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Erika Slezak Shares Thoughts On: DAYS Move to Peacock Years After Prospect Park’s Streaming Attempt with OLTL & The Ultimate Dorian, Robin Strasser

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

In a new interview on her website, Erika Slezak (Viki), the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning star of One Life to Live, weighed in on a myriad of subjects, including DAYS move to the streaming platform Peacock, plus working opposite the various Dorians over the years on One Life, and none more so than the incomparable Robin Strasser.

When discussing Days of our Lives upcoming exclusive move to Peacock on September 12th, Slezak made reference to her experience in 2013 when Prospect Park produced new episodes of One Life to Live and moved it online; following the ending of its run on network television and ABC in 2012.  As OLTL fans know, unfortunately, the online version lasted only one season on Hulu.

Courtesy/TOLN

Below are a few excerpts from Erika’s conversation had with her longtime fan club president, Walter Miller.

On DAYS’ move to Peacock, Erika expressed: “I think that’s fantastic! I emailed Ron (Carlivati, head writer) when I heard it because he was our head writer. I was delighted for him, and I asked him if he was staying? He said, ‘Yes, as far as I know I’m staying!’ I think it’s wonderful. The whole point of us going online was such a good idea. Unfortunately, it was so mishandled by the producers at Prospect Park. They knew nothing about what our audience was looking for, what THEY wanted. It was about stories and relationships and a lot of our audience was extremely offended by some of the things they were doing. We went through four head writers in three months because they kept saying, ‘We can’t write this stuff, or we don’t want to write this stuff.’ The idea behind it, Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz who put it together, was a wonderful idea and we would have been the first to go online (Hulu). It was just five minutes ahead of its time and it was run by people that didn’t know what they were doing. They didn’t know how to produce a daytime drama and they pushed the envelope too far, too quickly, and then they spent too much money and then they ran out of money.”

Courtesy/ABC

On the rivalry between One Life to Live’s Viki and Dorian that went on for decades, Slezak discussed all the Dorian’s she worked with by noting:  “They were all different, obviously. As far as I’m concerned, Robin (Strasser) WAS Dorian. Nancy Pinkerton was wonderful in the beginning, but then she left, and thank God we got Robin because she was the absolute ultimate Dorian. The wonderful thing about Robin is that she played Dorian with all the conniving and scheming, but she always had some warmth about her. Even when she was being just horrible, there was warmth there. She was just perfect! There could not have been a better Dorian, although Nancy was very good in the beginning because she had to establish the character and what they were looking for was a villain, and she was. The other ladies, I certainly remember them all: Dixie Carter, Claire Malis, Elaine Princi…they were all slightly different but, as I say, there was one Dorian and that was Robin. Dixie, Claire, and Elaine were all very good in what they were asked to do, but they never had a chance to establish a character because they were never there long enough. Robin is an actress who is so talented and who is so clever, and I have always said that she brings a Thanksgiving Day feast to every performance. She wasn’t “performing”…from the moment she walked on set, she WAS Dorian.”

If you would like to receive updates from Erika’s Fan Club, please go to the homepage at erikaslezak.com and sign up with your email.

Now, what do you think of Erika’s comments on DAYS upcoming shift to Peacock as its new exclusive home? What did you think about her thoughts on Robin Strasser and the Dorians? Let us know in the comment section.

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I really loved the reboots of AMC and OLTL on Prospect Park. There was room for improvement, certainly, but if given more time they would have worked it all out. If they had waited until streaming services took off they would still be on the air in my opinion!

As for Dorian, I finally got to see a few episodes featuring Nancy Pinkerton and Claire Malis – both were good – I never liked Elaine Princi’s version. Dixie Carter? Did she sub because she played Brandy on The Edge of Night. But the REAL the only and only GREAT Dorian was always ROBIN STRASSER!!!! I always preferred Robin to Erika and felt that Robin deserved the six Emmys – oh well! Those things never go my way! (;

YES! People were so critical of the changes that had been made for both shows (more coarse language, a little more sex, and some slight nudity that pushed boundaries) but I thought it was great!

I was so glad to read Erica’s take on why the online version of OLTO failed. I agree with her fully

I hope ABC/Hulu tries a v3… I would subscribe and certainly pay.

While I respect Ms. Slezak’s opinion, I have to disagree: TOLN’s production of All My Children was exactly what American-produced soap operas NEEDED, and was the most exciting thing (sans a few things here and there) produced by an American soap opera in the past ten years. It wasn’t safe and I loved that. Plus, the production model, while flawed, resembled what British soaps have been doing for years. And given the overall success of both soaps, both on Hulu and iTunes, I’d wager audiences were happy.

I use a VPN and watch my soap and more in any country of my choice..
I have watched Y&R for a very long long time by way of Canada..
No problems,, get a good VPN and enjoy all via Canada..
Network TV is quickly dying— in the future no soaps will
be shown via network tv…

The OLTL reboot was so bad, it left a bitter taste. Erika Slezak was right bad producing and writing the recast of many of our character was no way the same. The show Stink! I was like put a Well daytime story to rest, before destruction. I would love to see repeated episode on steaming on something free. PLEASE, OLTL was the best of day time. Too many characters are gone elsewhere. I’m sure if they could get them back I would be a follower.

It’s always an absolute pleasure to hear from Erika Slezak. I enjoyed the online One Life to Live; but, I did feel the story lines wandered in every direction. If they went through 4 head writer in 3 months, I can understand why.

I couldn’t agree with Erika more. Robin Strasser WAS Dorian!!!!!!!! I remember Nancy Pinkerton and Claire Malise very well. Both were very good. But, Robin brought that something extra. For me, it was the warmth factor that Erika mentioned. Sudden you cared about Dorian. There was a vulnerability about her that I didn’t see with the other performers. And Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser together was pure magic.

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the wonderful characters, rich story lines and fantastic actors of One Life to Live.

I knew Dixie Carter had been on Edge of Night but had no idea she had played Dorian! I liked Elaine Princi she was so pretty but Robin is the only Dorian!!

Erika is so classy.

A lot of people put their heart and soul into this production. And sure there were some things that didn’t work, but there were also some wonderful moments too. We were all learning and evolving. And we did win some Emmys…..And again….many people put their heart and soul into these shows…..we tried and just ran out of time. Season 2 for OLTL was written and it would have really righted the ship. To me it matters if you try even if you fail. “Failure is success, if we learn from it.” I wish everyone at Days the best of luck on Peacok and know that they very talented cast, crew, and production team will knock it out of the park!!!!!

Jennifer, it was a very brave move picking up OLTL for streaming. I wished it had been successful. Thank you to those who were behind and in front of the camera of the reboot.

I never watched Claire Malis as Dorian but I remember Soap Opera Digest did a tribute to 70s fashions in the 90s when Robin was back on OLTL and a picture of Claire as Dorian was included with her wearing a gauze shirt which was popular then. The caption read:”Here is Claire Malis in a blouse the current Dorian wouldn’t be caught dead in” LMAO it was so funny!

I so miss OLTL and Ms. Slezak and I am in agreement,except with Elaine Princi. Her performance as Dorian was pretty close to Robin Strasser. Claire Malis was good, but something was missing. Nancy Pinkerton, OMG!! She was pure evil, as Dorian! She started the Viki/Dorian rivalry and the scene where she was going to let Victor Lord die, was a great TV! Dixie Carter was a temporary replacement for Nancy Pinkerton.

I love to hear actresses from all of the shows that are no longer with us be cheerleaders for the genre. I have loved Erika since watching OLTL when Viki, Larry, Joe Riley, Carla and Meredith were the main leads.

I would love to see Netflix, Peacock, Hulu and some of the other channels start showcasing some of the great actresses of yesteryear. There is just too many great talents that aren’t being seen by a HUGE following. My dream would be to see a show/movie about “mature” ladies taking a road trip together, similar to a modern-day, more hip “Golden Girls.” Who wouldn’t love to see Erika, Robin, Linda Dano, Kim Zimmer, Colleen Zenk, Susan Lucci and this caliber of actress on our televisions again? In addition, I’d love to see Martha Byrne on a Lifetime movie. She is a powerhouse.

Erika is correct on both soaps streaming and Robin Strasser. When NBC created the Days sequel Beyond Salem to be shown on Peacock, I thought it was a trial balloon. Iit was a success. Moving Days to Peacock saved Days. For some reason the networks hate soaps and totally disrespect soap fans. Wanna bet that next year after GH’s 60th Anniversary, ABC moves GH to Hulu or Disney+. Expect CBS to more YR and BB to Paramount +. Prospect Park ruined AMC and OLTL! Instead of picking up they left off, the producers took two iconic soaps and geared them towards a much younger audience by adding swearing and turning love scenes into soft porn. ABC regained the rights of AMC and OLTL and I’d love for ABC to relaunch both on their streaming service . Use GH to reintroduce the characters. Forget about Kelly Ripa and her hubby bringing back AMC as Pine Valley. It’s not happening.

ROBIN STRASSER IS DORIAN LORD! I’m still missing the Viki/Dorian relationship! I wish that idiot soap hater Brian Fronz got his taste of Karma for the way he treated the women on AMC and for canceling two of the iconic soaps on t.v.

if Days makes it streaming. If it does lets hope that Ron Carlivati will bring back what back some of the older unemployed grand dames of daytime for short term arcs. I loved Linda Dano and Strasser on Days but did not lije them playing the Vivian character which Louise Sorel owns. They should be new characters who can chew the scenery and give us a blast from the past.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

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Dominic Zamprogna

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).

On last week’s GH Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned,

Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC

HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT

Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where they were previously, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. And Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, “Well, so much for that!”

Fast-forward to 2025, and “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said we’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth, My internal monologue is going ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is. or not.”

Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprongna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric and a big fan base with with Jason and you know you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Dom and Liz

Photo: ABC

DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES

In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is down 100% to play. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.:

Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit and the buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other. and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect Ric, Sonny, Lulu? So, much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”

You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.

Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither of them for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

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Mike Manning

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon)  and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.

According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.

Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene,  Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.

WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?

Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”

The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”

MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE

In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.

Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.

So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

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Patrick J. Gibbons

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.

However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.

Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC

FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG

Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!

Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”

MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL

Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).

Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI

PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY

Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”

It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”

A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”

He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”

Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.

So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.

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