They’ve Canceled My Stories!

Yes, I watch soap operas. My Nana used to watch Passions in its early days, when it was zany and unlike any other soap. While doing some summer volunteer work in high school, I was stuck answering phones in a room with a TV with no cable. So, I decided to give Passions a try. And I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, while I could watch it during the summer, I couldn’t during the school year. I tried to watch when I could, but eventually drifted away as it became more traditional.

For the record, my favorite characters were Kay, Timmy, Fox and Sheridan.

On my senior trip to Walt Disney World, my roommate was an “All My Children” fan. At the time we were down there, they were in the middle of the baby switch plot. That’s when Paul Cramer stole Babe’s baby boy to give to his sister Kelly on “One Life to Live.” She was pregnant but miscarried and believes the baby is the only way to save her marriage to Kevin. Paul gives Babe Bianca’s baby girl and lets Bianca think her baby died. Eventually, everything is set right and more drama is created. Like Passions, I was still in school when this aired. Unlike Passions, I was able to watch this show at night on SoapNet. But once I went to college, I lost interest in All My Children—though I still purchased Soap Opera Digest every week at the bookstore.

For the record, my favorite character was Greenlee. Still is, though I don’t watch it very often. I also liked Jamie Martin as well.

As my days at work dwindled, I soon found myself watching a new soap—One Life to Live. I came in as Dorian was about to walk down the aisle to David, only for him to disappear. This was also when Echo came back to town, raising Vicki’s blood pressure. Twins Natalie and Jessica were pregnant at the same time—possibly by the same man—and Starr was torn between James and baby-daddy Cole. The town exploded as Tea was really alive, Cole went to prison, Marty went insane, Eddie Ford was killed and paternity tests came to light.

One Life to Live has also aired a very good story on bullying. It involves Shane, Rex and Gigi’s teenage son who suffers from asthma, and Jack, Blair and Todd’s teenage son. Jack is the ringleader in leading the whole school, it would seem, in calling Shane “Wheezy” and tormenting the young boy. It started with mean posts online, comments in class, insults and putdowns. Echo, now revealed to be Shane’s biological grandmother, accidentally stumbles across the bullying but promises to keep quiet to keep Shane’s trust—mostly because she believes him when he says it’s nothing and it’ll go away on its own.

But it doesn’t. In fact, it gets worse. Jack steals money Shane has been collecting for a school club and his friend frame Shane. Shane takes the blame in hopes that it will stop the bullying. When he returns to school, Jack takes Shane’s inhaler and causes him to have an attack. Fortunately, Dani and Destiny get the school nurse in time, though Shane once again covers for Jack in fear of retribution. However, Dani is now suspicious. A few days later, Jack and friends steal Shane’s clothes, forcing him to come into the gym in a towel. Of course, everyone ends up in the gym, Shane’s towel ends up being pulled off and everyone records it.

It breaks up as Jack’s sister Starr arrives to take him to visit their comatose father. As she demands to know what was going on, Rex and Gigi burst in. In a quest to understand why Shane had been acting so odd, Rex turns to Echo. She reveals the bullying and Shane’s concerned parents race to the school. They ask Jack why he’s been bullying their son and Starr again demands to know what she interrupted. It finally comes out and Gigi and Rex rush off to find Jack. Starr races off to tell her mother.

Gigi and Rex find a note from Shane where he says “Good-bye.” Gigi panics, believing it to be a suicide note. Rex, though, convinces her Shane most likely ran away. They eventually find him at school…on the roof. As they talk him down, Blair learns of what Jack has been doing. She at first believes it is Jack acting out after his father’s shooting, but Starr reveals the bullying has been going on for months. Blair is upset and scolds Jack when he arrives at the hospital. He shows no remorse for his actions, scaring and frustrating Blair.

Everyone is left spinning and trying to put the pieces back together.

And they want to cancel this? A friend of mine said they should be giving One Life to Live a medal for this storyline and I agree. But, no. Last Thursday, ABC announced that both All My Children and One Life to Live were cancelled. Viewers will say “adieu” to Pine Valley in September while I’ll tearfully be bidding Llanview’s residents a fond farewell in January. Both will be replaced by talk shows.
We are watching the dissolution of an entire genre. By February 2012, there will only be four daytime serials on air: The Young and the Restless (CBS), Bold and the Beautiful (CBS), Days of our Lives (NBC) and General Hospital (ABC). And who knows how long they will last?

So, here’s a toast to Erica Kane—Susan Lucci—and Victoria Lord—Erika Slezak. Thanks for the entertainment, ladies. I’ll miss you.