Anastacia ~ Paid My Dues
Diva Forever More...
Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
ROBIN STRASSER returned to "One Life to Live" in 2003. (See Robin Strasser Returns to OLTL) She has been with OLTL on and off for about 30 YEARS. It was a difficult battle for fans to get her back once she left in 2000. Her current contract expires during February, 2008. May her devoted fans NEVER be in the position of losing this dynamic diva. She has paid her dues and then some.
During her contract negotiations in 1999, Ms. Strasser spoke to fans openly on her Hotline about her difficulty with changes that had been made behind the scenes when Jill Farren Phelps became executive producer of the show. Ultimately Ms. Strasser left at the end of her contract, though I am not quite sure if there was ever a serious attempt at negotiation. It certainly seemed that Ms. Strasser felt that she made demands that others had requested and had been granted so she did not anticipate that she would end up leaving as she was unable to negotiate a better deal and her contract expired. (See The Witching Hour)
Upon leaving OLTL, Ms. Strasser moved to California and into a home that she had recently purchased, which was near her mother. During this break from OLTL, Ms. Strasser got a recurring role on "Passions" to play a 300 year old witch name Hecuba. After Ms. Strasser's "Passions" stint ended, she hadn't heard from OLTL and there were rumors of an industry strike. She moved to Paris where she took classes in language and culture at the Sorbonne. She returned to the states for a few gigs such as appearances on the ABC sitcom "Dharma and Greg."
With new management at ABC Daytime and OLTL, Executive Producer Frank Valentini invited Ms. Strasser to return to OLTL in 2003. Fans were delighted! Believe me, I was one of them! I had given up all hope when Ms. Strasser revealed the news of her return on her Hotline. Honestly, I had to call back to make sure I heard it correctly!
Michael Malone was the OLTL head writer at the time of her return and Ms. Strasser was immediately given frontburner storyline with villain Mitch Laurence, who wasn't dead after all. Dorian married Mitch before he was discovered murdered--AGAIN. Ms. Strasser also was reunited on screen with Tuc Watkins in his role as David Vickers, a conman and Dorian's former husband. Fans also learned that during her time in Mendorra as an ambassador, Dorian was married to drug kingpin Manuel Santi and she had a daughter, Adriana, who Dorian gave away as an infant to a couple in Puerto Rico to keep her safe. Meanwhile, Dorian and David were soon to be married. Then Headwriter Dena Higley, who had replaced ousted Mr. Malone, thought otherwise. The wedding was aborted and soon Dorian found herself romantically interested in Clint Buchanan. This briefly involved a love triangle that included longtime rival Viki Davidson.
As we approach contract talks yet again, new Head Writer Ron Carlivati, who replaced the unpopular Ms. Higley, has ended the Dorian/Clint pairing. Right now, Dorian seems focused on raising her niece Starr's best friend, Langston Wilde, who Dorian has taken in at LaBoulaie as a foster daughter. She is nursing the hurt over the end of her two year relationship with Clint and she looks poised to involve herself in some devilment against Viki.
Mr. Carlivati seems to have Ms. Strasser and Dorian interwoven into the canvas as a vital part of OLTL and Llanview. Unfortunately, there is a writers strike and there is no telling when it will end. I am not completely confident there is no reason to worry about Ms. Strasser, though it would be nearly inconceivable that the show would be foolish enough to let her walk again. Furtherstill, Ms. Strasser has made it clear after her experience in 1999-2000, she will not be easily parted from the show again. 
Nonetheless, these are precarious times. If you are reading this, hopefully it means you are a fan of Ms. Strasser. Is it worthwhile to write those in charge or to call viewer comment lines in support of her even if you feel her contract will be renewed? My answer to that is--YES. It takes little time to compose a letter or make a call as opposed to living with a sense of regret should something go wrong during negotiations as in 1999. And it's not just a concern with renewal; it is the contract details that would make the stay with the soap desirous for Ms. Strasser and her fans who want to see her on screen on a regular basis with decent storylines.
I ask again, as I have so often, please take a moment to write or call the feedback lines. I want Ms. Strasser to stay and I also want her to know her fans are there to support her as she attempts to negotiate a fair contract.
VIVA la DIVA!
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