CAPITOL and all of its details was created by Stephen & Elinor Karpf and was not based on a book. As soon as the production order came from CBS, the executive producers, their lawyers, and the network tried to grab the fully written show without credit or payment to the Karpfs. It was only after Stephen Karpf brought the necessary action and hours before CAPITOL was to go on the air that their credit was presented as per industry standard and some money was paid over to Karpf Productions. There is a public record that describes what happened. According to Stephen, the fight against these thugs would indeed make great drama!

If you'll recall CAPITOL began with the highest ratings in history for a new daytime program. The concept, which carried the show to public attention, was the conflict between a defense industry family willing to do anything for money and power and a family of lawyers and career government officials who lived by the ideals of the United States. The Karpfs created the McCandless brothers first (in 1980) and later the Cleggs.

Steve and Elinor upheld their credit and gained some money, but the show soon didn't make sense. After six months of CAPITOL the talented Karpfs were hired from ABC, working for GENERAL HOSPITAL (1984-85) and DYNASTY (Rock Hudson era), which at that time were the hottest shows of television, daytime and night time respectively.

The Karpfs also work in movies. They started in 1970 with ADAM AT 6 A.M., it was the debut of both the Karpfs and Michael Douglas in Hollywood. In addition they worked for movies and television, including GARGOYLES, the most played movie in TV history (they are now negotiating for the remake).

In the original concept CAPITOL would have been the most progressive serial on television, with an interracial romance (Tyler/Merle) and a gay character (Gerry). Here’s the show’s original “Bible” with all the characters, the very beginning of a daytime drama!

• PAGES 1-14
  
  The  McCandless brothers
  Tyler McCandless
  
  
   

• PAGES 15-29
  
  Thomas McCandless
  Lee McCandless
  Wally McCandless
  
   

• PAGES 30-42
  
  The McCandless family
  Baxter McCandless
  Clarissa Tyler McCandless
  Jeffrey Tyler
  Karen and Gillian McCandless
  
   

• PAGES 43-49
  
  Professor Fredric Schweikert
  Dorothy Rennsalier Schweikert
  Dan Schweikert
  
   

• PAGES 50-60
  
  Trevor Burdette
  Victoria Husting
  Gerry Morgan
  Ann Denning
  Merle Reid
  
   

• PAGES 61-71
  
  The girls in the town house
  on J Street
  Margie Kreski
  Dee Ann Langlois
  Claudia DeLong
  Sam Clegg, JR.
  Polly O'Malley
  The mole