Image Credit: ABC
Considering how often it’s happened in the last few years, it should be easier to accept every time we learn of another soap opera’s demise. Yet yesterday’s news that ABC will be canceling One Life to Live next year and All My Children in September was a blow to folks who hadn’t even watched in years. It was a double whammy hit in the continued chipping away at daytime. Hard to stomach, especially when many of us grew up with OLTL and AMC. These fictional families felt as if they were our own.
Television couldn’t have asked for a better way to lure me in than through soap operas. No other type of show offered such escapism. Some of my earliest memories after coming to America from the West Indies was of the soaps that my then-babysitter watched religiously.
(“May I have more cookies, please?” “Sure, sure… now hush. Luke is on TV.”) My then-teenage brother made it a point to just happen to be home instead of out with his friends whenever Dark Shadows was on… though he’d never have called it a soap.
And I can’t forget the first soap storyline that seemed to make me a soaps fan in my own right: the crazytown roller coaster ride of supercouple Cord (John Loprieno) and the deliciously scheming Tina (Andrea Evans) on OLTL. The draw: She was not a “good girl” by any means and he was fantastic man candy. Even though I hardly understood the meaning of man candy, I found myself continually invested in their ups and downs. I don’t even remember how I managed to keep abreast of it during my school days. I wasn’t doing much taping on the VCR. But I’d somehow find out exactly how Tina, desperate for love and money, had screwed things up now.
There’d be others (AMC‘s Jesse and Angie, anyone?) but Cord and Tina were the ones that really made soaps mine. I’d grow up to love the genre as a whole, particularly those built around powerful families. (Sorry Passions, I wasn’t into the fantastical clans — though I did have that Port Charles vampire phase). And I understand the economics of it all. But somehow knowing that there will be a world without Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) or Bo Buchanan (Robert Woods) just makes me wish OLTL had life in it yet.
Read more:
15 Soaps We’ve Loved, Lost
ABC cancels ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’
Do canceled soap stars have another life to live?
I feel horrible for the casts and crews of both shows. I used to watch All My Children religiously for Leo (Josh Duhamel) and Greenlee (Rebecca Budig! I remember literally running home so I could see what happened next for them.
ABC Disney CO. doesn’t get it. Everyone I know DVR’s the soaps every day while at work. Nielson doesn’t count taping into their criteria so ABC get a backbone and change the system! All that is on during those hours is gutter trash and I’m betting thats the direction ABC wants to go. I have been watching these shows since they came on the air and will never watch another ABC show again if they continue with their plan. Smooth move ABC!!! Anyone that wants these shows to stay on the air respond to ABC and their sponsers.
I record AMC and OLTL everyday too and watch it in the evening. I’ve been watching for 30 years and find ABC’s cancellation appalling!!! No more ABC for me!
Your post here is exactly the problem. Of course ABC is canceling show. ABC is losing money on these shows. You can’t expect ABC to continue to lose money on these shows and stay in business. ABC is making a business decision and they are probably making the right one.
The irony here is that alot of you openly admit that you DVR/tape the shows then watch later so you don’t have to watch the commercials. This means that ABC isn’t getting paid by their advertisers because you are not watching the commercials. In short, most of you here, are simply whinning about the fact that you can no longer freeload watching these shows without paying for them.
And we wonder why America is running 1 trillion dollar budget deficits…
I am so sad that AMC and OLTL are being cancelled. I have been watching these 2 shows since they first aired. ABC is truly making some big mistakes here. I will not tune into any shows ABC airs anymore. These shows are my escape from a hard days work in the evenings. I am sick of the reality shows and all the talk shows that continue to rehash old issues and all the food shows…give me a break.
Hmmm Dave, I did not see anyone mentioning they DVRed to avoid commericals, only that they DVRed while at work. Unfortunately many jobs do not allow you to watch afternoon shows real time much as you might want to. For my part, I usually end up watching the commercials as I watch the shows at night while doing work around the house. I have no interest in the replacement shows mentioned so ABC will be losing me as a viewer for 10 hours a week. Gee that gets me down to one hour of ABC a week.
Given I am in their desired audience I guess they are losing what they most desire.
I agree Danny. I am not going to watch ABC. can’t stand it now.
After ATWT was cancelled – a show that I had watched my entire life – my viewership of CBS has dropped 90%. There are a few shows I watch but I find that I avoid CBS. ATWT was making a profit and the show that they replaced it with has horrible ratings and given the expensive panel cast, they must be breaking even at best (I doubt that though). I’ve been a Nielsen family twice. I hope I get a third chance because CBS’ treatment of ATWT’s (and Gl’s) fans will never be forgotten or forgiven by me.
I just don’t get it I have been watching All My Children since I was like 3years old. I work and tape them everyday so what am I suppose to do now
If they think they are losing my money from people recording the shows imagine how much they will lose if nobody watches abc all together!!!!
If you record on your DVR and watch the same day, it counts on the ratings. THe real problem is SoapNet, where many people record or watch their favorite soap. Sadly, this plays no part in ratings. Beautiful shows, stories and characters have to leave because stuffy old men and clueless young ones don’t appreciate generations of wonderful storytelling!
They are using their dvrs cause they’re at work!!!
I am so saddened by the cancellation of both of these shows. It is not fair to any show because it is recorded. There needs to be a new way to count ratings. Many people record shows to watch when it is convenient for them. Therefore Nielson ratings are innaccurate.
EXCELEENT POINT Charlena !!!…and to the ” genius” that claimed ” …and we wonder why America is running trillion dollar deficits “, well first of all, I really doubt that commercials really influence the consumer to purchase a certain product…it makes the consumer aware of the product, but in the end, the comsumer will buy whichever product is on sale. Secondly, I don’t see the correlation between the entertainment industry and the American deficit..the problem with the deficit are all the idiots in Washington always giving themselves pay raises and NOT taking care of the American people..IE: Social Security…Health Insurance…JOBS !!!??? Maybe you should take a course in Economics and THEN you can complain about deficits and maybe you will understand that by cancelling 2 TV shows is NOT going to solve the American deficit…if it did, then Charlie Sheen has a lot more responsibility running on his shoulders because of his running of his show and that show not being aired, and possibly will also soon be a cancelled TV show!!!
very sad and upset about them going off theair we do not need a nother food show
I am tired of networks craming crap tv down my throat. I do not not like reality tv, food shows,and talk shows (with the exception of Oprah). I have started watching shows on TNT and FX where I do not have to even see advertisements for stupid shows like that.
Lori, I am 100% in agreement with you. I hate reality TV, food shows, & talk shows (with the exception of Ellen) and I am sick to my heart about losing my OLTL that I have watched since I was 9 yrs. old. I am totally boycotting ABC and have no use for them, and I hope their new shows that replaced our soaps bomb big time. Their is a Food Network Channel for food shows, and who needs another self improvement show? I too have started watching more of TNT, FX, USA, and Scy-Fy even. Those actors were like second family, and it was nice to be taken away from reality for an hour or two a day. In our world today, a break from reality is welcomed with open arms. Too much reality, and I’ve had enough. I hope that all of our fav. actors and actresses find great new jobs soon, but I certainly hope that none of them will be working for ABC!
I AGREE,WE HAVE TO MANY TALK AND FOOD SHOWS,I TO AM BOYCOTTING ABC.I HAVE WATCHED ALL MY CHILREN AND ONE LIFE TO LIVE WITH MY MOM WHEN I WAS 8 AND NOW THAT THEY ARE OFF THE AIR I WON”T BE WATCHING ABC.HOWEVER I DO LIKE GENERAL HOSPITAL,BUT I CAN ALWAYS WATCH THAT ON SOAPNET,SO I DON”T EVER HAVE TO WATCH ABC AGAIN.ABC REALLY MESSED UP BIG,THEY SHOULD BRING THOSE SOAPS BACK OR CONTINUE TO LOOSE MORE VIEWERS.
i love to watch one life to live and amc im really sad about the shows i like gh to but i wont be watching abc anymore
I know exactly what you mean. I have watched GH all my life with older relatives, but it wasn’t until I became invested in the romance of Frisco and Felicia that I felt like a real soap fan. I think I was 10 LOL!
dont cancle one life to live
I think you have the cancellation dates backwards.
nope. they are correct. one life to live ends in january and all my children in september. sad news.
Its sad i watch the 2 for 37yrs and i guess i will have to go through withdraws I am realy going to miss them. I guess i will have to figure out what I am going to do to take up that time.
I am a fan, I have watched it 37 years, and I am very upset to hear the sad news, as there is nothing interesting to watch on TV everything is violent and terrible,and here we have a nice
non-violent that takes stories from real life, sometimes happy sometimes sad sometimes suspenceful, it has everything (even
my husband likes to watch it with me (we are recording it and watch it in the evening) because there is nothing else to watch. It brings current issues of a kid who is harassed at school,and real problems.We are very sad to see it
gone, I feel like they are my family…
I may be wrong but I thought AMC was leaving in September and OLTL was leaving later, in January.
Children will be abandoned in September, while One Life will die in January 2012 per TV Guide
CAN’T ABC WOULD CANCEL MY TWO FAVORITE SOAPS WATCH SINCE I WAS 10 YRS OLD NOW ALMOST 60YRS OLD. THEY ARE THE BEST TV SHOWS ARE TV!! WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO WITH NO MORE SOAPS!!!!! WILL NOT WATCH ABC ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!
hold yourself to it honey. I swore i would not watch CBS after the cancellation of GL, and guess what i haven’t. You can do it.
I would not watch ABC anymore…
IM SO UPSET I LOVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE AND ALL MY CHILDREN IVE WATCHED IT SINCE THE DAY THEY CAME ON I LOV THE STORY LINE AND JUST TIRED OF ALL THESE REALITY AND TALK SHOW ITS A GREAT ESCAPE IF I MISS THEM IN THE DAYTIME I WATCH THEM ON SOAPNETWORK THIS STINKS.
Ironically, OLTL has been doing quite well lately. Here’s last week’s ratings:
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,563,000 (-179,000/-770,000)
2. B&B 2,827,000 (-82,000/-426,000)
3. OLTL 2,630,000 (+56,000/+150,000)
4. GH 2,605,000 (-115,000/-163,000)
5. DAYS 2,363,000 (+135,000/-354,000)
6. AMC 2,303,000 (-80,000/-123,000)
Households
1. Y&R 3.3/11 (-.1/-.5)
2. B&B 2.0/7 (-.1/-.3) <—- ties low
2. GH 2.0/6 (same/same)
4. OLTL 1.9/6 (same/+.1)
5. AMC 1.7/6 (-.1/-.1) <—- ties low
5. DAYS 1.7/6 (same/-.3) <—- ties low (4th straight week)
Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 894,000 (-72,000/-315,000)
2. GH 800,000 (-13,000/-140,000)
3. OLTL 699,000 (+54,000/-16,000)
4. DAYS 614,000 (+10,000/-144,000)
5. B&B 503,000 (-106,000/-155,000) * <—- new low
6. AMC 502,000 (-2,000/-99,000)
* Previous low: 519,000 (February 21-25, 2011)
Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.4/9 (-.1/-.4)
2. GH 1.2/8 (same/-.2)
3. OLTL 1.1/7 (+.1/same)
4. DAYS 0.9/6 (same/-.2) <—- ties low (2nd straight week)
5. B&B 0.8/5 (-.1/-.2) <—- ties low
5. AMC 0.8/5 (same/-.1)
Girls 12-17 Viewers
1. DAYS 28,000 (+8,000/+4,000)
2. OLTL 26,000 (+12,000/-7,000)
3. B&B 19,000 (+4,000/-12,000)
3. Y&R 19,000 (-3,000/-33,000)
5. GH 9,000 (-3,000/-51,000)
6. AMC 8,000 (-2,000/-16,000)
Women 18-34 Rating
1. Y&R 0.8/6 (same/-.3)
2. GH 0.7/5 (-.1/-.2)
3. OLTL 0.6/4 (same/-.1)
4. DAYS 0.5/4 (same/-.4)
4. B&B 0.5/3 (same/-.1)
6. AMC 0.3/2 (-.1/-.4) * <—- new low
This doesnt suprise me. OLTL has been on fire. AMC has gone down hill in the past 2 years!! Sad
only y and r is impressive.
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG HOW COULD YOU CANCEL OLTL???????? I HAVE WATCHED FOREVER AND STILL LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERYDAY.DON’T DO IT
Please take into consideration places that have tv’s in their waiting rooms, restaurants, and some banks now. When a tv is on a channel all day that helps a shows rating. I think tv ratings are innaccurate. They need a new way to count them. I can’t believe what they say about OLTL and AMC and GH ratings being down. Too many people I know watch these shows and with all the feedback from the cancellations, I just can’t trust whatever these people say.
Now you know how we felt when we lost Guiding Light and As the World Turns!! They were like old friends to us!
A+
i think now everyone realizes they should have been concerned when the cancellations started. I did not worry my pretty little head off, until they cancelled GL. Another case of should have worried about more than ourselves. We are all guilty of it. ABC seen the other networks get away with it, so now here they go. I don’t know how to tell them, but i don’t want another talk show. Don’t watch the ones that are on now. So i will be utilizing my off button more and more. I guess it may be good for the radio though.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUT LOOSING ALL OF THESE SOAPS, I UNDERSTAND ABOUT LOW RATINGS, BUT WHAT ABOUT SOAPNET, WHY CAN’T THEY PUT AS THE WORLD TURNS AND GUIDING LIGHT AND THE OTHER TWO WHEN THEY GET CANCELED ON THAT CHANNEL. I ONLY WATCHED THE CBS SOAPS BUT NOW THAT I WORK AFTERNOONS, I FOLLOW UP IN THE EVENING ON THEM, HERE WAS ANOTHER OPTION, I AM SO SICK OF REALITY TV, THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ON TV ANYMORE, WHY COULDN’T THEY HAVE PUT THESE SOAPS ON IN THE EVENING WHEN THE REGULAR VIEWERS ARE AT HOME. OR HAVE THEM ON DURING THE WEEKEND SOMETIME. I JUST DON’T GET IT. WE NEED OUR SOAPS PUT THEM ON SOME WHERE. BJ IN AKRON OHIO
Why? We don’t need another food show nor talk show. There goes having to renew my subscription to soap opera digest. There will be nothing else to read about.
I think this is deplorable for the cast of All My Children, not just because I am and have been a fan since the show began, but because the cast was put threw the wringer in the recent location change. East to West. Many made a great deal of sacrifices to remain with the show. How sad it was all for nothing!! Shame on ABC!
i whole heartely agree… shame on ABC… and shame people for not standing up for your favorite soaps stars… i wont give up!!!
I wrote them a nasty email on that day swearing I wouldn’t watch their shows again. I am now only watching AMC and OLTL and that’s it until they are cancelled.
I am very sorry to hear of All My Children’s cancellation. I have been watching this show for over 25 years. I feel badly for the actors who made a career decision to move to L.A. when production moved there. Zach must be happy that he decided not to uproot his family!
I have to agree with other comments about no need to have more talk or food shows.
What can we do to make them change their minds. Please do not cancel, both shows are my daily mental escape.
I agree, we should fight the cancellations of both. Perhaps calls or letters to ABC execs, or a petition. Any suggestions?
I agree
i have lost all respect for ABC and will not watch anymore shows, these were my top 2 soaps to watch! And to add salt to the wound they are replacing them with garabge shows which will eventually tank and then what are they going to do? argh! so fustrated!!!
I don’t know what I will do at 12:00 I have been watching both shows for 40yrs.I will miss everyone very much.GOD BLESS THEM ALL.I HOPE THEY LET BOTH SHOWS COME BACK.
I was massively into all the various AMC supercouples, like Cliff and Nine, and the great Greg and Jenny love story — which was about the same time as Jesse and Angie. Remember when Jesse and Jenny ran away to NYC? Then there was Tad and Dixie, my absolute favorites.
My favotie OLTL couple always was (and still is) Bo and Nora. I guess we know they’ll make it this time, because if they get split up before the end of the show THAT wil be a horrible slap in the face.
I grew up with those shows. It’s kind of like seeing the house you grew up in get razed — from a purely practical, dollars and cents standpoint, it might make sense. But you feel like you are losing a part of yourself just the same!
If the cancellation pushes through then Bo & Nora are “safe”. They are together now and I have a feeling they will stay together. Clint & Vikki might become close again. Although Clint will probably have to grovel before he can win anyone else’s forgiveness. Liam will probably turn out to be John’s but if I were the writers I wouldn’t do that. I would let Liam be Brody’s son. Natalie & John should not get back together. Too much has happened between the two of them that it would seem unbelievable if they got back together. Brody could still end up with Jess. He seems to be willing to do anything to be with her. Rex, Gigi & Shane should leave Llanview. Regarding Todd… that’s going to be interesting since they are bringing back Roger Howart but not getting rid of Trevor St. John.