SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The soap opera world mourns the loss of Bridget Dobson, co-creator of the beloved NBC show “Santa Barbara,” who passed away at the age of 85. According to Santa Barbara blogger Pierpaolo Dongiovanni’s Facebook page, Dobson’s husband, Jerome Dobson, confirmed her death on January 3. Dongiovanni expressed his grief, stating, “She gave me friendship, love, fun, hope, and was pure inspiration to me, even when I was sick a couple of years ago.” Bridget Dobson, daughter of “General Hospital” creators Frank and Doris Hursley, played a significant role in shaping the soap opera industry.
Dobson’s soap career began as an associate writer on ABC’s “General Hospital,” and alongside her husband, she became the headwriter for several other popular soap operas, including “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns.” However, their crowning achievement was the creation of the critically acclaimed drama “Santa Barbara.” With its depth and wit, the show won the Best Show Daytime Emmy for three consecutive years. The success of “Santa Barbara” did not come without its fair share of behind-the-scenes drama. Dobson found herself in conflict with distributor New World Television when she attempted to fire headwriter Anne Howard Bailey. Her defiance was immortalized in her speech at the Emmys, where she declared, “Though New World Television locked me out of the studio, they couldn’t lock me out of the Emmys.”
After a legal battle, the Dobsons resolved their dispute with New World in 1991. However, the show’s success began to wane, and executive producer Paul Rauch and headwriter Pamela K. Long eventually drove “Santa Barbara” into cancellation. Bridget Dobson’s legacy in the soap opera world will be remembered for her contributions to the genre and the impact she made on the lives of her colleagues.
The sun shines a little less brightly over Santa Barbara today as fans and industry insiders mourn the loss of Bridget Dobson. The co-creator of the beloved soap opera “Santa Barbara” passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of success and controversy. Born into a family of soap opera creators, Dobson played a significant role in shaping the genre throughout her career.
Starting as an associate writer on “General Hospital,” Dobson quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the headwriters for the popular soap opera. Alongside her husband, Jerome Dobson, she went on to helm other successful shows like “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns.” However, it was their creation of “Santa Barbara” in 1984 that solidified their place in soap opera history.
“Santa Barbara” was a fan favorite, garnering critical acclaim and winning the Best Show Daytime Emmy three years in a row. But the success of the show was not without its fair share of strife. Dobson found herself at odds with distributor New World Television when she sought to dismiss a headwriter. Her defiance was prominently displayed during her memorable speech at the Emmys, where she declared her resilience amidst the conflict.
Although the Dobsons eventually resolved their dispute with New World Television, “Santa Barbara” eventually met its end in 1993. The show’s decline in popularity led to its cancellation, marking the end of an era. However, Bridget Dobson’s impact on the soap opera industry cannot be overstated. Her contributions to the genre and her ability to captivate audiences will be remembered for years to come.
Santa Barbara bids farewell to one of its soap opera pioneers. Bridget Dobson, co-creator of the hit show “Santa Barbara,” passed away at the age of 85. With a career that spanned multiple decades, Dobson left an indelible mark on the soap opera genre. From her early days on “General Hospital” to her successful collaboration with her husband Jerome Dobson, she played a pivotal role in shaping some of the most beloved shows in daytime television.
Despite the obstacles and challenges she faced throughout her career, Dobson’s passion for storytelling and her dedication to her craft never wavered. Her legacy lives on through the enduring impact of “Santa Barbara” and her influence on future generations of soap opera creators.
Today, as fans remember Bridget Dobson and her contributions to the soap opera world, we reflect on the impact she made and the stories she brought to life. Her creativity and talent will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come. The loss of this soap opera icon leaves a void in the industry, but her legacy will forever be etched in the annals of television history.