One Life to Live

Filed In:

One Life to Live

One Life to Live - In Perspective

It was July 15, 1968 when the very first episode of One Life to Live hit the airwaves. Agnes Nixon, the series creator, had a goal to produce a show that portrayed life's diversities. The show was designed to tackle ethnical, social, and racial boundaries which are reflected in our society. From the very first show, these important issues have been what the show has strived on. One Life to Live has covered everything from races issues, AIDS, identity disorders, cancer, switched babies, lost family members, marriages, divorces, infidelity, jealous, murder, and death, and this believe it or not, is just to name a few. This show we call One Life to Live, is much more than just a soap opera, it's a look into our past, our present, and most important, into our future.

" The one remaining force is by far, the beautiful, yet self-determined, Victoria Lord Riley Buchanan Carpenter. "

In the early days when One Life to Live first aired, the show focused on the rich and powerful Lords, the Irish Catholic Rileys, the Jewish Siegals, and the hard working class Woleks. Over the years, many things have changed in these families, and for the most part have almost completely disappeared from the canvas. The one remaining force is by far, the beautiful, yet self-determined, Victoria Lord Riley Buchanan Carpenter.

Victor Lord, a publishing tycoon, and owner of the town's Llanview Banner newspaper, was really the first person to control Llanview. His oldest daughter, Victoria Lord, was from the very beginning, groomed to take the rein of the business. Victor placed heavy demands on Victoria for many years, causing her to have many emotional roller coasters in her life. It was in the fall of 1968, when viewers got the first look in one of Viki's alter egos, with the emergence of Niki Smith. Years later, many other personalities would emerge as well. Viki went through many other crisis in her life, including the death of her father, younger sister, and her first true love, Joe Riley. But some things remain the same in Victoria Lord's life, the family-owned Banner, and her great passion for life.

"...One Life to Live has earned twenty-three Emmy Awards, including five for Outstanding Actress..."

Viki's most troublesome enemy was none other than her own stepmother (at one time), Dorian Cramer Lord. It was after Victor Lord's passing, that the suspicion surrounding his death focused in on Dorian. Although, Dorian was never found guilty, it did remain a mystery for years. In 1974, Dorian lost her medical license, which made her more determined to get the citizens of Llanview to pay for this "injustice". Throughout the past thirty years, Dorian and Viki have shared some of daytime's greatest dramatically moments. Their relationship can be called none other than "love-hate" in all practically terms. In February, 2000, viewers were given a very touching goodbye, as these two powerful and talented actresses made a farewell to one another. Time will only tell if a reunion will eventually be made, but in any case, the storylines Dorian and Viki shared can easily be summed up in three word....a great success!

Up through to today, One Life to Live has earned twenty-three Emmy Awards, including five of those Emmy's to Outstanding Actress, Erika Slezak.(Viki). They have also received many nominations as well, and won other prestigious awards. More than 8,000 episodes have been taped of One Life to Live, and many are still yet to come. Many actors and actresses have come and gone in the more than thirty years of the show's existence, but throughout it's long history, the fans remain. People today are just as interested in watching how other people deal with every day's problems and triumphs. Soap operas will never replace real life, but if they do one thing right, it would be that they help people deal with their own "one life to live."