Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 18, 1993 TAG: 9311170077
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY REICHARDT
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
"Another World" has always been a character-driven show. In its heyday, most of the show revolved around the characters Alice, Steve and Rachel (played by Jacqueline Courtney, George Reinholt and Robin Strasser). The actors who played them topped all popularity polls.
After Victoria Wyndham assumed the role of Rachel, the character fell in love with MacKenzie Cory, played by the incomparable Douglass Watson. For years, these two characters were the foundation of the show. Watson died suddenly several years ago, and the show has had much trouble regaining focus since then. But the soap continues to try.
Its most daring move is turning Mac Cory's archenemy, Carl Hutchins (played to the hilt by Charles Keating), into Rachel's business ally and - yes - potential lover.
Keating is always a joy to watch. And since Hutchins has touched the lives of almost every character in Bay City - adversely, of course - his presence in the Cory inner circle is galvanizing.
This turn of events has been a stroke of genius for the show, and the writers have taken their time in developing the now-guarded bond the widow Cory has formed with the once-dastardly Hutchins. And the fabulous Wyndham finally gets another story line.
The story also reveals Mac Cory's supposed use of treachery to build his empire. This trashing of the almost sainted Mac pulls at the very foundation of the show. "Stay tuned" is probably the right advice on this, as it is likely the show will come up with an explanation that exonerates the beloved Mac.
Although "Another World" suffered another tragic loss with the recent death of Constance Ford (who played Rachel's mother, Ada, even before Wyndham joined the show), the show has coped well. Rachel is now giving Mac's granddaughter, Maggie (played by Robyn Griggs), the same advice that Ada used to dole out.
Although the show is now using the Cory family crises to bind the show together, too many characters have been forgotten.
What about the relationship of Iris Wheeler (played by Carmen Duncan) with Hank and Tommy Kent (played by Steve Fletcher and Cory Lee Rogers)? Iris' attempts to scale down to a middle-class existence are funny, yet touching. And her scenes with Tommy have been quite moving and show a different Iris. Unfortunately, weeks go by without them.
The same is true of John and Kelsey Harrison (played by David Forsyth and Kaitlin Hopkins). They are only on the periphery of the Cory circle and have little interaction with core characters.
They do have great chemistry, and it is always fun to watch them open up to each other. The story of their elopement, told in flashback through cliffhanger vignettes, was a truly fresh approach. But more effort needs to be made to get them into the story-line mainstream, so their scenes are not jarring interruptions in the show's flow.
"Another World" recently lost Ricky Paull Goldin (who played Dean Frame) and soon will lose Alla Korot (who plays Jenna Norris) and Matt Crane (who plays Matthew Cory). Even if the show recasts, these are large voids.
The largest void will be left by Alicia Coppola, who plays the quirky and wonderful Lorna Devon.
Does anyone remember what fun Donna Hudson (played by Anna Stuart) was? With Crane's departure, it looks as though even her older woman/younger man story will disappear.
A daring story line with exciting young newcomer Grayson McCouch (who plays Morgan Winthrop) has made him seem to be Lorna's rapist. Since Morgan is the brother of the ever-popular Cass Winthrop (played by Stephen Schnetzer) - the best friend of Lorna's mother, Felicia Gallant (played by Linda Dano) - the complications surely will multiply.
"Another World" has so much going for it that in some ways its strengths become weaknesses - so many characters, but so little time.
Famed film actor Charlton Heston has started taping scenes that will air on "The Bold and the Beautiful" beginning Monday. Heston plays himself in a story line that is part of a cross-promotion with the American Film Institute. Heston currently serves on the AFI board.
Heston's scenes will be primarily with Susan Flannery, who plays Stephanie Forrester, and Darlene Conley, who plays Sally Spectra. Heston's final scenes on the soap will include his appearance on the syndicated talk show "Vicki!" which will be inserted into an episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful." In those scenes, Heston will appear again as himself to promote the Forrester/Spectra fashion show, which benefits AFI.
Also guest-starring on "The Bold and the Beautiful" is James Doohan, who played Scotty on the original "Star Trek" series and in the films. The actor will be seen Dec. 9 as mystery man Damon Warwick, father of Dr. James Warwick, played by Ian Buchanan.
United Feature Syndicate
by CNB