News
Erika Slezak Posts Message On One Life to Live Production Being Put On Hold!
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
Erika Slezak (Viki) of One Life to Live took to her website to post a message to her fans on the news of One Life to Live being delayed being put back into production by Prospect Park pending resolution of their lawsuit with ABC.
Her message simply stated,”When these issues are worked out between Prospect Park and ABC/Disney, we will resume, but unfortunately there is no timetable. I sincerely thank all of you for watching and supporting us and keep your fingers crossed for a speedy resolution.”
So after having a day to absorb the news of One Life to Live not returning to production just yet, and now Erika’s message, are you hopeful that as soon as there is resolution of the lawsuit that the show will be brought back for a second season? Comment below!
I feel better, I don’t think Erika would lie about that.. if she says they’ll be back, I believe her.. never believed they’d be cancelled. The whole ‘there is no timetable’ thing is a little scary, if it takes TOO long.. what’s to stop the actors from moving on if they can? After the whole union thing that stopped things for a week and now this, the actors and crew must be feeling a whole lot of job security.
I do believe PP has ‘shutdown’ OLTL to show the judge/court that they are unable to go on while they carry out their silly lawsuit. If the show was up in production and going along, then ABC will say ‘look they don’t seem too hindered, they are still in production.’ So in order to appear effected by ABC actions, PP has shutdown OLTL. The show isn’t suffering from the loss of 3 characters or anything else.. it’s POOR WRITING! If PP wants to fix anything, make sure OLTL has a better writing staff for the 2nd season.
I agree with you 100%!!! It was the writing!!!
I never said a word but just watched. I knew the minute I saw Thom Racina, I do not know why, I knew he was not the right person. I writing stunk but I continued to watch. OLTL has other writers besides Ron and I know that they could get someone who has a better grasp of the characters. I agree it was the writing. I am so upset once again. Thanks ABC/PP
they fired the writers and then new writers stuff had just started to air!
I agree, but the longer it drags out the less likely it will return. We can all thank Ron Carveli and Frank Valenti for this mess. IMO fans should be mad at them and hold them responsible. They plagiarized OLTL to boost GH ratings and because they can’t write GH. Ron was an attorney so he should know intellectual property law. It should be a slam dunk case. ABC/GH violated PP rights. I hope PP uses this time to get a new show opening and fix the writing and sets. AMC was much better.
It has nothing to with the writing, that is nonsense.. lol
It is law suit, nothing other than a lawsuit that needs to be handled.
We all know of the lawsuit and ABC and PP will work it out..
This will pass as all the many obstetrical’s PP has conquered . 🙂
No one said the writing is connected to the lawsuit…they are complaing that poor writing isnt attracting enough loyal followers and new viewers to the show as AMC has done…
Well said, I agree. AMC had lost many of their main characters and did well. Hope the 2nd season returns quickly and this lawsuit is resolved.
That’s the truth – they really honestly need better writing. The actors are doing their very best to breathe life into fairly lackluster scripts ~ and we’re talking about some extremely fine actors here – they deserve to work with better written material than has been dispensed thus far for the on line inception of One Life.
I agree with you. Its is simply a ploy on the part of PP but the judge will be able to see through that. And PP playing games will probably not sit well with the judge who might even sanction them for breaking their contract and for filing frivolous charges. I guess we will see when this goes to trial in a few years.
Plus all ABC has to do is point out that PP went ahead and used the GH storylines anyway when they couldve easily rewritten them…
If we’re lucky Cole and Hope will be reunited with Starr in the future. I just hope this problem will end soon, so we may continue watching our favourite Soap Opera. Although it would be much more simpler if ABC and PP made a merger, then becoming one company and all rights are allowed between one another. Quite Frankly, I wish they never canceled OLTL in the first place.
It was a slow start for OLTL, But I see the writers improving at the end of Season 1. Praying that this is not going to be long!
I’m heartbroken that OLTL is being held up for lawsuit. I’m sad and outraged. But, I am enjoying the reruns of OLTL at 1.30pm on the OWN network. Praying for their quick return.
Im not going to play a guessing game if its coming back or not…im patient enough to wait and see…if it comes back…GREAT!!!…if it doesnt im not going to loose any sleep over it…a lot of shows i liked get cancelled!
If Todd, John and Starr is so important to the OLTL reboot, why didnt PP see to it that ABC put a clause in the actors contract that GH/ABC must release the actors from the show so they could return to OLTL before it began plus PP shouldve had a signed agreement with the three if any of them wanted to return b4 they joined GH and if any didnt, then they couldnt join GH as a OLTL character in the first damn place…then those who werent returning to the reboot could simply be recast…PP couldve simply rewritten the storyline as if Cole, Hope, and baby Victor never died if these characters were sooooo important to the shows success(i feel they werent needed) because GH is continuing as if the oltl characters werent there and their stories never happened…
I think OLTL will back but I, too, worry that some of the actors will move on to other projects and no longer be available when the show is set to resume production. I’m having a hard enough time with the new people as it is, One Life can’t lose more of the old cast. We need more of them back!!!
And the writing team needs to be better for sure!
i agree about the writing. from the beginning they said it would be faster pace but the writing was very slow cuz they were trying to stretch out the episodes Roger H would appear in. so that just made everything move so slow
One life to live will not be back. lets face it. its cancelled. I don’t trust prospect park. they are flakes. evthe reboot sucked big time. lets move on and watch general hospital and support the rest of the soaps on tv right now.
Granny Frons, is that you?
Margie, too damn funny, just when I really need a laugh, girl! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at everything.
Granny Frons! Hahaha.
One life to live is cancelled. erika needs to go away. viki buchanan is a whore liar and a witch. lets watch gh
.
Does sheila = nancy ????
I remember Frons always favoring General Hospital over the two others even at the times when its ratings didn’t justified it.
We shouldn’t be so negative .. This is for Nancy… There were other lawsuits and they were resolved and so will this one!
Oh Fronsy you silly goose.
Tell ya what we’ll move on “nancy” or whatever name you’re currently using
when YOU learn how to construct a sentence that actually makes sense.
There is always a resolution in law suits..
It will be worked out and OLTL will be back, soon..
No need for any to panic.. It’s just another bump in road..
and no need to waste time listening to nancy!
absolutely because we don’t need that negativity!!!
DITTO!
Nancy has the inside scoop. she works for abc. she loves the chew. Nancy is crazy, but is straight to the point. i love her wacky comments.
I am so tired of PP lying constantly. They are never up front about anything until they are backed into a corner. ABC will keep this lawsuit tied up for years unless they drop it. They are a very small company going up against a giant. Regardless of who should have done what and who is responsible I am glad the 3 people who got out of this did. I wish all the actors on OLTL could find full time employment. What they got for staying dedicated to PP was unemployment. With two shows a week 4 days a week they were lucky to be on the screen 15 minutes a week. Now they aren’t on at all but heaven help any soap that might what to hire one of these unemployed actors. I don’t think the show will ever come back. I have no faith in PP. I hope to see all the long term actors on network soaps
I can’t help but wonder if Prospect Park is out of money and needs to win the lawsuit millions to keep the shows going. I can’t think of any other reason why OLTL has to be shelved until the lawsuit is decided.
I was very surprised at the feedback regarding the show overall on other sites. I don’t watch AMC so I can’t compare. I thought OLTL was very evolved in it’s approach even though there was a lot left unresolved and a lot of missed opportunities for a lot of yummy drama. All I know is that I hope the show survives this foolishness. I just want it to continue…I’m a relatively new fan so I don’t have all the history to compare so I was enjoying having the show back at all. The writing, in my opinion, was def on an upswing when season One ended. Here’s to keeping it alive !
Always a class act.
I agree, this is a temporary shutdown. Thanks Ms. Slezak fir remaining the class act you are! 🙂
I trust her 100 %
Me Too!
I also trust her but not PP at first I thought it all good and now I just don’t know. I have always loved A M C AND. OLTL and was so upset when they were canceled . Got Hulu plus to enjoy return and now upset again . OWN is not the answer it is the reruns we have seen on line, doing it at the same time as on line will help ratings. I have found myself watching GH and enjoying it, think about that PP. If they are not back by end of Sept I will cancel Hulu and forget about ever enjoying AMC AND OLTL again sad because I have been a fan since they started. There are other things in life to do with my time if they are going to make it so hard to just “Love my soaps”
After reading her statement, I am a little more hopeful that OLTL will return. I think PP could learn to communicate better with the fans and not to underestimate our intelligence. Of course, money is an issue in all of this. I think that the writing of OLTL could have been better. The people involved did not seem to know the history of the show or the personalities of the characters. Some have said that the writers were at a total disadvantage because they thought that “John” would be back. This may be a piece of the lawsuit that would make sense. I just cannot understand why ABC wants to hold onto those 3 actors despite all of the legal problems involved. I hope the show returns as there is definitely still an audience for it.
Hire some competence writers.It’s the story that counts.The story.
competent*
So true. These new writers are trying to make OLTL like a modern day hour a week drama they don’t even understand what a soap opera is. Their stories were terrible I’m the biggest Victor fan ever but their anchor arch the tatoo thing gave me literally no interest.
PP has hired new writers for BOTH shows. The new writing is supposed to happen when (and if) season 2 starts.
I am just going to simply say this .I will remain hopeful.
I will continue to support Prospect Park’s effort to bring us OLTL. No other network or production company is trying to do so. A bumpy road is preferable to no path whatsoever.
I wish General Hospital never got involved in anything One Life To Live them using the characters ruined the cliffhangers previously set up which went for great possibilities for story lines. Then they also took away great actors Michael Easton, (we got Howarth back), ( Alderson was pretty bad). Then to top it all off they took our writers and now we got stuck with terrible writers to bring the show into the ground. It’s funny too because back on air we were #1 GH screwed us and we saved AMC because without our ratings they would’ve never came back and now they are continuing and were done. They say OLTL is “shelved” nope. They are done with it the ratings were bad and PP is just trying to get any money off of OLTL via this law suit. We’re not coming back from this they should’ve just let it end back in January 2012 because with those great cliffhangers atleast we had the ability to make our own little stories. Prospect Park and ABC suck.
Unfortunately,I believe you are correct on all counts.I guess I am in the minority because I preferred Trevor St. John as Todd (and of course liked him as Victor)Alderson was much worse than pretty bad
she was unbearable-never had the stature or the acting chops to play the grown-up Starr.The show was
running beautifully on ABC when the rug was pulled out from under us and the best soap on any network was canceled.
I too preferred Trevor St. John as Todd. He did an amazing job of portraying the broken, conflicted soul who at times tired to grow as a human being. The scenes of Todd saying goodbye as he was about to be executed for the “murder” of Margaret Cochran were fantastic. His Todd and Tea were so cute together. He blew me away with the “dead” Tea story line. He grieved for Tea but had to be a father to Dani instead of getting lost in the usual Todd darkness and destruction. I would so love to have Trevor back to develop the Victor character.
I also agree that OLTL is the best soap on any network.
I agree. As much as I love Erika Slezak, her message does not bring me any reinsurance that the show will be back in the future. What if there is never a resolution between ABC and PP? They’re both pretty stubborn companies.
At this point, I put the odds of OLTL ever returning at 50/50.
I hope you are wrong
I agree with David. Erika is the best, however I am tired of being jerked around by first ABC and now Prospect Park.
I love you, Erika! From what I saw of season one of OLTL, you did a spectacular job. Of course! Unfortunately, I didn’t tune in for the whole season, because I feel in retrospect the show should have stayed a memory. If it had originally gone forward with the GH 3 and FV/RC, I could have seen it be successful. abc screwed everyone over.
The show was doing fine online. It was always top watched on hulu. Don’t know about the other problems though. I think both shows are better, well written and acted than the shows left on the networks. Whether this law suit kills it, remains to be seen.
I think Erika is right
we should stick with oltl
I think it will be back on huhu soon
they will be back for season 2 soon
Erika was right
she is the best of oltl
peg
I agree!
I hope you’re right.
I feel a little better after hearing Ms. Slezak’s comments but I am still not sure how to feel about the latest development. Back in June when OLTL halted production earlier than planned due to the IATSE issue PP stated they hoped that it would be resolved in to resume production could resume in August so there would be no interruption of episodes. In August PP announced AMC and OLTL the shows would have “seasons” but both shows were definitely successful enough to bring back. Now less than a month later PP announces OLTL is being shelved indefinitely because of the ABC lawsuit?? I will support this venture until the bitter end but I don’t feel PP is being honest and upfront about what is really going on and that is what upsets me the most. If I upset as a fan, I can’t even imagine how the actors have been feeling. I am subscribed to TOLN’s email list, it would have been nice to receive an email from Mr. Kwatinetz with this news instead reading about it on the web. Mr. Fairman, I hope you know how much we appreciate your diligence in keeping us soap fans updated and that you might get to the bottom of what is really going on with PP.
What I wonder is, now that the shows are not taping in alternate 5 week shoots, is there any possibility that we might see more of AMC?
I doubt all these skilled union techs are going to sit around for 5 off weeks of doing nothing.
I was wondering the same thing
Tracey I couldn’t agree more. Prospect Park is using excuse after excuse after excuse not to produce OLTL. I do NOT believe a word they say and I don’t think they have any intention of resuming production. I hope PP proves me wrong.
I don’t understand why PP isn’t being more honest with us. I think fans should email a civilized email to PP expressing our opinions. i
I love Erika. Adore her. What saddens me is that her best efforts as well as the best efforts of everyone involved are continually diminished by those who have smeared Prospect Park at every turn. If the show wasn’t exactly like the OLTL people remembered… God forbid they’d try something new to reinvent the show for a new generation… the scorn and the ugliness heaped on PP was downright awful. I can’t believe that grown adults would act in such an uncivil manner.
When OLTL comes back, and I hope that with all ofmy heart, because we are treated to an acting master class every time Erika is on camera, that the people who constantly berate PP will really think about what they’re saying and stop being so nasty and cruel. PP has spent millions bringing this show back and none of us have laid out a dime for it. I will stand with the actors, the writers, and the producers and stick up for their right to tell their stories… to be daring… to be groundbreaking… When you write a check for a few million, you get to call the shots. Until then, be grateful for the gift that is OLTL.
Perfectly said!
There have been far too many people ready to criticize at the drop of a hat, especially people who have no earthly idea what it entails to revive a show and put it on in a new format.
I love OLTL, and although the reboot had its problems, I have no problem remembering that it had even more during the last years of its run on ABC. At least now the show is in the hands of a production team that actually CARES about the show and wants it to succeed.
I applaud PP for everything they’ve done and are still trying to do. Sure, not all of it worked out the way the viewers – or PP, for that matter wanted. BUT the show came back from the dead.
And it will again, if what Ms. Slezak says is true. And she does NOT lie.
I think they should combine the two shows and do longer episodes – sounds strange maybe but Landview and Pine Valley are near each other anyway ~ why can’t Vicki and Clint visit Pine Valley and why can’t Brooke have some business to take care of in Landview? The sets are all the same anyway and maybe they could get rid of SHELTER because endless dancing scenes and drinking scenes at some ridiculous dance club do not a soap make.
Showing Vicki Lord and Nora, two mature characters, having dinner at SHELTER was just ridiculous, it seems highly unlikely that these two sophisticated ladies would be having “dinner” there of all places. Couldn’t they do a plain restaurant set?
Shelter appears to be a restaurant earlier in the evening and night club after 11.
I think Viki and Nora both like Blair and went there to show support.
I am so happy to hear that Erika believes these problems will be resolved. I am definitely praying for a speedy resolution. Until then, we the fans and the entire cast and production crew are once again suffering do the idiotic actions of the alphabet network and the mouse company. The b——s.
I truly enjoyed the first season and am anxiously looking forward to many, many more years of excellent story telling and wonderful performances on OLTL. That season finale blew me away. We’ve got to have more, more, more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!
Could it be – that ABC Disney might want to bring back OLTL?
Lets hope they have seen the errors of their ways.
Maybe that is what the lawsuit is really all about . Katie’s rating are still not very solid.
Whatever the case.. OLTL has and always will be the BEST SOAP EVER!!!!!!!
100 % agree
I totally agree!!!!!
Another thought – maybe we should all cancel HuluPlus – until OLTL comes back.
I paid 7.99 a month to see 4 shows a week . Then once they had me they scaled backe to 2 shows a week (8 per month). Thats a dollar per episode.
But now I’m getting no episodes. Looks like Hulu has to go.
The way things stand now, with Prospect Park as usual keeping everything a gigantic question shrouded in mystery, I will give it to November and then cancel my HULU PLUS subscription. If Hulu + wants to know why I will be happy to state that PP has kept us all on an emotional roller coaster.
Glad someone spoke up. PP needs to make a formal announcement. Not good business to hold back.
What is abc/Disney bitchin about now? What has their tail feathers ruffled now? Jealous OLTL is on-line & they want their cut of the pie !!!! They are a real piece of work. This will be resolved like the other lawsuits were!
So tired of ABC/Disney interfering with OLTL which they couldn’t wait to cancel.. This lawsuit will be resolved!
The three actors will not be back. ABC has written off the OLTL characters so it seems the lawsuit must be to do with what happened on GH affecting story plans for the OLTL reboot. To me, this is just nit picking. Most soap writers or producers should (& have done) put their own take on a show they’ve inherited from someone else. My sadness at the new OLTL was it didn’t move quickly, it underused the vets (especially Kassie) & there really was no water cooler storyline. Hope it all works out though. Missing it already.
Dump OLTL and create a new soap. Same actors, new characters without the shadow of ABC looming like the Grim Reaper.
The actors have a vested interest in keeping the fans engaged but they probably know next to nothing about future plans. In their heart of hearts they have no expectations of the show returning. However the job market is limited for ex soap actors so they cannot speak the truth just in case. Actors are earning very low per diems in the new medium. If anyone is commuting they probably don’t care all that much.
They bought the rights to One Life to Live what would be the point?
I am new at this but I tank you for taking the time to let your fans know what is going on I only started watching your show a few years and I have been watching the old ones for the last 2 years and it is almost to the end and I am so sad that is is stopping I d hope that the matter can be resolved and you will return soon., I am glad own has started showing refuns who knows maybe she will buy the right s to the show if anyone can do it she can I my eyes she is a wonderful and powerful women and I admire her
thank you Erica for responding to your fans I admire you very much
I feel that OLTL is always the escape goat they stop filming early due to labor issue over AMC and now OLTL is shelved and AMC continues . OLTL doesn’t need Mcdain or they can recast . OLTL could use RH as todd and they can say the tattoo people has tea’s baby. I just feel that someone just pissed in my Cherrios.
I think Erika is great and she should go to primetime or another online soap . Erika has a great speaking voice maybe she should do a audiobooks or voice over work.
Always a fascinating read and it’s so cool that you respond to yourself.
It is frustrating that one life is paying the price for Prospects woes. They are the far superior show. The. Actors were so much better and unlike AMC they used the veteran actors much more.AMC spends too much time on younger actors, many of whom couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag..ie Celia who is appalling. Even without the actors caught in the GH fiasco One Life utilized it,s vets and gave them terrific stories. Who can forget Jerry Ver Dorn. Plus the addition of Ron Raines promises much fun to come. I hope Prospect gets their act together , so we can enjoy Llanview once again!
I think AMC does need to concentrate less on the very young couples, the storyline between Petey and Celia is dullsville. I don’t know why people compare OLTL with AMC, they are both good in their own way, but the on-line inceptions do both require some revisions starting with the writing team.
Does anyone else feel that maybe ABC-TV wants the shows back?
I don’t believe ABC will ever produce OLTL or AMC again. That would mean they would have to admit they were wrong and I just don’t see them doing that. I guess I still have trust issues with ABC…and now with Prospect Park. Both sides just want to WIN the lawsuit, they don’t truly care about OLTL and AMC like we do. Each of us is just a rating number to them and the actors are there to make them money. They don’t care that for a large number of fans and actors, Llanview and Pine Valley have always been there for us our ENTIRE LIVES. It’s no wonder why some of us (ok, me) are losing it!
Prospect Park does not seem to have an understanding of the demographic that they should be targeting. The majority of the fans are not kids anymore, and while I have nothing against a younger storyline, there just isn’t any real chemistry between Petey and Celia, there just isn’t.
I also wish Prospect Park wouldn’t be so vague and sketchy with their statements, what few there are emanating from them.
I know that with Alicia Minshew getting a new acting assignment, there seems to be little chance that she will reprise her role as Kendall Hart Slater. I don’t have a problem with a re-cast if it’s done well. At this point, I think we are all primarily concerned with when is ALL MY CHILDREN actually coming back? Supposedly, they are due back in October 2013 to start taping new shows so, why can’t they at least give us an Air date?
What is this lawsuit all about?????? MONEY?????????
Absolutely your right…MONEY. Prospect Park should never have brought OLTL back to just SNATCH it away again. I’m tired of being jerked around by first ABC and now Prospect Park. The lawsuit is an excuse, when it is settled I know PP will have another excuse for not producing OLTL. I hope and pray PP proves me wrong.
I love OLTL and hope that it returns soon. It may have been a bit of a bumpy ride, but I loved seeing my friends in Llanview once again. I watched on Hulu and the reruns on OWN. Not into AMC, but hope for the best for both shows and their fans.
I wonder Why everyone Is so afraid and or intimidated by OLTL perhaps it exceptional acing for the most part . Because it just seems OLTL has been the black sheep of ABC /PP always been less promoted tv ads and in soap mags minus Michael of course even AN left OLTL in the early 70’s to focus on AMC the FIRST LOVE HELLO AN What do u think of OLTL being shelved!!!!! Can U here ME NOW HELLO Oh that right u don’t have anything to say about OLTL It’s not AMC . Anyone else feel this way?
Another week – still no resolution……………………….
will we beable to watch one life to live on internet or have to pay to see it. I cant get the station own please let me no ive been watching since beginning
I have tweeted and emailed Oprah in hopes she can save our soap #OLTL….OWN NETWORK is doing great..so lets all get our friends family co workers to help save OLTL by tweeting, emailing, fb, sending letters, let our voices be heard as we are the viewers….lost OLTL once, dont want to loose it again , even if only half hour,, great actor, but they need good writers and bring back more of the old cast like Jessica, Christian, etc..Love seeing Nora, Bo, Vicki, Clint, Dorian, Blair and Todd,Tea, David,,wish it wasn hour…SO LETS ALL GET THE WORD OUT..SAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE…power in numbers!!!!! Thank you!!!!
I agree hulu goes and hope OWNTV will keep OLTL alive as Oprah stated, ” You asked and she listened”” thank her for that, we all need to let Prospect Park OLTV AND Oprah know how we feel via tweets, fb, emails whatever it takes!! Lets do it!!!!!
I have NO faith in Prospect Park to do the right thing and continue with production of OLTL. I hope and pray PP proves me wrong.
I am sad to hear there is a problem I love one live to live and look forward to
it continuing. Erika Slesak is great!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
Calderon took to his Instagram story and simply shared, “Thank You, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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