ABC Cancels Long-Running Soaps

ABC today announced the cancellations of two of television’s longest-running soap operas, All My Children and One Life To Live.

The network announced Thursday that the two soap operas would end, with “All My Children” going off the air in September and “One Life to Live” going off the air in January. In their place, a Mario Batali-hosted food show called “The Chew” will premiere in September, and a health/lifestyle transformation show tentatively called “The Revolution” will premiere in January.

That leaves The Bold & The Beautiful, General Hospital, The Young & The Restless, and Days Of Our Lives still running on daytime network television. Only four? Is that right? That’s a far cry from what seems like dozens of soaps during my childhood. But I still miss Dark Shadows and Peyton Place.

UPDATE: Susan Lucci reacts to the end of her 41 year run as Erika Kane. “It’s been a fantastic journey. I’ve loved playing Erica Kane and working with Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children. I’m looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities.”