News
OLTL's Robin Strasser speaks out on Frons decision & praises Valentini!
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!
Breaking News
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.
That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
Photo: Freemantle
Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”
Photo: Freemantle
For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.
Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee
The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.
Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.
So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne would like to share a special message regarding our incredible #Neighbours Daytime Emmy Award nominations 💛 @DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/wWWo5PxmfD
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 23, 2024
Days Of Our Lives
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.
In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?
Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”
Photo: FOX
OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.
Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.” Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”
Photo: JPI
The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.
News
Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful
Coming up on this Friday’s April 26th episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Juliet Vega, the stepdaughter to Sean Kanan will make an appearance on the CBS daytime drama series in the role of Michele.
Keeping it “All in the Family”, the character is named after Juliet’s real-life mother, and Kanan’s wife, writer and producer, Michele Kanan.
Back in 2012, Sean married Michele Vega and thus began their blended family which included his daughter, Simone, and Michelle’s children, Peter, Gigi, and her twins, Annie and Juliet.
Photo: JPI
According to a B&B show spokesperson, Juliet’s B&B character is intentionally named Michele in honor of her mother and Sean’s wife.
While we don’t know how “Michele” shows up in story, it is the same episode that Clint Howard makes an appearance as well seemingly tied to the case of where in the world is Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)?
Photo: CBS
We can’t imagine that Juliet wouldn’t get the opportunity to mix it up on-screen with her stepdad, Sean Kanan. Previously, the two acted together in Sean’s streaming series Studio City, where she played the role of Delilah and he played soap actor, Sam Stevens. In it, Delilah is the bio-daughter Sam never knew he had.
So, looking forward to seeing Juliet on B&B and how ‘Michele’ turns up in the story? Comment below.
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Have Their Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
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General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
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Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
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.