User reviews

If it wasn't for a chance meeting with a college roommate and his family on a Thanksgiving weekend in 1987, I probably wouldn't have paid too much attention to "Santa Barbara". I usually would've stayed with "General Hospital" or "Guiding Light" which was in the same time slot as SB.

What made SB slightly better than other daytime (and some nighttime) shows was that the show was able to balance between comedy and drama effortlessly. When it was funny, the dialog was biting and when it was dramatic, it was heartbreaking. It kept me interested in what was going to happen to these characters.

I was also impressed with the actors on the show. I started watching the show about 1987 after a number of cast members, including Robin Wright, left the show. As Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell, the chemistry between A Martinez and Marcy Walker steamed up the TV screen. Prior to SB, Martinez seemed to always play the stereotypical Hispanic villain in many 1970s TV crime dramas. It was very nice to see Martinez playing a romantic lead. Eden and Cruz were not the only one that had great chemistry. There was Mason Capwell & Julia Wainwright (Lane Davies and Nancy Lee Grahn. Arguably, I thought Gordon Thompson did a good job playing as Mason as well.) also CC Capwell and Sophia Wayne (Jed Allen and Judith McConnell).

There were characters on the show that were way over-the-top like Gina Blake (Robin Mattson) and Augusta Lockridge (Louise Sorel). But it didn't matter that they were over-the-top. They were lively, unpredictable and interesting people.

With the number of daytime viewers dropping and fewer dramas in production right now, I don't know if there will ever be a more entertaining daytime drama like "Santa Barbara". As another user mentioned before, it certainly was ahead of it's time.

Santa Barbara got me through a tough period in the late 1980s. For a while there it was the only thing i really looked forward to. Mason's rich sarcasm, Gina I's uncontrollable facial expressions, Gina II's bone structure, Eden's dreamy egotism, Kelly's bad luck, the coincidences, the overheard conversations, the misunderstandings that went on for weeks at a time, the laughter, the tears, the sorrow and the pity, the daily dose of hyperbole, hysteria and melodrama, the little bit of insanity in a sanitized world, that was Santa Barbara. It's been gone from our screens for years, in Australia at least, where i used to watch it. But it lives on in the backwaters of my mind, often resurfacing, at odd times, giving me solace in times of extreme absurdity. Thank you, Santa Barbara, I will never forget you.

Santa Barbara came on with the hopes of changing the daytime industry and it did to many respects. THe Dobsons should be applauded for their soap. Sadly, Santa Barbara was on NBC which does not care for it's daytime audience. As an Another WOrld fan, I can say that network does not show the respect of daytime drama audiences by canceling one of it's soaps. Santa Barbara tried to be like other soaps just when it came out but it didn't work. Then, they brought together Cruz and Eden played by A Martinez and Marcy Walker. They were very good together. The casting was beyond to describe. The cast included Dame Judith Anderson, Janis Paige, Nicolas Coaster (a soap vet to say the least), Sydney Penney, Nancy Lee Grahn, Louise Sorel, Jed Allan, Jane McConnell, and the list just goes on. When you are a favorite of Jill Farren Phelps, you become quite active on the show. Just to say that Grahn and Allan both joined General HOspital since Santa Barbara. The writing was witty and weird, brilliant and sometimes sloppy at the height of Santa Barbara's fame. But sadly, this show became a casualty of daytime's losing audience. Most people don't stay at home during the days like they used too. There are daytime audiences like me willing to tape while at work. I'll just wonder what it might have been if Santa Barbara had been allowed to grow old and gracefully. Santa Barbara won't be forgotten anytime soon. We still have a bit of it on General HOspital.

Though it has been off the air for six years now, I'll always remember "Santa Barbara" as a terrifically written and superbly acted show. From Nancy Grahn (Julia Wainwright Capwell) and Lane Davies (Mason Capwell) to A Martinez (Cruz Castillo) and Marcy Walker (Eden Capwell Castillo), along with many more talented actors, "Santa Barbara" was a show that took risks and infused humor with drama seamlessly, giving it three well-deserved Emmy Awards for Best Daytime Drama from 1988-1990, with some cast members also taking home awards. I feel that NBC Daytime made a big mistake in cancelling the show. But perhaps it was ahead of its time, as most of the dialogue far outshone any on the currently aired soaps. It is a series I will always be fond of and miss.

I am simply overjoyed to see so much love for this unique and superior daytime soap! I have always loved this show (and I am NOT a daytime soap fan), and it seems to me that just about everyone who has seen it would agree that it was way above the cut. I came across it quite by accident and became addicted for years to come. Many people have mentioned how great the writing was, or how it managed to incorporate comedy into it regularly. The storylines were always intricate, thrilling and well thought-out. Some of the actors on this show were simply Oscar-worthy, and many have gone on to achieve considerable success in the industry, most notably Robin Wright Penn (She was always a natural). The relationship/repartee between Mason (Lane Davies) and Julia (Nancy Grahn) was pure, unadulterated genius. They were like "Moonlighting" meets Hepburn & Tracy. Gina (Robin Mattson) and Keith (Justin Deas) were simply outrageous! Never were two evil people so darn entertaining at every turn! Not only that, but Ms. Mattson managed to make Gina a character who you could sympathize with on same level, in spite of all her flaws. Her love for her son, Brandon, was NEVER in question, although her treatment of just about everyone else was deplorable! I should mention that the original Gina (Linda Gibboney) was simply outstanding, and I was shocked to see her go. It took me a while to warm up to Ms. Mattson, who gave the character a different twist, but in her capable and accomplished hands, I grew to love her portaryal. This show worked on so many levels. It definitely deserved the Emmys it won. In fact, it deserved many, many more. I would like to take a moment to comment on the real people behind the characters. I am an actor, writer, director, singer and producer. I used to watch this show when I was about 12 and 13 years old. As a young kid with stars in his eyes, I would write to all the actors, and so many of them were beyond accomodating. A Martinez, who played Cruz, used to write back to me every month. And, he didn't just drop a note. He would write complete letters, answering all my questions and responding to all my hopes and aspirations. He saw this young kid who looked up to him, and he embraced it. It is people like that who truly gave me inspiration to follow my dreams and goals. Another one who would always take the time to write me back was Jane Sibbett, who played Jane. These people really took the time to reach out to me and make me feel valued, and that has affected me into my adult years. I should point out that both of these actors work consisitently. Jane Sibbett was part of another superb show called "Herman's Head" for four years. I truly am happy for them. Finally, I had the pleasure of running into Judith McConnell, who played Sophia, at an audition recently. I couldn't resist telling her how much I loved the show. She was with her daughter, and her eyes just lit up. I can tell you, from speaking to her, that she loved doing the show as much as we loved watching it. They knew they had something special and extraordinary, and the years she spent on that show are very fond in her memory. Meeting her was a great experience, because I got to connect to her in a real way. She was very gracious and appreciative, and can I say she looks fabulous? She looks like she's still in her late thirties, and she's got to be about sixty! I wish every one who had a part in this show success, and I would be honored one day to work with just about any of them.

There were five reasons I watched this soap. Lane Davies, Nancy Lee Grahn, Justin Deas and Robin Mattson and its brilliant script. I used to tape it and fast forward all the bits that didn't involve the characters played by these four, fantastic actors. The script was so well-written that it was too good for a soap. Maybe that's why it wasn't as popular as it should have been. Even though I live in Greece and I used to watch it many years ago, I have very fond memories of these show and so do many other Greeks of my generation. I wish someone would show old episodes again. There's not much of a chance of this happening in Greece though.

"Santa Barbara", for many years, was a high quality soap. I loved the romance of Cruz and Eden; the chemistry between their portrayers, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, was special and undeniable. While these two in many ways carried the show, most of the cast was excellent. To name a few: Lane Davies, Nicolas Coaster, Louise Sorel, Robin Wright, Roscoe Born, Nancy Grahn, Christopher Norris, Justin Deas, Robin Mattson, Jed Allan and Judith McConnell.

Filled with humor and drama, SB won three well-deserved Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Show. Characters like Augusta Lockridge and Mason Capwell were unique and funny. Who can forget story lines like Channing's murder, Mason and Julia's baby contract, Elena's misdeeds, Keith and Gina's off-beat relationship, Eden's rape, and Mason and Julia hiding Sasha's corpse in their freezer?

The show lost its way in its final year, but when SB was great, there was none better. After all these years, the die-hard fans still miss the Capwells and Lockridges.

Santa Barbara was never merely a soap opera. From the beautifully-acted, well-written stories, to the flawless lighting, make-up and set designs -- it was a show that raised the bar for daytime television to a standard that is rarely (if at all) equaled.

I'll always be thankful to QVC (the home-shopping television channel) for offering a payment plan that must have sounded good enough to my Mom to purchase our first VCR when I was about 13. Finally, I'd be able to TAPE Santa Barbara! As an only child with a busy and tired single Mom at home, the characters became my extended family -- their adventures and stories were my entertainment, my heartbreak . . . my inspiration.

It was the wonderful, exciting chemistry between A Martinez and Marcy Walker as Cruz and Eden that attracted me to the show. Much more that a super-couple -- Martinez and Walker chose to personally invest in the history and depth of their characters, which resulted in pure magic on-screen. My love and support for their extraordinary talents will always be strong.

I salute everyone that contributed (in a positive way) to that wonderful show.

To understand why so many people LOVE this soap opera, why millions of fans are deeply moved and hooked on SANTA BARBARA, you only have to watch episode number 1 and you disclose this secret.

For a real fan the first episode is the most magical, suspenseful and spectacular event in TV history and the show is...beyond comparison. There's NOTHING not a quarter as good as SANTA BARBARA.

During episode #1 you get to know Joe Perkins (played adorable by Dane Witherspoon), who spent 5 years in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Joe was accused of killing Channing Capwell Jr. (Robert Brian Wilson in flashbacks, he is such a great actor !), son of multi millionaire CC Capwell (Peter Mark Richman was great, Paul Burke was fun and Charles Bateman was terrific. Jed Allan later impersonates this character). Joe is in love with Capwell's daughter Kelly (talented, beautiful and enchanting Robin Wright), but she believes he is guilty and wants to marry Peter Flint (Stephen Meadows: one of the best actors around). When Joe returns to town he is received by a repelling crowd. Santana Andrade (Ava Lazar: glamorous and sexy), Channing's love interest, for example, wants to kill him right away.

The most important storyline, the murder of Channing, embraces every character of the show and is one of the most clever and complex storylines ever written for tv. But there is so much more to admire. Every scene is played and directed with such a brilliance, you almost don't believe it. You get unforgettable impressions from actors like Lane Davies (Mason Capwell), Todd McKee and Julie Ronnie as Ted Capwell and Laken Lockridge who fight for their love because their families are the worst enemies, Dame Judith Anderson as Minx Lockridge (she calls the police because she feels disturbed by the noise of the Capwell party), Louise Sorel as Augusta Lockridge and Valorie Armstrong as Joe's mother Marissa Perkins.

WATCH it, FEEL it, LOVE it ! Santa Barbara is both fun and thrill, it is unique in every way.

In the show's run you can see A Martinez, Marcy Walker, John Allen Nelson, Harley Jane Kozak, Robin Mattson, Ally Walker, Justin Deas, Judith McConnell, Sherilyn Wolter, Mark Arnold and Julia Campbell to name a few. Perfect cast ! Perfect soap, almost a movie ! The first four years are the best. There is nothing to complain about, it is like a dream. It's SANTA BARBARA.

What was it about "Santa Barbara" that managed to get dedicated non-Soapists like me hooked? Humour, in a word. SB is the only soap I'm aware of that had an all-the-way-thru' sense of humour about itself. I discovered this , as so many do, while surfing the channels. Up came an incident in SB when a lawyer character is seen in a coma. He fantasises himself into an all-white version of his lawyer's office (i.e. Heaven) where he is seen arriving bedecked in white from head to toe. His first stop is his secretary's desk. "She", also a vision in white, is not his real secretary but one of SB's male characters who is also a transvestite. He/she is seated at his/her desk, filing his/her nails AND--here is the piece of resistance that made SB irresistable to me--watching the opening credits of his/her favourite soap on the office TV. The favourite soap being--what else?--"Santa Barbara! A nice little touch of post-modernism there, I think.

Then there was the murder of the lounge singer by the local District Attorney and her husband.(A very Santa Barbara reversal of the usual plotline!) They hide the body in a freezer which provides a superb full- face picture of the corpse for the closing credits. The make-up artist has done a superb job, ice crystals mixing with mascara and blusher to achieve that all-over "dead" effect. AND, forgoing the Santa Barbara theme music, the episode ends with the dear departed lounge singer's own voice singing the highly appropriate "AM I BLUE?"!!!

From then on I was hooked. Humour and a wonderfully anarchic script that had characters trapped in dungeons at the beginning of an episode and attending a" black tie 'n' frocks party" at the end, are what made Santa Barbara a soap like no other. And I daresay we shall not see its like ever again.

I'm not a soap opera fan by any means but to this day a scene from Santa Barbara haunts me as being very powerful and some if the best writing I'd seen. It was a scene where Julia was talking about the break up of a relationship and as I recall it she said something about breaking dishes and how a heart doesn't make a sound when it breaks. That scene haunts me to this day and I have tried to find the scene online with no success. If anyone knows a link to the scene I'm talking about I would appreciate a post of it.

SANTA BARBARA Schemering, IMDb, Wesley Hyatt. Soap. Color. Hour. July 30 1984 - January 15 1993 created by Bridget and Jerome Dobson. Production Company Dobson Productions. NBC. Executive Producers: Jerome and Bridget Dobson; Jeffrey Hayden; Charles Pratt, Sr.; Mary-Ellis Bunim. Headwriters: Jerome and Bridget Dobson; Anne Howard Bailey. Producers: Steven Kent; Jill Farren Phelps; Leonard Friedlander; Directors: Gordon Rigsby; Norman Hall; Rick Bennewitz; John Sedwick; Gary Bowen; Andrew Weyman; Dennis Steinmetz. (2,137 episodes) SANTA BARBARA was NBC's last bid to compete against GENERAL HOSPITAL on ABC and GUIDING LIGHT on CBS. The show's early going was rough and included numerous changeovers in cast. Four actors played the pivotal role of C.C. Capwell within the first two years alone. The biggest controversy, however, arose in 1987 when NBC took creative control away from the show's producers, Jerome and Bridget Dobson, who spent three years trying to get it back. Perhaps in part because of these problems, SANTA BARBARA never really threatened the competition, although it did win three consecutive Outstanding Daytime Drama Emmys through 1990 and had a large international presence. . Santa Barbara revolves around the shock waves that ensue from Sophia Capwell's child by Lionel Lockridge, Channing, Jr. passed off as the second son of her husband, C.C. Capwell. Channing impregnates the maid's daughter, Santana, and as Sophia argues with her son about it, she accidentally shoots him to death. C.C. is furious at the loss of his son. Sophia flees the country, eventually returning disguised as a man, with the aid of second daughter Kelly. In the meantime, C.C. wants his new grandson, Channing's son by Santana, and to get custody of him, Santana is institutionalized. C.C. remarries that vixen too endearing to be a villain, Robin Mattson's Gina, and they adopt Brandon, Santana's baby by the late Channing. Santana tries to reclaim her son, but winds up with visitation rights. Brandon is happy with Gina as his mother, with his father being the man who was his grandmother's husband, but biologically not related to him at all. Gina and C.C. wind up divorcing, Gina remarries Mason, C.C.'s son by first wife Pamela. That marriage does not last, either. Sophia and C.C. reunite, but their remarriage does not last one year before they separate again. The enormity of Sophia's infidelity and the true paternity of Channing serve as the pretext for the disappearance of her most famous offspring, first daughter Eden. (Robin Wright left SANTA BARBARA for an extended period of time to play the lead of "Buttercup" in THE PRINCESS BRIDE.She was chosen by William Goldman, Rob Reiner and Cary Elwes out of thousands of ingenue's. NBC penalized by making her do without money she could have made off of it. She is remembered to this day as "Buttercup" in that cult classic.) While the extraordinarily popular actress who portrayed Eden (Marcy Walker) tried other roles in other productions, her absence was explained by her insanity at not being able to cope with the discovery of Channing's true parentage. CC Capwell is a multimillionaire who is very powerful and greedy man, who loves money and authority. His children are: Eden, Kelly, Ted, Greg and adoptive child Brandon. CC loves Sophia. Her children are: Eden, Kelly, Ted and Brick. CC's worst enemy is Gina. Gina is Brandon's foster-mother. She raises him. CC wants to do it himself. Brandon's real mother is Santana. Eden loves Cruz. Cruz is a policeman. Julia and Mason are divorced, they have a daughter Samantha. Lockridge family persecutes the Capwells. Minx Lockridge is an old lady, she is the mother of Lionel and Cassie. Lionel is in love with Augusta. They are a strange couple, just like Gina and Keith. There was an occasion while the Dobsons were being locked out of the studio when they won their first (of three consecutive Daytime Emmys but Bridget made it to the podium and began a gracious acceptance speech, while Jill Farren Phelps stood to her right looking glum.That's because she was the Interim Executive Producer and was thinking she should have been making that speech. Contrary to years of rumor, it was *not* a knock down- drag-out fight.It was just some decent "oneupmanship".(The Dobsons had previously had a spectacularly successful writing career on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the early 1970s. Bridget was the daughter of Frank and Doris Hursley, creators of the show. After maintaining good ratings on that show the Dobsons were snatched up by Procter & Gamble to spruce up GUIDING LIGHT. They worked w onders on that show for 5 years, then created miracles on AS THE WORLD TURNS, becoming the most sought after team of writers in daytime television.) Set in Santa Barbara, where the Dobsons used to live (except when they lived in Atlanta, Georgia) the drama traced the lives and loves of 4 families: the blue-blood Lockridges, the powerful Capwells, the middle-class Perkins, and the Andrades, a low-income Hispanic family. The serial opened with a party in 1979 where Channing Capwell, Jr. was murdered after an argument with his sister Kelly's fiance' Joe Perkins. The scene jumped forward to an engagement party for Kelly and the opportunist Peter Flint in 1984 where it was learned that Joe Perkins, Capwell's alleged killer, had been set free. The release caused havoc among the seaside community, particularly for Kelly Capwell, who was torn between Joe and her memory of Channing's death. The show was taped in new $12 million production facilities in Burbank. In its premiere week the glamorous new soap about Beautiful Blonde People ran opposite ratings-grabbing Olympic games; with its first episode only receiving a 4.2 rating and 13 share. The Dobsons soon found their footing with two dazzling anti-heroes: Lionel Lockridge, whose roguish charm was exceeded only by his penchant for mischief, and the envious, cryptic Mason Capwell, whose ironic self-knowledge provided the city with a one-man greek chorus, commenting dryly on all the drawing-room intrigue. By 1987, this delicious black comedy had become a cult hit and the slowly rising ratings began to reflect that status. SANTA BARBARA was superbly romantic in its star-crossed love story of the WASPy Eden and the Hispanic Cruz. In a great erotic fast dance, Eden shook her blonde mane like a stoned-out Lady Godiva. It certainly was dramatic (the death of Mason's "salvation," Mary Duvall, proved to be an extremely unpopular event with viewers-probably the biggest boo-boo in the Dobsons' career). "There is a slight bit of perversity in us. That's me. That's my husband. We're ambivalent people. We always strive for purity and always miss." (Robin Wright took a large amount of extra time off from playing Eden in SANTA BARBARA to star in the movie THE PRINCESS BRIDE.) There was the long-running romance of blonde Eden, a TV news anchor, and her dark handsome lover, lawman Cruz Castillo. He stayed with Eden until they wed in 1988. Also fascinating was Mason, a lush who felt his dad did not love him but who came up with plenty of comments on the goings-on around him, including his own troubled relationships with ex-nun Mary Duvall.) The manner of Mary's death-a "C" from the rooftop of the Capwell hotel fell and crushed her-struck some viewers as blackly funny and some as an example of poor taste, and prompted many to speculate on its possible significance.) In 1988 the emergence of some weird alternate personalities. Among the latter was Mason's other personality Sonny Sprockett, whom his girlfriend attorney Julia Wainwright, found living in Las Vegas, and Bunny Tigliatti, a transvestite involved with the mob who rented all of Gina's rooms when Gina made the former Lockridge mansion into a bed-and-breakfast. Dr. Zack Kelton was the "Video Rapist" who attacked several women including Eden. Mason and Julia had some ups and downs due to his personality problems. Julia dated environmentalist Dash Nichols. The love between Julia and Mason and between Eden and Cruz was about the only constant. In 1990 the Dobsons having regained control of the show, returned to make sense of the mess. NBC kicked the Dobsons out again early 1992 as it became the lowest rated soap. In October 1992 NBC announced its cancellation despite its continuing international popularity. The show aired in 48 countries, making it the most watched serial. (The final shot was of executive producer Paul Rauch stepping into the spotlight on a bare soundstage and rubbing out his cigarette butt.)

I have good memories of this daytime serial, which debuted in Australia in 1987, when I was in high school. Even though the later years of the show were unwatchable, when the head writers in the early years were Bridget and Jerome Dobson, it was simply magical. I remember well the beautiful romances of Kelly and Joe (Robin Wright and Dane Witherspoon), the high-camp aristocratic antics of Augusta and Lionel (Louise Sorel and Nicolas Coster) and, and best of all, the heavenly romance between ex-nun Mary and the hard-bitten, cynical Mason (Harley Kozak and Lane Davies). This storyline in particular was brilliantly acted, movingly written, and thoroughly touching. Mason's transformation into a more sympathetic character through his love affair with Mary was wonderfully handled.

It is a shame that the programme is no longer on the air, but if it had firmer handling, it may have caught on and built a substantial audience. All it needed was more story consistency, and some more appealing love stories to hook the audience. SANTA BARBARA's penchant for the quick fix, and inability to give its actors stable storylines may have contributed to its undoing. Anyway, I hope that the show one day either turns up again on TV, if not in its full run, but even in 'best of' shows. I rate it as one of the best shows on TV, then, now, and everafter.

The first time I watched it was when I was a kid. I remember the main characters and the interior. As an adult, I decided to rewatch the series. 1984 was very eventful and full of characters. 1985 and 1986 were crazy too. Then the series started to give in, and the plots and characters were no longer so colorful. I remember the musical accompaniment more. There is a lot of great music that you can listen to at any time. The series recently celebrated its birthday. I want to thank the creators and actors who worked on this project. The series will remain in my heart forever. I will start rewatching it again!

Santa Barbara was very unique.Its great writing and amazing cast were something that has never been seen on TV. Santa Barbara created couples that will never be forgotten. Actors like Harley Jane Kozak,Lane Davies,Marcy Walker,A.Martinez,Jed Allan,Judith McConnell,Robin Mattson,Nancy Grahn etc. were outstanding.Cast like that will never be seen again. Through Santa Barbara we were able to live through most wonderful feelings and see the most beautiful lovestories. Santa Barbara will never be forgotten! We,the fans, will always be grateful for those beautiful memories that SB let us have.

Santa Barbara remains the highlight not just of daytime TV, but of American television. Never before or since has such a plethora of extraordinary actors appeared on a series: Dame Judith Anderson, Robin Wright, Marcy Walker, A Martinez, Sydney Penny, Eric Close, Robin Mattson, Ally Walker, Kim Zimmer, Joseph Bottoms, John O' Hurley, Judith McConnell, Lane Davies, Harley Jane Kozak, Justin Deas. But besides the acting, Santa Barbara featured superlative writing and direction. Never before had there been a daytime comedy. Nor has there since. Totally unique in daytime history, SB was beyond brilliant.

Usually, I don't like soap operas, and I rarely watch them. But I was impressed by how enormously popular it was in Russia. It is a real cult there, and a big percentage of people watched it and talked about it. So, I watched it, too, when I was in Petersburg for some weeks, and I would say it was worth it. The stories are quite complex, and most of the various threads of the action are very interesting.

It is interesting how popular such a series can become abroad. In Russia, it is certainly much better-known than in the US. When I was in Russia, some liked it and others disliked it, but I don't think there is anyone who does not know it or has no opinion about it - which is just the more remarkable because the series is so sophisticated that watching several pieces is necessary for fully understanding it.

Truly the most innovative and unique soap to ever hit the small screen. With the powerful talents of Nancy Lee Grahn, Lane Davies, Jed Allen, A Martinez, Marcy Walker and Stephen Nichols, Santa Barbara dared to do what other soaps wouldn't and couldn't. This show brought new meaning to the word "fresh"! It's demise was extremely premature and it is sorely missed!

"Santa Barbara" was the best soap opera of all, only because it wasn't really a soap opera. The Dobsons were wonderful and "Santa Barbara" is the only soap I could bare to watch and even enjoy it. The acting was always excellent. "Santa Barbara" didn't deserve to get canceled. All other soaps do, but not "Santa Barbara". It should be a primetime show!! Hope there will be reruns, or better yet, please please please get the show making new episodes!!!!

I love "Santa Barbara" and hated to see it got canceled. It was really the best soap ever. Actors like A Martinez, Marcy Walker, Robin Mattson and more managed to make me laugh in one scene and cry in the next. Characters and storylines were funny and well-written. It won three Emmys with a reason! No other soap can compare!!!

"Santa Barbara" was unique in its wonderful wit and humor. One of the show's creators, Bridget Dobson, commented in an interview before the show originally aired that soaps should be "fun" to watch. She and her husband, Jerome, definitely created a show that was FUN to watch over its original U.S. run, 1984 to 1993.

From a sardonic, Shakespeare-quoting less-favored eldest son, to a killer neon letter "C" sign, to a "Carnation Killer" and much more, "Santa Barbara" played things quirky in the world of daytime soaps. This was a cleverly written show that did not insult the intelligence of its viewer, and often seemed to even poke fun at itself. Thankfully, it hits its stride with Emmy Awards and quite a lot of attention.

We mourn the loss of a great show, but thankfully, it has aired in other countries since its U.S. cancellation. (I would have never believed I would turn on the TV in my hotel room in Amman, Jordan, in 1996 and find a "SB" episode from the mid-1980s! Beautiful!) SoapNet, please take note ... the fans are out there ... Air it, and they will come!!!!

the first feeling after so many time. for a form of simplicity and honesty. for naive situations and childish solutions. for the atmosphere of soap opera , the old fashion atmosphere , who are windows to exotic life style, to familiar dramas, to the fights and passions and love and hate and desire and family life with ordinaries crisis. "SSanta Barbara" remains a phenomenon. sure, for a slide of public. but significant for the taste of a period and the way to escape from every day life. and this is a precious virtue.

In the early 90s this soap was huge hit in Russia! All of hungry-to-know western culture russians, learned America through Santa Barbara. I moved to Australia in 94 and we were about half way through a series. It was mad! I and my whole family (and I guess 90% of ex-USSR) loved it! Everything would stop during an hourly episodes. There were numerous jokes made around "Santa Barbara" and if man and wife were having argument, people would say "they are having a Santa Barbara" Well unfortunatly (or may be fortunatly) I never got to see the end of it. I wounder how it all ended there.