One Life to Live

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One Life to Live is an American soap opera which has been broadcast on the ABC television network since July 15, 1968.

[edit] Genesis

The show was originally a half-hour serial until it was expanded to 45 minutes in 1976 and to one hour in 1978. One Life to Live was created by Agnes Nixon, who was also responsible for the creation of All My Children (in 1970) and Loving, and who served as the head writer of Another World and Guiding Light.

The title of the show was originally going to be Between Heaven and Hell. However, the sponsors wished that the name be changed to something less controversial. Even though the name change was made, the first opening titles were of a symbolic hellfire (in reality, the taped footage was of a burning fireplace, with the emphasis on the flames emitted). The first sponsors of the show 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.

[edit] History of One Life to Live (Storylines And Characters)

• OLTL: 1968-Late 1970s
• OLTL: Late 1970s-1989
• OLTL: 1990-1999
• OLTL: 2000-Present

One Life to Live is set in the fictional city of Llanview, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia 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 daytime serial, "How To Survive A Marriage, 1974 - 1975) and the middle-class Rileys and Woleks. Since its inception, it has centered on the character of Victoria "Viki" Lord (first played by actress/writer Gillian Spencer), who has been portrayed by Erika Slezak since March 1971. Long-suffering heroine Viki has weathered love, 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.

[edit] 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 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 hazy headshots of the cast, superimposed over places in Llanview, ending with the title superimposed on top word-by-word in rhythm to a new theme by Dave Grusin. In 1986, lyrics performed by Peabo Bryson were added onto the previously instrumental theme music.
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 soaps revamped their titles this year), the latest opening premiered; consisting 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.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Current cast members

[edit] Recurring cast members

[edit] Coming and going cast members

[edit] Deceased cast members

[edit] Before They Were Stars

[edit] Celebrity Guests

[edit] Executive Producing & Head Writing Team

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

Head Writers

• December 13, 2004-present: Dena Higley
• November 29, 2004-December 10, 2004: No Head Writer listed - Transitional Period
• 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 (ghostwriting)

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Daytime Emmy Awards

[edit] 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"

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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 et al.
  • 2001 Jill Mitwell et al.

[edit] Ratings history

Daytime TV ratings: 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.

Highest Rated Week-Daytime History (Week Of November 16-20, 1981) (Household Ratings)

• General Hospital- 16.0 (3-4pm) ABC
• All My Children- 10.2 (1-2pm) ABC
• One Life To Live- 10.2 (2-3pm) ABC
• Guiding Light- 7.9 (3-4pm) CBS
• The Young And The Restless- 7.3 (12:30-1:30pm) CBS

1995 Ratings (Millions of Viewers)

1. The Young And The Restless ~ 7.155
2. All My Children ~ 5.891
3. General Hospital ~ 5.343
4. The Bold And The Beautiful ~ 5.247
5. One Life To Live ~ 5.152
6. Days Of Our Live ~ 5.056

[edit] See also

• Daytime's Greatest Weddings
• Llanview, Pennsylvania

[edit] External links

• Official Site-ABC's OLTL
• Soapdom.com's One Life to Live Site
• One Life to Live Discussion Group
• OLTLNET
• Life In Llanview
• Llanview Avenue
• The One Life to Live Official Fan Clubde:Liebe, Lüge, Leidenschaft

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