Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live

by Jeff Giles

During its more than four decades in the ABC daytime lineup, "One Life to Live" told countless stories, from sensational adventures to thoughtful social commentary. But the tales that went untold -- the experiences of the writers, producers, cast and crew behind the scenes -- are just as fascinating as any kidnapping, baby switch, or courtroom confession. Today, network soaps are struggling for survival against cheaper-to-produce talk shows and reality series, but their cultural impact resonates more strongly than ever -- and a tribute to the work that goes into producing them is long overdue. To that end, "Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live" focuses on some of the most unique aspects of working on a five-day-a-week television series -- from the actors, who had to deal with the daytime stigma and the psychology of living so intimately with their characters for extended periods of time, to the crew, who produced scripts and episodes at a blistering pace while working with a dwindling pool of network resources. Featuring interviews with more than 50 "One Life to Live" veterans, including Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Robert S. Woods, Hilary B. Smith, Ilene Kristen, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Storm, Judith Light, and Nathan Fillion -- plus many more -- "Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live" offers readers a one-of-a-kind perspective on one of television's longest-running shows.

Genres: Memoir, Tv

380 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2013

About the author

For the last 30-plus years and counting, Jeff Giles has been a pop culture writer of mild renown, with bylines at an array of publications including Paste Magazine, the Village Voice, American Songwriter, Ultimate Classic Rock, and Rotten Tomatoes. The founder of beloved aughts online zine Jefitoblog, he also co-founded Popdose and is the author of three books: "Llanview in the Afternoon: An Oral History of One Life to Live," "Uncle John's Beer-Topia: A Heady Brew of Beer Miscellany," and the supernatural comedy "Langley Powell and the Society for the Defense of the Mundane."

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wish we could have heard from more people, but very interesting.

[Steve Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book really quickly on my Kindle Fire. It's a great compendium of different stories from several of the actors and producers who worked on OLTL over the years. I found it fascinating to read their reactions to all the changes, as this show had nearly as many different personalities as its main character, Viki. When it stuck to realistic story lines instead of fantasy plots (that awful Eterna and Wild West stuff), this was one of the best soaps ever!

I also wish the show had honored more of its history by bringing back more past characters before it went off TV, especially Michael Storm as Larry Wolek who was available and apparently contacted the show but they had no room for him at that point. Even though it was earning critical praise at the end, I found the writing hollow and didn't care for most of the remaining characters, which also made the online reboot difficult to watch. The book ends right after the show came back online on an optimistic note, which seems bittersweet now that it's once again on hold due to the ABC lawsuit.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. The cast and crew talked about how the show was made, how the process changed over the years, and what happened when the show was cancelled. I was hoping to read more about the story lines and the characters. Overall, some parts were interesting but I was bored reading this.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who grew up in the era when there were three basic channels and the afternoon was devoted to "soap operas" this is a must read - although it does contain more information about One Life to Live, it is a behind the scenes and through the eyes of the actors who played those roles through the years on One Life to Live. The impact that daytime television had on "prime time" television was notable, although the common outlook toward the soaps was / is more than a little dismissive.

While some of the actors have more to say than others, it's pretty clear that author Jeff Giles attempted to contact every one who was ever on OLTL. This is as thorough a book as you could ever hope to find on the subject, and written at a time when daytime television has changed, about the only way you could hope to know more were if you were personal friends with each and every one.

Even if Llanview was not where you spent your afternoons, this book is a very informative and entertaining read.

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there had been page numbers and more references to who each actor played because after 25 pages it's hard to always remember. Also, many of the more recent stars weren't included. Maybe because it felt like a very truthful book, and they were afraid of how the current powers that be would feel? It was interesting to hear from people from the beginning and their perspectives. Some obviously still hold a grudge or a very slanted view, but that can be interesting as well. I would recommend it and enjoyed it. For me 3 stars is liked, 4 stars loved, 5 stars this book changed my life. This is a solid liked.

[Nomarfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved watching OLTL and reading the actors, producers, writers and crew's perspective was very insightful. I had heard rumors for years about some of the things that went on and some were confirmed by this book. Others, I had no idea about.

Some of the people interviewed for this book were very open about their experience while others were still holding back, almost like they are still afraid of offending someone who could give them job.

I wish there had been more actors interviewed for this book, but still a very good read for any fan of OLTL.

[Donny Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!!!! If you love your "stories" it is worth the read! I was a huge fan of "One Life to Live" and to hear the process of each era as it went through many hangings of the guards. Fascinating and inspiring.

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of show

Lots of details from the first day, to set rivalry, to last disappointment days...I miss one life to live very much

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on reading this book. A short while in, I realized that it had been so long since I watched this show, that I really didn't know many characters. But in a way, it didn't really matter. The book was written in interview form. So it was interesting to hear what the actors, writers, etc. thought about the show, their fellow actors, soap operas in general. These were really the hardest working actors out there. They put out an hour show 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Evening television shows put out 30-60 minutes a week. Movies take months to make. And yet, their is a stigma attached to being a soap actor. Most seemed like decent, hardworking people with good attitudes who really cared about their work and their fans. (Except for the woman who played Carla. Nasty, bitter woman.) Like other readers, I had a hard time keeping track of all the interviewees. Other than that, this was a very interesting book.

[Kate Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read from 2013 with fascinating insights into the world of daytime and OLTL during the different decades and eras of OLTL's time on air. I quite enjoyed this book. It kind of jumps around (it certainly jumps between people) and contains little structure, but it does flow. I was very engrossed. At times I had trouble putting it down. I loved reading all the actors' and crew members' perspectives and stories. So many more actors could have been included (and some were very much missed), but then the book would have been even longer.

I had hoped to read insight on certain storylines, scenes, events, etc that happened in Llanview, but that's ultimately not what this book is about. It's a true behind the scenes look from certain cast and crew members.

[Natalie548 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any fan of OLTL! A fan of soaps or anyone whose craft is acting should also appreciate the insight into what went on behind the scenes. I enjoyed hearing stories from many of my favorite actors, who I miss watching on tv every day.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I loved this book, I did not like the way the book started, I thought it was dry and didn't start off explaining itself. As I got further into the book, I loved it. I love the Soap Opera One Life To Live and have watched it on and off since the early 80's. I loved that this book shared the info right from the actors mouths. I loved reading how the actors felt.
One of the biggest problems I had when reading this book was trying to remember who is who. Mostly the ones that were on at the beginning I had no idea who they were. I had to look it up on the Internet. It would have been nice to have had something that said who they were what what they did on the show.
I am glad that the author wrote this book. I know that soap operas are wonderful and that the ones who are working the show are awesome, they all did a great job. Every one who contribute to the show are A+ in my book.
It is to bad that ABC/Disney took them off the air, I have enjoyed watching it online, but prefer in on TV. I really hope the show comes back after the first of the year.
After reading this book I have even more respect for the actors, the hard work they did to put on an awesome story. Thank you Jeff Giles for writing this book. I have never read anything like this about a tv show and have always wondered how they did it.

[SeaBae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining oral history of One Life to Live, with perhaps more of a focus on the Paul Rauch years which I appreciated as that was the era when I watched the show. Some of the actors don't pull punches which makes for an engaging read (Barbara Treutelaar, you are a treasure and I'm really bummed you were only on the show off and on for four years). Also illuminating about the Linda Gottleib era and the changes she wrought on daytime drama, for better or worse.

I haven’t watched a soap in decades; hadn’t even given them a passing thought. So perhaps it's a bit hypocritical of me to mourn the death of soaps on broadcast television since I obviously wasn't helping to contribute to their ratings. But this book helped me remember why I was so fascinated with daytime serials and became so enmeshed in their storytelling for a brief but highly passionate time (and it also reminded me, unfortunately, why I fell out of love with them).

[Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars