Ryan's Hope

Ryan's Hope broke new ground in the daytime drama genre when it debuted in July, 1975. Centered around an Irish-Catholic family living in the Riverside section of New York City, this half-hour soap opera integrated character-driven storylines with intelligent dialogue, a grounded, reality-based philosophy, and one of the most talented casts ever to appear on daytime TV. While it never garnered blockbuster ratings during its all too brief 13 year run, it was showered with well deserved praise from critics and fans alike. It received numerous Emmy awards including two awards for best daytime drama, in 1977 and 1979. Thankfully, the show is now being re-run in its entirety on a soap-opera cable network.

This show never caught on and I'll never know why. The writing was crisp and witty. THe cast was excellent and it was only 30 minutes long. Their half hour has been replaced by news which to me shows the lack of interest in keeping daytime television especially dramas like Ryan's Hope on the air. Claire Labine who lives in Brooklyn, New york was one of the major writers of this show. I don't recall it ever being outrageous but it reminded me of the British soaps where it was only 30 minutes long and there was a bar. Helen Gallagher played the matriarch and she is still a fabulous actress who has done television, stage, and films as well. Other cast members were Nancy Addison who passed away so young and Ilene Kristen now on One Life to Live. The show is gone but not forgotten in my opinion. It was one of those shows that should have gone on forever as well but I guess ABC thought it was expendable. Too bad, people out there would have enjoyed a nice written show like this. Since they were set in NEw York (big cities as settings don't fair well on soaps except Bold and the Beautiful), they also went out on the streets of the city to shoot. It was great to see.

I was at this site some weeks ago and either missed this page for RH or it is new. I am delighted to have found so much info. both on the cast and the story line. RH was being aired on Soapnet (89) on cable, and then out of the blue they redid the schedule which was to exclude that great show. It now airs one day (sun.) from 6;30am to 7;00 it comes to 1 hr. of watching. I have read so much lately all over the net, wherever soaps are discussed, as to how much shows like this are missed. AW was pulled completely. I think that the nostalgia for saner time in our history is a big part of why this show is now getting so much attention. It would be great if it were put out on DVD and that way the really avid viewer can just purchase it. Well that was my thought and thanks for letting me express it. imm

high!i am a fan about the soap opera Ryan's hope.this soap opera has 3515 episodes.because in this site in imdb.com this episode numbers don't show. i try to watch it.i am very sad because ryan's hope was ended in 1989.i wish that it goes on one day.maybe it will be go on.Why did ABC cancellede it i don't understand.Then did ABC cancelled Loving and Port caherles.i was pleasured when the people on ryan's bar were happy,and when they were sad i was sad too.ryan's hope is the 15.th longest soap opera on the world do you know this?it is really.i account all the episodes one and one.thanks.

I really have a question about Michael Levin, He was a substantially great actor ... and I can't find anything much he did after Ryan's Hope.

I would so be interested in what type profession he found a liking for after Ryan's Hope ???? Would anyone know anyway to be in touch with his agent or self or fan base person ????

Thanks. There is just nothing like the older shows... the character structure is never as Good in the shows of today, as it WAS with RYAN's HOPE. I miss stories of the Regular people, the Above Common characters on this show. I was so sorry to see the original drama go off air.

They were the First Show Ever (to my study) to do a GHOST story with Mary Fenelli (Kate Mulgrew) returning to give profound truths and messages to Jack ! I loved those scenes and Am Now WAITING for them to return to that time on the soap-net reruns.

I Have A Complilation Tape of Most All of the Jack Fenelli scenes ...

Thanks to anyone who can offer information about Michael Levin.