Nelson, Constance Towers, Marj Dusay, and Julie Adams.  Their presence, along with John Conboy's trademark production values, helped viewers overlook most of the show's deficiencies.

By deficiencies you mean....? Specifically.

The problem with the move with SFT is that it was put in its old timeslot where P&G had requested CBS to put it but they refused. So SFT was up against then powerful Ryan's Hope and The Young and The Restless so the ratings suffered. When CBS expanded Y&R to an hour they moved SFT to 1:30 pm time slot after ATWT and before GL. I didnt think IMO that the ratings were that bad for SFT at that time slot ….but apparently P&G thought so….CBS didnt budge and took it off its lineup and P&G went looking for a new home…..interesting that when it was last in the ratings P&G decided to pull the plug on the show but NBC didnt want to cancel it…..reminds me of the ATWT and GL mess.

That's why I wish P&G would've just sold the rights to their whole catalogue and washed their hands cleans. But of course they didn't wanna do that! Whoever they sold it too would've most likely fixed the issue and made them profitable, and P&G wouldn't reap the benefits. I utterly hate Procter & Gamble....

Do you think if P&G did that their soaps might still be airing?

On CBS, yes. At least one of them. Les Moonves, despite my hatred for him back in 2010, he did openly say that the network was done with company owned soaps (even though that's a lie b/c they still have Y&R and B&B), which made me believe that if given the chance they would've saved one if not both shows and CBS would've had full ownership.