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Prospect Park's Jeff Kwatinetz On AMC & OLTL Reboot: "I Know It's Been A Long Journey. Since The Fans Didn't Give Up, Either Did We!"

Courtesy/NY Times

Photo Credit: N.Y.Times

The New York Times Media Decoder blog has an item on the resurrection of beloved soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live and their officially announced upcoming new home online, which could signal exciting times ahead for media convergence in the digital age.

In an interview with Prospect Park’s Jeff Kwatinetz, (whose company’s first attempt to bring the shows from ABC to an The Online Network fizzled at the end of 2011) the executive paid tribute to the power of the soap fans who continued to will this project forward, and because of that, how Prospect Park continued to come up with solutions and a framework to make the soaps have a a second life!

Kwatinetz stated, “I know it’s been a long journey, but the timing is actually fortuitous as TV viewing is evolving rapidly in our direction. The adoption of online TV in the last year has begun to move exponentially as viewers start to realize the immense advantages digital distribution affords. But all of that is unmatched compared to the relentless fan support. Since they didn’t give up, either did we.”

In addition, the N.Y. Times was quick to point out,  “It is a bold bet that the Web — because of the proliferation of broadband, Internet-enabled TVs and the iPad — is now a practical way to funnel traditional shows to viewers. If the popularity of streamed 30-minute and 60-minute shows on Netflix and Hulu is any indication, consumers are ready to move beyond using the Web for bite-size video.”

What do you think of Kwatinetz comments?  Are you ready to embrace watching these soaps online, much like you do when you want to catch an episode of B&B, Y&R, GH and DAYS that now post episodes the same day as they air? Weigh-in!

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With each passing day, more and more positive news comes out to show that this will actually happen unlike last year! I can not wait to see Pine Valley and Llanview again! 🙂

I will watch the reboot now that I know that Agnes Nixon is involved. The AMC that was cancelled was a far cry from the amazing show that she created and that she and Wisner Washam once wrote. Starting in the new century, the show was mishandled completely and don’t even get me started on what Chuck Pratt or Megan McTavish did to the show. Here’s hoping the new headwriters bring AMC & OLTL back to telling good stories.

Elizabeth you are my hero! I can’t agree more. Those two wrote the glory years; sense of family, fun, love. . . The past decade was particularly trying to watch but I did anyway. You said it all.

I am so glad to know that others feel the same way I do! I was so disappointed in AMC the last year or so. It was difficult to watch and I tried to watch as the show more when I knew it was cancelled. That was a challenge for sure. But now that there are new writers and Agnes, I am more than thrilled!

Im just excited for my shows to be back their are my life way from life…my second family…

I will for sure watch these shows online, but I’m hoping that a cable network will also pick them up eventually. There are still many fans who will not be able to watch online, for various reasons, and I want our soaps to be accessable to anyone who wants to watch!

you are on-line now.. you can watch the soaps on-line unless you are using a dial-up service .. if you have/are using the ordinary high-speed you can watch the soaps on-line 🙂
hope you can!

I’m on dial up. I’m kinda waiting to see if this becomes an actual reality, as opposed to the faux reality they did last January before I figure out how to pay for hi-speed. No cable either….. I was hoping for ABC/NBC/CBS soaps.

Question – so is there a way to “record” online soaps to watch later – like much later – to watch whenever and however many times I want like I do with soaps on DVD right now? I know people upload to youtube old soaps… how do they save it?

Thanks, but I’m not talking about me. I know I can watch it online. I was thinking about all the folks that don’t have a computer or older viewers that don’t have access. We’re not even sure that the fans in Canada will be able to watch. There is still so much that we don’t know yet!

I am a bit skeptical, but I will give this a try. I miss All My Children and One Life To Live. I watch Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives now. I don’t know how I will fit these two back into my routine, but I will try. I am a true Soap Opera fan!

Excellent news. I’ll be happy to follow the reboots daily on the internet!

My second families are back … am so excited. When I heard that Vincent Irizarry, Debbi Morgan and Jerry VanDorn had signed I cried. I am so happy-can’t wait.

Aw, I love this comment…almost made me cry:)
I’m a Days fan, never watched AMC or OLTL but I’ll try to get up to speed when they go online just to support the genre I love.

We’ll get you caught up speed, don’t worry. I took up days recentlyand I think I’m up to speed now on everyone.

YAY! The fans saved our soaps. We need to give ourselves a pat on the back. This is history in the making and I for one am excited to see AMC and OLTL online or on cable. I keep checking all my soap news sites daily to see what other new developments came about. Keep the news coming Michael!

So good to read those comments! Great time to be a soap fan!

Thank you Mr. Fairman for keeping us up-to-date on all the news.

GO SOAPS!

I am happy to know that PP was paying attention to all us fans and what we were saying. Hoping they can bring it to a cable channel for rebroadcast for those who do not have online capability. One of the best things about this for me, is I will not be tied to a schedule. Just like with taping them, I will be able to watch them whenever I find the time! YAY!

I really don’t think a web series does justice to these shows.Until they are back on a network bak to there orginal for all to see I will not be happy.If this flops they will have ten year rights and kiss them bye for good.Alot are already saying no to this.We will loose millions of veiwers and they will be bareboned soaps.I want to be wrong so bad but fear I’m not.I want them back so bad and the way they where.I don’t want it to be a ploy to try and convince people ABC did there best and forgive us because pp failed.

there is always blue sky behind grey clouds

I really hope it works out Brain I really want them back the way they where and for all to see.

Im soooo happy!!

I stream most of my television shows now from the internet to my ROKU so this is just icing on the cake.

I will take AMC and OLTL back in whatever format they need to be in to be financially viable for the producers, the crew and the actors, as long as they don’t replace our main characters. I think that TV over the internet is the wave of the future, and if we can generate enough interest, it’s sure to get the attention of major TV players. Let’s not be too quick to criticize and instead, spend a couple of minutes patting ourselves on the back.

Count me as one VERY skeptical whether they’re going to be able to pull this off. We have no tangible proof of anything, just like before. I want AMC and OLTL back just like everyone here, but not at the expense of being jerked around again

Glad they r sharing.

I hope that Prospect Park contacts Hoover Vaccums to advertise…. Since Hoover was very vocal in the soaps being canceled.

tonja walkers site on FB hadfour thousand people say they would pay ten to twenty dollars a month to watch the shows. Why don’t they ask her back on?

All My Children

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: ABC

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

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

Photo: ABC

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

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

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

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

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All My Children

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

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

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

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

Photo: ABC

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

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

Photo: ABC

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

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

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

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All My Children

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

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

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

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

Courtesy/DisneyABC

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

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

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

 

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