It was September, 1979 and a new day was dawning at "One Life To Live" with the introduction of the Buchanan family. Clint, Bo and Asa rode in to Llanview and have been a huge part of the canvas for over twenty three years.

Of course Clint, the eldest Buchanan son, rode out of town several years back. Clint did return for a brief visit in 2000.

The good news is actor Clint Ritchie will be bringing Clint back to town on Feb.19 as part of ABC's Fan February. Viewers asked and now they shall receive. And the cowboy rides again in this special episode.

"It's a fantasy flashback thing," explains Ritchie. "It's back in the 1880's-you remember the 1880's storyline-it has to do with that. It's the Buchanan's ride again. I wear a very white hat," he laughs. "In fact I called Frank's (Valentini, Executive Producer) office and said I just read the script and I want to know just how damn white is this hat!" 

Ritchie laughs, "You're going to have to shoot some doughing spray on it or it's going to burn out the lens of the camera!"

While Ritchie may joke about Clint being the good guy, his experience back at the show proved great. "It was just a beautifully written script," he enthuses. "It was so wonderful working with those people again. There aren't actually any words to express how much fun I had. I thought I was going in to do a job and get back on the plane. It was SO much more than that!"

Although Ritchie was ecstatic about his day back, even he has found the absence of Clint on-screen during the Natalie/Jessica story a tad baffling. "I had always thought Clint should have a good death scene. But they wouldn't kill him off. Then I was wondering why they didn't recast and get Clint back on the show. I thought there should be A Clint Buchanan on the show," he explains. "Then this thing with two eggs and two sperm, I mean come on!" 

When Ritchie arrived in New York to film his scenes, nostalgia took over. Ritchie was overwhelmed with being back in the city and at the show that made him a daytime legend. Seeing his old friends made it complete.

Ritchie explains, "I knew at the beginning that I was going to enjoy seeing the people (at the show). It was five hundred times more pleasant than I even imagined it would be. It was wonderful! I just can't say enough about the people-without exception! The shoot, being back in the neighborhood-everything. I'm a country boy, but I was walking back to the hotel, through the neighborhood where I lived for twenty years, and I didn't realize how much I missed it. When I had been asked, do you miss New York, my answer was always no. I've always wanted to be at the ranch. I just can't say enough about what a great experience it was!"

He continues, "Woodsy (Bob Woods, Bo) and Phil (Carey, Asa) took me to dinner. We had about eight to ten people for dinner. Frank Valentini was there. They just went all out-I was bewildered by it. It was just so pleasant. And Phil's wife Colleen and Bob's wife Loyita and their son the Tanner-man were so gracious and fantastic. They were all just wonderful." 

Ritchie's excitement also extends to the new and improved 'One Life To Live'.  "I got the script and I think the writing has just improved from what it's been the last five or six years, just improved immensely," explains the actor.  "And Frank (Valentini) of course has always been a special guy. No matter what job he did, he always did it the best. You keep your eye on this guy-he's going places! I think 'One Life' is going to be taking names and kicking ass!!!" 
"I think Mike Malone and Josh Griffith (the writers) are also going to kick ass!", says Ritchie. "And Frank's going to turn the show around.  When Frank became executive producer, I think he could've done it five-six years ago. That was a big plus. I think the show is going to turn around and it's about time!"

Ritchie's admiration for his 'One Life' family is proof that you can take the man out of the soap (and put him on the ranch no less!), but you cant take the soap out of the man. 

While Ritchie has occasionally tuned in to the show to see what's going on-"I dont build my day around it," he explains-he certainly has very strong feelings on daytime in general. 

Let's let Ritchie tell it; "I think for a long time the powers that be didn't take into consideration what the fans were writing in about. And they kind of figured, they'll (fans) watch what we give them to watch-screw em!!! I think that might have been their attitude. And it was insulting the fans' intelligence-I've said this for years. The fans aren't going to watch garbage. You've got to give them SOMETHING. And when they've had quality for awhile and you take it away from them, they WILL leave. And Frank knows that. And I think (Brian) Frons knows it." 

Continuing, Ritchie says, "When I was there before, the only competition 'One Life' had were the other ABC shows. It was usually 'General Hospital', 'All My Children' and "One Life' in the ratings. We always won our time slot, but then we were trying to beat out 'All My Children'-which we did a couple of times. Now all three of the shows have been down for years in the ratings. I think Frons is going to turn around the whole thing in a short time." 

Happily ensconced on his ranch called "Happy Horse" in Northern California, Ritchie has a full life on the spread, rarely leaving the grounds.

"I don't even go in to town to do my own shopping," he laughs. "I really don't go to town unless I have to.  Working with horses-it never stops. You think you own property until you start realizing the property owns you! I enjoy it."

In fact ask the man where he hopes to be in five years and he quickly says the ranch. 

That begs the question, would Ritchie return to 'One Life' full time? He responds, "It hasn't really been discussed. That would be a real tough decision. I like the ranch, plus I've got a few problems out here right now that require me being here on site to solve them. It really would be a tough decision. I enjoyed being back there way more than I thought I would. We'll have to see. I'm not being coy."                 

Of course there is always the idea of commuting back and forth, an idea Ritchie would not be thrilled with. The man is not a fan of flying and doesn't see that in his life daily.

If the show doesn't get him back full time, Ritchie does have another project in the works to get him off the ranch a bit. He plans on taking a twelve week computer course with his ranch foreman. "I'm so computer stupid you wouldn't believe it," he laughs.

Ritchie holds a world of gratitude to his fans and realizes how devoted they are. 

The fans really are loyal with a capital L," he says. "I'm very flattered that the fans still remember Clint Buchanan and Clint Ritchie. I hope I do them proud. I hope they are happy with the performance. I wish them all the best-God bless 'em."                                             

"When I first started talking to Frank (about returning), I said Frank I'm very flattered that you want me to come back to the show. He said Bucky (his nickname) I didn't have any choice. I've been getting nothing but letters and things since I took over the job. It's the fans-they want you back. I'm just doing what the fans want. I thought, somebody is finally listening to the fans!"

Listening to Ritchie you can tell how much his 'One Life' experience has meant to him. He has kind words for his new co-stars, calling Bree Williamson (Jessica) "a lovely actress" and Melissa Archer (Natalie) "great and a lovely personality."  But his heart was heavy for one cast mate, "You gotta miss Erin Torpey (ex-Jessica)-she grew up on the show. I miss her."

Being the consummate professional Ritchie even went to bat for embattled ex-Executive producer Gary Tomlin. Many fans blame Tomlin for not listening to them in getting Clint back on the screen sooner.  Ritchie offers a different perspective.

"I've got to say something about Gary Tomlin," he says. "First of all I think Gary Tomlin is a talented, talented, talented man. I know he used to write for soaps-I only knew him as a director. I thought he was excellent, absolutely excellent. I expected him to be damn good as a producer.  I think the powers that be, Frons wasn't there yet, I don't think we had the chance to enjoy the talent of Gary Tomlin because of people telling him what to do from up above. I dont think he was able to express himself and show his talents. I think if you discussed it in years, you'd have to go a couple of rungs up the ladder to who was sitting on the producers before, telling them what to do. Gary was a damn fine director-he had a vision and I think that was dampened by other people trying to tell him how to produce. If people had gotten out of his way-I just think Gary maybe getting a bum rap."

You definitely can tell from talking to Ritchie that his day back at 'One Life' was more than just a great experience. "When we got through with our scenes," he explains, "you could hear the crew saying this stuff is fun. The Buchanan's are back. Why can't we do this everyday. The whole studio was in on it. Like I told you at the beginning, it was such a delightful experience."

Fans of the show get to see Clint Ritchie make his triumphant return on February 19th. 

But you've got to ask Ritchie one last question. Was it great working with the esteemed actors who comprise the Buchanan clan after all these years?

"Oh yeah!", he says (and you see he's smiling) "Philly, Bobby, Erika-they were all so gracious. Erika was just wonderful. They all were. The crew was fantastic-they've always had a special place in my heart. They were just fantastic! I just cant rave about it enough!"

Welcome back Mr. Ritchie, you have been missed!

Go back to Clint Ritchie's Official Fan Site

We at Soaptown USA would like to thank Clint for taking time out of his busy schedule and allowing us this interview.  In addition thanks to JHSiess Esq for putting this interview together.