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OLTL's Robin Strasser speaks out on Frons decision & praises Valentini!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

One Life to Live’s fabulous Robin Strasser (Dorian) has taken to twitter, and letting it rip when it comes to her thoughts, disappointment, and outrage at the decision made by ABC and Daytime President, Brian Frons of cancelling both One Life and All My Children.

This time Strasser spoke out to Soap Opera Digest and said, “When Brian Frons makes this size decision, he shoots down thousands of New York City jobs…. If I were thanking anyone, I’d be sure to put Frank Valentini (Executive Producer) up there because he saved money, brought us in under budget and raised the standards of our production. If you’re gonna thank anyone, I would be thanking Frank Valentini. That is who deserves the credit. [Brian Frons] is bullying hundreds of employees and he’s destroying the lives and livelihood of families. Additionally, by dissing and disrespecting the audiences that love us, he puts himself in peril. I know the people who care about the audience. I know about people whose integrity is unquestioned — Erika Slezak (Viki) is chief among them and Frank Valentini…. You cannot proudly present a new endeavor when you have spit on the audience. You cannot. They will bite you back, and don’t you love it about them?”

You tell em Robin!

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I love Robin Strasser’s frankness! She is so right this is going to affect the livelihood of so many people. It’s not just about the cast, crews and fans and to make light of the cancellations by saying “they are just soaps” is ridiculous. If this were a major company closing it’s doors or laying off this many people the News Media and American people would be all over it, especially when people are making jokes! Job loss in any form is no joke!

When will ABC release that they will make more money by saving One Life To Live and getting rid of Brian Frons? Hasn”t ABC tracked all the out cry of the cancelatlon of these two soaps? Bravo To Robin Strasser and Ericka Slezak, and all other OLTL staff and production team.

I have been a huge fan of hers since she played Rachel Davis on Another World. I was only a pup when she created that role and she will always be Rachel to me when I think of that character. Her performance today with Mr. Verdorn is why I have watched daytime for forty plus years. Many good actresses have tried to fill her shoes while she was on a sabat from OLTL but there will also always be only ONE Dorian.

all i can say is the decision to cancel the soaps are a BIG, BIG, mistake and channel 7 is going down, down down! we don’t want to see other shows in place of our soaps whom we’ve grown to love. we need to PROTEST in front of the studio!

Those of us who live in NW Illinois love Miss Robin & OLTL!

All the OLTL fans……let’s do something that we should have done a long time ago. Tune in to OLTL like never before…tell a friend or a family member to watch every week. Even if they aren’t a fan of the show, just turn the tv on and walk out of the room, if they must…..but let’s do everything we can to put OLTL in the #1 soap spot. Y&R has held onto that glory for far too long. Let’s show ABC just how much we care for our show!!

I love you all.. but i will not stop fighting and hoping for a last minute save.. and you know what.. who the hell is OPRAH. she is not God and she is no one who signs my pay check. She is part of the ABC Machine.. big wigs and money.. Bull shit walking and money talking.. Frons has his to lazy to check on him peers thinking he is telling the truth. Well he is in a way… The fans saw how he was messing with the shows. AMC and GH. those were the two big money winners… So he moves AMC to california-knowing he was going to cancel. Close enough for him to mess it up the way he did GH with the writing. Their ratings drop.. Poor little OLTL ( LEFT FOR DEAD) suddenly takes off gaining viewers because it didnt fall apart when he left it alone. it blossomed…. Hell people… fire the man… and dont pay attention to oprah or barbra walters. they are part of the abc machine. If nbc cbs picks up one life and puts it on after young and restless or bold and beautiful its going to take off…. it is going to sore…. its already out doing DOOL.
Keep hope alive make those calls.. if we can get hersey to pull out we may have a win.. please call people .. we need ten thousand calls before hersey will agree to pull out… For the love of God… dont cry about a death that does not have to be… fight for life.. get off your knees and dont go down with out a fight. NOW CALL FLIPPIN HERSEY .. dont leave it to the next guy. he may be leaving it for you… just do it.

I agree I will miss All My Children and One Life to Live. They are iconic shows with iconic characters and some very fan pleasing actors. All the screaming, yelling, ranting and raving cannot hide some of the realities.

1. The soaps for whatever reason are in decline in respect to ratings. And ratings are important for sponsors. A change in the workforce population with less people at home, the internet and cable opening up more competition has cut into the soap market. Not to mention poor storylines and writing.

2. Hoping for Oprah to save the day or even sponsors backing out is a last desperate grab to try to save sinking ships. But it is not Oprah or the sponsors that can save the show. In part, the public needed to show the support by watching; watching now to try to save OLTL since AMC is almost a forgone conclusion as it only has 4 months to live, really is a temporary solution unless the fans watch religiously.

3. This is not world peace; these are entertainment shows. Iconic yes, Moving to many perhaps but life will go on. It will just be a little sadder and some of our favourite stars may never be seen.

It appears though AMC had slighlty lower ratings it was really the stronger show. It went up against two other top soaps. It does make sense a non soap has a better chance for ratings. That is a problem when you have three networks fighting for the soap audience in the same time slot. And ratings do not explain everything. The brand of AMC was always stronger = much of that lies whether we like it or not that they have the iconic Susan Lucci.

I am resigned sadly that they are cancelled. I do believe Mr. Frons should be fired but not simply because he cancelled these shows. He is like the coach. He had the goods and he could not produce two winning teams.

Now all we can do is hope to see some of these amazing performers and writers in the future.

Loser! We will NOT give up without a fight!

Everyday for the past 2 years I have been struggling to survive. My appraisal business has gone down at least 90% leaving me without money at times and my story (which is common around our country) goes on and on. Besides my granddaughters and daughter the only thing that I look forward to at night is watching All My Children and One Life to Live, and it has depressed me and so many others I know that ABC thinks by cutting out these two iconic shows they’ll save money. Whose money? They’re tearing apart not only lives of the fans (college age to seniors) but the lives of all the employees from maintenance to cast. We will all stop watching ABC. Who cares about yet another boring talk or food show. If things aren’t bad enough in the world, let us have our escape to the Soaps. SHAME ON YOU MR. FRONS!!

As a postscript I watch the Soaps at night thanks to Soapnet. Why can’t Soapnet buy-out our Soaps?

Robin

I agree with you and will miss you on the show. It has been so depressing watching
one character after another leave the show. I am done watching daytime television.
It will not be the same . I hate reality tv. I have watched OLTL for many years
and will be very sorry to see it go.

I just watched my “taped” show of Robin’s farewell and I’m crying/sobbing knowing this is the end–I miss her so much, I’m depressed over the decision to cancel the show, and disgusted with ABC and the lame new shows they have produced (their shameless promotion during the SOAPS has been especially insulting, I’m listing the sponsors and will no longer buy their products). All My Children and One Life To Live have been a staple and will not be replaced by some insipid show called the chew, dr oz, or even when katie couric graces us with her presence. The Soaps have been a refuge and the actors extended friends and family. ROBIN STRASSER is one of the Best. This cancellation makes me wonder if it’s financially driven to pay for princess katie’s over priced salary–dr oz has his daughter on the other lame show so maybe ABC thinks they’re worth more than the SOAP STARS who actually work and are the true PROFESSIONALS.

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Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role

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Judith Light (ex-Karen Wolek, One Life to Live) is joining the cast of the hit Apple TV series Shrinking for its Season 4 in a recurring role which is being kept under wraps.

According to Variety, Light is set to appear alongside returning series stars Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie (ex-Ugly Betty), Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley, plus other new casting additions which include: Christian Slater (ex-Ryan’s Hope et al) and Karen Gillan.

At the epicenter of the story of Shrinking is Segel who plays therapist Jimmy Laird, a recent widower who over the show’s first three seasons navigates his loss and rebuilds his relationship with his daughter, colleagues, friends and neighbors. The upcoming season 4 will feature a time jump (we know what that’s like from Day of our Lives!) and a brand-new storyline for all of its characters.

Shrinking Key Art

Photo: AppleTV

JUDITH LIGHT HAS BROUGHT RIVETING PERFORMANCES FROM THE STAGE TO FILM AND TV

For Light, who is a an Emmy winner in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy category for her role in 2023’s Poker Face, a two-time Daytime Emmy winner from her performances on One Life to Live as Karen Wolek in 1980 and 1981, and who received two back to back Tony Awards as well in 2012 and 2013 for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties, her casting in Shrinking makes it the second Apple TV series she has signed on to this year.

Previously, Judith was noted as appearing in Apple TV’s Presumed Innocent’s second season on the streamer. Presumed Innocent is based on the book “Dissection of a Murder” by Jo Murray.

Those who have followed Judith’s decades-long career know of her critically-acclaimed other roles in Transparent, Ugly Betty, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, The Politician, Dallas, and Law & Order: SVU, to name but a few.

So, excited to see Judith in Shrinking? What type of character do you think she plays since its being kept a mystery? What has been your favorite role of Judith’s throughout her career in film, TV and the stage?  Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Lands Role in TV Pilot ‘Ghosts Are Real’

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Chad Duell

Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, General Hospital) just wrapped filming for a TV pilot that could bring him back to your screens in the near future. The Daytime Emmy winner took to his Instagram story to reveal is part of the cast of the horror-comedy mockumentary, Ghosts Are Real.

In the spoof, Duell is seen donning a black leather jacket and gloves and dark sunglasses as smoke billows up around him. Chad wrote  “Pilot in the books, Can’t wait to share it with you all ”

Ghosts Are Reals official Instagram account, which the producers just started shared the series is about “A dysfunctional ghost-hunting crew finally finds real ghosts.
A scripted paranormal horror-comedy series.” The account also revealed that the pilot episode is now in post-production, and episode 1 or Case 001 is called “The Scooters.”

General Hospital

Photo: JPI

LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL AND GETTING BACK ON TV

After a 15-year-run as GH’s Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son, Michael Corinthos, Duell made the decision to exit the show and take a break. His last episode aired in January of 2025. In May of that year, Rory Gibson debuted as the recast Michael and has been firmly-implanted into the role ever since.

In a livestream conversation last month on the Michael Fairman Channel, Chad opened about his current foray into music after releasing his first two EDM-style tracks, If You Need Me followed by Static in the Crowded Room.

Looking back on his decision to leave General Hospital when he did, Duell shared his thoughts at the time, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens. Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”

Duell also explained he had not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the soap. Chad expressed, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into (acting) again.”

In case you missed it, you can check out the full conversation with Chad below.

Now let us know, do you hope Chad’s new role in the pilot for Ghosts Are Real eventually becomes a series? Would you like to see Chad back landing more TV and film roles? Let us know in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber

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Alley Mills

Heather Webber, one of the all-time villains in General Hospital history is on her way back to the canvas, when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Alley Mills reprises the role beginning on the Thursday, November 5 episode.

TV Insider revealed the comeback news today. Mills began playing the role of Heather back in October of 2002. The previous Heathers included: Robin Mattson, Mary O’Brien and the very first Heather, who was none other than Georganne LaPiere (the half-sister of Cher).

As for Mills, she actually took home the Daytime Emmy last year at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. She won in the same category back in 2022.

Heather Webber

Photo: ABC

FROM THE WONDERS YEARS TO THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL TO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Alley Mills assumed the role of Heather Webber in October 2022 and had ended her initial run in 2023 and then was back again in 2024. Soap fans also know that Mills had played Pam Douglas on the The Bold and the Beautiful since 2006 and appeared on the series through 2019, and made appearance in story in 2021 and 2022.

On B&B, Alley was a part of the memorable storyline which saw Pam and Stephanie’s (Susan Flannery) mother, Ann Douglas (the late Betty White) pass away. In addition to GH and B&B. primetime fans know Alley as Norma Arnold, the mom of the ABC’s hit late 80s and early 90s series, The Wonder Years.

When GH viewers last saw Heather and her crime spree as The Hook, she had taken the life of Brando Corbin (the late Johnny Wactor) and what was believed at the time to be the life of Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), although a few years later, Britt showed up alive.

Heather wound up in the slammer at Pentonville, but got released in 2024, when it was revealed that she had a bad hip replacement which resulted in cobalt poisoning which was said to be the root cause of her erratic behavior.

WHAT BRINGS HEATHER WEBBER BACK INTO THE STORY?

Eventually, Heather’s son, Steven Lars (Scott Reeves) returned to Port Charles to retrieve his mother, and to make sure she was taken care for out of town. Now the question becomes, why is Heather back on the GH canvas in 2026?

One theory! Could Heather be revealed as the person stalking Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali)? After all, Heather is the mother to the late Esme Prince (Avery Pohl). Perhaps, she wants retribution for her daughter, and this is her twisted way of doing it? Or, is something else at play here? Stay tuned!

Take a look at our conversation with Alley from the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards immediately following her second Emmy win below.

Now let us know, excited to know Alley Mills is returning as Heather? What do you think will be her storyline this time around? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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