The rollercoaster ride of emotions continues for fans of All My Children. For several weeks, the show has been the subject of cancellation rumors, as radio programs, television news channels, and Internet sites likened the ABC soap to the ill-fated Titanic. Things got ever worse when a not-meant-to-be-funny April Fool's Day story hinted that both AMC and One Life to Live would be yanked from the airwaves and replaced by a talk show and reality programming.
The ride continues.
Citing show sources, Soaps In Depth is reporting exclusively that an official announcement regarding All My Children's future will be made next week, possibly Monday. The magazine also seemed to hint that the news could break somewhere outside of the traditional soap magazines.
In addition to possibly assuring fans that the 41-year-old soap isn't going off the air, ABC is also expected to officially announce a change to its writing team: David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski are out, and Emmy winner Lorraine Broderick will take over as head writer. Broderick, who is currently part of All My Children's writing team, has three decades of history with All My Children.
ABC's decision to remain relatively silent as the rumors of All My Children's cancellation escalated unnerved both fans and the show's on-screen talent. On March 23, AMC's executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers held a meeting and informed that cast that the rumors of the show's cancellation were just that -- rumors. Immediately afterward, several AMC stars took to Twitter to relay the news to fans.
"AMC is not being cancelled," Bobbie Eakes (Krystal Carey) informed fans via Twitter. "But now is a great time to let the network know you'd like to keep it that way."
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake Martin) called the chatter "vicious rumors" that were beginning to negatively impact the show's morale.
Still, in early March, All My Children hit a record low in the women 18-49 demographic. Just 463,000 viewers in the bracket tuned in to the show -- more than a third lower than the comparable week in 2010. The show also reportedly still wrestles to operate within its budget, something that was supposed to have been made easier by the show's relocation to Los Angeles last year.
Lorraine Broderick joined All My Children's writing team in 1979 as a scriptwriter and breakdown writer. Three years later, she was promoted to associate head writer. In 1986, Broderick became co-head writer -- and a year later she became the show's sole head writer. In her time away from All My Children, Broderick worked as co-head writer of Guiding Light, head writer for Another World, and as a writer on As the World Turns, Days of our Lives, One Life to Live, and Port Charles. Broderick's official title has been associate head writer since her 2009 return following the firing of Charles Pratt, Jr., as head writer. During her time with All My Children, Broderick has earned four Daytime Emmys.
According to multiple sources, Broderick has been signed to a multi-year contract with All My Children. ABC has confirmed that Kreizman and Swajeski are no longer with the show in any capacity.
Despite the changes, fans are still urged to let ABC know in a respectful, courteous manner that they want All My Children to remain on the air. Fans can call 818.460.7477 for ABC's automated feedback line. A complete listing of ways to contact ABC is available by clicking here.
