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

[Barbara Montgomery]

I've been watching AMC since 1976 when my mom got me interested. When she died she made me promise to watch and when I got to heaven to get her up to date.

There will be two angels in heaven crying because our favorite TV show is going away.

There are so many cooking and View type shows on all the networks that it at one time was novel but I am bored with it now. I only watch Top Chef, Project Runway, and love Bravo TV for its excellent programming.

Your immaturity in following the crowd certainly doesn't show creativity nor an adventurous spirit. Following the herd....

You have a loyal and devoted fan base that you have thrown to the dogs. Thanks a lot....in short, ABC sucks.

[Tara]

BAD CALL ABC!! I WILL NOT BE WATCHING ANY OF YOUR NEW SHOWS AND MAYBE NOT EVEN YOUR STATION ALL!!

[Barbara Horn]

I can't believe this crap!We do not need another boring food, or self help show!

[margarita]

I am So Sad My Mother Is 77 years old.. She Love her soaps She been watching them since the begin...There need to be something done about this!

[jolee getz]

i can't believe you're cancelling ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE. THESE shows are great. i hope you please change you're mind. who needs another cooking show anyway.

[A. Hick]

Soap operas do not seem as relevant in the internet and information overload age, post Howard Beale's realization in the person of Glenn Beck, the age of reality TV , journalism replaced by partisan entertainment, aka Fox News, MSNBC.

Soaps, like the Fairness Doctrine, belong to an earlier time. I doubt younger people watch them much. ABC probably believes old farts will watch the cooking show, and boomers wishing they were still young will watch the makeover thing.

I haven't watched a soap opera in years, and don't even know which ones are still one the air. This article implies General Hospital is the only one left on ABC, and its days are probably numbered. I will have to see if CBS and NBC still air any sudsers during the day: I remember titles like Days of Our Lives (NBC), etc.

Dark Shadows was the only decent one. Edge of Night and The Doctors (which launched Alec Baldwin) had their funny moments. General Hospital might survive if it went retro camp and brought back the organ.

[Stephenie]

Bad move, ABC. Why not considering writing INNOVATIVE AND INTERESTING story lines to keep the viewers' interest? Your programming will change, and so will mine. When both of these doaps leave ABC, so will I.

[Joey G]

What a let down. I've been watching AMC and OLTL since 1970 I would attend morning Kindergarten and be home to have lunch and watch with my mother and 41yrs later and 2000 miles from Mom we still watch and discuss together. I think most of us watch the soaps to make us laugh at our own lives realizing that our lives could be worse or at least I do. I really don't need the replacement shows as there are so many already out there of which I now choose not to watch. To the Advertisers, perhaps you can get commercials on Netflix because now I have 2 hrs a day to watch movies from their online service. Advice to other viewers there are better cooking shows watch only the ones with healthy cooks and recipes you are what you eat. God bless to all those loosing your jobs and many thanks for the years of entertainment. I will look for your artistry in other venues.

[Elaine Breedlove]

I can not believe you are cancelling these 2 shows after all these years. I have been watching them since the very beginning. I still remember the first show of All My Children in January of 1970. I have worked my whole life but still taped the shows and watched them later. Many times I have wanted to let ABC know how I have felt about some of the more controversial issues. But this is it. You probably do not agree with those of us who are faithful viewers but this is most certainly the biggest mistake you will ever make. I am done, finished, gone, will never ever watch ABC again, but I am sure that I will be hearing of ABC's demise.

[Evie]

You have got to be kidding. Guess I will go to another channel to watch T V ABC you were a great station and now you will be nothing. How can you take them off they are great shows. If anything take off General Hospital and leave One Life To Live alone. I am very disappointed in your discussion.

[Cathy]

You have to be kidding. Anyone ever heard of the Food channel? These shows have been around along time I just was in shack to read that. I used to watch both shows but for the last few years I changed to General Hospital and Days of our lives. Makes me wonder about their future also. I would be livid if they shut down those soaps. I can onlt imajin how the fallowers of the cancelled shows must feel. Come on people we are not being left much in the line of entertainment anymore as it is.

[Jane Karnes]

Boo to ABC. You sure did not poll public opinion for this one. The only show I really look forward to watching is One Life To Live. If you take it off the air - I will not be watching ANY shows on your network. I have a lot of friends who feel the same way. Believe me, this will not be a profitable move for your network. I plan to spend a lot more time reading.

[A. Scalley Wagg]

I guess this means there isnt gonna be a re-make of "Dark Shadows?"

LOL!

ABC producers are screwing up as badly as BHO is....

[Joan]

This is the most inane decision. These people have been like friends for years & you're killing them off . For what - another cooking show or make-over show. Thanks. Want to talk bottom line - watch how many people boycott your new shows. I will watch as few ABC shows as possible including The View

[patricia]

Bad Choice. Who needs another food show. We already have a dozen. More actors out of work! I love these show and the writing. Change your mind.

[patricia]

Bad Choice. We already have too many food shows.

[arthellia Isaacs]

This is tragic. these shows are american instiutions, they are a part of my life; heck, they are me. I grew up with Viki and Erica and Angie and so many characters! This is the end of an era. So sad; and the replacements sound like lack lustre reality garbage.

[A. Scalley Wagg]

Remember the movie "Snakes on a Plane?"

Tune into the new ABC series "Snakes on a Network" about the programers that seek to bite the hand that has fed them!

I guess this means a "Dark Shadows" re-make is outta the question??? LOL!

[debbie rossi]

sounds like more of the same ol same ol to me. i rush home from work for one life to live. thanks for nothing.

[Jean]

NO FREAKIN' WAY! ABC, you can't do this! Aren't there enough cooking and makeover shows on already?! You can't take this life long legend off the air. All My Children has been apart of my life since I was 11 yrs. old. I remember watching the very first show with my Aunt that babysat me while I attended grade school!

Please please tell me this isn't true. That no final decissions have been made!

I'm 100% sure that I am not the only fan that feels this way. You are ruining TV! You leave us no choice but to rent movies or watch pay channels.. Please don't take this or these iconic soap operas off TV.