A Wubber Must Hear: Daytime Confidential's Interview with OLTL's RC

My friends over at Daytime Confidential have a great podcast that includes Ron Carlivati talking about the end of OLTL and more importantly his plans for the OLTL-GH Meld. It may make you feel much better about the merger. HIT this DCPODCAST link and give a listen. 

Hear from Carlivati himself on his thoughts about how the 43-year-old sudser came to a close. Would he have done things differently had he known OLTL wouldn't be moving online immediately following the ABC finale? Carlivati shares how it felt to be able to bring back such popular veterans as Jessica Tuck (Megan), Roscoe Born (Mitch), Fiona Hutchison (Gabrielle), Susan Batten (Luna), Ty Treadway (Troy), and more during the soap's "Between Heaven and Hell" arc during its final week.

The Mind-Melding of OLTL and GH: The WUB View

 I've gotten so many emails and post/twitter comments asking me my feelings on the two shows coming together, I thought I'd write a blog post about it and just point people in this direction if they wish to know.
First of all, I want everyone to realize where I'm coming from. I think you know I'm a HUGE OLTL fan.  I loved the direction, production and most of all writing in the past few years. In the end, it became my "can't miss show" . GH on the other hand, let me down time after time and really doesn't hold my interest much anymore. Hopefully, with Guza, JFP and Frons gone, Cartini will have more reign on the golden calves and sacred story lines that have been a steady choke-hold on GH . GH has a bloated cast and storylines that we've seen for years without much modification. I won't mention them all here but let's admit it ---character growth really hasn't been a priority. Right now, under Wolf, things are such a mess, I'm not even sure anyone knows the 'big picture' anymore. Just a bunch of scenes thrown together, edited all over the place and loose ends that dangle every dang day. 
What I want most for GH is fabulous writing. Period.  Characters come and go--actors come and go but  good writing? That  should be a given. I've learned over the years that actors are also coming and going as well as "golden couples".  Soaps need to be  in some form of flux to keep us watching.
Here's an example of good writing not interfering with how I feel about the show itself: I was really upset that Robin Strasser left before OLTL ended. I thought she should be a part of the finale. The last few months were written so well and then the final weeks were so awesome, Dorian being missing was more of my own annoyance and didn't effect the enjoyment of the show. One reason this works? Out of all the soaps, OLTL does not use one actor over another in stories. In fact, most stories involve all characters, even if it's on the sidelines. I remember reading one stat that had "air hogs" from all the soaps and OLTL didn't even make the list because there wasn't one or two or even three actors that got way more airtime than others. That's a great use of canvas and story-threading imo.
Now we come to the actual characters coming over from OLTL to "invade" our Port Charles space. Again, I'm excited for this to happen. I do understand that if you're only a OLTL Fan or only a GH fan, this can seem daunting. I personally have faith in Ron C to make it work. Remember, they are also bringing back Holly, Robert and Anna!! GH's "look" was going to change anyway. Newbies don't know about that past. Everyone will be playing catch up a bit. 

I totally understand the Actor and Couple loyalty. You don't want to see your faves leave in favor of others coming over from a different show. All I can say about that is GH should have evolved long ago into a way different show than it is now. It's not the actors faults but it is what it is. If new "life" and different stories are going to make it better, I'm all for it.
One thing Ron is great with is integrating the cast--that's what I can't wait to see. How will these characters tie into Port Charles? To me it will be exciting to watch. I need some excitement about now when  it comes to GH.

I'm not really keeping up with the Prospect Park deals or who licenses who or how this effects ongoing efforts to keep the shows on air (in another market). I'm looking solely at the next 6 months. I suppose I'm hoping for ratings to climb into the 3.0 range or beyond so perhaps there's a chance at the show being saved. I do believe that by Sept, GH will be done. I'm not being a downer but that's what I believe based on what I've seen/read and heard. Until then, I want one hell of a ride. I think Cartini will deliver it.

The View and One Life To Live Today

What a send off! WOW... Erika was co-host and Robin Strasser came on dressed to kill. So many stars saying goodbye like Nathan Fillion and Lawrence Fishburne. 
Bo and Nora were so cute too!! Or Bob and Hillary. Sheri went NUTS when Bo came out, just like a fan girl! LOL... Bob and Hillary with the rubber chicken-- he gave it to her. Phil Carey used to use it all the time Bob said. 
Kassie and James! They are so cute. LOVED when Tina/Andrea came out. I wish she had brought David Vickers the doggie out.

"I Pity the Fool that TOOK THIS SOAP OFF THE AIR" said Whoopi! Damn straight. It's such a shame. The Audience was FULL of fans. Every actor got a standing O. Now, The View has been on the air forever and if they had done "tributes" like this a couple of times a year for AMC and OLTL who knows what could have happened? ABC IGNORED it's soaps. IGNORED!

Judith Light was great to see too. I saw that scene with her on the stand LIVE..and was just glued to the TV Set.

Andrea Evans was trending in the US!!!


One Life to Live's FINAL cast photo. IT's GORGEOUS. I couldn't snag it as it's ABC's property but you can order one. I heard AMC's sold out in hours. 

Indulge me today with the OLTL stuff!! It was a great tribute, wish it was longer but what the heck. Soon it will be the final episode.  Not happy. 

Take a One Life To Live Photo Tour!!

One Life To Live's Final week is memorialized in a great slide show over on TV Source Magazine
Since today is the finale, it's a great way to relive your fave moments.

Bree Williamson says "NO" about GH

She tweeted this yesterday: 

Bree Williamson
only person I'm 'in talks' with is my son about a diaper change... And the deal stinks.

So, there it is!! Then again, you know how this goes! Love her tweet though..fun.

OLTL Wrap Party

Sam, Jack and Starr

The Boyz of Llanview

The OLTL cast had a fab wrap party to end the run of the beloved soap. To go out on top as they have, championing over both AMC and GH in ratings, is bittersweet There are 7 more weeks of the show to go-- you know I'll be tweeting/blogging about it!

Photos courtesy of Kristen Alderson, all rights reserved

Last Day for OLTL Taping...

Sad, Sad day for One Life To Live fans. I will write a longer blog closer to the time that it actually leaves for good (January) but just knowing that taping has ending is cause enough to write some thoughts down.


OLTL was the 'sandwich' soap I'd watch between AMC and GH when I had the time. Always great for laughs and over the top crazy-plots, I guess I took it for granted.  Headed by Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati, it's just been a joy to watch these past few years. Even when decisions were made to let cast members go (Robin Strasser), or stories fade (Kish), the writing remained so strong, I just keep on watching. This show still has Bo/Nora, Clint/Vicky-- most of the Cramer girls, cast vets that have been on for years and a hell of a great storytelling style. If you follow me on twitter, you know I'm screaming A LOT during the show!! 


So, as the lights dim in NYC on the OLTL we can at least be happy for a bang-up ending and great stories for a few more weeks. There's also the real hope that Prospect Park will get  it online as soon as possible.

From Kassie DePaiva on her FB Page:This has been a sad day. I'm truly grateful for this awesome journey. I've had an amazing time in Llanview....and really hate to see it end. But it was great and my life is better because of the lives that have touched mine. Thank you OLTL/Blair fans for 18 years of goodness. It's because of you that it has lasted this long. Until we meet again... Xoxo

Nancy Lee Grahn:  I am heartbroken for the cast of OLTL today. My first tv job was on that show . My best goes out to the cast and crew. My hopes are that it resurfaces, as it should somewhere where it will be rightfully cherished

John Loprieno Opens Up about OLTL Stint!

Great interview on the VCStar.com site with John about his coming back to One Life before it goes off the air. For those of us that have watched the show since the earlier days, "Cordero Roberts" was a favorite character that was greatly missed when he left.  Loprieno teeaches at Moorpark College in CA.

Since October, the actor has done 13 episodes and had to travel back and forth between New York, where it is recorded, and Moorpark, where he teaches.

"It turned out to be a much bigger cameo than I thought it would be. It was fun. It was great to see everybody and work with (actress) Andrea Evans again," Loprieno said.

His students, though, have remained largely oblivious to their teacher's fame on the once very popular soap.

"I don't even think daytime is on their radar. Once in a while, a student will say, 'My mom used to watch you,' " Loprieno said with a laugh.

"I always thought the nice thing about daytime is that there's no reruns, so at least my students won't be able to throw that up in my face and have fun with me about some of the goofy stuff I used to do in daytime. But YouTube has got everything. Some of them have seen some of my most embarrassing moments," he said.

One Life To Live: The Little Soap That Could

I keep waiting for the 'mainstream' press to pick up on this story, but alas-- I guess it shall be I that  writes about the little miracle that is OLTL on ABC. 
Sit back and listen ..


Once upon a time, the evil heads of the studio took a look at the daytime lineup and declared it was "dead in the moat" and should be replaced with other riff-raf (ie: cheaper) programming. They sealed their fate and walked away. Turned a blind eye to the millions of "peasants' protesting the cuts, basically calling them insignificant and too "old" to matter. 

 Knight in Shining Armor

A curious thing happened though. Under the helm of Frank Valenti and Ron Carlivati, (above) the soap One Life to Live refused to just lay down and die. Not only didn't it die, it gained life...by defying the odds and adding viewers after decades of decline for soaps across the board. They did this without any promotion from ABC, despite being canceled and overlooked for years on well deserved Daytime Emmys. They were also the soap not chosen to move to LA when AMC picked up to go HD. OLTL was left behind in NYC to fend for itself. And did it ever. 


The soap is, as they say, "The Step-Child" of the ABC daytime line up. My mother used to call it  "that show with Vicki right after All My Children". Sandwiched between AMC and GH, it seemed to be a time filler. Sure, it had it's moments. The famous Judith Light courtroom scene is used as one  of the finest examples of daytime angst-acting there is. Agnes Nixon created the soap but over the years it has proven to be a bit more wacky than her other, less campy AMC. We had "Eterna" city under the ground, time travel and various other weird story lines.  Dorian and Vicky have always been a highlight, as has the "Dallas Style" Buchanan family. What Ron has begun to do however, is actually create a drama-camp that's somewhere between the "Xfiles" and "Mystery Theater 3000", making the soap a must see in the afternoon.

It's interesting that ABC dismisses this rating spike  as a "fluke" because, according to head man Brian Frons, if the numbers on General Hospital rose, they wouldn't cancel that show. (Which, we know is probably a total lie since The Katie Couric Chat-fest is slanted to move right into GH's time slot.) I don't think it's a "fluke" that One Life's ratings have risen steadily over months and months. More people are watching because the show is that good. Twitter has a steady stream of fans and many of us bloggers out here in cyber-space have encouraged people to watch. I've heard from viewers that left and come back but I've also heard from new viewers that are digging the show. Isn't that exactly what ABC wants? 

One Life beat the powerhouse The Young and the Restless last week one day for women viewers (hit the link for full ratings breakdown). Imagine that. A canceled show, putting up numbers to rival daytime's best. One Life even beat “The Talk,”  by 865,000 viewers last week. Uh, knock, knock--but doesn't that tell you anything?? 

I have to give it to the actors on screen because they bring it--every dang day. They always have. No one phones it in-- not once. I can't imagine year after year being passed over for the Emmy and still hanging in there like they have. The humor is infectious as well. Older vets are used and because so many are still around, it's natural to have history pop up in your face when you least expect it. It's the only soap on my DVR right now. For me, that's huge. I don't DVR for hardly anything; daytime or primetime!

I can't imagine what must be going on in Anne Sweeney's mind right about now where this is concerned. We know she's washed her hands of scripted daytime programming. There has to be a bit of uncomfortable silence at the table when the ratings come in each week though. With AMC and OLTL going cyber, I can only hope that the shows remain something of themselves when the transition happens. Oprah missed such an opportunity to bring viewers to OWN when she dismissed soapers pleas to consider putting them on her network. We are a built in, loyal and powerful fanbase. People are missing the boat left and right. Not to mention the uncounted views online, DVR and SoapNet. If ABC had a brain, they'd demand the ratings counts be changed to bring in the real numbers and advertisers with them. Instead, they just go along like dinosaurs and plug in cheap recycled "reality" for us to watch. Do we really need to know how to use "mismatched plates" to create a "fun-table" or that shrimp come in 3 different sizes? Er.. no. Not even close.

Despite plunging a sword into the heart of the show, OLTL just keeps delivering day after day, and bringing viewers right along. If these numbers can't save it, what can? Someone needs to call out the decision of this crew before it's all over. I honestly hope the ratings keep soaring to the point where no one can ignore them anymore. That, and they sweep the Emmys next year (ha, right like that would ever happen).  

Right now, ABC's needs to step-up and justify canceling shows who's ratings are going UP. Nothing against GH as that's my show, but their numbers? Not going up so much--and it's the one that's saved. Ah, Hollyweird. 



*note: Hit the Ron Carlivati link for a stellar interview with Michael Fairman

One Life To Live: You So Rock My World!!

I had to make a post about this show today. This whole week has been astounding but today? TOOK the cake!! Even the direction of Christian to Shawn to the Film premiere was brilliant.

The porn..T he Vicker Man-- The Two Faces!! Water "Breaking"!!! 

Mrs Patel "If you need pointers talk to that boy from the movie seems to know what he's doing"!! 

Man in Black:  "We can't have you dying with that face on"!!


Rex and the gun!!

"This MAN IS NOT TODD MANNING-- I AM"!! 

MONDAY is going to be ASTOUNDING!!


Just put this show on Lifetime  TV already... maybe after "Roseanne's Nuts"-- this show is priceless. 
If you've never watched OLTL before or just want to catch up, try to see some on SoapNet this weekend, it's that good. Really. 

I need to get a copy of that Vicker Man Movie poster!! 

Daytime Confidential: Take THAT One Life to Live!

Daytime Confidential is reporting that the studio that currently houses our beloved One Life to Live is to be given to...arch enemy KATIE COURIC!! HISS BOO!! Hit the link to read all about it! 
OLTL Tapes at ABC, 320 West 66th street in NYC

One Life To Live: Almost the BEST Show on TV. Period!

And I'M COUNTIN' PRIMETIME!!!! wow....Today's show was spectacular yet  again. First they kept pretty quiet about the whole Gigi thing. Second, just as Matthew wakes up, Rex is bawling over Gigi's brain-dead body. JPL did a kick ass job with this.  Roxy's losing it. Tea can't believe it. Todd knows stupid Jack might go to prison (although I say send him to acting school instead! LOL). 

Baby Liam smiles like a little PEACH --did you see that!!!?? And Destiny so happy and hugging Sean--when you know he's going to FLIP at her news of a baby!! EESH.  

Cutter strutting around Asa's house, playing host. Rama and Christian kissing and her hubby catches them. Put Ford and Tess in bed together and woomp! There it is!! Tess, Bess-- Jess.. love 'em all!

They use history, drama and all their cast. Things move along-- and keep me on the edge of my seat everyday!! Yes, some of their edits are uneven but I can overlook them because the stories are so good.  I can't believe it's being canceled. Not when it's SO good, gets such fabu ratings AND is under budget. NOT FAIR :stompingfoot: 

I am SO GLAD I DVR'd the show today!! 

Soap Cancellations: Even Entertainment Weekly GETS it!!

Here's a great little article from Entertainment Weekly about the canning of ABC Soaps. They are a bit in shock that One Life to Live, the ONLY soap gaining viewers is getting the ax!!

excerpt: Remarkably, One Live to Live remained flat this season versus last (1.1) while its numbers went up slightly (from 2.5 million to 2.6 million). And it was the only soap not to dip in the key demo. Every show was down, including The Young and the Restless (1.6 versus last year’s 1.9), General Hospital (1.4 versus 1.5), Bold and the Beautiful (1.0 versus 1.1) and Days of Our Lives (1.2 versus 1.4). Each women 18-49 ratings point equals 659,000 viewers.

Oh, tell it like it is!! They also don't mention that production comes in under budget. Grew despite being the "middle child" and neglected by the network. I'm just happy it got some mainstream press. 

ROXY is in the HOUSE!

Old Face Todd is out and will soon meet New Face--Face to Face. heh... We're waiting on Matthew's prognosis and Clint's still on the verge of flatlining. AND Natalie should listen to the paternity tape today (I hope). Patrick Thornhart was mentioned,  Ted King is looking yummy and Tess is still crazy as hell.
Fun Friday in Llanview!!
 

Robin Strasser's Message about OLTL

I thought I'd share this tweet from Ms. Strasser because it's just so "her" and really eases the pain of losing OLTL a tiny bit. Robin will be leaving due to health reasons before the show goes off the air.  She has chronic back pain and is hopeful she'll get relief soon! 

I'm NOT dead YET. Still IN-Off to do what I LOVE to do, and savor these precious last moments at OLTL. Carpe Diem! A new and HOPE-full DAY! (@robinstrasser)


Also, on Soap Opera Network, there's a cute article about how OLTL is starting to refer to it's own demise in the scripts. It's SOOOOOO like them to do this!! Who saw the  old photo of Clint? I did! I'll never forget the episode where they showed the old Blair --and Kassie DP had the weirdest look on her face. I think it was Asa's funeral.