The TV Book, Sundoy, December 29, 1985
Soapdom had unremarkable year by Connie Passalacqua
Daytime soaps had an unremarkable year, at least when it came to major events: No new soaps premiered, but on the other hand, none were canceled, either. Throughout the year, bottom-rated "Search for Tomorrow" was rumored to be a sure goner at NBC, but even that show was recently given a reprieve (and a dynamic new producer, John Whitesell, ex-producer and director of "Guiding Light"). No new daytime soaps are scheduled to premiere in 1986, although ABC has two in development.
Many shows took major soap opera innovations of the last few years, "such as location shootings and lavish special events, and played them to the max. The November "royal wedding" on "Guiding Light" of spoiled princess Mindy Lewis (Krista Tesreau) and Kurt Corday (Mark Lewis) was done so elaborately and presented so much like a fairy tale that it could have made even Princess Diana envious. Daytime's most popular couple, Bo and Hope Brady (Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso of "Days of Our Lives"), were wed in May at an enormous cathedral in England, with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a royal couple. But the dignity of the day was unintentionally ruined when Bo burst into song at the altar. As he serenaded his wife, Reckell sounded like Alfalfa of "The Little Rascals."
Many shows literally broke the bank doing location settings. Perhaps the most beautiful of the year was the February excursion to Venice on "One Life to Live," followed closely by the November journey to the Grand Canyon on "Another World." The most effective, though, was the least glamorous - the February visit of "All My Children" to the Ossining Correctional Facility, featuring the ordeal of inmate Brooke Cudahy (Julia Barr),
The most improved show of the year was certainly "One Life to Live," which made a dramatic comeback both quality and ratings-wise in the hands of new executive producer Paul Rauch. The Niki-Vicki plot line, featuring the incomparable Erika Slezak, was certainly the best of the double character story lines that were done on seven shows this year. We can only pray for more original story lines in 1986.
Meanwhile, there's plenty of new talent to watch out for next year. Two performers especially to watch are Guy Davis (who plays Josh Hall on "One Life to Live"), the son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee; and Shawn Thompson (Simon of "Guiding Light"), a sassy Maxwell Caulfield lookalike.
Looking back those lavish weddings and location shoots did nothing for the ratings or long term follow through.
Kurt and Mindy were soon forgotten, OLTL in Venice had no consequences nor did AW Grand Canyon.
The money would have been better spent on better writing and story.
Connie was off with her predictions re Guy Davis and Shawn Thompson.
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Paul Raven ·
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