And the thing is,there is not the next generation of characters to step into those positions because of years of writing off characters once they hit 40.

Linc,Tara,Paul,Ellen etc could be there to become the next matriachs and patriachs but the youth focus of TPTB means there is a void.

This is where the "boring" part of soaps which has now been gutted is supposed to make the difference. The handing down of the show from generation to generation. The idea that this was not necessary for AMC, because all we need is Rylee or the many flashes in the pan of the past decade, is one of their biggest problems.

I don't think it's too late, some of those characters can still return to bridge the gap, and help introduce new characters who are not so damaged, but I guess that isn't likely.

I was watching some of Phoebe's funeral recently, and the Dear Aggie part always gets to me, even if they wouldn't let Phoebe have an entire episode dedicated to her goodbye.

I hope they will at least bring back Taylor Miller for a few days. The Cortlandts could do so much to revitalize AMC, there are still many branches of that family with viable characters. People are still talking about them today, while most of the Laverys are a distant memory after a whopping 2-3 years.

Edited January 23, 201015 yr by CarlD2

What I will remember most about James Mitchell is his chuckle, or I guess I should say Palmer's chuckle, which was so confident, and knowing. You could tell he'd truly lived life. He had a beautiful smile as well. Then I saw some of James's appearances in movies (he has a small part in one of the best musicals ever, The Band Wagon), but Palmer was such a glorious role, full of charm, humor, hot and cold and sometimes pure malevolence.

In Band Wagon he genuinely outdances the lead, Fred Astaire! It's too bad that so few of his ballet and musical theatre roles were filmed--youtube used to have a clip of his performance in So Dear to My Heart, in a racy Arabian pas de deux with Cyd Charisse that actually got him in trouble with the censors--it's as erotic a dance as anything in film history. But I can't find it anymore

I was thinking about the Michael Delaney story, and how the script originally would have called for Palmer to have a homophobic reaction, but James Mitchell asked them to change that, as he felt Palmer would have been supportive. He was right. Palmer was such a complex character, not all good or all bad, the way a lot of soap characters are now. Mitchell, and the show, trusted viewers to see both sides of Palmer.

Agnes takes some credit for that in the Paley Center video-which seems odd, but of course she would have known James had been an openly gay man for ages. But yes, totally agreed

I'd never seen this before. It's a "date" between Palmer and Myrtle, from 2006.

So sad, I have already missed him on AMC, and now I will go on missing him forever. I am sentimental to a fault and it's tough for me when I lose memorable television personalities from my childhood. The best of times to be an AMC fan.

About ten years ago, he and a lady friend/relative (?) and her little girl came into my friend's store. She said that he had to sit and rest for a spell, and that he sported an earring. He was super gentlemanly.

I just Google'd and the Advocate was the only news source that's already got an obituary up: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/01/23/All_My_Children_Star_James_Mitchell_Dead_at_89/?id=105840

Eric, according to that article, his partner is still living.

That was one of his last major scenes I remember. it was basically a one off--no real connection to anything, but great. It was almost like they had both great legends in the studio that day, and the day's episode was short, so they decided to give them a scene.

I might still have this on tape, but Ruth Warrick celebrated her 80th birthday on Regis & Kathy Lee (Joan Rivers was subbing and thought poor Ruthie had lost it because she was wearing a replica of her infamous white ensemble from Citizen Kane). At any rate, the surprise ending of the interview was Susan Lucci and James Mitchell wheeling out a birthday cake with lit candles. James helped Ruth blow out the candles, it was very sweet.

Maybe now we'll finally get The Turning Point on video--the awesome soap opera of a ballet movie with Shirley MacClaine, where James played a demanding ballet instructor0--right before he started as Palmer. I can't even find any clips on youtube.

I dont find this too shocking bc he was old and not in the best health. I expected it soon. Im glad he got a chance to appear on AMC one last time. My prayers go out to him and his family

RIP, James. My thoughts are with his partner and family today.

I've never been an AMC fan. But I did flip the channel to AMC during DOOL commercials. (This was back in the days before remote control -- I actually had to get out of my chair!) I was just a kid, but the young, "hot" stars held no interest for me. I was fascinated by Palmer and Phoebe and Langley and Mona and Charles and Opal, such rich characters played by such marvelous actors. These characters and actors were never part of my daily life like those from DOOL and AW, but I mourned their passing nonetheless – on screen and in real life -- just as I mourn what soaps were when characters like these were prominently featured. RIP, James Mitchell. You were a class act.

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Ugh, how awful! At least we got to see him one last time on the anniversary show.

RIP James, he will definitely be missed!

Another amazing talent gone. For years, AMC had such a stable of great Classic Hollywood film actors who brought such panache and skill to the show. We will never see the likes of these geniuses again.

RIP James Mitchell.