'One Life To Live' Stars Bid Farewell To Fans At Event In NY

WESTBURY, N.Y. -- Several stars from ABC's recently cancelled soap opera "One Life to Live" met with eager fans at a tribute event Saturday.

The near-capacity crowd was not disappointed by the unscripted event, which included a fan Q&A and trivia contest.

Those in attendance included Jerry VerDorn (Clint Buchanan); Kassie DePaiva (Blair Cramer); Trevor St. John (Todd/Victor Manning); John Paul Lavosier (Rex Balsom); Kim Zimmer (Echo DiSavoy); Melissa Archer (Natalie Buchanan); Michael Easton (John McBain); Gina Tognoni (Kelly Cramer); Ilene Kristen (Roxy Balsom); and Sean Ringgold (Shaun Evans).

The soap stars came from New York and Los Angeles for the gathering, called "Loving Llanview," at the Theatre at Westbury.

"We thank you for your viewership and loyalty," DePaiva said. "We appreciate you so much."

The ABC soap was primarily focused on the Buchanan, Lord and Manning families. The show was set in the fictional city of Llanview, Pennsylvania. The final episode of the show, which ran on weekdays for the last 44 years, aired on Friday, January 13.

"When we said goodbye ... it was kind of weird," Tognoni said, of the last day the cast spent on the set of the soap.

"One Life to Live" was replaced by the ABC talk show "The Revolution," hosted by Ty Pennington, Tim Gunn, Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry, Dr. Jennifer Ashton and celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. While the network was anxious to axe the soap and promote the new show, viewers have been less than welcoming. According to Perez Hilton, the show had a weak premiere, with a 1.9 rating. In comparison, "One Life to Live" had a 2.4 rating in the same time slot. The 35 percent variant makes the talk show seem dull by comparison and likely has network executives regretting the swap.

Fans who missed the Westbury event might still be able to meet their favorite "One Live To Live" actor. According to its sponsors, "Loving Llanview" was a huge success and they are considering additional shows in other cities. Those interested can monitor the website lovingllanview.com for updates.

At the conclusion of the event, the actors held hands on stage and Zimmer was seen wiping tears from Kristen's face.

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT:

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Comments

[Jessica Alinovi]

12:18 PM on 01/30/2012

I envy the people who got to attend this event but I also pity the actors that they had to hold the event in the first place. These iconic shows have many years left in them and ABC/D made an egregious error when they cancelled them.

[Kristen Howe]

07:36 PM on 01/29/2012

I wish I was there. It sounds like fun. I hope there's a tribute event heading to Ohio. I'm missing OLTL every day and hope karma kicks in the pants, due to low ratings for the Repulsion.

[Loren Green]

12:02 AM on 01/29/2012

Until ABC admits it was wrong and corrects it's mistake on cancelling All My Children and One Life to Live the ONLY SHOW I will watch on ABC is General Hospital. ABC has lost this viewer who has been loyal to its Network for over 30 years. No more waking in the morning to Good Morning America and going to bed after Jimmy Kimbel......ABC/Disney return my Soaps in the afternoon and then and only then will I return as a loyal ABC viewer.

[Marji65]

09:04 PM on 01/28/2012

Perhaps one day ABCD will realize without shows to draw in an audience there will be no audience. Without listening to their audience there will be no audience. When a consumer becomes unhappy with a brand they stop buying the brand and instead support the competition. If ABCD wants viewers to support their brand they need to stop discounting the audience in favor of discounted products. If they want viewers to give any program a chance they need only give the soaps a chance by turning over the rights to a party who wants them and is capable of producing them.

[tanyagayle]

07:19 PM on 01/28/2012

I miss OLTL so much!!! I hope that ABC comes to their senses(doubtful) . I can't believe that the actually are blatantly ignoring the viewers... Their ratings for the replacement shows are horrible!!! We want our soaps back or no more ABC!!!!!!

[Sydney LuckeAngel]

07:02 PM on 01/28/2012

Cassie DePiva and the entire cast of both OLTL and AMC should never had to say goodbye in the first place! Neither of these programs should have been canceled. If Daytime viewers had wanted Style/Information shows then "The Revolution" and "The Chew" wouldn't be failing so miserably! Give Agnes back her shows so they can go back into production and back on the air where they belong!

[Tina F Gray]

05:43 PM on 01/28/2012

I was at the Loving Llanview event. It was both wonderful and heartbreaking. These people are sooooo giving, soooo loving, sooooo wonderful. I wished it could have lasted forever. REALLY ABC/DISNEY????? You still don't get it after this story? You have alienated the majority of your audience and you are in last place. You will continue to fail until you release AMC and OLTL to Agnes Nixon and allow GH to find a new home. I can't wait until you have to explain yourselves to your shareholders!!!!!!!

[Michele Carlin]

04:50 PM on 01/28/2012

ABC/Disney no longer wants the soaps AMC and OLTL. There are people who do want them. They should release the rights. I am a proud SWAN, I Stand With Agned Nixon!:) https://www.facebook.com/events/282750331782353/

[club425]

09:31 AM on 01/28/2012

As far as I am concerned, this wasn't Farewell, it was Until We Meet Again. I am not prepared to let these shows go. As a fourth generation ABC daytime watcher, I intend to find a home for these shows that will respect and foster them. Thank you to Agnes Nixon and all the cast members, crew members, writers and everyone involved in this amazing show!

[tretag]

07:46 PM on 01/26/2012

This type of event would not be possible if not for the loyal fans and the professional actors getting together to remember and celebrate a great show. It was scripted and entertaining, now that is a novel idea. The execs. at ABC/Disney underestimated their viewers. They forgot to stop and think, there are other shows on like "the Chew" and "Revolution", some of them on during the same time slot as the ABC soaps, But viewers did not switch the channel to watch them because they were not interested in them. Why would they become interested now in reality tv? Especially since their favorite shows were replaced by such inane productions. Thank you Actors from AMC and OLTL for understanding we are not a bunch of uneducated bon bon eaters.

[oltlluvr1]

05:27 PM on 01/26/2012

I wasn't there but you can bet that I will be at the next one if at all possible.

[byebyeonelife]

03:54 PM on 01/26/2012

This event was so poorly produced that I'm sad it's my last memory of One Life To Live.

[wheels11]

03:27 PM on 01/26/2012

ABC/DIsney has made such a big mistake. They have hurt so many people canceling AMC and OLTL. It's like they murdered a part of our family and they haven't even apologized.

[Alax L Martin]

02:15 PM on 01/26/2012

So Sad and unnecessary!

[MeMe 2009]

12:39 PM on 01/26/2012

I am so sorry I missed this wonderful N.Y. event. I would of loved to connect with my Llanview friends I miss you much. I hope they come out to California. I know there is many here who would attend.
NOW, I am challenging AMC & OLTL fans to boycott the products that are sponsoring ABC's 2 new dumb shows and let these companies know why we are boycotting them. Let's show ABC & Disney the power of the fans!!