Connect with us

Breaking News

19

Erika Slezak To Appear On 20/20 Special On OLTL Alum Rebecca Schaeffer’s Murder That Changed Hollywood

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Next Friday, April 12th (9pmET) One Life to Live’s Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) will appear in a two-hour documentary special that shines a light on the now famous murder case of actress Rebecca Schaeffer.  In 1985, before her primetime success on My Sister Sam, Rebecca had appeared on One Life to Live for six months in the role of Annie Barnes.

Schaeffer’s shooting changed Hollywood in many ways; for protections were put into place and safety measures to assist celebrities who are being stalked.  Sadly, Schaeffer was killed by her stalker, Robert John Bardo in the doorway of her Los Angeles apartment building in the summer of 1989.

Erika will participate in the 20/20 episode and recounts how she and the cast of One Life were affected by this tragedy.

Photo: CBS via Getty Images

In the exclusive clip via PEOPLE.com from the 20/20 special, Erika shares what happened when the cast of One Life found out Schaeffer had been shot and killed. She shares: “We were just horrified.  How can someone walk up to someone and just shoot them?”

As well as Slezak, lead prosecutor in the O. J. Simpson murder case. Marcia Clark, Schaeffer’s co-star on My Sister Sam, Pam Dawber. and other notables appear offering their remembrances of this sad and horrible tragedy that took the promising career and life of Schaeffer’s within a second due to a heinous crime.  Throughout the special, viewers will walk through the incident through investigative accounts, and more.

Check out this clip below from the special.  (If it appears small on your screen; hit the full-screen button on the lower right of the video screen )

Will you be watching Erika on 20/20?  Do you remember Rebecca Schaeffer’s tragedy? Comment below.

19 Comments

19 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Yes I remember as if yesterday I could not wrap my head around it and still can’t people are just cruel I don’t remember if he is still in jail but he should have gotten the death penalty for that

It was shocking…

Yes, he is still imprisoned.

The defense asked for no death penalty if they didn’t have a jury trial. Not sure why the prosecutor agreed to this.

Absolutely will be watching. I remember hearing on the news of her murder and a young me was very scared as I lived alone then. She was bright, talented and had her whole life ahead of her. Can’t believe it has been this long ago.

Andrea Evans/Tina from OLTL was also stalked and went into hiding I am surprised they do not have her discussing it but maybe she does not want to talk about it . I remember this story very sad indeed.

What happened to Andrea’s stalker?

0ohh shees..
I have never heard of My Sister Sam or of Rebecca Schaeffer, or the others.
1985!! 35? years ago.. people were still using rotary phones and cassette tapes..

Nowadays it’s not shocking to hear of someone opening their door and getting shot.
The same gun laws I assume..

Its not just the crime itself,its about the victim,her story,and the loss of life so young.Many people have not heard of Rebecca Schaeffer because she didn’t get a chance to have the life she deserved and she was on her way for sure…This poor girl knew she was gonna die so she asked her killer “Why?”….I’m 38 and I remember the show,I remember her,and I remember her death!Btw people still use rotary phones….(smiley face)

To hear Rebecca Schaeffer has been gone for 30 Years is just unbelievable!Such a beautiful and special girl She was.She could and would have been great!A real tragedy…..I think its important that the man who caused her death be given as little publicity as possible.Thats what he wanted! He wanted to be linked to Rebecca permanently.Lets stop giving these killers the media attention and the social platforms that only these precious victims like Rebecca should have!

Media attention is not going to murderer. History cannot erase the bad or offensive people if the future is going to different. California DMV changed it’s policy and should be a lesson about data privacy, whether with government or on free websites.

This is very sad.

I wish I had seen this earlier so I could have watched the show.

A private investigator gave him her address. Hopefully things like that have changed.

Just saw, it’s on this Friday so I can still watch it.

I do remember and was so shocked, so awful to happen to such a beautiful, talented young woman!

This was a tragedy and it was something I myself couldn’t wrap my head around. It’s sad that even back then this country didn’t have gun control. Even right now to what is going on in the world with guns we need gun control. Instead of worrying about immigrants crossing over a border, why not worry about the shootings that are out of control? I even remember the shooting of John Lennon. How sad, this star wasn’t even given a chance to blossom and make a name for herself. I feel bad for her family and friends.

I don’t really remember her but it’s sad that this had to happen for awareness to be brought to this story. ,. People will remember Erika as Vickey / Nicky on OLTL

So very shocking , I never knew this happened and I’m very sorry to all who knew Rebecca Schaeffer

I remember this like it was yesterday. A total tragedy. I’ll be watching 20/20.

I watched the show and I wasn’t really impressed with the presentation. It was disjointed. Like they had one person say a sentence and then they cut to another person saying a sentence. It didn’t flow well IMO.

It is still incredibly sad what happened to Rebecca. She was so beautiful. She is forever 21. She was really talented and from all accounts, super nice. Who knows what she could have been or done? At least changes in laws were made as a result of her murder.

Breaking News

Jennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82

Published

on

By

Sad news to report for the One Life to Live family. Actress Jennifer Harmon who was the last actress to play the emotionally troubled Cathy Craig has passed away. Harmon, who also starred on the defunct NBC soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage, died in New York on May 9 at the age of 82. Harmon’s family made the announcement.

Jennifer was the fifth actress to play One Life to Live’s Cathy, following Catherine Burns, Amy Levitt, Jane Alice Brandon and Dorrie Kavanaugh. During her two year tenure with the soap, from 1976 through 1978, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 5th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1978. The award that year went to Another World’s Laurie Heineman (ex-Sharlene Frame).

In her soap career, not only did Harmon have major success as Cathy on One Life to Live, but she starred on NBC’s new soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage as Chris Kirby and stayed with the series through its entire run which lasted just over a year from 1974-1975.   

Photo: NBC

How to Survive a Marriage told the story of divorced couple as they battle for custody of their daughter, and as the mom enters the workforce. In the span of a year, Chris got divorced, remarried and battled alcoholism. Rosemary Prinz was the featured name in the cast.

On One Life to Live, Cathy was the nemesis of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak). Cathy blamed the wealthy Viki for the accident that killed her child Megan Craig Riley (even though the baby has a congenital heart defect and her life expectancy was short).  So, she set out to make Viki’s life hell by kidnapping Viki and Joe’s child, Kevin.

Later,  Jennifer would return to One Life to Live in the 90s to play Viki’s attorney in a new role, went on to play Jean Weatherill on Guiding Light in 1991 and Lucretia Jones on Loving in 1995. Her primetime TV credits included: Barnaby JonesDallasThe White ShadowSt. ElsewhereHomicide: Life on the StreetOzRescue Me and The Good Wife.

Harmon was also known as one of the most accomplished stage actresses on Broadway having appeared over 21 times in different productions spanning nearly 50 years including in plays of the works of legendary playwrights: Noël Coward, Wendy Wasserstein, Lillian Hellman, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Jon Robin Baitz. Throughout her theatre career she was was known as a reliable actress, and at times was an understudy for the likes of: Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange.

Share your remembrances of Jennifer Harmon on One Life to Live, How to Survive a Marriage, and more, in the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘EastEnders’ Wins Best Soap at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards

Published

on

By

Our friends from across the pond, BBC One’s EastEnders took home Best Soap honors at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards in London, England on Sunday, May 10.

Just last year, EastEnders celebrated 40 years on television and has seen a resurgence. In attendance were cast members: Michelle Collins, Jessie Wallace, Diane Parish, and Aaron Thiara, as well former executive producer Chris Clenshaw and his successor, current showrunner Ben Wadey.

EastEnders was nominated in the category along with their rivals, Casualty and Coronation Street. Accepting on stage was 20-year veteran of the series, Diane Parish, who paid tribute to all the hard working people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “It’s not easy doing a soap, but we manage to make it work,” shared Parish.

Courtesy/BBCOne

A BIG RETURN AND MEDICAL CRISIS IN STORY AHEAD

Recently, it was confirmed that in honor of her two decades with the show, Parish’s character, Denise Fox, is set for a major storyline this year, when she is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer.

And there’s more! In the winner’s press room, Ben Wadey shared there is a major return in store teasing,“I would keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks, there might be some surprises on the horizon.”

On the official EastEnders Instagram account it also shared, “EastEnders has gone and won the Soap award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards! 🎉🥳🍾🙌What a huge honour, we truly couldn’t be prouder. Thank you BAFTA the whole cast and crew will be holding this one high when it makes it way home to Walford.”

Photo: EastEnders

BAFTA TV AWARD HISTORY IS MADE

Adolescence, the Netflix drama that took home Emmys and Golden Globes stateside, made BAFTA TV history during the ceremony winning four awards for the first time ever. Stephen Graham finally took home the coveted Leading Actor category in what was his 8th attempt to win a BAFTA in the fields of both TV and motion pictures.

The series is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time, and won BAFTA’s for Limited Drama and Supporting Actor and Actress for Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco. 

For a complete list of all the winners, click here.

So, happy to hear EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Soap? If you catch EastEnders, who do you think might be returning on the horizon as teased by the series current EP? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘The Price is Right’ Contestant Wins Largest Prize in a Single Pricing Game in the 54-Year history of the Daytime Game Show on CBS

Published

on

By

On the Friday, May 8 Mother’s Day episode of The Price is Right, a retired veteran won over $240,000 in cash and prizes making her takeaway the largest prize ever won in a single pricing game in the 54-year history of the daytime version of the CBS game show.

The contestant, “Vanesa from Virginia” bested the previous record of $210,000 in a single pricing game of Cliffhangers set over a decade ago in 2016. The moment occurred when Vanesa played “The Lion’s Share,” the new high,” the new high-stakes branded game that debuted this season through a partnership with BetMGM.

In the game, contestants have to guess the prices of grocery items to earn up to five balls. Each ball is then dropped into a wind tunnel, revealing a hidden prize amount. After each reveal, contestants face a tense decision to walk away with their current winnings or risk it all to continue.

Photo: CBS

Vanesa went for the gusto! She didn’t hesitate and pushed forward through every round, ultimately revealing the prizes for all five balls, winning $227,500 in cash and a luxury trip for two to Morocco valued at $12,650. Those impressive winning amounted to $240,150 as her daughter cheered her on from the audience.

According to BetMGM and TPIR producers, Fremantle, “The Lion’s Share” is the first custom-branded game in the show’s history, and the first new pricing game on the show since 2021. BetMGM and Fremantle sealed a multi-year deal last year that lends  The Price is Right and Family Feud intellectual property (IP) rights for slots, table games and non-traditional casino games.

The Price is Right is broadcast weekdays on CBS and streams on Paramount+* (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/10:00-11:00 AM, PT). John Quinn is the executive producer. Drew Carey is the host.

So, what do you think of Vanesa from Virginia’s huge win on The Price is Right? Do you watch the show weekdays? Let us know via the comment section. But first, watch how it all happens below!

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

CBS unveils Beyond the Gates season 2 promo and Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast. Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Giovanni Mazza as Gio

General Hospital

Airdate: 12-8-2025

Popular

19
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x