Taboo as the topic of sex might be, it’s one subject that never fails to demand rapt attention. Sex sells, and daytime dramas have always known it; the term “love in the afternoon” didn’t spring from nothing! But just how much more provocative will TOLN’s online soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” be now that they’re no longer under strict network regulations? Soap Opera Network sat down with some of the show’s stars, all of whom were none too shy to open up and reveal the naked truth about the new love in the afternoon!
“It’s very edgy,” previews “AMC’s” Jordi Vilasuso (Griffin Castillo) of what’s to come in terms of sexuality and illicit language on both shows. “We’re trying to push the envelope a little further.”
But just how much further will they go? “OLTL’s” Tuc Watkins (David Vickers) says fans had better hold onto their seats! “The viewers are guaranteed to hear more dirty words and see us in much less clothing,” he teases. “And we will partake in much more incendiary storylines.”
Adds Kassie DePaiva (Blair Cramer, “OLTL”): “We’re out from under the umbrella of network television… And I have a feeling there are going to be some liberties and freedoms through the acting and through the production that are going to be exciting.”
But if you’re one of the fans feeling hesitant about the amped up sexuality and use of profanity, “OLTL’s” Erika Slezak (Victoria Lord) urges you not to worry. “It doesn’t mean that Viki is going to start using four letter words,” she says, adding that “OLTL’s” co-headwriter, Susan Horgan, is a woman of class, so the storylines aren’t bound to get overly raunchy. “[It’ll be] within bounds of good taste.”
But at the same time, as she enthusiastically points out: “There are no restrictions… Hell, we can do anything!”
And “anything” includes a seriously sexy scene in which “AMC” newcomer, Robert Scott Wilson (Peter Cortlandt) strolls out of the shower . “Wow, does he look good without his shirt on,” raves Jill Larson (Opal Cortlandt) of her onscreen son. “There he was, standing on the set, and [one of our directors said], ‘Jill, stop looking at your son like he’s something on the menu!’”
Shocked? Don’t be: As Cady McClain (Dixie Cooney, “AMC”) points out on her blog: Skin, smooches and sensuality have always been daytime staples. “Do you remember when the soaps were mostly love stories, all leading up to the big moment when the characters would make love?” she asks. “Weren’t those fun stories to watch? It wasn’t disgusting; it was beautiful. I don’t know where those moments went, but I am sure happy they are coming back. Passion is important!”
And her co-star, Julia Barr (Brooke English) agrees, especially considering the fact that the shows are now competing with non-network television in addition to other soaps. “There are a few things that Standard and Practices probably wouldn’t be giving their approval to, but you need it,” she says. “You need more of an edge. That has to be accommodated.”
So yes, both shows are going to be a lot sexier and push the envelope like never before. But “AMC’s” Eden Riegel (Bianca Montgomery) assures fans that the edge they’re going to see won’t be coming out of left field. “It’s very real. It’s not jarring at all,” she previews, adding that sexual elements are the essence of what has made daytime so great and what has kept it going for this long. “When I was reading [the new material], it seemed very honest and in character for those people who are using words that we couldn’t say on network television. It’s not done just for the sake of, like, ‘’All My Children’, now we’re going to be raunchy!’ No, it’s… the exact same show, with the same intent.”
Her “AMC” co-star, Vincent Irizarry (David Hayward) agrees that the provocative material doesn’t cross over the line too far. “There’s a desire to bring in a new audience… so I think they have to address it and walk that fine line,” he says of Prospect Park’s decision to bring in more sexual elements. “But for those who are staunch viewers of the show, I think they will be very happy with what they see, without question.”
Whether you’re looking forward to the amped up sexuality, or if the thought just makes you cringe, Watkins hopes you’ll keep an open mind and not immediately tune out. “It may take some time to get a footing, but stick with us,” he urges. “Stick with us while we gain our footing, and we’ll all create something together.”