ABC cancels 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live'
Two classic ABC soap operas will soon meet their demise: "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will air their final episodes in September 2011 and January 2012, respectively, leaving only "General Hospital" to survive them. No word yet on whether they'll rise from the dead, like "One Life to Live"'s Elijah Clarke, after being snuffed out.
Since it premiered in 1970, "All My Children" has received more than 30 Emmy Awards and made history by airing daytime TV's first same-sex kiss between two women as well as its first lesbian wedding and the first coming-out story for a transgender character.
The Emmy Award-winning "One Live to Live" has been on the air since 1968 and was among the first in daytime television to cover interracial romance, gang violence and teen pregnancy. The show made national headlines when it introduced a gay teen character (played by Ryan Phillippe) and was later honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
In place of the two soaps will be two new series, "The Chew," a food show co-hosted by Mario Batali set to premiere in September 2011, and "The Revolution" (working title), a makeover show hosted by Tim Gunn that focuses on "health and lifestyle transformations" that will make its debut in January 2012.
"While we are excited about our new shows and the shift in our business, I can't help but recognize how bittersweet the change is," said Brian Frons, president of daytime for Disney ABC/Television Group, in a statement.
Noting that the two new series were inspired by the success of "The View," Frons said, "We are taking this bold step to expand our business because viewers are looking for different types of programming these days. They are telling us there is room for informative, authentic and fun shows that are relatable, offer a wide variety of opinions and focus on 'real life' takeaways."
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--Melissa Maerz
Photo: Susan Lucci, left, and Alicia Minshew appear in an episode of "All My Children." Credit: Virginia Sherwood / ABC
Gee I am going to missed all my favorites SOAP OPERA! I hate what they did changing the whole show into FOOD stuff! Enough trying to diet & they put more FOOD stuff on program! Bring back my SOAP OPERA -- All My Children & One Life To Live; which I ENJOY WATCHING IT SO MUCH! Please! Thank you!
Posted by: Madeline Tucci | April 16, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Since when is the ultimate audience age between 19 & 49 ?
As someone who has watched these 2 shows since my twenties, ABC is missing the boat on 2 of the most fantastic hours on air.Nobody wants another talk or health or reality show on the air. We live with this every day. OLTL & AMC have absolutely fantastic stories and actors, that keep us tuning in , DVRing, and watching Soapnet if we miss anything.I for one even watch at 8-9-and 10:00 or 1-2-and 3:00a.m. if I even miss one during the day. I taped them every day for 37 years of teaching, and am now happy to enjoy them 1st hand as a recent retiree. If these shows go off the air, I'm completely through with ABC. This means giving up my beloved Castle with Nathon Fillion [OLTL]. So please for the sake of those over 49, please keep we baby boomers wanting to see our favorite shows every day. Kudos to all the actors on these shows. You are by far the best on t.v. More people would understand if they saw your work. We so-called "old people" over 49 will never enjoy any shows replacing you, because you are all irreplaceable. ABC, please listen and don't do this !!!!
Posted by: Jody J. | April 16, 2011 at 11:52 AM
The cancellation of the two shows is ridiculous! The cable channels are full of cooking shows to the point I am sick of them. Seems no one in programing with ABC can have an original idea so they kill what is tried and true.
I have watched these shows since they began and like a lot of others, who have posted here, will not watch the new ones you plan to put in their place.
No wonder NBC gets better shows!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Linda Thompson | April 16, 2011 at 03:58 PM
instand of cancelling the two soaps why not move them to soapnet they are getting good if you the fans agree with give me a hell yes.
Posted by: Elaine | April 16, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Wow, I can't believe they are doing this right after saying they weren't. So tired of talk shows and reality shows, like someone already said there are tons of shows and channels expressly for those venues. Amazing how they think they are going to compete with all of them, so much for that bottom line. Won't be watching any of them and if I didn't love GH I wouldn't watch ABC for anything during the day.
Posted by: christina | April 16, 2011 at 04:23 PM
For the love of God. Why would ABC cancel these two great soaps? Millions of people watch and follow them, myself included. As a General Hospital fan, I'm terrified of what will happen to my show now.
What is wrong with ABC? They will lose viewers by axing two of their greatest shows!
Posted by: Kirsty | April 16, 2011 at 06:03 PM
WHY, WHY would ABC stoop so low as to take away AMC and OLTL because these R my 2 most favorite entertainment in the world of daytime TV. Why don't they put the 2 shows they R replacing them with on the FOOD Channel or even evening TV? It just does not make sense and I AGREE with all that say this will take ABC's ratings down. I will make sure I do not watch them and all of the Networks always have to take away the best from Free TV and put something in not as entertaining.
Please, Please ABC DO NOT CANCEL these two soaps.!!!! Thanks, DF.
Posted by: dflannagan | April 16, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Go ahead and cancel this show which is your business decision, and in all reality from viewer point it may be time for the whole network to be cancelled also. You had a winner and as far as I'm concerned including many of my friends, reality shows are a waste of time. So long ABC--looks like you're going the way of the dinosaur.
I concur these comments 100%!! SINCERELY, dFLANNAGAN-MAXHELEAU
Posted by: dflannagan | April 16, 2011 at 07:12 PM
I can't believe this!! I love these to soaps!! Please don't cancel them! As others have said, I REFUSE to watch the replacement shows. Come on ABC, stick with what works!
My sentiments exactly! I concur with all that have the same similar comments as I too have watched ABC afternoon because of the two shows since the '70's. They are very entertaining and it is nice to keep up with a story log. I don't live the soaps but it is true entertainment to watch on TV as a contium from day to day. I would watch it for 2hrs for 7days a week if they were on. I used to tape them too when I was working. Thanks and please send on to ABC so they can read all these comments from supporters.
Posted by: dflannagan | April 16, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Why on earth would ABC cancel these 2 soaps? I watch them every day and they are like family to me. If ABC really goes through with this ABC will NOT be a part of my television viewing. I don't want to have anything to do with this network because it is clear they no not care what the viwerer want only what they want in their little stupid world. It all comes down to the all mighty dollar.
Posted by: Debra Criag | April 16, 2011 at 09:30 PM
I and most everyone who love One life to live and All my children will not be viewing any shows on ABC EVER if these shows are Cancelled..We have enough stupid cooking and diet shows on!!!!..For god sakes we have a cooking channel if thats what we want to watch!..ABC is making a huge mistake..wait and see if these shows go off the air!
Posted by: Tammy Casson | April 17, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Why can't another network pick up All My Children and One Life to Live or have it as paid internet soap opera subscriptions.
Posted by: Gwen Shelton | April 17, 2011 at 12:09 PM
I guess ABC doesn't care about its long time watchers. We will be force fed yet another talk show. Seems that there is nothing on anymore but talk shows. Having been a fan of One Life to Live since it started I will say that the information I get from the talk shows is great but I always enjoyed a couple of hours a day to take me away from the reality that we are eating processed foods, getting cancer, our mental health is in jeopardy, our neighbors are having affairs and the dr's have to fix them. One life to live was one hour to take us away from the every day hum drum and just plain be entertained by our old friends, Beau, Clint, Vickie and all of the rest. i guarantee that I will not watch channel 7 during the 2 hours that the shows were on. I will turn off the set. Or even better maybe I will find some good shows to watch on channel 4 or 2. You would think the sponsers would care who is watching the new shows. Won't be me. Nor will I buy any of their products. Everyone who is disappointed in ABC's decision should join me and boycott channel 7. I guess some of us watchers just don't matter. Makes me feel very important as a consumer.
Posted by: pattie kerr | April 17, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Maybe boycotting ABC is not the way to go. Maybe we need to find out who the sponsers of the new shows are and boycott their products. Perhaps more of an impact and they will realize that Mr. Frons does not know what the public wants after all. No sponsers no shows
Posted by: pattie kerr | April 17, 2011 at 04:28 PM
What silly, foolish preppy businessman made this stupid decision.... I love the soaps, especially OLTL. hummm! if this decisison was made to save money. I have an idea.....just show a test pattern during this time slot.....it would be just as entertaining as a cooking show with some lame person telling us to add one pinch of salt and a pint of goats milk. I will be watching another channel during this time slot....so Choke on the first recipe from the Chew.
Posted by: Doris McCall | April 17, 2011 at 05:37 PM
I have watched All My Childern and One life To Live for over 40 years I can't belive that ABC can do this. What are they going to replace them with something Stupid. well I just won't watch it I say that we need to boycot ABC
Posted by: sherry | April 17, 2011 at 06:26 PM
THIS IS BULL, AND YOU ARE MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE. I HAVE WATCHED THESE SOAPS ALL MY LIFE, AND YOU DON'T EVEN GIVE US A VOTE. THESE SO CALLED NEW SHOWS, WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REPLACE YOUR VIEWER COUNT. YOUR ASKED TO FAIL AND I HOPE YOUR WISH COMES TRUE.
Posted by: MARILU | April 17, 2011 at 06:49 PM
SOAP CHANNEL PLEASE SAVE ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE!!! ONE LIFE TO LIVE HAS BEEN GREAT THESE PAST FEW YEARS, I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT GO. ;( I WILL NEVER WATCH ANOTHER PROGRAM ON ABC!!! i'M SURE THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT AGREE
Posted by: C Price | April 17, 2011 at 09:07 PM
one life to live is my favorite show, I cant beleive its being cancelled.i've watched it since I was a kid.
I will not watch either of the new shows, sorry ,there is at least a 100 cooking shows on tv right now they even has its own network.reality shows are one too many,
its sad but abc will c a big drop in its viewers once they take our shows from us, is there away another network can pick them up ???
Posted by: linda dare | April 17, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Don't cancel one life to live, but the other can go, just don't cancel One Life to Live! PLEASE!
Posted by: Mel | April 17, 2011 at 09:45 PM