Two of the chief complaints commonly voiced by ONE LIFE TO LIVE watchers is that there’s no love left in Llanview and not enough story for beloved veteran characters. New Head Writer Ron Carlivati assures Digest that love is on the horizon and that Viki and others will get their deserved storylines. At the same time, he is focused on giving present stories their proper conclusions and plans to keep a balance between the more-established characters and the “younger generation.”
Soap Opera Digest: Is there any first order of business as the new head writer?
Ron Carlivati: Well, not exactly. I’ve been there writing on the show for 11 years and I’ve been co-head writer for the past few months, so there are stories that are in place that we’re driving and going to keep telling — obviously in the most exciting way possible — and then as I get my feet wet, there’s going to be a lot of new story. So I guess my first priority is really developing new story while we continue to tell the stories that we’re currently telling.
Digest:Are there any particular storylines that you’d like to wrap up sooner rather than later?
Carlivati: I think the audience doesn’t like when a story is just abruptly ended if a new head writer comes into play, so I want to play out the stories that we have. Obviously, there are stories that I’m partial to more than others. I think the baby story with Marcie and Todd being the father of that baby is a huge story that’s really important to the audience, so that one I am very excited about.
Digest: Are there any couples that you’d like to focus on?
Carlivati: Well, as you probably know, a lot of our couples have been shaken up. We had a lot of breakups, so I think you’re going to see characters falling in love, finding new love — I think that’s more the focus. I think you’re going to see many couples and new couples falling in love and people finding love in new ways.
Digest: So will Viki finally get her “new adventure?” She had that one awful date with Doug (Mark LaMura) and that was it.
Carlivati: That was more of a tease, but yes, Viki will have her own story.
Digest: What endears you to daytime TV?
Carlivati: What I love about soaps is classic soap opera storytelling. I’ve watched soaps for a long time, so I think you have to respect the history of the show and the audience wants to see that, and because I’m a fan, I’d like to think that I think like a fan and what the fans will want to see. You do have to keep it fresh and modern and innovative and all that, but what I like is that a soap can be not just a drama, not just a comedy, not just a fantasy, it’s all of those things together. What I love is having the opportunity to tell all different kinds of stories.
Digest: And you certainly get to do that on OLTL.
Carlivati: ONE LIFE TO LIVE is famous for being able to balance these over-the-top fantasy stories with real, serious issues and the audience loves — I think they often comment on — things like Viki goes to Heaven and the Old West story, and while part of the show is grounded in reality, we do have that over-the-top element and I’d like to hopefully get a little bit of that into the show. And humor is very important to me. I love a show like UGLY BETTY that’s a soap opera that’s also funny, but it can make you cry. I love the characters on our show that bring out humor, like Roxy, David and Rex. In general, I just think it has to be a balance. I love the whole cast and I just want to be able to tell a balanced story.
