News
Erika Slezak Shares Holiday Letter & Fan Club Milestone Expressing: “I Thank All Of You For Sticking With Me All These Years”
Every year, Six-time Daytime Emmy winner and iconic soap star, Erika Slezak, shares a holiday letter on her website to her enduring fan club over the holidays and this year was no different.
But what made this year’s communication so special, is it marked the 50th anniversary of the Erika Slezak Fan Club and her decades long partnership with its president, Walter Miller. Together, they have delighted daytime viewers who watched Erika as the one and only Victoria Lord on One Life to Live, to keep abreast on her life, and her career.
Photo: Hallmark
As Christmas approaches and we ring a new year, Erika took a moment to write her thoughts looking back at a year which saw her: appear in Hallmark’s holiday movie, Next Stop, Christmas, dealing as we all have with life in a pandemic, and her husband Brian’s recent emergency surgery.
Here is what Erika shared: “Dear Friends: This has been a year for the books, my friends, and I most sincerely hope that all of you are well and healthy, and have survived this monstrous year. I thank God that my family and I are completely vaccinated and boostered and healthy. Unfortunately though, Brian had a bad fall a few weeks ago, and had to have emergency surgery on his back. He is now finally in a wonderful rehabilitation hospital and is working hard to regain the strength in his legs. I come to see him every day, and Michael and Amanda alternate days to visit. It’s been a somewhat busy year: As most of you know, I was pleased to shoot a Hallmark Christmas movie called Next Stop, Christmas. It was great fun and was shot fairly close to where we live, so I could come home everyday. The people on the movie were all so wonderful, and my trailer, where I was keeping my things and resting between shots, was called Rudolph. All the trailers were named after reindeer, but unfortunately mine didn’t have a red nose on the front. The only hard part of the movie was that it was shot in August when it was 95 degrees outside, and we all had to pretend that it was December, so we were wrapped up in coats and boots and gloves, and really really hot!”
Photo: JPI
When speaking on her fan club’s milestone: Slezak offered up: “As difficult as this year has been, the bright spot for the the fan club is that we celebrated the “Golden Anniversary” this last October, and you can see the letter I signed back in 1971 to permit Walter to start it. It’s completely amazing that he and I have known each other for 50 years! I don’t know how that is possible since I’m only 39 years old � . Of all the things we have to be thankful for, I include my many, many years of friendship with Walter, and the fan club that he created. And even though “One Life to Live” has ended, the club is still going, thanks to the wonderful folks who run it and take care of it. A great big thank you to Walter and Kit and AJ for their time and patience with me. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season, and I thank all of you for sticking with me all these years. Sending you hugs and best wishes for a Happy New Year and healthy 2022.”
Share your well-wishes to Erika as we say goodbye to 2021 and ring a new year in the comment section, and congratulations to Walter and Erika for a fan club well-done… 50 years! Wow! In addition, in case you missed it, check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s chat with Erika from May of 2020 below.
Erika Slezak is such a gracious lady. It’s always such a joy hearing from her. I can’t believe it’s been 50 years since she took over the roll of Viki on your beloved One Life to Live. What a wonderful turn of events that was for all of us fans. Bravo, Erika!!!!!!!!!
So happy to hear that she and her family are fully vaccinated and boosted and staying as safe as possible during the pandemic. I’m so sorry to hear of her husband, Brian’s, accident and surgery. I wish him a very speedy recovery.
A gigantic thank you to Erika for sharing her remarkable talent with all of us. I wish her and her entire family a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and very Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Erika, such an amazing lady with such grace and charm, not to mention extraordinary talent. I remember when you first started on OLTL and you were such a good sport when things got a little far-fetched. Can we say Ginny and Eterna? At any rate, I’ve always been a fan and thank God you were never possessed by the Devil like Deidre Hall. That’s not jumping the shark. That’s levitating above it. Anyway, you are beloved by so many and it’s definitely not a case of out of sight, out of mind. We carry you in our hearts daily. Always remembering our Viki and the wonderful woman who played her so brilliantly for so many years.
I miss you & OLTL so much! I felt like I lost most of my family the day it went off air 🙁 Glad to hear you are doing well and I pray for a speedy recovery for your husband. Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy New Year!
– EXTRA’ORDINAIRE – “this” Genre extraordinary!!!! EriKa Slezak puts a cap on it
so do we…. i’m 4 decades PLUS… @MichaelFairman… i bet… 5…. COME ON! IN My heyday.. i recorded from 11 a.m. to 3or4 pm… i just knew I had 5 hours to COME
Long distal ride distal? i don’t know…
BEING AN ON LINE defibrilator;… keeping “IN” check ? … my nuts screw yours
Cheers for the Tune in; “Ms. Vicki Lord”
Dear Erika,
It was a joy to see you on screen again, and in these degrading times, I hope you limit your availability.
The movie you were in had a lovely message, but the writing was so bad, and quickly paced, that most of, just about all of the actors looked like blubbering fools. You flubbed a bit, but were Awesome.
Just don’t, anymore Lady. There comes a time where you just have to let poop fester, and we are in those times.
My entire family loves you.
Oh, Erica Slezak. There is NOBODY like you!
Erika I really miss OLTL and you.
You were a great asset to the show.
Only soap now I watch since OLTL & AMC have been gone is GH.
It we ould great if you were on there now
News
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang Weighs-In On Hope’s New Attitude: “Brooke is Starting to be Like, ‘Uh-oh! She’s Taking After Me!’ ”
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) has been not pleased with her daughter Hope’s (Annika Noelle) choice in bedfellows! After all, Brooke and Thomas (Matthew Atkinson) have a long history of disdain for each other (although there was that time they took psychedelic berries together and pranced around with not much clothes on).
Hope had divorced Liam (Scott Clifton) and has been getting much closer to Thomas, feeling he is the only man who ‘gets her’ and ‘sees her’ for who she really is. On recent episodes of B&B, Hope has no problem giving into her desires for Thomas, now that she is no longer Hope Spencer.
Soap Opera Digest spoke with series iconic star, Katherine Kelly Lang to get her take on what she thinks of Hope’s attitude adjustment and recent behavior.
Photo: JPI
Lang expressed: “She seems to have changed a bit. She’s not the sweet little Hope that she once was and Brooke is starting to be like, ‘Uh-oh! She’s taking after me!’’
Brooke is not happy that Thomas has apparently won over Hope, when she is wary of the guy. Katherine added, “Thomas was stalking her (Hope) and he did all that crazy stuff with the baby. He just hasn’t been good for her, you know, especially when he was totally obsessed with her. So, Brooke doesn’t believe that that’s completely gone, that there’s still got to be some of that in Thomas somewhere and she’s worried about her daughter. So, of course, she would kind of say, ‘This is not good. This is just not a good situation. With all the men in the sea, why, why do you (pick Thomas)?”
Photo: JPI
However, many might see that as the pot calling the kettle black given how Brooke has often given into her desires with the men in her life and made some pretty bad choices herself!
So, is Hope turning into a ‘mini-Brooke’? Should Brooke continue to warn Hope of Thomas’ past, or should she just mind her own business at this point? Share your comments via the comment section.
Breaking News
‘The Price is Right’ Decks the Halls with Five Holiday-Themed Primetime Episodes & Pet Rescue & Adoption Week on Daytime
Talk about getting into the holiday spirit! The Price is Right is set to air five brand new holiday-themed episodes airing in December on primetime, plus the daytime version will also have a special week. Host Drew Carey will preside over the game show proceedings!
Daytime’s The Price is Right holiday week (Dec 18-Dec 22) will feature animal trainer, author and host of CBS’ Lucky Dog Reunions, Brandon McMillan, and Robert Valandra, nephew of legendary host Bob Barker, who both bring along some furry friends up for adoption. The week concludes with ‘Price is Right’ model Amber Lancaster, an advocate of animal adoption, and some adorable dogs who need a home for the holidays.
The Price is Right continues to network television’s #1-rated daytime series and the longest-running game show in television history, broadcast weekdays (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/10:00-11:00 AM, PT).
Photo: JPI
On Primetime, here is the holiday lineup of shows (the week of Dec 4-8):
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY (Monday, December 4, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) brings coworkers and colleagues together to cheer each other on as they play for prizes that can be shared and enjoyed by all of their office mates.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: BLIND HOLIDATE (Thursday, December 7, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) brings in a matchmaker to pair up an audience full of single, eligible adults, and lucky contestants will meet for the first time when they are called to “Come on down!” and compete together as a team. They play for fabulous cash and prizes, pairs of cars, and maybe they’ll even win a love match!
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: COLLEGE STUDENTS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Friday, December 8 at 8:00 PM ET/PT) welcomes college students home adorned in their best school spirit gear, teamed up with their parents to play for exotic trips, amazing prizes, and cash for college!
Photos: JPI
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: HOLIDAYS WITH THE FAMILY (Monday, December 18, 8:00 PM, ET/PT). Parents and their young children compete for some of the most desired gifts Santa has in his sleigh. Decorated in their holiday best, families work as a team to win prizes to make their holidays oh so bright!
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: HOLIDAY HEROES (Tuesday, December 19, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) salutes the military to thank America’s brave heroes for keeping us safe all year round. Active-duty military members in uniform compete for luxury items, including trips to remarkable destinations, $50,000 in cash, and cars!
Of note: Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on demand. Essential-tier subscribers will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.
Lots of The Price is Right holiday cheer and pet adoptions coming your way. Will you be watching? Comment below. But first, check out a clip from one of the primetime episodes.
Breaking News
96th Annual Academy Awards to Start an Hour Earlier, While Jimmy Kimmel Shares, “I Always Dreamed of Hosting the Oscars Exactly Four Times”
In a move to keep viewers not up past their bedtimes, the 2024 Oscars telecast will now begin one hour earlier than usual. According to news from the Academy on Thursday, the ceremonies will begin at 7 pm ET/4PM PT on March 1o, 2024.
That is an hour shift when the broadcast usually begins at 8 pm ET/5pm PT. The official pre-show will also begin earlier, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The 96th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with nominations being announced on January 23rd.
Photo: ABC
A few weeks ago on November 15th, Jimmy Kimmel was officially named the host of the Oscars for the fourth time. The hosting gig marks the second year in a row for Kimmel. The comedian also hosted in 2017 and 2018.
Kimmel’s wife Molly McNearney will also one again, co-write and executive produce, the telecast. In a statement on presiding over movies biggest night of the year, Kimmel joked, “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.”
Photo: JPI
ABC also plans on airing a special episode of their hit comedy Abbott Elementary, immediately following what should be a three-and-a-half hour telecast of the Oscars.
So, what do you think about the time shift with the Oscars starting an hour earlier? Happy about it? Won’t be settled in at that early time slot to sit and watch the show? Comment below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava Receives a Haunting Letter About Austin’s Murder
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang Weighs-In On Hope’s New Attitude: “Brooke is Starting to be Like, ‘Uh-oh! She’s Taking After Me!’ ”
‘The Price is Right’ Decks the Halls with Five Holiday-Themed Primetime Episodes & Pet Rescue & Adoption Week on Daytime
96th Annual Academy Awards to Start an Hour Earlier, While Jimmy Kimmel Shares, “I Always Dreamed of Hosting the Oscars Exactly Four Times”
DAYS Favorite Sal Stowers Debuts in New Role in Tyler Perry’s BET Series ‘Sistas’
The Men of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Tell All: Their On-Screen Romances and Love Scene Secrets During Their Visit to ‘The Talk’
General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
THIS WEEK ON Y&R: Aunt Jordan Ramps Up Her ‘Attack of the Newmans’ (Preview)
GH’s Scarlett Fernandez on Charlotte’s Mindset: “She Completely Believes That Anna is Out to Get Her”
Morgan Fairchild, Nicollette Sheridan & Donna Mills Visit ‘Tamron Hall’ to Talk ‘Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas’
‘The Price is Right’ Decks the Halls with Five Holiday-Themed Primetime Episodes & Pet Rescue & Adoption Week on Daytime
The Cast of ‘The Bay’ to Preview Upcoming 8th Season in Live Chat
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Semi-Finals Conclude with A Shocking Twist
THIS FRIDAY: The Young and the Restless’ Hayley Erin to Chat Live
CM Punk Returns to ‘Monday Night Raw’ For First Time In Nearly 10 Years: “I’m Not Here to Make Friends, I’m Here to Make Money”
-
General HospitalNovember 25, 2023Josh Swickard, Eileen Davidson & Annika Noelle Star in Netflix’s ‘Holiday in the Vineyards’
-
NewsNovember 27, 2023The Men of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Tell All: Their On-Screen Romances and Love Scene Secrets During Their Visit to ‘The Talk’
-
General HospitalNovember 28, 2023General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
-
General HospitalNovember 24, 2023Jonathan Frakes Opens Up on How He Met Real-Life Wife ‘General Hospital’s’ Genie Francis
-
NewsNovember 23, 2023Y&R’s Camryn Grimes and Fiancé Brook Powell Reprise Their Roles as Santa and Mrs. Clause for Disney
-
NewsNovember 22, 2023The Young and the Restless to Air Classic Episode From 1993 on Thanksgiving Day With Connection to Current Cole/Claire/Aunt Jordan Storyline