In 1975, Another World made daytime television history as the first soap opera to expand from 30 minutes to a full hour, marking a major turning point for the genre. The show’s move into the hour format helped redefine what daytime drama could be—and who it could showcase.Recently, Michael Poirier spoke with actress Roberta Maxwell about her time on the series during this pivotal era. At the time, Maxwell was balancing her work on the soap with a demanding Broadway schedule, including her role in Equus alongside Anthony Hopkins and Frances Sternhagen.
One of her earliest moments on the show still stands out. As attorney Barbara Weaver, Maxwell delivered a first line that feels unmistakably of its time:
“Now, Mr. Matthews, women lawyers try to forget about such things.”
The line was a response to patriarch Jim Matthews commenting on her appearance—a brief exchange that reflects the era’s gender dynamics while also hinting at the evolving tone of daytime storytelling in 1975.
Maxwell also reflected on the intense production culture under executive producer Paul Rauch, who closely oversaw nearly every aspect of the show, from casting to final script execution.
For Maxwell, the experience was both demanding and formative, offering a front-row seat to one of daytime television’s most ambitious expansions.
Read the full interview with Roberta Maxwell on the We Love Soaps "Insider" Substack: welovesoaps.substack.com
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