All My Children
OLTL & AMC creator Agnes Nixon: "I have plenty stories to tell, if there's anyone around with money to help!"
Courtesy/ABC
As the second deaths of One Life to Live and All My Children rocked the soap world today once Prospect Park came forward with their official release that they are suspending efforts to bring these shows online as the first series for their proposed Online Network, The Daily Beast has an interesting feature out titled, Why All My Children and One Life to Live Are Dead? And, they got in touch with OLTL’s and AMC’s creator, Agnes Nixon, who offered her thoughts on still wanting to find a way to continue her shows, if someone would come forward with the moolah.
But, before that what was extremely disheartening is that according to the Daily Beast, “No one from Prospect Park notified Nixon, who is nearly 84 and who learned of the disappointing, but not surprising, development from the media. But Nixon said she doesn’t blame Prospect Park founders, Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank, for calling it quits.”
Nixon said today, “I am sorry they had to give up the intent to put it on and I’m very grateful to Rich and Jeff for their efforts, but I know that no matter what happens, there is still much story to be told in both One Life to Live and All My Children, and in my heart, I believe, it may still be told. And I’d love to be part of the telling. I’m also grateful to [One Life executive producer] Frank Valentini and the cast and crews. But more than anyone to our fans who have been so loyal and who are a part of our big family.”
On Wednesday, Nixon said she has still has plenty of stories to tell—“if there’s anyone around with money to help.” In fact, in the same breath that she spoke about saying goodbye to Pine Valley and Llanview permanently, the queen of daytime TV started spinning a compelling plot focused on the All My Children character played by J. R. Martinez, capitalizing on the actor’s Dancing With the Stars win.
If anyone knows what it takes to transfer a soap opera from an old medium to a new one, it’s Nixon, who helped Guiding Light make the transition from radio to television and was very excited by the prospect of pioneering the age of premium video programming on the Internet. Nixon’s only regret is that All My Children ended with a huge whodunit that will now never be answered. The writers themselves never figured out who J. R. shot at the party because they were waiting to learn which actors would continue with the soap online. Nixon, who prefers more nuanced resolutions, says she would have liked it more if Pine Valley could have lived on in the minds of fans in a different way.
“I would have never written an ‘end’ because life doesn’t end,” she said.
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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Agnes, thank you for sharing your brilliant creations.
would LOVE to share ideas with you about how to save this grenre…. grew up wathcing and loving them, worked in TV, produced a soap in college, work in sales and marekting now… who do I contact? Please advise…thanks so much! Happy Thanksgiving!
I was really concerned about Agnes when the news broke down yesterday. I’m glad that she is the taking the news well and is okay with it.
Agnes, know that the fans are still behind you and these shows! We’re not giving up! Keep that faith that’s in your heart and it will happen one way or another! I have so much appreciation for you for creating OLTL, and for hiring the incomparable Erika Slezak for the role of Viki 40 years ago! Happy Thanksgiving!
IT sucks
There’s obviously an audience – a very loyal and devoted audience. We need a creative entrepreneur to take over the project and make it profitable. This much fan loyalty should not be squandered! What other medium has fans for 30-40+ years. There is definitely opportunity there…
I have been watching this OLTL soap for at least the last 25 years..I am totally devistated that it will not air in some kind of medium out there. I sure hope someone can give us a Christmas miracle and help the shows continue. HEY OPRAH come on..help us have more AMC and OLTL..Pleaseeee!!!!
So sorry that fans had a ray of hope – now that is dashed. It’s like being canceled twice.
Agnes is one of the most gracious ladies ever. Thank you Agnes for everything. Fans waited to see that wonderful cliffhanger on AMCs last show. Now we will never know. How unfair is that? Not even a good happy ending to our show. I am still hoping that both AMC and OLTL will be picked up. We haven’t given up yet and I hope Agnes doesn’t either. PP could have at least told her, but evidently, it wasn’t that important to them. She deserved much better!
For me, the AMC finale was okay. I mean, they wrapped up just about all the storylines and had the vast majority of the characters happy. I guess things were a bit unsettled with Jack and Erica, but I’m okay with that because I’ve been done with their on again, off again relationship for a while. As for who JR shot? Why not just imagine that he was too drunk to aim properly and didn’t shoot anyone? After all, we never see anyone get hit, so why does anyone have to have been hit? Then they find JR in hiding… Read more »
G-d Bless you Agnes as we adore you and appreciate you <3
why can’t the soap network do some thing put these shows on a different network that wou ld be great.i love these shows and hate to have them come to an end.
Yeah, Anges, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. AMC and OLTL now you took it off our online prospect park. Now it’s losing. How can you bring OLTL and AMC back so we can see it online at prospectparkonline.com/soaps. I’m hurt and I’m destroyed cause they tried to break the news to us and it’s got to stop taking OLTL and AMC off our website even new people could help you get money.
Hey Agnes. Maybe Tom Bergeron can come to that Marathan that Erica had for Raising Money for Africa and Dancing With The Stars would have that on A Special Dancing With The Stars Marathan for Africa. Brot and Natalia Win the Marathan. Since Brot is the More Interesting Person because he was Injured in Iraq, then He Gets to Hold The Mirror Ball Trophy. During the Marathan, Dancing With The Marathan Shows Cameron Dancing at one Point and Erica Dancing at another Point. However, Greenlee and Jack are not on Camera. Of course, Aidan wasn’t at the Marathan so he… Read more »
Dear Agnes,
Thank so much for all your amazing stories. I have watched All My Children and One Life to Live for so many years that I am so sad for myself and all the wonderful people that don’t have a job any more. Maybe Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, or Oprah can help us. Maybe if they can’t save the world they can save the soaps that mean so much to so many people. Your soap fans love you and wish you the best.
Hate this news, but Agnes, have you thought about putting the stories in book-form? While I certainly miss all of the actors portraying the characters, at least the storylines could continue, if the actual soap cannot (and we can visualize the actors who played those characters as we read the stories).
Lisa, that is a great idea and it has been done before! Dark Shadows a show from the 60’s & 70’s continues in book and audio format now. It was also recently done with Days of Our Lives and previously with Guiding Light and I am going out on the limb here, As the World Turns. I think it would work and the fans would definitely support the books. You are truly a great lady and you gave us many years of great storytelling. God be with you.
Sure is frustrating having “One Life To Live” going dormant when all it needs is someone who wants to reap the rewards of an already profitable show. Plus, I have no doubt Frank Valentini would have “All My Children” under budget and in the black in no time. If no one grabs this fantastic opportunity I hope Agnes Nixon writes a short story or something telling us how she would have ended the series for good.
I don’t understand why Prospect Park didn’t try to partner up with cable networks such as CW, WEtv, AMC, USA, BRAVO or Hallmark Channel? Any one of those networks would be fortunate to have these legendary shows on their network. And they don’t expect to have 5 million viewers to tune in every day….they would be thrilled to have the 2.5 million that ABC snubs their nose at.
Prospect Park tried. But all the cable networks declined. Much the same way they have rejected all the previous cancelled soaps that had knocked on their door for rescue.
Did you read that somewhere? Just interested in how you came across that information….and I’m being serious, not trying to be a jerk. It’s just that Prospect Park has been so hush hush about everything….it all feels like a top secret mission. And I understand that if they don’t know how things are working out, then they can’t report anything, but in my opinion, Prospect Park has done a very poor job in the public relations department. When starting up something so new, as this online media is, you need to keep the public informed on what’s going on. I… Read more »
I agree. I wish PP would take some time to do that. I would be willing to wait a bit for OLTL to come back. Even if they took the rest of the winter and launch in the spring time. I know the cast and crew need to find a job to support themselves and their families. I just wish they wouldnt just give up.
Again, I would even be willing to pay a fee to help support this endeavor. Please PP. Don’t give up. OLTL needs to live on.
Here’s from the Deadline article.
“They also explored selling a potential second window for the two soaps to cable networks but couldn’t land a buyer”
Source: http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/on-the-brink-prospect-park-may-be-forced-to-pull-the-plug-on-oltl-amc/
So much of television is changing and not for the best.. Reality reality talk talk shows i’m so sick of it!
I will miss OLTL more than I can say. I do not watch The Chew, and I won’t watch anything that replaces my OLTL. And I agree – way too many reality and talk shows. ABC lost a lifelong viewer when they made the decision to axe these classics.
I so miss All My Children…..maybe Agnes could keep us up to date on the goings on in Pine Valley and Lanview by writing a few books! I would read them! They published 3 books in the 80’s that covered the 70’s….I would love for Agnes to start her AMC book right where we left off….who did get shot…if anyone!!
If OLTl cannot be revived, I also would like to see Agnes keep us up todate with Lanview by writing books. But of course, I would really rather see the real deal – but a book would be better than nothing!
I have a feeling they will be back though!!! xoxo Love you Agnes Thank you so much.
I don’t accept that it truly ended. I’m still hoping someone will pick it up, or there will be a sequel, a movie or something. I taped the last week of the show because I’m just not ready to give it up. I really miss all of you.
If there is anyone out there listening. I hope that there is someone that will pick up two of my favorite shows ” All My Children” and ” One Life To Live ” It hurt me to my heart to find out that two shows that i grew up watching as a child til now were going to be cancelled. I pray that someone picks these shows up because they were s major impact to the fans. If anyone is listening, please HELP!!!!!!
If you find a sponsor/promoter, I’ll be watching.