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MORE One Life to Live Friday Recap Show Debuts – What Did You Think Of It?

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/TOLN

Courtesy/TOLN

The Online Network and Prospect Park’s Friday recap show had its debut today on Hulu and iTunes with both More One Life to Live and More All My Children.

These two shows offer the viewers a behind-the-scenes look and interviews with the stars of the series, plus an opportunity for fans to engage with their favorites more up close and personal.  Added into the mix are also some lifestyle pieces, and in this opener it was a swimwear fashion review of sorts of how you can look like a soap star this summer.

In More One Life to Live, anchor and host Leslie Miller sits down with six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Viki), the new Matthew Buchanan, Robert Gorrie, and One Life’s executive producer Jennifer Pepperman to talk about the return of the iconic series and what viewers might look for in upcoming episodes, and the look and feel of the new online version of the soap.

In addition to the interview, MORE One Life to Live offered a recap of the first week of new episodes, and a portion of the OLTL historical back-story.   We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Club Shelter and some of the first scenes shot in the new major set for the reboot of the series.

You can watch the first installment below! Then, let us know, what did you think of More One Life to Live?  What did you think host, Leslie Miller?  Did you like the sit-down interviews, features, and Skype session with the stars and the show? Let us know your thoughts!

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I liked the interview parts and recap. We don’t need fashion or counseling- plenty of shows do that. I was disappointed that space filler was used instead of more star interviews or more questions. How about seeing more about the sets. It was okay- needs to improve big time. The host- we don’ t know her at all. I think they should use maybe someone who used to be on soaps who is no longer acting. Or someone who iis working for the soaps, but not before the camera.

I generally agree. It was a bit forced, but it was the first one. I love the behind the scenes and interviews. ABC really missed the mark by not doing more promotion like this. I did like the host, but I agree that it could be someone more familiar. I would like to see a ‘where are they now’ segment. For instance Catherine Hickland has been very busy after OLTL. Didn’t care for the swimsuit, but I get it, they are trying to appeal to new viewers and they have these product placements like this and Heineken, and every product made by Apple, to help pay for it. Overall I thought it was great!

Good point about the product placement on the “More” shows being a paid advertisement, that might be true. However, if they want people to watch on Friday (or watch the whole show) it will have to have MORE show and not these fashion shows, etc. I mentioned all the Apple Macbooks on display on the showat my Mac Club Meeting on Friday. I’m sure this is a good source of revenue for Prospect Park.

I did not like it. It was not that interesting and a bit boring..
It was just more promoting..
I didn’t spend my time on it and clicked out and watched GH ..

I can’t imagine having that to watch every Fri…
anyways, I most likely won’t watch on Fri …

I enjoyed the discussion of the storylines but the recap package that was shown on the net was redundant and the “fashion” part of the show was irrelevant. I would not mind if this show got axed and they saved the money to increase production value on the Mon – Thurs shows.

The issue is that the Friday episode costs little to no money to produce. The actors are now being paid weekly so their cost is built in. By canceling this show it won’t add money to the other days. I’ll be curious to see how long the recap shows last – again, they may last awhile because they’re cheap to do and it’s a way to promote the shows.

Ardant fans will watch the Friday show if they have lots of interviews, behind the scenes stuff, giving us a tour of different sets, etc. I’ll watch, but not things about fashion, food, marriage, etc. I think they can make it much better. This was just the first one. I have no idea who that host is , or why she was chosen. Maybe have someone who is with Prospect Park who is already on payroll?

If you recall, they tried this on Saturdays way back when My Network TV was running the Tela Novelas. They did it for a while, but no one was watching them, either.

not impressed, would rather have a fitth episode… it is not like they are telling you any reason to watch, and swimsuits? really? now your sounding like the revolution, which BTW was cancelled…..

I agree that it was not that good. But I’m assuming they don’t have money for a real fifth show. The interviews are welcome. We know they can’t tell us what’s going to happen, but surely they could do more interviews, give us more info. Even ask the stars what they’ve been doing in the time that passed. Give those who are newer viewers a little bit of a bio of their character. etc.

I loved the part of the talking with the show people. Erika Slezak is always a pleasure to watch. I liked the things they could tell us about the future. Didn’t like that we might not see a wedding of Viki & Clint. Enjoyed the rest of the show but Erika was my favorite.

Sorry to say, but the host, Leslie Miller, has got to go. She did not connect with the guests she interviewed nor did she connect with the audience. She talks at the guests rather than conversing with them. She’s too loud — like a loud newsreader on a newscast. Not a warm or likeable on air personality. [Michael, I think you’d be a great replacement!] I do like the format and interactivity of the recap show more than I thought I would.

I agree Leslie is awful!

I feel badly saying this, because I hate to cause anyone to lose their job, but I agree with both of you 100%. Even her hair was a distraction. She reminds me of someone given the role of a rude interviewer on Scandal or one soap. I can see her trying to get a statement from Dorian about her predicament, but not as the host of the Friday show.

Nothing about her caked on makeup or those utterly distracting orange pumps?

But seriously, yeah, she sucked, as did the entire “episode.”. On a side note, would it have killed either of the EPs to have made a quick pitstop in wardrobe, hair and makeup?

So glad both shows are back! I have watched them from the beginning…. That said I watched the More show today and thought what a waste. Wish it was regular episode…also wish they were a hour (maybe in the future).

Needs a reboot big time. Host, format, all of it.

I didn’t mind the interviews with the actors but I think the “lifestyle” segment isn’t needed or useful. I’d rather see outtakes/bloopers, previews for the following week and more fan interaction.

Should have brought Blanca Morales from the Blanca Morales Show back. She is so much entertaining than the one they have now.

Big bummer. I assumed the shows would be on 5 days a week, not 4. Were we forewarned? I want to see the shows, not watch people sitting around talking about them.

Yes, it was always announced as 4 a week.

Parts were ok but i was bored…its like another lame talk show.

I didn’t care for the host,no interest in the fashion bit.
They had one Skype question per show and I think one email or twitter question.
I like Lin’s idea of having someone perhaps no longer on the soaps or maybe someone connected to the shows as host.

“I like Lin’s idea of having someone perhaps no longer on the soaps or maybe someone connected to the shows as host.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How about Ilene Kristen (Roxy) She would be a GREAT host because she knows EVERYTHING about the show!

And WHY isn’t Roxy and her porcupine back?(What was his name?) I mean, Nigel is back….. 🙁

The name of her porcupine was Morris! I like Roxy’s off the wall sense of humor. She should be on OLTL(Foxy Roxy’s)…Rememeber Roxy and Ferternity
Row! She should be on OLTL and say that Ferternity Row is back & it “ROCKS
MY WORLD!”

It’s so fun and a great idea..like The Talking Dead for soaps..love it.

I think people have got to realize that Friday is about promotion. The swimsuits was another “ad”…every time they get a click..each person that watches…proves that online soaps can be an asset to advertisers. Without that, we’d probably not have our programs back. It’s all about money…ABC is not alone in that. It’s a business…believe me, the bathing suits were “disguised” as a fun part of the episode, but again, it’s advertising.

I didn’t like it. I’d like a little more mystique. Seeing Vicki’s living room turned into just a set where the producer and the actors/host chats just reinforces how “fake” it all is.

.LOL…yes, I’m aware it is. But I’d like to stay in the fantasy of it a little more. Seeing the models parade around in their fashion show, in the middle of “Vicki’s” home…in Llanview…it just is too reality based when really I just want to escape into the non reality of it all. It breaks the third line for me.

As for the host…could she sound any more plastic? Think she’d be better off on QVC selling miracle anti-aging creams.

third wall…

Maybe, just maybe the Fri interviews (I saw no recap) is for promotion to get the new viewers an insight of the soaps..
Because if this will be every Friday it will be soooo boring because they need new actors every Friday and it will be same thing, and we have already seen all the interviews..
and the other stuff is like talk show rap.. not interested..
I really can not sit through 30 mins of that stuff …

Would prefer five storyline days. More and it’s nonsense is totally unnecessary and annoying!

The “fashion” segment was irrelevant and unnecessary. The host is TERRIBLE. The retread clips of what happened during the 4 episodes was pointless. Any interview with Erika Slezak, however, is gold. I know this is a work in progress and I am hoping the Friday show will be retooled. So many possibilities here. We fans freqiemt;u hear the actors credit the folks behind the scenes. Why not show us how awesome their work is, truly? Example, what’s with that dreadful wig that Robin Strasser is sporting? (j/k) Just my two cents.

I’d much rather have more Q&As with the actors and maybe a more in-depth re-capping. The last segment of both the AMC and OLTL shows held no interest for me.

Loved the interviewing and look forward to more. Swimsuit didn’t interest me. Would like to see a fan discussion about the show. Real fans, those who will know how the history comes into play. Maybe tweeted questions for actors or Skype call ins. And predictions. Have fans take set tour and reenact classic scenes ha. Oh, do a casting call and have actors win a role, let us judge the process. Give shirts and mugs away to Friday viewers some how. Hey wait, is Friday counting as my 21 episode purchase?

I didn’t mind it, but would prefer it as an extra, not as the 5th show. I would love a 5th episode instead.

I will be skipping Fridays…

I have an idea… on Friday why not have it be a Michael Fairman Hangout with fans and cast taling about the shows and the week and the making of it?

Michael, I hope you’ll invite Prospect Park to read these comments. They are pretty much in total agreement that:
The host is awful (but we did give some other employment ideas for her)
We don’t want to hear about fashion, ways to make your marriage happy, cooking or anything else like the Chew, Revolution, View, etc.
More interviews, talking with actors,- or even the crew, etc.
Even interviewing the writers- how did they learn about OLTL and AMC, what are they doing to be sure they are true to character, etc.

The behind the scenes stuff on Fridays are interesting but I dont really care about the fashion stuff or the relationship stuff they had on more AMC. Just do an episode on friday and this more as an extra.

I thought the recap show was a waste of time as a viewer. I am surprised that Rich and Jeff didnt use this once a week opportunity to create a companion show that offered more value to Prospect Park. Case in point: Soapography. A perfect 30 minutes that aired on Soapnet (and of course, was cancelled by Soapnet). These profiles were wonderful! (Robin Strasser talking about her life and career. What could be better than that.) Prospect Park could then package these profiles and license them independently of the soaps. What I don’t want….
Leslie Miller (why???) and bathing suits (why??). BIG TURN OFFS!!!! I hope the guys at PP are reading this. That extra 30 minutes each week is too valuable to throw it away on drivel. What I personally would like to see – 30 minute profiles on all of the AMC and OLTL actors…and they can start with TREVOR ST. JOHN!

I agree with most everyone here – host needs to go. Would rather have real behind the scenes stuff, even watching as they tape the show, or get wardrobe or makeup done. Behind the scenes of the crew, out takes/bloopers, stuff about the writing, blocking, read thrus, etc. Not these forced interviews and mostly none of that fashion stuff, which, gag, reminded me of that crappy show that replaced OLTL on ABC – the Revulsion!

interviews are fine, but how about someone shadowing people with a handycam and talking to them during the work day… in other words, stuff more like we’d get on the extras of a DVD.

try it again OLTL. You can do much better!

It was okay. Didn’t love it/didn’t hate it. The fashion segment was boring but I understand that it may act as another revenue source. No idea who the host is and thought she was bland, at best. I would almost rather see a third cast member act as host on a rotating basis. Sort of like when SOD does those pieces with 2 actors interviewing each other.

I also think Pepperman needs to stay off camera. Don’t know if it was nerves or that’s her personality but she seemed uncomfortable and tense.

I think they should combine both more eps & turn it in to a soap talk show where the host goes behind the scenes of both shows & have 3 actors form each show come on & take about the shows & also have a spot in the show where they tell what else the actors are doing & the show will have fans from both show & there will be a Q&A sport & at the end gave a sneak peek of the next week shows .

What was the name of the show that the actor who was Troy/Colin used to host with Lisa Rinna? That was pretty interesting, with lots of interviews, and he would definitely be an insider – can you imagine him interviewing Nora? Maybe something like that. This host was super-distracting with the OTT hair and makeup, more like RuPaul or something.

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Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’

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The Young and the Restless fan favorite, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) is the special guest on this week’s edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped today on Tuesday, June 23rd.

During the interview with Rebecca and Greg, Khalil who had played Lily Winters on-screen since August of 2002, nearly 24 years with the CBS soap, shared how early on her teenage acting career, she was ready to call it quits in show business, after a heartbreaking audition for the lead of a new Disney Channel sitcom, which later turned out to be the hit seres, That’s So Raven, starring Raven-Symoné which ran for four seasons from 2003-2007.

Christel recalled what happened. “I was 14 and I had always auditioned for all these Disney projects. So I auditioned for That’s So Raven, it was between me and Raven-Symoné and it was called at the time Absolutely Psychic,” explained Khalil. “The character was this girl who had psychic ability, but then when Raven got the role, they named the title of the show after her.”

Photo: CBS

HOW A BROTHERLY TALK CHANGED THE COURSE OF CHRISTEL’S CAREER

Reliving the disappointment to Greg and Rebecca, Christel explained, “I lost that part and I was just so devastated, because for the network call there were 20 people in the room watching me, and I just have always had such performance anxiety. I just completely bombed the audition and it was terrible. So, I was just devastated. I was actually going to quit acting and then I got the final call for The Young and The Restless and I wasn’t going to go.”

It was Khalil’s brother, who actually got her to reconsider, and if he hadn’t, we would not have our Lily Winters in Genoa City! Christel recounted, “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just going to hang out with my friends.’ I was just devastated. My brother, who is seven years older than me, and he had quit acting at the same age that I was at that time. He said to me, ‘I promise you, I actually really regret quitting. Just go on this audition and if you don’t get it, you can quit.'”

Christel’s screen-test for the role of Lily was actually with the late, great, Kristoff St. John who would play her father Neil (Later it was revealed to Lily, that Neil’s brother, Malcolm Winters was her bio-dad).

Photo: CBS

ACTING WAS EASY WITH THE LATE KRISTOFF ST. JOHN

“So, I went (to test for Lily) and I remember the screen-test was with Kristoff St. John. It was just so easy to act with him because he’s just so there. I remember just being on set, and that was my first time there for a screen-test where you were actually on set. I had never experienced that before. It was my first time being with an actor and  having makeup done, which just helps you really be able to do your best work.”

Recalling the screen-test with the St. John, Khalil, “It was where I had to be emotional ( in the scene) and I always had issues being emotional at auditions. But I was there with him, it just came, and it happened. It was natural and I felt so good and it was amazing. It stands out in my mind a lot.”

You can check out the full Soapy conversation with Christel Khalil where she also discusses juggling motherhood, marital life, and the demands of soap operas.

Fan can listen to weekly episodes of Soapy on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS =Brand YouTube Channel. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, SOAPY offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.

Now let us know, over the years what had been your favorite Lily Winters story on Y&R as played by Christel Khalil? What did you think of of Christell’s recollection where she was up for the lead of “That’s So Raven” as a teenager, before it was even titled that? Let us know via the comment section.

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‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix

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This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.

WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.

In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.

Photo: WWE

The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.

As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.

WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.

So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans

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If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.

It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.

In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.

Photo: NBC

There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.

DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.

Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.

Photo: JPI

THE LOVES OF MARLENA

Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.

TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME

While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!

The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!

Photo:JPI

The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.

The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.

The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)

Photo: NBC

Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.

It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.

THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA

In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)

In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.

Photo: JPI

One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.

Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.

Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.

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