News
Robert S. Woods On How Key It Is To Have Recognizable Main Characters Onboard For OLTL Reboot!
Courtesy/ABC
Everyone is thrilled that One Life to Live veteran Robert S. Woods has signed on with Prospect Park to continue his role as fan favorite, Bo Buchanan! And with the recent news that his on-screen wife, Hillary B. Smith (Nora Buchanan) will also be back, One Lifers were jumping for joy that soon they would see their favorite Llanview couple again. In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Woods talks about coming out of “acting” retirement, getting the chance to work with Jennifer Pepperman again (who is the new executive producer of One Life to Live) and how happy he is that Prospect Park was able to get and secure the main core characters and actors of One Life to return including: Robin Strasser (Dorian), Jerry verDorn (Clint) and Erika Slezak (Viki).
Woods related the importance of having the core cast for the reboot: “You need that to start, otherwise you don’t have a show that’s called One Life to Live and you turn it on and go, “I don’t know anybody!” But if you have Erika sitting there at her desk and Robin waltzing in, then you can go,”Oh, okay! This is it. Sparks are gonna fly.” (Laughs) Now it’s just a matter of nailing everything down.”
So what do you think about Bob Woods statement? Wouldn’t you agree that for these reboots it’s vitally important for fans to recognize the characters and be invested from the beginning after losing their beloved favorites when ABC canceled OLTL and AMC? Let us know your thoughts, and make sure to get the latest issue of SOD for more with Woodsy!
News
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
The Young and the Restless fan favorite, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) is the special guest on this week’s edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped today on Tuesday, June 23rd.
During the interview with Rebecca and Greg, Khalil who had played Lily Winters on-screen since August of 2002, nearly 24 years with the CBS soap, shared how early on her teenage acting career, she was ready to call it quits in show business, after a heartbreaking audition for the lead of a new Disney Channel sitcom, which later turned out to be the hit seres, That’s So Raven, starring Raven-Symoné which ran for four seasons from 2003-2007.
Christel recalled what happened. “I was 14 and I had always auditioned for all these Disney projects. So I auditioned for That’s So Raven, it was between me and Raven-Symoné and it was called at the time Absolutely Psychic,” explained Khalil. “The character was this girl who had psychic ability, but then when Raven got the role, they named the title of the show after her.”
Photo: CBS
HOW A BROTHERLY TALK CHANGED THE COURSE OF CHRISTEL’S CAREER
Reliving the disappointment to Greg and Rebecca, Christel explained, “I lost that part and I was just so devastated, because for the network call there were 20 people in the room watching me, and I just have always had such performance anxiety. I just completely bombed the audition and it was terrible. So, I was just devastated. I was actually going to quit acting and then I got the final call for The Young and The Restless and I wasn’t going to go.”
It was Khalil’s brother, who actually got her to reconsider, and if he hadn’t, we would not have our Lily Winters in Genoa City! Christel recounted, “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just going to hang out with my friends.’ I was just devastated. My brother, who is seven years older than me, and he had quit acting at the same age that I was at that time. He said to me, ‘I promise you, I actually really regret quitting. Just go on this audition and if you don’t get it, you can quit.'”
Christel’s screen-test for the role of Lily was actually with the late, great, Kristoff St. John who would play her father Neil (Later it was revealed to Lily, that Neil’s brother, Malcolm Winters was her bio-dad).
Photo: CBS
ACTING WAS EASY WITH THE LATE KRISTOFF ST. JOHN
“So, I went (to test for Lily) and I remember the screen-test was with Kristoff St. John. It was just so easy to act with him because he’s just so there. I remember just being on set, and that was my first time there for a screen-test where you were actually on set. I had never experienced that before. It was my first time being with an actor and having makeup done, which just helps you really be able to do your best work.”
Recalling the screen-test with the St. John, Khalil, “It was where I had to be emotional ( in the scene) and I always had issues being emotional at auditions. But I was there with him, it just came, and it happened. It was natural and I felt so good and it was amazing. It stands out in my mind a lot.”
You can check out the full Soapy conversation with Christel Khalil where she also discusses juggling motherhood, marital life, and the demands of soap operas.
Fan can listen to weekly episodes of Soapy on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS =Brand YouTube Channel. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, SOAPY offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.
Now let us know, over the years what had been your favorite Lily Winters story on Y&R as played by Christel Khalil? What did you think of of Christell’s recollection where she was up for the lead of “That’s So Raven” as a teenager, before it was even titled that? Let us know via the comment section.
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
-
General Hospital2 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
Days Of Our Lives2 days agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
-
Beyond the Gates5 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Michael Puts Willow On Notice After Tracy Is Arrested
Yes I agree and I will say it over and over until Prospect hears me!!! Please give us TINA LORD ROBERTS!!!! Andrea Evans would bring rating in! She always does! She WAS OLTL in the 80’s!
And Alex Olenav too! If you would like to sign the petition for PP to cast Tonja Walker as Alex here is the link. She is more than willing to do it and supports the petition and posts frequently!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonja-Walker-needs-to-be-on-the-OLTL-revival/132668640231925
Tina is a blaaaast! I love her! Yesss please bring her on & Cord, I always find them as a hilarious and awesome couple!
When I think of OLTL, I think Vicki and Clint, Bo and Nora and Tina and Cord. They are simply the staples of OLTL. With them as the core characters, throw in few of the Cramer girls and you have a show. Of course it doesn’t hurt to see Todd also. And, I wouldn’t mind a glimpse of Max.
I agree with Dawn Haze! I alway’s think of Viki first then Bo, Nora, Dorian ,Clint, etc……..
For example without Erika Slezak it wouldn’t be OLTL for me. I am so glad she is on board for the reboot!!
No way! I cant stand that annoying stupid character and her acting is terrible. Tina can stay gone.
As for AMC without Erica Kane they may as well forget it. If she doesnt sign its over.
Also u have to think and it worries me being online if they charge a fee to watch they are dead in the water. A lot of fans are older people that just dont do computers. They have obstacles here to conquer.
I will not pay to watch online what I used to watch free on my tv!
They need to get them back on cable
Where do you live that you get ‘free’ cable’? Or, ‘free’ internet’? A couple of extra dollars a month to see AMC & OLTL will definately be worth the money!!
You are so full of negativity! Not all the fans are older #1. My 84 year old grandmnother is going to watch on her regular TV through Netflix. Bu-Ray players stream netflix to your TV, so it WILL be on your TV!
Also if you finish the articles they talk about the goal to get them back on cable and that they plan to air re-runs in a cable station like USA or another.
As for Erica Kane, she will be back! Trust me! They just need to work out scheduling! Susan Lucci said she was in grief for a year over losing AMC! Not to mention PP knows how important she is! They will do whatever it takes, I’m sure. Look how hard they have been working to bring these shows back all along and we didn’t even know it!
As far as Tina, you may not like her but millions of fans do, so don’t watch if you don’t want but don’t rain in our LLanview Day Parade! :p
Not my point not free cable but if I.m already paying for cable on a budget some of us cant afford any extra expenses. Also some of us live out away from town and our internet speeds are not so fast to stream these things. Netflix and blueray players are also not in my budget. People on fixed incomes cant afford a few extra bucks.
They’ve pulled the rug out from under us so many times already I dont trust them anymore.
I sure hope they do get them going. I really miss erica kane.
Susan Lucci is expensive to hire. They will pay some bucks for her.
ABC was stupid for dumping them in the first place
Just waiting with my fingers crossed
You can watch it free online with HULU. I don’t understand why if you’re already on the internet, which you must be because you are posting here, what’s the big deal? You will be able to watch it.
If you don’t want to watch it on your computer, for a fairly small investment, if you have wireless interenet, you can get a device that will stream it to your tv. Please folks, those of you that know elderly people with internet service already, help them get set up to watch online. This is the wave of the future and you will have to go eventually for tv content so why not do it now instead of having to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future later.
If anyone is on Cape Cod and needs help with this, I will gladly help a fellow soap fan for free. If they already have a compter or device and internet connection, we can and should hook them up!
Great news, I really like Bo and Nora, and it is true with Dorien and Viki we will know we are in LLandview 🙂
I just love this man! And his statements made all that much more excited about all of this! Now, if only we get word that Michael Easton has signed on, I will be the happiest camper around. Thank you Michael Fairman for always bringing us all the best in soaps. You do a great job and you are my favorite amongst all of them.
I agree totally I willbe so happy if ME comes home to OLTL!
absolutely. familiarity is part of the psychological draw to soaps…familiar faces, places, families, it’s the continuity…that’s why the conflict over John, Todd and Starr is such a big one in the soap world. They were familiar faces on OLTL…but after much time they’re now familiar on GH! Many of us who watch both soaps finally got used to seeing them on GH … and now actually prefer them there! When OLTL got canceled it was the characters/actors that were missed. To have a show with the majority of them gone would be like watching a whole new show. Which perhaps we’d get used to and love as well…it just wouldn’t be the same show that was canceled and gone forever…
I watched both shows, and John especially never fit into GH.
I watched all three shows. For amc they need Erica, the martins, and the chandlers or it won’t fly. For OLTL they are gtting the main ones I hope Jessica and natalie will be back some day. As for the three on GH I think todd can go back to oltl John would work on both or just oltl but star has fit in really well in port charles and her fand micheal are really well together, I hope she could do both. Maybe have micheal visit OLTL with her.!!
Natalie is coming back.
yes but to not bring them over for the reboot is wrong they are oltl characters and i think they will go if pp failed and they came over then…………. but if they don’t help the show who original created their character in the first place that is bad pr and total disloyalty to oltl and to their original fellow cast mates
I think Michael Easton fits in so much better at GH. I LOVE the on air chemistry between him and Kelly Monaco. OLTL will be just fine without him. The important thing is having the core characters on board, which they already have with the exception of Tina and Cord. Even Tuc Watkins will be in Llanview again! YAY!!!
OLTL is doing it right, while AMC is doing it based on which actor is available. Without the Chandlers, Kanes, Martin families intact, you get no show to go back too. Thank Heaven for the Hubbards are back. I am more excited for OLTL then AMC.
I have never liked Zack, or Cara. Griffin I am more excited about. David without Adam or Tad to spare with is a waste.
If they brought back Damon and Hilary with Tad and Dixie, then that will be something to to watch.
The problem with AMC is the fact that majority of its actors relocated or were already settled into Los Angeles, and now it’s relocating back to the east coast, which isn’t easy for those who made the move to Los Angeles. It’s about making sure the original cast members, or those who were under contract during its final months are able to relocate either temporarily or on a part-time status to make their characters work before they go and recast roles.
That makes me a little apprehensive…. ITA…. “AMC is working/waiting on who’s available….”
it’s surreal to comprehend….. A soap is coming back…..
I wonder if PP should, (in the realm of budget) stall on AMC for a bit…. so as not to put out product that isn’t up to par… I’M WAITING FOR AMC….
Robert is right. You must have a a lot of familiar faces for it to succeed. I am willing to accept new characters if I sill have many original castmembers. OLTL is starting with a good core group. I am worried about AMC!
I believe OLTL will do well.. The cast seems eager to go on ..
As for AMC, it has not as many core cast.. First time around there were only about 4 actually wanting to continue on from AMC .
He is definitely right the fans all are looking forward to the shows coming back with their favorite actors, it wouldn’t be the same with different people playing those roles.Not only did we miss the shows but, the people who played there characters were very important to us . I hope everything can worked out .
I feel happy that Robert S. Woods back on the saddle which means back on the air(TV or Internet). Robert is great guy who doing good job last time I heard before ABC put them off to replace Revolution(dumbest idea like that.) and now GH took over their time slot. I did miss OLTL alot..I don’t get into AMC very much. Honest!!!
Absolutely! We don’t just want OLTL live……..we want OUR show. We want our familiar faces and family. That said, I do hope that John, Todd & Starr can be crossovers at least for awhile and not take them off GH. I love both shows and will continue to watch GH. But would love to see them on stay at least for awhile, have them gradually removed rather then recast, recasting on GH makes no sense to me.
I hope you all are not going to get the rug pulled out from under you. Hopefully the rumors are untrue of Prospect Park only wanting the veterans until it can take the show “much younger.”
While this is amazing for the genre to continue, I just have this nagging feeling that so many are going to wish that OLTL (as they knew it) had stayed dead. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
I totally respect what you are saying, but soaps in general are always changing. People come and go, actors get aged up, recast, etc. I think Prospect Park is doing what no one else was willing to do. Even if it doesn’t work out, the way I see it is, the worst has already happened. ABC are the ones who pulled the rug out from under us, PP is struggling to give us back what we want. And they brought on Agnes Nixon for crissakes! The news so far is good, and I for one, am cherishing this opportunity that PP has given us!
Totally agree!
They also need to bring back, John Mcbain, starr, jessica and natalie to make it seem like oltl. rex and gigi at least as guest stars also.
I completely agree about McBain, Starr, Jessica and Natalie. No recasting of Todd either. Just cross Roger Howarth over to and fro both shows. PLEASE!
I agree that the whole thing would work if the ones who are on GH just do both (more money that way for them). Stay the same characters as they are and the same actor please. I understand OLTL and AMC are doing arcs and that could mean they wouldn’t have to be on OLTL every arc. I really hope it is worked out for both the actors and the fans.
Michael Easton cannot just sign on. He is contracted br ABC! His contract with PP has expired.
Every 13 weeks contracts are up for negotiations, so I believe that he might be able to get out of it!
Yes you are right about the thirteen weeks. But that is only if an actor is let go. GH will not let Easton go!
Do you Jolie’s not think of Michael and what he wants. That the best for him would be to stay in LA where he and his family relocated to be in LA for his job on GH. That he would not want to uproot again and disturb his family again. That he might want to stay on GH, his new home now? Do you ever think of what he wants?
The 13 week review is written into the contract for the networks, not the actors. That is a codicil that is not reciprocal….in other words, the contracts stipulate that the networks have the right to review and rescind a contract every 13 weeks. Contracts are only negotiated before signing – not in the middle of one.
Ann makes a very good point – GH is extremely happy with ME and has no intention of letting him go. That’s why they signed him to a long term contract from the get go. They have a lot of s/l invested in him – and the fans have actually, for the most part, come to love these OLTL actors. You don’t just uproot your family and move them cross country unless you have a guarantee – actors are people, and are entitled to make their own decisions regarding their future and those of their families.
Yes, Michael signed a contract with ABC…and John McBain is “owned” by PP
i am so excited,for my 2 favorite soaps comeing back.wish they were back on tv tho.not all people have the internet.i wish there was some way one of the networks would have them on one of there channels.like hub.lol fox.
He’s absolutely right. There can’t be recasts. We’ve been hurt by the @#$%^&*( at Disney/ABC enough. Don’t add insult to injury. And. By the way. We love you and have missed you sooooooooo much, Bob!!! Can’t wait to see you again!!!!!!!!
Same here! Thanks RSW for coming back. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
Thanks also for mentioning Jerry VerDorn. Although he hadn’t been around as long as most of the major characters, I’ve become accustomed to him as “Clint” and would really miss him too. Needless to say Hillary, Erika and Robin were simply essential, like you. 🙂
Tina is 1000% correct: NO RECASTS!!! As Bob Woods said “RECOGNIZABLE” cast members.
I agree that you have to sign the vets and then cast younger newbies as their children or grandchildren to work them into the show.
OLTL should really try to get Tina and even Cord back too. I would love to have a great villian like Alex Olanov back too. Since her son Cutter is back it only makes sense to have her (even if just recurring). Last but not least, we need Roxie!
Yes I do think that you need your core Characters/Families back with the original actors.However I do think they will have to bring in new actors for some of the other roles due to actors not being avaible at this time. It has always happened in the Soaps and always will actors come and go and though I don’t always like the replacement actors I understand it has to be done. I just hope that they don’t go over board with with new actors and way out there storylines right off the bat, because I don’t thinkit would help with the ratings!
any blast from the past would get a warm welcome back from me. but for the restart the shows got to work with who they think they need the most, start somewhere near where the original left off, and if everything works out and they have the money and can use them storywise perhaps we’ll get to see other old favorites again. im just grateful for who they have signed up and that these shows are able to come back at all. not all series are this lucky to get a second chance.
I think they need to bring todd , starr , and john back the show would not be the same.
Again, I agree with this statement as well. NO RECASTS and no characters isolated from OLTL. Work the contracts, CHANGE the “rules” and let the three in question cross-pollinate. It’d be a win-win for fans and corporate concerns!
Can’t wait and I agree with Robert
I also want John, Todd and Starr back. The crossover needs to end.
I disagree. I LOVE crossovers!
I agree with Bob Woods! So glad that PP have signed the nucleus of the old OLTL cast!, wishing they could also get Jessica back even if it is Erin Torpey since Bree Williamson seems to be very busy. Also would like to see Joey and Kelly again! They were very cute together and left shortly after getting together as a couple.
And I really hope that they can work out a crossover deal to allow Starr, Todd, and John Mc Bain and the present actors portraying them be on both OLTL and GH, at least for awhile.
Amen, Debbie! BOTH shows need the three stars (Alderson, Howarth, Easton). Everyone benefits in the finality.
Well, i can’t see anybody ELSE playing Todd. I didn’t like the other guy playing Todd. He was a good actor, but there will only be ONE TODD MANNING.
Would they recast someone else to play ERICA on AMC? Of course not. Roger Howard is meant to play TODD forever. When he left i continued to watch OLTL but it was never the same watching someone else play Todd. And now they’re talking about it all over again??? And Starr & John as well?
Thats just plain DUMBASS to me. Are they trying to destroy ONE soap at anothers expense? Sure looks like it to me.
Roger Howarth had a very long and successful run playing Paul Ryan on ATWT, longer than he was on OLTL. Prospect Park breached these contracts, with all of the actors, when they signed them and then could not come up with the financing to continue. Then, they withheld that information from them until the last day of taping OLTL. I sincerely hope that OLTL is successful, and RSW is right – it’s the core characters (primarily the Buchanans and the Lords) that will determine the success of the venture.
Its vitally important for fans to see and recognize core familiar actors for the reboot. Too many recasts and new characters and this will die before it has a chance to live!
You know its One Life To Live, and this is the second chance at life. Who knows if there will be anorher opportunity.
The actors that played Rex and Gigi arent together anymore. JP might vone back to NY and pkay him but I doubt Farah will leave L.A. for a return.
I had not heard this. The character of Rex would be very difficult to recast IMO, JPL really made it his own. The Gigi character, although FF played it well, could have an exit storyline and give Rex an opportunity to be paired with someone else, like Rama, or even the blonde that played Cutter’s partner in crime. LOVED this article and so, so happy that OLTL vets and core characters are on for the re-boot.
They were written out before the final show, so that is no problem with me. Rex, Gigi and Shane can be mentioned still living in Europe while Shane goes to his art school.
I completely agree with Bob. Its not only the characters that we love, its the actors who play them too. I can’t wait for the show to start online. If ABC doesn’t want us as viewers, I am more than happy to watch online.
I can’t agree with Bob Woods more! If you can’t get the original actor for the character, write out the character and create a brand new character instead. There will be enough changes going online. Please minimize any more.
Absolutely agree with Mr. Woods. If you don’t have the key characters, it’s a new soap and fans will be quick to realize it.
For the re-boot I agree it’s essential to have the original actors coming back to play the core characters, but I think some re-casts can be really successful, the best example lately is the recast of Kate in GH. It was hard to imagine a blond Kelly Sullivan stepping into this role, but she has really kicked butt with her talent. If they do have to recast, I hope they do it gradually and not start the show with storylines from recast characters, although I hear in the case of Matthew and Destiny they are doing exactly that.
What I read and saw about Destiny and Matthew was just an audition piece and wasn’t meant to be indicative of where they were going with the story. But who really knows?!?! lol I guess we’ll all find out when the stories start actually airing. 🙂
I totally agree in order to have a core following, the re-boots must remain true to the original show. Otherwise, what is the point of bringing them back? Sure as time passes, new stories, new characters will evolve, but hopefully the original characters will still be part of the big scene.
I agree with Robert but I think they have Key characters now ready, I have watched OLTL before the GH characters were even on so I will be watching no matter what love this Show and am so thrilled for it to be back
To quote a pop song from the 80s, “I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.”
Just so happy to see the FAMILY back together again. How wonderful my spring will be with them back at ONE LIFE TO LIVE..
Not a OLTL fan but I agree that PP should try to get as many familiar faces as possible. I am excited that AMC is coming back. I can wait for the return of some of the actors to AMC. It will take some time for some of the actors to finish up their other obligations. I will wait and watch as this wonderful soap comes back to life. I got my first email from PP! We all just need to keep being patient. PP seems to be trying to bring back as many actors as possible. I’ve got the champagne chilling for the first episode of the AMC online.
This is soooo exciting, cant wait. Michael Easton, Roger Howarth and Kristin Anderson are coming back too. I believe it was in their contract for GH that if Prospect Park was going to revamp the soap, that was a clause in their contract that they had to go back. I think its pretty cool, how they intertwine the characters from OLTL to GH and hopefully, they will do the same and have some GH characters come to LLanview. Can not wait till it hits the cyber waves. See you all in Llanview and Port Charles.
They are trying to work out the legal issues now. Hopeful it can be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction…I’ll see you in Port Charles and Llanview and Pine Valley!
I am so happy that the soaps are coming back. I do hope they take up where they left us all hanging if possible. I want to know if we are going to see “TODD” strapped to that bed again and where that is gonna go.. I sure hope so,… Thank you PP for bringing our family home to us once more…
my problem is while i’m Soo excited to have AMC and OLTL back on we don’t have internet! Guess i’ll have to find someway to watch. Just so wish it was on TV somehow
How are you posting here with no internet?
I’m am so happy to c oltl again.I can’t barely wait.my whole family watches it itogether.I’ve waited so long for this.
Awesome!
I completely agree with Bob and he so handsome!
If you don’t have the core characters of a show like OLTL then it won’t really go anywhere.
Can’t wait to see Bo,Nora,Viki,Clint,Dorian and David back on screen.
Yahoo!
Way to go!
We need Ilene Kristen, please & thank you!!! ROXY is hysterical!
Bob Woods is so right familar faces are needed and wanted by the fans for this to work.
I will be so happy to see my soaps returning. I have been watching for as long as I could remeber. When I wound get home I could watch all 3 of my soaps. AMC, OLTL and GH. I will keep watching for them to start again.
I will be the first one to sign up for One life to Live on line. I was SO disappointed when the show got cancelled I truly loved the show. However, I am really invested in Todd, Starr and John on General hospital right now. There has to be a way to keep them on G H.
I do believe they now belong on GH. I can’t imagine them going back to OLTL. The important thing is they have the Lords, Buchanans and Cramers. That is what will make the online version of OLTL work. I always felt Michael Easton’s talents were wasted on OLTL. Roger Howarth is doing so well with Carly, Connie, Johnny and Kristen Alderson is so great with the character of Michael. They have great chemistry. Leave them be at GH.
OLTL will be just fine without them.
We’ll have to see what the lawyers can work out. Legally the actors are contracted to ABC, but the characters are licensed to PP.
ME and KA both signed long term contracts with ABC, and relocated to LA because of those contracts. RH only signed on for a year – but he’s been known to stay for years and years if he’s treated correctly and likes working with his co-stars. From what I’ve read, none of the actors wants to go back to OLTL – they did have the rug pulled out from under them before by PP, so I don’t blame them. Don’t forget there are 3rd parties involved in these negotiations – those representing the actors.
Just wondering, has anyone seen anything on Michael E. Knight and Cady McClain (Tad and Dixie) coming back? Two of my favorite characters. One of the best couples ever.
I haven’t heard anything except that Debbie Morgan did tweet that she thought Mike might sign. That was quite a while ago. I sure hope he does sign on. To me, Tad is a more important “get” than Susan Lucci’s Erica. Tad is my favorite charachter. I’ve grown up with him and would be heartbroken if he wasn’t on the show.
Likewise. He can do humor and drama. And complements all characters.
I agree. Tad is a more important “get” than Erica.
YES WE NEED TAD
I agree. Michael Knight’s Tad is more important than Susan Lucci in my book. We Want Tad!
well is it coming to abc or what
No. They will NOT be shown on ABC. They will be broadcast online first, they are looking for a cable channel to air them after a delay.
Excellent!!! Bring Back Ilene Kristen Tuc Watkins too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love all of them …They need to get Trevor st john!! finish it up!! He’s tied to a bed for cryin out loud!!!! LOLOL!!
Bring all of my people back!!
I can not wait!!
I read that Tuc Watkins did sign to do OLTL.
Oh Great news! I miss all of them soooo much…and only people who have watched, GET IT… So funny, and just a blast to watch!
I know. I have been wondering how they are going to finish up that storyline if they don’t bring back Trevor St John. Besides it would sure take a load off Todd’s shoulders…lol.
I love him on GH, right now Fern cliff , with lucy, heather!!LOOLLOLOLOL too too funny!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Ron Carlivati, and frank Valentini for giving us part of our OLTL back, and GH the way it should be!!! I LOVE IT!!
I am so happy that Woodsy is going to be part of this! When I met him at the anniversary rally-love fest, before Prospect Park pulled the plug the first time, he didn’t seem so sure that he was going to sign on. I got the impression he was looking forward to retirement. What a difference a year makes! Maybe being retired isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Whatever made him decide to sign on, I personally couldn’t be happier. While I’m not a youngster (54), I am older than the teen/twenties set and the veteran actors are the draw for me. While I enjoy the youngsters, they are not what I tune in for. It would be kind of creepy for me to have the hots for Jack, Matthew, the Ford Bros, and any other kids on the show, but Bob Woods, now there’s a man!
Happy to have One Life To Live back, eager for all the details, I’m not sure where to find the most reliable information, about when it begins or where to find it! I do hope to see a lot of the old history – I’ve always wished they would bring Gabrielle back, oh and Delialah and Rafe, also Guilietta who loved Bo so long ago….and the new stuff is fun too. I’d hope for Roger Howarth to have some part in at least the beginning of the show….
Tuc became a great asset to OLTL.and Bob is right go say it’s nice to see familiar faces. Then you can add meet people and work them into the core group. That what they did with Alex as she was with Bo,then Carlo,then Ty then Asa,then Tuc and somewhere in there, Mr. Wentworth. Like I always said, the more last names you have on a show the better your character! 🙂
I would love to see Alex back on the canvas as Cutter’s mom down the line. What a story that would be. Best to you Ms. Walker.
The 1st people I want to see is Viki, Clint, Bo, Nora, Dorian & David. Without these couples it wouldn’t be my OLTL. Build the show around them & I can accept any new people. But without the main characters it’s not OLTL. Ready to see my Landview family.
I agree totally with you! I feel the same way!