All My Children
Cameron Mathison on AMC's new life; plus: Is Kelly Ripa returning?
Courtesy: Steven Bergman
Nelson Branco spoke with All My Children’s Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery) for the new edition of Hello! Canada about the sweeping changes in the daytime landscape that will affect Pine Valley residents and their legions of fans. And during the conversation, he gathered some interesting quotes that he shared exclusively with On-Air On-Soaps! Check out the Mathison interview piece below.
Mathison on AMC’s new life; plus: Is Kelly Ripa returning?
The moral of 2011? Don’t mess with a soap fan, especially if they are an ABC daytime viewer. In a year where we saw General Hospital star Becky Herbst’s firing reversed due to a large public outcry (which rarely ever happens anymore in these post-modern times), mobilized and organized fans roared in fury and disgust after the alphabet network canceled All My Children and One Life to Live on the same day this past spring, but few thought the two venerable sudsers would be saved despite advertiser Hoover immediately pulling ads from the entire net.
And you can include AMC’s top hunk Cameron Mathison in the understandable cynicism. But hope sprung eternal when last week ABC confirmed that Prospect Park Studios have acquired the licensing rights to continue AMC and One Life past their televised finales on Sept. 23, and January 20, 2012, respectively, in a new online network. No other details were available at press time and many industry insiders are still left feeling very skeptical.
However, Mathison is taking the win regardless, enthusing to On-Air On-Soaps: “I was definitely one of the people who didn’t think the soaps would be saved. It’s true: don’t mess with the power of an ABC soap fan! From what I understand, I hear Prospect wasn’t the only game bidding on these brands — there were other offers on the table because the fan reaction really proved how valuable these brands still are. Again, this buzz is all word of mouth but it’s still awesome. I’m really, really curious how it’s all going to work out in an online world.” Having said that, AMC’s depressing TV cancellation still hasn’t sunk in for the Canadian native! “To be honest, no, it still hasn’t sunk in. In my mind, I’m accepting the decision and acting appropriately, but in my heart, I can’t imagine not playing Ryan anymore.”
Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
As for AMC’s future, Mathison tells Hello! Canada in an upcoming interview this Thursday: “I think it’s awesome! I really think this miracle was fan driven. The fans rallied to save these brands. We were all equally shocked with the news that these shows would live on. But it seems legit. I’m not sure how it’s going to work budget-wise because these are expensive shows. I don’t know how they will pull it off. We’re all trying to piece it together. It’s hard to sit in front of a computer for an hour, so maybe they’ll trim down the content. Who knows?”
Adding to the ambiguity is the fact that the AMC studio has been dark for a few weeks. “Everyone’s calling everyone but there are no firm answers yet,” relays Mathison. But that didn’t stop my questions: Will current co-head writers Lorraine Broderick and creator Agnes Nixon pen the online version of AMC? “I don’t know,” he answers. “I do know that Prospect is making calls to the right people. I probably shouldn’t say too much right now. I don’t believe the actors have been contacted yet but they are reaching out.”
But what are the chances that Pine Valley can exist without Erica Kane should Susan Lucci not re-sign? “No, I don’t think they’ve spoken to Susan yet, or any of us,” he relays. “As a cast, we’re all curious about the prospect [no pun intended]. It really depends on whether or not you want to do an online show. There are many variables. We’ll see. It’s too early to tell what will happen but it sounds like they’re really trying to produce this with the same quality has before.”
Could an online version of AMC debut the Monday after its Friday, Sept. 23 finale? “It could,” he hesitates. “But that would be a quick turnaround! They have to renegotiate with everyone. There are no unions online, right? They have to find a non-union crew, but if they can do it, they should.”
Right now, the part-time Good Morning America correspondent is busy with his other day job: he’s currently in New York City taping segments for the morning show – and is interviewing Pine Nuts alum Kim Delaney today for an upcoming TV Guide Network AMC reunion special.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
But he’s also gearing up to tape his final scenes in a few weeks before the sudser leaves the airwaves on Sept. 23. “A lot of actors have come back, including Eva La Rue, Josh Duhamel and I think Kelly Ripa is returning as well. I like how they’re wrapping up my character. When I heard Josh was coming back, an idea popped into my head so I talked to Lorraine and Julie Hanan Carruthers. At first they weren’t going to do it, but now they are! I’m really happy with Ryan’s end story. It’s going to be good.”
With online soaps not in direct competition with network serials, would the uber-popular Mathison consider joining a rival soap? “Whatever happens, I’d like to do another soap regardless.”
– Nelson Branco
So where would you like to see Cameron Mathison end up? Continue on as Ryan as AMC moves online? Or, on to another soap? Let us know!
All My Children
AMC Alum Sarah Michelle Gellar Reflecting on Her Time on Soaps: “Anything I Can Do to Continue the Legacy I’m Very Proud Of”
Daytime fans knew of Sarah Michelle Gellar her way before her Buffy the Vampire Slayer days, when she stepped on to the small screen as Erica’s (Susan Lucci) troubled daughter Kendall Hart on ABC’s All My Children.
Gellar played the role from 1993 to 1995, and made a brief return in 2011 as the show came to its conclusion on ABC. Additionally, Sarah won a Daytime Emmy for her performance in the Outstanding Younger Actress category in 1995.
Photo: NATAS
Sarah has partnered with Lysol for their brand’s Disinfecting Wipes “Buy One, Donate One” program. where now through September 26, whenever a pack of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes is purchased, another pack will automatically be donated to an under-resourced school through the Kids In Need Foundation.
The program is aimed to help curb the spread of illness-causing germs in schools this back-to-school season, a total of up to 16 million packs of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes will be donated to Title I schools across the country.
The program is the latest component of Lysol’s HERE for Healthy Schools initiative. Started in 2019 with the mission to help curb the spread of preventable illness and to help kids miss less school so they are able to learn, grow and thrive, HERE for Healthy Schools has provided educational materials for students and Lysol disinfecting supplies for educators and administrators to more than 49,000 schools across the country. This year, HERE for Healthy Schools is focused on helping to protect children, educators and parents as they make their big return to in-person learning in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking with TV Insider on the partnership, Gellar recalled her time on the soaps and how it changed her career and outlook, noting: “it was the training ground for the rest of my career.”
She went on to say: “I made incredible friends at that time and I learned incredible work habits, and soap operas are an intense amount of work, and I’m incredibly grateful for that time and the people that I met. We live in a world now where my kids don’t even really know what a soap opera is, so anything I can do to continue the legacy I’m very proud of.”
So, do you remember Sarah’s time on AMC? What do you think of her thoughts on her time on the soaps? Comment below.
All My Children
‘Dynasty’ and ‘All My Children’ Co-Stars React to the Death of Michael Nader
UPDATED: Yesterday, Michael Fairman TV broke the news of the passing of Michael Nader (Ex-Dex, Dynasty and Dimitri, All My Children). As reported, Michael died on Monday morning of an untreatable form of cancer at his home in Northern California with his wife, Jodi, and his beloved dog, Storm by his side.
Since then, several of Nader’s former Dynasty and All My Children co-stars have taken to social media with their reactions and remembrances after having learned that he has no longer with us.
From his leading ladies, Joan Collins and Susan Lucci, to Emma Samms and John James, Eva LaRue, Finola Hughes, Maxwell Caufield, Vincent Irizarry and more, so many are taking a moment to share their grief and outpouring of love for Michael.
Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this post throughout the day as more remembrances are posted.
Here are what several of Nader’s former co-stars and colleagues shared below:
Susan Lucci (Ex-Erica, All My Children):”MICHAEL NADER—so handsome, so talented—so wonderful and beloved as All My Children’s DIMITRI MARICK—and a great love of “Erica Kane”. I am so lucky to have played opposite Michael—playing some of the most romantic scenes ever—dancing in palaces in Budapest, our gorgeous Greek Orthodox wedding, complete with crowns. Michael was a doll to work with and to know. RIP, Michael💙💙💙🙏🙏🙏”
Joan Collins (Ex-Alexis, Dynasty): “Very sad to hear of the death of my onscreen husband and lover #michaelnader aka #dexdexter – I loved working with him and his character was a wonderful mixture of tough and tender. #alexis was crazy to keep on rejecting him! #rip #ripmichaelnader”
Photo: ABC/Getty
Emma Samms (Ex-Fallon, Dynasty): “Incredibly sad news about Michael Nader. What a blessing it was to have had his participation and support for our Dynasty Reunion fundraiser back in March. Thinking of his wife Jodi and sending condolences to all of his many fans.”
Photo: Amazon
John James (Ex-Jeff, Dynasty): “I’m so sad to hear, that my dear friend Michael Nader passed away. We shared some great laughs together and I will miss miss you buddy. Sending prayers to the family.”
Finola Hughes (Ex-Alex, All My Children): “Oh #michaelnader sweet man. I worked with him so briefly, but he cared about his craft and his fellow actors. Sending much love and condolences to his family ❤️”
Eva LaRue (Ex-Maria, All My Children): “So heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Michael Nader! The sweetest man, with the best stories and the funniest out takes! Thank you for the endless belly laughs around that Wildwind dining table at #AMC ! You will be remembered with so much Love!😢♥️ All my prayers and sympathy to his family🙏🏼♥️ Rest peacefully sweet man♥️”
Photo: Sue Coflin/MaxPhotos
Cady McClain (Ex-Dixie, All My Children): “Michael was always a joy to work with, and one of the funniest human beings I ever met. I feel so blessed to have crossed his path and been able to watch him work his magic. I know he felt the love and appreciation of his colleagues and I’m grateful our discussions were always deep or kind. #RIP #michaelnader Photo by @stevenbergman29 💕 (note his book and bookmark! Only Michael would carry it on the res carpet. 😂)”
Maxwell Caufield (Ex-Miles, Dynasty): “That #MichaelNader in the arena many seasons with both @Joancollinsdbe and #SusanLucci – quel hombre.”
Dondre T. Whitfield (Ex-Terrence, All My Children), who commented on Eva LaRue’s post: “Wow. Haven’t seen him in years. So sad to see the Brother. He was very mice to me during my “Pine Valley” time. RIP Nader.”
Vincent Irizarry (Ex-David, All My Children), who commented on Eva LaRue’s post: “OMG, my heart is breaking!!! Loved dear Michael, working opposite him in both “Pine Valley” and in Jackie Collins’ ‘Lucky Chances’. So so sad to hear of his passing. Yes @evalarue, the sweetest man, and ABSOLUTELY the funniest outtakes…”
Sean Kanan: (Ex-AJ, GH, Deacon, B&B) “I was so sorry to hear that Michael Nader passed away. He and I played father and son in Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster. We spent some time together and he was a very authentic person. My sincerest condolences to his family. RIP Michael.”
Share your thoughts and remembrances of these wonderful co-stars with Michael throughout his years on Dynasty and All My Children via the comment section below.
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All My Children
‘Dynasty’ and ‘All My Children’ Star, Michael Nader Passes Away at 76
Heartbreaking news to report this Wednesday morning. Michael Fairman TV has learned exclusively that Michael Nader, best known for his role as “Dex” Dexter on ABC’s original version of Dynasty, and as Dimitri Marick on All My Children, has died at the age of 76.
Nader passed away on Monday, August 23rd at 11:30am from an untreatable form of cancer at his home in Northern California with his wife, Jodi by his side, and Michael’s rescue dog, Storm.
In an exclusive statement to MFTV, Michael’s wife, Jodi Lister expressed: “With heavy heart, I’m sharing the news of the passing of my beloved, Michael. We had 18 wonderful years together with the many dogs we fostered and adopted. Recently, Michael was so thrilled to reconnect with his friends from the cast of Dynasty during Emma Samms virtual event to help raise funds for Long-Covid research. Michael was working on a book about his life and addiction at the time of his death. He was a beautiful and fascinating man with many talents and skills. I will miss him forever.”
Michael’s acting career spanned several decades. His first soap role was that of Kevin Thompson on As the World Turns (1975-1978, then the primetime soap, Bare Essence (1983) as Alexi Theopolous, before landing on Dynasty later that year as Alexis Colby’s (Joan Collins) third husband, “Dex”. Nader remained with the series until its cancellation in 1989.
Photo:ABC
When All My Children came calling, Michael took on the role of Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) magnetic husband, Dimitri Marick, a role he played from 1991-1999, then again in 2000-2001. Michael returned to AMC during Prospect Park’s online revival of the series in 2013.
Photo: ABC
Throughout his TV and motion picture career Nader also appeared in: The Flash, Law and Order: SVU, Cold Case, Gidget, Beach Blanket Bingo, The Great Escape II: The Untold Story, Lady Mobster (with Susan Lucci) the miniseries, Lucky Charms, to name but a few.
Photo: MNaderFacebook
Michael is survived by his wife of 18-years, Jodi, stepmother Lillian, sister Stephanie, daughter Lindsay, ex-wife Robin, son-in-law Trevor, and granddaughter Juniper.
A Zoom memorial will be planned at a later date.
Share your thoughts and remembrances of Michael, and send condolences to his loved ones, in the comment section below.
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 18, 2021Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
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General HospitalSeptember 14, 2021Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
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General HospitalSeptember 17, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
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NewsSeptember 15, 2021Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
I would love for Mathison to leave AMC and join a soap on another network.
He will always be Ryan to me and I hope he stays with AMC.com along with most of the cast. If he did go to another soap I would like it to be DOOL. Maybe he could be Eric Brady recast!
Sorry Mathison, but Ryan sucks, and I would love to see him killed off of AMC. Rylee has ruined AMC for me.
I started reading part of this and I had to stop–the bile was coming back in my mouth–Why after all these years do people think that Cameron Mat is the spokesperson for AMC? He is the worst actor on AMC and has been for years–yet he is treated like some kind of God. He gets to pick and choose his storylines? Imagione that–and people wonder why the storylines are so predictable and god awful especially when Ryan headlines almost every single story. This really does not bode well with quite a few fans. For someone who had so little faith… Read more »
I’m not interested in seeing Cameron Mathison continue with AMC as the scumbag hypocrite hero Ryan Lavery. Ryan has sucked the life out of AMC way too long. I was hoping to get a rest from Ryan & his disgusting butterfly Greenlee. NO wonder AMC is cancelled on TV. CamMat get to choose his on storyline? Why? Who in the hell is he to get those kind of privileges?
Grrr. I am a fan of Cameron’s but I agree maybe has been put into a postion as kind of a spokesperson-fair or not that is the way it is, but the article did NOT say he got to choose his storyline-it said he had an idea that he took to the writers. I am a future business owner and I would want my workers to bring my ideas to me, some will be used and some won’t. My guess is that everyone takes ideas to the writers, but not all are used. Do you really think the writers are… Read more »
I hope Cameron/Ryan and most of the cast make the move to online. Times are changing, and as a day one viewer, I’m willing to watch AMC anytime, anywhere. I’m so happy the show is being saved. We need the long-time characters to stay or it won’t be the same show. Cameron is a mainstay, and I will miss him if he leaves.
I’m not interested in seeing Cameron continue to play deadbeat Ryan Lavery. I hope Prospect Park get rid of Ryan. This character is played out. No way will I pay for AMC on the web, and be forced to endure the Rylee puke. If I’m going to give my money or time to a web show. It had better be with characters that I like and want to see on AMC, and not characters that make be cringe at the sight of them like Ryan does.
Wow, you guys are flat out mean. Ryan is an excellent actor and he seems like a very nice person, he did not write his story lines, who knows, maybe his idea for Ryan’s story line will be better. In any case, Cameron, we fans (except for the ones above) really do love you and hope you stay on as Ryan, AMC would not be the same without you!!! As a member of many facebook pages who have worked so hard every day, writing, calling, emailing, and collecting coupons, we are so happy to see AMC anywhere and will gladly… Read more »
I always said their was a big payoff to Cmeron. Sounds like he’s been reading the blogs and still has no conscience of how much he is hated. He said he’d like to go to another soap – well buh-bye bug eyes. Do your thing elsewhere. Don’t you know how much dislike there is for you? You must be pretty stupid not to realize everyone wants you killed off.
I hope Cam all the best – far, far away from AMC. The Ryan Lavery character has been an unmitigated disaster for the show. And CM might very well be a nice guy but he’s not a very good actor. He does much better on shows like GMA and would make an excellent replacement for Regis.
But NO MORE ACTING. It’s just too painful
I love Ryan or Cameron. I’ll follow the soap he goes to.
Don’t say goodbye!!!
I would like to see Cameron as a lead in a well written movie. However, if he prefers playing in soaps, I hope Prospect Park will continue AMC, as I have been a fan for years, they are my on screen second family.
AMC used to be a good….no, a great soap from the 70’s to whenever the charcter Ryan came on. I’m sure he may be a very nice guy personally, but wow….he is the worst actor I’ve ever seen. I got so tired of PV centered around him. I watched the show from 1980 to the mid-late 90’s, when he came on the show. So I was in no way just a casual fan. Periodically until it’s cancellation I would try to force myself to watch it just for Adam and some of the better characters. I just couldn’t stand it… Read more »