The Final Cast Shot of the Cast of "All My Children" (Photo: ABC)

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “All My Children,” aired its series finale on Friday, September 23, 2011 with its largest weekly audience in over four years (since week of August 20, 2007), its largest single day episode in more than 4 1/2 years (since the May 11, 2007 episode) and tied its highest weekly household rating in four years (since week of September 24, 2007). The canceled ABC soap managed to place second in households for the first time in 16 years (since week of July 10, 1995) and placed second in viewers for the first time in nearly seven years (since week of December 6, 2004).

With an average of nearly 3 million viewers watching the final hours of their favorite Pine Valley citizens before the soap faded to black in a shocking cliffhanger ending, “AMC” pulled off a feat that not many soaps have been able to do, which was go out with a bang. According to Nielsen Media Research data, “All My Children” averaged 3.5 million viewers (3.475 in actuals) for its last episode which was its largest audience since its Friday, May 11, 2007 episode, where it also averaged 3.5 million viewers. In that episode Greenlee (Rebecca Budig Sabine Singh) interrupted Ryan (Cameron Mathison) and Annie’s (Melissa Claire Egan) wedding reception, while Krystal (Bobbie Eakes) took her new-born baby girl Jenny home for the first time and Colby tried to make amends with her father, while JR mourned the death of Dixie (Cady McClain) and Di (Kelli Giddish) learned some shocking news about Ava/Lily (Leven Rambin).

The last time “AMC” averaged a 1.1/7 in Women 18-49 was during the week of March 8, 2010, when 728,000 Women 18-49 viewers were tuned in. By comparison only 689,000 Women 18-49 viewers tuned in for the soaps finale week. The last time “All My Children” received a 2.6 household rating was on Thursday, July 26, 2007, which translated into 3.4 million total viewers. Meanwhile, the last time the soap managed a weekly audience of more than 3 million viewers was the week of August 20, 2007 when the soap averaged 3,020,000 viewers, which at the time was a loss of 120,000 viewers compared to the same week in 2006. The last time “All My Children” averaged a 2.3 in households for a given week was the week of September 24, 2007, the start of the 2007-2008 television season, in which 2.8 million viewers tuned in.

Sixteen years have gone by since we saw numbers like these, but it was also the last time “AMC” was the second most watched daytime soap. During the week of July 10, 1995, “All My Children” ranked second (only beyond “The Young and the Restless“) with a 5.7/18 household rating/share point. The last time the soap was second in total viewers, however, was during the week of December 6, 2004, when the soap averaged 3.9 million viewers and a 2.2/14 in Women 18-49. The week of January 17, 2005 was the last time “AMC” placed second in Women 18-49 viewers when it had a 2.2/12 rating/share and 1.4 million Women 18-49 viewers. During that week the soap averaged 3.9 million total eyeballs. Interestingly enough, “All My Children” took the #1 spot in Women 18-49 and Women 18-49 viewers during the February 2005 Sweeps period. Afterward, the soap never managed to place higher than 3rd in either category until the week of September 19-23, 2011, when it aired its last five episodes out of the more than 10,700 recorded.

What follows is a breakdown of “All My Children’s” final weekly ratings performance since its debut on January 5, 1970:

• Up 36% over its year-ago performance in Men 18+ viewers (596,000 vs 437,000)
• Up 35% over its year-ago performance in Households (2.3/7 vs 1.7/6)
• Up 34% over its year-ago performance in Women 50+ viewers (1,576,000 vs 1,179,000)
• Up 32% over its year-ago performance in Total Viewers (2,990,000 vs 2,270,000)
• Up 29% over its year-ago performance in Women 18+ viewers (2,265,000 vs 1,755,000)
• Up 13% 25% over its year-ago performance in Women 25-54 rating (1.5/9 vs 1.2/9)
• Up 25% over its year-ago performance in Men 18+ rating (0.5/4 vs 0.4/4)
• Up 24% over its year-ago performance in Adults 18-49 viewers (929,000 vs 752,000)
• Up 22% over its year-ago performance in Women 18-49 rating (1.1/7 vs 0.9/7)
• Up 20% over its year-ago performance in Women 25-54 viewers (919,000 vs 767,000)
• Up 20% over its year-ago performance in Women 18-49 viewers (689,000 vs 576,000)
• Up 20% over its year-ago performance in Women 18-34 rating (0.6/4 vs 0.5/4)
• Up 20% over its year-ago performance in Women 18-34 viewers (217,000 vs 181,000)
• “All My Children” increased in audience by 717,000 viewers from its Monday, September 19 episode (2,758,000) to its last episode on Friday, September 23 (3,475,000).
• “All My Children” was daytime’s most watched program in the key sales demographics of Women 18-34 (268,000), Women 18-49 (824,000) and Women 25-54 (1,049,000) on Friday, September 23, the day it aired its series finale.
• “All My Children” had its biggest week to week gain in total viewers since the week of December 27, 2004, when it gained 521,000 viewers. During the week of September 19, 2011, “AMC” gained 499,000 viewers.

Although ABC canceled “All My Children” along with “One Life to Live” on Thursday, April 14, both soaps were given a renewed sense of life when production company Prospect Park announced on Thursday, July 7 that they would resume production of both soaps as they transition to a new online television network, which was just named earlier this week as The Online Network or TOLN. Soap Opera Network wishes the cast and crew of “All My Children” the best of luck as they transition to the web beginning in January 2012.

Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Although ABC did not expect “The Chew” to outperform “All My Children” every day nor did they expect it to beat it in the long-run, after all the ultimate goal is to save money by producing a cheaper show, the network should still be a little worried about “Chew’s” performance after three days of ratings data have been released.

According to Nielsen Media Research via TV Media Insights, after three days on the air “The Chew” is averaging a 1.9/6 household rating/share point (the site noted 2.0/6, but it is actually 1.9/6). During the same period a year ago, “All My Children” had a 2.1/7 household rating/share point.

Although not much can be said about a lead-in, especially when broadcast network programming doesn’t typically live or die by the local programming airing on their affiliated stations prior to the start of a broadcast lineup, Marc Berman, TV Media Insight‘s Editor in Chief, noted the following about “The Chew’s” first three days:

Monday 9/26 – Lead-in: 3.0/10, The Chew: 2.1/ 7
Tuesday 9/27 – Lead-in: 2.9/10, The Chew: 1.9/ 6
Wednesday 9/28 – Lead-in: 2.8/ 9, The Chew: 1.8/ 6

Chris Haston/NBC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Earlier today, Soap Opera Digest shocked the soap world when it reported that after five years on “Days of our Lives,” actor James Scott (EJ DiMera) would soon be vacating Salem after a contract dispute with show producers Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television hit a snag, now hours later like sands through the hourglass, Scott’s “DAYS” have changed.

In a statement released by “Days of our Lives,” Scott says “It has always been my wish to continue working with ‘Days of our Lives,’ and in light of recent reassurances given, I am optimistic of my future here at Days!” That reassurance seems to have been helped along by “DAYS” co-executive producer Greg Meng, who co-head writer Marlene McPherson noted on her Twitter page had informed her that despite Digest‘s claims, “they are [still] in negotiations.”

Prior to joining the cast of “Days of our Lives” in 2006, Scott had portrayed the role of Ethan Cambias on ABC’s “All My Children.”

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Even though viewers have yet to learn the identity of Kim’s (Amanda Setton) comatose friend, look for her doctor to make his first appearance at the Kentucky hospital next month as her conditions takes a sudden change. And it is a face that some soap fans may remember.

Kurt McKinney, best known for his roles as Matt on “Guiding Light,” Ellis on “As the World Turns,” and Ned on “General Hospital,” will make his “One Life to Live” debut in what is believed to be the recurring role of Dr. Fascinella on Friday, October 14. While the show is keeping mum on the details surrounding his debut, we can tell you that the show released an audition script for the role recently. That script, however, was a recycled version of the one released earlier this year for the role of Dr. Pryor, who told Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Nora (Hillary B. Smith) that Matthew (Eddie Alderson) had suffered severe brain trauma, as the show worked to keep the true identity of Kim’s friend a secret.

McKinney isn’t the first employee of the unnamed Anchorage, Kentucky hospital to be cast. Adriane Lenox first aired as Nurse Judy, whom Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) recently pumped for information, on Monday, September 19. The show also just released a casting call for a receptionist who will be tied to the storyline as well. And on Monday, October 17, Paul Hickert will play “Kentucky Cop #2.”

In a interesting twist, McKinney himself is a Kentucky native, as is Farah Fath (Gigi), who is rumored to be tied to the storyline as well.

In other news…

Want to get a sneak peek at which sets and clothing will be used will be used in some upcoming scenes and episodes? If so, then check out these behind-the-scenes pictures of Jerry verDorn (Clint) giving two lucky fans a tour of the studios back in August.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — One day on the air and “The Chew” is already beating “All My Children‘s” most recent performance in Total Viewers and the key sales demographic of Women 18-49. The new food and lifestyle talk show also beat the soaps season to date performance for the 2010-2011 television season that concluded on Friday, September 16.

Per ABC via TVbytheNumbers.com, “The Chew” averaged 2.5 million viewers and 590,000 Women 18-49 viewers compared to “All My Children’s” average of 2.491 (averaged to 2.5 million for technicality purposes) and 532,000 Women 18-49 viewers during the week of September 12-16, 2011. It should be noted however that “AMC’s’ Monday, September 12 episode actually beat “Chew” in total viewers (2,640,000 vs 2,500,000). Ratings data for “All My Children’s” final week on television (September 19-23, 2011) won’t be released until as early as Thursday, but the 41-year old soap is expected to top “Chew’s” current performance in both viewers and demos.

For the 2010-2011 television season, “The Chew” beat “All My Children’s” average in Total Viewers (2.5 million vs. 2.4 million) and Women 18-49 (590,000/0.9 rating vs. 541,000/0.8 rating).

Also per ABC, “The Chew’s” premiere episode also exceeded the performance of the series debut of the networks flagship daytime program “The View,” which debuted in August 1997 with 1.9 million viewers, and CBS’ “The Talk,” which launched with 2.2 million viewers in October 2010. The network noted “Chew” also beat “Talk’s” premiere episode in Women 18-34 (167,000 vs. 158,000), Women 18-49 (590,000 vs. 568,000) and Women 25-54 (732,000 vs. 672,000), despite neither show airing against one another in the major markets.

“The Chew” is co-hosted by Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall,  Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz.

Prospect Park

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Nearly three months after licensing the rights to “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” from ABC, Prospect announces the launching of a new web channel, The Online Network, which will air both soaps along with the upstart company’s other current and future programming.

According to a press release, the new site will launch in January “with the goal of eventually providing viewers with a full programming selection of first-run, long form content on an anytime, anywhere basis.”

“We are creating TOLN to conveniently deliver fans of quality television long-form programming anytime and anywhere. With broadband availability in 70% of US households and the proliferation of internet enabled televisions, DVRs and wireless devices, ultimately we believe that online distribution provides the best platform to access 30 and 60 minute entertainment content. The viewer response to the shows we have licensed has been tremendous, and we have much more in development to appeal to a broad audience base,” adds Prospect Park co-founders Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz.

Furthermore, it appears that Canadian fans of the soaps will be in luck, as ABC Soaps in Depth tweets that our friends north of the border will be able to watch “AMC” and “OLTL” on The Online Network as well.

In related news, TVLine is reporting that “at launch time TOLN will be strictly ad-supported, like most online video hubs,” however that has yet to be confirmed by Prospect Park.

Fans wanting to receive updates regarding The Online Network, as well as its show (including “AMC” and “OLTL”), can register with your e-mail address or cell phone number at www.TOLN.com or www.theonlinenetwork.com.

“All My Children” aired its final episode on ABC last Friday, while “One Life to Live” will last end its network run on January 13, 2012. Both shows are expected to resume with Prospect Park early next year.

Broadway World

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Llanview comings and goings for the month of October.

Thought you’d seen the last of Llanview’s craziest physic, but were hoping that you’d be wrong? If so, then you are in luck. Lea DeLaria reprises her role of Madame Delphina on Monday, October 10 when she encounters someone who is feeling a little guilty over something they’ve done as well as someone that asks her to repeat something in particular that she did for him once in the past.

Wendy Moniz is back as Llanview’s new mayor Kathleen Finn on Monday, October 3, and again on  Thursday, October 20 when she shows the Llanview Police Department some tough love.

David A. Gregory (Ford) has listed his October airdates on his Facebook page as being the 5, 6, 18, 19, 25, 27, and 31. That is 7 out of 21 episodes airing during the month.

Christopher L. Graves will play a Paparazzi on Friday, October 21. Also in that episode will be Nic Robuck (James), according to IMDb.

Expect to see a little more of Barbara Rhoades (Irene Manning) as the calendar changes from September to October. But will that be the last fans will be seeing of her, or will Irene’s reign of terror continue? Tune in to find out!

Don’t look for Kathy Brier (Marcie) or Chris Stack (Michael) to come back to Llanview for a little while longer. Brier tells a fan on Facebook that their return won’t happen until “Toward the end of October.”

It’s Halloween time in Llanview. Sean Ringgold (Shaun) posted this picture on his Facebook page last Friday, along with the comments “Hey Guys I’m in the Studio about to shoot some Halloween scenes . Can anyone guess what I will be ? I’m sure some people will have jokes for this question but what The heck :- )”

If your wondering about when some of your favorite (or not) recurring characters will be getting a little more airtime, no need to fear. Several actors, including Ilene Kristen (Roxy), Kim Zimmer (Echo), Nick Choksi (Vimal), Shenaz Treasury (Rama), Austin Williams (Shane), and Austin Peck (Rick) will all appear on screen at one point or another again in the coming weeks.

Are Farah Fath (Gigi) and John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex) about to leave “OLTL” behind? Fath tweeted on September 21 that “I’ll study twitter slang tomorrow, i gotta go to bed now, ‘OLTL’ at the crack…” And, when asked about how much longer she would be in New York City (where “OLTL” is taped), she responded with “Only for 2 more months.”

What fun place to work. Kristen Alderson (Starr) tweeted on Monday that she was “Working with silly folks today!”

And talk about a long day on the set. “OLTL” make-up artist Julia Davis tweeted on September 22 that “They have extended our out time. No cooking tonight. This calls for takeout,” and that she was “Finally headed home after 13 hours on set. Thanks a Good Night to Llanview… In need of some zzzzz.”

Craig Sjodin/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “All My Children‘s” replacement show “The Chew” debuts today, just three days after “AMC” aired its final episode on ABC, and I can’t help myself in wishing it would just go away. No, it isn’t the show or what it is all about. In a perfect world I’d care to watch it from time to time, after all we all have to cook good and healthy meals don’t we? But it is the way the network went about handling “The Chew” which included non-stop advertising during “AMC’s” final weeks on television along with non-stop advertising on soap opera centered websites including Soap Opera Network that I find myself saying “what a way to spit on your audience.”

Of course daytime has changed according to ABC’s own research and their viewers were really tired of watching soap operas so it makes sense to promote your new shows to your audience, but the only audience you had were watching soaps, so who is going to watch “The Chew” if not soap fans? “The Chew” is being promoted everywhere you look. On TV, on billboards, in magazines and if I recall correctly (or IIRC) and not mistaken, it’s also being promoted in movie theaters with pre-show clippings. Where was this type of advertising for daytime soap operas?

Do I wish the show failure? If I were being honest with myself I’d say yes just so ABC can be proven wrong in their presumptions, but I don’t think it will bomb. No matter if it lands itself below “All My Children” in every ratings category from here on out, it will still be a success for ABC because the network is spending 30-40% less than they did on “AMC.” Ratings no longer matter, it’s all about the bottom dollar and just like Jeff Zucker, who has joined the network as it gets ready to launch a Katie Couric hosted daytime talk show next year, said when he ran NBC  “we’re managing for margin, not for ratings. So it’s the expense of our shows, the consistency of our shows being on the schedule. It’s not determined by the size of the ratings, because the size of the ratings of a show we cannot afford is not going to do us any good anymore.” Right or wrong, that’s just the new reality.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — The 25th Annual Broadway Fleamarket sponsored by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS took place today and several of daytime’s biggest stars were on hand as celebrity guests including stars from “One Life to Live” such as Kristen Alderson (Starr Manning), Andrew Trischitta (Jack Manning), Gina Tognoni (ex-Kelly Cramer), Sean Ringgold (Shaun Evans), Ilene Kristen (Roxy Balsom) and even former cast member Judith Light (ex-Karen Wolek). Also in attendance was former “Guiding Light” actor Ron Raines (ex-Alan Spaulding), who is currently appearing in previews for the Broadway production of “Follies.” Raines’ former “Light” co-star Marj Dusay (ex-Alexandra Spaulding) was scheduled to appear but had to cancel due to illness. Also scheduled was “As The World Turns” actresses Eileen Fulton (ex-Lisa Grimaldi) and Ellen Dolan (Margo Hughes). Soap Opera Network spoke with a few of the stars and learned some interesting tidbits, one of which being that Ringgold received his offer from Prospect Park on Friday and he’s since decided to continue with the show when it moves to the web in January along with “All My Children.”

“You know what’s funny, I was making up my mind cause I got the offer to come over on Friday [September 23] actually and I didn’t give them my response, but after speaking with a couple of hierarchies, I just said ‘you know what? I’ll give it a year!’ Why not? So I’m going to come over to Prospect Park.” As for what the new version of the soap may look like and what fans can expect, Ringgold emphasizes that “There’s going to be more of a free reign to do more things on the internet than you could normally do on network. It could get quite interesting. I’ll leave that open for the imagination.” As for the chance of new faces popping up and where they’ll find their new filming digs, the actor says “I’m sure there are going to be new characters who are going to be brought on and I hope the studio goes to Brooklyn because I live in Queens. Although coming into Manhattan wouldn’t be a bad thing – I’ll miss Manhattan – but to just be able to wake up out of the bed and drive 10 minutes over to the studio. I’ll be in heaven.”

What is Ringgold looking forward to most for his character as the soap transitions from ABC to Prospect Park? “As long as Shaun is there for Destiny, and being supportive of his sister with her decision, whichever way we’ll see how that turns out to be… just to be there for [my] sister and to make sure she’s good and also my mom. They’re going to bring my pops back and it’ll be great if Greg [Terrell Tilford] popped up as well.” Speaking of Destiny, particularly her portrayer Shennell Edmonds, can we expect to hear news of her continuing as well? While Ringgold couldn’t confirm it as fact, he does hope it turns out to be the case.

Lastly with “One Life to Live” being canceled in April by ABC only to be picked up in July by Prospect Park, what happens to the planned series finale that was scheduled to air in January? “I’m sure they are changing the story a little bit because we’re going to continue on with Prospect Park.”

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — This week has been full of well deserved tributes, accolades and goodbyes to a 41-year old television institution, “All My Children.” Lost in the avalanche of interviews with the actors who have contributed their talents to the popular soap opera may have been several of the shows most popular actors sharing if they have been asked to follow it to the internet and if they’re willing to. The production company that has licensed their soap opera, Prospect Park, has recently stepped up talks with “AMC’s” cast members locking in deals with Cameron Mathison (Ryan) and Lindsay Hartley (Cara). Where do “AMC’s” other popular stars, including their biggest star Susan Lucci (Erica), stand on moving to the net? Continue reading to find out.

Fans may have felt a renewed sense of doom when Deadline.com turned up with a scathing report about Lucci and Prospect Park failing to come to terms due to the superstar trying to “gouge” the production company thus endangering the daytime drama’s future. Coincidentally, that report came out in the days following the paperback release of her memoir, “All My Life.” The book contains a new chapter where the respected actress reveals her not so positive true feelings about ABC Daytime’s top brass. This Friday, the stunning 64-year old actress talked to NPR about her career and her future with “AMC.” Lucci revealed that she is still in negotiations with Prospect Park and is currently “waiting for a response” to terms she has put on the table. The popular actress shares that she’d love to continue with the soap that she help put on the map. She asserts that “[her] heart is there with Agnes Nixon, Erica Kane, [the] viewership, [the] fans.”

Michael E. Knight, on the other hand, appears to be settling in for a long break from Pine Valley. Earlier this week, he revealed to Michael Fairman that the men behind Prospect Park reached out to him “hard and fast” early on in the game with a respectful and generous offer for a long-term contract. Knight turned that offer down. The Daytime Emmy Award winner reveals he certainly feels a responsibility to the soap opera he joined in 1982 and to its loyal fans, so he has told Prospect Park executives, Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz, he’d be willing to “go forward on a recurring basis, or short-term, or whatever.” The exhausted actor feels the character of Tad Martin has been put in a corner in terms of storyline and appears to be, respectfully, enjoying having a choice in term of his future after years of dealing with a demanding and demeaning ABC Daytime brass. Knight does not rule out a contract return to the soap at some point in the future.

Frustrated with the writing for her once spitfire character, Greenlee Smythe, Rebecca Budig initially appeared to be ready to jump ship before Prospect Park even imagined extending an offer. This week she revealed to TV Line that she has met with Prospect Park and they’re “still talking.”

As previously reported, one of Budig’s best friends and her former co-star, Alicia Minshew found herself in a similar situation to both Knight and Budig; ready to move on and only willing to remain with the show within a limited capacity. After beginning talks with Prospect Park, though, the actress appears to feel more positive about ultimately being able to work something out.

Prospect Park is currently doing its best to get “AMC” back to viewers through the internet with new content by January 2012.  The production company still has to iron out deals with the actor’s union, AFTRA, and work out tentative deals with enough actors to get “AMC” and “One Life to Live‘s” ships sailing.