Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Looks like another ghostly return for “One Life to Live.” John Wesley Shipp, who played the abusive father of the Ford brothers and ex-husband of their mom Inez Salinger (Jessica Leccia) appears to be headed back to Llanview for the show’s final days on the air. But just what brings the murdered deadbeat dad back to the canvas?

In a lengthy note posted on his Facebook page, Shipp wrote in part that “The ideas for this last week of ‘OLTL’ on ABC truly approach brilliance; when I was told, roughly, what I would be asked to do, it was not what I had thought, and man was I psyched. I tripped on the idea for a week before I ever got the script lol. Kudos to Ron Calivati and his staff, to Exec Producer Frank Valentini whose praises I continue to sing (some show is going to grab him up if they’re not careful) and a technical crew that not only functions with the proficiency that comes from doing this alot of years, but every time you give, they give back, and you feel it.”

Eddie was last seen as a corpse back on April 26 when he was murdered in cold blood by the now comatose Matthew Buchanan (Eddie Alderson). No word on a first airdate for Shipp’s scenes, which were taped late last week, although they are expected to air sometime in early January. It is also unknown if Leccia will be reprising the role of Inez as well.

Click here to read more of Shipp’s Facebook posts about working with the “One Life” cast and crew.

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Unlike the network, which appears to be going out of its way not to promote “One Life to Live” in its final months of its television run, one ABC affiliate is making the canceled soap one its “Top TV Picks of the Week.”

Watertown, New York’s ABC50 (WWTI-TV), lists “OLTL” fifth on a list of seven shows not to miss for the week of November 14. “Since 1968, ‘One Life to Live‘ has been an American soap opera staple. ‘One Life to Live‘ will air its final ABC episode in January of 2012 and will be succeeded by a new health show ‘The Revolution.’ Tune in on Friday [November 18], and follow the Lord family for the rest of the year to see how it ends,” reads a statement on the station’s website. Click here to see what other shows made the list.

“One Life to Live” will tape its final ABC episode, which will in January, on Friday, November 18, before transitioning to online distribution with Prospect Park.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” tells its Thanksgiving story this year from a unique point-of-view. On Wednesday, November 23, the still comatose Matthew Buchanan (Eddie Alderson) narrates the tale of how the residents of Llanview are celebrating Thanksgiving 2011.

As we first reported in October, after a number of weeks of the absence of his character from the canvas, Alderson recently returned to “One Life” studios to tape more scenes to air this month. When Matthew “returns” to the screen, his condition appears unchanged as his parents Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Nora  (Hillary B. Smith) commemorate the holiday at their son’s bedside.

Also in the episode, fun and laughter bring some Llanview residents closer together, while others spend the day trying to raise the spirits of those in need of a little thoughtfulness and love, and still others reflect on their history together. However, Thanksgiving isn’t all happiness for one family, whose holiday takes a deadly turn, changing their lives forever.

Donna Svennevik/ABC / GSARTS.NET

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” is forced to recast the character of Cole Thornhart, who is serving a prison sentence for murdering Eli Clarke (Matt Walton) with Broadway star Van Hughes only one day after Brandon Buddy returned to the role.

According to reports, Buddy became unable to continue with the show after taping only one episode, leaving the show’s producers in limbo as they scrambled to find a replacement, claiming it was too late to rewrite the scenes, since the show wraps production on its ABC run next Friday.

“OLTL” is said to have re-shot all of Buddy’s scenes with Van Hughes, who first taped with Kristen Alderson, who plays Cole’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Starr Manning, on Tuesday of this week. No word on the number of episodes the actor will appear in.

This is not Van Hughes’ first time in Llanview. In September 2010, he briefly appeared as preppy art student Simon Ulrich in scenes with Gigi Morasco (Farah Fath) and Cristian Vega (David Fumero). He also had a recurring role on “As the World Turns” as Gil Penn from 2006-07. His first airdate is unknown.

George De Sota/jpistudios.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Art imitates life as “One Life to Live” does what it does best by poking fun at itself for an upcoming storyline. Beginning next month, the show’s once popular soap-within-a-soap, “Fraternity Row,” gets canceled due to sagging ratings, leading one loyal Llanview fan to take drastic action to save her soap. The plot mirrors “OLTL’s” own predicament, having been dumped by ABC earlier this year.

The story kicks off on Tuesday, December 6, when Roxy Balsom (Ilene Kristen) learns her favorite daytime drama has been given its marching orders, and decides to do whatever she can to help keep it on the air. According to the November 22 print edition of Soap Opera Weekly, that includes circulating a petition among  the residents of Llanview, including a few surprising individuals, to drum up fan support for the sudser. The magazine even gets a shout out on the air courtesy of fellow soap fan Nigel (Peter Bartlett).

The actress tells SOW that “It’s kind of mirroring our situation [at 'OLTL'] and there’s all sorts of ironies in that. Basically, one of the things that’s been very amazing and really touching is our fan support and that’s really kind of what the storyline is, from Roxy’s point of view, because she represents the fan base of ‘Fraternity Row.’”

According to Kristen, “She [Roxy] goes to Clint [Jerry verDorn] to ask him because he used to produce the show and he’s not particularly interested. Then she goes to Bo [Robert S. Woods]. Then she tries to recruit the most famous Llanview person, David Vickers [Tuc Watkins], because he’s a big movie star! I think the audience is really going to have a lot of fun with it.”

But it doesn’t end there. As we previously reported, “One Life” creator Agnes Nixon will make a special appearance on the show the week of January 9 as Agnes Dixon, the woman who created “Fraternity Row,” when she is interviewed about the the show’s cancellation by Llanview’s hard-nosed reporter Blanca Morales (Carolina Bermudez). Long-time “OLTL” fans may remember that “Fraternity Row” was a major part of the show in the late 80′s and early 90′s.

So will Roxy be successful in her quest to save “Fraternity Row” and, if so, will the soap’s fate mirror that of “One Life to Live” who is moving its production online with Prospect Park? Tune in to find out!

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” Episode Recap – Friday, November 11, 2011.

IT HAPPENED TODAY…

Nora finds Bo in the church, praying for Matthew. They share a private moment realizing how much has happened since they were in this church, getting married, a little more than a year ago. They are grieving for their son’s condition but not giving up hope, and finding reason to look forward to the future in their grandchild and their love for each other. They dance, and Rex sees them, wistfully.

Shaun and Vivian have a drink at Ultra Violet and Vivian reveals she’s not interested in getting married. At the church Roxy asks them when they will be tying the knot.

Natalie comes home to Tina and the dog, and Natalie is upset about John. Tina tells Natalie that she doesn’t have to get married to Brody. The dog escapes and Tina panics. Natalie tells her it’s okay, go get your dog back.

Roxy tells John him he’s going to lose out on his last chance to win Natalie. Meanwhile Jessica tells Ford about her run-ins with Natalie and Brody.

Cord comes in on Brody, saying he has to find that paternity test and mentioning the little “mongrel” who took it. Brody covers, and Cord assumes it’s nervousness.

Clint has a nice bonding moment with Rex, asking him to walk Natalie down the aisle since Clint didn’t get a dispensation to do it. But then Viki reads an important letter from Dorian. Viki and Clint have a nice moment before the wedding.

Natalie arrives, and the wedding begins, without Tina.

On the Next One Life to Live…

• Roxy can’t hold her peace.
• Tina crashes the wedding.
• John says good-bye to Liam.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — A look at what’s happening on “One Life to Live” during the week of November 14, 2011.

THIS WEEK ON: ONE LIFE TO LIVE

Jessica expresses her guilt about keeping Natalie in the dark about Liam to Ford. On Tuesday, November 15, they realize they are falling for one another and give into their true feelings. Elsewhere in Llanview, Blair overhears Tomas talking to Calmar on the phone. By Friday, November 18, Todd and Baker put their plan in motion. Tomas and Téa are happy for each another. And later Tomas encounters someone unexpected. Also, Rama and Vimal talk to the police about the fire at The Sun, Neela urges Jack to turn himself in, and a beloved couple gets married in an impromptu ceremony on Tuesday, November 15.

The Inside Story: I Do?
Roxy is unable to hold her tongue at Natalie and Brody’s wedding on Monday, November 14. Natalie remembers what Jessica told her. At Llanfair, Tina searches for doggie David Vickers, and makes an interesting find. Later, she crashes the wedding with her discovery. Will Natalie and Brody still tie the knot? John encounters Nigel when he arrives at Llanfair to tell Liam good-bye. On Tuesday, November 15, Natalie arrives at a decision. John finally learns the truth. Brody takes drastic action as his world crumbles around him. Natalie and John’s happiness is short-lived however, as they are forced to act fast to save their son. And Jessica, Ford, Viki, Clint, Shane, Nigel, and Roxy come together as a family to rally around John and Natalie on Thursday, November 17.

A Closer Look: Letting Go of the Past
Cutter locates Stacy at airport just as she is about to buy a plane ticket to Brazil on Monday, November 14. Cutter is moved when says she wants her old life back, and persuades her to let him go with with her to see Dr. Fascinella. Later, Cutter bumps into Rex, who briefly locks eyes with Stacy. By Wednesday, November 16, Cutter talks Stacy into staying on the plane, and opens up about his past. Meanwhile, Rex discovers information about Cutter’s lady friend, and buys a plane ticket. Aubrey worries about Rex, and goes with him to Rio. At the same time. Cutter encounters a familiar face while at the doctor’s office. Rex confides in Aubrey, and the pair soon arrive at the same office on Friday, November 18.

OLTL ALERTS: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21, 2011

• John and Natalie have a run-in with Brody.

• Todd goes to great lengths to get what he wants.

• Rex encounters Alex Olanov while in Rio.

• Bo and Nora spend Thanksgiving with Matthew.

• Someone in Llanview dies.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Have fond memories of a particular character, storyline, or episode from “One Life to Live‘s” 43 year run on ABC? If so, here is your chance to sound off and share your favorite Llanview moments with your fellow soap fans.

The official “One Life” Facebook page is asking fans to take a trip down memory lane by sharing what you consider as being some of the show’s most memorable moments.

Perhaps it was Karen Wolek breaking down on the witness stand while admitting to be a hooker, or the underground city of Eterna, or Viki’s battle with D.I.D, or even the infamous ‘Trading Places’ episode from 2001.

Whatever your fondest memories of Llanview and its inhabitants, it’s time to sound off!

John Loprieno

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — John Loprieno who, alongside co-star Andrea Evans, recently reprised their roles as Llanview’s former supercouple Cord and Tina Roberts on “One Life to Live,” talks about his return to the show and what the future holds for both him and Cord.

In a new interview with the Ventura County (California) Star, Loprieno comments that when he was asked to come back to the show before it ends production on its ABC run on November 18, he jumped at the chance. “I said, ‘Yes, it would be fun to see everyone and say goodbye,” he reveals.

Unlike his other returns in recent years, which the actors says “More often than not, [were] either for a wedding or a funeral, and I would sit in the back, and they would kind of pan the camera across me” and only lasted a couple of episodes, his most recent stint has proven somewhat more involved.

“It turned out to be a much bigger cameo than I thought it would be. It was fun. It was great to see everybody and work with (actress) Andrea Evans again,” he states in the interview. Since October, Loprieno states that he has already taped 13 episodes, traveling to “One Life to Live’s” New York City studios from his home in California, where he also teaches acting at Moorpark College. He also will be directing auditions for the school’s rendition of the musical “Chicago,” which he will direct, and has several writing projects currently in the works.

As for his future with “OLTL” when the show switches production from ABC to Prospect Park in the near future, Loprieno says that he is open to the possibility of returning to Llanview once again, stating “It will be interesting to see how it evolves. There were a couple of people who asked me if I’d be interested in going back on, and I said, ‘Hey you never know.’ Sure, depending on the circumstances and my school schedule.”

In the meantime, Loprieno assures “One Life” fans that “Cord and Tina fans will be happy,” with the way the show wraps up the characters latest storyline.

Click here to read the full interview.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Even though his character recently wound up on the wrong end of a gun, Trevor St. John is reportedly returning to “One Life to Live” to make one last appearance before the show wraps production on its television run next Friday.

According to Daytime Confidential, St. John, who left “OLTL” in late August when his character Victor Lord Jr. was murdered only weeks after realizing his true identity following eight years of mistakenly believing he was his twin brother Todd Manning (Roger Howarth), will “make some kind of a return appearance to ‘One Life to Live’ before the show goes off the ABC airwaves [in January].”

It remains unclear how Victor will return to the canvas (in the flesh, as a spirit, or figment of someone’s overactive imagination), or when St. John’s next airdate might be.