One Life to Live OLTL: The Prospect Park Era (old production thread)

[dragonflies]

Don't get me started, earlier I was on the AMC FB page and I couldn't believe the comments "We have to pay to watch" omg I wanted to bang my head against the wall

[cassadine1991]

It's crazy that people on Twitter and on Facebook still don't know the shows are back... the news is EVERYWHERE

[hsfolk]

the expression on JK's face is priceless

[dragonflies]

they even had something that spelled it out in the simplest terms and there are STILL people who don't get it

[marceline]

But there was nothing in that video that was a surprise.

I've seen a lot of talk from people who think that OLTL is keeping all kinds of secrets. According to them, TSJ is back and taping under the pseudonym "James" but why would that be the case? What is the benefit to the show to do that? These shows need as many viewers as they can get as quickly as they can get them. Why keep secrets? Show off the new OLTL sets and use that as a way to whet the audience's appetite. If TSJ is taping, say so.

It just seems like anytime there's a deficit of information about OLTL somebody claims that PP engaging in subterfuge but from where I stand there's no good reason for that to be the case. I understand not spoiling story details but I can't see any upside to keeping casting and sets a secret.

[Vee]

No, I'm almost positive TSJ is back. They've been far too cagey, in a number of interviews and have let slip detail on him possibly being there more than once.

I think if they're going to announce it ahead of time they'll do so next week or the following. Not today.

I understand the subterfuge. Victor is the key element of the cliffhanger from OLTL and a huge story. But I don't think not doing a set video has anything to do with that secret. I think that's more like they felt AMC fans were owed another video installment right about now, which they were - the OLTL data has been coming fast and furious for weeks, and the trailer was more OLTL-centric. I think PP was simply spreading the wealth.

[AlexElizabeth]

Every time I go to any of these Facebook pages I instantly regret it. The comments are so ridiculous. Like, look at this.

"When does it start and What Internet"

It's really too bad there's not a huge banner at the top of the page with the start date in big gold lettering. And what internet...

[marceline]

But what is the benefit to that? How does it help the show to keep Victor's return a secret? Why not announce TSJ is returning and use that/him as a way to promote the show?

[Vee]

I think part of it is merely building hype in the rumor mill online, where everyone is wondering about it. And again, I think another part of it may simply be that they may announce it in the next several weeks before the first airdate. ABC took quite some time to confirm what Errol already knew about RH in 2011. They let the idea percolate in people's minds for months.

[Angela]

Is not like TSJ is a big enough star to help "the blind" or the masses see that the show is back. It's also not like the fans TSJ would have brought back won't come back upon learning he's back.

OLTL is doing things like they did it on network television and their ratings were some of the healthiest on ABC Daytime. The casting deceptions have become really predictable though.

[marceline]

Agreed. That's why I see no reason to keep his - or anyone else's - involvement a secret.

[Vee]

What I believe Angela is saying is it's not going to snare bigger PR outside the show's existing audience. But it is going to serve as a convulsive shock for devoted fans. Hence keeping the secret for a bit.

[EricMontreal22]

Playing Devil's advocate--they kept his return for the finale a secret--why would it be different (albeit redundant) now?

[cassadine1991]

unless they are also bringing back Barbara Garrick (Allison Perkins)

[EricMontreal22]

As long as I don't hear her narrating storylines about characters she doesn't even know, I could handle that for a day or two.