I happened to catch some of the One Life to Live marathon on Soapnet today and it's all just so depressing. What used to be my very favorite ABC soap is now a shell of its former self. Some of the MAJOR issues I had:

----IT'S ALL ABOUT TODD!!!!! Seriously, the entire show now revolves around Todd Manning. Yes, he was a major character during my highlight OLTL years (93-96, started watching in 93). But never like this. Why, WHY did they have to let his & Margaret's baby live? What purpose does it serve other than to hand a lameass story to Michael & Marcie? Seriously, WTF? EVERY character on the Tuesday episode was talking about Todd in some way, shape or form, or was directly related to him. Ridic.

---The actors AREN'T TRYING ANYMORE!!!! Trevor St. John- flat. Renee Goldsberry- flat. John Paul Lavosier- much like One Life itself, a shell of his former self. I actually had to endure the pain of Melissa Archer & Christina Chambers (NuMarty) attempting snarkiness and [!@#$%^&*]iness with one another. MA wasn't even phoning it in- it was like watching a horrific cold reading on national television! Chambers at least was trying, but she SO isn't Marty Saybrooke & never will be. It's bad enough that we have TSJ's Todd for Marty to now play against, we shouldn't have to suffer through another second rate recast playing this storyline.

----TREVOR ST JOHN IS NOT TODD!!!! I gave him the benefit of the doubt in the beginning but clearly he has no understanding of who Todd Manning is and it's gotten to the point where the writers are actually catering to his cardboard cutout version of Todd Manning.

----IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!! Roxie's English faux pas don't cut it for me- they're all so obvious that they aren't funny. Luckily, they have the incomparable Ilene Kristen bringing them to life. There is NO HUMOR whatsoever on OLTL right now. None. Not one whimsical storyline, nor one light-hearted character. A bunch of sad sacks is what we're now treated to in Llanview. What happened to characters like Alex? or Tina? or David? or Max? or Cain? I could go on and on.....

It just makes me sad is all. Yeah, AMC is bad right now. But OLTL has COMPLETELY lost its identity. And it's a shame. I can't believe that Robert Valenti still has a job, nor can I believe that he's worked there for as long as he has (he was a director before). How could someone who's supposed to know the ins & outs of the show let it turn into this?

Edited January 29, 200718 yr by juniorz1

Dude, we must me watching two different shows, because in my book OLTL is great. Wouldn't you rather OLTL be centered around Todd, than John, Or Spencer. Todd is worthy and TSJ is definently the actor to do it. OLTL is way better than AMC. It is no comparision. TSJ is Todd, says the credits..lol. TSJ is trying which is why he is the lead on the show and Renee is trying but working with Dead Fumero, her talent doesnt get a chance to come out. Sorry Dude, but I disagree with you.

Edited January 28, 200718 yr by JayV

I'd actually rather OLTL go back to being the ensemble serial it once was. No soap should be all about one or a few characters. And i disagree about REG- doesn't matter who she shares scenes with- her performances are the equivalent of paint drying. As for TSJ, he's an okay actor. But he's not Todd.

Edited January 29, 200718 yr by juniorz1

Shes like the most popular actress on the show and her fanbase proves that.

Yeah, and Melissa Archer is the other most popular actress on the show. Your point?

The only people I watched for were todd and evangeline. But I stopped watching because Todd's storyline is same old same old and I absolutely hate evangeline with that boring christian. I wanted todd/evangeline to get together.

Popular doesn't equal talent. I happen to like REG, but I'm just saying. CamMat is popular as AMC's Ryan -- even though there's a wealth of actors who can act circles around him just by reading a phone book.

Yeah, and Melissa Archer is the other most popular actress on the show. Your point?

I'm tired of her, too.

----TREVOR ST JOHN IS NOT TODD!!!! I gave him the benefit of the doubt in the beginning but clearly he has no understanding of who Todd Manning is and it's gotten to the point where the writers are actually catering to his cardboard cutout version of Todd Manning.

I empathize with you on that one, as well. That's exactly how I feel about Laura Wright being cast as Carly Benson. All the attitude, sparkle and charisma in the world does NOT make up for it when the actor doesn't understand the role beyond the simple "Oh, this character is a badass" or "Oh, this character gets to talk smack to people" and fail to grasp all of the underpinnings that the originating performer gave to the character. Just like Carly Benson, Todd Manning's relevance was due largely to the actor who created the role. The roles aren't just what you see on paper is what you get, and anybody who inhabits the part is just automatically guaranteed a homerun. Na-ah. When characters take off, it's because the actors take the written words and elevate them.

Edited January 29, 200718 yr by R Sinclair

I will say I didn't watch Friday's episode, which sounds more like my bag. BUT I'll believe that those characters (RE: Asa, Renee, Viki, Dorian, Nora, Lindsay) are going to be featured regularly(!) when they have an actual storyline.

Edited January 29, 200718 yr by juniorz1

I'm going to give OLTL props--the show is a million times better now than it has been for most of Dena Higley's run. Like GH, there is more balance, the return of vets and the exit of all of Higley's newbies, but I'm still ready for a change.

Now that the show isn't a complete disaster they need to get a great new writer with a strong vision for the show. I first want them to start casting strongest actors and taking it more seriously. I miss the darkness mixed with humor and romance and great social issues. It's impossible to believe this is the same show that was so groundbreaking years before.

I truly believe [s.W.S.N.B.N.] would be the PERFECT writer for this show. I could totally see social issues and diversity returning to the show.

While it may be better than it has been for the duration of her run, it still by no means is One Life To Live.

Edited January 29, 200718 yr by juniorz1

Out of the vets mentioned, dorian is the only one that seems to get any kind of real air time. Vicki is usually on to support her kids as well as clint. Asa, lindsay, nora, and renee seem to just be filler.

They're casting a new love interest for Viki and Dorian. Nora and Lindsay who were both set to be fired were given a last minute reprieve and will be featured on the frontburner, they've also been regularly featuring Asa and Clint. I still think the show needs a decent writer, but you can tell they are setting things up so it'll be easier for a new writer to slip in. It's official that Kay Alden and Jack Smith are writing for ABC and I think it's obvious one is coming to OLTL. People speculate GH and AMC, but ABC seems really pleased with the GH writers.

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They're casting a new love interest for Viki and Dorian.

That seems odd, considering abc/frons don't like to hire anyone over 40 unless they come cheap.

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They're casting a new love interest for Viki and Dorian. Nora and Lindsay who were both set to be fired were given a last minute reprieve and will be featured on the frontburner, they've also been regularly featuring Asa and Clint. I still think the show needs a decent writer, but you can tell they are setting things up so it'll be easier for a new writer to slip in. It's official that Kay Alden and Jack Smith are writing for ABC and I think it's obvious one is coming to OLTL. People speculate GH and AMC, but ABC seems really pleased with the GH writers.

Yes, yes, so we keep hearing. When that's what we actually are getting, my opinion of OLTL may change. Either way, if Valenti & Higley remain intact as the creative forces behind the show......it's not going to get any better.