Doug & Julie probably had more obstacles to overcome than most. If you recall, they were out of synch with each other repeatedly. He'd be free & she'd be with Bill Anderson, maybe. Then, she'd get free but by then he'd be with Addie. Their stolen moments out of the country sustained them. I believe that thing of them being unavailable to each other began because Bill Bell's plan was NOT TO EVER marry them! So, timing being this huge obstacle for them was by intent.

I get it that today all couples have obstacles. It has become an automatic trope that is always applied but it began by being applied to the supercouple formula that has been referred to & harkens back to PFS & Shari Anderson.

Edited January 14, 20251 yr by Contessa Donatella

10 hours ago, titan1978 said:

It’s hard to define. In the 80’s and 90’s, a supercouple for the most part was subjected to a specific formula, which was mostly designed by Sheri Anderson when she worked under Pat Falken Smith at GH during Scotty/Laura/Luke through the Ice Princess. I do think Alice/Steve on Another World and Doug/Julie were prototype supercouples before the formula is set up though.

There is something larger than life about the romance. They have to overcome obstacles in order to finally be together, an element of danger/adventure/both, and a lavish wedding. It also almost always burns them for another romantic pairing that lasts, they are seen as a true love. Time invested in their story is a huge part.

 

Your first line is ironic because you defined the term perfectly. Hats off to you.

In my mind a supercouple is limited to Luke & Laura and their knockoffs: Frisco & Felicia. All the main 1980s Brady couplings. Maybe Steve & Betsy on ATWT.

I think calling Jessie & Angie a supercouple is an insult to the actors & writers. The characters had inner lives and ambitions that didn't revolve around their pairing.

4 minutes ago, bongobong said:

In my mind a supercouple is limited to Luke & Laura and their knockoffs: Frisco & Felicia. All the main 1980s Brady couplings. 

General Hospital started the supercouple trend but Days took it to a whole other level.

I agree that supercouples were a phenomena of the 80's and tied to the action/adventure trend.

As well as the obstacles of a villianous rival  eg Larry Welch, there had to be some larger than life factor ,usually involving criminals/spies etc.

Days and GH did the most.

I think there had to be some longevity also.

I would include Travis/Liza, Steve/Betsy at some point but the Betsy recast and Doug Marland's writing for them moved them in a different direction.

Other popular couples, who faced more mundane,traditional obstacles do not earn supercouple status.

As for Bill Bell not wanting Doug and Julie married ever, I don't buy it.

I think he believed that they could have got another year or two out of the story before the wedding.

1 hour ago, Paul Raven said:

I agree that supercouples were a phenomena of the 80's and tied to the action/adventure trend.

As well as the obstacles of a villianous rival  eg Larry Welch, there had to be some larger than life factor ,usually involving criminals/spies etc.

Days and GH did the most.

I think there had to be some longevity also.

I would include Travis/Liza, Steve/Betsy at some point but the Betsy recast and Doug Marland's writing for them moved them in a different direction.

Other popular couples, who faced more mundane,traditional obstacles do not earn supercouple status.

As for Bill Bell not wanting Doug and Julie married ever, I don't buy it.

I think he believed that they could have got another year or two out of the story before the wedding.

That Bill Bell didn't plan to marry Doug & Julie is published in more than one text. I seriously doubt that any of them were lying. 

 

2 hours ago, Contessa Donatella said:

That Bill Bell didn't plan to marry Doug & Julie is published in more than one text. I seriously doubt that any of them were lying. 

 

Could you cite those texts so I can refer? Thanks in advance.

4 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

I agree that supercouples were a phenomena of the 80's and tied to the action/adventure trend.

Exactly - "star-crossed lovers" has long been a trope for literature, but it's not the same thing as a supercouple. In all honesty, I see so many shows still clinging onto that thing and it's just not working these days - partially because of the budget (action/adventure stories rarely work without at least some budget), but also since it seemingly makes viable characters never being able to move on. 

3 hours ago, te. said:

Exactly - "star-crossed lovers" has long been a trope for literature, but it's not the same thing as a supercouple. In all honesty, I see so many shows still clinging onto that thing and it's just not working these days - partially because of the budget (action/adventure stories rarely work without at least some budget), but also since it seemingly makes viable characters never being able to move on. 

They did use the cheap version of the formula with Spencer/Esme. The whole Cassadine adventure, the prolonged period of tension between them/keeping them apart, Esme, the banter. And while I believe they improvised the run into each other’s arms, that is about as supercouple as it gets. The biggest difference was due to IMO racism and the stupid FV schedule.

43 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

They did use the cheap version of the formula with Spencer/Esme. The whole Cassadine adventure, the prolonged period of tension between them/keeping them apart, Esme, the banter. And while I believe they improvised the run into each other’s arms, that is about as supercouple as it gets. The biggest difference was due to IMO racism and the stupid FV schedule.

I find this confusing. You mention Spencer/Esme but then you refer specifically to the run/jump into arms that was Spencer/Trina. Makes me go hmmm. 

6 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Could you cite those texts so I can refer? Thanks in advance.

Here's the first one I've found today, at least.

Hayes, B., & Hayes, S. S. (2005a). Like Sands Through the Hourglass: A Story of Love. New American Library, A Division of Penguin Group. ISBN 0-451-220005-6

"Head writer Bill Bell had sworn he would never let Doug and Julie marry. But Bill was gone. CBS had offered him carte blanche to do whatever he wanted, and he went on to create and produce The Young and the Restless and then The Bold and the Beautiful, two great soaps that will remain on the air as long as daytime serials last. Bell continued to influence our lives as my mother's writing mentor, but he was no longer writing DAYS. So, in 1976, Corday gave Doug and Julie up to marriage, that state of romantic fulfillment the fans were begging to see."

1 minute ago, Contessa Donatella said:

Here's the first one I've found today, at least.

Hayes, B., & Hayes, S. S. (2005a). Like Sands Through the Hourglass: A Story of Love. New American Library, A Division of Penguin Group. ISBN 0-451-220005-6

"Head writer Bill Bell had sworn he would never let Doug and Julie marry. But Bill was gone. CBS had offered him carte blanche to do whatever he wanted, and he went on to create and produce The Young and the Restless and then The Bold and the Beautiful, two great soaps that will remain on the air as long as daytime serials last. Bell continued to influence our lives as my mother's writing mentor, but he was no longer writing DAYS. So, in 1976, Corday gave Doug and Julie up to marriage, that state of romantic fulfillment the fans were begging to see."

Woah, this is fascinating. I have to read this book! 

Thank you for sharing! 

5 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Woah, this is fascinating. I have to read this book! 

It is well worth the read. Bill & Susan swap back & forth. He writes a chapter. Then, she writes one. And, so on. Also they are both excellent scribes, using a vast vocabulary, having a great sense of what their audience is interested in, using colorful & descriptive phrases.

Edited January 14, 20251 yr by Contessa Donatella
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Just now, Contessa Donatella said:

It is well worth the read. Bill & Susan swap back & forth. He writes a chapter. Then, she writes one. And, so on. 

And thank God we have people like you who remember all these details and bits... and can quote them perfectly with sources. I would never have remembered such a thing with my ADHD. SON continues to be the place where I find the most accurate info. ❤️ Thank you! 

If they talk about your wedding(s) decades after it/they happened, you might just be a supercouple.

23 minutes ago, Franko said:

If they talk about your wedding(s) decades after it/they happened, you might just be a supercouple.

That is one da*n fine way of putting it!