Susan Lucci: 'All My Children' Cancellation Not My Fault

She was the queen of mean and melodrama for 41 years, but don't blame Susan Lucci for this ultimate soap opera tragedy.

Following ABC's cancellation of "All My Children," earlier in the year, it was announced that a new web distributor run by Prospect Park would pick up production and continue to air the iconic show. Then, last week, Prospect Park did an about face and announced that it was dropping "AMC," as well, opting only to continue another canceled soap, "One Life To Live." Speculation was that Lucci's unwillingness to cooperate was one of the reasons behind the axing, but the former Erica Kane insists that she had nothing to do with it.

"This is simply untrue and not the case," she wrote on her Facebook page. "We have been in discussions since Prospect Park first expressed interest in moving the series online, and in correspondence dated September 8th, I made it clear that I would be ecstatic to be a part of 'All My Children' in a prominent way if they committed to producing the series for another year."

That was the last she heard from Prospect Park, Lucci said, and to add insult to injury, she "learned of their decision not to proceed with 'All My Children' at the same time you did, through the media."

The Emmy-winner was outspoken, however, about ABC's decision to cancel the show. In her new memoir, "All My Life," she ripped the network's daytime chief, Brian Frons, for his cost-cutting measures.

"An iconic show was losing out to greed ... If Brian Frons could show his bosses that he could save the network 40 percent ... he could keep his job even if the rest of us lost ours," she wrote, a nod at the decision to go with a cheaper show -- food talk show "The Chew -- in the place of the legacy drama. "I watched Brian Frons' decisions destroy the production of our show and the lives of people on both sides of the country."

Comments

[Golden Butterfly]

08:08 PM on 11/19/2011

Before I was diagnosed with cancer I could not tell you what was on tv at any given time. Watching the soaps kept me focused on something else besides being sick. Then I was told I have neuroapthy from the experimental treatment and could no longer be a nurse as it effected my legs, feet and hands. All my children fantasy drama helped make my day go by. I was upset to see it was being taken off the air for yet another bull drawn out talk/news show. I looked forward to watching over the internet which is now a main part of my day. Now even that has been stopped. When will the media start thinking about those who are older, disabled or ill ? Haven't we given up enough in our life? Shouldn"t we have at lease a tv program for or age group?

[Sarah Tink Van Diesel]

12:07 AM on 11/19/2011

It was okay to watch before the internet. .or cable...or color TV.

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

02:09 PM on 11/18/2011

I wonder if the network will come crawling back to the actors when "The Chew" is finally canceled. I mis AMC and "The Chew" is awful.

[cherasny]

11:24 AM on 11/18/2011

Anything owned and operated by DISNEY,whether its theme parks or broadcasting on ABC is full of greed.May as well call them politicians.They make empty promises while filling their own pockets. I do not in any way support anything of DISNEY since they've taken over.

[Gracey28]

01:45 AM on 11/18/2011

I hope karma bites the corporate executives in the rear. They are greedy and rather than quality programming they will put on cheap trash. They are really stupid and don't care about the viewers. I believe Susan.

[foccerdip]

01:41 AM on 11/18/2011

I made it clear that I would be ecstatic to be a part of 'All My Children' in a prominent way if they committed to producing the series for another year." http://tinyurl.com/7w2jq37

[cameron d]

12:22 AM on 11/18/2011

Could anyone possibly believe that all of her is natural? Seriously, lay off the surgery.

[biapayne]

12:07 AM on 11/18/2011

Lucci had nothing to do with the cancelation of AMC. The bottom line is that a television network is a corporation and like all corporations their main objective is profit. The Chew and similar reality based talk shows are much cheaper to produce than daytime or nighttime dramas. Expect to see more and more lousy programing on TV because all big corporate execs care about is showing a profit even if the quality of their product (show) is GARBAGE!

[jaye27]

11:24 PM on 11/17/2011

Does anybody know the ratings the Chew is getting, compared to AMC? I saw a few numbers the first weeks, but can't seem to find any info since. I'm torn. I want it to fail so the network gets it's comeuppance, but then realize it employs a lot of folks, too.

[biapayne]

12:03 AM on 11/18/2011

It doesn't get great ratings but it is WAY cheaper to produce than a soap so it will stay on.

[AuntLoonie]

09:35 PM on 11/17/2011

Nobody blames you, darling. Long time viewers know it was because of the misguided tenure of the ABC daytime creative void that is the money-grubbing Brian Frons - currently losing money on "The Chew."

[gypsynomad]

07:12 PM on 11/17/2011

Does anyone really watch ~chew~ ?
Miss you la Louche and AMC.

[Bluejay00234]

06:08 PM on 11/17/2011

Brian Frons destroyed ABC daytime years ago, he should have been fired ages ago. And what a shame they never bothered to get better writers.

[gypsynomad]

05:57 PM on 11/17/2011

Oh we would forgive you Susan if you show up in the DWTS to support J.R. as he wins the trophy !

[RonNYC]

05:47 PM on 11/17/2011

The show is terrible and Lucci is an awful actress. Why waste time and money on it.
OLTL has good storylines and actual actors.

[listentome]

05:10 PM on 11/17/2011

The last few months of AMC were so terrible that by the time the end came I think most viewers were glad to be put of their misery. In tvland we are used to bringing one person back from the dead, but multiple people at once? And Susan's acting went down hill also. But, one of the most ridiculous scripts go to One Life To Live, in which a character, Echo, was captured by a 7 year old dressed as Spiderman who sprayed her with his web gun and kept her detained while he rescued Dorian Lord. I know, too much time on my hand.

[nomobull]

02:49 PM on 11/18/2011

that is bad