News
OLTL's Valentini and Carlivati on their new deal & what it mean for the future of OLTL!
Courtesy/JPI Studios
TV Guide has the follow-up interview now online from their news item a few weeks back that broke the story that both One Life to Live’s, EP, Frank Valentini, and head writer, Ron Carlivati have been given new deals for the ABC network. And while many are skeptical that just because the show runners contracts have been re-upped, that does not mean OLTL could not get canceled.
In this new feature, Valentini and Carlivati say it’s business as usual for New York’s solo remaining daytime drama. Here are a few excerpts!
Carlivati on if his and Valentini’s contract renewal came with a mandate from ABC Daytime Chief, Brian Frons: “It’s the same as always. We meet with Brian regularly and he always challenges me to look at certain aspects of the stories, to go deeper on some, to make certain stories more real for the audience. He’s always telling us not to lose sight of this or that. He’s very analytical and can look at a story and tell you where the flaws are. So that is the mandate he gives me going forward — to find the real emotion, to make the show relatable. I like a certain over-the-topness to stories. I like the bigness of our show. So I must find the balance to making the epic moments both relatable and soapy, so that we still have all those juicy scandals and the big secrets exploding.”
Valentini on the consistent play the cancellation of OLTL gets on message boards and bad press: “There’s nothing wrong with critiquing a show, or saying that a certain storyline didn’t work, or to be extremely passionate about not liking something, but to just tear a show down without any knowledge or any understanding of what’s really going on is hard to understand. Is it really worth it to say those things? A lot of information is disseminated through rumor and hearsay and it’s unfortunate because it affects a lot of people. Actors will come to me having a panic attack because it says on the internet that they’re getting fired — and it’s not true. It’s so upsetting.”
So what do you think? Can One Life survive? Are you liking the current stories? Let us know.
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.
‘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’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
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
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘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
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
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I have been watching OLTL since July 15, 1968. Yes, that is the day it first aired, my birthday and awaiting the arrival of my first born. I stopped watching the program for about nine years and went back like I never left in 2001. I surely hope you do not cancel this soap because of sentimental reasons, entertainment, and your ability to touch with the day to day happenings in our world today. Sometimes I want you to get on with the story, but I suppose intrigue is what sells. You’ve touched on race, religion, teenage problems and the gay rights movement. I can’t say that I was that enthused with the “Gay” storyline, but you did what you thought was right. I still stuck with you and I will continue to be a fan. Please don’t leave the airways. For the record, I stopped watching because my VCR broke and I worked days. Now that it is aired on Soapnet, I don’t hardly ever miss a beat.
Very nice story, I think you may be prove that the gay storyline may have done what it was suppose to. Sounds like you were at least open minded to be exposed to gay issues, sometimes that all it takes. I have been watching OLTL since 1981, and know that the resent gay storyline wasn’t the first. My mother also watched this show, so when i came out to her we certainly had some good reference points to refer to. The “Billy Douglas” storyline opened so much for her in understanding what high school life was like for me. I too, will watch this show as long as it is in production. All the soaps have done some much in trying to help people understand gay life style.
The two or should I say the three of them are out of touch with what fans want. They have failed in some many ways. When they fail they don’t learn from the mistakes. Gigi/Rex shoved down our throats. It failed. Fans hated them. Stacy the same thing and shoved down our throats. Failed again. Now the Ford family the same thing. They give nothing to Bo, Nora, Viki. Charlie, Clint and Dorian until now. Big question is will they let use down like they did in the mayor’s story last year? If they do it will be the last time I watch this show.
Kudos to Michael Logan for his OLTL interview. Logan’s been delivering all of these interviews recently. It seems like everytime the OLTL brass are interviewed, they mention how they feel abt the online feedback. Daytime fans can be a vicious group. And many soap blogs really go for the jugular. Daytime Confidential’s podcast w/ Logan had him sum up Y&R’s mess w/ a simple “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” LOL. I think it was really great how Logan asked their opinions on the soap press that keep generating news/rumors of OLTL being axed.
Thanks for drawing our attn. to this interview. I enjoyed it.
Hope RC and FV get the show back on track. Both are probably talented but it seems SOMETHING has stalled at OLTL lately. Not sure where all the blame lies, but it is pretty obvious the storylines are not up to par. I would have preferred to see a new head writer other than RC. He had his chance but has not been able to deliver enough for me to want him to stay on as head writer. Change in that direction is needed. Everyone bragged about RC’s knowledge of the show and its history. That should bode well for him, but since he choses to ignore history and rewrite it, and ignore character development, the show has suffered. A LOT. Dorian needs to wear a name tag at times so we recognize her. Her actions sometimes sound like she is reading the wrong lines.
ABC, consider giving RC a co-head writer. Maybe the new co-writer could get him to step up his game to really earn his keep. I was once a huge fan of his, still appreciate some of his stories, but recognize he is NOT cutting it any longer.
I have to say I have been enthralled with the current storylines and if there is one soap I can’t miss it is One Life to live. I can miss the others, but not this one. I have been watching it for nearly 27 years and it still keeps my attention. The actors, the veterans, the characters are wonderfully written. Please don’t let them cancel it. Why are the soaps being pulled? I mean, all this reality crap is taking over the tv and frankly I have no interest. I like fiction and stories that may not be something real. I have enough reality in life. The writers are to be commended on a fantastic job with writing and storytelling at it’s best..
A loyal fan