One Life to Live
| One Life to Live | |
|---|---|
| File:Onelifetolive2004.jpg | |
| Created by | Agnes Nixon |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Frank Valentini |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC, SOAPnet |
| Release | July 15, 1968 |
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which has been broadcast on the ABC television network since July 15, 1968.
Genesis
Impressed with the ratings success of NBC's Another World, ABC sought out Another World writer Agnes Nixon to create a serial for them. Nixon, "tired of the restraints imposed by the WASPy, noncontroversial nature of daytime drama, presented the network with a startingly original premise and cast of characters. Although the show was built along the classic soap formula of a rich family and a poor family, One Life to Live emphasized the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the people of Llanview, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia"[1]. Nixon would go on to create All My Children in 1970 and Loving in 1983.
The title of OLTL was originally going to be Between Heaven and Hell, but sponsors hoped for a change to something less controversial. Though the title change was made, the first opening titles (closeup footage of flames in a fireplace) seemed to suggest a symbolic hellfire.
OLTL's first sponsors were the Colgate-Palmolive company, who also sponsored The Doctors. ABC bought the show from Agnes Nixon in December 1974 when they purchased all stock to her Creative Horizons Inc. The show was originally a half-hour serial until it was expanded to 45 minutes in 1976 and to one hour in 1978.
History of OLTL
One Life to Live is set in the fictional city of Llanview, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania modeled after the Chestnut Hill section of the city. The show originally concentrated on the wealthy Lord family, the less wealthy Siegels (the first attempt to showcase a Jewish family on daytime television until the short-lived 1974 daytime serial, How to Survive a Marriage) and the middle-class Rileys and Woleks. OLTL has been called "the most peculiarly American of soap operas: the first serial to present a vast array of ethnic types, broad comic situations, a constant emphasis on social issues, and strong male characters" [2].
Since its inception, OLTL has centered on the character of Victoria "Viki" Lord (originated by actress/writer Gillian Spencer), who has been portrayed by Erika Slezak since March 1971. Long-suffering heroine Viki has weathered love and loss, widowhood, rape, divorce, stroke and breast cancer, and has been memorably plagued by dissociative identity disorder (or DID, once known as multiple personality disorder) on and off for decades. Viki's romance with Clint Buchanan and rivalry with Dorian Cramer brought the Buchanan and Cramer families to the prominence they hold in current storylines.
OLTL storylines: 1968-1979
OLTL storylines: 1980-1989
OLTL storylines: 1990-1999
OLTL storylines: 2000-Present
Title sequences
The original One Life to Live title opening used from its 1968 premiere to 1975. Featuring a roaring fireplace with the words One Life To Live faintly appearing and growing larger as the sequence concluded. The flames were supposed to be symbolic of a hellfire, as the show's title was supposed to be "Between Heaven and Hell," but was changed at the last minute as ABC did not feel Mylanta, a major sponsor, would be pleased with any comparison between "hell" and stomach discomfort, which the product assuages. |
The fireplace opening was replaced in 1975 with a visual of an emerging orange and yellow mountain sunrise, concluding with the show title underneath it. |
In 1980, the sunrise opening was altered with a gray background and enhanced with a longer sequence which showed not just a mountain sunrise, but also shots of birds and a close up of the sun, and eventually the title superimposed over a shot of a blue sky with clouds. The theme music was rearranged as well. |
On December 17, 1984, a new sequence designed by Wayne Fitzgerald debuted. It featured a new theme by Dave Grusin, with translucent headshots of the cast superimposed over Llanview locations, ending with the title superimposed on a tableau of cast photos. In 1987, lyrics performed by Peabo Bryson in 1985 were added to the previously instrumental theme. |
On January 2, 1992, a new title sequence emphasizing the romantic angle of the show debuted, designed by the television computer artistry group of Greenberg and Schluter. In a condensed form, it featured a love story—using the elements of a heroine, Mr. Wrong/Mr. Right, love making, implied betrayal, a champagne bottle corked, and a newborn baby. It concluded with swirling, windswept satin sheets displaying the show title. Accompanied by theme music by Lee Holdridge, in a New Age-influenced arrangement. |
On November 20, 1995, a new title sequence which featured posterized video headshots of each contract player and tinted action clips from the show superimposed over shots of landmarks and city scenes (reminiscent to the 1984-91 opening) made its debut, with Lee Holdridge and David Nichtern under the direction of then music supervisor Jamie Howarth, providing a new upbeat theme song to accompany it. |
In June 2004 (all ABC Daytime soaps revamped their titles this year), the latest opening premiered; it consists of live shots of cast members (which had been previously used during bumper sequences) over a black background, ending with the title superimposed over the abbreviation OLTL. It is accompanied by an uptempo remix of the previous theme song. |
Cast
Current cast members
Recurring cast members
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Eddie Alderson | Matthew Buchanan |
| Peter Bartlett | Nigel Bartholomew-Smythe |
| Luke Kendler Clodfelter | Thomas "Tommy" McBain |
| Jacob Cook | Thomas "Tommy" McBain |
| Patricia Elliott | Renee Divine |
| Catherine Hickland | Lindsay Rappaport |
| Thomas Justusson | Jack Manning |
| Ilene Kristen | Roxy/Roxanne Balsom |
| Patricia Mauceri | Carlotta Vega |
| Pamela Payton-Wright | Addie Cramer |
| Portia Reiners | Britney Jennings |
| Shawn Reingold | Shaun |
| Saoirse Scott | Jamie Vega |
| Olivia Sklar | Lois |
| Timothy D. Stickney | R.J. Gannon |
| Michael Storm | Dr. Larry Wolek |
| Carly and Sam Wolfe | Brennan Buchanan |
Coming and going cast members
| Actor | Character | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Beetem | Tate Harmon | Debuts February 8, 2007 |
| David Chisum | Miles Laurence | Debuts February 15, 2007 |
| Tuc Watkins | David Vickers | Returns Temporarily February 2007 |
| Nelly Furtado | Herself | Guest Appearance February 23, 2007 |
| Paul Satterfield | Spencer Truman | Exits February 2007 |
Before They Were Stars and celebrity guests
Deceased cast members
| Actor | Character | Year of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald Anthony | Marco Dane | 2004 |
| Jonathan Brandis | Kevin Buchanan | 2003 |
| Jack Crowder | Lt. Jack Neil | 1991 |
| Ted Demers | Daniel Wolek | 2001 |
| Anthony George | Will Vernon | 2005 |
| Bernard Grant | Steve Burke | 2004 |
| Ernest Graves | Victor Lord | 1983 |
| Lillian Hayman | Sadie Gray | 1994 |
| Dorrie Kavanaugh | Cathy Craig Lord | 1983 |
| Nat Polen | Dr. Jim Craig | 1981 |
| Rebecca Schaeffer | Annie Barnes | 1989 |
| Jeremy Slate | Chuck Wilson | 2006 |
| Shepperd Strudwick | Victor Lord | 1983 |
| Kellie Waymire | Emily Haynes | 2004 |
| Michael Zaslow | David Renaldi | 1998 |
Historical cast information
- For a full listing of performers by role, see List of One Life to Live characters
Executive Producers & Head Writers
OLTL Executive Producers
- 2002-present: Frank Valentini
- 2001-2002: Gary Tomlin
- 1998-2001: Jill Farren Phelps
- 1996-1998: Maxine Levinson
- 1994-1996: Susan Bedsow Horgan
- 1991-1994: Linda Gottlieb
- 1984-1991: Paul Rauch
- 1983-1984: Jean Arley
- 1977-1983: Joseph Stuart
- July 15, 1968-1977: Doris Quinlan
OLTL Head Writers
- December 13, 2004-present: Dena Higley
- November 29, 2004-December 10, 2004: No Head Writer listed
- March 23, 2004- November 24, 2004: Michael Malone
- March 10, 2003- March 22, 2004: Michael Malone and Josh Griffith
- February 3, 2003- March 7, 2003: Josh Griffith
- 2001-January 31, 2003: Lorraine Broderick and Christopher Whitesell
- 1999-2001: Megan McTavish
- 1999: Jill Farren Phelps (ghostwriter/de facto)
Current crew
OLTL Writing Team
Dena Higley, Kay Alden, Leslie Nipkow, Lisa Seidman, Aida Croal, Shelly Altman, Ron Carlivati, Janet Iacobuzio, Mark Christopher, Carolyn Culliton, Daniel Griffin, Michelle Poteet Lisanti, Frances Myers, Ginger Redmon, Chris Van Etten, John Loprieno, James Harmon Brown, Barbara Esensten
OLTL Producing Team
Frank Valentini, Suzanne Flynn, John Tumino, Shelley Honigbaum, Jacqueline Van Belle
OLTL Directing Team
Jill Ackles, Larry Carpenter, Danielle Faraldo, Bruce S. Cooperman, Richard Manfredi, Jill Mitwell, Gary Donatelli
Crossovers
As with many other television series, OLTL has had a number of crossovers with other programs, both daytime and primetime.
In 1970, shortly after All My Children, debuted Dr. Larry Wolek (Michael Storm) visited Pine Valley in an attempt to get fans of OLTL to watch ABC's new show.
Actress/singer Lillian Hayman (Sadie Gray #1) appeared on All My Children in the late 1970s. She sang at the wedding of Dr. Frank Grant and Caroline Dixon, R. N.
In 1979, All My Children lawyer Paul Martin (William Mooney) defended Victoria Lord Riley against murder charges. She had been accused of murdering Marco Dane.
Actress Shelley Burch (fashion designer Delilah Ralston Buchanan Garretson) made an appearance on All My Children when Erica Kane Chandler had ordered a dress from Delilah.
In 1993 Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) made several appearances on GH while managing a prize fighter.
In 1994, Llanview hunks Clint (Clint Ritchie), Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Cord (John Loprieno) appeared in a dream sequence on primetime sitcom Roseanne, battling for Roseanne's affection.
In 1996 Nora, Hank (Nathan Purdee), RJ and Nora and Hank's drug-addicted daughter Rachel (then Sandra P. Grant) appeared on the talk show The Cutting Edge, hosted by AMC stalwart Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight). During the heated exchange, Rachel blurted out that Nora and RJ had had an affair during Nora's marriage to Hank.
Dr. Dorian Cramer Lord Callison has appeared on All My Children twice — the first time played by Elaine Princi and the second time by Robin Strasser. Ms. Strasser had earlier played Dr. Christina Karras Martin on AMC.
In 1997 private detective Alex Masters (Randolph Mantooth) from The City helped Bo track down a suspect in New York City.
In 1999, Linda Dano's Gretel Cummings appeared on all four of ABC's daytime soaps, searching for her longlost daughter; while on AMC she learned that Myrtle Fargate (Eileen Herlie) was her mother. After Gretel returned to Llanview, she clashed with former AMC vixen Skye Chandler Davidson (Robin Christopher), and found out Skye was her daughter. Skye tried to win back her ex-husband Ben and then fell into an affair with Max Holden before moving to General Hospital in 2001. Gretel has left town but may be back someday.
From 2004-2005 AMC and OLTL had a complicated "baby switch" storyline. AMCs Babe Chandler (Alexa Havins) learned that her annulment from Paul Cramer (David Tom) had never been finalized. Babe and her friend Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) were both nine months pregnant. They went into labor at an isolated cabin. Paul helped them give birth. His sister Kelly Cramer Buchanan Buchanan (Heather Tom) was trying to hide a stillbirth and needed a baby to present to her husband Kevin (Dan Gauthier). Bianca passed out after delivery, and Paul drugged Babe. He passed Bianca's daughter off as Babe's and gave Babe's son to Kelly, leading everyone to think that Bianca's baby had died. Eventually, Babe learned that she had Bianca's child and a short time later found out her son was alive in Llanview. With Jamie Martin (Justin Bruening)'s help, Babe kidnapped her son from Kelly and Kevin's home and left letters behind in Pine Valley explaining who the baby girl belonged to. Kelly discovered their whereabouts but decided to keep quiet because she wanted Babe to be with her child. She even testified on Babe's behalf in a custody battle between Babe and her husband Adam Chandler, Jr. (Jacob Young). Meanwhile, Paul was murdered and the suspect list was a mile long. Ultimately, District Attorney Daniel Colson was revealed as the killer by Bo Buchanan in one of One Life to Live's highest rated episodes.
Awards
The shows, as well as many of its actors and crew, have been nominated for dozens of awards, winning on many occasions. The Daytime Emmy Awards and Soap Opera Digest Awards wins of the 2000s are noted below.
Daytime Emmy Awards
Show
- 2005 "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series (tied with All My Children)
- 2005 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control for a Drama Series
- 2002 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 2001 "Outstanding Achievement in Live & Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series"
- 2001 "Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control for a Drama Series"
- 2000 "Outstanding Original Song"
- 2000 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series"
- 2000 "Outstanding Achievement in Live & Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series"
- 2000 "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series"
Individuals
- 2005 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Davidson)
- 1996 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Carpenter)
- 1995 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Carpenter)
- 1994 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Hillary B. Smith (Nora Hanen Gannon)
- 1994 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Susan Haskell (Marty Saybrooke)
- 1994 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Roger Howarth (Todd Manning)
- 1992 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Buchanan)
- 1992 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Thom Christopher (Carlo Hesser)
- 1986 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Buchanan)
- 1984 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Erika Slezak (Victoria "Viki" Lord Buchanan)
- 1983 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Robert S. Woods (Bo Buchanan)
- 1982 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Robin Strasser (Dorian Cramer Callison)
- 1981 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Judith Light (Karen Wolek)
- 1980 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Judith Light (Karen Wolek)
- 1979 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Al Freeman, Jr. (Ed Hall)
Directors Guild of America Awards
In the 1990s, the DGA began to recognise outstanding work in Daytime Television. The award is presented for a single episode to the director, stage managers, associate directors and production managers. These are the years the award has been presented to OLTL:
- 2004 Larry Carpenter
- 2001 Jill Mitwell
Ratings history
One Life To Live enjoyed fair-to-middling ratings in the 1970s, but rose rapidly as the decade ended along with the rest of ABC's daytime lineup. The 1980s saw the show reach the height of its popularity, occupying a top 4 place for almost all of the decade. Since then, it has returned to the middle of the pack but its numbers have declined in common with all other soaps.
The 1960s: Ratings
1967-1968 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen Media)
- 1. As The World Turns 13.6
- 13. One Life To Live (Debut)
1968-1969 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 13.8
- 13. One Life To Live 5.4
The 1970s: Ratings
1969-1970 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen Media)
- As The World Turns 13.6
- One Life To Live 6.7
1970-1971 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 12.4
- 15. One Life To Live 6.5
1971-1972 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 11.1
- 13. One Life To Live 7.3
1972-1973 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 10.6
- 7. One Life To Live 8.3
1973-1974 Season
- 1.As The World Turns 9.7 (#1 in viewers)
- 1.Days Of Our Lives 9.7
- 1.Another World 9.7
- 8.One Life To Live 7.8
1974-1975 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. As The World Turns 10.8
- 11. One Life To Live 7.4
1975-1976 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 9.4
- 11. One Life To Live 6.8
1976-1977 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 9.9
- 8. One Life To Live 7.3
1977-1978 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 8.6 (#1 in viewers)
- 1. Another World 8.6
- 7. One Life To Live 7.2
1978-1979 Season HH Ratings
- 1. All My Children 9.0
- 6. One Life To Live 8.0
The 1980s: Ratings
1979-1980 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen Media)
- 1. General Hospital 9.9
- 4. One Life To Live 8.7
1981-1982 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. General Hospital 11.2
- 3. One Life To Live 9.3
Highest Rated Week: Daytime History (Week Of November 16-20, 1981) (HH Ratings)
- 1. General Hospital- 16.0 (3-4pm)
- 2. All My Children- 10.2 (1-2pm)
- 2. One Life To Live- 10.2 (2-3pm) (#3 in viewers)
1982-1983 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.8'
- 3. One Life To Live 8.1
1983-1984 Season
- 1. General Hospital 10.0
- 4. One Life To Live 8.2
1984-1985 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.1
- 5. One Life To Live 7.3
1985-1986 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. General Hospital 9.2
- 4. One Life To Live 7.8
1986-1987 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.3
- 3. One Life To Live 7.2
1987-1988 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.1 (#1 in viewers)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.1 (#2 in viewers)
- 3. One Life To Live 7.7
1988-1989 Season HH Ratings
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.1
- 3. One Life To Live 7.1
The 1990s: Ratings
1989-1990 Season (HH Ratings) (1 HH rating = 921,000 Homes)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.0
- 4. One Life To Live 6.3
1990-1991 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**8.1**)
- 4. One Life To Live (**5.8**)
1991-1992 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.2
- 7. One Life To Live 5.4
1992-1993 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.4
- 6. One Life To Live 5.5
1993-1994 Season (HH Ratings) (1 HH rating = 942,000 Homes)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.6
- 6. One Life To Live 5.6
1994-1995 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restess 7.5
- 5. One Life To Live 5.4
1995 Ratings (Millions of Viewers)
- 1. The Young And The Restless- 7.155
- 5. One Life To Live- 5.152
1995-1996 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 7.7
- 6. One Life To Live 4.6
1996-1997 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless 7.1
- 7. One Life To Live 4.0
1997-1998 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**7.0**)
- 7. One Life To Live (**3.9)
1998-1999 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**6.9)
- 7. One Life To Live (**3.7**)
The 2000s: Ratings
1999-2000 Season (HH Ratings) (Nielsen Media)
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**6.8)
- 7. One Life To Live
2000-2001 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**6.7**)
- 7. One Life To Live
2001-2002 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**6.3**)
- 7. One Life To Live
2002-2003 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless
- 6. One Life To Live
2003-2004 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless
- 6. One Life To Live
2004-2005 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless
- 6. One Life To Live
2005-2006 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless
- 7. One Life To Live
See also
External links
- Official Site: ABC-TV--OLTL
- Soapdom: One Life To Live
- One Life To Live Discussion Group
- Life In Llanview
- Llanview Avenue
- OLTL Official Fan Club