Well there was Ed on OLTL starting in the early 70s, so I guess he was an outlier.

On 12/1/2023 at 10:38 PM, Paul Raven said:

Back from the Dead /Presumed Dead took hold in the 80's.

It had been used previously eg SFT Sam Reynolds, GL Bill Bauer but became more commomplace in the 80's and the 90's.

Days used it with Roman coming back as John Black, and Stefano ,AW with Steve Frame/Edward Black, GH with Luke ,ATWT with James Stenbeck.

I would definitely say that the "back from the dead" trend was a detriment to soaps in general, especially on shows like DAYS, where people come back from the dead with such frequency that "death" means ZERO story wise. There's no point in mourning a character, such as Abby, because you know they'll probably be back.

So, what was done for a story "shock" or to goose the ratings made the shows much harder for the audience to take seriously.

5 minutes ago, 1974mdp said:

I would definitely say that the "back from the dead" trend was a detriment to soaps in general, especially on shows like DAYS, where people come back from the dead with such frequency that "death" means ZERO story wise. There's no point in mourning a character, such as Abby, because you know they'll probably be back.

So, what was done for a story "shock" or to goose the ratings made the shows much harder for the audience to take seriously.

Back from the dead stories are my most hated plot device and why I currently hate DOOL (once one of my favorite soaps). You are right that a death on DOOL means absolutely nothing anymore. 

5 hours ago, Reverend Ruthledge said:

Back from the dead stories are my most hated plot device and why I currently hate DOOL (once one of my favorite soaps). You are right that a death on DOOL means absolutely nothing anymore. 

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if DAYS had Alice Horton's personality injected into someone else to bring her back from the dead like they did with Steve and Stefano.

I don't know how any character on DAYS can take death seriously since they've seen so many people "come back" from it. Overwhelmingly, it's the worst overused plot device on that show. The runner-up is people wearing masks to create false conflict. 

Resurrecting this topic.

In the 80's pretty much as a result of Dynasty(Alexis) we saw the focus on wealthy more mature business women who could be quite demanding in business and the bedroom.

Felicia AW, Lucinda ATWT, Alex GL, Gwyneth LOV, Rae RH-although she was already there before Alexis took off.

Established characters on other shows were remoulded into that archetype eg Dorian OLTL, Stephanie SFT.

AMC had Erica who didn't really fit that slot but I think they were reluctant to introduce any sort of character that might outshine her.

Days, GH,  didn't really go there.

Later in the 80's Jill took that spot on Y&R.

Any other examples?

5 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

In the 80's pretty much as a result of Dynasty(Alexis) we saw the focus on wealthy more mature business women who could be quite demanding in business and the bedroom.

 

5 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Any other examples?

Y&R Dina Abbott Mergeron abandoned her family, lived a jet-set life, remarried a wealthy man, became widowed, inherited late husband's business that rivaled her ex-husband's business. Dina's introduction at the Abbott house where's she's dressed in a black suit with matching hat and veil was similar to Alexis's introduction at the courthouse where she's dressed in a black and white suit with matching hat and veil.

Edited September 3Sep 3 by kalbir

11 hours ago, kalbir said:

 

Y&R Dina Abbott Mergeron abandoned her family, lived a jet-set life, remarried a wealthy man, became widowed, inherited late husband's business that rivaled her ex-husband's business. Dina's introduction at the Abbott house where's she's dressed in a black suit with matching hat and veil was similar to Alexis's introduction at the courthouse where she's dressed in a black and white suit with matching hat and veil.

Dina had all the elements in place but didn't hang around long enough to become a real force in GC-sleeping with various men, getting involved in business deals etc.

Bill Bell seemed to lose interest. Not sure why as Marla/Dina had the potential to become a long term player in GC.

What was the story for Dina's first exit?

15 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

In the 80's pretty much as a result of Dynasty(Alexis) we saw the focus on wealthy more mature business women who could be quite demanding in business and the bedroom.

Felicia AW

This is fascinating to me because I would never have thought to categorize Felicia in this way because she was dramatic and flamboyant with a creative slant. She did not control a publishing empire although she did own/manage a series of restaurants and eventually a bookstore. But those were more about her being social than being powerful. Maybe she is more aligned with Lisa on ATWT than Alexis?

8 hours ago, Xanthe said:

This is fascinating to me because I would never have thought to categorize Felicia in this way because she was dramatic and flamboyant with a creative slant. She did not control a publishing empire although she did own/manage a series of restaurants and eventually a bookstore. But those were more about her being social than being powerful. Maybe she is more aligned with Lisa on ATWT than Alexis?

I get your point. But she was having sex with her young chauffeur when she arrived. I think the intent was there originally but the writing changed probably due to LD's persona.

There was a Jackie Collin's influence also. And Jane Elliot was wanted for that role I think. Felicia would have been quite different with Jane in the role.

11 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Dina had all the elements in place but didn't hang around long enough to become a real force in GC-sleeping with various men, getting involved in business deals etc.

Bill Bell seemed to lose interest. Not sure why as Marla/Dina had the potential to become a long term player in GC.

What was the story for Dina's first exit?

Dina first run ended in 1986. I think she just left Genoa City. I can't recall off hand if there was a proper exit story.

37 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

I get your point. But she was having sex with her young chauffeur when she arrived. I think the intent was there originally but the writing changed probably due to LD's persona.

There was a Jackie Collin's influence also. And Jane Elliot was wanted for that role I think. Felicia would have been quite different with Jane in the role.

Anna Stuart audtioned for it as well IIRC. And I think the writer who created the character supposedly had Jacqueline Susann in mind.

Early Felicia was definitely much harder and colder than the character eventually grew to be. I completely understand what you're getting at, I was just trying to think through why I had never pictured her as being Alexis-like.

On 9/2/2025 at 7:34 PM, Paul Raven said:

 

AMC had Erica who didn't really fit that slot but I think they were reluctant to introduce any sort of character that might outshine her.

 

I think the show eventually created Barbara Montgomery as Travis ex-wife that was a thorn in the side of new wife Erica.. even if at first, she and Travis had a friendly divorce and things were platonic at first.