In light of the news that All My Children is potentially being rebooted as a holiday movie on Lifetime, Soap Hub reached out to a few of your favorite Santa Barbara alums to see their thoughts about the potential to bring their show back.
History
Santa Barbara aired on NBC from July 30, 1984, to January 15, 1993. Created by the legendary soap opera writer and producer, Bridget and Jerome Dobson, the show became one of the more iconic soaps of its era, known for its unique blend of romance, drama, and intrigue.
Set in the fictional coastal town of Santa Barbara, California, the series focused on the powerful Capwell family and their interactions with rival families, including the Lockridges and the Andrades. The Capwells, led by patriarch C.C. Capwell, were central to the show’s plots, which involved love triangles, business power struggles, family secrets, and dramatic twists. The show was known for its rich, often extravagant storytelling, and its beautiful California setting, which added to its appeal.
SB won several awards during its run, including Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. Despite its critical success and loyal fanbase, the show faced challenges with low ratings and changes in creative direction, eventually leading to its cancellation in 1993. Although it lasted less than a decade, Santa Barbara left a lasting legacy in the world of soap operas.
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Lane Davies (Mason)
How would you feel about SB being rebooted as a movie? I’m not sure I can picture SB as a movie. The immediacy and intimacy that came with daytime television were such integral parts of its charm, and that might be difficult to capture in a film format.
Where do you see Mason at this stage of his life? At this stage of his life, I see Mason as having mellowed out and become sober, but still retaining his formidable presence. Deep down, he’s still a romantic at heart.
What do you miss about being on soaps? The camaraderie and the whole work process. There was something special about stepping in front of the cameras every day and collaborating with such a dedicated team.
You recently reunited with a number of your castmates from the show. How did that feel seeing each other after all this time and to be received so warmly by the fans? It was an incredible experience—very healing, in a way. It’s so heartwarming to see how many people were touched by the show and still hold it close to their hearts after all these years. A lot of credit goes to Chrystal Ayers, who did the vast majority of the work; I pretty much just had to show up! We’re hoping to organize another fan event next year. I believe it’s important for our industry, especially in soap operas, to maintain that connection between fans, actors, writers, and producers.
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Harley Jane Kozak (Mary)
How would you feel about SB being rebooted as a movie? I am always intrigued by any art form being reworked into another art form, so in a theoretical way, I am all for it! Then I start to think logistically, and I wonder how it can work, as in, do you cast 20-something actors as the younger Capwells and 30- or 40-something actors as the older Capwells, etc. and it seem obvious you have to since half of us are dead and the rest of us are having joint replacements. But then that begs the question, what accounts for the peculiar magic of SB? Was it plot, or was it some combination of plot and character and actors and really good writers writing for the particular actors playing the particular characters, and can that magic be replicated? And maybe it doesn’t need to be, for the diehard fans, because obsessive fanhood is always starving for anything that resembles their favorite shows. Then my more practical side kicks in and wonders how to raise money to actually get the film made and appeal to a wider audience, but maybe that’s not necessary. Maybe it’s a small indie film that will delight the devoted viewers and showcase some young talent, and give us original cast members some cameos in some clever way.
How do you feel about your character being killed off so early into the run of SB? If she had not been killed by the “C” where do you think Mary would have ended up at this stage of her life? While I was as shocked as anyone about Mary’s sudden demise, I have to say I was not shattered by it. Something I’ve learned about myself is that I’m not cut out for a long-running show; I have about a year at most in me and anything beyond that makes me itchy to be on to the next thing. Which is why it’s wonderful that I’ve done lots of TV, but never had a show go more than a season. But let’s pretend we’re writing fan fiction. I think Mary married Mason and they had a few kids. And I think that, Mason being Mason, he fell for another woman or two (or five) and he and Mary had a separation or two and Mary may have had an extramarital affair of her own (that probably ended tragically, and the lover died in mysterious circumstances) and at some point Mason had some kind of accident and ended up in a coma (just like CC, back in the day!) and when he came out of the coma he talked about a near-death experience and it so totally changed him that he and Mary had to kind of reinvent their whole relationship, taking into account his sudden marital fidelity, but they did, they pulled it off and years later, when the kids were grown, the two of them died together in a landslide, swept away, last seen floating down a muddy hillside holding hands.
What do you miss about being on soaps? The camaraderie, and feeling of family that is so beautiful. The magical feeling of putting on a show with all sorts of people, all gifted in various ways, often eccentric or difficult but in the end, family. [cue up the song “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”] because of the long hours and long-running nature of the medium (at least, back in the olden days) and 5-days-a-week schedule, soaps engendered a closeness that is both like and unlike theatre, film, sitcoms, etc. I was a relatively young actor when I did soaps, and so much of what I learned about being in front of a camera came from my fellow actors, including those playing my actual parents. The generosity of those actors! I still have a handful of best friends that go back to my soap days, and I love them like siblings.
You recently reunited with a number of your castmates from the show for the Santa Barbara Reunion hosted by Lane Davies, Jerome Dobson and Chrystal Ayers. How did that feel seeing each other after all this time and to be received so warmly by the fans? It shocked me how emotional and really touching it was. And while I’d seen several people over the years since Mary died, some of them I hadn’t seen until that very night. And in fact, some of them I go back with to pre-SB days. Terri Garber (Suzanne) and I never worked together on SB, but my very first soap (and hers, I think) was Texas, and we were dressing roommates. I nearly fell over with excitement as I hadn’t seen her since 1983! And I don’t think I ever truly realized until that night the spell that SB cast over the fans. I really understood for the first time that for some, SB was the only soap in town. And then I began to see why, what made it unique for them, as I listened to the reminiscences. It made me wish I’d been on it longer (despite what I said two questions ago). It was a stunning night.
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Judith McConnell (Sophia)
How would you feel about SB being rebooted as a movie? I would love if SB were to be rebooted in any form. Movie, episodic, whatever. Lets just get it back on!!
Where do you see Sophia at this stage of her life? I see her running Capwell Industries since she is now a widow, possibly with her son, Ted. And hopefully she has a lover and also a couple of adoring grandchildren.
What do you miss about being on soaps? I miss the money and the camaraderie of fellow creatives. Oh yeah… and the acting.
You recently reunited with a number of your castmates from the show. How did that feel seeing each other after all this time and to be received so warmly by the fans? Our reunion was amazing. I want to thank all he fans for being there and to let them know we appreciate them as much as they do us. Seeing old friends was wonderful and now I hope to keep up some friendships that had fallen by the way.
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Louise Sorel (Augusta)
How would you feel about SB being rebooted as a movie? I can’t really respond with a clear answer. The cast and the brilliance of the Dobsons…I guess it would be possible; so many storylines; many choices.
Where do you see Augusta at this stage of her life? Augusta is now a grandmother – still putting up with her mad hatter husband and she has opened a shelter for rescuing animals
What do you miss about the show? What I miss about SB is the clever writing, a cast that was bonded, and the commitment of the actors at all hours of the night.
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