News
OLTL’s Erika Slezak Message To Her Fans During COVID-19: “I Hope Everyone is Well and That We Come Out of This In One Piece”
The iconic star of One Life to Live and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) who will soon be seen in the ABC special, The Story of Soaps, set to air May 18th (8 p. m. EST), just released a very special message to her fans.
Erika posted an update on her, and her family, during the coronavirus pandemic for her legions of fans via her website.
Slezak shared the following: “ABC and PEOPLE asked me to participate in this project (The Story of Soaps), and did a very long interview – about 2 hours – out of which they will probably use maybe 5 minutes. I hope you enjoy watching. Other than that, we are all doing well here in CT, and managing just as best as we can. We are lucky in that we have a home and food in the cupboard and the fridge and we are staying in. I haven’t been to a store in 60 days.
Michael does all the errands like grocery shopping etc., and fortunately he is very careful and staying healthy. The weather has, for the most part, been totally miserable. We have had maybe two or three really nice days, and it’s been cloudy and rainy all the rest of the time, so there is really no reason to go outside anyway. I’ve been doing lots of reading and cleaning the house and clearing out of cupboards, etc, which keeps us busy. I hope everyone is well and that we come out of this in one piece.”
So, glad to hear from Erika? Will you be watching her in the upcoming special The Story of Soaps? Post your well-wishes to Erika and her family in the comment section below, as they stay hunkered down like most of us are during COVID-19.
Nice to hear from her and know she is doing well.
I look forward to seeing the soap special. Can barely believe they’re doing it. What a wonderful surprise for us soap fans!
I agree !!
It’s always a joy to hear from Erika Slezak. I am so happy to know that she and her family are well as we live through this global public health emergency. Can’t wait to see her on The Story of Soaps special. Please let her know that I miss her and our beloved One Life to Live every single day. Stay well, stay safe and know that you are loved!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I miss OLTL…i know Days fans like Jaime Lynn Bauer and i do too but i thought she looked more the part as Laura Horton(and Susan Flannery-Laura no 2) and wanted her to do a short story arc with Jerry VerDorn as Bill Horton…then Days killed Bill off camera that was just a filler moment and forgettable…happy to hear she and her family are doing well!!!
Love hearing that she is doing well during these difficult times. I look forward to seeing her in the Story of Soaps special. She is a daytime treasure.
Love seeing this from Erika!! My all time favorite. Look forward to seeing the special..
I love Erika Slezak! she is my favorite soap actress of all time and OLTL is my favorite soap too! had the great honor of meeting Erika at at fan club luncheon in NYC on May 5,2001. watched OLTL from day one July 15,1968 until it was stupidly cancelled on January 13,2012.. literally grew up watching Erika play “Viki” one of my cats is named Vicky! in honor of her.
Great to hear from you Erika! I sure miss One Life to Live especially in times like this. The great storylines gave us something to look forward to!
Praise the (Victoria) Lord! GH’s cast is large enough, but I’d be happy with a two-week story arc with Viki coming to consult Lulu on how to write for a paper. Maybe throw in a scene of someone resembling Niki at karaoke night at The Rib.
Regardless, still looking forward to seeing Erika on the People special.
It is especially wonderful hearing from such an iconic talent.I truly admired her work and I have missed seeing her.I wish that the networks would realize there is a huge audience waiting for the wonderful world of soaps such as my favorite-ONE LIFE TO LIVE-to return along with my favorite actress from daytime tv,Erika Slezak
“Hi , Erika ! I watched your SUPERBLY practice your Craft on “One Life To Live”for many moons and I used to LOVE your iconic , Legendary battles with Robin Strasser( Dorian Lord!) I would LOVE to see you do ANYTHING in TV , Film , or Stage ; I always hope to be able to work with you one day ; Our industry is So Very , Very Blessed- to have seen your EXCEPTIONAL WORK grace the small screen! Continued Blessings To You and Yours- and a quote that reminds me of you-( J.M. Barrie-author of Peter Pan-) ” Those who bring sunshine to others- cannot keep it from themselves.” Best – And Thank You Kindly , Tina E.Gaffney.
Where can you watch the soap special?
It will air on TV! Great news!
Great seeing and hearing you are well. We look forward to seeing the special. Stay safe and blessed.
She is so awesome! Became my second mom in CT, as she was concerned to put my jacket on. Glad her and her family are all well, & safe!
So glad to hear from Erika!! Glad to know, they’re doing okay! I’ll will be watching!! Something to look forward to in these rough times!!
I will ABSOLUTELY be watching The Story of Soaps !! Great to see your face, Erika !!
I would hope that ABC and People are planning to provide lots of online sidebars for their TV special, if they’ve done *that much* reporting.
It was so wonderful to read her message of hope. I still think the world of her and wish I got to enjoy her character each and everyday. I hope her family, as everyone’s, stays healthy in the crisis. Maybe we will all be better for it, having developed more kindness and patience towards others. I’ll be watching and hoping to see and hear more of Erika in the future.
Hi Erika, as I remember you, Vicki. I miss you & everyone else from OLTL still!! I watched from the start, so a long time. It was my ‘mommy down time’ while the kiddies napped! I’ll be watching ‘The Story Of Soaps’, for sure. You & your family be well & healthy!
So wonderful to hear from you Erika. I miss you and OLTL immensely. I have been staying in as well and not enjoying the miserable weather very much. Here in CT as well.
Happy Birthday Erika! God Bless and watch over you and your family. I watched with my Mom as a new Vickie came on to OLTL. Been a fan ever since! Thank You for many decades of stories, Dorian! LOL! Watching Erika grow behind the scenes and Vickie grow in front of the scenes was a shear pleasure! Be safe! -Brian.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

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

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

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

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