The End Of An Era On Network TV: One Life To Live Signs Off

Credit: deadline.com

In April of 2011, ABC announced that it was cancelling the iconic soap One Life To Live. The soap airs its final episode on ABC this Friday, January 13th. Making its debut on network television in 1968, the Agnes Nixon series centered around the trials and tribulations of the citizens of fictional town Llanview, PA. Since then, hundreds of characters and story lines have graced the TV screens of soap fans, and it is these fans that are now mourning the end of their beloved series on network TV. And yet, amidst this sad situation, hope springs eternal.


The very same fans that took the news of One Life To Live's cancellation like a bullet in the gut, are now mobilizing and banding together to help OLTL's creator and the Queen of Soaps, Agnes Nixon, regain the rights to her soaps from ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The latter entity struck a deal with the network to continue OLTL and All My Children, which ended its run on ABC in September 2011, on the web. In late November, Prospect Park announced they would be unable to bring their plans for either show to fruition. Fans are clamoring for PP and Disney to return the rights to both soaps to the 84 year old Nixon. It is only fitting that she be the one to decide what their ultimate fates should be.

Credit: LA Times

There are also efforts underway to secure Nixon's nomination for a Kennedy Center Honors this year. Her lifelong work is MORE than deserving of this accolade. If you want to join the efforts to save OLTL and AMC as well as support Agnes Nixon's nomination for a KCH, become a SWAN (Stand With Agnes Nixon) http://www.facebook.com/groups/198139810275324/, @SWANS4NIXON

GH Fans Unite is compiling a scrapbook of fan notes to forward to the beautiful Agnes Nixon. Click HERE and leave your comments for Agnes. We will make certain she receives them. We know her work has touched MANY lives and what better gift to give this amazing writer than praise and heartfelt thanks for her contributions to the world of television!

A Ray Of Hope Amidst Sadness On General Hospital

Credit: ABC

With the news of General Hospital vet Kimberly McCullough departing the legendary soap in February still causing many fans sadness, there is some happiness to cling to. It has been confirmed that both Finola Hughes and Tristan Rogers who played Kim's parents on GH will be returning to usher in their TV daughter's exit story.

We are ALL saddened to hear that Kimberly has decided to leave GH, but the thought of seeing her share the screen with Finola and Tristan once last time is sure to put a smile on EVERY GH Fan's face. It looks like Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati are working hard to return the GH canvas to a more recognizable form. Congrats to Hughes and Rogers on their return!!!

Join SWAN - Stand With Agnes Nixon

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Time to take a stand with other ABC soap fans and support Agnes Nixon, the woman responsible for giving us the gift, the legacy of two iconic soaps, All My Children and One Life to Live. Showing your support for Agnes is simple as this - join the SWAN movement! SWAN (Stand With Agnes Nixon) is the first fan-based movement in daytime television history dedicated to supporting Ms. Nixon's legacies. Join us as we demand that ABC/Disney release the rights to AMC and OLTL to Ms. Nixon. Spread the word to your friends and family, and help us do the right thing!

SWAN - Stand With Agnes Nixon
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/198139810275324/
Twitter: @SWANS4Nixon

GH News: Comings and Goings!!!

Just a day after ABC/Disney announced the firing of embattled General Hospital executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, news that ABC Daytime president Brian Frons would be gone after his contract expired in January 2012 hit the web. The two ousters were met with a resounding cheer from ABC soap fans who blame Brian Frons for the "death of ABC soaps". Long-time GH fans were thrilled to hear of Phelps' firing. Former One Life to Live executive producer Frank Valentini will be replacing Phelps and OLTL head writer Ron Carlivati will replace GH head writer Garin Wolf. Wolf will remain with the show for the foreseeable future.

credit: columbian.com

In other news, fan favorites Kimberly McCullough, who portrays Robin Scorpio Drake, and Jonathan Jackson, who plays Lucky Spencer, announced their departure from the soap they both joined as children. Jackson filmed his last scene as Lucky on November 17th and his last air date was Friday, December 16th. McCullough, who became a soap legend when she was given the monumental task of playing an HIV+ teen, will remain with the show through February. It appears that Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati wish to have both Jackson and McCullough remain with the show. Time will tell if they can be persuaded to do so. Fans of the two legacy characters were saddened to hear of the decision by both actors to leave the show, but considering the environment they worked in during 2011, their wish to leave is not completely without merit. Let us all hope the new regime can infuse life into GH and bring back these core characters with the respect they deserve.

General Hospital Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps Fired!

After over a decade of running daytime serial 'General Hospital' as executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps has been fired. ABC Daytime confirmed the news on Thursday, December 1st after the news broke overnight on Twitter. The embattled exec has endured years of criticisms from industry insiders and fans over decisions that met less than warm receptions. The list of fan-favorite actors/actresses unceremoniously dismissed from the long-running soap over the course of her tenure as EP reads like a "who's who" within the soap genre - Amber Tamblyn, Stephen Nichols, Anna Lee, Stuart Damon, Lindze Letherman, Brad Maule, Ingo Rademacher, Tyler Christopher and Lexi Ainsworth to mention just a few. Former OLTL EP, Frank Valentini has been named as her replacement. Current GH head writer, Garin Wolf, will remain on the soap writing time but not in the HW position. That job will now go to OLTL head writer Ron Carlivati.