What Will It Mean When You Have All My Children and One Life to Live Back In Your Life?

For me, seeing AMC and OLTL again means shear joy. It means a victory where at times it seemed impossible there would be one. It means a miracle.

When I think of actually being able to sit down again day after day and visit Pine Valley, Llanview, and my soap families, it means a time in my day when I can temporarily find peace and completely escape from any worries, concerns, stress or anxiety life has. I can escape to familiar places, familiar faces, and watch stories of Pine Valley and Llanview life unfold, thread, weave, and zig-zag through my favorite families and characters. For me it means going home again no matter where I am.

How about you?

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?

After Opening Credits What Would You Like to See on the First Relaunched Episodes of AMC and OLTL?

First, after opening credits, I would love to see a message from Agnes Nixon introducing the new era of each show.

There has been much debate on the Internet over whether the shows should pick up where they left off on Disney/ABC, whether they should begin anew, and what story lines should or should not be included in the relaunched shows. For me, I am completely thrilled that soap fans can have these discussions, debates, and banter – Viva AMC! Viva OLTL!

I am so thrilled about these shows coming back that it really doesn't matter to me what story lines they pursue as long as they are thoughtful, well-written, and stay true to Pine Valley, Llanview, and the original citizens in both towns. Of course ultimately the story lines will be very dependent on what actors Prospect Park secures for the relaunches, and some recasting will likely occur. I am hoping that Prospect Park recognizes that some of the characters in Pine Valley and Llanview are sacred and hope they do not try to recast these roles. Just because some actors many not be available or interested in joining these projects initially does not preclude them from being available or having interest as the shows have time to evolve and prove themselves to be the quality programming they once were.

What would you like to see after the open credits air in April?

Which Actor/Actress Are You Most Happy to See Signed to the Prospect Park AMC/OLTL Relaunches?

With official Prospect Park press releases listing the actors signed up for the All My Children and One Life to Live relaunches, for me the most exciting actors joining the projects are these:

All My Children

Thorsten Kaye (Zach Slater) and Jill Larson (Opal Cortland). Zach has always been a favorite character for me because of Thorsten's impeccable portrayal of the character. He brings a presence to the screen that I just cannot get enough of.

I am also thrilled to see Opal returning to Pine Valley because she is such an unusual character and such a spitfire. She has the story line potential to do so many things and Jill portrays Opal with such wackiness yet class that she reminds me of the classy screwball comedies of yesteryear.

One Life To Live

Erika Slezak (Vicky Buchanan) is a dream come true. To see Vicki returning to Llanview is going to be SUCH a treat! Robert S Woods (Bo Buchanan) and Hilary B Smith (Nora Buchanan) are also two personal favorites that it is going to be a pleasure to see returning home to Llanview.

That being said, every single actor that joins these projects just thrills me to pieces. The more familiar faces we see in Pine Valley and Llanview, the more it makes me want to go back to these homes-away-from-home and never leave (like I would EVER want to leave Pine Valley or Llanview!).

Who are you happiest about?

What Is the Most Important Factor To the Successful Relaunch of AMC and OLTL?

The most important factor in the successful relaunch of All My Children and One Life to Live is their loyal fans.  Without them, there would be no relaunch.  It is their devotion to these beloved shows that kept the fires burning.  The fans' vigilance never let these stories die, even when it seemed impossible that they could be resurrected.

There are many elements that will ultimately factor into their continued success but two that stand out.  One is that the shows be available without fee and subscriptions.  While many fans will be happy to pay to see the shows, there are many more who simply cannot afford it and would be left behind by a pay-per-view model.  The other is the availability of the shows on television, either network or cable.  Although the future of the genre is online, on-demand viewing, there is a gap for many fans right now in making that transition.  Re-airing the shows on television, even with a time-delay, would only increase revenue and recapture that segment of the audience, further strengthening their chances of success.

What do you think?