News
Robin Strasser on her early OLTL exit & how Dorian leaves Llanview and if she would return!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Daytime Emmy award winning actress Robin Strasser (Dorian) of One Life to Live discusses with TV Guide many questions that fans have wanted to know and to understand since last May when Robin told ABC she’d needed to exit OLTL early to deal with a severely bad back that’s plagued her for years. Strasser was hoping a schedule could be worked out where she would be seen on air through the fall, closer to the end of OLTL’s network television run. However, Strasser has said that the ABC network abruptly gave her her walking papers as part of a major summer cast-cutting and budget measure.
In this very compelling interview, Strasser give her thoughts on what went down with OLTL, plus now that her medical treatment plan for her back has been altered, if she would entertain the thought of making some more appearances on the show before its conclusion, and then if she would move to the web with the series if asked to be part of the online version. Here are a few juicy excerpts!
Strasser on if OLTLcalled… would she be up for taping a return appearance before the shows network finale: “Since I am not going to be having an immediate surgery, if the show needed me and I can walk, I’d run to Llanview! If they want, they can consider me part of the recurring group. It’s a badge of honor as far as I’m concerned — that would put me in the company of the fabulous Ilene Kristen [Roxie] and Patricia Elliott [Renee]. I would have been fine about becoming Great Aunt Dorian with the hair and the clothes just getting flashier and crazier as the years go on. I really would! I just love that whole Cramer family of female energy and being a part of it. Just thinking about it, I get all crushy for it! I call myself “the team-playing diva” — an anomaly in some circles but not in my universe. There was a point, about a year and a half ago, where I even volunteered to go off contract and become recurring.”
Strasser on how Mayor Doriane exits Llanview: “She’s going to become a United States senator. They have her being appointed by the governor and going to Washington to replace the current senator who is caught in a scandal. They wanted to do the old thing about the men’s room and the tapping foot and I said, “I will not!” It was in the middle of the Weiner thing, so I said, “Make it a sexting scandal.” I just wasn’t going to do the bathroom thing. [Laughs] I think they were, like, “She’s on her way out. We’re not going to argue with her.” So it was changed. They also say Dorian will be running for the dethroned senator’s seat in November… apparently without a primary. Hey, I just say the words! Mine was not to question why, mine was to do it and die! [Laughs] It’s okay. It’s nice to know that, at least forensically, Dorian is still alive. Did I ever tell you about the time [former OLTL executive producer] Paul Rauch thought Elaine Princi was practically my lookalike twin and told me to my face — to my face! — “They are going to forget all about you, Robin! I have found a woman to replace you!”
Breaking News
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.
That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
Photo: Freemantle
Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”
Photo: Freemantle
For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.
Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee
The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.
Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.
So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne would like to share a special message regarding our incredible #Neighbours Daytime Emmy Award nominations 💛 @DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/wWWo5PxmfD
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 23, 2024
Days Of Our Lives
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.
In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?
Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”
Photo: FOX
OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.
Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.” Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”
Photo: JPI
The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.
News
Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful
Coming up on this Friday’s April 26th episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Juliet Vega, the stepdaughter to Sean Kanan will make an appearance on the CBS daytime drama series in the role of Michele.
Keeping it “All in the Family”, the character is named after Juliet’s real-life mother, and Kanan’s wife, writer and producer, Michele Kanan.
Back in 2012, Sean married Michele Vega and thus began their blended family which included his daughter, Simone, and Michelle’s children, Peter, Gigi, and her twins, Annie and Juliet.
Photo: JPI
According to a B&B show spokesperson, Juliet’s B&B character is intentionally named Michele in honor of her mother and Sean’s wife.
While we don’t know how “Michele” shows up in story, it is the same episode that Clint Howard makes an appearance as well seemingly tied to the case of where in the world is Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)?
Photo: CBS
We can’t imagine that Juliet wouldn’t get the opportunity to mix it up on-screen with her stepdad, Sean Kanan. Previously, the two acted together in Sean’s streaming series Studio City, where she played the role of Delilah and he played soap actor, Sam Stevens. In it, Delilah is the bio-daughter Sam never knew he had.
So, looking forward to seeing Juliet on B&B and how ‘Michele’ turns up in the story? Comment below.
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Thanks for posting the link, Michael. Very interesting interview. Well, Paul Rauch–You were WRONG! I recall EP in the role of Dorian Lord and not to take away from the actress but I really missed Strasser as Dorian. She leaves a strong impression. Frank Valentini has been known to work magic with his budget. Since presumably they had budgeted for her to stay through the end of the show, It seems only logical that she return since she no longer needs the immediate surgery. OLTL just isn’t OLTL without Dorian Lord as played by Robin Strasser. If FV for some unknown reason can’t get it together this is a REQUEST to Prospect Park to get us our Dorian back!
she is a hoot
I love me some Dorian!! LOL
There is nobody like her, please Frank and Ron bring her back somehow.
Robin Strasser is awesome. Her Dorian is a delicious blend of good and bad. She is as vital to the pulse of this show as any character. It is a shame that the headwriter and producer fail to recognize or care about the brilliant gem they had in their midst. Fans of OLTL knew it.
In his interview, Ron Carlivati claims Rama and Vimal are popular. Okay. Then he must recognize that RS’s Dorian is immensely popular and has enthralled, angered, and entertained viewers for decades. With that knowledge, penning such a terrible exit is astounding. A possible Senate seat and David and Dorian compromise –to what end? Another break-up or separation? No happy ending or promise of love and romance, just another David rejection or flight for something else? Really?
Dorian languished whenever David took flight; RS had no story until TW returned. Now after chaining her for years to only David, they end them as she leaves? Too late. This show should have invested the same time, care, thought as that of a fan. This is especially true if they foolishly fail to bring RS back for the finale (they will certainly bring back David).
Soaps are at their core about love. Dorian should leave on the arm of a man who loves her (how about Mel, Herb, or even Ray) and leave town for a reason that makes sense in the midst of her Cramer women Todd crisis. Dorian fans deserved a happy ending.
At any rate, thank you to Ms. Strasser for the decades of fun, tears, and entertainment. Hopefully this wrong will be righted and RS returns for the final months.
Paul Rauch is an idiot, To me, Robin Strasser is the one and only Dorian. She is irreplaceable.
Ha – no one can replace you Robin.
I do hope that you can return before the end….maybe for the TV finale…
and then for some web shows.
I love your spirit.
robin you ARE dorian! i pray they bring you back to llanview!!
Robin Strasser is the quintessential Dorian in the same way Andrea Evans is the ultimate Tina. That said, Elaine Princi did a fine job in the role of Dorian at a time when Robin Strasser did not make herself available to play the part. ABC treated Elaine horribly in the way she was fired so that Robin could return during Linda Gottlieb’s tenure as executive producer. The least ABC could have done was to give Elaine another role on another ABC series. She’s a lovely woman and a talented actress who got short-shrifted in every respect. I wish only the best for both women.
Dorian and Viki have been the heart and soul of OLTL for decades. I can’t stand to think about Robin’s absence after August 25. Robin, you have provided such satisfying entertainment and incredible performances, thank you. You are so loved and will be so missed.
There is only one Dorian and there will only ever be one Robin Strasser! I hope everything works out for her back and that she rejoins the cast on the new online network. She is the reason I watch OLTL.
Robin (Dorian)
I am 62 years old & have watched OLTL since the first day it came on– always arranging my lunch hour to be home in front of my TV or in later years recording every show! You have always been my favorite actor on the show–even when they tried to fill in with someone else, it never worked and I hated them– they were not Dorian (you)! I just wanted to tell you without “Dorian” the show is already over! I wish you all the best — and if OLTL goes to the web, I will follow. Just one question, I have always wanted to know–do you really speak French?
I am a 44 year old male Family Practice Physician. When I was about 4 years old I started watching the Soaps while my Mother ironed (back then you could let a 4 yo watch the soaps!) . Dorian Lord Riley …etc ….became one of my favorite characters as a kid (which means Robin must have only been about 2yo at the time!). I have never stopped pausing to watch the show in my office or the hospital if Dorian is on…particularly if Vickie is there too! I am glad the Tina, Cord and Jessica are back, but I just cannot imagine OLTL ending without Robin Strasser there. I’d really love to see her back for an amazing Dorian Swansong! We love you Robin!!
Well, let’s see,its been two years, OLTL is BACK and Robin with it, and that bag of dirt Paul Rauch is well,how shall I put it, roasting in hell. I never cared for the way Elaine Princi copied Robin’s performance rather than bringing something new to the role. I always figured she was under order’s to do this, but it showed a lack of ability and integrity as an artist. I think it’s interesting to note that when Robin took off for California she found a lot of work to keep her busy, and Elaine, well, not so much. Poor Elaine. Whenshe got dumped she complained to the soap press that she was stabbed in the back, was lied to and mislead. Ironic considering she was on TV several hundred times a day all over the county assuring us all that she knew everything that was going to happen to her before it happened because she talked to her Psychic Friend every day. The Psychic friends Network canned her ass after that even faster than ABC when Robin wanted to come back east.