News
OLTL's Robin Strasser – her hotline jammed…issues comments on cancellation!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The incomparable Robin Strasser (Dorian) sent out late last evening an email to many constituents in the industry on her thoughts on the cancellation of her, and our, beloved One Life to Live. Her Robin’s Hotline has been jammed for days, if you tried to call and hear her emotional message on the subject, and the phone line had to be disconnected by the phone company, so they could serve 99 other customers as there was just so much traffic! Strasser says it will be up and running soon. She informs, “There is MUCH to regret in ABC’s decision to cancel All My Children AND One Life to Live. My fan/friends are calling in to hear what I think.”
Here are some excerpts below of what Strasser sent out in lieu of the hotline and as a adjunct piece:
Strasser: “I am INCAPABLE of GRIEVING and LYING at the same time….and ya know as many things as I need to change about myself–that is NOT one of them. I’m part of team headed by Frank Valentini, the best Executive Producer EVER in this genre…and in a 43 year career, I worked with a lot of them! He pledges (with the positive affirmative intelligence that is his personal brand) that we will bring the show to a close with the BEST ending possible!Great! I am SO ON-board!!!! And yet…I ask myself … why do I feel over-come with a mad-ass recklessness that compels me to tell the truth? (albeit the truth as I see it in this moment) Surely you can’t send out a press release calling the two soon to be cancelled shows “Iconic” and then toss them out?… is it me? but I cannot make sense of this concept or how it works for any one?
I’m perched on that slippery slope of being judgmental…but too saddened to lie, I confess: my jury is in! This seems a cavalier and misconceived idea…excuse me, but possibly celebrating the loss of SO MANY jobs with the spin-maker use of the word “EVOLVING” is inappropriate?
I’ve got a healthy addiction to Classic Movies…here’s my current fave flashback montage: Peter Finch shouting out the window and getting others to join in: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any more” note: he died soon after after giving that performance… Amazing Susan Hayworth with her awesome sparky retort to her jailers in I Want to Live: “What are you goin’ to do? Kill me?” and just for some release of tension add Bette Davis nervously trying to light her own cigarette in Dark Victory: “I’m told I have a sense of humor”
It is NOT all about me…but as a human being, as one who has been BLESSED to be able to earn her living ALL her life doing work she LOVES…I just have to acknowledge that the pain is palpable. From my viewpoint: All the revisionist corporate spinning can NOT diminish or squelch the VALUE, the PASSIONATE LOYALTY, and the LOVE our audiences have for these shows.
A suggestion? In your way, be creative, and come up with ways to be as positive as you can muster but– I implore you: put “thought into action”… be pro-active. If MY little Hotline can be CRASHED BY THE VOLUME OF CALLERS—-what MIGHT happen if the energies of our fans went in other effective directions? I’m just asking.
I THANK YOU…OUR ENTIRE CAST/CREW/PRODUCTION AND DESIGN TEAMS THANK YOU…AND THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS IMPENDING LOSS: THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU!!!!!!! (yes, you are right…paraphrased shamelessly from James Cagney’s Oscar winning Yankee Doodle Dandy)
BIG SHOUT OUT: Please…may I count on applause from MY fan/friends for Michael Logan of TV Guide and his sagacious and courageous EARLY report that AMC and OLTL were going to be cancelled? People give truth tellers a hard time…and I’m suggesting that his accurate prediction deserves some appropriate HONOR. It is because of that “leak” that the plan could not be hidden nor the reveal delayed…Six hundred of us about to lose our jobs, appreciate the advance notice in order to intelligently come up with Plan B.
LOVE, LIGHT, AND HOPE! Robin”
ABC has named their ‘Bachelor’ for the upcoming 30th season of the reality series. Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old NFL quarterback who plays playing for the Washington Commanders, will be handing out the roses as he searches for love.
The upcoming season of The Bachelor will premiere in 2027 on Sunday, March 21 at 8 p.m ET. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
The announcement was made, and Hartman’s first interview was on the Friday, November 13 edition of Good Morning America, where he shared with cohosts Sam Champion and Rebecca Jarvis: “I’m excited but also very nervous, I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough.”
Photo: NFL
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB WRESTLED WITH THE NOTION OF BECOMING THE BACHELOR
Hartman also revealed his initial thoughts on appearing on The Bachelor: “Honestly, at first, I was like ‘no way. The connotation of it − I don’t know.” Ultimately the QB was swayed to take on the reality franchise lead for its upcoming season.
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman played for Wake Forest and Notre Dame in the college ranks. It was there he set ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games. Sam was also featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights. Currently, on the NFL’s Washington Commanders, he serves as a quarterback on their practice squad.
FORMER ATHLETES THAT ALSO GAVE OUT THE FINAL ROSE
The pick of Sam Hartman aligns with pro athletes who have appeared on the show in the past including: now ‘Bachelor’ host, NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, former soccer player Juan Pablo Galavi, ace car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and former NFL practice squad player Colton Underwood.
The Bachelor is executive produced by Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.
You can check out Sam Hartman talking about being cast as the series lead for the upcoming season 30 of The Bachelor with GMA below.
Now let us know, will you be checking out the 2027 season of The Bachelor featuring Sam looking for love? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?
Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”
Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Will Ava Tie the Knot With Drew?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Tamara Tunie On Bittersweet Emmy Win Without Scott Bryce: ‘I Only Wish He Had Been Here a Little Longer to Share This With Me’
‘The Bachelor’ Names NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman as Lead for Season 30
‘One Life to Live’ and ‘General Hospital’ Actress Bree Williamson Mourns the Loss of Husband Michael John Roberts
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Will Ava Tie the Knot With Drew?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Tamara Tunie On Bittersweet Emmy Win Without Scott Bryce: ‘I Only Wish He Had Been Here a Little Longer to Share This With Me’
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
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THANKYOU ROBIN ,I DID TRY TO HEAR YOUR MESSAGE BUT WASN’T ABLE TOO. I AM REALLY SAD AND ANGRY, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ,
This is sad all these people will lose their job and us fans will lose two beloved shows. Looks like abc is following cbs in their programming i will not watch abc daytime after these shows go off the air and i’m sure alot of other people will follow suit. I wish all the best to all those talented people and hope they can find steady work again.
As we put our thoughts into action don’t forget the advertisers. Any company that airs commericals during daytime programming should be addressed also.
Wow, Robin! You are a class act and a true lady. I can’t imagine a life without you on my television screen every day. Dorian is one of the greatest, most complex characters I’ve every seen on TV. I am devastated by this loss more than I have ever been, when it comes to network decisions and cancellations. Having said that, thank you for reminding us of the human toll these reckless, arrogant cancellations will cost. I am tired of greedy executives in this country making decisions that hurt other Americans while they fill their own wallets. Often times, and as a businessman I have seen it, executives in this country don’t have the smarts or know-how to run a dollar store, much less a major corporation or television network. Like Peter Finch, I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore. Whatever I can do to help, I will do. I e-mail the dud duo of Frons and Sweeney about every day. I’ve called the ABC hotline (which I have read has been shut down). I will watch One Life to Live until the end. If these individuals of limited know-how still go through with their serial killing plot, I vow this for the rest of my life: ABC, Disney, ESPN, and all of their networks, products, theme parks, etc., will go dark for me for the rest of my life. I am only one person; but in my heart, my mind, my physical being, Frons and Sweeney and their reality/lifestyle/dumb TV network will be cancelled. Until then, I will fight for One Life to Live and All My Children. You are truly the best! XO
Love you, Robin. We fans will not stand by quietly, I assure you! We will fight!
Give Em Hell Robin. Your fans love you for your talent and your spunk.
I will call ABC, write letters and do whatever I need to do to save AMC and OLTL. What ABC did to us is wrong. The MILLIONS of SOAP FANS will save our shows if we ALL come TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robin truly is classy and ABC is most certainly NOT. You will never find a viewer as loyal as a soap fan. ABC is crazy if they think we will ever support these new shows.
DEAR ROBIN…,I SENT THIS TO BRIAN FRONS ON ABC.ATTENTION BRAIN FRONS!!!!WHY CAN’T YOU, INSTEAD OF SHOWING DISNEY CARTOONS 24 HRS A DAY(WHAT KID IS UP AT 2AM?) ON SOAPNET LEAVE THE SOAPS ON SOAPNET.THIS WAY THE SUITS ARE HAPPY AND THE VIEWER’S ARE HAPPY OR IS THAT NOT MAKING YOU ENOUGH MONEY?? TAKE A LOOK AT FACEBOOK READ THE COMMENTS ON AMC AND OLTL.SEE HOW MANY VIEWER’S ARE MAD AS HELL.PLEASE TAKE A LOOK DO WE THE VIEWER’S MEAN ANYTHING AT ALL TO YOU OR ABC??
Oh, how I will miss you Miss Stasser! We must put our grieving into action and tell ABC how we support OLTL and AMC now!
Someone ought to tell the “suits” in charge there are real people out here and we have minds and voices and we won’t just keep turning on the tube for any cheap trash they choose to throw at us. I already know how to cook, thank you! I am fully capable of searching and finding any “lifestyle” advice I require, on my own in my own way and time. And I’m actuallly capable of living quite comfortably without Disney, ABC or their advertisers products!
We will fight to the end for our soaps!!!! There are several sites on facebook with address and phone numbers.. We are boycotting abc, and all disney products. we are watching our soaps . Big mistake abc we do not want a new cooking show with a rude chef. we do not need to be told how to be healthly.. those shows will not last 6 months. pay attention abc we also will boycott your advertisers they are answering our letters. Soap lovers write letters send soap and call abc.. we must be heard.
NY/LA PROTEST DATE… ABC-DISNEY TV BOYCOTT INFO RELEASED…. Go to:
https://community-2.webtv.net/dw_m/saveoltl/index.html
for more information.
Thanks Michael for sharing the love… thanks Robin for being you!
I cried when I heard this news. I am so attached to One Life to Live, I can’t wait for Monday for it to come back on for the week….I hope and pray they save the show!
I hope the facebook movement works, I can not imagine life without my soaps! You’re wonderful! Stay strong! I think of all of the people that will lose their jobs and all the future employment of under 5’s, dayplayers, new roles, etc. too. But, truth be told, I think of myself without the escape from stress everyday, after work, watching my favorite families. 🙁
I have been a loyal fan since “Dark Shadows” was on. They are not being loyal in return.
If OLTL is not saved, just consider the Soap Opera officially dead. GH and DOOL will go next, undoubtedly. Then YR and BB will be the last to go – likely at the same time. Brian Frons will have single-handedly eradicated an American institution – for reasons NOT GOOD ENOUGH. How foolish? How sad? And as Robin Strasser describes his genius maneuver: “…a cavalier and utterly irresponsible decision.” SAVE OLTL !
If this happens I will never enjoy TV as I have again. I already don’t want to watch knowing such greedy people are behind it’s cancellation. These shows have been in my life for 40 years It will be impossible to just say oh-well and except it, I won’t allow it. Moving on will mean alot less TV viewing especially if It’s going to shove down my throat how to be healthier. I can’t even describe how physically snd emotionally sick I feel.
I’m still appalled by ABC’s decision!!!! Me and thousands of other viewers look forward to seeing you each day…you make us laugh, lol. My husband never misses an episode. He gets right in there with you all like he’s a part of your family, lol. I’ve been watching OLTL , AMC and GH since the first day they aired. My soap family is like real members of my family. I do think ABC should listen to the viewers and give us what we like…..after all, we pay to watch TV now and our voices should be heard and acknowledged!!!! Ratings will go down and that’s a fact. Love you all and praying for a positive solution to this horrible decision.
I have already switched from GMA to the Today show and Early show. I will only be watching AMC, OLTL & GH during the day and my only primetime show will be DWTS.
How can they cut the shows that have led to so many stars for their network? Would Tuc Watkins have been cast in Desperate Housewives if not for OLTL? Would Josh Duhmael have been cast in primetime if not for AMC? How about Judith Light from OLTL or Kelly Ripa from AMC? Finally, would Castle or DWTS be the hits they are without loyal soap fans tuning in to watch Nathan Fillion (OLTL) or Kelly Monaco in the first season, Cameron Mathison, Susan Lucci & Aiden Turner in other seasons?
What about all of the soap themed weekends and events at Disneyland and Disneyworld? I feel used and discarded by ABC executives and I’ll bet you do as well. How much history will never happen if this valuable slice of life is exterminated? Would Genie Francis have been cast in the miniseries “North & South” if not for her GH popularity? Then, she never would have met husband Jonathon Frakes. Rebecca Herbst & her husband met on GH. Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos met on AMC. There was a love connection on OLTL between the actor playing Max Holden and actress playing Blair Cramer (I cannot think of their names now-old age kicking in). That union and ensuing beautiful child lead to a cochlear implant story on AMC! I could go on and on because I have loved these shows, stories and characters for 43 and 41 years. Let us help you in any way we can. The fans stand with you!!!!!
I’ve been a fan of yours since Another World(another bad choice by the other network). Your thoughts were great. Let’s hope we can save OLTL and AMC. The women in my family have been watching their ‘stories’ for over 50 years.
30 something years of watching OLTL, its not right to cancel this show. I am very sad.
I been a fan of One Life To Live since I been a kid.I remember sitting down with my mom & grandmother and just relaxing and enjoying this show.I even missed some school just to see what was going to happen on the next epsoide.I hoping and praying that all the loyal fans can save One Life To Live
To Robin Strasser, I first started watching you as a child on Another World and later in college started watching you on OLTL. You are a wonderful actress, as are the entire cast of the show. I kknow that I, along with many others, are fighting this terrible decision as hard as we can. I don’t know if we will be successful, but we will not stop fighting for this show we have loved for so long. I pray the powers that be would reconsider. They will be quite disappointed with the ratings of their “new” shows. We don’t need anymore reality/cooking/lifestyle shows. The airwaves are flooded with them. Thank you for all your amazing and heartfelt work all these years. To the entire cast and crew, I tip my hat to you all.
Class act as always Robin. If Brian Frons was trying to get famous quick he was quite successful. Before the cancellations I had no idea who he was. Now every time I see his face I am repulsed. He will go down in history in my book as the one of the top idiots in TV history.
Sad about the Soaps being canceled?
Want to do something about it?
Join us at http://www.fanssavesoaps.com
When we all work together, we can save the Soaps.
https://www.fanssavesoaps.com/
http://www.fanssavesoaps.com
I am equally angered and sadden to loose my OLTL family