The iconic Carly and Jack romance in soap operas as experienced by Susan Dansby. She recalls directing their first kiss and later writing a pivotal divorce episode, emphasizing the emotional depth conveyed by actors Maura West and Michael Park. Their performances captured the complexities of their characters’ relationship beautifully.

We continue our series of Super Soap Scenes: A Time Capsule of Daytime Drama’s Greatest Moments with a look back at how the Carly and Jack romance came to be, as recalled by Susan Dansby (now Script Editor for Beyond the Gates), the only person to ever direct AND write for this supercouple:

Begin at the Beginning

I was lucky enough to direct Maura West (now Ava on General Hospital) and Michael Park, having one of their first on-screen kisses (the ice cream scenes at the cabin in Montana). During the dress rehearsal, Michael was playing Jack as “nice guy.” So, when I went out to the studio floor to give notes, I suggested to him that Carly was throwing down a challenge; and rather than running from it (as Carly anticipated), Jack’s G-man persona would come to the fore and give Carly (in the form of a toe-curling kiss) WAY more than she – or I – expected. I still remember that kiss.  Have mercy!

The Middle Ground

I fell in love that day with Michael and Maura. With their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 as actors, and their willingness to play in the creative process. Fast forward a decade. Now, as an Emmy-winning writer on As the World Turns, I lucked into writing the script where Jack would tell Carly he wanted a divorce.

Hands down, it stands out as my favorite episode ever because it is a perfect example of soap production at its best. I received a splendid breakdown written by Judy Tate, which fostered my script.

What did I add? The nuances of Carly and Jack’s history: Jack’s relationship with his mother and father; Jack’s amnesia that led him to marry Julia #2; Carly’s history of being “saved” by Jack, her constant lies, their kids, the push-pull of their attraction – it was all in there.  Ever a fan, I wrote what I wanted to see.

Results Oriented

Then, my script was brilliantly tweaked by editor Courtney Simon; trimmed around the edges by the producers, superbly directed by Grant Aleksander (Phillip; Guiding Light), and performed by two consummate pros. To say that Maura and Michael acted that day is like saying a Sequoia is a tree.  Yeah, that’s accurate. But what they did for those of us who loved those characters was gargantuan. By fully committing to each and every beat, they took us through an emotional maelstrom of betrayals, passionate reunions, dreams, disappointments, and the unimaginable – Jack walking out that door… and not turning back.