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Kassie DePaiva & Michael Easton Share their Disappointment at Prospect Park's Bowing out of Moving OLTL Online!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Two of One Life to Live’s biggest stars, Kassie DePaiva (Blair) and Michael Easton (John), who also had agreed to stay on with the series when it was to move online via Prospect Park, took to their Facebook pages tonight to share their disappointment and share their views on what went down, and to thank the fans of the show for their continued support!

Kassie DePaiva posted:  “I think what upsets me the most is how this whole deal has been handled from the get go. I wanted more than anything not to have been canceled by ABC. I find it mind boggling that a… company can spend 45 years building the strongest brand in daytime… launch a cable network to support it and then decide to cancel both broadcast and cable airings leaving the beloved fans with no where to turn for that brand. Then PP shows up out of nowhere as the great white hope promising to continue these shows…. I was happy to sign on. I love what I do and I’m proud to go to work everyday. I was asked to take a cut in pay and was happy to do it if it meant our show would go on. That was the first week of September. But other than a very quick speech on the studio floor by PP in late September the company did not give out any information regarding when and where we would be working. Last Wednesday the cast received an email telling us our dressing rooms must be cleared out by the 9th of Dec. or ABC would be tossing things out… and then to hear the official news today via a media report.

The last 2 weeks have been emotional for me. The stories are rocking and show is so good. It is must see TV. Don’t miss a day… don’t miss a scene.  My hat goes off to Ron Calivarti…. he has written really powerful stuff and I think the fans are going love it. I especially want to shout out to Frank Valentini… who has fought the hardest to make the transition happen.

Courtesy/ABC

He has been amazing and I want you fans to know how hard he worked to continue giving you fans the show you deserve. He found out this wasn’t going to happen just like I did…via a media report.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be grateful for but I must say I wish things had worked out differently. It’s been the best 18 years of my life. I hope you will continue to watch “One Life” until the bitter sweet end.

Michael Easton posted: “I know how disappointing this news is to many of you. We tried to fight the good fight, we fought to the end to get the ratings up, but it wasn’t enough. We’re sorry we let you down. I just wanted to thank you all for the years of kindness, love and support you’ve shown me and my family. If you get a chance at some point, maybe say a prayer for the wonderful crew members of “One Life To Live”, many of whom are supporting large families, that they may find work soon. God Bless. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Clearly, Prospect Park’s lack of communication with the series and its stars is something to be discussed and just how many ducks they just could not get in order to pull off their grand plans.  More on this story in the days to come!

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Kassie, I loved every moment watching you as Blair. If you didn’t win an Emmy, perhaps it was because you are so incredible at what you do–you made it look easy and effortless. I will never forget your parody of Grey Gardens with Robin and so many other scenes. Michael, you didn’t let us down. The responsibility lies with ABC and Prospect Park. OLTL was a brilliant shinning star I loved and looked forward to more than anything else broadcast on television. The loss of OLTL is gut-wrenching.

I think Prospect Park should create a brand new soap with the 2 AMC actors and the 13 OLTL actors that have agreed to sign on. This would be a lot more easier for them to do than to try to carrying on AMC or OLTL.

Also, by creating a new soap, Prospect Park wouldn’t have to pay stupid royalties to ABC. Remember, ABC owns the soaps, but not the actors.

We love you both, and Michael, you have nothing to apologize for. ABC and PP have done you wrong. We fans will continue the fight to find our soaps a new home.

God Bless Both Kassie & Michael!!

Michael Easton you didn’t let us down….I leave that in the hands of ABC and Prospect Park. I don’t know how many years I’ve been watching OLTL, but it has been an incredibly long time. I literally grew up watching AMC & OLTL. My mom watched it, and my two sisters watched….granted over the years they have not stayed loyal…but I have never stopped watching. You all have become an extended family, and I guess that’s why it’s so hard to hear this news. I vow to do the good fight, and not give up on my all time favorite soap, OLTL…..I will watch until the very end. And my heart and prayers go out to the crew, producers, writers, directors, actors and anyone else associated with OLTL. You have done us proud for 43 years, and you will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Sincerely,
Torrey Breath

To modify an old adage: Hell hath no fury as a soap fan scorned. We have not given up a season or two. We have lost decades of daily enjoyment. How many televisions shows can claim decades of entertainment on a Daily basis. Maybe we fans need to ask all those spotlight stars who watch and have held guest spots throughout the years to pool their fiscal resources to help find a way to save our shows. Donald Trump where is your boardroom and think tank when we need it? Someone has a solution we just need to tap into it.

I am disappointed and it is very rare that I don’t have much to say. This whole thing stinks and is very strange. Kassie DePaiva said it best, that PP came out of no where as the white knight to save AMC & OLTL. I didn’t doubt anything then, because I was so happy the shows were going to continue. But now, the gloves come off! Was this just a smoke screen created by ABC/Disney/Frons, to shut up the vocal fans? I feel for the crew and stars of both shows and I am sure they will find employment elsewhere, because they are a talented bunch. As for ABC Daytime, you have lost me as a viewer. I waxh my hands of The View and I don’t support that thing called The Chew! General Hospital I say a prayer for you,because Frons is gunning for you. Regarding Prospect Park, you had a chance to create something great and unique and you blew it! To give hope to the crew, stars and fans of the shows and leave them dangling for months is just wrong! I will not be watching your programming either. There is something called RESPECT and there isn’t a price tag attached!

So sad and so unecessary! OLTL is a great show and it has been getting greater each day. Thank you to everyone who makes such a wonderful show! The Thanksgiving show was lovely and shocking… still can’t believe the ending! Maybe some wonderful person or corporation will make OLTL a go for all of us! It is Thanksgiving today and we can only hope!

When I read the awful news last night all I could do was lay my head down & cry. Wow, dumping this on everyone right here at the holidays. Very cruel to do this, stringing us along all these weeks. I sure feel for the cast & crew, what a disappointment for all. I have been so relieved & excited since PP came along to save the best show on tv. Now, it feels like April 14 all over again. The whole thing is wrong on every level. I hate ABC forever, will never watch a second of it once OLTL is gone. What a bleak January ahead. OLTL makes my day, every day. I am sick over this.

Agreed! No more ABC for me, unless it is “One Life To Live” !!

I’m sad to hear OLTL won’t go on! I’ll miss these actors! I’d rather see Michael Easton on OLTL, but if it can’t go on I’m hoping Days of Our Lives will ask him back as Tanner! And then sign Nat, Melissa Archer on as redheaded Maggie’s daughter Sarah on Days too. And bring back Farrah Fath as Mimi and JPL as Kate’s son Rex on Days. (then we’ll have a little OLTL on another soap!

Great ideas! I will miss every single person on OLTL.

Prospect Park LET US down.

They’re both a class act. But it seems that class, good storytelling, and a loyal and talented cast and crew are no longer of any value to ABC.

And ABC is no longer of any value to me. But I will follow those actors ANYWHERE they go.

I have been watching One Life to Live every day since I came to the USA, while working I have taped/dvr’ed OLTL. The soaps are a part of American culture, kinda like hot dogs and apple pie,baseball and popcorn…way to represent America ABC, another talk show..Lord Have Mercy! More judges, more cooks, more home decor shows…really? isn’t there enough of that already? Oh well, the great thing about America is that there is so much to choose from. So I can watch another channel – and delete this one as soon as OLTL goes off the air…Farewell ABC.

For me, Michael Easton took an otherwise lifeless character and exhibited an emotional passion with the perfect touch and balance. I watched him pull off different dimensions of John as he battled with his inner demons and pursued his heart’s desire with the fiery Natalie Buchanan. His pairing with Melissa Archer was electric and was always consistent and kept me watching when I would otherwise have been disinterested. I was devastated when ABC initially cancelled the show, and doubly hurt when I heard the official announcment this week. I can only imagine how it feels for the actors and crew that worked so hard on OLTL even when the chips wee down. Michael Easton made John McBain real and I look forward to his future work. You will be missed.

Well the saddest thing is that the transition to the web might have worked. Whats worse is they had all of us fans hopes up and then decided to scrap the plans to move online.. I will not watch the revolution nor the chew and if i can help it i won’t watch abc at all.. THis is the first time that there will be no soap on at 2pm in all of my years of watching .. It is sad that abc decided to do this they can come up with all the self help shows they want but most soap fans watch for an escape from reality and to be entertained not to have people telling them how to live their lives..

The actors never let us down! I’ve loved watching every second of OLTL & AMC! ABC/ Disney & Prospect Park are liars! I’ll boycott anything to do with either of them!

It breaks my heart that Michael thinks that they let us down. I feel like it was US, the fans, who let them down. So many took the attitude of “the shows will still be there to watch when I retire” and stopped taping or watching. Well, this is what happens when fans take a genre for granted.

Michael, you and the others did not let us down. ABC is the one that let us down. I cannot figure out why they would kick OLTL to the curb because of, “poor ratings,” but keep GH which is even worse. I think OLTL was getting better since they got a new Head Writer. I also think that you played the part of John extremely well. I hope thatyou will be sure to let us all know where you will be in the future. Like a previous person said, you people are extended family. Michael, I would proud to call you my brother.

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I hope you write again soon!

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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