General Hospital
Kassie DePaiva Talks Coping With No One Life, Her Stints on GH, And Trevor St. John!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
It has been a very transitional year for One Life to Live fan favorite, Kassie DePaiva. After still grieving the loss (as we all are) of the beloved 43-year-old soap that was misguidedly canceled by ABC, DePaiva has found some recurring guest stint arcs on General Hospital bringing her Blair Cramer over to Port Charles to deal with the drama and trauma of her daughter, Starr (Kristen Alderson) and her ex-hubby Todd, (Roger Howarth). Yet with all the fan requests, DePaiva is still not on contract at the now lone ABC Soap.
Soap Opera Uncensored chatted with DePaiva to get her thoughts on why she is not on GH long term, how she is coping with life post-One Life, and if she would like to be the actress and character that brings Victor Jr. on to the Port Charles canvas, if the powers-that-be should ever play that card. Here are some excerpts from the interview with Kassie below!
Kassie on coming to terms with the cancellation of OLTL: “Every day that goes by it becomes a little easier for me. It was really hard for me to join GH and play Blair the first time. It got better the second time. Actually, I turned down GH the second time because it was just too painful because everyone had signed a contract with GH — but me! I said, “Forget that; I’m not going there because I felt like I didn’t want to diminish a brand I felt I had developed for almost two decades — and it was too hurtful.” Also, the fans were so emotionally invested in Blair that I didn’t want to disappoint them with these short stints… but then Frank convinced me to come back. Listen, I love the work. I love working with Roger Howarth (Todd) and Kristen Alderson (Starr). But each time I visit GH, it’s less emotionally painful for me. The reality is that they are not going to ask me to stay permanently because they already have a Blair-type character on the canvas — and her name is Carly — even though we’re very different but, if you look at the palette of our characters, we are the same shade.”
Kassie on what it must be like for former OLTL Actors, such as Erika Slezak (Viki) to watch One Life continue in some way on another soap: “Llanview and Port Charles are totally different. On One Life, you wanted to watch Cristian paint in Angel Square. On GH, you have to watch your back or you’ll be shot! (Laughs) They are two different types of shows: one survived and one is missed, which is ironic since almost all of our One Life writers are penning GH so it’s not like they don’t know how to write the One Life characters. GH is just a different show and head writer Ron Carlivati has a new audience he has to write for — and that audience is not a One Life audience.”
Kassie on if Blair should find Victor Jr. and bring him to Port Charles to shock the heck out of Todd: “Of course. I mean, that was the tag of our final moment on our show. That was the biggest cliffhanger of all. It would be fantastic to play out the Victor storyline on GH, but I’m not the writer. I don’t know what’s in store for GH. They have a huge cast of characters. I do know that Ron is bringing a lot of old heroes and villains from GH’s past, which I think will be fun to watch. But I have no idea if ABC is even going to continue to invest in GH. But I adore Trevor St. John (Victor Jr.)! I’ve probably laughed harder with Trevor and Dan Gauthier (Ex-Kevin Buchanan) in my 19 years on the show than with anyone else. We’d sit in the dressing room learning our lines and laugh our butts off! We were just silly. I love both those guys. I think Trevor is a movie star. He’s so talented.”
So soapers, what do you think of Kassie’s comments that GH has their Blair-type in the character of Carly Corinthos Jax (Laura Wright)? Do you think there is room for Blair on the PC canvas? Would you like to see Kassie and Trevor come to GH to finish the mystery of Victor Jr.? Weigh-in!
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I miss her I think she was a great charater, the funny thing is I always liked her with Max Holden best/her real life husband. Trevor St. John has moved on my understanding is he never wants to go back to soaps. Though I loved him I still think he got a raw deal.
It is a shame not only about the cancellations of AMC and OLTL, but also the Prospect Park shenanigans that denied fans a satisfying ending. Kassie DePaiva is a class act, and I want her to be employed and front-burner on dayitme, primetime, movies or stage. I do think there is room for Blair in Port Charles, along with Carly. Friends turned rivals. sisters but frenemies.
I agree..
I’d love to see Blair and Victor, Jr on GH. With Todd being there, the story line would be amazing!!! Bring them back. Vickie could visit Starr once in a while and Natalie could have a reversal of feelings and come so John could see his kid. Hell, let me write for them!!!
DITTO!!!
There’s always room for Blair! Actually, KDP, TSJ & DG rocked OLTL. I miss those days and wish them all the VERY best.
not bringing Blair on full time is Frank & Ron’s only mistake so far.
I think they could handle two “Carly’s” the Carly we have today is sooooo much different than when she first came on. Think the two gals would have a lot in common and I could see them being BFFs and cat fighting together as well!
Me Too..
I think Blair would be great as a permanet resident of Port Charles!!! She would be
a great edition to GH…She would do very well on GH!!!!!
I think her guest stints are the best for the character and the series of General Hospital. If she were to appear either on recurring or contract status, I don’t think the character would fit into Port Charles at all.
Keep her at arms length with her guest stints.
what I find more distressing is her comment that she doesn’t know if ABC will continue to invest in GH. I know it’s a possible reality but rather not think about it. LOL…sigh.
I so miss seeing Kassie everyday.Her along
With Michael Knight were the first 2characters
I thought of the day I heard the shows would
Be gone (ABC screwed Up big time).
I wish GH would keep her full time.Actually
Rather Blair then Starr full time.jmo.
Quote KP;
”GH is just a different show and head writer Ron Carlivati has a new audience he has to write for — and that audience is not a One Life audience.”
And yet OL fans want near the whole OL cast brought over, and that will not happen ..
I look forward to KP visit. It’s always a pleasure to see her as it is to see Tea, too !!!
Love GH and its’ crossover ‘s ! and miss seeing them.. McBain and Todd , it has been awhile since they have been played and I can’t wait for them to have a story!
🙂
Is anyone else having problems with the link “Soap Opera Uncensored” ? It is not working for me and I would like to read the full interview.
Isn’t that Nelson Branco’s PAY-per-view column? If it is you will probably have to go to Smash words, or whatever it is and pay to view the interview.
Absolutely not! Like she said, its a different show. I watched OLTL but now I’m vested in GH and the characters there. Let Blair and Victor remain a memory.
I am a OLTL fan & I would like to see Blair on GH on a more permnanet basis…I still miss OLTL & really enjoy seeing some of the OLTL crossovers on GH!
Kassie is such a classy lady and I so miss Llanview, PA so very much. I can’t, and never will understand why some “great” cable channel didn’t pick up AMC and OLTL, and even took it as an hour show once a week; Primetime baby.
Kassie, you and Carly are NOTHING alike and I think it would be quite interesting to have two diva’s with the same power on the same show………I would love to see Carly, Tracey and Blair cross paths in a way that would bring down the house. Carly and Blair can both be unpredictable………S/L’s? I can think of 3 off the top of my head that would drive the audicance mad
I agree !
I like her nice words about Trevor St. John. I always knew he was a great guy. I didn’t need any confirmation, but it was nice to hear her say those things.
Kassie sells herself short! Of course Blair could live in Port Charles along side Carly. I have watched both GH and OLTL since I was a kid and know the characters very well. They are NOT the same character.
Many GH viewers are OLTL fans like me and we would love to have Blair on the show. Carly is an interesting character, but I miss Blair and if I had a choice–Blair would win. I’d like to see Blair come to Port Charles and work at the Sun. Todd and Blair work best as a team– stirring up trouble and trying to fit in with Port Charles society. And if If Trevor St. John did even a one-day guest shot, I would be over the moon!
I agree with everything you said!!!!
Carly’s storylines for years seem to be rehashed and I think that’s because they are always so intertwined with Sonny. And the whole mob thing has gotten so tiring. Considering that, I think there’s plenty of room for Blair. She could go to work for Todd, her role could go in different directions. And there would be even more opportunity for Blair if GH got it together and brought Erika Slezak on board. The Quartermains have unfortunately lost their foothold as being a family of power in Port Chuck with the loss of key characters over the years. I like that AJ is back, but I don’t see that as having alot of potential for the Quartermains becoming a key family of power again. This screams we need the Buchanans/Lords to come to town!
Buchanans/Lords would be a HOOT!!!! Those Buchanan brothers & my favorite VIKI…BLONDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is definetely a class act!!!!
Bring back OLTL, Katie’s show sucks and is losing viewers, the Crap still hasn’t found it’s legs so give the audience what we want!!!
More Blair too and Viki, plus reunite John with Natalie!!!
YES. I agree with you ..
I would love to see GH lengthened to 90 minutes and OLTL characters brought into the new format. The OLTL characters are a major part of Starr and Todd’s lives, why not bring them back. Dorian would be a great foe for Tracy…WOW…the sparks would fly!!!!!
Good Idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s a nice idea, Pat, but how is that fair to the AMC actors that left their lives in New York to move to California and then their show was canceled anyway? I am definitely NOT saying this should be done, but hypothetically, if any dynamic of an ABC soap was to be added to GH, it should be those out-of-work from AMC because they gave up everything to move across the country. You can’t say the same for the OLTL actors except for the ones who are currently on contract with GH.
It’s not fair to add anymore OLTL characters to the mix as the concentration should be on GENERAL HOSPITAL’s actors and characters.
Is there a website where we can see what the actors from former ABC soaps are doing now? I think this is a great idea and hope someone who’s in the know will start one. It doesn’t have to only be ABC soaps. I always like to see where my favorites are playing or what they are doing professionally after getting to know them so well on a daily basis.
I think Kassie is absolutely right, in that GH already has a character the same shade as Blair in Carly. Their canvas is full and does not need repeat characters. That only frustrates the viewers who will then complain about not seeing enough of their favorites. I love Kassie and the character of Blair. I wish OLTL never went off the air. But it did. Getting to see characters/actors from OLTL on GH from time to time is a real treat. I don’t want to see anyone’s feelings hurt, but I think it should remain a separate show and continue to use OLTL characters as is practical instead of bringing on more full-time. I feel happy just to have Todd, Starr and John on full time. Should Carly ever leave or have a sudden shift indirection, maybe then I coud see the need for the Blair character FT. But not now. I cherish my memories of OLTL and love the little peaks we get into Llanview whenever Blair or Tea pop up. I’m thankful and wish Kassie ~ and all the talented OLTL cast and crew ~ the best.
Your comment is truly well written and beautiful. I feel the same way and could not have expressed what you have any better. It is a very peaceful way to look at all that has happened in the past 18 months or so since ABC’s announcement.
I miss OLTL terribly!!! I have the cast picture of OLTL!! I look at it everyday … I enjoy seeing OLTL crossovers on GH a lot. I miss seeing these characters each & everyday…They kept me company in my living room for an hour Mon.-Fri. And again I miss that a lot….
I think there is absolutely room on GH for Kassie/Blair. Todd is unrecognizable now, and one only has to look at the scenes in July when Kassie last visited to see the difference in Roger Howarth’s performance. They can throw Carly at Todd all they want, but RH and LW will never come close to having the same chemistry Kassie and Roger share.
I miss OLTL and AMC and ALL the canceled soap operas before them, but …
does this mean that every time a former cast member of a canceled soap is interviewed there is a mass attack of pleas for them to be put on GH (or Y&R, DAYS, B&B) for as long as the surviving soaps exist?
Every time Kassie DePaiva is interviewed, it is the same old thing. I just wish all the wish list casting of former soap stars would end and let the focus be on the shows that are still alive, with the focus being to restore those shows with THEIR characters. Because even if you guys got Kassie back, you would still want every one and their brother from OLTL. You will never be happy until GH is dead and OLTL is back.
Please just be happy for the bones you were thrown by the way of Todd, John, and Starr, and for the guest appearances of any others. It is a heck of a lot more than any other defunct soap opera has gotten.
very true, your right on the mark.
I agree.. I miss everyone on OLTL a lot!!!! I would like to see them all again on the existing soaps but I know that will never be possible! I am grateful I get to see a few of them on GH….Enjoying watching GH…But it isn’t the same way I feel about OLTL…
I was a big OLTL fan but I think you do make a good point. It feels like every time KDP has made an appearance on GH, some fans get riled up about her not being on contract instead of just enjoying the ride. I don’t blame KDP if her feelings are a little hurt for not being asked to be on contract but at the same time I feel there are more fitting shows out there for her. KDP says herself that GH is different from OLTL. As much as I loved Blair, I don’t think she fits on GH as well as John, Todd, and Starr do. Continuing to bring KDP on GH, I think just makes it harder for her and her fans to let go.
Reading this makes me miss OLTL again. I honestly don’t watch any soaps anymore. I watched Days after OLTL went off but not for long. I catch up on what’s going on the soaps by coming here and daytime confidential.
I wish ABC never cancelled OLTL, it was the best on ABC and was on fire and so entertaining.
DITTO! I start watching GH again when OLTL was cancelled. I like w,atching Gh but it isn’t the same. How could it be they are two different soaps.I miss t OLTL a lot… I am & alway’s will be a OLTL aaFAN….I miss Viki, Bo, Nora, Roxie, GiGi , Rex , Clint & more…………..I wish ABC never cancelled OLTL either. Yes it was very entertaining & the heart-warming stories. They were like a family…As you can see I will alway’s be a die-hard OLTL FAN…….It was very SPECIAL SOAP!
Yes I think there is room for Kassie, and Florencia. Would love to see the Victor story play out.
ME TOO!
She definitely is selling herself short. Blair can exist in Port Charles and she can have a frenemy relationship with Carly. It is obvious they are pushing Carly and Todd together and you know that would not sit well with Blair.
gh needs blair i dont think her and carly are alike at all i watched one life for 40 years blair would help gh
I watched GH years ago before it became all about Sonny & the mob. OLTL was my favorite show and I watched from day 1 to the end. I have tried to become invested in GH since OLTL is gone but even with the return of characters/actors from the 80’s/90’s I find myself either hitting FF or in some cases not even watching the show. I think Ron & the writing crew do a brilliant job with Todd but just cannot seem to get excited enough about the rest of the show to not miss a day. Heather was written so well, also. I don’t care about Trey, Kristina, Maxie, Patrick, Kate/Connie. Hate the Spinelli character. The Dante & Lulu sudden desire for a child is not exciting. Like Olivia, but Steve is a drip.
Having Blair show up is always fun. But, coming in for a day to argue with Todd just isn’t enough. I get Kassie’s comment….GH isn’t OLTL and while they may have shared a partial audience I am sure the majority of each shows viewers had a definite preference. There were totally different tones to each show and I don’t think they will ever blend the two styles comfortably.
They’ve made it a point to say, “Victor is dead, Victor is dead,” Todd saying how glad he is, Tea arriving, “loss” of their child, dropping Victor’s name, his picture, etc (I wish Victor would come back just to beat his butt and have words w/Starr’s who acted like it was nothing – killing him even though we know he didn’t). Anyway, they could’ve easily said, he was found off screen but RC and FV knew they have a chance to up the ante and get a talented actor in process to finish off the story that had everyone buzzing at end of OLTL. Not about if, it’s when. I assume storyline and timing agreement is needed for it. Unless, he was one of the mystery people who taped already.
OLTL fans are owed closure on the Victor Lord Jr. Story, why won’t Ron make the fans happy
It’s despicable Kassie has not been given a contract.
How is it despicable? Why should she get a contract when a lot of returning GH vets aren’t being given one?
Why does NB have to make all his interviews with former OLTLers about his crush on TSJ? LOL Anyways from the spoilers I have been reading it sounds like Blair’s new visit will be pretty entertaining. Wish the Y&R would recast her as Ashley Abbott.
I think she is right; GH has a Blair type character in Carly and two of them are definitely not needed. I actually liked Blair better than Carly but Carly belongs on GH and Blair does not. I miss OLTL; I loved both shows but I have no interest in watching GH become a OLTL / GH hybrid. I loved both shows for different reasons. I want to see GH continue to be the show it was using GH characters & rich history; hopefully with better writing. I just wish we could have continued to have both shows.
When it was announced last January, that ME, RW and KA would be coming to GH, I was happy. I never watched a single day of OLTL, so I looked at it as three new characters with a You-Tube full of backstory. Those three have been successful on GH because they merged with existing characters and are now integrated, vital General Hospital characters. It’s been almost a year now. I liked KDP’s Blair on GH, I really did. But the timing has passed for her to join the cast full time. While the memory will stay with OLTL fans for ever, GH is adding droves of new viewers in a younger tier. The specture of OLTL is less and less relevant.
I agree that it would be great to bring the Victor Jr. (he is alive story) to GH. Where else could it be aired? I, however, don’t think they could pull it off without TSJ.
I adore Kassie <3 As someone who watched any and every ABC soap since 1986 (when I was born haha) I realize that these shows are separate canvases and GH can NOT be molded into OLTL or else it will ultimately lose a huge fan base. But they are getting pretty darn close. The mob factor is slowly dissipating and the addition of Kassie might just be too much. :((
I love Kassie, but does she not realize that Prospect Park still owns the rights to her character since she signed with them, and it will be that way till January. I bet she gets a contract offer then.
I think Blair and Carly are similiar in some ways, but overall not that much alike. GH has alot of similiar characters like Sonny and Johnny Mac and Dante, and so on, so I don’t buy that for a minute
There’s a way to solve this issue of bringing Kassie on full time: Fire Laura Wright and rehire Tamara Braun to play Carly. Carly’s not supposed to have blue eyes, she’s supposed to have brown.
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