All My Children
Susan Lucci Talks Shocking Cancellation Of All My Children On Oprah's Where Are They Now?
Courtesy/ABC
It’s still painful to watch and hear the iconic Susan Lucci talk about the demise of All My Children and how she found out the long running ABC soap opera had been canceled.
Lucci recalls it once again for her appearance on tonight’s new episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now? series airing at 9PMEST on her cable outlet OWN.
So, if you’re wondering how it feels to lose a job you’ve had for 41 years, you want to watch this segment. And while La Lucci is doing just fine these days with her myriad of new projects from Deadly Affairs to Devious Maids, the special does account that Susan still went through a lengthy grieving process over having her role of Erica Kane come to stop! She also reveals her fears of never working again, and moving on post-life AMC!
Watch a clip with Susan discussing AMC’s untimely ending after the jump! Then, let us know, do you still get choked up every time you hear a beloved cast member from Pine Valley talk about the demise of the soap? Let us know!
All My Children
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All My Children
Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest Remember Regis Philbin on ‘Live’, while Kathie Lee Gifford Recalls Last Moments With Him On ‘Today’
All My Children
TV Icon Regis Philbin Dead At 88; Kathie Lee Gifford, Kelly Ripa and Susan Lucci Pay Tribute
Sad news to report on Saturday. Legendary TV host and personality, Regis Philbin has passed away at the age of 88. The Daytime Emmy-winning host, was famous for is morning shows including Live with Regis and Kathie Lee for 15 years, and its later incarnation Live with Regis and Kelly, hosting Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. beauty pageants, his night club shows with former All My Children star, Susan Lucci, and so much more.
In a statement his family shared: “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday,His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him — for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about.. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.'”
Philbin’s accolades included: Daytime Emmy Awards wins for Outstanding Talk Show Host for Live! in 2001 and 2011 as well as Outstanding Game Show Host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Regis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008. He was nominated for 37 Daytime Emmy Awards throughout his career. In addition, according to Guinness World Records, Regis holds the world record for most hours on US television with more than 16,700 hours clocked.
Three women who worked so closely with Regis each took to Instagram this afternoon to share their grief and memories of their dear friend, and in some cases mentor:
Photo: TODAYShowNBC
Kathie Lee Gifford expressed on Philbin’s passing: “There are no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis. I simply adored him and every day with him was a gift. We spent 15 years together bantering and bickering and laughing ourselves silly—a tradition and a friendship we shared up to this very day. I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he’s making someone laugh. It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace. I send all the love in my heart to Joy, to his children, to the rest of his family and to the innumerable people he touched over his legendary life. There has never been anyone like him. And there never will be.”
Photo: ABC
Kelly Ripa who took over from Gifford and co-hosted with Regis for many years shared along with Ryan Seacrest: “We are beyond saddened to learn about the loss of Regis Philbin. He was the ultimate class act, bringing his laughter and joy into our homes everyday on Live for more than 23 years. We were beyond lucky to have him as a mentor in our careers and aspire everyday to fill his shoes on the show. We send our deepest love and condolences to his family and hope they can find some comfort in knowing he left the world a better place.”
Photo: NATAS
Susan Lucci, shared an emotional message: “Oh, Regis—I am so shocked and so incredibly sad to learn of your passing. Your warmth and charm and devilish sense of humor made the world fall in love with you—and all of us who had the privilege and joy to work with you adored you! Those five years we traveled the country appearing together on stage are full of some of my favorite memories. Helmut and I send our love and heartfelt sympathy to beautiful Joy and your entire family. You were one of a kind, Rege—🎼There Will Never Ever Be Another You🎼 RIP, Regis—and thank you”
Philbin is survived by daughters J.J. Philbin and Joanna Philbin, whom he shared with his wife of 50 years, Joy Philbin. He was also father to daughter Amy Philbin, whom he shared with his first wife Catherine Faylen. Philbin and Faylen had another child, son Daniel Philbin, who passed away in 2014.
Share your thoughts and condolences on the passing of Regis Philbin in the comment section below.
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It’s hard to believe Erica maybe GONE for good!
It was a shock to get a third and fourth cancellation in a third year. I miss AMC (ABC more than Hulu). By the time Lorraine came on, it was too late for the series, but the writing was strong and stories were amazing. But everything happens for a complete reason, and I see now why ABC did cancel both AMC and OLTL. But right now, I’m happy with the daytime lineup. And the memories of AMC will always live on!
I remember the shock as if it were yesterday. I had been worried about the fate of my favorite show, OLTL, for several years because it was clear to me that the alphabet network had stopped supporting it. I was absolutely stunned when both shows were canceled. I know it doesn’t matter to them, or anyone else for that matter; but, I will never forgive the alphabet network or the mouse company for this diabolical betrayal of their loyal viewers and their loyal employees.
I agree. No ABC/D for me.
I totally agree! I still get tears in my eyes when I think of AMC and OLTL, or see something that pertains to them. I will forever grieve for these wonderful shows, and will never forgive ABC for their greed and treachery! I am glad that GH is still doing so well, but I worry about it since I no longer trust ABC/D.
It still makes me cry. I miss both the shows and the characters so much.
All My Children was boring and low rated when cancelled…i hate to see any soap go but its cancellation wasnt a shock to me when better soaps have been cancelled!!!
You said it.
Jim, I started watching AMC way back in the seventies when I was just a small child. Yes, I am one of those I-watched-my-first-soap-when-perched-on-my-grandma’s-knees kid–this akin to being a latch key child, I guess. Back in the day AMC was smart, romantic with literary allusions. Agnes Nixon was well versed in Shakespeare and the Romantic Poets and infused their works into her work. Even though I was just barely 10, it was Phoebe, and her hatred of that “Kane woman” or that “Donna Beck person” who fascinated me. I also adored Brooke English, Myrtle Fargate, Palmer Courtlandt, Adam Chandler, Tadd… Read more »
yes.. that last years of AMC were actually terrible..
When AMC became near wasted I turned into OLTL.
I was surprised that OLTL was much better.
Sad. But love her on Devious Maids.
I have been working every day since AMC and OLTL,’sshelving to get ABC interested in reprising these two iconic soaps! We need to get Pp and Abc to settle the lawsuit and get them out of legal limbo. As far as I am concerned, PP can produce them, but they should air on ABC as well as the internet . Bring Back love in the Afternoon!
The cancellation of AMC is still so shocking. Erica Kane is an iconic character who was played by an icon herself, Susan Lucci – who is well known internationally. All my Children was something more than just a show, it was special to me because it was shared by my Mother. So many memories and so many reasons the show should have continued and still be on television. For it to have left the way it did after 41 years, All my children deserved better. Susan Lucci’s recollection on the cancellation is and will always be: heartbreaking.
I haven’t watched anything on ABC since the last episode of All My Children. My tv never goes there. I really miss the show.
I appreciate Lucci’s devotion to AMC but she still is working and visible. When are we ever going to see any type of interview with Don Hastings, Eileen Fulton, Kim Hayes, or Elizabeth Hubbard about how they felt on the cancellation of ATWT? These folks have been invisible since ATWT was cancelled and, in the case of Hastings and Fulton, dedicated far more years to their shows than Lucci did to AMC. Lucci’s fans can still see her on television, albeit not as Erica. However, the fans of the ATWT veterans don’t get much. This is a fine piece. However,… Read more »
You’re so right, Barbara–it’s almost as though ATWT never existed, comparatively speaking. You just don’t hear much about the cast (long-time vets or otherwise). It would be some slight consolation to find out a little about what the veteran actors are up to. (Of course it could be that they’re very private and don’t want to share–although Eileen Fulton has certainly never come across that way.)
For what it is worth….The New York Times had a great interview with Don Hastings on the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, as ATWT was the only network show airing nationally at the time of the announcement. Since it was live, the actors weren’t told because the producers wanted the show to go on. But Don figured something was up. Because it was live the actors kept doing their scenes, even though they were — unbeknownst to them — being interrupted by Walter Cronkhite’s audio break ins. During CBS.com’s rebroadcast — as it happened — of CBS’s TV’s entire four-day… Read more »
You said it! Why are none of the ATWT actors on any other soaps (besides Maura West & Jon Hensley-(briefly on B&B) And Colleen Zenk, Martha Byrne, so many wonderful people-oh this is making me sad. And the GL actors too. Where are they? Enough of Susan Lucci forever.
Oprah is a huge Lucci fan. That is why the interview with Susan. And, really, Susan has been a great ambassador for daytime. She is someone who should get a pass from fan nastiness, in my opinion. She is the one soap star who is known by her real name by people who do not watch soaps. She is classy and deserves respect, even if you do not like AMC.
Tristan, of course you’re right about Susan Lucci being a class act who deserves our support and respect. I just think some people would like the focus not to be just on her, but on all of the out-of-work soap actors who once were fixtures in our daily weekday lives–that’s all.
Still stings whenever I think of the loss of all my children. I have faced the fact that its not returning. I enjoy the remaining soaps.
All things come to an end, everything ends.
We end/die ..
I loved AMC and it will always be in hearts, I am grateful to have had enjoyed it five days a week, it was wonderful and my daytime joy ..
RIP AMC … people have to let AMC and OLTL go ..
Still missing Erika and all the wonderful actors on AMC. I still will not watch anything on ABC. I know that if AMC ever resurfaces, it will be so different from my AMC. I know my AMC is gone forever . I will never forgive ABC. I have stopped crying but I still get very sad.
Susan came out smelling like a rose. I’m surprised anyone was shocked by the cancelation as ratings were bad for several years. I personally think the cast fully expected it to be canceled, with all the rumors, reports and speculation. The last years were not good for this show, let’s be honest.
I still cannot believe two iconic soaps (AMC and OLTL) began and were cancelled during my lifetime. Just seems so improbable but someone had it out for the daytime soaps and pushed their agenda and as a result, they are no more. I still haven’t recovered.
Great post , David- I still miss these two shows. Being born in the early 60,s I basically grew up with them and was looking forward to enjoying them as my mother and aunts had in retirement. I’ve tried the other soaps but you can’t replace 40 years in Pine Valley and Llanview.
I’m still missing them in 2015! There will never be another PV for me 🙁 I’ve watched since the seventies when I was a small child with my Grandmother and Mother. I do not watch much tv and never have, however I never missed “All my Children” I have had to tape it and watch several episodes at once due to my schedule but never missed them completely. And given the choice i’d still be doing just that! better than anything on today!
I watched every day it was on PP and it was excellent. I am hoping it is not gone for good. I firmly believe ABC made it not as good on purpose at the end so they would have an excuse because they didn’t want to carry soaps. Now, on my computer this segment ends in mid sentence. is something wrong with my computer? The segment was incomplete.
Wait, how could Erica Kane been on AMC for 41 years when she is only thirty-nine?
I cried the last time it aired on ABC. I have watched this show since 1970’s and grown with all the characters on the show. When it ended it was like my family was moving far far away and not to be seen again. But now I have watched other soaps that have picked up a lot of my favorites from AMC and OLTL. And I haven’t t missed an episode of “Devious Maids”. I am happy the most of the cast has found work on these other shows but, I still miss “All My Children and One Life To… Read more »
Still miss AMC. Thot we would at least get short episodes once Hulu took over and I almost joined HuluPlus because of AMC. Now I’m glad I never did, since they gave us a one short short “season” and then cancelled it again. We were promised some of the old characters would be back..in fact it was even set up (like for Tod) to show up and then suddenly NOTHING. Cancelled as abruptly as it was on ABC. And to top off the insult, ABC replaced it with “The Chew”…just what we needed…another food show and what a disgusing name!
I really miss ALL MY CHILDREN, the abc-tv version. I watched every on-line episode of the new AMC as well but I have to be honest and say it was not that compelling as an On Line presentation, though I was very happy to have it back. In fairness, it wasn’t on line long enough to find it’s proper footing. I suppose there still exists the possibility that Prospect Park could re-launch it once again, but it hardly seems likely. My hope has been that ABC would wise up and bring it back even as a half hour lead-in to… Read more »
I miss AMC and OLTL… The PP shows were TOO short, just as you would get into something there would be 3 or 4 commercials.. The shows were 25 min They were 1 show 1 week, then the other, then they were every other day, and then 2 days a week… Big deal 40 episodes for each show, and they were supposed to air for 12 months… Yea right.. And they say ABC broke the contract.. From this fact of only airing for 4-5 months, that does NOT equal 12months… Fulfill your contract and BRING THEM BACK as FULL 1… Read more »
I still have tears in my eyes when I think about my favorite shows gone forever. I pray every day that some how they will get reincarnated. The shows on ABC are not good anymore and truly don’t make sense without these shows. I cant support this network anymore because they don’t believe in loyalty. 45 years come on who does that to people who love the soaps One Life to Live and All My Children. Networks should be ashamed for their greed and stupidity.
I can’t understand any hatred towards Susan Lucci. Yes, she does get a lot of recognition and there are a lot of talented people. But sadly she brought respectability and national or world attention to soaps. While other sought fame on night time or movies Susan was and is a recognized star in her own right not relying upon her movies which for the most part she starred in and most were in the top ten and all were in the top twenty (the only one maybe not in the top 20 was a cable movie but I am not… Read more »
Loved AMC.
Will NEVER watch ABC ever again.
And frankly, Erica Kane was interesting to watch right to the very last minute…
i miss u so much at least u won an emmy though more famous 4 not i only hope & pray they do not wait till u are gone to make a movie of your icredible life love u always best 2 u and family what ever u do now will be great of that i am sure chow 4 now ll my best Stephanie xxxxxxxxx
Still can’t get over All My Children is over and bullies like Tony Geary are still on daytime tv. The world needs Erica Kane back – sorry Genevieve Delatour is NOT Erica kane. thye look and sound similar but are not the same ! 🙂