R.I.P.: Bridget Dobson another brutal loss of one of daytime's finest

[BetterForgotten]

From what I’ve seen of their Tom and Margo on ATWT, they appeared to be an early template for what the Dobsons envisioned for Mason and Julia. 

[Khan]

Why did the Dobsons leave ATWT the first time (in 1981)?  And why did they return less than a year later?

[Contessa Donatella]

I am not usually unbending but with Santa Barbara, I am. Lane Davies is my only Mason. Robin Wright is my only Kelly. If they had ever recast Julia, I possibly would have had a fit! 

[Contessa Donatella]

Where do you see that? I don't see any sign that happened. 

[Paul Raven]

anuary 7, 1980 – April 1981	Bridget and Jerome Dobson
April – August 1981	Paul Roberts
August 1981 – January 1982	Tom King and K.C. Collier
January 1982 – May 20, 1983	Bridget and Jerome Dobson
May 23, 1983 – December 1983	Caroline Franz and John Saffron

[Contessa Donatella]

Thanks. I wonder what that was about. Do we know what they did in between? 

[Contessa Donatella]

I was looking at my list of favorite writers: 

Lemay, Labine, Curlee, Swajeski, Hurst, Mulcahey, the Dobsons, Marland, Val Jean, CCulliton, Falken Smith, Bell, Nixon & Phillips. 15. I like writers. 15 is probably a lot. So sue me. 

Since Bridget has died, now I count only 7 among the living. And only one of them is currently employed as a soap writer! 

Truly it is the end of an era. 

[Mitch64]

Thanks...I think that PG was not happy with what they were doing...which was recycling (poorly) their GL storylines...John/Dee/Brad vs. Roger/Holly/Ed marital rape storyline...James/Barbara vs. Alan/Hope powerful amoral outsider with core family daughter.  Helen Wagner quit at this time...etc... they did not do what they did with GL, preserve the core family while giving the show a shot in the arm with new families and "contemporary" topics. Unfortunately the replacement writers were even worse.  I would like to know how MEB got the prickly Bridget (who, God love her..seemed to be a pain in the a** sometimes.) to agree to come back. 

[BetterForgotten]

The late 70’s/early 80’s might as well be described as ATWT’s lost years. Seems like P&G really struggled with how to move the show forward and they were really caught off guard by ATWT’s ratings erosion and the rise of the ABC soaps. 

[BetterForgotten]

Stumbled upon this article from April of last year. I had no idea Jerry Dobson was still so creatively active. The play was also directed by and starred Lane Davies.

The subject matter is close to home for Jerry, lol.

Hollywood writer taps into soap-opera experience in Prague drama premiere

 

 

Edited January 9, 2024 by BetterForgotten

[Contessa Donatella]

https://soaphub.com/days-of-our-lives/news-days/nancy-lee-grahn-a-martinez-and-more-pay-tribute-to-santa-barbara-creator-bridget-dobson/

Lane Davies played Mason Capwell, firstborn son to C.C. Capwell (Jed Allan) and leading man to Nancy Lee Grahn on-screen. “Bridget was possessed of an indomitable spirit, irrepressible creativity, and a truly wicked sense of humor,” Davies shared on Instagram. “Together with her husband of 60-plus years, Jerry, she gave us some of the most memorable moments and characters in the history of Daytime Television. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.”

The Dobsons cast A Martinez as Cruz Castillo, the show’s leading man who was paired opposite Marcy Walker’s Eden Capwell. “Bridget and her husband Jerry eventually ascended into the realm of legend,” Martinez, who won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1990, wrote on Facebook. “As is always the case with great writers who will not be denied, their obsession to build their own world –– and share it ––delivered emotional medicine for years to millions of people around the world, and the power of that medicine lingers to this day. Thank you, Bridget. May a warm wind carry you always.”

 

“Bridget Dobson and her husband Jerry hired me to play the most curious, absorbing, complex, inspiring, character of my career,” Grahn posted on Instagram referring to the part of Julia Wainwright Capwell. (Grahn won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1989 for playing Julia.)

“Realizing the role of Julia Wainwright, having the privilege of feeling my way through this beautifully constructed character’s relationship with herself and others was life-altering for me,” Grahn continued. “It advanced me as an actress and a woman. It introduced 140 some countries to me and me to them and it set the path to a career that has so far lasted 38 yrs. The effect just one person can have on your life is quite extraordinary. Rest in greatness, Bridget and thank you.”

 

 

[1974mdp]

I just recently started rewatching the first months of the show and hadn't seen any of these episodes since I was a kid. While a lot of the show is rough around the edges these first few months(the silly teen story, Sophia not at all convincingly dressing as a man, the Perkins parents, actors not working out as CC, etc.) the spark that made some characters so unique and interesting with the writing and their portrayers is already there. Mason's sharp-tongued dialogue, Lionel and Augusta's marriage, and Cruz are already standouts in the first couple of months. I'm so looking forward to Julia's introduction.

[Contessa Donatella]

Oh, my, you're making me want to re-watch ... may have to do something about that. 

[Contessa Donatella]

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sandy-springs-ga/bridget-dobson-11612335

died Jan. 3

[Khan]

I still believe they were paying homage to "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" with that look, lol.