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
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
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