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One Life to Live Star Erika Slezak Talks Prospect Park and Clint Richie On ‘IN with Linda Dano’ Podcast

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) chatted with another OLTL and soap favorite, Linda Dano (ex-Gretl, ex-Felicia, AW, et al) on the latest episode of Dano’s podcast, IN with Linda Dano.  

During the conversation, the dear friends and former castmates touched on myriad of subjects including One Life’s move to the internet (then streaming) with Prospect Park following ABC cancellation of the series.

Erika related the issues she and others had getting paid from the company. This included one encounter when trying to pick-up her paycheck as she did on Fridays. Slezak shared: “I waited an hour. I waited two hours. He had know intention (to pay me) until I literally stood over him in his office and said, “Write my check, because I am not leaving until you do.” And it was the last check I ever got.  They still owe me a lot of money. I am not going to say how much.”

Photo: Prospect Park

She went on to say, “They still owe Tuc Watkins (ex-David) and they still owe a lot of people a lot of money.  They declared bankruptcy.  Even though they produced other shows, this was a separate production and such a screw up. It was such a shame.”

The discussion turned to Phil Carey, Bob Woods and Clint Ritchie who played the Buchanan men during Erika’s time on One Life, as well at times for Linda Dano.  Slezak admitted she would have loved to have seen Viki involved romantically with Asa: “My one regret is that I (as Viki) was never married to him.”

Photo: ABC

Clint Ritchie has had a controversial past with One Life to Live.  Both Dano and Slezak sort of dished on some behind the scenes intel. Linda shared: “I went on a date with him and my dad, who is like nine feet tall, said to him, “You are a few minutes late and that means you’re not welcome here again.”  He (Clint) was a bit of a troubled person.”

Photo: JPI

Erika responded, “Clint, most of the time was incredibly decent. He did like to drink at lunch, which was not such a good idea. But Clint was very respectful and always very nice to me.  He was a lovely man and he had issues.  The bizarre thing is he and Phil Carey died in the same week.”

What do you think about how the attempt to bring One Life to Live online and to Hulu ultimately failed? What do you think about Linda and Erika’s past and thoughts with Clint Richie? Enjoying Linda’s podcast? Comment below.

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What a wonderful conversation.
They are both so lovely.
Could have listened to them for another hour.

The higher power need to bring back not only one life to live but all my children too.

It’s sad when people can’t let things go. The shows had their shot; nobody was watching. The shows were awful. No popular show gets canceled. At some point you have to move on.

To say “nobody was watching” is a gross overstatement. At time of cancellation, OLTL was actually higher rated than GH (and way above DAYS). The show that replaced OLTL was cancelled after 6 months and the time returned to affiliates.

Well said OG Steve.

ABC got rid of OLTL mainly about money, ratings did not override the tedious amount of money to produce a soap, especially for daytime, tv,

talk shows are quite inexpensive to produce…ABC does not do business

by emotions… ABC’s daytime shows is money in the pocket…

As for OLTL- nothing lasts forever…

OOPPSS!

  •  inexpensive  to be expensive –

I love that show I wish it would come back on TV . It was a awesome show.

Not true it did have a fan base I watched it regularly and followed it to the net. What is sad is that they did not respect the actors.

Streaming was too new at the time and the quick transition was doomed. The cancellation of multiple soaps in quick order was just the beginning of the chainsaw the networks started to maximize profits. Now it’s endless repeating news from talking heads and blab shows. I miss the old days of entertaining drama. Would it kill them to stream the old ABC or p&g shows. Or are they tapes wiped away?

Supposedly every episode of OLTL from the time they went to 1-hour are still in existence. The tapes for the first ten years (30 and 45 minute episodes) would’ve been reused as was the practice in much of daytime.

I could’ve listened to them all day such a treat! I hope Linda has Victoria Wyndham and more Another World people.

Such a shame streaming was in its early days when online was attempted. I think an online version might succeed in today’s streaming world.

Thank you Michael for letting us know about the podcast. It’s always a thrill to hear from the fabulous Erika Slezak. I loved her stories. I can’t imagine Viki being married to Asa. That would have been WW3 with Viki trying to get him in line.

I am sorry Prospect Park failed. The concept was wonderful. The execution, not so much. I watched and enjoyed the online series on Hulu. Unfortunately, Prospect Park didn’t know how to produce a serialized drama for the long haul. I think it’s awful that several of the actors were not paid.

I will always miss our beloved One Life to Live..

Hope she does join general hospital

Erika lives happily in Connecticut while GH is filmed in California.

I miss OLTL so much ❤️! The stars , the storylines. Yeah, they definitely need to bring them back ASAP

Erika Slezak is simply class and the cast of OLTL was not treated right by Prospect Park and certainly not by ABC and Froms. Get the facts: OLTL was averaging 3.1M viewers during the week of its cancellation and 3.8M viewers for the final episode. The move backfired as ratings never recovered with the stupid talk shows to include additional cancellations. ABC may have made some extra $ for a time but NO one was watching or cared. OLTL and AMC should have never left the daytime lineup. I also still miss GL and ATWT but their ratings were not as good but over 2M+.

Hi my name is Shelly Tuttle I. Use to watch one life to live with my family all of them please bring back all my children soapra and one life to life. On hulu. Again. I love watching them.

One Life to Live online was awful.

I remember when the reboot happened. I had taken my mom to the doctor. I sat in the waiting room crying because our show was back. I didn’t care that it was on line.

Just to have another scene with Erica and Roger…..

Have you noticed ES never attacks and never says an evil word about co workers if only everyone could be like that. I always wanted her to come to Y&R as Katherine’s long lost sister to keep the history alive but I don’t blame her for probably not wanting to commute to California.

Days Of Our Lives

Netflix Canada to Stream Past Episodes of ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’

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Days of our Lives and The young and the Restless

Canadian soap opera fans, this October looks to be bringing you classic American television show favorites via Netflix. The streamer has reportedly licensed a large slate of iconic favorites including Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.

Beginning the week of October 26 via Netflix Canada (hopefully, soon in other regions too), the streamer will post previously aired catalogue episodes of both iconic series. No word yet from where they may be starting from, although many of the other series in the retro line-up are from the 80s and 90s.

Meanwhile, all-new episodes of Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless will continue to be available and shown via Corus Entertainment Canada.

This week also marks the beginning of Y&R’s season 54 which officially begins on Thursday, October 8! And come November 11, new material from the head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor make their debut. The series debuted on March 26, 1973.

Peacock’s Days of our Lives is entering into their 62 season. The soap was officially renewed back in July of 2025 through its sixty-third season, which runs during the 2027–2028 television and streaming season. DAYS tapes ten months in advance of dropping new daily episodes of the drama in Salem. The series debuted back on November 8, 1965,

Before DAYS and Y&R drop on Netflix Canada, none other than ABC’s Dynasty comes your way with all nine seasons beginning on October 12 along with full seasons of Bewitched, Charlie’s Angels, The Facts of Life, The Love Boat, and The Twilight Zone.

Previously, Netflix Canada added Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman featuring One Life to Live favorite, Joe Lando (ex-Jake Harrison) and Diagnosis Murder, which featured Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla, The Young and the Restless).

So, looking forward to finding out what years Canadian fans will get of Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless when its served up later this month on Netflix Canada? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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News

‘Another World’s’ Mark Mortimer, Who Played Nick Hudson, Dies at 59 from Cancer

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Mark Mortimer

It’s been a rough week for Another World fans with the news of both the passings of Mark Mortimer (ex-Nick Hudson) and as previously reported Robert Kelker-Kelly, (ex-Sam, Bobby Reno/Dr. Shane Roberts). Sadly, Mortimer died following a courageous fight with cancer. Mark was just 59-years-old.

Mortimer died back on September 23 in the greater Chicago area and was laid to rest in St. Charles, Illinois. He made his television debut on Another World in 1996, becoming the third actor to take on the role of Nick Hudson following Justin Chambers and Kevin McClatchy. In story, Nick was introduced as the son of Michael Hudson (Kale Browne) and the half-brother of twins Vicky and Marley (Jensen Buchanan). Mortimer remained with the soap until it came to its heartbreaking end in 1999 after 35 years on NBC.

Mark credited his AW costars with helping him develop as an actor. Speaking with Soap Opera Weekly in 1999, he shared, “My fondest memory of being on the show was getting an opportunity to work with fine actors like Jensen Buchanan, Eric Morgan Stuart (ex-Chris Madison) Anna Stuart (ex-Donna Love) Tom Eplin (ex-Jake McKinnon) and Timothy Gibbs (ex-Gary Sinclair). They’ve really been great. When I came on the show, I didn’t know much about acting, but they’ve been very helpful to me. It’s been like one big class for me, which has been really rewarding.”

MARK MORTIMER CHOSE TO HELP OTHERS AS HE FOUGHT CANCER

According to his obituary, “Cancer became part of Mark’s story in 2024, but it never became the definition of it.  Instead, Mark chose to use what he was experiencing to help others. Together, Mark and (his wife) Christie founded the Integrative Access Foundation, created to give people facing cancer access to integrative therapies that might otherwise be financially out of reach. What began in the middle of their own difficult journey became a mission of hope for other families.”

Mark leaves behind his wife Christie; daughter, Hunter; Mom, Sharlene Pearson; Father Emil (Belinda) Mortimer; Siblings: Micheal Mortimer, Michele (Bill) Doyle, Martin (Shannon) Mortimer, Melissa (Bob) Gassmann, David Mortimer, Tyler Mortimer; In-law’s John & Barbara Allen, Chad (Jeanne) Allen and Beth Allen. Many Nieces and nephews, his IOC Construction family; and countless friends who touched his life immeasurably.

In lieu of flowers, Mark’s family asked for memorial donations to be made to the Integrative Access Foundation to continue Mortimer’s mission of helping others facing cancer.

You can check out this segment below from Monday night’s Entertainment Tonight on Mark’s passing.

Now, share your condolences and remembrances for Another World’s Mark Mortimer in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones

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Van Hansis

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2024 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.

Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.

When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.

Van Hansis

Photo: ABC

LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES

Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.

In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.

“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”

Van Hansis

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS

Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.

Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”

The five-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”

So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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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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