Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Erika Slezak on Agnes Nixon: "She Changed My Life and My Career"

Erika Slezak in 1971, shortly after joining the cast of One Life to Live.

Legendary One Life to Live actress Erika Slezak, who took over the role of Victoria Lord in 1971, paid tribute to the show's iconic creator in a tribute on her website. Agnes Nixon died early Wednesday morning at a Haverford, Pennsylvania, physical rehabilitation facility close to her Rosemont home.

"I am so terribly saddened by the death of Agnes Nixon," Slezak wrote. "She was more than a great writer, producer and boss, she was a warm, loving and wonderful woman with a truly delightful and somewhat wicked sense of humor. It was my very great privilege to have known her and to have worked for her."

Slezak credited Nixon with changing her life.

"When she hired me to play Viki on One Life To Live, she changed my life and my career and I will forever be grateful to her. I wish her peace and angels all around her. She deserves that!"

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to Scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become GUIDING LIGHT's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Read about it here.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

NEWS: Why TV Is Dead, Erika Slezak, Anne Kirkbride, Chandra Wilson, Stephen Root, Meg Ryan

Forbes: Why Television Is Dead
Online video dollars had been coming from online budgets until about a year ago. Initially, marketers were saying, 'I'm not willing to move my dollars out of television. This is not a proven medium for me. Therefore, I’m [only] willing to move my online dollars – some of which I know exactly what I'm getting when I spend it, just like I do on television. Some of it I don’t necessarily know what I’m getting for it, or it’s experimental, or I’m doing it for objectives that might be secondary or tertiary – I’ll play around with those dollars.'.”

The jump we’re about to experience, from 2013 to 2014 media dollars represents mainstream media buyers pointing a firehose of new money at the emerging web video creation market. In 2013, 20 brands. Competitrack’s Online Video Ad Tracking service reported, spent more than $10 million. Estimates from eMarketer indicate that US digital video ad spending will nearly double in only four years, climbing from $4.14 billion this year to $8.04 billion in 2016.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Erika Slezak" 'I was hired to act. Not to make demands, to bitch, or write.'
"I would ask questions, but there were only two times when I said 'I can't do this.' When I signed on to the show, I was hired to act. Not to make demands, to bitch, or write. As an actress, my job is always the same: make the audience believe. If I do that, I have done my job."

NEWS: Erika Slezak, Kelly Clarkson, Skylar Astin, Galen Gering, SCANDAL Torture Porn

Erika Slezak.  Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Erika Slezak: 'I am very grateful for that brief opportunity to have played Viki once more'
"As things stand now, production on both shows has been
shut down, so there will be no more OLTL or AMC, at least not in the near future. But we never give up hope! In any case, I loved being back at OLTL; I loved being back with all my friends on the show and we had a wonderful time although it was short lived. Still, I am very grateful for that brief opportunity to have played Viki once more."

Soap opera stars share their holiday plans and traditions
“This holiday we are all going to be in Montana to celebrate with my family,” DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Wally Kurth tells Celebrity Baby Scoop.

“My daughter and I look for any excuse to decorate like crazy,” says Melissa Reeves.

“As far as traditions go, my boys and I always build a train around our Christmas tree and through a Christmas village that we set up every year,” reveals Galen Gering.

FX gives series order to TYRAN from HOMELAND creator Gideon Raff
The show revolves around the son of a Middle Eastern dictator who returns to his home country with his American family after 20 years in the U.S. Once there, he’s drawn into political and familial turmoil.

SCANDAL's Torture Porn: Easy to Turn Away, Hard to Ignore
The Root's Colette Gaiter writes: "The show has so many things to savor: a Republican president with a married, gay chief of staff, Abby’s wit, Harrison’s fast-talking Gladiator-ness, Liv’s super-fine love interests and those huge shawl collars she wears, which seem to stand in for a superhero’s cape. But more and more, I find myself averting my eyes during some of the show’s disturbing violent scenes, then continuing to watch when those sequences are over."

Television May Be Embracing Gay Characters, But Where Is The Same-Sex Intimacy?
While LGBT representation went down slightly in 2013, the bigger problem is how LGBT characters were portrayed. With displays of same-sex affection so invisible, gay characters just aren’t on the same footing as their heterosexual counterparts.

THE GOOD WIFE: Carrying Kudos Flag for Big 4 Dramas
“It’s kind of like being a newspaper,” co-creator and showrunner Robert King said. “It’s a challenge but the rushed schedule allows you to stay up to date. We can touch upon things that happened just a month ago. We are always trying to guess where the zeitgeist is going. I don’t want to lose that feeling of being so contemporary.”

GLEE casts Skylar Astin in 'explosive' role
According to sources, the actor-singer — who’s currently starring in TBS’ rookie sitcom GROUND FLOOR — will play Jean-Baptiste, the lead singer of Throat Explosion (aka New Directions’ competition at Nationals).

Kelly Clarkson will guest star in NASHVILLE as herself
A promo following Wednesday’s cliffhanger-happy midseason finale of NASHVILLE confirmed that Kelly Clarkson will appear as herself in the January 15 installment of ABC’s drama. She’ll record “Fade Into You” — a song co-written by characters Gunnar (Sam Palladio) and Scarlett (Clare Bowen) in season 1.

NASHVILLE's Hayden Panettiere joins fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in Ukraine protests
The 24-year-old actress shared a photo of herself protesting in Kiev, Ukraine, alongside her Ukrainan boxer fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko's brother is opposition leader Vitali Klitschko, and Panettiere is there to support her beau's family and their country.

NEWS: Linsey Godfrey & Robert Adamson Expecting; Erika Slezak Selling Co-Op For $1.8M; Paul Giamatti joins DOWNTON ABBEY

Y&R's Robert Adamson and B&B's Linsey Godfrey are expecting their first child together
The actor, who plays Noah Newman on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, posted a sonogram on his Facebook page yesterday, noting, "Guess What?! How do I tag a future family member? Should I make it a page? — with Linsey Michelle." And then another that said, "It got a little Bigger!!! In 10 minutes... Jk.. 11 1/2 weeks today. — with Linsey Michelle."

TRUE BLOOD's Joe Manganiello Talks Alcohol Problem, Reveals He Hasn't Had A Drink In 11 Years
"There was a period of about four years where I needed to quit drinking. And the drinking got in the way [of my career]," he told HuffPost Live. "And I talk about that a lot in the book. It was one of those obstacles that I had to get over and once again I needed to clear the road in order for these things to happen, so it really is an inside job. I had to clean up my act and figure that whole situation out."

ONE LIFE TO LIVE vet Erika Slezak asking $1.8M for Upper West Side co-op
Slezak is looking to part with her two-bedroom co-op at the Musician’s Building in the Upper West Side of Manhattan for $1.82 million. The eight-story, 60-unit brick-and-terracotta building is among a group of early 1900s properties built for and by artists. The unit features a wine refrigerator, wood-burning fireplace and built-in bookcases in the living room.

Lance Reddick joining AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN
Reddick will be joining the FX show as Papa Legba when the horror anthology returns in January. The character, described as COVEN's version of “voodoo Satan,” plays a pivotal role in the life of Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) and will be an important figure in the series’ remaining four episodes.

Dianna Agron on board for GLEE 100th epsiode
Ryan Murphy tweeted the news: "Dianna is IN for Glee 100th!"

NEWS: DAYS Moves To 1AM in Utah; Susan Lucci; Erika Slezak; Dan Stevens; Kerry Washington; Michael Le Vell; Jane Lynch; GLEE Beatles Scoop

Salt Lake City's KSL won't be airing DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the day
KSL is moving "Days" from weekdays at 2 p.m. to weeknights at 1:05 a.m.

Adding to the frustration is that, while Channel 5 can’t find room to air DAYS during the day, it can find room to air DR. PHIL twice.

THE WALKING DEAD Season 4 poster: Rick stands alone in the Prison
TWD's Season 4 poster doesn't make it seem like this season will bode well for Rick Grimes. Unlike previous seasons' key art that have focused on the group of survivors, the Season 4 image shows Rick standing alone in front of the Prison in front of a fence that has been torn asunder.

Erika Slezak Responds To ONE LIFE TO LIVE Production Halt
"When these issues are worked out between Prospect Park and ABC/Disney, we will resume, but unfortunately there is no timetable," Slezak said on her website. "I sincerely thank all of you for watching and supporting us and keep your fingers crossed for a speedy resolution."

SNEAK PEEK: ONE LIFE TO LIVE Season Finale Streams Monday, August 19th

Photo Credit: The OnLine Network

The first season finale of Prospect Park/The OnLine Network's ONE LIFE TO LIVE streams on Monday, August 19 via Hulu, Hulu Plus and iTunes.

This season of OLTL wraps as the entire town of Llanview attends the annual Man of the Year Gala. Viki and Dorian, co-chairs of the planning committee, hope that the event will go off without a hitch. However, with the conflicts between many of the characters brewing to the surface, that looks nearly impossible. Fireworks explode and it all comes to a head with the shocking return of a fan favorite in a big way.

Fan favorites Viki (Erika Slezak), Nora (Hillary B. Smith) and Blair (Kassie DePaiva) have a jaw-dropping moment in the finale. What, or who, do they see?

Check out a sneak peek scene below featuring Cutter (Josh Kelly) and Nikki (Jenni Farley):

WATCH: ONE LIFE TO LIVE Stars On LARRY KING NOW

ONE LIFE TO LIVE stars Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Melissa Archer, Tuc Watkins, and Corbin Bleu appeared on LARRY KING NOW on Monday. Watch a clip featuring Slezak and Strasser below.

WATCH: Robin Strasser & Erika Slezak on LARRY KING NOW; Full Episode Airs Today

ONE LIFE TO LIVE legends Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser talk to Larry King about the cancellation and renewal of the show. Watch below:

Celebrating ONE LIFE TO LIVE's 45th Anniversary: Erika Slezak & Robin Strasser Videos Released

In honor of ONE LIFE TO LIVE's week-long celebration of their 45th anniversary, MORE ONE LIFE TO LIVE host Leslie Miller has released special never-before-seen moments from her interview with daytime divas Robin Strasser and Erika Slezak. In addition, Erika Slezak reads a very special letter from creator Agnes Nixon about the anniversary of the iconic series.

Check out four videos below to see these special moments.

Q&A: ONE LIFE TO LIVE Stars Erika Slezak & Kassie DePaiva

ONE LIFE TO LIVE Stars Erika Slezak and Kassie DePaiva met with the media on Thursday to discuss the beloved soap which is about to celebrate its 45th anniversary. Check out a transcript of the interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: So can you two discuss what was your first day was like on the show this year coming back?
ERIKA SLEZAK: It was crazy. You know, you have to find out where the bathroom is and how to get to the studio and where's the hair and makeup room and I still after weeks and weeks and weeks I still turn the wrong direction. It just takes awhile to get to know everything but it was really almost as if we had never been away.

NEWS: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Erika Slezak, Eric Winter, Michael E. Knight, Natalie Zea & Travis Schuldt

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood's next THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL appearances: July 11 & 12
"Wouldn't you like to know?" teases Scott Clifton (Liam), when asked where his storyline with Steffy was heading now that her portrayer, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, is technically off-contract with the show. "Let me be clear — she's not gone," he clarifies. "She'll be around. If you talk to her, she'll tell you she has no intention of, like, never showing up again. She's going to be coming back."

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Erika Slezak dishes on her Philly roots, says Viki will stay busy
Slezak had a rebellious streak during her time at the now-defunct Sacred Heart at Eden Hall in the Northeast.

"My best friends used to convince the teachers that we needed to go to the library in Torresdale to study," Slezak told me. "We would spend 20 minutes there and then we would go to the Mayfair Diner. We would eat hamburgers because the school's food would leave something to be desired."

Sam Champion, A.J. Hammer & Robin Meade To Host Daytime Emmy Awards; More Presenters Announced

GMA's Sam Champion

HLN, the host network of the annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards show, now in its 40th year, presented live from The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 16, 8-10 p.m. ET/PT, today announces ABC’s GOOD MORNING AMERICA's Sam Champion along with HLN’s own A.J. Hammer and Robin Meade to host this year’s landmark awards show.

Additionally, Kathy Griffin, Rachael Ray, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Erika Slezak, Kristen Alderson, Nancy Lee Grahn, Lindsey Morgan, Freddie Smith, the ladies of THE TALK including Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Sara Gilbert, Aisha Tyler and Sheryl Underwood, Jason Thompson, Chandler Massey and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood have also been confirmed to present. Teen powerhouse Italian Opera trio – IL Volo is confirmed to perform their hit song, "Mas Que Amor" during the “In Memoriam” tribute.

NEWS: Erika Slezak On MAD MEN's Megan Draper; Plus, Brooke Newton, Jen Lilley, Thaao Penghlis, Alison Sweeney, Tonya Pinkins

ONE LIFE TO LIVE Star Erika Slezak on What Life Is Like for Megan Draper
"My advice is: Don’t marry somebody in advertising. You know, it helps to have a spouse who understands what you do, and who is either a part of the world or just understands it and is very nonchalant about it, I guess. I’m married to an actor, so he gets it. I don’t think my husband ever watched love scenes, because he didn’t have to, he didn’t particularly want to. But he understands what it is."

Watch MORE ONE LIFE TO LIVE (Video)

The Friday recap of Prospect Park's ONE LIFE TO LIVE is now online at Hulu.com and iTunes. Hosted by Leslie Miller, the show features Erika Slezak (Victoria Lord), Robert Gorrie (Matthew Buchanan) and OLTL executive producer Jennifer Pepperman. Watch it below: