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Erika Slezak Talks Prospect Park, If She Would Play A Role On GH, And Life After OLTL!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

It is always great to hear from six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak ! And now in a new interview exclusively on her website via her long time fan club president Walter Miller, the most legendary star of One Life to Live shares her thoughts on went happened to the online revival of OLTL, the lawsuit involving Prospect Park, if she would like to work at General Hospital with former One Life EP Frank Valentini, and what it has been like for her trying to find work as an actress post-Viki! Here are a few excerpts below!

Erika on what the last year has been like for her and her thoughts on the end of One Life to Live’s online reboot:  “I have good days and bad days. I’m never unhappy, but I would very much like to go back to work. Last year when the Prospect Park thing happened, I was very happy, and then it all fell apart. I want to applaud Prospect Park. They really tried. I think they wanted it to succeed, but it was a new audience for them, and a different venue. In order to get the daytime audience to watch online, they needed to give them daytime, and they weren’t. They were trying to change it up and do something our audience was simply not used to. But it may have been too much music, too much loud music, too many new characters (new actors playing existing characters), whom they focused on immediately. Maybe less traditional, and it became a problem. But they really tried, and I commend them for that.”

Erika addressing published reports that she is mentioned in the Prospect Park lawsuit claiming the company owes her money:  “Yes, but they owe ABC a lot more than they owe me. They owe the company that provided all of the lights and cameras, as they had rented all of that from them. They owe the studio too. Well, they just owe a lot of money in a lot of places. That’s not to say that they won’t pay it, but they are going to have to come up with some money.”

Erika on if she would be up for playing a role on General Hospital (since for legal reasons it would seem she can’t  play Viki at this point) or play a role on another soap:  “It would depend entirely on the role, but I would happily work on any thing – and yes, I would love to work for Frank again. He’s an awesome man and a wonderful producer.”

Erika on auditioning again and how it has been going:  “I’ve auditioned for a bunch of things, and in each case they said the audition was wonderful, and the producers and directors loved me, but they had someone else in mind from the start. So, that happens. My agent said that we are going to have to find a producer who is a good friend of mine, who has ME in mind for a part from the START. Of course, I’m joking! But that’s what happens, you know. People have worked with other people over the years, and they see a role and say, ‘My friend would be great for this,’ but according to the union, they have to see people audition for it, and they do. But in the meantime, I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting, talented casting directors, and directors, and producers, which has been very good for me. Hopefully, something will come out of that.”

So what do you think about Erika’s comments on Prospect Park and the end of OLTL?  Missing her on the soaps? Would you like to see Frank Valentini give Erika  a role on General Hospital?  Do you hope at some point the legal issues would be worked so that the character of OLTL’s Viki could show up in Port Charles? Share your comments below!

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Now does this mean they are able to bring OLTL characters to GH ? If they are legally able too why havent they yet ?

They aren’t legally allowed to do this, they have court again in August.. Don’t understand why they asked This question…

They didn’t ask that question…they asked if she would be up for taking a role on GH or another soap.

Read the question. It says she *can’t* play Victoria Lord because of the lawsuit. She would have to play someone different.

I’d love to see her on GH and go up against Tracy and Fluke. Maybe she could be a long-lost Quartermaine…

….Long-lost, GENUINE Quartermaine. The lady has class.

what about playing lukes sister patricia on gh????

You mean the one played so sweetly by the incredible Dee Wallace? I know GH has had more than its share of implausible resurrections, but the poor lady died onscreen before her entire family. I hardly think this character could be considered ripe for revival.

I’ve never seen Erika Slezak on anything other than OLTL and I loved her as Vicki. She exuded warmth, and sass…she’s was everybody’s mom if need be…she was loving wife and wonderful friend. You always felt like you were “home” when you were in Vicki’s living room or kitchen.

With that said I’m not sure about her acting! LOL. I know that’s a contradiction but there was a certain shrill to her voice…a clucking of the tongue…an over-exaggeration that I’m not sure would work in any other role. I accepted it because that’s how I knew “Vicki.”

I wish her well and of course we be interested in seeing her on something else. i reserve judgment til then…

Rebecca, I think Erika Slezak got tired of her role as Viki towards the latter years. She had been playing it for so long and she only truly shined when she was playing the alters. Much like Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched, who got tired of playing Samantha and really shined when they gave her Serena, playing the same role day after day after day can probably wear you down.

Also, writers start to write for the personalities of the actors after awhile and over the years she morphed into a very patrician figure. I still remember when she was playing the young daughter of Victor Lord!

I have seen her play other roles but most roles today are cast on the actor’s personality more than the role. I wish her luck but the acting business has just gotten tougher and she’s been out of the audition pool for so long that many casting directors probably don’t know what to do for her. She’s right. Someone needs to have her in mind for a role before she gets cast.

I think Erika as Laura and Jerry as Bill is a great idea! I hate to see them back on ABC till the network revives OLTL! The Laura /Bill/ Kate triangle would be great.

Haha..interesting comparison with Elizabeth Montgomery but I actually thought she was quite a good actress in whatever role she took on. A “natural.” She probably would have made a great soap actress!

I think Erika and Robin Strasser were both a bit over-the-top…again…for me, it worked on OLTL as characters I grew to love…moreso “Vicki.” As said she just exuded warmth and sincerity…and though she led an erratic up/down multiple personality life, her core character was the epitome of stability. The one time I was truly disappointed in her character was her almost abandonment of Trevor’s Todd when Roger’s Todd came back. But I digress! 😉

I still feel she tends to “over act.” As does Robin and Susan Lucci. They’re almost caricatures of a soap actor. I much prefer the understated Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton type of acting. Though some have criticized them as monotone or just tooooo soft-spoken, I find more realism in that style.

Who’s Laura/Bill/Kate…are they GH characters and should I be FREAKING OUT that I have no idea who they are…and what’s with my memory!!!!!???? Ahem. Or, are they from another show…

Bill/Laura/Kate are from Days Of Our Lives which i mention a few posts below…Me thinks David might of meant that reply for me?

thanks jimh! thought I was losin’ it! 😉

thats just like seeing Susan Lucci on GH as someone else I dont think i could get use to it she played Erica for 40 years just like Viki. would be weird to see them play some one else on another soap we love.

Denise…yep. That’s the double-edged sword for the soap actor. On the one hand they have steady work/paychecks (particularly before the sad decline in viewership of the genre and the subsequent cancellations) but on the other hand if they stay with a character for so many years it is difficult for them to break out. I think for both the casting director who needs to envision him/her in another role…and for the daytime fan of that actor. But thank goodness so many of them do stay the course…which is why we feel like we know these fictitious people and enter their worlds…

Now though, so many are out of work and I bet they’re just waiting for a part to open up on a remaining soap. I’m sure it’s tough…

And anyone reading my latest post…fix my grammar and incomplete sentences and anything else you might find…LOL…I’m typing thru brain fog/no sleep for days. So forgive the word scramble! 😉

I have a tape of a movie she was in, Full Circle (from 1996)

A Danielle Steele book to movie: “A young woman, traumatized by rape at an early age, slowly learns to trust and love again as she struggles to avoid repeating her mother’s mistakes….”

Erika plays the mother, Jean Roberts…. but she has played Viki for so long, I couldn’t help but think of her as Viki or some alter of Viki’s on this movie as I watched her. And she is the only reason I watched this movie! 🙂

looks like she played one other role in 2001, Nick’s mother on Special Unit 2, tv show I’ve never heard of.

Other than that, she’s been Viki. That was the best recast in TV history in my mind! Not that the first Viki was bad, but you know replacements don’t always last.

Thanks, Christy…I tried to see if Full Circle was on hulu or youtube…couldn’t find it. Would’ve been interesting to see ES as someone else.

Did you know Full Circle was also the title of a short lived CBS daytime soap in the early 1960s and starred actress Dyan Cannon before she hit it big in movies? I believe this serial didnt last a year!!!

Hey jimh…(by the way, I think it’s hilarious how exact we all tend to me when addressing each other with our Michael Fairman “names”…

After you mentioned Dyan Cannon I realized that Bree Williamson (Jessica/OLTL) bares a resemblance to Dyan’s younger self. What say you…

Hey Rebecca1, you were asking about the Full Circle movie to watch, other than library or other rental places, you can watch it on dvd.Netflix.com or purchase it on amazon ($9.36-12.98)

I believe I saw it shown on Lifetime… and I see here it was voted as one of 50 most ridiculous movies on Lifetime. te he he I do remember it wasn’t a great movie, but I really just wanted to watch Erika. Those Danielle Steele deals aren’t my things! 😀 She needs to be on CSI or NCIS or Criminal Minds! t

oh pooh! tried to reply to Rebecca1, but think I replied to myself…

Hey Rebecca1, you were asking about the Full Circle movie to watch, other than library or other rental places, you can watch it on dvd.Netflix.com or purchase it on amazon ($9.36-12.98)

I believe I saw it shown on Lifetime… and I see here it was voted as one of 50 most ridiculous movies on Lifetime. te he he I do remember it wasn’t a great movie, but I really just wanted to watch Erika. Those Danielle Steele deals aren’t my things! 😀 She needs to be on CSI or NCIS or Criminal Minds!

i give up!

hahahaha! it’s all good.

oh erika we miss all of our llanview friends. we wish we had one life to live and all my children back so many times. we all wish you well.

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!

EXACTLLY Susan Cange!!

I absolutely agree !

She’d make a great Horton on Days

Actually, I can see her as a cousin to Dr. Marlena Evans. Marlena’s family lives in Denver CO.

I think she would be Laura horton

I think so too, and Erika could.easily make Laura’s mental instability work, look at the storylines she’s done on OLTL like the one during the Tomlin/Broderick/Whitesell years

Love that idea, but I also loved Jaime Lyn Bauer.

me think the same…i too would love to see her play Laura…i posted that below too!!!

Which one? I think all the living characters in her age range are spoken for with living actors. Possibly the never seen since the Reagan administration Sandy … but that’s about it.

If days she should play Laura and Jerry Ver Dorn as husband Bill…Bill and Kate were lovers and Lucas is Bills son…show hasnt been the same without Tom and Alice and Bill and Laura could easily fill their shoes with some angst coming in the form of Kate who once again finds herself drawn to Bill!!!

She would be great as the mother of Phyllis and Avery on Y&R.

Yes, that is a wonderful idea– I would love to see that, but unfortunately I heard the EP at Y&R doesn’t like older women in roles, so I doubt if they would create that role, let alone cast this vet of daytime in it.

As much as i like JLB who played Laura on Days, i would love seeing Erika and Jerry Ver Dorn reunited on Days as Laura and Bill Horton….Lauren K.(Kate) needs more story than this boring Rafe/Jordan storyline and a Laura/Kate feud would be somewhat similiar to Viki/Dorian feud on OLTL…on GH she could come to town as a long lost Quartimaine…a sister Edward never mentioned for many possible reasons but not as Viki Lord unless Roger is playing Todd again…maybe she could even play Julians mother or someone connected to Felicia???

I like your suggestion best!!!

Really like your idea of Erica playing a long lost Quartermaine on GH But please no connection to Felicia.

I agree with her on Prospect Park. They tried but the $ were to big to make it work

I agree with the other part she said…that they tried to change it up and the audience wasn’t watching for that. Though I commend Prospect Park for the effort they made, they thought they’d grab the audience and expand it to younger viewers by completely changing the stories (at least on OLTL) and that version was not the version we lost. I, for one, didn’t like what they did with it. I found no connection to new OR old characters…it was a show completely removed from the one on ABC.

I think had they been able to act quicker…get most of the original cast…and picked up the stories where they left off they’d have been succesful. While the number of viewers were no longer lucrative for ABC to produce on TV…those same numbers would have probably brought them a profit. And, for those curious about the online format…they might have even added more eyes and eventually segued some new material into the old.

Shame they couldn’t see that…

I wouldve liked the first scene of the reboot OLTL take place at Asas mansion where baby Drew was born…Bo, Nora, Destiny, Mathew, Shaun and little Drew have gathered there to celebrate little Drews first birthday…Clint and Viki also there and announce they have set a wedding date…their wedding if done right could have brought in good ratings, especially if Dorian interupted it or this is where Victor showed up alive…Victors return was such a letdown…they shouldve found a way to convince Trevor St. John to do more episodes…and write his return more believable and a little more suspenseful…too late now!!!

yes jimh…that ship has sailed. but I think most of us were completely blown away by the lack of reaction by ANY character other than Dani when Victor returned. It was beyond ridiculous. Honestly? I hated the entire reboot. Just played it online to support the genre…but I thought it was horrendous. There was nothing familiar about it…even the ABC/OLTL actors who were onboard seemed foreign. I would rather it remained a memory than morphed into those unrecognizable episodes…

Me too rebecca1, i watched the reboot too and hoped it would succeed but it just didnt click with me as well…the Cosbylike dance opening was awful and they concentrated too much with the cursing and sex stuff thinking thats all they needed to attract more viewers ,which some i couldve overlooked had the storyline been more engaging…it did started to improve near the end but it was a little too late!…i just wish American writers and producers would take lessons from the British…i love Coronation Street with its more down to earth realistic storylines and humor…very little sex and cursing on this show proves its not needed to make a show a hit with audiences young and old…just great stories!!!

Oh, I hear you, jimh! British television shows, and not just their soaps, are much superior to American entertainment vehicles. The acting and production values are realistic and often, quite exquisite! (I used to watch Eastenders awhile back….It was a really absorbing show full of pretty gritty characters with very little glamour, but still a lot of interesting times transpired in Walford Square and The Queen Vic!) Today, I nearly view all UK programming, with a nice dash of Nordic, Australian and French/German/Italian offerings in the mix. The mystery and period pieces are particularly fine! Having said that, I must add that I always found ES and her Viki to be highly over-rated…Back in the day when OLTL was on fire and featured such powerhouse characters as Karen, Marco, Asa and Brad Vernon—in the form of Jameson Parker!—-I never missed an episode of Llanview happenings. However, I never “got” the appeal of the Viki character…I found her to be both bland and boring, even in her younger days! I cannot imagine that age has improved upon her less-than-scintillating personality! Hence the thought of her coming to Port Charles is a less than inviting prospect for me!!!

Me too. Too much on the matthew group, WAY TOO much Shelter. And ever did they think that Destiny would look like the other one all grown up! Ha!

That no response or explanation on Victor… and the worst place to leave the series on that horrible scream … worst acting I have ever seen that gal do. I am sure someone directed her to do it that way… so how the hell did they win Best Directing team???

Only the stuff with Todd and Blair, Todd and Vicki seemed like the old days.

that would be amazing i would love to see her on gh!!!

Yes on gh recast Helena Cassadine with the very beautiful talented Erika Slezak

No, I disagree. Helena was very European, very pretentious & overly cosmopolitan. Erika Slezak & Vicki Lord always seemed very American, salt-of-the-earth & unpretentious to me. Robin Strasser is more in the mold of Helena Cassadine. That said, I think Ms. Slezak should go against type & try for a role as a villain or “conniving crime person of the week” on something like THE BLACKLIST or THE GOOD WIFE. Dianne Wiest was just on BLACKLIST & was fantastic.

Amen, KansasGuest! The magnificent Constance Towers made the elegantly evil Helena her own…even eclipsing the original portrayal by the uber-famous Elizabeth Taylor! Until she deigns to return to Port Charles for another escape filled with her patented form of Baroque revenge, then Helena must remain dead(?) Not that I believe that for a moment….

Me think Robin Strasser would make a great Helene Cassidine!!!

I don’t know if I would like seeing Erika Slezak playing a mean nasty role.

I would love to see Erika come to General Hospital but not as Vicki. I’m not sure what would be the point of her coming to General Hospital as Vicki if Roger Howarth can’t play Todd Manning. I would want to see them interact as Vicki and Todd if she came back as Vicki and that just can’t happen for obvivious reasons. It would be great though to see Erika have a totally new character created just for her on General Hospital and knows maybe that new character could interact with Franco in some way.

OLTL was the first show I started to watch and Viki was the first character I loved. I would watch Ms. Slezak in anything, especially GH. I wish her luck in getting a role on a current soap

Would really like to see her on daytime programming again, especially on GH.

Please bring back vikki on gh please I miss her

Bring her back so that that way she can bring britt & her mom Down

DITTO!!!!

God, no. No more OLTL characters on GH. Look what RC did to those who came on originally – he wrecked them for the sake of plot! Then he worked to sabotage PP’s efforts to revive the serial. The GH cast is way to big and bloated as it is. Bring back OLTL – even if it is just in a half hour format. These characters belong on OLTL, in Llanview, among other characters with which they have actually history and connections, not thrown together on GH because Ron and Frank want control over every soap character and actor who ever was.

Thank you. This has to be said and thanks for doing that……

I agree with you Sue M!

What will one more character do? I think it would work out..I watch Gh and I wouldn’t bother me in the least. Erika Slezak is the best in my book…

“Olivia” actress came from OLTL too. I don’t think ABC can use characters from OLTL or AMC but Erika would be a GH character. I loved when they could do crossovers, like Skye Chandler on 3 soaps, but can only do GH people now I guess…. unless she could be a relative of Anglique or Barnabas! DS 😀

No more ex lifers on GH, we have more than enough with the three that are on their now

I wish OLTL fans would stop looking at GH as a vehicle to prolong the existence of their defunct soap. GH has had its own stories, characters & history for 50 years. Yes, it’s sad what happened to OLTL. But, enough already! Maybe hiring the former OLTL exec producer & writer gave them false hope that OLTL could just be transferred over in some form. But, frankly, it gets annoying that people insist on making GH into Llanview 2.0 because they can’t let go. You don’t read about AMC fans pushing Erica Kane & Tad Martin on to GH. OLTL is over, Lifers. Just move on & stop sounding so bitter.

KansasGuest
Wow that was harsh. Oltl fans were bitter and can you blame us with all the bs that happened? I will say one thing you can’t deny that GH has been better with all of the oltl influence writer producer and actors which in turn saved the show from cancelation. But one day it will happen its inevitable.

Actually, Joe, I will absolutely deny that GH has been better with that so-called “OLTL influence” you apparently like so much. For those of us who for decades watched and loved all things Port Charles, the ongoing effort to turn GH into some sort of hybrid “Frankensoap” has been both off-putting and highly unwelcome! Let me ask you this: If the shoe had been on the other foot, and GH had been cancelled instead, would you have been thrilled to see Luke, Laura, Scott, Monica, Tracey, Sam, Jason, Kevin, Anna, Scorpio, Robin, Bobbie, Felicia, Mac, Liz, Maxie, et al—-and especially Sonny and Carly!—barging en masse into either Llanview or Pine Valley to totally change the flavor and direction of those beloved soap burgs?????? (I think NOT!) Moreover, would you have enjoyed the demotion—if not outright dismissal—-of your own show’s legacy characters in order to highlight these “new arrivals???” Again, I should imagine NOT! Well, that’s the scenario to which longtime GH fans have been subjected for years now, and no matter how many players from other daytime locales turn up in Port Charles, it’s never enough to satisfy people who still cannot move on from the fact that their own shows are no longer. Well, guess what? We’ve ALL been there. Most of the treasured soaps we grew up watching are now but a distant memory and they are not coming back….ever! Exactly what is it that makes those two cancelled ABC programs so special that their former viewers constantly feel entitled to decimate GH in order to create a home for all those characters and actors that they miss???

I agree with joe!

Absolutely, Kansas Guest! It’s interesting—not to mention, blatantly unfair!—that we GH-ers have been expected to welcome all the “intersoapers” to Port Charles!!! Particularly when I refuse to believe that loyal viewers of any of the other remaining three daytime dramas would have been pleased to see their shows being gutted to accommodate characters and actors from their own respective networks’ defunct soaps

I was just thinking about Erika the other day, missing hearing her name in the best actress category. Years ago, several years ago, I would watch Another World and my grandmother would watch OLTL, so it wasn’t until the reboot, where I began to watch OLTL thanks to PP, and I loved, loved, loved and adored Erika and her work, wow what a classic performer. I hope to see her in daytime once again, I’d welcome her to GH, obviously, or Days. Maybe she can be a long lost Cassidine, or a Quartermaine…Lila’s long lost daughter from a previous marriage or, something shocking and scandalous. Erika and Jane Elliot would be amaze-balls together.

Erika and Jane Elliot would be amazing together, you are absolutely right.

Would Love to see Erika on GH as Vicki! She is a wonderful actress and the character of Victoria Lord deserves to live on!

Double ditto!

I would watch Erika Slezak anywhere, anytime. But, I think I would rather see her on Days Of Our Lives, rather than GH because I hate what has happened to the OLTL actors there.

We should all push for Erika and Robin Strasser on Days! (Robin could play Eve’s “Cousin Joan.”

Erika would make a great Laura Horton!!!

LOL….cousin “Joan” who is cousin Joan? Is there really a cousin Joan in DAYS history?

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought of Laura Horton!

I rather see her on GH since that is the soap I watch every day..

Seriously??? Is there a question as to bringing her onto GH?? Frank and Ron have an opportunity to create what they did for Maura West, another complex character FILLED with so many levels and so interesting to watch! Bringing Ms. Slezak on would be a HUGE koo for the show! She could be ANYONE! It’s about time this woman goes back to work!

She could certainly be anyone, but why not Viki Lord? I stopped watching GH because one cast member seriously creeps me out, but I’d watch daily if she were on. (Very happy Ilene Kristen is on—how about David Vickers, too? Tuc Watkins could bring some much needed laughs to the show, but now I’m off-topic.)

Because the rights to the OLTL characters are still with PP at the moment.

She would be great on days or y&r

Yes Mark I agree with you, Erika Slezak can play Dina Mergeron as Jacks mom.

Good thought.

On days as Laura Horton and Jerry Ver Dorn as Bill would be great…would love to see Laura and Kate fight over Bill and Bill in scenes with his son Lucas!!!

thats a great thought

but… i’ts always going to be Jamie lynn Bauer and John Martin for ME

hot!

I so wish they could come to Salem …. and cart Jennifer off to the looney ward

I hope Kassie DePaiva Eve rips her to shreads

I would assume that any OLTL would not be able to come to GH anymore especially with the ongoing lawsuits, ABC isn’t going to allow that to happen.

I agree with Sue M. GH is has way too of a cast as it is. And it’s NOT One Life to Life. I want to see my OLTL family in Llanview, not Port Charles. I’ll take it back anyway I can get it…..on tv, online, half hour, hour….whatever!

I just really hope this mess gets resolved soon and the show can be brought back in some form, with many of the former cast reprising their roles. Some have moved on for now but by the time the lawsuit is settled and things get in order, some of those actors may be available again. It may be a pipedream but…..here’s to hoping.

Maybe having Erika/Viky on GH is a test by ABC to see how viewers react…maybe abc might consider working a deal with PP to bring OLTL back in some form on the east coast…we can hope?

Well I watched OLTL since the first day it started with my Mom.. OLTL will always be my #1 favorite soap of all time. I watch GH and wouldn’t mind seeing Ms. Slezak on it.. She is so talented and a class act..

I love Erika Slezak and miss her so very much. I miss OLTL and all those wonderful characters and actors every day. I’m glad she acknowledged Prospect Park. They tried and, from where I sit, they wanted their production to succeed. At this point, I really don’t care who does it. Someone, please bring us our OLTL.

Maybe somehow ABC secretly wants to bring OLTL back and having Erika as Viki on GH might be a test to see how fans respond? One can hope!

YEAH!

I would love, LOVE

Oooops. I would love, LOVE if Erika brought Viki to GH! Too bad Howarth is Franco and not Todd. I would LOVE IT!

I love Erika, bring her to Days of our lives as the new Caroline Brady. Peggy needs to retire.

LOL!!! there ya go!

I hope she knows how much she is missed by thousands of people every day, who’d watch anything and everything she is a part of. GENERAL HOSPITAL could really use a “fresh new face” and I see no reason why Victoria Lord couldn’t move to Port Charles with as many family members and friends as possible. (The cast and characters on OLTL are/were so much more interesting than those on GH.) Best of luck with everything.

I would absolutely watch anything that Erika Slezak is in. She is a top notch, classy woman and her acting is stellar. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone had the guts to create a new soap and bring back Erika Slezak, Jerry Ver Dorn, Victory Wyndham, Kim Zimmer, and Elizabeth Hubbard? Just to name a few.

Instead of online, why can’t a cable station pick up OLTL.? Cable is gaining over network and OLTL fans would watch. Look at some of the cable programs on the air now. There is an audience STILL for soap.

TV is has gone into 21st century of programming ..
The cable TV is near all R or X rated, the now generation do not about soaps nor want to waste their time waiting a year for a story ending, that is not how how they live or view media..
they are binge watchers and quick on and off..

The world has moved on programming wise since 1980 LOL

We are so blessed that daytime TV still invested in the soaps..
and they will need pick up new viewers on the internet to make a difference..

No network or cable network want the soaps!!
PP tried for a year to bring to cable, no takers..
When AMC and OLTL were canceled not one network or cable wanted them them, ABC could not sell them, nobody but Prospect Park would touch them ..

And for fans to keep on saying ”bring them back” it will never happen, never..
Nobody wants them, and that is the hard fact ..

A little harsh, su0000. It’s not that “nobody wants them back.” But rather that not enough people want them back for a cable company to justify investing all that money. When the OWN channel aired the relaunch, the ratings simply weren’t high enough. In comparison, when TNT relaunched DALLAS, the average viewers for its first season were near 4.5 million. Season 2 fell to a 2.84 million average. OLTL couldn’t even break 200,000 viewers in its OWN time slot last year.

I don’t agree that soaps aren’t wanted. The format seems to be developing into political, supernatural & strangely fairytale, themes. But, on the whole, some of the most popular shows on tv today fit all the soap conventions. REVENGE, SCANDAL, HOUSE OF CARDS, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, NASHVILLE, ONCE UPON A TIME & MAD MEN are all soap operas when you look at the basic stories.

I am also not entirely sure anybody really knows WHAT the “now generation” wants in a television program. There’s been an assumption all along that they won’t watch a traditional soap, but since there hasn’t been a truly traditional soap the entire time they’ve been alive (and by that I mean: since circa 1990, the soaps haven’t been traditional soaps, but some strange hybrid creation in which network executives kept trying to change them to attract more younger viewers, resulting in a product that wasn’t likely to appeal to anybody, young people included, and that certainly hasn’t been a traditional soap), I think it’s hard to be sure. I think it’s a case of people repeating what “everybody knows” for so long that now it’s just accepted as the truth.

I am so sick and tired of all this talk about the OLTL characters there are 3 ex OLTL actors on GH already. How about ABC looking at the other soap actors they had on All My Children. Like Ryan, Cameron Mathison,, Greenlee Rebecca Budig etc. Come on ABC where are they. Enough of the ex CBS stars let’s use your own people. Anyone else agree with me. I so miss AMC so much.

what CBS stars? OLTL was an ABC show.

You haven’t seen Chrishell Stause on DAYS? I’m sorry if I misspelled name. She was on AMC. She now plays Jordan on DAYS!!!

I love Erika, but they barely use Ilene Kristen since they brought her in. It seems every time they add someone to GH, so many selfish GH fans flip out about airtime for who is on back burner status. I see their point, however I also want my OLTL & AMC stars employed again, on TV where I can enjoy watching them! Stars like Sonya, need much more airtime & Rick needs to be brought back permanently!

Ilene Kristen is not a cast member, they just ask her in for a few episodes now and then.

She’s coming back soon…

That’s my point! She should be considered for a contract, before bringing on new people never on yet! I love ES, but making a point about the huge canvas. Yes, she just got done filming more scenes & very happy. I do talk to her. 🙂 Also, @Ron is a man of his word, & personally promised me looking into my eyes, at the OLTL goodbye on The View set, he will try to bring over everyone, BUT all in time, so as not to offend GH fans or overwhelm anyone who feels like it was a take over. No doubt he will bring in ES when he is ready. He would like to please everyone, but nobody can do that. 😉

I.K. is returning to GH soon as Delia

we miss erika and would love for her to come back to a soap and we do miss viki and she wants to work so bring her on. it would be so great to see her again.

I totally agree with you!

If there is any chance to bring Erika to the GH canvas in any role, that would be incredible. I know GH has a pretty full plate, but there seems to always be room for a new character here and there. As someone else mentioned, Maura West’s character has fit in beautifully. It’s such a shame that the OLTL and AMC reboots did not work out because there was such promise. I think ABC should think about the fact that we have an over abundance of talk shows and people are tired of these. It’s time to redefine daytime to be what the audience wants- more scripted shows!! They do exceptionally well in prime time and will do well in daytime. Certainly with DVR’s, On Demand and other ways to watch TV, the audience will be responsive.

We’ll If he can bring Viki to GH (which I’d love) how come horrible Franco can’t be Todd again.
I so can’t get use to Franco & Carly so I Fast forward all there scenes. Don’t care for Frsnco so I FF allllllll his scenes which is sad be star I love Rodger

This board is out of control with the Vicki comments. She cannot come to GH as VIcki. They are in a legal battle. No Todd, John McBain, Starr, Vicki or any OLTL characters. The actors? Yes…their characters…no, not at this time.

Yes, you are correct about ES can never beig on GH as Vicki, but I think you’re wrong to say this board is out of control about Vicki comments. Some don’t know her real name & just implying she should be on another show. I get frustrated when people claim to be fans, but use only the character name, & don’t know the real name. It’s life though. People don’t mean disrespect by it, they just only know the character.

No Tammy…you misunderstood me. I meant out of control in that quite a few were suggesting that her character Vicki join GH. Was trying to clarify that couldn’t happen at this time…Perhaps you’re right. I’ll have to go back and read the comments but I’m pretty sure most people who post here know the actor’s real names vs character names.

Thanks though! 🙂

Michael, Erika Slezak can’t play Viki Lord on GH because PP has the rights to her character and all things OLTL! Even the person interviewing her said she couldn’t play Viki on OLTL!

I am an internet type person.. and I can say;
the openings of both AMC and OLTL was a total turn off for internet people..
It was lame lame lame for the internet..
The OLTL open with dancing thing was horrible for the internet..
The show is judged by new viewers in the first minute or less as to if it worth a look-see, and the openings were awful old fashioned lame, a huge turn-off..

PP need a needed an younger audience, the old regulars could not support the shows by themselves both soaps needed ”internet” viewers and they are the young peoples, and they do like get excited over soaps..
It is without a doubt a huge difference between inter and network TV, and PP feel very short on the internet side..

A traditional soap opera and the uncensored internet is a horrible combination..

And the internet peoples watch programming very differently than people how watch network tv..

The only place traditional soaps will survive is on cable/TV and by holding onto the vet viewers..

Oh yeah? Tell that to the awesome drama shows on Netflix and Hulu

With the ongoing lawsuits, I don’t think we’ll be seeing any OLTL characters on GH. While I would love to see Vicki again, she presently has no connection to PC. Would love to see Ms. Slezak play the opposite of Vicki, like a Helena Cassadine but I’d never want to lose Constance Towers!

I would love to see vikki on gh but would bevweird see her with Franco it would feel like i am seeing Todd and vikki

Would enjoy Miss Slezak in any role, but I am not sure I want Viki Lord on GH but I would love her in a new role. She is a class act and deserves opportunities worthy of her talent and stature in the business. I would love to see her on Broadway or in a leading regional theater production (Williamstown?). She is amazing. Youngers should take lessons from her.

Well said.

I doubt she’d play Vicki On General Hospital. But I do wish she would book a soap, or something like a Lifetime series. She’s too much of a valuable actress to not be working.

She did a TV movie once, and said she hated the experience. Not enough of a challenge.

I’ve always felt Erika Slezak holds a strong physiological resemblance to Susan Flannery and would have made a great long lost fraternal twin sister to (the late) Stephanie. Slezak’s presence on B&B would shore up a lot of the void left by that other daytime giant (Flannery). Besides, she could remain living in the Tri-State area and coordinate flights alongside Thorsten Kaye. 🙂

I feel the same way about Erika and Susan Flannery…thats why id like her to play Susans old Days character Laura Horton!!!

I WAS SO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM ERIKA. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ERIKA ON GH OR ANYTHING. JUST NEED HER BACK ON MY SCREEN

Yes have her on General Hospital!!

Erika Slezak is 66
Charles Shaughnessy is 59

Kassie DePaiva is 53

who is Eve’ mother ? on DAYS

it’d be something to see her on DOOL… as mother to eve and grandmother to Paige
and 1/2 niece ? Theresa….

with shane and kimberly on and off….

does Eve have a son somewhere?

this would create a major core family

Gabrielle Pascal was Eves mother but i forgot what happen to her…i always thought she was killed off but im not sure…i think Eve will destroy Paiges relationship with J.J. by claiming Jack is Paiges father just to hurt Jennifer but i still believe Frankie Brady is her real father…also hope Ben and Jordan are also Eves children!!!

Would love to see Erika back on television. Too bad she can’t play Viki. Love that character and love Erika Slezak. Call Mr. Valentini.

I would love to see her on GH. She was great on OLTL.

I feel ABC made a gigantic mistake taking OLTL off the air. CBS has been loyal to their fans and even show their two soaps at night on a channel that all their viewers with basic cable can watch if they missed it in the morning. Apparently they can afford shows that bring them alot of revenue. Obviously CBS is like all the big corparations that only want massive profits. So therefore you play all these stupid reality shows. I stopped watching your channel the minute you cancelled OLTL and AMC. I am loyal to CBS because they have stuck with the soap audience and second because they have the best shows on T.V.

OMG I so agree with you about those STUPID, GIVING PEOPLE A (BAD) REASON TO BEHAVE BADLY, REALITY SHOWS! I absolutely refuse to watch them and don’t get the whole popularity thing of why people watch them. You wanna see people behave badly, go hang out on a street corner in a questionable neighborhood. After a week of that you should have your fill of those kinds of shows. I digress…sorry. I am loyal to MY SHOWS and have NO NETWORK LOYALTY whatsoever. If there’s crapola on the air, I won’t be watching it–no matter what network its on.

You haven’t seen Kassie DePaiva on DAYS?

I am beyond happy : ecstatic is putting it mildly

the mother daughter duo of Eve and Paige… really surprised me

she is a FUN person…. our Eve…. personality up the ying yang and beyond

I swear… have never watched OLTL… except for the last month on ABC.

Kassie DePaiva is a very good reason and so much more… to tune IN

I’ve started watching OLTL from it’s start, and have always had a soft spot for Erika especially knowing she was the daughter of the great Walter Slezak. I would love to see Erika cast as Franco’s Sister, Aunt, or anyone who shared a positive family tie with him. Those two had some of the best chemistry I’ve ever seen on OLTL and most other soaps I’ve ever watched. Back in the year 2002 or 2003 there was a hilarious special segment that was broadcast which I still have on old vhs tape-. It is the one where all the actors portrayed the character of the actor they generally played off of. So Erika was Todd Manning and Roger was Vicki and so on. The whole special was hysterical (I laughed so hard I had tears) and their portrayals of one another’s characters as well as each other (mannerisms, vocal patterns, physical stances were spot on- In my opinion it is an unforgettable highlight in the soap’s history. Since Franco has no family ties other than his Mother (whom we last saw played by Betsy Franco , James Franco’s real life Mom) the only other tie is ex -Ava Jerome and his non daughter Kiki, Erika would be just what the Doctor ordered.

I miss Vickie and the Buchannons. I want One Life back!

I totally agree. ABC are you listening yet?????

I would love to see Erika join GH. She would bring a lot to it. I certainly miss her and her character of Viki but I would enjoy seeing her even if she were a new character! Good luck Erika; miss you and hope you and your family are well and happy!!!

Fire Donna Mills and make Erika the new Madeline!

Here’s what I think….if the rumors are true that James Franco is returning as FRANCO & RH isn’t really Franco they would have to give him a whole new background and I think Erika being either his mother OR sister would be great, they’ve always had great chemistry

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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