Interviews
The Ilene Kristen Interview – One Life to Live
Photo Credit: Y. Perez/ABC
We all knew for the past decade that every time Ilene Kristen’s irrepressible and boozin’ Roxy Balsom would hit our television screens in a scene on One Life to Live, we were in for a barrel of laughs. And then, over the years there have been times when the laughter turned to tears through Roxy’s drama and secrets, and attempts to help those she loves. But nothing prepared us for the special Christmas present with a beautiful bow on it delivered to us by Kristen and the powers-that-be at One Life when they decided to pay homage to its loyal fan base, and mirror what has happened to its 43-year-old soap … its cancellation!
Over the past several weeks Roxy, played in a brilliant star turn by Kristen (that has Emmy written all over it) has led the charge trying to save Llanview’s own favorite long running soap, Fraternity Row! After all, Roxy is the soap’s number one fan! And in doing so Roxy, and we along with her, found out most of the members of the community of Llanview have a special hankering for Frat Row, too!
Next, in a spectacular episode that aired this past Monday, Roxy and David (Tuc Watkins) head to the set of Fraternity Row to try to save the soap, and when they get there they realize that the soap has filmed their final episode and the set has gone dark. Roxy faints in horror and shock, and wakes up as Lorraine, the central character of Fraternity Row! And what ensued from there was a laugh a minute spoof on the genre, and OLTL’s own storylines, magnificently played by the entire cast! And then when the episode ended, there was not a dry eye among viewers nationwide.
On-Air On-Soaps talked to Ilene Kristen the day following the fantasy episode airshow to get her thoughts on this special love letter to the fans… the legacy of Roxy Balsom, the real-life cancellation, and then the devastation over Prospect Park’s initial decision to halt One Life’s move online, and what the future may hold now amongst all the circulating rumors and reports. Here’s Ilene!
MICHAEL:
Monday’s Fraternity Row special episode was truly a remarkable episode with you at the epicenter! It’s amazing that you were able to poke fun and jabs at ABC with what they did in cancelling OLTL with this entire Fraternity Row storyline … and the network never kiboshed it!
ILENE:
Courtesy/ABC
I think we got away with some major great things. What a unique show! We have done so many clever and interesting things from the Babes Behind Bars episode to the Live Week. I have to say these ten years have been creatively unbelievable and very bittersweet.
MICHAEL:
How did you first find out that you were going to have this whole fantasy episode centering around Roxy?
ILENE:
Frank Valentini (OLTL, EP) did come to me, and what he said was very beautiful. He said, “For your reward for your great work, we are writing a whole episode for you, basically.” And I went, “Oh, that’s nice.” I had no idea really what he was talking about and had no idea of how it would come about. (Laughs) I learned not to ask too many questions. (Laughs) Frank was an extraordinary producer and I think Frank and Ron Carlivati (OLTL, head writer) worked beautifully together. I think the last six months of this show for me were fantastic. And once they did not have to deal with Brian Frons micro-managing everything, the show was beyond fantastic.
MICHAEL:
What did you think when you found out that it was Roxy that would be spearheading the movement to save her favorite soap … Fraternity Row?
ILENE:
Oh, I was so happy about that, and so proud that I was really representing the fans. I feel like growing up in New York and being on television for a long time… but also being out in the public, (I am on the subway all the time!) I kind of feel like I am a person of the people. I felt very happy that I was representing the people, and so it was very profound to me. And, it will always be profound to me that I got to represent all of our soap fans, who have been fighting so valiantly … and are still fighting.
Photo Credit; Steven Bergman
MICHAEL:
You were not only able to play the humor, but you brought the pathos and reality to your performance in the fantasy episode, and thus far in the entire Fraternity Row storyline. The canceling of this fictional soap was so poignant and personal to Roxy, and almost everyone else in Llanview, and yes, it had plenty of laughs to boot! There was such a heartbreaking and touching element to it. Anyone that has watched OLTL on a regular basis, and/or knows what has happened, got the inside joke and satire of it all. So when you taped the fantasy episode did the cast not laugh out loud? How did you get through the taping?
ILENE:
First of all, our director that day, Larry Carpenter, wanted to do the whole first scene in one take! That was the first laugh of the day! I am like, “You want to do what?” They had to break it down into pieces. We are used to shooting two pages at a time in daytime now, because scenes are so short. And, this opening scene was literally ten pages – the first people coming in, the first people coming out – it was kind of a long and crazy scene. Actually, the day was well organized, and Larry Carpenter is very organized on how he does things. It was hard not to laugh in certain places.
MICHAEL:
What did you get the biggest laugh out of?
ILENE:
I thought Erika Slezak (Viki) was hysterical when Gilda’s alter comes out … Matilde! That cracked me up! I thought Roger Howarth (Todd) was funny. I thought everybody was great. And, we did not retake things because we were laughing; we would retake things because we would forget, like, “Where the hell am I?” (Laughs) In rehearsals we would laugh, but I will tell you what? The scene that was a little hard to get through, and it wasn’t the special episode day, but it was in the Blanca Morales show tape day. That was so funny. Tuc Watkins (David) was extremely funny, and I thought that was written really well. I thought that was such an amazing episode.
Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL:
Those were pretty fantastic special episodes! I say, “Emmy!”
ILENE:
Yes, and if you put those two episodes together it’s an amazing submission. The ludicrous thing about the Emmys is; now for the pre-nomination process you have to pick a scene that is only 2 minutes, which first of all is so belittling as a judge, because I have been a judge many times. You know, it used to be much better when you sit in a room with everybody and judge on these panels. People have gotten so lazy. I have been a judge many times, and even when I’m most busy, I have made the time to just sit and watch each person’s tape for however long it takes. I want someone to respect me and my work, so I will respect your work. And it’s gotten easier and more stupid every year! I don’t know who is making up these rules! You can’t sit and watch reels anymore that you get in the mail? It’s hard to take it seriously, and having said that…. I hope I get nominated! (Laughs) For the Emmys, I gave them the scene where I go to Clint and Roxy tells him he should pick up Fraternity Row. I did not use the Lorraine material, because it has so many people in it, and because it’s kind of an inside joke and she is reacting a lot However, I had some very funny lines in it. Believe me; I will put together a reel of the whole thing!
MICHAEL:
Well, you know what my favorite Lorraine moment was? When she walked in and there were the three half-naked guys (David Gregory, Lenny Platt, Nic Robuck) all waiting for her, all wanting to bed her!
ILENE:
Oh, wasn’t that funny? And weren’t those guys wonderful? My favorite moment though was the play on the word “nepotism”, where Roxy thought nepotism is when you sleep with dead bodies! And I go, “That’s disgusting” and Sean Ringgold (Shaun) whispers in my ear, and I go, “Oh, that’s what that means.”
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/ABC
Can I tell you my favorite mangled word? And, it wasn’t on the Fraternity Row episode. It was when Roxy blurted out, “I am done. D-U-N.” I was drinking a glass of water at the time, and when you said that I found it so hilarious that the water spewed out from my mouth!
ILENE:
(Laughs) Oh, I know! Sometimes they write them brilliant and sometimes they write something and I go, “Oh, I know I can come up with something better than that!” And so I do. D-U-N, I think was mine. I spell “done” like that all the time because I wrote this song called, “I’m Not Dun Wit U Yet.” It’s a jazz song, and that is how I spell it when I short hand it. But they do write some great stuff.
MICHAEL:
Tell me how it was to tape the tearjerker final scene on Monday’s Fraternity Row special episode with you and Tuc Watkins, where you walk off the closed set?
ILENE:
Oh, that was so emotional for me. I thought it was beautiful. It’s funny; it looked like Tuc and I were walking sort of fast down the studio, in my estimation. However, when we were performing it, it felt like we were walking much slower. I wish there would have been one more shot where I turned around and looked back.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/ABC
When David grabbed Roxy’s hand, and you and Tuc were walking hand in hand … I just lost it!
ILENE:
Oh, I am so glad you could see that. This is the thing… if you put together a bunch of those shows and you were to send them to Prospect Park and say, “Look what we created here. We want to keep this quality,” because One Life to Live looks amazing! All the Blanca Morales stuff, and the fantasy episode … it’s an amazing story with an amazing caliber of actors. It was classically funny, and a goof on soaps and on the medium.
MICHAEL:
At the end of the day, you must be so proud of your performance as Roxy, and the ten years you have gotten to play this fabulous part …
ILENE:
…. And that, and a Metro Card can take me anywhere in New York City! (Laughs) Look, I feel blessed for so many reasons. I got this job September 10th, 2001. And the next day, the world blew up. And then I went, “What does acting really mean?” But by September 27th, 2001, which was Yom Kippur, (and I did not say to them I would not work on Yom Kippur) I think I was the only Jew in the building. And then I realized the truth of the matter, which was; the audience needed to have some entertainment. And by God, I was going to entertain them. It’s been a labor of love, and not that Ryan’s Hope wasn’t. I have never had a continuous job for ten years like this. Ryan’s Hope was in bits and pieces. It has been the most unbelievable ten years of my life, and I thank God that I had it. I am very grateful to Frank Valentini. He kept me on the show, when sometimes I felt like Brian Frons may have wanted me gone. I am going to stand apart from myself and say that I am one of the most entertaining things on One Life. So if you want to get rid of me you’re an idiot! (Laughs) I know what I do. I entertain people. That has been my goal since the time I was 8 years old, to entertain people. I think it’s a lofty goal. But it’s not to prove anything to myself, because I knew I was talented as a little kid. I liked that I could bring smiles to people’s faces.
MICHAEL:
You had the opportunity to work for years with Melissa Archer (Natalie) and John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex) as Roxy’s kids. What has it been like for you working with this duo?
ILENE:
Courtesy/ABC
I love them. I watched them grow up. John-Paul was a young adult in a way when he started, and he became a man. He has done great work, and I am sure there is a place in this business for him beyond One Life to Live and Melissa, too. Melissa would memorize a HUGE amount of lines in record time. I was very hurt that the show made the decision for Echo to be Rex’s mother. They did not tell me they were going to make Scott Clifton (Ex-Schuyler) my kid! Then they chose to get rid of him. That was upsetting for me, and I was never notified that they were going to let Kyle and Fish go. So major storylines that I had, I had to find out on the internet that people were let-go! So along with every great thing along the way, there were some disappointing things, but overall it’s been a banquet and a feast to be at One Life to Live.
MICHAEL:
And, everyone would love the banquet to continue! Do you think after the “suspending efforts” announcement by Prospect Park there is still a possibility that this show will still continue and end up online? Prospect Park recently came out with a news item that they were still looking to make this work and resurrect the show!
ILENE:
I think Prospect Park is determined to try and do something with the One Life to Live property. And, they can do what they want with the property because Prospect Park does have the rights for a year. And, if they get it done by January 2013, then they have the rights for the next ten years. I do believe there are other producing entities that are interested in doing something with One Life to Live, too, because of its entertainment value, quality, and passionate audience. I’m sure if you talk to me in a month or so, more will be more revealed.
MICHAEL:
Do you think that Prospect Park had any inkling of what they were getting into when they decided to pick up All My Children and One Life to Live from ABC and attempt to move them online?
ILENE:
Photo Credit: Broadway World
I think Prospect Park has underestimated us. I don’t think they understand what it really takes to do this kind of a show. And, I don’t think they did their homework the entire time. We all know how difficult this medium is, but all the actors love it. It has been creatively fantastic to be on this show. In daytime soaps you have to think on your feet and make split second decisions. If Prospect Park came and watched us for a whole week, they would see what we do. They came to the show once, and as far as I know, they never watched us shoot. They came and made a statement that they needed us, as much as we might need them. And, that they want us to be the anchor for their new online network, and that they need a show such as ours with a loyal and loving fan base that would tune-in every day. That was one of the most important criteria in starting a network, they said, that you have people who are addicted to something, and who would watch every day.
MICHAEL:
What went down on November 23, 2011 – five days after One Life finished taping their final network television episode? You got word on Thanksgiving eve that the show is not going to launch online in January as planned, and Prospect Park was suspending their efforts.
ILENE:
I had just found out about an hour before I went to Lorraine Broderick’s (AMC head writer) house. So it was a really happy Thanksgiving eve! She has all this wonderful food and I felt like I had no appetite.
MICHAEL:
You must have felt utterly disappointed!
ILENE:
ABC had asked us to clean out our dressing rooms by December 9th, but being the optimist that I am, I went, “Oh, this is because they have a place for us to be shooting. We have to get our stuff out because they don’t want to rent the ABC Studios any longer than they have to. So of course, they are going to be making the announcement before the final date. And it’s going to be surprise, surprise, surprise!” It was a surprise all right!
MICHAEL:
When the cast and crew finished taping the final days at One Life at ABC Studios, was there any sense of closure with all this upheaval from the Prospect Park situation, while bringing down the curtain on One Life’s time at ABC?
ILENE:
Photo Credit: Y. Perez/ABC
There was no real feeling of completion. Even when we had our party on Friday after the final taping, it still did not feel complete. It was kind of like we are all saying, “Well, I will still see you.” I think we are all hoping that everything would come together, and we be working together soon.
MICHAEL:
In closing, what would you like to say to the fans of the series, as we get ready to say farewell to One Life as we know it on network television?
ILENE:
I love the fans to pieces! I think they are sophisticated, and more sophisticated than anyone gives them credit for, than the networks give them credit for. I think that when you have an audience of several million and treat them like, “We’re done with you,” I don’t think that is a good thing. I think the repercussions of that for ABC … we shall see … more to be revealed. I think you have taken an audience who wouldn’t want to miss an episode, and now if they miss an episode of The Chew…who cares?
Interviews
Joe Hendry Talks WWE Microdrama Collab ‘Agent of Shadows,’ New Music, and What’s Next! (Exclusive)
The motto, “I believe in Joe Hendry” is catching on even outside the WWE Universe! The Scottish-born pro wrestler is having a banner October (well not so much on this week’s Monday Night Raw), but with the release of his new album Beyond Belief and appearing in WWE’s first-ever microdrama Agent of Shadows in its partnership with vertical leader ReelShort.
On Friday, October 23, ReelShort launched Agent of Shadows on its mobile-first storytelling platform that is available in more than 100 countries, reaching more than 70 million monthly active users.
Hendry joins fellow WWE stars Drew McIntrye, Jacob Fatu, plus Booker T, Michael Hayes and Nikkita Lyon and more in the cast as they mix it up with microdrama leading men, Chase Mattson and Marc Herrman, in the action-packed series.
Photo: ReelShort
A NEW FRONTIER FOR WWE SUPERSTARS
As the story begins, the world’s greatest secret agent must protect and care for his 6-year-old daughter while posing as her nanny. Now, without revealing his true identity, he must win his daughter’s (and her mother’s) trust, while secretly thwarting corrupt suitors, mafioso strongmen and even a megalomaniacal billionaire who’s using his family to get to him. What could go wrong?
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Hendry on his ascension and rise in the ranks of the WWE, bringing his brand of satire, music and singing to sports entertainment, plus his thoughts on branching out into the acting world of motion pictures, microdramas and more. The full conversation can be seen with Joe on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Photo: ReelShort
JOE HENDRY ON PLAYING … JOE HENDRY
Unlike the other WWE superstars in Agent of Shadows, Hendry is taking on the role of … himself! Seems like it may not be then been too much of a stretch to play or is it? Joe explained, “I don’t know how much of this I’m allowed to reveal, so I’m sure there’ll be a lot of fun in discovering what that is. But what I will reveal is what I think is the best thing about my involvement … everyone else plays a character and I play Joe Hendry. So, I’m very pleased about that.”
Speaking on his background, Joe explained, “For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been a wrestler for 14 years, but I kind of had a mainstream crossover in 2024 when my music video became a meme. It did really well in the charts. I’ve now been able to carry that forward and I’m in one of those positions where I can just appear as myself.”
“This is the first film-type project I’ve been a part of,” elaborated Hendry. “I think that’s why WWE stars crossover so well into movies, because we’re so used to having to do everything in one take, whereas in Hollywood you may get as many takes as you need. In microdramas, you can look at these chapters as well. So, let’s say you manage to get through the first give chapters on your way to work or whatever, you can always come back to that. I think’s its a smart combination for storytelling.”
Photo: WWE
NEW LP TRACK LIST INCLUDES ‘FIRE LOGAN PAUL’
Back on October 5, Hendry released his LP Beyond Belief filled with hilarious and clever send-ups. The track list includes: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Fire Logan Paul (the social media phenom and pro wrestler), Give Joe Hendry Every Single Belt and more. Hendry added one more favorite, that is his latest single and music video!
“The other main one is If You Don’t Love Joe Hendry, and the lyrics are, ‘If you don’t love Joe Hendry, then, you’re a useless piece of … ‘ So, I think we should fire Logan Paul, and I think we should give Joe Hendry every single belt. I just think these are sensible messages we have to get out to the world.”
The album was completed in what some would consider lighting speed! “We had a lot of fun recording these, but it was done so fast. It was actually a lot of pressure to get it done. I wrote the album except Fire Logan Paul in a span of four days. It was pretty intense. We recorded all the vocals in five hours, which is insane,” recalled Joe. “But it’s kind of what I was talking about before. In WWE, everything is done live. We do not have retakes. So, I think being a WWE superstar has prepared me well for producing other forms of media quickly.”
Photo: WWE
TEENAGE DREAMS BECOME A REALITY WRESTLING RANDY ORTON
Back in the squared circle, Hendry has been in a feud with the Judgment Day, and in particular of late with JD McDonaugh on Raw. But taking a look at his rise from NXT to TNA to WWE, Joe reflected on his heart-stopping moment at WrestleMania 41 against one of his legends, Randy Orton.
“I remember being 15 and kind of imagining being a pro wrestler. I also remember specifically thinking, ‘What if I had a feud with Randy Orton?’ And then, I became a wrestler when I was just about to turn 25 and all these years later, it happened!
“It such an unlikely story,” said Joe of getting the call he would be facing the 14-time WWE champion. He added, “I’m so grateful that I’ve had that moment early on in my WWE career and it kind of takes the pressure off, because it doesn’t get any bigger than that. So now, I can focus on my goal which is just to get better all the time; improve as a wrestler all the time. I can see the progression in myself. I’m gaining skills and confidence all the time.”
Photo: WWE
SHOULD JOE STAY GOOD OR TURN BAD?
The proverbial question had to be asked, “Does Joe prefer being a babyface or would he like to see a heel turn? Hendry replied, “Interesting question. Never say never. You just never know. Anything can happen in the WWE. It’s funny, originally, my character was designed by me to be hated, and people just happened to like it! You can’t force it. The audience is going to tell you. They are a huge part in dictating our paths as wrestlers.”
Check out Joe in Agent of Shadows by visiting ReelShort.com to download the ReelShort app on Apple and Android devices. You can also check out @ReelShort on YouTube.
You can also watch our full conversation with Joe Hendry now on the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now let us know, will you check out WWE’s first microdrama, Agent of Shadows? Do you get a kick out of Joe Hendry’s songs and how it relates to his feuds in the WWE and his rise in the ranks of pro wrestling? Hoping Joe stays a babyface or would you like to see him turn heel? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)
This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, as Smitty (Mike Manning) continues to be framed and in hot water for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, he gets some familial back-up when his never-before-seen mother, Jenny Smith arrives in Fairmont Crest to see her son.
Jenny is played by Jennifer Van Horn who made her Beyond the Gates debut on the Wednesday, October 21, which was the same day that Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Emmy nominee, Mike Manning participated in a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
In story, as Smitty was at home, he received a surprise visit from his mother, who resides in Ohio. Jenny came to support her son through this difficult time. Smitty made note of his disappointment that his father didn’t come with her on the trip, sharing that he knows his dad has never been comfortable around wealth or the Duprees. Smitty also acknowledged how his father didn’t approve of becoming a journalist or moving to the DMV. Later, when Smitty’s husband, Martin returned (Brandon Claybon) he walked in on Smitty getting a pep talk from Jenny.
Courtesy/CBS
SMITTY’S MOM ARRIVES
Manning addressed how he had to keep the appearance of Smitty’s mom on the down low. “I do have a mom now. Yes.! I couldn’t talk about it to anybody. Jennifer Van Horn who plays my mom was so lovely and so nice, and she was great. I love Smitty having some backstory and having a parent.”
And there could be even more Smitty drama to come! Mike shared, “They mentioned Smitty’s father too, so they kind of plant the seeds for maybe more to come, which is nice. I think it really shows that there’s just one more level to the community that is surrounding Smitty. One of my favorite scenes from this entire storyline is when Smitty gets hauled into jail and the entire Dupree family shows up and they all start taking shots at Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and everyone at the police station.”
BEING EMBRACED BY THE DUPREES
Manning, in particular, recalled a moment from fellow Daytime Emmy nominee, Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree). “I loved when Anita goes, and this is not verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, ‘If Smitty’s not home for dinner, you’re gonna be hearing from Anita Dupree.’ Then, Vernon (Clifton Davis) says something, and Kat (Colby Nixon) comes in and she’s giving him so much sass. I remember watching the episode just being so touched that the entire Dupree family is wrapping around Smitty like this shield, this cocoon. So, it makes this storyline of him being framed a little bit easier to swallow.”
Courtesy/CBS
MORE OF SMITTY’S BACKSTORY TO BE REVEALED?
Speaking of the scenes between Smitty and his mom, Manning felt, “It was very touching. He spoke about how he loved his mom for what she sacrificed, It was one of those mother-son things, but it was poignantly done. I would like them to explore that more, and Smitty’s family, because, I think that it’ll also help inform some of the dynamic between Martin and Smitty. We know that Martin comes from a long line of successful people, whether it’s in entertainment or politicians. His grandfather’s a senator. So, we understand that he grew up in the country club, basically. We don’t really understand where Smitty grew up yet.”
The two-time Daytime Emmy winner also explained that he has his own origin story for Bradley “Smitty” Smith: “Obviously, I have an idea in my head with the backstory that I’ve sort of decided for Smitty, whether or not that’s exactly what the writers are going to throw at me, eventually, who knows? But, I certainly have an idea of why Smitty is the way he is, why he’s so driven, why he takes risks, why he’s so hungry to prove himself and be successful in journalism and everything else.”
You can check out a scene between Smitty and his never-before-seen-mom, Jenny below. Followed by our live chat with Mike Manning after the episode aired.
Now let us know, do you hope Beyond the Gates explores more of Smitty’s backstory? Did you enjoy the debut of Jennifer Van Horn as Smitty’s mom? Share your thoughts via the conversation below. And make sure to catch Mike on the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards streaming next Friday, October 30 to see if he takes home his third gold statuette!
Interviews
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
On Thursday’s October 22 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, it was now “confirmed” by Finn and Li (Naomi Matsuda), two medical professionals, that Steffy has become pregnant as the surrogate for Carter and Daphne! BUT, what everyone doesn’t know (except co-conspirators Steffy and Carter), is that Steffy was already pregnant with Carter’s child after their drunken night together.
In an elaborate cover-up, Carter has pushed the agenda that they will lie through their teeth to their respective spouses so that their one-night tryst never comes to light which produced a baby. How far can Carter and Steffy carry on this surrogacy implantation charade in an effort to give Daphne the child she can’t have? And what twists and turns are in store now?
This week, B&B series stars: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Tanner Novlan (Finn), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) and Murielle Hilaire (Daphen) sat down for a conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where they took turns giving their reaction to the storyline, discussing their characters motivations behind the baby drama, and what might lie ahead, and bantering about fan’s theories that have been online and more.
Photo: JPI
REACTIONS TO LEARNING OF THE SURROGACY COVER-UP
Tanner Novlan shared he was happy that the writers did not make Finn a doofus with his shocking reaction of “WHAT!?” when Steffy told her husband that she went ahead and had the procedure to become a surrogate while he was out of town.
“It was great that the writers gave him that opportunity (to have that reaction),” shared Novlan. “We’re still having to work through a lot of that, but there’s a lot of little breadcrumbs that it’s nice that Finn picks one up every once in a while and inspects it and doesn’t just keep carrying on.”
Three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood explained, “I did not expect the storyline, but we are so thrilled. It’s a wild ride. We’re all shocked. I couldn’t believe that we were diving into this kind of storyline and we’re still in the middle of it … in the thick of it.”
DOUBLE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE CLEARS THE AIR
For B&B fans thinking that since Lawrence Saint-Victor is an actor and a writer on the soap, and pulls double duty, that he was responsible for creating his frontburner story, he revealed that he has nothing to do with the writers decision on this one. “Not even a little bit, ” shared Saint-Victor. “At first, when Carter was really pushing Steffy, I had a reaction to it. I was like, ‘Oh no, this isn’t good.’ And then, I kind of had to put myself aside and lean into it. My knee-jerk reaction is what the fans are experiencing. I had to get into it and figure out why he’s doing it. But no, I hasn’t nothing to do with it, for those out there that’s thinking I’m manipulating the writer’s room.”
Photo: JPI
COULD FINN AND DAPHNE ALREADY KNOW THEIR SPOUSES CHEATED ON THEM?
Moving forward, might we all be fooled and Daphne and Finn actually know what happened between their spouses? Tanner Novlan weighed-in, “There is a world here where Daphne and Finn, might actually think something else might have happened and think, maybe that’s best (to leave it alone).”
Some viewers believe down the line, the baby will be revealed as Finn’s biological child, since so far, Steffy never took a paternity test. The actors in the story say they have not been told anything different than what they are playing.
“I think that this story’s so wonderfully uncomfortable, everyone’s looking for the way out,” explains Saint-Victor, “If it’s Finn’s baby, then it kind of wraps up. But right now, we’re ‘all gas, no breaks,’ as Jacqui would say. We’re not letting you guys off the easy way here. So, whether it’s Finn’s child or not, that’s not an out.”
Photo: JPI
STEFFY PUT THROUGH THE WRINGER
For Wood, she has been playing the emotional weight of the story. She opened up about how Steffy has processed all that has come at her. “I believe that Steffy would like to think at the very beginning, if she led with honesty and just told Finn, ‘Hey, I was drunk, I was out of my mind and I was angry and hurt and I slept with Carter,’ we wouldn’t be in this situation. Yes, it would’ve been extremely tough, but again, leading with honesty off the heels of Sheila, it would’ve forced Finn to look inward and go, ‘Hey, well, we wouldn’t have been in this situation if you wouldn’t have kept letting your mom, back into your life.”‘
Jacqui elaborated further, “Ultimately, Steffy wanted to feel safe, protected, and her partner, or a man in her life, to come in and say, ‘I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry about this. I’ll protect you.’ And then, obviously having that release with Carter, fast-forward, hearing that moment when she realized what she did, yes, she wanted to tell the truth, but there was something about Carter saying, ‘We can’t do that. We can’t be thinking about ourselves,’ that also resonated with her.”
“Now Steffy’s thinking, she’s selfish, realizing all these people that will be hurt if the truth came out, and how they’ll be crushed. Is it the smartest decision? In the moment, you’re not thinking did you cross all your I’s and T’s. Then in Hindsight, you’re like, ‘Whoa, actually, that was really silly. That was really dumb of us to do.’ But now you’re in it, so you’re going to have to lean even harder.”‘
Photo: JPI
IS CARTER THE VILLAIN OF THIS STORYLINE?
Some viewers also consider Carter as the villain in this piece, something that Lawerence Saint-Victor has leaned into: “I love it wholeheartedly, because Carter doesn’t see himself as a villain. To Carter, it’s like, if you want to keep your family intact, if you want to make sure that we’re not in tabloids, the COO and the CEO of Forrester Creations had an affair, there’s only one way out.”
He added, “And if that means we have to suffer with the lie to make everyone else have a peaceful life, then that’s our punishment. He doesn’t understand why there’s an option here. He gets that Finn would probably forgive Steffy. I think in the back of his mind he said that’s an option. He knows. whether it’s true or not, for him, he knows it’s not an option with Daphne. She will leave. She left when he was on his best behavior. She will leave now. For Carter, there is no option.”
WALKING OUT ON HER MARRIAGE
Speaking of walking out, how does Daphne see her role in all that went down? Murielle Hilaire added, “So when Daphne decided to leave it was not because she wasn’t in love with Carter, it’s when she found out she could not give her husband a child, she was heartbroken. She actually only walked out for three hours. She didn’t want to be selfish, and she wanted him to go and maybe find someone who was fertile. I think. if maybe Carter would have followed her to the airport and begged her not to go, maybe she would have left the airport with him (and maybe what happened between he and Steffy wouldn’t have).
THE FUTURE OF SINN
Sinn fans be on the alert! Novlan punctuated that this may be the toughest challenge in Finn and Steffy’s marriage yet. “All I know is that his family means everything to Finn. The kids, his wife, so for him to walk away from that, it would have to be a pretty big lie and this would be one of those lies. They’re love is definitely going to be tested here.”
You can check out the full conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now let us know, do you think Finn could walk out on a pregnant Steffy if he learned of her duplicity? Do you think Finn and Daphne might know their spouses slept together, but are keeping the peace, after all, Daphne wants a baby? How do you see this playing out in the months ahead? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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ilene kristin is a wonderful actress. enjoyed her work on ryans hope and one life to live. please someone pick up one life to live. its not to late, oprah winfrey are you listening. save the own network. please oprah i am begging get one life to live and all my children on your network it will improve your ratings. i heard rumblings that general hospital has 6 months to improve or they are cancelled. michael fairman you are great. love your podcasts and your scoop on soaps. keep up the good work michael. im you red this.
Oprah isn’t listening….. I wrote her the most thought provoking letter, detailed, and the pro’s of why she should place these shows on her network. This was a busines letter to the 10th power. What I didn’t know was when I sent the letter, she had already POST a video on YouTube telling WHY she wouldn’t PICK UP the shows. I can’t understand it myself. She definiely needs the viewership. The soap being cancelled in the same year Oprah went off the air and THEN needing a home to go to was almost like a gift to Ms. Winfrey’s network. (Along with talking about being a Hero to soap Fans). I use to watch the Gail King show, but since she is moving to CBS in the mornings and her show is no more, I dont watch OWN anymore, and I can’t remember to watch Rosie and I so want to, but can’t remember. With those soaps on her channel, I would remember to watch anything Oprah had on that channel.
Join us in sending soap bar’s to the ABC studio in NYC. PASS THIS ON and POST it on other sites. Let ABC see how it feels to be BOMBARDED with soap from Fan’s across the United States.
Ilene’s a great actress, I loved the humor and variety in the role she played as Roxy. I don’t think another actress could have done it half as well. As for Oprah, huge disappointment in not helping to save the soaps. Her strategy with her new network is obviously not work, it’s not getting the viewership; she must be dumping a lot of money into a sinking ship. But, she’s doing so based on her current strategy. I think it’s time for her to take a 2nd look at reviving AMC and OLTL. The appreciation from the viewership to bring back at least one of these soaps for starters might get more people watching OWN overall, which is what she wants and needs to stay on the air long-term.
Michael, I loved your interview with Ilene. Her portrayal of Roxy has never dissapointed me. She is a unique actress playing a unique character. I was happy tro see her comments concerning PP and ABC, She was very honest and I liked how she was concerned about us fans. She has plenty of moxy. I would love to see her on a nightly sitcom. I think she would be an asset for any show. But, there will never be anyone better than Roxy….
If you love Roxy (and Lindsey and Nora), you will love her singing in parts 2 and 4 of the OLTL special episode Babes Behind Bars (July 4, 2001):
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q74g1FvTePI
Jailer sings Bad Girls.
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Lq3d5mOsI&feature=related
Roxy sings Set Me Free.
Allison sings Ben.
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWodzl0hODs&feature=related
Blair sings I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.
Starr signs The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.
Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrMdocmq1W4&feature=related
Prisoner Tilly sings How Can People Be So Cruel.
Jessica and Roxy sing Bad Reputation.
Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93VBEPpnEro&feature=related
Lindsey sings I Can’t Make You Love Me.
Part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr6Antu7l98&feature=related
Cast sings We Are Family.
I told you prospect park was a hoax to keep fans quiet. They are OWNED by disney WHO CANCELED our soap
What?
Prospect Park made another announcement (after the Nov announcement) that they wouldn’t continue, THEN in December on the 7th and it was in print on this website and stated Prospect Park was still looking for buyer’s and was interested in going forward with OLTL. So what happened with that? I haven’t read any differently since that. It’s in print on this site (December 7, 2011
UPDATE: Prospect Park looking for partners to still bring AMC & OLTL Online) under New Soap Buzz, so what happened with that? Where are you getting your information from since the Dec 7th announcement?
How do you know that Prospect Park is owned by Disney?
Go Ilene Kristen for speaking for the fans!
I LOVE OLTL…this is one soap that will be a complete wrong thiing to get rid of…
The acting is phenomenal…the writing OUT OF THIS WORLD…
I have emailed ABC so many times….i have left voicemails….if everybody would do it…IT WOULD HELP…
I HAVE ALSO BOYCOTTED A B C PROGRAMS…
to all the OLTL cast…what a huge injustice you have been given, not to mention the writers, the crew & anyone else i may have left out.
I AM STILL HOPING & PRAYING FOR A SAVE….
Love alll of your work you have worked so hard to give us…
Have you DONE THIS, since you have done everything else?
Join us in sending soap bar’s to the ABC studio in NYC. PASS THIS ON….. and POST it on other soap sites, including abc.com. Let ABC see how it feels to be BOMBARDED with “soap” from Fan’s across the United States!
SO GOING TO MISS this whole cast and ESPECIALLY ROXY! She made me laugh EVERY time she came on screen!!
I’ve said before: The Viewer may ASPIRE to be VIKI, DORIAN or BLAIR, but The Viewer ★IS★ ROXY!
Go, Ilene, Go! We Love You & OLTL Very Much Here In Evanston, Illinois!! 😀 😀
I have boycotted ABC & DISNEY shows ,and products also. I cant believe OLTL was cancelled BEFORE General Hospital. GH needs to be The Sonny & Jason show.
I no longer watch it, OLTL has way better actors and storylines. I cant believe some other network , CBS or NBC didnt pick up OLTL. AS for Oprah, she rather have the “Judds” and “Shania Twain” lol which is why her network is failing, and I hope it continues to do so. she has more then enough $$$ to put OLTL on her network. I think us OLTL fans would even take it as a “late nite” show :-).. Please some network, any network Please pick up OLTL.
Id like to know why oltl was cancelled and gh is staying, for how long thats another story, and your right about everything ,except, I call it the sonny corinthos show.everything in port charlas evolves around him and the same crap every day,most of the time I leave the room ,go back and theres sonny or its franco and he is painting his crap all over town,john mcbain should throw him in jail for that.oh ,thats right anyone in the mob gets away with murder on gh.because there the good guys.
General Hospital had higher ratings than One Life to Live at the time of the cancellation notice.
heather,I dont believe that gh had higher ratings then oltl,abc wanted us to think that .they never counted the people taping at the time its on, they didnt count soapnet and they dont give a crap about me watching, Im in the over 49 group.Ive watched gh since the beginning and I have stayed with it , the writing is terrible,I know what I watch on one life to live and general hospital, and one life to live is far better than gh .So I dont buy the ratings crap ,abc is killing the soaps because of greed .and I hope there daytime ratings go to hell in a handbasket .
Oprah does not realize how big a hero she would be if she picked up these soaps & ran them in their regular timeslots. It would be a huge boost to her lineup! Her network is just reruns, reruns & more reruns-a few older movies thrown in. But I would watch my shows on any channel, any time, & gladly pay for the privilege!
Oprah isn’t listening….. I wrote her the most thought provoking letter, detailed, and the pro’s of why she should place these shows on her network. This was a busines letter to the 10th power. What I didn’t know was when I sent the letter, she had already POST a video on YouTube telling WHY she wouldn’t PICK UP the shows. I can’t understand it myself. She definiely needs the viewership. The soap being cancelled in the same year Oprah went off the air and THEN needing a home to go to was almost like a gift to Ms. Winfrey’s network. (Along with talking about being a Hero to soap Fans). I use to watch the Gail King show, but since she is moving to CBS in the mornings and her show is no more, I dont watch OWN anymore, and I can’t remember to watch Rosie and I so want to, but can’t remember. With those soaps on her channel, I would remember to watch anything Oprah had on that channel.
Join us in sending soap bar’s to the ABC studio in NYC. PASS THIS ON and POST it on other sites. Let ABC see how it feels to be BOMBARDED with soap from Fan’s across the United States.
Gloria, I wanted you to read my post that I posted with Ricardo (on top) at first and then I read your’s about Oprah being a hero, so I did a copy paste for you to read it….
I would watch if it was a late show
As so many other One Life to Live fans have stated in so many different ways, I’m BEYOND done with ABC. With respect to Ilene Kristin, I’ve been a fan of hers ever since Ryan’s Hope was launched in 1975. I find it most ironic that both RH and OLTL will go down in daytime drama history as having aired their last episodes on January 13, and that Ilene was on board for both endings.
I do remember Kristin back in the day of Ryan’s Hope and she’s hardly changed a bit. Beautiful then, beautiful now. I have to say there were some funny things about Roxy of course but I think she should have played a beautiful intellect instead. But alas, a diamond in the rough, never moving up like so many of the beginning of people like Nat, Rex, and the others who were no one then suddently they shine with brilliance…so many years kind of killed off the innocence of the character she played on Ryan’s Hope. Keep on shining Kristin!
I Love OLTL. I have watched for over 40 years. I have written many many posts, and letters. I never, ever in a million years ever thought anyone would cancel any of the soaps, especially OLTL. It was the most creative, well written, funny storylines…inside jokes..love EVERYONE. This is a very very sad event for me, and Millions of other people.Ilene( Roxy) is Sooo funny! David (Tuc Watkins) hysterical ! Love Roger H, Trevor too…..Everyone..Great stuff..and lots of silly storylines and a blast to watch….. The FR soaps last week were great! Sad at the end..i actually cried as Tuc and Ilene walked out…..(I DID!) My husband actually loves watching ,gets a kick out of roxy and david..we laugh alot..I have always looked forward to 2:00 Every weekday..I’m sad!!!!!
Honestly..I Hate Brian Frons and Disney for this..I really do..and Disney used to be (up until 6 years ago)my favorite place to go…but even the theme parks have suffered The GREED of Disney exec’s IMO…
I will never go to anything disney again , as long as I live.
I feel that Hundreds of ABC employees lost their jobs due to the Greed of Disney.
I hope everyone boycotts Disney…..I honestly do.
Very sad.
I can’t imagine OLTL NOT being on…or AMC..They have ALWAY been here..always.
And Now..?
Who knows.?
It’s just Sad.
Wow, you said it all! I feel exactly the same way. I cried like crazy when David & Roxy walked out, then she reached for his hand-it was just horrible-all too real. I love this show so much. I have watched every soap at one time or another & they kind of ebb & flow, I have had different favorites depending on what was going on at the time. But for the past 10 1/2 yrs. or so, really since Natalie, Rex & Roxie came on, I have never missed a second of OLTL. I was sick over GL & ATWT being canceled although was not watching them daily at the time. Someone ruined GL just like they did with AMC. I think they should have been allowed to turn around & get back track. I DEFINITELY don’t think ATWT should have been canceled & NO WAY should OLTL. It’s like they have been dragged down & out because of AMC’s crappiness at the end. NOT FAIR. I laugh out loud over OLTL every day & most days have a tear in my eye too. THAT is the mark of a good, balanced show. These holiday episodes have been so good & Rex & Gigi’s wedding was precious. What a thrill to see Viki/Clint, Bo/Nora, John/Nat, Rex/Gigi in one room. Probably the last time. I hate that every day you don’t know if that day is the last for a particular character, do you know what I mean? I am sure we’ve seen the last of several, Nigel, Mo, Noel, Aubrey (I really grew to like her!), Cutter, Kim, Alex-what a neat story that would have been, to explore that little family. Oh, I could go on for hours. I have been obsessed with this since April 14-really getting sick of it. Have been recording Soapnet on my poor dvd player all day long-getting the OLTL marathon & have also recorded every show since Nov. 23 when we got the devastating news from PP.
Forgot to say loved Roxy at the wedding too of course. I love how Rex & Natalie have stayed close to her & I love Viki’s relationship with Roxy.
Hi Gloria,
Yes, I agree with you as well……I also feel the same way about your comment regaurding OPRAH. When she made her statement , saying NO, to picking up the soaps..I have never watched anything she has ever done since she has made that statement……I tuned into Rosie’s program..it was NOT GOOD. I was sure Rosie would be able to boost her ratings..guess not..
9 days to go…..until final show. I may just tape “THE VIEW” on that day , even though I can’t stand watching them anymore either..But OLTL cast will be on , so I will tape and watch….Barbara Walters in nothing but a SUCK UP to Brian Frons and ABC. It was horrific what he did to these programs, and They hardly said a word. Everyone is Only out for themselves.
I also thought that the way FRONS, DISNEY/ABC treated PHIL CAREY, the last year of his life while battling cancer was also very disturbing. After 25, 30 years of being on OLTL…? They way they treated David Canary on AMC..? Awful…Not to mention the entire cast..moving them to CA. then fireing them?? Sick!
As far as OPRAH goes..Hope Her network TANKS!
Sorry for the Rant..But it’s about 3:30 a.m..woke up thinking about it all…and I guess I’m now MAAAD!! went from sad..to mad!..LOL!
It would have been nice if Judith Light did join the cast this week..but I understand why she wouldn’t..It will be nice to see her though..I wonder if she will mention Gerald Anthony? (Marco Dane)
I hope.
Anyhoo…I too have been watching/taping..re watching THE FW..Row stuff…it’s fun..I get a kick out of it…can’t bring myself to erase them..!LOL!
AHHHH!
I just plain HATE THIS!!
Oh well…….Later.
Hi: Oprah isn’t listening….. I wrote her the most thought provoking letter, detailed, and the pro’s of why she should place these shows on her network. This was a busines letter to the 10th power. What I didn’t know was when I sent the letter, she had already POST a video on YouTube telling WHY she wouldn’t PICK UP the shows. I can’t understand it myself. She definiely needs the viewership. The soap being cancelled in the same year Oprah went off the air and THEN needing a home to go to was almost like a gift to Ms. Winfrey’s network. (Along with talking about being a Hero to soap Fans). I use to watch the Gail King show, but since she is moving to CBS in the mornings and her show is no more, I dont watch OWN anymore, and I can’t remember to watch Rosie and I so want to, but can’t remember. With those soaps on her channel, I would remember to watch anything Oprah had on that channel.
Join us in sending soap bar’s to the ABC studio in NYC. PASS THIS ON and POST it on other sites. Let ABC see how it feels to be BOMBARDED with soap from Fan’s across the United States.
I feel for you.
hi my name is kelly c im going to miss the show i lookedforward to sitting down and just relaxing i cryed when i found it was going to end just when its getting good ihave one qustion what is desteny have a boy or girl i hope its a girl in fact i bet it will be a girl i just wish it wasent ending i would like to say good luck to all the good people that played on the soap im a big fan of all of you and i hope you all have a good life from this day on your fan kelly c
I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT OLTL..I GREW UP WITH THE SHOW ( THE CAST THE CREW ETC)) BRIAN FRONS RUINED ALOT OF LIVES HIM AND THAT THING ANN SWEENEY SHOULD BE IN STATESVILLE ITS A CRIME TO MESS WITH PEOPLES LIVES ..THANK GOD BRIAN FRONS IS GOING BYE BYE LETS PRAY THAT ANNE IS NEXT..CAN I GET AN AMEN
I so enjoyed the re-runs of Ryan’s Hope on soap net? I was very sad when they cancelled them. I would much rather see Ryan’s Hope re-runs Than some of the replacements. It is so enjoyable to see some of the other actors and actresses from that day on some of the newer soaps! Never realized that Anne Gillespie was in that old soap until I recognized her in 90210! Slao, the old Roger is now on G.H.. I have seen Ilene sing and she is great…….. Ilene is very good at playing ditsy roles….Does Ilene ever stay in contact with her acquaintances from Ryan’s Hope?