4 hours ago, titan1978 said:

I think Susan Flannery had a lot to do with that in the early years. I admit to not seeing much of Vanessa, or being a Bold fan, but early Stephanie walks a delicate balance thanks to Flannery. I know Jane Elliot was cast then let go before the show started, and while Jane is an excellent actress, I think she would have run too hot as Stephanie.

I didn’t know JE was almost Stephanie! I guess her and Flannery have subtle similarities but I couldn’t see her playing the role long term like SF did

Susan Seaforth Hayes was also mentioned for Stephanie. I always found John McCook a little dull. Things might have been different with another actor as Eric.

3 minutes ago, Paul Raven said:

Susan Seaforth Hayes was also mentioned for Stephanie. I always found John McCook a little dull. Things might have been different with another actor as Eric.

So did I, although Eric was always a dullard and a patsy, so I guess it fits.

18 hours ago, Wendy said:

Not a B&B viewer, so I can't comment on the stories themselves, but...I think ALL soap writers reuse their own material!

While before my time, I know Bill Bell did a mother/daughter triangle on Days of Our Lives with Doug Williams, Addie Horton, and Addie's daughter, Julie (which is how Doug's daughter with Addie Horton, Hope, has half-sister Julie also as her stepmother. LOL!), and, as I recall from SOD, was basically done again with Brooke, Deacon, and Bridget.

Brooke/Deacon/Bridget was Bradley Bell. Even Bradley has dusted off his father's work.

6 hours ago, bongobong said:

Did anyone else get the vibe that Storm played Bill like he had more of an interest in Thorne than just as a suitable husband for his daughter? His involvement with Margo seemed more like an arrangement. His flirtations were with women like Stephanie & Donna he probably knew he couldn't form a relationship with. And he owned Stud Magazine!

I felt Bill Spencer Sr. original characterization was a villainous version of Stuart Brooks, but I don't think Bill Sr. was intended to be a villain. Bill Bell never really had a villain on B&B. Some may say Clarke was a villain, but I think his original characterization was cut from the Brad Carlton mold (employed by the business-owning family, has conflicts with the business-owning family's playboy son, pursues one of the daughters of the business-owning family).