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!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
Calderon took to his Instagram story and simply shared, “Thank You, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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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!