The news was still a bit of a shock last week. There had been hints that ABC was contemplating canceling a daytime soap. But when the announcement came that "All My Children" as well as "One Life To Live" had gotten the axe, it was met by various reactions from the public.
At one end of the spectrum were those who shrugged their shoulders and said "So what?" Some of those folks probably think all soap operas as stupid and TV for the most part is a big waste of time. On the other end of the scale are those who are probably still in mourning, despite assurances from the network that both shows would still be on for several months and would be ended in a "dignified manner." Those folks really think that Erica lives in a town called Pine Valley and Vicky lives in Llanview.
I really not at either end of the scale, although I admit I probably tilt a bit more toward those who cried "Say it isn't so!" For nearly 40 years, I have paused during the noon hour to see who Erica Kane is marrying or who is sick or injured among the main characters on the show. My mild obsession began when I was in college. During the summer months, I had a part-time job in the evening. Especially on those afternoons when the weather was too hot or too rainy to do much outside, I sometimes was glued to the set for all three shows - "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital."
Summer came to an end, I went back to school and my daytime guilty TV pleasures dwindled to the noon hour and AMC, as dedicated followers called it. Once I entered the work world full time, I still had a lunch hour and tuned in at least two or three times a week. Unlike many of the devoted fans, I have been fascinated by the show sometimes for the ridiculous plot lines and the less-than-stellar acting. Some of those moments were truly laugh-out-loud moments. For instance, the main character in the show, Erica Kane, has been married more times than most of her most dedicated fans can count. Some people count sheep to fall asleep. I used to count the number of bosses I've worked for over the years. AMC fans probably count Erica's ex-husbands.
But the show has also tackled some tough and serious social issues such as the suffering and eventual death of an AIDS patient and a lesbian relationship. One of the characters underwent heart transplant surgery. Another character who joined the cast in the last couple of years really was a casualty of the Iraq war. Although he sustained facial injuries, he has been accepted as a regular and has developed a love interest. So the show's writing staff has attempted to deal with real life situations at times.
There have been many actors on the show over the years, with only a select few who have stayed from the beginning. Some have used their appearances as a springboard to prime time or movie roles. A few who worked for years on stage and screen became regulars in their senior years. There were more than a few tears shed when they really died and their departures from the show included some scripted memorial services where it appeared their fellow actors had one more chance to say good-bye.
We live in a world of instant gratification. I guess that extends to TV production. Any show that lasts more than three or four seasons is often termed "a classic." If a show has a longer run, many of us rely on it to provide entertainment at a certain hour of the day. My first exposure to that fact was when I was growing up and Saturday night meant family night gathered around the TV. "Gunsmoke" came on at 9 p.m. Although we had to get up early for church the next morning, that 9 p.m. hour was a time when we got popcorn and pop and the chance to stay up late. "Gunsmoke" lasted about 20 years. "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" have been on daily for nearly 40 years, with few repeat episodes. That's nearly 10,000 hours of fresh episodes for each show.
When you consider the financial obligation the networks and their sponsors have committed to these shows for those many years, I guess it's small wonder that some bean counter at the network decided to pull the plug. ABC announced the shows would be replaced by "unscripted" shows on cooking and lifestyles. That means a much smaller budget. It also undoubtedly means a much shorter life span. I only hope that the person responsible for canceling AMC and One Life has a nest egg built up and an updated resume. When these new shows crash and burn, he or she will probably be looking for a new job - "instant gratification" and "what have you done for me lately" attitude, you know.
It's a tribute to the creators and writers of these shows that their plots always seemed fresh and interesting. We've undoubtedly seen the last of any show which will last for four decades. Although it's probably a good thing in the fact that it will allow many of us to search for something more constructive to do with our time, it's a bit of a sad commentary on the lack of courage of those who are responsible for the bottom line at the TV network.
So, thanks to the casts and crews of these two shows. Thanks for being part of our family for these many years.
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