Susan Lucci Surprised, 'Upset' by Cancellation News

By Christine Fenno Posted Apr 16th 2011 11:49AM

Just days before ABC announced the end of its daytime series 'All My Children,' the soap's beloved star, Susan Lucci, was unequivocally denying that her show -- which also launched the careers of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kelly Ripa and Oscar winner Melissa Leo -- was going off the air.

Was Lucci, in fact, blindsided by the cancellation?

Her daughter, Liza Huber, now tells TMZ that her mom is "upset," and had no idea ABC was going to pull the plug on the soap. Lucci was allegedly informed out of the blue on Thursday, at the same time the network broke the news to the entire cast.

Lucci, 64, has played Erica Kane on 'AMC' for 41 years, and has famously been nominated for 21 Emmys (she won in 1999). She is the only original cast member still with the series since its 1970 premiere, which might explain why she'd expect to be in the loop sooner about cancellation plans, instead of caught by surprise.

Lucci, who told PopEater earlier this month that "it hurts" to hear rumors of her show's cancellation, is hardly the only insider devastated to be saying goodbye to 'All My Children.'

Agnes Nixon, 83, who created the show (along with 'One Life to Live,' also being cancelled by ABC), said a statement:

"ABC's decision to cancel All My Children and One Life to Live saddens me greatly....I treasure the decades that the worlds of Pine Valley and Llanview were brought to life by our talented casts and crews. I appreciate that the network allowed our teams to break new dramatic ground and always supported our commitment to the honest portrayal of social issues. We hope we have entertained our viewers and perhaps even educated them along the way."

Nixon then added that, although the network was through with her soaps, she held out hope they might find a new home elsewhere.

"We were always family, made up of writers, producers, directors, actors, crews," she said. "Equally important in that family are our loyal fans who shared this journey with us. Although ABC has concluded there is no longer a place for our shows on their network, I will do everything possible to keep them alive."

Tags: all my children, susan lucci

Comments

(136)

Saturday 16 April

By RachelCory

Vote down Vote up Report this

If Susan had any 'Pull' with the show, she would of made sure Greenlee,Ryan and Kendall were put on the BACK burner or even better yet fired! They are the cause of Low ratings. They have egos that are transparent and repulsive. Good luck to those 3 getting future jobs. They are now officially hasbeens. THank GOD.

By lin257

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Sorry, but I like Kendal and Greenlee and especially Ryan. True,
the story lines sometimes get a little elongated, but I still think they should stay.

By bigD

You're right Rachel, she clearly was just another actor to ABC. They actually let her go on 3 or 4 talk shows just last week to proclaim that all was well in Pine Valley. ABC just hung her out to dry with no regard for how silly she would look when the ax fell just days later. How AWFUL. I am appalled.

By falcon38a

Erica, Kendall and Ryan are the stars of the show. ABC, save AMC!!!!

By Beni

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

"...perhaps even educated them along the way." Seriously?! It's a frickin' soap opera. Get over yourself. And anyone who has been able to play make-believe for 40+ years and get rich doing it doesn't get an ounce of sympathy from me.

By h8bigots

Glad it's canceled. It was a full of bigotry.

By a man

Who cares? This is just a soap opera. These aren't people in your life. And they made untold sums of money that none of us will ever be able to equal because none of us are in "show business". If they weren't prepared for their show to be canceled after 41 years, then they don't deserve our time.

By Ryland

This may be a good thing that All My Children is going off the air. I don't know how many more facelifts Susan Lucci's face can take. Seriously.

By JT

You seem to be absolutely right about the facelifts.....my aunt used to watch this show many years ago, and it would be on the tv when I came home from school....Susan Lucci looks nothing like what she used to, even a couple of years ago..I suspect from the plastic surgeries......

By Manhattan

Facelifts notwithstanding, she looks pretty damn good for 64. If and when I ever opt for a facelift ("opt for", who am I kidding; I will never be able to afford one!!!!), I would want her surgeon.

By me

She still looks pretty....you jealous

By Andrea

She looks beautiful. Get over yourself.

Sunday 17 April

By Themagicrat

Lol. She looks beautiful for 64. With hair extensions, color, facelifts and makeup so thick you could spread it with a butter knife. Could you imagine waking up, turning over, and seeing that turkey neck? Give me a woman who ages with grace and doesn't need all that crap. She may look old, but at least she doesn't have or give false expectations. And gets to keep her dignity.

By BeerBelly

Easy fix..one of the other networks should just pick up her character for their show..think of the media buzz and how many people would watch..maybe GH should try and get her (as the same character)..just a thought!

By lillymc

It would be nice to have Erica on General Hospital because their story lines are beginning to bore me.

By MJO

Great idea! There will be more men on the show for Eria to bewitch ... uh .... sleep with!! That's all her character ever did.

By keo

Susan Lucci would not fit in on GH I should know I have been watching it all my life.

By justmyopinion

I'm sorry to hear this. The Young and The Restless isn't far behind. TY&TR gets more and more absurd. For that matter, so does The Bold and The Beautiful. Sad people will be losing their jobs.

By Lee

You got that right, I am sick of the Young and The Restless. Nick and Phyllis are back and forth, Nickie and Victor, Diane and Victor. I am sick of the whole show!

By Teresa

This is terrible that All My Children and One Life To Live going off the Air. Take Days of Lives and Yound and Restless and Bold Of Beautiful off the Air instead oo all my children and one life to live. They need to think of all those elderly in the nursing home that watch these. This is their life. They dont want it replace with cook and marriges show. We have enough of them. Please think of the elderly. It like a death for me. Let them get new writer and work on keeping them on the AIR.

Page 1 of 7