On 6/3/2025 at 11:16 AM, GymnastGuy said:

I was bummed at the time.  AMC had 3 books going so far as the introductions of Brooke and Dona Beck.  I think GH had 2 books.  I was anticipating more OLTL.  My guess is that they did not sell well.

For novelizations that were promoted as being "based on the actual scripts," the Soaps & Serials books were weakly written, missing major details, and didn't really adhere to the source material. I bought them all when the company lunched, but was quickly disappointed by what I was reading. I wasn't surprised when S&S folded. I sold all my copies on eBay. 

 

1976 Pt 5

Tony is summoned to the reading of the will in the Llanfair library,as he’s a principal in the will. He tells Joe there’s not a chance of coming to terms with Dorian, as he is sure she brought about Victor’s death by torturing him emotionally when he was her helpless prisoner after his stroke. Ironically, Chapin hand delivers to Viki a letter her father wrote before his stroke, praising Dorian and asking Viki to befriend and support his widow when he was no longer there. Viki feels a responsibility to her father’s wishes and vows to try with Dorian.

Victor’s will leaves the expected amounts to members of his family and staff, with the lion’s share of his stock and property going to Dorian. Victor’s will explains that his son Tony expressed the desire that he not be “bought from the grave,” and, in keeping with his son’s wishes, the only bequest to him is the knowledge of his father’s love and respect. Tony is deeply moved.

Dorian’s first attempt to use her new power is the recommendation of Peter as head of the Merideth Lord Wolek hospital wing, claiming that naming Larry would be virtual nepotism. Peter, who has devoted considerable time and effort to helping Jenny get over Tim’s death with gentle, affectionate support, is happy at this suggestion, but Jenny points out Dorian is merely using him to hurt Larry. Viki disregards Dorian’s ingenuous assurances that she’s not trying to wield her new power but is merely putting Peter up for consideration for a future opportunity, if not this one, and tells her she won’t be able to fulfill her father’s desire that they be friends unless Dorian stops interfering. Larry, fully understanding Dorian’s personal motives, warns her he’s going to fight for the appointment no matter what. Realizing that she has made a tactical error, Dorian announces that she won’t even attend the board meeting but will give her proxy to Jim. She admits to Matt McAllister, still her confidant, that this was humiliating, but it was a necessary protective tactic.

Dorian manages to win her next round at Joe’s office when, after he praises her decision to yield on appointing Peter, she expresses concern for Viki “at a time like this.” Joe, of course, jumps on her words, and Dorian, pretending great distress at having mentioned something she shouldn’t have, is “forced” to explain that she knew about the congenital heart condition Megan had and that any child of Joe’s is likely to inherit it. She overheard the doctors discussing it at the time of the accident, she continues, and naturally assumed that Joe already knew. 

Joe arranges a meeting at home with Viki and asks her how she could live a lie like this; how she could go through their lives as if everything were fine while every moment was a lie. He is further upset when, in trying to explain that it was out of her love for him that she kept the truth from him, she mentions that Jim and Larry also know but Cathy still hasn’t been told. Viki tells Joe that Dorian deliberately told him this way to hurt their marriage, and she is very upset when he starts toward the door, pleading that they have always talked things out in the past. Joe coolly points out that she didn’t do that when she learned about Megan and continues out the door. 

A tearful Viki is shaken and when Joe later returns, having spent several hours in a bar drinking only soft drinks,she breaks down, crying that she was convinced he’d left her. Joe assures her they can get through this despite everything, because their relation is based on love and mutual respect. 

I didn't remember this visit...

 

 

 

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - Airdate October 23, 1981. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) MINNIE PEARL

Cat Hickland and HBS on The View, talking about Live Week. Starts at 37 minutes.

 

I've been keeping a secret from you guys for weeks now. 

I started watching this show (ONE LIFE TO LIVE) a month or two ago with Blair Daimler's first episode. I was encouraged by a soap friend, who is a mega OLTL fan. I had previously only tried out 1986, but somehow got bored 20-30 episodes in (mostly because I couldn't familiarize myself with the characters). This time I've not commented on the show for so long, because I was not even sure I would enjoy it. I didn't want to give empty opinion on something before I watch at least couple of months. 

Note - I think the period I started watching is couple of weeks after Michael Malone's first episode as a credited head writer. I have to check my hard drive to see what the episode was and add the date later. It was in early to Mid October.

So here are my thoughts so far. I've managed to get through October, November, December 1991 and just started 1992 days ago. 

• The show is so well written in terms of dialogue and characterization. It's intelligent, sharp, not melodramatic or over the top... and everyone has their own voice. Every character is completely different and has their own way of relating to the world in the soap.
• I was instantly charmed by Cassie! (seeing her go through her hellish wedding, getting verbally and physically attacked by the sinister Alex Olanov, was beyond entertaining! I went back couple of months prior to catch up on some scenes that I have missed from this particular storyline - I binged the Lake episodes where Alex tried to drown Cassie  - I loved them... Tonja Walker is one of a kind. Even Glenn Close's Alex in Fatal Attraction was not that menacing!
• One thing I didn't like... that has connection to Cassie, Bo and Alex - the return of Bo's presumably dead... wife... Sarah. Who is this woman and why are they shoving her in my face? I am not a fan of these return from the dead storylines and it derailed the show for a week or two in my opinion.  
• Blair and her quest for fortune and power is what I CAME FOR. It was interesting seeing her try to get her hooks into Cord, but then they just... killed him, which was... a huge WTF moment for me. Felt like casting issue. I was sure they were building up to an affair... and then Boom.
• Now I'm seeing Blair getting particularly focused on Max... and Asa at the same time. She has just been discovered as a liar a couple of episodes back... I just love "All About Eve" storylines like this. And her mentally ill mother that she is hiding away in the apartment... is just so gothic and sinister.  And they've build it up so well - we saw glimpses of what Blair is capable even in the beginning - she stole Luna's tip... now we seen her lie and try to manipulate everyone at the newspaper. Tina is the only one that really sees through her. I think you get my point - I'M LIVING FOR BLAIR.
• On the contrary I'm having problems with Luna - she just is too forced for me at this point. They are trying to make her happen, but I'm not feeling it. She really annoys me. Too much humor, too much chatter. The actress is good and I've seen glimpses of substance ever since she got infatuated with Max, so I'm going to give her another chance to grow on me!
• Asa - I'm obsessed with this guy, he is so cynical, so egotistical, so untrustworthy, but so charming at the same time. I adore his relationship with Renee (a wonderful actress if you ask me) and can't wait to see if and when Blair will derail it. He's been inviting her a little too much lately.
• Max... I'm not too fond of...  he is really making this girl Leanne crazy. Her - I'm pregnant, but who is the daddy storyline is the most cliche soap opera, but it works perfectly. 
• Jason - I'm obsessed with - Maybe my second favorite character after Blair... His relationship with Dorian Lord is... fascinating to say the least. I know people like this in my real life. Couples like them. If you can even call this a couple. They are so different, but so alike in the same time The actors have crazy chemistry. So far I haven't seen anything too evil or devious from Dorian Lord... she is very relatable with her toxic relationship with her daughter. She is probably my 3rd favorite character after Blair and Jason. 

So, yeah... I was not wanting to comment, because I was not sure if this show will be for me, but it is. It's better than anything I've seen from a lot of other soaps... and quite frankly it's the best classic soap I've tried out so far. OLTL and AMC so far have been my favorite. I'm continuing my AMC journey too and have yet to make some comments in the AMC topic.

So yeah... compared to 1986, where everyone was really campy and screaming out the dialogue... this particular period - late 1991, start of 1992... has something special that I like. Of course I can't judge 1986 that harshly, because I haven't seen as much I have seen from 1991... but still. There is a big difference. That's just my opinion. 

I'm thankful to my friend that he asked me to watch this period every single day for the past year and I finally said - OK, I'll give it a try. Even though I have zero time to watch soaps... I've managed to sneak in an episode or two before sleep most of the time.

Can't wait to see more from Llanview in the coming months. 

P.S Forgot to say - I don't care for Megan... at all. Maybe because I'm only seeing her sickness, lupus, kidney failure storyline, but she and Sarah just... are a fast-forward material for me - the only fast forward material. 

One other character I'm not perfectly sure about is this Tomas Ripley-type of scam artist - that we just revealed his real name to be Cain Rogan. I just don't like how Asa is giving him too much power already. I have a hunch that he may be Asa's long lost child... but we'll see.

P.S 2 - I liked the storyline about Jane and her abusive husband. I will loved to see more from Jane, but they have written her out so far. Victoria and Megan kidnapped was very suspenseful! And Luna showed us her fighting skills in the end of that storyline. 🤣 I hope we see Jane again some day. The actress had potential.

Edited June 12Jun 12 by Maxim

My beloved Blair on New Year's Eve. A clip from a music video I'm slowly making about her. ❤️

 

2 hours ago, Maxim said:

I've been keeping a secret from you guys for weeks now. 

I started watching this show (ONE LIFE TO LIVE) a month or two ago with Blair Daimler's first episode. I was encouraged by a soap friend, who is a mega OLTL fan. I had previously only tried out 1986, but somehow got bored 20-30 episodes in (mostly because I couldn't familiarize myself with the characters). This time I've not commented on the show for so long, because I was not even sure I would enjoy it. I didn't want to give empty opinion on something before I watch at least couple of months. 

Note - I think the period I started watching is couple of weeks after Michael Malone's first episode as a credited head writer. I have to check my hard drive to see what the episode was and add the date later. It was in early to Mid October.

So here are my thoughts so far. I've managed to get through October, November, December 1991 and just started 1992 days ago. 

• The show is so well written in terms of dialogue and characterization. It's intelligent, sharp, not melodramatic or over the top... and everyone has their own voice. Every character is completely different and has their own way of relating to the world in the soap.
• I was instantly charmed by Cassie! (seeing her go through her hellish wedding, getting verbally and physically attacked by the sinister Alex Olanov, was beyond entertaining! I went back couple of months prior to catch up on some scenes that I have missed from this particular storyline - I binged the Lake episodes where Alex tried to drown Cassie  - I loved them... Tonja Walker is one of a kind. Even Glenn Close's Alex in Fatal Attraction was not that menacing!
• One thing I didn't like... that has connection to Cassie, Bo and Alex - the return of Bo's presumably dead... wife... Sarah. Who is this woman and why are they shoving her in my face? I am not a fan of these return from the dead storylines and it derailed the show for a week or two in my opinion.  
• Blair and her quest for fortune and power is what I CAME FOR. It was interesting seeing her try to get her hooks into Cord, but then they just... killed him, which was... a huge WTF moment for me. Felt like casting issue. I was sure they were building up to an affair... and then Boom.
• Now I'm seeing Blair getting particularly focused on Max... and Asa at the same time. She has just been discovered as a liar a couple of episodes back... I just love "All About Eve" storylines like this. And her mentally ill mother that she is hiding away in the apartment... is just so gothic and sinister.  And they've build it up so well - we saw glimpses of what Blair is capable even in the beginning - she stole Luna's tip... now we seen her lie and try to manipulate everyone at the newspaper. Tina is the only one that really sees through her. I think you get my point - I'M LIVING FOR BLAIR.
• On the contrary I'm having problems with Luna - she just is too forced for me at this point. They are trying to make her happen, but I'm not feeling it. She really annoys me. Too much humor, too much chatter. The actress is good and I've seen glimpses of substance ever since she got infatuated with Max, so I'm going to give her another chance to grow on me!
• Asa - I'm obsessed with this guy, he is so cynical, so egotistical, so untrustworthy, but so charming at the same time. I adore his relationship with Renee (a wonderful actress if you ask me) and can't wait to see if and when Blair will derail it. He's been inviting her a little too much lately.
• Max... I'm not too fond of...  he is really making this girl Leanne crazy. Her - I'm pregnant, but who is the daddy storyline is the most cliche soap opera, but it works perfectly. 
• Jason - I'm obsessed with - Maybe my second favorite character after Blair... His relationship with Dorian Lord is... fascinating to say the least. I know people like this in my real life. Couples like them. If you can even call this a couple. They are so different, but so alike in the same time The actors have crazy chemistry. So far I haven't seen anything too evil or devious from Dorian Lord... she is very relatable with her toxic relationship with her daughter. She is probably my 3rd favorite character after Blair and Jason. 

So, yeah... I was not wanting to comment, because I was not sure if this show will be for me, but it is. It's better than anything I've seen from a lot of other soaps... and quite frankly it's the best classic soap I've tried out so far. OLTL and AMC so far have been my favorite. I'm continuing my AMC journey too and have yet to make some comments in the AMC topic.

So yeah... compared to 1986, where everyone was really campy and screaming out the dialogue... this particular period - late 1991, start of 1992... has something special that I like. Of course I can't judge 1986 that harshly, because I haven't seen as much I have seen from 1991... but still. There is a big difference. That's just my opinion. 

I'm thankful to my friend that he asked me to watch this period every single day for the past year and I finally said - OK, I'll give it a try. Even though I have zero time to watch soaps... I've managed to sneak in an episode or two before sleep most of the time.

Can't wait to see more from Llanview in the coming months. 

P.S Forgot to say - I don't care for Megan... at all. Maybe because I'm only seeing her sickness, lupus, kidney failure storyline, but she and Sarah just... are a fast-forward material for me - the only fast forward material. 

One other character I'm not perfectly sure about is this Tomas Ripley-type of scam artist - that we just revealed his real name to be Cain Rogan. I just don't like how Asa is giving him too much power already. I have a hunch that he may be Asa's long lost child... but we'll see.

P.S 2 - I liked the storyline about Jane and her abusive husband. I will loved to see more from Jane, but they have written her out so far. Victoria and Megan kidnapped was very suspenseful! And Luna showed us her fighting skills in the end of that storyline. 🤣 I hope we see Jane again some day. The actress had potential.

Do you have the link for Blair's first episode?

Just now, Marco Dane said:

Do you have the link for Blair's first episode?

I don't know if it's on YouTube yet. I have it in my personal collection on a drive. I can post it for you on YouTube later today or tomorrow if you want. 😊

What episodes do you have can you share your collection? 

7 minutes ago, Marco Dane said:

What episodes do you have can you share your collection? 

I have all of OLTL since 1986. Most of it is on YouTube already. I would say 99 percent is there. If you want that debut Blair episode I can upload it for you. My upload speed is very very VERY slow and I can't upload huge amount of data anywhere right now. My husband has promised to change our speed, but he doesn't do it, lol. I can upload an episode or two, but that's the max I can manage right now.

12 minutes ago, Maxim said:

I have all of OLTL since 1986. Most of it is on YouTube already. I would say 99 percent is there. If you want that debut Blair episode I can upload it for you. My upload speed is very very VERY slow and I can't upload huge amount of data anywhere right now. My husband has promised to change our speed, but he doesn't do it, lol. I can upload an episode or two, but that's the max I can manage right now.

Sure thanks. Are you able to recieve DM messages on here? If not me your youtube username.

Edited June 12Jun 12 by Marco Dane

3 minutes ago, Marco Dane said:

Sure thanks. Are you able to recieve messages on here? If not me your youtube username.

I've uploaded it on vimeo @Marco Dane 

 

Enjoy!

omg Mia Korf's Blair in her first episode!   I've heard so much about her but I've never actually seen any of this actress' scenes until just now!

Edited June 12Jun 12 by janea4old

5 hours ago, Maxim said:

I have all of OLTL since 1986. Most of it is on YouTube already. I would say 99 percent is there. If you want that debut Blair episode I can upload it for you. My upload speed is very very VERY slow and I can't upload huge amount of data anywhere right now. My husband has promised to change our speed, but he doesn't do it, lol. I can upload an episode or two, but that's the max I can manage right now.

If I could send you a hard drive could mail it back with the episode from 1986-2012?