Can the Dobsons save Santa Barbara ?
By Jeffrey Pearlstein, Soap Opera Update, 1991	Home   Cette page en Français

Now that the storm is over and the dark clouds have disappeared, the sun slowly rises for Bridget and Jerome Dobson, the creators, writers and original producers of Santa Barbara. After a long legal battle, the Dobsons have triumphantly returned to the show that they were forced to abdicate in 1988. Now that the Dobsons are back (in the position of head-writers and creative production executives), they certainly have their work cut out for them. What's in store for the characters of Santa Barbara ? Will the ratings rise to match the show's critical acclaim ? For the answers to these and other questions, we asked Bridget Dobson about the future of Santa Barbara !

How does it feel to return to the show that you created ?

Jerry and I both fell in love with the characters and the show, and now we're reunited. It feels wonderful, like being home, but I think your home either gets better or worse. I don't think it's quite the same. I think personally I have continued to grow, and I hope professionally as well. We don't want to stand still. We want to get better... like wine !

How will you accomplish that ?

It feels like we have a lot of work to do. The first order of business is to design long term storylines that will last six months to a year, and we have just finished doing that; getting network approval on the stories that will run at least for the next six months.

What type of stories will you focus on ?

Generally romantic ones. There's not a lot of violence because that's one of the things that I think went wrong with Santa Barbara - it got too violent. There will be a lot of emotional intensity, and we're going to test our actors to see all the dimensions of their characters.

The characters aren't as clearly defined as they used to be... Will you be putting a greater emphasis on character development ?

Yes. I plan to give each character a fuller set of dimensions. They are wonderful and they are terrible, each of them in their own way, and the gamut in between will be evident. We hope to raise the ratings, and I think the way to do that is to make the characters fully believable so that the audience can really understand them. With humor and with the best intentions, the characters will encounter the most gut wrenching conflicts that they've ever encountered... until next year !

Are we expected to see a drastic change in the current cast ?

There's not going to be a bloodbath. We have wonderful actors and we're going to use them in different ways. The Lockridges and the Capwells have definite storylines that both interact and or separate.

Does that include Nicolas Coster ?

Yes. The Lockridges are in place. He's going to be available to us as we need him, and if he isn't available we are not planning to recast the character.

Speaking of recasting, a few characters have been recast in your absence. What is your observation of the actors now playing those roles ?

I'm just now getting acquainted with the actors doing those parts, and I think they're excellent. For instance, Mason, as played by the present actor (Gordon Thomson), will be more like the old Mason, the Greek chorus. He will be given a more multi-dimensional set of emotions to play.

Will there continue to be humor ?

Yes. That was part of the original concept of the show. There will be less antic comedy and more wit, which stems from character.

One noted problem was that storylines were either quickly dropped or left loose threads. What will you do about that ?

I cannot say that we will tie every thread that was written while we weren't here, but when we write, threads don't get lost. I don't know that you can please everyone all of the time, but we will do our best to write a good show.

How is it working with John Conboy ?

It's been just super. I have enormous respect for his talent and the suggestions that he's made have been wonderful. We've really had a good time... and he's also very funny.

You both have a reputation for being strong-minded people with definite opinions. Will that be an asset or a hindrance ?

That may be very good. It might be the best thing that ever happened to this show. It's only been a short time, but it's been terrific working with John... as long as there's mutual respect and a sense of humor. We've done just beautifully.

Is it true that the characters of Lionel and Augusta are mirror images of you and your husband ?

Well somebody started that rumor, but it wasn't me ! (laughs) Actually every one of the characters that we created or write for becomes an extension of something in us.

Are there any characters from the past that you would like to bring back ?

There's a possibility that Pamela might come back, but I'm not certain.

If the character does return, will she still be portrayed by Marj Dusay ?

Yes... Well the negotiations haven't begun, but it's a possibility that Marj could come back.

Why do you think that Santa Barbara is in a class by itself ?

It's a unique show. In all of daytime there is nothing quite like it. Santa Barbara breaks all of the rules and takes a lot of risks, and I like that.

So Santa Barbara will not become a typical daytime show ?

No. I have never considered myself a conformist. I couldn't conform to any one mold. That would be really difficult. Jerry and I have been in the business for a long time and you develop certain skills, but beyond that you have your own personal boredom threshold, and we get bored very easily.

What is your main objective ?

To raise the ratings and make Santa Barbara the most respected soap on the air. It certainly has the respect of our colleagues, and I'm very proud of that.

Do you think that the ratings can be raised ?

There won't be miracles, but any changes will be the result of some experience and some very hard work. I'm not certain that it can be achieved in three months, but I'm certain that it can be achieved in two years. I think the ratings will have turned around in at least two years.

Will your return as head writers be noticeable to the show's viewers ?

If you have been watching the show all along, you might see a difference. I don't want to get into our stories and have them turn immediately left or right. I hope it will be a comfortable transition into material that we love.