In the one interview with Violet Welles that I have been able to find (published by Dale Clark in his fabulous zine INSIDE THE OLD HOUSE back in the 1990s), she speaks of originally being involved with DS as a ghost writer for episodes credited to Gordon Russell.  Gordon has a reputation as one of the better DS writers and I now wonder how often what we thought was Gordon was really Violet--who, to my mind, was perhaps the most sophisticated writer for the show, period.

So, no mention of Grayson or her character, Euphemia Ralston, in that book?  Maybe someday more of Grayson's episodes from that series will be made available.  The show overall frankly has very little appeal to me, but I love watching Grayson do her thing, and Euphemia really was a juicy role for her.

G.

Kathy Cody???

*speechless*

G.

Sam's legal name is Alison Samuel Hall.  I think the journalist was just trying to be cute as I have never seen Sam referred to in this manner except in biographical materials.

G.

Delightful!  Thanks again, MB.

G.

Enter Roger, as played by Martin Donovan.  I have no memory at all of Donovan's work in this, so color me fascinated all over again.

Thanks MB!  Good luck with our latest Winter Wonderland!  Tonight I am going to see a one night only showing of Stranger by the Lake, a new French film that I am quite intrigued by.  I doubt it would be of interest; it only features copious full frontal male nudity in a gorgeous natural setting... a cottage by the lake that seems reminiscent of where I tend to vacation every August...

cheers, G.

I think the photo today shows Blair Brown who played Liz.  I'm not familiar with Miss Brown's work... she might have been on the West Wing, which seems very appropriate for DS (cheesy joke I know but I couldn't resist it).

I have no idea what the director had in mind with how they chose to play the scene where Liz welcomes Vicki to Collinwood.  She comes across as a babbling idiot.  One of the moments in the pilot that still makes *me* wince whenever I recall it.

It almost plays as if Miss Brown was improvising how SHE would have written or done the scene and the director liked it so much he decided to keep it.

Other than that, I liked Miss Brown as Liz, and I look forward to continuing with the series.  Thanks again to everybody who worked on this, and special thanks to MB for your posts--truly awesome work!

G.

Josette I think you will be very happy to have made the extra effort.  Our Thayer really shines as Nero Wolfe.  The only thing that upsets me whenever I watch it is I think how young he was when he died...

G.

Fans,

Donna McKechnie is interviewed by Celebrity cruise lines Cruise Director Alexander Yepremian in 2013 when Donna was doing a one woman show on the Celebrity Summit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zItK3aGbv4

I met Alexander briefly last week when I was on another Celebrity vessel with my family.

Donna mainly talks about A Chorus Line in the interview, and DS is not mentioned, but I thought for Donna's fans this might be a fun clip to watch.

G.