All My Children bites the dust

by Maria Geraci

The rumors have been rampant. Yesterday it was confirmed. The long running iconic soap opera that brought us the invincible Erica Kane has finally been cancelled. Beginning September, All My Children will be no more.

I know it's silly to get all choked up over a soap opera, but I can't help myself. It's like the demise of a beloved older Aunt--the one who used to sneak candy to you when your parents forbade it. AMC was a lovable guilty pleasure and I feel no shame in admitting that I used to watch the show religiously.

I remember putting my kids down for their naps after lunch and flopping out on the couch, exhausted, yet ready to get my Pine Valley fix on. As the mother of three, it was the highlight of my day. Yikes. What does that say about me? I guess I was just like millions of women everywhere. I wanted to escape my life of diaper changing for an hour of lust, mystery, and a few laughs, because yes, AMC had just as much humor as it did melodrama. If you don't believe me, ask any faithful viewer about the Janet-from-another-planet story line. Only in a soap opera can you get away with an evil twin pushing her good twin down a well so that said evil twin can impersonate the good twin to take her man away. The fact that said evil twin fooled everyone in town except the faithful dog, Harold (who was smarter than Rin Tin Tin and Lassie put together) was sheer brilliance on the writers part. Honestly, I loved that story line. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it kept me coming back for more.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I haven't watched AMC in years. But I took a certain comfort in knowing that the show was always there if I needed it. Every once in a while whenever I was in a nostalgic mood, I'd sit down at 1pm, turn on the TV and flip the channel to ABC. Sometimes I'd watch for up to ten minutes without recognizing a soul, but then one of my "people" would show up (like Erica or Adam or Angie or Tad or the ever delicious Jack) and I'd find myself sucked back into the story. Knowing it won't be an option anymore makes me sad. Thank you to all the AMC actors, writers, producers, and everyone involved in the show. You made my day a little brighter. Favorite story lines?

1. Natalie being pushed down the well and her evil twin (Janet from another planet) taking her place


2. Harold the dog being drugged by Janet, then finding his way across the country to get home to Pine Valley and stop Trevor and crazy Janet's wedding


3. Erica finding out Bianca (her daughter) was gay (a first for daytime tv and done with great sensitivity)


4. Greg and Jenny's romance, then having Jenny killed on the exploding jet ski


5. Tad's birth mom, Opal (best character ever!)

I could go on, but you get my drift. Pine Valley, I'll miss you!

----- Maria Geraci writes fun, romantic women's fiction. Just this week, she sold her fourth novel, The Ugly Girlfriend to Berkley. Her latest release The Boyfriend of the Month Club is available now. Visit her website or connect with her on facebook and twitter.