Donna Svennevik/ABC

Last week, Soap Opera Network featured a CENTER STAGE interview with “One Life to Live’s” legendary veteran, Erika Slezak (Victoria Lord). She opened up about the future of “OLTL,” working with the fresh, young faces on the show, and what it’s been like to have show creator Agnes Nixon back at the helm. And this week, we’re revealing how she feels about Robin Strasser (Dorian Lord), what it’s like working with Roger Howarth (Todd Manning) versus working with Trevor St. John (Victor Lord), and who she’d like to see return to Llanview!

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Donna Svennevik/ABC

In a follow up to our report on Farah Fath commenting to her followers, “you won’t get any Prospect Park answers out of me. I’ll believe it when I see it,” the actress has revealed that she won’t be appearing on “One Life to Live” when it moves to the web later this year.

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Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Talk about being two faced! After Stacy (Farah Fath) heads south of the Equator to Brazil this week to have her old plastic surgeon Dr. Fascinella make her look like her old self again, the doc himself finally gets a face of his own.

According to Soap Opera Weekly, Portuguese actor and theater director Pedro Carmo has been cast in the recurring role of the nip and tuck expert. Carmo has appeared in numerous foreign films, shorts, and television series.

He debuts as Dr. Fascinella on Friday, December 2, despite the fact that Stacy, Cutter (Josh Kelly), and then later Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) and Aubrey (Terri Conn) arrive in his Rio office this week.

And, while there, look for Cutter to encounter a very familiar face in Alex Olanov (Tonja Walker) on Thursday, November 17.

No word yet on the name of the actress cast as Dr. Fascinella’s receptionist, who first airs either late this week or early next week.

Disney/ABC Television Group

Developing at Soap Opera Network… a number of actors are privately and publicly confirming they will not be joining “One Life to Live” when it goes online via Prospect Park‘s Online Network.

Joining Terri Conn, who announced her decision via Soap Opera Digest, are John-Paul Lavoisier, Farah Fath, Nic Robuck, Bree Williamson, David A. Gregory, Kristen Alderson and Eddie Alderson.

More news to come…

“One Life to Live” and “Dirty Soap” star John-Paul Lavoisier guest stars in tonight’s all new episode of CBS’ “The Mentalist.”

Sonja Flemming/CBS

THE CBI TEAM TRAVELS TO A RESORT TOWN TO INVESTIGATE THE MURDER OF A POLICE CHIEF, ON “THE MENTALIST,” THURSDAY, OCT. 27

Henry Thomas Guest Stars as Tommy,

Lisbon’s Younger Brother

“Where in the World is Carmine O’Brien” — When the CBI team travels to a resort town to find out who murdered a police chief, Lisbon crosses paths with her brother Tommy, now a bounty hunter, who’s tracking a bail jumper, on THE MENTALIST, Thursday, Oct. 27 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Henry Thomas (“ET: The Extra-Terrestrial”) guest stars as Tommy, Lisbon’s younger brother.

Lavoisier will portray the character Chad Carmichael

Soap Opera Network

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” parodies “Look Who’s Talking,” but does it mean the end of Llanview as we know it?

In the October 7 episode of “One Life to Live” a dog and a baby were shown communicating with one another in adult voices. In the scenes, doggie David Vickers “told” little Liam that John McBain was really his father and not Brody Lovett, as nearly everyone in town currently believes.

And, while the scenes campy and somewhat amusing, some “One Life” fans have already taken to Internet message boards vilifying the show and claiming that it was finally the moment that the show “jumped the shark.” Various comments have ranged from embarrassment to disgust to threats of never watching the soap again are becoming increasingly common.

After reading and following the rather bizarre uproar and flack over a couple of scenes from just one episode of “OLTL,” it confirms my hypothesis that soap operas are a lot like politics. Every election year many voters seem to develop selective amnesia when deciding which candidate or party deserves their vote, seemingly forgetting why they were voted off of office in the last election.

Much the same can be said for soap operas. If “OLTL” fans think that a baby and talk “talking” to one another is bad, then how would those same fans react to some of the show’s more outrageous storylines from the past 40 years? Did “One Life” not “jump the shark” with the secret underground city of Eterna, or Viki going to heaven not once, but twice? Or what about the time travel plot from the 1980′s when Clint went back in time to the Old West, or three years ago when Bo and Rex were transported back to 1968, but yet were still able to communicate with the present day by using a cell phone? And what about Viki conveniently forgetting about the births of two of her children, including a daughter whose twin was conceived by a different father?

If that’s not enough to convince you, then what about when Victor Lord returned from the dead nearly three decades after one of his daughter’s alternate personalities supposedly killed him, to claim his granddaughter’s heart? Don’t forget Margaret Cochran’s 12 month pregnancy. Or, more recently, with the Stacy “back from the dead with plastic surgery to make her look like her sister Gigi” storyline, or how Todd’s mother was able to fake her own death, control a government facility in Louisiana, brainwash one son into thinking he was someone else, and hold her other son prisoner for eight years while torturing him on a daily basis?

And let’s not forget how the writers made a point of reminding viewers that Téa and Todd had sex on the tropical island in 2002, when she returned to town in 2009 with a suddenly teenaged daughter which he was the father of? Or how Jack Manning aged at least six years in less than a month? And don’t forget how Marty and Patrick’s 16-year-old son Cole returned to Llanview in 2006, when he really should have been their 8-year-old daughter, based on Marty and Patrick’s exit storyline from 1997?

I realize that all soaps occasionally age characters to fit storyline purposes, however they, along with the other examples I listed above, showcase only a few of the times from over the years when the show actually did “jump the shark.” Many of those storylines were a lot more outrageous then a couple of scenes involving a dog and a baby communicating with one another. Heck, it isn’t even the first time an animal (either alive or dead) has “talked” on this show. Back in the 1990′s, Todd’s parrot Moose chatted with him on a regular basis. And in 2009, Morris the Stuffed Porcupine was heard talking to viewers. So why should doggie David Vickers and baby Liam conversing with one another cause such an uproar, be so difficult to deal with, and insult viewer intelligence any more so than any of the other storylines over the years have?

My point is that, while the scenes may have been a little embarrassing for some fans, it is by far not the worst thing “OLTL” has ever done. It was just some harmless fun on the show’s part and was largely just cute and amusing. No real harm done. It’s not the end of the world….’Life’ will go on….

Moving on, congratulations to “CBRVA83″ and “Mary,” both of whom correctly guessed the answers to the trivia questions from the previous column. In case you missed the clues, here there are again with the answers: 1. Kassie DePaiva (Blair) appeared on what game show before joining “OLTL” and who was the daytime celebrity (and future co-star) was she paired up with? Answer: “Body Language,” Catherine Hickland. 2. What two wars did the late Phil Carey (Asa) serve in? Answer: World War II and the Korean War. 3. What is John-Paul Lavoisier‘s (Rex) real last name? Answer: Seponski.

Now it’s time to shake things up a bit and do some more trivia. 1. What was the name of the episode of “Kate & Allie” that Frankie Faison (Richard Evans) appeared on, and what character did he play? 2. What legendary television star does Melissa Archer (Natalie) consider to be her role model? 3. What U.S. city does Florencia Lozano (Téa) say that she wouldn’t like to live in? I’ll have the answers in the October 30 edition of My View of Llanview.

Now, before I wrap up this column, I’m going to look into my crystal ball and give you a quick sneak peek at a few things coming up a few weeks down the road. A former couple remembers the good old days. A child makes a troubling discovery about their parent. Two old flames find themselves in a compromising position. And one family is ordered to appear in court.

Well that’s concludes yet another column. Have a great week everyone! Stay safe and warm wherever you are!

Take care, and until next time remember, we only have “One Life to Live”…

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — It’s official! Another fan favorite is on her way back to “One Life to Live.” In a message on her Facebook page, Tonja Walker not only confirms that she will be reprising her role of Alex Olanov, but also reveals a few of the characters she will be mingling with when she returns later this fall.

After first breaking the news of her return on the social networking site earlier this month, Walker posted on Tuesday of this week that she was “Getting ready for workout! Power 90…Love it AND then off to ‘One Life to Live.’ What a great day. This is my last day, I think on the show. I am enjoying it very much! Josh Kelly [Cutter] is so terrific, and Farah Fath [Gigi] is as well. Great Times.”

She soon followed up that message, adding “Hey wait! I hand a card to Cutter and say, call me if you need me! Maybe it’s not my last day here? Hey, you never know! BTW it is going to be a snap to watch this on the web. DON’T SWEAT IT! I’m going to suggest today that they start letting viewers know how, so they won’t miss a beat! LOVE YOU ALL!”

Alex was last seen in March when Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) tracked her down on Asa’s tropical island paradise, St. Blaze’s, in their quest to locate David (Tuc Watkins). A first airdate has not been announced.

Soap Opera Network

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “All My Children‘s” television run comes to an end, “The Chew” debuts in its place, and “One Life to Live” asks fans to sample Ford’s wiener.

Despite not having regularly watched “AMC” since childhood, I made it a point to watch the show’s final episode on ABC last Friday. And, while I was out of touch with most of the recent storyline (like how or why Dr. David Hayward kept many of Pine Valley’s supposedly deceased people alive for several years), overall I enjoyed watching that episode. And it made me hope and wish that when “OLTL” airs its final episode on the network in January that it would get similar treatment.

However, that optimism came to a screeching halt when I watched the first episode of “One Life” the following Monday on a post-”All My Children” ABC Network. What a major disappointment to see episode begin with Ford in a hot dog food asking bystanders in Angel Square to “sample his wiener.” At first it made me wonder if the writers were trying to be clever by throwing the scene in right after the first episode of “The Chew,” an infamous new show all about food, had just aired. But I seriously don’t believe they are smart enough to do something like that, especially considering that its not the first (or probably the last) time Ford has been seen in that very same hotdog costume.

I suppose those scenes involving a meat packing Ford (ha!) and troubled Buchanan twit Jessica were more likely to appease the pair’s dozen or so fans. Yes, nothing says love like an heiress flirting with the guy who raped her when she was suffering from a mental illness, while he is dressed up as a giant wiener.  And what a nice follow-up by showing a carefree Jessica then jumping rope with three middle school-aged girls. Just warms your heart doesn’t it? I know it does mine. When I watched those scenes all I could think of saying was “well bless her heart.”

But I suppose it can’t compete with the classics like Todd leaving Téa naked out in the cold, and her hitting him in the back of the head with a shovel. Or Victor Jr. (back when he still thought he was Todd) falling in love and sleeping with an amnesiac Marty Saybrooke, the same woman Todd raped years back. Love is many splendored thing, I suppose.

I find refreshing to see just how far “One Life to Live” has come over the years. In 1968, the show was filled with controversial stories such as interracial couples and drug abuse, prominently featured poor and middle class families, and characters representing different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds. Now, forty-three later, we have a man prancing around town in a hotdog outfit, a guy helping his brother’s ex-girlfriend find her long-lost mother by making a porn flick with her, three shirtless brothers frequently hanging out in a sauna, a paranoid idiot receiving notes and “visits” from his dead girlfriend, and a little boy holding a grown woman hostage against a motel room door armed with only a Spiderman costume and a can of silly string. You’ve certainly come a long way Llanview! Stay classy!

However not everything is negative on the show right now. There is still some good on “One Life to Live.”  Cord and Tina are a site for sore eyes and so is doggie David Vickers. I think he is much cuter and smarter than his namesake. Todd (yes the same one I mentioned above) cracks me up. Roger Howarth does rather well with comedic material in my opinion, and the majority of his scenes always put a smile on my face and leave me chuckling a little. And I always enjoy it when Natalie knocks Princess Jessica down a few pegs. I mean it’s not as if she doesn’t deserve it every now and again.

Moving on, no one guessed (either correctly or incorrectly) the answers to the trivia questions from last time. So I’m going to give you a second chance to place your answers.  In case you missed the clues, here there are again: 1. Kassie DePaiva (Blair) appeared on what game show before joining “OLTL” and who was the daytime celebrity (and future co-star) was she paired up with? 2. What two wars did the late Phil Carey (Asa) serve in? 3. What is John-Paul Lavoisier‘s (Rex) real last name? I’ll have the answers in the October 15 edition of My View of Llanview.

Now, before I wrap up this column, I’m going to look into my crystal ball and give you a quick sneak peek at a few things coming up a few weeks down the road. Someone is threatened. One family member extends an olive branch to another. An unlikely couple grows closer. And one man comes up with a new scheme to get what he wants.

Well that’s concludes yet another column. Have a great week everyone! Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Take care, and until next time remember, we only have “One Life to Live”…

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Even though viewers have yet to learn the identity of Kim’s (Amanda Setton) comatose friend, look for her doctor to make his first appearance at the Kentucky hospital next month as her conditions takes a sudden change. And it is a face that some soap fans may remember.

Kurt McKinney, best known for his roles as Matt on “Guiding Light,” Ellis on “As the World Turns,” and Ned on “General Hospital,” will make his “One Life to Live” debut in what is believed to be the recurring role of Dr. Fascinella on Friday, October 14. While the show is keeping mum on the details surrounding his debut, we can tell you that the show released an audition script for the role recently. That script, however, was a recycled version of the one released earlier this year for the role of Dr. Pryor, who told Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Nora (Hillary B. Smith) that Matthew (Eddie Alderson) had suffered severe brain trauma, as the show worked to keep the true identity of Kim’s friend a secret.

McKinney isn’t the first employee of the unnamed Anchorage, Kentucky hospital to be cast. Adriane Lenox first aired as Nurse Judy, whom Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) recently pumped for information, on Monday, September 19. The show also just released a casting call for a receptionist who will be tied to the storyline as well. And on Monday, October 17, Paul Hickert will play “Kentucky Cop #2.”

In a interesting twist, McKinney himself is a Kentucky native, as is Farah Fath (Gigi), who is rumored to be tied to the storyline as well.

In other news…

Want to get a sneak peek at which sets and clothing will be used will be used in some upcoming scenes and episodes? If so, then check out these behind-the-scenes pictures of Jerry verDorn (Clint) giving two lucky fans a tour of the studios back in August.

Broadway World

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Llanview comings and goings for the month of October.

Thought you’d seen the last of Llanview’s craziest physic, but were hoping that you’d be wrong? If so, then you are in luck. Lea DeLaria reprises her role of Madame Delphina on Monday, October 10 when she encounters someone who is feeling a little guilty over something they’ve done as well as someone that asks her to repeat something in particular that she did for him once in the past.

Wendy Moniz is back as Llanview’s new mayor Kathleen Finn on Monday, October 3, and again on  Thursday, October 20 when she shows the Llanview Police Department some tough love.

David A. Gregory (Ford) has listed his October airdates on his Facebook page as being the 5, 6, 18, 19, 25, 27, and 31. That is 7 out of 21 episodes airing during the month.

Christopher L. Graves will play a Paparazzi on Friday, October 21. Also in that episode will be Nic Robuck (James), according to IMDb.

Expect to see a little more of Barbara Rhoades (Irene Manning) as the calendar changes from September to October. But will that be the last fans will be seeing of her, or will Irene’s reign of terror continue? Tune in to find out!

Don’t look for Kathy Brier (Marcie) or Chris Stack (Michael) to come back to Llanview for a little while longer. Brier tells a fan on Facebook that their return won’t happen until “Toward the end of October.”

It’s Halloween time in Llanview. Sean Ringgold (Shaun) posted this picture on his Facebook page last Friday, along with the comments “Hey Guys I’m in the Studio about to shoot some Halloween scenes . Can anyone guess what I will be ? I’m sure some people will have jokes for this question but what The heck :- )”

If your wondering about when some of your favorite (or not) recurring characters will be getting a little more airtime, no need to fear. Several actors, including Ilene Kristen (Roxy), Kim Zimmer (Echo), Nick Choksi (Vimal), Shenaz Treasury (Rama), Austin Williams (Shane), and Austin Peck (Rick) will all appear on screen at one point or another again in the coming weeks.

Are Farah Fath (Gigi) and John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex) about to leave “OLTL” behind? Fath tweeted on September 21 that “I’ll study twitter slang tomorrow, i gotta go to bed now, ‘OLTL’ at the crack…” And, when asked about how much longer she would be in New York City (where “OLTL” is taped), she responded with “Only for 2 more months.”

What fun place to work. Kristen Alderson (Starr) tweeted on Monday that she was “Working with silly folks today!”

And talk about a long day on the set. “OLTL” make-up artist Julia Davis tweeted on September 22 that “They have extended our out time. No cooking tonight. This calls for takeout,” and that she was “Finally headed home after 13 hours on set. Thanks a Good Night to Llanview… In need of some zzzzz.”