Today we’re all about those beloved daytime dramas, namely All My Children and One Life To Live, and where they’re headed. The quick and most obvious answer of course is “to the internet”, but clearly it’s a little more complicated than that.
(And if you ask Susan Lucci, it’s a really lousy idea.)
Here’s an analogy. This week I tried Skype for the first time. I know that entire nations have been built, wars have been fought, and boy bands have formed and broken up in the time it’s taken me to try the new technology. Which heretofore seemed quite alien. But I have a dear friend in England who’s been pestering me. Thus, I tried (and liked) Skype. End of story. But as an example of necessity being the mother of invention (or me trying scary Skype) it’s not that different from the Soaps Situation.
Everyone knows All My Children and One Life To Live are going off the air, which is really sad for a lot of people. Actually, for generations of people. So now, the “good” news is that they’ve gotten a reprieve of sorts – they’re headed online. Which, for many of us, is just fine. We know how to navigate the internet. But what about the hundreds of thousands (maybe even millions) of fans who love love love their soaps but do not love love love (or have access to/comprehend) the internet? What do they do? A few months back I talked about how this online shift would invariably cause someone to figure out a away to deliver online TV shows to people who might not normally watch them. Otherwise we’d have lots of disappointed fans. I have yet to see that device.
In the meantime, if you’re an OLTL fan, you’ll be pleased to note that Erika Slezak, Kassie DePaiva , Michael Easton and Ted King have all agreed to continue on with the show in its new format. They’re willing to stick with it – even though folks are saying “it won’t be the same” when it’s online. All My Children, on the other hand, may have hit some snags.
Uh, Susan Lucci fans? Seems she’s colossally unhappy about the whole state of affairs. Nor has she been tentative in voicing this. In no uncertain terms – and even when the internet people allegedly promised her the same compensation – she announced that she’ll NOT be ANY part of the new online iteration. In fact she actually penned an epilogue to her autobiography (which is called All My Life: A Memoir) expressing outrage over the show’s cancellation. She blamed the network’s greed. Bottom line: can All My Children survive without Erica Kane? Will all the technology in the world make it right – when someone that key bails? I’m not sure. What do you think? Will you make the “online switch”? Let us know your thoughts.
Today’s poll:
Which of these stars – who started out as Daytime TV Stars – is your favorite:
1) Meg Ryan (ATWT)
2) Kevin Bacon (GL)
3) Julianne Moore (ATWT)
4) Nathan Fillion (OLTL)
I am still watching with passion the re-runs of OLTL which was one of my fav all along. From time to time I catch a couple of minutes of AMC but really Susan Lucci does irritate me … I grew tired of her over the years. I started watching AMC in 1970 so not that long after it started and she had TOO many dramas over the years and is too much of a primadona as we call it. I do miss a few actors of it but really OLTL has had way more interesting topics over the years for me and taping the 3 hrs of OLTL daily is a pleasure to watch whenever I have time. I replaced daily with The Bold & The Beautiful and Days of our Lives I like both just fine. since now Days is on same time as GH I tape both and watch it in fast forward the commercial thus in less than 1 1/4 hrs for both. I am hoping though that when the re-runs are over it will be restored in some fashion.
I’m a big fan of AMC and OLTL and have not watched The Chew nor will I ever. I added the Bold and Beautiful to my daily soap schedule and am glad I did. Thanks for steering me in that direction.
Just waiting for AlC and OLTL to come back. Go Prospect Park.
Since ABC took off All My Children and One Life To Live, I will not watch their stupid replacement shows. I hope that they are cancelled. They should have left well enough alone.
hey abc there is a food network. are u trying to fatten up the housewives so you can put on more diet advertisements? you watch I won’t. I miss amc. goodbye abc
Actually the device exist to watch online show on TV through ROKU … I’m currently watching a show that went online from my laptop for image and sound off my desktop for sound it is OK but will purchase the device (cost $45-$75) and then you can watch fully on TV.
Personally I’ve heard that Susan Lucci wasn’t so pleased about the “pay cut” and that was one of the reason why she is not interested in going online …. I’ve always found her to be a primadona and we have to say the last couple of yrs she’s taken off for several months and I have not really missed her … could do an “All My Children” the next generation would be an idea … they are going to do so for Dallas next summer and that would take care of Erica with/without cameo appearences? some have moved on if not permanently at least for short stings like Angela Hubbard (on Y&R), started watching B&B and it has several of them there as well from AMC, OLTL GH and Y&R. The fate of GH is also sealed probably for 2013 if not later in 2012. What they replaced it with is irritating to have to watch cooking ads at nite and early mornings …. were we not saying we have become a “fat” country? did we need more “fat” and “cooking” crap??? get real this is so stupid! then they now have AMC in the middle of the nite who will watch that? and canceled RH reruns to do so for another spot of GH there …. true to path for progressives to jerk us around like yoyos … nope have not watched chew-chew and don’t intend to EVER … watching B&B now and when OLTL goes it will be DOL which I’ve been catching early mornings now for the last 3 yrs so ABC you can go to HELL …. I do BOYCOT your crappy show and jerking us like pions ….. hope your shows FAIL!
I definitely will be watching my beloved soaps on the internet
computers are the way of the future
since the government made and passed all these laws doing away with analog signals forcing everyone to go digital
that only benefited cable and satellite dish companies
while lining their own pockets I have not had any TV
my $300.00 roof tower antenna no longer works and in this economy I and many others can not afford the sky rocketing prices charged for cable or satellite service
what is wrong with this country? who did it hurt to keep analog signals? No one it just made them money getting all their kick backs from the cable and satellite companies to pass some stupid law forcing us to buy or do without. the rest of the world still uses analog there was no reason to completely get rid of it why couldn’t we have kept both like it had been for many years?
my computer and the internet is the only way I can watch programs
I will definately watch the show with or witout Lucci but i sure as heck wont be watching and dam cooking show or anything else on ABC. I think what they are doing is a disgrace
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I will definitely watch online, with or without Erica Kane. I will definitely not watch the shows ABC is replacing the soaps with. There are too many daily talk shows as it is. The guests go from show to show so it’s gonna be one long talk show all day long. I’d rather watch recycled news and keep it on CNN all day than watch the drivel these talk shows will send our way. And yes, I’m sure many say soaps are drivel too! Probably are…but I think ABC will find out that they are not going to gain viewers with these changes. You can only take so many talk type shows. To go from GMA and run these things all day long is just too much without some relief.
I would still watch the show without Erica. There are many other people on that show besides her! I do also know this: I will never,ever, ever watch abc again!
Yes, I will absolutely watch the show without Lucci in it. There are so many other characters that I love, Lucci is just one of them. If she does not want to embark on this venture, it is her choice and I can only wish her good luck for the future. Yes, we will miss her, but noone is ireplaceable.
I also watch General Hospital, otherwise ABC would be off my list of paid channels.
Not only will I not watch “The Chew”, but I will go out of my way to NOT BUY ANY PRODUCT THAT ENDORSES the show!!!
How dumb of ABC to cut out a huge viewing audience of both soap operas to put on ANOTHER TALK SHOW!!!!
Oprah left, so they think this dumb show will replace her!!!
LOTS OF LUCK!!! (NOT REALLY) I will make sure that all my friends and family boycott the show and the products on the show!!!
It just won’t be the same.. and If Erica Kane isn’t in the show.. I won’t watch it at all.. How Sad.. This program has been part of my everyday life.. They Surely will be missed.
I’m with the majority of fans. I will not be watching the soaps on the internet,noway! ABC whats going on? You’ve cancelled the most popular tv soap. Are you trying to help us save on electricity or not to buy any of the advertised products? Thanks but no thanks. You’ve lost Oparh and now you’ve cancelled the soaps, whats next DWTS
ABC will certainly lose me as a viewer when they cancel my 2 favorite soaps. I will watch these beloved shows on the internet if that’s all I can get, but I will watch as little ABC as possible from then on. Also, we as a large southern California family will no longer be going to Disneyland or buying any of their products. The greed of this company will hopefully cost them BIG in the long run.
I WILL watch AMC if it’s on the internet. It has been the only daytime soap opera I have every watched since I was a 19! I will NOT watch anything on ABC that replaces AMC! I’ve had enough with talk shows and can’t & refuse to watch another one! What I want to know is what happens when the show that’s taking over AMC bombs? I hope the person or persons who made the descision to cancel AMC gets the boot!! ABC clearly doesn’t understand how we the fans feel when watching a soap opera. It’s our way of escaping for 1 hour a day, for a little day dreaming, adventure, excitment,intrigue & suspense! And while this shows fans are NOT all women, there are plenty of men who watch the show, as well as sports personalities, actors, etc; I will continue to watch the show because it’s my little escape from reality!
No, I will not watch be watching All My Children on the internet. I think it sucks that it is being taken off the network to begin with. I can’t stomach another cooking show, talk show, or reality show. I will just cut the TV off and have more fun watching paint dry. The network does not care about the fans at all. I think this is a very stupid move on their part. I am done with ABC network. I don’t care if I have to watch another network and watch reruns, that is what I will do.
I think ABC stinks for taking All My Children and One Life to Live off. I really enjoy watching these soaps. We do not need another stupid talk or cooking show on tv.
There are way to many of those. I will watch on line but it will not be the same.
I have watched AMC from day one, or maybe two! I refuse to watch it on the internet, especially if Susan Lucci isn’t on it. The internet is not for TV shows…
I have watched the soaps since they first started and absolutely will not watch anything on ABC again. I am hoping to continue on the internet as long as they are not on some pay thing. I still do not know where they will be. I absolutely love One Life To Live. I feel like I know them all. I am trying to figure out how they will continue since they have brought everyone back from the dead on both shows. Or will it all be a dream like on Dallas years ago. But if the era is over there will not be any cooking shows, or reality shows or talk shows. I don’t watch them now.
support amc online & maybe we will get it back on tv one way or the other! In the meantime hell will freeze over before i watch the replacement “reality” & cooking shows that replace amc & oltl! That will send a msg to the network as well.
I’m with Ruby. I will not be watching the Food talk shows that are replacing All My Children and One Life to Live. I will try to watch them on the Internet, but it won’t be convenient. I’m very disappointed in ABC and
Disney. They moved all of those actors to LA just last year and now they are doing this.
HELLO, ABC and ESPN is owned by Disney. How can they not afford to keep these soaps on? I will not be watching the shows they replace the soaps with. Aren’t there enough food and fitness shows? I sure will watch them online. People think you have top sit in front of the computer to watch them. No you don’t! You can connect your TV to a PC. I’m sure everyone has an updated TV and not a tube TV. You can also buy a blu ray player that lets you attach a wireless adapter to get wireless internet on TV! If you have a tube TV, it’s time to upgrade!
I will watch them online. Its better than not having them at all and maybe if they look good still, some network might pick it up who knows….
I have no plans to watch those stupid talk shows ABC is putting on. If I see one more ad about the chew i’m going to puke. They know its not going to work..its all about money not what the fans want. I hope the advertisers pay attention. I just think its wrong to get rid of a whole afternoon of shows and not replace them with something fans might watch. Give us reuns, give us movies, just not another talk show…
i’m upset that the soaps will not be airing anymore. will i watch them on the internet , nah don’t think so. abc wants to put on more talks shows cause it’s cheaper and that they really want to show us how to use old towels as outdoors cooking things ? c’mon thats why martha steart was on,and that didnt last either. i guess i will watch jerry springer for my afternoon entertainment , not!
I will have to say goodbye to my favorite soaps when they end on TV. I cannot watch online (nor would I want to). I also will not watch the stupid replacements that will be on ABC. Instead, I’ll watch novelas and brush up on my spanish.
yes i will follow1–at least at first–i have been a viewer for more than 40yrs–since the beginning & i will watch as loyalty to the stars who do make the transition & to help it succeed in any format! if we can show a continued big audience online perhaps it will help it make the rumored move to a cable channel back on tv! All my children needs all the help it can get, now more than ever.
I will make this short: I am the biggest ONE LIFE TO LIVE fan in the galaxy! I LOVE “BLAIR” –CASSIE de PAIVA, Vicky, Nora & Dorian !!!! Susan Lucci is right in blaming tat stupid jerk Brain Frons who is president of that loser network ABC—& stupid Disney! NBC & CBS arent much better but ABC is the worst—the way they treated AMC, OLTL & Bros & Sisters is HORRIBLE! And to replace AMC with such a STUPID show–”The Chew” with those ugly 5 losers –etc……
No I will not make the switch. I do not have unlimited internet on my plan and I will not pay extra to watch my favorite shows. The network did not poll the soap fans at all. This would not have happened if they did.