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

Comments

[Tanya]

I cannot believe that ABC is doing this. As a fan of "All My Children" I am devastated. "The View" is not what television should be. That shows demonstrates that Television is declining its good taste. Question here is...You would let go a show that has brought numerous Emmmys among other awards instead of a show that only brings embarrasement to women and to American people? "The View" is far from entertaining and informative. Perhaps, you should let your viewers decide what we really want and not what your pockets are screaming for...What a shame that a respected TV station is vowing down to this. I know one person cannot make a difference for something of this magnitude, however, if you continue with the cancellation of these shows...I will make it my mission that everyone in Raleigh, NC no longer watches ABC. What a Shame!

[julie Runco]

Bittersweet ??? This will backfire ... Ya.. we another reality show and cooking show.

[Della C]

Iam a stay at home housewife . I can't wait to see what Erica is up to. Also can't wait to see what Todd is up to on One Life To Live. How dare them take those shows off the air. I have watched those shows sence they came on. I will not watch the shows that will replace them.

[Sarah]

I can't believe this, i'm so sad!! I have watched all 3 ABC soaps for as long as i can remember and continue to watch these soaps everyday!! This is a big mistake, i will never watch the new shows and hope they fail. Do we really need more shows like these, there are enough already. I hope they change their minds and realize what a loss it will be for their network.

[Nicole]

BOOOO!!! This is sad!

[O-town]

Looking forward to Brian Frons getting the axe after viewership levels fall dramatically after AMC and OLTL are cancelled. As for the morons who are responding to this with the sensitivity of a rock, get over yourselves. Daytime soap operas were an escape for everyone and gave rise to the evening soap operas like Dallas, Falcon Crest, Dynasty, 90210, Gossip Girl and even True Blood. All of their success is owed to the daytime soaps like All My Children and One life to Life. You've got some time to fix it, ABC. Don't be dumb!

[JohnRJ08]

Once again, cheap, amateur programming wins over having to pay professional actors to perform scripts written by professional writers. Can't really blame the network, though. The problem is that there is an audience for this reality show nonsense, which isn't even reality.

[Kimberly Hanson]

Well I for one will not watch their new shows. I love both of these soaps and if they are cancelled I will cancel abc as my afternoon lineup!

[deedub]

The bottom line is that they want to make more money by putting on less costly shows. They obviously don't care about the fans or the popularity of the shows.

[PRISCILLA]

I SO AGREE WITH BETH. SOAPS ARE THE ONLY "ORIGINAL PROGRAMS" ON TV THESE DAYS. ANOTHER COOKING AND MAKEOVER SHOW? REALLY ABC???

[Lisa F]

I only had One Life To Live!!!

[Brian Gallegos]

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!

[Didi]

it's soooo stupid....i'm so sick of dumb reality shows like cooking and makeover...there are networks for those kinda shows already......leave soaps alone......

[Sue Zielke]

You're kidding right? The viewers want a cooking show and more reality TV? Don't know who you talked to or where you came up with this lame idea. WILL NOT WATCH the replacement shows. The View is ok but I don't really watch it(only if an interesting guest). There is a show on another network that is FAR Superior to The View. I actually like watching it. Soapnet is done in September as well. At least I won't have to worry about missing an episode of All My Children after September. Gee, I'll actually have time to find something better to do. Reality TV sucks. If I want to learn how to cook, guess I could watch the Food Network(NOT HAPPENING). Good Luck on becoming the least watched network. You are well on your way.

[RSweeney]

Translation from PR to English: Scripted series have bloated costs, much more than talking heads, and do not deliver the revenue to cover that added cost.

Anyone in Hollywood listening?
Bueller? Anyone?

[palmstring]

I'm glad that I may not watch those shows, but I undergo the same experience in real life. It seems that there's a pattern involved: The AMC cast & crew's transfer from NY to LA (almost) rhymed with that by Conan O'Brien, whose late-night gig ideated by then-CEO Jeff Zucker of NBC led to a showdown with Leno's show until it was cancelled due to low ratings. I wonder if there's such thing as the moving stage curse. LOL! Now at least I enjoy what Crystal does: spending online indeed.

[yehudi]

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.

[Tara]

Really?!? This is a bad move I think. I will NOT be watching the new shows. :(

[Nicole]

ABC has truly, truly lost their minds. This might cause me to not watch anything on this network. Your ratings, especially daytime, are about to go way down. I'll miss you Pine Valley and Landview.

[JPL]

B. Frons destroyed AMC with terrible writers and lack of support. Good-bye ABC. Two more reality shows - like we need any more.