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Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live Now Available! A Must-Read for Long Time Fans!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/JeffGiles

If you have watched One Life to LiveĀ  over any, or all, of its over four decades of existence, and want to get a glimpse of what it was like throughout all the different casting, writing, and producing regime changes, and read some never- before- known moments that happened on the set, and behind-the-scenes of one of the most iconic soaps of all-time, then you should order your copy of the just released paperback book or kindle version ofĀ  Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live by Jeff Giles!

According to the official book description, “During its more than four decades in the ABC daytime lineup, 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.

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.Ā Ā  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.

Featuring interviews with more than 50 One Life to Live veterans, including: Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Robert S. Woods, Hilary B. Smith, Ilene Kristen, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Storm, Judith Light, and Nathan Fillion — plus many more Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live offers readers a one-of-a-kind perspective on one of television’s longest-running shows.”

In addition to those mentioned above, check out these blasts from the pasts who all participated in interviews in which portions of those are contained within the framework of the book including:Ā  Steve Fletcher, Margaret Klenck, Brynn Thayer, Anthony Call, Ellen Holly, Joe Lando, Roy Thinnes, Jack Betts, Roscoe Born, former OLTL producer, Linda Gottlieb and head writer,Ā  Michael Malone, and OLTL creator, Agnes Nixon!

In an exclusive excerpt, Erika Slezak talks about her former leading man, Clint Ritchie’s (Ex-Clint) problem with alcohol which at times apparently disrupted the set,Ā  “When he was drunk, he was just appalling. In 40 years, I stopped scenes maybe four times, and one of them was with him.Ā  Clint was supposed to pick up a chair and move it during the scene, and he ended up throwing it — and it hit me. Not hard, but it hit me. And I said, ‘Okay, that’s it! Stop. I cannot do this, and I will not do it anymore.’Ā  My husband happened to be at the studio — God knows why he was there, but he was downstairs, and he came up, standing offstage, ready to fight for my honor. [Laughs] Clint said, ‘What? I said, ‘You threw the chair, you hit me with it, this isn’t what the scene’s about –‘ Clint didn’t say a word. They didn’t stop the cameras, because they thought I was acting! They’d never seen me get angry before. Finally they cut, and there was a terrible silence.”

So are you interested to get your copy of Llanview in the Afternoon:Ā  An Oral History of One Life to Live! Let us know!

 

 

 

 

 

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At this price I will buy..

Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live
Amazon Price.

Kindle Edition $4.90 .. 565 KB

Paperback $11.99 .. 381 pages

E-version, definitely interested in!

I think I also would like to purchase the book. Erika’s story above is refreshing. The audience always get these glowing stories from the publicity office about how everyone always get along and are like family. Families fight and there are some members who are not always liked. I think it would be good for the public to know all the blood,sweat and tears that has gone into making one of the best drama to ever be on television.

Will be buying the paperback version…

Looking forward to getting my hands on this and devouring it!

Definitely!

Defintely getting this! Most interested in the Gordon Russell-Doris Quinlan/Joseph Stuart years when OLTL was a true ensemble piece. Love the days of the Woleks, Craigs, Siegels, Vernons, Carla & Ed, and Pat Kendall. What amazes me is during this period, the show endured through countless recasts in a relatively short period (Anna, Tony, Vinnie, Wanda, Karen, Will, Dorian, Becky Lee, Richard, Brad & Jenny). Wasn’t much interested in the horrid Rauch years and beyond (never cared much for the Buchanans, Viki as the main heroine, or shrill Tina).

So great to hear those characters names again , thank you. The story had so much heart and soul in it then. It took me 20 years to get with the Buchanans. God bless!

Sounds like a good read. Is the later history covered? I only started watching the show in like 2001.

I will absolutely buy this treasure. I have watched OLTL since day one and have loved all the twists and turns and all the amazing characters and actors I’ve watched throughout the years.

Just bought it. Didn’t care what it cost……………. I love One Life to Live.

Just ordered the book! Hope you are enjoying it.

By the way, thanks Michael, for bringing it to our attention.

So there maybe footage of this lying around somewhere?

Definitely buying it. Best soap opera ever. No other soap opera has more heart and soul.

Prior to ABC canceling OLTL, it had higher ratings than General Hospital. Considering the failures of Katie and the Revolution, ABC should strongly consider buying back the rights for OLTL from Prospect Park. Prospect Park could use the money to invest in AMC.

ABC should relaunch OLTL on its network. It should relocate OLTL to LA near the GH set. It should also have Frank be its executive producer and have Ron hire writers for the show and supervise them. This would allow cross over opportunities between the soaps and allow other OLTL actors who are now working for Beacon Hill to also work on OLTL.

It’s time ABC rectified it’s horrible decision of canceling OLTL and made it up to the fans. With Frank, Ron and cross over opportunities, OLTL would be able to attract quality actors. Ratings would soar and perhaps, we would be able to watch the best romance ever (JOLIE) continue.

OLTL fans, never say never. Let your voices be heard and perhaps ABC will finally make it all right again.

Here Here ! 100 % agreement !

ABC will never relaunch AMC or OLTL never.
You could sell your soul to them and it still would not happen.
ABC has 1 blockbuster daytime soap GH and that is all they need for their daytime block.

((and they still are making millions off of AMC and OLTL – all they have to do is take it to the bank))

starting to wonder who the “wet blanket” is… the people who want them back or the people who don’t.

not looking to sell my soul for either, thou.

Gentry………….. Where have you been? LOL!!!!! ABC/Disney still owns the rights to AMC and OLTL. That’s the problem. They own both of them, won’t sell them, so no one else who has the capability to do so can put them back on television the way they used to be. We have been making our voices heard and making their lives miserable since April of 2011 when they announced that they were cancelled!!! If you’re on Facebook, why don’t you check out Soap Fans United and some of the other “soap warrior” pages to see what we’ve done. I, for one, hate ABC/Disney and have begun boycotting most of what they air – especially on prime time. And I will continue to do so until they release my soaps!

Anybody know what the books cover picture would represent??
To me it’s a ”huh?”

That’s Philadelphia’s City Hall.

I downloaded it on my kindle the other night have not read it yet sounds good I miss OLTL I think ABC just wanted Ron and Frank for GH So that meant the down fall of OLTL. the plot thickens

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Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role

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Judith Light (ex-Karen Wolek, One Life to Live) is joining the cast of the hit Apple TV series Shrinking for its Season 4 in a recurring role which is being kept under wraps.

According to Variety, Light is set to appear alongside returning series stars Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie (ex-Ugly Betty), Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley, plus other new casting additions which include: Christian Slater (ex-Ryan’s Hope et al) and Karen Gillan.

At the epicenter of the story of Shrinking is Segel who plays therapist Jimmy Laird, a recent widower who over the show’s first three seasons navigates his loss and rebuilds his relationship with his daughter, colleagues, friends and neighbors. The upcoming season 4 will feature a time jump (we know what that’s like from Day of our Lives!) and a brand-new storyline for all of its characters.

Shrinking Key Art

Photo: AppleTV

JUDITH LIGHT HAS BROUGHT RIVETING PERFORMANCES FROM THE STAGE TO FILM AND TV

For Light, who is a an Emmy winner in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy category for her role in 2023’s Poker Face, a two-time Daytime Emmy winner from her performances on One Life to Live as Karen Wolek in 1980 and 1981, and who received two back to back Tony Awards as well in 2012 and 2013 for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties, her casting in Shrinking makes it the second Apple TV series she has signed on to this year.

Previously, Judith was noted as appearing in Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent’s second season on the streamer. Presumed Innocent is based on the book ā€œDissection of a Murderā€ by Jo Murray.

Those who have followed Judith’s decades-long career know of her critically-acclaimed other roles in Transparent, Ugly Betty, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, The Politician, Dallas, and Law & Order: SVU, to name but a few.

So, excited to see Judith in Shrinking? What type of character do you think she plays since its being kept a mystery? What has been your favorite role of Judith’s throughout her career in film, TV and the stage?Ā  Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Lands Role in TV Pilot ‘Ghosts Are Real’

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Chad Duell

Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, General Hospital) just wrapped filming for a TV pilot that could bring him back to your screens in the near future. The Daytime Emmy winner took to his Instagram story to reveal is part of the cast of the horror-comedy mockumentary, Ghosts Are Real.

In the spoof, Duell is seen donning a black leather jacket and gloves and dark sunglasses as smoke billows up around him. Chad wroteĀ  ā€œPilot in the books, Can’t wait to share it with you all ā€

Ghosts Are Reals official Instagram account, which the producers just started shared the series is about “A dysfunctional ghost-hunting crew finally finds real ghosts.
A scripted paranormal horror-comedy series.” The account also revealed that the pilot episode is now in post-production, and episode 1 or Case 001 is called “The Scooters.”

General Hospital

Photo: JPI

LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL AND GETTING BACK ON TV

After a 15-year-run as GH’s Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son, Michael Corinthos, Duell made the decision to exit the show and take a break. His last episode aired in January of 2025. In May of that year, Rory Gibson debuted as the recast Michael and has been firmly-implanted into the role ever since.

In a livestream conversation last month on the Michael Fairman Channel, Chad opened about his current foray into music after releasing his first two EDM-style tracks, If You Need Me followed by Static in the Crowded Room.

Looking back on his decision to leave General Hospital when he did, Duell shared his thoughts at the time, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens. Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.ā€

Duell also explained he had not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the soap. Chad expressed, ā€œI’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into (acting) again.ā€

In case you missed it, you can check out the full conversation with Chad below.

Now let us know, do you hope Chad’s new role in the pilot for Ghosts Are Real eventually becomes a series? Would you like to see Chad back landing more TV and film roles? Let us know in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber

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Alley Mills

Heather Webber, one of the all-time villains in General Hospital history is on her way back to the canvas, when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Alley Mills reprises the role beginning on the Thursday, November 5 episode.

TV Insider revealed the comeback news today. Mills began playing the role of Heather back in October of 2002. The previous Heathers included: Robin Mattson, Mary O’Brien and the very first Heather, who was none other than Georganne LaPiere (the half-sister of Cher).

As for Mills, she actually took home the Daytime Emmy last year at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. She won in the same category back in 2022.

Heather Webber

Photo: ABC

FROM THE WONDERS YEARS TO THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL TO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Alley Mills assumed the role of Heather Webber in October 2022 and had ended her initial run in 2023 and then was back again in 2024. Soap fans also know that Mills had played Pam Douglas on the The Bold and the Beautiful since 2006 and appeared on the series through 2019, and made appearance in story in 2021 and 2022.

On B&B, Alley was a part of the memorable storyline which saw Pam and Stephanie’s (Susan Flannery) mother, Ann Douglas (the late Betty White) pass away. In addition to GH and B&B. primetime fans know Alley as Norma Arnold, the mom of the ABC’s hit late 80s and early 90s series, The Wonder Years.

When GH viewers last saw Heather and her crime spree as The Hook, she had taken the life of Brando Corbin (the late Johnny Wactor) and what was believed at the time to be the life of Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), although a few years later, Britt showed up alive.

Heather wound up in the slammer at Pentonville, but got released in 2024, when it was revealed that she had a bad hip replacement which resulted in cobalt poisoning which was said to be the root cause of her erratic behavior.

WHAT BRINGS HEATHER WEBBER BACK INTO THE STORY?

Eventually, Heather’s son, Steven Lars (Scott Reeves) returned to Port Charles to retrieve his mother, and to make sure she was taken care for out of town. Now the question becomes, why is Heather back on the GH canvas in 2026?

One theory! Could Heather be revealed as the person stalking Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali)? After all, Heather is the mother to the late Esme Prince (Avery Pohl). Perhaps, she wants retribution for her daughter, and this is her twisted way of doing it? Or, is something else at play here? Stay tuned!

Take a look at our conversation with Alley from the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards immediately following her second Emmy win below.

Now let us know, excited to know Alley Mills is returning as Heather? What do you think will be her storyline this time around? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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