What a difference a year makes! It was at this very time last year when our hearts were in our throats and we were hoping and praying for an eleventh hour miracle that would grant Nora new life and keep Hillary on the OLTL canvas. While Hillary spent a good portion of this year off-screen, I believe we finally have a Head Writer who respects his cast and is committed to restoring the show’s integrity. There is a great deal of dissent in cyberspace right now, and in my humble opinion, I believe the viewing majority is simply expecting too much too quickly. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Ron Carlivati indeed has his work cut out for him. Yet I assert he is doing a stellar job with OLTL since assuming the reins, and for the first time in nearly three years, fans have been granted a sense of renewed hope. So while Hillary is slowly working her way towards the front-burner, and while we’ve yet to see her as the nucleus of a storyline, Nora has been repositioned as a force with which to be reckoned. She suddenly finds herself smack in the middle of Clint and Dorian’s unraveling relationship, acquiring ownership of Asa’s mansion, and determining Lindsay’s fate. Contrast that with one year ago, when Hillary had no airtime and we feared that Nora would be banished to a rehab facility never to be seen or heard from again, and we most certainly have cause for celebration.
I maintain that Jerry verDorn shares more chemistry with Hillary than with anyone else on the canvas, and I’m very curious to see where Nora and Clint are headed from this point forward. Their intimate interaction may simply end with one kiss, never to be shared or discussed again. Or, passion may build and they may find themselves sharing more than just a roof as time progresses. What I enjoy most is the fact that we are now presented with “what ifs” and that nothing feels certain to the point of predictability. I enjoy that I find myself wondering what will ensue between these characters and how it will impact the canvas. Honestly, the concept of Clint and Nora emerging as a pairing would never have occurred to me until Carlivati reestablished Nora’s Buchanan ties and nurtured chemistry between both actors. What thrills me most is that we have tangible possibilities in terms of Nora’s character for the first time in nearly three years. Instead of approaching the New Year with dread, I am anxious to see where Nora will find herself at this point next year. What will come of the few tender moments she and Clint shared in Asa’s stable? How will that one kiss impact the entire canvas, including her friendship with Viki? How will Dorian respond to being rebuffed by Clint? Will she join forces with Lindsay and swear revenge? Where will this leave Bo and RJ? News travels fast from Paris, TX to Llanview, and both men will undoubtedly have intense reactions to what transpired. So for the first time in a very long while, I’m enjoying sitting back and riding the wave of uncertainty, because I was gravely concerned one year ago that Nora’s character would be retired to the archives.
Perhaps it’s our transition into a season of both giving and giving thanks, but I’m thrilled with where OLTL stands at present. Online message boards and soap periodicals are abuzz with viewers and editors expressing their delight at seeing a strong collective presence of OLTL’s veteran actors onscreen, and Hillary tops that list. If fans and critics alike are taking notice, ABC is undoubtedly doing so as well. This is why it is crucial we continue writing on behalf of Hillary. What many viewers fail to grasp is that the slate is wiped clean with each and every Head Writing change. The hundreds or thousands of letters we wrote over the course of past years signify ancient history. What matters is what we choose to do right now, and approaching the New Year with a fresh attitude and new ideas is a wonderful beginning. As viewers, we have two options: we can WRITE and make our voices heard, or we may change the channel. Honestly, it’s just that simple. Once again, those countless letters, calls and emails of bygone days represent just that – relics of the past. This is our opportunity to shape the future of Nora’s character. Hillary is approaching the one-year mark in her current four-year contract term. Hard to believe, is it not? None of us knows if this contract term will be her last. If that’s the case, we are bestowed the gift of three more years of soaking in her onscreen presence. Yet what if we have an opportunity to make this contract term one of her most memorable? What if we have a chance to shape her future with the show so greatly that the network will approach her in another three years with a wonderful offer to remain with OLTL? My point is that anything is within the realm of possibility. It is my greatest hope that we, as fans, choose to look forward instead of peering back. Memories exist to be cherished and to nurture the future, but we do ourselves a great injustice by constantly referring to them as a barometer. Hillary gave us another four years of her life at a time when walking away from OLTL simply may have been easier. This contract term is a gift from Hillary to her fans. So while past experience teaches us to proceed with cautious optimism, we have now been granted an opportunity to make our voices heard at a time when they may count the most, and by doing so, give back to the spectacular woman who joined us together.
My resolve was strengthened even further by attending a recent charity event which Hillary hosted. As most of you know, Hillary attended a weekend of fundraising events in FL and GA the first weekend in November. While I was unable to attend the FL event (yet was informed it was a smashing success), I did have the pleasure of attending the GA fundraiser. This low key, intimate afternoon mixed wine-tasting and gourmet appetizers with the opportunity for fans to mingle with Hillary one-on-one and receive autographed photos. What’s most amazing about Hillary’s fans is that they will follow her to the ends of earth for a chance to reconnect with her and show appreciation. The room was jammed with admirers, as is always par for the course, and Hillary ensured that every single person who came to see her left happy, smiling, and fulfilled. Moments like these remind me that there are different layers to fandom. One way in which to give back to Hillary is by watching OLTL and supporting her performances. A second way is by conducting outreach to the network on behalf of her. Yet another manner consists of attending charitable endeavors in which she partakes. So as I watched a sea of smiles and satisfied fans that made the trek to Atlanta to spend some quality time with Hillary, I walked away feeling reinvigorated and inspired. We have spent a great deal of time throughout the past few years questioning the present and revisiting the past, and my suggestion is that the time has come to let it go. We now have an opportunity to glide into the holiday season, knowing we possess the gift of Hillary for another three years. What we decide to do with that gift is up to each and every one of us.
What gets on your nerves? “Stupidity – mine or anyone else’s.”
What is a perfect day off? “Ha, a day off – bingo! Just a day off is perfect.”
If you had to bring three things to a deserted island, what would you choose? “I’d hate to do it to my kids, but I’d probably bring my husband and two children.”
If you were given a free shopping spree at any store, where would you go?” Neiman Marcus. They’ve got everything there, every designer. I always think of Neiman Marcus as the museum: You go to see the shoe exhibit. Then, there’s a handbag exhibit. They’re all beautiful things, and I can’t afford them.
