Fun with contracts!

[Paul Raven]

Texas starring Beverlee McKinsee

 

Eileen Fulton got special credit in the 80's

 

'and Eileen Fulton as Lisa'

 

Was it a contract thing that Douglass Watson and Victoria Wyndham  got top billiing on AW followed by rest of the cast in order of seniority?

 

A couple of years into GH John Beradino and Emily McLaughlin demanded billing at the end of each episode.

Edited February 3, 2021 by Paul Raven

[soapfan770]

Actors I know that got special billing:

 

ATWT:

 

When the show switched its cast credits from listed by seniority to listed alphabetically Don Hastings always got listed first, and of course Eileen Fulton special end credit.

 

AW:

 

AW’s end credits were by seniority although there was Denise Alexander’s special credit. VW got listed first  by default.

 

Days:

 

MacDonald Carey

Frances Reid

Deirdre Hall 1991-2009

Wayne Northrop 1991-94

 

GL:

 

Kim Zimmer. Even though GL’s credits were alphabetical, when Deborah Zoe was on Zimmer was listed after Zoe in the closing credits.

[Paul Raven]

Constance Ford was more senior than Wyndham and Watson but was billed after them as was Beverly Penberthy and Hugh Marlowe when they were part of the cast,

[soapfan770]

 

I wonder when that began? I guess both capitalized on their popularity by late the 70’s it seems. 
 

We probably should be glad the Bell soaps have always listed cast credit alphabetically as I am quite sure there would be a real power struggle over who got starring/top billing as well as “and with...” credits by the 90’s. 

[Paul Raven]

I remember reading in the early 8o's some more senior performers had locked in 26 week cycles in their contracts rather than 13 weeks, so could not be dismissed in that time frame.

I think Mart Huswit(Ed GL) was given as an example. Ironic in that he was fired soon after.

[will81]

When Gisele McKenzie subbed for Jeanne Cooper she got a special credit after all the contract cast

 

The role of Kay Chancelor played this week by

Gisele MacKenzie

 

Not sure if this was an agreement or just out of respect for her, but I don't think any other sub actor got this, at least during Bell's tenure.

 

In terms of Eric I agree, it could not have been during Bell's run. Not even Lauralee got to dictate story, whether Bell featured her a lot or not. She did what she was told as they all did, even lines as written. As Doug Davidson said, if it ain't on the page it ain't on the stage. 

 

Melody Thomas Scott often had her wardrobe credited - Pea in the pod or something. Might have been during her pregnancies but I don't remember

 

Up to 1982 Y&R credits were not alphabetical as far as I can tell and only featured those in the episode, not sure how they worked that out

[JAS0N47]

 

Based on aired cast lists/production paperwork, Robert Alda got a special end credit for his brief time on Days as well.

[will81]

I would like to ask about episode guarantees. Were these a thing? If so did all contract cast get episode guarantees, or only those that negotiated them

I think Susan Lucci had this too at one point. I remember reading her scene were always done early in the morning/day

 

 

Also pretty sure Susan Flannery had a directing clause built into her contract at B&B as well at some point, but I am not sure. Anyone know about that?

[will81]

 

One other thing. Judith Light stated she was contracted to OLTL initially as an understudy. I never heard of such a thing in soaps ever. Does anyone know more about this? I heard Kathryn Breech was either seriously ill or contact negotiation ill at the time. 

[titan1978]

I wonder if some of them, especially New York soaps, did that to secure talent while waiting for the right role, or because they might be unhappy and wanted to be ready to go when they could fire someone?

[John]

 

According to most history Ive read on OLTL . Breech left in July 77. Julia Duffy played Karen til Nov 77 when Light took over. It even stated that Duffy was Karen when the hooking story began. Is this true?

[will81]

I thought I read Kathryn came back and Julia was there briefly in between. Now I am not too sure

[John]

I dunno I cant find any video of Duffy as Karen. Maybe Julia didnt want to stay. She just came off 4 years s Penny Davis on The Doctors

[will81]

Just found an article from Nov 05 77 that says Kathy was replaced by serial newcomer Judith Light, but I can't upload it. So yeah she must have come back

 

They also mention animosity leading to her departure

 

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by will81

[John]

Maybe she did . Did the hooker story begin with Judith as Karen Then. Maybe take a pic of it and upload it that way

Edited February 4, 2021 by John