ALL: Bad Moves by Well Regarded Soap Writers/EPs

[Khan]

I agree!!

As @DRW50 and @Franko have said, TSS was the brand-new soap Douglas Marland was working on at the time of his death (although, it was just in the bible stages, it hadn't been sold to any network or sponsor).  Supposedly, it was to be set in a coal mining town in PA.  Also, Marland appeared to have learned a few lessons from LOVING, telling SOD that he planned to focus initially on just 6-8 characters, believing that it would do no good to bombard new viewers with characters they don't know and don't care about yet.

I wish a copy of that bible was available, because I'd LOVE to read it and see what kind of vision he had had for his last creation.

[Planet Soap]

Yeah, its crazy that Katherine was without major storyline from around 1992-1997. At least Kay consistently had story from 1998-2013. Unfortunately those years were filled numerous nonsensical RETCONS

Bad Move by Well Regarded William J Bell: Killing of Rex Sterling. Why? The show didn't benefit from this at all. We barely got flashbacks of Kay and Rex in the years following. Katherine still pined over Philip despite Rex being a considerably better husband. 

Another bad move: Killing off Cassandra. Even if she was written off the show at the time she could have came back in the future. She was really an old Hollywood beauty and the character could have been explored more.

Edited December 12, 2024 by Planet Soap

[I Am A Swede]

Taylor and Jackie also pointed out Stephanie's creepy obsession with Ridge and his lovelife. (And also got slapped for it)

[Planet Soap]

Some of her most disgusting moments were trying to force Miguel to make her drinks, when she was in denial about her alcoholism. Seen here:

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Nikki later attempted to fire Miguel, and Jack rehired him. She was also verbally condescending to the "maid"  Veronica "Sarah" Landers 

What's also interesting about this scene is Neil pulling Dru away from Victor. At first she was this wild girl talking in the white writer's attempt to do slang, lol. In another episode, I think it was the masquerade ball, Neil apologizes to Victor for Drucilla's "english" to which Victor replies its delightful. 

Neil came off as a square black guy in corporate America seeking white approval. He loosened up a bit in the mid '90s though.

I always thought he and Olivia should have been together since they were both the same kind of character. Malcolm and Drucilla would have been interesting for a while.

Edited December 13, 2024 by Planet Soap

[DRW50]

The show seemed to be going down that path in the mid '90s but they had already poisoned the well with Malcolm raping Dru. I also didn't think Olivia and Neil had much chemistry.

I always thought Neil looked down on Dru. One of many examples of self-righteous men on Y&R who just put me off. Ryan was another in that age group.

[Soaplovers]

In her first few episodes, the show dressed Stephanie up to be more matronly..especially in her debut episode.  This was thankfully rectified and after a few episodes was dressed more glamorous and confident.

Not only did B&B play up the odd Stephanie/Ridge subtext...the show also played up her jealousy of her daughter Kristen and viewed her as competition for Eric.

Was there an Eric/Kristen subtext..or just projection on Stephanie's part. 

I think Bill Bell not addressing Eric and Stephanie's Oedupus and Elecktra complexes was a mistake.

[P.J.]

What might have made sense is Cooper playing Lucinda and Royce's mother in flashbacks.

[Liberty City]

Well, the plans were to "age" Cooper with makeup and prosthetic, which would have worked. But, with Marland's passing, we'll never know how it would have gone.

[1974mdp]

Oh, wow...I never heard the rumor that JC was considering leaving the show for ATWT. Was there any speculation on what character she would play?

It's a shame that Jeanne Cooper was left without much to do for years....

[Liberty City]

Lucinda Walsh's mother, Gloria Keller.

[kalbir]

I doubt that, considering that Jeanne Cooper and Elizabeth Hubbard were only 5 years apart in age.

[Liberty City]

As I previously posted, the plan was to age Cooper, via makeup and prosthetics. But, when Marland died, the plans were scrapped.

[kalbir]

@Liberty City I missed that, thank you for the additional info.

[P.J.]

What ended up airing was Liz Hubbard playing Gloria. The age difference between Cooper and Hubbard wouldn't have mattered, as they were flashbacks.

What I can't recall is if Hubbard also played "young Lucinda" or that she just wanted to in those same flashbacks.

[Khan]

I know one of the actors from "The Baby-Sitters' Club" (the '90's TV series, not the movie or the other series that came later) played young Lucinda in some scenes, but maybe Hubbard played her in some scenes as well?