As a precursor to, and now post-script to last night’s The Story of Soaps special on ABC, One Life to Live’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak, chatted with Michael Fairman in a very special virtual conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel  prior to the airing of the two-hour event that look into the history and the world of daytime and primetime soaps.

Erika appeared within the primetime special along with many other notables from the world of daytime.

Photo: JPI

Chatting from her home in Connecticut, Erika talked candidly about her beginnings on the ABC soap when she was first cast as Viki, and how her early castmates helped her through that challenging time. She also discussed the importance and challenges of playing Viki’s DID storyline where she played multiple alters, and, of course, her longstanding on-screen rivalry with frenemy Dorian Cramer Lord played by Robin Strasser.

As fans of One Life know, Viki certainly had her share of husbands over the years, and you will learn Erika’s thoughts on working with several of them from: Mark Derwin (Ex-Ben), to Brian Kerwin (Ex-Charlie), to Roy Thinnes (Ex-Sloan) and more.

Photo: JPI

But what was life like for Erika, playing the moral center of One Life day in and day out for over 42 years and the responsibility that comes with that? She weighs-in on that as well.  Later, the discussion turns to her emotional final day of taping at ABC’s OLTL following its cancellation, the move to Prospect Park, and if she would ever consider working on another one of the four remaining daytime soaps.

Photo: JPI

Slezak has won the most Daytime Emmys of any actress, and she recalls the time she was nominated with 7 other actresses in the Lead Actress category and the start of the annual “Ladies Lunch” with the nominees via Susan Flannery.

For a deep-dive conversation into the genre with this soap legend, check it out below.

Then let us know if you were thrilled to see Erika, and hear what she had to say via the comment section.

This week, The Young and the Restless continues its theme weeks as they run encore presentations from their vault of memorable episodes.  Airing May 18th through the 22nd,  it’s “Winters” Week featuring classic moments featuring the talented on-screen family played over the years by the late Kristoff St. John (Ex-Neil), Victoria Rowell (Ex-Drucilla), Shemar Moore (Ex-Malcolm and two performers who grew up in the show before our very eyes: Bryton James (Devon) and Christel Khalil (Lily).

Y&R has run out of original episodes due to the TV production shutdown in Hollywood due to the coronavirus pandemic and until they can resume taping safely; they will continue to feature different characters, families and couples from Genoa City.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman chatted with Bryton and Christel in a virtual conversation for the Michael Fairman Channel on You Tube; where the brother/sister act share remembrances of filming some of the episodes fans will see this week including:  Lily and Daniel running away to California, Devon being lost in the zoo, and in another installment lfinally being adopted by Neil and Dru, and more.

Photo: JPI

Viewers should also look for Kristoff St. John’s first Y&R episode and when Neil’s estranged brother, Malcolm arrives in Genoa City to be part of the week.

Photo: JPI

During their conversation with Fairman, Bryton and Christel also reveal some humorous backstage stories of working with one another, plus where their characters are headed now, and  how knowing and working with Kristoff St. John, (who died tragically over a year ago), meant to them.

Check out Bryton and Christel’s conversation below, and then let us know what has been your favorite Devon, Lily or Winters clan moment over the years via the comment section below.

Sometimes when competing in the Daytime Emmys crowded field of performers vying for a nomination, they say less is more.  And in the case of former DAYS and GH actor, Gregory Zarian, he may have the perfect combination of getting to the core of his character within a short time for voters to get it, and be impressed by it.

Pre-Nominated for his work as Nate in season 6 of Venice the Series, Zarian is competing in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama category and hopes to be in the final field when the names are announced for the 47th annual Daytime Emmy nominations later this month.

Michael Fairman and Zarian practiced social distancing and wore their masks during the coronavirus pandemic for a special conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel.  

Gregory talks about his nominated scene opposite former Guiding Light star, Orlagh Cassidy (Ex-Doris), being directed by Venice the Series creator and star, Crystal Chappell, the issue of bullying in its many forms and gives a nod to his sister-in-law for her designer mask iniatitive during the coronavirus pandemic which you can learn more about by visiting Masks for a Cause.

Watch the interview with Michael and Gregory below and then check out Zarian’s nominated work for Venice the Series.

So, what did you think of Zarian’s performance? Issues discussed in our conversation?  Let us know via the comment section

Gregory Zarian from Gregory Zarian on Vimeo.