Soap Opera Stars November 1984

While looking for something that had nothing to do with soaps, I came upon an issue of Soap Opera Stars from November 1984. Other than the reader’s poll, and a humor feature of soap opera bloopers, what is interesting is how many of the people in the magazine are still known to viewers of soap operas today.

The main title of this issue is “Young & In Love Will their dreams ever come true?” The biggest picture is Bo and Hope of Days of Our Lives there are smaller pictures of General Hospital’s Frisco and Tania, All My Children’s Tad, Hillary and Dottie, and Guiding Light’s Beth and Lujack. The cover also features articles with GH’s Steve Bond, DOOL’s Pete Jannings (aka Michael Leon) and Young & the Restless’s Beth Maitland (Traci). So out of the twelve people on the cover, seven of them have appeared on a daytime soap in the last 2 years, even if they no longer portray those particular characters. Other than the cover, there are no color pictures in the magazine. The inside front is a poster of Peter Reckell on the motorcycle, the back inside and outside cover are advertisements for a subscription to DAYTIME TV (12 issues $18, 24 issues $34, and 36 issues $47, which is a savings of $16) and Salem Lights cigarettes. They have an ad in the magazine for Playgirl also.

Other small features are pictures of actors outside in bathing suits (men and women), a baby update with photos of Colleen Zenk’s daughter Kelsey, Lisa Brown’s son Buddy (who played AJ on GL as a baby) and Laura Malone’s son (who was from AW). There is a GH fashion feature, a page listing the nominees and winners of the Daytime Emmys in 1984 for soaps, game shows, and talk shows. As the ABC soaps had a five-week hiatus due to the Olympics, it was asked what actors were doing at that time. There is a Nike giveaway for shoes and running suits. There is a who’s who on the soaps with cast lists, fan club information, Soap Opera Follies shares on screen bloopers, like on Days how Eugene and Bo were in Tony’s penthouse, and the guard dogs came out they weren’t tied together, but later in the scene they were GL’s Claire Ramsey tried to check the breathing of Leslie Ann with a stethoscope, but didn’t have it on her ears. Of course, aren’t stethoscopes used for checking ones heartbeat, not their breathing. On Loving, Lorna told Curtis, she had an abortion, on the next episode, the scene continued and her hair was different. GL’s Josh Lewis proposed to Reva, and she looked at the empty diamond engagement box, which could be seen to the audience as a Cubic Zirconia. AMC’s Adam Chandler told Phil watch his lips, while talking to him on the telephone. Accidentally AW’s Mac Cory hit play when he was trying to make a memo on a tape recorder. What is the funniest part, is if this magazine used your submission, you’d get a check for $2. They also have fan letters and information on how to contact the shows. The magazine ends with an introduction to Santa Barbara, which premiered in 1984, funny photos, and a last look at Meg Ryan and Taylor Miller as they left daytime.

In Hollywood Happenings, they focus on things going on with west coast soap stars. This issue has 13 soaps listed, and only 4 were in the west back then. The article was written by Michael Logan. Here are some of the highlights that I found interesting. It mentions how Sharon Wyatt who played Tiffany on GH left in 1983 based upon how blasé the program’s executive producer Gloria Monty reacted to her after she asked point blank whether or not she wanted her to stay. Emma Samms aka Holly on that program also was referred to in reference to her charity work and being in a miniseries Ellis Island. John Bernadino (Dr. Steve Hardy) got his dressing room moved due to health problems he had due to a sport injury and placed right next to the soundstage. I doubt a soap opera now would construct a room for a veteran performer to make it easier for them on set. One really interesting tidbit at least to me is that Joseph Mascolo (Days’ Stefano) and Marj Dusay (GL’s last Alex) would hone their acting skills with the same acting instructor. Who knew? Deidre Hall (Marlena) had an event for 2,800 fans at the Hollywood Palladium. The actor who played Howie Hoffstedder Stanley Brock smoked a cigar walking around the crowd upsetting some people and actress Lanna Saunders (Marie) complained about it to him. Eric Braden (Y&R’s Victor) talked about his workouts, and how once in Florida he had no were to exercise. He ended up talking his limo driver into following behind him as he jogged and shadow-boxed through the darkened streets. The cast of Capitol celebrated their second anniversary at Spago with champagne flowing and dancing until dawn everyone had to be at work the next day at 9 am. The Bites from the Big Apple section had less interesting tidbits as many of the actors are not familiar to viewers of today. They spoke with Alec Baldwin briefly about his upcoming role on Knots Landing, Linda Dano’s Harlequin book is mentioned, and Morgan Freeman being in a mini-series called the Atlanta Child Murders. A reception that was held in honor of Charita Bauer (Bert on GL) was referenced as to how the writers and Gail Kobe the executive producer at that time thought it would be helpful to tell the story of her amputation. “I know that it will be a positive influence and help people.” A book called “The Year in Soaps” by Rod Townley is also mentioned, which was an almanac of stories from daytime in 1983, which is one I don’t own. The most amusing mention is John O’Hurley (best known for Seinfeld) and Michael Conforti (who writes soaps now currently at GH was an actor) ended up paddling their canoe in spite of a heavy downpour in the Hausaconic River in Connecticut.

The young and in love section featured Bo and Hope and recaps their story. At this point, Hope and Larry are engaged even if their first try at getting married didn’t work, and Megan is trying to get Bo back into her life. Y&R features Paul and Lauren and how they got married, though they first started dating when Lauren was engaged to Danny. Patty hates Lauren for coming between Danny and Traci. Lauren blackmails Jack for the money to pay for Danny’s video. When confronted, Lauren tells Paul the truth about everything, but will she lie again. AMC features Dottie, Tad and Hillary, which is funny considering tad and Hillary’s child is on canvas now. In this story, Dottie wants Tad who is being paid by her mother to date her, instead of being upset over Tad being paid, she wanted her mother to give him more, so they could sleep together. The Guiding Light story mentioned is about Lujack and Beth. It talks about her time at the beach and how she draws a picture like both Phillip and Lujack, and how Mindy wanting Phillip hides the postcard Beth sent him. When Lujack went to the beach to see Beth, they admitted their love to one another, though Beth has no idea how to share this news with Phillip. OLTL features Cassie and Simon, who I am not familiar with, (considering this magazine is so old I feel kind of good it took this long to get to a couple I had no idea about). Simon took a job as Dorian’s chauffeur to get closer to her daughter. Cassie and Simon went on a date, and later Dorian found them embracing. She fired Simon, but he blackmailed her into getting his job back. GH’s Tania wanted Grant Andrews, but Frisco wanted her. When Grant rebuffed her, Tania turned to Frisco who was willing to be her friend for now. While I didn’t see this story, I do know they were involved eventually. I know Jack Wagner from later GH plots and the actress who played Tania (Hilary Edson) was later on Another World and Guiding Light. The last two pages in this topic feature Ryan’s Hope (Dave/Maggie), Capitol (Ricky/Brenda), As the World Turns (Jay/Frannie), Another World (Caitlin/Sally), Loving (Jack/Stacey) and Search for Tomorrow (Cagney/Suzi). Most of these stories and characters I do not know. The actors who played Dave and Maggie on RH were Scott Holmes (Tom ATWT) and Cali Timmons (who originated Paulina on AW) Search for Tomorrow’s Cagney was played by Matthew Ashford, and Billy Warlock was Ricky on Capitol. I’m pretty much at a loss with the other performers.

The Viewer’s Ballot is one of the most interesting parts of the magazine. It is a way to see who was popular enough to have a voting fanbase back in the 1980s.

Best Soap Opera
1. Days
2. GH
3. GL
4. AW
5. ATWT
6. Y&R
7. AMC
8. OLTL
9. RH
10. EON
11. Loving
12. Capitol and SFT

Best Couple
1. Bo and Hope (Days)
2. Roman and Marlena (Days)
3. Scorpio and Holly (GH)
4. Mac and Rachel (AW)
5. Greg and Jenny (AMC)
6. Steve and Betsy (ATWT)
7. Quint and Nola (GL)
8. Phillip and Beth (GL)
9. Neil & Liz (Days) and Jim and Hillary (GL)

Best Actor
1. Peter Reckell (Bo, Days)
2. Wayne Northrop (Roman, Days)
3. Tristan Rogers (Scorpio, GH)
4. Grant Aleksander (Phillip, GL)
5. Frank Runyeon (Steve, ATWT)
6. Doug Watson (Mac, AW)
7. Michael Tylo (Quint, GL)
8. Jed Allan (Don, Days)
9. Josh Taylor (Chris, Days)
10. Brian Patrick Clark (Grant, GH)

Best Actress
1. Kristian Alfonso (Hope, Days)
2. Deidre Hall (Marlena, Days)
3. Emma Samms (Holly, GH)
4. Jacquie Courtney (Alice, AW)
5. Judi Evans (Beth, GL)
6. Lisa Brown (Nola, GL)
7. Sherilyn Wolter (Celia, GH)
8. Victoria Wyndham (Rachel, AW)
9. Gloria Loring (Liz, Days)
10. Kim Delaney (Jenny, AMC)

Best Male Newcomer
1. Michael Leon (Pete, Days)
2. Sam Behrens (Jake, GH)
3. Jordan Clarke (Billy, GL) and Michael Woods (Jim, GL)
4. Chris LeBlanc (Kirk, ATWT)

Best Female Newcomer
1. Lisa Trusel (Melissa, Days)
2. Susan Pratt (Claire, GL)
3. Harley Kozak (Annabelle, GL)
4. Melonie Mazman (Tess, Days)
5. Tasia Valenza (Dottie, AMC)

Best Villain
1. Quinn Redeker (Alex, Days)
2. Joe Mascolo (Stefano, Days)
3. Andrwe Masset (Larry, Days)
4. Thaao Penghlis (Tony, Days)
5. Terry Lester (Jack, Y&R)

Best Villainess
1. Leann Hunley (Anna, Days)
2. Nancy Frangione (Cecile, AW)
3. Beverlee McKinsey (Alex, GL)
4. Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, Y&R)
5. Kim Ulrich (Diana, ATWT)

Gone but Not Forgotten
1. Shirley Deburgh (Delia, Days)
2. Pamela Roylance (Sandy, Days)
3. Meg Ryan (Betsy, ATWT)
4. Tony Geary (Luke, GH)
5. John Stamos (Blackie, GH)

Now to the articles with the specific actors featured. The Beth Maitland article (Traci on Y&R) focused on her life, how she and her sister were enemies growing up and now were friends and how she was happily single, and planning to release an album. Kim Zimmer (Reva on GL) gets a two-page feature about her husband A.C. and daughter Rachel, who was two at the time. It is mentioned how on OLTL, A.C. and Kim acted together and little Rachel saw a scene in which daddy hit mommy. After that, Rachel would say “no, no” whenever her parents embraced. The AMC article was about Carmen Thomas (Hillary) who is 16 and on the program. She dropped out of high school in Atlanta to join AMC and in her first week she got about 70 fan mail letters. Carmen mentions how Ruth Warrick (Phoebe) gave her flowers when she started and on the first day she aired, Ruth took her out to lunch and watched the show with her. The Days interview is on Andrew Massett, Larry Welch. He talks about his two daughters, and how he sold computer systems. While doing that job, he got a short gig on Falcon Crest, and since the casting director at Days back then Doris Sabbagh worked at both shows he was hired to play Larry. The OLTL interview is with Liz Keifer (who played Connie at that time, but is best known as Blake on GL). She talks about a former boyfriend who was wealthy that she didn’t marry, the character of Connie, compares Y&R to OLTL and about how she ended up on OLTL after trying out for RH too. Judith Chapman (who is now on Y&R as Gloria) got the GH feature. Her roles on ATWT and RH are mentioned as well as her guest spots on The Fall Guy, Knight Rider, Magnum PI, Trapper John and Remington Steele. Also featured are interviews with Karrie Emerson (Jodie on EON), Chris Breck/Chris LeBlanc (best known now for being Michael on Y&R) who were on ATWT in a joint interview, Cheryl-Ann Wilson (Megan on Days), Jon St. Elwood (who played Jazz Jackson on Y&R) and Lesley Vogel (Edy from Loving whose interview is ripped out of the magazine unfortunately as it is otherwise pristine.)

That’s a slice of the soap world of 1984. I enjoyed looking back to a time before I watched the shows with any regularity and typing up the highlights.