www.Soapdom.com - Soapdom's Most Memorable Moments in Soaps 2002

Recalling 2002's best in Soapdom

Another year passes in soaps with some remarkable accomplishments, sad goodbyes, and surprising shake ups. Soapdom’s editors and a few royal members take a look back at 2002 and share their most memorable moments.

Do you have a Most Memorable Moments in Soaps list for 2002? Tell us on the Criticize the Critic message board!

Most Memorable Moments in Soaps 2002
By Linda Marshall-Smith

1) The passing of Josh Ryan Evans (Timmy, PAS). It broke my heart. Many of us at Soapdom knew Josh personally and were deeply affected by his passing. We share some of our special moments with Josh in the special tribute we ran just after his death. It includes his candid comments, wry sense of humor and some great candid photos. See Soapdom’s Tribute to Josh.

2) Soap Hopping: Lots of actor flipping in soaps in 2002. Of note for me: All My Children’s Cady McClain left the role of Dixie to act cross town on As the World Turns in the role of Rosanna. Later in the year, AMC cut Marj Dusay’s Vanessa lose, freeing her up to replace Joan Collins on Guiding Light in the role of Alexandra. Rick Hearst starring in not one, not two, but three LA-based soaps in 2002 (Y&R, B&B, and GH). Bradley Cole (ex Richard, GL) got his life support turned off in Springfield only to appear in Pine Valley on AMC as Jordan, a foil for Erica’s latest plan to win a man.

3) Soap Milestones: On January 25, 2002 Guiding Light aired its 16,293rd episode, celebrating 65 Years on the air. Then, on Sunday, June 30, 2002, Guiding Light celebrated its 50th television anniversary. One Life to Live made daytime history when it aired completely live for one whole week. We waited anxiously for this week of live soapdom just to see if major mistakes would make it to air. The actors and crew were so professional and well prepped; however, there was nary a soaps blooper in any episode!

4) Susan Lucci/Susan Flannery flub at the Daytime Emmys in May 2002. After finally winning a daytime Emmy after 18 former nominations, 1999 marked Susan Lucci’s Emmy triumph. However, Lucci was likewise nominated in 2002, along with B&B star, Susan Flannery. As presenters for the category, Adrienne Franz and Justin Torkildsen (Flannery’s B&B co-stars), announced SUSAN Flannery as the winner, many, including La Lucci thought they said Susan Lucci. Even Rosie O’Donnell seemed to confirm La Luch as the winner. Backstage the camera zeroed in on Lucci who even asked the cameraman to confirm. Susan Flannery or Susan Lucci? As Flannery took to the podium to accept the award, Lucci began to walk onstage, only to stop abruptly and embarrassed as Flannery began her acceptance speech.

5) Hunter Tylo, a B&B mainstay in the role of Taylor, killed off the air. I still don’t believe that one.

6) As the World Turns "Catch Us if You Can" bus tour. A remarkable major effort to get out to college campuses across the country to test and recruit talented ,young unknown actors for roles on ATWT.

7) Off-screen love scenes: The Erin Hershey (Alison, PC)/Brian Presley (Jack/PC) marriage proposal. Talk about a knight in shining armor! Presley arranged with Disney’s California Adventure during Super Soap Weekend West in April 2002 to whisk Hershey away on a horse-drawn Cinderella-like carriage, sweep her to the Magic Castle where his proposal included copious rose petals, a romantic dinner for two and the entire thing was filmed for Entertainment Tonight! Then, from out of left field, McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan, PAS) married Seven of rock band Seven and the Sun after a whirlwind courtship of mere weeks. Kyle Lowder (Brady) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole) of DOOL tying the knot.

8) Casting Coups and Cuts: GL getting Joan Collins and then losing her before her contract expired. Eva La Rue Callahan’s return to AMC, and AMC losing Mark Consuelos (Mateo) and Kelly Ripa (Hayley). Vanessa Marcil’s return to GH as Brenda. GH losing Genie Frances (Laura). Passions getting Liza Huber (Gwen), who originated the role of Gwen returning to the role when Natalie Zea (ex Gwen) left the show to pursue other interests.

9) Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday and head writers Paula Cwikly and Peter Brash along with several DOOL actors, giving Soapdom a candid interview inspired by questions from Soapdom’s Royal Members. See the story here.

10) And for me, the most memorable moment in Soaps in 2002 was the launching of www.Soapdom.com on November 10, 2002.

Most Memorable Moments in Soaps 2002
by Jessica Radloff

1) Josh Ryan Evan's death: The little guy with a big heart passed on way too soon. As a testament to his talent, he brought us enough laughter and entertainment to last a lifetime.

2) Return of Eva LaRue Callahan: LaRue's return to All My Children rejuvenated the show in the best way possible. Although Maria's amnesia story has been dragged on for far too long, LaRue brings a presence to the screen that is rare and invaluable. Let's hope AMC can craft a story worthy of the stunning actress' talent and charisma.

3) Return of Vanessa Marcil: As with Eva LaRue Callahan, Vanessa Marcil's return to General Hospital also helped the beloved ABC soap to return to its roots. Marcil has chemistry with everyone she encounters, and Brenda's return has finally turned GH into Must-See TV.

4) The Head Honchos at Days of our Lives: Why? For finally listening to the fans, and giving them compelling, heart-wrenching, and entertaining stories that they want to see. From Bo being the father of Hope's baby, to a mesmerizing triangle with Chloe, Phillip and Brady, Ken Corday brought DAYS back to its roots.

5) Soap Firsts:

SoapTalk premieres! Although SoapNet has been around for almost 2 years, the premiere of SoapTalk showed just how committed the network and its viewers were to watching a full hour of soap chat, stars, fashion, and more. With energetic hosts like Lisa Rinna and Ty Treadway, the show pinpoints exactly why daytime is tops.

Live Week at OLTL: More than anything, the sheer anticipation of watching an actor slip up on a line, or miss their cue was enough reason to watch Live Week. Although the show managed to pull off the feat with amazing success, it wasn't enough to help boost its sluggish ratings.

6) Brief Returns by Fan Favorites: From Charles Shaughnessy (Shane Donovan, DAYS) to Sydney Penny (Julia Santos Keifer, AMC) to Michael Damian (Danny Romalotti, Y&R) and more, fans were treated to special, although brief, returns by some of their favorite characters in daytime.

7) Behind the Scenes Changes: One Life to Live's Executive Producer Gary Tomlin OUT! New Head Writers Gordon Rayfield and Anna Casci at All My Children! A New Co-Head Writer (Jack Smith) at Y&R! One Life to Live getting new executive producer, Frank Valenti and new head writers, Michael Malone and Josh Griffith. Out with the Old, and in with the New Writing Staff at GH as Megan McTavish goes, and Bob Guza returns. Paul Raunch out as Guiding Light's Executive Producer and TV, Film and daytime veteran John Conboy along with Ellen Weston in! Although these ousted talented professionals brought a lot to the table, the behind-the-scenes shake-ups provided some much needed jolts to get some old favorites back on top!

8) Joan Collins and Patricia Field to Guiding Light!: GL nabbed (and then ultimately lost) the delightful Joan Collins in the role of Alexandra Spaulding. In addition, they managed to work out a deal to have Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field join the show to help liven up some of Springfield's wardrobes.

9) Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos depart AMC!: The characters of Hayley and Mateo sailed off into the sunset when Hayley was offered a chance to syndicate her talk show in Los Angles. From the day Hayley arrived in Pine Valley wearing a dark wig, to the time Mateo rescued Hayley from devious husband Alec McIntyre, Ripa and Consuelos were the ultimate duo both on-screen and off. They will be missed.

10) Soap Switches!: On Passions, Liza Huber returned to the role of Gwen--a role she originated, then departed from, then came back again! On Days of our Lives and Bold and the Beautiful, Brad Bell and Ken Corday decided to swap actors and characters (Massimo/Stefano; Margo/Kate) for a first-ever soap swap!

Here’s what some of Soapdom’s Royal Members list as memorable for 2002!

jorkat

On Days of our Lives, the wedding that wasn't ... Sami left at the altar by Austin in Las Vegas; Bo and Hope saying goodbye to baby J.T.; Lucas Roberts recovers from the coma and returns to the "loving" care of Sami; the new and improved Will Roberts, magically aged and devilishly transformed over the summer; and, consistently surprising and amazing performances by Nicole (Arianne Zuker).

luvnsweet

~Sami being left at the altar by Austin on Days of Our Lives was certainly memorable and a long time in coming.

~On All My Children, when Tad received Dixie's letter telling him that she was pregnant. Michael E. Knight along with Jill Larson (Opal) were so good in those scenes; it almost had me bawling.

~Alcazar's death on General Hospital! That was so cool!

~The Jack and Jennifer shower scenes.... those were great! I love Matt and Missy together! They have the best chemistry on Days!!!!!

~Megan McTavish departing General Hospital and Guza and Pratt coming up to the plate. They transformed GH into a must-see show. The whole Stavros and Cassadine storyline was so dumb but now we have a good ole who's done it? murder mystery which I absolutely love. (Agatha Christie anyone?)

~Joan Collins coming to Guilding Light. Whoa was that totally from left field. I enjoyed her as Alexandra though and then her departure and Marj Dusay coming back. Maybe they should bring LuJack (Vincent Irizarry) back too! (LOL yea I know I'm selfish... I just want Hayward out of Pine Valley!)

~Hunter Tylo being fired from Bold and the Beautiful. I didn't see that coming, and Ridge and Taylor were pretty popular. However there were some really good scenes following her death. Just no Ridge and Brooke pairing... please?!

Shuis4evr

On Days of our Lives, Sami getting left at the altar by Austin; the Brady christening for Zack/Kim and Melissa's return; Tony DiMera's PHG return; the September 11th episode; Bo and Hope's reunion on November 26th; and, the Christmas episode.

On Passions, the best passions moment IMO was the "tribute"
to Timmy on October 31; Julian's "death" and his return; the adventure between Timmy and Julian; and, Theresa's execution.

On General Hospital, Alcazar's death.

Do you have a Most Memorable Moments in Soaps list for 2002? Tell us on the Criticize the Critic message board!

Related Features: