More good news from "All My Children." Julia Barr's (Brooke) return to the show was not just that Jan. 5 walk-on. On Feb. 23, Barr, returns for what the show calls a major story line arc. Barr, whose first daytime gig was as Reenie Szabo on "Ryan's Hope," joined "AMC" in 1976. Brooke rode into town on the back of boyfriend Benny Sago's motorcycle. At first, Brooke was nothing but trouble for her Aunt Phoebe (Ruth Warrick). Then she was raped by Eddie Dorrance. That horrible incident changed Brooke, but the character did not mellow. She always spoke her mind. Brooke and Erica clashed, as did Brooke and Dixie.
She also became a strong, independent woman but made several bad choices in men, including a marriage to Adam.
In fact, when Brooke left the show in 2006, she and Adam were flirting. At the time, Barr hoped that Adam and Brooke were headed back to romance. Brooke's marriages also included Tad Martin (Jamie is their son) and Tom Cudahy (they had a daughter, Laura, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver).
One of Brooke's amazing qualities was her ability to have a story line even when she was not involved in a romance. No word on how long Barr will be back. How wonderful if it would be long term. As for the story, the network is not saying with whom she will be involved. It is doubtful that Brooke will be behind Tad and Liza's romance.
Since Lorraine Broderick's material as pitch-hitting writer will have begun, we know she will be true to the character. Broderick understood Brooke. In fact, Broderick understands all the "AMC" characters.
