News
OLTL Co-Head Writer Thom Racina Video Message: "We Get To Do Things That Soap Operas Have Never Done Before!"
Courtesy/facebook
This afternoon a slightly self-admittedly tipsy, Thom Racina posted a brand new short video message to the fans of One Life to Live on his facebook page!
Sitting in the lobby of the Edison Hotel in New York City, the new co-head writer of Prospect Park’s One Life to Live reboot related a very compelling message that reveals what had been rumored, that the new One Life (and AMC) will be groundbreaking for soaps!
Racina said in his video message: “What’s so exciting about the new One Life to Live is it’s grand experiment. There are no barriers here. We get to do things that Soap Operas have never done before. We get to tell stories in new ways that we might have always wanted to do before, and never really had the freedom to do it. We get to say words like I am going to say right now, “Oh shit!” (Laughs). It’s going to be, we hope, a great journey for everyone, and boy, we thank you all for sticking with us and bringing us some new people. Tell your friends. We need all the viewers we can get. And we hope we are not going to disappoint you, and you know what? We are really counting on the fact that we are not going to do that!”
After the jump, watch the complete “quickie” video message and then weigh-on on what you think just might be going on in Llanview in this new online format? And, are you excited to see the freedom the writers will have in scripts and their storytelling?
I so love Thom Racina. OLTL is gonna be great
You’re right. This is going to be so awesome. Oh…and Thom Racina…you rock! 🙂
I AGREE! I am so HAPPY Ron Carlivati has nothing to do with PP OLTL. I am sick and tired of Ron Carlivati and Frank Valenti plagiarizing and ripping off OLTL, its history, and characters. And now stealing Port Charles because they don’t know how to write for GH. IMO He ruined the last few years of OLTL. I hope the new writers can fix his mess and bring it back to how great it once was.
If they didnt know how to write 4 GH, why did the ratings go up and save the show from cancellation. How did they rip off OLTL. They kept the show alive by bring OLTL characters to GH, and a lot of fans were happy to see them because there was still a chance OLTL might not have returned at all. And its not plagerizing when ABC is in charge of both GH and OLTL.
They were the owners of both shows b4 PP announced the OLTL reboot and had every right to use them i meant to say. I see nothing wrong how they were used, especially when PP announced last November that the reboot was off. Other characters went to other shows and stayed. Rae Cummings and Skye Chandler came to Port Charles and no one said that GH was ripping off the other soaps where they originated. I was happy to see John, Todd, Starr, Tea, Blair, added to GH when OLTL and many fans were happy too. That shouldnt change now that PP finally got their act 2gether to bring OLTL back.
Many of us don’t see it as “ripping off” the other shows. As a long time viewer I took it as a nod to those shows AND to us viewers.
I have no problems with PP, Frank or Ron.
I agree!! Totally! Thank god RC & FV are not apart of this…..It’s a good thing ((In my Best Martha Stewart voice LOL))
It might sound ridiculous but I get annoyed with how PG soaps are. Just once I’d like to see Sami and Nicole in a fight and have Nicole tell Sami to F*** Off & I fully believe that if Connie (GH) was a real person she would swear like a sailor. And in the gay storyline on Days I want to hear Nick call Will or Sonny a fag to take his hatred to another level.
I think the ability to push the envelope was what made soaps so intense in the first place when they talked about things in the 50’s & 60’s that you couldn’t and now with shows on HBO, Showtime and even cable networks are doing that in a way that network can’t compete with. I fully support some gratuitous Sex, Violence, and Swearing on my soaps!
I know.. I hope now they can do storylines they weren’t able to do on soaps, like a gay storyline for a legacy characters, i hate how ABC was all afraid about Kish and also back in the 90s they told Malone they didn’t want Joey to be a gay character, so he created Billy instead.. I hope finally we get that story on OLTL I can think of two teens who can do the coming out stories and other great stories like drug and alcohol abuse, sex addiction, the possibilities are endless
I thought Billy was coming back?
Not every one wants to hear words they could not say on TV or see things they could not see on TV. I do not and will not watch if that is all they want to do. Watched OLTL since it’s very start…..watching longer than Erika Slezak but if I won’t sleeze I have Cinemax.
i don’t get it. so it doesn’t bother you that these characters sleep their way through entire families, never know who their father of their baby is because they always have several men on the go, but it bothers you that someone might say “shit”?
GB LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you. I expected changes but not gutter talk. I dont find that entertaining at all. This may be 2013 and people really talk like that but when i hear it in public i dont find it entertaining there and i definatally dont find it entertaing on tv shows. I tune in to tv to escape the real world and if i wanted to hear foul words id get starz or hbo. or eat in the food court of our local mall. No wonder our society is get trashier and going downhill. If people like dirty talk they can have it i for one will not support it, so now i wont be watching the reboots.
Peoples minds that small that they cant be entertained unless there are foul words or maybe nudity in what they watch? I may be old fashioned and a prude but id rather be in the minority of people who still have some morals than those people who have a trashy mind and dirty mouth.
Hmmm well in the final couple years of OLTL we heard middle to upper class people call each other “bitch” and “whore”. I don’t mind swearing or “gutter talk” if it’s in character. I don’t think Vicki would say “shit” or “fuck” (or even call someone “bitch” and “whore”). However, someone like Stacey would call Kish “fags” (for an easy example). I don’t need my soaps to be true to life, but it helps when the characters are actually allowed to be ‘in character’. In fact, there’s certainly a level of drama to be had with a social disparate landscape and a writing staff that’s allowed to choose language and situations as they please and not bowing to network standards.
But then I’m also someone who would prefer a really great religious or political discussion within the context of soaps rather than endless conversations about who’s in love with whom. That part of soaps has always felt rather backward to me – adults whose conversation skills are limited to people’s love lives seems awfully limiting.
I wanted to respond to Andrew but couldnt. Maybe Viki wouldnt say certain words but im sure the writers would bring out her alter Nicki Smith to spew some profanity. When the show was on ABC everyone was just fine with it, and i never read anywhere where someone commented that the problem with the show is lack of brief nudity in sex scenes and lack of usage of certain words. Everyone was satisfied with just a good story. Just a little over a year ago people protests the shows cancellation and had the show stayed on the network we wouldnt be having this discussion at all. The way some people are supporting the usage of more racey scenes and language sounds like its the only thing they need to get them to watch. We watched soaps for decades. In the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s, people had sex, get naked, and use profanity and we still watched soaps without it but suddenly we need it now? I dont care if they only use it once a month. If it wasnt need b4 its not needed now. The idea of soaps were to be different, tell a story and be escapism from the real world. So what if cable has it, not all there shows survive using it. There are cable shows surviving and they dont use it. Its all about well told drama. There are ways OLTL and AMC can make changes and be different. And they dont have to be like all the other shows that use profanity or any nudity to be a success. Good storys and romance, which most series lost focus on, is all these shows need. Its been done b4 without the crap added, so it still can be done today. If a writer cant do it, then he or she lacks having an imagination which is obviously lacking from some tv viewers 2day.
I agree like I just posted they should offer 2 versions that the audience could choose from. If the episode is 1 minute shorter than so be it
That is a great idea!
Leslie, I have to agree with you. Isn’t there enough sleaze on regular tv. Just give me my soap back the way it was.
I agree. I care about the story lines. I do not want to hear a bunch of swearing or see nudity. If they want to push the envelope than I will stop watching.
Spoken like a lady with class.
If these shows become all about F-this and F-that they are going to lose a lot of loyal fans. There is a time and place for everything and, if they want to add curse words, then they should follow scripts of PG-13 movies and use that dreaded “F” word once and episode or less. I think you can be just as constructive using other words like basic cable does without degrading yourself to using that word all the time like some movies do. It really adds nothing to say the “F” word over and over. It makes the movie or show come off as immature as if it is the only word it knows.
LOL you are all ”assuming” what will be and have not an iota what would be said and even if it were to be said..
some people go into panic mode not knowing a dhamned thing as to what is really going to happen..
To even suggest that Agnes would allow the ‘F’ word is ridiculousness..
geezus calm down and wait for whatever you assume will happens, if it ever would.. LOL
It is very likely that bad words will be seldom heard and if , then in scene where it would normal for anyone to be overly angery and let one fly..
Sometime ya just got be rational 🙂
Have you never watched a show on HBO or Showtime? They are not going to add swear words for fun. They will be used only when called for. It’ll be natural so you might not even notice it.
Well I have, Brian Tripp. 🙂
I remember DEADWOOD on HBO. An amazing show, but they used the word “cocksucker” at least 20 times per episode. Some shows use curse words to add dramatic effect and then there are some movies where that is all you get plus stupid penis jokes (the movie THE WATCH comes to mind).
I stand by what I say, it shows immaturity if that is all you are going to do is say the F word. Furthermore, to the person that mentioned that children less than 10 years old are using the F word, then shame on the parents. This is just another example of how sad our society has become. I realize this is not a referendum on child rearing, but there are many that feel the same way I do. The fact that people are becoming so lazy that they cannot spell out words – everything is an acronym or they reply to posts as if they are sending a text message. I think why should I bother reading this person’s comments if they cannot be bothered to finish what they write?
It is sad that cursive writing is going out the window in schools. I just see it as sad and lazy, not to mention immature.
However, I am thinking that AMC and OLTL’s move to cable will be akin to when the FX/Sony show, DAMAGES went from FX to Directv. All they did was add the F word once and a while and it wasn’t that big a thing. I am not stupid, I know that some are jumping to conclusions and thinking it is going to become out of control with nudity, violence, and swearing. But the writers and producers know that if they do that then they would alienate legions of fans.
Brian… “Only when called for”… You can make the story not call for it. An example of lazy writing. “It’ll be natural”… maybe for people who talk that way. Not everybody talks that way.
Thank you Leslie! My sentiments exactly! I really don’t need to see nudity or hear swearing to make the show more entertaining for me. If that’s truly the route they’re going to take, I’ll not be watching.
I agree Leslie!!! If they are going to be pushing the envelope that way then I will not watch. I like the genre the way that it is and OLTL is about traditional families at it’s core and we don’t need that. There is enough garbage on-line and on TV and we really don’t need more! I would hope that Erica would ask the writers to not write her that way. We have enough scripted reality shows already! I am not impressed with TR and his notion of pushing the envelope.
It may just be better that those of you that feel this way just don’t watch then.
Things ARE changing, whether we like it or not.
Bravo Wildheart!!
I am not watching the new risqué OLTL! Just do not care for the direction it seems to be taking.
How on earth do you know it’s going to be risque? Because Racina said the word “shit”?
If you or others can turn your backs on this reboot for one word said in an interview before the show even airs than good riddance to bad fans.
What the man actually said is that show can EXPLORE storylines with more relevance and with a realistic take.
boes(Ditto)!
Ann, I agree with boes. I think by Mr. Racina saying “oh shit” proves to me that they are just doing a basic cable version of the show. With basic cable you get that word occasionally and you also get to see a little more of the human body like a bare butt, but not full nudity (at least the shows I watch 🙂 ).
I would hope that the writers/producers keep their new freedoms to a minimum so as not to offend.
This is so exciting !!
Finally, a soap opera that is Representative of the 21st century !!
It is a new day for the soaps..
soaps have changed very little in the past 40/50 yrs, same types of purity; do not cross the the 1960 guide-lines..
OL and AMC will get new viewers for the now generation who do most of their media viewing through their computers ot Netflix/HuLu pluse via their
TV..
the way people are watching their video/shows have changed during the past 10 and more-so the past 5 yrs.
There are no longer TV is dorm rooms, they us computers to watch their shows.
And it is so very easily done to watch the internet on TV.. Ones only needs a Roku or other TV internet boxes.
I know the older ones will never ”get it”’ and won’t move into 21st century, but their sons/daughters and even grandchildren can get them hooked up the the internet on their TV 🙂
Also, I feel now that PP is footing the expense of producing the soaps from their studios, and a cable station would not have that expense, a cable station is very likely to run the soaps, if there are enough viewers..
su0000, some people live in the boonies like my family and, through no fault of their own, just do not have enough houses near them to get a good internet connection.
Oh I suppose they could go sit in the parking lot of a business that does not block their Wi-Fi if Tivo did not record their program and they have no other way to watch like someone in my family does (but I won’t mention names). 🙂
I think as long as it’s not gratuitous swearing, I wouldn’t have an issue with it. I don’t mind a few words here and there, but if they are cussing just because they can, that’s not very creative…and I won’t find that entertaining. But I must say, I’m thrilled to have my shows back.
I find this all exciting and I’m tired of hearing “being on ABC is better than the internet and what actor wants to do that its a step down” I’m thinking this just might surprise everyone! This is new ground and I think its going to be great I know my college age daughter is excited she doesnt always have access to a tv to watch she has to share the tv with 6 others and is so excitied its going to be online she can take her laptop anywhere and watch…..I think its going to be great and those few actors that snubbed it might just regret doing so.
I wish they would have 2 versions for streaming. A regular PG version (like the soaps from the 70’s by comparison) And the R rated version. When you went to Hulu they would ask ” Which version would you like to view the PG or R.
That way you won’t lose viewers
I totally agree.
Not everyone wants to see sex an violence on their soap
Poor Viki =( shes the angelic one to hear her cuss is truly strange
I feel this oltl 2.0 is unwatchable
You feel it’s unwatchable before it even begins??? Before you’ve seen an episode?
The posts in this thread that sound like my Great Aunt Tilly sounds like we’ve all fallen through the looking glass.
How about waiting till the show airs before you all have to go wash out your ears with holy water?
I don’t think that the new shows are going to be filled with naked people cursing at each other. I doubt it will be that extreme. We’ll probably just get a profanity here and there and sexier love scenes. I think the stuff Thom is talking about is more story line based. Networks have a long history of interfering with story lines that they deemed too controversial for daytime. These shows will not longer have to deal with that. I suspect we are going to get more of the socially relevant story lines that these shows were meant tell. Controversial subjects such as abortion, sexual origination, drug abuse, etc. will be able to be told in more true to life less sanitized way. For example, the sugar daddy story line with Destiny is a real issue that is happening now. CNN and news shows have done stories on it and there have been independent films on the subject matter.
i agree…. I think, many a fan… can recall… when a story line… has been “aborted”… just gone… that quickly… deemed too unsavory…. LOL… the sensors… ie: the network ad men… cautioning our minds…
I have to agree with “christine”… hearing the “f” word… would be extreme… and in bad taste… even I wouldn’t condone that one… expletive happens in the heat of the moment… and if you don’t regret saying them.. then… time to check out.
as for gratuitous’ for the sake of doing it.. well… have to adhere to the old saying… leave it up to the imagination… 100% of the cast is ALL good looking…. ???? hello… rocket science….
course, in deference to the women… ladies…. a little buff posturing… is long over due…Bear creed.
—————–
socially relevent caustic behaviours explored… with relish…
I have been watching the Starr crossed lovers prom episodes on youtube today and I have to say, I just can’t wait for more OLTL. I do hope they do some musical numbers in the future and I hope we get to see talented kids like Kristin & Eddie Alderson grow up before our eyes!! OLTL has got to be the best soap of all time!!
Making Mathew a deadbeat dad is one thing but i read theyre going to change Destiny and have her keep company with a man just for money? Are they trying to turn her into the next Karen Woleck? These changes i might can handle but not the added foul language. Ive already heard from some friends who wont be watching and im with them 100%. Y&R is highly rated for years and GH ratings are up as well. This goes to show you the writers dont have to trash these shows to get get ratings. Good stories and characters is all they need. But if any of you prefer that crap(the foul words)and thats all it takes to entertain you, then you are welcome to it.
If you have friends who have decided already they won’t be watching because the show might not look like Father Knows Best or the Bishop Sheen Hour then good riddance to bad fans.
Racina NEVER said it was going to be a strip show, he said they were going to be able to tell stories without the stranglehold of the network.
All these negative responses on here to one WORD in the interview is just…..amazing. You all make my aunt the nun and her Sisters sound like wanton women – or more realistically, all you naysayers sound like you were born in the early part of the stone age.
OLTL was far from Father Knows Best when it originally aired and we already knew it. We didnt mind much that they were changing the characters of Mathew and Destiny. Its just that some of us dont allow usuage of certain words in our home. I may take a peak at OLTL but if i feel there is too much graphic language i wont watch. What you allow in your home is your busines and what me or my friends allow is our business.
p.s. Im sure there are things youve stopped watching you no longer liked 4 whatever reason so does that make you a bad fan? A bad fan is more like someone who continues to bash a show they continue to watch not one they stopped watching or we’d all be bad fans of everthing that aired. And i was pointing out that other shows dont need to add foul words to tell a good story to attract ratings.
I never said it was going to be a strip show myself, and as for the stoneage remark whats that suppose to mean? Stoneage people had no morals and didnt give a crap about anything. They lived more or less like animals, and werent civilized yet. Im sure theyd enjoy how uncivilized most people are today. Well i have morals and do care about a lot of things. I only agreed with by friends decision because they are my friends but i didnt really say i wasnt going to give the show a chance b4 i make up my mind. We do agree or we disgree i do respect your opinion and you have every right to one as well as i do.
I am still watching OLTL! I haven’t changed my mind!
Please keep the bar high with the writing. The swearing and gratuitousness of cable tv is not what this audience expects. You will be turning off many in the audience – and I would not want my teens to be watching the shows I grew up watching if the programs degenerated like that. Whether or not it reflects society, it is not necessary in order to tell a good story. Keep the soaps clean, save the explicit smut for cable.
Well said.
Can’t wait to see OLTL it sounds exciting but, I still proper .I don’t like shows where ever word is a curse,that lowers the standards of the show and makes it sleezy.
Please don’t ruin OLTL. Bad language does not impress me–it distracts me. Just give us a good story and keep the core characters!
please do not take the soap down the wrong road! you have a wide, generational viewing audience! not all of us want to hear swearing, see naked people, and frankly, i don’t watch the ‘bed’ scenes in the soaps or anything (that’s what MY imagination is for, i don’t need graphic pictures!) i am not a prude but there are some things that are just not entertaining… i would hate to think i fought long and hard for a year only to be very disappointed that my soaps have stooped to a lower level of entertainment… i expect my soaps to be relevant, to present current topics, but not to be ‘dirty soaps’… i can only hope with agnes nixon on the scene that the quality will remain!
I don’t think an occasional shit, hell, or damn will upset anyone, but I also don’t think there’s any need to get carried away with it just because. Alot of fans are older, having watched for 40-60 years and they don’t need to have profanity thrown in their face every afternoon. Personally, the “F” word is one of my very favorites, but I sure as hell don’t use it around my grandma.
The ”F” word has become so complacence and is the most used swear word, actually..
It is in most all novels that we read, in movies, in songs, in schools, it is all around us lol
The ”F” word has about a 1000 meanings and is used as a noun to a verb as an expression word..
America still bleeps it because America still needs one thing, just one, to show the world we have still have one media moral LOL so they bleep a commonly used word that has a 1000 meanings.. We all know the bleep anyways LOL silly..
In my world the F word is cleaner than the shit word 🙂
I could agree for myself personally, but just because I might be desensitized, I don’t think older folks appreciate it all and in fact are extremely offended by its usage. They aren’t going to watch a soap that throws it around all the time and they are a big audience. Regardless of our freedoms to do and say ‘whatever’, some things are still offensive and quite frankly, that is as it should be.
I’m on the fence about it – regarding the use of foul language – I mean, it wasn’t necessary before, and the points still came across. I can’t imagine Victoria Lord cursing but of course I can understand some of the lower class characters using stronger language in certain scenes. As for the love scenes, well, I can’t speak for others but I feel that less is better ~ in older movies, a good director and producer would allow the viewer to understand what is perhaps sexually implied, there didn’t seem to be the need to be totally explicit, we have imagination, do we not?
Erika has sworn in interviews. And it’s not like every word is going to be an F-Bomb or something.
Perhaps some nudity, to show they are naked under the sheets. Perhaps Nat Topless, with Cutter showing a little ass.
Hey, I’d love that!!
But in reality we all know that will not happen 🙁
Our soap stars are not ready to do the nasties for us, nope no way lol ..
Didn’t AMC’s Dixie already blog that AMC will be having nudity? Will OLTL feel they have to go there too? It is possible. I just hope writers don’t lose sight of what really attracts viewers – a great story.
I don’t think they’d go nudity so early. Plus, you have to think, actors may not be up for the nudity.
I don’t think I would like seeing that. Leaving a little to the imagination . This isn’t
an X- rated show. What you are saying would turn a lot of soap fans off that have
been watching OLTL for so long.
Not X-Rated, R-Rated. Plus many former soap stars have appeared in Indie flicks and have done racy and revealing love scenes. They did it on NYPD Blue as well.
Back in the 90’s, Y and R did a prime time special where Don Diamont (Brad) did a shower scene where he showed a little ass.
Recently Lulu and Dante’s love scene on GH, looked borderline.
On Nip/Tuck, Thad Luckinbill (JT on YR) showed his backside.
Lighten up folks! This mass hysteria aflicting some, that they will be struck blind or lose their hearing because of language and nudity is ludicrious. The show hasn’t even started yet and some prisses are already saying they won’t watch.
Why are you running with metaphorical scissors, worried about things that aren’t going to happen? Because the guy said “shit” in the interview, that’s enough for you to jump ship?
Sometimes the fans for the shows can be so disheartening. And I didn’t realize there were this many people who change their underwear in the dark, they’re so afraid of the “dirty bits”.
I feel it will simply be more realistic..
People in all walks of life swear at times, we all have,,
Anger and enjoy can fly a swear word.. ever stub a toe on the coffee table, I have and one flew or dropped a just baked pie or were steaming mad at your husband or B/F etc..
IF a word is used it will during an emotional moment..
I strongly dubt there will be any potty-mouthing, just expression of free speech and the right to use a swear word… As rarely as it might be..
Wow, so many people on here must be sore from all the jumping to conclusions they are doing…
Half of you make it seem like it will be OLTL with Victoria on a striper pole. These people aren’t going to turn the show into Porkeys however a happy medium between Shameless and murder she wrote would be nice.
So many of you are condemning something that hasn’t even gone into production let alone aired. The failure to change with the times is what ruined soaps in the last decade. This could very will restore them to the controversial entity they once were.
Some people do not think rationally and panic over something that has not happened and even know when or if it would happen how and why a bad word may be said, in what context and over what.. Complaining is catchy lol
And I strongly believe we will never hear the dreaded ”F” word with Agnes around.
But a few ‘damn you’ and ”shut the hell up” would be good to capture the anger of the moment. 🙂
I can’t wait…and Natalie and Cutter …I am ok with that..
Oltl will NOT be raunchy. He just said they have the freedom to do certain now they couldn’t do before. Don’t worry though, they still have sponsors to consider, so they are not out to offend anyone. Please give the shows a chance. At least a week or so. If you don’t like it still, then by all means tune out.
I am looking forward seeing One Life To Live and All My Children. Can you give us a date when it starts. People keep asking me. I just say spring. Is that right??
Can’t wait looking so forward to amazing reboot!! Gracia for bringing our families home again!!
Soaps have already used some foul language and ive let it pass. And so the new writer only used one word we might hear. I can let that pass too as long as its not used too often or they use more explicit language. There is a reason its called obscene and offensive. As for all the bedhopping currently used the bedroom scenes can be a little too much at times but its not too explicit nor is the violence in crime scenes. I can accept a pg 13 soap but a more r rated version would go too far. To be edgeier you could explore the problems of drug abuse, alchol abuse, online sex addiction, spousal and child abuse exc. but you dont have to go overboard to do it. Like i said in another posting, ill take a peak at the shows but if i feel it goes a little to far 4 my taste (which im not sure of until i see it) i wont watch, and if others like it , well we all have the right to pick and choose what we want to watch and what we dont want to watch. So if i have a few friends who dont want to watch, thats their freedom to do so as much as it is for someone to choose to watch. I wouldnt try to stop you to watch so i feel you should show me the same respect if i decide not to watch something i dont want to watch. We cant agree on everything, it would be nice if we could, but then things like these message boards wouldnt be around and they sometimes can be far more interesting than the shows we r discussing. Micheal Fairmens is the best. I just love the internet and how its brought us all together to discuss our commen interests without ever leaving our homes or even meeting or really knowing each other. It dosent bother me if we agree or disagree. I actually like hearing all opinions whether i think they are right or wrong. Its what makes our country great.
I’m very excited and can’t wait. We’re in good hands, between the experienced writers and Agnes Nixon has a hand in it as well. So I’m not expecting any dramatic changes. Bottom line I really feel every1 involved wants to see AMC/OLTL succeed and will listen to the fan’s in put for the most part. Esp if it’s a general consensus. I’m usually glass 1/2 empty, but in this case I’m really impressed w/the efforts and perseverence and I miss my soaps!!:) Thanks PP for continuing to make soaps RELVANT, b/c they are and should be!!
I think knowing that swearing is going to be incorporated into the online lives of AMC/OLTL is exciting. I’m kind of excited about that. Sh*t/f**k/damn are not horrific words in the English language. Most kids before the age of 10 are saying them. Things grow, and venturing into the online world is part of this right now.
“We need all the viewers we can get.” Maybe the people who are bashing GH viewers under the article about Michael Easton can remember this before chasing away viewers of both soaps. A girl can hope, right?
I think it takes more imagination to write without using profanity.
If cursing is used sparingly and used realistically, I wouldn’t have a prob with it. But what’s next? Nudity? Porn?
just saying…. that of all the possible “swear” words the one I hate the most is “sh_t” So please use any other word, even the “F” word if you must, please just not this word.
All I want to know is the exact date when OLTL will be ready to watch! I have my computer ready & can’t wait to re-visit Llanview & everyone who lives there. For me it will
be an extended stay in Llanview! (Permanet Stay)!!!!!!
What exactly do you people want?!?!?!?
You cant have an exact replica of a show canceled over a year ago. Too much time has passed and too many actors have moved on.
This is a new age for soaps, one without network television restrictions. It would be ridiculous NOT to capitalize on that. If saying “shit” is too risque, you have bigger problems.
I cant wait to see what its going to be like, but Im going to reserve my judgement until after viewing it for a while.
Im so sick of all the crying over the cancellation and then more crying over something we dont even know yet! Be thankful its coming back.
If you dont like it move on but keep the negativity to yourself, some of us are really looking forward to this.
I think a lot of people are jumoing the gun on this “freedom to explore” issue. So they can do and say things they couldn’t on network TV? That doesn’t mean we’re going to get OLTL in OZ (the prison series; not as in Land of…) . I hope that fans of OLTL will give the show time to get back on its feet and that TPTB will be mindful of what the fans want. After all, if the fans didn’t care, none of this rebooting would even be happening. At the same time, I think we fans have to realize that there were times these characters would have been ripping each other a new you-know-what and could only say “You rotten person”, when you know if they had been able to say, “You f-ing b-“, it would have more fully expressed their base anger. I’m hoping that the people of Llanview don’t turn into cusing sailors, but at the same time, don’t expect them all to be Polly Purebreads either. Let’s give ’em a chance and see what develops.
“jumping”
I doubt that the writers plan expletive filled dialogue to fill the half hour. But, I know there have been times I have watched shows – daytime or primetime – and rolled my eyes at a character saying things like Darn or Gosh or Heck when you know in real life some characters would not speak in that manner. I mean, a drug dealer who would probably not use expletives is a bit hard to imagine.
I also don’t think they plan to parade the actors around in the buff. But, seriously, scenes where a couple has just had sex and then climb out of bed in their underwear? Seems a mite uncomfortable way to go about it.
LOL… yeah…
the menfolk…. in black undearwear…. quick pan…..
the women…. sheet covering her breasts, holding them, like they’ll escape…..
————–
they just had sex….
naturally… this would mean…. it’s behind closed doors… so I’ll give up that….
for now…
And here we go. The dissension begins. As I’ve said previously, if fans are going to be tuning in to see the same shows and where they left off, they are going to be majorly disappointed. These are re-boots people. I hope fans at least give these new shows a chance before they start ripping them apart. And again, they need to get more eyeballs to view these show – and yes, they need to be younger eyeballs in order to make this happen.
Sounds like fun. I think OLTL has always been current, but perhaps just a little white washed… maybe now they can have more hot sex scenes!
I can’t believe there are so many comments about the use of profanity. I am not a fan of the use of a more grittier language, but I guess I would rather understand/discuss what kinds of story lines are going to be experimented with that they haven’t been able to do before. Soaps have been known for the absurd and crazy uncharted storylines in addition to more social current day stories. We have had gay, bullying, addiction, rape, stalking, vampires and a multitude of other issues. Why aren’t you discussing what you haven’t seen before and would like to see rather than a fight between those of us who prefer non gritty dialogue vs grtty. When doing so remember who the characters are and let’s not have Vickie B learning to pole dance please!
drunk writers are the best!!! OLTL is going to be GREAT!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^LMAO! 😉
I’ll handle a certain degree of profanity if (1) it’s not constantly thrown in, gratuitously (and my sense is that that’s not what they’re going for here) and (2) it isn’t the ONLY way they’re being “groundbreaking”–it should be part of a truly groundbreaking approach to the way stories are told that includes some things that the networks have always been afraid of, such as true ethnic, racial, and sexual diversity, for example (just to pick one thing). Network soaps have been dying out for a lot of reasons, and one has been a very tired approach to storytelling. So if the plan is stick to all of those old limitations but to throw some profanity in there and say, “Ooooh, look how modern we are, look how with-it we are, look how different we are from the network soaps, our characters can say cuss words” then this whole reboot thing is going to die, and quickly. There are worse things than profanity–but there are also a lot better. Here’s hoping that we get some of those better things as well, and that the willingness to allow profanity in logical places is part of a larger willingness to do some other new things that are more substantial.
thom mentioned that: “we get to do things that soap operas have never done before.” Yet there’s a lack of racial diversity on oltl. There are 2 Indian american chars and they are both recurring from what I have read.
Storylines w/ racially diverse chars can rejuvenate oltl. But there’s never any significant racial diversity from hollywood projects w/ present day settings like oltl and period pieces like downton abbey w/c should cast Indian chars! There should be a Rajahs who are of equal class and stature w/ the nobility. There should be afro caribean chars who should be musicians who are sophisticated. The black chars should not be “the help” bec hollywood relegates enough black actors and other racial minorities to roles of lower economic status compared to white chars! Were there not African americans who moved there to leave america’s racism? Yet the castings are for all white actors on downton abbey. cullen and ovenden are aristocrats. dame harriet walter portrays a new lady and she’ll probably replace academy award winning flop macclaine. joanna david portrays a new duchess. harman portrays a valet. While majority of the oltl cast is white w/ very little racial diversity. showrunners and writers need to use more of their imagination. 1920s abbey should have rich moroccan and south african daughters enrolled at missionary schools to battle mary and edith. 1920s had cardiff and liverpool race riots. There could be chinese immigrant chars around london forming china towns. More london based storylines would create even more chars of color! edith could work w/ racial minorities at the editorial board of a london newspaper. There could be a new char that returns from india w/ her Indian husband. 1920s downton abbey could realistically have a lotta racially diverse chars. There should be even more racial diversity on oltl. Racial diversity could bring more storylines to downton abbey and oltl. If soaps like oltl and downton abbey get to do things soaps have never done before then there should be more racial diversity.
1920’s England’s countrysides were very white. recently the show “Midsomer Murders” was accused of being “too white”, but if you were in England’s countrysides, you’d see that they are mostly white.
I don’t have a problem with the inclusion of such words if it’s appropriate to the situation and something a character would be likely to say. If Asa was alive in this version, such words would be a natural part of his casual conversation. Viki, with her Lady of the Manor style, would seem out of place tossing out F-bombs. (Though Niki Smith wouldn’t think twice about it.)
TNT’s “Dallas” revival has used words that would never have made it on the original CBS version (which I’ve read actually had to limit Jim Davis on his habit of adding “damn” to his lines.) But even now, it”s handled sparingly, in a natural non-gratuitous way.
My concern is less about the revival’s ability to use such language and more about the attitude on display in the video interview. In talking about this “grand experiment” of new freedoms in creative storytelling, the one example the new co-head writer gives is that characters can now say “shit”? And then he giggles about it like a little boy who got away with saying something “naughty”. I guess I just expected something more significant from one of the creative head muckety-mucks. (Then again, he said he was drunk, so professionalism was already set aside before he even started talking.)
Hopefully this guy has something truly valuable and creative (and entertaining) to contribute beyond a few 4-letter words and twisting Destiny into some “anything for a buck” girl hanging out on street corners in Angel Square.
lol
OLTL Hillary B Smith/Nora, also Guya on Venice (online soap) has said the F word and said it very well a few times 🙂
I agree Leslie – and Heidi – and so many others! I do not allow profanity in my house – not from the adults, not from the kids, and certainly not from my soap! I am concerned with a writer who is so excited he can now say “shit” on a show. Seriously? Are we all in Middle School now? How about great PLOT without the adolescent PROFANITY? This was always a great show and I am so excited to have it return! Please don’t trash it up just because you can…
I agree the last thing I want is someone to use the F word and Vicki to walk around with no clothes on, I hope they don’t trash my soap, I want things the way they were before ABC killed my OLTL.
The writer is not excited he can write an ”ohhh shit” he is excited that there be more leeway to write the stories, and that is what he said.. with a laugh over being able to say ”ohh shit” and not saying it would even be said only that it could be said..
”“What’s so exciting about the new One Life to Live is it’s grand experiment. There are no barriers here. We get to do things that Soap Operas have never done before. We get to tell stories in new ways that we might have always wanted to do before, and never really had the freedom to do it. We get to say words like I am going to say right now, “Oh shit!” (Laughs).”
(get it right 🙂
You ppl are nuts! Your not going to watch a show because of SHIT!?? Really? Like Boes said not one show has aired yet and you’s are condemning it! Hey Jim and his Anti Foul Language Posse……Can you’s hear us all the way back in the 50’s?????
If I see anything THAT I don’t feel belongs on this try on the net I will not watch.
So I think it’s best to keep things as of Soap Opera and not over the top cursing, sex or other wise.
Lets not push me to not watch, bad idea, because I’m sure I’m not the only one.
This Labor Day, General Hospital will show an encore presentation of its touching tribute to the late Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer). The news came from ABC executive, Nathan Varni who shared the information across social media.
Varni expressed, “Save the date! ABC will encore our very special farewell tribute to Tony Geary this Labor Day, Monday, September 7.”
The episode was originally broadcast on February 20, 2026, and honored to the late eight-time Daytime Emmy winner, who sadly passed away on December 14, 2025 at the age of 78.
Photo: ABC
The tribute episode centered on Luke’s daughter Lulu (Alexa Havins) finally grieving the loss of her father after she had come out of a four-year long coma and never dealt with her grief on learning the news of his death.
WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ON-SCREEN REMEMBRANCE OF LUKE SPENCER?
The other characters who remember their time with Luke who are included in the episode with many flashbacks were: Tracy (Jane Elliot), Sonny (Maurice Benard), Carly (Laura Wright), Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and of course, Laura (Genie Francis).
Behind the scenes, General Hospital wanted to pay tribute to its most iconic star, but since the character of Luke was killed-off in 2022 off-screen, after Geary retired, there wasn’t an easy creative route to go when Geary passed away in real-life. However, the writers did a commendable job with this special episode in tying in memories and remembrances of Luke through Lulu’s grief as a starting point.
Photo: ABC
THE LAST APPEARANCE OF TONY GEARY ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Anthony Geary exited General Hospital in 2015 after his record-setting eight Daytime Emmy Lead Actor wins for his work. He then moved to Amsterdam full-time to live with his husband, Claudio Gama.
Two years later, Geary made one final appearance on GH, when in 2017 he popped in the last scene of what was Jane Elliot’s then departure from the show when Tracy was reunited with Luke in Europe.
You can check out the original promo for the special episode “Remembering Luke Spencer” and the late Tony Geary from back in February of this year below.
Now let us know, will you be watching the Anthony Geary tribute again this coming Monday? Do you miss seeing the character of Luke Spencer in Port Charles? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alimi Ballard’s Role Revealed as WSB Agent William Baines Who Oversees Jack Brennan Investigation
The Thursday, September 3 episode of General Hospital featured the debut of former Loving and The City actor, Alimi Ballard (ex-Frankie Hubbard).
Now some 30 years later, Ballard is back on ABC daytime, but this time as was revealed today, he is playing WSB agent William Baines who arrives in Port Charles to oversee the disappearance of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).
Here’s what went down; after Josslyn (Eden McCoy) reported Brennan missing to the WSB, agent William Baines met her at the Port Charles bureau office. It was there that Baines informed Josslyn he was taking over the search for Jack.
Josslyn kept trying to stay on the case telling Baines she had connections with many people in Jack’s inner circle in Port Charles. However, Baines instructed her to keep on her current assignment as CEO of JJE. When she questioned why implanting her at her father’s company was so important, Baines shared she needs to get inside intel on JJE’s subsidiary holdings. Once she does, she will be briefed on what comes next.
DREW FRAMES NINA
In addition, Baines wanted to be briefed on what Josslyn knows so far about the MIA Brennan. One theory from the WSB is that Jack skipped town because of how badly the Cold Fusion debacle went down on Spoon Island. Then, as Josslyn brought up how her mother Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) witnessed a public shouting match between Jack and Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), Baines pulls out a photo of Nina from his folder.
As if things couldn’t get worse for Nina, Drew (Cameron Mathison) broke into her car, planted evidence of Jack’s wallet under the seat as retribution for her trying to kill Drew when she pushed him in his wheelchair into the lake at the boathouse. Drew snarled that “payback is bitch” as he sat in the driver’s seat of her car.
So, what are your initial thoughts on the arrival of WSB agent William Baines? Do you think he may wind up as Jack’s successor as the WSB Port Charles bureau chief ? What did you think of Drew framing Nina for Jack’s death? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out the confrontation between Drew and Nina with Ava present.
News
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Brad Bell First Microdrama ‘Hollywood Startlet’ Debuts in Launch of New aTwist Platform and Studio
Microseries platform and Studio aTwist launched today (September 3) complete with a slate of 10 original series including the first foray into the vertical drama space from The Bold and the Beautiful’s executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell.
As previously reported, Brad Bell and his son and B&B producer, Oliver Bell produced the vertical title, Hollywood Starlet which is now available on aTwist.
Hollywood Starlet tells the tale of an 0verlooked cleaner named Starlet who supports her abusive sister and mother until her acting talents are finally recognized by famous actor Jack as he falls for her and helps her kickstart her Hollywood career. The microdrama was filmed using sets from The Bold & The Beautiful sets at their Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood. The series features popular vertical stars: Bella Mraz, Eric Guilmette, and Molly Anderson.
Photo: MFTV
aTWIST FEATURES 10 ORIGINAL MICRODRAMA SERIES
The new vertical entertainment platform from noted TV executives: Jana Winograde (Former Showtime), Susan Rovner (Former NBCUniversal) and Lloyd Braun (Former ABC/WME) debuts by expanding the microdrama genre with scripted, unscriped, animation, horror and comedy titles. The launch today also includes a curated library of content. aTwist is available now at www.aTwist.com, with the app available for download across all major app stores.
New microseries will launch Thursdays on aTwist. Viewers can watch select episodes for free with ads, or unlock complete seasons using coins or a subscription. Countries at launch include: Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom and United States.
Courtesy/aTwist
The launch slate available now which includes the aforementioned Brad Bell created Hollywood Starlet also features these titles:
Buried Alive, Back For Revenge
A blind heiress, buried alive by her husband and best friend on her wedding day, claws her way out of her grave to reclaim her company and destroy those who betrayed her. Starring: Nicole Mattox, Nick Ritacco, Molly Anderson, Eric Guilmette, Jon Briddell.
Cash Out
A heartbroken woman and her 2 best friends are gifted $50,000 to spend on experiences in Las Vegas in under 24 hours. Roadblocks crop up, her ex returns, chaos ensues. The Hangover meets Bridesmaids. Starring: Violet Benson, Kristen Ochoa, Jaden Ashley, Christa Texeira.
I Fell in Love with a Dragon Prince
Abandoned and enslaved, when Sylvia meets and heals the injured Kiel, heir to the Sky Kingdom, their quests merge – will he regain his crown and she, her freedom? And are they meant for each other? Animation microdrama starring: Jayme Mantos, Ted Evans, Cornelius Mohr, Kristen DiMercurio
I Swiped Right on a Serial Killer
A pediatrician goes looking for love on the apps, but has no idea when she falls for a manipulator with a master plan to wife her, who’s willing to kill anyone who gets in his way. Starring: Mariah Moss, Shayne Davis, Addison Bowman, Ali Badalov, Nick Ritacco<
My Billionaire Kidney
In this rollicking vertical spoof, a down-on-her-luck Cinderella-type becomes a pawn to her evil aunt and uncle and multiple absurdly powerful men as they fight for her kidney. Will she finally find a way to control the chaos and choose herself? From Jonathan Stern (Abominable Pictures), starring Hannah Pilkes, Nate Smith, Brandon Micheal Hall, Erinn Hayes, Steve Agee, Peter S. Kim.
My Book Boyfriend Came To Life
A love-averse librarian accidentally summons a romance novel hero into the real world to help her save her library. Starring: Bella Grace Mraz, Cayman David Cardiff, Eric Ruof, Shannon Foster, Rebecca Ritz.
Pretty Hurts And So Do I
A bullied high school girl is hit by a bus, gets a major glow-up, and comes back for revenge on the mean girls who wronged her. Starring: Kim Sandwich, Jake Ryan Nuttall, Caroline Abigail Rich, Shahadah Keyonna Abdullah.
Something Is Alive In My Attic
A woman returns home to her estranged, ailing mother to discover that something evil is alive in the attic. Starring: Moriah N. Boone, Suzie Haines, Richard Trotter, Charing Draper, Triana Brown.
Strangers, A Plane And A Deadly Game
Two women on a plane joke about committing murder, but when one takes action, the other is drawn into a chaotic, deadly spiral – will there be any survivors?
Starring: Grace Swanson, Monaye Moyes, Sean McHugh, Madeleine Barnette, Myron Donley.
Photo: aTwist
MICRODRAMA PARTNERSHIPS
aTwist recently announced: A strategic partnership with Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s global entertainment company, making aTwist the exclusive home for Hartbeat’s slate of original microseries, including comedy programming under the LOL umbrella and adaptations of Blake Karrington’s bestselling book series and a partnership with BET to develop and distribute microseries across linear and vertical platforms, with a first-of-its-kind windowing model bringing microseries to television while expanding storytelling rooted in Black culture and community, among others.
Microseries are serialized stories designed for mobile-first viewing: typically 40-60 episodes of one to three minutes each, built vertically, and consumed either in moments throughout the day or as a binge experience all at once. This is a fast-growing global category, generating an estimated $10 billion annually worldwide.
So, will you be checking out Brad Bell’s Hollywood Starlet on the aTwist platform? What do you think of all the currently slated new titles for launch? Drop a comment below.
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alimi Ballard’s Role Revealed as WSB Agent William Baines Who Oversees Jack Brennan Investigation
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Brad Bell First Microdrama ‘Hollywood Startlet’ Debuts in Launch of New aTwist Platform and Studio
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
Has Jasper Jacks Been Recast on ‘General Hospital?’
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alimi Ballard’s Role Revealed as WSB Agent William Baines Who Oversees Jack Brennan Investigation
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kelly Sullivan to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘Days of Our Lives’ Confirms Sydney Malakeh’s Casting as Sydney DiMera
‘General Hospital’ Casts Alimi Ballard in New Role
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Days Of Our Lives5 days agoSuzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
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