All My Children
AMC's Michael E. Knight talks Dixie's return, and the past, present & future of soaps!
Courtesy/ABC
All My Children’s Michael E. Knight (Tad Martin) gave a terrific interview to Smashing Interviews Magazine’s, Melissa Parker on his thoughts on the ending of AMC, the return of Cady McClain as Dixie to wrap up their story, and offered his thoughts on what went wrong and what could be done with the soap genre, and some missteps AMC had along the way. Here are a few excerpts:
Knight on the return of Cady McClain as Dixie: “ I was lucky and the positioning was such that Cady could come back and reprise the role of Dixie. I certainly love working with her. She’s been a dear friend for a long time and is a wonderful actress. They’re supposedly bringing her back from the dead (and we’re no stranger to that), but they’re bringing her back to have Tad and Dixie walk off in the proverbial sunset. I think that’s the way they’re looking at it. I always had such wonderful chemistry working with Cady. It will be nice to get a chance to do that. Other than that, I think they’re kind of struggling to give the audience some semblance of closure, bringing down the curtain as it were, but I think they’ll leave it open ended in case the show gets picked up somewhere else.”
Knight on how AMC had changed over the years where they used to give characters a longer development period : “In the old days, 20 years ago, there was a longer period of character development. They would bring characters along very slowly. As we went along there was less and less time for that. I noticed they would bring on major characters very quickly and characters that had only been on the canvas a short period of time would be handed major storylines very quickly. Sometimes the characters worked and sometimes they didn’t. The character would come on, work a lot, and then sort of disappear. Some of the fondest things I remember are some of the character actors I thought were so wonderful; first and foremost being Jill Larson who plays Opal. I have a glowing respect for her. I go back to people like Billy Clyde Tuggle, Phoebe, Myrtle, and Langley. There was sort of a more rounded ensemble. That was when the budgets were bigger and you had room for character actors. As things have become leaner and meaner over the years basically there has been a stripping away of characters that drive story.”
All My Children
Tamara Braun and Jennifer Bassey Filming New Motion Picture Comedy ‘Kombucha Cure’
The cast of the new motion picture comedy, Kombucha Cure was revealed by Variety and in it. soap opera favorite and Daytime Emmy winner Tamara Braun (Ex-Kim and Carly, GH, Ava, DAYS, and Reese AMC) is featured in the cast along with Denise Boutte, Jayson Bernard and Jasper Cole in a film directed by Cecilia Choi.
In Kombucha Cure, Braun and Boutte play corporate enemy executives at a health insurance company sent to a small town to investigate what the company views as the unusual and expensive longevity of some of their clients with cancer.
Along with Braun, none other than another former All My Children and GH star Jennifer Bassey is in the film along with Robert Craighead, Ali Zahiri, Lance Paul, Yorke G. Fryer, and Angie Kim.
The film is currently shooting in Los Angeles through the month of February, and the feature is being executive produced by Jonathan Chia and Tarun Raj.
In addition, Paul and Fryer of Ginger Knight Films are producers along with Bernard and Roberto Rosario, Jr. of J&R Productions.
So excited to hear of Tamara’s latest project? Comment below.
All My Children
FRIDAY: All My Children Icon Susan Lucci To Co-Host ‘The Dr. Oz Show’
Look for La Lucci to chat it up with Dr. Mehmet Oz on his Daytime Emmy-winning Daytime talk show, The Dr, Oz Show, this Friday (check times in your area).
In the Friday Celebrity Super Fan episode featuring Susan Lucci (Ex-Erica, All My Children) look for the full-hour to tackle hot health topics plus how Susan is doing today after her heart emergency that happened in the fall of 2018. . In addition, Dr. Oz looks inside Lucci’s heart with a live scan.
And, Susan will be surprised by her former AMC co-star and on-screen love interest, Walt Willey (Ex-Jack)
For a preview of the episode with Susan click here.
Excited to be part of tomorrow’s on-air episode of Dr. Oz, Lucci posted on her Instagram “DR. OZ! Co-hosting with the brilliant one himself! Tomorrow! He makes me do something I’ve NEVER done before!!”
Will you be checking out Susan on Dr. Oz and a reunion with Walt Willey? Will they talk about the bantered about pontential AMC reboot? Comment below.
All My Children
Cady McClain Remembers ‘All My Children’ On Its 50th Anniversary Sharing: “I Will Always Be Grateful For the Experience, and For The Lifelong Relationship With All The Fans”
The beloved All My Children first aired on January 5th, 1970 on ABC and ran on the network until it was canceled back in September of 2013. The next year, the show received a short-lived reboot online via Prospect Park.
One of the actresses to appear in both the network and online version was Daytime Emmy winning actress Cady McClain, who became soap-famous for her role as Dixie Cooney Martin and together with Michael E. Knight, became one of soaps all-time popular duos as Tad and Dixie.
While so many miss All My Children every single day and the indelible characters created by the late, great Agnes Nixon, McClain took to her Instagram on Sunday to relate what the soap opera meant to her in her life.
Here is what Cady shared along with a cover of Soap Opera Digest featuring Michael Knight and herself as Tad and Dixie: “Today I am celebrating the 50th Anniversary of “All My Children”! I started on the show when I had just turned 19 in the fall of 1988. I worked as a contract player thru 1996. I was back in the fall of 1997 again under contract and worked through 2001. That’s roughly 13 years. Then I came back for a year in 2006, then for a couple months in 2012. Then I did the internet version for six weeks and then… the show was done.
For many years this show and the people on it were like family to me. The makeup artists as much mom’s as my own mom to me at times. And thanks to the work I was able to afford some art school and college as well. I saw many great shows (both American and International) that came to NYC, which opened my eyes to what performance could be. It allowed me to do a lot of Off-Broadway theater and roles in five Indie films while working my day job.
Photo: SOD
I was nominated three times and won my first Emmy. I made some lifelong friends like Michael E. Knight, James Patrick Stewart, Jill Larson, Penny Bergman, Julia Barr, Lonnie Quinn and many others both in front of and behind the scenes. And most importantly, I was able to take care of my wild but wonderful mother. ‘She who drove me nuts’ but impressed on me the importance of having art in ones life. Who read me poems and took me to museums. My child who died but who I so grateful to have known. Thank you ABC and all the producers and writers who supported me and my work. Because of your support my life was richer, broader, more interesting. I will always be grateful for the experience …. and for the lifelong relationship with all the fans! Massive shout out to the daytime fans who continue to support me in my projects. When I meet one of you on the street I am truly grateful for your time and that we got to share some really special moments together. . .”
So, share your remembrances of All My Children and your thoughts on Cady’s sentiments via the comment section below.
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Mr. Knight got it right, Pine Valley was a place of great character with great characters, it hasn’t been that place for quite a long time.
can’t wait for tad and dixie to finally reunite
Michael,
I just wanted to say that i have loved your character Tad on AMC since you were just a cad! I hope you will continue with AMC when it goes to PP.
Can not wait for the tad & dixie reunion 🙂
I have come to love many characters and find it unfornuate that abc has used financial bogus to say that they are unable to run these shows. I think it has to do a lot with upper management. But thanks for writing and sharing this article. Your by far one of the greatest humorours characters. Your one of my fams favorites 🙂
I hope now that the show will continue online that both Michael and Cady continue on- such great chemistry!
Much Love to Michael and Cady!!!
I can’t wait Dixie in Reunion. I love AMC…. I love couple Dixie and Tad…..
Ever since you joined AMC I hated when you left and when you came back.. OMG true bliss. You are second only to Susan Lucci on AMC. Loved Tad the Cad. While not so much the Cad these days, the sense of humor is what we need to escape this world. I am not in the best job position of my career, but I will do what it takes to still watch “All My Children”. It is my legacy, not pop culture.
Clearly this interview was done prior to Prospect Park picking up All My Children. Michael was gracious as always. I hope with all my heart he will continue in the role of Tad Martin when AMC moves to Prospect Park. I can’t imagine Pine Valley without him.
Hi Michael,
I have been watching AMC for almost 9 years now and you were the person that got me clued to that TV the moment I turned it on!! You are not only cute (don’t tell my husband) but you are the funniest character on AMC!! I am so happy that AMC has been saved and is going to PP and I truly hope that you will continue as Tad! It just wouldn’t be the same without you 🙂
I meant glued not clued! LOL Oops 🙂
GREAT to see Michael talk so openly! Especially about his hope for someone to pick it up!! I have got to say, the last few days between Jr and Tad going at it with their lines and banter and the whole thing at Oak Haven, I havent laughed so hard in a LONG TIME!!!! THIS is what AMC has needed for a LONG time. Character interaction!!! Great writing again!!!!
I’ve been watching All My Children since the show began. I remember when Ruth found Tad. Oh, the storylines that have developed over the years!! Tad & Dixie, a great love story….right up there with Luke & Laura! Thanks for all your great work. I hope to see more of AMC through Prescott Park…..and hopefully, on TV!
I’ve always had affection for Tad. The storyline that ended with Greg in a wheelchair was wrenching, with Tad anguished over his role in causing hurt to his sister Jenny. And that quirky sense of humor! Hard to believe that kid is now one of the few links to Pine Valley’s past. But here you are… I fervently hope you help usher AMC into this new era ,with a chance to bring our favorite American town back to its character rich splendor!
Tad the Cad is one fun person, even when he was a jerk! I hope he remains when they go to the online version. I would love to see them bring in Billy Clyde Tuggle again! Verla Grubbs with Opal too bad Myrtle is not there along with Phoebe.
We want to add more and more memories to our AMC “albums” that reside in our hearts. These soaps have gotten so many of us thru hard times in our own lives.
Keep the faith soap fans, MEK and all our actors and actresses!
I have loved you, Michael, since you first began your character Tad on AMC. I cried with you when you had such a despicable father, and laughed with you when you were with Liza and her mother, Marion Colby, at the same time. You were a great detective for your friends whenever one was needed – you always solved the case most efficiently I might add. I think the best times were when you were the great lover with oh so many Pine Valley Gals – especially Dixie – who is the love of your life. I hope you and Dixie will be able to stay in Pine Valley as the soap continues by Prospect Park on the Internet. However the situation turns out, I wish you Good Luck in the future but will miss you greatly if your character does not continue. Thanks for all the good times we’ve had together in the past – and I’m looking forward to all the good times still ahead!!! A Devoted Fan, Shirley Miller
It is my sincerest hope, that PP works out the best possible deal for the actors – even if that means flexibility to pursue other projects. I’d rather share MEK than lose him. 🙂
Please stay on AMC it goes online,you are a very important part of pine valley!!
I am going to miss All My Children. I will not watch ABC daytime television anymore. I am sick and tired of reality television. I am going to cable stations more and more. That is where I can find more dramatic shows, and interesting movies. The networks are getting more and more unwatchable. I hope AMC will get picked up somewhere else.
Thanks for being Tad the cad, Ted and now Tad the man! If you don’t stick with AMC & go to PP with the show, I will be VERY disappointed. Love your sense of humor … I’m sure it’s not all scripted! I have been a fan of the show since 1972 & a fan of yours since day one on the show.
I left a comment on the news feed posting about this interview. I hope he reads it.. He is a wonderful actor with comedic talent that is off the charts. I’ve been watching him since he first started on the show. He has only gotten better with age. Please read the other comment. My respect and love for him is properly expressed there. I will close with saying “Thank you for all your years of devotion and talent for a show I love and have been watching since 1976-1977”. Much love MEK!
I know it hasn’t been easy these past few years but believe me, MEK, we appreciate everything you do on the show. In my mind, you are AMC. It just won’t be the same if you leave. I really hope that tbtb offer you a fair deal and you decide to take it.
Either way, thank you for the countless hours of great television. Much love and respect.
Liz Arnold
I hope to see the legacy of Tad and Dixie’s love affair continue onto Prospect Park with thew same actors. Tad & Dixie forever!
I’ve been watching AMC for over 40 years! I consider this a kind of entertainment “guilty pleasure”. My children watched with me and my daughter (and her husband) became loyal fans. Tad and Dixie are two of our favorite characters with “fun” and entertaining storylines throughout. We were shocked to hear that ABC and Disney decided to “axe” this show–after forty+ years!! Apparently, longevity means NOTHING! More talk shows and reality shows–boring. I will not be watching daytime television after we say good-bye to our Pine Valley “family”.