News
Erika Slezak On ABC's Decision To Cancel OLTL: "My Greatest Vindication Was That THE REVOLUTION Which Replaced Us Was Axed Within 3 Or 4 Months!"
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
We are now counting down to 30 days away before brokenhearted and disgruntled soap fans of One Life to Live will get to see their favorite soap live again, when The Online Network premieres new episodes of the iconic soap online! This week in a brand new interview in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Viki Banks) shared some very candid and forthright thoughts on Prospect Park getting the show on its feet again, and how ABC struck down One Life to Live and canceled it, when it was riding high in the ratings, only to replace it with the doomed reality makeover show, The Revolution!
When discussing how the cancellation went down, Slezak related, “ABC, they just cut us loose pretty cruelly, you know? Just, ‘That’s it, goodbye.”‘
However, when reviewing what went into ABC’s decision to cancel One Life to Live, the legendary Slezak packed a one-two punch: “The excuses they gave were that people didn’t want entertainment anymore, they want information. No, no, there’s too much information. The shows were not making the kind of money they were making 40 years ago. Nobody is! They (wanted) to go in other directions. Okay, fine. My greatest vindication was that The Revolution which replaced us (was) axed within three of four months. I don’t even want to comment on what kind of show that was. I watched it once.”
OK, One Life fans, what do you think about Erika’s comments? We all knew The Revolution was doomed once we saw it on the air, and that ABC made a mistake! But flash forward: are you looking forward to seeing Erika and the canvas of Llanview again in just 30 days? Let us know your thoughts!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and GH Alum Tyler Christopher Arrested for Public Intoxication
Daytime Emmy-winner, Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas, GH; ex-Stefan, DAYS) was arrested for public intoxication at the Burbank, California airport, this past Friday, on May 26th.
According to the Burbank PD and reports obtained by TMZ, Tyler was arrested after they found him asleep and on the ground at the American Airlines terminal. The officers noted that Tyler displayed clear and objective signs of drinking. They also reveal he was unable to care of himself.
Christopher, who remains a fan favorite as the former Nikolas Cassadine on GH and Stefan DiMera on DAYS has opened up and discussed his battle with alcoholism in the past. Last year, he appeared on former GH co-star Maurice Benard’s You Tube series, State of Mind.
Photo: NATAS
Tyler was released from police custody following his airport arrest, cited, and will need to appear in court at a later date.
Back in 2019, the popular actor was cited for two counts of misdemeanor public intoxication and landed in jail for two days, following an arrest in Indiana.
Share your thoughts on this latest situation for Tyler in the comment section below.
News
Y&R Alum Sasha Calle to Henry Cavill on Her ‘Supergirl’ : “Did I Make You Proud, Cuz? Did Superman Approve?”
In just a few weeks time on June 16th, The Flash will drop in theatres nationwide, and moviegoers will get to see former Y&R star Sasha Calle in her major film debut as Supergirl.
Calle played by Lola Rosales on the CBS daytime drama series from September of 2018 till June of 2021. Now Sasha, who won the coveted role of Supergirl from the film’s director Andy Muschietti, will be mixing it up with other superheroes in the The Flash.
Photo: CBS.
EW reports that in real life, Calle actually met Henry Cavill (formerly Superman) and got his reaction to her taking on the pivotal role. Back in December of 2022, Cavill revealed he was hanging up his cape, although various reports originally had him making a cameo in The Flash.
Sasha shared, “I met him (Cavill) actually after the movie was done, months later. I gave him a big hug. You know, it’s Henry Cavill, man! Our Man of Steel. He is kind and very proper, and it was a great experience.”
She went on to say, “I asked him, ‘Did I make you proud, cuz? Does Superman approve?'” And he was like, ‘Absolutely. You did a phenomenal job.’ I think, to me, that meant the world, because it’s Henry Cavill, Man of Steel.”
Photo: WarnerBros
The Flash stars Ezra Miller, along with Michael Keaton, Michael Shannon, Ben Affleck and nomre.
So, what do you think of Sasha Calle getting such positive feedback from Henry Cavill, as she embarks on what is sure to be a key moment in her young career when people see her portrayal of ‘Supergirl’? Comment below. But first, check out Calle’s thoughts on a preview from The Flash.
Be the hero you want to see in the world. 💥 THE FLASH – only in theaters June 16, tickets on sale now. #TheFlashMovie pic.twitter.com/2lwQKT6IWX
— The Flash (@theFlash) May 30, 2023
News
WWE’s Alexa Bliss Reveals Pregnancy, Expecting First Child with Husband Ryan Cabrera
The WWE Universe had been wondering for months, just why Alexa Bliss was taken off TV, especially when it looked like Bliss was falling back under the spell of then-returning Bray Wyatt in the storyline.
First at the end of March, the pro wrestler shared she had skin cancer surgery.
Now, comes happier news from Bliss herself, she and her husband, singer Ryan Cabrera are expecting their first child together. Cabrera and Bliss married in April of 2022 after more than two years of dating.
Photo: ABliss Ig
Bliss, is a former three-time Raw Women’s Champion, three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, and two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion. Looks like this mom-to-be won’t be getting back into the squared circle anytime soon.
The happy couple with a new bundle of joy on the way shared with E News: “It was a total surprise, as we weren’t trying at all,” shared Alexa. “We Facetimed my mom immediately … and then shared the news with Ryan’s family.”
Photo: WWE
On her Instagram, Bliss shared her excitement, “The best moments in life are the completely unexpected. Baby Cabrera arriving December 2023!!”
Share your well-wishes to Alexa and Ryan on their baby news via the comment section below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Marcus Learns He’s Not Trina’s Biological Father
DAYS and GH Alum Tyler Christopher Arrested for Public Intoxication
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Hope is Drowning in a River of Denial Over Thomas: “Is it so Wrong to Admit I’m Human?”
Y&R Alum Sasha Calle to Henry Cavill on Her ‘Supergirl’ : “Did I Make You Proud, Cuz? Did Superman Approve?”
WWE’s Alexa Bliss Reveals Pregnancy, Expecting First Child with Husband Ryan Cabrera
Sherri Shepherd Loses Her Wig During Talk Show and Says, ‘The Show Must Go On’
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Linsey Godfrey Returns to Days of our Lives
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?
Linden Ashby on His Y&R Return as Cameron Kirsten: “Let’s Write Him Bad. I’m Not Looking For a Redemptive Story Here”
Peter Porte, Miranda Wilson and Colton Little Tease Dimitri’s Love Interest, Who’s the Daddy & The Future of Andrew & Paul
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Liam Confronts Hope About Her Feelings for Thomas
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Marcus Learns He’s Not Trina’s Biological Father
Y&R Alum Sasha Calle to Henry Cavill on Her ‘Supergirl’ : “Did I Make You Proud, Cuz? Did Superman Approve?”
Sherri Shepherd Loses Her Wig During Talk Show and Says, ‘The Show Must Go On’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?
General Hospital ‘Spotlight Channel’ Watch Party with Laura Wright and Maurice Benard
WWE Night of Champions 2023: The ‘Bloodline’ Breaks Down as Roman Reigns is Left Shocked, Seth Rollins & Asuka Win Title Belts
-
NewsMay 24, 2023WATCH: The Bold and the Beautiful in Italy as EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell Teases: “This is a Story About Eternal Love”
-
RecapsMay 28, 2023The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
General HospitalMay 25, 2023Kate Mansi Makes Her General Hospital Debut as Kristina; What Were Your First Impressions?
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 26, 2023Linsey Godfrey Returns to Days of our Lives
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 23, 2023Jessica Serfaty On Contract at Days of our Lives
-
General HospitalMay 22, 2023GENERAL HOSPITAL: Will Nina’s Guilty Conscience Ruin a Marriage Proposal From Sonny?
I totally agree with Erika! The show was doing well and had a huge fan base! We have an entire network or two devoted to cooking shows and wellness. We didn’t need that on ABC. I can’t wait for the on-line relaunch. I think it will do fabulous on line and we’ll all get to see our favorites, namely Erika, back in action!!!!
I am so happy to see One life to live back I have missed it so I was so mad that it was cancelled I agree that we have enough cooking and information shows on all the networks..What were these people thinking????
Ditto! ABC is heartless!!!!!
ABC’s programming has become so shallow over the years. With that type of thinking on the part of their execs, it unfortunately wasn’t surprising that OLTL and AMC were cancelled. With the exception of it’s news shows, I don’t think any of ABC’s shows provide information of any real value. I watched The Revolution and The Chew for about 5 minutes total; that’s all I could stand. ABC seems to want to make a quick buck and is geared towards pretty mindless and violent shows. That would explain the lack of appreciation for good drama and our soaps.
Not only was seeing the Revolution fail a great vindication, but the sweetest revenge was seeing ABC drop to FOURTH amongst the networks.. and has yet to recover, from last I heard. I hope every show and everything ABC thinks about will crumble(Ms.Celie, Color Purple).
Love her.
Me too! She tells it like it is.
Go Erika! The Revolution bombing was perfect, and it was a strong sign that the viewers were not done with OLTL!
Can’t wait to see Viki in action again.
Just so happy that they are back. Counting down the days!!
she is SPOT on….and I hope day to day that the (ugh) Chew is canceled too. It’s horrible. And Katie…..double ugh. Bring back our soaps (on tv!) I’ll be watching the reboot of both amc and oltl on Hulu. Up yours, ABC 🙂
Agree Janice!
Agree with every word Janice.
I can hardly wait to see my OLTL new again. The fans totally agree with Erika on the replacement show. We told ABC NO! It was wonderful to see Erika with the fans the 1st day back at work. Can’t wait to see how the show is played on line. I really want to see Viki & Clint’s wedding, maybe? Thank you Michael for being an Erika Slezak. I enjoy your articles on her & others but mainly Erika. She is great.
Smart lady.Great actress.
I totally agree !
I did not watch OLTL but will watch it online to support our Soaps. Am a long time Soap fan. Here’s hoping OLTL and AMC are both a hit online. Boohoo to ABC.
That is nice Joan, for you to support OLTL. Thank you.
Love her! She speaks the truth! ABC screwed up and it has hurt ABC. Glad we will get a chance to see OLTL again!
The Chew is just as bad.
I love it when Erika tells it like it is.
Can’t understand why The Chew hasn’t been cancelled yet! Can’t wait to see Erika
also!
I don’t understand either. It’s such a crappy show. They can’t have a very high rating….
Hey Susan M, They don’t want to look like complete idiots, so they keep the Chew on to say See we were right!….Laughable LOL
My thoughts exactly. When I turn on GH inevitably I catch the last minute of the Chew & just wonder what the hell? Awful show, how is it surviving?
Gloria, please try to time your tuning in better. ABC is counting on fans who tune to watch GH to catch the last few minutes of the Chew, it boosts their ratings. I wait til 2pm, the days I work from home, to tune into GH.. I’m not a big fan, altho I like want Carlivati and Valenti have done witht he show, it’s the ONLY thing on ABC I will watch………….. and Grey’s and Scandal… but that’s it! I refuse to watch the NBA finals or any other sporting events on ABC.
I actually have to wait till 2:01 to turn on GH because the Spew spills over into 2pm. Sickening.
Hi Gloria, I think a lot of ppl thought or think the same thing how is this survivng…..
Stright on Erika! That show that replaced OLTL was awful. This woman is such a class act. I as so excited to see OLC and OLTL again. These shows will not be around as long! Thank you Prosect Park!
She speaks the truth! There was NO reason to cancel OLTL, and I’m glad that The Revolution got cancelled and I’m SO happy that PP finally was able to make a go to reboot OLTL and AMC. Cannot wait for April 29th, I finally get my show back.
I can’t say how fabulous it is to hear ES voice what so many of us still feel. I’m unsympathetic to ABC since my loyalty wasn’t worth anything to them. Viva OLTL and AMC!!!
“I don’t even want to comment on what kind of show that was.” Ha ha, Erika, you are such a classy lady, we can read between the lines. I referred to it lovingly as “The Revoltion.” OLTL was soaring high at when they cancelled it, boggles the mind. “The Chew” sucks also, so glad Llanview exists again, for us fans, and to rub our noses at execs who know what we want more than ourselves!
Totally agree. ES is a very classy lady who speaks the truth. Cannot wait for OLTL to be back on my screne again! I will even tune in to AMC as a new fan, just to support them, too.
As soaps moved from radio to television all those decades ago, Agnes NIxon’s creations, “All My Children” & “One Life To Live”, will forever be remembered in history as the first shows to transition from television to Internet due to the extraordinary demand of their fans!! While success is still an optimistic expectation, the quality & merit of the shows, obvious leaders in their genre, have been cemented!
I could not agree more! Wonderful Post and so true!!
I completely agree 100 Percent… Entertainment is that escape from all the stress and information of your live and speaking as a kid who grew up with soap operas as a staple in my daily routine, they are one of the best forms of entertainment out there. I didn’t watch The Revolution once but I cheered when I read that it was canceled. I told myself that I wouldn’t watch the shows that replaced AMC and OLTL and have stayed true to my word 🙂
I saw a few minutes of “The Spew” one day in the doctor’s office. I thought it was some closed circuit, amateur health education program the medical foundation showed to kill time in the waiting room. When I realized that was supposed to be a professional program from a major broadcast television network, my jaw dropped open. “This is what they cancelled AMC and OLTL for? That can’t be. I must not understand what I’m seeing. There has to be some mistake.” To say that I was appalled is an understatement.
Amen.
Totally agree. Our soaps not only entertain us, but inform the public through characters involved in gripping stories that touch our hearts. ABC is right. We want information, but not at the expense of the characters we love. They are our family. ABC lost touch with their audience because they were greedy. One Life To Live gets to live on and tell more stories to entertain and inform us. Best of luck to the cast and crew of OLTL. I will be there on April 29th for this landmark event in history.
Love her and the show. Glad they’re coming back.
No doubt-ABC has left a rotten taste in my mouth! They were so wrong to cancel OLTL. They need to cancel The Chew-it stinks, of course I’ve only watched it once for about 2 minutes and couldn’t stand it, Katic Couric isn’t interesting either, does anybody watch her? Must not – They brought her on GH 50th celebration so more soap fans will watch Katie-lol!! I only watch DWTS and Nashville on ABC and will be glad when those are repeating so I can boycott ABC some more!! Bring on OLTL-can’t wait!
I will watch oltl on hulu plus. Cannot wait. It is because of oltl that I have completely changed my way of watching tv. I have basic cable (cheaper), internet thru cable company so they are still making money and netflecks stream and hulu plus. I have access to all my shows and I am only paying for what I use. Love it. Thanks oltl. One month to go.
I totally agree with Erika! It was a total mistake to cancel these shows. There’s just way too much reality shows. We need stories about every day lives now and then. I don’t watch these news shows anyway. Happy that One Life to Live and All My Children are back!!!
Ericka Slezak is so right and is a class act! I can’t wait for One Life To Live to return and hopefully It will be better than ever.
Erika Slezak is completely right. The Revolution was beyond awful. The fact that ABC believed that is what people want to watch show that they need to find new jobs. I will be watching one life to live any way I can and no longer bother with ABC at all.
Other than General Hospital I watch no
ABC shows. They lost me. I am looking forward to watching OLTL and AMC online. Go Erika!!
Ditto, and I only watch GH because ABC canceled OLTL. Be sure to turn it on a minute or so late because The Spew spills over into the 2pm hour to get the extra ratings from soap fans.
I totally agree. It’s nice to hear someone from within speak the truth about what was said to those actors.
We have too much info these days…Need more stories and things that entertain and are not reality based.
What a classy lady!!!!
Erika Slezak is a class act. I jumped for joy when I learned that “The Revolting” was canned. This transition from television to internet is as historic as the move from radio to television. (No I wasn’t alive for that.) But, I was alive to see OLTL when it debuted July 15, 1968 and have loved it from the first moment until the final episode aired last year. Now, we begin this wonderful new chapter for our show and for AMC. This is truly thrilling. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to make this happen.
Wonderful post!
Just like Viki, Erika is a class act!
The Chew is just as bad. I boycotted both the Chew and The Revolution. Soaps were my escape from all this reality TV. I am tired of all theses news and information shows. Well said Erika!!!!!
I never watched The Revolution,I would never tune into crap like that!
Erika spoke the truth. OLTL never should have been cancelled. I guess it would be too much for ABC/D to admit their mistake and apologize to the cast, crew and fans of OLTL. Welcome back!!!
I love this woman so much. LOL
Erika Slezak hit the nail on the head. TV shows are expensive to make & the networks are slapping together Reality TV shows & such muck ’cause they are cheap to make. Sorry, but I don’t want to see perky folk giving me daily tips on how to improve my life – I want evil triplets w/amnesia. I will watch OLTL when it hits the Web or if they take the show door-to-door.
YOU GO ERIKA…..tell ’em like it is! (or was)
I can’t understand why The Shrew is still on . That Carla & her recipes makes me Barf! I never watched it! I am going by the commericals I saw yuk! Oh and ABC , they don’t have a heart & don’t have a clue what us soap fans wanted.. They were just second guessing themselves. I know I alway’s like to be entertained with drama , stories! It is my escape for a little while.. I never get tired of watching the soaps ! I am not looking for anything else on daytime programming. I will be watching OLTL… Read more »
Love Erika. Losing OLTL was a low blow, but there was some satisfaction in seeing The Revolution fail so spectacularly, oh yeah. ABC was shortsighted to throw away a decades old, tried and true product – to say nothing of its multi-generation audience.
ABC stand 4 A BUNCH (OF) CRAP! As for Erika she said it all perfectly!!!
Well, ABC/D knew the value of the 2 soaps, they would not sell them ..
And, ABC/D is making ‘million’s’ off of them..
So, AMC and OLTL is still putting money in their pocket and they both are still owned by ABC/D..
I hope PP keeps both them alive for another 40/50 years ..
Yes, that fact rubs me the wrong way too. I don’t see why those scum bags should still make $8.5 million from something they threw away. But, I love OLTL and AMC and will support them 100%.
I love Michael Fairman and this soap site. But look at the bottom of this page and who do you see advertising here? Walt Disney World, part of the ABC/D magic!
Tell it like it is Erica. ABC may not want to admit it yet, but they’ll get it soon.
You tell ’em Ms. Slezak!
Love her always! ALL of the replacement shows suck and always will. Enough said!
erika i love you so much. you are straight to the point my friend. abc made a huge mistake by cancelling one life to live. i dont trust abc at all. mark my words they will cancel general hospital next year. abc will never admit there mistake in cancelling one life to live and all my children. if they said sorry we made a huge mistake then we probably would have forgiven them and bring us the soaps back to abc. they all can choke on it. i wish one life to live great success on prospect park. i think… Read more »
Erica Slezak is my dawg!! ABC sucks PP are heros and we back!! OLTL 4EVER
When the Revolution was axed many of us hoped it might mean more life in “One Life”, then that train wreak “Good Afternoon America” with that clown and Bafoon bombed! Still no “Life”. OLTL was always the stepchild of the ABC soap family . It never had that one big story but over time was the best storytelling in daytime. It had heart, soul, and diversity. At its center was Ms. Slezak, who carried so much of the load. 2 in the afternoon will always belong to OLTL. Let’s all make ur it’s a hit!
Erika always says in such a classy manner what the rest of us are thinking. My admiration for this lady grows each days. I can’t wait to see her again on April 29.
Love Slezak. ABC sucks. Here’s hoping Brain Fronz never gets another job in television. Here’s also hoping someone soon shows Ann Sweeney the door. (Both were directly responsible for the demise of All My Kids and One Life.)
Brian Frons new job should be cleaning dirty porta pottys somewhere after all the crap he gave us! But that would still be too good 4 him! lol
I can’t wait to see One Life to Live.
If Soap fans will recall, Brian Frons to arrogantly and pompously announced the cancellation of these shows on the set of AMC, I believe, the cast or crew having no idea what was being announced. It doesn’t get anyone slap in the face than that, announcing the cancellation of your job in a big media event on your home turf. I remember when I read AMC and OLTL were getting cancelled, I immediately called my mother.. she screamed when she heard the news. I knew AMC was in trouble, but OLTL too.. it was too much that day for me.… Read more »
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Frons step down not long after our shows’ cancelation? Sounds like he had a guilty conscience!
Just 29 more days! Then I’ll be happy!
Truth is, I will never forgive ABC. They treated loyal daytime viewers like trash. Then to add insult to injury, they had the temerity to advertise their vile replacement shows during the final airings of our beloved shows. Rubbing salt in the wound did nothing to heal the breach. They only widened it. ABC-D’s behavior left me very wary of getting attached to any of their programming. Daytime or evening. With their lust for cheap tv and high ratings right out of the gate (they don’t give shows time to catch on), I just have no interest in them as… Read more »
I cant wait to see Erika Slezak and all the other talent on OLTL again. I watched the Revolution once and felt it wasnt quite as bad as that silly, stupid Chew which ABC should axe asap. There are too many food shows, talk shows and make over shows with reality stars who cant act. Some of our best actors are in soaps and have started their careers with soaps. I am looking forward to seeing it again and will miss S. Lucci J. Young who have gone to other shows. Also I am looking forward to PP getting Ilene… Read more »
I love OLTL and I can’t wait to watch again. Llanview is like a second home to me.