ABC publicist Les Schecter talks about how ABC was consistently 3rd in network ratings (out of 3 networks) and was trying to attract a younger audience. He began covering Peter Jennings in the News Department and was hired to cover daytime television about two months after Dark Shadows began. He talks about how it wa already attracting many people, but when Jonathan Frid was hired the ratings shot through the roof. He speaks of Jonathan going on The Dick Cavett Show and how difficult it was for him to interact with the fans, not as himself, but as Barnabas Collins. The network sent Jonathan on a publicity junket where he would change clothes in the airplane and be the last one to exit, dressed in character. He would then attend cocktail parties and fan events as Barnabas Collins. (thetvdb.com)