READER PANEL

Join the Soap Opera Digest Reader Panel. If you love this magazine, you'll love being on the Reader Panel!

PROFILE

Star of the Week

Melissa Archer

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

Bio

— Yolanda Perez/ABC

Melissa Archer (Natalie Buchanan Vega, OLTL)

Archer had only one major acting credit to her name when she joined ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 2001, but handled being thrown into a front-burner story (when Natalie was revealed as Viki's daughter) with aplomb. MORE

Interviews

Interviews With Melissa

— ABC

Archer's Life Is Far From the Pits

Her recent scary pit story notwithstanding, ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Melissa Archer (Natalie) has only good things to say about the show these days. "Dena's got some cool story that she's putting together," Archer confides about head writer Dena Higley. MORE

— ABC

Melissa Archer on Jolie

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Jolie (John/Natalie) vs. Jovan (John/Evangeline) fans have a serious feud going on (even with Cristian back in town). In a recent interview with Melissa Archer, Weekly asked for her opinion: Does she think John and Natalie were a couple? MORE

— ABC

Two Reds Are Better Than One

When Soap Opera Weekly: asked OLTL's Melissa Archer (Natalie), what actor from another show she would most like to work with she didn't even need to stop to think about it. MORE

Interviews Mentioning Melissa

— ABC

Introducing John Brotherton

While viewers still don’t know what's up with new guy Jared on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Soap Opera Digest demystifies portrayer John Brotherton as best we can. MORE

Getting Acquainted With Mikey Jerome

I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR winner Mikey Jerome has been rolling with the punches ever since he began his 13-week run on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. MORE

Features

Features Featuring Natalie

— ABC

Putting On Heirs

As the Buchanans prepare to head down to Texas for Asa's will reading on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, one unaccounted-for heir remains. Will David discover that he's a Buchanan in time to claim his piece of the pie? MORE

Features About Natalie

— ABC

The Who Da Man? Quiz

If you were Natalie, would you choose cuddly Cristian, mysterious Mr. McBain, or the marvelous Michael? Or would you just say, "Forget all those bums — I'm flying solo"? Take this quiz and find out what you'd do if you were in Nat's shoes. MORE

Features With Melissa

— ABC

Bridal Gallery

Reel brides get married in grand style, so no wonder real brides like to take a cue from their dresses and 'dos. Here's a look at some wedding belles fans have asked to see again. Check back regularly for updates! MORE

— ABC

Chatting With Melissa Archer

If you've ever attended a Weekly/Digest OLTL chat, you know how passionate Jolie (John/Natalie) fans are about their favorite couple. So it was no surprise when scores of them came to Weekly's special Chat with Natalie's portrayer, Melissa Archer. MORE

Features Mentioning Melissa

— ABC

A Valentine From Llanview

It's not that far of a stretch to envision ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Todd as a ruthless medieval monarch. Or Jessica as an angelic yet passionate 19th century heroine. Or Natalie as a feisty girl explorer. Is it? OLTL didn't think so. MORE

— ABC

Slash Fiction

10 Memorable Murders (And Murderers) On ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Given Llanview's high crime rate, it's amazing that anyone sticks around in this rather dangerous town. Here's a sample of OLTL's killer stories. MORE

— ABC

Erika Slezak's 35th Anniversary

Talk about a love fest! March 16 was a very special day on the set of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The much-beloved Erika Slezak (Viki) was celebrating her 35th year on the job, so executive producer Frank Valentini threw a catered buffet lunch for cast, crew and invited guests. MORE

— ABC

10 Lessons of Llanview's Tornado

It’s tornado season and sweeps season on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, so as Llanview's residents deal with the stormy aftermath, here are the big lessons viewers learned from the terrible twister of 2006. MORE

— George De Sota/JPI

Inside OLTL's 2006 Fan Luncheon

If I were an actor on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, I would love, love, love the annual fan club luncheon. Where else does one go to experience unbridled love and enthusiasm for what you do for a living? It’s obvious that the actors really appreciate the fans — after all, they readily give up a sunny Saturday afternoon. MORE

— George De Sota/JPI

OLTL Fan Weekend Frenzy

I attended three ONE LIFE TO LIVE Fan Club events in one weekend. It was my first time attending any fan club event, and I had an amazing time. MORE

— John Paschal/JPI

The Replacements

It's always awkward when a character we know and love suddenly shows up with a new face, voice and manner. But a look back at some of the recasts in OLTL history shows how in time, some recasts actually wind up personifying the role more than the original. MORE

— Jim Antonucci/TELEVEST

OLTL FAQs

Was Nathaniel Marston (Michael) ever on another soap?
Did the woman who plays Blair on OLTL also appear in Evil Dead II?
Christina Chambers (Marty) looks so familiar. What other shows might we know her from? MORE

— ABC

Who Am I?

Think you're familiar with everyone on ONE LIFE TO LIVE? Here's your chance to find out how well you know the citizens of Llanview. These eight characters describe themselves, but don't give their names. See how many you can identify. MORE

— ABC

My Set Visit

Weekly's editorial assistant Heather Filemyr paid her first set visit to ONE LIFE TO LIVE and made a surprising discovery — Llanview, home to some of daytime's most glamorous actors and characters, isn't too different from most offices or college dorms. Here's Heather's account of her first day in Llanview. MORE

— Sue Coflin

ONE LIFE Fan Lovefest

On Aug. 21 the ONE LIFE TO LIVE cast and the show's fans gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City for the annual fan club lunch. The event was one of the liveliest ever. MORE

Timelines

Timelines Mentioning Natalie/Melissa

— ABC

Cris-story Lesson

Cristian has always been a tough nut to crack as the street kid boxer with the sensitive artist heart of gold, and he's done a lot of growing up since we met him more than a decade ago. Here is a look back at the ups and downs that have marked his tenure in Llanview. MORE

— Ann Limongello/ABC

OLTL's Greatest Falls Timeline

Those who live in Llanview may want to be extra cautious when venturing near the stairs (or bridges, cliffs or waterfalls). Get ready to take a trip (pun intended) down Memory Lane as Soap Opera Digest revisits some of Llanview's greatest falls. MORE

— ABC

Just About Jessica: A History Of OLTL's Buchanan Babe

Her mother, Viki, has seven personalities. Her biological father, Mitch, kidnapped her and she may have killed him...Jessica Buchanan's life has been full of drama, but believe it or not, it wasn't always this exciting. MORE

Photo Galleries

Photo Galleries Mentioning Natalie

— Heidi Gutman/ABC

Cult Of Personalities

On OLTL, Jessica's alternate personality — party girl Tess (Bree Williamson) — recently emerged and made things complicated for Jess's significant other, Antonio. But Jess is hardly the first Llanview resident to show, uh, another side to themselves. MORE

Melissa Archer's Awards

2005 Soap Opera Digest Award
Favorite Triangle: Natalie/John/Evangeline (Melissa Archer, Michael Easton and Renee Elise Goldsberry, OLTL)
2003 Soap Opera Digest Award
Outstanding Newcomer: Melissa Archer (Natalie, OLTL)
 

HOT OFF THE NET

POLLING BOOTH

SOAP OPERA OFFERS