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ABC Unveils New Soapy Primetime Drama OIL For Its Fall Schedule!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

On Tuesday, ABC announced its 2015-16 slate of programming which includes the addition of 10 new series.

Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, unveiled the network’s new lineup to advertisers this afternoon at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. One of the new dramas in the line-up looks to be a primetime soap reminiscent of Dallas, but with a twist entitled OIL.  The series stars Don Johnson who makes his return to television as a ruthless oil tycoon in North Dakota. The series tag line: “When you mix oil and money, the results are explosive!”

In the premise of OIL revealed today: “Billy and Cody Lefever dream of a new life beyond their working class roots and move to The Bakken in North Dakota, booming after the biggest oil discovery in American history. They’re soon pitted against a ruthless tycoon who forces them to bet big and put everything on the line, including their marriage.”

Along with Johnson the series stars:  Chance Crawford as Billy, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Cody, Delroy Lindo as Tip, Revenge star Amber Valletta (Ex-Lydia Davis) as Carla, Scott Michael Foster as Wick, India de Beaufort as Jules, former Y&R star Yani Gellman (Ex-Rafe) as AJ, and Caitlin Carver as Lacey.

OIL will debut on Sunday’s in the 9PMET slot, following Once Upon A Time!  Watch the trailer shown at the Upfront presentation today for OIL! Then let us know what you thoughts of it! Will you be checking it out this fall?

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LOL i give it two episodes tops! LOL

Ditto, Mark

Nevermind the fact that I spent nine seasons watching “Dynasty” and 14 seasons watching “Dallas.”

Been there, enjoyed them, don’t wanna do them over again. Obviously ABC does, though.

oh darn….I first thought it was OLTL !!!

So did I when I initially glanced at the headline. That’s the only reason I read the story. Too bad it isn’t. Oh, how I miss our beloved OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!

me too!

I have no interest in prime-time soaps. they’re only on once a week and they seldom last 10 years.

gimme llanview.

by the way, I had a hard time understanding “a twist entitled oil.” I couldn’t understand how a twist was entitled to something or someone. … I think the writer meant TITLED.

Interesting. Like Chance Crawford. Hope it works.

Why didn’t ABC just pick up the damn Dallas reboot to begin with?!

Yes why not pick up Dallas and re-do it better then TNT did.

I loved Dallas. ABC should have picked it up.

Agreed!

CBS aired the original DALLAS, and continues to hold the copyright or whatever rights to any and all characters, including the ones from KNOT’S LANDING. They would never allow ABC, a competitor, to benefit from their intellectual property. The reason TNT was able to air the most recent DALLAS series was because Time-Warner owns the cable channel. CBS & Time-Warner do a lot of business together.

Warner Bros owns the rights to Dallas not CBS anymore, CBS sold the rights years ago.

How ironic the series Dynasty in the 1980’s was suppose to be called Oil but they changed the title and it was on ABC

Also his name is Chace Crawford and we are longtime friends of his grandparents!

Gossip Girl

I’m guessing when the ratings for this come in ABC will wish they’d given REVENGE a fifth season…

SHOULD HAVE LEFT DALLAS ON THE AIR…..SOUNDS LIKE A COPY-CAT THAT WILL NEVER MAKE IT IF DALLAS DIDNT…..

Should have left THE ORIGINAL 1978 to 1991 “Dallas” on the air.

It should have been a staple program like “60 Minutes,” “Saturday Night Live,” etc.

Hmm…Wick, Tip and Billy? :-S

It is absolutely nothing like the outdated Dallas, nothing at all..
People seem to think it a retake on Dallas because it has oil and family, but no way a Dallas anything..

I see the series being a hit !!!
Anyone who would compare it to Dallas, well they are………………………

ND is bursting with men and oil,, ND is the new Texas oil, but not Dallas … lol
wouldn’t be surprised if the Clampetts showed up aha!

I agree Suooo, ND has been the next Texas for the past several years, the next Big Boom
town. Don Johnson is the creative lead behind this “SOAP” 64 and holding strong, handsome
as EVER. Looks like sudsy fun!

I agree with Su. I hope it isn’t all business though. The Dallas reboot on TNT bored me to tears with all the double dealing. I missed meals around the Southfork dining room table.and swiming pool shenanigans. With Empire being such a knock-out, the nighttime soap may just come back.

i will watch at least one episode – trailers are usually deceiving……………..

Also watch ABC series/soap.. The Family..
It is spellbinding, it comes across much more grabbing than Oil ..
I think The Family will do better than OIL..
watch the trailer, you will feel it ..
but-
”both” are sure to be winners!

I willl watch also at least one episode but this trailer looks like this show is boring hot mess.

Sunday night: the graveyard. I’m tired of getting involved in new series which last half, maybe a full, season.

I loved Dallas, wish it was still on, but also like Don Johnson. I will be watching it, sounds like it could be good, Sad however that is on ABC, not my fav anymore.

Cover me with oil, I’m in! I am so happy that Don Johnson is back on TV! He will be great and its good to have another soap of anytime of the day be on a network. Keep them coming! PS: The trailer looks great!

Thank you Timmm, my sentiments exactly. Looks juicy.

I’m done with oil-based soap operas. Don’t want to watch any of them unless I can see John Ross strutting around in a cowboy hat & JR’s belt buckle, arguing with Uncle Bobby and mom, Sue Ellen, at the annual Ewing barbecue.

This one I’ll check out for sure. I have liked most of Don’s work since the beginning.

The Bakken in North Dakota, booming after the biggest oil discovery in American history.

Can’t wait for the episodes featuring deaths from lack ofsafetyy regulations in North Dakota

Because no other industry or occupation ever has any deaths.

That looks pretty good! Don Johnson looks pretty good too! lol

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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