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.”
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Reflects on Dante’s Guilt for the ‘Atrocity’ That Happened to Michael Which Kept Everyone From Telling Him the Truth About Rocco (Exclusive)
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General Hospital2 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
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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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