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REMEMBRANCES: One Life to Live Aired Its Final ABC Episode One Year Ago Today!
Courtesy/ABC
We will never forget the date of January 13th, 2012 as many of our soapers in the viewing audience, and On-Air On-Soaps, gathered around our television sets during the afternoon to do the impossible – to say goodbye to the beloved town of Llanview!
On this date a year ago we had to say farewell to: the characters we loved so much, the performances by the great talent of the series, and the stories of the legendary soap. Through the creative genius of head writer Ron Carlivati and the executive leadership of Frank Valentini, the duo and their teams, delivered to fans a whopping cliffhanger with Victor Jr. very much alive, the hope for happy endings for Viki and Clint, John and Natalie and baby Liam, and much more.
That evening following the final episode, On-Air On-Soaps hosted a One Life to Live Farewell special on the Blog Talk Radio Network that we will never forget. Listening to the heartbreak of callers from around the U.S, and talking to our special guests: John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex), Melissa Archer (Natalie) and Kristen Alderson (Starr), really brought home how a terrible decision by ABC emotionally impacted not only the fans, but the cast as they shared their sentiments with each other during this special online broadcast.
Photo Credit: MF SOAPS Inc.
And as we tried to put in perspective through our final blog on our final set visit to One Life’s New York studios, and through our final emotional video interviews with the cast, nothing could fill the hole in our hearts that for the last year has still remained as it has for many fans.
A year later, Prospect Park is set to resurrect Llanview giving hope to millions that some of the stellar cast will return and the stories will pick up where they left off, or perhaps they will fast forward ahead, that remains to be seen. But with all systems go, it will be interesting to see just how far the new One Life can go! Can it be a success online and eventually move back to TV?
For now, share you remembrances today on watching the final ABC episode of One Life and help us honor the show that we all know should never have been canceled in the first place!
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General Hospital and ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’s’ Billie Hayes Dead at 96
She was one-of-a-kind, and now actress Billie Hayes has passed away at the age of 96. Hayes’ family announced her death from natural causes on April 29th at Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Hayes was best-known for her unforgettable role as Witchiepoo on the 1969-70 Saturday morning live-action children’s classic H.R. Pufnstuf from Sid and Marty Kroft.
However, daytime fans will remember that then General Hospital executive producer, Gloria Monty, hired Hayes to play the recurring role of the street-smart international spy, Brighton O’Reilly, back in the 80’s series hey day.
GH’s Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Hayes on Monday sharing; “My dear wonderful Billie Hayes has died. Sadly I only got to work with her on GH but it was a magical relationship. Right away Gloria Monty saw something unique and ran with it. I cannot tell you how her passing saddens me.”
Photo:ABC
In story, Brighton O’Reilly was shot and killed by Victor Cassadine back in 1981. Billie told Soap Opera Digest back in 2003 about her time as an agent on GH, and her exit from the series: “I asked Gloria why she killed me off, and Gloria said, ‘To tell you the truth, Billie, we really hemmed and hawed at it. But I decided to do it for selfish reasons. I knew if I killed O’Reilly there’d be such an abundance of sympathy and love for Scorpio that his stock would go up. And he’s my new leading man!’ I understand why Gloria knocked me off, but I would have loved to have gone on with it because I feel it could have been developed into a fascinating character.”
Photo: JPI
Sid and Marty Kroft also took to Twitter and expressed: “Margaret Hamilton (Wizard of Oz) once told us that Billie Hayes was “one of the best witches ever” We couldn’t agree more. Rest in Peace dear friend.”
Billie’s career spanned decades including Broadway, television, motion pictures and voice-over work. In addition, she founded the Los Angeles-based animal rescue nonprofit organization Pet Hope, a cause she had championed since adopting a puppy abandoned in the basement of Broadway’s St. James Theatre during the run of Lil’ Abner in which she was featured in the role of Mammy Yokum.
Share your remembrances of Billie Hayes and your condolences for her family and loved ones via the comment section below.
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A whole year….I was in Florida on vacation waiting to go on a cruise (as I am now),watching the last 4 episodes and then the finale.
Bittersweet it was.
I am genuinely looking forward to the online reboot – who will sign,who will decline,what it means for the actors who are now playing OLTL characters on GH.
Long live One Life to Live! Best. Show. Ever.
Ditto!
DITTO!!!!
Dtto to that!!!!!!!!!!1
I remember watching that Final OLTL like it was yesterday….so sad…I could NOT believe that come Monday my beloved soap which I had watched since the 70’s would not be airing….I felt such a large Void…one I Still Feel….
I am hoping that this PP project is a GO and that OLTL Will Return and with many of my favorite actors and characters! Wish Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati could do Both GH and OLTL!
I recorded the last few episodes epecially the last one.I even have the episode when
everyone thought John McBain was dead. And have old soap magazines from 2006.. Loving Llanview!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought I could miss a soap opera so much! OLTL is pretty SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to the wonderful cast and writers!! HURRAY Llanview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday January 13 1978 was the last 45 Minute long episode of OLTL (and GH) Monday January 16 was the first hour long show.
My mom and I first watched OLTL when it was only a half hour. And never stopped
watchin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sad to think it has been a year already. Would hope they can get TSJ back to resolve the ending or will GH do that? What about the story continuation mentioned on GH… will that be where the new writers start or will they change direction and start off from the last episide of OLTL?
To move forward you have to accept Change! How do you change perfection and can you ever get back that momentum OLTL had? ..and alittle of it still lives on GH. I’d hate to recast any major characters, but how do you ask those actors/actresses that moved to the West Coast to hunt for employment to move back to the East coast to do an online show that is untried?! I miss OLTL and will be looking forward to it’s revival!! Must have my Jolie back and Jessica and the rest of the Buchanans! Good Luck PP.
One year ago today, the last of OLTL..
I was in shock that it had really happened, OLTL had ended .
OLTL was gone from my life I was a bit dazed and sad ..
This is nothing short of a miracle….. OLTL Fans are fierce, fastidious, and
i’m glad i don’t have to read any more about how much you miss Llanview.
Congratulations.
I’m awaiting Pine Valley!
WE ARE GOING BACK TO LLANVIEW , HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I watched the final two episodes a couple weeks ago and cried like a baby throughout them! OLTL was a part of my life for nearly 35 years. Hopefully this past year was just a long, horrible break, and there’s 35+++ years more of life in Llandview ahead of us.
anyone know why the announcements for who’s signing with prospect park for oltl reboot’s actors are slow in coming–there’s a 1/2 dozen amc actors already announced
I still have yet to watch the last two weeks of OLTL. They are on my DVR, and I vowed not to watch them until OLTL was back. I really hope to be watching those soon, (I will as soon as PP taping begins) I couldn’t watch them until I was sure that this would really happen, just too sad. I am so excited! Now I can watch with anticipation, and tears of happiness that Llanview lives on.
Dear Michael-
Thank you for remembering such a dark day for television and for generations of viewers. I was lucky enough to be in the audience of “The View” the day before on January 12th. It began a day of mourning that in some ways has not ended. Like you, I am a man in his 50s who grew up with OLTL being woven into his childhood memories. Your mention of it was a great suprise! Here’s to you!
Looking Forward-
Patrick
I was so sad one year ago today. Even my husband (NOT a soap watcher) said it’s sad that the fans were “dissed”. I miss the show so much! The only saving grace is that ABC is eating some serious crow over this cancellation. All the money spent trying to promote the replacements with lackluster ratings makes me laugh!
I’m glad it’s coming back, but it’s not the same watching a show on the computer.
I can not wait..to watch the rebirth of amc! Thank you prospect park for helping us dedicated fans bring our show and family back into our homes!