News

Wall Street Journal: "Life After 'Life' Is A Mystery" – Parting Words from the Set In Llanview!

November 21, 2011

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.”

Related Topics:Frank Valentini hillary b. smith Ilene Kristen Life After "Life" Is A Mystery One Life To Live Robert Woods wall street journal

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Guest

Heather

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.

Guest

Torrey

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.

Guest

Iakovos

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?

Guest

Danielle

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.

Guest

Torrey

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.”

Guest

Blake

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!

Guest

Brian

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.

Guest

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.

Guest

Gloria

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… Read more »

Guest

Sue

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… Read more »

Guest

Brian

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 !

Guest

gloria

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… Read more »

Guest

Tali

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…

Guest

gloria

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,… Read more »

Guest

Brian Greene

I will miss OLTL tremendously. Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn!!!!

Guest

Jophiel

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… Read more »

Guest

gloria

Agree 100%

Guest

Jan

ABC is joke.

Guest

creonline

Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing in your feeds and even I fulfillment you get entry to consistently rapidly.

General Hospital

Ashton Arbab Says Farewell To General Hospital: “It Was Such An Honor To Have Worked Alongside Of Such Talented Actors”

November 24, 2020

Yesterday, viewers of General Hospitals witnessed that as a result of the bomb explosion at the Floating Rib; it meant the end of the road for a couple of characters. One of those was Dev, and thus ends Ashton Arbab’s over two-year run in the role.

In key scenes, Dev dies in the ambulance ride to the hospital and thanks Sonny (Maurice Benard) for making him a part of the family and tells Sonny to tell Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that he is sorry. Will Sonny recall what Dev said and pass that on to Joss? Will anyone figure out Dev’s duplicity in keeping Joss and Cameron (William Burton) apart? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Ashton took to Twitter on Tuesday and shared these words of praise and ‘thank you’ for his time on the ABC daytime drama series.

Arbab expressed: “I am forever grateful to Producer Frank Valentini and Mark Teschner (casting director, GH) for this amazing opportunity. It was such an honor to have worked along side of such talented actors and I’m beyond blessed for your friendship. Most of all thank you General Hospital fans.”

So, what did you think of Dev being killed-off? Will you miss Ashton? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

I am forever grateful to Producer @valentinifrank and @TeschnerMark for this amazing opportunity. It was such an honor to have worked along side of such talented actors and I’m beyond blessed for your friendship. Most of all thank you @GeneralHospital Fans! pic.twitter.com/8BcZkjeEG8

— Ashton Arbab (@ashton_arbab) November 24, 2020

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All My Children

All My Children Virtual Reunion On Tap With Jill Larson, James Kiberd, and More

November 24, 2020

Some more residents of Pine Valley are set for another virtual reunion.

This time circle your calendars for next week on Wednesday, December 2nd.

That is when Matt Borlenghi (Ex-Brian Bodine), William Christian (Ex-Derek Frye), James Kiberd (Ex-Trevor Dillon) and Jill Larson (Ex-Opal Cortlandt) will gather from their respective homes for this conversation with Alan Locher on The Locher Room You Tube channel.

To watch the livestream conversation click here next week beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. PST

What were your favorite storylines through the years involving AMC’s Opal, Ttevor, Derek or Brian? Let us know via the comment section below.

General Hospital

Mark Lawson Shares Heartfelt Sentiments As He Exits General Hospital

November 23, 2020

General Hospital fans knew Monday’s episode would bring with it who might have survived the explosion at the Floating Rib, and who might still be in peril or who did not make out.

This afternoon as viewers were learning the fate of several characters including Dustin, who was proposing to Lulu (Emme Rylan) as the bomb went off, his portrayer, Mark Lawson took to his Instagram to announce his exit from the series.

Mark expressed: “Actors know this moment is bittersweet. Job well done, but leaving a set full of like-minded, inspired people. Playing Dustin was a joy. Every day on set was a gift, as were: Emme Rylan, Kirsten Storms, Brian Lane, Dominic Zamprogna, Lisa LoCicero, Maurice Benard, Bradford Anderson (And others that don’t have social media!) Thank you General Hospital. Honored to be part of television history not only on this show, but to be among the first actors back to work in town post-Covid. The set always felt safe, and I was proud to be in front of the camera in such a strange time Thank you for everything. Stay soapy.”

Check out Mark’s post below.

So, are you sad that Dustin is no longer on the canvas in Port Charles? Will you miss Mark in the role? Comment below.