News
Erika Slezak Shares Thoughts On: DAYS Move to Peacock Years After Prospect Park’s Streaming Attempt with OLTL & The Ultimate Dorian, Robin Strasser
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.
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.
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
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Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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