Best NPCs on Soaps

[juppiter]

An "NPC" is a video game term -- it means a "Non-Player Character." It's a character that you cannot control, who merely exists to help move the plot along (n.b. There is also a political definition of "NPC" and I just want to be clear that I'm not referring to that definition in this post... Let's keep the politics in the politics thread

Please register in order to view this content

)

 

Let's liken this to a similar concept on soaps. An example of an "NPC" on soaps would be Dr. Rolf. He's not really his own character, but merely Stefano's henchman (although the actor was so good and became such a fan favorite that that has changed, and he has lasted way longer than anyone ever thought he would.) Another example would be Vivien on Another World or Matthew on As the World Turns -- they weren't really characters, they were just "the help."

 

Who were some of the best "NPCs" in soap history? Which writers were prolific at creating NPCs? Which long-running characters started out as NPCs but grew into characters in their own right?

[soapfan770]

Interesting topic! 

 

I’d say the following count for me:

 

ATWT: Ambrose & Jane, Brandy 
AW: Definitely Vivien too

Days: Lynn Burke, Henderson
GL: Wanda

Y&R: Mitchell Sherman, Joanie, Cody Dixon(its funny Hutzler had front burner roles on GL and Days yet played the Crimson Lights barista for years)

 

I don’t think characters like these even exist in present day daytime at all anymore do they?

 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2020 by soapfan770

[Franko]

Does Amy Vining (GH) count? She did have occasional storylines over the years, mostly related to guys she dated, but they were brief and I feel like she's best remembered for gossiping about or interacting with family and co-workers rather than her own escapades.

[j swift]

Y&R feels like they defined the NPC over the years, but the prime example has got to be John Silva.  A lawyer when courtroom scenes were needed and neither Michael nor Cricket were available, or a date for Jill to various weddings and costumes balls, this guy was constantly on call; possibly because he had no home or family.

 

Amanda Barrington, after her son Derek left town, and prior to the introduction of her granddaughter Allison, Amanda was usually called upon as the town snob.  She lent an air of elegance to any GH board meeting, usually by wearing a matching fur coat and hat.  She attended most Quartermaine events over the years, but she never seemed to be actual friends with either Lila, Monica, or Tracy.  I always imagined she spent most of her time off screen trying to maintain her complex coiffures.

 

And finally, my NPC award goes to Erica Kane's modeling agent Olga Swenson who was somehow able to survive in Manhattan on the 10% commission she earned from the world's shortest older supermodel.  Given that her other clients were the faux-Silver Kane and the late Jenny Gardner, Olga was not great at spotting talent which may have been why Enchantment never hired her to find their spokesmodel. 

Edited June 16, 2020 by j swift

[titan1978]

I think Amy counts!

I loved Amanda!

Does Lucy’s Aunt Charlene count?  I don’t remember her being much more than the person Colton and Lucy spoke about their troubles with, even if she was more salty than sweet.  She didn’t have anything major going on.  Same with Reginald.

 

 

[amybrickwallace]

 

I still miss Reginald!!

[Franko]

Absolutely. Watching clips from older episodes also helped me appreciate Stella and Jennings, too.

(Hmm ... have we ever had a thread on favorite domestics?)

[DaytimeFan]

 

I agree that Y&R really dominates the NPC character genre. Marissa Barton, Lynne Bassett, Gina Roma, Miguel Rodriguez...but as you rightly say, John Silva is the be all, end all NPC character. He had no home. No office. No family. Yet he was in the show for at least 15 years and was the go-to lawyer and a trust escort for Jill, among others.

 

I can only imagine he lasted as long as he did because of his long real life marriage to Rhonda Friedman of B&B (which ended acrimoniously with Friedman paying alimony to him).  

[allmc2008]

I kinda feel that 80's AMC owns this. The Glamorama. Mr. Jim and Ethel. Maybe @Khan's favorite? Who was it? Alfred?

 

DALLAS, if you want to count prime-time, had Punk Anderson!

[j swift]

I have to give a shout out to actress Nita Talbot as GH's go to wedding coordinator Delphine.  She designed Luke and Laura's iconic wedding, (which was quite a feat considering that it was so last minute).  I guess she overlooked hiring security which is why the wedding was crashed by both Helena Cassadine and Scotty Baldwin.  However, it was a lovely event.  I also recall that she designed Tiffany's wedding because they had modeled together in NYC.

 

She's one of those character actresses that I always recognized but never knew her name.  Then, I saw a birthday post that she turned 90 on August 8th. So, Happy Birthday Nita/Delphine, I also appreciate a little comic relief in a soap wedding.

 

Please register in order to view this content

Edited August 10, 2020 by j swift

[MinnaH]

Y&R definitely had the most of these recurring/side characters. In addition to the ones named...Col. Austin, Glenn Richards, Molly Carter, Marjorie (Lauren’s secretary), Madame Chauvin, Doris Collins, Dr. Tim Reid...I’m sure there are many others. Edit: I’m pretty sure Esther qualifies too.
 

On B&B, they’ve had Maria (Stephanie’s maid), Jonathan, Lt. Baker, Megan, Mike Guthrie, Darla (for years at a time).

Edited August 11, 2020 by MinnaH

[Dion]

On Y&R, Nate's nanny, Julia was always getting caught up in Olivia's marital problems lol

 

Please register in order to view this content

 

[teplin]

Soaps used to have a lot of these characters and they're one of the many things ti miss about the good old days. Among my favorites:

 

AW: Vivien & Louise

The Doctors: Martha Allen

DAYS: Robert & Rosie 

OLTL: Wanda (in the later years, when her storylines dried up)

 

[SoapDope]

Dynasty.....Majordomo Joseph

 

Dallas......Teresa, Liz Craig, Dora Mae, Sly, Marilee, Jackie, Muriel, Dr. Ellby, Jordan Lee, Detective Harry McSween, 

 

Y&R.....Mamie, Carol, Lynn, Gina, Connie

 

Knots Landing......The Fairgate children were pretty much used to move a plot along. 

[FrenchFan]

Who were these AMC characters ?