News
It's Erika Slezak Day! OLTL honors her with 40th Anniversary Surprise Party!

Courtesy/ABC
Yes, it is St. Patrick’s Day throughout the land, but in the soap world, there was, and is, an even bigger celebration going on. One Life to Live’s six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Viki) celebrated today her 40th anniversary milestone with the east coast sudser.
Think about it. What would One Life be without Viki and Erika’s brilliant performances over the last four decades? Erika, who embodies such grace and class, and is one hell of a phenomenal performer has brought us to tears time and time again, as we have gone through Viki’s joys and sorrows.
So the cast and crew in Llanview this afternoon brought Erika to a secret gathering! She thought they were having a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon on set… needless to say she was completely surprised. Later, a highlight reel and video tribute featuring some of her OLTL cast members including Castle’s Nathan Fillion (Ex-Joey) and the series creator, Agnes Nixon was shown to all in attendance.
According to Soap Opera Digest. Slezak was said to be overwhelmed with emotion at the party, saying, “I’ve been here for 40 years because I love it. I’m so grateful for the job and to you, my family. It’s been just magical.”
View our photo gallery from the celebration below. There are eleven shots, so for the last one, make sure to hit the NEXT GROUP icon next to the + symbol or just simply wait for the slideshow to play through. Then, check out the emotional video clip of the moment Erika joined her surprise celebration!
One Life will continue Erika’s celebration with a special episode devoted to Viki next month! So we ask, what is your favorite Erika Slezak performance over the last 40 years? There are so many it’s hard to choose, right? But, let us know.
Exclusive Photos
Photo credits: Courtesy/ABC
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)

Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?

Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”

Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
General Hospital
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY TO YOUR YEARS ON OLTL, ERIKA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Erika,
We love you madly here in Evanston, Illinois! 🙂 Happy Anniversary! 🙂
Ms. Slezak: You are one of the 3 remaining actresses with class left on the Soaps today!!!!!!! You are simply the best dramatic actress of your generation……I love watching you everyday…as I have when I started watching OLTL 40 years ago……..Congrats……………
I love any scene with Erika in it. My favorite moments were when Viki was in a wheelchair after the stroke and managed to get up the stairs as one of her alters to kill Johnny D. Also loved when she locked Dorian up in the secret room. Also loved her as a waitress in Paris, Texas. Too many to choose from. I look forward to her kicking Charlie to the curb. That will undoubtedly be her Emmy reel for next year.
happy anniversary erika!!! you go girl!!
I’ve been able to view the photo slideshows on this site in the past, but this one doesn’t work for me at all. It says “Error: Slideshow data cannot load due to security issue”.
Please fix this since I’m anxious to see the photos from the celebration. Congrats to Erika!!
Hi Stephanie:
We are aware of the message and are working on resolving it.We are investigationg with the company and how to have resolve in the morning if not earlier. Thanks for your patience… you will love the gallery… when you can see it:)
Best
Michael
Happy Anniversay Erika, May God Bless You with many more years.
Erika deserves this tribute more than any actress because of her consistency and unwavering performances for so many years. The fact that she can embody her character of Viki after so many marriages and personalities proves that she is the grande dame of soaps.. I really liked her multiple personas,especially Niki the floozie. She can do no wrong by me. Congratulations Erika. Onward and Upward….
Congratulations on 40 years to a WONDERFUL actress! Your portrayal of Viki is simply amazing!
Congratulations Erica! One Life to Live was my first soap. I started watching because of Gillian Spencer’s Vicky/Nicky performance. Split personalities was a new thing then. I remember when Erica took over the role of Vicky. It was a seemless transition.
Tip of the hat to a performer that spent her career in daytime.
To a consummate performer, we love your work and are wishing for many more years of the same!!!
Thanks Michael for another great piece of Soap history your have shared! I love Erika and so glad that she is being appreciated! I have watched since Viki had to choose between Joe and Steve!!! I am glad she and Dorian are going against Echo! Great Stuff!
She looked shocked. So glad they did this for her. TY for the pics.
The class act of Daytime TV and it’s best actress
I have been watching you on OLTL for 40 years and you get better and better. I just think you are the best.
Erika has been the reason I have stuck with OLTL thru thick and thin. She is classy and an amazing performer and after all these years feels like family.
I recognize amazingly few faces in that group photo. Where was the majority of the cast? Perhaps the younger members of the cast don’t realize how lucky they are to be working with such a talent.
just want to be amoung the many fans of yours that we r grateful to have such a fine actress grace our television screens for so many fine years here is to 40 and many more to come. i have watched u since i was a young girl of 10 and i have always enjoyed the show and u so good luck and happy 40th anniversary
Happy 40 years on O.L.T.L. Erika. I have been enjoying watching you perform since 1978, and I have to say you have kept me mesmerized and entertained and you are the only reason that I have been watching for so long. so here’s to many more great years to come.
God Bless.
I also have to congratulate Erika on this accomplishment. She is truly an icon and matriarch of One Life to Live, as well as all daytime TV. I remember back when I first started watching ONTL. It was in the late 70’s, and Vicki’s husband at the time, Joe Riley was missing, if I remember right. Then he was in the hospital. Vicki was right there by his bedside, in anguish over his condition. I also remember that she was wearing a very lovely navy blue dress with white lace trim in that scene. It is so very sad that OLTL and AMC have been canceled.
i will miss you and all the cast its all about money
what?
This wonderful woman has NO IDEA how many lives she has touched. God Bless You ALWAYS Erika. My only regret is that I never met you face to face to tell you this myself. -Your Fan of over 35 years Brian in New York.
I have had you in my life since I was 12. I will not have the same kind of a day with out you in it. I love you and OLTL.,