ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 13, 1997 TAG: 9703130021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Tune in Tomorrow
SOURCE: NANCY REICHARDT
Legend is not a term to be used lightly - award shows notwithstanding. But the tenure of Mary Stuart in daytime television defines the term.
Playing the much-married Joanne (Jo) Tourneur on ``Search for Tomorrow'' from the show's inception in 1951 until its last episode in 1986, Stuart became so much a part of daytime that Jo's apron actually hangs in the Smithsonian. Her seven Emmy nominations include the first ever for a daytime performer - in a category she shared with nighttime performers, including Mary Tyler Moore.
So after Peter Simon, who had long played Ed Bauer, the head of the Bauer clan, opted out of his contract, ``Guiding Light'' realized his departure left the remaining Bauer family members rudderless. The Bauers had been part of ``Guiding Light'' since 1948. Instead of recasting the role of Ed, the show brought back Aunt Meta Bauer and gave her instant credibility by casting Stuart in the role.
``I called Peter Simon,'' recalls Stuart, ``and told him I was replacing him. He roared with laughter.''
The actress is not looking to do a ``star turn'' on the show.
``I don't need a `hot' story,'' says Stuart. ``I'm truly happy playing a tentpole character. I love playing with the kids [the younger actors who work with her]. I think Meta wants a home, and she feels they [the `kids'] need her and her guidance.''
Stuart frankly admits that she went through what can only be described as withdrawal after the cancellation of ``Search for Tomorrow'' - and, also, a great deal of anger. She felt the show's ratings were not the problem - just the network wanting the time slot for another (long since gone) show.
Ironically, the show's ratings had about the same numbers as those held by ``The Young and the Restless'' - the No. 1 rated soap today. Proof of daytime's eroding audience, but that's fodder for a separate article.
Stuart is not one to wallow, and she put much of her time away from the small screen to very good use. She started a pilot program five years ago called ``Book Pals'' - in which actors read to students in several schools. Now, under the auspices of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, the program has 165 actors reading in 50 schools in New York City. The program not only has readings for students from kindergarten to third grade, but promotes reading - even holding contests - for older children.
The actress has been married for 18 years to Wolfgang Neumann.
Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy M. Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns.
- United Feature Syndicate
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Stuartby CNB