Fans still want their favorites

July 1, 12:47 AMOne Life to Live ExaminerJennifer Snelling

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Photo Courtesy ABC

It isn't new to hear or see a sensational rumor flying around about casting on One Life to Live or the direction the story line is about to take. In fact, such rumors are great advertising, if you think about it. When a fan started rumors about Starr and Cole on the message boards at ABC.com, they quickly morphed into more speculation and rumors from other fans about the status of the actors on the show and the direction their story would be taking.

The rumors inspired Tweets from Kristen Alderson to clear things up for her fans.

"Do not read rumors on message boards please!" she wrote in all capital letters. “People have nothing better to do then make things up - be careful.”

Her next post referred directly to the message board thread where many of the rumors and speculation were originating.

"Untrue,” she again wrote in capitals. “Trust me, Starr and Cole fans have a lot to look forward to.”

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As daily casting news continues to roll in, fans that keep an eye on internet blogs, articles and spoilers have to try to sift through the opinions and rumors to the facts. This seems to be an emotional time for One Life to Live fans, as buzz continues to circulate, even among those who seem to know what they're talking about, that long-time favorites like Erika Slezak (Viki) or Robin Strasser (Dorian) might be leaving the show.

It isn't just paranoia, either. Contract negotiations with Robin Strasser seemed to end before they began. Reportedly, she was given a financial figure and a time limit, effectively taking the pressure from fans off of the network and putting it on the actress herself.

On March 6, 2009, Daytime Confidential's Jamey Giddens reported (in an article titled, "Would You Watch OLTL Without Erika Slezak?") that Erika Slezak encouraged her fans to write to ABC Daytime President Brian Frons, who had two approved story lines for her character, Viki, including one involving her love interest, Charlie, that were not being used.

Answering the article's title question, Jamey Giddens said,

"I have only been watching OLTL for five years, but I can tell you right now, not only would I not want to watch the show without Slezak— who unlike some of her veteran peers hasn't phoned in a story once since I've been watching—but I wouldn't want to promote it."

An article at theTVaddict.com dated June 5th, 2007 (yes, two years ago) offers some advice for Ron Carlivati, who was just stepping into the role of headwriter (taking over after Dena Higley was let go).

Photo Courtesy ABC

"It seems simple enough, but put the characters we love back on the front burner in storylines we care about. The show fought to keep Hillary Smith on contract, only to see her alter ego, Nora, vanish....

"Stop wasting your talented cast. For God’s sake, why isn’t Ilene Kristen’s Roxy being used? Every single time she’s on screen, we’re amused and happy. Move heaven and earth to get Tuc Watkins (David) back full-time. Give Erika Slezak — who had a very public feud in which she claimed Higley refused to write for Viki — a real storyline!"

Sure, the article refers to events past, but these are a couple of pieces of advice that still ring true for many fans of the show – fans who were faithful to One Life to Live and cheered Ron Carlivati two years ago, and are puzzled today by how little they see some of their favorite award-winning actors -- actors who have also stood by One Life to Live and deserve a great deal of appreciation from the show and the network.