News
Wall Street Journal: "Life After 'Life' Is A Mystery" – Parting Words from the Set In Llanview!
Courtesy/ABC
The Wall Street Journal was present last week on the set of One Life to Live where several actors taped their final scenes for network television of the 43-year-old-soap including: Robert S. Woods (Bo), Hillary B. Smith (Nora), Eddie Alderson (Matthew) and Ilene Kristen (Roxy). Today WLS has a feature post titled, “Life After ‘Life’ Is A Mystery” where they discuss the economic downturn that caused the soaps to continually decrease, and the sad state of affairs that after One Life, there is no soap shot in New York City, the place where soaps were a once a thriving mecca! You can also see some heartbreaking photos as some of the cast and crew said their goodbyes.
In the feature, Frank Valentini, One Life’s Executive Producer explained the significance of this loss for him, the cast and crew, the soap genre, and the city of New York by saying measures had been taken to reduce overhead in recent years—including voluntary pay cuts for several principal cast members—but acknowledged it may have come too late as ratings plummeted and production costs soared up to $300,000 per episode.
Valentini went on to say, “I think our leaving definitely shallows out every facet of the entertainment business in New York because we keep so many people working at any given time,That includes not just our primary cast, but also people who come on in short-term roles. Because we generate so many episodes, we make a lot of money for the city, so this affects everyone, including the local vendors where we buy our props and costumes.”
Robert S. Woods and Hillary B. Smith struggled to say their final lines in their scenes choking back the tears. Woods revealed his sadness. “The hardest part is saying goodbye and realizing we may never see each other again. We work so closely here and it’s like a family. I did a lot of other things over the years, like ‘The Waltons’ and ‘Police Story’ and movies of the week, but this show was the job that gave me recognition.”
Ilene Kristen, chocking back the tears told WLS, “Of course I’m sad, but I’m not a depressive person and as an actor you’re always back to square one. The one thing I know is that people stop ironing when they see me, and they don’t run to the refrigerator or put me on fast forward. That I know. I could die as Roxy, and I hope we have the chance to continue it. I didn’t think we’d have to say goodbye so quickly.”
News
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now
The one and only Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) dropped in to see her former co-stars on The Bold and the Beautiful at their Sunset Las Palmas Studio in Hollywood, along with her good friend and another B&B co-star Ian Buchanan (ex-James Warwick) on Tuesday October 20.
It was the first time in a very long time that The four-time Daytime Emmy winning actress was reunited with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, Jennifer Gareis and even her TV sister, Alley Mills (Pam, B&B now Heather, GH) showed up for the day too!
Flannery played the Forrester matriarch from 1987 until 2012. It was then that after playing the part of Stephanie for 25 years that Susan made the decision to retire from acting and in one of the most heartbreaking sendoffs, passes away from lung cancer in Brooke’s arms in November of 2012. During her B&B tenure, Flannery won 3 of her 4 Daytime Emmys, the other being for her first soap role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives back in 1975.
Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
As for Ian Buchanan, he played Dr. Warwick, psychiatrist, from 1993 to 1999. He returned for other runs in 2014 and 2017. Buchanan took home his Daytime Emmy in 1997 for his work as James. Soap fans also remember, Ian as mobster Duke Lavery on General Hospital, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children,
Both Susan and Ian shared their thoughts on coming back to The Bold and the Beautiful, for Susan 14 years later since he exited and for Ian close to 9 years since his last appearance below.
Susan said, “It’s definitely like coming home in a way, even though it’s not the same studio. It’s really lovely to see old faces and old faces with new faces. It takes you back mentally. You start remembering what it was like back then, even things like how much your feet would ache at the end of the day from wearing six-inch heels. It was just lovely to be back and see everybody.”
Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
Ian expressed, “It’s a mind trip, you know. When I was sitting looking at the big Forrester set, it was like stepping back in time, almost. It takes you back mentally, and you start remembering what it was like when you were here before.”
“It’s lovely to see all these people again, even if you don’t know everybody,” explained soap vet Buchanan. “There’s something really special about coming back and seeing the show and the people who have been part of it for so long.”
So, happy to see Susan and Ian with some of their former castmates? Do you think Stephanie and Brooke is one of the greatest frenemy stories in daytime history? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.
In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.
Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!
PhotoL JPI
THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA
Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”
However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”
Beyond the Gates 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.
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+**.
So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.
Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Adam Delivers Sally’s Baby as Billy Reels from Jill’s Health Crisis in Tearjerker Episode
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Finn Blows a Gasket After Steffy Reveals She’s Gone Ahead and Become Carter and Daphne’s Surrogate
‘Beyond the Gates’ and Daytime Emmy Nominee Mike Manning to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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Beyond the Gates2 days agoTabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
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Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
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Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
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Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDays of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
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Previews5 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
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General Hospital7 days agoWil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud
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Breaking News1 day ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
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Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
After One Life to Live leaves to air, we’ll only have four soaps on the air. To think that only 3 years ago, we had the double of this number of soaps on the air.
After OLTL leaves ABC, so will I. I have no reason to turn the television to that station anymore. ABC will feel the repercussions of this decision, come January. They think that soaps are a dying genre, well wait until January, they will realize that without the soaps “Daytime Television” is what will die. The talk shows and games shows were always great lead-ins to the soaps….which is what people were waiting around to watch. Well, with nothing to look forward to, people just won’t watch at all.
For fun, I love to revisit those “Love in the Afternoon” clips from the 1970s and early 1980s on youtube. Hear the RYAN’S HOPE theme. Watch some classic scenes. I will never understand how good solid storytelling has become passe in web execs’ views. Really?
What is up with the ‘goodbyes’? I would be thrilled to hear just one officially released positive word about the continuations of the soaps. What is up with all of this negativity? I anticipate that OLTL & AMC will be up and running on the internet, on demand, and cable as Jeff K. of Prospect Park promised.
Think it’s goodbye for some, because not everyone is signing on to the PP deal….but I get what you’re saying. It would be nice if it felt more like, “I’ll see you soon.”
It is very sad, and premature to be axing these soaps. And it is sad that so many people will lose their jobs and like Frank said so many vendors will be losing money also. It is so sad that there are no more New York soaps. Look at the movie Tootsie, it shows how soaps were a big part of New York.
The only upside is the soaps that are off don’t have to deal with the idiots in charge anymore, it’s just too bad those idiots weren’t replaced instead of the legendary soaps!
Let’s all try to remain positive… and that soon “One Life To Live” will be up and running on Prospect Park. I have not lost my hope yet.
Totally agree. I believe PP will have OLTL running on the internet and onto a cable network in the near future. I only wish PP would release some kind of statement. NO news was not good news for AMC fans. The silence is making me nervous a bit, but I remain positive and optimistic. Long Live — OLTL.
I have not had a truly happy day since April 14 when we got the news of the cancellation of OLTL. I have been just sick over it-it was ruining my life! I could barely enjoy watching OLTL knowing every episode brought us one day closer to the end. All I could think of was the bleak January day when OLTL would air for the last time. Then suddenly the fantastic news from PP! They have got to get OLTL up & running & get as many of their cast as possible ASAP & THEY WILL. I cannot, just cannot imagine that show not being on. It has been a roller coaster of emotions since April 14. Has anyone seen the previews for The Revolution? Gag me, it looks just as bad, if not worse that the embarrassing Chew. I caught the tail end of the Chew the other day (turned on the tv a minute too early waiting for OLTL) & the hosts actually had on cowboy hats & were pretending to ride ponies, I guess that’s what the poor things were doing–my mouth just fell open at how stupid they looked, I mean I just could not get over it. I will never, ever watch one second of ABC from the minute OLTL signs off.
Gloria,
I feel your pain, have watched for over thirty years, since i was a kid, I never miss an episode. At the end of every stressful day, I can’t wait to sit and watch my shows and have me time. I fed three babies watching these shows who are now grown and one is married. I watched them when I was stuck in bed for 7 months after surgery, they made me laugh and they made me cry and I felt their happiness and their sadness like they were my family. I am saddened and sick to my stomach like you are. It was so hard losing AMC, devastating, but at least we had OLTL and GH. After months of phone calls and emails and collecting coupons, I finally felt some hope with the news of Prospect Park. Now AMC is supposedly put on hold, actors will all find other jobs, I have lost faith we will ever see it again… but I still had my fave, OLTL…. that is not looking good to me and the roller coaster crashes to the ground again. It has been a roller coaster ride for all of us, I am still hanging on, but my hands are getting tired as we hear nothing from Prospect Park, nothing at all… Why is that?? We are the fans, why would they not say something??? We are willing to pay a fee, contact investors, help in any way, why not say something to us??? Smells like another rat to me.
Like I said in my previous comment.. “Let’s try to remain positive” These are hard financial times for everyone… and I feel Prospect Park is trying to give us back our beloved shows… but can’t help but wonder why they would bother when I read comments like “smells like another rat to me” At least they are trying !
When I first read Sue’s reply I thought the same thing-remain positive & I was worried about her smelling a rat comment but Jeez, she was right, damn it to hell. I am sick about this-cannot even sleep-dreading the days to come when there is no OLTL. I mean, every single interest group has a network-science, country music, animal planet, hunting/fishing, ESPN, Hallmark, Lifetime Movies, Game show network, cooking, food, HGTV, on & on-but what the hell? What about soaps? Taking away Soapnet to give to the Disney kids channel? Seriously? I’d take Soapnet with nothing but reruns from the past, i.e., Santa Barbara, Loving, Ryan’s Hope (if we could ever see it thru to the end), Another World, Search for Tomorrow, Where the Heart Is, Love is a Many Splendored Thing-there must be tons of hours of old soaps that would be FREE to run for soap fans. I am so distressed over this situation.
A friend on another board said “I don’t think Gigi’s message is just to Rex. ”
So “Don’t Give Up” and let’s hope that somehow, someway One Live will live on…
IF ONLY, what will it take, what can we do? But if last Friday was the last day of taping at the studio & everyone was told to clean out their stuff but left thinking they were going online in January, then got the awful news Wednesday of the 2nd damned cancellation, I mean has everyone gone to the four winds? People have to move on with their jobs/careers, they cannot sit around forever waiting for someone to rescue OLTL, damn it. I wish I had the money. Seems like something could have been done, go to 1/2 hr. shows, cut the salaries of some of the fat cats who do not need it, i.e. Barbara Walters & Couric to name two.
I will miss OLTL tremendously. Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn!!!!
This is the one that really hurts. ABC and Prospect Park really did a number on all of us. ABC so cunningly deflected attention toward Prospect Park, thinking that would take some of the heat off. Well now we are angry at both companies, if indeed they are different companies. I personally think this was all a con. If you think about it, a lot of the boycott advertiser efforts died down after the announcement to move online. I think they wanted to satiate and fool the fans for a few months and undo their boycott efforts. Now they’ve made me angrier, and I call on all fans to boycott ABC and all associated companies for life.
Agree 100%
ABC is joke.
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