1970s

Aug 15

From Walter:

The Erika Slezak Fan Club Newsletter: The 70s

In this Newsletter section, you will find available newsletters - these newsletters matured over time shifting from its first typewritten edition to online distribution over the span of 40+ years.

As you peruse the “old school” newsletters that were typed, copied, collated, stapled, folded, stuffed, sealed, addressed, stamped, and mailed (whew), you will notice how the publication went from “Baby Steps to a Comfortable Stride.” The 70s were the age of innocence…I was young and One Life to Live was young, as it had barely been on the air for four years when the fan club began in 1972. Even though our newsletters got more polished as the fan club grew, there has always been something for everyone in every issue. The most constant offering, and what I daresay the members wanted the most, was information about Erika and interaction with her. Because there was no social media like FaceBook or Instagram in the 70s, we helped fan club members connect, interact, and share their opinions.

In “Dateline Erika”, Erika shares with us her current goings-on and in the column, “Ask Erika”, she also answers member questions. Of course, her annual holiday letters are to be forever cherished. From time to time, you will read interviews with other cast members and even some ABC executives.

For the past 54 years this has been a labor of love, I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I have enjoyed being the president of this fan club.

Highlights for the 70s

Erika’s first Off-Broadway show (“The Circle”) where she meets husband-to-be Brian Davies
Two Erika Slezak/Lee Patterson Fan Club Gatherings (1975 and 1978) and two back-to-back One Life to Live gatherings
Erika and other cast members compete on Family Feud game show
Erika’s marriage to Brian Davies
Announcement of Erika and Brian expecting their first children
Walter Slezak appears with Erika on One Life to Live. (An interview with Walter Slezak, at their home, is also featured.)

Storyline Highlights

Storylines include Marcy Wade gaslighting Viki, Tina Clayton’s introduction, Joe Riley’s death, and Viki meets Clint when the Buchanans come to town
Based on a false assumption by Dorian, Dorian is banned from practicing medicine which sets up what will become a 40 year conflict between Viki and Dorian