All My Children
ABC Exec Vicki Dummer Interview: The Plans For GH and Addressing The Fans Concerns!
Courtesy/ABC
At this past Friday night’s ABC Summer Press Tour TCA Cocktail Party, On-Air On-Soaps had the opportunity to chat with Vicki Dummer, ABC executive vice president of Times Square Studios, Current Series & Specials, who is now the successor to Brian Frons overseeing all of ABC Daytime’s re-jiggered line-up!
As many know, Vicki was brought in when Brian Frons stepped down from his position last December over much controversy from cancelling All My Children and One Life to Live and replacing these beloved shows with The Chew and The Revolution. Once Frons was out, Vicki Dummer was part of the massive restructuring of the higher-ups at ABC.
We asked Dummer point blank, what are her plans for General Hospital? How is she working with the show to keep it on the air? And, we address what has been of concern to many soap fans of late: Is Good Afternoon America going to get a permanent slot in the ABC Daytime line-up? What if any future could One Life to Live and All My Children have with ABC once they retain the rights to the shows back from Prospect Park?
Ultimately, what we came away with is that Dummer is getting behind GH for the foreseeable future, and as you have read from many of the GH casts tweets and posts, they feel like ABC is firmly behind them at this juncture. So here now is our interview with Vicki!
Everyone is like, “Who is this woman?” People in the industry of course knew of you, but the daytime fans did not. And they are thinking, “What is she going to do our shows? Should we be afraid of another cancellation of the lone remaining ABC soap, General Hospital?” I assume that was one of the reasons you had to make sure that everybody knew that you are 100% behind GH!
Courtesy/ABC
VICKI: Here is the thing: I have been a big fan of the soaps, and especially General Hospital since I was a kid. I watched GH when I was in college. I scheduled my college classes around Luke and Laura, like everybody. I drifted away from it, but I got my parents into it. So my parents watch GH every single day. So I have a very personal focus group for General Hospital. I am asked a tremendous amount of questions about GH and where the stories are going, and it matters to them. I know there is a tremendous fan base out there that loves these soaps and loves these characters and wants to see the stories continue. I am going to do whatever I can to help that continue. That is part of having the cast of GH at the ABC Summer TCA Press Tour and honoring the upcoming 5oth Anniversary, and having them here at the party. These folks work so hard day, day in and day out, and do such great work. It is about honoring their work and these tremendous actors!
The cast and crew so thrilled you gave them the recent on set party for their Daytime Emmy victories. It showed that the network noticed! You are from a very different background than soaps, creating lifestyle and makeover shows such as the hit Extreme Makeover brand. Do you think in hindsight, if it had been you in this position at the time, would you have made the call to keep One Life to Live and All My Children on the air?
VICKI: You know, I can’t really look back. I know there were a lot of factors that went into that decision … a lot of business factors, and a lot of looking where we were as a business. You have to look at that and weigh that. I know there are so many fans that are disappointed and loved those characters and stories. I know they are really heartbroken that they are not on anymore, and I feel that. I hear from soap opera fans that they want to see those characters, and see how their lives are progressing out their in the world. But I can’t look back on that. My predecessor made those decisions for a variety of factors.
But knowing the audience is outraged, rabid, and wants to see Pine Valley and Llanview again … are you exploring any options such as a special, a mini-series, or something to in part satisfy them in some way?
VICKI: There have been a lot of conversations about if there is something we could do and we are exploring that. When the Prospect Park deal was blowing up, I know the fans were so looking forward to those shows being online and the actors were too, of course. I know it was a huge disappointment, and it was a huge disappointment for us too. We were looking at that as that would be the continuation of the characters.
But don’t the rights soon revert back to ABC?
VICKI: They do. Basically it is a year after. So soon they will be back in our hands and then we have to figure out what we are going to do.
Both of OLTL’s replacements; The Revolution and Good Afternoon America neither clicked! If you had come in at that point and were putting something on instead of One Life, what would you have put in their time slot?
VICKI: I did not put on The Revolution or The Chew, that was my predecessor, but I do think that The Chew is a terrific show. It is firing on all cylinders. I don’t know if you saw this moment at the party where Carla Hall saw Maurice Benard, and she nearly lost her mind, which was fantastic. Carla is a big fan of the soaps as are a number of people on The Chew. As is Katie Couric, and a lot of people. Good Afternoon America seemed to be a stop-gap for us when we cancelled The Revolution, and when General Hospital moves to its new time slot. It’s really going to be about The Chew, GH, and Katie for us. I am excited about that line-up.
People are still concerned that Good Afternoon America is going to be on the air forever, and replace GH!
VICKI: It was on for a nine week trial and we have been really, really clear. We are with General Hospital. General Hospital is moving to 2PM in most time zones and that is the show in that time period. I know fans are nervous, and they have seen one soap after the other be canceled. There are no guarantees in this world, but we have the GH cast here, we are focused on the 50th Anniversary in April of 2013, and we just want to celebrate the show and look forward to what’s next.
Recently, we have seen more on-air promos for GH running more in the day part. We have not seen that appropriately in daytime, sufficient promotions for the support of the soaps. Was that a decision you made coming into your new position?
Courtesy/ABC
VICKI: When I came on we restructured a lot of departments. We restructured our PR and Marketing Departments, and ABC Daytime and Primetime are all in one group now. The good news is our head of marketing, Marla Provencio used to cut all the on-air promos for the daytime soaps. Marla has an affinity and is a fan of soap. And as you heard from ABC Entertainment President, Paul Lee at the panel, he started in a Brazilian soap opera and as he said, he worked in the U.K. and unfortunately it happened to be on the show that was voted the worst soap opera ever in the history of the world! (Laughs) He also comes from the U.K. where Eastenders and Coronation Street, and all of those shows, have such a legacy. We are supportive of this genre. We want to see it continue and succeed. So we want to put what we can behind it, and make sure people know about the time change, and make sure we are working with the creatives and Frank Valentini, and making sure that fans who have left the show come back, and re-strengthen that number. If we do all that, we have a great, great case for keeping GH on the air.
Are you overseeing the creative with Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati at GH? Are you hands-on with each of the shows in the daytime line-up now?
VICKI: I have a point executive on GH named Agnes Chu. That is her only job to look at the storylines and characters. But what had been great is; I have had phone calls with Frank and our head writer, Ron Carlivati to find out where they are going with storylines, and to find out if we are all on board with the direction things are going. That we have big events, such as we are looking at the September time period change to do one, and maybe that is a good opportunity to pick up new viewers. Also, what we can be doing using some of the stories, as well as using some of the cast of characters from the past, which you are seeing now with Heather Webber. So we have a lot of people that have come back to the canvas, and we want to sort of pick up the lapsed viewer to get that rating up. And also, if people don’t know anything about General Hospital they can check in and they can be engaged in the stories and sort of become new viewers. Hasn’t Frank Valentini been doing a great job?!
Yes he has! I have known Frank for a very long time, and he and others know that One Life to Live was my favorite soap. I championed that show and now I am trying to champion General Hospital. The One Life to Live viewers were so gut-wrenched and felt so kicked to the curb because their show was doing so well, and in no way deserved to be axed.
VICKI: I know, I know, and it is heartbreaking. I get tons of email. although some of them are very mean to me. Please just tell them, “Stop being so mean!”
Don’t we all have those pull your hair out days at our jobs?
VICKI: Yes, but I am blessed. I get to watch television for a living and who doesn’t love that?
How far ahead are you planning story for GH?
VICKI: They have notions that are further along, but they are looking at September and October stories now. And of course, further than that and thinking where they are going with characters, and are their new character to introduce. And, what should we do with storylines. I pitched some storylines that I would like to see!
Ah, but the question is, “Did you pitch some storylines that your Mom and Dad would want to see?” (Laughs)
VICKI: You know what? It’s funny; I always preface it by what my Mom and Dad would do, because they are my little focus group. They are literally like, “When is Maxie coming back? “
Do they have a favorite character on GH?
courtesy/ABC
VICKI: I don’t know if they have a favorite, but what always amuses me is my mother and my father both watch together. My mother would watch it, and my dad would just be there. Now, he says to my mom, “So are we going to watch General Hospital?” He looks forward to it just as much as she does. I loved on the panel yesterday when the cast was talking about running into cops and hookers and all these people, you would think are not fans of GH, but are! You get hooked on the characters and their lives, and you become curious as to what is going to happen to them next. I think that is a wonderful respite in the middle of people’s afternoons.
I have not felt the moral so good at GH … in such a long, long time!
VICKI: Because they did not feel a part of it!
Right! Can you imagine all these years not feeling a part of it? And acting their butts off, and all that goes into it, and all the fans and seemingly feeling no one at the network is caring about their show!
VICKI: It is also having them be an after-thought! I get it. And how hard these guys work to deliver the material! How much material they go through in a day is really, really tough. A friend of mine was a daytime soap actor on Days of our Lives many years ago. I would say, “How do you memorize all that material?” And to internalize it and then to act it, I think it’s actually pretty amazing what they do.
So soapers, after reading Vicki Dummer’s comments to some very important questions and concerns, what do you think? Do you feel any better about the future of General Hospital in her hands? Let us know!
202
She sounds like her head is in the right place. Nice to see her so enthusiastic about the show. Of course, I’m always wary of what execs will do with soaps, but I have no problems with anything this one has done so far.
Anyone who consults with/listens to her parents must be interested in doing the right thing! I don’t think ABC would be doing the things they’re doing to promote GH if their intentions weren’t in the right place. I’ve been very critical of CarTini in the past, but in the last few weeks, everything seems to be turning around and the story lines are becoming more view-worthy. I find very little to FF through anymore. My biggest complaint is that a lot of what CarTini are writing now is a re-hash of OLTL stories, but I guess after 50+ years of… Read more »
Sounds like they heard our screams and boycotts. Also sounds like the Frons’ “kill the ABC soap genre” phase is over. Probably because of our screams and boycotts!! I’m optimistic that GH is forever and I pray I’m right!!!
I agree with you Greta, it sounds like she is pushing for the show, but also letting us know they want the audience to build and that is going to be the key.
I do think it will be on at least till April when it celebrates it 50th! That seems like something they are planning.
Okay Vicki Dummer, I won’t be mean to you for now ;-D But I do believe Mr. Lee already needs to go be with Frons. From the 2 interviews I have read with him, he is NOT a soap fan. Please don’t keep him. Here are my feelings on GH (and OLTL) – I believe you are making a huge mistake in moving the time slot of GH. Please leave it where it has been for a long time. As I was reading your interview, it was very easy to read between the lines. I don’t believe you are committed… Read more »
I agree with you that time with tell if she can be trusted.
Unfortunately, SHE will not bring back our mutal favorite OLTL. It was a bad decision then and still is now, and everyone knows it.
I believe OLTL did not get the recognition we wanted them to receive because they were on the air in 2012, meaning they will be apart of next year’s Emmy show. The focus was on AMC because they will not. Being a soap fan for the better part of my life, having watched all three ABC soaps for many years, I will not be upset about the recognition AMC received. It was not my fav soap as that has always been GH, but they deserved their moment to shine and next year will be all about OLTL.
Right on, Jody, The Chew is a huge loser of a show. There’s nothing less appealing than watching a group of out of shape non-personalities sit around and eat and talk about food. Good grief, I could go sit in a fast food restaurant and get that experience without having to use household electricity and turn on a TV. OLTL – ABC does need to admit they made a huge mistake and bring the show back. I’ve been boycotting their tired network ever since they dropped my favorite soap. The sad thing is, as they keep losing viewership due to… Read more »
I agree with everything you said Jody. I will never watch the replacement shoes myself. I love the people but I can’t watch. As for Katie. I never liked her and I won’t watch her!!!! Many people won’t. We had a lot to do with the success of the network, we bought the products now we don’t.
I think the soap viewers are speaking loud and clear. http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/ratings-gh-days-and-bb-all-gain-in-viewers/2012/07/29/
DEAR MS DUMMER I’M WRITING THIS BECAUSE I’M A SOAP FAN OF AMC AND OLTL I HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS I USE TO WATCH AMC WITH MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND WATCHED OLTL AS I GOT OLDER I’M GOING TO SPEAK TO YOU WOMAN TO WOMAN CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION HAVE YOU LOOKED AT ANY SOAPS IN YOUR LIFE TIME IF YOU HAVE YOU AS A WOMAN CAN UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY I’M TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY THAT IS WHAT AMC AND OLTL IS TO THE DAYTIME OF AMERICA CAN… Read more »
DEAR MS DUMMER I’M SORRY TO BOTHER YOU I KNOW YOU ARE A BUSY WOMAN I’M WRITING BECAUSE THE DAYTIME FAMILY OF AMERICA REALLY WANT OUR FAMILY BACK AMC AND OLTL NOW IF YOU AND THE DISNEY/ABC EXECUTIVES CAN FIND IT WITH IN YOUR HEARTS TO BRING OUR FAMILY BACK HOME WHERE THEY BELONG IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU TIME AND YOUR TROUBLE AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY
With RC writing he is destroying so many characters and I don’t watch GH. Many other fans feel that way and unless something changes there then GH won’t be able to be saved with viewers tuning out cuz they don’t like the writing of the show. I do believe that ABC wants out of soaps cuz production is expensive, talk shows and reality shows are cheap and easy.
There are always going to be people out there that are never happy with anything, but the vast majority of the comments I read, and even people in my own family that watch GH, have been talking about how good it’s been lately.
I’m curious, what characters do you think are being ruined?
all of the gh ones. if you are a gh fan you would know. they may as well call it llianview hospital. sorry that oltl got canceled but lets remember its gh and dont forget OUR history.
Besides the OLTL characters. I don’t watch so I can’t say specifics but RC only knows how to destroy not build he did on OLTL and the little I watched when the OLTL characters joined and the characters were different from the way I remember em.
Thank You Michael for a great interview! I can on say that I think Frank and Ron are doing an awesome job with GH….I hadn’t watched GH in years but due to the OLTL crossovers I started watching again as did many other OLTL fans. I believe that between the OLTL fans and the OLTL writers that is what saved GH from being axed…So basically the GH fans should be grateful for a great writing team that is saving our show. We need to continue to support GH!
I agree with you Dan, General hospital is so much better now, I haven’t felt this good about it in years, several years, I love that we don’t have to watch all that mob stuff anymore, It’s the gangsters that took away all the viewers and brought the ratings down where it was almost cancelled, the one life to live fans helped to save general hospital by refusing to watch the revolution and now Gaa, general hospital will be moving to One life to lives 2 O’clock hour, I think the negative fans who hate the crossovers should be thanking… Read more »
Gh has been much better..Glad there is no longer those mob gangster stories. They turn me off…We need more Love in the afternoon …….GH has definetely improved….Liking it better now….OLTL crossovers are helping a lot with GH.. People that don’t like this well you can’t please everyone..And I am a HAPPY CAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To mke it complete we need OLTL & GH back to back AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gina… I am very curious where your information is coming from, and how you can feel that Ron C. is destroying characters when you openly admit you don’t watch the show.
I watched OLTL for over 30 years, and yes, Todd Manning seems a bit softer, we have to remember that this “Todd Manning” was held hostage for over 7 years by his mother, so perhaps its more a character growing, rather than being destroyed by the writer.
I agree with Brian………………………
If you are not watching the show, I really don’t see how your opinion matters at all and wonder at your purpose of even posting here. I am a OLTL transplant to GH and quite frankly, it sucked when I started watching. It is pretty awesome these days. Maybe if you pulled your head out of the past and gave it a look, you might have a different perspective. Just saying…
I don’t think RC are destroying the characters..Give me some examples of that…This is for comments on 7/29 at9:06 pm…..
I actually feel like the writing has improved the characters. I feel like the previous writers spent years ruining them and we are finally getting them back. I know a lot of viewers that stopped watching, but have recently come back. Keep up the good work.
I am a LONG time viewer of both GH and OLTL. Gina and Karen, I respectfully disagree. First, the characters from OLTL that are currently on GH are NOT acting different from when they were on OLTL. (Can’t speak to how you ‘remember’ them Gina) RC did a fantastic job and he did not destroy anything. The ratings when they went off the air were through the roof! And Karen, we all have an adjustment when a new character is introduced – whether they were a character on another show or not. Not one GH character has been ‘hurt’ by… Read more »
I agree with you CTwildheart…………………………I couldn’t have said it better myself..
I am not directly responding to any one person here, but GH characters have been changed. They are not true to the character in other words. For example, Jason and Sam. Jason and Sam are not the people they are being written as now. Jason would’ve NEVER not supported Sam in the pregnancy and Sam would’ve never turned to anyone else over Jason. Elizabeth use to care more about her children and now they make her out to be a man chasing slut. That is not her. Others like Spinelli and Luke have changed for the good, but their changes… Read more »
Missy I believe the ‘changes’ in Jason and Sam you cite were done slowly and are situational. The fact that they are both agonizing over their recent choices alludes to their discomfort. Elizabeth was a swearing, smoking, boy-chasing teen when she first came to Port Charles…after suffering a serious loss, many people act in ways that are unlikely. Some revert to old ways. Just pointing out that Liz wasn’t always this holier than thou mother people seem to think she is. TPTB will never keep a couple happy for too long – they don’t believe you can tell good story… Read more »
I think that the combination of gh and one live to live actors has given new life to gh andit is revolutionary to combine soaps like this !!!!! It is all fantastic and anyone that does not watch the show or does not agree with the characters on gh is missing history in the making!!!!!
If folks expect things to remain the same; especially the storylines and characters, GH should have been cancelled but it was saved and to my chagrin at the expense of OLTL. So, fans have complained about the mob storylines or this character or the other has changed. Of course it did because it had too. Did you think Jason and Sam were going to stay together forever without being broken up? I thought all the twists and turns are interesting and unlike others, I prefer Sam with McBain. They were hot on Port Charles. Can’t wait until Halloween and the… Read more »
I agree with CT wildheart……
Characters like Jason Sonny and Carly “mob element” is what almost tanked GH. I know I stopped watching GH when I saw basiclly three people and no hospital. Elizabeth to me has always been a weak character. Jason and Sam when I would watch GH put me to sleep. JMO The actors that play Sonny and Jason have as much enegy as a sleepin dog and overexposed. Although seeing Sonny alot less has soften to me…a little. Lol Jason needs to exit withs a quickness cause the Liason/Jasam wars have grown stale. The rest have stayed true to character. FV… Read more »
I have to disagree here. GH has always been my fav of the three ABC soaps all of which I watched for over 30 years. The writing on GH is so much better recently. There was a period at the end of last year/beginning of this year where I did more FF than viewing. That is not the case now. Characters evolve just people do in real life and I think the introduction of OLTL characters has been great. I have always loved it when the shows did crossovers. I miss OLTL and AMC dearly (thankfully, for right now anyway,… Read more »
Love the interview..I have been watching almost since day one, when mom would watch it..I even watched The Edge of Night when I was little..but GH is my daily staple and I am so pleased that we still have her..GH is my extended family..lol Michael, thank you for all you do.
I hope GH continues as long as there is time…*seriously! lol
Maybe a little. But I feel like ABC is just FINALLY learning to be causcious in their statements to the soap fans. Not sure but that tje only reason.GH is still afloat is that they cant come up with a good idea to replace it
I appreciate what she is doing to hold on to GH, but I still want my OLTL back!!
I still want OLTL back also..
I would love to have OLTL back too. It is my favorite soap of all time.
I would love to OLTL back. I watched OLTL and GH for so many years I can’t remember not watching them. I am glad to see the OLTL actors on GH. I hope ABC makes the right decission and bring OLTL back so I can get back to watching ABC again. I watch GH and Castle — nothing else on ABC.
I want One life to live back to.
Me too! OLTL FOREVER!
I soooo agree I want OLTL back!
i love it ,seems like she gona do all she can to keep GH on the air ….she got my vote…
You asked TOUGH questions Michael! Even the phrasing you chose was, to steal a phrase she used, firing on all cylinders! Kudos to you! She answered with the typical head honcho “everything’s a peach….love, flowers and candy rainbows” answers but you were on top of it all.
You are a great voice for us fans Michael! You say what we want to say and ask what we want to ask. Thank you!
I agree! Michael, you asked all the difficult and important questions, and we thank you for that. I just can’t bring myself to believe much of anything these execs say anymore. I got the feeling that , yes, they are behind GH right now, but maybe for only another year. Ms. Dummer gave the usual vague answers, talking about boosting ratings and deciding what to do with AMC and OLTL when the rights to them revert back to ABC. She spoke a couple of times about not looking back, and that says to me that AMC and OLTL are never… Read more »
Let me say this interview has definitely given me hope for GH. I love that Vicki is a fan! One thing I wish you had asked is trying to keep soapnet. It seems with all the support now for GH that trying to get soapnet back would be great.
Thank you so much for this interview, Michael! You have gone to the heart of the matter interviewing Ms Dummer and it is so appreciated! Ms Dummer has no track record with fans but if she is sincere in her support of GH, perhaps when rights to AMC and OLTL are returned she may see the value in allowing those stories to pick up and continue in some capacity somewhere. Thank you Ms Dummer for being the first executive I have heard give GH and its actors the respect they deserve! I know it raised my respect for Ms Dummer.
I’ll take this interview with a grain of salt. This woman’s past experience is all about reality TV shows. I think she’s just trying to save face by putting all the blame on Brian Frons. And even if she’s indeed in support of GH, what good does it make if Sweeney and the rest of Dummer’s bosses all want GH gone? I’m not necessarily saying that Mrs.Dummer is lying. But ABC has lied to us before. So I prefer to stay on my guard. Realistically speaking, I don’t believe that AMC and OLTL will ever come back as TV shows.… Read more »
I agree Heather… I feel Ms. Dummer’s answers are a bunch of fluff…
While I am no fan of Frons, people seem to forget (or perhaps they don’t know) he only did what his bosses told him to do! Ms. Dummer could be GH’s biggest fan, but that’s not going to keep it safe when her bosses make the decision to ax it!
I don’t trust ABC… at all… but, time will tell…
I totally agree Heather. I miss AMC and OLTL, if there would be a reunion movie I will be there with bells on. It is still amazing to me that with such a strong following these shows were axed. I pray that we will have GH forever!
I don’t trust anyone from ABC/D.
Right on.
Agree 100%
Well I hope Vicki’s Mom and Dad love JaSam and want the Morgan family reunited! It’s way overdue now for Sam and Jason to hold their son! Loyal GH fans have been waiting for 8 long years, just to see it ripped out!!! This needs fixing now. Thank you Vicki and thank you Mom and Dad if you’re reading 😉
Sandra, I totally agree with you. I love Jason & Sam and understand that the writers don’t believe in “happy ever after”, however, this couple has been through so much more than any other couple on GH. The very least they can do for the fans is give them their baby back. It’s going on 3 months, this baby swap storyline is dragging. I do not agree with RC that love and romance equals sleazy cheating scenes. Here’s an idea, try having a few married couples on GH that were true to each other, Dante/Lulu, Jason/Sam. (I was going to… Read more »
I do feel better about GH. I am happy for GH. Maybe now I understand about OLTL or at least more. They get rights back, so PP has the rights now. So I will wait & see but I will still fight for OLTL.
So will I fight for OLTL!!!!!!!!! It’s worth fighting for……..Give us back VIKI (Erika Slezak) the heart & soul of OLTL!!!!!!!!!!! That would make it complete…Feel a little bit better about GH.. But a big piece of the pie is stll missing for me (OLTL)!!!!!!!!
I’m not agreeing with you but I do understand the need for the OLTL cast to be back with us. I wish that could be, but unless they are willing to allow the OLTL back on the air this dream may not come to pass. I’m a fan of GH and will always be a fan of OLTL. I want John McBain and Natalie to be together on GH. We have been cheated out of a reunion with this couple, this has dragged on for months. The DNA results that were false, the almost marriage, the cheating and lies, the… Read more »
If us OLTL fans will never get the show back, i agree, please bring Vicki, David and Dorian, and Natalie to GH. With Star having had her tragedies it is only right that Aunt Dorian comes to help her–very easy to write her in. And if Dorian comes on, of course so does her husband David. Can you imagine David and Dorian on GH? Dorian could have all the cat fights with the other divas in the storyline of GH< the other matriarchs. David with—well, any other character is gold. Natalies comes on in true red head fashion, "What the… Read more »
I also am very excited about the fall lineup………on ANY network except ABC. I will not be pacified by a few OLTL characters crossing over to GH. ABC does not exist for me anymore period. I have tried to get into GH, just not happening. The OLTL characters might look the same, but they are different. Todd, for instance, when would he EVER allow Heather to blackmail him??? Sorry, but I am finished with ABC including GH.
Don’t give up so easily….Todd has a few tricks up his sleeve !!!!!! Todd is very unpredictable character…………………………….
I don’t trust anyone at ABC…they are notorious liars, so I’ll wait for their actions before I believe they support the soaps. BUT, I for one am happy to see the OLTLers on GH. I think it makes GH more fresh and dynamic and it’s great to see even a few One Lifers every day. I actually think their characterizations are more on the mark than they were by the end of OLTL to be honest. BTW, Todd let Gabrielle blackmail him during the first DBL, so I think it is completely in line with his character and even a… Read more »
Still don’t trust her…Don’t send me any emails please…thanks
I am glad and grateful that the genre of daytime soaps is currently not being taken away from ABC but as a very longtime fan of ABC shows, I am at a loss on how they’re treating us OLTL fans. They kill Hope! And Cole! They make me wait until the very end of the show for John and Natalie to get back together and now they throw in that John’s father, who was the most upstanding guy John has ever knoww, couldn’t keep his pants on and had an affair? Now John is fooling around with Sam? I have… Read more »
Oops… new phone and not yet used to the keyboard. Message comes through though I think. Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
I heard a rumor that Hope may still be alive. (Car seat ejected out the window as it rolled?) I am Hopeful! lol
That would be great – I could love to see Blair and Todd being grandparents I would like to see Victor come back and interact with (RH) Todd. We know Victor is alive so there is hope
Don’t give up so easy, where is the OLTL fight? Its us fans who made it so that the Chew rating went down. ABC needs us and the shows that they do have on are not that good I must say. I don’t know if this Ms. Drummer is telling the truth or she’s just shoving #### but it doesn’t matter. We want to keep OLTL alive and only the fans can do that and the fight must continue with your voice. Your words have power don’t think they don’t and ABC needs you even if they don’t say it… Read more »
Correction I meant the rating went down for the show The Revolution and it will go down for The Chew as well give it some time. They will regret taking OLTL off the air.
Yes, yes, and yes. I agree with you.
Great interview, Michael! Thank you for doing it, and for asking the tough questions.
I like what Ms. Drummer had to say about GH, and it all sounds nice on paper. But actions speak louder than words, and we’ll see what the future holds. I’m cautiously optimistic, and very thrilled that GH will be around to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. I think the fact that they thought enough of GH to include it on their network press tour is a great sign.
Been watching ABC soaps since The Edge Of Night started. Watched ok over 50 yrs. My parents filled me in before vcr. Need really need stories in my life. Will quit all tv if my Sonny & GH are no more. Thank you I pray more than 50 yrs General Hospital will be on. God bless.
WELL I WANT TO KNOW IF WE WILL SEE TEA AND VICTOR (TREVOR ST JOHN ) HAPPY.THATS WHY I WATCH GH
This has cheered me up somewhat. I miss OLTL so much, lost interest in AMC years ago. I would like One Life to Live to live again in some form.
Me too Melanie. I’m sure This woman is better than Frons but in the great tradition of TV execs, they say so much while saying so little.
I feel the same way about everything you said…We are on the same page…I lost interest in amc at one point..But never lost interest in OLTL !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ms Drummer I am not to sure about yet..I hope she meant everything she said about GH…I am not to sure about her comments about OLTL & getting the rights back…OLTL last episode for me left a lot of loose strings…I didn’t like it..Leaves you wanting MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A lot of unresolved stories….
I miss OLTL too and not so much AMC it was ok, but I was more interested in the characters on OLTL. I hope it will live in some form, whether another soap or cast on GH. Something is better than nothing. It’s true OLTL left alot of loose ends and no closures. Writer’s seem as if they just didn’t know what to write or just didnt care. Just like a lost body at sea, no closure. So many fans loved this soap they need to fix this.
Is like she said the decision to take AMC and OLTL off the air was done by Brian Frons. That’s why he not there in ABC any more. I think she trying to do the best job she can. So i think we should give her a chance and see what happens. OLTL was my favorite and i miss the show. But is been to long. If they was going to put in on the air, it would had been on by now.
As she stated in her interview, Prospect Park still has the rights to OLTL so right now they couldn’t put it back on if they wanted to. I appreciate what she said but I am certainly not going to believe it until I see it. ABC has shown so much disrespect to us viewers and even though she had nothing to do with it, it is going to be up to her to make things right. Is she really willing to or not? I cannot see how people can watch the Chew for any length of time day in and… Read more »
ABC can’t touch the show till January when the rights go back to them (from Prospect Park), but to be honest unless they can help get the ratings of GH up they are only giving it till thier 50th anniversary, so as much as I love OLTL I don’t expect to see it on network tv again….Maybe a legitimate internet company will pick it up…and actually, the problem with PP was the funding..As deep as ABC’s pockets are why didn’t they help this young company get the financing?
I believe the model PP comitted to of 5 episodes per week, 52 weeks per year IS the financial problem.TPTB need to come up with fewer episodes to support theses beloved shows. JMO
Call me a cynic, but I don’t believe anything that comes from an exec at ABC. They destroyed daytime television by cancelling two excellent soaps. To hear her say that the Chew was a good replacement really makes me wonder. I have my fingers crossed for GH’s future. I know I’ll be watching.
I’m going to keep my rose colored glasses on for awhile. Michael thanks for asking the tough questions and after hearing the responses I think GH will be on for awhile longer. We all just need to keep watching. I’ve watched GH for 40 some odd years. Characters come and go. Some you wish wouldn’t some you were glad they left. In the old days we didn’t have the instant access to everyone’s life, so we never really knew why they left. We didn’t have spoiler alerts either, it was truly just wait and see what happens. I think we… Read more »
I don’t trust anyone at ABC/D. My favorite always was and will continue to be OLTL. I don’t think that Vicki had anything to do with the cancelations but Anne Sweeney and Robert Iger are still there. So I don’t think GH is safe. If they can find something that clicks during OLTL’S TIMESLOT, GH will be gone. All I know is my tv isn’t tuned to ABC anymore.
I don’t trust her either. Several times a day I go to abc Contact, and I have been leaving comments about the destruction of their daytime programming ever day, I have also complained to them that they need to be vocal about what they are going to do with general Hospital because we the fans have a right to know, are they or aren’t they cancelling General Hospital? Maybe this is another way to shut us up, It’s not going to work, Not for me, I will continue to boycott abc till they bring back One life to live, In… Read more »
Nothing she says assures me the show will continue *beyond* April 2013.
I agree, they did all these grea tpromos and things with GL and OLTL and acted as if they were going to go on forever, and canceled them both in a heartbeat. I hope GH goes on forever, but I wouldn’t bet the ranch on it. I bet too much on other ones to survive as the powers that be acted then as if they would, and we know what happened.
Ultimately Vickki Dummer will have to answer to Anne Sweeney who is the Disney/ABC executive that originally “gave the order” that all three soaps be canceled. I want to believe Ms. Dummer has GH’s best interest (along with the wonderful cast and crew) at heart. I also would guess that Anne Sweeney and Robert Iger at the top of the tree can give the order whenever they choose to simply end the show and not lose a nights sleep over the jobs lost or the fans’ heartbreak. It sickens me that even with a repreive, good ratings and revenues up,… Read more »
Well said !
I am behind Ms Drummer, but I too am skeptical of decisions Anne Sweeney might make.
As for GH, I always look forward to all the characters , and especially enjoy Lulu- Julie Marie Berman does an amazing job. Want to see Independent Lulu Spencer for a long time. After all, she is Luke and Laura’s daughter.
I thought The Chew was suppose to have been in syndication and Frons decided to ax two soaps for that nonsense and the Revolution.
Great interview, Michael! You asked the questions that I wanted answers to. Ms. Drummer sounds positive — I still take things said by ABCD with a grain of salt because I cannot help but not trust them — but at the same time, I did like her answers. In any case, I’m going to watch and enjoy my GH while it’s on the air – and I am enjoying it a lot right now.
She still sounds like a talking head. She said all the appropriate things, very rehearsed. She still failed to mention a commitment after the 50th anniversary! That still appears to be D-Day, Let’s hope the ratings warrant GH being saved long term.
Great article Micheal..She let’s the people that she hired do the work.
I hope she’s being honest and will support GH, but I still miss OLTL terribly! I really wish that they will recognize the opportunity to make TV history and bring back OLTL!! Imagine what the press would be for such a ground-breaking decision?!
Yes, I feel some better, but lets just say “For the moment.” What I was wondering; Would ABC consider in putting AMC and OLTL on a 30 min program like the soaps used to have? It would take less money to keep going and I think definately satisfy the viewer. 30 min is better then nothing.OLTL was high in the ratings I don’t understand why they cancelled it as it was doing great and then replace it with , lets just say bad decisions! I am 100% for 30 min soaps of AMC and OLTL at least it would give… Read more »
I get the feeling that the 50th Anniversary is going to be the swan song for GH…it just feels that way after reading this interview. And I have to disagree with the comment that the chew is firing on all pistons…whenever i’ve seen it -which is only for a second if i’m changing the channel- it is so painful to watch, the cast is obnoxious, and the whole thing just reeks like garbage. I hope this Vicki Dummer can finally turn abc daytime around, but I have a feeling without AMC and OLTL, they are doomed!
I agree totally. I think ABC/D is waiting until GH has their 50th and then it will be gone. Sounds like something Sweeney and Iger would do. They care absolutely nothing about lost jobs and totally devastated fans. I will never forgive them for killing our soaps. That’s why none of my tvs are tuned to ABC or Disney.
Great questions. As-for Dummer, I’m on the fence. While I truly want to buy-into her seemingly earnest, sincere replies, I’m wary of all network execs, especially those working with soaps. I’m surprised Dummer didn’t tell us ABC/D is already planning for GH’s centennial in 2063. As a longtime CBS viewer, I can tell you we went through the exact same dog-and-pony show with the CBS Daytime VP’s, including Barbara Bloom, Lucy Johnson and Michael Brockman. And lest we forget the many Procter & Gamble suits. They always talked out of two-sides of their mouths, assuring us Guiding Light and As… Read more »
Don’t like what she said about the Spew, but I hope that if she can show that GH can stay on the air, then maybe she can go a little further by getting rid of the Spew, as well as GAA, and get AMC and OLTL back on the air.
I take everything with a grain of salt with a wait and see attitude. Meanwhile I enjoy each and every epi of GH. I was also a big OTL fan and I think everyone is working hard at melding in the OLTL characters. I will just never understand how a true GH fan can abandon it b/c they are not getting their way on some s/ls at the very moment they want it. Gosh..watch and have some patience. Support GH.
sorry, ABC has proven that they lie and will say anything to make the soap viewers back off of the save the soaps campaign.. I don’t believe a word that she says. ABC/Disney have made it very clear that they don’t want soap operas in the daytime lineup anymore and it sadly won’t be too long before General Hospital sees the axe…hopefully way after their big anniversary. Personally , we are on major overkill with the talk shows etc and the right decision would be to bring back the soaps. Nice try ABC, but not buying your latest lies
What a great interview. I have to say the BEST one I have ever read from the execs. She did not speak like others who put soaps at the bottom of the food chain, and I thank her for that. Also thank you Michael for bringing us such a great interview. Hopefully this interview will generate some nice emails and fans will give her a chance before crucifying her. I for one am willing to give her a chance, while continuing to show support for the entire genre.
Thank you Michael for this interview w/Vicki. I think she’s a lovely person doing her job. I wish someone could give us fans assurance that the show will go on beyond April 2013. I watched GH back in the Luke & Laura glory days, and now I’m back. Had never watched a day of Sonny or Jason Morgan, and now I’m loving it more than ever. Of course having Todd Manning kicking butt is a good reason! I hope to hear soon that GH will continue beyond April 2013, I think more people would tune back in and invest if… Read more »
So far, I like her. She knows what went wrong under Frons and I don’t think she wants to make the same mistakes.
Thanks, Michael! The people above her are the ones that ultimately made the decision about AMC and OLTL so she really has no say in the end. I was a huge fan of OLTL. I lost interest in GH years ago. It really makes me sad that It was the number one soap was still cancelled for a show that did terrible in focus groups no less. I do not trust ABC and I don’t watch the network. I could be wrong but I think OLTL showed higher numbers the last year than GH is doing now. I don’t wish… Read more »
It *sounds* good. She certainly is saying all the right things. It’s what is unspoken that worries me. “We are supportive of this genre. We want to see it continue and succeed [FOR NOW]. ” (Brackets mine.) It hangs in the air throughout every interview with TPTB at ABC. I’ve seen them do a 180 before when we’ve let our guard down. Thanks for the interview and asking all the hard questions but I’ll believe it when I see it. FOR NOW, as far as I’m concerned, the boycott is still ON!!
Continue the boycott, don’t stop until ABC/Disney recognize us and they will
If it is all true, then yes, I feel better,,,,, but we have been duped before,,,,,,,,she sounds sincere,,,, I am sure that the actors and the fans are in better spririts knowing that at least the network is taking notice,,,,,FINALLY
The demise of AMC was engineered by tptb in their deliberate hiring of writers who helped get other shows canceled. That’s my real belief. That’s why OLTL was so good-Frons wasn’t micromanaging it. Well, no matter. What’s done is done. I hope Ms. Dummer is sincere, and that GH will be around for a while. I really do. I’ll support GH as long as it’s on, and be glad that some of my wonderful friends from other shows are there-John McBain, Starr and her dad. Now the wonderful Robin Mattson and Fiona Hughes! Fabulous. But I’m not going to deny… Read more »
The people have no say at all, I wonder if ABC makes up their own numbers for the soaps and put what they want and just tell us the ratings are down ,just so they add the shows they want ,try to force us to watch what they want ,it is their network. not me I will only watch GH and then turn the TV off.
We can always hope, but we’ve been badly burned, so it’s pretty impossible to trust. Ya know?
All I hears was Blah Blah Blah.Lets give gh at least a 50th aniversary but nothing pass that.Lets ignore the statement that Anne sweeney did say she wanted daytime scripted shows gone.Was it not predicted that Frons would be let go to take the blame.Can blame Frons for bringing dowm AMC’s ratings but Agnes came back and it was going up in ratings again.Since there is a ae discremination on network ratings does she wanna talk about her parents are even counted in ratings?She brags about the chew but doesn’rt mention they gave a thief ajob who skimmed hos workers… Read more »
She did not answer any questions about putting AMC or OLTL back on the air or selling the rights back. And if everyone at ABC are such big soap fans were was their outrage when they were cancelled. Really Ms. Drummer you do not sound sincere you sound like a politician.
A big vapid nothing. I will not be satisfied without One Life to Live back on the air. still no abc in my home.
Does not matter what these execs say I am never watching ABC daytime ever again. They had no consideration for us so why should be believe their BS.
All My Children
Chrishell Stause and G Flip Tie the Knot
Selling Sunset star and soap alum, Chrishell Stause is married after one-year of dating to Australian-born musician, G Flip.
Stause, who formerly appeared on the soap operas; All My Children, Days of our Lives, and The Young and the Restless, took to her Instagram with a montage of photos sharing the news of her union with G Flip.
Photo: CStauseIG
The marriage was confirmed by Stause’s rep to PEOPLE. Chrishell’s post also was used to promote G Flip’s brand new single, “Be Your Man” with a look at their year together in photos. The single was written by G Flip about their relationship with Stause.
The real estate broker/reality star shared: “Love doesn’t always go as planned … Sometimes it’s immeasurably better. Be Your Man is out now & linked in stories. If you ever get the pleasure of meeting G, know that you are meeting one of the kindest, funniest & most talented hard working people out there. Please go stream! I love you so much @gflip ❤️🔥 #BeYourMan”
Previously, Chrishell was in a relationship for four years to Justin Hartley (ex-This Is Us, Y&R, Passions) before getting married. The two eventually tied the knot in 2017 and were divorced in 2019.
Share your congratulations, thoughts, or well-wishes for Stause and G Flip on their marriage in the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Debut Week on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ Scores Highest Rating for Show Since Mid-January
All My Children
Carol Burnett On Her 90th Birthday Recalls Agnes Nixon Offering Her the Role of All My Children’s Verla Grubbs
Last night on her 90th birthday, comedy legend Carol Burnett was honored during the NBC TV special, Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. Today, April 27th,the extended cut is available to stream on Peacock.
In an interview on her career with Vulture, Burnett discussed how she eventually wound up playing the role of Verla Grubbs on her favorite soap opera, All My Children.Burnett, first played the role in 1983.
Photo: ABC
As many know, Carol was a professed longtime fan of Pine Valley, and over the years, many wondered if she asked for a role on the show and thus reached out to its legendary creator, Agnes Nixon.
Burnett revealed: “I didn’t have to. She volunteered. When I did questions and answers at the top of my show, I often talked about All My Children with the audience. I’d say, ‘Oh, I didn’t see it today. What happened?’ Because my lunch hour was built around watching All My Children. Agnes knew that, and she called and said, ‘Would you like it if I wrote a character for you?’ I said, ‘Absolutely!’ So on my hiatus, I flew back to New York and they had a whole story line for me. I was on it for two weeks, and I got to know Susan Lucci. Oh, and Susan is on the 90th! She flew out and I was thrilled. But soap operas are the hardest work, because, oh my God, you get 19 pages at night, you have to study the lines, and then you go do it in the morning. I really admire soap-opera actors, how they pull it off.”
Photo: ABC
The character of Verla Grubbs (the daughter of Langley Wallingford) appeared on AMC several times in 1983, 1995, 2005 and 2011.
Check out Burnett as Verla below.
Now let us know if you admire Carol’s appreciation of the art form of the soaps, and if you loved her during her time on All My Children in the comment section below.
‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Scores Impressive 6.9B+ Minutes Viewed Across All Platforms
CM Punk Officially Set for Return to AEW On New Series ‘Collision’ Premiere
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Marcus Learns He’s Not Trina’s Biological Father
DAYS and GH Alum Tyler Christopher Arrested for Public Intoxication
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Hope is Drowning in a River of Denial Over Thomas: “Is it so Wrong to Admit I’m Human?”
Y&R Alum Sasha Calle to Henry Cavill on Her ‘Supergirl’ : “Did I Make You Proud, Cuz? Did Superman Approve?”
The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Linsey Godfrey Returns to Days of our Lives
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Marcus Learns He’s Not Trina’s Biological Father
Peter Porte, Miranda Wilson and Colton Little Tease Dimitri’s Love Interest, Who’s the Daddy & The Future of Andrew & Paul
DAYS and GH Alum Tyler Christopher Arrested for Public Intoxication
CM Punk Officially Set for Return to AEW On New Series ‘Collision’ Premiere
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Marcus Learns He’s Not Trina’s Biological Father
Y&R Alum Sasha Calle to Henry Cavill on Her ‘Supergirl’ : “Did I Make You Proud, Cuz? Did Superman Approve?”
Sherri Shepherd Loses Her Wig During Talk Show and Says, ‘The Show Must Go On’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?
General Hospital ‘Spotlight Channel’ Watch Party with Laura Wright and Maurice Benard
-
NewsMay 24, 2023WATCH: The Bold and the Beautiful in Italy as EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell Teases: “This is a Story About Eternal Love”
-
RecapsMay 28, 2023The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
General HospitalMay 25, 2023Kate Mansi Makes Her General Hospital Debut as Kristina; What Were Your First Impressions?
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 26, 2023Linsey Godfrey Returns to Days of our Lives
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 23, 2023Jessica Serfaty On Contract at Days of our Lives
-
General HospitalMay 30, 2023GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?