Michael Malone: A Loss of Llanview’s Best

This past weekend came the tragic news that former One Life to Live and Another World headwriter Michael Malone passed away in Clinton, Conn. at age 80. He’s remembered lovingly for his Emmy-winning work on OLTL, recognized with the Best Writing award in 1994 and nominations in that category in 1992, 1995 and 1996. He was also a prolific … [Read more...]

Marlena’s Personal Recollections of Soaps’ Greatest Headwriters, Part Two

Marlena is ecstatic about the warm reaction to the recent Part 1 of this column. I’m thrilled you liked what I wrote about three great headwriters: Agnes Nixon, William J. Bell and James E. Reilly. This week, I humbly present my recollections of three more: Claire Labine (1934-2016): Co-headwriter (with Paul Avila Mayer) of Where the Heart Is … [Read more...]

Marlena’s Personal Recollections of Soaps’ Greatest Headwriters, Part One

I got my start as a soap opera journalist in 1979. There were so many shows to watch and write about then — 13, such a feast! For me, the best part of the job was (and still is) meeting, interviewing and getting to know the people who make them: actors, producers, directors, daytime network executives, etc. As a writer, though, I always gravitated … [Read more...]