Can’t we all just get along?

I think most people believe that if another world war occurs, it’s going to involve the Middle East.

I have news for you, it’s currently happening on daytime television message boards.

The two foes? ‘General Hospital’ and ‘One Life to Live’ fans.

In one corner, the reigning (and only ABC soap left standing) heavy weight champion is ‘General Hospital.’ GH fans are starting to get snippy about an influx of OLTL fans stealing air time and front burner status from their favorite GH actors. They seemed okay with it when it looked like just guest shots – but now two of the four visiting OLTL actors have been signed to long-term contracts (Roger Howarth and Kristen Alderson respectively).

In the other corner, we have the underdog OLTL fans who have been battered and bruised beyond recognition and are now clinging to any ray of hope that they can – a merger between OLTL and GH.

If you’re only a fan of one of the shows, it’s easy to get tunnel vision. I happen to be a fan of both the shows and I can see both sides.

Let’s look at the simple facts first; this is crunch time for GH. If a decision about the soap’s future hasn’t already been made, it will be soon. Katie Couric takes GH’s time slot in September. The one shot of saving the soap seems to be dislodging the underperforming ‘The Revolution’ – which usurped OLTL’s time slot a few months ago.

Katie Couric came out in the media recently to say she preferred GH as a lead-in to ‘The Revolution.’ Now, all of a sudden, fans are on the Couric bandwagon. If you ask me, she’s hedging her bets. I would wager she’s been getting hate mail and lambasted on the Internet by GH fans blaming her for the possible cancellation of their soap. She’s just trying to placate the masses. I’ll take it, though.

As a denizen of a bevy of daytime message boards, I’ve seen cause for concern the past two weeks or so – right about the time that Starr’s car rolled off an embankment and killed her boyfriend and toddler. The OLTL and GH fans are at each other’s throats. Fans of both seemed to be neutral – and trying to play peacekeeper between the two factions.

I get it. GH fans don’t want OLTL actors and stories coming onto the canvas and taking it over. They don’t have the same affection or love that OLTL fans have for them – and that’s fine. They don’t have to.

On the flip side, OLTL fans seem to be fanning the flames by trying to get even more of their favorite characters brought over. That might be a little premature. Any additions needed to be folded in seamlessly – they can’t just be wedged in.

It’s become clear that they’re trying to pair Starr and Michael – and it may work – but I don’t think it was necessary to kill off the grandchild of not one but two OLTL super couples like they did. Whatever, though, it’s over and done with.

Kassie DePaiva (Blair) has said she’s only been asked to do a few guest spots. So far, we don’t know her future. Since Blair and GH’s Carly, though, have a lot in common I’m not sure the writers think having both characters is necessary. Only time will tell on that front.

Roger Howarth will finish up his current guest spot and then leave the canvas for about two months before returning full time in May. Of all the OLTL characters, I think bringing his over makes the most sense. Todd is a character that will not cow tow to Sonny and Jason (like the rest of the GH canvas does) and it might make for some exciting drama.

The final OLTL piece is John “Mullet” McBain, pretty much my least favorite character in OLTL history. Right now, from all I’ve read, I think he’s slated to stick around town for six months or so (I really haven’t seen a definitive number anywhere) but I would bet GH will try to keep him full time. This will mark Michael Easton’s third ABC soap, and I’d bet my vintage ‘Millenium Falcon’ that they’re going to at least test the chemistry between him and Kelly Monaco.

I could do without McBain. I know Easton has a devoted following – and truth be told I like his writing – but as an actor he leaves a lot to be desired for me, but I digress.

I think the most important thing that both sides in this discussion need to embrace is balance. GH fans need to realize that the OLTL fans have helped boost ratings – and that’s necessary to save GH.

The OLTL fans need to realize that they can’t have all of Llanview move to Port Charles and take over. That’s not going to happen and trying to push that agenda is just going to alienate GH fans more and if GH fans flee their soap it will most definitely be cancelled – which will leave Llanview denizens homeless again.

Another thing OLTL fans need to realize is that they alone didn’t help boost GH’s ratings – the death of longtime fave Robin and the returns of Holly, Robert and Anna also contributed to the boost. Neither side did it on their own.

I think fans should take this as an opportunity to cut the dead weight from GH’s cast and make one streamlined soap. Fans of Port Charles know we can survive without Spinelli, Olivia, Steve, nuKate, tempMaxie, Matt, Ewen, Dolores, Shawn, T.J. and Maggie. If we cut this dead weight, it can only improve the overall performance of the show. It would also make room for a couple more GH vet returns to help balance the cast. 

I know that asking fans to forget their gripes and make up is out of the question. This is the Internet age and online trolls won’t ever let that happen.

What you can do is take a deep breath, look across the battle lines, and try to see things from the other side’s perspective. You may still not agree, but you might understand your enemy just a little bit more.

Either way, we should all learn how to get along. This is our last shot to save at least a hint of ABC daytime as we know it. We’re going to have to work together to do it.

What do you think? Can you handle a blended OLTL and GH?