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May 24, 2013

soaps

Why Were 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' Canceled?

by Michael Maloney, posted Apr 15th 2011 2:00PM

Michael BrunoCombined, 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' cover more than 80 years of television and boast legions of fans, but that didn't stop ABC from announcing yesterday that the two Agnes Nixon–created soap operas will be leaving the airwaves. 'AMC' will exit in September, and 'OLTL' will air its final episode next January.

It's impossible to imagine daytime TV without Erica, Tad, Viki, Dorian and Bo, but that's exactly what we're going to have to get used to.

Why are these beloved programs leaving us? AOL TV spoke to daytime talent manager Michael Bruno, known for his Simon Cowell–esque comments as a judge on the defunct SOAPnet reality series 'I Wanna Be a Soap Star,' for some insight.

Bruno, who put stars Rebecca Budig and Bobbie Eakes on 'AMC' and currently represents Ricky Paull Goldin ('AMC') and Austin Peck ('OLTL), speaks candidly about what this loss is going to mean to the fans and to the people who work on these programs.

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ABC Cancels 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live'

by Chris Harnick, posted Apr 14th 2011 2:25PM

All My Children, One Life to LiveABC has pulled the plug on its long-running soaps 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live.'

According to the network, the final episode of 'All My Children' will air this September, with 'One Life to Live''s finale in January 2012. ABC will replace the soaps with two new shows, 'The Chew' and 'The Revolution.'

"'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' are iconic pieces of television that have made an indelible mark on our culture's history," Brian Frons, president of daytime at Disney ABC / Television Group, said in a statement. "Each of the shows has touched millions and millions of viewers and informed the social consciousness. It has been a privilege to work with the extraordinary teams who brought the residents of Pine Valley and Llanview to life each day, and we thank the cast, crew, producers and most especially the fans for their commitment to the shows through their history."

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The 15 Most Memorable Female Soap Opera Characters Ever

by Michael Maloney, posted Mar 24th 2011 1:00PM

Susan LucciWondering where Erica Kane, Marlena Evans and Katherine Chancellor were on TV Squad's recent list of the 100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters?

Frankly, there just wasn't enough room for all of them. The unforgettable divas, leading ladies, matriarchs and ingénues that have graced the soaps for more than 50 years are so plentiful that they deserve their own list!

We could easily have compiled a list of 100 women from soap operas, but this one has been limited to 15. Those selected represent characters from ABC, CBS and NBC daytime dramas, including current serials and canceled favorites.

Are your favorites on this list? Who else should have been included? Let us know!

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Will Jake Die on 'General Hospital'? His TV Dad, Lucky, Weighs In ...

by Michael Maloney, posted Mar 19th 2011 5:00PM

Jonathan Jackson, 'General Hospital' 'General Hospital' fans who found the show's fatal bus crash a little anti-climatic earlier this year (none of the regulars died in it) are about to learn that they should be careful what they wish for.

Lucky and Elizabath's son, Jake (the biological child of Jason and Elizabeth), is hovering between life and death after being hit by a car, and the prognosis isn't good.

If Jake perishes, the ramifications promise to domino throughout the lives of several characters. Losing their biological child may nail the lid shut on any kind of reunion between Jason and Liz. Jake's final gift could be to provide a kidney or two to baby Josslyn, Jax and Carly's daughter, who's also been admitted to General Hospital.

This crisis could also lead to a reconciliaton between Lucky and Elizabeth -- especially if it comes out that Liz's son, Aiden (whom many believe to be fathered by Lucky's half-brother Nikolas), is actually Lucky's son.

This painful ordeal harkens back to a similar 'GH' storyline in the '90s when little B.J. was declared brain dead after a bus accident and her heart was transplanted into her cousin Maxie.

Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) weighs in on the impending tragedy and what it means for everyone involved ...

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Top 20 Most Memorable Soap Weddings of All Time

by Michael Maloney, posted Feb 17th 2011 2:00PM

Bo and Hope weddingSoap opera weddings are often the culmination of years of dealing with heartache and conquering adversity. But just because the couple exchanges "I do's" doesn't mean it's happily ever after -- as Sonny and Brenda's upcoming wedding on 'General Hospital' is proving.

Many, but not all couples on soaps get hitched for the right reasons. Sometimes the bride or groom is blackmailing the other or someone just wants to land a rich spouse!

One thing's for sure -- soap weddings are always memorable. Here's a look back at 20 soap wedding ceremonies (or post-ceremony moments) that fans remember fondly. Is your favorite not on the list? Let us know!

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Paging Dr. Brady! Christopher Knight Checks In to 'The Bold and the Beautiful'

by Michael Maloney, posted Sep 15th 2010 9:00AM

Christopher Knight'The Brady Bunch' is back ... sort of.

Mom Carol, a.k.a. Florence Henderson is on this season of 'Dancing With the Stars.' Susan Olsen (Cindy) recently did an episode of 'The Young and the Restless.' And, now, Christopher Knight, who played mischievous middle child Peter, is set to debut on 'The Bold and the Beautiful.'

Knight will play Dr. Andrews, pediatrician to Owen and Bridget's baby, making his 'B&B' debut Weds., Sept. 15, on CBS.

TV Squad chatted with Knight about his return -- yes, return -- to soaps, his favorite episode of 'The Brady Bunch' and more. Read on to see what the TV icon (turned reality TV star, turned soap actor) had to say ...

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Short-Lived Shows: 'Central Park West'

by Bob Sassone, posted Apr 28th 2010 7:20PM

Central Park West
I'll admit it, I like soap operas. I don't watch a lot of them, unless you count 'Lost' as a soap opera. It has a continuing storyline over many years with many characters, it just happens to include time travel and monsters.

Wait...daytime soaps have had those too.... But I did watch 'Guiding Light' for 30 years and 'Knots Landing' for whatever number of years that show was on -- it was better than 'Dallas' -- and now I've found myself hooked on 'The Young & The Restless' because one day I was too lazy to reach for the remote control after my local noon news was over. That's how addiction happens sometimes.

There was another soap I liked too, back in the 1995. It was called 'Central Park West,' and considering the ratings the show got, I think I'm one of the very few people in the country who can say I watched it and liked it.

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Sean Young Joins 'The Young and the Restless'

by Allison Waldman, posted Apr 26th 2010 4:00PM

sean_young_dga_awards_2009File this under another daytime TV shocker: According to PEOPLE, actress Sean Young ('Blade Runner') will make her daytime debut on the longrunning CBS soap 'The Young and the Restless.' She'll play Meggie, a "sultry barmaid" who becomes involved with Victor Newman, played by her 'Man Who Came Back' co-star, Eric Braeden. Young's role is set to tape in May.

Young is one of two A-listers taping next month: As we previously reported, 'Baywatch' alum David Hasselhoff will make a brief cameo return as Dr. William "Snapper" Foster, Jr., though his role will not overlap with Young's.

"Getting the chance to work with my dear friend Eric Braeden, one of the true gentlemen in entertainment, was certainly a deciding factor for me as well as wanting to get back to work after taking a few years off to raise my kids," Young said, according to PEOPLE.

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Soap Round-Up: Jack Suspects Emily on 'Young & Restless' ... and More

by Allison Waldman, posted Apr 23rd 2010 7:00PM

Welcome to the Soap Round-Up, a weekly recap from all the soap action this past week. To make the column even more timely, check it out every Friday evening! Remember, we'll recap each and every soap, from 'All My Children' to 'The Young and the Restless,' so if you don't want to know what aired already, consider this a SPOILER ALERT. Oh, one last thing, please comment and join the conversation. We love hearing from you!


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'The Young and the Restless' Brings Andrea Evans Back to Soaps

by Allison Waldman, posted Apr 8th 2010 3:00PM

andrea_evans_portrait_2000Andrea Evans has grown up on daytime television, but for most of us she'll forever be the vexing, adorable Tina Lord on 'One Life to Live.' Despite the shake up at 'One Life to Live,' Andrea's not returning to daytime on that ABC show, but she is coming back to the genre. Watch for Andrea Evans on 'The Young and the Restless.' That's right, she's returning to a show in which she starred from 1983-84, marking a return after 26 years.

According to TV Guide, Evans' visit to 'The Young and the Restless' is a one-day only affair, and that date is May 12, but wouldn't it be great if it could be more than that? There is a connection there. She's going to be playing Tawny Moore, Amber's mom. It's a role that she actually played on 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' 'The Young and the Restless'' sister show. Frankly, Amber could use her mom around. Amber needs supporting characters, even an mother with whom she squabbles.

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Dear CBS: Please Stop Giving Away 'Young and the Restless' Plot Twists in the Promos!

by Bob Sassone, posted Feb 1st 2010 5:05PM

Eric BraedenI pride myself in being able to see TV show plot twists coming a mile away. Maybe it's from watching TV for so long or maybe it's from watching so much TV and writing about it all day long, but I can usually figure out something that's going on. There will be a hint, a piece of writing, some foreshadowing, or something else that gives a clue to a plot twist that I can figure out.

That's not to say I figured out that the season finale of 'Lost' a couple of seasons ago was a flash forward and not a flashback, but most times I can sense something.

But there have been two major (and I mean MAJOR) plot twists on 'The Young and the Restless' the past few weeks that I didn't see coming at all. Too bad CBS spoiled them for me (and other fans) with their promos.

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New contest offers winner a role on a canceled show

by Bob Sassone, posted Jan 21st 2010 3:30PM

Have you seen the new TV commercial for Cheer that features a soap opera-ish plot (a woman wakes from a coma and has to choose between her boyfriend and the hunky doc) and music? That's not just a one shot thing. Procter and Gamble have actually created an online soap called Brighten Bay, and they're holding a contest. The winner gets a walk-on role on CBS' As The World Turns.

Hey, maybe if the contest is a hit they'll reconsider canceling the show. (Note: not likely.)

[via BrandFreak]

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Could Vanessa Marcil really be coming back to General Hospital?

by Allison Waldman, posted Jan 10th 2010 4:07PM

vanessa_marcil_portraitOne of ongoing gags in the soap biz is the mythical return of Vanessa Marcil to General Hospital. I say it's mythical because for six years now, a certain magazine regular writes about Vanessa's return and it never actually happens. But now, there may be some truth to the rumor. ABC has contacted Vanessa Marcil about returning to General Hospital to reprise the character of Brenda Barrett. Maybe as soon as this spring.

For a change of pace, the news is coming directly from the show. GH headwriter Bob Guza has said that talks are underway with Vanessa. He has also always maintained that Brenda's one of his favorite characters and he'd love to have her back on the show.

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As The World Turns cancelled

by Bob Sassone, posted Dec 8th 2009 11:56AM

As The World TurnsFirst Guiding Light and now this: CBS confirmed this morning that they are canceling another long-running soap opera. Don't worry Young & The Restless fans (for now), the show that is going away is As The World Turns.

The show has been on the air for 54 years. The last episode will air in September.

This is actually really depressing. Soap operas (daytime soap operas, not prime time shows like Melrose Place) are a great dramatic format and deserve a place on the television landscape.

Unfortunately, it looks like the networks are moving further and further away from them, looking for cheaper alternatives. It's weird to think about, but now the only soaps that are left are Y&R, The Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children, General Hospital, One Life To Live, and Day Of Our Lives. And I bet none of those are safe (especially the ones on CBS).

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Guiding Light: The Final Episode (SPOILERS)

by Bob Sassone, posted Sep 18th 2009 1:29PM

Guiding LightLet's get the bad out of the way right at the top: no clips or retrospective?

It would have been nice to have a montage of past Guiding Light characters. After all, the show has been on TV since 1952, so why not take a little trip down video memory lane? It was fun to see all of the openings they've used over the decades at the start of the show (in reverse order), but it would have been good to see something at the end of the show to bookend it instead of a "The End" and then a commercial and the Tele-Next logo. Seemed kinda odd.

However, that didn't ruin the episode itself, which turned out to be everything that GL fans could have wanted and more.

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