How Does AMC and OLTL Going Back Into Production Today Make You Feel?

There are so many feelings today – joy, happiness, amazement, victory, and a feeling of returning home. Knowing our beloved Pine Valley and Llanview are bustling with activity, stories, and characters once again is heartwarming for millions of fans.

How does the return to production of these two iconic shows make you feel?

If You Could Speak Privately to a Soap Opera Actor, Who Would It Be and What Would You Say?

Susan Lucci (Erica Kane - AMC), Roger Howarth (Todd Manning - OLTL), Finola Hughes (Anna Devane - GH)

All My Children

Susan Lucci (Erica Kane) – I would choose Susan Lucci who for me IS soap opera as AMC's Erica Kane. I would first say thank you for all of the years of incredible entertainment she has given me, my family, and her fans. Then I would ask her what, aside from family and her career, her greatest passion is and what is something she does for herself alone that brings her joy.

One Life to Live/General Hospital

Roger Howarth (Todd Manning) – I would choose Roger Howarth because he has such a wonderful presence and bright spirit.  I would say thank you to Roger for sharing his wonderful talent as an actor with his audience. Then I would ask him three things: 1) What moment stands out for him that brings him the most joy; 2) Where in the world can/does he go where he feels most at peace; and 3) paper or plastic? - just to hear his laughter.

General Hospital

Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) – I choose Finola Hughes because she is so full of grace and lights up a scene every time she is on camera. I would thank her for her impeccable work throughout the years and for being a role model and example of grace and integrity for women. Then I would ask her aside from her career and family, what brings her the most pleasure and why.

Who would you like to speak with and what would you say?

Where Would You Like to See the OLTL/GH Cross-Over Characters?

Roger Howarth - Todd Manning, Kristen Alderson - Starr Manning, Michael Easton - John McBain

Wouldn't the world be a lot simpler without lawyers in it?

If and when One Life To Live (OLTL) was resurrected, it was always going to come down to a legal bailiwick over the cross-over characters and actors (Roger Howarth – Todd Manning, Kristen Alderson – Starr Manning, and Michael Easton – John McBain) that were contracted to General Hospital (GH). If we take a step back and take our emotions out of things for a moment, it would make sense that these actors could not continue their roles at the moment on GH with OLTL preparing to ramp up for relaunch. Prospect Park (PP) would be remiss to their investors if they did not leverage the GH cross-overs to bring people to Llanview. However, beyond that, this does not mean much right now as we do not know what discussions or complications are involved.

It may be that legally, it is as simple as getting this straightened out and all parties to agree to an amicable arrangement. There is nothing that precludes the crossover characters from being based on OLTL but crossing over regularly to GH if details were agreed to by all parties - particularly the actors themselves. It would produce a win-win situation for both shows, bringing cross-over audiences to both, additional revenue for PP, and really no down side for either party as the more popular these characters, the more viewership for both shows. It would also mean more work, money, and exposure for the actors playing these roles if logistics were favorable for them.

It makes sense that PP would want these characters for the OLTL relaunch, especially with the momentum of fan interest they bring because of their exposure on GH. It would also make sense to let them cross back over to GH from time-to-time to reinforce that momentum and bring the GH audience along to Llanview when they are residing there and vice-versa.

In this world where lawyers are involved in every aspect and take home more than plaintiffs, defendents, and those they represent, it will likely take time to work out details. Perhaps as fans, our best course of action is to continue to support these characters, the actors, both shows, and let our voices be heard that we want to be able to see them in both Llanview and Port Charles on a regular basis - a win-win situation for GH, OLTL, PP, and the actors themselves, setting new precedence with a long-term cooperative agreement (if they so desire). It would also be a win-win situation for fans who would get to see these beloved characters twice as much in both Llanview and Port Charles.  There are no laws, certainly none set in stone that say this could not become a reality. 

As with all things soap opera, we will all have to stay tuned!  What do you think?