Pam Long
Pamela K. Long (born 1953 or 1954[1]) is an American actress and writer, most known for her stints writing the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light, from 1983 to 1986 and from 1987 to 1990.
Before she started in show business, she won the title of Miss Alabama in 1974. At the time, she was attending the University of North Alabama, and was involved in the Phi Mu sorority. After graduation, she went to New York City and played Ashley Linden on Texas from 1981 to 1982. She had almost no acting experience when she landed the part: one small paying role in a dinner theatre production of Play It Again, some television commercials and an appearance on local television in Alabama were her only previous jobs.[1]
In 1982, Long also became Head Writer of Texas. The show began to improve in quality, but the ratings in the United States remained in the basement.[2] The show was more popular North of the US border. In Canada, Texas topped the daytime ratings charts for many weeks.[2] The last episode of Texas aired on December 31, 1982.
In 1983, Long became Head Writer of Guiding Light, while former Texas Executive Producer Gail Kobe joined her.
Both of her stints were well regarded and provided a renaissance for the aging show[citation needed], at one point pushing the show's ratings to the #1 spot for three weeks in the summer of 1984[citation needed], dethroning then-powerhouse General Hospital from the top ratings spot. Long created some of GL's most memorable characters, like vixen Reva Shayne, haughty ice queen Alexandra Spaulding, and rough-around-the-edges ingenue Harley Davidson Cooper.
Long was once married to actor Jay Hammer and was credited for a time as Pamela Long Hammer. They have two sons together, Nick LongHammer and C.J. LongHammer
[edit] Positions held
- Head Writer: 1987 - 1990
- Co-Head Writer: 1983 - 1986
- Head Writer: April 1998 - December 1998
- Head Writer: 1992 - January 15, 1993
- Executive Story Consultant: 1986 - December 26, 1986
- Actress: 1981 - December 31, 1982
- Head and Script Writer: 1982
| Preceded by Carolyn Culliton |
Head Writer of Guiding Light (GL) 1983 - 1986 |
Succeeded by Jeff Ryder |
| Preceded by Joseph D. Manetta Sheri Anderson |
Head Writer of GL 1987 - 1990 |
Succeeded by Nancy Curlee Stephen Demorest James E. Reilly |
| Preceded by Bridget and Jerome Dobson |
Head Writer of Santa Barbara 1992 - 1993 |
Succeeded by N/A |
| Preceded by Claire Labine Matthew Labine |
Head Writer of One Life to Live 1998 |
Succeeded by (Jill Farren Phelps-de facto) |
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[edit] References
- ^ a b "Texas role the perfect part for a 'female Burt Reynolds'" by Tom Jory, The Windsor Star, April 30, 1982. p. B8
- ^ a b Grunwald, D: "Who Shot Texas", pages 23-27. TV Guide (Canadian edition), March 5, 1983.
