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Erika Slezak Posts Annual Holiday Letter! Shares Heartfelt Words On Turbulent Times Of Revival's Of OLTL & AMC!
Courtesy/ABC
You may need a hankie for this one, folks, because it comes from the icon of One Life to Live, Erika Slezak! Today, Erika posted her 2013 holiday letter on her website, which has become an annual tradition for her fan club. In the 2013 version, the six-time Daytime Emmy winner addresses the hopes and the despair we all went through with the revivals of One Life to Live and All My Children online and the sad quick ending, that as of now has left both shows shelved.
What made this letter so poignant is that Erika shared how wonderful it was to be back with her OLTL family again, and stepping into the shoes of Viki, even if for a very short time. Erika also pays tribute to the fans for making this all possible in the first place. Read Erika’s letter below, that we are sure long time fans of Llanview will want to check out!
ERIKA: “Dear Friends: Well, this year has certainly been one of ups and downs; we started last January with such high hopes for the revivals of One Life to Live and All My Children and things seemed to be going so well when we started production in March. Unfortunately we produced only 8 weeks of shows, and then everything fell apart. Our boss, Jeff Kwatinetz, is still trying to bring both shows back, but personally I think that will be a very difficult feat to pull off. As things stand now, production on both shows has been shut down, so there will be no more OLTL or AMC, at least not in the near future. But we never give up hope! In any case, I loved being back at OLTL; I loved being back with all my friends on the show and we had a wonderful time although it was short lived. Still, I am very grateful for that brief opportunity to have played Viki once more.
Personally my life has been very busy and very good. It’s wonderful to be home and enjoy all the pleasures of home life. I am hoping that in the next year I will be able to find work elsewhere but if that doesn’t happen right away, I will be grateful for what I had.
Once again, I want thank Walter Miller for his unflagging support and for keeping this little club afloat. I also want to thank AJ, Kit Williams and Stephen Schofield. Walter and Stephen spent a lot of time in correspondence with Jennifer Pepperman, our most recent producer, and were invaluable in assisting her with photos and background information on OLTL and Victoria Lord. And in particular, I would like to thank all of you for your incredible support during our online phase. This would never have come about if it hadn’t been for you, and the entire cast and crew of OLTL is extremely grateful.
I wish all of you a very happy and healthy holiday season and all good wishes for the New Year. We never know what the future holds, so perhaps I will see you all again from the screen or the stage or wherever. Merry Christmas! With Love, Erika”
What did you think about how Erika shared her excitement and disappointment at the ups and downs of bringing OLTL back from the dead if not for just a short time? What would you like to see Erika do next, if playing Viki on OLTL is no longer an option? What were your thoughts when you read her letter? Comment below!
Such a classy lady and I can see her on The Bold & The Beautiful as a Forrester relative or maybe a cousin of Stephanie & Pam. Just wishful casting!
I always thought ABC was nuts to let her go. How many Emmys and how big a following? She’s be a natural for an American remake of the British show New Tricks or a judge/attorney on one of its many crime shows. Sad.
I always thought she kinda resembles Susan Flannery!
she’s a class act. I adore her. ….and I miss her and OLTL
Me Too!!!
Beautifully written letter.
It was wonderful to have OLTL back, even if for a short time, better then not at all.
(( life is not always fair ))
“Life is not always fair”? Um, you act as though Miss Slezak was whining or complaining when she was actually being the gracious class act that she is.
Thank you Miss Suooo for that insensitive comment.
su0000000 – still the master of defending ABC and Ron and sniping at OLTL stars and fans.
Love you too Erika…
Your class and dignity (and some great acting skills) always brought me enjoyment.
I miss seeing your TV family every day and even watch OLTL 2.0 on HuluPlus.
I’m not giving up hope for your return.
Thanks for all the memories.
There is only one solution to this problem… OPRAH!!! She has a network, connections, money, and she is a soap fan. Our soaps never belonged on the internet.. they belong on t.v.! Even if you made them a half hr. each… they belong on a network. Let’s all make a plea to Oprah to revive our precious soaps the old fashioned way and put them on her network!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE Oprah! We miss them!
I don’t think these soaps are dead. We have to many fans who expressing their loyalty and now believe more see how valuable they really are. Really believe its not over and we need to keep reminding networks this too. don’t watch anything were they should and did have soaps. Networks need to see how valuable they are.
I would be thrilled and so proud to see Erika both onstage and onscreen. So sad that OLTL is gone again… but if Jeff K can pull off the seemingly impossible, truly, power to him. Until then look sharp entertaiment industry-there is a superb amount of talent here.
I will follow Erika, Kassie and most of the OLTLers anywhere, but I’m still hoping for more Llanview.
Such a wonderful lady miss the soaps every day. I cancelled Hulu and am so sad. I heard that Opeah was interviewing the soaps stars. Do you know a date and time for that .
I think Erika is pure class and style. I look forward to seeing her in her next venture.
She truly is the classiest woman out there. Love her, and hope that I can see her lighting up the screen again soon. Whether it be online, daytime, prime-time or big screen.
Erika is such class. I miss OLTL, sad to think it may never live again.
OLTL and the uber- talented, Erika Slezak are the best. PP WAS DISAPPOINTING to be sure. However, cast and crews gave it their all.
For a long time I have thought that Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser should do the Neil Simon stage play “The Odd Couple” the female version. I see Erika as Olive Madison and Robin as Florence Ungar. If I was rich, I would put my money up for that!(if they were willing)
I would love to see them together on stage in either a comedy or a drama.
That’s a really good idea.
Such a lovely lady!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Erika!!!
I’m dry-eyed, but that was a great letter. Like alot of the OLTL and AMC actors, she’s walking the fine line between having hope that the shows will be revived again some day, and realizing how slim those chances are. That’s not an easy position to be in and it doesn’t erase the fact that right now, the shows are not in production and she’s out of a job, like alot of her colleagues. I wish her well and hope we will see her again on our screens again soon.
Erica, you and the rest of the cast of OLTL will be so missed,I pray the show comes back and if not it has been a great ride growing up with you all. XOXO
Erika is a class act. She always has been and always will be.
DITTO!
Cast erika slezak as the new dina abbott , on the young and the restless. she would be great as dina.
That is lovely idea, ricardo. I like it, but would such a New Yorker/East Coaster relocate to LA? Still, I wonder if a short-term front-burner storyline for the Dina Abbott character is possible… perhaps a secret terminal lillness and she returns to Genoa City to make amends with her children, or to drop a bombshell secret on the city’s upper crust that shifts alliances somehow?
My hunch is Miss Slezak will be on the Broadway or off-Broadway stage. She would be a delight to see on the boards.
It was a dear letter she penned to us. I miss ONE LIFE TO LIVE and her character, the grace for the program all these years. Even at its lowest times, Miss Slezak and her alter ego Viki shone brightly.
I personally think it’s time to say good bye to AMC and OLTL as we knew them. PP will never be able to run them on a long term basis. The only who can is ABC but they don’t want to have anything to do with daytime soaps except for GH.
I would like ABC to get the rights back from both soaps and merged them into a weekly primetime series with key actors of both shows. Llanview and Pine Valley are sister towns in PA. They would very well blend into an unified TV show. It would something like Revenge or Nashville which are quite successful.
PP was creating a soap opera for TOLN and when AMC and OLTL were canceled PP took them over instead of creating their own soap..
Perhaps they will gather actors from both the soaps and continue on with creating the soap they were working on.. 🙂
I’m grateful for the many decades of both soaps that had ..
all things come to an end, even or lives on earth will end..
OMG, suoooooooo, that is sooooooo profound.
It’s one thing to lay down and die of old age, but in OLTL’s case they were MURDERED at their peak. I’m not grateful for that AT’ALL.
Llanview and Pine Valley are sister cities in PA. Port Charles is in NY. In any event, let the AMC/OLTL characters be on GH! But things need to be worked out.
Yes would love to see her on bold and beautiful too but will always be oltl for me
Thank you Erika for this beautiful letter and for always being such a beautiful and gracious lady. We miss you and the entire OLTL family.
Love her and still hoping both iconic soaps return. They deserve it. Erika is definitely a class act! Adore her!
As always a class act , I hope and pray we will see her back as Vicky and both shows will live on !
Yes, I had tears while reading Erika’s lovely letter. I love and admire this woman so much, and it truly hurts my heart to think we will not see her playing Viki anymore. I’m still holding onto the hope that someday OLTL and AMC will be back in production, and that we’ll be able to enjoy and appreciate all the hard work that the talented cast and crew on both shows are known for. Merry Christmas Erika!
Always a treasure to hear her thoughts. Thank you so very much Erika
Wish I could seen those episodes…secretly wished Oprah would have picked up those shows…sure would have boosted ratings for all!!!!
W-O-W…a totally beautiful and heartfelt letter!!!!! Thank You Miss Erika…you will ALWAYS BE A CLASS ACT in my book!!!!! Good Luck to you in all of your future endeavors!!!!!!
Peace.
Is there anybody better than Erika Slezak? She is one of a kind. A great actress, graceful lady, and major team player. ABC needs to do some serious soul-searching and admit they made a big mistake and bring Erika and One Life to Live back to ABC where they belong!
Dearest Erika,
Words cannot express how thankful I am for the joy you and the other Llanview residents have given me for more than 40 years. I was blessed to have OLTL in my life since the age of 8!!! I will NEVER forget the years of your lives you all gave to bring OLTL into my home and family. It was such FUN :o)
Sincerely and with much Gratitude,
Phyliss
I could cry all night. I think of the last few episodes of OLTL in Jan. 2012 & am still just absolutely floored that the show was ripped away from us in the middle of such fantastic stories-there was so much to look forward to. My days have never been the same without my Llanview friends. Love Erika & everyone else from the show. Miss you all.
As always, very gracious. She is such an awesome lady, inside and out. I hope to see her again on OLTL soon!
Ms. Slezak is wonderful and her letter, like her interviews over the years, addresses everything with intelligence and class. She and Viki Buchanan have meant so much to me over the years. I really, really, hope someone again rewards the cast, crew, and fans of these two incredible shows with another, permanent resurrection. What’s happened is baffling and painful. Best wishes to Erika and all at AMC and OLTL.
I wish Days would write a part just for her, hopefully a long term front burner one. She could play a heroine or villain-perhaps a nemesis of Stephano. Too much talent for one of the other soaps not to pick her up. The tragedy is OLTL should never have been cancelled, I will never get over it. THE ABC BOYCOTT CONTINUES!
Maybe they can bring one more new soap back and have all the people from both shows in it!
I dearly loved Erika (Vicki) I will miss OLTL and AMC terriably.Fingers crossed that someday we will see the permanant return of our iconic soap operas.
you can feel the love coming thru her words in the letter – such a gracious woman!
She is so classy there just isn’t anyone like her on daytime anymore
Maybe Erika could come on GH… As a different character or not. She will always be Viki to me! Erika was always my #1 favorite on OLTL…RV & RC should put her on GH it would be an added bonus to the show.. That’s just an idea that crossed my mind…I will miss her a lot. She was the heart & soul of OLTL!!!!
Erika: I still miss OLTL and especially “Viki”. I hope that someday OLTL will come back in some form. There are still a lot of fans out there who are waiting for this. I watched OLTL for years, but I have not bothered to get into another soap as OLTL was the only one that I cared to watch. I am still waiting for Viki and Clint’s remarriage…Thanks for sharing the holiday letter with your fans.
The best actress in daytime ever…hands down! Erika is missed! Hello Ron? Hello Frank?? Why not bring her on to GH? She could be Heather’s sister and then she could be Franco’s Aunt and this way she could be back with RH. Imagine the fun of putting her up against the Q’s…there’s so much they can do with her! Just a thought 🙂
I don’t know….. Look what they’ve done to Roger. I want my favorites on TV and in great roles.
She could be more Nikki Smith then Viki 🙂
I believe that there will never be a replacement for the original OLTL, and Vicky.. Erik was the best at what she did, and the original cast made OLTL what I remember.. I am happy the online is over with, it could not meet my standards. I loved to see OLTL brought back on ABC or any network with most of the original cast members.
I so agree…. the online vesion was nothing but an embrassment in my opionion…it only picked up in the last few episode…. just could not stand all the loud techno music in the Shelter scenes.. it just drowned out all the dialogue.
Please ABC do us right and bring them back properly.
I’m ALL for that – those stupid endless “Shelter” scenes were annoying and tried to take the place of true storyline which they did not. I am hoping both One Life to Live and AMC return, somehow, but my secret wish is that ABC will take them back and either present them as half hour programs (Like “Bold and the Beautiful”) or combine them into one show, called Pine Valley or Pineview or Landview or Scooby Doo I don’t care I just want the shows back. I don’t know if I can honestly say I want them in the hands of Prospect Park as I did not think the online inceptions were that enthralling or compelling, but in fairness they weren’t given proper time On-line to truly prove themselves.
She is so wonderful! Classy lady. Still shocked everyday with the soaps that are left on tv while OLTL is gone.
She is a class act all the way! Would watch her on any show she appeared on but would love to see her on General Hospital.
I love her, she was the very best thing about the On-line version of ONE LIFE TO LIVE to me, and brought life to every scene she was in. I don’t think either One Life or ALL MY CHILDREN got a fair chance to find their footing as on-line presentations. I too am hoping against hope that both shows can return (I’m all for combining both shows into one creation since Landview and pine Valley are near each other anyway) – right now, it seems only a dim possibility though.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo

Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
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