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OLTL 45: Stars Offer Up Their Favorite Storylines! What Was Your Favorite Story Of All-Time?
Courtesy/ABC
Today is the 45th anniversary of One Life to Live, which premiered on July 15, 1968 originally on ABC. In 2013, the show continues to be groundbreaking, and to fight back against all odds.
After it was canceled in 2011, and aired its last episode in January 2012, Prospect Park remounted, relaunched, and revitalized the show, bringing it online to Hulu and now to cable television on OWN, with the first episodes beginning to air this week.
To mark the big 45th, TV Guide talked with series stars: Erika Slezak, Kassie DePaiva, Jerry verDorn, Tuc Watkins and Melissa Archer to get their picks for the Best Moments in the history of the show. Here are a few of their choices:
Viki Goes to Heaven (1987, 2008, 2012): Victoria Lord (Slezak) has been to heaven and back no less than three times on One Life to Live. During her first out-of-body experience, she ascends during brain surgery and meets up with deceased friends and loved ones, including her ex-husband Joe Riley. “I love the heaven story line,” says Slezak. “It was so different and so unusual.” In 2008, show creator Agnes Nixonappears during Viki’s celestial visit as “The Creator.” And Viki’s late daughter, Megan (Jessica Tuck) escorts Viki to the pearly gates one final time in 2012 before the show stopped airing on ABC.
Kelly Kills Blair’s Baby (1997): “I love the drama,” DePaiva says of her 20-year (and counting) run as Blair on One Life to Live. “I’ve had so many great stories. Blair’s just been front-burner for so many things.” In one of the juicier plot lines in the late ’90s, Blair and her cousin Kelly (Gina Tognoni) clash after Blair discovers that Kelly was the one behind the wheel of a car that crashed into her, killing her unborn baby — who was also a match to donate much-needed bone marrow to Blair’s other daughter, Starr.
David Finds Out He’s Bo’s Son (2009): After originally thinking Bo Buchanan (Robert S. Woods) was his brother, David Vickers discovers that Bo is actually his father, having had a one-night stand with his mother years prior. The two eventually form a close bond. Watkins says he appreciated the opportunity the story line afforded him to work with Woods. “We have a lot of laughs,” he says. “It was nice for two actors who had been on the same show for a long time who had one kind of relationship, which was acrimonious — because he was basically a good guy and I was a bad guy, and I was always trying to get away with stuff, and he was always trying to prevent me from getting away with stuff. And then all of a sudden, we found out we’re father and son, so it completely changes the dynamic between us. It’s really been fun to play that second part.”
Viki vs. Dorian (ongoing): From the show’s early episodes, the central story line pitted Viki against her stepmother, Dorian — and their frequent clashes have carried on right up to the present. Over 40 years of affairs, blackmail and betrayals, the two might be considered the original frenemies. Their latest dustup? Dorian, now a senator, is involved in a CIA cover-up scandal, which was brought to light by none other than The Banner, Viki’s newspaper. “Everything Dorian does, as evil and horrible as it is, she does because she believes it is the right thing to do,” Says Slezak. Adds Watkins: “I think in a nutshell One Life to Live is good versus evil. And it all stems from Viki versus Dorian. And I believe that there is no One Life to Live without Viki versus Dorian.”
So now we throw it to you our beloved fans of One Life to Live, today being anniversary day? What is your favorite storyline or moments in the history of the iconic series? Share your thoughts below!
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When I think of OLTL, Tina and Gabrielle spring to mind. Andrea Evans and Fiona Hutchison practically INVENTED the term frenemie, especially in terms of daytime drama. They were delightful!
I remember that Tina had just recently gone over the waterfall when I first started watching. I was probably about 11 years old. I thought that being an adult was going to be sooooo exciting.
I loved those two together–and was so disgusted with OLTL’s writers when they killed off Gabrielle and dashed any hope of Tina and Gabrielle interacting again. Unless Tina goes to Heaven, of course, and the odds of that can’t be too great.
I loved that Gabrielle basically “willed” Max into falling in love with her. He fought her love for him tooth and nail, but he eventually gave in! Then they sent her to prison and years later she showed up married to Asa. I did NOT like that very much!
The Eddie Ford story. John Wesley Shipp should have won a third Emmy for the role. This storyline got me back into OLTL after the unnecessary axing of AS THE WORLD TURNS, (Ironically, JWS won his first Emmy for ATWT).
My very favorite story was the Voice of the Night which led to the Marcy and Al/Michael storyline.
My favorite was the love affair between Viki and Clint. I started watching in the mid 1980s when Viki was Niki and Clint’s love helped to cure her. Then she was accused of murdering her psychiatrist so Viki and Clint went on the run with their sons. I have been watching ever since then. The only storyline that I hated was when Viki fell in love with Sloan and broke up her marriage. I hope that Viki and Clint get back together again soon.
I watched the show in the 80’s and I don’t remember Viki & Clint and the boys going on the run?
I like the love stories – 1. John & Natalie 2. Tina & Cord 3. Bo & Becky Lee.
I loved Becky Lee. I loved the 80’s storylines.
Favorite story line: Fraternity Row. The Daisy Awards show was a great spoof of the Daytime Emmys. Viki’s alters (all of them) is a close second.
Least favorite story line: Mitch Laurence returns and wants to use Natalie’s (or was it Jessica’s) heart to save Victor. Come on, Dorian had gone to jail for killing Victor, and it turns out he’s alive and needs his granddaughter’s heart to live?
I hate any Mitch Lawrence story line. Totally agree.
I love Mitch Laurence storylines BUT bringing back Victor from the dead was really dumb! And the Fraternity Row stuff was very clever! It was meta before meta became fashionable.
The 1888 Storyline, where Clint went back in time and met Viki’s grandmother, and Blaize and Buck Buchanan. Greatness!
My favorite was when Todd “died”in Ireland but came back from the dead. He proclaimed HIs love to Blair, but she was in love with Patrick. She told him and broke his heart. Plus he got shot in Ireland. Patrick’s enemies mistook him for Patrick. The shooting and taking his Blair. This set up all the love/hate feelings between them. And meeting Starr,his little girl,the only person who loved him unconditionally
My favorite by far was VIki/Niki being integrated several times and when baby Jessica was stolen by Mitch/Allison. Wonder story that seemed to go on forever – thats what great soaps do!
Runner up – Karen Wolek as prostitute – kudos to Judith Light for making us sympathetic to her character.
Best moment ever – Karen on the witness stand.
There are so many. I recall being enthralled in Dorian and Mark Toland (played by Tommy Lee Jones) connving together back to the 1970s when I was a schoolkid. And things only reached a high point with Karen Wolek (Judith Light) and that classic courtroom testimony scene. Add in Marco Dane and host of others and well… classic soap opera! I really enjoyed many characters in Llanview and their stories… Jenny Wolek wrestling with her commitment as a Catholic nun. The working class Vinnie and Wanda. Ed and Carla Hall. The Cramer women! Tina Clayton Lord! VIKI and DORIAN!!!!! I… Read more »
How to pick just one….. Going way back in time….Cathy Craig’s drug addiction story. Because they grounded it in reality and showed her attending counseling & meetings. None of this, okay I am sober/ no longer addicted in 2 episodes stuff. Part of what I felt they fell down on currently with the Dani story. Of course, The Karen Wolek prostitution story. Powerfully executed. When Niki Smith was first introduced because it was fresh & original. Dorien’s affair with Mark Toland and them covering up his medical error, blaming it on Larry Wolek to keep their affair secret. The jail… Read more »
So many to pick from but my top 5 would have to be…
1) Karen Wolek’s double life as a housewife hooker.
2) Tina revealed to be Viki’s sister resulting in the re-emergence of Niki Smith.
3) Anything featuring Mitch Laurence.
4) Jack bullying Shane resulting in the “death” of Gigi.
5) The Todd/Victor Jr reveal.
too many to choose from. Been a fan since I was 6 years old. Will never forget the Clara/Carla storyline or when Vicki discovered she had alternate personalities (DID). Those stores really intrigued me as a very young girl and I’ve loved OLTL ever since. Congratulations OLTL on 45 magnificent years of entertainment. Thank you!
I remember the show being really great in 2002, that’s also when they had the live week and that was amazing also!
My favorite stories always include Viki. Been watch Viki & Clint”s love story on youtube just fabulous. Love the DID story. Sexiest story for Viki was with Ben. All I can say is HOT!! I hated Sloan. Now I want Viki & Clint together & they have split them again. The heaven stories were wonderful as was the Eternal & 1988. Erika Slezak is Queen Bee of OLTL. Thank you Agnes for 45 yrs.
I liked Blair and John’s stories when they were together. I also liked Blair and Tomas Delgado’s stories. And I thought Blair and Tomas were good together.
Those stories with Viki, Viki, or Viki are the best! I love have loved watching Erika Slezak portray Viki ever since I was like 5 years old. My favorite stories with her have stories with her children – Kevin, Joey & Jessica, and then Megan and Natalie. I love watching stories with Viki and Dorian or Viki and Tina, and I thoroughly enjoyed the breast cancer story. I couldn’t get enough of Ben and Blondie and I now want to see Viki and Clint find their way back to each other. JVD is fabulous as Clint and I look forward… Read more »
My favorite is Vikis mysterious car accident that left her in a coma, and the suprise return of Larry Woleck who is at Vikis bedside confessing he always loved her. Then after Larry leaves, we see Vikis fingers on her right hand move briefly. Some speculate Dorian tampered with Vikis car brakes but there are hints that members of that tatooed organization involving Arturo may be responsible in an act of revenge against Victors family. But the best suprise is when Clint returns to Llanview and finds a mysterious woman in the house who claims to be the real Victoria… Read more »
Jeez, you should write for the show! I don’t watch the reboot but I know there’s something about tattoos so you really had me going. Did they ever actually write Larry Woleck out of the show or did he just disappear into the OR one day never to reappear?
Happy 45 anniversary one life to live. I’ve been watching for over 25 years and it was always my favorite soap. I’d say my favorite years were from 1986 to 1994. From Vicki trip to heaven, to Tina going over the waterfall in Argentina, to the Wild West story, eterna, fraternity row, Marty’s rape, classic cat fights with long hair twirling, to aids/gay coming out story, Alex trying to drown Cassie , the list goes on. Just so happy oltl is back n hopefully around for another 45 years . If not ,more.
There have been so many. Larry & Meredith love story as well as Vicki and Joe. Karen as a hooker and Marco as her pimp. Just to name few. Happy 45th Anniversary OLTL!!
Happy 45 Anniversary to my favorite soap opera ever. I have been watching OLTL for thirty years. My favorites have always been Vicki and Clint, Cord and Tina, Bo and Didi, Bo and Nora, Max and Blair, Kelly and Joey, Jessica and Christian and JOLIE, JOLIE and JOLIE!!!!
Prospect Park please find a way to bring back Michael Easton to play John McBain. Dr. Silas Clay is a mediocre character that won’t last on GH. We need JOLIE!
Couldn’t agree with you more! JOLIE!
Congratulations OLTL on 45 years of wonderful story telling. I was there for the first episode and I am still watching today. There have been so many terrific story lines. I remember Carla and Jim Craig. That was a very daring story line for the time. I still miss the Wolek family, Anna, Vinnie and Larry, the Siegel family. Larry and Meredith’s love story was wonderful. No one can every forget Karen Wolek and Marco Dane. I loved Dorian and Herb and Cassie coming to town. (He was the only man who could really control her such as it is.… Read more »
Happy 45th anniversary OLTL and here’s to more!!!
I’m into couples on soaps. My favs were Max & Gabrielle, Megan & Jake, Jessica & Nash and Natalie and John.
I agree with you Emily. My favorite couple of these four was Megan and Jake, but I like the other three couples too.
High 5 Penni:) I’m so glad OLTL is back on the air now. I know it’s for a limited time, but still never thought I’d see the day:)
My favorite storyline was the love story of Megan Gordon (Jessica Tuck) and Jake Harrison (Joe Lando). It was a sad end to their story but entertaining through it all. Especially during the Badderly fiasco. Would have loved to have seen Jake return briefly before OLTL went off ABC to update what he had been doing. and how he has survived all these years without Megan.
Just one storyline out of so many I loved was the Ben/Vicki love story. Hated, hated when they killed him off.
Eterna…no one mentioned Eterna. I loved it. Also when Tina was marrying Max and said Cord’s name instead of Max’s. I pretty much liked anything about Cord and Tina. Max and Luna were also a nice couple. So many storylines in 45 years and so many wonderful characters. It would be so good to see Kevin, Joey and Jessica too. I love Vicki with Clint, Nora with Bo, Dorian with Herb (but David is funny), Asa and Rene, Tia and Victor Jr and of course Blair and Todd (Roger Howarth). Long live One Life to Live.
I LOVED ETERNA TOO! One person above (JP) did mention it along with a few other storylines, but most people seemed to have hated it. I actually loved when the soaps did the sci-fi stuff-OLTL with Eterna and GH with Cassadine Island are two of my favorite daytime storylines of all time. And yet, ironically, I hate sci-fi stuff except for the original Star Wars trilogy.
There have been many great storylines over the years, but if I had to pick my favorite it would be Marty and Patrick (the poet). There was a romance that touched my heart and so did the fantastic actors who played those parts. Thorsten Kaye and Susan Haskell were a great combo and it is nice to see that they are together in real life. However, let me say that I think every actor on the show has brought something special to the show through the years, and that is why I have loved this show for 45 years. What… Read more »
My favorite storyline it’s Megan (Jessica Tuck) and Jake (Joe Lando). Such a great and sad love story, but funny too. Jessica and Joe were perfect in their acting, and had a great chemistry. Love them.
My favorite story line?….the triumphant return of OLTL and AMC! Thank you Prospect Park! 🙂
Eterna was my favorite storyline. Favorite couple was Gabrielle & Max because she really made him fall in love with her, which was amazing to me as a teenager. Favorite character is Vicki because of her grace and class, but Tina in her heyday and David Vickers in the last couple of years were really great for comic relief, as was Roxy.
All My Children
All My Children and Guiding Light Vet, Gil Rogers Passes Away
News
Chris Harrison In First Interview Since ‘Bachelor’ Controversy Says He Wants To Be Back as Host; But GMA’s Michael Strahan Says Apology was a “Surface Response”
Thursday’s Good Morning America featured the highly-publicized first interview with ‘Bachelor’ franchise host and executive producer, Chris Harrison, since he stepped away from the show following his controversial remarks on current Bachelor contestant Rachel Kirkconnell, amid the airing of a season that has seen the first-ever Black male lead of the reality series, Matt James.
Speaking with GMA co-host, Michael Strahan, Harrison spoke of remarks he made during his interview with ex-Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra that sparked the firestorm.
Harrison admitted the words he spoke to Lindsey were “in a manner that perpetuates racism,” adding “I am an imperfect man I made a mistake and I own that. I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for.”
The incident began when photos surfaced on social media of Kirkconnell at an Old South-themed party that she attended back in 2018, along with allegations she “liked” many Instagram posts that were racist in nature, and what many viewed as Harrison coming to her defense in this time of what he then called “cancel culture”.
On GMA, Chris expressed: “Antebellum parties are not OK, Past, present, future, knowing what that represents is unacceptable.”
He also apologized to Lindsay, who had to shut down her Instagram account because of viral vitriol being sent her way over the incident with Harrison, adding this message to the public, “Anyone who is throwing hate towards Rachel Lindsay, please stop. It’s unacceptable.”
Photo: ABC
As to how he is trying to make amends, Harrison shared: “I made a mistake and I own that, Racism, oppression, these are big dynamic problems and they take serious work. I am committed to that work.” The longtime Bachelor host then announced he is working with race educator Dr. Eric Dyson who has taught him about the idea of “counsel, not cancel”.
Chris says he plans to be back hosting the reality-dating series, expressing: “I plan to be back. I want to be back. This interview is not the finish line. There is much more work to be done.”
Following the exclusive, Michael Strahan described his conversation with Chris Harrison stating: “His apology is his apology, but it felt like it got nothing more than a surface response on any of this. Obviously, he is the man who wants to clearly stay on the show, but only time will tell if there is any meaning behind his words.”
So, what do you think of Chris Harrison’s responses during his first interview since the controversy? Should he return to hosting The Bachelor franchise? Comment below. But first check out his GMA exclusive.
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General HospitalMarch 3, 2021GH’s Wes Ramsey Makes Statement on Criticism, Social Media, and Professionalism
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InterviewsFebruary 26, 2021Y&R’s Sharon Case, Mark Grossman & Jordi Vilasuso Talk Love and Betrayal in the Rey/Sharon/Adam Triangle
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All My ChildrenFebruary 26, 2021‘Pine Valley’s’ Leo Richardson Teases First Episode Script of All My Children Primetime Reboot
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All My ChildrenFebruary 25, 2021Kim Delaney on All My Children Primetime Reboot: “All They Have To Do Is Ask, and I’m There”
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General HospitalMarch 1, 2021GH Double Wedding Promo: Who Will Tie the Knot? Maxie and Peter? Anna and Finn? Neither Couple?
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DynastyMarch 3, 2021Linda Evans Joins the Virtual ‘Dynasty’ 40th Anniversary Reunion
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NewsMarch 1, 2021Richard Burgi Joins the Cast of Y&R as Ashland Locke