Beyond the Gates
Ron Carlivati Talks Tales of ‘One Life to Live,’ Decision to Exit ‘Beyond the Gates,’ Soap Writers and the Blame Game
This week on all-new episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, multi-Daytime Emmy and WGA winning writer, Ron Carlivati is the special guest. Carlivati, who over his expansive writing career, has been the head writer at One Life to Live, General Hospital, Days of our Lives and most recently was part of the writing team at Beyond the Gates for its first 200 episodes.
Throughout his sit-down, Ron shared his journey to the show he loved the most, One Life to Life, to the show he watched first growing up, General Hospital and becoming its head scribe, plus how he came up with some of his more memorable storylines and characters, and the intensity of writing for the machine that is a daytime soap opera that has with no end, and why he is now stepped away to refocus himself on his own projects and what’s next in his career.
Carlivati revealed that during his tenure at One Life to Live, his favorite storyline actually sprung out of six-time Daytime Emmy-winning star, Erika Slezak’s (Viki) annual summer break, where usually they would send Viki off to a conference or something. But not this time!
Photo: JPI
VIKI DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
Ron explained, “My favorite storyline happened when Erika Slezak took her summer break. It was a thing where Dorian (Robin Strasser) challenged Viki about life is short and what are you going do with the rest of your life? Viki really didn’t know. We did this thing where Viki was seeing her kids off and all the people that came home for Asa’s (Phil Carey) funeral. She was seeing them off at the airport, and at the end of the episode she walks up to the counter and she goes, ‘Give me a ticket on the next flight out of here.’ And they’re like, ‘Where to?’ And Viki goes, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ She asks for a one way ticket on the next flight out and she gets on and leaves. Then, I had her vacation time to figure out, ‘Where was Viki?'”
“So, I wrote this story where I basically ripped off the sitcom Alice,” he continued. “When Erika came back finally after her vacation, Viki’s kids were like, ‘I haven’t heard from mom. It’s kind of weird.’ They finally got her on the phone and you don’t really see her close up. Viki says, “I’m in Paris.” Then when she hangs up, you pull back and she’s in a waitress outfit and she’s in Paris, Texas.”
Photo: CBS
“We got Brian Kerwin to play Viki’s new love interest, and he was a big Broadway actor and a star. That turned out to be a great couple …Viki and and Charlie. Frank Valentini was completely supportive and game that we had this amazing diner set. It was called the Bonjour Cafe. On the soaps, there used to be so much more time and attention to detail. We had an Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on it on every table in the diner. It was fun.”
FALLING THROUGH THE ICE
In addition, Carlivati pointed how over the years when he would pitch producers at the soaps ideas of stories, it would often take the higher-ups some time to agree to it, but eventually they would come around.
One in particular One Life to Live fans will recall from 2010, “I wanted to do this thing on One Life to live where Gigi (Farah Fath) was walking on a frozen lake and she falls through the ice, and you know what the budgets are, you know what the sets are, and asking for a frozen lake with a water tank underneath is a lot of money.”
Courtesy/ABC
Frank (Valentini) is like, “Absolutely not.” And then, he gets excited about the idea and he doesn’t want to be the “no” person. So, he calls me up an hour later and he goes, ‘All right, here’s how we’re going to do it,” To make it work, this thing has to break out from under her. They did a controlled explosion to make this plastic ice break and her to fall through!”
FROM SALEM TO FAIRMONT CREST
After Ron’s exit as the head writer of Days of our Lives, he had planned to refocus himself, take a break from the rigors of head writing a show, when literally less than two months later, Michele Val Jean (creator, head writer, executive producer, Beyond the Gates) called Ron up and asked him, if he would want to join her writing team to launch the new soap opera After first resisting it, Carlivati shared how he came around to saying, yes.
Photo: CBS
“I had this five and a half hour drive back to New York City and I’m talking to my husband about it and he’s like saying like, ‘Well, you said you wanted to do less and you would have less responsibility with this job where you’re not the boss.’ So, there was that factor. Then, there was sort of the historic factor that this was the first new soap opera in over 25 years. It was the first hour-long soap centered around a black family. I had worked at ABC and NBC, but never CBS. Also, Michele had Bob Guza on board. I’d never worked with him and he’s a legendary writer. All these pluses are adding up. I was like, ‘I only have to write one episode a week? Not oversee this whole thing? OK.”
Next, Ron explained his decision to leave the series after he satisfied the initial run of shows he came on for, “At that point (when I signed on), Beyond the Gates was greenlit for 200 episodes. So, the writers were all only hired for that, because no one knew if it would go further than that. I agreed to come on for that, which I’m so glad I did. Everyone was amazing. It was fun to be creating a new show.”
SOAP WRITERS OFTEN FACE FAN BACKLASH
Greg Rikaart, who’s current Days of our Lives character of Leo Stark was created by Carlivati, brought up the subject of how soap opera writers receive a disproportionate amount of criticism online from viewers, as opposed to saying something they watched was so incredible or well-written.
Photo: Peacock
Carlivati responded, “They will definitely blame the writer before the actor, because you guys are the ones they see on TV. That’s who they love. And, if they are doing something terrible, they’re like, ‘Oh, poor Leo had to do this thing that they made him do that wasn’t in his character.” So, yes, the writer does get disproportionate more of the criticism.”
Fans can listen and catch episodes of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.
So, what did you think about Viki’s Paris, Texas journey being one of Ron’s favorite from his time head writing One Life to Live? From, OLTL, GH, Days and BTG, which soap during his tenure have you enjoyed the most? Drop your thoughts in the comment section. You can check out the full interview with Carlivati below.
Carlivati responded, “They will definitely blame the writer before the actor, because you guys are the ones they see on TV. That’s who they love. And, if they are doing something terrible, they’re like, ‘Oh, poor Leo had to do this thing that they made him do that wasn’t in his character.” So, yes, the writer does get disproportionate more of the criticism.”
And why shouldn’t we? The actor is only playing what’s on the script, which the writer wrote.
I loved the storyline of Viki winding up working at the cafe in Paris TX including the introduction of Gigi and Moe & Noelle. Glad they integrated those characters into the show. Would have liked to have seen more of January Lavoy and John Rue.
Love Ron to bits one of the best daytime writers ever.
Ron is so cute too 🙂
Hearing Ron talk about One Life to Live brings such joy to my heart because that’s my show too. I saw the debut episode and was immediately intrigued by the fascinating characters. Over the years I watched the show grow and develop and expand. Not a single day goes by that I don’t miss One Life to Live. Thank you to Ron for being a part of that amazing show.
Nice interview. Very curious as to what the project he is working on. Would love to have heard what he thought Vicki and Dorian from OLTL would be up to now, and if he would be willing to write a one off tv movie for the soap. Have heard past rumors about AMC doing something similar for lifetime, but nothing concrete.
He’s probably bound by an NDA or it’s in the early stages of development.
I thought Ron’s writing brought a unique style of storytelling to One Life To Live and General Hospital. It’s cool that he used to work for David Baldacci.
During the interview, did it resonate with anyone else that when they brought Erika Slezak on GH as Ronnie, that she played a waitress, again??? I thought that was a nod to Ron.
I just thought about that after the interview.
I think he is one of the all time great writers not just because of the stories he wrote. I think Doug Marland, Bill Bell, Agnes Nixon were better story tellers. But he gets high marks because from me of his assistance in saving General Hospital and Days from outright cancellation during a time when television executives wanted out of the soap business altogether. He had a much tougher fight.
Spot on. Although his ego was massive. And he is very thin skinned. He loved blocking his critics instead of engaging with them.
This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, Banneker U. homecoming continues on Monday, October 5, when Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) shocks the Duprees and Richardson families, while Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett), Vernon (Clifton Davis), Elon (Malachi Malik) and Joey (Jon Lindstrom) scramble knowing Hayley (Marquita Goings) is in possession of audio recordings that would reveal their involvement in a dark secret.
That secret is a few years back when Martin (Brandon Claybon) killed a racist attacker while severely beating another man named Kenneth, in what followed followed was a subsequent murder orchestrated by Bill and Joey that was covered up as a “robbery gone wrong!”
Now, in the latest video teaser for the action in and around Fairmont Crest from October 5-9 (see below), Hayley becomes the target as many people want to silence her or gain access to the recordings she has. It was those recording, which Hayley used to blackmail her husband, Bill, in order to stay out of jail for trying to kill him! Oh, what a tangled web we weave.
Photo: CBS
Meanwhile, Bill and Dani’s (Karla Mosley) shared history continues to draw them closer together, while Kat (Colby Nixon) seems to be enjoying her time with Izaiah (Lami), after Eva (Ambyr Michelle) decided not to come to the Banneker homecoming gathering. Will Kat and Izaiah become even closer? Stay tuned.
Now below, check out the official Beyond the Gates spoilers for the action in and around Fairmont Crest this week.
Monday, October 5
Anita hears disturbing news from Vernon. Dani gets the cold shoulder. Bill won’t give up without a fight. Nicole offers Deanna a reality check while Vanessa dodges some big questions. Martin & Smitty enjoy a full house. Jacob & Naomi align their priorities. Tyrell drops a major bombshell on his family.
Tuesday, October 6
Anita and Dani’s update blindsides Nicole. Vernon puts Bill on notice. Hayley scores a big win… at a big cost. Leslie defends her actions. Jacob confronts Izaiah. Kat’s bold words leave Eva shaken. Chelsea issues an important warning.
Wednesday, October 7
Vernon comes to the rescue. Dani presses Bill while Andre troubles Ted. Hayley’s caught totally off guard. Eva faces the future while Izaiah’s distracted. Leslie’s devoted to drama. Marcel and Joey practice persuasion.
Thursday, October 8
Andre dredges up Dani’s past. Anita finds comfort in music while Nicole is candid with Vanessa. Ted and Ashley are in cahoots. Leslie gets Hayley scrambling and Randy is fed up. Noah gives Deanna a different perspective.
Friday, October 9
Vernon shares the ugly truth with Anita. Nicole makes good on a promise. Naomi doesn’t back down. Madison leans on Chelsea after risking it all. Smitty draws a hard line with Martin. Vanessa and Joey hear Heather out. Ted’s trip with Shanice proves unforgettable.
Check out the video preview for this week’s episodes of Beyond the Gates below.
Then let us know, who do you think might be chloroforming Hayley? Will she get away with her blackmail, and be able to out maneuver everyone to continue to have a ‘get out of jail free’ card? What do you think Tyrell has to say during Banneker homecoming that will come as a surprise? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Beyond the Gates is set to air two upcoming episodes on Friday, October 2 and Monday, October 5 on CBS, which will feature the residents of Fairmont Crest gathering at the Dupree family home for a spirited tailgate ahead of Banneker’s Homecoming, decked out in the university’s signature crimson and gold.
The episodes celebrate African American heritage by showcasing the longstanding homecoming traditions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) through the show’s fictional Banneker University.
With five generations of the Dupree family having attended Banneker, Homecoming is more than a celebration – it’s a cherished family legacy. For the Duprees and the Fairmont Crest community, it offers an opportunity to honor their shared history, celebrate their HBCU pride, and come together for a special day filled with family, friendship, and tradition.
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER U. FIGHT SONG
The excitement culminates with a spirited bus ride to the game, where the entire group proudly sings “Fight On,” Banneker University’s beloved fight song and we know the cast members of Beyond the Gates CAN SING! Ahead of the episodes, CBS released some promotional photos and more to engage viewers to tune-in to the 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated daytime drama.
The series is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Photo: CBS
Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.
*(live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. *Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.
So, are you glad to see Beyond the Gates continuing to shed light on Black excellence through its soap opera platform? Is the Dupree family, quickly, if not already, become one of your favorites families in all of daytime drama? Let us know via the comment section below.
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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