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James DePaiva added to the list of guests on The View Salutes OLTL!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Llanview’s own Max Holden is back for one final walk down memory lane, when James DePaiva joins wife Kassie DePaiva (Blair) on next week’s very special edition of The View!   It all happens next Friday, January 13th when The View Salutes One Life to Live just prior to the airing of its network finale on ABC!

The episode will celebrate Llanview with a few surprise guests, exclusive never-before-seen footage from the final taping (and a sneak peek at the last episode!) as well as videotaped special messages from past stars and a highlight reel featuring memorable moments from the show’s 43 years on the air.

James will join Kassie and previously announced special guests: Erika Slezak (who is co-hosting the episode), Judith Light, Robin Strasser, Hillary B. Smith and Robert S. Woods!

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thats nice

Im glad he will be on ,Ive always like james depaiva,always wondered why they never brought him back. guess lack of a storyline .can not believe we have 6 more days ,and its over.next friday will be a very sad day.

James has been working behinnd scenes as a director.

I didnt know that ,and Im always up on the one life to live news ,Still think they should have brought him back , well Its to late now,today when star sang you only have one life to live ,the tears were going ,bo is shot ,cole ,vicki ,clint had a heart attack ,will be an interesting monday,but it only brings us closer to the end.1loveabcsoaps,what are you going to call yourself after friday?1loveabcsoap?and abc soaps in depth ,never will be the same ,more than half of my life Ive watched one life to live ,my afternoons will be different .

OLTL always seems to get less than it deserves. One hour of The View won’t be long enough to survey 43 years of history, or even the last 10. And what about Florencia Lozano, Trevor St John, Jerry Van Dorn, and other significant players? I like James DePaiva, but he hasn’t been a regular since 2003.

James has been working behind scenes as a director.

OK, thanks, I had no idea DePaiva directed. I didn’t mean to discount his role or influence.

One Life to Live has always been the black sheep of ABC because it historically has had the lower ratings among ABC’s three soap operas. Brian Frons didn’t even bothered to go to New York to tell the OLTL cast that their show had been cancelled; he just made the annoucement to them through a camera. That tells you a lot about ABC thinks of OLTL. I remember back in the 1980s and 1990s, ABC would regurarly air promos of All My Children and General Hospital during the evening while restricting promos of OLTL during the day only.

But no matter what ABC or the Nielsen survey say, I will always find OLTL to be a product far superior than AMC or GH.

Heather you are Right! In retrospect, I remember the night-time promo’s of AMC and GH.
Your Right! OLTL has never been the Darling of the lineup. It’s always been AMC because of Susan Lucci and her strong ties to Agnes Nixon, and that over top, Super Glamorous Erica, whose character and glamour of the show attracted Hollywood types. And then there was the Super Couple of General Hospital (Luke and Laura) who made History in their role, and not long after came dreamy eyes Sonny Corinthos, and Brenda Barret another Super Couple who burnt up the screens and was as POPULAR as Like and Laura. OLTL was just sugestive of cow boys and gals, who had some money, and was intertaining in it’s own right, more grounded if anything. It was the “middle child” in the TRUE sense of the word. But let me tell you this, what goes up, must come down, and everyone and everything has it’s moment and JUST do… The Fall out of OLTL is far superior than it was for AMC. Yes, there was a Fall out when it was announced that BOTH soaps would be canceled, BUT people on these Blogs on the internet are NONE STOP in their conviction for OLTL. Although General Hospital is still on, (and we all have hope that GH will redeem itself BC IT always does) GH is taking a licking FROM the FANS, bc OLTL got canceled. So the other two darlings of the ABC line up is having their EGO’s served to them on a Silver platter by the Fan’s who have been NONE STOP with their petiton and SUPPORT of OLTL, relinquishing AMC and blasting GH. To tell you the truth, it took me by surprise myself. It just goes to show, everyone has their moment…. And sometimes the middle child can come out on TOP, as the Fans show of support for OLTL.

I think part of the problem has been that OLTL has been sandwiched in between the AMC and GH time slots for so many years. Everybody always assumed AMC and GH were better and that OLTL was some kind of cheap filler. It’s true, as you say, that AMC and GH were more heavily promoted. AMC and GH supposedly had bigger stars too.

But I have never cared for either AMC or GH compared to OLTL. I always thought OLTL was better and was baffled why I was in the minority, but I assumed it was because OLTL was never as trendy or attention-grabbing as the other two. But the intergenerational family drama and acting by the ensemble cast on OLTL has been consistently superb. It’s such a shame it took cancellation for more people to notice.

It really irritates me when people suggest only “old” people watch soaps. For the Week of December 19-23, 2011, when kids were on vacation, OLTL was second in the rating among girls 12-17 years old. It had more than twice the number of viewers in this category compared to either B&B or GH:
Girls 12-17 Viewers (Compared to Last Week/Last Year)
1. Y&R 81,000 (+43,000/-7,000)
2. OLTL 67,000 (+37,000/+24,000)
3. B&B 33,000 (+3,000/-29,000)
4. GH 29,000 (+1,000/-10,000)
5. DAYS 12,000 (+2,000/-27,000)
http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/ratings/ratings-days-hits-lows-for-third-straight-week

OLTL had the potential to build on and increase its number of viewers. Nobody will ever admit it was a mistake to cancel OLTL, when it should have been GH instead. What monumental stupidity; sfs.

The reason OLTL was canceled instead of GH was because GH had higher ratings than OLTL as the time of the cancellation notice. I believe OLTL took over GH in the ratings around the month of June, especially with that persistent mob storyline that just won’t go away.

OLTL has always been a simple soap and that’s why I always enjoyed it. Too bad it never ranked #1 in its history as did AMC, GH, Y&R or ATWT. But then again, the reason OLTL never ranked #1 is probably because of its simplicity and its tight budget whereas AMC continued, even on its very last day, to be overbudget. I do agree with 1loveabcsoaps that most of the backlash comes from OLTL rather than AMC. It sure took everyone by surprise: the fans, ABC, the media and certainly Agnes Nixon who has always prefered AMC over OLTL.

I’m not a fortune-teller. But I doubt that GH and DAYS will get the fan support that OLTL received when it’s their turn to get canceled.

RIP OLTL (1968-2012)

I dont buy it, the ratings that is,abc lied as they are now about the chew,the ratings werent counted , soapnet not counted anyone that taped the soaps at the time they went on ,not counted and heres the big one anyone over 49 years old NOT COUNTED,ABC said they are getting rid of the soaps because women are working ,and as Ive said before, oh ok abc the reason the ratings are high now for the chew is because all the working women are staying at home now to watch the chew, yeah right , they all decided to quit there jobs and come back home to watch the chew,who watches that stuff? as erika slezack says BULLSHIT,abc killed the soaps because of greed the almighty dollar.and because of that greed hundreds of people are without work at 2 soaps possibly 3 soaps ,abc I hope your happy with all that money and your cheep crap programing .And I dont care what anyone has to say abc /disney has enough money to keep those 3 soaps on ,3 hours 5days a week .abc daytime will never be the same,3 soaps with all that history killed for shit tv ,I just dont understand ,who are the real morons at abc who did this ,brian frons didnt do this alone.I know I keep repeating myself ,but this pretty much is the truth behind abc/ disney.

I agree all the other soap on today is boring. At least OLTL keeps you hanging everyday. I am a 43 old male and have been watching OLTL since 1985. ABC is so stupid getting rid of one of the best soaps ever.

James is the BEST. I have tried to write something 3 times regarding his devotion to the show, meeting his wife there, and his contribution to making OLTL, MUST WATCH T.V., in the 80’s and 90’s, before moving behind scene as a director. (This website has knocked me off 3 times, this is my 4th times writig this, but I’m afraid to invest a 4th times writing ALL OF THAT, and being booted off again.) He is married to Kassie (Blair) and my heart goes out to he family if two jobs where lost when the show cancelled. James, Thank you for the triangle of Cord, Tina and Max. U always brought so much enthusiasium to the role. I also shall never forget how Max and Blair set out TV screnes on fire…. (and obviously feel in love for real). Thank you for your contribution to daytime and one of the BEST triangles in soap history. May God Bless you, your wife and family.

So sad – 43 years of history. It will be great to see James & all the past actors that were such a big part of the show – especially Robin Strasser who always spoke her mind.

Join us in sending soap bar’s to the ABC Studio’s in NYC. PASS THIS ON…. AND POST ON OTHER SOAP OPERA SITES, including abc.com. See how abc likes being BOMBARDED with soap bar’s from Fan’s all across the United States.

@1loveabcsoap

LOL, you do realize that ABC is gonna go completely berserk when they see all these soap bars on their studio on January 16. I remember two years ago, ATWT fans did the same thing to CBS. CBS completely freaked out because they thought that the soap was anthrax . Procter & Gamble had to step in to tell fans to cut it out.

I don’t think anything can be done to save OLTL at this point (Slezak even acknowledged it on an interview last week). But if sending soap bars can scare the living sh!t out of ABC to stop them from cancelling General Hospital, I say GO FOR IT.

I’m so happy James is going to be a part of this. I wanted him to return for the end……and win Blair back. I am not a Todd and Blair fan. On a related note…..I remember when Kassie was the guest host of The View. If only she would have gotten the job over that annoying Elizabeth Hasslebeck. We need more Kassie on TV!!!!

Yes ,on one life to live ,elizabeth hassle beck is not the only annoying person on the view ,all five of those women are loud mouths ,thats why I dont watch ,abc is going to have hour after hour of non stop garbage on.and the best way to get even with abc ,DONT WATCH.You really dont like todd and blair?

They have great chemistry….but i would be happy if Blair fell back in love with Max. Todd will always be Todd and hurt her…..like if she finds out Tomas is innocent and being held prisoner because of Todd. Everyone makes Todd out to be some romantic hero…..but he is an evil murderer….kidnapper…and rapist. Blair deserves so much better after all he put her through. She should end up happy and not a foolish victim.

I have always loved todd and blair together ,I hope that todd is not the killer I hope his mother messed with his head I never liked the rape story but it was good drama. ,if I recall ,I could be wrong but todd wasnt to have a story after the rape ,r.h. was that good so they had to make todd feel bad about what he did .anyway ,theres only 5 more days ,we will never know if blair and max could have crossed paths again,I just want all my one life to live family to live happily ever after .Ive watched for 43 years,best soap ever.

I FLOVE James DePaiva. Max Holden was a great character and I never understood why the show wrote him off after killing off Luna, Al, Gabrielle and never mentioning his twins with Luna. I was sure I would see Max before the finale but Mr. DePaiva was never asked back. I am enjoying OLTL as the end nears but I’d trade seeing the crazed, one-note characters for seeing the characters that made Llanview a community, like Max, Larry, Wanda, Hank, RJ and Renee.

Max has been behind the scene for year’s directing.

Thanks for the info. You stated that up-thread. I would had loved to see Max Holden on-screen. Kassie DePaiva confirmed that James DePaiva was never asked to return as Max Holden before the finale.

I loved James DePaiva as Max and am glad he is going to be on the View. He had such great chemistry with Andrea Evans, Fiona Hutchinson, Luna, and of course his real life wife Kassie.

I have loved Max on one life to live.With Blair and all has beens they shared was tremendous and spectacular with Gabrielle and Asa and the Beucannons and the Mannings it was the best. Watching Starr grow up. I have seen for so many years that i get tongue tied on what to say about all the episodes i have seen. I was always running to see or find out what was going on next. sitting there on Monday hoping to see what else the show was doing and i felt like i was there with the marriages and Vicky and Clint . I have seen all and when the stories would break i would know why and i loved solving the mystery which is where drama came from these soaps.The are the Pride of our lives and i don’t know where i would’ve been without them watching them and growing with them. One Live to Live All My children and General Hospital are my shows and i just can’t jump on a plane to see them but tv i was able to see they story and just feel like i was apart of it all.I am so upset with ABC i know they are doing what they think is best but i really think they don’t know what they have done by ending these beautiful shows and there isn’t any show that they put on worth it. it is just like dancing with the Stars you never know what story they will have up next.Generations and story lines that they have told to help and i have watched them and i have learned a lot by sitting and watching them knowing how to love and how to stand up for yourself . i have learned from soaps.

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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