News
One Life to Live's Hillary B. Smith & Robert S. Woods On Production Halt and Resolution, Writing of Bo and Nora & OLTL Losing at The Emmys!

Courtesy/TOLN
The most popular duo of all-time on One Life to Live ( except probably Viki and Dorian) are clearly Bo and Nora played brilliantly by Daytime Emmy winners, Hillary B. Smith and Robert S. Woods!
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with the duo last week during a press junket to ask three burning questions we wanted to know … how did the twosome feel when they heard the news of the early hiatus that was imposed by the labor union, which may have meant the end for the series, but in the end turned out A. O.K? How do they feel about how their characters have been written for? And, why do they think One Life get no love ever at the Daytime Emmys when they had two amazing submissions, their finale on ABC?
Here now is what they had to say below. We think you will be touched by what Hillary had to say to the crew at One Life and more! Fans are thrilled that in August, Bob and Hillary will be back at One Life shooting new episodes as life in Llanview continues, thanks to the resolution of the dispute and Prospect Park’s efforts.
When you heard about the labor dispute between the Union and Prospect Park and received the news that the production of One Life to Live had to suspend a week earlier than anticipated … what were you thoughts? Did you think it could be even feasible that One Life would get shut down a second time within its life span, the first being its cancellation by ABC? Or, did you think it would all work itself out in the end?

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
HILLARY: I started laughing. I really did. I started laughing. I looked at Woodsy and was giggling.
ROBERT: We were actually working and we had to go back and shoot scenes, and my phone rang and there was an email, really a brief statement. I leaned out the door and said to people, “Did anyone else just get an email?” And then when we were on the set it was like, “What do we do now?” Hillary, you were not ready to see it go? You did not believe it would happen, did you?
HILLARY: Well, I spoke. You heard what I said to the crew. I wanted to go on record, because I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out and there were a lot of dynamics that went on the weeks prior before both sides started talking. And, I had seen the guys walk out the door of the studio. And I went, “Oh, I don’t think that’s good.” I was with our costume designer, Susan Gammie getting a fitting and then Robert Gorrie (Matthew) came in and showed me the email. There was a part of me that went, “This just can’t happen again. It just can’t!” And then there was another part of me that went, “It could.” When we did our then last scene, and we had to be out by 11am, and we finished at 10:15. I got up and spoke and said on behalf of everyone in the scene, “It has been an honor and privilege to be part of this reboot,” and I truly believe that. It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of this reboot to see Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank, and Jennifer Pepperman and Ginger Smith, pour all of their heart and soul into this, and the staff and the crew. I said, “We are a family. It’s been wonderful to come to be with our family again. And, for those of you who weren’t a part of it before, you are now. We are family and this is what coming to work means.” I just wanted everyone to know that, and I wasn’t sure if that was my “goodbye”, but I wanted them to know how touched I was by this whole experience, and being part of it.
ROBERT: So now when we get back, Hillary you can say, “See, what I told you guys?”
Recently, there were new head writers appointed for One Life to Live, whose work fans will not see until the show resumes production later in summer. How do you feel about how your characters were written for thus far?
ROBERT: Jennifer Pepperman is still there, and she is not going to let anyone get to off track! I have been happy thus far on how they have written the Bo and Nora relationship. I haven’t had any real grievances with things I have bee asked to do, or the way it was written. I think they have written pretty well. I am always concerned more about the police department which feels like it has saloon doors, where anybody can just walk in and out! (Laughs) That stuff does not apply! Try walking down to the 20th precinct in New York City.
HILLARY: I have been ecstatic the way they have been writing Nora. I feel light as a bird and unfettered, and not carrying any major heartache around. So this is nothing but sheer joy.
Two weekends ago, One Life to Live was nominated for its final time in its ABC version for Outstanding Drama Series for the last two episodes of its historic run at the 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The last episode featured those heartfelt moments between Bo and Nora, and Bo and his son, Matthew. The episodes were brilliant, and yet, once again, One Life left the Emmys with no cigar, or shall we say no gold! Why do you think this show can’t ever catch a break for the big award of the night?
HILLARY: Politics are huge when it comes to Emmys. I don’t think One Life to Live had any political support when it comes to winning an Emmy. As a matter of fact, if it had won Outstanding Drama Series that would have been a kind of … ahem… awkward moment for ABC. I love the fact that Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati were nominated for two shows. I thought that was great. I am sorry that they didn’t win. I don’t quite understand how the voting system works anymore. All I know is, it was a win for our fans.
ROBERT: I did not know the Emmys were even on a few Sunday nights ago until I got a text from Eddie Alderson (Ex-Matthew), telling me that Kristen Alderson (Ex-Starr, OLTL and GH, now Kiki, GH) had won! That is great! And I got a great picture of Eddie who looked like a movie star there! He had a tuxedo on, but he was wearing it the way you are supposed to wear a tux, with a tie! He looked great. I was texting him back as I was watching the NBA finals, so I never caught the Emmy telecast. I was trying to find a replay of it, but I guess I was too late.
So One Life fans, what do you think about Hillary’s speech to her cast mates and crew? Could you imagine having to say goodbye to One Life for a second time? How do you feel Bo and Nora have been written for thus far? What do you think about One Life’s loss at the Emmys … political as Hillary feels? Share your comments below!
They are both class acts!
I agree!
I didnt feel the labor dispute meant the end…just a delay. Also, you dont need an award to prove your a winner(but oltl still shouldve for that final year)…oltl has the support of its fans…its on the air again…its doing well proving it still has ‘life’ and the genre isnt dead…and so the winner is…oltl(and its fans too!)
Love Bo and Nora. So glad they’re back. When the reboot first aired I thought that they were not seen enough. When they were seen…for me they didn’t “feel” the same. I didn’t like Bo yelling…he was never that harsh on ABC. He was not warm…there was just something missing. Was disappointed in the writing for both of them.
But!!! Recently, as in maybe the last two weeks, they seem much like their “old selves.” The playfulness is back, the flirting, the sort of easy breezy rapport…the family feel with Nora’s attempted dinner with Destiny and Matthew.
I think it’s unfortunate. I’ve posted this before but I think the now-dismissed writers went about their initial storytelling the wrong way and caused a lot (not everyone…) but a lot of fan dissatisfaction with the writing. Shelter was over-emphasized, the cursing, the yelling, the disjointed segments, the lack of connection between characters who on ABC were close…the lack of reaction to Victor’s return.
In the past few weeks, it seems like it’s starting to gel. There’s more cast interaction, less Shelter, not as much swearing…and for me it feels more like the original. Clint is up to his old ways, Natalie is actually “feeling” and reacting rather than just rubbing up against Cutter (llove Cutter) and taking her clothes off. I’d like to see them together…but it just happened out of the blue.
I feel the writers went for the “here’s what we can do now online” instead of developing story at the beginning.
If it had started out the way the current episodes are running from day one I think there would have been less disappointment and much more enthusiasm from MOST as opposed to maybe half of the fans.
They’re on the right track now…but unfortunately the writers are out. I’m hoping that the new group on board can maintain and go beyond so that the old and new feel right for most. And now I feel bad for the fired writer….LOL..maybe he can contribute once they all get a feel for the direction…
I don’t even want to THINK about saying goodbye to these shows again….
The shows are not going anywhere. I’m not scared. I’m GLAAD!
Ditto!!!!!!
With anything in life, the worst can happen. But they are all professionals and they’ve been so gracious thus far with the fans. I just want OLTL and AMC to get nominated next year and win an Emmy or two just to shove it in ABC’s face!
And I love that Robert S. Woods and Eddie Alderson are still in touch. So adorable.
I’ve always felt that OLTL is extremely under appreciated when it comes to the Emmys. It has always had the strongest cast. I love the way characters develop. And story lines unfold beautifully. Each time a cast member wins an Emmy I am thrilled. I hope the show will take the top prize someday.
I feel the same way…
Michael you know OLTL is my 2nd family. When the news broke about the union mess I didn’t let it scare me. Kept my belief in them returning. Hillary did a wonderful thing saying bye after all they have been through with PP. I believe ABC has always played OLTL down. Several years OLTL was overlooked. I believe ABC for some reason has always pushed AMC & GH over OLTL & I just don’t know why. Cancelling our shows must have been in ABC plans for years. OLTL was still making money so they play them down ever if it meant DIRTY POLITICS. I still hate ABC.
ABC is garbage! I hope OLTL wins nt. time and that would really stick it to ABC!
I agree ABC stinks!!
Sucks about the Emmys, it’s never been perfect but it’s gotten worse probably the last decade.
I agrre. I rememeber much better daytime emmy’s years ago..And OLTL won those years ago(for one Erika Slezak)! Don’t care for the emmy’s lately…
Yeah those were the days!
Loved this;
”’HILLARY:
Politics are huge when it comes to Emmy s. I don’t think One Life to Live had any political support when it comes to winning an Emmy. As a matter of fact, if it had won Outstanding Drama Series that would have been a kind of … ahem… awkward moment for ABC. ”’
——-
It is very close as to what I have thought for past years, and I am happy someone actually told told it like it is..
The awards are network Politics ..
Love the two of them.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.
According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.
Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene, Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.
WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?
Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”
The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”
MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE
In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.
Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.
So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
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