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One Life to Live Daytime Emmy-Winning Head Writer, Michael Malone Dead at 80

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One of the most impactful head writers in the history of soap operas, and certainly for One Life to Live, Michael Malone, has passed away at the age of 80-years-old.  Malone died on August 19th at his home in Clinton, Connecticut.

The news came from former ATWT, AW, OLTL and GH head-scribe, Jean Passanante via her Facebook page, where she shared: “I want to write about my adored, extraordinary friend Michael Malone who died last night. Right now, though, I’m just trying to adjust to the impossible idea of a world without him. ‘And when he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars…’”

As fans recall, ABC and One Life to Live made a bold move back in 1991, when they hired Malone, who had never written for a soap before. At that time, he previously was known as an author.

Michael’s storyline were some of the all-time best for the show.  They included: Viki’s (Erika Slezak) DID, which explored the root cause of her disorder, and splintered Viki into multiple personalities more than just Niki Smith, Marty Saybrooke being gang raped and the subsequent trial which won Daytime Emmys for Susan Haskell (Ex-Marty), Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Hillary B. Smith (ex-Nora) along with Malone.

Under his tenure, Malone also told the coming out story of a young Billy Douglas played by Ryan Phillippe while integrating the AIDS quilt storyline into the heartfelt drama. The head scribe was a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights, AIDS awareness, speaking out against the death penalty, Lupus (which Marty Saybrooke was diagnosed with) and more.

Malone was nominated 5 times for a Daytime Emmy for writing in a drama series, and won once in 1994, plus he won a Writers Guild Award for his work on One Life in 1993.

In his soap career, Michael was the head writer of One Life to Live until 1996.  He then went over to NBC’s Another World for a short run as head writer in 1997.  Eventually, he returned to One Life in 2003, but this time incorporating his own writing as a novelist into the show, with a storyline called “The Killing Club”.  The actual book was published back in 2005 and in a twist, to go along with the storyline, the authors were the character of Marcie Walsh (Kathy Brier) and Malone. The novel made the the New York Times Best Seller list.

Michael is survived by his wife, Maureen Quilligan, his sister Sheila Waller, his brother David Malone, his half-sister Kareen Malone, his half-brother Stephen Malone, his nieces and nephews, Lisa, Kelly, Tom, Shannon, Shayna, Addie and Sam; his daughter Maggie, son-in-law Matt; and his 6-year-old granddaughter Maisie.

Share your remembrances of Malone’s brilliant storylines and your condolences for his family via the comment section below.

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Thank you for Todd Manning

Sad news – I truly loved his tenure writing for OLTL.

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. The exploration of Viki’s DID and the horrible gang rape of Marty Saybrooke and the subsequent trial were riveting stories. The Billy Douglas coming out story was so moving.

Thank you Mr. Malone for being such an important part of the One Life to Live family and sharing your amazing talent with us. Rest in peace sir.

Today’s scribes need to remember well Mr Malone and find inspiration. OLTL was on fire during his tenure. God bless!

Truly an amazing writer. The ABC soaps had some powerful stories in the 1990’s.

One correction to this article- it was Megan Gordon who had lupus, not Marty.

Actually, both Megan and Marty had lupus. Per Wikipedia: “Marty is introduced as the roommate of the ailing Megan Gordon Harrison during her stay at Llanview Hospital. Both Megan and Marty are diagnosed with lupus, but Marty has chosen to ignore the consequences of her hard-partying lifestyle,……..” Marty eventually matured and took care of herself, eventually becoming a physician.

^^^^ “I’m just trying to adjust to the impossible idea of a world without him. ‘And when he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars…’” “

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‘The Price is Right’ Decks the Halls with Five Holiday-Themed Primetime Episodes & Pet Rescue & Adoption Week on Daytime

Talk about getting into the holiday spirit! The Price is Right is set to air five brand new holiday-themed episodes airing in December on primetime, plus the daytime version will also have a special week. Host Drew Carey will preside over the game show proceedings!

Daytime’s The Price is Right holiday week (Dec 18-Dec 22) will feature animal trainer, author and host of CBS’ Lucky Dog Reunions, Brandon McMillan, and Robert Valandra, nephew of legendary host Bob Barker, who both bring along some furry friends up for adoption. The week concludes with ‘Price is Right’ model Amber Lancaster, an advocate of animal adoption, and some adorable dogs who need a home for the holidays.

The Price is Right continues to network television’s #1-rated daytime series and the longest-running game show in television history, broadcast weekdays (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/10:00-11:00 AM, PT).

Photo: JPI

On Primetime, here is the holiday lineup of shows (the week of Dec 4-8):

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY (Monday, December 4, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) brings coworkers and colleagues together to cheer each other on as they play for prizes that can be shared and enjoyed by all of their office mates.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: BLIND HOLIDATE (Thursday, December 7, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) brings in a matchmaker to pair up an audience full of single, eligible adults, and lucky contestants will meet for the first time when they are called to “Come on down!” and compete together as a team. They play for fabulous cash and prizes, pairs of cars, and maybe they’ll even win a love match!

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: COLLEGE STUDENTS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Friday, December 8 at 8:00 PM ET/PT) welcomes college students home adorned in their best school spirit gear, teamed up with their parents to play for exotic trips, amazing prizes, and cash for college!

Photos: JPI

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: HOLIDAYS WITH THE FAMILY (Monday, December 18, 8:00 PM, ET/PT). Parents and their young children compete for some of the most desired gifts Santa has in his sleigh. Decorated in their holiday best, families work as a team to win prizes to make their holidays oh so bright!

THE PRICE IS RIGHT AT NIGHT: HOLIDAY HEROES (Tuesday, December 19, 8:00 PM, ET/PT) salutes the military to thank America’s brave heroes for keeping us safe all year round. Active-duty military members in uniform compete for luxury items, including trips to remarkable destinations, $50,000 in cash, and cars!

Of note: Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on demand. Essential-tier subscribers will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

Lots of The Price is Right holiday cheer and pet adoptions coming your way. Will you be watching? Comment below. But first, check out a clip from one of the primetime episodes.

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96th Annual Academy Awards to Start an Hour Earlier, While Jimmy Kimmel Shares, “I Always Dreamed of Hosting the Oscars Exactly Four Times”

In a move to keep viewers not up past their bedtimes, the 2024 Oscars telecast will now begin one hour earlier than usual.  According to news from the Academy on Thursday, the ceremonies will begin at 7 pm ET/4PM PT on March 1o, 2024.

That is an hour shift when the broadcast usually begins at 8 pm ET/5pm PT.  The official pre-show will also begin earlier, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The 96th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with nominations being announced on January 23rd.

Photo: ABC

A few weeks ago on November 15th, Jimmy Kimmel was officially named the host of the Oscars for the fourth time. The hosting gig marks the second year in a row for Kimmel. The comedian also hosted in 2017 and 2018.

Kimmel’s wife Molly McNearney will also one again, co-write and executive produce, the telecast.  In a statement on presiding over movies biggest night of the year, Kimmel joked, “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.”

Photo: JPI

ABC also plans on airing a special episode of their hit comedy Abbott Elementary, immediately following what should be a three-and-a-half hour telecast of the Oscars.

So, what do you think about the time shift with the Oscars starting an hour earlier? Happy about it? Won’t be settled in at that early time slot to sit and watch the show? Comment below.

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Marty Krofft Famed Children’s Show Producer of ‘H.R. Pufnstuf,’ ‘Land of the Lost,’ Dead at 86

Marty Kroftt. who along with his brother Sid, produced many memorable children’s shows throughout his career, including H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost has passed away at the age of 86..

A family representative told Variety that Krofft died of kidney failure Saturday November 25th in Los Angeles, California.

Krofft was often known as the “King of Saturday Mornings”, and along with his brother, Sid also produced primetime variety shows including Donny and Marie and Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters.

Photo: JPI

At the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awarda, Marty and Sid were the recipients of the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. The Kroffts also produced Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, The Bugaloos and Lidsville.

The brothers always shared that they came from a line of puppeteers, and Sid, traveled the world as young man performing an elaborate puppet show. The brother’s partnership worked due to Sid was the more on the creative side, while Marty was more on the business side.

Marty said in the book “Pufnstuf & Other Stuff: The Weird and Wonderful World of Sid & Marty Krofft” (1998), written by TV critic, David Martindale, “Sid was always ‘the artist’. He never did have a business sense. So I came in and filled that vacuum.”

Photo: JPI

Krofft’s wife, the former Playboy playmate Christa Speck passed away in 2013. He lived in Los Angeles and is survived by his brothers Sid and Harry; his daughters Deanna Krofft-Pope, Kristina Krofft and Kendra Krofft; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Share your condolences for Marty Krofft via the comment section. But,  first check out our interview with him along with is brother Sid, before they received their Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th annual ceremonies below.

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