News
Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live Coming In 2013!
Missing Llanview as much as we are? Well news today via a press release is that a new book by Jeff Giles will take a look at the history of the 43-year-old soap with interviews from its cast, to production and crew, and more! The book is said to be due out in the summer of 2013.
The author, Jeff Giles is an entertainment writer and editor with over 20 years of experience, as well as the editor-in-chief of the online pop culture magazines Popdose and Dadnabbit. Here is the official press release below of what Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live will contain and cover.
Press Release: “During its more than four decades on the air, the ABC daytime series One Life to Live told countless stories, from sensational adventures to thoughtful social commentary. But the tales that went untold — the experiences of the writers, producers, cast and crew behind the scenes — are just as fascinating as any kidnapping, baby switch, or courtroom confession. As a youth during the medium’s ratings peak in the ‘80s, entertainment writer Jeff Giles absorbed years of OLTL storylines, thanks to his mother’s dedicated viewership of the ABC daytime lineup.
Today, network soaps are struggling for survival against cheaper-to-produce talk shows and reality series, but their cultural impact resonates more strongly than ever — and a tribute to the work that goes into producing them is long overdue. “Soaps have been at the vanguard in a lot of ways, and now that so many of them are being canceled, I’m afraid they could be the canary in the coalmine for scripted entertainment,” says Giles. “I don’t think Hollywood could support a medium that tells a 40+ year story anymore.” Giles became reacquainted with OLTL during the 2007 Writers Guild strike after reading that the show was undergoing a creative renaissance, and was quickly convinced that there was a more in-depth, less sensationalistic story to tell about the people and the work behind one of the longest-running series in a much-maligned medium.
To that end, Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live focuses on some of the most unique aspects of working on a five-day-a-week television series — from the actors, who had to deal with the daytime stigma and the psychology of living so intimately with their characters for extended periods of time, to the crew, who produced scripts and episodes at a blistering pace while working with a dwindling pool of network resources.
Giles is currently wrapping up an extensive list of interviews, which already includes discussions with such OLTL vets as Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Robert S. Woods, Hilary B. Smith, Ilene Kristen, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Storm, Judith Light, and Nathan Fillion — plus many more — with an eye toward publishing the book by summer 2013.”
So will you be picking up your copy of Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live ? Let us know!
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
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SOLD! I treasure the OLTL 30 Years of Memories harddover (and to a lesser extent the 40th Anniversary paperback), so this is a must buy for me.
Sorry, but that would be dull, boring reading..
Interviews and reading about what was really has no point and being it is not a story continuing OL on book form, I’m not interested..
If it were a continuation of stories of the people of Llanview, that would be worth my time and money 🙂
Are we the only ones who think this way? I agree with you. I want to see these people on my t.v. every day. Not read about how things went for forty yrs. behind the scenes. There are people in the ‘cast’ I wouldnt even know, not having watched the show for that long. I miss it A LOT, really..just like I still miss my CBS soaps ATWT and GL. But would not buy a book .
I agree with su000 and vik, I’d rather see my soap again. Would thumb through the book for pix, but probably wouldn’t read it. At least we get a little OLTL through GH. LOVE LOVE LOVE GH.
I LOOOVE Seeing Llanview In port chuck, wish they all were there! Should have merged the two shows, I know a lot of GH fans dont think so or like them on thier show, but more characters, and storylines just makes a soap better! Im loving GH NOW!
I agree with Vik……………….
That will be great! I’ll buy one for myself and one for Mum, who is still heartbroken about OLTL. Networks should figure out that we’re not interested in talk shows, self help and other cheap programming. We want the escapism that only scripted drama can provide.
this book will be nice to have but, it isn’t the same as watching it everyday on the T.V. Mon.-Fri………………….
I can’t wait! Especially since Michael Storm is included in the actors listed as interviewed. Would love to know if even more old-timers from OLTL are included in the book. This gives me something to look forward to, as OLTL will always be alive in my heart!
I still iss OLTL & all the heart-warming stories………..Makes me want more….They should make a T.V. movie about OLTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And put it on DVD to buy…
I’m buying!
Looking forward to buying and reading this! Yeah!
Summer 2013 too long to wait. Hope he includes a bunch of photos. But it will also be a little when the book ends.
Waiting for my copy!
I find the soap genre fascinating for more than just the story on screen. I love the art behind it and the fact that it is multi-generational. OLTL was my absolute favorite, so I would love to buy this book!
Oh Yeah! definately sold here! Michael keep us up to date on this please!
Definitely OLTL was my favorite soap opera and I miss everyone , if we can’t have the show the book will have to do. Michael keep us up to date and where we can purchase the book. Thank you for always keeping us informed about things.
OLTL was the best soap by far. I miss it more than I can say.
And I love behind the scenes stuff! I will buy this for sure.
It’s not like we ever hear the TRUTH in these books anyway! We always hear about “oh, we are a just a family”…and “its all for the fans.”. Lol. If someone would publish the TRUTH, I would buy that. It would be juicier than any soap plot. Soaps are dying because of bad recycled writing, actors who think they deserve astronomical salaries, and a refusal to shift away from what they have been doing since the 50’s. Personally, despite the initial glitches, I loved what Ellen Wheeler did at GL. Fake outdoor sets make.soaps look cheap. She gave us locations and REAL houses. I love that. A prime.example.from prime time iS the Golden Girls…LOVE the show…but the outdoor scenes they used as establishing shots totally betrayed what was happenijg.on screen. I also loved seeing a REAL outdoor Pond as the Snyder Pond on ATWT.
IF IT is cheaper to do it that way…WHY NOT DO IT? this is not the era of stars like Erika Slezak and Susan Lucci who command double.digits.
Sold. A book signing with some cast members and author would be wonderful !!!
i hope i can get the book in canada a big fan of one life to live
I will get one,I have Days of our lives and Another World and ATWT and AMC
I got collectors special my People 41 years of love,lust and life in pine valley!12-9-2011
all the pictures of all the soaps are so much to see and read,,,,
35years of AW,,I love it
45 years Days,,, all the pictures ,,,so nice to have
and I miss Another World ,I would love to know how Jake and Vicky and their twin grils are,I now ATWT killed off frist Vicky and then Jake,but to me they live on and are haveing the time of their life, the twins will be about 13 now,,,
o”and my dear Cass,how much I miss you,,,,
Donna,you are so very much missed by me,but I have them on DVD now,,, 🙂
YES I LOVE soaps,and I miss them so much when they go,
I watch Days and I hope it stays on forever just like the other 3….
Can’t wait!
Of course I would rather have OLTL back on our TV screens, but I would absolutely buy and read this book! It might bring a few tears, but I would love to learn about the behind the scene stories.
Absolutely !! Can’t wait !!
Can’t wait for this. I will be buying if for sure! For those of you who say you won’t be buying it because you miss the show, you are missing the point.
Dear Santa
all I want for Christmas is the One Life to Live book…
ok. truth be told, that book would be my 2nd Christmas wish as it doesn’t look like I’ll ever get what I really want – the show to return!
For sure! Every day as a gh, (a show I never watched before the end of oltl,) I think to myself, ” man I miss oltl. ” I love Vicky and Jessie and everybody else that didn’t make it on gh.
No choice but to watch gh now that oltl got killed!