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Susan Lucci Talks Shocking Cancellation Of All My Children On Oprah's Where Are They Now?

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

It’s still painful to watch and hear the iconic Susan Lucci talk about the demise of All My Children and how she found out the long running ABC soap opera had been canceled.

Lucci recalls it once again for her appearance on tonight’s new episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now? series airing at 9PMEST on her cable outlet OWN.

So, if you’re wondering how it feels to lose a job you’ve had for 41 years, you want to watch this segment.  And while La Lucci is doing just fine these days with her myriad of new projects from Deadly Affairs to Devious Maids, the special does account that Susan still went through a lengthy grieving process over having her role of Erica Kane come to stop!  She also reveals her fears of never working again, and moving on post-life AMC!

Watch a clip with Susan discussing AMC’s untimely ending after the jump!  Then, let us know, do you still get choked up every time you hear a beloved cast member from Pine Valley talk about the demise of the soap?  Let us know!

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It’s hard to believe Erica maybe GONE for good!

It was a shock to get a third and fourth cancellation in a third year. I miss AMC (ABC more than Hulu). By the time Lorraine came on, it was too late for the series, but the writing was strong and stories were amazing. But everything happens for a complete reason, and I see now why ABC did cancel both AMC and OLTL. But right now, I’m happy with the daytime lineup. And the memories of AMC will always live on!

I remember the shock as if it were yesterday. I had been worried about the fate of my favorite show, OLTL, for several years because it was clear to me that the alphabet network had stopped supporting it. I was absolutely stunned when both shows were canceled. I know it doesn’t matter to them, or anyone else for that matter; but, I will never forgive the alphabet network or the mouse company for this diabolical betrayal of their loyal viewers and their loyal employees.

I agree. No ABC/D for me.

I totally agree! I still get tears in my eyes when I think of AMC and OLTL, or see something that pertains to them. I will forever grieve for these wonderful shows, and will never forgive ABC for their greed and treachery! I am glad that GH is still doing so well, but I worry about it since I no longer trust ABC/D.

It still makes me cry. I miss both the shows and the characters so much.

All My Children was boring and low rated when cancelled…i hate to see any soap go but its cancellation wasnt a shock to me when better soaps have been cancelled!!!

You said it.

Jim, I started watching AMC way back in the seventies when I was just a small child. Yes, I am one of those I-watched-my-first-soap-when-perched-on-my-grandma’s-knees kid–this akin to being a latch key child, I guess. Back in the day AMC was smart, romantic with literary allusions. Agnes Nixon was well versed in Shakespeare and the Romantic Poets and infused their works into her work. Even though I was just barely 10, it was Phoebe, and her hatred of that “Kane woman” or that “Donna Beck person” who fascinated me. I also adored Brooke English, Myrtle Fargate, Palmer Courtlandt, Adam Chandler, Tadd Martin, Jenny and Greg, Nina and Cliff and Jessie and Angie. Sure, Erica was fun but she was never the reason why I watched and I am kind of tired of Erica Kane being portrayed as the face of AMC. There was an over reliance on Erica which I felt helped bring down the show–not Susan Lucci’s fault. It seems during the last 10 years of AMC that the writers were trying to ruin the show–Tadd Marin acting horrifically out of character, Erica’s aborted fetus coming back to life to torment her as an embittered adult, the awfully stupid Fusion women, and finally, that boring, generic Ken doll named Ryan Lavery. You see, I missed AMC before it was cancelled and like you, I was not surprised or sad. I had already grieved the first soap I grew to love as it bore no semblance to its former self. It’s kind of like when a love one is taken off life support–you’re sad but you already grieved the loss of that person.

yes.. that last years of AMC were actually terrible..
When AMC became near wasted I turned into OLTL.
I was surprised that OLTL was much better.

Sad. But love her on Devious Maids.

I have been working every day since AMC and OLTL,’sshelving to get ABC interested in reprising these two iconic soaps! We need to get Pp and Abc to settle the lawsuit and get them out of legal limbo. As far as I am concerned, PP can produce them, but they should air on ABC as well as the internet . Bring Back love in the Afternoon!

The cancellation of AMC is still so shocking. Erica Kane is an iconic character who was played by an icon herself, Susan Lucci – who is well known internationally. All my Children was something more than just a show, it was special to me because it was shared by my Mother. So many memories and so many reasons the show should have continued and still be on television. For it to have left the way it did after 41 years, All my children deserved better. Susan Lucci’s recollection on the cancellation is and will always be: heartbreaking.

I haven’t watched anything on ABC since the last episode of All My Children. My tv never goes there. I really miss the show.

I appreciate Lucci’s devotion to AMC but she still is working and visible. When are we ever going to see any type of interview with Don Hastings, Eileen Fulton, Kim Hayes, or Elizabeth Hubbard about how they felt on the cancellation of ATWT? These folks have been invisible since ATWT was cancelled and, in the case of Hastings and Fulton, dedicated far more years to their shows than Lucci did to AMC.

Lucci’s fans can still see her on television, albeit not as Erica. However, the fans of the ATWT veterans don’t get much.

This is a fine piece. However, I would prefer if a site like this would do a little bit to cover these ATWT veterans. It is like this 54-year old show basically was forgotten by the soap sites and most comments the minute it was cancelled.

You’re so right, Barbara–it’s almost as though ATWT never existed, comparatively speaking. You just don’t hear much about the cast (long-time vets or otherwise). It would be some slight consolation to find out a little about what the veteran actors are up to. (Of course it could be that they’re very private and don’t want to share–although Eileen Fulton has certainly never come across that way.)

For what it is worth….The New York Times had a great interview with Don Hastings on the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, as ATWT was the only network show airing nationally at the time of the announcement. Since it was live, the actors weren’t told because the producers wanted the show to go on. But Don figured something was up. Because it was live the actors kept doing their scenes, even though they were — unbeknownst to them — being interrupted by Walter Cronkhite’s audio break ins. During CBS.com’s rebroadcast — as it happened — of CBS’s TV’s entire four-day coverage of the assassination, all of ATWT that was aired that day was shown. Great stuff. I think Eileen was interviewed as well. The article is certainly still available on nyt’s website and is a really great read. Michael had it on this website as well.

You said it! Why are none of the ATWT actors on any other soaps (besides Maura West & Jon Hensley-(briefly on B&B) And Colleen Zenk, Martha Byrne, so many wonderful people-oh this is making me sad. And the GL actors too. Where are they? Enough of Susan Lucci forever.

Oprah is a huge Lucci fan. That is why the interview with Susan. And, really, Susan has been a great ambassador for daytime. She is someone who should get a pass from fan nastiness, in my opinion. She is the one soap star who is known by her real name by people who do not watch soaps. She is classy and deserves respect, even if you do not like AMC.

Tristan, of course you’re right about Susan Lucci being a class act who deserves our support and respect. I just think some people would like the focus not to be just on her, but on all of the out-of-work soap actors who once were fixtures in our daily weekday lives–that’s all.

Still stings whenever I think of the loss of all my children. I have faced the fact that its not returning. I enjoy the remaining soaps.

All things come to an end, everything ends.
We end/die ..

I loved AMC and it will always be in hearts, I am grateful to have had enjoyed it five days a week, it was wonderful and my daytime joy ..

RIP AMC … people have to let AMC and OLTL go ..

Still missing Erika and all the wonderful actors on AMC. I still will not watch anything on ABC. I know that if AMC ever resurfaces, it will be so different from my AMC. I know my AMC is gone forever . I will never forgive ABC. I have stopped crying but I still get very sad.

Susan came out smelling like a rose. I’m surprised anyone was shocked by the cancelation as ratings were bad for several years. I personally think the cast fully expected it to be canceled, with all the rumors, reports and speculation. The last years were not good for this show, let’s be honest.

I still cannot believe two iconic soaps (AMC and OLTL) began and were cancelled during my lifetime. Just seems so improbable but someone had it out for the daytime soaps and pushed their agenda and as a result, they are no more. I still haven’t recovered.

Great post , David- I still miss these two shows. Being born in the early 60,s I basically grew up with them and was looking forward to enjoying them as my mother and aunts had in retirement. I’ve tried the other soaps but you can’t replace 40 years in Pine Valley and Llanview.

I’m still missing them in 2015! There will never be another PV for me 🙁 I’ve watched since the seventies when I was a small child with my Grandmother and Mother. I do not watch much tv and never have, however I never missed “All my Children” I have had to tape it and watch several episodes at once due to my schedule but never missed them completely. And given the choice i’d still be doing just that! better than anything on today!

I watched every day it was on PP and it was excellent. I am hoping it is not gone for good. I firmly believe ABC made it not as good on purpose at the end so they would have an excuse because they didn’t want to carry soaps. Now, on my computer this segment ends in mid sentence. is something wrong with my computer? The segment was incomplete.

Wait, how could Erica Kane been on AMC for 41 years when she is only thirty-nine?

I cried the last time it aired on ABC. I have watched this show since 1970’s and grown with all the characters on the show. When it ended it was like my family was moving far far away and not to be seen again. But now I have watched other soaps that have picked up a lot of my favorites from AMC and OLTL. And I haven’t t missed an episode of “Devious Maids”. I am happy the most of the cast has found work on these other shows but, I still miss “All My Children and One Life To Live”. 🙁

Still miss AMC. Thot we would at least get short episodes once Hulu took over and I almost joined HuluPlus because of AMC. Now I’m glad I never did, since they gave us a one short short “season” and then cancelled it again. We were promised some of the old characters would be back..in fact it was even set up (like for Tod) to show up and then suddenly NOTHING. Cancelled as abruptly as it was on ABC. And to top off the insult, ABC replaced it with “The Chew”…just what we needed…another food show and what a disgusing name!

I really miss ALL MY CHILDREN, the abc-tv version. I watched every on-line episode of the new AMC as well but I have to be honest and say it was not that compelling as an On Line presentation, though I was very happy to have it back. In fairness, it wasn’t on line long enough to find it’s proper footing. I suppose there still exists the possibility that Prospect Park could re-launch it once again, but it hardly seems likely. My hope has been that ABC would wise up and bring it back even as a half hour lead-in to General Hospital but even that seems doubtful at the moment.

I miss AMC and OLTL… The PP shows were TOO short, just as you would get into something there would be 3 or 4 commercials.. The shows were 25 min They were 1 show 1 week, then the other, then they were every other day, and then 2 days a week… Big deal 40 episodes for each show, and they were supposed to air for 12 months… Yea right.. And they say ABC broke the contract.. From this fact of only airing for 4-5 months, that does NOT equal 12months… Fulfill your contract and BRING THEM BACK as FULL 1 hr shows 5 days a week…

I still have tears in my eyes when I think about my favorite shows gone forever. I pray every day that some how they will get reincarnated. The shows on ABC are not good anymore and truly don’t make sense without these shows. I cant support this network anymore because they don’t believe in loyalty. 45 years come on who does that to people who love the soaps One Life to Live and All My Children. Networks should be ashamed for their greed and stupidity.

I can’t understand any hatred towards Susan Lucci. Yes, she does get a lot of recognition and there are a lot of talented people. But sadly she brought respectability and national or world attention to soaps. While other sought fame on night time or movies Susan was and is a recognized star in her own right not relying upon her movies which for the most part she starred in and most were in the top ten and all were in the top twenty (the only one maybe not in the top 20 was a cable movie but I am not sure if Ebbie was a cable movie. She got the salaries to rise, she got public attention for soaps with major news outlets and mediums. She has been a great amabassador for daytime tv where others include Deidre Hall and the likes couldn’t get the star power Lucci had and had to seek other opportunities -most coming back to daytime really with the head between their legs. Heck the woman got her own star on Hollywood Blvd. Sure others have followed but she really put soap on the maps.

Loved AMC.
Will NEVER watch ABC ever again.

And frankly, Erica Kane was interesting to watch right to the very last minute…

i miss u so much at least u won an emmy though more famous 4 not i only hope & pray they do not wait till u are gone to make a movie of your icredible life love u always best 2 u and family what ever u do now will be great of that i am sure chow 4 now ll my best Stephanie xxxxxxxxx

Still can’t get over All My Children is over and bullies like Tony Geary are still on daytime tv. The world needs Erica Kane back – sorry Genevieve Delatour is NOT Erica kane. thye look and sound similar but are not the same ! 🙂

All My Children

Carol Burnett Talks About Being a Superfan of ‘All My Children’ on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’

In a heartfelt reunion, of sorts, the one and only Carol Burnett appeared on Monday March 25th episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.

Burnett had first met Kelly Ripa (Hayley) and Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo) back when they all appeared on All My Children together. Carol played Verla Grubbs first in 1983 and then again in the 90’s.

Host Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) noted to Burnett that “we go back a long time”. She also described Burnett’s character of Verla Grubbs, “extraordinary in every way.”

Carol’s love for All My Children is well-documented, hence legendary soap creator, Agnes Nixon, created the role of Verla for Burnett.

Photo: ABC

Speaking on how her passion for All My Children began, Carol told Kelly and Mark, “It started with my kids. They would watch at noon. I said, ‘What are you guys doing?’ I sat down and I started to watch and I got hooked!”

When Carol’s family decided to travel through Europe during one summer, the comedic legend recalled thinking, “How am I going to last if I don’t know what’s going on in Pine Valley?” She revealed she had a friend, “who sent me a telegram to the (different hotels) on Fridays to bring me up to date.”

Photo: ABC

In a hilarious moment from the segment, Carol recalled receiving a late night telegram while in Lake Cuomo when there was a knock at her hotel room door from the hotel manager who was shaking.

Carol related what it said, “Erica is still in a coma. Mark slipped again and ran away from rehab.” As Kelly and Mark broke into laughter, Burnett continued, “Chuck has learned that Donna is carrying his baby, who was once a hooker.”

Check out Carol explaining how she became an AMC Superfan below.

Now, let us know, did you enjoy Carol as Verla Grubbs? What show do you consider yourself a Superfan of? Tell us in the comment section.

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All My Children

Malachy McCourt, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ and ‘All My Children’ Actor, Dead at 92

If you watched Ryan’s Hope through its 14-year-run, you know that Kevin the bartender became a beloved “member’ of the Ryan clan on the defunct ABC daytime drama series. The character of Kevin MacGuiness became so loved by the fans because of the actor who portrayed him, Malachy McCourt.

Sadly, according to his wife Diana McCourt to The New York Times, Malachy passed away on Monday from a heart condition and battling cancer. The actor was 92-years-old.

Playing Kevin on Ryan’s Hope was not much of a stretch for McCourt, because in his lifetime, he was the owner of 1950s Irish pub Malachy’s on Third Avenue in Manhattan. Known as one of the city’s great story-tellers, patrons from longshoremen to the actor Richard Harris would stop in and talk all things Irish with . On Ryan’s Hope, Kevin was best friends to “Ryan’s Bar” owner, Johnny Ryan (Bernie Barrow) and he tried to keep Delia (Ilene Kristen) on the straight and narrow.

Photo: ABC

In his soap opera career, McCourt also was widely-known for his role of Father Clarence McCourt on All My Children especially come Christmastime. Was Clarence, actually St. Nick? That was always the proverbial question. McCourt also appeared on the New York soaps: One Life To Live, Search For Tomorrow and Another World. Other roles included: Devil’s Own, Brewster’s Millions, The Molly Maguires, and Starman, to name 

Later in 2006, Malachy ran for governor of the state of New York as a Green Party candidate. He tackled social issues of the time including being an advocate for gay and lesbian groups to march in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Photo: ABC

McCourt’s childhood was recounted within his brother Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela’s Ashes, which detailed their mother’s attempt to raise the four of their surviving seven children in poverty in Limerick, Ireland. Later, Malachy wrote his own memoirs: 1998’s Monk Swimming, and 2000’s Singing My Him Song.

Malachy is survived by his aforementioned wife, Diana, daughter Siobhan McCourt; sons Malachy Jr., Conor and Cormac; stepdaughter Nina Galin; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Share you remembrances and condolences for Malachy McCourt via the comment section, but first check out this scene from a 1983 episode of “Ryan’s Hope” featuring the late actor with Ilene Kristen.

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All My Children

‘Live with Kelly and Mark’s’ Annual ‘After the Oscars’ Show Brings Backstage Interviews, Fashion Review and Red Carpet Arrivals from Movie’s Biggest Night

Monday morning, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the talk show’s annual Oscar post show.

However, this time it would be Consuelos’ first time as the co-host of ‘Live’ for an Oscars episode. Mark took over the gig from Ryan Seacrest to team with his wife back in April of 2023 and since then the show has seen a ratings spike hitting several all-time highs.

The After the Oscars show opened with a tribute to the movies were the former All My Children stars took on iconic roles from: Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct to Barbie and Ken in Barbie, to the Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller role’s in the romantic comedy Something About Mary and more.

Courtesy/DisneyABC

During After the Oscars, Kelly and Mark were shown in clips backstage as the first stop for the newly-anointed Academy Award winners including: Finneas and Billie Eilish and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The Bachelor host, Jesse Palmer was the talk show’s guest correspondent who spoke to the nominees, and celebrities as they were entering the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night.

Singer Andy Grammar took to the stage and performed on Live’s  After the Oscars show as well, and Project Runaway’s Elaine Welteroth shared her thoughts on the night’s Oscar fashion.

You can watch the full ‘Live with Kelly and Mark After the Oscars’ show below, plus the full movie parody below that. Now let us know, what do you think of Kelly and Mark’s first post-Oscar show together on ‘Live’? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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