on January 4. SOD broke the news after being scooped by Daytime Confidential last week. OLTL will move into AMC's vacated NYC studo. Both shows will be then begin filming in HD.This news leads to tons of questions, that I'm doing my best to get answers to (and updating this item as new information comes in). But my first question is what will long time NY based actors do? Will they go or will we be losing Susan Lucci (Erica), David Canary (Adam), Michael E. Knight (Tad), Thorsten Kaye (Zach - who's significant other Susan Haskell is on OLTL and remaining in NY), Ray MacDonnell (Joe), Jill Larson (Opal) just to name a few. Will we going to lose all of these actors?? Is this the beginning of the end of AMC??
ABC released these statements: "All My Children is one of the most recognizable brands in television, and we are committed to continue telling and enhancing the stories of the residents of Pine Valley," said Brian Frons, president of the Daytime division of the Disney/ABC Television Group. "The move to Los Angeles enables both 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' to dramatically improve the series production models and achieve significant efficiencies while enhancing each show. We had to examine every option on the table to combat the current economic realities, and
rising costs of production, and we are doing it in a way that makes each of our shows stronger."And: "I am so grateful for the wonderful commitment from ABC to 'All My Children,'" said Agnes Nixon, creator of both shows. "While I will miss being able to run over to the show ... it feels a little like I am sending one of my children off to be married. ... I am glad the network is making moves that will enable the team to continue telling stories about Pine Valley. ... There are many more secrets to be revealed."
(8/6 update) The lastest from SOD online says, "A high-placed show source says to expect the returns of multiple L.A.-based AMC alums, "three-to-four big names, maybe more." Hints one high-profile alum, "I always said I would have stayed on the show forever if it was in L.A."
And tune into Live with Regis and Kelly tomorrow, Friday, August 7. Susan Lucci (Erica) will be a guest on the show!
not sure how to feel about this... AMC will definitely change, but I doubt it will be for the better. I am SO sad...
ReplyDeleteI am too Kimberly.
ReplyDeleteMy initial reaction: BULL....
ReplyDeleteThe "all" in "ALL MY CHILDREN" was lost a long time ago. Get the shovels out, we're about the bury our show. Hard to believe they'd make a move like this but for some reason that I can't figure out, Disney must love Brian Frons. What he says goes.
Very sad.
I suspect you are right. Could this be the beginning of the end? I doubt that Susan Lucci would move. What about Cameron Matheson? People have their lives established in NYC. It seems like a good way to for TIIC to clean house. :(
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't understand why it is so much cheaper to produce in LA.
I think this might be a good move. The show has been lagging for so long, although I still watch...36 yrs and counting. A change like this could be a good thing. Lets hope!
ReplyDeleteI guess James Mitchell (Palmer) was smart in permanently relocating at his winter home in LA.
ReplyDeleteI want to look at the bright side of this whole thing and hopefully it will make AMC better. I'm more interested in what the NY based stars have to say. They must have a deal with AMC to make this move I would think. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling we might see an outbreak of SORAS in the near future, the adult cast relocating is one thing, but relocating the younger actors and actresses playing all the "children" is another story.
ReplyDeleteI really love all you half full people and wish I was one of them. Alas, never have been so I can't start now.
ReplyDeleteWould Cameron move? Who knows. He's pretty established in NYC doing work on GMA. But he might. And KyL brings up a great point about the kids. The coming weeks will be very interesting to see how the actors react.
According to a "tweet" from Chrisell: We are all in shock.
ReplyDeleteLaura, it's cheaper to use Los Angeles because you can build permanent sets rather than hiring a union to come in, build and strike sets down everyday. That's currently what they do in NYC.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess the show loses a good deal of the veterans, but keeps most of the younger actors. But hey...looks like we'll probably get Greenlee and Bianca back.
While they have made some questionable decisions in recent history, I don't think they would be dumb enough to do something this big without at least clearing it with Cameron and Susan Lucci and possibly David Canary, Michael E. Knight and Ray MacDonnell too.
ReplyDeleteSusan Lucci is going to be on Live with Regis and Kelly tomorrow... I'm anxious to see what she has to say about it!
ReplyDeleteMe too Kimberly!
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to see Rebecca Buddig return to AMC. What other alumni live in LA and would be welcomed back? Josh would be a more than welcomed return, however.
ReplyDeleteThat's only my opinion.
I live on the West Coast and my husband works in the movie industry. I am very excited AMC will be moving here. I thought that Susan Lucci's daughter and grandson live here in LA, wouldn't that be a draw for Ms. Lucci? Certainly, Susan is wealthy enough to own two homes one on the West Coast and East Coast. Also, Michael Knight was raised on the West Coast and has always considered himself a Californian. I'm sure he has family still living here. Think of the possibilities of the following returning to our beloved show: Rebecca Budig, Justin Bruening, Alexa Havins, Eden Riegel, Sydney Penny, Eva La Rue, maybe they'll bring Cady McClain back from the dead. I don't want to see any of the old characters leave the show either, but the reality is the studios are making huge budget cuts in this economy. Let's hope we don't lose many of our favorites.
ReplyDeleteAMC has always been so NY, pulling in such great actors from Broadway, going on location shoots, etc. But I'm trying to be more optimistic about it. For instance, we don't have to lose Dr. Joe. Ray MacDonnell is on so infrequently that if they want to feature him, he can stay in New York and commute to LA for the few days he would be needed.
ReplyDeleteI feel badly that so many (if they chose to go) will have to uproot their lives. I also feel badly for the crew members who will most likely lose their jobs because of it.
It's sad, it's exciting, it's terrifying all rolled up into one ;)