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Former One Life to Live Star Mark Lawson Appears In Audi's Super Bowl Ad Featuring David Bowie's 'Starman'!

Courtesy/Audi

Courtesy/Audi

If you were catching all the ads during Sunday’s Super Bowl 50, top advertisers and creatives go to great lengths and millions of dollars to deliver memorable  spots. Many Americans seem to say that they watch the Super Bowl, not for the game, but for the commercials each year.

While many Super Bowl commercials are being talked about on Monday morning at office watercoolers everywhere, soap fans took a moment and paused when a very familiar face popped up in the Audi commercial, which also touchingly used the late David Bowie’s 1972 “Ziggy Stardust” hit, “Starman” as its musical-theme backdrop.

Playing the part of the young astrounaut was former One Life to Live favorite Mark Lawson (Ex-Brody Lovett – 2008-2012).  In the ad, the song and spot tells the story of a retired astronaut who rediscovers his passion for life — and powerful machines — when his son lets him drive the 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus.

Venables Bell & Partners created the ad, directed by MJZ’s Craig Gillespie. It ran in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. Audi released a :60 as well as an extended :90 version which you can watch below last Wednesday as preview prior to it’s unveiling nationally on the big game.

Watch Mark Lawson in the Audi/Starman Super Bowl ad after the jump! Then weigh-in …. what did you think of the commercial and seeing Mark?  Did you love the casting?  What did you think overall of this year’s bundle of Super Bowl commercials … thumbs up, or thumbs down?  Comment below!

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I always thought Mark Lawson physically resembled Billy Miller and thought he shouldv’e been tested for the role of Billy Abbot when David Tom left…if Billy Miller ever left GH i would like to see ML be the first replacement choice but i hope Billy Miller stays…when SK left GH as AJ i think Mark Lawson could have been an ok AJ recast as well instead of killing the character off!

I loved this ad…First, I have always followed the space program…wanted to be the first girl on the moon starting at 6yrs. Then there was Bowie, one of my all time favorites. But MF you added a bonus…I wondered who the attractive younger astronaut was. He really did resemble the astronauts older self, or vice-versa.

Since I didn’t watch the Super Bowl except to check in occasionally for the score (was watching Downton Abbey part of the time), I will bing watch the commercials. Form what I did see so far Audi #1 and Budweiser with Helen Mirren #2. The others I did see didn’t do much for me.

Coincidentally, it was another car (Lexus?) ad with young boy dressed up as Darth Vader starting the engine with “the force”, and usually anything Budweiser with their horses and dog ads that I have really liked from the past.

Mark also eerily resembles Keir Dullea in A Space Odyssey.

So good to see him again! He looks great! How I miss my OLTL actors!

I miss them too Melissa. I always said OLTL has the strongest cast I’ve ever seen.

I loved this ad and I didn’t even realize it was the guy from OLTL in it until now. I thought it was great casting just because those two guys looked so much alike! I also thought it was the best use of a song in a TV ad since Eminem’s song from the 2011 Chrysler ad! Well done!

I had forgotten, but you’re so right about the Chrysler/Eminem ad.

I saw the ad sometime last week and immediately recognized Mark Lawson. I loved him as Brody on One Life to Live. Initially, I thought it was a promo for a new series or film. I’m just glad to see Mark is still working.

Love, love, love him. An underrated actor. He projects a sincerity that is impossible to fake. Would love to see him back on a soap.

I always liked Mark, he is gorgeous, beautiful eyes, great body. Loved his biceps! He and Natalie were a HOT couple, when they showed them in bed I wish they had a sex tape lol.

It seemed too much like copying the movie, THE MARTIAN – and don’t tell me they didn’t know about it because the movie was made and distributed before this commercial was made.

Loved The Martian. If you think it influenced this ad…probably. But if you want to see the movie that has influenced all of the current “realistic” space movies watch A Space Odyssey, 2001. 🙂

Ugh, Rose! I saw 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY a long time ago. I will take my space movies with Matt Damon, haha!

In defense of the commercial, I will say that at least Audi looked like their money was well spent unlike the stupid and classless commercials that are utterly forgettable.

I have a friend that is in one of the new H&R Block commercials (she is one of the dollar bill girls) and THAT commercial looks like it could have been a Super Bowl commercial.

I also miss the Monster commercials – they were funny and creative.

I like anything with Matt Damon, especially the Bourne movies. He never seems to disappoint.

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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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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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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