One Life to Live
Monday to Friday 2:00 p.m., ET/1:00 p.m., PT
Emmy Award-Winning “One Live to Live” is set in the fictional community of Llanview, which is modeled on the Philadelphia Main Line. The character of Victoria Lord Davidson, present since the show’s inception, continues as an integral part of the canvas today.
“One Life to Live” has been lauded for its groundbreaking exploration of social issues, diverse canvas, award-winning performances and innovative storylines. Along with the history-making week of live shows in May 2002, “One Life to Live” is responsible for many “firsts” in Daytime television, including stories of interracial romance and gang violence, as well as problems of literacy, medical misdiagnosis, lupus and racial prejudice. The show received mass critical acclaim for its 1992 homophobia storyline, which captured national headlines when it introduced the character of a gay teen (played by then unknown Ryan Phillippe) and culminated with the emotional display of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.
In 1994 the show received equally high praise, and garnered four Daytime Emmy Awards — including one for Best Writing — for its riveting fraternity gang rape storyline. “One Life to Live” won four Emmys again in 2000, including awards for costume design and music direction, and in 2001 was the recipient of two Emmy Awards. In 2002 the show won its first ever Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Drama Series category, and was nominated again in 2007. In 2000 it received the first CDC Sentinel for Health Award for the story of Viki’s (Erika Slezak) breast cancer.
Most recently “One Life to Live” produced another “first,” “Prom Night: The Musical.” The four-day musical event featured the high drama of a high school prom with a score of original songs assembled by executive producer Frank Valentini and music director Paul Glass. The stylized production included musical performances and dance numbers, and told the star-crossed love story of Starr (Kristen Alderson) and Cole (Brandon Buddy). With the success of “Prom Night: the Musical,” “One Life to Live” continues to forge its unique path in ABC’s daytime lineup as a music-focused show, having hosted an impressive list of performers including Timbaland, Nelly Furtado, Mary J. Blige, Jeannie Ortega, Lifehouse, Tito Puente Jr., Simply Red, Chris Botti and Erykah Badu.
The rich history of “One Life to Live” continues to thrive with the Lord legacy, the powerful Buchanans and intriguing families such as the Cramers, Vegas, Mannings and McBains. With new faces and longtime favorites, the show delivers the excitement of new friends and relationships and the comfort of binding family ties.
Created by Agnes Nixon, “One Life to Live” debuted on July 15, 1968 and marked its 10,000th episode on August 17, 2007. Frank Valentini executive-produces. Ron Carlivati is the headwriter. The popular drama consistently ranks among the top three in the key demographic of Women 18-49. “One Life to Live” airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.