Hey, Soap Fans! You no doubt already know this — and have been counting the seconds — but to everyone who doesn’t, that time has finally arrived.
Beginning Monday, April 29, 2013, BRAND NEW 30-minute episodes of two beloved soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” will be available to stream online weekdays in HD via the free Hulu.com service and to Hulu Plus subscribers ($7.99/mo.) watching on select Internet-connected devices such as iPad, iPhone, gaming consoles and set top boxes.
Not only will you be able to watch your favorite episodes on-the-go, but you’ll also have full access to the Hulu library, which includes complete series episodes of top TV hits. To begin a free week trial of Hulu Plus, click here.
In addition, the iTunes Store will offer both shows via iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV and Mac and PC, making these dramas available in a new format that suits the viewing habits of the digital generation. That’s us, people. We ARE the digital generation.
My history with both shows dates back to the 1970s, when Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) had one of the big storylines on “One Life to Live.” Remember how nervous Karen Wolek (Judith Light) was that Marco would expose her past? So nervous that she delved into prostitution to keep him quiet!
It’d be a hoot if those characters came back (Marco showed up on “General Hospital” in 1992 and was there for about a year), although they’d have to recast Marco, as Gerald Anthony died in 2004 at the age of 52. Judith Light is still around, however, and has a role on the current incarnation of “Dallas.”
Over on “All My Children” in the 1970s, the show was making history with Erica Kane’s decision to have an abortion — the first legal abortion to air on American television. It was controversial not only because it aired shortly after Roe v. Wade, but because of her reasons for having the abortion. She didn’t want to gain weight and lose her modeling job.
Along with the new episodes, Prospect Park’s The Online Network will offer original weekly recap shows, “MORE One Life to Live” and “MORE All My Children,” beginning May 3.
Friday’s half-hour installments, hosted by former KABC correspondent and anchor Leslie Miller and executive produced by Tomorrow Productions’ Marc Victor, will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and one-on-one interviews with the series’ stars. Fans will also be able to interact with their faves in real time through Twitter and Skype.
Plus, both shows will feature a variety of original lifestyle segments, ranging from fashion to beauty to relationship advice that offer content that entertains, informs and celebrates the storylines of the prior week’s content.
It’s all about the fans, and Prospect Park’s Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank totally get that. In a press release, the duo said, “We thank the fans whose tenaciousness to see these shows return made this historical moment possible. We are determined to repay their support by delivering new and creatively groundbreaking episodes that both the fans, as well as legions of new viewers, will love.”
Emmy Award winner Agnes Nixon, creative consultant for both programs and a soap opera pioneer, knows that, too. “I am so pleased that our dream of bringing these two series back to life is coming to fruition,” she said in the press release. “I am grateful to Prospect Park for their unwavering commitment to this project and to the amazingly talented casts of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ – their devotion to these franchises has made this moment possible. And to the fans – well, we wouldn’t be here without you.”
Both new and returning cast will be featured. Here’s the rundown:
All My Children: Revolves around the lives of the residents of fictional Pine Valley. For nearly 40 years, this town has seen the trials and tribulations of its dynamic families. Now your favorite stories are back, and more dramatic than ever!
“All My Children” cast members include:
- Julia Barr as Brooke English
- Ryan Bittle as JR Chandler
- David Canary as Adam Chandler
- Lindsay Hartley as Cara Martin
- Vincent Irizarry as Dr. David Hayward
- Francesca James as Evelyn Johnson
- Thorsten Kaye as Zach Slater
- Jordan Lane Price as Celia Fitzgerald
- Jill Larson as Opal Cortlandt
- Ray MacDonnell as Dr. Joe Martin
- Cady McClain as Dixie Cooney
- Debbi Morgan as Dr. Angela Hubbard
- Eric Nelson as AJ Chandler
- Eden Riegel as Bianca Montgomery
- Heather Roop as Jane McIntyre
- Sal Stowers as Cassandra Foster
- Denyse Tontz as Miranda Montgomery
- Jordi Vilasuso as Griffin Castillo
- Darnell Williams as Jesse Hubbard
- Robert (Rob) Scott Wilson as Pete “Petey” Cortlandt
One Life to Live: Follows the complicated lives of three main families: the wealthy Lords, the powerful Buchanans and the strong-willed Cramers. The quiet simplicity of small town living is often interrupted by the drama between them yet despite the struggles, strong family bonds keep them united.
“One Life to Live” cast members include:
- Melissa Archer as Natalie Buchanan Banks
- Kassie DePaiva as Blair Cramer
- Robert Gorrie as Matthew Buchanan
- Laura Harrier as Destiny Evans
- Roger Howarth as Todd Manning
- Josh Kelly as Cutter Wentworth
- Florencia Lozano as Tea Delgado
- Kelley Missal as Danielle Manning
- Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Buchanan
- Hillary B. Smith as Nora Buchanan
- Robin Strasser as Dorian Lord
- Andrew Trischitta as Jack Manning
- Jerry verDorn as Clint Buchanan
- Tuc Watkins as David Vickers
- Robert S. Woods as Bo Buchanan
- Shenaz Treasury as Rama Patel
Recurring “One Life to Live” actors include:
- Nick Choksi as Vimal Patel
- Sean Ringgold as Shaun Evans
SWEEPSTAKES! Of course, we can’t have the re-entry of such awesome daytime drama without a sweepstakes! Answer at least one of these questions in the comments below:
For fans of “One Life to Live” and “All My Children”:
- Who do you want to see fall in love?
- Who is cheating on who?
- Which characters do you miss the most from the old show?
- Submit your best idea for an episode, spin, love story, intro of an old character, etc.
If you’re not familiar with the shows, but are excited about tuning in:
- Why are you excited to start watching SOAPs on Hulu?
At the end of the sweepstakes, one winner from each blog hosting this sweepstakes will receive a yearlong subscription to Hulu Plus. One grand prize winner will win a Roku!
Good luck to all!
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b:Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c: Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d: For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/29/2013-5/26/2013
Be sure to visit the sponsor’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers reviews and find more chances to win!
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