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Soap Opera Veteran Calls Cancellation of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ a “Huge Mistake”
Veteran soap star Maurice Benard, known for his long-running role on General Hospital, recently spoke out about the cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live. In a candid conversation on his podcast, State of Mind, with former All My Children actor Cameron Mathison, Benard didn’t mince words, stating that the networks made a “huge mistake” cancelling the popular daytime dramas.
“They know they did,” Benard declared, arguing that network executives underestimated the dedicated soap opera fanbase. He believes this miscalculation has made it much harder to cancel soaps today.
Mathison, who starred on All My Children, echoed Benard’s sentiments. He highlighted the strong performance of General Hospital, both on traditional television and streaming platforms, as evidence of the genre’s enduring appeal.
He suggested that network executives likely regret their decision. Benard agreed, adding that he’s felt this way for years.
Both All My Children and One Life to Live were cancelled by ABC on April 14, 2011, after decades on the air. Benard’s State of Mind podcast focuses on mental health and wellness, featuring interviews with a variety of guests. Interestingly, Benard began his daytime career on All My Children, playing Nico Kelly from 1987-1989.