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Susan Lucci Recalls ‘All My Children’ Cancellation and How Viewers Crashed ABC Phone Lines on ‘Soapy’ (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

You should never, ever underestimate the power, or the passion of soap opera fans, as legendary All My Children star, Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane) discussed during her guest appearance on this week’s episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Vaughan dropping on Tuesday, January 13th.

Ahead of the release of the all-new episode of the podcast/talk show, Michael Fairman TV has this exclusive clip to share which features ‘La Lucci’ speaking about the heartfelt calls she received from series iconic creator, Agnes Nixon after All My Children ended, and how disgruntled fans of the soap opera flooded the ABC switchboard and computer lines causing them to go down!

All My Children lasted on ABC for 41 years. It was back in April 2011 when the cast were notified by then ABC Daytime President, Brian Frons that the soap along with One Life to Live, had been canceled. By September 23, 2011, All My Children broadcast its final episode on ABC which ended with a cliffhanger. It was revived for one shortened season by Prospect Park when it launched its online version of the series in April of 2013 streaming on Hulu, and ended in the fall  September of 2013.

Photo: CBS

VOICE YOUR DISPLEASURE

During her visit to Soapy, Susan revealed that Agnes Nixon was still crafting ideas for the All My Children characters even after its demise “I would say the first four years after All My Children was off the air, Agnes would call me with ideas she had for story,” explained Lucci. “It just so thrilling to hear this from Agnes, because she was this amazing storyteller.”

Then, recalling the fan fervor when the soap was canceled, Susan said, “When All My Children went off the air, I was told by many people, including Agnes, the fans blew up and shut down the computer lines at ABC. She said there was one number that you could call, and so I did. I called it just to see if it was really true, because that’s kind of unbelievable to crash the lines at corporation. I wanted to see myself, and actually the recording said, ‘to state your displeasure or your upset at All My Children being canceled, press one … for all other ABC business press two.’ So it was true.”

LA LUCCI

Susan is also promoting her new memoir La Lucci which is set for release in bookstores nationwide come February 3. In this her second book, La Lucci explores Susan’s journey through love, joy, reinvention, and resilience in the face of profound loss-both personal and professional. As Susan’s fans know, she lost her beloved husband and manager Helmut Huber back in 2022, which is part of the book.

Rebecca Budig also appeared on All My Children in the role of Greenlee Smythe and often shared scenes with Susan. Now, Budig appears on The Bold and the Beautiful as Dr. Taylor Hayes, while her co-host, Greg Rikaart is on Days of our Lives as Leo Stark.

Now below, check out the clip of Susan talking the ripple effect of All My Children’s cancellation by ABC.

Soapy episodes can be found on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available and full video episode on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.

Then, let us know, were you one of the viewers who called the ABC phone lines and either left a message on the complaint line or helped crash the computer lines during the fan uproar of losing All My Children? What do you remember the day you found out the soap had been canceled? Share your recollections via the comment section.

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One of the great things Ron Carlivati did on Days was to give short term roles on the show to the old grand dames of daytime. Surely, there is a role out there for Susan Lucci on one of the legacy soaps if she wanted to be on a soap again. I don’t believe any of the old soaps AMC, OLTL, Guiding Light, As the World Turns, Sunset Beach could ever be rebooted as daily soaps due to the passage of time and the deaths of so many of our old faves. But I do think a weeklong series tying up loose ends with some of the remaining cast members would be an enormous hit especially on streaming. I know I would tune in to see Erica, Kendall, and Bianca again.

Frank Valentini has reportedly asked Lucci a few times to come to GH for a short stint. She apparently has little desire to resurrect Erica (at least on GH).

Susan has been frank about not wanting to do daytime again, as the experience at All My Children would likely not be replicated or duplicated at any other soap. She received offers from other soaps once All My Children ended, and she refused them.

Susan is very protective of the character of Erica and from what I have read she has refused offers because she is unsure that they will take care of the character as they should.

Why press any number other than “1”?!?!

I was one of them who crashed the phone lines. I STRONGLY registered my disgust at the cancellation of One Life to Live and All My Children. I still do.

Agnes Nixon was an amazing visionary story teller. She created two outstanding programs both of which should be on the air today. May she rest in peace.

Agreed 100 percent

It was a shock to me when AMC aired its last episode in ABC. I cried.

I’m still upset about AMC and OLTL being cancelled! Nothing can ever replace those shows

AMC and OLTL is still remembered by its fan while its replacement the Chew is long forgotten.

To lose both AMC and OLTL and to this day they still haven’t found anything to replace it that lasted proves what a bone headed move that was. Brian Frons among the most hated figures in Daytime along with JFP and LML and Josh Griffith

That Mrs. Nixon continued to craft new plots for her characters isn’t a surprise because she always said, “The story never ends.”

I was shocked about the cancellation and cried. All My Children was beloved by young and older loyal fans. No one deserved to be dismissed the way we were, not the cast and crew, and not the viewers!

She refuses to talk about her daughter who stopped talking to both parents 5 years ago.Liza got upset that Susan and her husband kept giving money to her lazy brother who never became a golf pro.Also,Susan wants a lot of money for a small role on any soap because she deserves it.The ratings would be sky high.In two weeks she will be on good morning america,live with kelly,the today show,CBS morning,the view and tamron hall.All the people interviewing her will be told before hand,not to mention liza.

Her relationship with her daughter is a private matter. She is under no obligation to discuss it with the public. If she chooses to do so then that’s a different set of circumstances

However, as we can see from Hollywood and royalty rocky parental child relationships where one of the parties cut off all ties for their mental health is becoming more and more prevalent and would be a great topic to explore more on soaps. Other than Days Gwen/Jack or EJ/ Johnny it is rarely seen.

Yes I called and stated my complaint many times. I was heartbroken that my beloved soap was ending.

Well I cannot believe that the short-lived Online version of both OLTL and AMC have been gone for already a decade – but WHAT ever became of the show PINE VALLEY that supposedly was ‘really happening’ a few years ago that Susan was interested in doing? Kelly Rippa and hubby Marc were allegedly putting it all together in 2021 and then…..nothing. Eva LaRue said “it’s definitely happening!” So…..what gives…..I guess, well I assume that it will not come to fruition.

All My Children

‘All My Children’ Episodes to Stream on Pluto TV Canada

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Starting on May 1, All My Children fans in Canada will be able to see classic episodes of the beloved former ABC soap opera when they stream on Pluto TV Canada. 

Pluto TV picked-up the All My Children Channel that the Nixon family has created in partnership with BEONDTV +. The show which aired for 41 years on ABC and ended on the network in 2011, had so many memorable storylines and characters; the least of which is the enduring run of Erica Kane played by soap icon, Susan Lucci.

As previously reported, starting with episodes from the year 1995, which was the 25th anniversary of the soap. Pluto TV Canada viewers will be able to catch 8 episodes on repeat per day. With the success of the venture, the Nixons are hopeful that they will bring viewers many more years of the show to come.

Photo: ABC

Sarah Nixon, producer, shared with Michael Fairman TV exclusively, “We are thrilled that Pluto TV has launched All My Children in Canada! Let’s hope the engagement from our incredibly loyal fans across the border will encourage ABC to bring it to the U.S.!  We share what Aggie (Agnes Nixon) always felt, that it is the enthusiasm and love from the fans that has kept this legacy beloved and relevant – to this day!”

In addition, 0ne week ago, during Susan Lucci’s visit to Los Angeles promoting her book La Lucci, she was joined by her former Pine Valley castmates, Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC, now Taylor, B&B) and Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC) and the trio posed for a pic. At that time, LaRue shared via Instagram, “NEW All My Children channel streaming classic episodes 24/7 now on Pluto TV Canada! Fingers crossed to watch soon on Pluto US.”

That was also confirmed this week by TV Watercooler’s Jeevan Brar who took to X and expressed,The All My Children channel begins streaming this Friday, May 1 on Pluto TV Canada.

So, Canadian viewers, excited about Pluto TV’s All My Children channel? United States fans, hopeful from Sarah’s message that perhaps soon, we can see the beloved soap once again as well? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Eva LaRue (@evalarue)

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All My Children

Mark Consuelos Mourns the Loss of His Father

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Saul Consuelos, the father of All My Children alum and Live with Kelly and Mark co-host, Mark Consuelos (ex0-Mateo, AMC), has died. During an emotional moment on this mornings, April 6 edition of the syndicated talk show, Mark shared, that his dad, “passed away peacefully” back on March 23 following a long illness.

His wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) paid tribute to her her father-in-law expressing, he was, “the greatest person I’ve ever known. I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He really is so symbolic of everything you are.”

Kelly and Mark’s children, Joaquin, Michael and Lola Consuelos are said to be taking this extremely hard. Ripa added, “This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives. And I said, ‘By the time I was 8, I had no grandparents. You got to grow up (with grandparents). You got to have deep, meaningful conversations (with them).”

Photo: KRipaIG

In another moment, Mark reflected on his dad. “It’s funny, I used to make a joke about my dad … if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures and I learned so much. If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.”

Mark added that Saul Consuelos came to the U.S. from Mexico in his early teens and served our county for decades, detailing, he “Ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Masters while I was a kid.  He loved his country so much, If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people.”

In a very heart-tugging moment, Consuelos shared that now its important they be there for his mother, Camilla. “We gotta take care of mom. We’re trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She’s such a character, she’s stubborn. What do you think, a cooking segment here on Fridays with Camilla?”

Now below, watch the very touching and emotional moments as Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa mourn the loss of Saul Consuelos.

Let us know, what you thought of the remarks made by Kelly and Mark on the death of Mark’s father via he comment section.

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All My Children

Sarah Michelle Gellar Visits ‘The View’ Where Hosts Sidestep Controversial ‘Buffy’ Reboot Axing, But Talk ‘All My Children’

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On yesterday’s March 17 episode of The View, All My Children alum, Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart), was the special guest. Since Monday, Gellar has been the subject of a hot-button issue since about the surprising turn of events that the highly-anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, in which she stars, and which was directed in the pilot by Oscar-winning director, Chloé Zhao, was no longer moving forward.

Gellar‘s appearance on the ABC morning talk show was devoid of any mention of Hulu cancelling its planned Buffy: New Sunnydale, in which Sarah was set to appear along with Ryan Kiera Armstrong. However, Gellar did discuss her new movie Ready or Not 2: Here I Come from Searchlight Pictures.

It should be noted that both Hulu and Searchlight Pictures are owned by The Walt Disney Company, while The View is produced by ABC News, which is also owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Courtesy/ABC

During the awkward interview, when it became clear the ‘Buffy’ reboot topic was off the table, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, talked about the “intense fight scenes” that have become a staple of her TV and film career starting with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scream 2, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The ladies of The View also brought up Sarah’s beginnings on All My Children as Kendall Hart (1993-1995), showing a scene with her and her on-screen mother, the iconic Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci. The discussion sprung out of another All My Children alum, Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie Montgomery) winning the Oscar this past Sunday for Best Actor for his role in Sinners. The View’s Joy Behar was quick to point out with Gellar, the All My Children alums that have gone on to great fame.

Photo: ABC

Previously on Monday, Gellar opened up to PEOPLE about being blindsided before while at the SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. “I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it’s also the weekend of Chloé going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet. For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloé’s victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is… that says something.”

She went to say, “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.” Deadline reports that “multiple sources” identified the executive as Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich.

“I loved the duality that we had with this new, younger slayer who was where Buffy was when the show started, and then we would pick up with where Buffy was now,” Gellar told People about the setup.  However, according also to Deadline “After the pilot was completed and delivered, according to multiple sources, Hulu’s main note was that it played too young, with some indicating that the streamer also felt the show was too “small.”’

In the rewrite, sources also told the outlet that the writers did not take big enough swings, so they set out to do a rewrite it again. The last revision was more adult, featuring a lot more of Gellar’s Buffy, and was described as a more of a streaming show than a network one. When all is said and done there is hope that another Buffy IP will be up and running within the next couple of years.

You can check out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s full segment on The View below. Now let us know, bummed there is no Buffy reboot? What do you think about how this high profile Hollywood saga was side-stepped on the morning show? Did you love Sarah as the original Kendall Hart on All My Children? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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