News
Erika Slezak's Bittersweet Holiday Message To Her Loyal Fans!
Courtesy/ABC
Six-time Daytime Emmy winner and legendary soap icon, Erika Slezak (Viki, One Life to Live) has posted her yearly holiday letter to her legions of fans on her website. In it, Slezak reveals her sadness and disappointment that we are coming up on a year since One Life aired its last episode, how she is happy that General Hospital is still on the air carrying the flag for what is left of the original ABC Daytime, and that she is looking forward to working again in the New Year.
Now while all the drama continues to play out behind-the-scenes with Prospect Park as we head into 2013, many fans of course are hoping that if the reboot comes to pass that Erika would be the main anchor of the OLTL series reboot, especially since it has been revealed that Prospect Park plans to shoot in Stamford, CT and Erika resides on the east coast. While we will have to wait what comes to pass moving One Life online, here below is Erika’s touching and bittersweet message to her fans just in time for Christmas:
Erika Slezak: “It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since OLTL ended. We finished filming the show on November 18th, 2011 and the final air date was January 13, 2012. I hope that you have all been well and are adjusting to the new ABC schedule. Personally, I am very grateful that General Hospital is still on the air, our lone remaining representative of what was once a great ABC daytime line-up.
I truly believe that ABC has realized what a terrible mistake they made in canceling both All My Children, and One Life. But unfortunately, it’s now too late to go back, although there are rumors that ABC wants the rights to both shows back; in which case they would be free to do whatever they want with the shows.”
“I thought that when I was no longer working, I would have so much time to be a “Lady of Leisure” — turned out not to be so! I have never been busier with the day to day chores that I used to take care of when I wasn’t at the studio, and so the time has really flown by. I have not been working this year, but I think I am ready now to tackle something new, so hopefully in 2013, there will be opportunities for me. Obviously, should something come along, I will let you all know.
So many people have written to me, or stopped me on the street, to say how much they miss One Life. I agree — I miss it too. I loved being a part of the show, I loved the work, I loved Viki and so many of the characters; not to mention so many of my fellow actors. We were a family, a little community unto ourselves, and it took a while for me to get used to not being there and not seeing my friends.
I sincerely hope that you are all well and busy, and I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and your good wishes. I particularly want to thank Walter Miller and the officers of the fan club for everything that they do to keep the fan club going. I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the blessings of the New Year. May it be a happy and healthy one.”
So soapers, what do you think of Erika’s holiday letter message to her fans? Would you like to see Erika join the Prospect Park in-the-works version of One Life? Do you miss seeing her every day on your television screens, as much as we do? Weigh-in!
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A class act as always!
She sure is!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erika Slezak is a legend among the soap actors I cherish. I can’t wait to see her acting again as Viki. I do believe this will happen…surely sounds like things are in motion and plans have been taking root. Yippee!
very classy lady…… would love for both shows to come back……. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Erika…..
Thanks for sharing. Miss OLTL! Been watching GH, which I hadn’t done since Helena was trying to control the weather. Great to see “Star” & “Todd”. Merry Chrismas!
Very classy lady and beatuiful letter…. so true…. .we miss them all so much. So kind of her to think of US during this wonderful season. Merry Christmas to everyone!
Heck yeah, I miss seeing Lady Ericka Slezak. Televisioon is not the same without her… I do believe, that is Prospect Park do air the shows (OLTL/AMC) Via the internet. It will be just a matter of time before they put both shows back on the TUBE.
In a perfect world, ABC would put both shows back on the air, however, I will take anything that gives my back my old friends from Llanview. Merry Christmas Erika, you are greatly missed.
*me*
Lovely lady… Merry Christmas Erica! Happy New Year and we all hope to see you working in 2013!
Dear Erika : I was so heartbroken when OLTL went off the air,I still have the last 10 episodes recorded and I wish I still had more.I watched OLTL for 34 years……It was my littlle indulgence and I even named my first born Kevin and was going to name my 2nd son Joey but my husband would not let me. You were and still are an inspiration to me and Viki is still holds a very special place in my heart as well as all my favorite characters. I miss my old friend OLTL SO much and although I still… Read more »
When OLTL was going off , I decided to turn off cable just like I said I would.I have watch the show for many years t.v. just wasn’t the same. Crystal I agree with you I miss Vicki too. I watch GH on the Internet now. I would be so happy to have them back. Truly Miss You All.
It wouldn’t be OLTL without Viki (or Erika); she is the show’s matriarch. I truly miss seeing her on my screen, and if PP knows what’s good for them, they’ll get her on the phone pronto!
Erika Slezak was my #1 favorite on OLTL ! BLONDIE!!!!!! VIKI forever!
Erika Slezak is still my #1 favorite on OLTL and alway’s will be!!!!!
Erica always did a great job as Viki, she taught millions how to deal with most any issue that may come up in our lives. And she didn’t have to scream and holler,
she did it with grace, patience, and love. I miss Miss Victoria Lord, and if there is
anyway she can come back to Llanview I will be someone who will cheer her on!
Stay well Erica,,we need you back,,and soon.
God Bless.
You said it beautifully! Your words ring so true & sincere! I agree with enerything
you said! This is for Linda!!!!
I would Love to seeOLTL come back on and Hope that Erika Slezak will sign on to play Vicki if it does! The show wouldn’t be the same without Vicki!
We shall see. To be continued……
Unfortunately, AMC & OLTL will never be the same if they return since many of the actors have moved on to other jobs. It’s just been too long! If they really wanted to do it, why did they wait? They will come back as different shows!
Well, of course, these shows will be new inceptions with some new actors and probably some new characters, but with Agnes Nixon being involved I am sure that they will try to maintain the heart of the original shows. I really think it could be interesting to watch it develop. I also think that the shows will eventually find new life back on the air. Soap fans are rather accustomed to new actors taking over roles here and there – the main thing would be to keep the characters of Pine Valley and Landview alive. We have seen several actresses… Read more »
I cannot begin to tell you how much I still miss OLTL. The veterans felt like such long time friends. I hated to see them go. I quit watching the Network during the time slots of OLTL and AMC.
Erica, I hope 2013 brings you something new and exciting, shame to waste all that great talent .
We are hoping to see Erika very soon back on OLTL. We miss her and and her cast too. , if PP doesn’t bring them back they are making another mistake. I wish her Good luck in whenever she does. Thank you Michael for sharing with us.
love her
DITTO!!!!
I miss One Life to Live and All My Children so much, I still can’t believe they were cancelled. Erika is a wonderful actress and person. Best wishes for 2013
I really like Erika Slezak a lot! She has alway’s been a CLASS ACT! I hope things work out for both soaps to maybe go on line… I miss these soaps STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!
It would be wonderful to have OLTL back in any form…..
It would be wonderful to have Erika make some guest appearances on GH (little brother Todd needs his butt kicked)……and Viki is just the person to do it .
I agree TOTALLY!!!
yes,I would like to see viki come to port charles and kick todd,s ass,as well,that would be so funny to see her do that to Todd,I would also like to see Melissa,s Archer character ,Natalie come to port charles 2,in fact ,since the majority of actors n actresses from one life to live have all moved to california,anyway,they should be added on to a juicy storyline,at gH
I would love to see both shows air again. I grew up watching them and it doesn’t seem natural without seeing them. OLTL would not be the same without Vickie, so yes we need her back.
DITTO!!!!!!!!!
Makes me wanna cry!
As always, Erika Slezak shows that she deserves to be thought of as daytime royalty. Having viewed OLTL for its entire run I miss it a great deal and while I appreciate seeing some of the characters on GH find I just cannot invest in the show in the same way I did OLTL. I recognize the good job the OLTL team is doing with the show – maintaining its history and utilizing the talent of current & former actors but, for me, past regimes eroded the fabric of GH to the point I just don’t feel a connection in… Read more »
OLTL is and alway’s be a special soap opera to me! I felt that connection with OLTL
too!!!! I agree with all you said about OLTL. I feel tha same way about OLTL!!!
I miss OLTL and AMC more than I can say! If the news we are hearing about PP bringing them back are true, of course we need Erika back as Viki! She is the heart and soul of OLTL. Merry Christmas everyone, and here’s hoping the new year sees our soaps back where they belong!
Always a class act.
They can’t do OLTL without her. I really hope she joins the Prospect Park show. I also have a feeling OLTL may be back on ABC one of these days.
I hope your feeling comes TRUE!
well, of course i would LOVE to see Erika return as Vikki – i miss OLTL so much,
It has been almost a year & my heart is still broken. I hope Erika does go with PP if they start OLTL back. OLTL would not be my soap without Erika Slezak. She is queen bee of soaps. I don’t care where she goes to work as long as I can see her performing in something. I want OLTL back.
ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course I would love to see Erika back- I so miss OLTL and all the cast-
I do too!
It has been difficult to find anything anywhere compared to One Life to Live or All My Children to watch. I have tried some of the other channels but just don’t enjoy any of them like I did One Life and AMC. I still watch General Hospital and have been enjoying seeing all the old character stables come back but still miss One Life and AMC. I sure hope the carrot that is being waved in front of our faces comes to be more than a mirage. Like everyone else, Erika/Victoria was one of my favorites and so look forward… Read more »
One of the worst programming decisions made was the cancellation of these shows, demonstrated by viewer support and ratings of replacement shows. Hopefully both will return in some for and the genre revitalized by both this and Ron Carvilsti’s hard work to return GH to a ratings leader.
When (not “if”) OLTL is revived from its corporately-induced coma, it is imperative that Erika be at the cast helm. Victoria is the heart center of the OLTL storyline, providing an eclectic mix of dignity, insightful savvy, and ribald humor. If anyone can carry this show’s revival from internet serial to recouped television broadcast staple, Erika can!
I agree!
We miss you & love you, Erika– Merry Christmas & hope to see you in the new year!
Cross our fingers! I just hope we all don’t get let down again!
What a wonderful lady! Without her, OLTL would cease to be the show we all love(d). To me, reviving the show without Erika would be like a zombie apocalypse.
She’s THE BEST!
Truth be told she is like everyone, waiting to see if she will be working in another movie, soap. As for OLTL, I think ABC is all washed up. They would need to have ONE LIFE because they lost TO LIVE. as for holding our breaths for ABC to bring OLTL online… Who cares, I won’t not have patience to wait for buffing of internet and I am old fashion give me soap on TV. I reassume to watching HBO, because I do not watch any ABC anymore.
Have been watching the OLTL classics on the Soapnet channel. Would be nice for them to put the actual show back on the air. They have nothing but garbage on now in place of OLTL.
Prospect Park listen up: One Life without Erika is no life.
Erika Please, please, please, if this happens come back!!!! YOU are OLTL!!!
I miss Erika as Vicki everyday. My life changed forever the day One Life last aired. They were family, and the ones I chose to surround myself with in my One Life to Live. So yes, no words could explain what it would mean to me to have my family in Llanview back!
It is never too late, ABC can bring AMC and OLTL but they don’t deserve the soaps after what they did to the actors, especially the AMC actors that moved to LA. I hope Prospect Park follows through this time.
I miss OLTL and Erica! I have stuck to my guns and do not watch anything new on ABC, nor the shows put on instead of OLTL and AMC. It would be nice of OLTL came back on the Internet, but I have my doubts that something that great will ever happen! I think our Soaps are gone, and there is no turning back!
I miss OLTL so much. I watched it all my life. I watch the old episodes on Soap Net just so I can see all my favorite people, especially you Erika. Merry Christmas to you and your family and also a Happy New Year.
I miss OLTL — I watch General Hospital and Castle on ABC — I know that is one show to many to be watching on AB C — But—- I enjoy watching Castle : )
First and foremost…. how exciting that OLTL and AMC is coming back! KUDOS to PP and especially to all the soap fans that didn’t give up hope. Secondly, keep in mind that … if Bobby Ewing from Dallas could be resurrected after being absent from the canvas… and have the TV show be just as popular – if not more popular – OLTL and AMC can pick up where they left off too! I hope they can get the ‘major’ players back – and that they will eventually go on cable in addition to on line – as I know… Read more »
She sure is a class act, Joe!! I hope PP snaps Viki up!! OLTL wouldn’t be the same without Viki!!!
i want to see viki sign up pp i miss viki every day
Losing OLTL and AMC was a blow and I was so hurt and angry at the exec’s at ABC/Disney I haven’t watched ABC or Disney programming since the last airing of OLTL. I will boycott them and encourage everyone else to do so, until I can turn on my TV and see my two soaps back on the air. I am amazed at the ignorance and arrogance it took, to make such a lousy decision. I am patiently awaiting for cooler and wiser heads to prevail, and return our soaps back to the fans who devoted more than 40 years… Read more »
Merry Christmas Erica. We miss you and OLTL
Erika Slezak needs to come to Port Charles ASAP! Todd is in trouble again!!!
I Have missed OLTL every day this year. So glad to hear that they will
be back on. I will be looking forward to there return real soon. Love that show.
Was a GH fan before they started all the spy and crazy crap. Glad they did recruit some of the OLTL characters but not the same. I hope the online thingy works out. Certainly will be watching. OLTL and AMC fan forever!!
Yes I miss Vicky and all the characters in One Life To Live. I woul like to see it come back, but with Vicky notg without her.
Dynasty
Pej Vahdat Joins the Cast of ‘Dynasty’ as Dex
CW’s Dynasty is beefing up its cast with the news that Pej Vahdat has been cast in the role of “Dex”.
As Dynasty fans know, the character of Dex Dexter was originally played in 1983 through1989 by the late Michael Nader in the ABC version of the primetime soap opera.
Now in the 2022 version, Vahdat’s Dex is said to be a ‘suave, handsome, charming hedge fund manager.’ According to Deadline, Dex has a chance encounter with Alexis (Elaine Hendrix) which will change her life in more ways than one.
Joan Collins, the original Alexis Carrington and Michael Nader made quite the on-screen pair on the original Dynasty.
Courtesy/ABC
If Vahdat looks familiar you may have seen him on: Showtime’s City on a Hill, FX’s The Old Man, and recurring roles on Empire, The Village, Bones and Shameless.
The role of Dex is said to be “heavily recurring”. No word yet on when he will first be seen in the role. Stay tuned.
So, what do you think about Pej as CW Dynasty’s new Dex? Comment below.
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