It's Time...

It's with a heavy heart that I have decided to close The Pine Valley Bulletin.  Yes, the show was canceled back in April.  Yes, it last aired September 23.  But still I haven't closed the site.  The show lingered on as fans waited to see if there would be an 11th hour save, and were jerked around quite a bit in the process!  And when the save didn't happen, we commiserated our disappointment.  

I've tried my best to hold on.  Soap fans are nothing if not loyal, and now, I feel a bit like a traitor.  But I have to do what I feel in my heart is the right thing for me.  And letting it go is the right thing for me.  And then, as of late, each and every time I came close to articulating it, something bizarrely AMC would happen.  I was getting ready to write this post last week when a friend told me she got me the autograph of one of my fave stars from the show, Darnell Williams.  Jesse Hubbard!   Seriously, he's one of the main reasons I started watching AMC in the first place way back when.  And so I put my thoughts on the back burner, again.   And yesterday, as I sat down to write this again, what do I find in my mailbox delivered via Priority Mail?  A copy of People Magazine's commemorative AMC hardcover issue signed by none other than Susan Lucci!  So it keeps feeling like the forces of nature are telling me not to let it go.   How does that keep happening?  But when that bit of excitement about the latest autograph or bit of news or whatever fades, I still feel like it's the right time to move on. 

I'm blessed.  Truly.  So very blessed.  AMC has done wonderful things for me.  I've had so many adventures.  I've met so many people.... both of the celeb variety and fellow fans.  I've made lifelong friends because of AMC.  I've met people who I never ever would have met if we didn't have AMC in common.  I've received cards, letters, gifts, and countless words of encouragement and support through the years.  When my dad was sick, AMC fans were there for me.  When my Grandma died, you were there for me again.  You have always cared and been supportive.  Yes, when I look back on my time as a Pine Valley Diva I can honestly say it has been a blessing to me.

So how does one walk away from it?  Believe me, I've grappled with that thought for months.  Can I do it?  Can I walk away?  Can I end a part of my life that has all at the same time given me joy, heartache and a weird level of fame?  And the answer is always yes - now is the time to move on.   Because my heart tells me that there is something else on the horizon that will bless me with all the things my AMC site has in the past.  Maybe it's the book so many have been encouraging me to write.  Maybe it's just living my life and being who I am.  Whatever it is, I can't wait to find out! 

Thank you, thank you all so much for 13 amazing years with the PVB.   And thank you AMC, for 41 amazing years.  This site will remain online as a history source for the show, although I will no longer be posting on it.  As for the message boards, they will remain open indefinitely.  xoxo

Happy 42nd Anniversary AMC!!

It's bittersweet isn't it?  Today would have been the 42nd anniversary of AMC.  Seems strange still that it's gone. 

Darnell Williams Joins Y&R

No details are yet available as to character or airfare, but Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Darnell Williams (Jesse) is joining the cast of Young and the Restless! Wow! For the fourth time, Darnell and Debbie Morgan (Angie) will be working on a soap together (AMC, The City, Loving and now Y&R).  Stay tuned for details as they come available.

Charles Barkley Talks AMC with Conan

Loved this!   The segment was longer when I was watching it, but this will have to do!   :)

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and everything in between to all!  It wouldn't be the holidays at the PVB without this posting!   =)

 

A Christmas Message from Jill Larson

To All My Beloved Lovers of Pine Valley,

It is at the holiday time that one thinks of friends and family and longs to be in touch.  And that is why I'm writing to all of you. 

We have had a hard year, suffering the death of two of our shows, feeling our soap community scatter to parts unknown.  When I stand on line at the grocery store  and see the ABC Soaps-in-Depth magazine, I think they have to rename it..."Soap-In-Depth", it looks so sad sitting there with only General Hospital left.

But as with any loss, there is a special bonding and renewed appreciation that occurs between those who remain, and I certainly feel that.  I have had some wonderful conversations with fans, people I meet on the street.  Not that I haven't always had wonderful conversation with any of you I have had the pleasure of meeting, but somehow these exchanges feel more substantial as we discuss how the ending of AMC has affected each of us.  I have so admired and marveled at your passion and your loyalty to all of us over the years, and I hope you know just how much it has always meant to us, and still means to us today.


Last Christmas was my first without my mother.  As a family we thought of her, spoke about her, and kept her spirit alive in our hearts.  That is what we must all do this year, our first Christmas without Pine Valley, we must remember the ideals and the spirit of the show, and of the whole community, and carry them with us in our hearts. 


As Agnes said in the very beginning: The great and the least,
                                                           The weak and the strong,
                                                           The rich and the poor,
                                                            In sickness and in health,
                                                            In joy and sorrow,
                                                            In tragedy and triumph,
                                                            You are All My Children.

Wishing you all a wonder-filled holiday, and many more wonders in the new year!!

With Much Love,
Jill




Thanks for sending this along Debbie!

Happy Birthday Susan Lucci!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Susan Lucci!  She celebrates her 65th birthday today!!  
 

Congratulations Natalie Hall!!!

Congratulations to Natalie Hall (Colby) and Brandon Barash (GH)!!   The couple recently got engaged!   Natalie can be seen this holiday season in the Hallmark Channel original movie, Love's Christmas Journey (which has already aired but check Hallmark listings for possibly more airings).

Frons is out!!!!

The news is nine years too late and unfortunately he wasn't fired which makes it a little less satisfying, but Brian Frons, the most hated man in all of daytime, is leaving ABC!   Read all about it on Deadline.com and EW.com.   I hope for the sake of CBS soap fans, he doesn't land there!

Very Interesting Indeed...

An article that appeared on TheDailyBeast.com recently has gotten quite a big reaction, from fans and actors alike!  The article talks about what went wrong with Prospect Park's plans to launch AMC and OLTL online.  But I think it's Cady McClain's (Dixie) rebuttal of the article that I find most interesting.  Check out the article HERE, and Cady's response HERE.

It is, and has been my quiet opinion all along that we were had.  That it was far too good to be true.  And that it would never happen because there was no way they could come up with the money to make it happen.  Quiet because so many were so excited and optimistic and I didn't want to step on that with my glass half empty attitude. After reading so much on what went wrong I guess I wasn't too far off.  It's sad.  Sad all around.  For the cast and crew, for Agnes, for us.  I said at the very beginning of all this, "I wish they had let AMC go with dignity," and I still wish that.  Now we will forever have a half assed ending with no resolution.  What a shame.

AMC (and OLTL) Will Not Continue Online

Official word just came in, AMC and OLTL will not continue online.  Read Prospect Park's official statement HERE.

It's not exactly a surprise.  The news has been filtering in all morning and I really just wanted us all to enjoy JR's big win last night and Thanksgiving and not have all the downer news posted, but there it is.  It couldn't be avoided any longer.  I guess there really is nothing more to say.

JR Wins DWTS!!!!

Congratulations to JR Martinez (Brot) and partner Karina Smirnoff for taking home the mirror ball trophy on Dancing with the Stars!!!

Susan Addresses Rumors

Susan Lucci (Erica) took to the airwaves of Facebook and her official website yesterday to try and clear up any misconceptions about her and Prospect Park.  Her official statement is as follows:

I want my fans to know the truth. There has been miscommunications as a result of statements in the press that I am one of the reasons that All My Children is not moving forward. This is simply untrue and not the case. We have been in discussions since Prospect Park first expressed interest in moving the series online, and in correspondence dated September 8th, I made it clear that I would be ecstatic to be a part of All My Children in a prominent way if they committed to producing the series for another year. I have not heard back from Prospect Park since then, in fact, I learned of their decision not to proceed with All My Children at the same time you did, through the media.

It's been a privilege and honor to be involved with the All My Children family for so many years, from working closely with Agnes Nixon to getting to know millions of devoted and wonderful fans.

I also recently read a statement by Vincent Irizzary (David) where he also had to deny he was the cause!  Seriously, one person or persons is not to blame for the show not going on.  There are many factors involved so putting the blame on an actor is beyond silly IMO. 

Happy Birthday Alexa Havins!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Alexa Havins!!   AMC's Babe (former, and I guess we can call her the current Babe after her finale return) celebrates her 31st birthday today.   Did you catch Alexa on the Starz original series Torchwood:  Miracle Day?  She rocked (as did the series!)

As The Soaps Turn...

The continuing saga of Prospect Park and will they or won't they air the soaps.  This article really breaks it all down.  It doesn't solve anything, but it definitely puts it all out there!  Click HERE.