Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Friday, 18 Dec 1992 14:02:40 MST
From: <IDSWB@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps
Subject:    DOOL: SSH letter - Part 2

Hopefully I will be able to post the remainder of this letter now.  I
want to give a special thanks to all of those who posted and you will see
that I have used a lot of info an most of you will recognize.  I tried to
change some of the wording but, the idea's still there.  A super dooper
special thanks to BB and Razzie.  They sent me last minute articles just
in the nick of time so I could compose this letter accurately.  I tried
very hard to get all of the details right.  I just hope I didn't miss
something a have a boo boo somewhere.  Thanks again and enjoy the second
half.

BTW, my questions are in *'s

                *Part #2*

In the 1980's Ted Corday's fabulous soap opera really hit the skids.  Al
Rabin had taken over as producer and Nina Laemmie had come in as head writer
and killed off fourteen contract players, including Bill Horton.  In despera-
tion, Pat Falken Smith was asked to return.  In the few short months she was
doing the writing she created the Brady family.  Although she was not around
for the casting of the Brady's, they interacted well with the Horton's.  Bo
Brady and Hope Horton (Julie's daughter) *oops, that should've been Williams*
were married.  Marlena Evans (Diedre Hall) and Roman Brady became married also
and once again the Nielsen ratings rose.  Of course, Doug and Julie Williams,
Mickey and Maggie Horton and Julie's son *sorry, didn't have time to find the
name* and his wife Trish were all still on the show.  The Horton family was
still thriving.  *Now I think on it, was the Horton Family still thriving?*

Doug Williams was a terrific singer.  His daughter-in law, Trish and her
mother, Jeri were fabulous singers as well.  There were songs that were sung
that didn't need dialogue to explain who they were dedicated to.  It was
always so obvious.

When Pat Falken Smith left the show the writers came and went like running
water through a faucet.  The only Horton currently left on the show are
Tom and Alice, Julie, Mickey and Maggie, Jennifer, and rare appearances by
Bill.  The inconsistiencies and lack of realism has just flourished in the past
twelve years.  There are very few, if any, scenes left with the Horton family
members, let alone in the Horton household.  Gone are the days of talking
around the dining room table.  A perfect example of this is Thanksgiving at
the Brady pub.  I sure hope that Christmas is still at the Hortons with the
Christmas tree decoration party and Alice saying a few words as the ornaments
for the missing Hortons are placed on the tree.

Now, to my amazement, there is going to be another deletion in the Horton
family.  Julie!  I'm sorry, but this is beyond my comprehension.  When Julie
returned a little while ago to the cast I was extremely impressed.  Then with
the return of Bill Horton, I thought the show was really going to improve and
get back on track.  What happened to Ted Corday's concept of a "One Man's
Family feel"?

Since his return Bill Horton has had little, if any, storyline at all!  Bill
was once a famous doctor in the city of Salem, had status, and was well
thought of by most Salemites.  Since Julie has returned she has gone from a
major storyline to barely any storyline at all.  She interacts very well
with Jack and Jennifer and she also shows a lot of chemistry with Victor
Kiriakis.  *Sure hope I spelled that right*

On Sunday, December 13, 1993, an article appeared in the Los Angeles Daily
news.  It said that Susan Seaforth Hayes' services would no longer be needed
and that her story had been told.  Her last scheduled appearance is to be in
the second week of January.  I was flabbergasted!  Then I realized that there
have been a lot of good actors/actresses that have been given the same story
in the last few years.  Mary Beth Evans and Steve Nichols, who also raised
the Nielsen ratings drastically, are just a few of them.  I'm definitely
getting the feeling that all actors and actresses are expendable in the city
of Salem.  Julie has been a woman of the 90's with her strength and substance,
her vestige of class, sophistication, and fashion.

There was also mention in this article of "needing more time to focus on the
next generation."  I'm beginning to wonder if it is believed that none of
their viewers are over the age of 40 or if it is felt that actors and
actresses over the age of 40 have no contributions left to make.  If either
of those is the case I look at that as an insult to over half of todays
population in the United States!

As for not being able to write a story for her, give me a break!  Without
much thought whatsoever I can come up with a few.  Julie currently is the
owner of the Salem spectator.  Jack works there.  They've always worked
together superbly.  Their wittiness in scenes together is great!  She also
works great with Jennifer.  After all, they're cousins.  She knew Bill and
Laura and may have an idea or two about the mystery of the house Jack and
Jennifer are living in.

Once upon a time she used to be a real witch.  There are currently no roles
that cover that area.  She could once again slip back into that stage.
Remember the Susan/David/Julie triangle?  When she met Doug she changed.
Now that Doug is again out of her life, she could become bitter again and
take it out on all the Salemites.

Another possibility is a love match between her and Victor Kiriakis.  There
has always been chemistry between them.  She instinctively knows his moods
and how he's feeling.  She has an uncanny way of talking to him and under-
standing him.

One last question, what is going to happen to the Hortons when Tom and Alice,
for some reason, have to leave the show?  It has always seemed to me that Doug
and Julie would be the perfect couple to head the Horton family after they
leave.  Julie could become involved with Victor and then Doug could return
to stir the emotions up again.  Victor once played this role when Doug and
Julie were married and he owned Doug's place and he and Julie were having some
marital problems.  Why not reverse the roles?

In summation, I'm terribly confused as to why a fine, four award winning
actress as Susan Seaforth Hayes is being told that her services are no
longer needed.  I do not believe the problem lies in the actress.  I have a
real strong tendency to wonder whether the problem may lie in the writers or
producers.  I'm absolutely certain though that if Ted Corday was looking
on his once famous soap opera he would be thoroughly disgusted at what has
become of it!

Let me know what you think.

A bleary-eyed but, happy after telling 'em off Quince

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