One Life to Live

One Life to Live was created by Agnes Nixon after ABC saw what she had created on other various networks and asked her to create a soap opera on their network. Nixon saw the market open up for a show that was unlike the rest in the way relatable plot lines and social issues could be addressed. The show was ultimately created and aired in 1968 to a pleasantly surprised audience. Audiences resonated with the variety of ethnicity on the show as well as the diversity in culture and social issues addressed on the show. Not only did One Life to Live enjoy sustained ratings from the beginning of the show’s history but it also was received well among critics. The formula that Nixon created for One Life to Live allowed it to attract the most skilled actors while enabling the show to have consistency and substance. In the beginning story lines of the show the focus was on the blue collar Woleks, wealthy Lords, half Jewish half Catholic Siegels, and the African American Grays. The intertwining of relationships of these families allowed the plot lines to address racial tension, class aversion, and other social conflicts. The 1980’s sparked some major changes for One Life to Live, as the Woleck sisters were a major focus for the show. One of the major story lines was the trial for the murder of Marco Dan. Another former popular story line, the return of Nikki Smith was resurrected. This injected new and fresh storylines to go off of for the cast of One Life to Live. As the 80’s went on the show began to become known for its realism. The 90’s presented another new start for the show in which Viki ran for the Mayor of Llanview. Other story lines began interweaving in the beginning of the 90’s and the plots started to get very confusing in which viewers started tuning out. The show then hired new executive producer Linda Gottlieb and head writer Michael Malone. Gottlieb and Malone refreshed and rejuvenated the show by returning to the underlying roots that One Life to Live had started from. More recently the show introduced new characters as well as new writers. This tactic has seemed to be working as One Life to Live is enjoying steady ratings at the top of the mark. In 2008, One Life to Live celebrated its 40th anniversary and was called “stunning, gripping, as well as having a dynamic and talented cast.” Over the years One Life to Live has achieved many awards that has enabled them to attract a multitude of talented actors as well as a diverse and loyal following of fans. One Life to Live has achieved a certain amount of success in its field that many soaps could only dream of. It seems that the show has remained constant over the years while changing and adapting with the times. They have never divulged from their laurels and have never completely rested on them at the same time.

This site is in no way associated with or endorsed by One Life to Live